Folios 65-70. [Newcastle] from Kensington to [Townshend]. My Lord Privy Seal, the...

Folios 65-70. [Newcastle] from Kensington to [Townshend]. My Lord Privy Seal, the Duke of Grafton, Lord Scarborough, Lord Torrington, Sir Robert Walpole and myself met [by the Queen's command] and having fully considered the present situation of our affairs with Spain and the order sent to Mr. Keene to agree to the introduction of Spanish garrisons into the places of Tuscany and Parma which they hope his Majesty will approve, are of opinion that in case Spain does not return a satisfactory answer, that his Majesty should send his directions in what maner to employ Sir Charles Wager's squadron. They submit whether a day might not be fixed for Sir Ch. Wager's squadron in conjunction with the Dutch to sail to the coast of Spain, as they apprehend the Spaniards will look upon the presenting of the second memorial as little less than a declaration of war against Spain and it is not impossible that the Court of Spain, being amused by the Emperor, may start new difficulties, in order to continue the negotiation and prevent the allies from coming to a decision. They also submit whether it might not be advisable that the whole Dutch Squadron under the command of Admiral Sommelsdyck and joined with a many or more of Sr. Ch. Wager's should be sent to the coast of Spain and prevent the sending of their ships to the West Indies and also to be ready to assist France against the maritime towns of Spain: that the remainder of Sir Ch. Wager's Squadron might be sent to West Indies for the security of trade and commerce or to revenge the unjust depredations there. They fear that should any part of the Dutch Squadron go to the West Indies it would disappoint any success that might be proposed there and that the States from their dispositions to do as little as may be and from the objections that would be made in Holland to doing anything that might be of real advantage to his Majesty in those parts, may not dislike to be excused from that part. They further submit that the 2000 men to be put on board the fleet that was to go to the coast of spain should go with the ships to be sent to the West Indies; as they think it may be very practicable, not only to destroy the Spanish Gardes des Cotes and privateers, but to land and take Porto Rico, and St. Jago de Cuba, both nests of Spanish pirates. His Majesty's directions upon these submissions are desired. Foul draft.