Spanish NavyABAA
67 résultats
1719WRCAM35378Seville: Francisco Garay 1719. 4pp. Small quarto. Modern three-quarter morocco over linen boards spine gilt. Occasional stains holes at bottom of both leaves not effecting text last page of text closely trimmed. A good copy. A four-page ballad describing the enormous storm experienced by the Spanish fleet in 1719 and of the miraculous preservation of the ships which eventually arrived safely in Cadiz. It was this same great fleet which Spain had gathered at Cadiz and Corunna for the invasion of the west of England directed by James Butler the attainted Duke of Ormonde. A rare possibly unique piece of early 18th-century Spanish verse. Not recorded in Palau NUC or on OCLC. Francisco Garay hardcover books
1703139168London: Printed and sold by John Nutt 1703. Planting colonies in the Spanish Americas First edition preceding the second edition of that year with an added postscript. Published in the third year of the War of the Spanish Succession 1701-1714 the anonymous author proposes that in return for the support of Britain and the Netherlands for the claim of the Emperor of Austria to the Spanish crown Spain's territories in America should be ceded to the two mercantile powers. They propose a confederation which will share the treasure from the Spanish mines keeping it out of the hands of a single monarch and in so doing preserve the balance of power in Europe. They moreover support extending the war to the Spanish West-Indies at that stage untouched by the conflict and offer proposals to plant colonies there. They respond to critics who would argue that such attempts at joint control of the American mines and territories would engender war between Britain and the Netherlands as trade brings peace and also reject the arguments that American wealth flowing into the mercantile nations would weaken the nation as was believed to be the case in Spain. The polemic nonetheless offers a stark realpolitik view of world politics and of the war treating as irrelevant the moral questions of stripping the territories of their nominal ally Habsburg Spain rather than the official war aims of taking French territories and stemming the growth of Bourbon power. A scarce treatise with ESTC locating six copies for this issue and a further two copies of the second edition Library Hub and Worldcat adding several more yet still absent from many prominent institutional collections and untraced in auction records. Small quarto 205 x 162 mm. Disbound pamphlet with remnants of original spine the pages numbered in an 18th-century hand 589-654 from its original place in the sammelband vol. Lightly browned and foxed top two cords mostly gone but bottom two holding light worming at foot not affecting text tiny hole affecting one letter to pp. 25/26. A very good copy without chipping or repairs. Alden 703153; European Americana 703/53; ESTC T193661; Kress S2261. Not in Sabin. unknown
1760WRCAM37579Madrid 1760. 5pp. plus integral blank leaf inscribed. Folio. Dbd. Maltese cross at head of titlepage. Contemporary manuscript inscription and later pencil inscription at top of first page. Accomplished in manuscript at Buen Retiro Spain on Dec. 28 1770. Signed by Juan Manuel Crespo with additional annotation on last page of printed text and additional inscription on verso of last page of text. Integral blank leaf with manuscript note related to the cedula on recto and verso. Very good. A rare detailed royal cedula issued by Charles III King of Spain ordering a general pardon of accused individuals to be enacted throughout the Spanish Indies. Citing earlier royal proclamations issued previously by Charles III concerning clemency for prisoners this cedula reprints texts of decrees from January and February 1760. While most prisoners were to receive pardons a long list of exceptions based on the Jan. 28 cedula is provided. These included those accused of secular and religious treason killing a priest counterfeiting money arson blasphemy sodomy robbery falsehoods and duelling. Numerous other details regarding the earlier clemencies are also provided. The present royal amnesty was to be distributed to the viceroys presidents audiencias governors and other judges throughout the Indies in order that this resolution by properly executed. <br> <br> This copy accomplished in manuscript at Buen Retiro