British expedition against Cuba.

containing a lengthy account of the shortfalls of the then colonial governor, Juan de Prado, namely his failure to fortify the island's defences while deceiving the Spanish government as to their progress, his tardiness in responding to communications from Spain, and his readiness to give up Havana to the enemy using the lack of gunpowder as an excuse; the account also lists the charges against the naval captain Gutiérrez de Hevia y Bustamante, Marqués del Real Transporte, responsible for the loss of 12 ships-of-the-line, and several other officers pronounced not guilty; c. 350 pages, signed at the end by Juan Treviño, Secretary of the investigative committee, bound in limp vellum with ties, 28 January 1765

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Following their alliance with France during the Seven Years' War, the Spanish expected an attack by the British against their Caribbean colonies. Juan de Prado, then governor of Cuba, was ordered to strengthen the island's fortifications on his assumption of office in February 1761, but this project foundered when an epidemic of yellow fever swept over Havana. The following summer a British force led by George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle, laid seige to Havana, which surrendered on 13 August. Having been transported back to Madrid for a court-martial, Juan de Prado was found guilty of negligence in his defense of Havana; his death sentence was commuted to ten years' imprisonment.

The brief British occupation of the western part of Cuba opened up trade between the island and Britain's North American and Caribbean colonies, and greatly increased the number of slaves working on the sugar plantations. Cuba was restored to Spain in exchange for Florida after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763.