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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/14479-0.txt b/14479-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e9c80d --- /dev/null +++ b/14479-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9741 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14479 *** + +NARRATIVE OF SERVICES IN THE LIBERATION OF CHILI, PERU, AND BRAZIL, +FROM SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE DOMINATION + +by + +THOMAS, EARL OF DUNDONALD, G.C.B. +Admiral of the Red; Rear-Admiral of the Fleet, etc. etc. + +VOL. II + +MDCCCLIX + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Brazilian and Portuguese factions--Don Pedro ordered to quit +Brazil--Appointed "Perpetual Protector"--Proclaimed Emperor of +Brazil--Efforts to obtain foreign officers and seamen--The naval command +offered to me--Acceptation thereof--Arrival at Rio de Janeiro--Visit of +inspection to the squadron--Condition of the vessels--Inferiority of +seamen--Imperial affability--Attempt to evade the terms offered me--This +failing, to reduce the value of my pay--Pretended commission +conferred--And refused--The point argued--I decline the command--The +Prime Minister gives in--Explanatory Portaria--Formal commission--Orders +to blockade Bahia--Portuguese faction--Averse to me from the outset. + + +CHAPTER II. + +Attempt to cut off the enemy's ships--Disobedience to orders--Letter to +the Prime Minister--Worthlessness of the men--Their treachery--Blockade +established--Equipment of fireships--Enemy's supplies cut +off--Portuguese untrustworthy--Demonstrations of the enemy--His +pretended contempt for us--The enemy returns to port--Their +consternation at the fireships--Portuguese contemplate attacking +us--Flagship reconnoitres enemy at anchor--Excessive alarm at my +nocturnal visit--Proclamation of the Commandant--Consternation in the +city--The authorities decide on evacuating Bahia--Instructions to the +Brazilian Captains--Warnings addressed to the authorities--Enemy quits +Bahia--Readiness for chase--Numbers of the enemy--Capture of the +Convoy--Prizes disabled--Attempt of troops to escape--Prizes sent to +Pernambuco--Pursuit discontinued--Reasons for going to Maranham--Reasons +for not taking more prizes--Advantages to the Empire. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Capture of the Don Miguel--Summons to the authorities--Reasons for +threats held out--Proposals for capitulation--Proclamations--Terms +granted to Portuguese garrison--Declaration of Independence--Portuguese +troops ordered to embark--Symptoms of disobeying the order--Delight of +the people on becoming free--Election of a Provisional +Government--Letters to the Minister of Marine. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Captain Grenfell sent to summon Parà --The Junta demands the prize +property--My refusal--Imperial approval of my services--Realisation of +prize property--Turi Assu sends in its adhesion--Money captured lent to +the Junta--Its return to the squadron expected--Possession taken of +Parà --Insurrection at Parà --Misconduct of the Maranham Junta--Their +persecution of the Portuguese--Steps in consequence--Manifestation of +the national delight--The Marquisate conferred on me--Vote of thanks by +the Assemblea Geral--My arrival at Rio de Janeiro--Satisfaction with my +services--Lady Cochrane joins me. + + +CHAPTER V. + +First effort to curtail the Imperial power--Portuguese +intrigue--Dismissal of the Andradas--The Assembly dissolved by +force--Exile of the Andradas--Letter to his Imperial Majesty--My advice +partly adopted--and causes ministerial enmity towards me--Ratification +of my patent--I demand the adjudication of prizes--Letter to the +Minister of Marine--Offer of personal advantage to foreign +claims--Squadron remained unpaid--I am appointed a Privy Councillor--The +prize vessels plundered--Shameful treatment of Captain +Grenfell--Troubles in Pernambuco--Hostility of the Prize +Tribunal--Condemns me to the restitution of prizes--Forbids making any +capture at all. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Remonstrance against decree of Prize Tribunal--Settlement of prize +question by the Emperor--His Ministers refuse to conform to +it--Obstacles thrown in the way of equipment--My services limited to the +duration of war--My remonstrance on this breach of faith--Ministers +refuse to pay the squadron anything--A fresh insult offered to me--Offer +to resign the command--My resignation evaded--Letter to the Prime +Minister--Letter to the Minister of Marine. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Ministerial malignity towards me--Dangers in Pernambuco--Portuguese +threats--My advice thereon--Failure in Manning the squadron--Plot formed +to search the flagship--Timely warning thereon--I demand his Majesty's +interference--Which was promptly granted--Protest against prize +decisions--My advice sought as regards Pernambuco--Letter to his +Imperial Majesty--Pointing out the annoyance practised--And tendering my +resignation--The Emperor's intervention--His Ministers neglect to fulfil +his engagement--Confirmation of my previous patents--But with an +unjustifiable reservation--Prize money devoted to advance of +wages--Proofs thereof--Baseless imputations on me--Extracts from +log--Further distribution of prize money. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Republican Government proclaimed at Pernambuco--Its Concordat--The +President Carvalho--Threat of Bombardment--A bribe offered to me and +refused--The revolt admitted of palliation--It was fast becoming +general--Intimidation ineffectual--The revolutionists expect Foreign +aid--Pernambuco taken possession of--- Payment of prize money--The +accounts rendered in due course--Orders to put down revolt at +Parà --Character of the revolution--Difficulty in finding proper +Governors--Revolt at Cearà --Steps taken to suppress it--They prove +successful--The insurgent leader killed--Measures for preserving +tranquillity. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Arrival at Maranham--Character of disturbances there--I assume the +military command--Proclamation commanding surrender of arms--Condition +of the people--Corruption of the authorities--Murderous +propensities--Difficulty in detecting assassins--Letter to Minister of +Marine--Pacification of Parahyba--Doubts as to the President's +sincerity--He establishes secret agencies--Extraordinary +memorials--Public complaints of the President--Bruce endeavours to +intercept them--My reply to the memorialists--Letter to the Minister of +Marine--Enclosing complaints of the Consuls--Bruce prepares to resist +my authority--Complaints of the British Consul--He considers my presence +necessary--Letter of the French Consul--Detailing shameful +atrocities--Danger of collision with foreign states--Suspension of the +President--Provision for future Government--Conduct of the faction at +Rio de Janeiro--No instructions sent for my guidance--Letter to the +Minister of Marine--The Ministry had previously deposed Bruce--But +turned on me for anticipating their own act. + + +CHAPTER X. + +Misrepresentations made in England--Letter to the Emperor--Tendering my +resignation--Repayment demanded from the Junta--Conduct of the Prize +Tribunal--No adjudication of prizes intended--Letter to the interim +President--Demanding the sums owing to the squadron--Disturbance in +Parà --Statement of Account to the Junta--Offer of compromise--Imperial +decree--Right of the squadron to the claim. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Imperial approval--Continued enmity of the Administration--Junta refuses +to pay the squadron's claim--I persevere in the demand--Junta agrees to +pay the amount in bills--This refused--Arrival of a new President--But +without authority for the assumption--Intrigues to establish him in +office--I order him to quit the province--And send him to Parà --Letter +to the President of Cearà --International animosities--The squadron left +to provide for itself--Abuse of authority--Explanations to Minister of +Marine--Of transactions at Maranham--Letter to Carvalho e +Mello--Anticipating ministerial displeasure--The Junta reimburses part +of its debt. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +I quit Maranham for a cruise--Bad state of the frigate--Connivance at +illicit trade--We are compelled to proceed to England--The frigate +reported to the Brazilian Envoy--Who cheats me of £2,000--His assumption +that I had abandoned the service--My contradiction thereof--Order to +return to Rio--Reasons for not doing so--Brazilian Envoy tampers with my +Officer--Who acquaints me therewith--Envoy stops pay and +provisions--Declares that the Brazilian Government will give me +nothing!--Captain Shepherd's reply--I prepare to return to Rio--The +Envoy dismisses me from the service--Without reason assigned--He +declares that I voluntarily abandoned the service--Receipts for accounts +transmitted to Brazil--These denied to have been sent. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +I am dismissed the service by the Brazilian Government--Without any +acknowledgment of my services--Inconsistency of this with former +thanks--Though dismissed I am tried as a deserter--And am refused all +compensation--Report of recent Commission on the subject--False +representations--But partially true conclusions--My original patents +never set aside--Untrue assumptions as to my dismissal--My claims +founded on the original patents--Less than half the interest due +paid--Opinions of eminent Brazilians thereon--My services tardily +acknowledged--No act of mine had annulled them--The Estate conferred, +not confirmed--Promises on account of Chili unfulfilled--The whole still +my right. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Proclamation for payment of Officers and Men--Log extracts in proof +thereof--The sum given up to the squadron disbursed--Denial thereof by +the Brazilian Government--Though made to serve as advance of wages--The +amount received at Maranham--Fully accounted for--By the receipts of the +Officers--Officers' receipts--Extracts from log in further +corroboration--Up to my arrival in England--All our prizes, monopolized +by Brazil--The conduct of the Brazilian Government unjustifiable. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +BRAZILIAN AND PORTUGUESE FACTIONS--DON PEDEO ORDERED TO QUIT +BRAZIL--APPOINTED "PERPETUAL PROTECTOR"--PROCLAIMED EMPEROR OF +BRAZIL--EFFORTS TO OBTAIN FOREIGN OFFICERS AND SEAMEN--THE NAVAL COMMAND +OFFERED TO ME--ACCEPTATION THEREOF--ARRIVAL AT RIO DE JANEIRO--VISIT OF +INSPECTION TO THE SQUADRON--CONDITION OF THE VESSELS--INFERIORITY OF +SEAMEN--IMPERIAL AFFABILITY--ATTEMPT TO EVADE THE TERMS OFFERED ME--THIS +FAILING, TO REDUCE THE VALUE OF MY PAY--PRETENDED COMMISSION +CONFERRED--AND REFUSED--THE POINT ARGUED--I DECLINE THE COMMAND--THE +PRIME MINISTER GIVES IN--EXPLANATORY FORTARIA--FORMAL COMMISSION--ORDERS +TO BLOCKADE BAHIA--PORTUGUESE FACTION--AVERSE TO ME FROM THE OUTSET. + + +Although these memoirs relate to personal services in Brazil, it is +nevertheless essential, in order to their comprehension, briefly to +recapitulate a few events which more immediately led to my connection +with the cause of independence in that country. + +The expulsion of the Portuguese Royal Family from Lisbon, in consequence +of the occupation of Portugal by the armies of the French Republic, was +followed by the accession of Don John VI. to the throne of Portugal +whilst resident in Rio de Janeiro. + +Twelve months previous to my arrival in Brazil, His Majesty returned to +Portugal, leaving his son and heir-apparent, Don Pedro, regent of the +Portuguese possessions in South America, which had been for some time in +a state of disaffection, arising from a growing desire throughout the +various provinces for a distinct nationality. Hence two opposing +interests had arisen,--a Brazilian party, which had for its object +national independence; and a Portuguese party, whose aim was to prevent +separation from the mother country--or, if this could not be +accomplished, so to paralyse the efforts of the Brazilians, that in case +of revolt it might not be difficult for Portugal to keep in subjection, +at least the Northern portion of her South American Colonies. It will be +necessary, in the course of the narrative, to bear these party +distinctions clearly in mind. + +As the Regent, Don Pedro, was supposed to evince a leaning to the +Brazilian party, he gave proportionate offence to the Portuguese +faction, which--though inferior in number, was, from its wealth and +position, superior in influence; hence the Regent found himself involved +in disputes with the latter, which in June 1821 compelled him to submit +to some humiliations. + +Shortly previous to this, the Cortes at Lisbon--aware of what was going +on in Brazil, and disregarding the temperate views of the King--issued a +declaration inviting the Brazilian municipalities to repudiate the +Regent's authority at Rio de Janeiro, and to adhere to the immediate +administration of the Cortes alone--thus indicating a course to be +pursued by the Portuguese faction in Brazil. The result was--as had been +anticipated--disunion amongst the people, consequent on the formation of +petty provincial governments; each refusing to pay revenue to the +central Government at Rio de Janeiro, for the alleged reason that the +Regent was only waiting an opportunity to invest himself with absolute +power. This opinion was eagerly adopted by the commercial +class--consisting almost exclusively of native Portuguese--in the hope +that the Cortes would reinvest them with their ancient trade privileges +and monopolies, to the exclusion of foreigners, whom they considered as +interlopers--the English especially, who, protected by a treaty of +commerce, were fast undermining the former monopolists. Amidst these +difficulties Don Pedro, though nominally Regent of Brazil, found +himself, in reality, little more than Governor of Rio de Janeiro. + +In July 1821, the Lisbon Cortes passed a decree, that thenceforth the +Brazilian and Portuguese armies should form one body; the object being +to ship the Brazilian troops to Portugal, and to send Portuguese troops +to Brazil, thereby ensuring its subjection. The Regent was, moreover, +ordered to return to Portugal. + +These rash steps greatly irritated the native Brazilians, who saw in +them a subversion of all their hopes of nationality. With scarcely less +rashness, they issued proclamations declaring Brazil independent, with +Don Pedro as Emperor; but he repudiated the act, and prepared to quit +Brazil in obedience to orders. + +The approaching departure of the Regent caused a general ferment, when a +popular leader arose in the person of José Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, +vice-president of the provisional Junta at San Paulo. Summoning his +colleagues at midnight, they signed an address to the Regent--to the +effect that his departure would be the signal for a declaration of +independence--daring the Cortes at Lisbon to promulgate laws for the +dismemberment of Brazil into insignificant provinces, possessing no +common centre of union; above all, daring them to dispossess Don Pedro +of the authority of Regent conferred by his august father. This address +was conveyed to the Prince by Bonifacio himself, and was shortly +afterwards followed by others of a similar nature from the Southern +provinces, and from the municipality of Rio de Janeiro--all begging him +to remain and avert the consequences of the late decrees of the Cortes. +On more deliberate reflection Don Pedro consented, and was shortly +afterwards invested with the title of "Perpetual Protector and Defender +of Brazil." + +Meanwhile the Cortes, confident in their own power, were enforcing their +obnoxious decrees by the despatch of ships of war and troops to the +Northern provinces. As the intention of this step was unmistakeable, His +Royal Highness the Protector promptly issued a manifesto, declaring the +wish of Brazil to maintain an amicable union with Portugal, but at the +same time calling on the Brazilians to secure their independence by +force, if necessary. In furtherance of this determination, an attack was +made by the Brazilian troops upon General Madeira, the Portuguese +commandant at Bahia, but from want of proper military organization, it +proved unsuccessful. + +Despatches now arrived from Portugal, which cut off every hope of +reconciliation, and on the 12th of October, Don Pedro was induced to +accept the title of "Constitutional Emperor of Brazil," with Bonifacio +de Andrada as his Minister of the Interior, of Justice, and of Foreign +Affairs. + +The Southern provinces gave in their adhesion to the Emperor, but all +the Northern provinces--including Bahia, Maranham, and Parà --were still +held by Portuguese troops; a numerous and well appointed squadron +commanding the seaboard, and effectually preventing the despatch of +Brazilian forces to those localities by water; whilst by land there were +neither roads, nor other facilities of communication with the Northern +patriots, who were thus isolated from effectual aid, could such have +been rendered from Rio de Janeiro. + +His Imperial Majesty saw that, without a fleet, the dismemberment of the +Empire--as regarded the Northern provinces--was inevitable; and the +energy of his minister Bonifacio in preparing a squadron, was as +praiseworthy as had been the Emperor's sagacity in determining upon its +creation. A voluntary subscription was enthusiastically entered into; +artisans flocked into the dockyard; the only ship of the line in the +harbour required to be nearly rebuilt; but to man that and other +available vessels with native seamen was impossible--the policy of the +mother country having been to carry on even the coasting trade +exclusively by Portuguese, who could not now be relied on by Brazil, in +the approaching contest with their own countrymen. + +Orders were consequently sent to the Brazilian _chargé d'affaires_ in +London, to engage officers and seamen there; and to stimulate these, a +decree was, on the 11th of December, 1822, issued by His Imperial +Majesty, to sequestrate Portuguese property throughout the Empire, and +also another, _that all prizes taken in the war should become the +property of the captors_, which decrees must be borne in mind. + +His Imperial Majesty, having ascertained that the War of Independence in +the Pacific had been brought to a successful conclusion by the squadron +under my command, ordered his minister, Bonifacio, to communicate with +me, through the Brazilian Consul at Buenos Ayres; judging that, from the +termination of hostilities in the Pacific, I might be at liberty to +organize a naval force in Brazil, which--if properly conducted--might +successfully cope with the Portuguese fleet protecting the Northern +harbours of the Empire. + +Accordingly, whilst residing on my estate at Quintera, in Chili, I +received from Antonio Manuel Correa, the Brazilian Consul at Buenos +Ayres, a letter on the part of His Imperial Majesty, inviting me to +accept service under the Brazilian flag, guaranteeing moreover rank and +position in no way inferior to that which I then held under the Republic +of Chili; the Consul exhorting me, in addition, "to throw myself upon +the munificence of the Emperor, and the undoubted probity of His +Majesty's Government, which would do me justice." The following is one +of the letters of invitation:-- + + _Le Conseiller Agent du Brésil, près le Gouvernement de Buenos Ayres + à l'Amiral Lord Cochrane, Commandant-en-Chef les forces navales de + la République du Chili._ + + MILORD, + + Le Brésil, puissance du premier ordre devint un nouvel empire, une + nation indépendente sous le légitime héritier de la monarchie, + Pierre le Grand, son auguste defenseur. + + C'est par son ordre--c'est de sa part, et en vertu des dépêches + ministériales, que je viens de reçevoir de Monseigneur Joseph + Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, Ministre de l'Intérieur et des + Relations Extérieures du Brésil, en date du 13 Septembre + dernier--que j'ai l'honneur de vous adresser cette note; en laquelle + votre Grace est invitée, pour--et de part le Gouvernement du + Brésil--à accepter le service de la nation Brésilienne; chez qui je + suis dûment autorisé à vous assurer le rang et le grade nullement + inférieur à celui que vous tenez de la République. + + Abandonnez vous, Milord, à la reconnaisance Brésilienne; à la + munificence du Prince; à la probité sans tache de l'actuel + Gouvernement; on vous fera justice; on ne rabaissera d'un seul point + la haute considération--Rang--grade--caractère--et avantages qui + vous sont dûs. + + (Signé) ANTONIO MANUEL CORREA DA CAMARA, Consul de l'Empire du + Brésil, à Buenos Ayres, 4 Novembre, 1822. + +Annoyed by the ingratitude with which my services were requited in +Chili, and disliking the inaction consequent on the capture of Valdivia, +followed by the annihilation of the Spanish naval force at Callao, and +elsewhere in the Pacific--whereby internal peace had been obtained for +Chili, and independence for Peru--I felt gratified by the further terms +of invitation, contained in a second letter--"Venez, milord, l'honneur +vous invite--la gloire vous appelle. Venez--donner à nos armés navales +cet ordre merveilleux et discipline incomparable de puissante Albion" +--and on mature consideration returned the following reply:-- + + Valparaiso, Nov. 29, 1832. + + Sir, + + The war in the Pacific having been happily terminated by the total + destruction of the Spanish naval force, I am, of course, free for + the crusade of liberty in any other quarter of the globe. + + I confess, however, that I had not hitherto directed my attention + to the Brazils; considering that the struggle for the liberties of + Greece--the most oppressed of modern states--afforded the fairest + opportunity for enterprise and exertion. + + I have to-day tendered my ultimate resignation to the Government of + Chili, and am not at this moment aware that any material delay will + be necessary, previous to my setting off, by way of Cape Horn, for + Rio de Janeiro, calling at Buenos Ayres, where I hope to have the + pleasure of meeting you, and where we may talk further on this + subject; it being, in the meantime, understood that I hold myself + free to decline--as well as entitled to accept--the offer which + has, through you, been made to me by His Imperial Majesty. I only + mention this from a desire to preserve a consistence of character, + should the Government (which I by no means anticipate) differ so + widely in its nature from those which I have been in the habit of + supporting, as to render the proposed situation repugnant to my + principles--and so justly expose me to suspicion, and render me + unworthy the confidence of His Majesty and the nation. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + To Don ANTONIO MANUEL COEREA DA CAMARA, His Brazilian Majesty's + Consul at Buenos Ayres. + +Having obtained the unqualified consent of the Chilian Government--there +being now no enemy in the Pacific--- I chartered a vessel for my own +conveyance, and that of several valuable officers and seamen who, +preferring to serve under my command, desired to accompany me. Knowing +that the Portuguese were making great efforts to re-establish their +authority in Brazil, no time was lost in quitting Chili. + +We reached Rio de Janeiro on the 13th of March, 1822, barely six months +after the declaration of Independence. Despatching a letter to the Prime +Minister Bonifacio de Andrada--reporting my arrival in conformity with +the invitation which His Imperial Majesty had caused to be transmitted +to me through his Consul-General at Buenos Ayres--I was honoured by the +Imperial command to attend His Majesty at the house of his Minister, +where a complimentary reception awaited me. The Emperor assured me that, +so far as the ships themselves were concerned, the squadron was nearly +ready for sea; but that good officers and seamen were wanting; adding, +that, if I thought proper to take the command, he would give the +requisite directions to his Minister of Marine. + +On the following day, the Prime Minister--after a profusion of +compliments on my professional reputation, and an entire concurrence +with the invitation forwarded to me by the Consul at Buenos Ayres--which +invitation he stated to have arisen from his own influence with the +Emperor--desired me to communicate personally with him, upon all matters +of importance, the Minister of Marine being merely appointed to transact +subordinate business. As nothing more positive was said in relation to +my appointment, it struck me that this also might be included amongst +the subordinate duties of the Minister of Marine, to whose house I +repaired; but he could say nothing on the subject, as nothing specific +had been laid before him. Being desirous to come to a proper +understanding, I wrote to the Prime Minister, that the officers who had +accompanied me from Chili would expect the same rank, pay, and +emoluments as they had there enjoyed; that, as regarded myself, I was +prepared to accept the terms offered by His Imperial Majesty, through +the Consul at Buenos Ayres, viz. the same position, pay, and emoluments +as had been accorded to me by the Chilian Government; and that although +I felt myself entitled to the customary remuneration in all +well-regulated states for extraordinary, as well as ordinary, services, +yet I was more anxious to learn the footing on which the naval service +was to be put, than the nature of any stipulations regarding myself. + +On the following day His Imperial Majesty invited me at an early hour to +the palace, in order to accompany him on a visit to the ships of war, +with some of which I was much pleased, as demonstrative of the exertions +which must have been made within a short time to get them into such +creditable condition. Great care had evidently been bestowed upon the +_Pedro Primiero_, rated as a 74--though in the English service she would +have been termed a 64. She was evidently a good sailer, and was ready +for sea, with four months provisions on board, which scarcely half +filled her hold, such was her capacity for stowage; I had therefore +reason to be satisfied with my intended flagship. + +Another showy vessel was the _Maria da Gloria_--a North American +clipper; a class of vessels in those days little calculated to do +substantial service, being built of unseasoned wood, and badly fastened. +Though mounting 32 guns, she was a ship of little force, having only +24-pounder carronades, mixed with short 18-pounder guns. As a redeeming +feature, she was commanded by a Frenchman, Captain Beaurepaire, who had +contrived to rally round him some of his own countrymen, mingled with +native Brazilians--in which he displayed considerable tact to free +himself from the unpromising groups elsewhere to be selected from. + +The history of this vessel was not a little curious: she had been built +in North America at the expense of the Chilian Government, and sent to +Buenos Ayres, where an additional 40,000 dollars was demanded by her +owners. Payment of this was demurred to, when, without the slightest +consideration for the expense incurred by Chili in her building and +equipment, her captain suddenly got under weigh, and proceeding to Rio +de Janeiro, sold her to the Brazilian Government. + +I was further much pleased with the _Piranga_, a noble frigate mounting +long 24-pounders on the main deck. Not to enter into any further +details, with regard to the ships, a brief notice must be taken of the +men, who, with the exception of the crew of the _Maria da Gloria_, were +of a very questionable description,--consisting of the worst class of +Portuguese, with whom the Brazilian portion of the men had an evident +disinclination to mingle. On inquiry, I ascertained that their pay was +only eight milreas per month, whereas in the merchant service, eighteen +milreas was the current rate for good seamen,--whence it naturally +followed that the wooden walls of Brazil were to be manned with the +refuse of the merchant service. The worst kind of saving--false +economy--had evidently established itself in the Brazilian Naval +Administration. + +The captains complained of the difficulties they had to contend with as +regarded the crews, particularly that the marines were so much gentlemen +that they considered themselves degraded by cleaning their own berths, +and had demanded and obtained attendants to wait on them! whilst they +could only be punished for offences by their own officers! or, to use +the words of one of the captains, "They were very much their own +masters, and seemed inclined to be his!" It was, indeed, evident to me +that neither seamen nor marines were in any state of discipline. + +Not having as yet had experience of political party in the Empire, it +struck me as an anomaly that Portuguese should be employed in such +numbers to fight their own countrymen, though I afterwards became but +too well acquainted with the cause of a proceeding at the time beyond my +comprehension. In the course of our visit of inspection, the phrase +"attacking the Portuguese parliamentary force," was frequently used by +the Emperor, and was no less singular, as implying that the Brazilian +Government did not make war against the King or country of Portugal, +but merely against the Cortes; the distinction, as regarded the conduct +of hostilities, being without a difference. + +A curious circumstance occurred after this visit of inspection. On +landing--hundreds of people of all ages and colours, crowded round to +kiss His Majesty's hands--paternally extended on both sides to rows of +devoted subjects, who, under no other circumstances, could have come in +such familiar contact with royalty. To this ceremony the Emperor +submitted with the greatest possible good humour and affability, his +equanimity not even being ruined by familiarities such as I had never +before seen taken with King or Emperor. + +On the 17th, a visit was paid to me by the Minister of Marine, Luiz da +Cunha Moreira, relative to the terms of my appointment, he being +evidently desirous that my services should be obtained at as cheap a +rate as possible, notwithstanding the concurrence of the Prime Minister +with the offers which had been made through the Consul-General at Buenos +Ayres. The pay now offered was that of an admiral in the Portuguese +service,--notoriously the worst paid in the world. On enquiring what +this might be, I found it less than half what I had received in Chill! +My pay there being 8000 dollars per annum, with permission from the +Supreme Director to appropriate another 4000 from the Government moiety +of captures made. + +By way of reply, I produced a letter from the Chilian Minister of +Marine, counter-signed by the Supreme Director, acknowledging the +receipt of an offer subsequently made to the Chilian Government +voluntarily to give up to public exigencies a portion of my pay greater +than the amount now tendered--at the same time telling the Minister, +that by accepting such an arrangement I should lose more annually by +entering the Brazilian service than the whole sum offered to me. Without +condescending to chaffer on such a subject, I added that His Imperial +Majesty had invited me to Brazil on specific promises, which, if my +services were required, must be strictly fulfilled; if not, it would be +candid in him to say so, as it was not the amount of pay for which I +contended; but the reflection, that if the first stipulations of the +Brazilian Government were violated, no future confidence could be placed +in its good faith. If the State were poor, I had no objection, +conditionally, to surrender an equal or even a greater proportion of pay +than I had tendered to the Chilian Government; but that it was no part +of my intention to be placed on the footing of a Portuguese admiral, +especially after the terms, which, without application on my part, had +been voluntarily offered to induce me to accept service in Brazil. + +The Minister of Marine seemed hurt at this, and said the State was not +poor, and that the terms originally offered should be complied with, by +granting me the amount I had enjoyed in Chili; a decision the more +speedily arrived at, from an intimation on my part, of referring to the +Prime Minister, as requested in cases of difficulty. This the Minister +of Marine begged me not to do, saying that there was no occasion for it. + +He next proposed that, as my Brazilian pay was to be equivalent to that +which I received in Chili, it should he numerically estimated in Spanish +dollars, at the rate of 800 reis per dollar--though the Brazilian mint +was then actually restamping those very dollars at the rate of 960 reis! +thus, by a manoeuvre, which reflected little credit on a Minister, +lessening the pay agreed on by one-fifth. To this proposition I replied +that there was no objection, provided my services were also revalued--as +he seemed disposed to revalue his dollar; so that, setting aside the +offers which had induced me to leave Chili, I would make a new offer, +which should not only compensate for the difference in dispute, but +leave a considerable surplus on my side into the bargain. Alarmed at the +sarcasm, and perhaps judging from my manner, that I cared little for a +service in which such petty expedients formed an important element, he +at once gave up the false value which he had attached to the dollar, and +agreed to estimate it at 960 reis--a microscopic saving, truly! + +As such a mode of proceeding had been adopted towards me, it became +necessary on my part to look well after the interests of the officers +who had accompanied me under the assurance that their position in Brazil +should be at least equal to that which they had held on the other side +of the continent. This was not more a duty than a necessity, for I saw +that, unless supported by officers upon whose talent and courage +reliance could be placed, it would be out of my power individually to +accomplish any enterprise satisfactory to myself or beneficial to +Brazil. I therefore required and obtained the same stipulations with +regard to their respective rank and pay as had, in my own case, been +insisted on. Of these, Admiral Grenfell is the only survivor. + +On the 19th, a writing on a common sheet of letter paper was forwarded +to me by the Minister of Marine, purporting to be a commission, with the +rank of admiral; stating, however, inaccurately the amount of pay and +table money agreed upon, by transposing the one for the other,--so that +the table money was figured as pay, and the pay as table money; the +effect being, that when on shore, my pay would have amounted to exactly +one half of the sum stipulated! This proceeding could not be tolerated, +so on the following morning I returned the commission to the Minister of +Marine, who hastened to assure me that it was a mistake, which should be +rectified. + +This pretended commission was accompanied by the following order to take +command of the squadron:-- + + His Imperial Majesty--through the secretary for naval + affairs--commands that the Admiral of the Imperial and National + Marine--Lord Cochrane--shall take command of the squadron at anchor + in this port, consisting of the ship _Pedro Primiero_; the frigates + _Unao, Nitherohy_, and _Carolina_; the corvettes _Maria de Gloria_ + and _Liberal_; the brig _Guarani_, and the schooners _Real_ and + _Leopoldina_; hoisting his flag aboard the line-of-battle ship: the + said Admiral having, at his choice, the whole--or any of the said + vessels, for the purpose of the expedition about to sail. + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, March 19, 1823. + + (Signed) LUIZ DA CUNHA MOREIEA. + +There was, however, another point still less satisfactory. The +commission conferred upon me the rank of Admiral, but of what grade was +not specified. On pressing the Minister of Marine, he admitted that it +was only intended to give me the rank of Junior Admiral,--there being +already two Admirals in the service, whose functions would not, however, +interfere with me, as their duties were confined to the ordinary +administration of a Board of Admiralty. I at once told him that for me +to serve under such naval administrators was out of the question. As the +Minister of Marine professed want of sufficient power to warrant him in +altering the commission, I announced my intention of taking it to the +Prime Minister, and respectfully restoring it into his hands. The +Minister of Marine again begged me not to do so, as an alteration might +be made, if I would consent to go at once on board the _Pedro +Primiero_--on board which ship my flag had been directed to be hoisted +at mid-day! This, it is needless to add, was declined, not only by +myself, but by the officers who had accompanied me from Chili. + +The Minister of Marine affected to be surprised at my want of confidence +in the Government, but I explained that this was not the case. "It was +quite possible that a Congress might at any time be convened which would +be less liberally inclined than the present ministry, and that +acceptance of an appointment so loosely made might afford the admirals +placed over me, not only a control over my movements, but an easy and +convenient mode of getting rid of me after I had done their work; and +this without any imputation of injustice on their proceedings. The +fact, indeed, of a Cortes being about to assemble, and the possibility +of their interfering with me, was sufficient to fix my determination to +have nothing to do with the command, under any circumstances, save those +set forth in the tender made to me by command of His Majesty." + +To this the Minister replied, that, "if I could be thus dismissed, the +Government must likewise fall--because to suppose that a popular +assembly could dictate to His Majesty in such a case was to suppose the +Government no longer in existence." + +I then frankly told the Minister, that "my experience as a naval +officer--founded upon many years' practical observation, had taught me +that, in engagements of this nature, it was necessary to be clear and +explicit in every arrangement. I did not mean to insinuate anything +disrespectful to the ministers of His Brazilian Majesty, but knowing +that a Senate was about to assemble, and having reason to believe that a +majority of the members might differ from the ministerial views, and +might--when the work was done--take a fancy to see the squadron +commanded by one of their own countrymen--a step which would leave me no +alternative but to quit the service--it was much better for all parties +to put our mutual engagements on a firm basis." + +The Minister continued to argue the point, but finding argument of no +avail in altering my determination, he insinuated--though not stating as +much in positive terms--that he had no prospect of any arrangement +being effected regarding my rank other than that which had been +tendered. + +Determined to be no longer trifled with--on the following morning I +waited on the Prime Minister, Bonifacio de Andrada, whom I found in high +dudgeon at what he termed the unreasonableness of my demands; stating, +moreover, that the Consul at Buenos Ayres had exceeded his authority by +writing me a bombastic letter, though but a few days before, Andrada not +only expressed his entire concurrence in its contents, but stated that +the letter had been written through his influence with the Emperor! + +To this I replied that, "be that as it might, it was absurd to suppose +that I should have given up my position in Chili for anything less in +Brazil, and that all that had been offered by the Consul, or desired by +me, was simply an equivalent to my Chilian command, with adequate +reimbursement of any losses I might sustain by quitting Chili so +abruptly, before the settlement of my affairs with that country. This +offer had been made on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, under the express +authority of the Prime Minister himself, as set forth in the Consul's +letters, and for this I held the Government responsible. But, at the +same time, I informed the Prime Minister that if he were disinclined to +fulfil his own voluntary obligations, I would at once free him from them +by declining the proffered command, and therefore begged of him to take +back his commission, about which I would hold no further parley." + +This step was evidently unexpected, for, lowering his tone, Bonifacio +assured me that "good faith was the peculiar characteristic of the +Brazilian Administration;" and to prove this, he had to announce to me +that a Cabinet Council had that morning been held, at which it was +resolved that the newly created honour of "First Admiral of Brazil" +should be conferred upon me, with the pay and emoluments of Chili, as +stipulated through the Consul at Buenos Ayres. He then asked me if I was +content, to which I replied in the affirmative; pointing out, however, +how much better it would have been to have taken this course at first, +than to have caused such contention about a matter altogether +insignificant, as compared with the work in hand. He replied that, as +everything had been conceded, it was not worth while to reopen the +question; but to this view I demurred, telling him that _nothing +whatever had been conceded, the Government having only fulfilled its own +stipulations_, which were insignificant in comparison with obtaining the +services of an officer whom it believed competent to carry out alone, +what otherwise would entail great expense on the State. I further +assured him that it would afford me much satisfaction to prove to him of +how little importance was all that which had been the subject of +dispute, and that His Imperial Majesty's Government might rest assured +that my utmost exertions would be used to bring the naval war to a +speedy termination. + +He then requested me to hoist my flag forthwith, as the Government was +very anxious on this point. Accordingly, at four o'clock in the +afternoon of the 21st of March, 1823, I went on board the _Pedro +Primiero_, and hoisted my flag, which was saluted with twenty-one guns +from each ship of war, the salute being acknowledged from the flagship +with an equal number. + +Shortly afterwards, a _portaria_, dated on the same day, was sent to me, +explanatory of the commission which had given rise to so much trouble, +and detailing my future pay as agreed upon. By the same document I was +ordered to take command of the squadron, and an intimation was given +that a formal commission as "First Admiral" would forthwith be made out. + +It was further acknowledged that, by accepting the Brazilian command, I +had risked an admitted reward for services rendered to Chili and Peru, +to the extent of more than sixty thousand dollars--and it was agreed +that this amount should be repaid to me in the event of those countries +not fulfilling their obligations--provided equivalent services were +rendered to Brazil. For more than thirty years Chili has withheld that +amount, but the Brazilian Government has never fulfilled this portion of +its engagements. + +Notwithstanding the praiseworthy exertions of the administration to +place their navy in a creditable position as regarded the ships, the +want of seamen was severely felt, and little had been done beyond +shipping a number of Portuguese sailors, whose fidelity to the Imperial +cause was doubtful. + +In the hope of getting a more reliable class of men for the flagship, I +authorised Captain Crosbie to offer from my own purse, eight dollars +per man, in addition to the bounty given by the Government, and by this +means procured some English and North American seamen, who, together +with the men who accompanied me from Chili, sufficed to form a tolerable +nucleus for a future crew; as to the rest--though far short of the +ship's complement--it had never before fallen to my lot to command a +crew so inefficient. + +On the 26th of March, the following commission from His Imperial Majesty +was presented to me:-- + + IMPERADOR, + + The valour, intelligence, activity, and other qualities of Lord + Cochrane as an admiral, being well-known by the performance of + various services in which he has been engaged, and seeing how + advantageous it would be for the Empire to avail itself of the + known qualities of an Officer so gifted, I deem it proper to confer + on him a patent as "First Admiral of the National and Imperial + Navy," with an annual salary of eleven contos and five hundred and + twenty milreis, whether at sea or on shore; and further in table + money, when embarked, five contos, seven hundred and twenty + milreis, which is the same pay and table money as he received in + Chili. To which favour, no admiral of the Imperial Navy shall claim + succession, neither to the post of "First Admiral," which I have + thought fit to create solely for this occasion, from the motives + aforesaid, and from particular consideration of the merits of the + said Lord Cochrane. The supreme Military Council will so + understand, and shall execute the necessary despatches. + + Given at the Palace of Rio de Janeiro, March 21st, 1823. + + Second year of the Independence of the Empire. + + (Signed) IMPERADOR. LUIZ DA CUNHA MOREIEA, + + Secretary of State, + + March 26th, 1823. + + LEONARDO ANTONIO BASTO. + +Thus was a right understanding established, my only object during the +undignified contentions which had arisen, being--relinquishment of the +proffered command, in order to carry out my long-entertained intention +of visiting Greece, then engaged in a struggle for independence--or to +obtain a definite arrangement with the Brazilian Government, which +should recognise the circumstances under which I had been induced to +quit Chili--_confer upon me permanent rank--give me the equivalent +promised with regard to pay_--and be binding on both parties. + +On the 29th of March, a proclamation was issued by the Imperial +Government declaring Bahia in a state of blockade, the Portuguese having +there assembled a combined naval and military force superior to that of +Brazil, and, under ordinary circumstances, fully competent to maintain +itself; as well as to put down, or at least paralyse, any movement in +favour of independence. + +The following orders were then communicated to me, and were of the usual +kind, viz. "to capture or destroy all enemy's ships and property, +whereever found:"-- + + His Imperial Majesty, through the Secretary of State for the + Marine, commands that the First Admiral, Lord Cochrane, + Commander-in-Chief of the Squadron, shall, to-morrow morning, + proceed from this port with such vessels as he shall judge proper + to the port of Bahia, to institute a rigorous blockade, destroying + or capturing whatever Portuguese force he may fall in with--doing + all possible damage to the enemies of this Empire, it being left to + the discretion of the said Admiral to act as he shall deem + advantageous, in order to save that city from the thraldom to which + it is reduced by the enemies of the cause of Brazil; for this + purpose consulting with Gen. Labatu, commanding the Army, in order + to the general good of the service, and glory of the national and + Imperial arms. + + Palace of Rio Janeiro, March 30, 1823. + + LUIZ DA CUNHA MOREIRA. + +To the Brazilian party and the mass of the people generally, the +approaching departure of the squadron was a matter for congratulation, +but to the Portuguese faction it presented a cause for fear, as tending +to destroy their hopes of re-establishing the authority of the mother +country. Their influence, as has before been said, was as great, if not +greater, than that of the patriots, and being more systematic, it had +been effectually employed to increase the disaffection which existed in +the Northern provinces to the--as yet--but partially established +authority of his Imperial Majesty. + +It is not my intention for a moment to impute malicious motives to the +Portuguese faction in Brazil. The King of Portugal, Don John VI. had, +within twelve months, quitted their shores to resume the throne of his +ancestors, so that they had a right to the praise of loyalty, and the +more so, as at that time few calculated on separation from the mother +country. The Empire itself was not six months old, and therefore they +were not to be blamed for doubting its stability. The Cortes at Lisbon +had sent a large force for the protection of the more remote provinces, +and in an attack upon these at Bahia, the Brazilian troops had been +unsuccessful, so that no great confidence was to be reposed on any +future _military_ efforts to eject the Portuguese troops. + +Where the Portuguese party was really to blame, consisted in +this,--that seeing disorder everywhere more or less prevalent, they +strained every nerve to increase it, hoping thereby to paralyse further +attempts at independence, by exposing whole provinces to the evils of +anarchy and confusion. Their loyalty also partook more of self-interest +than of attachment to the supremacy of Portugal, for the commercial +classes, which formed the real strength of the Portuguese faction, +hoped, by preserving the authority of the mother country in her distant +provinces, thereby to obtain as their reward the revival of old trade +monopolies, which twelve years before had been thrown open, enabling the +English traders--whom they cordially hated--to supersede them in their +own markets. Being a citizen of the rival nation, their aversion to me +personally was undisguised; the more so perhaps, that they believed me +capable of achieving at Bahia--whither the squadron was destined--that +irreparable injury to their own cause, which the Imperial troops had +been unable to effect. Had I, at the time, been aware of the influence +and latent power of the Portuguese party in the empire, not all the +so-called concessions made by De Andrada would have induced me to accept +the command of the Brazilian navy; for to contend with faction is more +dangerous than to engage an enemy, and a contest of intrigue was alike +foreign to my nature and inclination. