'P.S. I trust your Excellency will do me the honour to accept of a cask of English beer and a cheese.
'To Señor Don Antonio Gutierrez, Commandant-General, Canary Islands.
'Having received with due appreciation this honourable letter, our chief replied as follows:—
'Muy Señor mio de mi mayor attencion! [Footnote: This courteous Castilian phrase would lose too much by translation.]—I have received with the greatest pleasure your estimable communication, the proof of your generosity and kindly feeling. My belief is that the man who follows only the dictates of humanity can claim no laurels, and to this may be reduced all that has been done for the wounded and for those who disembarked: I must consider them my brethren the moment hostilities terminate.
'If, sir, in the state to which the ever uncertain fortunes of war have reduced you, either I or anything which this island produces could afford assistance or relief, it would afford me a real pleasure. I hope that you will accept two demijohns of wine which is, I believe, not the worst of our produce.
'It would be most satisfactory to me if I could personally discuss, when circumstances permit, a subject upon which you, sir, display such high and worthy gifts. In the meantime I pray that God may preserve your life for many and happy years.
'I am, Sir,
'Your most obedient and attentive Servant,
'(Signed) Don ANTONIO GUTIERREZ.
'Santa Cruz de Tenerife: July 26, 1797.