The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson Volume I Part 12

"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 s.h.i.+p's boats should be kept together, by towing each other, which will keep the people of each s.h.i.+p collected; and the boats will be in six divisions, and nearly get on sh.o.r.e at the same moment.

"2.

"The marines of each s.h.i.+p 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 sh.o.r.e with the field pieces.

"5.

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

"6.

"Immediately as the forces get ash.o.r.e, 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 s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p, 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 Terpsich.o.r.e, 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 m.u.f.fled 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 s.h.i.+p 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.

"SIR,

"From the darkness of the night, I did not immediately hit the mole, the spot appointed to land at; but pushed on sh.o.r.e under the enemy's batteries, close to the southward of the citadel. Captain Waller landed at the same instant, and two or three other boats.

The surf was so high, many put back. The boats were full of water in an instant, and stove against the rocks; and most of the ammunition in the men's pouches was wet.

"As soon as I collected a few men, I immediately pushed, with Captain Waller, for the square, the place of rendezvous, in hopes of there meeting you and the remainder of the people, and waited about an hour; during which time, I sent a serjeant, with two gentlemen of the town, to summons the citadel. I fear, the serjeant was shot on his way, as I heard nothing of him afterwards.

"The ladders being all lost in the surf, or not to be found, no immediate attempt could be made on the citadel. I, therefore, marched to join Captains Hood and Miller; who, I had intelligence, had made good their landing to the south-west of the place I did, with a body of men. I endeavoured, then, to procure some intelligence of you, and the rest of the officers, without success.

"By day-break, we had collected about eighty marines, eighty pikemen, and one hundred and eighty small-arm seamen. These, I found, were all that were alive, that had made good their landing.

With this force, having procured some ammunition from the Spanish prisoners we had made, we were marching to try what could be done with the citadel without ladders: but found the whole of the streets commanded by field-pieces; and upwards of eight thousand Spaniards, and one hundred French, under arms, approaching by every avenue. As the boats were all stove, and I saw no possibility of getting more men on sh.o.r.e, the ammunition wet, and no provisions, I sent Captain Hood with a flag of truce to the governor, to say I was prepared to burn the town; which I should immediately put in force, if he approached one inch farther: and, at the same time, I desired Captain Hood to say, it would be done with regret, as I had no wish to injure the inhabitants; and that, if he would come to my terms, I was ready to treat. These he readily agreed to: a copy of which I have the honour to send you by Captain Waller; which, I hope, will meet your approbation, and appear highly honourable.

"From the small body of men, and the greater part being pike and small-arm seamen, which can be only called irregular, with very little ammunition in the pouches but what was wet in the surf at landing, I could not expect to succeed in any attempt on the enemy, whose superior strength I have before mentioned.

"The Spanish officers a.s.sure me, they expected us, and were perfectly prepared with all the batteries, and the number of men I have before mentioned under arms; which, with the great disadvantages of a rocky coast, high surf, and in the face of forty pieces of cannon, though we were not successful, will shew what an Englishman is equal to. I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that we marched through the town, on our return, with the British colours flying at our head.

"I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,