on Dec. 28 1770 is signed by Juan Manuel Crespo with the additional annotation: "Yo El Rey. Por mandado del Rey Nuestro Señor." A manuscript inscription on the blank verso of the final printed page dated Feb. 27 1762 confirms that the decree had been reviewed two days earlier by the President and other high officials in Santiago de Chile. A manuscript note in a separate hand on the recto and verso of the integral blank leaf provides additional information about the receipt of the document in Santiago in 1762. <br> <br> A rare and highly informative proclamation regarding royal pardons to be enacted throughout the Spanish New World and in Spain. Not in OCLC Medina BHA or Palau. unknown books
1758WRCAM37576Madrid 1758. 3pp. Folio. Dbd. Maltese cross at head of title. Contemporary manuscript inscription in ink and later pencil inscription at top of first page. Accomplished in manuscript see below with additional inscription on p.3. Additional manuscript inscription on blank verso of final printed page. Extremely light dampstaining in margins occasional light soiling. Very good. A rare royal cedula issued by Ferdinand VI King of Spain confirming earlier published laws stating that viceroys presidents and audiencias are to ensure that corregidores and justices reside in the principle towns and headquarters of their jurisdictions. The decree also states that the judges are not to be absent from their principle residences except under special circumstances when a license is issued indicating the precise cause for the absence and the length of time the judge will be away. In addition the judges can not name their own "lieutenants" or assistants nor can the viceroys presidents and audiencias name judges' assistants without royal approval. This copy accomplished in manuscript at Villaviciosa Spain on Sept. 7 1758 is signed by Juan Manuel Crespo with the additional inscription "Yo El Rey" and the annotation "Por mandado del Reyno exo. señor." A manuscript inscription on the blank verso of the final printed page dated Dec. 4 1759 confirms that the decree has been reviewed by the President and other high- ranking officials in Santiago de Chile. <br> <br> A rare proclamation regarding colonial judges in Spanish dominions throughout the New World. Not in OCLC Medina BHA or Palau. unknown books
1759WRCAM37578Madrid 1759. 3pp. Folio. Dbd. Maltese cross at head of title. Contemporary manuscript inscriptions in ink at top of first page. Accomplished in manuscript at Villaviciosa Spain on Feb. 18 1759 signed by Juan Manuel Crespo with additional inscription on p.3. Light dampstaining in margins occasional light soiling. Very good. A rare royal cedula issued by Ferdinand VI King of Spain confirming that the Secretaries of vice-royal chambers throughout the Americas do not have the rights privileges and emoluments held by governors corregidores and alcalde mayores. The decree refers to past abuses of power and finance by secretaries which were harmful to the realm and directs viceroys presidents and governors to ensure that secretaries officials and other dependents do not assume privileges which are not appropriate to their position. This copy accomplished in manuscript at Villaviciosa Spain on Feb. 18 1759 is signed by Juan Manuel Crespo with the inscription: "Yo el Rey. Por mandado del Rey Nuestro Señor." In addition the inscription notes that this printed text is a copy of the royal cedula located in the books of the Secretary of Peru located in Madrid as of March 31 1759. <br> <br> A rare proclamation regarding the limits of compensation for particular royal officials in Spanish dominions throughout the New World. Not in OCLC Medina BHA or Palau. unknown books
1778WRCAM37240Madrid: Pedro Marin 1778. 219262pp. plus engraved leaf with royal coat of arms. Quarto. Contemporary mottled calf gilt spine gilt extra. Edges of covers slightly worn corners heavily worn. Modern bookplate on front pastedown old book dealers' descriptions on front pastedown. Contemporary ownership inscription "Castillo" on titlepage. Occasional minor soiling and dampstaining in upper margins of a few leaves remainder of text fresh and clean with wide margins printed on heavy paper. Very good plus. Detailed rules and regulations governing Spain's late 18th-century commercial policy in Latin America with a preliminary section of nineteen pages providing a summary of the articles and tariffs documented in the main portion of the text. With this REGLAMENTO. the Crown terminated Cadiz and Seville's monopoly of trade with Spanish America allowing other cities of the realm to participate. In addition to much information on commerce and numerous tariffs on a large variety of Spanish and American goods several sections discuss shipping ports and other maritime activities directly related to commercial activity. The work also includes the text of concessions granted to Louisiana. PALAU 255843. SABIN 68890. MEDINA BHA 4845. Pedro Marin unknown books
