Convention of London (1786)
Encyclopedia
The Convention of London, also known as the Anglo-Spanish Convention, was an agreement negotiated between the Kingdom of Great Britain
and the Kingdom of Spain concerning the status of British settlements on the Mosquito Coast
of Central America
. It was signed on 14 July 1786.
According to the terms of the 1783 Treaty of Paris
that ended the American War of Independence and included Spain as a signatory, British settlements on the "Spanish Continent" were to be evacuated, using language that was similar to that in the 1763 Treaty of Paris
that ended the Seven Years' War
. British settlers in the area resisted implementation of the 1783 agreement, observing (as they had after the 1763 treaty) that the Spanish had never actually controlled the area, and that it therefore did not belong to the "Spanish Continent". After both sides increased military activities in the area of the Black River Settlement
, where most of the British settlers lived, it was decided to engage in further negotiations to resolve the issue.
In the agreement signed 14 July 1786, Britain agreed to evacuate all British settlements from the Mosquito Coast. In exchange, Spain agreed to expand the territory available to British loggers on the Yucatan Peninsula
, and allowed them to cut mahogany
and other hardwoods that were increasing in value. Over the opposition of the Mosquito Coast settler, the agreement was implemented, and the British evacuated more than 2,000 people. Most of them went to Belize
, but others were relocated to Jamaica
, Grand Cayman
, or Roatán
. Control of Black River was formally turned over to the Spanish on 29 August 1787, by the grandson of its founder, William Pitt.
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
and the Kingdom of Spain concerning the status of British settlements on the Mosquito Coast
Mosquito Coast
The Caribbean Mosquito Coast historically consisted of an area along the Atlantic coast of present-day Nicaragua and Honduras, and part of the Western Caribbean Zone. It was named after the local Miskito Indians and long dominated by British interests...
of Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
. It was signed on 14 July 1786.
According to the terms of the 1783 Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain on the one hand and the United States of America and its allies on the other. The other combatant nations, France, Spain and the Dutch Republic had separate agreements; for details of...
that ended the American War of Independence and included Spain as a signatory, British settlements on the "Spanish Continent" were to be evacuated, using language that was similar to that in the 1763 Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris, often called the Peace of Paris, or the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763, by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement. It ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War...
that ended the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
. British settlers in the area resisted implementation of the 1783 agreement, observing (as they had after the 1763 treaty) that the Spanish had never actually controlled the area, and that it therefore did not belong to the "Spanish Continent". After both sides increased military activities in the area of the Black River Settlement
Black River (settlement)
The Black River settlement was a British settlement on the Mosquito Coast of present-day Honduras. It was established in 1732 by a British colonist named William Pitt...
, where most of the British settlers lived, it was decided to engage in further negotiations to resolve the issue.
In the agreement signed 14 July 1786, Britain agreed to evacuate all British settlements from the Mosquito Coast. In exchange, Spain agreed to expand the territory available to British loggers on the Yucatan Peninsula
Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
, and allowed them to cut mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
and other hardwoods that were increasing in value. Over the opposition of the Mosquito Coast settler, the agreement was implemented, and the British evacuated more than 2,000 people. Most of them went to Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, but others were relocated to Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the nation's capital, George Town. In relation to the other two Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles southwest of Little Cayman and 90 miles southwest of Cayman Brac.-Geography:Grand Cayman encompasses 76% of...
, or Roatán
Roatán
Roatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands. The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan...
. Control of Black River was formally turned over to the Spanish on 29 August 1787, by the grandson of its founder, William Pitt.