At the end of twelve years, however, trouble arose with Spain.
According to the London newspapers of that day, a certain Captain
Jenkins, while cruising, or, more probably, smuggling, in the West
Indies, had been seized by the Spaniards and barbarously maltreated.
They, if we accept his tory, accused him of attempting to land English
goods contrary to law, and searched his ship. Finding nothing against
him, they vented their rage and disappointment by hanging him to the
yardarm of his vessel until he was nearly dead.
They then tore off one of his ears, and bade him take it to the King
of England with their compliments. Jenkins, it is said, carefully
wrapped up his ear and put it in his pocket. When he reached England,
he went straight to the House of Commons, drew out the mutilated ear,
showed it to the House, and demanded justice.
The Spanish restrictions on English trade with the Indies and South
America[1] had long been a source of ill feeling. The sight of
Jenkins's ear brought matters to a climax; even Sir Robert Walpole,
the Prime Minister, could not resist the clamor for vengeance, and
contrary to his own judgment he had to vote for war (S538).
[1] By the Treaty of Utrecht one English ship was allowed to carry
slaves once a year to the colonies of Spanish America (S512, note 1).
Though Jenkins was the occasion, the real object of the war was to
compel Spain to permit the English to get a larger share in the
lucrative commerce, especially the slave trade, with the New World.
It was another proof that America was now rapidly becoming an
important factor in he politics of Great Britain (SS421, 422).
The announcement of hostilities with Spain was received in London with
delight, and bells pealed from every steeple. "Yes," said Walpole,"
they may ring the bells now, but before long they will be wringing
their hands." This prediction was verified by the heavy losses the
English suffered in an expedition against the Spanish settlement of
Carthagena, South America. But later the British commander, Commodore
Anson, inflicted great damage on the Spanish colonies, and returned to
England with vessels laden with large amounts of captured silver.
542. War of the Austrian Succession, 1741; Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle,
1748.
On the death of Charles VI, of the House of Austria, Emperor of
Germany, his daughter Maria Theresa succeeded to the Austrian
dominions. France now united with Spain, Prussia, and other European
powers to overturn this arrangement, partly out of jealousy of the
Austrian power, and partly from desire to get control of portions of
the Austrian possessions. England and Holland, however, both desired
to maintain Austria as a check against their old enemy France, and
declared war, 1741.
During this war George II went over to the Continent to lead the
English forces in person. He was not a man of commanding appearance,
but he was every inch a soldier, and nothing exhilarated him like the
smell of gunpowder. At the battle of Dettingen, in Bavaria, he got
down from his horse, and drawing his sword, cried: "Come, boys, now
behave like men, and the French will soon run."
With that, followed by his troops, he rused upon the enemy with such
impetuosity that they turned and fled. This was the last battle in
which an English king took part in person. It was followed by that of
Fontenoy, in the Netherlands (Belgium), in which the French gained the
victory. After nearly eight years fighting the treaty of
Aix-la-Chapelle, 1748, secured a peace advantageous for England.