180054439London:: Printed For J. Wright Piccadilly By John Dean 1800. 1800. First edition in English. 4to. Translated from the original Spanish by Maurice Keatinge. Leather and boards viii 514 1 pp. frontispiece map preface. One of the most important firsthand accounts of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Written by Bernardo Diaz del Castillo a foot soldier who served under Hernan Cortes during the expedition that led to the fall of the Aztec Empire. The book covers the expedition from Cuba to Mexico in 1519; first encounters with Indigenous peoples along the Gulf Coast; the alliance with the Tlaxcalans; the march to Tenochtitlan; meetings between Cortes and Moctezuma II; the uprising in Tenochtitlan and the retreat known as the La Noche Triste; the siege and fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521; etc. The book provides detailed descriptions of Indigenous cities markets and customs; military operations and logistics; relationships among Spanish commanders; daily life of common soldiers; the cultural shock experienced by Europeans encountering Mesoamerican civilization; etc. Encyclopedia Britannica: "Bernal Diaz del Castillo 1495 – 1584 was a Spanish soldier and author who took part in the conquest of the Aztec nation. Diaz's account is written in an unassuming colloquial style and has both historical and artistic value." A.S.W. Rosenstock 19 #193: "All the later histories of America have acknowledged their debt to Bernal Diaz and his work has been acclaimed one of the most valuable source books of the period." The author was an original member of Cortez’s expedition to conquer the Aztec nation. He was involved in the initial planning stages all the way to its culmination. One of the most important sources on the conquest of the Aztec Empire and Mexico. The original leather spine label is missing but a new leather label approximating the original has been placed inside this copy. Retains the original leather boards which exhibit perimeter wear. Internally there are repairs to the hinges with some toning of the text but remarkably free of foxing. In all a very good copy. Printed For J. Wright, Piccadilly, By John Dean, 1800. hardcover
1793000703Paris Defer de Maisonneuve 1793
1758WRCAM37969Madrid 1758. 3pp. Folio. Dbd. Maltese cross at head of title. Contemporary and later manuscript annotations in ink and later pencil annotation on first page. Accomplished in manuscript with additional manuscript annotations. Manuscript inscription on blank verso of final printed page. Extremely light dampstaining in margins occasional minor soiling and ink stains the latter touching a few letters. Very good. A rare proclamation by Ferdinand VI King of Spain demanding that earlier laws regarding the appointment of judges in the Spanish Indies be observed. The decree states that disregard of these laws and guidelines in the past has been a great injustice causing injury to royal interests and to the general population. This proclamation was to be sent to the viceroys and audiencias throughout the Spanish Indies. This copy accomplished in manuscript at Aranjuez Spain on August 20 1758 is signed by Juan Emanuel Crespo with the inscription "Yo El Rey" and the annotation "Por mandado del Reyno exo. señor." A manuscript inscription on the blank verso of the final printed page dated December 4 1759 confirms that the decree had been reviewed by the President the fiscal and other high-ranking officials in Santiago de Chile. Not in OCLC Medina BHA or Palau. unknown books
