The next day at nine in the forenoon we saw the island of Tenerife bearing west-south-west half west about twelve leagues distant.  It was covered with a thick haze except the north-westernmost part which is a remarkable headland, resembling a horse’s head, the ears very distinct.  To the eastward of this head* lie two round rocks, the northern boundary of Tenerife.  I had a good observation at noon by which I make the latitude of the two rocks 28 degrees 44 minutes north and their longitude by our timekeeper 16 degrees 5 minutes west.  To the southward of these and near the shore is a high needle rock:  about four leagues farther to the southward the coast inclines towards the west to the road of Santa Cruz, where we anchored at half-past nine on Sunday morning in twenty-five fathoms water, and moored along shore in the same depth, with the cupola tower of the church of St. Francis bearing west half north one mile, the east part of the road east by north, the castle on the south point south-west, and the west part of the Grand Canary south-south-east.  A Spanish packet bound to Corunna, an American brig, and several other vessels, were lying here.

(Footnote.  South 82 degrees east by the compass.)

As soon as the ship was anchored I sent an officer (Mr. Christian) to wait on the governor and to acquaint him I had put in to obtain refreshments and to repair the damages we had sustained in bad weather.  To this I had a very polite answer from the governor, * that I should be supplied with whatever the island afforded.  I had also directed the officer to acquaint him that I would salute, provided an equal number of guns were to be returned but, as I received an extraordinary answer to this part of my message, purporting that his excellency did not return the same number but to persons equal in rank to himself, this ceremony was omitted.

(Footnote.  Marquis de Brancheforte.)

During this interval I was visited by the port-master (Captain Adams) and shortly afterwards several officers came on board from his excellency to compliment me on my arrival.  As soon as the ship was moored I went on shore and paid my respects to him.

Monday 7.

On Monday morning I began to forward the ship’s business with the utmost dispatch, and gave the necessary directions to Messrs. Collogan and sons, the contractors, for the supplies I wanted.  I also got leave of the governor for Mr. Nelson to range the hills and examine the country in search of plants and natural curiosities.

As there was a great surf on the shore I bargained for everything I wanted to be brought off by the shore boats, and agreed to give five shillings per ton for water.  Very good wine was bought at ten pounds per pipe, the contract price; but the superior quality was fifteen pounds; and some of this was not much inferior to the best London Madeira.  I found this was an unfavourable season for other refreshments: