Description

Black and white lithograph depicting a fleet of Dutch merchant ships leaving Portsmouth Harbour after the embargo on Dutch merchant ships were lifted. Great Britain had joined with France in supporting Leopold as the newly elected King of the Belgians. William of Orange opposed Leopold and the embargo was imposed in response to that opposition. On 21 May, 1833, William modified his position with regard to Leopold and agreed to a provisional convention with Britain and France. The embargo was subsequently lifted.

Eight named vessels: Reigersdaal, Planter, Maria, Anthony, Willem, Indiaan, Zeeuw, and Harmonie.

Coat of Arms of the Netherlands depicted at bottom.

The print is inscribed in Dutch and English: "This Series of three prints, representing the departure from Portsmouth Harbour on the 2nd June 1833 of the 12 Dutch Merchant Ships released from Embargo, is by Special permission most respectfully dedicated to His Majesty William 1st King of the Netherlands &c &c &c by His Majesty's most humble and most devoted Subject and Servant Arnoldus Van Den Bergh."