A concise, critical look at a 1739 treaty between Britain and Spain and what it says about rights, power, and diplomacy at sea.
The book reproduces and analyzes a controversial 1739 convention, offering Robins’s perspective on its articles and the disputes they raise. It focuses on how negotiations framed questions of property, sovereignty, and maritime law during a tense era of imperial rivalry. The discussion centers on the treatment of ships, prizes, and future negotiations, as well as the fate of colonies like Georgia and the balance of power at sea.
Through close examination of the stipulations, the work highlights the tension between asserting national rights and seeking peaceful settlement. It reveals how language and negotiation tactics shaped outcomes, and it questions whether the concessions were necessary or prudent for national interests.
- Clear summary of the key articles and their implications for maritime seizures and property.
- Critique of the negotiation approach and its impact on national pride and justice.
- Discussion of Georgia, Florida, and Carolina as strategic flashpoints.
- Reflection on how treaties can transfer difficult choices to future plenipotentiaries.
Ideal for readers interested in early modern diplomacy, maritime law, and the historical context of colonial rivalry.