1779154781Spain: 1779. Visually appealing manuscript offering a valuable insight into the Spanish naval empire in the Caribbean Fascinating official service record of don Francisco Ximenez Parrado an officer of the Spanish Navy who served during the War of Jenkin's Ear 1739-48. This detailed account signed by Parrado enumerates his services from 1721 to 1779 listing naval campaigns many of them in the Americas. During his career Parrado participated in a range of operations; coastal patrols surveys and some significant naval engagements particularly against the British. In 1729 Parrado joined the Fuerte 60 under don Domingo Justiniani which sailed from Cadiz on 19 December in company with the two-decker frigate Nuestra Señora del Carmen 54. En route to Cartagena the two ships passed Tobago the coasts of Trinidad Margarita Cumana and Caracas. Once at Cartagena they commenced cruising the coasts of Terra Firme Spain's mainland possessions from the Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico in search of illicit traders. In less than a year they had captured some six frigates and seven sloops carrying contraband off the coast of Venezuela. During the Summer of 1736 Parrado was in the Conquistador under don Blas de Lezo which was under repair in Spain before its embarkation for Cartagena early in 1737 with 1891 tons of cargo and brigadier don Jose Ambrosio the new governor of Chile aboard. The Conquistador remained at Cartagena on coast guard duties until she was scuttled by de Lezo during the battle of Cartagena in 1741 as part of the blockade of Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon's massive invasion assault. British failure here was to prove one of the pivotal moments of the War of Jenkins's Ear. Parrado is shown as having stayed in Cartagena until 1744 after which it seems he joined don Benito Antonio de Espinola in Havana taking part in the 1745 commissioning voyage of the Santa Teresa de Jesus 64 better known as the Dragon. The manuscript details an engagement in that year with an unnamed British vessel of 60 guns "quese avisto diferentes vezes frente del Puerto" "had been seen several times outside the port ". The Dragon's main mast was split and she was forced the quit the battle. The document also notes Parrado's presence in Tortuga Cabo de San Antonio Puerto Rico and Havana during 1746. The record details Parrada's career under four headings: Empleos "Employments" Campañas "Campaigns" outlined in chronological order Comiciones en que fue Empleado "Commissions in which he was employed" and Funciones en la America "Dutiess in America". Parrado seems to have occupied seven different positions during his career showing a clear ascent through the ranks ; Marinero Agregado a los Pilotos "Sailor attached to the pilots" Arnillero "Gunsmith" with a note that he continued in his role with the pilots Pilotín "Pilot's Assistant" Segundo Piloto "Second pilot" Primer Piloto "First pilot" Alférez de Navío "Frigate lieutenant" a junior watch officer and Teniente de Fragata "First lieutenant" a full lieutenant. Parrado later became the principal teacher at the School of Navigation in Cartagena. This fascinating document offers some welcome insight into a single career during a time of considerable conflict taking place on a world-wide stage. 4 pp. manuscript in neat clearly legible hand on a single bifolium elaborately engraved cartouche to the first page incorporating a three-master atop and enclosing a tabulated manuscript summary of Parrado's postings and positions. Light toning and minor staining. A very good example. Clowes The Royal Navy vol. 3. unknown
1760WB19204Spain 1760s. Hardcover. Very Good. 4to. Contempoary vellum. Wonderful manuscript on paper consisting of several sections each illustrated with hand-drawn folding diagrams many of which quite intricate. This work can be assuredly connected to Jesuit professor Cristiano Riegen of the Reial Academia de Ciencies Exactes in Madrid as there are several mentions of his name in each work. The manuscript is one that clearly took great effort and the drawings are finely executed. <br/><br/> hardcover
