Menorca (1740) in the “Historic and political Mercury”

“Es Diari” publishes in its “Mira Menorca” section on September 12 an article (signed by Jesús García Marín) on the relevance of Menorca (and Gibraltar) in international politics during the 18th century, so that the Island was permanent news in the newspapers of Spain and Hispanic America.

At that time Menorca was territory occupied by the British and the author of the article focuses on the news published by the newspaper “Mercurio Histórico y Politico” published in Madrid. It was one of the most important in the capital along with “La Gaceta” and focused very especially on political and military matters. It was published between the years 1738 and 1820.

Jesús García Marín points out that relations with the British were very tense and highlights the work carried out by Admiral Nicholas Haddock (1686-1746), head of the British Mediterranean fleet that had its most important base in Port Mahon. Haddock succeeded in greatly hindering, between 1738 and 1742, part of the Spanish trade in the Mediterranean.