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The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
On May 8, 1782, at Nassau in New-Providence, British Governor John Maxwell capitulated to Spanish Captain General Juan Manuel de Cagigal, surrendering the Bahama Islands. British troops were to march out with honors and be transported to British ports; inhabitants retained properties and privileges under Spanish rule during the war, with conditions on allegiance and duties.
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ARTICLES of CAPITULATION agreed on at Nassau, in New-Providence, the 8th of May, 1782, by his Excellency Don Juan Manuel de Cagigal, Captain General of his Catholic Majesty's troops, and Governor of Havanna, and his Excellency John Maxwell, Esq; Captain General of his Britannic Majesty's troops in New-Providence.
ARTICLE I.
The possession of New-Providence, as also all other the Bahama islands, together with all the artillery, powder, arms, ammunition, &c. and also all forts in the possession of the troops of his Britannic Majesty, shall be delivered up to the troops of his Catholic Majesty. The British garrison to march out with all the honours of war, arms shouldered, drums beating, &c. and then to deliver up their arms; all officers civil and military, to wear their side arms: after which, the troops to embark, as speedily as possible, on board vessels sufficiently provided and victualed at his Catholic Majesty's expense, to any port in Great-Britain, or any port in America in the possession of his Britannic Majesty. The troops not to serve against Spain or her allies, until exchanged.
--First article granted; troops to be sent to any port in Great Britain, or any other port in the possession of his Britannic Majesty.
ART. II. All officers or others that choose to leave these islands, shall have liberty to depart with their families and effects, and shall have eighteen months allowed them to settle their affairs.---Second article granted and after the expiration of eighteen months shall take the oath of allegiance.
ART. III. The inhabitants within the islands, shall be maintained in the possession of their real estates, &c. and enjoy their rights and privileges,--
Third article granted. provided that those privileges do not interfere with the established rules of the police.
ART. IV. The inhabitants shall pay no other duty than they paid to his Britannic Majesty.
Granted, during the war.
ART. V. The ships belonging to the inhabitants of the islands, shall remain the property of the said inhabitants.---Fifth article: all ships or vessels that are within the Bahama islands, and actually the property of the inhabitants, shall be deemed their property; and all others, except neutral, shall belong to his Catholic Majesty, with all stores, &c. on board.
ART. VI. The inhabitants not to take up arms against his Britannic Majesty.
Answered in article second.
ART. VII. The inhabitants to enjoy their religion.--Seventh article granted, during the war, and the ministers to be subject to the authority of the Governor.
ART. VIII. A safe guard shall be appointed for all papers at the Governor's house, and those not liable to any inspection, but liberty shall be granted to embark them.--Eighth article granted, except plans of the islands.
ART. IX. The sick shall be taken care of at his Catholic Majesty's expense, and sent to Charlestown when recovered.--Ninth article granted, to be sent to Bermuda as prisoners.
ART. X. The inhabitants shall enjoy, until peace, their laws and privileges; justice to be administered by the same persons who are actually in office, and all expenses attending the administration, to be paid by the colony. --Tenth article granted, and it is to be understood, that the said tribunals shall be subject to the superior authority of the Governor.
ART. XI. If there be any doubtful expressions in any of the foregoing articles, they are to be interpreted according to the meaning and common acceptation of the words.
--Eleventh article granted.
ART. XII. The Governor to be permitted to send a flag of truce to New-York, with the capitulation.--Twelfth article granted, and the flag to sail with the vessels appointed to carry the troops.
(Signed) Juan Manuel de Cagigal.
John Maxwell.
Extra Article XIII. Out of respect to Governor Maxwell's disposition for defence, and his humanity to the unfortunate prisoners, I consent he shall not be considered as a prisoner of war, longer than until he is landed with his troops in a British port.
(Signed) Juan Manuel de Cagigal.
A true copy, attested by W. B. Secretary of the province.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Nassau, New Providence
Event Date
8th Of May, 1782
Key Persons
Outcome
surrender of new-providence and bahama islands to spanish forces; british troops repatriated to british ports without serving against spain until exchanged; inhabitants retain estates, privileges, and religion during war, with conditions on allegiance, duties, and governance under spanish authority.
Event Details
Articles of capitulation agreed upon between Spanish Captain General Don Juan Manuel de Cagigal and British Captain General John Maxwell, detailing the handover of the islands, forts, artillery, and provisions; terms for British garrison evacuation with honors, civilian departures, property rights, shipping, religious freedoms, administrative continuity, and safeguards for documents and the sick.