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +ATTEMPT TO CUT OFF THE ENEMY'S SHIPS--DISOBEDIENCE TO ORDERS--LETTER TO +THE PRIME MINISTER--WORTHLESSNESS OF THE MEN--THEIR TREACHERY--BLOCKADE +ESTABLISHED--EQUIPMENT OF FIRESHIPS--ENEMY'S SUPPLIES CUT +OFF--PORTUGUESE UNTRUSTWORTHY--DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE ENEMY--HIS +PRETENDED CONTEMPT FOR US--THE ENEMY RETURNS TO PORT--THEIR +CONSTERNATION AT THE FIRESHIPS--PORTUGUESE CONTEMPLATE ATTACKING +US--FLAGSHIP RECONNOITRES ENEMY AT ANCHOR--EXCESSIVE ALARM AT MY +NOCTURNAL VISIT--PROCLAMATION OF THE COMMANDANT--CONSTERNATION IN THE +CITY--THE AUTHORITIES DECIDE ON EVACUATING BAHIA--INSTRUCTIONS TO THE +BRAZILIAN CAPTAINS--WARNINGS ADDRESSED TO THE AUTHORITIES--ENEMY QUITS +BAHIA--READINESS FOR CHASE--NUMBERS OF THE ENEMY--CAPTURE OF THE +CONVOY--PRIZES DISABLED--ATTEMPT OF TROOPS TO ESCAPE--PRIZES SENT TO +PERNAMBUCO--PURSUIT DISCONTINUED--REASONS FOR GOING TO MARANHAM--REASONS +FOR NOT TAKING MORE PRIZES--ADVANTAGES TO THE EMPIRE. + + +On the 3rd of April, we put to sea with a squadron of four ships only, +viz. the _Pedro Primiero_, Captain Crosbie, _Piranga_, Captain Jowett, +_Maria de Gloria_, Captain Beaurepaire, and _Liberal_, Captain +Garcaõ--two others which accompanied us, viz. the _Guarani_, Captain de +Coito, and _Real_, Captain de Castro, were intended as fireships. Two +vessels of war, the _Paraguassu_ and the _Nitherohy_, being incomplete +in their equipment, were of necessity left behind. + +The _Nitherohy_, Captain Taylor, joined on the 29th of April, and on the +1st of May we made the coast of Bahia. On the 4th, we made the +unexpected discovery of thirteen sail to leeward, which proved to be the +enemy's fleet leaving port with a view of preventing or raising the +blockade. Shortly afterwards the Portuguese Admiral formed line of +battle to receive us, his force consisting of one ship of the line, five +frigates, five corvettes, a brig, and schooner. + +Regularly to attack a more numerous and better trained squadron with our +small force, manned by undisciplined and--as had been ascertained on the +Voyage--disaffected crews, was out of the question. On board the +flagship there were only a hundred and sixty English and American +seamen, the remainder consisting of the vagabondage of the capital, with +a hundred and thirty black marines, just emancipated from slavery. +Nevertheless, observing an opening in the enemy's line, which would +enable us to cut off their four rearmost ships, I made signals +accordingly, and with the flagship alone gave the practical example of +breaking the line, firing into their frigates as we passed. The +Portuguese Admiral promptly sent vessels to the aid of the four cut off, +when, hauling our wind on the larboard tack, we avoided singly a +collision with the whole squadron, but endeavoured to draw the enemy's +ships assisting into a position where they might be separately attacked +to advantage. + +Had the rest of the Brazilian squadron come down in obedience to +signals, the ships cut off might have been taken or dismantled, as, with +the flagship I could have kept the others at bay, and no doubt have +crippled all in a position to render them assistance. To my astonishment +the signals were disregarded, and--for reasons which will presently be +adduced--no efforts were made to second my operations. + +For some time the action was continued by the _Pedro Primiero_ alone, +but to my mortification the fire of the flagship was exceedingly +ill-directed. A still more untoward circumstance occurred in the +discovery that two Portuguese seamen who had been stationed to hand up +powder, were not only withholding it, but had made prisoners of the +powder boys who came to obtain it! This would have been serious but for +the promptitude of Captain Grenfell, who, rushing upon the men, dragged +them on deck; but to continue the action under such circumstances was +not to be thought of; and as the enemy had more than double our +numerical force, I did not consider myself warranted in further +attempting, with greater hazard, what on a future opportunity might be +accomplished with less. Quitting the enemy's ships cut off, we therefore +hauled our wind, to join the vessels which had kept aloof, and to +proceed to the station previously appointed as the rendezvous of the +squadron, whither the fireships were to follow. In this affair no lives +were lost. + +Extremely annoyed at this failure, arising from non-fulfilment of +orders, and finding, from experience on the voyage, that we had been +hurried to sea, without consideration as to the materials of which the +squadron was composed, a rigid inquiry was instituted, which gave me +such cogent reasons for losing all confidence in it, that on the day +following I considered it expedient to address the following letter to +the Prime Minister, Andrada, pointing out that if prompt steps were not +taken to add to our strength, by providing more efficient crews, the +result might be to compromise the interests of the empire, no less than +the character of the officers commanding. + + (Secret) H.I.M.S. _Pedro Primiero_, at Sea, + + May 5, 1823. + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + Availing myself of your permission to address you + upon points of a particular nature, and referring you to my public + despatches to the Minister of Marine, I beg leave to add that it + was not only unfavourable winds which retarded our progress, but + the extreme bad sailing of the _Piranga_ and _Liberal_. Neither these + ships nor the _Nitherohy_, which sails equally ill, are adapted to the + purposes to be effected, as from their slowness, the enemy has an + opportunity to force an action under any circumstances, however + disadvantageous to this undisciplined squadron. The _Real_ is no + better, and her total uselessness as a ship of war, has determined + me to prepare her as a fireship, there appearing no probability of the + others joining. + + From the defective sailing and manning of the squadron it + seems, indeed, to me, that the _Pedro Primiero_ is the only one + that can assail an enemy's ship of war, or act in the face of a + superior force, so as not to compromise the interests of the empire + and the character of the officers commanding. Even this ship--in + common-with the rest--is so ill-equipped as to be much less + efficient than she otherwise would be. + + This letter, you will observe, is not intended to meet the public + eye, but merely to put the Government in possession of facts + necessary for its information. + + Our cartridges are all unfit for service, and I have been obliged + to cut up every flag and ensign that could be spared, to render them + serviceable, so as to prevent the men's arms being blown off whilst + working the guns, and also to prevent the constant necessity of + sponging, &c. which, from the time it consumes, diminishes the + effective force of the ships fully one half. + + The guns are without locks--which they ought to have had in + order to their being efficient. + + The sails of this ship are all rotten--the light and baffling airs on + our way hither, having beaten one set to pieces, and the others + are hourly giving way to the slightest breeze of wind. + + The bed of the mortar which I received on board this ship was + crushed on the first fire--being entirety rotten; the fuzes for the + shells are formed of such wretched composition that it will not take + fire with the discharge of the mortar, and are consequently unfit + for use on board a ship where it is extremely dangerous to kindle + the fuze otherwise than by the explosion; even the powder with + which this ship is supplied is so bad, that six pounds will not + throw our shells more than a thousand yards, instead of double that + distance. + + The marines neither understand gun exercise, the use of + small arms, nor the sword, and yet have so high an opinion of + themselves that they will not assist to wash the decks, or even to + clean out their own berths, but sit and look on whilst these + operations are being performed by seamen; being thus useless as + marines, they are a hinderance to the seamen, who ought to be + learning their duty in the tops, instead of being converted into + sweepers and scavengers. I have not yet interfered in this injurious + practice, because I think that reforms of the ancient practice of the + service, ought to form the subject of instruction from the Government + --and also, because at this moment, any alterations of mine + might create dissatisfactions and dissensions even more prejudicial + to the service in which we are engaged, than the evils in question. + + With respect to the seamen, I would observe, that, in order to + create an effective marine, young active lads of from fourteen to + twenty should be selected. Almost the whole of those who + constitute the crews of these vessels--with the exception of the + foreign seamen, are not only totally unpractised in naval profession, + but are too old to learn. + + I warned the Minister of Marine, that every native of Portugal + put on board the squadron--with the exception of officers of known + character--would prove prejudicial to the expedition, and yesterday + we had a clear proof of the fact. The Portuguese stationed in the + magazine, actually withheld the powder whilst this ship was in the + midst of the enemy, and I have since learned that they did so from + feelings of attachment to their own countrymen. I now inclose + you two letters on this subject--one just received from the officer + commanding the _Real_, whose crew were on the point of _carrying + that vessel into the enemy's squadron for the purpose of delivering her + up!_ I have also reason to believe, that the conduct of the _Liberal_ + yesterday in not bearing down upon the enemy and not complying + with the signal which I had made to break the line--was owing to + her being manned with Portuguese. The _Maria de Gloria_ has also + a great number of Portuguese, which is the more to be regretted, + as otherwise her superior sailing, with the zeal and activity of her + captain, would render her an effective vessel. To disclose to you + the truth, it appears to me that one half of the squadron is + necessary to watch over the other half: and, assuredly, this is a + system which ought to be put an end to without delay. + + A greater evil is, that this ship is one hundred and twenty seamen + short of her complement and three hundred short of what I should + consider an efficient crew, whilst the bad quality and ignorance of + the landsmen, makes the task of managing her in action no easy + matter, the incessant bawling going on rendering the voices of the + officers inaudible. Had this ship yesterday been manned and equipped + as she ought to have been, and free from the disadvantages stated, + there is no doubt whatever in my mind, but, that singly, we could + have dismantled half the ships of the enemy. + + On the whole, Sir, you must perceive that I have not been supplied + with any of those facilities which I requested to be placed in my + hands. I am, however, aware of the difficulties under which a new + Government labours, and am ready to do all in my power under + any circumstances. What I have to request of you is, that you will + do me the justice to feel that the predicament in which I am now + placed, is somewhat analogous to your own, and that if I cannot + accomplish all I wish, the deficiency arises from causes beyond my + control; but I entreat you to let me have--at least this ship-- + _well manned_, and I will answer for her rendering more efficient + service than the whole squadron besides--constituted as it now is. + + You will perceive by my public despatch addressed to the Minister + of Marine, that although we passed through the enemy's line, and, + I may add, actually brushed the nearest vessel, which we cut off--yet + nothing really useful was effected, notwithstanding that the + vessel we touched ought to have been sunk, and those separated to + have been dismantled or destroyed. I am quite vexed at the result--which + was such, however, as might have been expected from the bad + manning of the squadron. + + I have determined to proceed forthwith to the Moro San Paulo, + and to leave there the ill-sailing vessels. I intend to remove all the + effective officers and seamen from the _Piranga_ and _Nitherohy_, into + this ship, and with her alone, or attended only by the _Maria de + Gloria_, to proceed to Bahia, to reconnoitre the situation of the + enemy at their anchorage, and obtain the information requisite to + enable me to enter on more effectual operations. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + + Ill. Exmo. Senor JOSÉ BONIFACIO D'ANDRADE Y SILVA, + Ministro e Secretario d'Estado. + +A rigorous blockade was nevertheless established, in spite of our +deficiencies or the efforts made to raise or evade it--though the enemy +were bold in reliance upon their numbers, and none the less so, perhaps, +from considering our recent failure a defeat. They did not, however, +venture to attack us, nor were we yet in a condition to meddle further +with them. + +The blockade of the port was not calculated to effect anything decisive, +beyond paralysing the naval operations of the enemy's squadron. Even +this would not prevent the Portuguese from strengthening themselves in +positions on shore, and thus, by intimidating all other districts within +reach,--enable them to bar the progress of independence. I therefore +determined, as a force in our condition was not safe to hazard in any +combination requiring prompt and implicit obedience, to adopt the step +of which I had apprised the Prime Minister, and took the squadron to +Moro San Paulo, where, transferring from the bad sailing frigates to the +flagship, the captains, officers, and best petty officers and seamen, +the _Pedro Primiero_ was rendered more efficient than the whole +together; and with her and the _Maria de Gloria_, I resolved to conduct +further operations against the enemy--leaving the _Piranga_, and +_Nitherohy_, together with all the other vessels, in charge of Captain +Pio--the two senior captains having been transferred to the flagship, in +charge of their officers and men. + +There was, however, another reason for leaving the remainder of the +squadron at Moro San Paulo. Before quitting Rio de Janeiro, I had urged +on the Government the necessity of immediately forwarding fireships, as +the most reliable means for destroying a superior force. These had not +been supplied; but in their place a quantity of inflammable and +explosive materials had been sent. As several prizes had been taken, I +determined to convert them into fireships, as well as the _Real_ +schooner--a useless vessel, the crew of which had shewn that they were +not to be depended upon; so that the remaining ships of the squadron, +though unreliable in other respects, were well employed in carrying +these objects into execution. + +In order to protect the ships and men thus engaged, I directed a body of +marines to be landed, for the purpose of making a show by forming and +manning batteries to repel any attack, though, had such been made, +neither the batteries nor their defenders would have been of much +service. + +The flagship, together with the _Maria de Gloria_, now proceeded to +cruize off Bahia, with such success that all supplies were cut off by +sea, notwithstanding repeated attempts to introduce vessels from San +Mattheos with farinha--a dozen of which fell into our hands, in spite of +the enemy's superiority. + +As the _Carolina_ had now joined us, I directed her to take under convoy +the captured transports with provisions, whilst the _Guarani_ was sent +to scour the coast, with orders to avoid approaching the enemy's fleet, +and to bring me information as to the progress of the fireships, upon +which I now saw that I must mainly rely. + +On the 21st, I considered it expedient to address the following private +letter to the Minister of Marine:-- + + Off Bahia, N.W. 12 miles, + May 21, 1833. + + Most Illustrious Sir, + + In addition to my official letters of the 3rd and + 4th inst. I beg to acquaint you that, being convinced--not only + from the conduct of the crew of this ship during the attack on the + 4th, but from what I observed in regard to the other vessels--that + nothing beneficial to His Imperial Majesty's service could be + effected by any attempts to combine the whole squadron in an + attack against the enemy--but, on the contrary, from the imperfect + and incongruous manner in which the vessels are manned-- + consequences of the most serious nature would ensue from any + further attempt of the kind. I have therefore determined to take + the squadron to Moro San Paulo, for the adoption of other measures + essential under such circumstances, viz. to take on board such officers + and men from the bad sailing vessels as will render the _Pedro + Primiero_ more effective than the whole squadron as now constituted. + + In the first conversation I had with you, I gave you my opinion + as to the superior benefit of equipping one or two vessels _well_-- + rather than many imperfectly, and I again beg to press on your + consideration the necessity of such efficient equipment of all + vessels, whether many or few. I must also remind you of the great + danger that arises from the employment of Portuguese of the + inferior class in active operations against their own countrymen, + because they neither do nor can consider that the dispute between + Brazil and the Portuguese Government, bears any similarity to warfare + as ordinarily understood. I have had sufficient proof since + leaving Rio de Janeiro, that there is no more trust to be placed in + Portuguese, when employed to fight against their countrymen, than + there was in the Spaniards, who, on the opposite side of this continent, + betrayed the patriot Governments, by whom they were employed. + I shall press this point no further than to say, that so long as His + Imperial Majesty's ships are so manned, I shall consider them + as not only wholly inefficient, but requiring to be vigilantly watched + in order to prevent the most dangerous consequences. + + Since making my arrangements at the Moro, where I left all + the squadron except this ship and the _Maria de Gloria_, I have been + constantly off the port of Bahia, but could see nothing of the + enemy's squadron, till the 20th, when I learned from an English + vessel that they had been as far down as the Abrolhos shoals, for + what purpose I know not. They consist of thirteen vessels, being + the number which we encountered on the 4th. I am watching an + opportunity to attack them in the night, in the hope not only of + being able to damage them materially by the fire of this ship, but + also in the expectation that, if they are not better disciplined than + the crews of this squadron, they will occasion as much damage + amongst themselves, as they would sustain if they had an equal + force to contend with. In the meantime we are as effectually + blockading Bahia, as if the enemy did not dare to remove from his + anchorage--for both this ship and the _Maria de Gloria_ outsail them + all. We have captured three Portuguese vessels, and from the + letters found therein, many more are expected from Maranham and + other ports to leeward, as well as from San Mattheos. + + Should the enemy's squadron return to port before I can obtain + a favourable opportunity of assailing them at sea, I shall endeavour + to attack them at their anchorage, and the Government may be + assured that no exertion shall be wanting on my part, or on that of + the officers now in this ship, to effect their destruction. + + I may fairly ascribe the prepared state of the enemy, and the + great force in which they appeared on the 4th, and still exhibit--to + the information carried by the British ship of war Tartar, which + was permitted to sail from Rio so early after our departure for + Bahia, and thus served them as effectually as though she had been + expressly hired for the purpose. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + To the Minister of Marine. + +On the 22nd we captured another vessel, and reconnoitred the port of +Bahia, the Portuguese squadron being there at anchor. Finding this to be +the case, I returned to the Moro to expedite the fireships--leaving the +_Maria de Gloria_ to watch the enemy's movements. + +On the 26th the Portuguese Admiral again appeared in full force, and +approached towards us at the Moro San Paulo, when we prepared for +action, but the hostile squadron withdrew. The same demonstration was +made for several days, the enemy not venturing on an attack, whilst, +from the causes previously alleged, we were in no condition to take the +initiative. + +On the 26th I apprised the Minister of Marine that, when the enemy +returned to port, I should make an attempt on them on the first dark +night with the flagship alone, pending the equipment of the fireships. +At the same time I addressed the following letter to the Prime Minister, +De Andrada:-- + + Moro San Paulo, 26th May, 1823. + + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + With regard to the transactions of the squadron, I beg to refer you + to my despatches to the Minister of Marine, but solicit your + attention to a few particulars which appear to me of importance. + + In the first place, you will observe from the enclosed Bahia + newspaper, that the maritime force of the enemy is contrasted with + that of the squadron under my command. I should be well content were + the real disparity of the respective forces no greater than the + statement has set forth, but unfortunately, the Brazilians, who have + never before been at sea, are of little or no use, from their total + want of discipline, and of any kind of nautical knowledge; whilst + the Portuguese seamen in the squadron, are not only useless--but a + great deal worse, for the reasons stated in my former letters. + + The enemy in Bahia are in want of all kinds of fresh provisions + --though they have been using every means to procure them. Some + supplies they have lately had from Buenos Ayres, and even from the + Cape de Verds; but the most surprising fact is that the Brazilian + Governor of San Mattheos, near the Abrolhos, and the chiefs of other + small Brazilian ports in that quarter have been loading vessels for + the enemy's use--under the simulated destination of Rio de Janeiro. + Permit me to suggest that an investigation into this matter is + highly essential. + + From all the information which I can collect, the enemy at Bahia are + considerably distracted in their councils, which dissensions cannot + fail to be increased by seeing their vessels taken in the very mouth + of the harbour, and their look-out ships driven under the guns of + the batteries by those of His Imperial Majesty, I may, indeed, say + by two ships alone, because in the state of the other vessels and + crews I have not deemed it prudent to trust them in the + neighbourhood of a port occupied by the enemy. + + I have no doubt of succeeding--by some means or other--in effecting + our object, and that in as short a time as can reasonably be + expected--for it is not to be supposed that I should all at once + accomplish objects of such magnitude with a force so inferior, and + in great part so inexperienced and heterogeneously composed. On + this subject I beg to call your attention to the low opinion + entertained of our squadron by the enemy, as expressed in the + enclosed Bahia Gazette (No 65), which, on that point, is in + conformity with my own opinion as previously expressed. + + I have the honour, &c. COCHRANE. + + To the Prime Minister. + +The following proclamation from the _Bahia Gazette_ will shew the +nature of these vapourings deliberately inserted by the Bahia +authorities:-- + + Last week the wind was Southerly, with rain, which has rendered + it impossible for our squadron to get at the Rio squadron, to decide + whether Brazil shall remain in the fetters of the usurper of Rio-- + or enjoy constitutional liberty. Had they credited me more, we + should not have seen on our bar, an enterprising man who ruined + the commerce of the Pacific, and now thinks to regain the glory he + lost. The conduct of Lord Cochrane verberates in our ears-- + examine his conduct in the Pacific, and observe that he lost all, and + was obliged to abandon everything to the Spaniards in Peru, afterwards + losing his little force in attacks and tempests. The Ministry + of Rio sent for him, giving him the pompous title of "Admiral of + the Brazils," and great promises--thinking that he would bring + with him a squadron to help the Imperial fraudulence. This is + the great wonder, who has come to carry fire and blood to the + trusty Bahia, bringing with him vessels manned, for the most part, + with Portuguese sailors--and not leaving in Rio a single vessel, + from which he did not take even the negro sailors. + + It is only the _Pedro Primiero_ that is manned with the adventurous + foreigners, so that we shall fall upon the 74, and by beating + her, decide the business of Brazil. Our squadron is superior in + physical force, having at their head brave officers, with plenty of + troops. It is commanded in chief by an Admiral who has success + before him, and who wishes to regain the opinion of the public, so + that we may all wait a happy result. + + Commerce--the strong pillar which upholds the Constitutional + edifice--has promised great recompense to the victorious fleet and + their chief, and has precious gifts for those who will shew their + gratitude to Bahia, and defend their liberty. Officers who distinguish + themselves, will have a medal representing their victory, + which will make them known to the citizens of Bahia, who will not + be ungrateful. + + Citizens of all classes are ready at a moment's warning to decide + the great cause of our liberty, and will measure the greatness of our + triumph by the sacrifices made. Constance, courage, and union, + and we shall see the despotic monster raging and tearing himself to + pieces. + + All we look to, at this moment, is to destroy the Rio squadron. + The usurper who rules in that Capital thinks that, reaching the bar + with the squadron of his imaginary Empire, we should be attacked + on all sides, and compelled to make a shameful capitulation. How + much you are mistaken--new-born monster! We have abundant + force at our disposal; but in the meantime we must overthrow the + plans of the enterprising Cochrane, and wait the result of maritime + prowess. + +Notwithstanding that the Portuguese opinion of the Brazilian squadron, +as expressed in the official gazette, is couched in terms of contempt, +as compared with the efficiency of their own squadron--yet most +inconsistently, they did not venture to attack us. The fact was, +however, most painful to me, being aware of its truthfulness, and I +wrote to the Minister of Marine, begging him to enable us to intercept +the numerous vessels expected at Bahia, by procuring three fast-sailing +American clippers, armed with 18 or 24-pounders, in lieu of the useless +schooners with which we were encumbered. In addition to the professed +contempt of the Portuguese authorities for the ships blockading +Bahia--the proclamation in which these expressions were contained, +termed His Imperial Majesty a "Turkish despot,"--his Prime Minister a +"tyrannical vizier," and myself "a coward;" so that I had at least the +satisfaction of being maligned in good company. + +On the 2nd of June, to my great satisfaction, the Portuguese returned to +port, and I felt certain that so soon as the fireships in preparation at +the Moro San Paulo were ready, the destruction of the whole was +inevitable--the Portuguese naval officers being of the same opinion, +whatever might be the official boasts of the military Commandant. +According to the secret correspondence which I had established with +Brazilian patriots resident within the city, the Admiral's consternation +on learning that fireships were nearly equipped was excessive--and being +in nightly expectation of a repetition of the scene in Basque Roads; or +at least of that which little more than a year previous had been enacted +before Callao--every precaution was taken against surprise. He was +quite right in the conjecture as to what was intended; but did not +calculate--as I was obliged to do--on the general want of experience of +such matters in the Brazilian service. + +Our preparations being, on the 8th of June, reported to be favourably +progressing, I determined to put the attack in execution so soon as the +tide flowed late enough in the evening to prevent the enemy from +perceiving us in time to disturb or defeat our operations. The +difficulty was to find competent persons to take charge of the +fireships, so as to kindle them at the proper moment--the want of which +had rendered most of the fireships ineffective--as such--in the affair +of Basque Roads in 1809, and had formed one of the principal obstacles +when attacking Callao in 1821. Of the explosion vessel I intended myself +to take charge, as I had formerly done in Basque Roads. + +On the 9th of June information arrived that the enemy had resolved on an +attempt to destroy the fireships in the Moro San Paulo, and that the +second division of their army was being embarked in transports for that +purpose. Preparations were at once made to receive them by ordering in +the vessels scouring the coast, and by such other precautionary measures +as were necessary for the defence of that important station. + +It was, however, difficult to make a proper defence, for, with the +exception of Portuguese--who could not be trusted--there were no +Artillerymen in the Brazilian squadron who had any practical knowledge +of their duty, even if the guns on the Moro could be made to contribute +to its defence, for the place was open, and commanded by heights, of +which, as we had no troops, the enemy could possess themselves by night +or by day. In case they did so, before adequate preparations could be +made, I directed the guns to be spiked, that they might not be turned +against the ships. No attack was, however, made, the enemy being +doubtless deterred by the apparent promptitude in anticipating their +movements. + +On the 11th of June further information was received that the +contemplated attack on the Moro had been abandoned, and that the enemy +were seriously deliberating on evacuating the port before the fireships +were completed, I therefore ordered the _Maria de Gloria_ to water and +re-victual for three months, so as to be in readiness for anything which +might occur, as, in case the rumour proved correct, our operations might +take a different turn to those previously intended. The _Piranga_ was +also directed to have everything in readiness for weighing immediately, +on the flagship appearing off the Moro and making signals to that +effect. The whole squadron was at the same time ordered to re-victual, +and to place its surplus articles in a large shed constructed of trees +and branches felled in the neighbourhood of the Moro. + +Whilst the other ships were thus engaged, I determined to increase the +panic of the enemy with the flagship alone. The position of their fleet +was about nine miles up the bay, under shelter of fortifications, so +that an attack by day would have been more perilous than prudent. +Nevertheless, it appeared practicable to pay them a hostile visit on the +first dark night, when, if unable to effect any serious mischief, it +would at least be possible to ascertain their exact position, and to +judge what could be accomplished when the fireships were brought to bear +upon them. + +Accordingly, having during the day carefully taken bearings of the high +lands at the mouth of the river--on the night of the 12th June, I +decided on making the attempt, which might possibly result in the +destruction of part of the enemy's fleet, in consequence of the +confused manner in which the ships were anchored, and from information +received that the chief officers were invited ashore to a public ball. + +As soon as it became dark, we proceeded up the river, but unfortunately, +when within hail of the outermost ship, the wind failed, and the tide +soon after turning, our plan of attack was rendered abortive; +determined, however, to complete the reconnaissance, we threaded our way +amongst the outermost vessels, but dark as was the night--the presence +of a strange ship under sail was discovered--and some beat to quarters, +hailing to know what ship that was? The reply being "an English vessel," +satisfied them, so that our investigation was made unmolested. The chief +object thus accomplished, we succeeded in dropping out with the ebb +tide, now rapidly running, and were enabled to steady our course +stern-foremost with the stream anchor adrag, whereby we reached our +former position off the mouth of the river. + +Finding from the reconnaissance, that it would not be difficult to +destroy the enemy's vessels, huddled together as they were amongst a +crowd of merchantmen, I hastened to Moro San Paulo, to expedite the +completion of the fireships. Returning immediately to Bahia, and again +anchoring off the entrance of the harbour, I now learned that the alarm +created by our nocturnal visit was excessive; indeed, my informants +stated that the exploit had the effect of determining the Portuguese +admiral to remove as quickly as possible from a locality in which he +could no longer consider himself safe. + +On the 29th of June, information was again forwarded to me, by persons +favourable to the Imperial cause, that a council of war had been held, +at which it had been resolved to withdraw the fleet to St. Catherine's +or Maranham, and not the fleet alone but the troops also--thus +abandoning the city and province of Bahia to the Imperial squadron; the +council judging that I should be well content to permit them to pass to +another part of the coast, as their departure would result in the +Imperial occupation of Bahia. + +The subjoined proclamation issued by General Madeira will shew the +straits to which the blockading squadron had reduced the city and +garrison:-- + + INHABITANTS OF BAHIA, + + The crisis in which we find ourselves is perilous, + because the means of subsistence fail us, and we cannot secure the + entrance of any provisions. My duty as a soldier, and as Governor, + is to make any sacrifice in order to save the city; but it is equally + my duty to prevent, in an extreme case, the sacrifice of the troops I + command--of the squadron--and of yourselves. I shall employ + every means to fulfil both duties. Do not suffer yourselves to be + persuaded that measures of foresight are always followed by disasters. + You have already seen me take such once before. They alarmed + you, but you were afterwards convinced that they portended nothing + extraordinary. Even in the midst of formidable armies measures + of precaution are daily used, because victory is not constant, and + reverses should be provided against. You may assure yourselves, + that the measures I am now taking, are purely precautionary, but it + is necessary to communicate them to you, because if it happens that + _we must abandon the, city_, many of you will leave it also; and I + should be responsible to the nation and to the King if I had not + forewarned you. + + (Signed) IGNACIO LUIZ MADEIRA DE MELLA. + +Were it dignified to allude to the cowardice imputed to me by the same +authority, it would be easy to refer to the above enumeration of +distresses caused by our two ships having captured all their provisions +in the face of thirteen, in every way better manned and equipped. + +The consternation caused by my nocturnal visit, which decided the +evacuation of the city, was described as almost ludicrous. As I had been +correctly informed, the Portuguese admiral and his officers _were_ at a +ball, and information of our appearance amongst the fleet was conveyed +to him in the midst of the festivities. "What"--exclaimed he--"Lord +Cochrane's line-of-battleship in the very midst of our fleet! Impossible +--no large ship can have come up in the dark." We, however, did find our +way in the dark--and did not retire till our _reconnaissance_ was as +complete as darkness would permit. + +The lamentations caused by General Madeira's proclamation were no doubt +faithfully chronicled in the Bahia newspapers, one of these declaring +"in the last few days we have witnessed in this city a most doleful +spectacle that must touch the heart even of the most insensible. A panic +terror has seized on all men's minds--the city will be left without +protectors--and families, whose fathers are obliged to fly, will be left +orphans--a prey to the invaders," &c. &c. A prognostication not at all +in accordance with my mode of carrying on warfare, which, as Portuguese +families afterwards found, both at Bahia and elsewhere, was to protect +the defenceless and unoffending. + +The before-mentioned resolution of the council was precisely what I +wished, as the evacuation of the port and province by the troops as well +as the fleet, must prove more favourable to the Imperial cause than if +the fleet alone had been destroyed and the military force remained. As I +had, however, every reason to believe that it was General Madeira's +intention to remove the troops to the Northern provinces, which would +only have shifted the scene of war to another locality, I was determined +at all hazards to prevent such movement. + +On the 1st of July, information was brought, that, as the fireships were +now known to be in readiness for the attack, the Portuguese admiral had +hastily embarked the whole of the troops in transports, and that a +number of merchantmen were also filled with persons who wished to leave +Bahia under his protection. As it was clear that the total evacuation of +the province by the enemy was preferable to an attack which might only +end in destroying the ships and driving both naval and military forces +on shore to renew their operations--I determined not to interfere with +their retreat, till they were clear out of the harbour, when a vigilant +pursuit would prevent them from again taking shelter in Brazil. + +The following order was therefore issued to Captain Beaurepaire, of the +_Maria de Gloria_, Captain Taylor, of the _Nitherohy_, and Captain. +Thompson, of the _Carolina_, these being the only vessels on which I +could in any degree depend:-- + + Having received information that the enemies of the independence + of Brazil are about to evacuate the city, and quit the + port of Bahia--taking under the protection of their ships of war + numerous transports in which the military force and stores are + embarked, together with all the moveable property, public and + private--not excepting even the sacred vases appropriated to + religious uses--and as it is highly expedient that the progress of + the enemy should be interrupted and impeded as far as is + practicable--you are required to be particularly vigilant in watching + their escape, and are to endeavour to cut off such of their vessels as + you can assail with safety, and are to continue in the execution of + this duty so long as you can keep sight of the enemy. + + COCHRANE. + + Given on board the _Pedro Primiero_ this 1st of July, 1823. + +To Captain Taylor, of the _Nitherohy_, I gave further instructions to +continue the chase as long as he considered it practicable to capture or +destroy the enemy's vessels, using his utmost endeavours to disable all +having troops on board; and as it was necessary to occupy Bahia after +its evacuation, I directed Captains Beaurepaire and Thompson, after +having captured or disabled all they could, to return forthwith to +Bahia, and take possession; for which purpose the following order was +issued to Captain Beaurepaire:-- + + After having executed the previous order, you are to return to + the port of Bahia, taking upon yourself the command of the naval + department afloat in my absence, and it will be your duty to + ascertain the nature of the cargoes of the neutral ships now in the + port of Bahia, or which may afterwards enter, as there are many + neutral ships said to have embarked property to a large amount, + which has been illegally transferred to such neutrals since the + blockade, for the purpose of fraudulent concealment. All such + vessels and all such property ought to be detained and subjected to + legal investigation in the prize tribunals of His Imperial Majesty. + You will have a perfect right to require this investigation, and + though the neutrals may clamour, they cannot lawfully oppose your + proceedings therein--advisedly taken. + + A Portuguese frigate being daily expected at Bahia, as well as + other vessels from Portugal and the Portuguese colonies, it will be + advisable, for the better opportunity of capturing the same, to + arrange with the General and Commander-in-Chief, that the + Portuguese flag shall be displayed at least on the outer fort or + battery on the appearance of such Portuguese vessels, or of others + whose nationality is doubtful. + + You are to continue on the service above pointed out until further + orders from me, or from the Minister of Marine, with whom you are + to communicate, and convey to him a copy of the present order. + + COCHRANE. + +Having learned that a great number of the more influential inhabitants +were about to quit Bahia with the fleet--and not wishing to involve them +in the consequences of war--I addressed the following caution to the +Junta of Bahia:-- + + GENTLEMEN, + + Understanding that it is in contemplation to abandon the town of + Bahia, without any security being given not again to resume + hostilities against the subjects and territories of His Imperial + Majesty, and as you may not be aware of the difficulty of + retiring--whilst hopes may have been held out to you that this is + practicable--I must, for the sake of humanity, caution you against + any attempt to remove yourselves by sea, unless I have a perfect + understanding as to the future intentions of the naval forces which + may accompany you, but to whom I have nothing to suggest. + + I tell you however, that it is in my power to take advantages which + may be fatal to your escape, and if, after this notice, you shall + sail, you must not lay anything to my charge in the destruction of + passengers, for in the obscurity of night it is impossible to + discriminate ships in which they may be embarked. If, after this + notice, you embark, or continue embarked, it will be to me a subject + of great regret, because I have ever desired that the dangers of war + should be confined to the military and naval profession. + + COCHRANE. + + To the Junta, Bahia, + +To General Madeira, commanding the Portuguese troops, I wrote as +follows:-- + + Understanding that you are about to embark the military forces + under your command, with a view to proceed to some of the Northern + provinces, humanity compels me to declare to you my duty, however + painful, to take all measures within my power to dismantle whatever + transports may attempt to sail from Bahia under convoy of the + ships of war. That I have the means of performing this duty, in + defiance of the ships of war which may endeavour to obstruct + my operations, is a fact which no naval officer will doubt--but + which to you as a military man may not be so apparent. If, + after this warning, I am compelled to have recourse to the measures + alluded to, and if numerous lives should be sacrificed thereby, I + shall stand acquitted of those consequences which would otherwise + press heavily on my mind. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + Gen. MADEIRA. + +To the Portuguese Admiral I addressed the following note:-- + + Sir, + + I have written to the Junta and the General commanding + the military force, relative to particulars which I have felt it my + duty to submit to their consideration. To you, as a professional + man, I have nothing to suggest or request--but merely to express + my conviction that, for the sake of humanity, you will give that + professional opinion on the subject of my letters--should they be + referred to you--which may be expected from a naval officer of your + experience. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + The Admiral of the Portuguese Squadron. + +On the 2nd of July, the whole Portuguese force, naval and military, got +under weigh, and steered out--the troops being embarked in the armed +transports and large merchantmen, whilst other vessels were filled with +Portuguese families and their property--everything moveable being put on +board--with the utmost confidence in the protection of their fleet. As +only the flagship and _Maria de Gloria_ were present, we made no attempt +to attack them whilst issuing from the mouth of the river, they no doubt +ridiculing my warnings as communicated to the Junta and the commanding +officers. + +In this, however, they were mistaken; as every thing was in readiness, +both on board the flagship and the _Maria de Gloria_, for immediate +chase, so soon as the whole were clear of the port; though I had no +intention--as they no doubt interpreted my letters--of attacking +thirteen ships of war and numerous armed transports, with two ships +alone, so long as they remained within the harbour; but when once out, +the superior sailing qualities of these two ships would safely enable us +to harass them with impunity. + +As the merchant brig, _Colonel Allen_, which had conveyed us from Chili, +was still with us, and as she might be made useful in looking after the +prizes, I adopted her into the Brazilian navy under the name of the +_Bahia_, appointing her master, Captain Haydon, to the rank of +captain-lieutenant. + +Whilst the Portuguese were passing out, I wrote and despatched by the +_Liberal_ schooner, the following letter to the Minister of Marine at +Rio de Janeiro:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, off Bahia, + July 2nd, 1833. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Excellency + that the enemy's squadron have this day evacuated Bahia, their + resources by sea being no longer available. Their ships of war, + consisting of thirteen sail of different sizes, and many large + merchantmen filled with troops, are now standing out of the bay. + It is my intention to pursue them as long as it shall appear + beneficial so to do. This ship and the _Maria de Gloria_ are the only + two in sight of the enemy, the _Carolina_ having been obliged to + return to the Moro, in consequence of having lost a topmast, and + the _Nitherohy_ not having joined. I hope in my next to be able to + give you some account of the ulterior objects the enemy have in + view, which, whatever they may be, I shall endeavour to frustrate. