The Honorable General Knox Secretary of the United States for the War Department War Office New York [1 packet.?] Dear General Jon Williams London May 5 1790 Although the Wars of England are now out of your department yet early information on such a subject will doubtless be pleasing to you. This Country was yesterday suddenly surprised by a hot press, which like an explosion swept between 3 & 4000 Seaman, and to day we find the cause in a Message sent by the King to the House of Commons.
The Message states that two brittish Vessels that were trading along the northwest coast of America have been seized by two Spanish Ships of War & the prisoners sent to a Spanish post. That the Spanish Court in answer to application For Satisfaction had indeed liberated the vessel & crew, but that they had done so only on a Supposition that the circumstance happened through ignorance of of the rights of Spain and it is added that the Spanish Court “assert a direct claim to the exclusive rights of sovereignty navigation and commerce in the territories coasts and seas in that part of the world.” The Message proceeds to state that a renunciation of these supposed rights have been demanded & will be insisted on & concludes with asking the aid of parliament in support of the dignity and interest of the Crown & People.
There is no doubt but the answer to the message will be full & satisfactory, and the War if entered into will probably be a popular one; but the general opinion seems to be that Spain will not persist to expose herself to so unequal a match, now that She can place no dependance on the aid of France, which at present stands unbound by the family compact.
A small fleet has already sailed from Portsmouth on Special Service, probably to the Mediterranean, and the commanding engines immediately embarked for Gibralter. To us in America no War ought to be a desirable circumstance, but the sentiments of humanity apart, I suppose no War could be more pleasing to us than the present one; For our neutral flag must become the immediate resource of both parties, and our produce must meet with two markets in direct competition with each other. Should the flame of Liberty reach to South America I should think this war a fortunate aid to so desirable an object. But I forbear to make observations, my intention by this letter is to give you the earliest account of the Fact.
I am with the most Sincere &c affectionate Respect, My dear Sir Your obedt Servant Jonn Williams J PS. I hope to embark with Mrs. Williams in about a month for Philadelphia.