"SIR,

"I have the honour to acquaint you, that I am come here to demand the immediate surrender of the ship El Principe d'Asturias, from Manilla, bound to Cadiz, belonging to the Phillipine Company, together with her whole and entire cargo; and, also, all such other cargoes and property as may have been landed in the island of Teneriffe, and not intended for the consumption of it's inhabitants.

"And, as it is my earnest wish, that not one individual inhabitant of the island of Teneriffe should suffer by my demand being instantly complied with, I offer the following most honourable and liberal terms; which, if refused, the horrors of war, which will fall on the inhabitants of Teneriffe, must be, by the world, imputed to you, and to you only: for I shall destroy Santa Cruz, and the other towns in the island, by a bombardment, and levy a very heavy contribution on the island.

"ARTICLE I.

"The forts shall be delivered to me; and, instantly, a party of the
British troops shall be put in possession of the gates.

"ARTICLE II.

"The garrison shall lay down their arms, but the officers shall be allowed to keep their swords; and the garrison, without the condition of being prisoners of war, shall be transported to Spain, or remain in the island while their conduct is orderly and proper, as the commanding officer pleases.

"ARTICLE III.

"On the express condition, that the full and entire cargoes of the El Principe d'Asturias, and all such other cargoes and property as may have been landed on the island of Teneriffe, and not intended for the consumption of it's inhabitants, be given up, and the first article complied with, not the smallest contribution shall be levied on the inhabitants, but they shall enjoy the fullest protection in their persons and property.

"ARTICLE IV.

"No interference whatever shall be made in the holy catholic religion; the ministers of it, and all it's religious orders, shall be considered as under my especial care and protection.

"ARTICLE V.

"The laws and magistrates shall be continued as at present, unless by the general wish of the islanders.

"These terms subscribed to, the inhabitants of the town of Santa Cruz shall lodge their arms in one house, under the joint care of the bishop and chief magistrate; and it will be my pride to consult with these gentlemen what may be most advantageous for the inhabitants.

"Horatio Nelson."

"I allow half of one hour for acceptance or rejection.

"Horatio Nelson."

These articles being transmitted to Captain Troubridge, special orders were sent, the same day, to Captain Thomas Oldfield, senior captain of the marines ordered to disembark; and to Lieutenant Baynes, of the Royal Artillery; directing them to attend, respectively, to all the desires of Captain Thomas Troubridge, who was to command all the forces landed for taking the town of Santa Cruz. To the latter officer, a copy of the third article of the following regulations was, at the same time, particularly addressed.

"Regulations recommended by Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson.

"1.

"That each ship's boats should be kept together, by towing each other, which will keep the people of each ship collected; and the boats will be in six divisions, and nearly get on shore at the same moment.

"2.

"The marines of each ship of the line to be put in their launches—which will carry them.

"3.

"The moment the boats are discovered, by a firing being made on them, the bomb vessel to commence her fire on the town, and to keep it up till the flag of truce is hoisted from either the enemy or from us.

"4.

"That a captain should be directed to see the boats put off from the beach, that more men may be speedily got on shore with the field pieces.

"5.

"Frigates to anchor as soon as possible after the alarm is given, or the forces ashore near the battery in the north-east part of the bay.

"6.

"Immediately as the forces get ashore, they are to get in the rear of the battery marked S, in the north-east part of the bay, and to instantly storm it; and, also, to take post on the top of the hill which is above it.

"Every ship to land the number of men as against their names expressed, with a proper proportion of officers, exclusive of commissioned officers and servants—[as stated in the letter to Captain Troubridge]—and the captains are at liberty to send as many more men as they please; leaving sufficient to manage the ship, and to man the launch and another boat. Every captain, that chuses, is at liberty to land and command his seamen, under the command of Captain Troubridge.

"It is recommended to put as many marine coats or jackets on the seamen as can be procured; and, that all should have canvas crop belts.

"The marines to be all under the direction of Captain Oldfield, the senior marine officer: and he is directed to put himself under the direction of Captain Troubridge; as is Lieutenant Baynes of the Royal Artillery, with his detachment."

To these general regulations were added the following particular instructions—

"Theseus, July 21, 1797.

"The Culloden's officers and men, with only their arms, to be ready to go on board the Terpsichore, at one P.M. this day. To carry with them four ladders—each of which to have a lanyard four fathoms long—a sledge hammer, wedges, and a broad axe.

"The boats oars to be muffled with either a piece of canvas or kersey.

"Horatio Nelson.

"Memorandum—The Culloden and Zealous to each make a platform for one eighteen pounder, the Theseus to make a sley for dragging cannon.

"Each ship to make as many iron ramrods as possible; it being found that the wooden ones are very liable to break, when used in a hurry.

"The Seahorse to make a platform for one nine pounder."

The whole plan of proceedings being thus judiciously arranged, the attempt was commenced with every hope of success: but it turned out, that a very erroneous representation had been given of the forces of the enemy, which appear to have been far too numerous for so small a body of men successfully to encounter; and, indeed, there were other unexpected difficulties and disappointments.

The following letter, from Captain Troubridge to Sir Horatio Nelson, will account, in a considerable degree, for the miscarriage of the enterprise.

"Culloden, 25th July 1797.