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +To the commanders of the other ships, I sent the following order on +their joining the pursuit:-- + + It being improper to weaken the squadron, and impossible to + officer and man the vessels which may fall into our hands, you are to + adopt the following plan to secure them, viz. to send with the boats + crews which board the enemy's vessels a sufficient number of + crowbars, for the purpose of breaking up their water casks, leaving + only water enough to carry them, on short allowance, into Bahia, to + which port you are to order them immediately to return. + + Their papers being essential to the justification of this or any + other hostile act, the boarding officer will take especial care to + secure them. + + COCHRANE. + +In addition to this, the masts of all troopships which might be +boarded, were directed to be so far cut away as to prevent their +escape--a written order instructing them to return forthwith to Bahia, +on pain of being treated with great severity if found on any other +course. Singular as the order may appear, it was in most cases obeyed, +and thus the captured vessels navigated themselves into our hands. + +The Portuguese squadron consisted of _Don Joaõ_, 74; _Constitucaõ_,50; +_Perola_, 44; _Princeza Real_,28; _Calypso_, 22; _Regeneracaõ_, 26; +_Activa_, 22; _Dez de Fevereiro_, 26; _Audaz_, 20; _S. Gaulter_, 26; +_Principe do Brazil_, 26; _Restauracaõ_, 26; _Canceicaõ_, 8; with +between sixty and seventy merchant vessels and transports filled with +troops. + +As soon as they were clear of the port, we fell upon the rearmost ships, +disabling their main and mizen masts, so as to render it difficult for +them to sail otherwise than before the wind, which would carry them to +the Brazilian coast, and ordering them back to Bahia. The flagship and +the _Maria de Gloria_ then resumed the pursuit, but the latter being +employed in looking after the prizes, on the following morning we were +alone amongst the enemy's convoy. + +The next day, July 3rd, the _Carolina_ and _Nitherohy_ came up, as did +also the _Colonel Allen_. The frigates captured a number of merchantmen +mostly filled with Portuguese families--these unfortunate people finding +to their cost that my warnings were not empty threats, though they had +no doubt been led to ridicule the remonstrance by a misplaced +confidence in the protection of their national squadron. Many prizes +were taken, and as evening closed the frigates dropped out of sight with +the captured vessels. + +It would have been easy for the flagship also to have taken prizes, but +about this I cared nothing,--my great object being to prevent the enemy +from landing troops elsewhere, and with this view I determined on +closely following the ships of war and transports--leaving the Brazilian +frigates to exercise their own discretion in disabling the convoy. It +may be considered an act of temerity for one ship of war thus to chase +thirteen; but, encumbered as they were, and, as I knew, short of +provisions, I felt assured of accomplishing my object. + +The enemy--being greatly annoyed at our perseverance in following, and +still more so at the loss of so many of the convoy--on the morning of +the 4th, gave chase to the flagship with the whole squadron, +endeavouring to hem her in, and at one time we were pursued so closely +inshore, that there was some danger of getting embayed, but the handling +and superior sailing qualities of the _Pedro Primiero_ enabled her to +out-manoeuvre them and get clear. On seeing this, the Portuguese +squadron, finding further chase unavailing, gave us a broadside which +did no damage, and resumed its position in the van of the convoy, to +which we immediately gave chase as before, and as soon as night set in, +dashed in amongst them, firing right and left till the nearest ships +brought to, when they were boarded--the topmasts cut away--the rigging +disabled--the arms thrown overboard--and the officers compelled to give +their _parole_ not to serve against Brazil until regularly exchanged--an +event not likely to happen. + +Keeping well up with them on the 5th--as soon as night set in, this mode +of attack was repeated, when we took a Russian vessel filled with +Portuguese troops, and disabled her in like manner. Of the merchantmen +within reach we took no notice, as it was impolitic to weaken the crew +of the flagship by manning prizes, whilst, as we saw nothing of the +remainder of the Brazilian squadron, there was no other means of +preventing their escape. + +The prudence of preserving the crew of the flagship entire, was now well +exemplified. After taking possession of the Russian transport, at dusk, +I observed half-a-dozen large ships detach themselves from the main body +of the convoy, and suspecting some valid reason for the movement, +immediately gave chase. Though they crowded all sail, we came up with +them on the following morning, and singling out a large frigate-built +ship, filled with troops, we fired upon her till she brought to. On +boarding, we found her to be the _Gran Para_, containing--with the +others--a division of several thousand troops, destined to maintain +Portuguese authority in the province of Maranham--as, indeed, I had been +informed at Bahia. The private signals and instructions of the +Portuguese admiral--obtained by Flag-Lieutenant Grenfell from her +captain--put me in possession of the whole arrangement, which was thus +luckily frustrated. + +As it was of importance not to let any of these troopships escape, +Captain Grenfell was ordered to disable the _Gran Para_, cutting away +her main and mizen masts, throwing the arms and ammunition overboard, +taking possession of the regimental flags, and compelling the officers, +as before, to give their _parole_ not to serve against Brazil. This +done, the other transports were successively boarded and disabled, so +far as was consistent with not leaving them positive wrecks on the +water; for with my single ship, to have made prisoners of so numerous a +body of troops was manifestly impossible. + +The brig _Bahia_ having opportunely hove in sight, I seized four of the +vessels carrying troops, and ordered Captain Haydon to convoy them to +Pernambuco, to the President of which province I addressed the following +letter:-- + + Pedro Primiero, July 7th, 1823. + + ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT SIR, + + The abandonment of Bahia by the enemy, in + consequence of the rigours of blockade--and the capture of half of + his army, ensigns, artillery, and stores, are events which you will + be gratified to learn. Part of the captured officers and troops I + send in for your disposal, having engaged that they shall be treated + after the manner which may justly be expected from the high + character of the Government of His Imperial Majesty, and the + customary practice of all European states. I have to request that + you will be pleased to order their disembarkation without delay. + + We require seamen to finish the war. If you will be pleased to + grant the bounty of 24 dollars per man, as at Rio--charging the + same to the Government--you will render an essential service to + your country. I do not mean Portuguese seamen--who are enemies; + but able seamen of any other nation, and I need scarcely say, that + from my knowledge of the character of the men, I should prefer + British seamen to all others. + + I shall probably have the honour of shortly making myself known + to you, but that depends on circumstances over which I have no + control. If we can come in, permit me to observe, that it would be + conducive to the health of my crew to have ready a supply of fresh + provisions and fruits, especially lemons and oranges. I hope you + will excuse my freedom in mentioning these things, as the health + of the men is as conducive to the interests of the empire as are + the ships of war themselves. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + Sent by the _Balia_, Captain Haydon. + +By the same opportunity I despatched the following to the Minister of +Marine:-- + + ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + I have the honour to inform you that half the + enemy's army, their colours, cannon, ammunition, stores, and + baggage, have been taken. We are still in pursuit, and shall + endeavour to intercept the remainder of the troops, and shall then + look after the ships of war, which would have been my first object, + but that, in pursuing this course, the military would have escaped + to occasion further hostilities against the Brazilian Empire. + + Such of the enemy's colours as we have had time to take away + I have the honour to transmit, and to lay them at the feet of His + Imperial Majesty, and shall shortly forward the remainder. + + The vessels taken are large and beautiful ships, fast sailers, and + resemble, in their appearance, ships of war. + + The Portuguese squadron, and other vessels armed for war, I + have every reason to believe are on their route for Lisbon. I have + also fully ascertained that the troopships which separated from their + squadron during the night were destined for Maranham. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + The Minister of Marine. + +The pursuit was now resumed, but the weather becoming hazy, we saw +nothing of the enemy till the 11th, when they appeared to have recovered +the _Gran Para_. As it became calm, nothing could be done till the 14th, +when we crossed the Equator in Long. 33-30, making straight for the +ships of war, but finding them well together, considered it prudent to +defer an attack till they should become separated. + +On the 15th they continued united, giving us no opportunity for +mischief, yet not venturing to attack us, though only one ship to +thirteen. At 3 A.M. on the 16th, we crowded sail and went in amongst +them, firing a broadside within half musket shot at one of the frigates +with evident effect, as, from the damage caused, they did not return our +fire. Whilst tacking to give them the other broadside, our mainsail +split in two, and night setting in, we relinquished the pursuit in 5 +degrees North latitude. + +My object in so doing was--that as we had only taken part of the +troopships destined for Maranham, it was quite possible--as that port +lay to leeward--that the remainder might even yet reach their +destination; and as the Portuguese authority still existed in that--as +throughout all the Northern provinces--they might again be armed and +equipped. The instructions of the Portuguese admiral were, moreover, +that, in case of separation, they were to rendezvous at the island of +Fernando de Noronha, near which they were fallen in with some days +afterwards; so that there were good grounds for anticipating the +possibility of their yet reaching their original destination. Instead, +therefore, of following the enemy's squadron farther, I thought we +should better serve the interests of Brazil by proceeding direct to +Maranham, with the double purpose of being beforehand with the enemy's +troops, should the attempt be made--and, if practicable, reducing the +province to the authority of the Emperor; a proceeding which, though not +within my orders, was, as I conceived, nevertheless of great importance. +Accordingly, quitting the Portuguese fleet and convoy, during the +obscurity of night, we made straight for Maranham. + +Thus were the Northern provinces entirely rescued from the designs of +this armament, which--luckily for the consolidation of the empire--I had +been enabled to frustrate; so that the cause of independence became free +to develop itself throughout its whole extent. It is satisfactory to +record the fact, that the whole military force was captured or +dispersed, and its objects averted--by a single ship--without the loss +of a man on our part--or the additional cost of a dollar to the Imperial +Government; though, when we left Rio de Janeiro, it was believed that +such objects could only be effected by costly naval and military +expeditions combined. + +During this chase, as I have said, it did not appear a national object +to make captures, though many were secured--as officers and seamen must +have been detached for the purpose, thereby diminishing our efficiency +for the annexation of those provinces where the Portuguese authority was +still intact; to accomplish which--though such result was not expected +by the Government--I had formed plans during the pursuit. Considering +that zeal for Brazilian interests would be better shewn by expelling the +enemy which remained, I therefore refrained from taking possession of +many valuable ships, otherwise completely at our mercy, _though not +having done so--then (previous to my experience of the Court of +Admiralty) seemed_ a heavy pecuniary loss to myself, the officers, and +crew. Such sacrifice should have secured us better treatment than we +subsequently endured from the Administration of a country whose entire +independence was thus obtained by our personal sacrifices. + +The means of intimidation employed for the expulsion of the Portuguese +from Bahia--the pursuit of the enemy's fleet--and the disabling of the +troopships destined for Maranham--acts altogether in excess of the +Imperial instructions--not only freed the Northern provinces from the +enemy, but, as before stated, saved the Brazilian Government the delay, +expense, and uncertainty of powerful expeditions. + +These services--undertaken solely on my own responsibility--were +productive of the most beneficial consequences to the future career of +the Brazilian Empire, the integrity of which they secured at a blow, or +it may rather be said, without a blow, for none of any magnitude was +struck; the dread of the fireships and the certainty arising--from the +nocturnal visit of the flagship on the 12th of June, that my plans for +making use of them were completed--having determined the Portuguese +Admiral to save his fleet by evacuating Bahia. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +CAPTURE OF THE DON MIGUEL--SUMMONS TO THE AUTHORITIES--REASONS FOR +THREATS HELD OUT--PROPOSALS FOR CAPITULATION--PROCLAMATIONS--TERMS +GRANTED TO PORTUGUESE GARRISON--DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE--PORTUGUESE +TROOPS ORDERED TO EMBARK--SYMPTOMS OF DISOBEYING THE ORDER--DELIGHT OF +THE PEOPLE ON BECOMING FREE--ELECTION OF A PROVISIONAL +GOVERNMENT--LETTERS TO THE MINISTER OF MARINE. + + +On the 26th of July, the _Pedro Primiero_ arrived in the river Maranhaõ, +and--knowing from the Portuguese admiral's instructions found in the +troopships overhauled in the chase, that reinforcements were +expected--we hoisted Portuguese colours, with a view of inducing a +belief that the flagship belonged to that nation, and had arrived in +support of its cause. The authorities, deceived by this ruse, sent off a +brig of war--the _Don Miguel_, Captain Garcaõ--with despatches and +congratulations upon our safe arrival! but the commander of the brig was +disagreeably undeceived by finding himself upon the deck of a Brazilian +ship. The despatches put me in possession of the enemy's plans and +intentions, and from them I learned that some reinforcements had already +reached, independent of those which had been intercepted in the recent +chase; thus shewing the great importance attached by Portugal to the +preservation of the wealthy and influential province of Maranham. + +To the surprise of Captain Garcaõ--now a prisoner of war--I offered to +release him and his vessel on condition of his carrying sealed letters +to the Governor and Junta in the city--a proposition gladly accepted. +Previous to his departure--by a fiction held justifiable in war, and, +indeed, necessary under our peculiar circumstances, as having only a +single ship to reduce a province--he was duly impressed by the relation +of an imaginary number of vessels of war in the offing, accompanied by +transports filled with troops, which the superior sailing of the +flagship had enabled her to outstrip. Captain Garcaõ being a seaman and +well able to judge as to the sailing qualities of the _Pedro Primiero_, +was easily impressed with this story, and returned to the city with +intelligence of an irresistible force about to disembark for its +reduction. + +My letters to the Governor and Junta were to the same effect; for--as +before noticed--having only a single ship, it was necessary to impress +on their imagination--that a fleet and army were at hand to add the +province to Brazil. As this is the only instance within my knowledge of +a military force surrendering itself and the province which it defended, +to a stratagem of this nature, I shall append the documents by which a +result so desirable was effected. + +To Don Agostinho Antonia de Faria, the commandant, I wrote as follows:-- + + Pedro Primiero, July 26, 1823. + + SIR, + + The naval and military forces under my command, + leave me no room to doubt the success of the enterprise in which I + am about to engage, in order to free the province of Maranham from + foreign domination, and to allow the people free choice of government + in the same manner as the inhabitants of Portugal have decided + with regard to their constitution. + + Of the flight of the Portuguese naval and military forces from + Bahia you are aware. I have now to inform you of the capture of + two-thirds of the transports and troops, with all their stores and + ammunition. + + I am anxious not to let loose the Imperial troops of Bahia upon + Maranham, exasperated as they are at the injuries and cruelties + exercised towards themselves and their countrymen, as well as by + the plunder of the people and churches of Bahia. It is for you to + decide whether the inhabitants of these countries shall be further + exasperated by resistance which appears to me unavailing, and alike + prejudicial to the best interests of Portugal and Brazil. + + Although it is not customary amongst European nations to receive or + respect flags of truce, being armed vessels, yet as a proof that we + came here with objects far superior to the seizure of the brig of + war just released, I have paid respect to the flag, in the hope that + forbearance will facilitate that harmony which all must be desirous + should exist between the government of the Royal father and that of + the Imperial son; and in doing this, I only fulfil the gracious + intentions of His Imperial Majesty. + + Awaiting your early reply, + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + Don AGOSTINHO ANTONIA DE FARIA, + Commanding the Portuguese Forces. + +The subjoined was at the same time despatched to the Provincial Junta;-- + + ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT SIRS, + + The forces of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor + of Brazil, having freed the city and province of Bahia from the + enemies of independence--in conformity with the will of His + Imperial Majesty that the beautiful province of Maranham should + be free also--I now hasten to offer to the oppressed inhabitants + whatever aid and protection they need against a foreign yoke; + desiring to accomplish their liberation and to hail them as brethren + and friends. + + Should there, however, be any who--from self-interested motives--oppose + themselves to the deliverance of their country, let such be + assured that the naval and military forces which have driven the + Portuguese from the South, are again ready to draw the sword in + the like just cause--and having drawn it, the result cannot be long + doubtful. + + The chief authorities are hereby invited to make known to me + their decision, in order that the responsibility of consequences--in + case of opposition--may not be imputed to any undue haste in the + execution of the duty which I shall have to perform. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + To the Illustrious and Excellent + The Provincial Junta of Maranham. + +The reader may perhaps conclude, that the threats held out are somewhat +inconsistent with my only having a single ship, without a soldier in +her; and I must even confess to some compunction at this off-hand sketch +of an imaginary fleet and army--but the matter was of the last +importance. On the one hand, if my demands were vigorously pressed, +there was a strong probability of obtaining them without bloodshed; but, +on the other hand, if any delay took place, the enemy would, in a day or +two at most, find out that the only force was the flagship, when the +acquisition of Maranham would be impossible. The sensation caused by the +evacuation of Bahia gave probability to my representations, and added to +the despondency of the Portuguese, so that the _ruse_ was completely +successful. + +Proposals of capitulation were immediately returned; but, as these were +only conditional, I refused to accept them. In order to enforce the +terms proffered, we entered the river--never before navigated by a +line-of-battle ship--and anchored the _Pedro Primiero_ abreast of the +fort. On the following day, July 27th, the Junta, accompanied by the +bishop, came on board, and gave in their adherence to the empire, after +which the city, forts, and island, were unconditionally surrendered, +though not without subsequent hesitation, which was dispelled by firing +a shot over the town, whereupon a flag of truce was sent off, and all +demands were complied with. Landing a party of marines for the +maintenance of order, the Portuguese ensign was hauled down by +Lieutenant Grenfell, who hoisted Brazilian colours in its place. + +Thus, without military force or bloodshed, was a second great province +secured to the empire, neither result being anticipated, nor even +contemplated in the orders communicated to me, which were to blockade +the Portuguese in Bahia, and capture or destroy all ships met +with--anything beyond this not having entered the imagination of the +Government. + +As--considering the circumstances in which I was placed--there was no +time to be lost in completing the declaration of independence, I +addressed the subjoined instructions to the civil authorities:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, July 27, 1823. + MOST EXCELLENT SIRS, + + It affords me the highest satisfaction that your Excellencies have + adopted a course by which all hostilities may be avoided, and the + tranquillity and prosperity of this province peaceably established + upon a secure and permanent basis. The declaration of the independence + of Brazil under His Imperial Majesty will at once tranquillise the + public mind, and give opportunity to the worthy and patriotic + inhabitants to proceed afterwards with a due formality and + deliberation to take the oaths, and elect their provisional + government. To-morrow, therefore--being the earliest possible day--it + maybe well that the said declaration shall be made taking every + necessary precaution that the public peace shall not be disturbed by + individuals under any pretence. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +To the inhabitants generally I issued the following proclamation:-- + + THE FIRST ADMIRAL OF BRAZIL TO THE INHABITANTS OF + MARANHAM. + + The auspicious day has arrived on which the + worthy and public-spirited inhabitants of Maranham have it in their + power at once to declare the independence of their country, and + their adherence to their patriotic monarch, Pedro Primiero, whose + protection has afforded them the glorious privilege of freemen--that + of choosing their constitution and enacting their laws by their own + representatives assembled to decide upon their own affairs in their + own country. + + That the glory of this day may not be tarnished by any acts of + excess--even proceeding from enthusiasm for the cause in which we + have embarked--must be the wish of every honourable and well-judging + citizen. To these it would be superfluous to offer any + advice as to their conduct; but should there be any who, from whatever + motives, would disturb public tranquillity, they are hereby + warned that the strictest orders are given to bring those guilty of + disturbance to the punishment their crime shall deserve. + + Taking the necessary oaths, and the election of civil government, + are acts which must be deliberately performed, and for this, the + 1st of August is selected. Citizens! let us proceed gravely and + methodically, without tumult, haste, or confusion, and let the act be + accomplished in a manner worthy the approbation of His Imperial + Majesty, and which shall give no cause for regret, and leave no room + for amendment. + + Long live the Emperor, and the Independence and Constitution + of Brazil. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +To the garrison of Maranham, liberty was granted to remain or depart, as +they chose; in the latter case, free egress to Europe being permitted, +with ensigns, arms, and military honours. Of the vessels of war we took +possession, giving to the officers and men, the option of entering the +service of Brazil, or accepting the conditions conceded to the army. + +As the Brazilian people will naturally be interested in all that led to +the completion of the integrity of the empire, the terms granted to the +Portuguese garrison are subjoined. + + _Pedro Primiero_, July 27, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + In reply to your letter of this date, I beg leave to + assure you, first, that my utmost endeavours shall be used to + protect the persons and property of the citizens of Maranham--with + the exception of such species of property as, being proved to + belong to a hostile party, shall become, according to the laws of + war, subject to the decision of the tribunals of His Imperial Majesty; + that the same leniency with respect to all past political opinions + shall be used as has been observed under the constitutional government + of His Most Faithful Majesty John VI.; and that all persons + desiring to remove shall be at liberty to do so, under the usual + formalities. + + Secondly,--You are at liberty either to depart to any other + country, or to remain in this. + + Thirdly,--The commanding officers, superior officers, and soldiers + of the Portuguese nation, shall be free to retire to their native + country, or to any other quarter; and shall be permitted to embark + with their ensigns, arms, and military honours. + + As independence is to be declared to-morrow, and as the vessels + of war now in the port bear the ensigns of Portugal--and as I + believe the necessary authority is vested in you, I have to request + that you will order that ensign not to be hoisted on board the said + vessels, in order that the substitution of that of Brazil may be + made in the manner least offensive to the feelings of the officers--all, + or any of whom may remain with their men in the service of + Brazil, or may consider themselves under the third article relating + to the army. + + I have to express my regret at your indisposition, which has + deprived me of the pleasure of seeing you; but, if circumstances + permit, I shall avail myself of an early opportunity of paying you + my personal respects. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + To DON AGOSTINHO ANTONIA DE FARIA, + General-at-Arms of Maranhaõ. + +On the 28th the declaration of independence was made amidst the +acclamation of the inhabitants generally--those who were adverse to the +measure not venturing to make any demonstration to the contrary. + +Still it was important to get rid of the Portuguese troops before they +found out the _ruse_ which had been practised upon them; for, three days +having now elapsed without any appearance of my reputed forces, there +was some fear that they might attempt to recover their former position. +Accordingly I addressed the following letter to General de Faria:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, July 29, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + The declaration of independence having been + formally made, and His Imperial Majesty being declared constitutional + Emperor of Brazil by acclamation of the worthy people of + Maranham--which important event has happily taken place, not + only without disorder, but, to the honour and credit of the + inhabitants, with the greatest harmony and regularity--it now + becomes my duty, as military chief under his Imperial Majesty, to + take care that no military interference or intimidation shall in any + way overawe or influence the choice of the inhabitants in the + election of their provisional government. I have, therefore, to + request that you will be pleased to direct all the Portuguese troops + who intend to avail themselves of the third article of the stipulations + entered into with regard to the military to repair to the + place appointed, and there await the preparations which I shall + immediately make for their transportation to Lisbon. + + I have also to beg that you will he pleased to furnish me with a + correct list of those who desire to depart, and also of those who + choose to remain and take the oaths as Brazilian citizens. + + I have, &c. &c. + + COCHRANE. + + To Gen. A.A. DE FARIA. + +These instructions were promptly complied with by the Ex-Commandant, and +no time was lost in providing ships for the reception of the Portuguese +troops who wished to avail themselves of permission to sail for Lisbon. +This leniency was scarcely deserved, for the Portuguese authorities had +filled the gaols with respectable Brazilian citizens, who were treated +with great severity; but, for obvious reasons, I was desirous to get rid +of the Portuguese on any terms. + +The next step was to provide for the proper administration of +government, and this--from the factions which were afterwards found to +exist--was a work of infinitely greater difficulty than had been the +acquisition of the city. Some of the more influential inhabitants, +however, offering their services, I formed them into a provisional +Junta, until a more popular Government could be provided. + +Municipal security being thus attained, the Portuguese troops were +embarked, on the 1st of August, though not without some difficulty, for, +from the non-arrival of my supposed fleet and army, some amongst them +began to suspect that a deception had been practised, and many--backed +by the militia--refused to embark. Upon this, a notice was issued that +if the treaty were not instantly complied with, such steps should be +taken as would render unnecessary the stipulation of safe conveyance to +Europe, as I was determined that a solemn engagement should not be +violated with impunity. This, as a great portion of the troops were +actually on board, and within reach of the flagship's guns, produced the +desired effect on the refractory troops ashore, though not till I was +compelled to send Captain Crosbie with a large party to enforce +compliance and to disarm the militia, both of which objects he effected +without bloodshed. + +The embarkation being accomplished, and the foreign portion of the +militia disarmed, so as to leave the city in the hands of the civil +authorities--on the 2nd of August, I issued a proclamation declaring the +commerce of the coast free and uninterrupted; following this, shortly +afterwards by another, declaratory of my willingness to accept from +consignees and others, two-thirds of the estimated value of Portuguese +property liable to confiscation--in place of sending the captured +vessels to Rio de Janeiro; which--from the state of the city, as well as +from want of seamen to man them--was impossible. + +To the inhabitants of the city I had been careful to accord complete +liberty, exacting, in return, perfect order, which was preserved, and +property of all kinds respected; the delight of the inhabitants being +unbounded at having been freed from a terrible system of exaction and +imprisonment, which, when I entered the river, was being carried on with +unrelenting rigour by the Portuguese authorities towards all suspected +of a leaning to the Imperial Government. Instead of retaliating--as +would have been gratifying to those so recently labouring under +oppression--I directed oaths to the Constitution to be administered, not +to Brazilians only, but also to all Portuguese who chose to remain and +conform to the new order of things; a privilege, of which many +influential persons of that nation availed themselves. + +On the 1st of August the inhabitants of Alcantara made a declaration of +adherence to His Imperial Majesty, notwithstanding a report sedulously +circulated amongst them that the Portuguese troops at Maranham were +about to recover the city. An assurance from me, that the Portuguese +troops were embarked, and were under the guns of the flagship, as well +as the fire of their own gunboats, which could be turned against them, +and that the European militia was disarmed, speedily dispelled all +grounds for alarm. + +The proceedings of the temporary Provisional Junta being unsatisfactory, +especially as regarded their desire for retaliation on the Portuguese, I +determined to embody a more popular Government, though, as yet the +election would, of necessity, be confined to the inhabitants of the +city only. Accordingly on the 8th of August, in less than a fortnight +after my first appearance off the port, a Provisional Government was +chosen by the population, and the city and province were incorporated +with Brazil, with the national advantage of adding nearly a million of +dollars to the annual revenue of the empire; and this without the +expense of another expedition to the Government, or the loss of time +which would have been necessary, and might, had the reinforcements +intercepted, gained their destination--have ended in a different result +to the integrity of the empire. + +The first act of the new Government was to address a congratulatory +letter to His Imperial Majesty, explaining that they should long before +have espoused the Imperial cause, but from fear of the Portuguese +troops. The following is an extract from this letter:-- + + What was our joy when unexpectedly we saw the _Pedro Primiero_ + summoning our port. Oh, 26th of July, 1823! Thrice happy day, + thou wilt be as conspicuous in the annals of our province, as the + sentiments of gratitude and respect inspired by the illustrious + admiral sent to our aid by the best and most amiable of monarchs + will be deeply engraven on our hearts and on those of our posterity. + Yes! august Sire! the wisdom, prudence, and gentle manners of + Lord Cochrane have contributed still more to the happy issue of our + political difficulties than even the fear of his force. To anchor in + our port--to proclaim independence--to administer the oaths of + obedience to your Majesty--to suspend hostilities throughout the + province--to provide proper government--to bring the troops of the + country into the town, but only in sufficient numbers to ensure + order and tranquillity--to open the communication between the + interior and the capital--to provide it with necessaries--and to + restore navigation and commerce to their pristine state--all this, + Sire, was the work of a few days. Grant Heaven, that this noble + chief may end the glorious career of his political and military labours + with the like felicity and success, and that your Imperial Majesty + being so well served, nothing more may be necessary to immortalise + that admirable commander, not only in the annals of Brazil, but in + those of the whole world. + +A large amount of government and public property in the several +departments was seized, in conformity with the Imperial proclamation, +and an addition made to the Brazilian navy of a brig-of-war, the _Don +Miguel_, a schooner, and eight gunboats--besides merchant vessels, some +of which were appropriated to the conveyance of the late garrison to +Lisbon, under engagement to restore their value--a stipulation which was +never fulfilled. + +Everything being thus satisfactorily settled, my next step was to inform +the Minister of Marine at Rio de Janeiro of the extraordinary means by +which possession of the city and province of Maranham had been obtained; +the subjoined letters were accordingly despatched. + + (Secret.) _Pedro Primiero_, August 8, 1823. + + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + Your Excellency will perceive by the official + documents accompanying this, that in order to effect the objects I + had in view at Maranham, I judged it expedient to create a belief + amongst the people and garrison, that a large force was at my + disposal, and therefore I used expressions in my public correspondence + that were not borne out by the actual circumstances + under which I summoned that city, as I had--in fact--no other force + than this ship alone, which from the nature of the anchorage could + scarcely approach within gunshot--whilst there was neither a soldier + nor effective marine on board; but the fear entertained by the hostile + Government of Imperial troops from Bahia, whom they understood + to be off the bar with the remainder of the squadron, and the sudden + appearance of so large a ship as this, produced the effect which I + had anticipated, and it is with the greatest satisfaction that I now + communicate the occupation of this important city and province, + which has been accomplished without effusion of blood, or material + disturbance. + + As soon as I have completed the necessary arrangements here, I + propose to return to Rio de Janeiro, and to have the honour + personally to inform you of all particulars. + + I have, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + Minister of Marine. + +With this was transmitted the following official document:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, Aug. 8, 1823. + + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + I had the honour to inform your Excellency by + letter, off Pernambuco, that we had captured transports containing a + moiety of the enemy's army--that we were in pursuit of the + remainder--and that I hoped for further success. I have now to + acquaint your Excellency that, having followed the enemy's squadron + to the fifth degree of North latitude beyond the line, until, by capture + and dispersion, their convoy was so reduced that only thirteen + vessels out of seventy remained with the ships of war, and as the + latter were evidently steering for Lisbon, and were too strong to be + attacked with success by this ship alone--for the remainder of the + Brazilian squadron had separated in the chase--I judged it advantageous + for the interests of His Imperial Majesty's service, to discontinue + the pursuit, and to proceed, with all possible despatch, to + Maranham, where I arrived on the 26th ultimo. + + I have the happiness to acquaint you, for the satisfaction of + the Imperial government, that Maranham is now united to the + Empire, the inhabitants having proclaimed their independence of + Portugal on the 28th, and elected their provisional government this + day. I have embarked the Portuguese troops for Europe, and the + militia are disarmed. + + I have the honour to enclose a copy of the correspondence which + has taken place on the occasion, with other papers and documents. + We have found here a fine brig of war--a schooner--eight gunboats, + and about sixteen sail of Portuguese merchant vessels. Amongst + the other advantages of this important event may be mentioned, that + while the expense of an express expedition has been saved, an addition + of nearly a million of dollars is made to the revenue of His + Imperial Majesty. + + I have manned and sent the brig of war to Parà , to summon that + city--offering to the enemy the same terms as we have granted + here. The beautiful new frigate, lately launched at Parà , has not + sailed for Portugal, and I am in expectation that the next account + which I shall have the honour to send or bring to your Excellency, + will communicate the pleasing intelligence that His Imperial + Majesty has no enemy, either on shore or afloat, between the extremities + of his empire. + + I have, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + The Minister of Marine. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +CAPT. GRENFELL SENT TO SUMMON PARA--THE JUNTA DEMANDS THE PRIZE +PROPERTY--MY REFUSAL--IMPERIAL APPROVAL OF MY SERVICES--REALISATION OF +PRIZE PROPERTY--TURI ASSU SENDS IN ITS ADHESION--MONEY CAPTURED LENT TO +THE JUNTA--ITS RETURN TO THE SQUADRON EXPECTED--POSSESSION TAKEN OF +PARA--INSURRECTION AT PARA--MISCONDUCT OF THE MARANHAM JUNTA--THEIR +PERSECUTION OF THE PORTUGUESE--STEPS IN CONSEQUENCE--MANIFESTATION OF +THE NATIONAL DELIGHT--THE MARQUISATE CONFERRED ON ME--VOTE OF THANKS BY +THE ASSEMBLEA GERAL--MY ARRIVAL AT RIO DE JANEIRO--SATISFACTION WITH MY +SERVICES--LADY COCHRANE JOINS ME. + + +As the province of Parà was now the only one which remained under the +authority of Portugal, it became of importance to take possession of it, +whilst the _prestige_ arising from our acquisition of Maranham was in +all its freshness; for we had still no other force than the flagship, +which was necessary to maintain order there. In the absence of a +Brazilian ship-of-war, I manned the captured brig _Don Miguel_--changing +her name to the _Maranhaõ_--and placed her under the command of an able +and gallant officer, Captain-Lieutenant (now Admiral) Grenfell, upon +whose judicious management every reliance was to be placed. + +Captain Grenfell was the bearer of a summons from me to the Junta and +garrison of Parà , dated off the bar, as though a force were at hand to +second his operations. In short, he was instructed to employ the same +_ruse_ for intimidating the city as had been so successful at +Maranham--the summons as well as the terms to be granted to the +Portuguese garrison being similar in both cases. He was further +instructed to secure, if possible, the new frigate which had just been +launched for the service of Portugal, and if successful, to name her the +_Impératrice_, in honour of the Empress--to take command of her--and +after the submission of the city to return to Rio de Janeiro with his +prize. The nature of Captain Grenfell's mission will be apparent from +the following extracts from the orders given to him:-- + + The enclosed orders in Portuguese you may show. They purport to be + addressed to you at the mouth of the river Parà , and to be there + dated on board this ship, she being supposed at anchor there; for it + is essential to create a belief in the Government at Parà that you do + not come alone, but that the squadron is at hand ready to cooperate. + You will therefore fill up the date of the Portuguese orders on the + day of your arrival at the mouth of the river. You will also fill in + the dates of the official letters to the Junta, at the same time, + without regard to the delay which may arise, from proceeding up the + river. + + You will perceive that my intentions are to effect, by your means, + objects _which would otherwise require an expedition_, and therefore + the utmost prudence and circumspection are necessary. Next to the + liberation of Parà , the great object is to secure the frigate. If you + succeed in obtaining possession of her, and find yourself deficient + in men, you are at liberty to leave the brig for the purpose of + manning the frigate. I expect everything from your exertions and good + management in bringing about the surrender of Parà , with all that is + important to His Brazilian Majesty. + +To return to the state of affairs at Maranham. One of the first acts of +the new Junta--despite their professed admiration of the course I had +pursued--was to transmit to me a demand that the property taken from +the Portuguese should be placed _at their disposal._ My surprise at such +a request from men whom I had unexpectedly released from thraldom, and +elevated to power, ceased as I became better acquainted with the +factions existing amongst them. Now that they were invested with power, +they were evidently bent on turning it to their own private advantage, +by representing to me that if I retained the property of Portuguese in +Maranham--that of Brazilians in Lisbon, viz. _their own mercantile +consignments_--would be confiscated in retaliation, and that, therefore, +I ought to restore it! + +To this I replied, that the captures made by the flagship were strictly +in accordance with the decrees of His Imperial Majesty, no less than +with the rights of belligerents as defined by the laws of nations; so +that their request was directly opposed to the Imperial decrees against +all the subjects of Portugal, as well as against all who should +contribute to continue the Brazils under a foreign yoke. The Junta was +reminded that it was within my power to have imposed upon the Portuguese +authorities whatever terms I thought proper, but having granted those I +had judged best for the interests of the empire to which I was bound, I +would adhere to the treaty as it stood, and should any attempt be made +to evade it, it would be my duty--however painful--to enforce its +fulfilment, as being responsible to His Imperial Majesty. + +This specimen of patriotism in a body of men who little more than a +fortnight before were imprisoned or in expectation of imprisonment, but +now--to save their own interests in Lisbon--sought to set His Majesty's +decrees and my instructions alike at defiance, inspired me with deep +distrust of their fitness for the Government of the province--it being +evident that if the flagship quitted the port, they would construe the +functions of Government in favour of their own private purposes. I +accordingly wrote to the Prime Minister, Andrada, representing the +course which had been pursued--concluding with the subjoined advice as +to the steps to be taken in order to place the future Government on a +right basis:-- + + I beg, through your Excellency, to suggest most respectfully to His + Imperial Majesty my opinion that it would greatly conduce to the + peace and prosperity of this province, if some able and honourable + person should be sent to take the chief authority; for--with all + respect to the individuals composing the new Junta, and to those from + whom succeeding Juntas might be chosen--none appear to me to possess + either the talents or acquirements necessary for the good government + of Maranham. I may also add that family connections, together with + private and political friendships, no less than enmities--exist here + to a degree which can hardly fail to involve the province in internal + dissensions, unless averted by the means which I respectfully + suggest. + +I had shortly afterwards the pleasure of receiving the following +expressions of satisfaction from His Imperial Majesty through the Prime +Minister:-- + + Rio, July 12, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have received the secret communications with + which you have favoured me, whereby I learn in detail the distinguished + conduct which you have pursued since quitting this port, + and the various difficulties with which, (to my regret) you have had + to contend. These are, however, of such a nature as to be + irremediable in our present circumstances; but let us hope they + will vanish when the empire is consolidated. + + Meanwhile your Excellency--being no less a politician than a + warrior, and enjoying to the utmost the confidence of His Imperial + Majesty--is fully empowered to adopt whatever means your judgment + may suggest to facilitate the important objects of your + commission. On this subject, I also refer to the Imperial authority + and other documents addressed to you in reply to your communications. + + I beg to add my personal thanks for the interesting communications + with which you have favoured me, of which I shall avail + myself in order to accomplish the objects desired to be effected. + + Be assured of the particular esteem and high consideration + with which I am, + + De V. Exa. + Attento venerador e criado, + JOZE BONIFACIO DE ANDRADA E SILVA. + +The Junta continuing its unreasonable demand, the moveable property +captured was embarked on board the _Pombinho_, and another vessel--both +prizes--for the purpose of being sent to Rio de Janeiro for +adjudication. I then directed the Provisional Government to furnish me +with an account of all money found in the treasury, customs, military +chest, and other departments; also of all military stores in the various +forts and magazines and of government property of every description, +such property having been wholly awarded to the captors by Imperial +decree of the 11th of December, 1822, issued to induce foreign seamen to +enter the service. + +On the 20th of August the Portuguese troops were ordered to depart for +Lisbon--Maranham being thus entirely freed from the presence of the +armaments upon which the mother country had relied for the maintenance +of her Northern provinces; this result, wholly unexpected by the +Imperial Government or the nation, having been accomplished within the +space of a few months, by measures adopted on my own responsibility. + +Still numerous vessels and much perishable property taken from the +enemy, remained on hand--with which it was difficult to deal. From +having manned the captured brig-of-war, _Don Miguel_--as well as the +prize vessel, _Pombinho_, from the crew of the flagship, it was not +expedient further to reduce her efficiency; so that there were no means +of forwarding the other prizes and property to Rio de Janeiro for +adjudication. I therefore apprised the Minister of Marine, that the only +course circumstances would permit me to pursue--though not perfectly +regular--would be to dispose of them and remit to the Government in +specie the amount realised; as, in case of my departure from Maranham, +they were certain to be improperly appropriated. Accordingly, an offer +was again made to the merchants, to accept two-thirds of their value in +specie, and to submit the amount to the further decision of the Court of +Admiralty, I little anticipating at the time the anti-Imperial +predilections of the members composing the prize tribunal at Rio de +Janeiro. + +The amount of the seizures effected by the squadron was very +considerable, comprising upwards of a hundred and twenty vessels, some +of which contained important cargoes. The aggregate amount of +these--together with merchandise found in the Custom-house--Government +and other public property and stores--was several millions of dollars, +and this by His Imperial Majesty's decree of the 11th of December, +1822--promulgated to attract foreign seamen into the Brazilian +service--was, as before mentioned, the property of the captors; the +Imperial Government, by that decree, disclaiming all share in it,--a +stipulation afterwards remorselessly violated. + +On the 25th of August, the province of Turi Assu sent in its adhesion to +the Empire, this favourable circumstance being however counteracted by +the arrival of deputies from the troops of Cearà and Piahuy, reporting +their revolutionary tendency, and demanding payment for their previous +service; the Piahuy troops--consisting for the most part of Indians +recruited in the interior--even threatened to march upon Maranham and +enforce their demand, although they had rendered no assistance. The +Junta, alarmed at this demonstration, now forwarded to me a request that +I would appropriate some portion of the captured property to satisfy the +importunity of the mutinous troops. + +Considering that the tranquillity of the province in a great measure +depended upon silencing these troops--who were not only clamorous and +menacing, but in a state of nakedness and destitution--which rendered it +probable that they might help themselves at the expense of the +inhabitants--I consented to the application of the Junta, placing at +their disposal the monies taken in the Portuguese treasury, amounting in +cash to Rs.62.560 $423 (60,560 dollars); that found in the custom-house, +to the amount of Rs.54.167 $877 (54,167 dollars); and outstanding bills +to the amount of Rs.147.316 $656 (147,316 dollars); making in the whole +Rs.264.044 $776 (264,044 dollars): accounts of these sums, and the +urgency of their appropriation to the necessities of the public service, +being duly forwarded to the Minister of Marine at Rio de Janeiro. + +These sums are thus minutely set forth, because it has been erroneously +represented that sixty contos of reis alone (60,000 dollars), were given +up to the Junta, though reference to the vouchers themselves would have +dissipated this error, which will be found to have an important bearing +upon a subsequent part of the narrative. It may be also necessary to +explain how "outstanding debts" could be owing to the Government. +Contrary to the English practice of paying duties to the revenue, before +goods are cleared from the custom-house, it was the habit of the +Portuguese authorities to permit their clearance on receipt of bills to +be paid after the goods were disposed of; hence merchants became +indebted to the Government in the amount of such engagements. + +It was impossible to avoid assisting the Junta, in the extremity alluded +to, as the neglected troops might have caused a dangerous _émeute_, +which would have proved injurious to the interests of His Imperial +Majesty. + +The assistance rendered to the Junta was given at the expense of the +officers and seamen, to whom the money of right belonged, and who looked +for its repayment as soon as circumstances would permit. On this subject +I wrote as follows to the Minister of Marine:-- + + Maranham, Aug. 26, 1833. