Anglo-Moroccan Alliance and the Gibraltar Treaty 1786

[Galveston Bay]

William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, is appointed Ambassador to Morocco.  He is the first high ranking British diplomat to be sent to Morocco since 1721
Earl Shelrburne has an important mission.
1.  End the threat of Barbary Piracy in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic
2.  Secure room at Tangiers for a Naval Yard and fortress to ensure that Britain can in the future better support any siege conducted at Gibraltar (and to replace the base at Gibraltar if needed)
3.  Provide such support and aid to the Sultan of Morocco as needed to achieve ends 1 and 2

[Kilani]

The Spanish court is alarmed to hear reports of the British attempting to obtain a base at Tangiers and they begin their own outreach efforts to the Morrocans to dissuade such an arrangement.

[Galveston Bay]

Meanwhile, the British Ambassador in Madrid, William Eden, informs the Spanish Crown that if agreement regarding a base is reached with Morocco, then at that time the British Crown is willing to trade Gibraltar for an end to Spanish claims to the territory being discussed on the northwest Pacific coast of North America.

[Kilani]

The Spanish Chief Minister, José Moñino, 1st Count of Floridablanca, is unwilling to commit Spain to such an action at this time.

[Kilani]

The Spanish also make an offer to the Morrocans - although there's is predicated on denying the harbor to the British; it involves the provision of funds of Spanish silver and potentially the payment of of additional funds in years after - with a commiserate increase if the Morrocans give the Spanish basing rights.

They also offer a pact of non-aggression between themselves and the Sultanate.

[Galveston Bay]

In early January 1786, the British Government announces the conclusion of talks and the signing of a treaty with the Sultan of Morocco.

1. Britain and Morocco shall be allies
2. Britain will build a fortress and naval yard at Tangiers
3. A small extra-territorialty area within a half mile of the Fortress will be under British law.
4. Sultan will continue to receive all port and civilian income from Tangiers
5. The Naval Yard once completed will be available for Moroccan use
6. The Sultan of Morocco, acting with the British Crown, has secured protection of British (and American) merchant shipping from Barbary Pirates in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic
7. Weapons will be available for sale to the Sultan for his army and navy.

This treaty has a duration of 100 years, with discussion every 25 years regarding renewal and extension.

Meanwhile in Spain, the British Crown again asks the Spanish Crown if a trade can be established.

1. Britain would hand over Gibraltar (although not the guns and garrison which will move to Tangiers), and the civilian population in Gibraltar can choose to move to any British colony
2. In exchange, the Spanish government would surrender its claims to the Pacific Northwest, with a border established at the 42 N Latitude (RL Oregon/California state line)
3. However, the Spanish would be allowed to retain their existing trading posts in the region

[Kilani]

Meanwhile in Spain, the British Crown again asks the Spanish Crown if a trade can be established.

1.  Britain would hand over Gibraltar (although not the guns and garrison which will move to Tangiers), and the civilian population in Gibraltar can choose to move to any British colony
2.  In exchange, the Spanish government would surrender its claims to the Pacific Northwest, with a border established at the 42 N Latitude (RL Oregon/California state line)
3.  However, the Spanish would be allowed to retain their existing trading posts in the region

Moñino responds that the crown is not prepared to surrender the entirety of its claims, but in the spirit of cooperation and a willingness to avoid further disputes, proposes to trade Gibraltar for a cessation of Spanish claims north of the Rio de San Roque (ooc: essentially the RL Washington/Oregon border, although the exact inland border will need to be determined once it's more fully explored) and the Spanish will withdraw their two trading posts and forts north of that point.

[Galveston Bay]

In London there is considerable celebration over the Treaty of Gibraltar (ending a massive defense liability) and the probable improvement of relations with Spain.   Although many criticize giving up "The Rock", site of such a stirring defense in the last war, on the other hand most realize that it was a significant limitation regarding British strategic flexibility during said war.  

The treaty with the Moroccans is viewed as an unmitigated success.

The Sultan is asked to have the Barbary Pirates leave Spanish shipping and the coast of Spain alone as well as Anglo American shipping and territory.

at the Rock, British soldiers and the civilian population who wish to leave begin preparations to leave, with the deadline being the end of 1786.

[Sponsored content]