ntonio Gutierrez, Commandant General de las Islas
Canarias."

The next public document relative to this unfortunate expedition, it was
the melancholy lot of the rear-admiral to pen with the left hand, his
right arm having been shot off on the evening of the 24th, for the
information of the commander in chief, to whom it was immediately
transmitted.

"Theseus,
off Santa Cruz,
27th July 1797.

"SIR,

"In obedience to your orders to make a vigorous attack on the town
of Santa Cruz, in the island of Teneriffe, I directed, from the
ships under my command, a thousand men, including marines, to be
prepared for landing, under the direction of Captain Troubridge of
his majesty's ship Culloden; and Captains Hood, Thompson,
Freemantle, Bowen, Miller, and Waller, who very handsomely
volunteered their services: and, although I am under the painful
necessity of acquainting you, that we have not been able to succeed
in our attack, yet it is my duty to state that, I believe, more
daring intrepidity never was shewn, than by the captains, officers,
and men, you did me the honour to place under my command; and the
Journal which I transmit you herewith will, I hope, convince you,
that my abilities, humble as they are, have been exerted on the
occasion.

"Inclosed, I also transmit you a list of killed and wounded; and,
among the former, it is with the deepest sorrow I have to place the
name of Captain Richard Bowen, of his majesty's ship
Terpsichore--than whom, a more enterprising, able, and gallant
officer, does not grace his majesty's naval service: and, with
great regret, I have to mention the loss of Lieutenant John Gibson,
commander of the Fox Cutter; and a great number of gallant officers
and men.

"I have the honour to be, Sir, with the greatest respect, your most
faithful and obedient servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

The Journal mentioned in this letter, as written by the rear-admiral,
with his left hand, and transmitted to Sir John Jervis, was as follows.
It is remarkable, that neither the letter, nor this Journal, make the
smallest mention of his having lost his arm on the occasion; which
information merely occurs in the list of the killed and wounded. This
singular mode of omitting to particularise himself, forms a curious
trait in the character of the immortal hero.