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 assure 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,

"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 A