L29/563/8

Walpole, Lisbon to Grantham, St. James's (private) Notes the unfriendly conduct of the Court towards Britain particularly that of M. de Sa. Portuguese have forced Irish deserters from the Spanish Troops back to Spain. This is against the principles of neutrality - it is assisting our enemies. The assent of the Court to new neutral system is something that Walpole could never "perfectly comprehend". The excuse of its being done to check the Spaniards is "not to be received seriously". The "extraordinary step" of Mr Pinto's interfering with the decision in the case of the Gildemester is "far from being friendly". It was a misunderstanding in regard to the Irish merchants. Count Fernannimes was "extremely hurt at success of the Barcassas". This success as well as that of the convoy having got through "produced good deal of bad humour at Madrid". The "flimsy account M. de Ludoria has given of his Engagement with Lord Howe may contribute to appease the disagreement which it is said had taken place". Count d'Estaign is expected at Madrid. He is to command a combined fleet to the West Indies. The Court at Lisbon is endeavouring to "distress us and take as much advantage of our present situation as their pretended system of Neutrality will justify".

11 Nov 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Walpole, Robert,
de Sa,
de Pinto, Jose Pireira,
Fernannimes, Count,
de Ludoria,
Howe,
d'Estaign, Count

Foreign Secretary, political correspondence, letters, Portuguese, Irish, Spanish, trade and industry overseas, general, merchants, naval ships, Lisbon, Westminster Saint James, Britain, Spain, Madrid, West Indies