t not be ceded without satisfaction in the fishery, and some material
compensation: this is so much the opinion of all the King's servants,
that the greatest care has been taken to soften every expression," etc.
In July, 1763, the English restored their acquisitions in Cuba to the
Spaniards, and their soldiers returned to Europe.

In a few years it was seen that the Bute arrangement, so far as
concerned the Havana, was, for England, thoroughly a Glaucian bargain.
She had obtained Florida, which was of no worth to her, and she had
given up the Havana, which might have been made one of her most useful
acquisitions. That place became the chief American port of the great
alliance that was formed against England after she had become committed
to war with the new United States. Great fleets and armies were there
assembled, which did the English much mischief. Florida was reconquered
by an expedition from the Havana, and another expedition was successful
in an attack on Nassau; and Jamaica was threatened. Had England not
given up the place to the Spaniards, not only would these things have
been impossible, but she might have employed it with effect in her own
military operations, and have maintained her ascendency in the
West-Indian seas. Or, if she had preferred that course, she might have
made it the price of Spain's neutrality during the American War,
returning it to her on condition that she should not assist the United
States; and as the Family Compact then existed in all its force, Spain's
influence might have been found sufficiently powerful to prevent France
from giving that assistance to our fathers which undoubtedly secured
their independence. All subsequent history has been deeply colored by
the surrender of the Havana in 1763. But for that, Washington and his
associates might have failed. But for that, the French Revolution might
have been postponed, as that Revolution was precipitated through the
existence of financial difficulties which were largely owing to the part
France took in the war that ended in the establishment of our
nationality. But for that, England might have secured and consolidated
her American dominion, and the House of Hanover at this moment have been
ruling over the present United States and Confederate States. George
III, and Lord Bute could not foresee any of these things, and they
cannot be censured because they were blind to what was invisible to all
men; but their reckless desire for peace