Letter from George I to the King of Spain: On the restitution of Gibraltar (1/6/1721)

Copy of a Letter from his late Majesty, King George the First, to the King of Spain, relating to the Restitution of Gibraltar. [See Vol. I. p. 384.]

Sir, My Brother,

I HAVE learned with great Satisfaction, by the Report of my Ambassador, at your Court, that your Majesty is, atlast, resolved to remove the Obstacles that have for some Time delay'd the entire Accomplishment of our Union. Since, from the Confidence which your Majesty expresses towards me, I may look upon the Treaties which have been in Question between us as re established; and that, accordingly, the Instruments, necessary for the carrying on the Trade of my Subjects, will be delivered out:' I do no longer balance to assure your Majesty of my Readiness to satisfy you, with regard to your Demand touching the Restitution of Gibraltar; promising you to make use of the first favourable Opportunity to regulate this Article, with the Consent of my Parliament. And to give your Majesty a farther Proof of my Affection, I have ordered my Ambassador, as soon as the Negotiation with which he has been charged shall be finished, to propose to your Majesty new Engagements to be entered into, in Concert, and jointly with France, suitable to the present Conjuncture, not only for strengthening our Union, but also for securing the Tranquility of Europe: Your Majesty may be persuaded that I, on my Part, will shew all the Facility imaginable, promising myself that you will do the same, for the mutual Benefit of our Kingdoms, being most perfectly.

Sir, My Brother,

June 1, 1721.

Your Majesty's Good Brother,

To the King of Spain Monsieur my Brother.

George, R.