TRADE IN THE SOUTH SEA. Letter from Madrid (Spain) dated Aug - Lot 62

TRADE IN THE SOUTH SEA. Letter from Madrid (Spain) dated August 30, 1734, in French, signed by Don Manuel JOUIN. “It must first be acknowledged that all the cities of the South Seas are exposed on all sides and without any defenses, at the mercy of all manner of enemies… it must also be acknowledged that Peru cannot survive without trade with Chile, which supplies it with wheat, flour, and other provisions it needs; that these ships are completely defenseless; and that two medium-sized frigates could, within three months, all the more easily seize and take control of all the ships and vessels in the South Seas, since they have no sheltered harbors in which to take refuge and escape the attacks of their enemies… An English privateer burns 31 vessels… between Callao and Lima (excerpt). 6 pages (22 x 16.5 cm)