1787135132Madrid: En la Imprenta Real 1787. First nationwide Spanish census First edition of Spain's first nationwide census the census of 1787. The first census in Spain was undertaken in Castile as early as 1594 and there was a census of the Spanish Empire in 1776 but this was the first which embraced the whole country. It is sometimes known as the Census of Floridablanca after the reformist prime minister Count Floridablanca under whom it was undertaken from 1785 to 1787. The 43 tables list the regions of Spain alphabetically from Andalucia to Valencia but also include the Balearic and Canary Islands. The data accounts for the number of persons their ages religious affiliation and social status. The final population count is 10409879. Although the census did display modern demographic techniques the attempts to classify the population on class and occupation proved too rudimentary - servants were not classified in any consistent way and the scope of the hidalgo class varied considerably from region to region. Even so the census was a considerable demographic achievement and remains studied in modern Spanish demography; it is considered more accurate than the subsequent Spanish census of 1797. Quarto 301 x 225 mm. With 43 printed tables and large printed folding table at rear. Contemporary quarter sheep smooth spine ruled in gilt with green calf label marbled paper sides edges speckled red. Inked number "153" to title page. Scuffing and wear around extremities contents clean leaf a4 creased minor paper faults to tables XVIII and XXVIII 6 cm closed tear to map. A nice unrestored example. Goldsmiths' 13352; Palgrave I 242. unknown
1701ABC_48243Amsterdam 1701. Small 4to ca. 20 x 15 cm. Nicolas Chevalier Contemporary limp vellum with the manuscript title on the spine and a paper shelf mark label at the foot. With a general title and 2 divisional titles for ad 6 and ad 11 all with a woodcut vignette further with 2 hand-coloured engraved maps 1 folding engraved plate and several woodcut initials. 12 parts in 1 volume. 134 pp. Collection of very rare pamphlets and printed letters published under a collective title on the actual political circumstances of Northern Europe in the years 1699-1701 especially in connection with the death of the Spanish King Charles II born in 1661 in 1700 leading to the War of the Spanish Succession 1701-1714. The work includes 2 maps of Flanders and a folding plate of the Battle of Narva which took place on 30 November 1700. Although the pamphlets and letters were printed separately the present collection appears to be very rare as we have not been able to find any other copies with the same contents.Charles died childless. His possessions would go to one of his brothers-in-law: the French King Louis XIV 1638-1715 or the German Emperor Leopold I 1640-1705. Both had agreed already beforehand that they would divide Charles heritage to avoid disturbance of the European balance of power. In his last will however Charles had appointed the grandson of Louis XIV as his successor named from now on Philip V of Spain 1683-1746. The Treaty of The Hague affirmed this in 1701. With the deaccession stamp of the "Bibliothèque municipale de Nîmes" on the title page and its shelf mark label at the foot of the spine. The vellum at the foot of the spine with a tear the boards are somewhat stained. The leaves are occasionally browned and foxed. Otherwise in good condition.l Cf. Knuttel no. 14.510 ad 1 14.543 ad 6 14.588-14.589 ad 9 14.538 ad 10 and 14.538 a comparable collective title page with the imprint "Amsterdam Daniel de la Feuille 1701" with various texts ca. 78 pp.; STCN 317179241 1 copy the same general title page but with only 3 letters all different from ours. hardcover
174846400880, 1748-1749 ; in-4°, basane fauve de l'époque (lacets) - Beau manuscrit calligraphe espagnol du XVIII° siècle. 10 grandes feuillets de vélin. Le premier orné d'une grande composition (titre - frontispice), dessinée à la plume à l'encre rouge avec rehauts d'or : large architecture rococo avec portique, colonnes, médaillons, angelots, statues, emblèmes et portraits. Le second feuillet est une composition dédicace à la Vierge, également dessinée en rouge et or ; large encadrement de rocailles et d'emblèmes ; au centre la Vierge en assomption entourée d'anges ; en dessous, le personnage pour lequel a été exécuté ce manuscrit représenté à cheval ; suivent 15 pages de manuscrit d'une belle calligraphie, avec double encadrement de filets d'argent ; 2 lettres ornées, grotesques calligraphiés sur l'avant dernière page, la dernière page donne l'arbre généalogique des Martinez Rodriguez de Carvajal. L'illustration de ce manuscrit est d'une belle facture populaire rococo. La planche de la Vierge est préservée par un feuillet de soie rose."
