Volume I Part 12 (1/2)
”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.
”The laws and magistrates shall be continued as at present, unless by the general wish of the islanders.
”These terms subscribed to, the inhabitants of the town of Santa Cruz shall lodge their arms in one house, under the joint care of the bishop and chief magistrate; and it will be my pride to consult with these gentlemen what may be most advantageous for the inhabitants.
”Horatio Nelson.”
”I allow half of one hour for acceptance or rejection.
”Horatio Nelson.”
These articles being transmitted to Captain Troubridge, special orders were sent, the same day, to Captain Thomas Oldfield, senior captain of the marines ordered to disembark; and to Lieutenant Baynes, of the Royal Artillery; directing them to attend, respectively, to all the desires of Captain Thomas Troubridge, who was to command all the forces landed for taking the town of Santa Cruz. To the latter officer, a copy of the third article of the following regulations was, at the same time, particularly addressed.
_”Regulations recommended by Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson_.
”1.
”That each s.h.i.+p's boats should be kept together, by towing each other, which will keep the people of each s.h.i.+p collected; and the boats will be in six divisions, and nearly get on sh.o.r.e at the same moment.
”2.
”The marines of each s.h.i.+p of the line to be put in their launches--which will carry them.
”3.
”The moment the boats are discovered, by a firing being made on them, the bomb vessel to commence her fire on the town, and to keep it up till the flag of truce is hoisted from either the enemy or from us.
”4.
”That a captain should be directed to see the boats put off from the beach, that more men may be speedily got on sh.o.r.e with the field pieces.
”5.
”Frigates to anchor as soon as possible after the alarm is given, or the forces ash.o.r.e near the battery in the north-east part of the bay.
”6.
”Immediately as the forces get ash.o.r.e, they are to get in the rear of the battery marked S, in the north-east part of the bay, and to instantly storm it; and, also, to take post on the top of the hill which is above it.