How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

His Majesty's Declaration of War against the King of Spain
London: Printed by John Baskett, 1739. Printed broadside, 20 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. (521 x 419 mm). Docketed on verso. Creasing from old folds, 4 1/4 in. closed tear along lower central vertical fold; small worming in each corner from when folded; scattered minor edge-wear. ESTC T36245

The King of England declares war against Spain, igniting the War of Jenkins' Ear. Rooted in trade disputes and colonial ambitions in the Caribbean and North America, George II cites the "unjust Seizures...and Depredations carried on for several Years in the West Indies" by Spanish vessels, and provides an extensive and detailed list of the grievances that led to his commencement of hostilities. The War of Jenkins' Ear began in October 1739 and eventually merged with the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48, known as King George's War in North America). It received its name after an incident involving English smuggler Robert Jenkins, who alleged in 1738 before the House of Commons that marauding Spaniards had cut off his ear in 1731 off the coast of Florida (according to some accounts he brought the preserved ear along with him for display). The altercation was used as propaganda by those opposed to Prime Minister Robert Walpole's government, and helped fan the flames of public anger over Spanish actions and pushed the nation into conflict. Although the English saw initial success, including Admiral Edward Vernon's capture of Puerto Bello, subsequent campaigns, including the 1741 attempt to take Cartagena were met with disaster. Minor skirmishes were met throughout the region, including in North America, such as James Edward Oglethorpe's failed siege at St. Augustine in 1740, and the Spanish's failed attack on Georgia in 1742. With the merger into the larger War of Austrian Succession, the conflict shifted attention toward Europe, and ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748.

Rare. RBH locates only one other copy at auction, in 2011. ESTC locates nine copies, including only three in the United States.