ABSTRACT
In 1804, the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes (Our Lady of Mercies) was on its way from South America to Portugal to deliver the goods to the Spanish government. The ship was escorted by three other Spanish frigates armed with defensive cannons. They were watching for pirates who might attack and rob the ship. What they didn’t count on was being attacked by the British Navy. Spain and Britain were not officially at war and the Spanish commander refused to obey the order. The Spanish were furious, declaring it an act of war. The British claimed they had every right to intercept the ships because the money would have been used in wars to fight against England. As soon as the Spanish government heard about their find, they went to court and argued that because it came from a Spanish ship, it rightfully belonged to the country of Spain.