175834566Madrid: The Author 1758. 16mo. ca. 150 x 103 cm. Full contemporary vellum with manuscript titling to spine leather ties. 1f. recto title verso blank 1f. "Al Lector i privileges dated July 2 9 and 10 1737 iii "Advertencia" 72 pp. text 20 engraved plates of choreographic notation of dances including those by Feuillet and Pecour with music with alternate rectos and versos blank as issued. With one folding plate of engraved music between pp. 35 and 37.<br/><br/>With charming woodcut depictions of both male and female dancers one with an accompanying musician illustrating positions of the arms and feet and dance etiquette including bowing and managing one's hat. Diagrams and choreographic notation within text. <br/><br/>The final textual section "Explicacion del Danzar a la Española" offers detailed definitions of 46 steps used in Spanish dance followed by descriptions of "Danzas a la Española ." including the pabana the gallarda the españoleta the villano the impossibles and the hermosa. <br/><br/>Plates include:<br/>- Explicn. de la Chorographia<br/>- Movimentos de los Brazos Codos etc.<br/>- Demonstracion de la Bretaña<br/>- Rigodon ô Allegro de la Bretaña<br/>- El Amable con otra Chorographia<br/>- La Pastoril demonstda. redonda y larga<br/>- La Diligenta delinda. â lo largo ô larga<br/>- La Cortesana Cont. quadrada ô en quadro<br/><br/>Free front endpaper with elaborate contemporary paraph verso with contemporary inscription: "Soy de la Libreria de Dn. AntonÃo de Hozes Ferñz de Cordova."<br/><br/>Binding slightly worn; ties partially lacking; endpapers slightly worn; free front endpaper slightly stained. Minor internal wear and soiling; some leaves browned; occasional foxing; several small virtually invisible professional archival repairs. Rare third edition of the work demonstrating the foundations of dancing in the French style considered of greater elegance than the Spanish first published in 1737. Derra de Moroda 1856 edition of 1758. Malkin 79 edition of 1737. Niles & Leslie pp. 360-361 edition of 1758. Waterloo p. 144 RISM Écrits p. 587 editions of 1758 and 1768. All with variant titles no recorded copies with this title. <br/><br/>Minguet's manual incorporates material from two other important early 18th century dance treatises Feuillet's Chorégraphie Paris 1700 and Rameau's Le Maître de danser Paris 1726.<br/><br/>"A compilation of Feuillet Rameau and De la Cuisse. His engravings however are superior to the originals of the fore-mentioned and make his Arte de Danzar perhaps the most important treatise in 18th century Dance literature in Spanish." Niles & Leslie<br/><br/>"Spain was one of the first countries to record its social dances in a system of dance notation and notation was to be an important element in dance manuals of the eighteenth century. The first Spanish book devoted entirely to dance was Discursos sobre el arte de danzado 1642 by Juan de Esquivel Navarro dancing master to Philip IV. The next dance book by Bartolemé Ferriol y Boxeraus did not appear until a century later in 1745. Pablo Minguet e Irol a famous engraver as well as an author and translator published works on a wide range of subjects; his dance books included several important works which incorporated the French dance notation of Raoul-Auger Feuillet." International Encyclopedia of Dance 5 p. 670. <br/><br/>"A particularly lovely set of illuminations can be found in Pablo Minguet e Yrol's Arte de danzar à l a francesca." op. cit. 6 p. 124. <br/><br/>Antonio de Hoces Fernández de Córdoba 1722-1782 was a "Master of Seville" and served as mayor of Cordoba. [The Author] unknown books
1770ABC_47902Córdoba 1770. 8vo. Contemporary limp parchment. With a large engraving of Juan de Santiago on the second leaf and a pen drawing on page 102. 4 "159" = 162 pp. Manuscript version of the only contemporary source on the life and death of the Córdoban Jesuit Juan de Santiago 1689-1762. It follows a work by the same name by Vincent Morales 1708-1765 which was probably published for the first time in 1763 in Córdoba. The copper engraving in the present manuscript likely comes from this edition. Judging from the ownership annotation the present manuscript was also made in Córdoba probably for a local university or convent. It contains an extra paragraph at the end about a feast held in honour of Juan de Santiago including six epigrams written for him. This part is not present in the printed versions of this work.Juan de Santiago was born in Écija. He became known as the "niño de la razón" because of his love for studying. He entered the Jesuit College at Sevilla at a young age. After he was ordained he moved to Córdoba College where he stayed for 40 years. He was seen as a model of holiness and many miracles were attributed to him. One of these occurred when he put out his hand to a blind woman who