departure from this island, without returning your
excellency my sincerest thanks for your attention towards me, by
your humanity in favour of our wounded men in your power, or under
your care, and for your generosity towards all our people who were
disembarked, which I shall not fail to represent to my sovereign;
hoping, also, at a proper time, to assure your excellency, in
person, how truly I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

"Horatio Nelson.

P.S. I request your excellency will do me the honour to admit of a
cask of English beer, and a cheese."

"His Excellency, Don Antonio Gutierrez, Commandant General of the
Canary Islands."

To this friendly epistle, the Spanish governor immediately returned the
following liberal answer--

"Santa Cruz de Teneriffe,
26th July 1797.

"SIR,

With the highest pleasure, I received your esteemed favour,
proceeding from your generous and well-disposed mind; since, on my
part, I conceive, no laurel is due to him who only fulfils what
humanity dictates: and I have done no more, in behalf of the
wounded men, as well as others who disembarked; and whom, after
all warfare has ceased, I ought to consider as brothers.

"If, in the state to which the uncertain fate of war has led you,
it were in my power, or could any thing that this island produces
afford the least comfort or aid to you, it would yield me the
truest satisfaction: and, I hope, you will admit of a couple of
large flasks of Canary wine; which, I believe, is none of the worst
that this island produces.

"A personal intercourse will give me great pleasure, when
circumstances permit it, with a person so deserving, and of such
distinguished qualifications as you so feelingly indicate.
Meantime, I pray God to preserve you in his holy keeping; and am,
Sir, your most obedient servant,

"Don Antonio Gutierrez.

"P.S. I have received, and highly esteem, the cask of beer, and
cheese, which you have done me the favour to send me."

"Rear-Admiral Nelson."

On the 27th of July, there was a solemn Te Deum sung by the Spaniards,
in the parochial church of Santa Cruz: that day being the festival of
St. Christopher, the tutelary patron of the island; on which an annual
thanksgiving is celebrated, as being the identical day when that island