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SP 78/258-267

Catalogue reference: Sub-series within SP 78

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Sub-series within SP 78

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Sub-series within SP 78
Title
SP 78/258-267
Note
These papers cover the period from September 1st 1763 to September 29th 1765. SP 78/258 opens with correspondence between Lord Halifax, Secretary of State, and Richard Neville, secretary and then minister in the embassy in Paris until the arrival of theEarl of Hertford as ambassador. Halifax and Hertford continue this correspondence until General Conway succeeds Halifax as Secretary of State [SP 78/267 f.59] and David Hume, as secretary to the embassy, deputises for Hertford pending the appointment of the Duke of Richmond as ambassador. The files also include the frequent exchange of letters between the Secretary of State and the French representatives in London, the Comte de Guerchy, ambassador, and the chargés d'affaires, D'Eon de Beaumont and the Marquis de Blosset. There is also regular correspondence between London and Colonel Desmaretz, who supervised the demolitions at Dunkirk. The subject matter consists in the main of unfinished business after the Treaty of Paris. The principal issues in dispute are the demolitions at Dunkirk, the fishing rights around Newfoundland, the payments for the maintenance of prisoners of war and the terms for the liquidation of the Canada bills and other paper involving the payments due to British subjects. Prominent in the correspondence are the disputes about the rights of British and French owners of property in the West Indies and the freedom of navigation there. In the West Indies and elsewhere there are claims by both powers on behalf of the owners of ships seized during and after the war and there are petitions about hostages. Incidents involving named ships are indexed under ships, which are listed. Other subjects to which there are useful references include the worsening relations between the French court, the Parlements and the clergy and the signs of unrest in France, the Polish succession and the possibility of Austria being admitted to the Family Compact [see SP 78/322 for the Compact], the dispute about trade in the Gambia river area, arguments about diplomatic franchises, relations with the French and the Indians in Louisiana and the Brown case about the rights of British subjects in Dunkirk who were threatened with expulsion contrary to treaties. The Index includes lists of ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives, and treaties.
Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C78244/

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SP 78

Secretaries of State: State Papers Foreign, France

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Within the series: SP 78

Secretaries of State: State Papers Foreign, France

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SP 78/258-267

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