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + Since I had the honour of addressing you deputies have arrived from + the troops of Cearà and Piahuy soliciting payment for their services. + The provisional Junta of Maranham have requested my assistance in + this object, and as I consider the tranquillity of this province to + depend in a great measure on the speedy payment of these forces, I + have placed at the disposal of the Junta various funds arising from + the capitulation of this place. This will doubtless be considered by + the seamen--who are the captors--as an unwarrantable sacrifice of + their rights in favour of mutinous troops, who have effected nothing; + but feeling confident of support from the Imperial Government on a + matter so essential to the public interest, I have had no hesitation + in assuring the seamen that they _will not be losers by their + captures being, in the first instance, applied to the relief of the + immediate exigencies of the State._ + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +On the 30th of August, I had the satisfaction to learn from Captain +Grenfell that his mission to Parà had been completely successful, the +frigate, together with another vessel of war, having been secured, the +former being, by my previous directions, named the _Imperatrice_, and +added to the Imperial navy; several merchantmen were also taken and sent +to Rio de Janeiro. + +The summons despatched by Captain Grenfell was--as has been said--based +upon the same _ruse_ as had been so successful at Maranham. In order to +produce a more decisive effect, it had been dated off the mouth of the +river, as though the squadron was there at anchor to compel submission +to the Imperial Government. The plan was so ably conducted by the +talented officer to whom it was entrusted, that although his force +consisted of less than a hundred men, the inhabitants of Parà , without a +dissentient voice--save that of the Portuguese commandant--pronounced +their adhesion to the Government of His Imperial Majesty, and thus a +province, greater in extent than France and England combined, was added +to the empire, and the independence of Brazil effected to its Northern +extremity. + +The only blood shed in the liberation of Parà , was that of Captain +Grenfell, who received a severe wound, treacherously inflicted by a +Portuguese who was hired to assassinate him! This cowardly act was +resorted to, on the discovery--when too late--that I was not in the +river, as the Portuguese authorities had been led to believe. + +The subjoined is Captain Grenfell's letter announcing the success of his +mission:-- + + H.I.M.B. Maranham, + + August 12, 1833. (Off Parà .) + + MY LORD, + + I have the honour to inform your Lordship that + your hopes of the union of Parà to the empire of Brazil are verified. + Agreeably to your Lordship's instructions, and in virtue of the + power conferred on me, I opened the communications with the + Junta, and enclose a letter from the General-at-Arms to your + Lordship, and am glad to inform you that his is the only dissenting + voice. I shall pursue the tenor of your Lordship's instructions + until further orders. + + I have the honour, &c. &c. + + J. PASCOE GRENFELL. + +I had directed Captain Grenfell--in case of a declaration of +independence by the inhabitants of Parà --to form a Junta, and to adopt +generally the same course as had been so instrumental in preserving +tranquillity at Maranham; giving him, moreover, power to employ the +resources at his command in supplying the exigencies of the Imperial +service generally, as might be necessary. A Provisional Government was +accordingly formed, though not to the satisfaction of a number of +refractory persons, who, on the pretence of adhesion to the Imperial +Government, connected themselves with a body of undisciplined troops, +and made an attempt to depose the newly constituted Junta, which applied +to Captain Grenfell for support. Landing his men, the insurrection was +with some difficulty put down; but as an ill feeling still prevailed, he +considered it necessary to make an example by ordering the trial of five +of the ringleaders, who, being condemned, were shot in the public +square. + +On the 9th of September, I apprised the Junta of Maranham of my +intention to proceed to Parà , though--being without instructions from +the Administration, I really purposed to sail for Rio de Janeiro; for as +the Provisional authority temporarily established was not, by any means +conducting public affairs in a satisfactory manner, I thought it as well +to keep them in ignorance of our real destination, in order that they +should believe me within reach, till the Imperial Government might +exercise its own discretion as to the future. + +The Junta of Maranham, indeed, appeared to have no other object than to +shew how liberty suddenly acquired could degenerate into despotism. It +was, for the most part, composed of men, who were not only united by +family connections and private friendship, but who were nearly allied, +as members of one influential family. No sooner had they been invested +with power, than they dismissed all civil and military officers, and +filled the vacant situations with their own friends, relations, and +dependents, without consideration as to their talents or qualifications, +thus equally exciting discontent amongst the Brazilians--who were +excluded, and the Portuguese--who were dismissed. + +Their chief aim was to maintain themselves in power against the will of +the people, who, now that tranquillity had been restored, desired a free +and general election of a Constitutional Government throughout the +province, in place of that which, of necessity, had been confined to the +city only. To put down what they considered disaffection--towards +themselves--the Junta brought into the city a large body of irregular +troops, intending, by means of these, to gratify their resentment +against the resident Portuguese, who, having taken the oaths of +allegiance to the Imperial Government, were entitled to protection. It +appeared, moreover, that the Junta and their friends owed large sums of +money to some of the more wealthy and influential Portuguese, and that +they intended to get rid of their debts, by the expulsion of their +creditors. + +As it was sufficiently clear that the Junta was determined not to be +advised, it became my duty to avert the evils in contemplation, by +expediting the change of administration so much desired by the people. +Therefore, on the 12th of September, I transmitted to the Junta, an +order for the election of a more comprehensive Government, as they were +only intended to remain in power until a general election throughout the +province could conveniently take place. Satisfactory as was this measure +to the public, it was anything but agreeable to the despotic body, at +whose ill-advised measures it was aimed; their resource being to +increase the ferment amongst the soldiery brought into the city to +uphold their authority, and who--partly from motives of revenge, but +more from the hope of plunder--were eager to execute the hostile +intentions of the Junta against the Portuguese. + +An attempt to arrest the president of the Camara, Senor Luiz Salgado, by +the General-at-arms--who had reason to suspect Salgado of intriguing to +remove him from office, gave a pretext for disturbance. On the night of +the 14th of September, the troops rose and plundered many Portuguese +houses, compelling their owners to fly for safety to neutral and other +vessels in the harbour. They then deposed the General-at-arms, and chose +Salgado in his stead, a proceeding which was next day confirmed by a +decree of the Junta, in conjunction with the Camara. + +Addressing a letter to Salgado, I firmly refused to acknowledge him as +commandant, telling him, at the same time, that his only means of being +recognised as a Brazilian citizen, was by allaying the ferment he had +contributed to raise. I wrote also to the Junta and Camara, threatening +to act in a decisive manner, if these disgraceful scenes were not +instantly put an end to, pointing out to them that, as they were the +chief proprietors of houses and stores, so they would be the greatest +sufferers from anarchy. This step checked the disturbance, but the Junta +granted the riotous military a gratuity, levied on the Portuguese who +had been attacked. The more respectable of whom soon after quitted +Maranham in disgust. + +It must, however, be stated that these disorders admitted of some +palliation, from the consideration that hundreds of Brazilians had been +transported to Lisbon, by the Portuguese authorities, when in power; +whilst hundreds of others were on my arrival imprisoned at Maranham, in +the gaols and vessels in the harbour. On my entrance into the city, I +released numbers of these, and saved many others from impending +incarceration. + +By the 18th, though tranquillity was restored, I postponed the election +of a general provisional Junta till the 20th of October, hoping that +before that period, a reply to my earnest entreaties for instructions, +would arrive from the Imperial Government. It was for the sake of +preserving order during the interval, that I had announced my intention +of taking the _Pedro Primiero_ to Parà only, well knowing that a belief +in her speedy return to Maranham would have a salutary influence in +maintaining public peace. + +Intelligence of the reduction of Maranham, and the annexation of that +province, together with the province of Parà , to the empire, was +received at Rio de Janeiro with surprise and delight;--surprise, that, +in less than six months, without military force, and, in truth, with one +ship of war only, so much had been effected--and delight that the Empire +was cleared of its enemies without the expense and uncertainty of +expeditions which had been calculated on. All Brazilians were eager to +vie with each other in the expression of entire satisfaction with my +exertions. + +His Imperial Majesty was pleased to reward the services rendered, by +creating me Marquis of Maranhaõ, as the fittest title to commemorate the +advantages gained for the empire, at the same time awarding me an estate +commensurate with the dignity of the honours conferred; the "Assemblea +Geral, Constituente e Legislativa" adding a vote of thanks in the name +of the nation. The estate, however, _was never given_, notwithstanding +that, at Maranham, and in other of the Northern provinces, numerous fine +properties, appertaining to the Portuguese Crown, were added to the +Imperial domain. The inconsistency of this was remarkable, seeing that I +had been the means of adding to Brazil a territory larger than half +Europe--for which service I was warmly thanked by the Emperor, his +Ministers, and also by the General Assembly--the latter body, +nevertheless, refusing to confirm the gift of even so minute a portion +of the vast territory unexpectedly added to the Empire. + +The subjoined is the Imperial order, elevating me to the Marquisate:-- + + His Majesty the Emperor, taking into consideration the great services + which your Excellency has just rendered to the nation by assisting to + liberate the city of Bahia from the unjust Lusitanian yoke, and + afterwards wisely aiding the honourable inhabitants of the province + of Maranham in throwing off the said foreign domination, so that they + were enabled, according to their desire, to acknowledge His Majesty + as their constitutional Emperor; and desiring to give your Excellency + a public testimonial of gratitude for these great and extraordinary + services (_per estse altos e extraordinarios serviços_) on behalf of + the generous Brazilian people, who will ever preserve a lively + remembrance of such illustrious acts, I deem it right to confer upon + your Excellency the title of Marquis of Maranhaõ. My Secretary of + State will expedite the necessary patent which I communicate to your + Excellency for your information. + + God preserve your Excellency many years. + + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, 25th of November, 1823. + (Signed) JOAÕ SEVERIANO MACIEL DA COSTA. + +The annexed is the vote of thanks awarded by the _"Assemblea Geral"_ +which, as has been said, refused to recognise His Majesty's gift of an +estate in order to support in a dignified manner the title which His +Majesty had graciously been pleased to confer. The reason assigned for +this extraordinary proceeding, in a lengthy debate on the subject was, +that in granting me an estate His Majesty had exercised a feudal +prerogative inconsistent with a free country. + + The General Constituent and Legislative Assembly having been + officially informed that your Excellency, after having freed the + province of Bahia from the oppression of Portuguese troops, and + having pursued them beyond the equinoctial line, led the squadron on + your own judgment and responsibility to the port of the city of St. + Louis of Maranhaõ, where, with your accustomed valour and singular + good judgment, you dislodged the Portuguese troops, who had kept down + the patriotism of its generous inhabitants, and accomplished their + liberation, so that they proclaimed and spontaneously swore with + unanimity their independence of Portugal and their decided union with + the Brazilian empire. The General Constituent and Legislative + Assembly, acknowledging the importance of these great services has + decreed in this day's session that there shall be given to your + Excellency in the name of the nation which it represents the thanks + due. + + Charged as organs to transmit this resolution to your Excellency, + we fulfil the task with pleasure, and have the honour to lay the + same before your Excellency. + + God preserve your Excellency. + + Palace of the Assembly, Oct. 3, 1823. + + + MARTIN FRANCISCO EIBEIEO DE ANDEADA, + JOAÕ SEVERIANO MACIEL DA COSTA, + MIGUEL CALMON DU PIN E ALMEIDA. + +This vote of thanks by the Assembly contains a remarkable error, by +averring that I "led the squadron" to Maranhaõ, whereas I had only a +single ship, and with her singly performed all for which I received the +thanks of the nation. + +In the interval between this recognition of my services and my return to +Rio de Janeiro, an unfortunate change had taken place in the Councils of +His Imperial Majesty, introductive of persons more favourable to the +interests of Portugal than to furtherance of the judicious measures +contemplated by His Majesty for the consolidation of the +newly-constituted empire. To the obstructive aspirations of these +persons--in ill-concealed concert with the designs of the parent +state--my annexation of the Northern provinces necessarily proved +fatal; and they ever afterwards regarded me with an animosity which +appeared to increase as the empire became, by these, and my subsequent +exertions, more firmly established. + +Sailing from Maranham on the 20th of September, the _Pedro Primiero_ +arrived at Rio de Janeiro on the 9th of November--the Emperor doing me +the honour to come on board to welcome me. I immediately forwarded to +the Minister of Marine a recapitulation of all transactions since my +departure seven months before; viz. the evacuation of Bahia by the +Portuguese in consequence of our nocturnal visit, connected with the +dread of my reputed skill in the use of fireships, as arising from the +affair of Basque Roads; the pursuit of their fleet beyond the Equator, +and the dispersion of its convoy; the capture and disabling of the +transports filled with troops intended to maintain Portuguese domination +in Maranham and Parà ; the device adopted to obtain the surrender to the +_Pedro Primiero_ alone of the enemy's naval and military forces at +Maranham; the capitulation of Parà with the ships of war to my summons +sent by Captain Grenfell; the deliverance of the Brazilian patriots whom +the Portuguese had imprisoned; the declaration of independence by the +intermediate provinces thus liberated, and their union with the empire; +the appointment of Provisional Governments; the embarkation and final +departure of every Portuguese soldier from Brazil; and the enthusiasm +with which all my measures--though unauthorised and therefore extra +official--- had been received by the people of the Northern provinces, +who--thus relieved from the dread of further oppression--had everywhere +acknowledged and proclaimed His Imperial Majesty "Constitutional +Emperor." + +The powers which I had taken upon myself to exercise during this +eventful period, were, no doubt; in excess of those conferred by my +orders, but, knowing that everything depended upon the annexation and +pacification of the Northern provinces by the expulsion of the +enemy--setting aside my own interests--I considered it better for the +welfare of the empire to exceed my instructions, than to entail the +continuance of civil war by confining my operations within their scope. +In the exercise of this self-imposed duty it may be said that I had also +exercised Imperial functions, but this was only in the unavoidable +absence of Imperial instructions, which it was my constant endeavour to +anticipate rather than to exceed; that I judged and acted rightly, the +elevation to the title of Marquis of Maranhaõ, before reaching Rio de +Janeiro--the vote of thanks of the legislature, and the warm +acknowledgment of His Imperial Majesty on landing, sufficiently testify. +In addition to the gracious reception accorded by His Majesty, I +received from his own hands a decoration of the Imperial Order of the +Cruizeiro, and, though a foreigner, was subsequently nominated to the +high office of Privy Councillor--the greatest honour in the Imperial +gift to bestow. + +During my absence from Rio de Janeiro, Lady Cochrane--ignorant of my +having quitted Chili--was on her way to rejoin me at Valparaiso, but +the vessel in which she embarked, having fortunately put into Rio de +Janeiro, she was at once made acquainted with my change of service, and +remained in the capital till my return. The most hospitable attention +was paid to her by the Royal family, the Empress conferring upon her the +appointment of Lady of Honour to Her Majesty. The relief to my mind on +finding Lady Cochrane at Rio de Janeiro was very great, for, as there +had not been opportunity to apprise her of my departure from Chili in +time to prevent her return thither, it had been a constant source of +regret to me that she would have to endure the discomfort of two tedious +voyages round Cape Horn before she could join me in Brazil. The +fortunate circumstance of putting into Rio happily terminated the +embarrassment. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +FIRST EFFORT 10 CURTAIL THE IMPERIAL POWER--PORTUGUESE +INTRIGUE--DISMISSAL Of THE ANDRADAS--THE ASSEMBLY DISSOLVED BY +FORCE--EXILE OF THE ANDRADAS--LETTER TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY--MY ADVICE +PARTLY ADOPTED--AND CAUSES MINISTERIAL ENMITY TOWARDS ME--RATIFICATION +Of MY PATENT--I DEMAND THE ADJUDICATION OF PRIZES--LETTER TO THE +MINISTER OF MARINE--OFFER OF PERSONAL ADVANTAGE TO FOREIGN +CLAIMS--SQUADRON REMAINED UNPAID--I AM APPOINTED A PRIVY COUNCILLOR--THE +PRIZE VESSELS PLUNDERED--SHAMEFUL TREATMENT OF CAPTAIN +GRENFELL--TROUBLES IN PERNAMBUCO--HOSTILITY OF THE PRIZE +TRIBUNAL--CONDEMNS ME TO THE RESTITUTION OF PRIZES--FORBIDS MAKING ANY +CAPTURES AT ALL. + + +Shortly before returning to Rio de Janeiro, a total change had taken +place in the administration of which José Bonifacio de Andrada was the +head. As that minister's views were patriotic, he was, in consequence, +obnoxious to the Portuguese faction, which had made one or two +unsuccessful efforts to supplant him, these only serving to confirm his +power amongst the people, who justly appreciated his leadership in the +cause of independence. Becoming, thus, more confident in his position, +he was accused, whether rightly or wrongly, of intolerance towards +persons who were plotting against him, though, even if the accusation +were true, he was scarcely to blame for discountenancing those whose +chief aim was to paralyse the independence they were unable to prevent. + +On the proclamation of the Empire, two influential Portuguese, in the +Assembly, endeavoured to impose a condition on the Emperor that, before +ascending the throne, he should make oath to a constitution framed by +the Constituent Assembly alone, thus reducing His Majesty to a cypher in +the hands of the legislature. The proposition was plausible enough to +those who were anticipating power, but it gave rise to such dissensions, +that Bonifacio de Andrada and his brother sent in their resignations, +which, under these difficult circumstances, were accepted by the +Emperor. + +A violent tumult amongst the people was the immediate consequence, and +His Majesty was induced to recall the patriotic Andradas to the +cabinet--they however, refusing to resume their functions, unless their +Portuguese opponents were banished; to this the Emperor assented, and +the Andradas returned to office amidst the plaudits of the populace, who +drew the carriage of José de Andrada in triumph into the town. + +As might have been expected, less tolerance was manifested by the +triumphant ministers than before, this just but perhaps impolitic course +being eagerly seized on by the Portuguese faction to excite the +apprehension of the patriots, who were somewhat dissatisfied by the +revival of what were considered feudal usages; above all, by the +creation of an Imperial Guard of Honour, selected from the youth of the +principal families, who were required to take an oath "of implicit +obedience to His Majesty"--this act being especially represented by the +adverse faction as evincing a tendency to absolutism. + +On the 20th of June, 1823, a project of law had been laid before the +Assembly, for the expulsion of all Portuguese deemed hostile to the +cause of the empire. This measure might have originated with the +Andradas, or not; it was certainly defended in the Assembly by Antonio +Andrada. The Portuguese party, alarmed by the still impending danger, +formed a coalition with the Brazilian party, to eject the Andradas from +the ministry, and having, during a severe illness of the Emperor, gained +the ascendancy, the now obnoxious ministers were dismissed; and--though +the patriots had not calculated thereon--were succeeded by the leaders +of the Portuguese faction itself, who, to the regret of all true +Brazilians, effected an immediate change of policy in the Government. + +The chief object of the new administration, appeared to be to limit the +functions of the Emperor to an extent almost subversive of his +authority; His Majesty, in the unsettled state of the empire, being +comparatively powerless amidst the machinations with which he was +surrounded. + +No constitution had, as yet, been fixed upon--His Majesty resenting the +former attempt to force upon him a constitution framed solely by the +will of the Assembly, which was still seeking an opportunity to assert +its supremacy. As the city and province abounded with influential +Portuguese, desirous of overthrowing the new _régime_, and as many of +these were in the Assembly, there was a total want of unity between the +Emperor and his legislature, the administration leaning to the side of +the latter. + +About this time, the Marquis of Palmella had widely circulated a +document, appealing to the loyalty of the Portuguese, and declaring the +policy desired by the mother country; which policy was--to divide Brazil +into a number of petty states, easy to be intimidated and controlled. As +this scheme held out large promise of irresponsible power to influential +persons in such anticipated states--it could scarcely fail to be +agreeable to many expectants of office, whose interest it therefore was +to prevent the consolidation of the empire, by promoting disunion. It +was scarcely a secret that some in the administration were favourable to +these views, though not openly professing them; so that the patriotic +efforts of His Majesty were paralysed, and the administration, no less +than the legislature, exhibited a policy seriously detrimental to the +interests of the Empire. + +Indeed, a powerful party in the legislative assembly openly called in +question the Emperor's authority--even requiring His Majesty to divest +himself of his crown in their presence. They deprived him of his council +of state; denied him a voice in the enactment of laws, and the functions +of administration; even objecting to His Majesty's exercise of the +common prerogative of royalty to confer crown lands as territorial +rewards for public services--the latter limitation of the royal +prerogative being avowedly directed against the grant of an estate to +myself, as spontaneously accorded by His Majesty, in gratitude for my +recent services to the nation. + +This was the state of affairs on my return to Rio de Janeiro, and as +His Majesty did me the honour to consult with me in his difficulties, +I unhesitatingly recommended him to support his dignity +constitutionally--despite all attempts made for its limitation by the +Portuguese faction; which--extraordinary as it may appear--was now said +to be countenanced by the Andradas, who, though out of office, were +still deputies to the assembly, and who--in consequence of their +dismissal from power--were considered to be giving opposition to every +measure calculated to promote unity between the Emperor and the +legislature. The Brazilian patriots--and with good reason--were becoming +alarmed, lest an attempt might yet be made to place Portugal and Brazil +upon their former relative footing, and the Emperor, who was thoroughly +Brazilian--from a conviction that Portuguese ascendancy could never be +regained--was no less so. + +Matters, at length, rose to such a pitch in the assembly, that the +intentions of the factious majority became no longer doubtful, when His +Majesty somewhat unceremoniously adopted the course pursued in England +by Cromwell in a somewhat similar predicament, viz. to dissolve the +assembly, and, should it prove refractory, to turn the members out by +force. Cutting short all farther altercation with his legislature, the +scene of the English protectorate was re-enacted in Brazil; the Emperor +entering Rio de Janeiro at the head of a body of cavalry--surrounding +the chamber with a military force--planting cannon before it--and +ordering its instantaneous dissolution; the members--after in vain +remonstrating against this proceeding--being compelled to retire. + +The Andradas were soon afterwards arrested, and exiled--a proceeding +impolitic and unjust to men who had laid the foundation of Brazilian +independence, and who were no less distinguished by their honesty than +their ability. By consenting to their exile, His Majesty lost three +valuable servants, and at the same time placed himself in the hands of a +faction which he never afterwards controlled, and which eventually +forced him from his throne. + +As the expulsion of the Assembly--whether justifiable or not, it is not +my province to inquire--was decisive, it was obviously of the greatest +importance to follow it up by some measure which should convince the +public that so extreme a course was intended for their good. As yet no +permanent constitution had been declared This, therefore, was clearly +the moment for its proclamation, no less to satisfy the people--who +were heart and soul with the Emperor--than to prevent retaliation by the +faction which had been thus summarily dealt with. + +Seeing that nothing was promptly acted upon in an emergency involving +the stability of Government, I addressed to His Imperial Majesty the +following letter:-- + + Rio de Janeiro, November 14, 1823. + + SIRE, + + My sense of the impropriety of intruding myself on the + attention of your Imperial Majesty, on any subject unconnected + with the official position with which your Majesty has been pleased + to honour me, could only have been overcome by an irresistible + desire, under existing circumstances, to contribute to the service of + your Majesty and the Empire. + + The conduct of the late legislative assembly, which sought to + derogate from the dignity and prerogatives of Your Majesty--even + presuming to require you to divest yourself of your crown in their + presence--who deprived you of your Council of State--denied you + a voice in the enactment of laws and the formation of the constitution, + and who dared to object to your exercising the only + remaining function of royalty--that of rewarding services, and + conferring honours--could no longer be tolerated; and the justice + and wisdom of Your Imperial Majesty in dissolving such an + assembly will be duly appreciated by discerning men, and by those + whose love of good order and their country supersedes their ambition + or personal interests. There are, however, individuals who will + wickedly take advantage of the late proceedings to kindle the flames + of discord, and throw the empire into anarchy and confusion, unless + timely prevented by the wisdom and energy of Your Imperial + Majesty. + + The declaration that you will give to your people a practical + constitution, more free than even that which the late assembly + professed an intention to establish, cannot--considering the spirit + which now pervades South America--have the effect of averting + impending evils, unless Your Imperial Majesty shall be pleased to + dissipate all doubts by _at once declaring_--before news of the recent + events can be dispersed throughout the provinces, and before the + discontented members of the late congress can return to their + constituents--what is the precise nature of that constitution which + Your Imperial Majesty intends to bestow. + + Permit me, then, humbly and respectfully to suggest to Your + Imperial Majesty, as a means of tranquillising the public mind--of + averting evils at home, and preventing injurious representations + abroad--that, _even before the sailing of the next packet for Europe_, + Your Majesty should specifically declare the nature of the government + you are graciously pleased should be adopted. As no monarch + is more happy, or more truly powerful than the limited monarch of + England, surrounded by a free people, enriched by that industry + which the security of property by means of just laws never fails to + create--if Your Majesty were to decree that the English constitution, + in its most perfect practical form (which, with slight + alteration, and, chiefly in name, is also the constitution of the + United States of North America), shall be the model for the + Government of Brazil under Your Imperial Majesty, with power to + the constituent assembly so to alter particular parts as local + circumstances may render advisable--it would excite the sympathy + of powerful states abroad, and the firm allegiance of the Brazilian + people to Your Majesty's throne. + + Were Your Majesty, by a few brief lines in the Gazette, to + announce your intention so to do, and were you to banish all + distrust from the public mind by removing from your person for a + time, and finding employment on honourable missions abroad, for + those Portuguese individuals of whom the Brazilians are jealous--the + purity of Your Majesty's motives would be secured from the + possibility of misrepresentation--the factions which disturb the + country would be silenced or converted--and the feelings of the + world, especially those of England and North America, would + be interested in promoting the glory, happiness, and prosperity + of Your Imperial Majesty. + + These thoughts, hastily expressed, but most respectfully submitted + to your gracious consideration will, I hope, be candidly appreciated + by Your Imperial Majesty, proceeding, as they do, from the + heart of + + Your Majesty's most faithful and dutiful Servant, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +His Majesty saw good to adopt this advice in part, but in offering +it--though instrumental in establishing the political liberties of +Brazil--I had unconsciously placed myself in the position of a partisan +against the powerful faction which influenced the administration, and +through them every part of the empire. My unauthorised services after +the pursuit of the Portuguese fleet and army--resulting in the +annexation of the Northern provinces--had drawn upon me the resentment +of those now in power whose ultimate intentions were thus defeated. That +I--a foreigner, having nothing to do with national politics--should have +counselled His Majesty to banish those who opposed him, was not to be +borne, and the resentment caused by my recent services was increased to +bitter enmity for meddling in affairs which it was considered did not +concern me; though I could have had no other object than the good of the +Empire by the establishment of a constitution which should give it +stability in the estimation of European states. + +The effect of this enmity towards me personally, was not long in +manifesting itself, and fearing the extent to which this might be +carried, I lost no time in demanding that the patent under which I had +been invested with the grade of "First Admiral," should be formally +engrossed and registered, according to the engagement of the late Prime +Minister, previous to my departure for Bahia. On the 25th of November, +this was accordingly done, and a commission conferring the same pay and +emolument as before--without limitation as to time, received the sign +manual--was counter-signed by the Ministers--sealed with the great +seal--and registered in the archives of the empire; His Majesty further +testifying his approbation of my conduct and services, by directing the +transmission of the completed patent without payment of the usual fees. + +The following are the stipulations of the commission so solemnly +conferred--but afterwards shamefully violated without cause, as though +fidelity to its engagements formed no part of national honour and good +faith:-- + + I, Don Pedro, by the grace of God, and the unanimous voice + of the people, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender + of Brazil, hereby make known to those who shall see this my + charter patent, that the valour, intelligence, and activity united in + Admiral Lord Cochrane, now Marquis of Maranhaõ, who has so + distinguished himself in the different services with which he has + been entrusted--giving proof of the greatest bravery and talent; + and seeing how advantageous it would be for the interests of this + empire to avail itself of the skill of so valuable an officer--consider + it beneficial to confer upon him--as by this charter is + confirmed--the patent of "First Admiral," with the annual pay of + eleven contos five hundred and twenty milreas, as well ashore as + afloat; and farther in table money, when embarked, five contos + seven hundred and seventy milreas--which are the same emoluments + as he received in Chili. No admiral in the service having + any right to consider himself entitled to succeed to the post of + First Admiral, which I create solely for this occasion for the motives + expressed, and from the particular consideration merited by the said + admiral. + + The pay referred to shall be entered in the books to which it + appertains, in order to the payments when due. In attestation + of that which I have hereby commanded, I give this charter + under the sign manual and sealed with the great seal of the + Empire. + + Given in the city of Rio de Janeiro on the 25th day of the month + of November, in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1823. Second + of Independence and of this empire. + + + (Signed) IMPERADOR P. + Countersigned by all the Ministers. + +From the difference of expression used in this commission, as compared +with the temporary commission given previous to my departure for Bahia, +it is clear that my late services were fully recognised; and from the +fact that the new commission was conferred after the war was ended by +the annexation of Bahia, Maranham, Parà , and all the intermediate +provinces, it is equally clear that my rank and pay--as originally +stipulated were conferred without limitation of time--a circumstance +which will have to be borne to mind. + +This being complied with, I requested an order for the speedy +adjudication of the prize property surrendered at Maranham, the +flagship's portion being Rs. 607.315 $000, or £.121,463 sterling, in +addition to the captures made by the squadron generally--no less than +one hundred and twenty enemy's ships, with Portuguese registers and +crews, having been taken, the value, at a very moderate computation, +amounting to upwards of 2,000,000 dollars. As officers and men were +anxiously awaiting their prize money, it became my duty to the squadron +to urge its stipulated distribution upon the consideration of the +Government. + +His Majesty directed this to be done, but the prize tribunal +appointed--consisting of thirteen members, nine of whom were natives of +Portugal--was directly interested in defeating the claims of the +captors, being inimical to any confiscation of Portuguese vessels and +property taken in the late campaign. Not venturing, as yet, openly to +act in this spirit, they adopted the alternative of doing nothing +towards adjudicating the prizes. + +Finding this to be the case, and fearing that the Portuguese tendencies +of the new administration might interfere with the repayment of the sums +temporarily supplied to the Maranham Junta--I addressed the following +letter to the new Minister of Marine, Francisco Villela Barbosa:-- + + (Secret.) Rio de Janeiro, November 18, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + In my letter, No. 38, I communicated to your + predecessor my intention of aiding the Provisional Junta of + Maranham, in the payment of the auxiliary troops of Cearà and + Piahuy, who being in a naked and destitute condition had become + clamorous for their arrears; and I now beg to state that in prosecution + of such intention, I placed at the disposal of the Junta the + monies taken in the Portuguese treasury, amounting in cash and + good bills to Rs. 62,560 $243, together with outstanding debts + amounting to Rs. 147,316 $656, and I have also left in their + hands the balance which we found in the Portuguese custom-house, + amounting to Rs. 54,167 $877. All these accounts I have the + honour to convey to you for the information of the Imperial + Government. + + In addition to these large sums, I left at the disposal of the + Junta much moveable property which belonged to Portuguese + individuals in Europe, desiring the authorities to render an + account of the same for the information of the Imperial Government. + + Your Excellency will perceive that in leaving at Maranham these + monies, and other property captured from the enemy, instead of + bringing them to Rio for adjudication, we could be influenced by no + other motive than zeal for the interests of His Imperial Majesty + and the good of his people; as by so doing, we enabled the + Provisional Government to meet the present exigencies of the + moment, and to quiet the Cearà and Piahuy troops; whilst the + revenue of the province thus remains clear and unanticipated-- + being applicable to such purposes as His Imperial Majesty shall + command. All which I trust His Imperial Majesty will take into + his gracious consideration, and be pleased to award such compensation + to the officers and seamen as he, in his princely justice, + shall deem fit. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +For some days no notice was taken of this letter, but on the 24th I +received a visit from the Minister of Marine, bringing what professed to +be a verbal message from His Majesty, that he "would do every thing in +his power for me _personally_." The way in which this intimation was +conveyed led me to infer that these personal favours implied a sacrifice +on my part of the rights of the squadron, by shutting my eyes to the +restoration of the captured Portuguese ships and property to the friends +and adherents of the ministry, for the purpose of conciliating the +Portuguese party. Taking the message, however, literally--I told the +Minister that His Majesty had "already conferred honours upon me quite +equal to my merits--and that the greatest personal favour he could +bestow, was, to urge on the speedy adjudication of the prizes, so that +the officers and seamen might reap the reward decreed by the Emperor's +own authority." + +The policy of the Portuguese faction in power, was--now that the +squadron had expelled the fleet and army of the mother country--to +conciliate their countrymen who remained, and thus to create and +maintain an influence which should reduce the Imperial authority to the +smallest possible dimensions. The first object--if I could be brought to +acquiesce--was to restore Portuguese property, captured by Imperial +order, and now the right of the captors--my connivance being supposed to +be procurable by offers of personal enrichment! I scarcely need say that +the offer failed in its purpose. + +As the squadron had received no pay during the performance of all its +services, it became my duty to urge attention to the subject, and this +was apparently complied with, the 27th of November being appointed for +the payment of the men. On that day _three months' pay only_ was offered +to them, notwithstanding all they had achieved. This paltry pittance was +refused. + +About this time the extraordinary news was received, that great +rejoicings and a general illumination had taken place in Lisbon in +consequence of the destruction of the Brazilian squadron by the +Portuguese fleet at Bahia! this version having, no doubt, been +transmitted home subsequently to the affair of the 4th of May. +Singularly enough, these ill-founded rejoicings were going on in Lisbon +at the time the flagship was chasing the Portuguese fleet across the +Equator! It is difficult to say how the Portuguese admiral contrived to +reconcile this premature vaunt, and the unwelcome fact of his arrival in +the Tagus, with the loss of half his troops and more than half his +convoy. + +On the 2nd of December despatches arrived from Captain Grenfell at Parà , +stating that he had possession of the new Portuguese frigate, which +according to my directions, had been named the _Imperatrice_. He had +also captured another vessel of war, and several merchantmen; thus +fulfilling his difficult mission in a way which justified my confidence +in his ability, and should have merited the warmest thanks from the +government, instead of the treatment he subsequently experienced. + +On the 19th of December, His Majesty appointed me a member of the Privy +Council, the highest honour in his power to bestow. It was a singular +circumstance that whilst His Imperial Majesty consulted me on matters of +importance, and manifested his appreciation both of my opinions and +services by the honours conferred--his anti-Brazilian ministers were +practising every species of annoyance towards myself and the +squadron--more especially in the matter of the prizes, the condemnation +of which they obstinately opposed. + +It would be wearisome to enter into details of the annoyance and injury +now systematised by the Portuguese faction in the administration; +nevertheless, in order to appreciate subsequent occurrences, it is +necessary briefly to advert to these matters. The personal feeling +against myself was easily accounted for from my adherence to the Emperor +in opposition to interested councils, which imperilled the existence of +the Empire. These councils His Majesty was unable to disregard or to +counteract the injury inflicted on the officers and seamen, by the +conduct of the Court of Admiralty towards the squadron; a policy +persevered in with the object of annihilating the naval force, for no +other reason than that its achievements had rendered itself obnoxious to +the Portuguese faction--the leaders of which no doubt calculated, that +if the officers and crews could be worried out of the service, the +dismemberment of the Northern provinces might yet be effected by +disunion. + +On the 13th of December, I wrote to the Minister of Marine that, as the +prize vessels were daily being plundered, an immediate investigation was +necessary--they having, by order of the administration, been delivered +over to the charge of the inspector of the arsenal, the naval officers +in charge being withdrawn. One officer was put in prison for obeying my +orders to remain on board his prize till I received an answer from the +Minister of Marine. The ship he had in charge (_the Pombinho_) was +immediately afterwards given up to a Portuguese claim ant, together with +all its contents, promiscuously taken from the custom house at Maranham, +none of which ever belonged to him. + +A number of additional prizes had been sent in by Captain Taylor, of the +_Nitherohy_, who had pursued the scattered ships of the enemy to the +Tagus, and there burned four vessels under the guns of the +line-of-battle ship _Don John VI_. For this he was sentenced by the +prize council to six months imprisonment, and to forfeit double the +amount of his prize money, on behalf of the owners of the property +destroyed; it being thus decided by the _quasi_ Portuguese prize +tribunal that, to destroy enemy's property, in pursuance of His +Majesty's orders, was a crime! + +Captain Grenfell having arrived in the frigate _Imperatrice_--captured +at Parà --bringing with him some forty thousand dollars--the ransom for +prizes there taken, as had been done at Maranham--the _Imperatrice_ was +boarded in his absence, and the money carried to the treasury, though by +His Majesty guaranteed to the captors. Captain Grenfell was afterwards +charged with acting in opposition to the Junta at Parà , though only +carrying out my instructions. Upon this charge he was tried and +acquitted. + +In consequence of these and other arbitrary acts, I represented to His +Majesty the necessity of forming some definite maritime code, which +should put an end to proceedings so arbitrary, and proposed the adoption +of the naval laws of England as the most experienced and complete. His +Majesty approving the suggestion, directed me to transmit a memorial on +the subject to the Privy Council, which was accordingly done. + +By this, and similar suggestions to His Majesty, with view to render the +navy more efficient, I was widening the breach between myself and the +Portuguese party in the administration, whose object it was to frustrate +any attempt of the kind. It was not long before an overt blow was struck +at my authority as Commander-in-Chief by the preparation of the +_Atalanta_ for sea without my intervention. Imagining that she might be +on some secret service, I disregarded the circumstance, till, on the +27th of December, a notice appeared in the Gazette announcing her +destination to be for the blockade of Monte Video, whilst I was +mentioned in the Gazette, under the limited title of "Commander of the +naval forces in the port of Rio de Janeiro." Thus, by a stroke of the +Minister's pen, was I, despite the patents of His Imperial Majesty, +reduced to the rank of Port Admiral. + +Convinced that this had been done without the sanction or even knowledge +of the Emperor, I protested against the despatch of the _Atalanta_, +except through my orders, as well as against the limitation indicated by +my new title--contrary to the agreement under which I entered the +service, as twice confirmed by Imperial commissions--further informing +the Minister of Marine that, although no one could be less ambitious of +power than myself, I could not allow an agreement solemnly entered into +to be thus violated. + +The remonstrance as regarded the _Atalanta_ was effectual, and she was +not despatched; but--as regarded the limitation of my rank--no notice +was taken. + +Intelligence now arrived from Pernambuco that a strong party was there +endeavouring to establish a Republic, and that preparatory steps were +being taken to throw off allegiance to the Empire. + +The expedition sent by the ministry to put down this rising at +Pernambuco was a premeditated insult to me, as not having been at all +consulted in the matter; and the reason why an inexperienced officer had +been sent, doubtless was, that the ministry did not wish the +insurrection to be put down. In this respect the expedition fulfilled +the wishes of those who despatched it, by having failed. On its return I +personally received _His Majesty's orders_ that the _Pedro Primiero_, +_Piranga_, _Nitherohy_, and _Atalanta_, should be immediately equipped +for important service. It was easy thus to give orders to equip a +squadron, but after the treatment received, not so easy to effect it. +All the foreign seamen had abandoned the ships in disgust, and to have +shipped Portuguese would have been worse than useless. I wrote to the +Minister of Marine that the squadron could not be manned unless +confidence was restored amongst the men, the shameful proceedings of the +prize court having disinclined them to re-enter the service,--even if +they did, I could not be responsible for order and discipline, or for +the safety of the ships, unless some definite adjustment as to pay and +prize money took place before putting to sea. + +In the face of these remonstrances the prize tribunal adopted an openly +hostile course, by altogether denying the right of the squadron to the +prizes taken at Maranham, or the property there seized in the custom +house, and shipped by me on board the _Pombinho_ and another vessel. The +_Pombinho_, as has been said, was declared an illegal prize, and given +up to her Portuguese owner, together with all public property contained +in her, though to this he had not the shadow of a claim, as the whole +cargo belonged originally to others, and had been put on board this +particular ship by my orders for transmission to Rio de Janeiro. Numbers +of similar decisions were made, on the false plea that Maranham +previously formed part of the Brazilian empire, and consequently that +all the seizures effected were invalid! + +I remonstrated that, on our arrival at Maranham, the city and province +were, and ever had been, in possession of Portugal--that the Portuguese +had by the ordinary capitulations of war delivered up both to an armed +Brazilian force without question--and that, by a previous decree of the +Emperor, no less than by the customary usages of war, all enemy's +property fell to the captors. The prize court not only overruled the +objection, but condemned me to make restitution of all sums received in +ransom for property taken at Maranham. In one instance the tribunal +declared me deserving of corporal punishment (_pena corporal!