CHAP, ii.] WEST INDIES. 161 



" met in America, though sailing to and from their 

 " own plantations, and insisted that satisfaction was 

 <c to be given in this, and a good foundation of friend- 

 " ship laid in those parts for the future, between 

 <c their respective subjects, (the English there being 

 " very considerable, and whose satety and interest the 

 cc government here ought to provide for), or else there 

 " could be no solid and lasting peace between the 

 " two states in Europe. 



" The second difference was touching the inquisi- 

 " tion, &c. To these two, Don Alonso was pleased 

 " to answer; that to ask a liberty from the inquisi- 

 cc tion, and free sailing in the West Indies, was to 

 " ask his master s two eyes ; and that nothing could 

 " be done in those points, but according to the prac- 

 " (ices of former times" 



" Then it came into debate, before Oliver and his 

 " council, with which of these crowns (France or 

 <c Spain) an alliance was to be chosen. Oliver him- 

 <c self was for war with Spain, at least in the West 

 " Indies, if satisfaction were not given for the past 

 " damages, and tilings well settled for the future. 

 " and most of the council went the same way." 



From the facts and recital which I have thus given, 

 it is apparent that the Spaniards not only were the 

 first aggressors, but had proceeded to those hostilities 

 against the subjects of England, which are unjustifia- 

 ble even in a state of actual war; and, although the 

 outrages complained of, were such as the most insig- 



Vol. I. x 