tried to enter the church and said to her: "Come in and take a good look." Upon which the woman cried "I see it I have recovered my sight." Throughout his life he was much loved in Córdoba because he helped and advised a great number of inhabitants. When he died there was an enormous grieving crowd in town and the City Council ordered that one of the three keys of his coffin should be kept in the city archive. The work by Morales was written at the request of the grieving Córdobans.With a crossed out ownership annotation on the verso of the title page. The parchment is stained and wrinkled with a few small holes and is somewhat smaller than the paper leaves. The borders of the first two leaves are frayed the manuscript is somewhat stained throughout. Otherwise in good condition.l Cf. De Backer-Sommervogel 1894 V 1284 printed ed. unknown
1713WRCAM53351Minorca Spain 1713. 690pp. Thick quarto. Later three-quarter calf and marbled boards. Moderate wear to edges and spine extremities boards rubbed corners bumped. Small later ownership inscription on front pastedown. Light foxing and tanning marginal dust soiling. Composed in a neat legible hand. Very good. Untrimmed. A lengthy and highly detailed manuscript volume containing documents related to the British takeover of Minorca after its capture from Spain during the War of Spanish Succession and an investigation into the governance of the island. In September 1708 British forces occupied the Mediterranean island with little opposition the inhabitants and nobles having mostly supported the Anglo-Dutch designs for the Spanish throne. The inherent importance of the island as a military outpost and trading way point in the Mediterranean led the British to occupy it for the rest of the war and to receive it as a possession in the Treaty of Utrecht which ended the conflict in 1713. <br> <br> The documents collected here relate to the English Brigadier Lewis Petit who served as Lieutenant Governor and Chief Engineer of the island during its occupation. As Chief Engineer Petit was in charge of improving the fortifications and defenses of Minorca and although a Spanish ally was named as titular Governor Petit exercised the true authority over the island. Although his improvement plans may have been sound his management of the island's public moneys was suspect. <br> <br> "Petit somehow found time to enter into commercial speculations on his own account. In partnership with two Spaniards and Stanhope's secretary Arent Furley Petit purchased a French prize at Mahón for 7800 dollars with which to trade between Minorca Majorca Sardinia and the Spanish and Barbary coasts. He advised Furley that he had found it necessary to use funds supplied for the fortifications to complete the purchase and urgently requested capital from his partners to repay this misappropriation. Petit's participation was valuable to the enterprise owing to his ability to land cargoes at Mahón without paying duty an activity much objected to by the local town government. <br> <br> "Petit was soon to find himself under the scrutiny of the inspectors sent from London to investigate irregularities in the expenditure of the army in Spain as an attempt to disgrace the previous ministry.The accusations against him concerned imperfections in his accounts including allegations of missing vouchers irregularities and overcharging in the numbers of workmen and mules and alleged differences between prices contracted and prices paid among other charges" - DNB. <br> <br> The documents compiled here therefore relate principally to the investigation of those actions by a specially convened Board of Commissioners and contain Petit's written responses to specific inquiries about his expenditures. In transmitting these answers the reports provide a detailed perspective regarding the management of Minorca's finances defenses and engineering improvements under Petit's charge. Moreover in order to buttress or to undermine those claims voluminous correspondence financial figures construction reports testimonies affidavits and other material are reproduced that span the length of the British occupation of the island before it officially became a possession. As a result the manuscript documents contained here provide a thorough encapsulation of the economic and military situation on Minorca and the growth of its importance as a British outpost in the Mediterranean. <br> <br> A highly valuable set of manuscript documents that meticulously details the development and management of a British possession gained through the War of Spanish Succession worthy of much deeper research. Paul Latcham "Petit Lewis 1665-1720" in OXFORD DICTIONARY OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY Oxford University Press 2004 http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/22038. hardcover books