_) and +would, had they dared, doubtless have enforced this, and the restitution +to which I was condemned. + +As the plunder of prize property was becoming notorious, the tribunal +directed it to be unloaded, in order to prevent the cargoes from being +_damaged!_ but, on the execution of the order it was found that all the +valuable portion had already disappeared! How, of course could not be +ascertained; but no one doubted. The ships themselves were neglected +till they became useless to the original owners, the Government, or the +captors. + +Thus, of this vast amount of property taken in the campaign, not a +_milrea_ was suffered to find its way into the pockets of the officers +and men, and the squadron would have been wholly defrauded of its +reward, had I not refused to give up to the prize tribunal the +comparatively trifling sums received in redemption of the seizures at +Maranham; these being retained on board the flagship in consequence of +the unjustifiable course which the tribunal was pursuing. A plot was, +however, formed to seize it by force, but this was met by such measures +as were calculated to prevent a renewal of the attempt. + +The prize tribunal being thus determined to deprive the squadron of the +whole of its emoluments, proceeded to condemn the ships of war taken as +being _droits_ to the crown, without compensation of any kind, +notwithstanding that the before-mentioned Imperial decree of the 11th of +December, 1822, awarded all prizes wholly to the captors. The tribunal +then issued a decree, that vessels taken within a certain distance from +the shore--where alone a blockade could be effective--were not lawful +seizures; the effect being that, as the squadron was about to blockade +Pernambuco it could have no opportunity of falling in with enemy's +vessels at sea, and therefore _could not make captures at all!_ Thus +enemy's ships would be permitted to carry on their revolutionary +occupations unmolested; which was, no doubt, the intention of those who +framed the resolution, as wishing to defeat the blockade for their own +purposes. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +REMONSTRANCE AGAINST DECREE OF PRIZE TRIBUNAL--SETTLEMENT OF PRIZE +QUESTION BY THE EMPEROR--HIS MINISTERS REFUSE TO CONFORM TO +IT--OBSTACLES THROWN IN THE WAY OF EQUIPMENT--MY SERVICES LIMITED TO THE +DURATION OF WAR--MY REMONSTRANCE ON THIS BREACH OF FAITH--MINISTERS +REFUSE TO PAY THE SQUADRON ANYTHING--A FRESH INSULT OFFERED TO ME--OFFER +TO RESIGN THE COMMAND--MY RESIGNATION EVADED--LETTER TO THE PRIME +MINISTER--LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF MARINE. + + +On the 1st of January, 1824, I communicated to the Minister of Marine +the contents of a despatch received from Captain Haydon at Pernambuco, +in which he apprised me of a plot on the part of the revolutionary +Government to seize his person and take possession of the Imperial brig +of war which he commanded; the latter intention having been openly +advocated in the Assembly. + +On the 6th, I addressed to the Minister of Marine the following +remonstrance against the before-mentioned regulation of the Admiralty +Court, that vessels captured within a certain distance of the shore +should not be prize to the captor; this regulation being evidently +intended as retrospective, with a view of nullifying the captures which +had already been made:-- + + As I have before endeavoured, by anticipating evils, to prevent + their occurrence, so in the present instance, I feel it my duty to + His Imperial Majesty to place you, as Minister of Marine, on your + guard against countenancing any such measure in regard either to + the vessels captured in the blockade of Bahia, or to those taken + in the colonial possessions, and under the forts and batteries + of the enemy--and also in the case--if such there should be--of + vessels captured on the shores of Portugal. + + It is quite clear that these cases of capture are distinct from + those in which protection is afforded by independent states to + belligerents approaching within a certain distance of neutral shores. + But you must be perfectly aware that, if enemy's ships are not to + be prize--if captured navigating near the shore no blockade can be + effective, as there will be no right to disturb them; besides which + the mass of the people engaged in a naval service will certainly not + encounter toil and hazard without remuneration of any kind beyond + their ordinary pay. + + Should such a decree be really in contemplation, there is nothing + to hope from the naval service useful or creditable to the state; + and this opinion is founded on more than thirty years' unremitting + experience of seamen--that where there is no premium there is no + permanent zeal or exertion. + + (Signed) COCHRANE & MARANHAÕ. + +On the 10th of January, I communicated to the Government the contents of +another despatch from Captain Haydon, at Pernambuco, reporting that the +new Junta there had seized the Imperial ship of war, _Independencia ou +morte_, and had removed the officer in command, at the same time +threatening to treat Captain Haydon as a pirate. + +The revolt was now becoming serious, and His Majesty--anxious to +expedite the equipment of the squadron--on the 12th of February, 1824, +sent for me to consult on the subject. Having told His Majesty the +course which had been pursued by the prize tribunal, he said he would +see justice done in spite of faction, and asked me to make a moderate +valuation of the prize property taken in the late campaign, +ascertaining, at the same time, if the seamen were willing to accept a +specific sum in compensation of their claims? On asking His Majesty what +assurance could be given that the administration would carry out such an +arrangement, he replied that he would give me his own assurance, and +ordering me to sit down beside him, wrote _with his own hand_ the +following proposal--now in my possession:-- + + "_The Government is ready to pay to the squadron, the value of the + prizes which have been, or may be judged bad, the value thereof being + settled by arbitrators jointly chosen, and to pay the proprietors + their losses and damages; that in the number of the said prizes, the + frigate Imperatrice is not included, but the Government, as a + remuneration for her capture, will immediately give from the public + treasury the sum of 40,000 milreis to the captors; that the value of + the prizes already declared bad, shall be immediately paid, this + stipulation relating to all captures up to the present date, February + 12th, and that henceforth captures shall be adjudged with more + dispatch, the Government being about to decree a provisional + arrangement, remedying all errors and omissions that may have + occurred._" + +Nothing can be more clear than the above stipulations in His Majesty's +own handwriting, to pay the squadron immediately the value of their +prizes despite the Court of Admiralty, to pay 40,000 milreis for the +_Imperatrice_, and that even the value of the prizes _adjudged bad_ +should be paid, His Majesty thus rightly estimating the conduct and +motives of the Court of Admiralty. _Not one of these conditions was ever +complied with!_ + +On the 1st of March, His Majesty, through his minister, Francisco +Villela Barbosa, informed me that he had assigned 40,000 milreis in +recompense for the acquisition of the frigate _Imperatrice_; stating +that, with regard to the other prizes made at Parà , they must be +sentenced by the tribunal, in order that their value might be paid by +the public treasury--the said treasury taking upon itself to satisfy all +costs and damages on captures judged illegal; but that with regard to my +assertion, that there were amongst them no illegal prizes, the +Government could not itself decide the question. + +That His Majesty gave the order for payment of 40,000 milreis, as +compensation for the _Imperatrice_, there is no doubt; _but not a +shilling of the amount was ever paid by his ministers, nevertheless even +within the past few months the present Brazilian Ministry has charged +that sum against me, as having been received and not accounted for!_ It +is quite possible, that, in ignorance of the practices common amongst +their predecessors of 1824, the present ministers of Brazil may imagine +that the orders of His Majesty were complied with; but if so, the 40,000 +milreis never reached me or the squadron. Had it done so, nothing can be +more easy than to find my receipt for the amount, which I defy them to +do. + +Considering our difficulties in a fair way of now being settled, I +willingly undertook to conciliate the seamen, and having made the low +calculation of _Rs_. 650.000 milreis--a sum scarcely one-fourth the +value of the prize property--reported to the Minister of Marine the +willingness of the squadron generally to accept 600,000 dollars (about +£.120,000) in compensation of their full rights; agreeing, moreover, to +give up all claim on the Imperial Government on payment of one-half, and +security for the remainder. + +Notwithstanding this easy mode of arrangement, solely brought about by +my personal influence with the men, not a milrea was allotted, His +Majesty's ministers deliberately evading the Imperial wishes and +promises. On the contrary, the more His Majesty was determined to do the +squadron justice the more was the Portuguese faction in the ministry +bent on frustrating the Imperial intentions--notwithstanding that, by +the revolutionary proceedings in the North, the integrity of the empire +was at stake. I may indeed go farther and state with great truth, that +whilst His Majesty was most anxious for our speedy departure, in order +to suppress the revolution at Pernambuco, his ministers were, day by +day, addressing to me letters on the most insignificant subjects, with +the apparent object of delaying the squadron by official frivolities, +the necessity of replying to which would prevent my attention to the +fulfilment of the Imperial wish. The best proof of this is the fact +which will be apparent in the course of this chapter, viz.--that +although the province of Pernambuco was in open revolt, the +Administration contrived to delay the sailing of the squadron for _six +months_ beyond the events just narrated. + +On the 24th of February, the following extraordinary _portaria_ was +transmitted to me by the Minister of Marine:-- + + Desiring to give a further testimony of the high estimation in which + the Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral of the National and Imperial + Armada, is held, by reason of the distinguished services which he + has rendered to the state, and which it is hoped that he will + continue to render for the independence of Brazil, I deem it proper + to name him Commander-in-Chief of all the naval forces of the empire + _during the present war_. The Supreme Military Council is hereby + informed thereof, and will cause this decree to be executed. + + Palace of Rio Janeiro, the 23rd of February, 1824. Third of the + Independence of the Empire, with the Rubrica of His Imperial + Majesty. + + FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA, + + Secretariat of State, + + 27th February, 1824. + + (Signed) ANASTASIO DE BRITO, + + Acting Chief Secretary. + +The audacity of this _portaria_--setting aside the stipulations of His +Majesty and his late ministers in my commission, thus rendering it null +and void without my consent--was only equalled by its hypocrisy. As a +"_further testimony_ of the high estimation in which I was held," +&c.--His Majesty's ministers were graciously pleased to annul my +commission, in order that they might get rid of me at a moment's +warning! + +The document transmitted to me _did not_ bear the Rubrica of the +Emperor, though falsely asserted so to do. If the reader will take the +trouble to compare it with my two commissions, he will agree with me in +the inference that it was written by Barbosa without the Emperor's +knowledge or consent, with the object of terminating my command--the +Imperial patents notwithstanding, as will be evident from the +expression, "_during the present war;_" the war being _already ended_ by +my expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army. + +No time was lost in remonstrating against this insidious decree. After +pointing out to the Minister of Marine the agreements which had been +made with me by the late ministers, and ratified by the Imperial sign +manual, I addressed His Excellency as follows:-- + + The late decree inserted in the Gazette of February 28th, instead of + increasing my official rank and authority--as it professes to do--in + effect circumscribes it, because _there was no limitation of time_ in + the offer which I accepted from His Imperial Majesty. But by this + decree, my official rank and authority are limited to the duration of + the present war. Now, if I could believe that the idea of this + limitation originated with his Imperial Majesty himself, I should + respectfully and silently acquiesce; but being satisfied--from the + gracious manner in which he has been pleased to act towards me on all + occasions--that it did not so originate, I can only consider it an + intimation of an opinion prevalent in the councils of the state, that + myself and services can very well be done without, as soon as the + independence of Brazil shall be decided or peace restored. + + As no man can be expected to dedicate his professional services + to a foreign country, without having a prospect of some recompence + more durable than that which such a limitation as is expressed in the + document in question seems to indicate, I am naturally led to inquire + whether it is the intention of His Majesty's advisers that, on the + termination of the present war, _my pay is to cease with my + authority?_ or whether I am to receive any permanent reward for + services, _the consequences of which will be permanent to Brazil?_ + Because--if no recompence is to be received for public services + --however important and lasting in their effects those services may + be--it is a duty to myself and family to consider how far I am + justified in farther devoting my time to a service from which so + little future benefit is to be expected; a consideration the more + interesting to me, in consequence of repeated solicitations from the + Chilian Government to resume my rank and command in that state. + + In saying thus much, you may consider me of a mercenary + disposition; but I have received from Brazil _no recompence whatever_, + beyond the honours conferred by His Imperial Majesty. If + you will peruse the accompanying papers, you will find that when I + left Chili I had disbursed of my own monies, 66,000 dollars, to keep + the Chilian squadron from starving, which sum, in consequence of + my leaving Chili, and accepting the offers of His Imperial Majesty, + has not been repaid. This amount His Majesty and his ministers + agreed to repay on my acceptance of the command; but I declined + to seek reimbursement at the expense of Brazil, "unless I + should perform greater services to the Empire than I had rendered + to Chili; but in the event of such services being rendered to + Brazil, and of Chili continuing its refusal to pay me, then--and + not otherwise--I should hope for indemnification." To this + stipulation the late ministers gave their assent. + + It is no proof of an avaricious disposition that I at once + acquiesced in the proposition of His Imperial Majesty, that 40,000 + dollars only for the _Imperatrice_, which is not one-third of her value, + should be apportioned to her captors. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +I might have added that the squadron had received _no emoluments of any +kind whatever_, notwithstanding the spontaneous stipulations of His +Imperial Majesty to pay everything, there not being even an indication +of handing over to them the 40,000 dollars awarded by His Majesty for +the frigate captured at Parà . On the contrary, I had been condemned in +costs and damages to a great amount for having captured Portuguese +vessels in pursuance of His Majesty's orders; so that had the Court of +Admiralty been in a position to enforce these, I should not only be +unpaid but be mulcted of a very large sum, as the price of having +accepted the command of the Brazilian navy! + +So far from the 40,000 dollars awarded by His Majesty for the capture of +the frigate _Imperatrice_ having been paid according to the Imperial +directions, I received from the Minister of Marine a letter dated +February 27th, implying that the above sum--one third the value of the +vessel--was when paid, to be considered as the _sole_ reward of the +squadron. This violation of His Majesty's agreement was at once +repudiated, and an explanatory letter from the Minister of +Marine--almost as ambiguous as the former--assured me that I had +misconstrued his intention, which, however, was not the case, for the +40,000 dollars were never paid. + +On the 19th of March, a direct insult was offered me by Severiano da +Costa, now first minister, by an intimation to attend in the Imperial +chapel for the purpose of assisting at the ceremony of swearing to the +Constitution, but I was distinctly told that I should not be permitted +to swear; the reason no doubt being, that, by a clause therein +contained, military officers who swore to it, could not be dismissed +without trial, and sentence of court martial; so that the not permitting +me to swear--coupled with Barbosa's _portaria_ limiting my command to +the duration of the war--indirectly gave power to the Administration to +dismiss me at their option, whenever they might deem it expedient so to +do. That such desire would arise the moment an opportunity might +present itself, was certain, nor should I have waited for its +expression, but from respectful attachment to His Majesty, and from the +expectation of obtaining justice for the squadron, which relied on me +for procuring satisfaction of their claims. + +To have accepted an invitation of this public nature, under +circumstances so insulting, was out of the question. I therefore joined +Lady Cochrane at the island of Governador, and sent an excuse to the +minister expressive of my regret at being prevented by unavoidable +circumstances from sharing in the honour of the august ceremony. + +In consequence of the insulting conduct of the Administration, and the +impossibility of obtaining compensation for the squadron, +notwithstanding His Majesty's orders to that effect, I made up my mind +to quit a service in which the authority of the adverse Ministry was +superior to that of the Sovereign. Accordingly, on the 20th of March, I +addressed to the Minister of Marine a letter, from which the subjoined +is an extract:-- + + If I thought that the course pursued towards me was dictated by His + Imperial Majesty, it would be impossible for me to remain an hour + longer in his service, and I should feel it my duty, at the earliest + possible moment, to lay my commission at his feet. If I have not done + so before--from the treatment which, in common with the navy, I have + experienced--it has been solely from an anxious desire to promote His + Majesty's real interests. Indeed, to struggle against prejudices, and + at the same time against those in power, whose prepossessions are at + variance with the interests of His Majesty, and the tranquillity and + independence of Brazil, is a task to which I am by no means equal. I + am, therefore, perfectly willing to resign the situation I hold, + rather than contend against difficulties which appear to me + insurmountable. I have only to add, that it will give me extreme + satisfaction to find that Your Excellency is enabled to rear an + effective marine out of the materials which constituted the fabric of + the old marine of Portugal--or any Brazilian marine at all, without + beginning on principles totally opposite to those which have been + pursued since my return to this port. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +This proffer of resignation was met by an assurance that I had +misconstrued both the acts and intentions of the Administration, and the +expression of a hope that I would not think of abandoning Brazil for +which I had done so much. The real fact was, that although the +Administration was endeavouring to delay the expedition for the +suppression of revolution in the North, they were afraid of its results, +dreading that a _republican_ Government might be established, as was +indeed imminent. It was only from a conviction of not being able to meet +such an emergency, otherwise than through my instrumentality--that my +resignation was not accepted. + +Determined to pursue the course I had now begun, I addressed the +following letter to the prime minister:-- + + Rio de Janeiro, March 30, 1824. + + Most Excellent Sir, + + The late Prime Minister, José Bonifacio de Andrada + e Silva, was pleased to express a desire that I should communicate + directly with him in all extraordinary difficulties with respect + to the naval service. If I have not had recourse to your Excellency + until the present juncture, it has not been from any doubt of your + readiness to accord me similar indulgence, but because the evils + of which I had to complain were so palpable, that I conceived a + remedy would--of necessity be applied in the ordinary course of + things. But now that a system is adopted which must very soon + bring the naval service of His Imperial Majesty to utter insignificance + and ruin, I can no longer abstain from calling on your + Excellency as Minister of State for the internal affairs of the + empire, to interfere before it is too late. + + Here follow complaints of the wretched state of the squadron--its + want of repairs--the neglect of pay--the illegal imprisonment of + officers for months without trial and on untenable grounds, &c. &c. + + By the promises held out last year of punctuality in payment, and of + other rewards, foreign officers and seamen were induced to enter the + service--believing in the good faith of the Government. The + result--in the short period that has elapsed--has been the complete + expulsion of the enemy's forces, naval and military; all of whom + would have been still in arms against the independence of Brazil, had + it not been for the assistance of the foreign officers and seamen. + + In the course of these important services, various captures were + made and sent for adjudication to Rio de Janeiro, under the + authority of His Imperial Majesty's orders to make war on the + subjects and property of Portugal. The captures made in prosecution + of the war were--according to the engagements under which the + expedition proceeded--to be the reward of the captors in return for + the benefits derived by the empire for their exertions. + + Judge then, Sir, of the astonishment of the officers and seamen + at finding on their return to this port eight months afterwards, that + the Court of Admiralty (chiefly composed of natives of Portugal) + pretended to be ignorant whether the nation was at war or peace! + Under this plea they have avoided the adjudication of the + prizes--have + thrown every impediment in the way of the captors--by giving + sentences equally contrary to law, common sense and justice. + + Great quantities of goods in the captured ships have decayed or + wholly perished from lapse of time--great quantities more have + been stolen--whilst whole cargoes, by the arbitrary authority of an + auditor, have been given up without trial, to pretended owners, + without even the decency of communication to the captors or their + agents. In short, nothing has been done in furtherance of the + gracious directions of His Majesty, given on the 12th ultimo, that + the prize affairs should be instantly adjusted. + + It is certainly a hardship to the Portuguese gentlemen in the + Court of Admiralty, to be under the necessity of condemning + property that belonged to their countrymen, friends, and relations; + but if they have undertaken the duties of such an office, they ought + not to be permitted to weigh their private feelings against their + public duty--nor to bring upon the whole Government that character + of bad faith, which has been so disgraceful, and has proved so + injurious to all the Governments which have hitherto been + established in South America. + + Even the payment of wages was not made to the _Pedro Primiero_ + till nearly three months after her return, when the seamen-- + irritated by the evasion of their dues--had nearly all abandoned the + ship; and if the crews of the _Nitherohy_ and _Carolina_ did not follow + their example on their return to port, it was entirely owing to my + perseverance before their arrival in procuring this tardy justice. + + It was a maxim of the Emperor Napoleon, that "no events are + trifling with regard to nations and sovereigns, their destinies + being controlled by the most inconsiderable circumstances,"-- + though circumstances which have the effect of causing the Imperial + marine to be abandoned, ought not--in a national point of view--to + be regarded as inconsiderable; but whether this be of importance + or not, the consequences of such abandonment by men who have so + faithfully performed their duty, will be far from beneficial to those + short sighted and vain individuals who imagine that the employment + of foreign officers is an obstacle to their own advancement. + If the present foreign officers are compelled to abandon their + situations an explanation must be given of the cause, and public + indignation must inevitably fall on the unreflecting heads of the + prejudiced or selfish authors of such impolitic injustice. + + I have heard it stated, as a motive for the delay in condemning + the prizes, that the Government--in case of a treaty of peace-- + might be called upon to refund the value to the original owners. + But, Sir, let me ask such wretched statesmen, what would have + been the situation of Brazil, if foreign officers and seamen had + refused to enter the service--as would have been the case, had no + prize money been promised? In that case, it is true, the vessels + in question would not have been taken--but it is equally true that + the enemy's troops would not have been starved into the evacuation + of Bahia, nor their squadron have been intimidated to flee from + these shores. Military warfare would still have raged in the + interior, and the hostile fleet might now have been engaged in the + blockade of Rio de Janeiro itself. Would it not be infinitely better + that the Government should have to pay the value of these prizes + even twice over--than that such calamities should not have been + averted? + + But how can it be argued that the Government may be required + to restore to the enemy prizes lawfully taken in war? Is it possible + that the victors can be compelled to make humiliating terms with + the vanquished? Certainly not--unless the means by which victory + was obtained are insanely sacrificed, by permitting the squadron to + go to ruin and decay. The results which have been obtained could + not have been accomplished by any other measures than those + adopted by the wisdom of His Imperial Majesty. Is it then + justifiable, to suffer the engagements which produced such results + to be evaded and set at nought? Still more monstrous--decrees + have been passed, both by the Auditor of Marine and the Court of + Admiralty, to punish the captors for the execution of their duty, + and by means of pains and penalties to deter them from the performance + of it in future. + + It is even more unjust and inconsistent, that although His + Majesty's late ministers held out that ships of war were to be prize + to the captors, they are now declared to be the property of the state! + Do those narrow-minded persons who prompted such a decree, + imagine this to be a saving to the country? or do they expect that + seamen--especially foreign seamen--will fight heartily on such + terms? The power which the British navy has acquired arises + from the wisdom of the government in making the interests of the + officers and men identical with the interests of the state, which + gives bounties and premiums even in addition to the full value of + the prizes; whilst the insignificance and inefficiency of the navies + of governments which adopt opposite principles, sufficiently + indicate whether such liberality, or the want of it, is the best policy + in maritime affairs. + + Having said thus much on public matters, I shall very briefly + trouble you with respect to myself, by stating that, as regards all + which does not depend on the uncontrolled exercise of the Imperial + functions--there has been no respect paid to the written stipulations + entered into with me on accepting the command of the Brazilian + navy, and that since my return from freeing the Northern provinces + and uniting them to the Empire, every promise--written and verbal--has + been evaded or set at nought, which facts I am prepared to + prove beyond the possibility of contradiction. + + My nature is not suspicious, nor did I ever become doubtful of + promises and professions of friendship till after the third year of + my connection with Chili--when, having swept every ship of war + belonging to the enemy from the Pacific, the Chilian ministers + imagined that they could dispense with my services. They had + not, indeed, the candour which I have experienced here, for, after + appointing me to a command without limitation as to time, _they did + not publicly restrict the duration of that command to the earliest + moment that they could dispense with me_. It was their + plan--while + openly professing kindness and gratitude--to endeavour, by secret + artifices, to render me odious to the public, and to transfer to me + the responsibility which they themselves incurred by bringing the + navy to ruin, and causing the seamen to abandon it, by withholding + their pay, and even the provisions necessary for their subsistence. + As for the rest, my remonstrances against such conduct were treated + in Chili just as my representations have been treated here. Like + causes will ever produce similar effects; but as there was no hostile + or Spanish party in the Chilian state, four years elapsed before + the mischiefs could be accomplished, which, by the machinations of + the Portuguese faction, have been here effected in the short space + of four months. + + Truths are often disagreeable to those who are not in the habit + of hearing them, and doubly offensive after long experience of the + homage of blind obedience and subserviency. I have, nevertheless, + always felt it my duty to the Governments under which I have + served, not to abstain from uttering truths under any dread of + offence, because I have ever been impressed with the conviction + that speaking truth is not only the most honourable mode of + proceeding, but that the time seldom fails to arrive when those who + are warned of a wrong line of conduct feel grateful to the man--who + at the risk of personal inconvenience, or even punishment--dared + to apprise them of their danger. + + In England--where mischiefs were heaped upon me for _opposing a + ministerial vote of parliamentary thanks to an undeserving + officer_--the people at once saw the propriety of my conduct, and the + Government has since virtually admitted its justice. In Chili, the + ministers who hated me, because they knew me to be aware of their + deceitful and dishonest acts, were succeeded by others who have + solicited my return. And the worthy and excellent Supreme Director + (O'Higgins, whom those ministers, by their wickedness and folly, + brought to ruin) found at last, and acknowledged--but too late to + attend to my warnings--that I had acted towards him, in all cases, + with honour and fidelity. + + The error and fate of the excellent and eminent person whom I + have just named--affords a proof of the folly and danger of the + notion--that ministers who have forfeited the confidence of the + public by breach of faith and evil acts, can be upheld by military + force against public opinion, especially in Governments recently + constituted. The people respected their Supreme Director; but + when he marshalled his troops to uphold his evil ministers, he fell + with them. Had he adopted the policy of Cromwell, and delivered + to justice those who merited punishment, he would have saved + himself. + + Permit me to say, in conclusion, that the Ministers of His Imperial + Majesty are identified with the Court of Admiralty, and with + the officers whom they maintain in the different departments. + Let them--I repeat--take heed that the operation of similar causes + does not produce like effects; for if the conduct of these individuals + shall cause the naval service to be abandoned, and shall thereby--as + a necessary consequence--occasion great disasters to the Empire, + I am convinced that in a short period, all the troops in Rio de + Janeiro will not be able to repress the storm that will be raised + against the factious Portuguese. + + It is my fervent hope--that His Imperial Majesty, by gloriously + adhering to the cause of independence and to Brazil, will save and + unite the largest portion of his royal patrimony in defiance of the + blind efforts of Portugal, and in spite of the cunning intrigues of the + Portuguese faction here, to prolong civil war, and create dismemberment + and disunion. + + I have the honour to be, + + &c. &c. + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + His Excellency Joao Severiano Maciel de Costa, + Chief Minister of State, &c. &c. + +One effect of the preceding letter was--that the Court of Admiralty +requested my consent to give up certain prize property, the object being +to construe my acquiescence as regarded a small portion--into a +precedent for giving up the remainder. This was firmly refused on the +ground of its being a fraud on the captors. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +MINISTERIAL MALIGNITY TOWARDS ME--DANGERS IN PERNAMBUCO--PORTUGUESE +THREATS--MY ADVICE THEREON--FAILURE IN MANNING THE SQUADRON--PLOT FORMED +TO SEARCH THE FLAGSHIP--TIMELY WARNING THEREON--I DEMAND HIS MAJESTY'S +INTERFERENCE--WHICH WAS PROMPTLY GRANTED--PROTEST AGAINST PRIZE +DECISIONS--MY ADVICE SOUGHT AS REGARDED PERNAMBUCO--LETTER TO HIS +IMPERIAL MAJESTY--POINTING OUT THE ANNOYANCE PRACTISED--AND TENDERING MY +RESIGNATION--THE EMPEROR'S INTERVENTION--HIS MINISTERS NEGLECT TO FULFIL +HIS ENGAGEMENT--CONFIRMATION OF MY PREVIOUS PATENTS--BUT WITH AN +UNJUSTIFIABLE RESERVATION--PRIZE MONEY DEVOTED TO ADVANCE OF +WAGES--PROOFS THEREOF--BASELESS IMPUTATIONS ON ME--EXTRACTS FROM +LOG--FURTHER DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZE MONEY. + + +Having failed in inducing the Administration to withdraw the _portaria_ +issued with a view to nullify the commissions conferred upon me by His +Imperial Majesty,--I waited upon the Emperor to beg his interference in +a matter no less derogatory to his authority, than unjust to myself. His +Majesty regretted the circumstance, but having alluded to the +difficulties in which he was placed with regard to the Administration, +begged me to rely on him for justice, assuring me that he would take +care that nothing was done which should practically alter my original +compact. + +His Majesty was exceedingly anxious that the expedition to Pernambuco +should not be delayed, but I could only represent to him that nothing +whatever had been done to satisfy the seamen, who, in consequence, +would not re-enter--that several of the best officers were either in +prison on frivolous accusations, or under arrest--that the necessary +repairs to the ships were not completed--that no steps had been taken to +provide for their equipment--and that, in fact, the greater was His +Majesty's anxiety to put down the revolution, the more obstructive were +the obstacles interposed by the Ministry to the accomplishment of his +wishes. + +The Ministers now resorted to a clumsy system in order to lower me in +popular estimation, by imposing, for my guidance in naval matters, +stringent orders about trifles which were absurd or impracticable, +non-observance of these being followed by _printed reprimands_ such as +were never before addressed to a Commander-in-Chief, whilst my +refutations and remonstrances against such treatment were refused +publication. This course was succeeded by another still more unworthy, +the ministers so far forgetting the dignity of their position, as to +write or cause to be written against me a series of scurrilous articles +in the newspapers under the feigned signature of "Curioso," these +containing matters which could only have come from the Minister of +Marine's office; but as I was able to reply to _anonymous_ attacks +through the same channel, I took care that the refutation signally +recoiled on the writers, who, finding the course pursued more +detrimental to their objects than to mine, relinquished this mode of +attack. Pamphlets of an atrocious description were then resorted to, the +more noticeable of which, was one purporting to emanate from Chili, and +representing that not only had I effected nothing for that country or +Peru, but that my very presence in the Peruvian waters had been the +greatest obstacle to the speedy attainment of independence! + +A circumstance however occurred which alarmed even the Ministers +themselves. On the 20th of April, I received a despatch from Captain +Taylor, commanding the naval force before Pernambuco, stating that on +the 7th, the Camara of that province had unanimously resolved that they +would no longer obey the Imperial authority--that the Governor appointed +by His Imperial Majesty had been deposed--and that they had elected a +President from amongst their own body. + +This was an extremity upon which the Portuguese faction in the +Administration had not calculated--their object being to encourage +disturbance in remote provinces, in order to further their own purposes +at Rio de Janeiro. An attempt to institute a Republican form of +Government was, however, another thing, it being well known that this +movement was fostered by merchants and influential citizens with +republican tendencies. + +My advice was now asked as to what was best to be done in the emergency, +to which I replied that "no time ought to be lost in sending small +vessels to enforce the blockade of Pernambuco, which had already been +declared by Captain Taylor; as large vessels would be in imminent danger +of being wrecked if anchored upon that open coast at this season of the +year." + +To add to the dangers threatening the Empire, intelligence was received +that the Portuguese had reinforced and refitted their fleet with the +intention of returning to Brazil and recovering the Northern provinces. +This course, no doubt, having been determined upon on account of +information, that, in consequence of the injustice done to the Brazilian +squadron, it had been abandoned by the seamen, and was now powerless. + +I did not offer to accompany any vessels that might be sent to +Pernambuco; for I had made up my mind not to undertake anything unless +some satisfaction were accorded to the squadron. On the 3rd of May, I, +however, addressed to the Prime Minister a letter stating the plan +which, in my opinion, ought to be pursued in the present predicament. +The subjoined are extracts:-- + + Drawing a veil over that which has passed--though had my + recommendations, given in writing to His Imperial Majesty on the + 14th of November last--two days after the dissolution of the + Assembly--been attended to, the rebellion and separation of the + Northern provinces might have been prevented. Passing over the + errors committed in the non-employment of the greater part of the + naval forces; passing over the disgust occasioned by the conduct + pursued towards the seamen, the opposition which had been + encountered in every step towards amelioration, and the mischief + occasioned by these and many other sources of disunion and + paralysation, I say--passing over all these--let me call Your + Excellency's attention to the only means which appear to me + practicable to save the country--if not from again devolving to + Portugal as colonial possessions, yet at least from protracted + war, and its attendant calamities. + + Taking it then for granted that an expedition is actually fitting + out at Lisbon, destined to act against Brazil, the question is, how + and by what means can that expedition be most successfully opposed? + what is the force necessary? and how, under existing circumstances, + it can be procured? + + (Here follow plans for the reorganization of the navy, and its mode + of operation, in order to prevent the anticipated invasion.) + + As regards myself, it is my conviction that, though I might be + responsible for the discipline and good order of a single ship, I + could make nothing of a squadron so manned, as it inevitably must + be, and actuated by those feelings which have been excited to the + detriment of the Imperial service. + + Since the date of my last letter to Your Excellency, I have + received a copy of the laws relative to prizes, and am convinced + that these laws differ in no material degree from the maritime code + of England, the adoption of which I had solicited; and that the + blame of all the disquiet that has been occasioned is entirely + owing to the non-execution of the laws by those individuals who + have been nominated to dispense justice, but who have perverted it. + + (Signed) COCHRANE & MARANHAÕ. + +Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of affairs in the North, no steps +were taken to satisfy the seamen. In place of this I received orders to +use my influence with them _to re-enter without payment!_ Determined +that the Government should not have to find fault with any want of +effort on my part, I obeyed the order, with what result the following +letter to the Minister of Marine will shew:-- + + In consequence of the directions from His Imperial Majesty, + communicated through Your Excellency, to equip the _Pedro Primiero, + Carolina_, and _Maria de Gloria_, with all possible despatch, and + to hold them in readiness to proceed on service, I ordered a + commissioned officer to visit the different rendezvous which the + seamen frequent, and endeavour to prevail on them to re-enter + --assuring them that the continuance of their services was the best + means whereby to obtain their rewards for captures made during the + late campaign. It appears, however, that it will be difficult to + prevail on them to engage again in the service, without some + explicit declaration made public on the part of the Imperial + Government, stating what they have to expect for the past, and to + anticipate for the future; for the conduct that has been pursued, + especially in regard to matters of prize, has led them to draw + conclusions highly prejudicial to the service of His Imperial + Majesty. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +I also protested against the intended arrest of Captain Grenfell, +knowing that there were no grounds for such a step, and more especially +against the seizure of his papers, which necessarily contained the +requisite proofs in justification of his conduct at Parà . The only +offence he had committed was his firmness in repressing the seditious +acts of the Portuguese faction there; and as those whom he had offended +had influence with their countrymen connected with the administration at +Rio de Janeiro, a tissue of false representations as to his conduct, was +the readiest mode of revenge, so that he shared the enmity of the +faction in common with myself, though they did not venture to order my +arrest. + +One instance of the annoyance still directed against myself, on the 4th +of June, is perhaps worth relating. It had been falsely reported to the +Emperor by his ministers that--besides the 40,000 dollars which I +refused to give up--specie to a large amount was secreted on board the +_Pedro Primiero_, and it was suggested to His Majesty, that, as I was +living on shore, it would be easy to search the ship in my absence +--whereby the Emperor could possess himself of all the money found. This +disgraceful insult was on the point of being put in execution, when an +accident revealed the whole plot; the object of which was, by implied +accusation, to lower me in popular estimation--a dastardly device, +which, though contemptible, could hardly fail to be prejudicial to +myself, against whom it was directed. + +Late one evening I received a visit from Madame Bonpland, the talented +wife of the distinguished French naturalist. This lady--who had singular +opportunities for becoming acquainted with state secrets--came +expressly to inform me that my house was at that moment surrounded by a +guard of soldiers! On asking if she knew the reason of such a +proceeding, she informed me that, under the pretence of a review to be +held at the opposite side of the harbour early the following morning, +preparations had been made by the ministers to board the flagship, which +was to be thoroughly overhauled whilst I was detained on shore, and all +the money found taken possession of! + +Thanking my excellent friend for her timely warning, I clambered over my +garden fence, as the only practicable way to the stables, selected a +horse, and notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, proceeded to St. +Christoval, the country palace of the Emperor, where, on my arrival, I +demanded to see His Majesty. The request being refused by the gentleman +in waiting, in such a way as to confirm the statement of Madame +Bonpland--I dared him to refuse me admission at his peril; adding that +"the matter upon which I had come was fraught with grave consequences to +His Majesty and the Empire." "But," said he, "His Majesty has retired to +bed long ago." "No matter," replied I, "in bed, or not in bed, I demand +to see him, in virtue of my privilege of access to him at all times, and +if you refuse to concede permission--look to the consequences." + +His Majesty was not, however, asleep, and the royal chamber being close +at hand, he recognised my voice in the altercation with the attendant. +Hastily coming out of his apartments in a _dishabille_ which, under +ordinary circumstances, would have been inconsistent, he asked--"What +could have brought me there at that time of night?" My reply was--that +"understanding that the troops ordered for a review were destined to +proceed to the flagship in search of supposed treasure, I had come to +request His Majesty immediately to appoint confidential persons to +accompany me on board, when the key of every chest in the ship should be +placed in their hands, and every place thrown open to their inspection; +but that if any of his anti-Brazilian Administration ventured to board +the ship in perpetration of the contemplated insult, they would +certainly be regarded as pirates, and treated as such." Adding at the +same time--"Depend upon it, that they are not more my enemies, than the +enemies of your Majesty and the Empire, and an intrusion so +unwarrantable, the officers and crew are bound to resist." "Well," +replied His Majesty, "you seem to be apprised of everything, but the +plot is not mine; being--as far as I am concerned--convinced that no +money would be found more than we already know of from yourself." + +I then entreated His Majesty to take such steps for my justification as +would be satisfactory to the public. "There is no necessity for any," +replied he; "but how to dispense with the review is the puzzle.