| Citation |
RNYG.783.096
21 Jun 1783:22,23 (703)
. . . [30th line from bottom] Some account of the manner
in which his Royal Highness Prince William Henry was
received on a visit which he lately made to the Havana.
On the 8th, of May his Royal Highness arrived off the Moro
Castle, in a Frigate, commanded by Capt. Rodney, son of the
gallant Lord Rodney, being escorted by Lord Hood's squadron,
of twelve ships of the line and two frigates, who lay off
the Castle during the Prince's stay.
Immediately on his arrival, Admiral Don Solano, and the
Governor, General Unzaga, came along side the ship in a most
magnificent State Barge to receive the Prince, under a
general salute of cannon from about twenty sail of men of
war in the harbour, and the respective fortresses of the
Moro, Cavannes, [illegible], &c. The Bargemen were dressed
in the most splendid uniforms, covered with gold-lace, and
the canopy of the Barge, with the other furniture, were
computed to have cost upwards of two thousand dollars. Upon
his Royal Highness's landing, a general salute was fired
from the town; he was then conducted by the Admiral and
Governor through a line of troops to the Governor's Palace
in the square of arms, and afterwards to the House of
Admiral Solano, which was most elegantly fitted up for his
reception. A Colonel's guard, in new cloaths, was mounted
every day at the Prince's quarters. His Highness was at a
general review of the whole Spanish army in the Havana. The
several orders of religion, both male and female, were
presented to his Highness, to congratulate him on his
arrival, as were also all the General and Field Officers,
the Captains and Officers of the navy, &c.--His Highness
staid three days on shore, during which there the most
sumptuous entertainments were provided by the Admiral and
Governor, at the former of which there were no less than
three hundred covers, when the following toasts were drank
to the sound of trumpets, &c. under a discharge of cannon.
The King of Great Britain--by Admiral Solano, twenty-one
guns.---The King of Spain---by Prince William Henry, twenty-
one guns.---Prince William Henry, ---by Admiral Solano,
twenty-one guns . . . .[4 more lines on guns to the King of
France and to Peace.]
After the entertainment, the Prince went in a most
splendid carriage to the Circus, without the Punta and land
gates, and took the air, attended by at least 4000
carriages, with the principal officers, civil,
ecclesiastical, and military, and ladies in the richest
dresses.-- In the evenings were fired Feu de joyes, and
the city richly illuminated . . . .[23 more lines describing
entertainments, salutes, etc.]
|