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link to an engraving of Old Havana Although deeply suspicious of England’s expanding commercial interests, Spain at first remained neutral in the Seven Years War. Lured by the promise of Minorca and Gibraltar, however, Charles III of Spain declared war against England in January 1762. Spain’s timing was poor. England’s naval supremacy had already given her the upper hand in the West Indies, and in June a large British fleet landed an army near Havana. Yellow fever and malaria took a heavy toll on these forces, but reinforcements from North America made it possible to continue the siege of Morro Castle, the key to Havana harbor. The castle fell on July 30, forcing the city to surrender two weeks later.

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Havana Image Map

“A View of the City of the Havana, taken from the Road near Colonel Howe's Battery.”

Engraving by Edward Rooker after drawing by Elias Durnford and etching by Paul Sandby.
London: Published by Thomas Jefferys, 1765.
Dimensions of entire sheet: 23 7/8 X 17 7/8 inches.
Dimensions of image and caption: 19 7/8 X 13 ½ inches.
From Scenographia Americana. (London, 1768).

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