Folios 184-185: The Hon. Josceline Percy, Buenos Ayres. Letter enclosing two pieces...

Folios 184-185: The Hon. Josceline Percy, Buenos Ayres.

Letter enclosing two pieces of correspondence, one addressed to Vice Admiral Dixon, the other to himself.

Folios 186-186A: enclosure with folios 184-185. Letter dated 20 May 1815, to the Hon. Josceline Percy, Captain of HMS Hotspur, commanding the naval force in the Rio de la Plata from resident merchants in Buenos Ayres. Acknowledging his communication which followed advice from Admiral Dixon that an expedition was on its way from Spain and that he should, as per a dispatch from Earl Bathurst to Viscount Strangford, do all he could to assist the British resident merchants, by removing persons and property both ashore and afloat, to Rio de Janeiro, for safety. This in view of the likely blockade and renewal of old colonial Spanish regulations if the force were to prove successful. They note this removal of persons and property is expected to be done in ten days, and point out that the extensive networks of trade and property established by them cannot possibly be dissolved in so short a time. The vessels currently available in the port are inadequate to take their property so they are attempting to procure more ships from the Brazils. Over thirty signatories to this letter, including John Nightingale, and others as with the next enclosure.

Folios 187-190: enclosure with folios 184-185. Letter dated 10 May 1815, to Vice Admiral Manly Dixon, Commander in Chief of HM Forces in the Brazils, from the residents of Buenos Ayres. Captain Percy, of the Hotspur, has communicated to them after hearing from Admiral Dixon in March that an armament from Cadiz is coming to Buenos Ayres, and that Dixon had intended to send the Orpheus to relieve Hotspur on this station, despite having had orders to send all the warships home after the peace treaty with North America had been ratified. They absolutely emphasize that in their experience Spanish measures to prevent British commerce in the Spanish territories are both arbitrary and extreme, and steps to ensure the protection of trade and individuals are essential. Recent commerce has involved imported goods from England to the value of one million and a half sterling, so of no little importance. They feel all the difficulties and oppressions experienced locally will be imputed by Spanish officials and persons of influence to the British, instead of being laid at the door of poor government and recent political events in Spain, which are truly the cause. The letter goes on to discuss new Spanish rigorous regulations, 'supposed violations' of the neutrality agreement by merchants here, that British vessels have been purchased by ill-intentioned private persons, not the British residents, There are over thirty signatories, including Thomas Nelson, John Jackson, Joseph Badger, John Nightingale, Henry Sewell, James Boyle and Samuel Sykes.