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Lib. C. B,
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From the time that We found Ourselves Obliged, for the
Maintainance of the just Rights of Our Subjects, to enter into
a War with Spain instead of observing a strict Neutrality
which we might have promised Ourselves on the part of the
French King, from whom We were founded even by Treaty
to have demanded Assistance, he has given Encouragement
and Support to Our Enemies, by conniving at his Subjects
acting as Privateers under Spanish Commissions both in
Europe and America, and by sending in the Year 1740, a
strong Squadron into the American Seas, in Order to prevent
Us, from prosecuting the just War which We were carrying
on against Spain in those parts, And We have the most
Authentic Proofs, that an Order was given to the Com-
mander of the French Squadron, not only to Act in a hostile
Manner against Our Ships either jointly with the Spaniards,
or Seperately; but even to concert Measures with Our
Enemies for attacking one of Our principal Dominions in the
West Indies, this Injurious Proceeding was greatly aggra-
vated by the French Minister at Our Court having declared
on Occasion of Sending the said Squadron that the French
King was very far from having any Design or Intention to
break with us
The same Offensive Conduct was continued on the Part of
the French King towards us by his Squadron in the Medi-
terranean in the Year 1741 Joining with and protecting the
Ships of Our Enemies in sight of Our Fleet which was pre-
paring to attack them
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p. 226
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These unwarrantable Proceedings the notorious Breach of
Treaties, by repairing the Fortifications and erecting new
Works at Dunkirk the open Hostilities lately committed
against Our Fleet in the Mediteranean; the Affront and In-
dignity offered to us, by the Reception of the Son of the Pre-
tender to Our Crown, in the French Dominions; The Em-
barkation actually made at Dunkirk of a considerable Body of
Troops notoriously designed for an Invasion of this Kingdom
in Favour of the Pretender to Our Crown; and the sending a
Squadron of French Ships of War into the Channell to Sup-
port the said Embarkation and Invasion, will be lasting Mon-
uments of the little Regard had by the French Court, for the
most solemn Engagements when the Observance of them is
inconsistent with Interest Ambition or Resentment.
We cannot omit taking Notice of the unjust Insinuations
contained in the French Kings Declaration of War against
Us, with respect to the Convention made at Hannover in
October 1741. That Convention regarding Our Electorate
only, had no relation to Our Conduct as King of Great
Britain The Allegations contained in it are groundless and
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