702 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1804. 



doubt, that all his subjects, inflamed 

 with that just indifliiiation with which 

 the vielent proceedings of England 

 must inspire them, will not omit any 

 of all those means to which their 

 valour shall prompt them, of co- 

 operating with his majesty towards 

 the most complete vengeance for the 

 insult ofl'ered to the Spanish flag. 

 For this purpose he invites them to 

 arm corsairs against Great Britain, 

 and to possess themselves, with re- 

 solution, of her ships and property, 

 by every possible means; his ma- 

 jesty promising them the greatest 

 promptitude and celerity in the ad- 

 judication of prizes, upon the sole 

 proof of their being English pro- 

 perty ; and his majesty expressly 

 renouncing, in favour of the cap- 

 tors, whatever part of the value of 

 the prizes he had, upon other occa- 

 sions, reserved to himself, so that 

 they shall enjoy them in their full 

 value, without the smallest discount. 

 — And finally, his majesty has re- 

 solved, that what is contained in the 

 premises, shall be inserted in the 

 public papers, that it may come to 

 the knowledge of all ; and also, that 

 it shall be transmitted to the am- 

 bassadors and ministers of the king, 

 in foreign courts, in order that all 

 the powers shall be informed of 

 these acts, and take interest in a 

 <^ause so just; hoping that Divine 

 Providence will bless the Spanish 

 arms, so that they may obtain a 

 just and convenient satisfaction for 

 the injuries they have received. 



Addremt of his Excellency the Prince 

 of Peace, Generalissimo of his 

 Catholic Majeslifs Forces, to the 

 Fleets, jinnies, and People of 

 Spain. Dated Madrid, December 

 10, 1804. 



The king has condescended to 

 submit to me, as generalissimo of the 

 royal armies, the conduit of the 

 war commenced with Great Britain ; 

 and he commands that all the prin- 

 cipal officers of his dominions cor- 

 respond privately with me on the 

 subject, connected with the event. 

 To comply with the terms of the 

 confidence reposed in me, and to 

 fulfil the honourable duties enjoined 

 me in the supreme authority over 

 his gallant troops with which I am 

 invested, it is expedient that I call 

 into activity my loyal zeal in his 

 cause, and adopt the most effe6tual 

 means to discharge this high and im- 

 portant office. — It is universally 

 known, that when we were in a 

 state of profound peace with Eng- 

 land, hostilities were commenced by 

 that country, by the capture of 

 three frigates; one was destroyed 

 in the contest; a regiment of infan- 

 try destined for Minorca was made 

 prisoners ; many vessels laden with 

 grain were taken; and others under 

 the burthen of 100 tons were de- 

 stroyed. When were these robbe- 

 ries, these a(5ts of treachery and as- 

 sassination committed ? When our 

 sovereign admitted the ships of that 

 nation to a free and undisturbed 

 commerce, and gave the necessary 

 supplies to the ships of war. W hat 

 profligacy and degradation in the 

 one; what honour and dignity in 

 the other. On the view of this per- 

 fidy, is there a Spaniard whose in- 

 dignation is not excited ? Is there a 

 soldier who will not grasp the wea- 

 pon of destruction ? liravc seamen, 

 300 of your brethren have had 

 their mangled members scattered to 

 the winds ; lOQO are deprived of the 

 light of heaven, in the dungeons of 

 your enemies. Valiant soldiers, an 

 equal number of your companions 



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