Part 21

A second and more effectual bombardment of the city of Cadiz, and the shipping in the harbour, under the direction of Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, took place on the evening of the 5th of July. The bomb vessels, arranged by his instructions, suddenly opened a most tremendous discharge on the town, as well as on the fleet; which was vigorously kept up, till they had expended the whole of their allotted portion of shells: when, having greatly annoyed the enemy, and considerably diminished the force of the warlike preparations which had been collecting, they retired in good order, without themselves receiving the smallest injury.

Even these hostile attacks, however, do not appear to have extinguished civilities between the contending commanders, though they must certainly have diminished their satisfaction at receiving them.

Two or three days after, thirty Spanish prisoners having been taken in a ship from the Havannah, with the captain of a Spanish frigate which had been burnt there, and who was a passenger in the captured vessel, Rear-Admiral Nelson wrote a letter to Don Josef Mazerendo, dated on board the Theseus, July 8, 1797; in which he says, that he is directed, by Sir John Jervis, to acquaint his excellency that these thirty men are at liberty to return into Cadiz, whenever he may be pleased to send for them, on condition that they do not serve till regularly exchanged. Of the Spanish captain, taken as a passenger, he generously adds--"I know it to be my commander in chief's intention, that he should not be considered as a prisoner of war. The distresses occasioned by the known laws of war," liberally concludes this exalted man, "are miserable enough, without adding to them!"

The prisoners, accordingly, were immediately sent for; but there seems to have been a backwardness in the Spanish admiral's performance of the conditions proposed: and, on the 10th, Rear-Admiral Nelson resolutely demanded them again, that they might be immediately sent to England, if they were not received as prisoners of war; which, at length, was reluctantly agreed to.

It appears that, about this time, intelligence had been received, by the commander in chief, of a prodigiously rich ship, El Principe d'Asturias, belonging to the Philippine Company, and bound from Manilla to Cadiz, being then in the port of Santa Cruz, the capital of the island of Teneriffe; where the treasure was intended to be landed for security, as had previously been the case with several other rich cargoes. With a view of obtaining possession of these valuable treasures, an expedition against that place was determined on, under the conduct of Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson.

He was accordingly detached, by Sir John Jervis, on the 15th of July, with three ships of the line, the Theseus, Culloden, and Zealous; the Terpsichore, Emerald, and Seahorse, frigates; and the Fox cutter. These were afterwards joined by the Leander of fifty guns. The general orders which Sir Horatio Nelson received were, to make a vigorous and spirited attack; but, on no account, personally to land with the forces, which were to be under the command of Captain Troubridge, unless his presence should be absolutely necessary. These particular injunctions were generally thought to have been most humanely given, by the commander in chief, for the sake of preserving the valuable life of the rear-admiral; which might, otherwise, from his known disregard of danger, be too much exposed: and some also ascribed them to the wish of giving Captain Troubridge a considerable share in the glory of that intended brilliant enterprise.

The plan of this expedition was contrived with all that masterly address and precision which ever marked the operations projected by the judicious and gallant rear-admiral; and, as the author is favoured with the opportunity of giving them in detail, the principles which they comprise may be adopted, perhaps, with deserved success, by other commanders, on many future occasions.

The first order issued by Rear-Admiral Nelson was addressed to Thomas Troubridge, Esq. captain of his majesty's ship Culloden, and commander of the forces ordered to be landed for taking Santa Cruz.

"Theseus, at Sea, July 20, 1797.

"SIR,

"I desire you will take under your command the number of seamen and marines named in the margin, who will be under the command of Captains Hood, Freemantle, Bowen, Miller, and Waller, and the marines under the command of Captain Thomas Oldfield, and a detachment of the Royal Artillery under the command of Lieutenant Baynes; all of whom are now embarked on board his majesty's frigates Seahorse, Terpsichore, and Emerald. With this detachment, you will proceed as near to the town of Santa Cruz as possible, without endangering your being perceived; when you will embark as many men as the boats will carry, and force your landing in the north-east part of the bay of Santa Cruz, near a large battery; which, when carried, and your post secured, you will either proceed by storm against the town and mole-head battery, or send in my letter, as you judge most proper, containing a summons, of which I send you a copy, and the terms are either to be accepted or rejected in the time specified, unless you see good cause for prolonging it, as no alteration will be made in them: and you will pursue such other methods as you judge most proper for speedily effecting my orders; which are, to possess myself of all cargoes and treasures which may be landed in the island of Teneriffe. Having the firmest confidence in the ability, bravery, and zeal, of yourself, and all placed under your command, I have only to heartily wish you success; and to assure you, that I am your most obedient and faithful servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

The number of seamen and marines mentioned in the margin of the above letter were--Theseus, Culloden, and Zealous, two hundred each; Seahorse, Terpsichore, and Emerald, one hundred each: making, in all, nine hundred, exclusive of officers and their servants.

The Summons alluded to, addressed to the Governor or Commanding Officer of Santa Cruz, was as follows.

"By Sir Horatio Nelson, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Rear-Admiral of the Blue, and Commander in Chief of His Britannic Majesty's Forces by Sea and Land, before Santa Cruz.

"Theseus, 20th July 1797.

"SIR,

"I have the honour to acquaint you, that I am come here to demand the immediate surrender of the ship El Principe d'Asturias, from Manilla, bound to Cadiz, belonging to the Phillipine Company, together with her whole and entire cargo; and, also, all such other cargoes and property as may have been landed in the island of Teneriffe, and not intended for the consumption of it's inhabitants.

"And, as it is my earnest wish, that not one individual inhabitant of the island of Teneriffe should suffer by my demand being instantly complied with, I offer the following most honourable and liberal terms; which, if refused, the horrors of war, which will fall on the inhabitants of Teneriffe, must be, by the world, imputed to you, and to you only: for I shall destroy Santa Cruz, and the other towns in the island, by a bombardment, and levy a very heavy contribution on the island.

"ARTICLE I.

"The forts shall be delivered to me; and, instantly, a party of the British troops shall be put in possession of the gates.

"ARTICLE II.

"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.