308 



FALKLAND ISLANDS. 



assumed by Spain was correct, that France had 

 not even a colourable title, the cession was a 

 nullity ; and it is a fact that Spain so regarded 

 it, and relied on her prior rights alone, in her 

 subsequent controversy with Great Britain. 



On the 10th June, 1770 5 a large Spanish force, 

 under the command of Admiral Madariaga, dis- 

 possessed the British of their establishment at 

 Port Egmont, by force. The expedition by 

 which this was achieved, was put in motion by 

 Buscarelli, the Viceroy of Buenos Ayres. 



At the time of the forcible dispossession, the 

 title of Great Britain was certainly placed on 

 very strong foundations ; she had prior dis- 

 covery, formal possession, and actual occupa- 

 tion to urge ; and there was no aboriginal rights 

 to be extinguished. 



The act of dispossession was disavowed by 

 Spain, and the territory restored by solemn 

 convention : she, however, reserved her prior 

 rights. The reservation was a nullity; inas- 

 much as she had no claim either by prior dis- 

 covery, prior possession, prior occupation, or 

 even the shadow of a name. 



The restoration of Port Egmont, and the dis- 