--I will +be ill in the morning--so go home, and think no more of the matter. I +give you my word your flag shall not be outraged by the contemplated +proceeding." + +The _denouement_ of the farce is worthy of being recorded. The Emperor +kept his word, and in the night was taken suddenly ill. As His Majesty +was really beloved by his Brazilian subjects, all the native +respectability of Rio was early next day on its way to the palace to +inquire after the Royal health, and, ordering my carriage, I also +proceeded to the palace, lest my absence might appear singular. On +entering the room, where--surrounded by many influential persons--the +Emperor was in the act of explaining the nature of his disease to the +anxious inquirers--a strange incident occurred. On catching my eye, His +Majesty burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, in which I as +heartily joined; the bystanders, from the gravity of their countenances, +evidently considering that both had taken leave of their senses. The +Ministers looked astounded, but said nothing--His Majesty kept his +secret, and I was silent. + +Months had now been consumed in endeavours on the part of the +Administration to give annoyance to me--and on the part of the prize +tribunal to condemn me in costs for making lawful captures, this +appearing to form their only object; save when a prize vessel could be +given up to a claimant or pretended claimant, in outrage of justice, as +evinced in the case of the _Pombinho's_ cargo, and numerous other +instances. + +To such an extent was this being carried, that I sent protest after +protest on the subject. The following will serve as a specimen:-- + + PROTEST. + + The Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the + Naval forces of His Imperial Majesty, does hereby protest, on behalf + of himself and those employed under his command in the blockade of + Bahia, and other services of the Empire, against the sentence given + in the case of the Nova Constitucaõ, _whereby costs and damages to + the amount of four times the value are decreed against the captors + of the said vessel_ (taken in the act of violating the blockade of + Bahia), in performance of duties which the law sanctioned and the + service of His Imperial Majesty required. + + And further, the said Marquis of Maranhaõ, on behalf of himself and + the captors, does again most solemnly protest against _all sentences + of acquittal_ of vessels which violated the said blockade, or which + were seized, navigating under Portuguese flags or with Portuguese + registers--and against all proceedings to recover damages against + the said Marquis and captors _for any capture whatsoever_; His + Imperial Majesty having been graciously pleased to signify that all + expenses thus incurred in case of vessels pronounced "_malprisa_," + shall be placed to the account of the State. + + Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 1824. + +The anxiety of His Majesty on account of the revolt at Pernambuco was +meanwhile utterly set at nought, neither Severiano, nor his colleague +Barbosa--though now beginning to be alarmed--shewing the slightest +disposition to carry out His Majesty's orders for the compromise with +the officers and seamen, in order that the squadron might be manned. At +length intelligence arrived from the revolted districts, of such a +nature as to appear to His Majesty fraught with immediate danger to the +integrity of the Empire, as in truth it was, for the Republican nature +of the insurrection had become an established fact, whilst the squadron +which, months before, ought to have sailed to quell the revolt, was, +from, want of men, lying idle in the port of the capital. + +Setting aside all Ministerial interposition, I received His Majesty's +orders to repair at once to the palace, to decide on the best plan of +meeting these revolutionary manifestations. My advice was--at once to +put them down with a strong hand; but I called His Majesty's attention +to the ministerial contempt of his orders to satisfy the seamen, and the +consequent hopeless condition of the squadron--abandoned because no +assurance had been given that past services would be rewarded by the +adjudication of the prizes--against which adjudication the tribunal +resolutely set their faces, or, what was worse, unwarrantably disposed +of the property entrusted to them for adjudication. + +His Majesty was greatly annoyed at learning the continuance and extent +of the vexatious opposition to his wishes; but, begging me not to be +influenced by the injustice committed, strongly urged the necessity of +my using every endeavour for immediate action,--I at once pointed out to +His Majesty that the only way to accomplish this was, to restore +confidence to the men by maintaining public faith with the officers and +seamen, giving compensation--at least in part--of their prize money, +with recognition of their claims to the remainder. + +Still nothing was done, until, becoming tired of the harassing +circumstances in which I was placed, I made up my mind to a last effort, +which, if unsuccessful, should be followed by my resignation of the +command, even though it might involve the loss of all that which was due +to me. Accordingly, I addressed to His Majesty a letter from which the +following are extracts:-- + + The time has at length arrived when it is impossible to doubt + that the influence which the Portuguese faction has so long exerted, + with the view of depriving the officers and seamen of their stipulated + rights, has succeeded in its object, and has even prevailed against + the expressed wishes and intentions of Your Majesty in person. + + (Here follows a recapitulation of injuries and annoyances with + which the reader is familiar):-- + + The determined perseverance in a course so opposed to justice, + by those members and adherents of the Portuguese faction, whose + influence prevails in the ministry and council, and more especially + the proceedings of those individuals of that faction, who compose + the naval tribunals, must come to an end. + + The general discontent which prevails in the squadron has rendered + the situation in which I am placed one of the most embarrassing + description; for though few may be aware that my own cause of + complaint is equal to theirs, many cannot perceive the consistency of + my patient continuation in the service, with disapprobation of the + measures pursued. Even the honours which Your Majesty has been + pleased to bestow upon me, are deemed by most of the officers, and by + the whole of the men--who know not the assiduity with which I have + persevered in earnest but unavailing remonstrance--as a bribe by + which I have been induced to abandon their interests. Much, + therefore, as I prize those honours, as the gracious gift of Your + Imperial Majesty, yet, holding in still dearer estimation my + character as an officer and a man, I cannot hesitate a moment which + to sacrifice when the retention of both is evidently incompatible. + + I can, therefore, no longer delay to demonstrate to the squadron, + and the world, that I am no partner in the deceptions and oppressions + which are practised on the naval service; and as the first, + and most painful step in the performance of this imperious duty, I + crave permission--with all humility and respect--to return those + honours, and lay them at the feet of Your Imperial Majesty. + + I should, however, fall short of my duty to those who were + induced to enter the service by my example or invitation, were I to + do nothing more than convince them that I had been deceived. It + is incumbent on me to make every effort to obtain for them the + fulfilment of engagements for which I made myself responsible. + + As far as I am personally concerned, I could be content to quit + the service of Your Imperial Majesty, either with or without the + expectation of obtaining compensation at a future period, and could + submit to the same sacrifices here as I did on the other side of + the continent, even to abandoning the ships which I captured from + the enemy--without payment or reward--as I did in Chili and Peru. + After effectually fighting the battles of freedom and independence + on both sides of South America, and clearing the two seas of every + vessel of war, I could submit to return to my native country + unrewarded; but I cannot submit to adopt any course which shall + not redeem my pledge to my brother officers and seamen. Neither + can I relinquish the object which I have equally at heart, of + depriving the Portuguese faction of the means of undermining the + nationality and independence of the empire, to which--notwithstanding + their admission to places of honour and trust--they are + notoriously and naturally opposed. + + It is impossible to view the prize tribunal--consisting of natives + of the hostile nation--in any other light than as a party of the + enemy, who, in the disguise of judges, have surprised and recaptured + our prizes, after we had lodged them--as we thought--safely in + port. And we have not the slightest reason to doubt that, if + suffered to proceed unmolested, they will eventually get them clean + out of the harbour, and convey them back to their own country. + We do not ask for reprisals upon these people, but simply restitution + of the fruits of our labours in the service of Your Majesty, of which + they have insidiously despoiled us, and that no impediment to this + act of justice may arise, or be pretended by the individuals in + question, we are willing to wait for a still further period--retaining, + however, what remains of the prizes in our own custody--until our + claims are settled; when we shall punctually surrender them into + Your Imperial hands at whatever moment Your Majesty shall be + pleased to cause the said claims to be duly discharged. + + We most earnestly beseech Your Imperial Majesty--upon whom + alone we depend for justice--to take into your consideration the + necessity of withdrawing all control over the naval service and its + interests from the hands of individuals with whose country Your + Majesty is at war, and against which, under Your Imperial authority, + we have been employed in active hostilities. It is only by the removal + of Portuguese functionaries--more especially from the naval department, + and the appointment of native Brazilians in their stead, that + Your Imperial Majesty can reasonably hope to possess the full + confidence of your people. Such a proceeding would be far more + effective for the suppression of the rebellion in the North, than + the ill-equipped naval detachment employed on that service. + + I trust that Your Imperial Majesty will perceive that nothing + short of the most thorough conviction in my own mind, with regard + to the step now taken, could have led me to adopt it on my own + account, or on that of the squadron. To myself, in particular, it + must be a source of great anxiety, and in all probability, for a time + --before the circumstances are generally understood--it may bring + on me a large share of obloquy. My resignation is attended with + the surrender of the high honours with which Your Majesty has + graciously invested me, in addition to the honourable situation + which I hold under Your Imperial authority. Your Majesty may be + assured that such sacrifices as these are not made without extreme + reluctance, and if there had remained the slightest probability of + obtaining by any ordinary means the justice for the squadron, + which it is my bounden duty to persevere in demanding, I should + have avoided a step so pregnant with disadvantages to myself. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +His Majesty frankly admitted that the course pursued by his Ministers +towards the squadron was no less discreditable than injurious to the +vital interests of the state, but begged me to reconsider my +determination. To prevent further ministerial interposition, at a moment +so pregnant with danger, the Emperor offered to place at my disposal, +for the temporary satisfaction of the men, 200,000 milreis in paper +currency--not one-tenth of the value of the prizes--if I would endeavour +to rally them under the national flag, and merge my own injuries in +oblivion, till he should be better able to do us justice. + +My reply was that, personally, His Majesty had ever manifested his +desire to fulfil his promises to me, and that I would stand by the +integrity of the empire, and its consolidation. It was of the ministers +I had to complain, by whom all the Imperial promises had been broken, +and His Majesty's intentions thwarted; but that this would neither +interfere with my duty nor gratitude to His Majesty, personally; and +that if the 200,000 milreis were paid, I would endeavour to use the +money to the best advantage by inducing the men to return to the ships. + +The amount was directed to be placed in my hands, with the request that +I would proceed to Pernambuco, and use my discretion in putting down the +revolution, unfettered by orders; His Majesty recommending me to +withhold payment till the squadron was at sea, in order to prevent delay +and desertion. I begged of His Majesty to appoint a commission for the +distribution of the money, as the responsibility was foreign to my +duties. This, however, was overruled with a gracious compliment as to +the manner in which my services had uniformly been conducted; being thus +pressed I made no further opposition. + +Still the ministers withheld the money, on which I wrote to the +Emperor, requesting that His Majesty would perform the gracious +compliment of delivering it on board personally. The Emperor at once +comprehended the nature of the hint, and insisted on the sum being +placed in my hands. On receiving it, I immediately issued a proclamation +to the seamen, informing them of His Majesty's concession--inviting them +to return to their duty--and promising payment to the extent of the +funds supplied. The result was, that all who had not quitted Rio de +Janeiro in despair, with one accord rejoined the service, and every +effort was made to get the expedition ready for sea. + +Before sailing for Pernambuco I was naturally desirous of coming to a +definite understanding on the subject of my commission, the patents +conferring which had been ruthlessly attempted to be set aside under the +signature of Barbosa, on the _assumed pretence of authority_ from His +Imperial Majesty, whose _rubrica_, however, was not attached to this +violation of our original compact. Accordingly, on the 26th of July, I +addressed a letter to Barbosa on the subject, and on the 29th received +the following reply:-- + + His Imperial Majesty commands, through the Secretary of State + and Marine, that there shall be transmitted to the First Admiral + commanding-in-chief the naval forces of this empire the enclosed copy + of a decree of the 27th of this month, by which His Imperial Majesty + has judged proper to determine that the said First Admiral shall + receive _in full_, so long as he shall continue in the service of this + empire, _the full pay of his patent_; and, _in the event of his not + choosing to continue therein after the termination of the present + war of independence, the one-half of his pay as a pension_--the same + being extended to his wife in the event of his decease. + + The said First Admiral is hereby certified that the said decree of + His Imperial Majesty is not required to be inserted in his patent, + as he requests in his letter of the 26th instant, the said decree + being as valid as the patent itself. + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, + July 29th, 1824. + + (Signed) FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA. + + Decree of His Imperial Majesty, inserted in the _Mercurio de + Brazil_, Sunday, 31st July, 1824. + + In consequence of what has been represented to me by the + Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the + naval forces of the empire, and in consequence of the great services + he has rendered, and which we hope he will continue to render to + the sacred cause of Brazil, I hereby--by the advice of my Council + of State--determine that the said Marquis of Maranhaõ shall be + paid in full, during the period that he shall remain in the service of + this empire, the whole amount of salary due to his patent; and in + the case of his _not wishing to continue in the service_ after the + termination of the present war of independence, the one-half of the + said pay as a pension, the same, in case of his death, being extended + to his wife. + + Francisco Villela Barbosa, of my Council of State, Minister and + Secretary of Marine, is hereby commanded to promulgate the same, + and execute the necessary despatches. + + Given in the palace of Rio de Janeiro, the 27th of July, 1824, + and the third of independence and the empire. + + With the _Rubrica_ of His Imperial Majesty. + + (Signed) FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA. + +This decree nullified the unjustifiable _portaria_ issued by Barbosa, +limiting my services to the period of the war, which, in reality, had +been ended by my expulsion of the Portuguese from Bahia and Maranham. It +recognised and established the validity of the Emperor's original +patents, of which, by the minister's own explanation, it was a +continuation, with an extension to Lady Cochrane; a boon spontaneously +granted by the Emperor, as a mark of gratitude for services rendered in +the preceding year. It was, moreover, clearly left to my own option to +continue in the service or to quit it on half-pay, on the termination of +the war of independence. + +If there was any faith to be placed in princes or ministers, nothing +could be more definite or satisfactory than the preceding document, with +the exception of the phrase, "_in the event of his not choosing to +continue therein_," which evidently contained an _arrière pensée_, +implying, as was afterwards proved, that when I could be got rid of it +would be easy to _compel me_ to retire from the service; but even this +alternative was subsequently disregarded--though His Imperial Majesty, +on my thanking him for having so far done me justice against the +attempts of his Ministers--remarked, "_never mind their injustice--they +can't deprive you of that"_--alluding to the stipulations contained in +the Imperial patents, and this renewed confirmation thereof. + +The concession of 200,000 dollars, as a portion of the prize money so +long due to the officers and crews, was actually made to suffice, in +place of an advance of wages usually given on the departure of a naval +expedition; so that, in fact, the squadron was manned at its own +expense! no other payment being accorded by the _Government_. As His +Majesty had requested that the men should not receive their money before +going to sea, _the squadron_, with the exception of the flagship, was +despatched on its voyage, the crews being satisfied--now that the money +was on board--with my promise of payment when they should assemble at +the rendezvous appointed. + +It is requisite to enter into some detail relative to the distribution +of prize money thus of necessity substituted as an advance of wages: it +being impossible to get the requisite numbers of foreign seamen for the +_Pedro Primiero_ without such advance; and although the frigates which +had sailed, manned for the most part with Portuguese or Brazilian crews, +relied upon _me_ for payment of their prize money, the foreign seamen +refused even to remain on board the flagship without the usual advance; +the officers also were in want of everything, and the men--indebted to +tavern keepers--clamorous for payment. + +As the necessity was urgent, I did not choose that the flagship, under +my immediate command, should leave port in a discreditable manner, I +therefore took upon myself--notwithstanding His Majesty's suggestion to +withhold payment till we were at sea--to accommodate the officers and +satisfy the crew by the advance demanded; a step, in my judgment, the +more necessary, since, as had been the case in the former campaign, I +should mainly have to depend upon the foreign officers and seamen of my +own ship, for the execution of plans which might become requisite--the +best way, therefore, to ensure their zealous co-operation throughout the +voyage, was to establish harmony at its commencement by complying with +their just demand. + +The following were the principal sums disbursed on this occasion, as +appears from my private memoranda, the vouchers themselves being +afterwards transmitted to the Minister of Marine through Captain +Shepherd, as will subsequently appear:-- + + Dollars. + To Myself 85,000 + Paid Messrs. May and Lukin, Prize Agents, + for Admiralty Court expenses, and + commission, at 5 per cent 15,000 + + Advanced to Squadron generally 23,000 + + Ditto to Captain Crosbie 5,000 + + Ditto, to other Officers 3,750 + + Disbursed at Rio, 70,750 + +This sum, about £.14,000, may appear trivial to the English reader, +accustomed to lavish expenditure in all naval expeditions as the most +economical way of securing their future efficiency--and hence the +mention of such an amount may be deemed superfluous. That this is not +the case will presently appear. + +The reader must not however imagine that I am about to inflict on him an +account current of the expenditure of the squadron; but circumstances +compel me to a precision in this respect on personal grounds: the +Brazilian Government--though in possession of the documents and vouchers +afterwards transmitted by Captain Shepherd--publicly persisting in the +statement that I never furnished accounts of the expedition to +Pernambuco and Maranham--thus leaving the public to infer that the +disbursements just narrated, together with subsequent payments, had +never in reality been made! In other words, that I induced the crews to +go to sea--put down the revolution in the North--spent nine months in +pacifying the revolutionary provinces--and yet fraudulently withheld +200,000 dollars, the only sum supplied during the whole of the +expedition; the seamen meanwhile not only serving without reward, but +being content with my monopolizing the portion of the prize-money known +by them to have been awarded for the expulsion of the Portuguese in the +preceding year, and notoriously in my possession! Their forbearance +being so improbable as to refute itself, being contrary to common sense; +even in the absence of the vouchers, which were transmitted to the +Brazilian Government, _but never acknowledged_--I am able however to +account for the whole from documents no less convincing than the +vouchers transmitted. + +It is true that nothing but the blind hatred of the old Portuguese +faction towards me could have originated such charges, and that hatred +was greatly increased by my pacification of the revolutionary +provinces--this being the death-blow to the intrigues recommended by +Palmella in favour of the mother country. As, however, the Brazilian +Government did not acknowledge to me the receipt of my accounts, which +must either exist to this day in the office of the Minister of Marine, +or must have been destroyed, for the sake of traducing my character in +justification of my prospective dismissal--it is incumbent on me to +supply, for the information of the Brazilian people, explanations which +have been repeatedly given to their Government, but which have not as +yet been made public through the medium of the press--and that not for +the information of the Brazilian people solely, but of the British +public, who, in the absence of official imputations recently +promulgated, have never before been put in possession of facts. + +The Brazilian people may rest assured that whenever I received, for the +use of the squadron, sums which itself had captured, I could neither +then conceal the circumstance nor can I now disavow the fact--giving, +however, the reasons which, for the interests of the Empire, justified +my proceedings. The only instance of this kind which had hitherto +occurred was my retention of 40,000 dollars captured at Maranham, and +they who have perused the preceding narrative will be at no loss for the +ground of my refusal to surrender to the Court of Admiralty a sum which +would have been returned by that tribunal to their Portuguese +brethren--nor for my resistance to the plot which the ministers had +formed to take it by force from on board the flagship. + +To return to the advances made to the officers and seamen of the +flagship. The following extracts from the original log kept by my +secretary will shew the fact of the distribution previously narrated:-- + + _July 12th_, 1824. Received the 200,000 dollars at the treasury, and + gave receipt, with Captain Crosbie and the Commissary. Deposited + the notes in the iron chest on board the _Pedro Primiero_. + + _July 19th_. Went on board the _Pedro Primiero_ to pay advance. + (Paid May and Lukin 15,000 dollars.) Engaged all day in paying + the men. + + _July 26th._ Went to the _Pedro_, with the Admiral and Lieutenant + Blake, to pay advance from the prize-money. In the evening the + Emperor called and announced to the Admiral that he was to sail + on Sunday next. + + _July 31st_. On board the _Pedro_ paying seamen as before. + Soldiers came on board. + + _August 2nd._ Emperor came alongside. Admiral embarked. + Got under way, and set sail in company with the _Maranhaõ_ brig + and three transports. + +The preceding extracts shew that not only was an advance made for the +good of the service, but this was done with such publicity, that both +the Emperor and his ministers could not fail to be aware of the +circumstance. The further distribution as prize-money, according to His +Majesty's direction, took place at Bahia and Pernambuco, as will be +shewn in the next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT PROCLAIMED AT PERNAMBUCO--ITS CONCORDAT----THE +PRESIDENT CARVALHO--THREAT OF BOMBARDMENT--A BRIBE OFFERED TO ME AND +REFUSED--THE REVOLT ADMITTED OF PALLIATION--IT WAS FAST BECOMING +GENERAL--INTIMIDATION INEFFECTUAL--THE REVOLUTIONISTS EXPECT FOREIGN +AID--PERNAMBUCO TAKEN POSSESSION OF--PAYMENT OF PRIZE MONEY--THE +ACCOUNTS RENDERED IN DUE COURSE--ORDERS TO PUT DOWN REVOLT AT +PARA--CHARACTER OF THE REVOLUTION--DIFFICULTY IN FINDING PROPER +GOVERNORS--REVOLT AT CEARA--STEPS TAKEN TO SUPPRESS IT--THEY PROVE +SUCCESSFUL--THE INSURGENT LEADER KILLED--MEASURES FOR PRESERVING +TRANQUILLITY. + + +On the 2nd of August, 1824, the Imperial squadron again quitted Rio de +Janeiro, the rendezvous being appointed at Jurugua, where we arrived on +the 13th, and on the 16th landed a body of twelve hundred troops under +General Lima, at Alagoas, seventy or eighty miles from the seat of +revolt! this notable step being taken in pursuance of strict orders from +the Administration at Rio de Janeiro. + +On the 18th, the squadron reached Pernambuco, falling in, near the +entrance of the port, with a number of Portuguese vessels quitting the +city with passengers; but in consequence of the prize tribunal having +_decreed damages_ for the seizure of enemy's ships within a certain +distance of the coast, they were permitted to pass unmolested. + +We did not reach Pernambuco too soon, for proclamations had been +issued by Manuel Carvalho Paes de Andrade, the revolutionary +President--denouncing Don Pedro as a traitor, whose aim it was to +abandon Brazil to the Portuguese; which denunciation, though right in +one sense, was wrong as regarded the Emperor, whose views were +thoroughly national--though the object of his ministers was as +thoroughly Portuguese. Had the Pernambucans been aware of the want of +concord between the Emperor's intentions and those of his ministers, who +had forced themselves upon him--the probability is that they would have +supported, instead of denouncing his government. + +The revolution had, however, now taken vigorous root, and the democratic +spirit of the Pernambucans was not to be trifled with. A republican form +of Government had been proclaimed, the views of which were on a more +extensive scale than was commensurate with the abilities of those +propounding them; it being their vain hope to constitute all the +equatorial provinces into a federation, on the model of the United +States, a project fostered--if not originated--by Americans resident in +the city. To further this object, an appeal was made to the other +Northern provinces to repudiate the Imperial authority, and to form with +Pernambuco an alliance, under the title of "Confederation of the +Equator;" the consequence being, that a large proportion of the +inhabitants of Parahyba, Piahuy, Rio Grande do Norte, and Cearà , +declared in favour of the measure. + +The annexed is the Concordat of the revolutionary provinces:-- + + In the year of Our Lord 1824, third year of the Independence of + Brazil, and the 3rd of August in that year, in the Hall of Session of + the Government of the Province of Pernambuco, there being present, + the Brazilian citizen, Quaresma Torreaõ, on behalf of His Excellency + the President, Carvalho Paes de Andrade, and the Illustrious and + Reverend Francisco da Costa Leixas; José Joaquim Fernandez Barros, + and the Citizen José Joaquim Germiniano de Moraes Navarro, on behalf + of the province of Rio Grande del Norte, by diploma dated August 16, + 1824, and also the Illustrious deputies commissioned by His + Excellency the Governor of the Province of Pernambuco to treat on + behalf of his Government, with a view to extinguish dissension in + political opinions, which has so greatly retarded the progress of + Brazil, and of independence and liberty; and, at the same time, to do + their endeavour to banish a servile spirit which tends to enthral + Brazil by a pretended Constitution, domineering over the Brazilian + nation like that of the Grand Seignior of the Ottoman Porte. + + The Commission of the Government of this province, and the + illustrious deputations before-mentioned, having maturely considered + these subjects, agree-- + + First,--That these provinces of Pernambuco and Rio Grande + unite in a fraternal league, offensive and defensive, to assemble + all their forces against any aggression of the Portuguese Government, + or that of the Government of Rio de Janeiro, to reduce these + provinces to a state of thraldom. + + Secondly,--That the said league shall extend to the establishing + constitutional liberty throughout the said provinces, and to supplant + the servile spirit with which they are infected, and thus avert civil + war, engendered by the intrigues at Rio de Janeiro, the influence of + which now pervades the whole of Brazil. + + + Thirdly,--That to insure the effect of this compact, the Government + of Rio Grande must form a body of troops, and place them on + the borders of the province of Parahyba, to be employed as necessity + requires. + + Fourthly,--That this body of troops shall be supported by the + province of Pernambuco, but shall be afterwards supported by the + "Confederation of the Equador." And that the same may be + carried into immediate effect, this Concordat shall have full force, + after being signed and ratified by their Excellencies the Presidents + of the said provinces of Pernambuco and Rio del Norte. + + (Signed) + P. FRANCISCO DA COSTA LEIXAS. + JOSÉ JOAQUIM FERNANDEZ BARROS. + JOSÉ JOAQUIM GERMINIANO DE MORAES NAVARRO. + BASILIO QUARESMA TORREAÓ. + MANOEL DE CARVALHO PAES D'ANDRADE, President. + + _Printed at the National Press._ + +Carvalho, however, was not the man to carry out such a scheme, his +enthusiasm being without prudence or daring; hence, on our arrival--in +place of union, the contending factions were engaged in destroying each +other's sugar-mills and plantations, whilst Carvalho himself had taken +the precaution to station a vessel at the island of Tamarica, for the +purpose of escaping, if necessary, from the turbulence which he had +raised, but could not control. On learning this, I felt it my duty to +despatch a corvette to seize her, _though at the risk of four-fold +damages, according to the regulations of the Admiralty Court!_ + +Knowing that it would take some time for the troops to come up, I +determined to try the effect of a threat of bombardment, and issued a +proclamation remonstrating with the inhabitants on the folly of +permitting themselves to be deceived by men who lacked the ability to +execute their schemes; pointing out, moreover, that persistence in +revolt would involve both the town and its rulers in one common ruin; +for, if forced to the necessity of bombardment,--I would reduce the +port and city to insignificance. On the other hand, I assured them that +if they retraced their steps, and rallied round the Imperial throne, +thus aiding to protect it from foreign influence--it would be more +gratifying to me to act the part of a mediator, and to restore +Pernambuco to peace, prosperity and happiness--than to carry out the +work of destruction which would be my only remaining alternative. + +In another proclamation I called the attention of the inhabitants to the +distracted state of the Spanish republics on the other side of the +Continent, asking whether it would be wise to risk the benefits of +orderly government for social and political confusion; entreating them +not to compel me to proceed to extremities, as it would become my duty +to destroy their shipping and block up their port, unless within eight +days the integrity of the empire were acknowledged. + +These threats were held out in the hope that by intimidation a struggle +might be prevented, but they failed to produce the desired effect. One +result was, however, not a little curious, as originating an offer to +myself from the revolutionary President, of a bribe of 400,000 milreis, +to be shipped immediately on board the English packet anchored off the +port, if I would abandon the Imperial cause, and come over to the +Republicans; this offer alluding, in strong terms, to the "infamous +treatment with which my services had been met by the administration at +Rio de Janeiro, and warning me that, by adhering to it, I should meet +with nothing but continued ill-treatment and ingratitude." + +The subjoined is the revolutionary President's letter: + + MY LORD, + + Frankness is the distinguishing character of free men, but + Your Excellency has not found it in your connection with the + Imperial Government. _Your not having been rewarded for the + first expedition affords a justifiable inference that you will get + nothing for the second._ I therefore use the freedom to assure Your + Excellency the amount of 400 contos of Reis, as an indemnification + for your losses. + + The services required from Your Excellency are to take up the + cause of the "Confederation of the Equator," as adopted by the + majority of the Northern provinces, whose limits will be the river of + Francisco da Norte. + + I have the honour to be + Your Excellency's most humble servant, + + MANUEL DE CARVALHO PAES D'ANDEADE. + +The letter contained, in addition, an argumentative justification of the +revolt, but as it abounds in abuse of the Emperor, couched in the most +indecorous language, I will not sully these pages by printing it entire. + +The result predicted by Carvalho--as I had learned by experience--was +not improbable, but it did not follow that, because the Brazilian +ministers were unjust and hostile to me, I should accept a bribe from a +traitor to follow his example. I therefore transmitted the following +reply to his impudent proposal:-- + + _Pedro Primiero,_ Off Pernambuco, Aug. 26, 1824. + + SIR, + + If I shall have an opportunity of becoming personally known to Your + Excellency, I can afford you proof to conviction, that the opinion + you have formed of me has had its origin in the misrepresentations + of those in power, whose purposes I was incapable, on principle, to + serve. + + I have, &c. &c. COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + His Excellency M. DE C. PAES D'ANDEADE. + +On the 19th, the Junta requested the interposition of the English and +French consuls to induce me to give further time for consideration. This +I refused, from the dangerous nature of the anchorage, by which the +safety of the ships was imperilled. + +Unwilling, however, to injure this fine city, I sent in proposals for +capitulation, giving permission to the revolutionary leaders to depart +unpunished, together with their property, provided they quitted the +Brazilian territory--demanding in return the surrender of the forts, +ships of war, gunboats, &c. as well as of all public property. In order +to prevent waste of time in correspondence, I proposed to Carvalho to +meet me on board any neutral ship of war, pledging my honour as to his +being permitted to return in safety; he nevertheless declined the +interview, proposing in return to meet me on shore on an island near the +town but--as after his insulting proposal, I could have no confidence in +his honour, this was of course declined. + +Still anxious to avoid extremities--from which, after the threats made, +I could not consistently refrain--I again wrote to Carvalho, that, had +he possessed the means of distinguishing between the intentions of the +Emperor, and the proceedings of a foreign faction, he would not have +been in arms against His Imperial Majesty, by adherence to whom Brazil +could alone be saved from that anarchy and confusion into which Mexico +and other South American States had fallen through individual rivalry +and the ignorance of their popular assemblies. I further pointed out to +him, that if, by procrastination I was compelled to bombard the city, +the popular clamour against the insurgent authorities might be followed +by melancholy proof to himself how quickly political adventurers may be +abandoned or betrayed in the hour of danger, and that he had better +yield to reason, what he could not prevent my effecting by force. + +By writers who could not have known anything of the circumstances--which +exist only in my own documents--I have been blamed for this tone of +moderation towards the revolutionary President. There were two valid +reasons for this course; first, that the conduct of the Pernambucans +admitted of great palliation, seeing that the distractions resulting +from the Portuguese faction in the administration at Rio de Janeiro had +been ignorantly construed into acts of His Imperial Majesty--so that the +injured people argued that it would have been better for them to have +remained a colony of Portugal, than a colony of the Government at Rio de +Janeiro--this mode of reasoning not being very far wrong. Secondly--and +this fully accounts for the moderation complained of--I knew, from the +most authentic sources that, in case of attack on the city, Carvalho had +determined to retire into the interior, there to carry on civil war by +enlisting the negro population under his standard; to avert which, I +considered that moderation was the best course to induce him and his +partisans to quit the empire, which would thus have been well rid of +them. + +It was folly, therefore, to consider the rebellion local, as had been +represented to the Imperial Government, or that its actors and +instigators were few and insignificant, for, in truth, as has been said, +it had already extended far and wide into the adjacent provinces, I +therefore wrote to the Minister of Marine, that "although it might not +be difficult to put down the revolution in the city, which, even the +land forces could have already accomplished, had they not been landed at +a distance--yet that without great circumspection, the prevention of +further revolution in the interior would be a work of time, trouble, and +expense; and that even all these would be thrown away, unless the causes +which had led to the rebellion, were removed or explained." + +The time given having expired without acceptance of the terms, it became +necessary to make at least a shew of enforcing them, though the water +was too shallow to admit vessels of large burden to approach with +safety, and the small vessels were ill adapted to the purpose; still I +determined to make a demonstration, and as a preparatory step ordered +Captain Welsh, of the _Paraguassu_, to shift into the flagship all the +English petty officers and seamen; but a heavy swell set in, and as the +anchorage was bad, I considered the risk imprudent. + +The schooner _Leopoldina_ was therefore ordered to try the effect of a +few experimental shells; but the mortar so shook the vessel, that she +had to be withdrawn, it being evident that nothing further could be done +till the weather would permit the approach of ships, or that rafts could +be constructed--for which purpose timber had been ordered from Bahia. +Little damage was effected by this experiment, for the wealthiest +inhabitants had fled into the interior, taking with them all their +valuable property. + +Heavy weather having now set in compelled the flagship to run to Bahia +for safety, the outer road of Pernambuco being at this season +exceedingly dangerous from the coralline nature of the bottom, as was +practically proved by the fact that the _Pedro Primiero_ lost every +anchor but one, so that to remain was certain destruction, and there was +no alternative but to make for Bahia to procure anchors. + +Nothing had been heard of General Lima's force since its debarkation, I +was therefore anxious to know what had become of it, and how far it was +in a condition to cooperate, the speedy possession of the place being +nautically an important point--for, whilst blockading we had intercepted +a Portuguese vessel, only forty-three days from the Tagus, and learned +from her letters that a large force was preparing at Lisbon, consisting +of sixteen ships of war and numerous transports, their destination +being Pernambuco; this forming sufficient proof that the Portuguese +Government counted on the recovery of those disorganised provinces which +had alike revolted against the mother country and the Emperor of Brazil. + +On the 4th of September, the flagship left for Bahia, first visiting the +island of Alexo, where the _Cacique_ and _Maranhaõ_ were at anchor. From +them we learned that General Lima's head-quarters were at Leimham, his +advance guard having joined the troops at Mogado, on the banks of a +river near Cape St. Augustine, the revolutionary forces occupying the +other bank. + +On reaching Bahia, we received information that the rebel Government at +Pernambuco was in immediate expectation of several fast sailing vessels, +ordered by the revolutionary President from North America, and also of +two steamers from England. I therefore wrote to the Minister of Marine +to send me some superior sailing vessels, as, if the anticipated +expedition from Lisbon, or those expected from England and America, made +their appearance, four at least of our force would, from their bad +sailing, run the risk of being captured on the first appearance of the +enemy. + +On learning the panic which had been created in Pernambuco, by the show +of bombardment, and its anticipated repetition in earnest on my return, +General Lima pushed forward towards the capital with no more formidable +opposition than a few desultory skirmishes; and on the 11th of +September, with the co-operation of the naval officers and seamen there +left, took possession of the city, Carvalho retreating into the +suburbs, where, breaking down the bridge which united them, he +entrenched himself. On the following day, it was said that General Lima +found in the treasury 400,000 dollars; perhaps the same which Carvalho +had offered to me as a bribe to join the republican party. + +The _Piranga_ arriving at this juncture with a convoy bringing eight +hundred additional troops, preparations were made to attack Carvalho; +but the insurgent president, making his escape on a fishing raft, took +refuge on board the British corvette _Tweed_, and afterwards got to sea. + +During the interval which elapsed between my departure for Bahia and my +return to Pernambuco, the distribution of prize money amongst those +entitled to it took place, the flagship and the _Maria de Gloria_ being +paid at Bahia, and the rest at Pernambuco. As His Imperial Majesty had +left me altogether unfettered by orders or instructions, and as he had +given the 200,000 dollars to be used in furthering the Imperial objects, +I determined not to regard the advances which had been made at Rio de +Janeiro, as forming any portion of the reward, especially to the +flagship, which had, unaided, achieved the more important results of the +late campaign, and was therefore entitled to a share commensurate with +the arduous exertions of the officers and crew, now again under my flag. + +The subjoined extracts from the log of my secretary will shew the +periods at which the distribution took place:-- + + _Sept.10th._ Made distribution of prize money in silver. + + _Sept.15th to 16th._ Went on board the _Maria de Gloria_, and paid + prize money. + + _Sept. 17th._ Paid Capt. Crosbie, 10,400 dollars in specie. Paid + other officers 5750 dollars. + + _Sept. 18th._ Paid Admiral 4750 dollars. + + _Sept. 27th._ Paying prize money to the _Paraguassu_ and others. + + _Sept. 28th._ Similarly employed. + + _Sept. 30th._ Paying prize money. + + _Oct. 1st to 5th._ Paying prize money. + + +The following were the amounts disbursed on these occasions, as far as +they appear in my private memoranda--some doubtless having been lost:-- + + Dollars. + Disbursements at Rio de Janeiro 70,750 + _(Paid Squadron as per account, made up Sept. 23, 1824.)