"Thomas Troubridge.
"P.S. I beg to say that, when the terms were signed and ratified, the governor, in the handsomest manner, sent a large proportion of wine, bread, &c. to refresh the people, and shewed every mark of attention in his power."
When the treaty just mentioned was first proposed to the Spanish governor, he told Captain Hood that they ought to surrender as prisoners of war: to which he replied, that Captain Troubridge had directed him to say that, if the terms offered were not accepted in five minutes, he would set the town on fire, and attack the Spaniards at the point of the bayonet; on which, the governor instantly closed, by signing the following treaty—
"Santa Cruz, 25th July 1797.
"That the troops, &c. belonging to his Britannic majesty, shall embark, with all their arms of every kind; and take their boats off, if saved, and be provided with such other as may be wanting. In consideration of which, it is engaged, on their part, that they shall not molest the town, in any manner, by the ships of the British squadron now before it, or any of the islands in the Canaries, and prisoners shall be given up on both sides.
"Given under my hand, and word of honour,
"Samuel Hood.
"Ratified by—
"Thomas Troubridge, Commander of the British Troops.
"Juan Antonio Gutierrez, Commandant General de las Islas
Canarias."