“From the darkness of the night, I did not immediately hit the mole, the spot appointed to land at; but pushed on shore under the enemy’s batteries, close to the southward of the citadel.  Captain Waller landed at the same instant, and two or three other boats.  The surf was so high, many put back.  The boats were full of water in an instant, and stove against the rocks; and most of the ammunition in the men’s pouches was wet.

“As soon as I collected a few men, I immediately pushed, with Captain Waller, for the square, the place of rendezvous, in hopes of there meeting you and the remainder of the people, and waited about an hour; during which time, I sent a serjeant, with two gentlemen of the town, to summons the citadel.  I fear, the serjeant was shot on his way, as I heard nothing of him afterwards.

“The ladders being all lost in the surf, or not to be found, no immediate attempt could be made on the citadel.  I, therefore, marched to join Captains Hood and Miller; who, I had intelligence, had made good their landing to the south-west of the place I did, with a body of men.  I endeavoured, then, to procure some intelligence of you, and the rest of the officers, without success.

“By day-break, we had collected about eighty marines, eighty pikemen, and one hundred and eighty small-arm seamen.  These, I found, were all that were alive, that had made good their landing.  With this force, having procured some ammunition from the Spanish prisoners we had made, we were marching to try what could be done with the citadel without ladders:  but found the whole of the streets commanded by field-pieces; and upwards of eight thousand Spaniards, and one hundred French, under arms, approaching by every avenue.  As the boats were all stove, and I saw no possibility of getting more men on shore, the ammunition wet, and no provisions, I sent Captain Hood with a flag of truce to the governor, to say I was prepared to burn the town; which I should immediately put in force, if he approached one inch farther:  and, at the same time, I desired Captain Hood to say, it would be done with regret, as I had no wish to injure the inhabitants; and that, if he would come to my terms, I was ready to treat.  These he readily agreed to:  a copy of which I have the honour to send you by Captain Waller; which, I hope, will meet your approbation, and appear highly honourable.

“From the small body of men, and the greater part being pike and small-arm seamen, which can be only called irregular, with very little ammunition in the pouches but what was wet in the surf at landing, I could not expect to succeed in any attempt on the enemy, whose superior strength I have before mentioned.

“The Spanish officers assure me, they expected us, and were perfectly prepared with all the batteries, and the number of men I have before mentioned under arms; which, with the great