English sailors had first sighted the Falklands …
Years: 1756 - 1767
English sailors had first sighted the Falklands in the late sixteenth century.
The government had made a halfhearted claim in the following century, although under the Treaty of Tordesillas they fall within the Spanish orbit.
London had only begun to give the matter its serious attention in 1748, with the report of Admiral Lord Anson, sounding out the Spanish on the question of sovereignty.
This had only had the effect of drawing up the battle lines, though the matter was put to one side for the time being.
An uncertain equilibrium might have remained but for the unexpected intervention of a third party, France.
France establishes a colony at Port St. Louis, on East Falkland's Berkeley Sound coast in 1764.
The French name Îles Malouinesis given to the islands—malouin being the adjective for the Breton port of Saint-Malo.
The Spanish name Islas Malvinas is a translation of the French name.
In 1766, France agrees to leave, and Spain agrees to reimburse Louis de Bougainville, who has established a settlement at his own expense.
The Spaniards assume control in 1767 and rename Port St. Louis as Puerto Soledad.
Locations
People
Groups
Topics
Commodoties
- Fish and game
- Weapons
- Hides and feathers
- Gem materials
- Strategic metals
- Slaves
- Sweeteners
- Land
- Tobacco
