to be contested on any account whatsoever." The Bucaniers, who had for
many years infested Spanish America, were now cut off from all future
protection from the English government in their hostile invasions of
these dominions, and all commissions formerly granted to such pirates,
were recalled and annulled. By this treaty, the freedom of navigation in
these American seas was opened to both nations; and all ships in
distress, whether from storms, or the pursuit of enemies and pirates,
taking refuge in places belonging either to Britain or Spain, were to be
treated with humanity, to meet with protection and assistance, and to be
permitted to depart without molestation. These things merit particular
notice, as by this treaty Spain evidently gave up all future pretensions
to the country of Carolina granted to the proprietors by the king; and
this freedom of navigation, provided for in such express terms, was
violated, as we shall afterwards see, by the Spaniards, and proved the
occasion of a bloody war between the two nations. Not long after this, a
treaty of neutrality between Britain and France was also concluded; by
which negotiations the possessions of Great Britain, France, and Spain,
in the western world, were better ascertained; and the freedom of
commerce and navigation was more firmly established by those three great
potentates, than had taken place in any former period.

[Sidenote] A council of commerce is instituted.

It is not improbable that King Charles the second, during his exile, had
acquired in Holland some knowledge in trade, and seen the vast advantage
resulting from it to that republic; for after his return to his native
dominions, he made the naval strength of England, and her commercial
affairs, the principal objects of attention. He instituted a select
council of commerce, consisting of a president, vice-president, and nine
counsellors, for the encouragement of trade, navigation and the colonies.