_ + + + To petty officers and seamen of flagship, in classes + numbered A to Y, as per pay books transmitted + by _Piranha_ 18,289 + + Paid Captain Crosbie 10,400 + + " Captain-Lieutenants Carvalho, Grenfell, and + Shepherd, 2250 dollars each 6,750 + + " Capt. Grenfell, on account of captures at Parà 2,750 + + " Seven Lieutenants, at 1500 dollars each 10,500 + + " Two Lieutenants at 1000 dollars each 2,000 + + " Six Lieutenants at 750 dollars each 4,500 + + " Lieutenant Ross as prize master 500 + + " _Maria de Gloria_ 2,483 + + " _Nitherohy, Carolina,_ and _Paraguassu_, no + account, say the same 7,500 + + " Brig _Bahia_ 274 + + " Officers and men of the _Piranga_ 7,053 + + " Mr. Dean, purser 600 + + " Lieutenant Ayre 480 + + " Florencia José da Costa 140 + + " Gratifications to artisans 419 + + + " To Admiral 4,750 + " Secretary, for distribution 5,000 + " May and Lukin, prize agents, as per balance + of account, July 15, 1824 5,324 + ------ + 160,462 + Original amount 200,000 + ------ + Balance to be accounted for 39,538 + ====== + +The above were not the whole amounts paid, but they are all that a +search amongst my numerous papers at present furnish; and as the +original accounts, as has been previously stated, were sent to Rio de +Janeiro, a more precise balance cannot here be drawn; but even this is +sufficient to carry conviction to any reasonable mind, that the sums +above stated were disbursed in ordinary routine, and should make the +Brazilian administration ashamed to say, that "the First Admiral never +sent in his accounts of the 200,000 dollars entrusted to him," thus +inducing an unworthy inference that they were not disbursed; though any +man possessed of common understanding could never believe that a +squadron, constituted as the Brazilian Marine was, would obey orders and +cheerfully act in unison with me, knowing that their prize money was on +board--of which I unwarrantably held possession! + +These explanations are more humiliating to the Brazilian administration +than to myself--though for so many years the subject of unmerited +obloquy from their denial of accounts which must unquestionably have +been in the possession of the Administration of 1825. But I must carry +these explanations yet farther. With the exception of 4750 dollars for +my own necessities, I took none as my share, though entitled to an +eighth in all cases, and to a fourth in the absence of other ships +whenever important services were performed by the flagship alone. +Neither had I received from the Imperial Government a single dollar of +the customary emoluments due to me, though, had these been honestly paid +according to the usages of nations and the stipulations of the Emperor's +decree of December 11, 1822, my share ought to have been more than +double the whole amount entrusted to me to man the ships and satisfy the +officers and men. Still I did not appropriate the 39,000 dollars which +remained, after paying the men, but determined to withhold it till I saw +what course the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro intended to pursue; +and, if that course were not satisfactory, then to appropriate it as a +right, although it was wholly inadequate to the services rendered, for +which I had been loaded with Imperial honours and national thanks, +without a shilling of emolument, notwithstanding the capture of a +hundred and twenty _bona fide_ enemy's ships--the expulsion of their +fleet and army--and the annexation of more than one half the empire. But +more of this in another place. + +On my return to Pernambuco, I found General Lima in quiet possession of +the city, and as the _Piranga_ had brought me instructions from His +Imperial Majesty, that, as soon as order was restored, a force should +proceed to Parà , and depose the, General-at-Arms there nominated, I +applied to General Lima for a small military detachment to effect that +object; but he declined--on the ground, that in the present state of +affairs in Pernambuco, it was not practicable to diminish his force. + +It was not at Parà only that irregularities prevailed: even at Maranham +serious disturbances had broken out, with the avowed intention, on the +part of the insurgents, of deposing the Governor acting under the +authority of His Imperial Majesty--to whom this new attempt at +revolution was as yet unknown. In short, the order to depose the +General-at-Arms at Parà had unexpectedly resolved itself into the +necessity of tranquillizing the whole of the Northern provinces, which +were only waiting the result of Carvalho's measures at Pernambuco, +openly to declare against the Imperial authority. + +The dissatisfaction in the Northern provinces originated solely in the +anti-Brazilian system of Government pursued at Rio de Janeiro, which in +the estimation of all at a distance was Portuguese rather than +Brazilian. As they were either ignorant, or did not believe, that the +patriotic intentions of the Emperor were overruled or thwarted by the +Portuguese faction in the administration, which, holding in reality the +reins of power, left to His Majesty little more than nominal authority. + +It was not, then, to be wondered at, that the inhabitants of these +distant provinces, who, only a year before, had welcomed me as their +liberator from Portuguese oppression, and as the representative of +constitutional authority, should now be dissatisfied with what they +rightly considered an unnational system of government--preferring to +submit to a bad government of their own choosing rather than to one thus +arbitrarily imposed upon them. + +To avert revolution required able presidents, well skilled in the +management of public affairs; but, in place of these, men of an opposite +character had, for the most part, been chosen by the administration. + +It was no less essential that the Generals-at-Arms, or military +commandants, should be temperate and unprejudiced; but those placed in +this responsible position used their authority in the most obnoxious and +arbitrary manner. It was, no doubt, difficult to find proper men; or, if +they existed amongst the Brazilians, the jealousy of the Portuguese +party in the administration prevented their elevation to power; the aim +of that faction being disorder, as auxiliary to their anti-imperial +views. This had been strikingly evinced by the instructions given to +disembark General Lima's force at Alagoas, instead of near the seat of +disturbance; thus entailing loss of time and a difficult and tedious +march, which might have ended in failure, had it not been for the +distraction caused by the threatened bombardment of Pernambuco by water, +and the demonstration made to shew how easily it would be effected, when +means for a destructive attack were complete; the result was, +that--knowing my return from Bahia, with everything in readiness for an +attack in earnest, could not be delayed beyond a few days, no serious +opposition was offered to the occupation of the city by the force under +General Lima. + +The reports of increased disaffection in the Northern provinces becoming +daily more precise, it was necessary to take advantage of the panic +which the recovery of Pernambuco had occasioned; the more so, as serious +commotions had arisen, whilst a strong disposition to revolt was almost +universally manifested. As General Lima had refused me a military +detachment--and as the _Pedro Primeiro_ and _Piranga_ could render him +no further assistance, I considered it more in conformity with His +Majesty's interests to visit the Northern ports with these ships; taking +also the _Cacique_ and _Atalanta_, for the performance of services to +which the larger vessels were not adapted. The mere presence of these +off the disaffected ports would, I knew, suffice to restore order, by +affording inferential demonstration that, if force were required, it was +ready to be applied. + +Accordingly, leaving at Pernambuco the remainder of the squadron, we +sailed on the 10th of October for Rio Grande do Norte, where great +confusion prevailed amongst the inhabitants, threatened by the +insurgents in the adjacent province of Cearà , on account of their +abandonment of revolutionary designs in consequence of events at +Pernambuco. + +Arriving off the Rio Grande on the 12th, I requested information from +the President, relative to the state of the maritime towns and provinces +between Rio Grande and Parà , especially with regard to Cearà . The +nature of the reply determined me at once to proceed to the latter +place, though regretting the necessity of going farther to leeward, on +account of the time which would be occupied in getting back to Rio de +Janeiro; yet feeling assured that it would not be satisfactory to His +Majesty, were we to return without ascertaining more particularly the +condition of the North, and without contributing to the restoration of +tranquillity. + +Arriving off Cearà on the 18th, I sent a communication to the President, +requiring him to make known my arrival for the purpose of restoring +order, and promising that all disaffected persons who, within fourteen +days, should return to their allegiance, would be permitted to retire +quietly to their homes, and would not in any way be molested on account +of their previous acts or opinions. + +A deputation of the inhabitants came off to the flagship, asking me to +land as large a force as I could spare, but as General Lima had declined +to supply a military detachment, it was out of my power to comply; for +the roadstead being unsafe, and the flagship nearly aground, I could not +dispense with the English seamen, whilst the Portuguese portion of the +crews was not to be trusted. Besides which, the foreign seamen were not +adapted to garrisoning a town. + +The application was, therefore, evaded; but with an assurance to the +President that, should the insurgents advance, we would render effectual +assistance; reminding him, however, that the inhabitants ought to be +induced to adopt amongst themselves, measures for their own protection +and preservation of tranquillity, which results were perfectly within +their power; and would render unnecessary the presence of military. + +I however landed a small detachment for the purpose of ascertaining the +means of defence, as well as in the hope of exciting the authorities on +shore to some degree of activity in their own cause. In case of attack, +I promised to disembark for their assistance the whole of the men who +could be spared; at the same time giving permission to withdraw to the +ships in case of sudden emergency, which might not admit of +communication with me in time. + +This offer produced the best effect in the city, giving confidence to +the well-affected, whilst, as the discontented were ignorant of the +extent of aid that could be afforded, they deemed it wisest to keep +quiet. On the following day, the inhabitants returned to their +allegiance, the officiating President hoisting the Imperial flag on the +ramparts with his own hands, amidst every demonstration of general +satisfaction. + +I next caused despatches to be sent to all quarters of the province, +announcing the return of the city to its allegiance, promising oblivion +of the past to all who followed the example, and this was succeeded by a +general acknowledgment of the Imperial authority. Confidential agents, +entrusted with similar despatches, were likewise sent to the +revolutionary forces headed by Bizarra, the rebel General-at-Arms, the +whole of whose troops abandoned him; whilst, by similar agency, the +_corps_, under the immediate command of the revolutionary president, +Araripe, was reduced to a hundred men--even the Indians, without +exception, abandoning his standard. + +As one of the first steps towards the pacification of the province, I +had published not only a general amnesty, but also a particular amnesty, +offering to the insurgent leaders themselves especial pardon, from +which, in ordinary general amnesty, they might otherwise imagine +themselves excluded, I had, in my own mind, determined upon this as a +general course to be pursued, as I could not but see that, in the outset +of the revolt, both insurgents and leaders had good cause to be +dissatisfied with the central Government at Rio de Janeiro. I had even +addressed a letter personally to the revolutionary president, Araripe, +remonstrating upon the folly of the course he was pursuing, and +promising my protection to _himself_, as well as to the other +revolutionary leaders, if they would return to their allegiance. He +chose rather to withdraw into the interior, with the discontented who +adhered to him, intending, no doubt, to wait till the naval force had +retired. Foreseeing the danger of this, I issued a proclamation, +offering a reward for his capture, sufficient to induce the Indians who +had previously been his supporters to proceed in quest of him, the +result being that he himself was killed, and the whole of his followers +captured. The Indian chiefs, as well as their dependants, were of great +service in the restoration of order, combining superior bodily strength +and activity, with energy, docility, and unfailing power of endurance +--forming, indeed, the best specimens of the native race I had seen in +South America. + +Previous to this I had succeeded, without much trouble, in restoring +tranquillity to the province of Parahyba, which had also been disturbed +by the mandates of Araripe; the inhabitants complying with his orders, +from the immediate danger to which they were exposed by his violence, +and being under the impression that Rio de Janeiro was too far distant +to afford them succour. Their delight at finding a squadron at hand was, +therefore, immediately followed by a repudiation of the insurgent chief, +and a return to unqualified allegiance. + +My next endeavour was to organise an effective force at Cearà , and this +was accomplished by the embodiment of more than a thousand men, though +we had not a soldier in the squadron. Various _corps_ were also raised +in the towns and villages of the province, and were active in pursuit of +the scattered remains of the republican army. + +Having thus assured myself of the complete restoration of order in the +capital and province of Cearà , and addressed a proclamation to the +inhabitants, pointing out to them the folly of being misled by designing +persons, who could have no accurate knowledge of matters which formed +the ground of complaint against the Imperial Government, we sailed on +the 4th of November for Maranham, which province was found in a state of +even greater anarchy than had prevailed at Cearà . + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +ARRIVAL AT MARANHAM--CHARACTER OF DISTURBANCES THERE--I ASSUME THE +MILITARY COMMAND--PROCLAMATION COMMANDING SURRENDER OF ARMS--CONDITION +OF THE PEOPLE--CORRUPTION OF THE AUTHORITIES--MURDEROUS +PROPENSITIES--DIFFICULTY IN DETECTING ASSASSINS--LETTER TO MINISTER OF +MARINE--PACIFICATION OF PARAHYBA--DOUBTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S +SINCERITY--HE ESTABLISHES SECRET AGENCIES--EXTRAORDINARY +MEMORIALS--PUBLIC COMPLAINTS OF THE PRESIDENT--BRUCE ENDEAVOURS TO +INTERCEPT THEM--MY REPLY TO THE MEMORIALISTS--LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF +MARINE--ENCLOSING COMPLAINTS OF THE CONSULS--BRUCE PREPARES TO RESIST MY +AUTHORITY--COMPLAINTS OF THE BRITISH CONSUL--HE CONSIDERS MY PRESENCE +NECESSARY--LETTER OF THE FRENCH CONSUL--DETAILING SHAMEFUL +ATROCITIES--DANGER OF COLLISION WITH FOREIGN STATES--SUSPENSION OF THE +PRESIDENT--PROVISION FOR FUTURE GOVERNMENT--CONDUCT OF THE FACTION AT +RIO DE JANEIRO--NO INSTRUCTIONS SENT FOB MY GUIDANCE--LETTER TO THE +MINISTER OF MARINE--THE MINISTRY HAD PREVIOUSLY DEPOSED BRUCE--BUT +TURNED ON ME FOR ANTICIPATING THEIR OWN ACT. + + +We arrived at Maranham on the 9th of November, and ascertained that the +city and province--as had been reported--were in a complete state of +anarchy, arising from causes almost incomprehensible. The leaders of the +army had risen against the authority of the president, Miguel Bruce, and +fighting was going on when we entered the river. The strangest part of +the affair was, that both parties declared themselves supporters of the +Imperial authority, whilst each accused the other of plotting to form a +republic. Bruce kept possession of the city by means of negro troops, +from amongst whom he had also picked his officers, conferring upon them +regular commissions; the result being, that their excesses kept the +respectable inhabitants in a state of constant terror, so that my +arrival was hailed with the greatest satisfaction, and addresses of +congratulation were sent in from all quarters, even the ladies adopting +the unusual course of sending a deputation to welcome me. + +I immediately demanded from the president a report of the condition of +the province; but before this was presented, memorials from every part +put me in possession of the causes of disorder universally prevailing. +The general complaint was, that the president had established an +autocracy, refusing the co-operation of a council, as required by the +constitution, and that under his individual authority, military +disorders of all kind prevailed, even to murder, whilst outrages of the +most revolting nature were committed amidst cheers of "Long live His +Imperial Majesty;" thus using the Imperial name as a sanction to the +perpetration of acts the most unlawful and injurious. + +The President Bruce was the same individual whom, on the expulsion of +the Portuguese in the previous year, I had temporarily appointed +President to the first provisional Junta under the Empire, which body +was quickly superseded by a Government elected by the people. Possessing +influence amongst the Portuguese, of which faction--as afterwards +appeared--he was a prominent supporter, he had contrived to get himself +reinstated as head of the provincial Government, and was apparently +following the policy of the Portuguese faction in power at Rio de +Janeiro, viz. that of keeping his province in a state of confusion with +a view to disgust the populace with the Imperial rule, and so dispose +them, should opportunity offer, to favour the views of the mother +country. This policy, as has been said, was marked out by the agents of +Portugal; but Bruce, with every disposition to favour the views of the +parent state, was not the man to be entrusted with political strategy of +this nature. The fact being that, though possessed of a certain amount +of cunning, Bruce was unfit to be entrusted with authority at all--much +less to exercise that which recognises no control--so that the disorder +which prevailed was rather a natural consequence of his own want of +capacity, and arbitrary system of government. Finding every one against +him, he was gradually throwing himself on the black population for +support, promoting emancipated slaves to the rank of officers; and it +was generally acknowledged that had it not been for our opportune +arrival, both himself and the whites who remained in the city might +speedily have fallen a sacrifice to the force which had been organised +for his especial protection. + +On the other hand, the opponents of the president were not only in arms +against him, but there were two or three family parties fighting each +other under the Imperial flag! and carrying their revengeful animosities +to an outrageous extent, which threatened the extermination of one, at +least, of the contending parties, if not the total ruin of the province. +To deal with these parties was, from their mutual recriminations, more +difficult than had they declared themselves inimical to the Imperial +Government. In one thing, however, they were all agreed, viz. in +opposition to the president; but as his was the constituted authority, +this was precisely what I did not intend to sanction. + +It was clear to me that the first remedy was the appointment of a proper +military authority, and as none could be trusted, I apprised the +president of my intention to assume the chief military command during my +stay, or at least until order was restored, issuing a proclamation to +that effect. + +As hostilities were still going on, I sent an order to both parties to +lay down their arms, with which mandate the anti-president party +immediately complied, and dispersed; but as the savage blacks under the +authority of the president attacked their now unarmed adversaries, and +committed great excesses, I seized and put them on board some vessels, +anchoring these under the guns of the flagship, and retained the whole +as prisoners, thus keeping them out of the way of further mischief. + +The surrender of the arms was effected by the following proclamation, +which also explains my motives for this measure:-- + + Whereas, it is essential to the interests of the empire in general + and to the province of Maranham in particular, to put an end to + all public disturbances, whether arising from the contentions of + individuals, or from other causes; and whereas, the Constitution + has provided not only for the administration of justice in civil cases, + but also for the summary trial of military offences. + + Be it henceforth known that--all persons armed, or commanding + or acting with men in arms, or aiding and assisting any body of + armed men in the support or defence of any persons assuming or + pretending to authority as chieftains, or attempting to alter the + Constitution by force--are hereby subject to military jurisdiction + and shall be tried by military law accordingly. But this regulation + is not intended to prohibit individuals from meeting together unarmed, + for the purpose of uniting in an application for the redress + of grievances, or petitioning His Imperial Majesty on points connected + with public or private interests. + + And whereas, military arms and ammunition have been obtained, + by numerous individuals on the pretext of using them for private + defence--it being essential to public tranquillity and general good + that people should have recourse to the protection of the laws, and + not to violence for their security--notice is hereby given, that all + persons in possession of such military arms are to deliver them up + to the chief military officers in their respective districts, to be + deposited in the public armoury. Whoever shall be found in + possession of arms after the termination of this present month of + November, shall be judged according to military law. + + Given on board the _Pedro Primiero_ this 12th day of November, + 1824. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +This proclamation is adduced in order to shew the condition of the +province on my arrival, which it does more fully than would pages of +description. To these difficulties were now added the chagrin of Bruce, +at having his military authority superseded, though his civil authority +was not only uninterfered with, but supported. Still, having the orders +of His Imperial Majesty to use my discretion in tranquillizing the +disturbed provinces, it was not my intention to permit His Majesty's +views to be frustrated by undue deference to a Governor, whose folly and +despotism combined, had been the chief cause of the disturbances, though +I well knew that the course I was pursuing, even though approved by His +Majesty, would bring down upon me the indignation of the Portuguese +faction in power at Rio de Janeiro. + +The proclamation had the effect of procuring the surrender of arms to a +great extent, followed by the disbandment of all irregular forces +collected by the contending chieftains, so that apparent tranquillity +was everywhere enforced. + +The great point was to establish permanent order, which, had we gone +away, would soon have been broken. As, since the reduction of +Pernambuco, there was no other field for my active services, and as I +had no instructions how to dispose of the squadron, I determined to +remain at Maranham, and employ myself in consolidating the good already +produced, till further commands from His Imperial Majesty; for having in +the preceding year expelled the Portuguese from the province, its +welfare was a matter of interest to me, and I felt assured that were His +Majesty acquainted with the want of unity existing, authority would be +given to carry out my views. + +In Maranham, as in the other Northern provinces of the empire, there had +been no amelioration whatever in the condition of the people, and +without such amelioration, it was absurd to place reliance on the +hyperbolical professions of devotion to the Emperor which were now +abundantly avowed by those who before my arrival had been foremost in +promoting and cherishing disturbance. + +The condition of the province--and indeed of all the provinces--was in +no way better than they had been under the dominion of Portugal, though +they presented one of the finest fields imaginable for improvement. All +the old colonial imposts and duties remained without alteration--the +manifold hindrances to commerce and agriculture still existed--and +arbitrary power was everywhere exercised uncontrolled; so that in place +of being benefited by emancipation from the Portuguese yoke, the +condition of the great mass of the population was literally worse than +before. + +To amend this state of things it was necessary to begin with the +officers of Government, of whose corruption and arbitrary conduct, +complaints--signed by whole communities--were daily arriving from every +part of the province; to such an extent, indeed, was this misrule +carried, that neither the lives nor property of the inhabitants were +safe, where revenge, or baser motives, existed for the exercise of acts +of oppression[1]. + +[Footnote 1: Numerous original, but lengthy, documents are in my +possession proving all these facts.] + +I therefore addressed a letter to the president, warning him that such +things ought not to be tolerated; that reports of excesses committed by +those under his authority were reaching me from all quarters, the +perpetrators deserving the most severe and exemplary chastisement; that +I had determined to investigate these matters; and under the reservation +made--of personally acting under extraordinary circumstances--would +visit these cases with severe punishment, should the reality come up to +the representations made. + +The recklessness of human life was amongst the more remarkable features +of these excesses. Only a short time before this, I had granted a +passport to Captain Pedro Martins, as the bearer of an offer from an +insurgent party to lay down their arms, but he was murdered on his +return. This atrocious act, perpetrated, as I had reason to believe, by +some factious adherents to the president's party, from motives of +revenge, was unfortunate, as affording a pretext for others who were +ready to submit, to continue in arms for their mutual protection. I +therefore directed that all troops under the authority of the president +should remain where they were until further orders from me; and demanded +of His Excellency to use every endeavour to apprehend the parties guilty +of an act so disgraceful to the Imperial cause, that they might meet +with due punishment. + +Finding no effort made to apprehend the murderers, I addressed to Bruce +the following letter:-- + + It is with great regret that I have learned the atrocious act committed + by your soldiers against an officer having my passport + for the purpose of endeavouring to tranquillize the province, by + inducing the dissentient party to lay down their arms. This is + a matter so disgraceful to the cause of those by whom it has been + perpetrated, that I must enforce on your attention the necessity of + exertion to apprehend all persons who may be suspected of having + committed this crime, and send them immediately, prisoners, to this + city. + + I have further to direct, in the name of His Imperial Majesty, that + the troops under your command shall remain where they are until + further orders from me, as Commander-in-chief of the military and + naval forces of this province, notwithstanding any authority or order + which you may heretofore have received, or which you may hereafter + receive--except from me--to the contrary. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ + +It is almost needless to say that the guilty parties--though doubtless +well known--were permitted to escape with impunity; the president +alleging as his excuse, "the insufficiency of the regular troops to +preserve the tranquillity of the city;" this remark being intended to +throw upon me the responsibility of having secured on board the black +savages whom he had organized. My reply was, that--"for what I had done, +I was responsible to the supreme Government and the public, and if he +could not find means to preserve the public tranquillity, I must do so; +as he must be sensible that I had acted with propriety in relieving him +from a portion of the labour and responsibility which he had hitherto +sustained." + +On the 28th of November, I forwarded to the Minister of Marine, at Rio +de Janeiro, a full report of these transactions, from which the +subjoined are extracts:-- + + The completion of the task of tranquillizing Cearà in a manner + I trust satisfactory to His Imperial Majesty, was, in a great + measure, effected by the pardon promulgated in the name of His + Majesty--consigning to oblivion those occurrences which would + otherwise have agitated the public mind. The only exception + made was the intrusive President Araripe, and this, because, + instead of availing himself of the first proclamation of amnesty, in + which he was included, he retired into the interior with a band of + robbers, in order to excite further disturbance. The consequence + of this obstinate perseverance in disobedience on the part of + Araripe, has been his death, and the capture of all his followers. + + The restoration of Cearà to its allegiance and tranquillity having + been thus accomplished, we proceeded to Parahyba, where all was + tranquil, the inhabitants having unanimously declared His Imperial + Majesty Constitutional Emperor, the moment that they became free + from the terror of their more powerful and military neighbours at + Cearà . Some dissensions, however, remained in the province. With + respect to Maranham, things are different: no republican flag has + been displayed--nor, as far as I can learn, did any intention exist + on the part of the inhabitants of raising the standard of rebellion; + the state of civil war in which we found the presidency arising + from personal animosities amongst some of the principal families, + especially between those families and that of His Excellency the + President. Certain it is, that all were united against the President, + who, to protect himself, had recourse to the assistance of the lowest + classes of the community, even to emancipated slaves. The result + has been, military disorders of all kinds--and there is no outrage + which has not been perpetrated. + + The general complaint against the President is, that the constitution + has in no way been put in practice; that he has not + established any lawful council; and that he has been guilty of + arbitrary acts. The original documents relating to these matters + are enclosed for the judgment of His Imperial Majesty. + + I humbly hope that His Imperial Majesty will perceive that, + although I had no express authority to interfere in internal disputes, + yet it became my duty--on finding the province in a state of civil + war--without any General-at-Arms, or other military officer of + sufficient authority or capacity, to restore public peace--to take + upon myself powers which I trust have been used for the benefit of + His Imperial service. In order that the Imperial Government may + judge of my proceedings, I have the honour to enclose copies of + proclamations, and other documents relative to my transactions. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +On the 4th of December I was not a little surprised at receiving from +President Bruce a letter requiring me to banish certain persons +obnoxious to himself, amongst others Francisco de Moraes, who had been +the first to set the example of submission to the proclamation issued on +my arrival. This most unreasonable request I refused--writing to Bruce +that dissensions were not likely to be healed by punishing those who had +laid down their arms on the faith of a proclamation issued in the name +of His Imperial Majesty; further assuring him that, if he did his duty, +he would not find me remiss in endeavours to relieve the province and +himself from the miseries and difficulties with which he had been +surrounded. + +On the 5th of December I had the satisfaction of receiving a deputy from +Parahyba, assuring me of the perfect pacification of the town and +province. On receipt of this gratifying intelligence I transmitted to +Parahyba a general amnesty, coupled with advice as to the folly "of +rebelling under erroneous impressions of circumstances with regard to +His Imperial Majesty, which could not come within the sphere of their +personal knowledge, and hoping that, for the future, they would duly +appreciate the beneficence of a sovereign who desired that his authority +--limited by the Constitution--should be felt by his people only through +the exercise of justice and benevolence." + +It was a vexatious task to be thus constantly exhorting the disaffected +in the Northern provinces to confidence in the Imperial Government, +because I knew that they had but too good reason to be dissatisfied--not +with the Emperor--but with his administration, whose hopes were founded +on anarchy and intrigue. It was therefore my practice to exhort them to +rely on His Imperial Majesty--it not being within the scope of my duty +to draw the distinction between the Imperial wishes and the sinister +practices of those by whom His Majesty was surrounded. + +During the period of my absence I had been pressing upon the Department +of Marine at Rio de Janeiro the necessity of a speedy adjudication of +the prizes belonging to the squadron, according to the written order of +His Imperial Majesty. On the 5th of December I received an evasive reply +from the Auditor of Marine, stating that "he did not consider himself in +possession of all the laws and regulations whereon his judgment should +be founded in regard to seizures made or vessels captured by the naval +forces of Brazil." A miserable subterfuge!--as though it were any part +of my duty to supply an official with "laws and regulations" on such a +subject. It was quite evident to me that, despite His Majesty's orders, +no adjudication was intended, nor was any afterwards made; but in order +to prevent complaint of neglect on my part. I transmitted, on the same +date, to the auditor the whole of my documents, with a request that they +might be returned. + +From the state of the province on my first arrival, I had entertained +suspicions as to the President's sincerity; and as outbreaks were again +of frequent occurrence, notwithstanding the general desire for +pacification, an investigation into the causes of these elicited the +fact that he was secretly sending agents to promote disturbance, for the +purpose of revenging himself upon those now disarmed, who, before my +arrival, had opposed his arbitrary authority. + +To such an extent was this carried, that memorials reached me begging my +interference, as the memorialists could not now defend themselves. Two +of these memorials, signed by upwards of three hundred of the +respectable inhabitants of the province, were of such a nature as to +render hopeless the perfect restoration of order so long as the +President was permitted to exercise the autocracy, which, contrary to +all the principles of the constitution, he had irresponsibly assumed. + +In order to account for a step which I subsequently considered it my +duty to adopt, it is necessary to give some extracts from one of these +memorials, signed by a hundred and fifty-two of the most respectable +inhabitants in a distant part of the province:-- + + "That the most demoralizing excesses are permitted amongst + the soldiery, and, in order to preserve his influence with the troops, + the President permits them to murder with impunity--even Europeans; + the perpetrators of these acts being not only unpunished, + but rewarded, whilst military commandants and others attempting to + repress these disorders are dismissed; so that absolute authority is + established--the public money being squandered on the soldiery, in + order to support a criminal despotism. + + "Your Excellency must have witnessed the state to which the + province was reduced on your arrival, the people being compelled + to have recourse to arms in order to ward off a multitude of vexations. + Your Excellency must also have observed how quickly they + laid down their arms at your summons, of which circumstance the + party of the President availed themselves to sack and plunder the + towns and villages everywhere in the country; the tears, desolation, + and misery of so many villages and estates, accompanied by the + blood of the murdered and wounded, remaining eternal monuments + of these crimes. + + "The President and his followers, convinced of the abhorrence + with which such atrocities were viewed, availed themselves of the + false pretext that such acts were necessary for the Imperial service, + the people being in rebellion against him. + + "At the present moment he has given out that he has three thousand + men ready to support him in the Presidency against the measures of + your Excellency, and it is a fact that, in various parts of the + province, he has troops, militia, and arms; whilst the commandants, + appointed by himself, are all ready to execute his measures. + + "If your Excellency should unhappily quit the province, whilst + matters are in this state, it will be totally desolated--its commerce + annihilated--and its agriculture abandoned; confiscation and terror + will be everywhere established, accompanied by rebellion towards + the Emperor. If you will remain, we, the undersigned, undertake + to support the squadron, in the absence of funds from the Imperial + treasury. + + "To terminate these evils, we beg to represent to your Excellency + that there is only one remedy. President Bruce must be deposed + and sent to Rio de Janeiro, with his coadjutors, who are well known, + in order that his acts may be lawfully investigated, and punished + as justice demands; and that, in the interim, there should be + elected by your Excellency, from amongst the more respectable + inhabitants of this province, a person to represent to His Imperial + Majesty the horrible state of things here existing, and to implore + His Imperial Majesty's interposition for its salvation--your Excellency, + in the meantime, assuming the civil and military government + of the province, until His Imperial Majesty's pleasure can + become known. And we further beg of your Excellency that you will + name able magistrates, of known probity, to the respective districts, + and cause oaths to be taken, in order that the respective Camaras + may proceed to the work of saving the province from tumult and + anarchy, by observing faithful obedience to His Imperial Majesty + and by the administration of laws for the government of the people. + + "Maranhaõ, Dec. 11, 1824." + + Signed by one hundred and fifty-two + of the principal inhabitants of the province. + +A similar document, signed by upwards of a hundred and fifty of the +respectable inhabitants of Alcantara--upon whom excesses had been +committed in no way less reprehensible than at Maranham--had been +forwarded to me on the 6th of December; but, as the complaints were of +the same nature, it is unnecessary to do more than advert to the +circumstance. In addition to these, I received a statistic list of the +murders and robberies perpetrated throughout the province, under the +agency of those placed in authority by the President. The whole of these +documents were retained by me as a justification of any contingency that +might arise, and are still in my possession. + +The Maranham memorial reached me on the 14th of December, and had +scarcely been placed in my hands, when a letter arrived from President +Bruce, deprecating its reception, thus shewing that he had previously +been made aware of the contents, and--as I had afterwards reason to +believe--had attempted to intercept the memorial, but had failed in so +doing. After glancing at the contents, I made him the following reply:-- + + SIR, + + I have this moment been honoured with the receipt + of your Excellency's letter, and have to state that the document to + which you allude had not been delivered to me five minutes previous + to your Excellency's communication, and that I have not yet had + time to read it. + + Your Excellency may, however, rest assured that if the said paper + contains any thing injurious to the interests or dignity of his Imperial + Majesty, I shall not fail to take such steps as the occasion may + require. All papers that have been presented to me, it is my intention + to transmit to Rio de Janeiro, where the Imperial government + will judge of the motives of the writers, and of the contents of their + communications. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + Dec. 14, 1824. + +My reply to the memorialists was as follows:-- + + Maranham, Dec. 18,1834. + + GENTLEMEN, + + I have read your memorial with attention, and + regret that you should have occasion to detail complaints of so painful + a nature, the more so as I do not know whether I am authorised + to remedy the evils otherwise than by such measures as have been + already adopted. + + According to the Constitution, you ought to find a remedy in the + laws; but if any authority, commissioned by His Imperial Majesty, + has improperly placed obstacles in the way of law, to His + Majesty only can an appeal against such conduct be made, for they + who attempt to redress evils arising from a breach of the Constitution, + by violating that very Constitution place themselves in an + equally disadvantageous position with the object of their accusation. + + As regards the deposition of the President, which you request, I + frankly confess to you, Gentlemen, that whatever may be my private + opinion as to the course most advantageous to you and the province + in general--and even to the President himself--I should feel extremely + reluctant, except in a case of manifest and extreme necessity, + to take upon myself a responsibility which might possibly subject + me to the displeasure of His Imperial Majesty, and would most + certainly expose me to be continually harassed by prejudicial reports + and false accusations, supported by artful intrigues, against which + neither prudence nor rectitude could effectually avail. + + To mention an instance of this, within your own knowledge, you + all know that, last year, when this province was annexed to the + empire, the property of Brazilians under the flag of Portugal, and of + all resident Portuguese, was by me respected and unmolested. You + know, too, that all the public property of the Portuguese Government + in the arsenals and magazines was left untouched, and it is + equally true that upwards of sixty contos of reis (60,000 dollars) in + specie, and one hundred and forty contos (140,000 dollars) in bills + taken in the Portuguese treasury and custom house, were left by + me in the hands of the Government of Maranham, for the payment + of the army. Yet, notwithstanding these notorious facts, it has + been audaciously declared by the Portuguese authorities composing + the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, that that very army--which I + had thus left the means to pay--_had served disinterestedly at their + own expense, and that I was a mercenary and a robber!_ I may add, + too, that the Junta of Maranham contributed in no small degree to + this calumny, for, after they had secured the money, they refused to + give me a receipt, though the sum I had so lent for the use of the + army was, and still is, the indisputable property of the officers and + men of the ships of war who were instrumental in freeing this + province from a colonial yoke. + + In short, great as is my desire to render you every service in my + power, I am not willing to interfere in matters over which I have + no express authority--because I do not like to risk the displeasure + of His Imperial Majesty, attended, as it might be, not only with + sudden dismissal from my official situation, but even with heavy + fines and imprisonment; not to mention the sacrifice of all those + pecuniary interests which I possess at Rio de Janeiro, where I have + enemies _eagerly watching for a pretence to deprive me of all to which + I have a claim_. Neither am I disposed to afford to those persons + any opportunity of giving plausibility to those calumnies which + they are ever so ready to utter, nor to be under the necessity of + placing myself on my defence before the world against their false + accusations. + + I have the honour, GENTLEMEN, + &c. &c. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +The memorial of the inhabitants of Maranham was, together with other +complaints, forwarded by me to the Imperial Government, accompanied by +the following letter to the Minister of Marine:-- + + December 16th, 1824. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + My letters 278-279, will have acquainted your + Excellency of our proceedings here up to their respective dates, and + will also have afforded the Imperial Government such information + as I could collect regarding the origin and progress of the disputes + which have so unhappily prevailed. + + It was my hope that--by taking their implements of war from + the hands of the contending parties, and removing the most disorderly + portion of the military--the public mind would have + subsided into tranquillity. It appears, however, that--from the + constant alarm occasioned by the "_Pedestres_," and other irregular + troops lately maintained by the President--the public still continue + in dread of being exposed to outrages, similar to those lately committed + on their persons and property. The terror excited is + universal, and as the people must be well acquainted with the + character and conduct of persons with whom they have been bred + up, I cannot bring myself to believe--however desirous to support a + President nominated by His Imperial Majesty--that all the + respectable portion of the population, without exception, entertain + fears that are groundless. Indeed, from all that I have seen or + heard, there is but little reason to hope that his Excellency the + President has any intention to govern this province on any other + system than that of the Captains-General, under the old Portuguese + government; that is to say, rather according to his own will than + in conformity with the dictates of justice or equity. + + Certain it is, that, up to the present moment, the Constitution + has never been put in practice, and even military law has not been + adhered to. Numerous persons have been banished without accuser + or declared crime--others have been thrown into gaol--and the + greater portion of the principal people who remained had--previous + to our arrival--fled to the woods, to avoid being the objects of the + like arbitrary proceedings. + + The representations which I now enclose to your Excellency as a + sample of the numerous documents of a similar nature addressed to + me, will, at least, lead His Imperial Majesty to the conclusion that + such complaints could not have arisen, and continued under the + government of a person calculated to preside over the interests + of so important a province. + + Your Excellency will find a memorial from the French Consul, + marked No. 7, and the other Consuls have only been restrained + from sending similar representations from the consideration that, + on the squadron quitting this port, the consequences might be + highly prejudicial to their interests and those whom they + represent. + + I would further state to your Excellency the remarkable fact + that the President--after having continued a _high pay_ to the + soldiery during the existence of those disorders of which they were + the instrument--did, at the moment of my taking the command, + send me an old order respecting the diminution of the pay of the + troops, which order he himself had never put in execution. And it + is still more extraordinary, that he since refused _any pay whatever_, + to the small number of troops of the line, who are continued in + service for the preservation of the tranquillity of the city. + + Since my last letters, I have been using all possible diligence to + get the remainder of the firearms out of the hands of the lower + classes of the population. Many, however, have been withheld--a + circumstance which gives additional importance to the extraordinary + fact, which I have only by accident learned--that the + Junta of Fazenda, acting under the President, issued an order + on the 6th of December (an attested copy of which is enclosed), + _authorising the sale of powder, and that too, under the false pretence + that "all motives for suspending the sale of powder had ceased."_ + I have not words in which to express the astonishment I felt at this + extraordinary proceeding. I shall only add that, as soon as it + came to my knowledge, I gave orders that such sale should not be + permitted, and I have since directed the whole of the powder in the + magazines at Maranham to be embarked and deposited in a vessel + near the anchorage of the ships-of-war; by which precaution I + consider the security of the white population to be in a great + measure secured, till His Imperial Majesty shall be enabled to + take such steps as in his judgment may appear necessary. + + Were I to detail to your Excellency all the facts that lead my + mind to a conclusion that this province will be entirely lost to the + empire unless a speedy remedy be applied to the evils which here + exist--it would be necessary to trespass upon you at very great + length; but as the brother of the Secretary of Government proceeds + to Rio de Janeiro by the same conveyance as this, your Excellency + and colleagues will be able to obtain from him such further information + as may satisfy your minds regarding the state of this + province. