“_George R._
“The ambassador of the King of Spain having delivered a paper to Lord
Viscount Weymouth, and signified that he has received orders from his
court immediately to withdraw from this country; his Majesty has judged
it necessary to direct a copy of that paper to be laid before the House
of Commons as a matter of the highest importance to the crown and
people; and his Majesty acquaints them, at the same time, that he has
found himself obliged, in consequence of this hostile declaration, to
recal his ambassador from Madrid.
“His Majesty declares, in the most solemn manner, that his desire to
preserve and to cultivate peace and friendly intercourse with the court
of Spain has been uniform and sincere; and that his conduct towards
that power has been guided by no other motives or principles than those
of good faith, honour, and justice; and his Majesty sees with the
greatest surprize the pretences on which this declaration is grounded,
as some of the grievances enumerated in that paper have _never_ come to
the knowledge of his Majesty, either by representation on the part of
the Catholic King, or by intelligence from any other quarter; and in
all those cases where applications have been received, the matter of
complaint has been treated with the _utmost attention_, and put into a
course of _enquiry_ and _redress_.
“His Majesty has the firmest confidence that his faithful Commons
will, with that zeal and public spirit which he has so often
experienced, support his Majesty in his resolution to exert all the
power and the resources of the Nation, to resist and repel any hostile
attempts of the court of Spain; and that, by the blessing of God on the
rectitude of his intentions, and the equity of his cause, his Majesty
will be able to withstand and defeat the _unjust_ and _dangerous_
enterprizes of his enemies, against the honour of his crown, and the
Commerce, the Rights, and the common interests, of all his subjects.”
* * * * *
The manifesto above alluded to, which the Spanish ambassador presented
to Ld. Weymouth, was as follows: