Sir Henry Bulwer, in a speech to the electors of
Tam worth, related a curious incident of his diplomatic career. Iu 1810 France and Spain in alliance were about to attack Morocco, and the British Government feared that if the attack were successful, Gibraltar would become untenable. France had actually declared war, and it was a great object with Lord Palmerston to induce Spain to refrain. The Spanish Minister was impracticable, but told Sir H. Bulwer that if he would visit the Sultan's Minister, then at Tangiers, and make an arrangement, Spain would sanc- tion it. Sir Henry had no orders and no leave, and the Spanish Minister refused to give him a line of writing ; but he took the responsibility, went to Tangiers, settled the Spanish claim, and rendered war impossible. Queen Isabella's Premier wrote to Sir Henry declaring that Spain could never repay the service she had received.
Previous page
