L29/568/40/1

Grantham, St. James's to Fitzherbert, Paris (No 19, copy) Cabinet have decided a written answer should be given to the Spanish Memorial. Only a desire of peace induced the King to accept the Spanish paper. Rejects the offer of Oran for Gibraltar. Spain have excluded Cuba and Porto Rico from an exchange - this precludes any "admissible offer". Fitzherbert instructed to relinquish settlements on the Mosquito shore saving the right of cutting logwood and the cession of West Florida rather than the parting of Gibraltar upon condition that Minorca and the Bahamas are restored to Britain. The claim of the Fishery is out of the question. King insists that if Gibraltar were exchanged, even if it was for Cuba, that West Florida, Minorca and the Bahamas must remain with Britain. The American Commissioners have always refused any footing to Spain or France in North America. The French minister is to be informed that Britain has answered the Spanish Memorial. Importance of the progress of peace not being retarded, especially as the meeting of Parliament is now approaching.

9 Nov 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

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Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Fitzherbert, Alleyn,
George III

Foreign Secretary, political correspondence, Plenipotentiary, Cabinet, Spanish, French, fisheries, general royalty, commissioner, Americans, peace and battles celebrations/commemorations, general parliament, Westminster Saint James, Paris, Spain, Britain, Oran, Gibraltar, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Florida, Minorca, Bahamas, Cuba, France, North America