In Madrid Betancourt presents some novelties such as the new forms of engraving learnt by Sureda at the Academia de San Fernando, that later, learnt from him, will be used by Goya.

Canonical marriage of Betancourt and Anna Jourdain in Madrid.

After moving the instruments, getting the passports and setting to sea at La Coruña in the brigantine Infante with destination for Cuba, Betancourt, his companions and all the crew are captured by the frigate Boston on June 9th, a day after leaving port. The English confiscate the instruments and the scientific library gathered by Betancourt and a few days later the passengers are freed in Lisbon.

Godoy entrusts Betancourt to replace the lost cargo and Betancourt offers voluntarily to go to Paris to assemble it again. After conceding him several economical compensations for the losses of the English assault, he travels to Paris.