| Content Description | Memorandum providing an account of the negotiations between the British and Spanish governments [as represented by Andrew Buchanan and Calderón Collantes] regarding Spanish territorial possessions on the coast of Morocco; reports that on 12 Oct. 1859 Sir Andrew Buchanan deposited a Spanish hydrographical map with Collantes, on which he had marked with great accuracy the distances between the capes/promontories? Blanco, Leona and Lanchones; he indicated that the boats allocated to the operations of the Spanish army over the coast of Morocco would not be withdrawn? unless they were assured to be included within the future limits of Ceuta; comments on Collantes' reply to Sir Andrew, given the next day, in which he assured him that Spain would not occupy a single spot of the coast which would endanger the navigation of the strait.
Notes a verbal assurance was given a few days later that the Spanish government had no intention of including the promontories within the frontiers of Ceuta; says Sir Andrew gave Collantes a copy of a despatch in which he reported to his government the assurances which he had received from his excellency [Collantes]; informed the government that Punta Bermeja represented the place on the [Moroccan] coastline beyond which the Spanish government would not obtain any new territory; the British government accepted this and stopped fearing that British interests would suffer.
Sir Andrew Buchanan later informed Collantes that the British government felt the free navigation of the strait would be compromised if the new Spanish frontiers were taken further west that Punta Bermeja; Collontes then said he had never given assurances about Punta Bermeja, and that he had only said that the three headlands would not be included in the new limits; he wished for no further discussions between the two governments, saying peace had been made between Spain and Morocco but not officially ratified.
Provides an account of further interviews between Sir Andrew and Collantes, at which Sir Andrew was accompanied by Mr Edwardes, where the assurances about Punta Bermeja continued to be denied; assurances were made, though, regarding Cape? Blanco. |