party amounted to about 340 ; consisting of about 80 marines, 80 pikemen, and 180 seamen with small-arms. Having procured some ammunition from the Spanish prisoners, this little band resolved to try what could be done with the citadel without ladders ; but they soon found the whole of the streets commanded by field-pieces, and "upwards of 8000 Spaniards," with 100 Frenchmen, under arms, approaching by every avenue. The boats being all stove, no possibility existed of receiving a reinforcement. The ammunition, too, except the little taken from the persons of the prisoners, was wet; and the provisions had shared the fate of the boats. Under these circumstances, Captain Troubridge thought it best to send Captain Hood with a flag of truce to the governor, expressing his determination to burn the town, much as it would be to his regret, if the Spanish, forces approached one inch farther, and enclosing terms of capitulation, to the following effect : That the British troops should be allowed to re-embark, with their arms, and take their boats, if saved, or be provided with others ; and Captain Troubridge engaged, in case of compliance, that the ships then before the town should not further molest it, nor attack any one of the Canary islands.

Captain Hood waited upon the Spanish governor, Don Juan-Antonio Gutteri, with the message. The governor was astonished to receive such a proposal from men whom he had already considered as in his power ; but, nevertheless, he acceded to the terms. Captain Troubridge, accordingly, marched to the mole head; and then, with his men, embarked on board boats furnished by the Spaniards. The governor, being determined to end the thing as he had begun it, supplied each of the retreating invaders with a ration of biscuit and wine ; and directed that those of the British who were wounded should be received into the hospital. Moreover, he caused to be intimated to Rear-admiral Nelson, that he was at liberty to send on shore for, and purchase, whatever refreshments the squadron, during its stay off the island, might require.

Thus ended an expedition, of which the only advantages were the proofs it afforded of, what few had previously been inclined to dispute, the valour and intrepidity of British seamen ; while, in addition to the dishonour of a defeat, there was the melancholy loss which it entailed upon the country. That loss amounted to, one captain (Richard Bowen), four lieutenants (John Weatherhead, Theseus, George Thorpe, Terpsichore, William Earnshaw, Leander, and John Gibson, Fox), two lieutenants of marines (Raby Robinson, Leander, and William Basham, Emerald), 23 seamen, and 14 marines killed ; Rear-admiral Nelson (right arm amputated), two captains (Thomas Francis Fremantle and Thomas Boulden Thompson), one lieutenant (John Douglas), one midshipman (Robert Watts), 85 seamen, and 15 marines wounded ; 97 seamen and marines drowned,

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