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Admiral is ordered to use the largest discretionary power in blockading the Russian ports in the Black Sea,” is not read, nor any replies from Admiral Dundas.[41] The Admiralty sent Hanoverian troops to Gibraltar and Port Mahon (Minorca), to replace such British regiments as should be drawn from those garrisons for service in America. An amendment to the address was proposed
by Lord John Cavendish, strongly condemningthe confiding such important fortresses as Gibraltar and Port Mahon to foreigners."[42] After very stormy debates, in which the measure of entrusting Gibraltar and Minorca, “the keys of the Mediterranean,” as they were called, to foreigners, was furiously attacked, Lord North, acknowledging himself the adviser of the measure, felt obliged to bring in a bill of indemnity. However, these foreigners, these Hanoverians, were the English Kings own subjects. Having virtually surrendered Minorca to Russia in 1780, Lord North was, of course, quite justified in treating, on November 27, 1781, in the House of Commons, “with utter scorn the insinuation that Ministers were in the pay of France.” Let us remark, en