CHAP, v.] WEST INDIES. 249 



horned cattle mules, and horses, (so necessary to the 

 agriculture of the sugar colonies), connived at the en- 

 couragement that was given them. The trade, how- 

 ever, has been, for many years, on the decline. Since 

 the year 1748, a wiser and more liberal policy towards 

 its American dominions, seems to have actuated the 

 court of Madrid; and the contraband traffic has gra- 

 dually lessened, in proportion as the rigour of the an- 

 cient regulations has been relaxed. Nevertheless, 

 the intercourse with this island, in Spanish vessels, was 

 still very considerable so late as the year 1764. About 

 that period, directions were issued by the English 

 ministry to enforce the laws of navigation with the ut- 

 most strictness; and custom-house commissions were 

 given to the captains of our men of war, with orders 

 to seize all foreign vessels, without distinction, that 

 should be found in the ports of our West Indian 

 islands; a measure which in truth was converting our 

 navy into guar da-cos tas, for the king of Spain. In 

 consequence of these proceedings, the Spaniards, as 

 might have been expected, were deterred from com- 

 ing near us, and the exports from Great Britain to 

 Jamaica alone, in the year 1765, fell short of the year 

 1763, ,.168,000 sterling. 



A wiser minister endeavoured to remedy the mis- 

 chief, by giving orders for the admission of Spanish 

 vessels as usual; but the subject matter being canvas- 

 sed in the British parliament, the nature and intent of 

 those orders were so fully explained, that the Spanish 

 court grown wise from experience, took the alarm, 

 and immediately adopted a measure, equally prompt 



Vol. L i i 



