APPENDIX. 



159 



troops on shore, at the settlement formerly held by the English, I 

 sent a lieutenant to know if any officer was there on behalf of his 

 Catholic Majesty, empowered to make restitution of possession to 

 me, agreeably to the orders of his Court for that purpose, dupli- 

 cates of which I had to deliver him ; I was answered, that the com- 

 manding officer, Don Francisco de Orduna, a lieutenant of the royal 

 artillery of Spain, was furnished with full powers, and ready to effect 

 the restitution. He soon after came on board the Juno to me, when 

 I delivered him his Catholic Majesty's orders. We then examined 

 into the situation of the settlement and stores, adjusted the form of 

 the restitution and reception of the possession — instruments for 

 which were settled, executed, and reciprocally delivered (that which 

 I received from the Spanish officer, and a copy of what I gave him, 

 are here enclosed). On Monday, the 16th of September, I landed, 

 followed by a party of marines, and was received by the Spanish offi- 

 cer, who formally restored me the possession ; on which I caused his 

 Majesty's colours to be hoisted and the marines to fire three volleys, 

 and the Juno five guns, and was congratulated, as were the officers 

 with me, by the Spanish officer, with great cordiality on the occa- 

 sion. The next day Don Francisco, with all the troops and subjects 

 of the King of Spain, departed in a schooner which they had with 

 them. I have only to add, that this transaction was effected with the 

 greatest appearance of good faith, without the least claim or reserve 

 being made by the Spanish officer in behalf of his Court." 



Lord Grantham to the Earl of Rochford. 



" Madrid, 2d January 1772. 

 " I have received the honour of your lordship's despatch, contain- 

 ing the agreeable intelligence of the restitution of Port Egmont and 

 its dependencies, with the due formalities. On receiving this notice I 

 waited on the Marquis de Grimaldi, to assure him of his Majesty's 

 satisfaction at the good faith and punctuality observed in this trans- 

 action. M. de Grimaldi seemed aware of the intention of my visit, 

 and was almost beforehand with me in communicating notice of this 

 event's being known in England. He seemed well pleased at the 

 conclusion of this affair, but entered no further into conversation 

 upon it." 



