l the French men-of-war and galleons in the
harbour. We have much greater reason to deplore our misfortune in
silence and tears than to give you a particular account of this
unspeakable loss, which will hasten the utter ruin of this our monarchy.

"The inhabitants of this place, not being able to re-collect themselves
from their consternation, have shut up their houses and shops for fear
of being plundered by the common people who exclaim publicly against
the government, and particularly against Cardinal Porto Carrero and
others of the Council, who not being content with the free gift of
three millions offered to the king out of the galleons, besides an
_indulto_ of two millions, hindered the landing of the plate at Vigo
before the enemy arrived there. But the Cardinal laid the blame upon
the Consultat of Seville, who, mistrusting the French, would not suffer
them to carry the galleons to Brest or Port Lewis, but gave orders that
they should sail back from Vigo to Cadiz after the English and Dutch
fleets were returned home. 'Tis said that only three of the galleons
put their cargo ashore before the arrival of the enemy."

The news was a most bitter pill for His Christian Majesty, Louis XIV of
France, and put him and his court "into a mighty consternation." He
was quoted as saying that "there was not one-tenth part of the plate
and merchandise landed from on board the fleet. This is the most
facetious piece of news that could come to the enemies of France and
Spain."

All the records lay stress on the immense value of the treasure lost,
one that "the Spanish galleons were coming from Mexico overladen with
riches," another that "vast wealth in gold, silver, and merchandise was
lost in that terrible battle of Vigo," a third that "this was the
richest flota that ever came into Europe." It is extraordinary that
most of this treasure has remained untouched for more than two
centuries at the bottom of Vigo Bay. The records of the Spanish
government contain almost complete memoranda of every concession
granted to searching parties, and of the valuables recovered, which
total to date is no more than a million and a half of dollars.

Soon after the battle, Spain began to fish for her lost galleons and in
that same year of 1702, the official newspaper of Madrid recorded that
"we are instructed from Vigo that they are proceeding with success in
the raising of the precious burden belonging to the _Capitana_, and
_Almirant