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +It was not long before I learned that in many parts troops were being +secretly organised to support the President's authority against me, but +this was met by removing from command those officers who had either +permitted or encouraged military insubordination; supplying their places +with others upon whom I could better rely. + +An occurrence, however, now took place which threatened to involve +Brazil in serious difficulties. From the indiscrimination of Bruce's +troops in their career of injury and plunder, some renewed outrages had +been committed on French subjects; for which the French consul required +reparation from me, as having assumed the chief authority; at the same +time again demanding passports for himself and the whole of the French +residents, in case of my intention to quit the city and leave Bruce +again in power. The British consul also forwarded additional complaints +of similar outrages against his countrymen; but, in place of requiring +reparation at my hands, he forwarded representations to his own +government, requesting protection against the acts of Bruce, at the same +time communicating the fact of these representations to me, but +declining to furnish me with a copy of his despatch, as I had no direct +appointment from the Imperial Government for the authority I was +exercising. The demands of the French consul were, however, pressing; +but I could only reply with regard to the outrages committed against +French subjects by the adherents of the President:--"I was sorry that it +was not in my power to remedy past evils; but that such steps had been +taken as would prevent their recurrence for the future." + +The subjoined is one of the letters of the British Consul:-- + + British Consul's Office, + + Maranhaõ, Dec. 17, 1824. + + My Lord, + + Understanding that your Lordship has an intention of soon withdrawing + your presence from this province, I am forced, as the official and + responsible protector of British interests in this quarter, to make + the following statement, leaving it to be proved by the facts therein + set forth that I am, by this course, adopting the only means within + my reach, of providing for the interests confided to my attention, a + satisfactory security! and that I am, by so doing, not departing from + that line of conduct which, as a neutral officer, I am bound to + observe. + + By this time your Lordship must be fully aware of the violent + character and desolating effects of the late civil commotions + throughout this province. These commotions unhappily existed during a + protracted period, and whilst they were raging, the regular pursuits + of the community were either interrupted by violent party + intrigues--suspended by a barbarous warfare--or totally stopped by + merciless outrages. + + Notwithstanding this disjointed state of society, and the consequent + inefficiency of all constituted authority, the resident British, by + general and firm perseverance in a strictly neutral line of conduct, + and by calm endurance of not a few unavoidable ills--succeeded in + averting from themselves the chief weight of those evils to which all + the remaining population were exposed. + + But though they now feel grateful at having escaped outrage + and have passed unhurt amidst general anarchy, still, they recollect, + that while by their conduct they were entitled to protection, they + nevertheless continued in a painful anxiety for their safety. + + In this state of uncertain security the resident British continued + for several months, and when at last intrigue attempted to force + them into the general scene of distress--some being openly + threatened--your Lordship's providential arrival averted the destruction + of many inhabitants, and the dangerous condition of all. + + Into this critical situation were British interests at this place + thrown by violent party spirit. That spirit, though at present + smothered, cannot be totally extinguished without time. It has + unsettled the community at large, and disorganised all the military + establishments of the province. + + After this exposition of facts, I may be allowed to assert, without + thereby offering the least disrespect to any constituted authority, + that your Lordship's presence in this province for the time being is + indispensable for the tranquillity and security of all its inhabitants-- + because the only means by which legal control can be revived, and + consequently an occurrence which must be as desirable and needful + to all public functionaries, as I frankly avow it to be to one, who has + the honour to declare himself + + Your Lordship's + Most obedient and humble servant, + + ROBERT HESKETH, + His Britannic Majesty's Consul. + + To the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, + Marquis of Maranhaõ, Admiral, &c. &c. + +The letter of the French Consul is even more precise, and therefore I +subjoin that also:-- + + Vice Consulate of France at S. Louis de Maragnon, + + Monsieur le Marquis, Dec. 4, 1821. + + La position difficile dans laquelle je me suis trouvé depuis trois + mois--la délicatesse de celle dans laquelle je suis placé maintenant + vis-à -vis M. le Président de la province de Maragnon, m'imposant le + devoir de porter à la connoissance de votre Excellence les justes + motifs de plainte que j'ai à lui exposer centre la conduite de M. le + Président Bruce envers un Agent de Sa Majesté le Roi de France, et + venir à ce titre reclâmer un appui que je ne puis plus dorénavant + attendre de sa part. La confiance que m'inspire le caractère dont + votre Excellence est revêtue, et la certitude qu'elle n'ignore pas + les intimes relations qui lient la France à l'Empire du Brésil, me + font qu'elle saura apprécier les conséquences graves que doivent + entraîner l'avance faite ici aux sujets de mon Souverain, et le + silence méprisant que garde à cet égard le Président depuis un mois + que je lui ai demandé la participation du résultat d'une enquête + qu'il m'assura avoir été ordonnée par lui. Sans m'entendre sur les + évènements facheux qui ont désolé cette province depuis cinq mois, + pour être hors du but que je me propose je me bornerai à parler de + ceux dont je puis garantir l'authenticité et de l'influence du + Gouvernement de M. Bruce pendant cet intervalle sur le bien-être de + mes nationaux. + + Lors des premières armamens faits dans la province, pour opposer des + forces à une expédition supposée de la part du Portugal, un François + établi à Caixas, compris dans une mesure générale fut obligé + d'autorité de délivrer une partie d'armes dont il ne recût jamais la + valeur, malgré un sejour prolongé de plusieurs mois dans le même + endroit. Quelque modique que soit la somme qu'il s'est vu dans la + nécessité de venir reclâmer ici, elle est proportionnée à ses + moyens. C'est un tort évident fait à cet homme qui ne put continuer + à exercer son industrie dans le lieu qu'il avoit choisi, et fut + contraint à un déplacement coûteux qui doit lui retirer toute + confiance à l'avenir. + + L'arrivée des troupes envoyées par le Président pour réprimer un + mouvement dans l'intérieur immédiatement après le départ de M. José + Felix Burgos, ne fut signalée dans la ville d'Alcantara que par des + désordres, les Etrangers même n'y furent pas respectés dans cet + endroit, qui n'étoit pas encore le théâtre des hostilités. Un homme + de ma Nation y exerçant paisiblement son commerce fut attaqué chez + lui, eut les portes de sa maison enfoncées par les soldats, fut + temoin deux fois du pillage de sa boutique et forcé pour sauver ses + jours d'aller séjourner dans le bois; ce malheureux n'a d'autre + ressource maintenant que le travail de ses mains, ce fait contre + lequel il eut été de mon devoir de reclâmer vient seulement de + parvenir à ma connoissance. + + Les François établis en cette ville avoient joui jusqu'à l'arrivée + dans l'île des troupes armées contre le Président d'une trop grande + sécurité, pour ne pas révailler contre eux toute la haine dont avoit + eut fait preuve déjà les Portugais avant l'adhésion de cette + province a l'Empire du Brésil. Un acte émané _de leur despotique + Junte_ avoit malgré les traités fait fermer les loges Françoises + jusqu'à la reception des ordres précis de leur gouvernement, qui + désapprouvait hautement cette mesure. Ces mêmes Portugais oubliant + la générositie avec laquelle les commandants de trois bâtimens de Sa + Majesté le Roi de France venoient de sauver un grand nombre de leurs + compatriotes lors des derniers troubles du Parà , n'écoutant que leur + jalousie ne s'efforcèrent qu'à nous perdre dans l'opinion publique + _par le plus noires inculpations._ Je les considère comme ayant + influé puissament sur le malhereux évènement que j'ai eu à dèplorer. + Malgré l'avertissement que j'avois donné huit jours auparavant au + Président de la menace qui étoit faite aux François de leur faire + subir le genre d'assassinat usité ici, le 21 Septembre, quatre + François été surpris par des assassins, deux furent très maltraités, + l'un atteint de plusieurs blessures à la tête et au bras fut + reconduit chez lui baigné dans son sang; ses blessures au bras, + fracturé en deux endroits laissent encore douter après 70 jours de + douleurs aigues s'il ne devra par subir l'amputation. Le même jour à + la même heure, un François fut attaqué chez lui malgré le signe de + reconnaisance qui distingue depuis les troubles les maisons des + François; des pierres lancées dans sa porte et ses fenêtres pendant + un long espace de temps, l'obligèrent à venir lui-même dissiper par + des menaces une troupe d'hommes qu'il espéroit ne pas voir échapper + à la surveillance d'un porte militaire à proximité de sa maison. + + M'étant rendu chez le Président, lui demander d'abord la punition + de ce crime atroce, il eut l'inconvenance de m'objecter que la + conduite des François étoit très repréhensible, je remarquoi ces + paroles et le lui fis observer; elles ne pouvoient s'appliquer + d'ailleurs qu'à deux individus passés au service du parti opposé, + que j'étois venu desavouer lui en demandant expulsion. Le Président + repondant se rendit à ma demande, et me donna l'espoir d'avoir une + satisfaction, tant pour l'attentat à la vie des quatre individus de + ma Nation, que pour l'attaque du domicile d'un François. + + Néanmoins les jours suivants les désordres continuerant, les + François étoient outragés publiquement; un soldat eut l'audace de + poursuivre mon negre dans la maison Consulaire et de l'y frapper en + se repondant en invectives contre les François; un enfant de neuf + ans fut horriblement maltraité par des soldats, jusqu'aux négres + osoient lever la tête, et nous insulter. Mr. Bruce avoit-il pris du + mesures de repression? Est-ce la protection que devoit en attendre + l'Agent d'une puissance amie du Brésil? En butte à l'animositie + d'une soldatesque indisciplinée, nous courûmes pendant quinze jours + le danger le plus imminent, nous attendant à tout instant à voir se + réaliser ses menaces de venir nous massacre dans nos maisons. + + J'ai eu depuis à reclamer contre le violation d'un batimen du + commerce François. Malgré trois gardes de la Douane, cinq soldats + armés furent envoyés à son bord à neuf heures du soir; je les fis + retirer le lendemain; ce dernier acte du Président qui des lors + commença à ne plus garder aucuns ménagemens avec moi, faisant + incarcerer un des mes nationaux sans m'en donner avis ainsi que des + motifs qui l'y portoient; le pavilion du Roi placé au dessus de + l'Écusson de France, que je trouvai lacéré, me firent prévoir que je + n'avois plus rien à attendre de la protection de l'autorité. + + Monsieur le Marquis, je me suis maintenu à mon poste malgré les + dangers tant que j'ai eu l'espoir que l'arrivée de Votre Excellence + si desirée de la population entière de la province, viendroit nous + délivrer de ce déplorable état de choses. Sans connaître les + intentions de Votre Excellence, je vois Mr. Bruce encore président, + non-seulement il ne m'a donné aucune satisfaction, mais encore + apporte dans sa conduite, le mépris le plus marqué par un fileure + qui ne pent s'interprêter autrement. + + C'est donc contre lui, Monsieur le Marquis, que je vieus en + solliciter une aujourd'hui pour ce total oubli de ses devoirs + envers un Agent de Sa Majesté très Chrétienne; cette conduite + emporte le refus d'aucun appui de sa part pour l'avenir; d'ailleurs + mon caractère publique m'impose de ne pas m'exposer à un outrage, et + l'intérêt que je dois à mes nationaux de les soustraire à son + implacable vengeance. Si Votre Excellence ne jugeoit pas convenable + d'user de ses pleins pouvoirs pour m'accorder la seule garantie qui + puisse me permettre de séjourner plus longtemps ici, je viens lui + demander de protéger mon embarquement et celui des François qui + restant encore à Maragnon. + + Je suis, avec respect, Monsieur le Marquis, de Votre Excellence le + très humble et très obéissant serviteur, + + (Signé) PL. DES SALLIERES. + + À son Excellence LORD COCHRANE, Marquis de Maragnon, Premier Amiral + du Brésil, &c. &c. + + +The steps alluded to were such as I considered most essential for the +safety of the as yet unacknowledged empire; which, through the folly of +a provincial Governor, was in danger of being jeopardised by collision +with powerful European states. As stated to the Maranham memorialists, I +did not adopt the extreme measure of deposing Bruce from the +presidential authority, but resolved to suspend him therefrom till the +pleasure of His Imperial Majesty as regarded his conduct should be made +known. Accordingly, on Christmas day, 1824, I addressed to him the +following letter;-- + + Maranham, Dec. 25,1824. + + SIR, + + It is with extreme regret that I feel myself under + the necessity of acquainting your Excellency that it is impossible + for me to withdraw the squadron from Maranham, so long as your + Excellency continues to exercise the functions of President of this + province; because it is evident that if your Excellency is left in + authority, without the aid of the squadron, you must again + have recourse to the assistance of the lowest order of the people, + whom, on my arrival here, I found in arms in support of your + Excellency, against nine-tenths of the upper classes of society, who + continue to entertain the greatest terror of being left under the + authority of your Excellency. + + To prevent the recurrence of so lamentable a state of things--the + loss of lives--and the calamities of every kind which would inevitably + ensue, I would respectfully suggest to your Excellency the + necessity of your withdrawing from office, until the determination of + His Imperial Majesty can be obtained. + + I can, with great truth, assure your Excellency that my intentions + are not in any degree dictated by any feelings of personal ill-will + towards your Excellency. On the contrary, I have a wish to rescue + you from a situation of great jeopardy, and it is chiefly with a view + of avoiding to do anything that might appear derogatory to your + Excellency, that I am desirous the change so necessary to be effected + should proceed from your Excellency's voluntary resignation. But + I regret to add that so pressing is that necessity, that it is quite + essential that your Excellency's determination should be immediate, + and therefore I hope to be favoured with your Excellency's reply in + the course of the present forenoon. + + Permit me to assure you that if it should be your desire to continue + in this city in the character of a private gentleman until the + determination of His Imperial Majesty, with respect to your resumption + of office, or otherwise, shall be known, no impediment to + your Excellency's wishes will originate with me; or, if you should + think proper to proceed at once to the Court of Rio de Janeiro, a + commodious conveyance shall be provided for the accommodation of + your Excellency, and of those whom you may deem it convenient to + accompany you. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +Bruce did not resign, preferring to accept my offer of conveyance to Rio +de Janeiro, there to await His Majesty's decision. Complete tranquillity +being thus restored to the province of Maranham, and not to that only, +but also to the adjoining provinces, which had more or less entered into +the existing disorders, either as adherents of the insurgent chiefs, or +of the President, it became requisite to organize a government. Not +deeming it politic to elevate to power any member of those families of +distinction whose feuds were only dormant on compulsion, I appointed +Manuel Telles de Silva Lobo, the Secretary of Government, as interim +President; he being entirely unconnected with family factions, well +acquainted with the details of government, and of unimpeachable +integrity. At the same time I caused the Camaras to be re-assembled, so +that the administration of law and public affairs might be carried on +according to the forms and intentions of the constitution. + +This suspension of the President was afterwards fully approved of by His +Majesty, and the more patriotic of his advisers, as only anticipating +their intentions, it being a remarkable fact that, at the very time I +was suspending him, _an order from His Majesty was on its way to +supersede him_; information of his proceedings having previously reached +Rio de Janeiro, so that in what had been done, I had only carried out +the intentions of His Majesty. + +Nevertheless, the occasion--as affording a good opportunity to traduce +me--was afterwards eagerly seized by the Portuguese faction in the +administration. All attempts to injure me in the estimation of the +population at Rio de Janeiro--which was firmly attached to the Emperor, +and grateful to me for my services--had signally failed; but on his +arrival at Rio de Janeiro the representations of the ex-president whose +mal-administration I had summarily checked, were published in every +possible shape, whilst the Minister of Marine unwarrantably withheld my +despatches from the public, as well as from His Majesty, the consequence +of which was that the prejudicial representations of what were termed my +arbitrary acts had full effect. It was represented that I, a foreigner, +had dared, unauthorised, and on false pretences, to seize on the person +of a gentleman occupying the highest position in one of the most +important provinces, and had sent him to Rio de Janeiro as a prisoner, +whilst it was I who deserved to be brought to condign punishment for the +outrage; and had I at the moment been within reach of the Portuguese +faction at the capital, which was embittered against me for establishing +order, when to further their own anti-Imperial designs disorder was +alone wished--a summary end might have been put to my efforts for +preserving and consolidating the integrity of the Brazilian empire. + +That this vituperation and hostility would be the result I well knew; +but as the Portuguese party in the administration could scarcely treat +me worse than they had done, I had made up my mind to encounter their +displeasure. Of His Majesty's approval I felt certain; and, in return +for the uninterrupted favour and reliance, which, notwithstanding the +self-interested hostility of his anti-Brazilian Ministers, I had +uniformly experienced at his hands, I had all along resolved to secure +that which I knew to be His Majesty's earnest wish--the unity of the +empire by the pacification of the Northern provinces. All attempts to +thwart this on the part of the Portuguese faction were futile, and even +unconsciously favourable to the course I was perseveringly pursuing, +though all my despatches to the minister remained unanswered, and no +instructions were sent for my guidance. + +Notwithstanding the neglect of the administration to supply the squadron +with necessaries, and myself with instructions, in a position foreign to +my duties as naval Commander-in-Chief, and which I had only accepted at +the earnest wish of His Imperial Majesty--I carefully kept the +Government advised of all that took place. The same ship which conveyed +the ex-president to Rio de Janeiro, carried also the following despatch +to the Minister of Marine:-- + + Maranham, December 31st, 1824. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have to acquaint your Excellency that a belief + that the squadron was about to withdraw and leave the abandoned + and disorderly military of this place under the feeble control of his + Excellency the President, excited a degree of dread in the public + mind amounting almost to a state of frenzy--and convinced me + that I had no alternative, but either to abandon the principal + inhabitants, and, indeed, the whole white population, to the fury of + mercenary troops and blacks--or to remain with the squadron until + another President should be nominated by His Imperial Majesty. + + This last measure, however, upon mature consideration, appeared + to be wholly incompatible with the interests of His Imperial + Majesty, not only on account of the violent animosities subsisting + between President and people, which, notwithstanding the utmost + vigilance on my part, daily disturbed the public tranquillity--but + because the presence on shore of nearly the whole of the + seamen in the ships of war is requisite to counterbalance the + influence and power which the President has obtained over the + soldiery and irregular bands, by the impunity with which he has + suffered them to act, and by rewards bestowed on persons in the + ranks, or of the lowest orders of society. The continued absence of + seamen from the ships would, it is evident, endanger the safety of + the latter; besides which, the season is now approaching when diseases + incident to the climate become prevalent, and would not fail + considerably to thin the small force at my disposal. + + The necessity of adopting some decided measure became every day more + urgent. Representations continued to pour in from all quarters + against the conduct of the President. The Consul of His Britannic + Majesty, moreover, having heard that the squadron is about to depart, + has written me a letter, of which I enclose to your Excellency a + copy. + + I am aware that it is difficult to follow a course, under the + circumstances in which I am placed, that when judged of at a + distance, and merely on such evidence as can be conveyed by writing, + will leave no room for persons to contend that a different line might + have been followed with greater advantage; and I am perfectly aware + that whether I had left this province, and anarchy had followed, or + whether by remaining I had succeeded in preventing that anarchy, _I + should equally be exposed to the cavils of those who are always + disposed to reprobate the measures actually adopted, whatever they + may be_. + + Having, therefore, but _a choice of evils with respect to myself_, + I have--without further care as to my personal responsibility--pursued + that course which, on full consideration, appeared to me + to be most conducive to the interests of His Imperial Majesty, and + best adapted to secure the tranquillity of this province; and I have + _reserved for my own security_ such original documents as will satisfy + the mind of His Imperial Majesty on the subject of my conduct in + suspending the functions of the President of Maranham. + + A few of the many reasons which have induced me thus to take + upon myself a heavier responsibility than would have attached to + the adoption of either of the measures before alluded to, will be + found on the printed paper which I enclose. In that paper, however, + I did not consider it proper to set forth all the facts which + have come to my knowledge; such as his tampering through various + agents with the troops, artillery, and police, and above all with the + disbanded "_Pedestres_;" and the sending of emissaries to the + distant quarters of the province to excite the people again to rise in + arms for his support--though no legal prerogative which the + President does, or ought to possess, had been in any way infringed + by me or any person acting under my authority. The fact is, that + this gentleman, bred up under the despotic Captains-General, + accustomed to their arbitrary proceedings, to the mal-administration + of colonial law, and the absence of everything like fair trial, cannot + brook any limitation to his power, and has demonstrated his desire, + if not to establish an independent sway, at least to act solely + according to his will and pleasure. I am anxious to ascribe his + faults rather to the circumstances under which he has unfortunately + been brought up, and to his advanced age, than to premeditated + evil intentions. + + I have the satisfaction of adding, that, by the course I have + adopted, a desolating civil war has been terminated--the treasury + saved further expenditure--and the persons and property of the + people have been rescued from destruction, and placed under the + protection of the laws. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +Such was the history of an affair, which would not have been thus +minutely detailed, but for the obloquy against me to which it +subsequently gave rise; the ministry afterwards declaring that, to serve +my own purposes, I had _deposed_ Bruce, and appointed Lobo in his +place--the facts being, that I never deposed him at all, but suspended +his functions merely till His Majesty's pleasure should be known--and +that, at the very period when this took place, _the Administration, +unknown to me, had deposed him for the same causes which led me to +suspend him!_ as will appear in the next chapter. Nevertheless, when +they found that--acting under the discretion accorded to me by His +Imperial Majesty--I had partially only anticipated their own act, and +that vituperation against me in my absence might be turned to their own +account, they took up the cause of the very man whom they had deposed, +and loaded me with abuse for having outraged the feelings and position +of a most excellent person nominated by His Majesty to one of the +highest offices in the state. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +MISREPRESENTATIONS MADE IN ENGLAND--LETTER TO THE EMPEROR--TENDERING MY +RESIGNATION--REPAYMENT DEMANDED FROM THE JUNTA--CONDUCT OF THE PRIZE +TRIBUNAL--NO ADJUDICATION OF PRIZES INTENDED--LETTER TO THE INTERIM +PRESIDENT--DEMANDING THE SUMS OWING TO THE SQUADRON--DISTURBANCE IN +PARA--STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT TO THE JUNTA--OFFER OF COMPROMISE--IMPERIAL +DECREE--RIGHT OF THE SQUADRON TO THE CLAIM. + + +Worn down in health by the harassing duties of the naval, military, and +civil departments, the conduct of all these wholly devolving upon me, +whilst the Ministry at Rio, by withholding instructions, neither +incurred trouble nor responsibility--and aware that my character was +being traduced by every species of malignity which could be devised by +the party whose views were destroyed by the successful manner in which +those duties had been performed, I was heartily sick of the ingratitude +and misrepresentation with which the service of having twice secured the +Northern provinces to Brazil was met on the part of the Administration, +in addition to their now apparent determination that neither myself nor +the squadron should reap any benefit from the prize property taken in +the preceding year, notwithstanding that, under the Andrada ministry, +both had been solemnly guaranteed to the captors. + +I was, however, even more annoyed on another account, viz. from being +apprised that the vilest misrepresentations of my conduct were being +sedulously circulated in England by the partisans of the Administration. +Their vituperation in Brazil could, to some extent, be met; but the +petty meanness of attacking a man in a distant country, without the +possibility of his defending himself, was a matter against which no +prudence or foresight could guard. + +Determined no longer to contend with an Administration, which could thus +conduct itself towards an officer whose exertions had been deemed worthy +of the highest honours from the Emperor, and the warmest thanks from the +National Assembly, I resolved to request permission from His Imperial +Majesty to retire from so unequal a contest, for I did not choose +spontaneously to abandon the command, without at least some compensation +beyond my ordinary pay. Even setting aside the stipulations under which +I had entered and continued in the Imperial service--this was at least +due to me from the unquestioned fact that to my twice rendered +exertions--first as naval Commander-in-Chief; and, secondly, as a +pacificator--the empire owed its unity and stability, _even in the +estimation of European governments_, which, now that the provinces were +tranquillized and the empire consolidated, exerted themselves to promote +peace between Brazil and the mother country. + +Accordingly--on New Year's day, 1825--I addressed to the Emperor the +following letter:-- + + SIRE, + + The condescension with which your Imperial + Majesty has been pleased to permit me to approach your royal + person, on matters regarding the public service, and even on those + more particularly relating to myself, emboldens me to adopt + the only means in my power, at this distance, of craving that + your Majesty will be graciously pleased to judge of my conduct in + the Imperial service, by the result of my endeavours to promote + your Majesty's interests, and not by the false reports spread by + those who--for reasons best known to themselves--desire to alienate + your Majesty's mind from me, and thus to bring about my removal + from your Majesty's service. + + Whilst I have the honour to continue as an officer acting under + the authority of your Imperial Majesty, I shall ever perform my + duty to your Majesty and to the Brazilian people; and I trust that, + up to the present day, your Majesty has not felt any reason to doubt + my sincerity and fidelity to your Imperial interests. And if his + Excellency the Minister of Marine has failed to lay before the + public my despatches, and thereby permitted rumours prejudicial to + my character to go forth, I respectfully look up to your Imperial + Majesty for justice. + + In this hope, I most respectfully entreat permission to refer + your Imperial Majesty to my letter No. 271, which I addressed to his + Excellency the Minister of Marine, from Pernambuco, early in + October, previous to my departure from that port, announcing my + intention of proceeding northward, and the necessity of so doing, for + the pacification of the northern provinces; also to my letter of the + 13th of October (No. 273), written from Rio Grande do Norte; and + No. 274, dated October 28th, written from Cearà ; all of which + letters, explicitly describing my proceedings, intentions, and reasons, + were duly transmitted, both in original and duplicate, by different + conveyances. + + I trust that your Imperial Majesty will please to believe me to be + sensible that the honours which you have so graciously bestowed upon + me, it is my duty not to tarnish; and that your Majesty will further + believe that, highly as I prize those honours, I hold the maintenance + of my reputation in my native country in equal estimation. + + I respectfully crave permission to add, that--_perceiving it to be + impossible to continue in the service of your Imperial Majesty, without_ + _at all times, subjecting my professional character to great risks under + the present management of the Marine department--I trust that your + Majesty will be graciously pleased to grant me leave to retire from your + Imperial service, in which it appears to me that I have now accomplished + all that can be expected from me--the authority of your Imperial + Majesty being established throughout the whole extent of Brazil._ + + I have the honour to be + Your Imperial Majesty's + Dutiful and faithful servant, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +The permission to retire was neither granted, nor was the request +noticed, yet--notwithstanding that the ministerial organs of the press +teemed with matters injurious to my reputation, and displayed the most +unfair comments on my proceedings--no complaint was officially made to +me, as indeed none could be made; this ungenerous mode of attack being +resorted to, whilst the whole of my letters and despatches were withheld +from public knowledge. + +On the 3rd of January, intelligence was received that an outbreak had +occurred at Caixas, promoted by the adherents of Bruce on learning the +fact of his suspension from the presidentship. The interim-president, +Lobo, was anxious to re-arm the disbanded troops against them, but this +I forbade, telling him that, "in my opinion a military mode of governing +was neither suited to the maintenance of tranquillity nor the promotion +of obedience to the law, and that it would be better to give the civil +law a trial before proceeding to extremities; and that although some +outrages had occurred in the heat of party spirit, yet they would +probably cease on the intelligence that President Bruce had embarked +for Rio de Janeiro." The result was in accordance with these +anticipations, for, on learning this fact, the insurgents immediately +laid down their arms--being only too glad to escape further notice. + +In the expectation that His Imperial Majesty would approve of the act, +and that his ministers could offer no opposition, I considered it my +duty to the officers and seamen of the squadron, no less than to myself, +to obtain repayment from the Junta of Maranham--at least in part--of the +sums temporarily left for their use in the preceding year. + +It will be remembered that after the expulsion of the Portuguese from +Maranham in 1823, considerable sums of money and bonds had been taken in +the treasury, custom-house, and other public offices, together with +military and other stores--and the value of these, though guaranteed by +His Imperial Majesty to the captors, had, with the consent of officers +and seamen, been temporarily lent to the then Provisional Government, +for the double purpose of satisfying the mutinous troops of Cearà and +Piahuy, and carrying on the ordinary functions of Government--there +being no other funds available! + +At the period of this temporary surrender of the prize property to state +exigencies, it was expressly stipulated and fully understood that, as +soon as commerce had returned to its usual channels, and with it the +customary revenues of the province, the whole should be repaid to the +account of the captors. This had not been done, and the officers and men +were still losers to the amount, in addition to the non-adjudication of +their prizes generally by the Portuguese tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, +which, in unprincipled violation of the express decrees of His Imperial +Majesty--asserted that "they knew nothing of prizes, and did not know +that Brazil was at war with Portugal!" though, in the Imperial order of +March 30th, 1823--given for the vigorous blockade of Bahia, His Majesty +had explicitly ordered the Portuguese to be considered as "enemies of +the empire."--"Distruindo ou tomando todas as forcas Portuguesas que +encontrar e fazendo todas damnos possives a os inimigos deste Imperio." + +It was further pretended by the tribunal that Bahia and Maranham were +not foreign ports, but parts of the Brazilian empire, though, at the +time of my appearance before them, both provinces were then, and ever +had been, in possession of Portugal; the tribunal, nevertheless, +deciding with equal absurdity and injustice, that captures made in those +ports, or within three miles of the shore, were unlawful--this decision +including, of necessity, the unaccountable declaration, that His +Majesty's orders to me to blockade the enemy's port of Bahia, and to +take, burn or destroy all Portuguese vessels and property--were also +unjust and unlawful! although this was the very purpose for which I had +been invited to quit the Chilian service. Yet, notwithstanding this +Imperial decision, the tribunal also most inconsistently condemned all +ships of war taken (as _droits_) to the crown, without the slightest +compensation to the captors. + +But there was still a more flagrant injustice committed, viz. that +whilst the officers and seamen were thus deprived of the fruits of their +exertions, they became liable to about twenty thousand milreas in the +prosecution of their claims; for no other reason than the unwillingness +of the prize tribunal to order condemnations injurious to their friends +and native country; for as has been said nine out of the thirteen +members of the tribunal were Portuguese! + +It had, therefore, been long apparent that no adjudication in favour of +the squadron was intended, and that its services in having united the +empire and saved it from dismemberment, would only be met by continued +injustice. + +As the property left with the Provisional Government of Maranham had +been used for the benefit of that province, and as no part of it had +ever been repaid, I determined that those to whom it was due should not, +at least, be defrauded of that portion of their claims, or of a +reasonable compromise thereof; and therefore I addressed to the +interim-president the following letter:-- + + TO HIS EXCELLENCY MANOEL TELLES DA SILVA LOBO, + PRESIDENT INTERINO. + + SIR, + + The public duties which I had to perform for the + service of His Imperial Majesty, and the pacification of this province, + being now happily brought to a termination, it becomes my duty, as + Commander-in-chief, to call your Excellency's attention to some + facts concerning the interests of the officers and seamen under my + command. + + On the occasion of my former visit, in 1823, which was so happily + instrumental in rescuing this province from the yoke of Portugal + and annexing it to the Empire, I was desirous of rendering the + service performed still more grateful to the people by voluntarily + granting, in the conditions of capitulation, not only my guarantee for + the inviolability of all Brazilian property then under the Portuguese + flag, but also of all the property belonging to resident Portuguese + who should subscribe to the independence of the Empire, and the + authority of His Imperial Majesty. These conditions were most + scrupulously observed and fulfilled on my part, without the slightest + infringement in any one instance. + + But--on the other hand--it was expressly set forth in the terms + of capitulation, that all property belonging to those who remained in + hostility--that is to say, property belonging to the crown or government + of Portugal, or to absent Portuguese (though with respect to + the latter a commutation was subsequently consented to) being, + according to the laws of war, subject to condemnation to the captors + --should be delivered to the captors accordingly, to be, by themselves, + subjected to the customary investigation in the prize tribunals of + His Imperial Majesty. + + Amongst other articles of property of this description were, of + course, included the money due on the balance of public accounts + to the crown of Portugal, and this amount--partly in specie and + partly in bills--was held in readiness by the capitulating authorities + to be delivered when required. But, as my attention was for some + time solely directed to the arrangement of public affairs, I neglected + to call for the said balance until the new Junta of Government, + chosen under my authority, had taken possession of their office, and + obtained the control of the public moneys. + + After several applications on my part to the said Junta, and as + many evasions on their part, I had, at last, a personal conference + with them on the subject--on which occasion they solicited, as a + particular favour, that I would permit the amount to remain in their + hands, for the purpose of satisfying the claims of the troops of + Piahuy and Cearà , whom they represented as being clamorous for + their pay. To this request I agreed, under the assurance that I + should receive bills from the said Junta for the amount. These, + however, they not only evaded granting, but, when afterwards called + upon for a receipt, they declined giving any acknowledgment. + + To the truth, however, of the main fact, viz., the claims of myself, + and the officers and men under my command, your Excellency + has now the power of satisfying yourself by a reference to the official + documents that passed between the functionaries of government and + myself, both previous and subsequent to the surrender of the Portuguese + authorities in this province. + + The conduct of this Junta has proved to be merely a type of that + which we have since experienced on a larger scale at the hands of + the supreme tribunal of justice at Rio de Janeiro. But there is a + point beyond which forbearance ceases to be a virtue, and I now + call upon your Excellency to direct that the Junta of Fazenda, who + so unjustly and deceitfully withheld from the officers and men the + property above described, shall, with all convenient despatch, + proceed to the adjustment of the claim in question. + + An attested copy of the accounts, signed by the members of the + late Portuguese Junta of Government--being in my possession, I + enclose a copy thereof, which your Excellency can cause to be + compared with the original treasury and custom-house books. I + likewise enclose to your Excellency a copy of a gracious communication + which I received from His Imperial Majesty--the original of + which, in His Majesty's own handwriting, is now in my possession. + + This will enable your Excellency to judge as to what the + understanding and intentions of His Imperial Majesty really are, + with respect to the claims of the squadron--when influenced by the + dictates of honour and his own unbiassed judgment. + + Nevertheless--should your Excellency consider it necessary, I + have no objection to prosecute the claims of the officers and seamen + to the balance before alluded to--in the Court of Admiralty which + your Excellency is about to convene. But I beg it may be distinctly + understood that I hold myself bound not to relax in any way + from my determination that these accounts shall be settled, so as to + enable me to fulfil the duty which I am engaged to perform to those + under my command. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +To my annoyance Parà became the scene of renewed disturbance, and even +the life of the President was threatened. This was disheartening, as +evincing a desire on the part of the provinces to pursue--each its own +separate course; proving the deep hold which the counsels of Palmella +had taken to promote anarchy by fostering provincial pride--as a means +to promote discord, and thus to reduce the newly-formed empire to +insignificance and ruin,--from the same cause which had befallen the +liberated provinces of Spanish America. + +Not having been furnished with troops, it was difficult to spare a force +to meet this new emergency. There was no time, however, for hesitation, +so I despatched the _Atalanta_ to Parà , with a detachment of the best +seamen, under the command of Lieutenants Clarence and Reed, upon whose +zeal every reliance was to be placed; at the same time sending a +recommendation to the President to use the force for the purpose of +remitting to me those who had threatened his life, and of overawing +those who had been endeavouring to subvert his authority. + +The Junta of Fazenda having now assembled, I transmitted to them the +following; + + GENERAL STATEMENT + + Of the money and other property claimed by the squadron on the + surrender of the Portuguese authorities of Maranham; in conformity + to the laws relative to matters of prize, and the gracious + decrees of His Imperial Majesty:-- + + + Milreis. + Treasury and custom-house 62,000 000 + In bills and debts 147,000 000 + Value of artillery, stores, and ammunition, + say 100,000,000 at 1/5th + for the squadron 20,000 000 + Value of stores in the arsenal, including + gunboats, launches, boats, + and materials of all kinds 25,000,000 + ___________ + Public property 254,000 000 + + Obligations delivered as Portuguese + property under the decree of + H.I.M. of Dec. 11th, 1822; by + that decree confiscated to the + Crown, but by the gracious bounty + of H.I.M. awarded to the squadron, + in his own handwriting, dated + 12th February, 1824 170,196 461 + ___________ + Sum total 424,196 461 + +Together with this statement of account, I forwarded the following offer +of compromise, on the part of the squadron, for the payment of +one-fourth only:-- + + His Imperial Majesty, having--by decree of the 11th of December, + 1822--commanded the seizure and confiscation of all merchandise in + the custom-houses of Brazil belonging to Portuguese subjects--all + merchandise so belonging, or the proceeds thereof, in the hands of + merchants--and all vessels or parts of vessels belonging to such + subjects--I, therefore, in conformity with the said decree, having, + on the occasion of the capitulation of Maranham, directed, that all + persons having property in their hands of the nature set forth in the + said decree, should deliver in an account of the same; and the bills + and papers herewith annexed having been given up by their respective + holders as _Portuguese property of the description set forth_, the + said bills and papers are now laid before the Court of + Vice-Admiralty, in order to the adjudication thereof in conformity to + the said decree. + + But, whereas, the said Imperial decree could not be enforced at + Maranham in the ordinary manner, by means of civil officers acting + under the authority of His Imperial Majesty, by reason of the + port and province being under the authority and government of + Portugal; And whereas, His Imperial Majesty, in consideration of + the annexation of the said port and province to the Empire, by + the naval means under my command--and generally of other + important services--was graciously pleased, by virtue of a grant + in his own handwriting, bearing date the 12th day of February last, + to accord the value of the seizures to the officers and men as a + reward for their exertions and services; the said officers and men + agree to surrender these bills and the property, as set forth in the + annexed list, amounting to 484,196,461, together with all other + claims, for the sum of one-fourth, or 106,000, to be paid by the + Treasury of Maranham by instalments, within the period of thirty + days from the date hereof. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +The following is the Imperial decree alluded to in the preceding +letter:-- + + DECREE. + + It being obvious that the scandalous proceedings and hostility + manifested by the government of Portugal against the liberty, honour, + and interests of this Empire, and by the captious insinuations of the + demagogical congress of Lisbon, which--seeing it impracticable to + enslave this rich region and its generous inhabitants--endeavours to + oppress them with all kinds of evils, and civil war, which has occurred + through their barbarous vandalism. It being one of my principal + duties, as Constitutional Emperor and Defender of this vast Empire, + to adopt all measures to render effective the security of the country, + and its defence efficient against further and desperate attempts + which its enemies may adopt; and also to deprive, as far as possible, + the inhabitants of that kingdom from continuing to act hostilely + against Brazil--tyrannizing over my good and honourable subjects-- + deem it well to order that there be placed in effective sequestration, + + 1_st_. All goods and merchandise existing in the custom-houses of + this Empire, belonging to subjects of the kingdom of Portugal. + + 2_nd_. All Portuguese merchandise, or the value thereof, which + exists in the hands of subjects of this Empire. + + 3_rd_. All real and agricultural property, held under the same + circumstances. + + 4_th_. Finally, all vessels or parts of vessels, which belong to + merchants of the said kingdom. There being excepted from this + sequestration, bills of the national bank, banks of security, and + those of the Iron Company of Villa Sorocaba. + + Joseph Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, of my Council of State, + Minister of the Interior, and of Foreign Affairs, shall cause the + execution of this decree. + + Given in the Palace of Rio de Janeiro, December the Eleventh, + 1822, first of the Independence of the Empire. + + With the Rubrica of His Imperial Majesty, + + JOSÉ BONIFACIO DE ANDRADE E SILVA. + +These documents--coupled with the decree of Dec. 1822, awarding the +above confiscations to the captors--shew so clearly the right of the +squadron's claim, and the injustice of the course pursued by the prize +tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, in refusing to adjudge Portuguese property +to the captors, that further comment is unnecessary. In order, however, +to give every possible information relative to a matter which has been, +to me, a cause of so much obloquy, I subjoin my letter to the interim +President, accompanying the preceding documents:-- + + SIR, + + I have the honour to enclose to your Excellency, + two hundred and sixty obligations seized under the orders of His + Imperial Majesty--dated the 11th December, 1822--which I + request you will be pleased to cause to be laid before the Junta of + Fazenda, together with the papers enclosed, in order that the Junta + may take the necessary steps to the liquidation of the just and + moderate claims of the officers and seamen. I further beg your + Excellency will be pleased to intimate to the Junta, that I cannot + abstain from taking whatever measures may be necessary to prevent + the violation of the laws and regulations of the military service--the + infraction of the express engagement of His Imperial Majesty--and + the consequent disorganization of the squadron, so essential for the + maintenance of tranquillity, and the preservation of the independence + of the Empire. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + 20th Jan. 1825. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +IMPERIAL APPROVAL--CONTINUED ENMITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION--JUNTA REFUSES +TO PAY THE SQUADRON'S CLAIM--I PERSEVERE IN THE DEMAND--JUNTA AGREES TO +PAY THE AMOUNT IN BILLS--THIS REFUSED--ARRIVAL OF A NEW PRESIDENT--BUT +WITHOUT AUTHORITY FOR THE ASSUMPTION--INTRIGUES TO ESTABLISH HIM IN +OFFICE--I ORDER HIM TO QUIT THE PROVINCE--AND SEND HIM TO PARA--LETTER +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CEARA--INTERNATIONAL ANIMOSITIES--THE SQUADRON LEFT +TO PROVIDE FOR ITSELF--ABUSE OF AUTHORITY--EXPLANATIONS TO MINISTER OF +MARINE--OF TRANSACTIONS AT MARANHAM--LETTER TO CARVALHO E +MELLO--ANTICIPATING MINISTERIAL DISPLEASURE--THE JUNTA REIMBURSES PART +OF ITS DEBT. + + +On the 16th of January I had at length the satisfaction to receive, +through the Minister of Marine, the Emperor's approval of the course +pursued in the pacification of the Northern provinces, and his +confirmation of the changes that had been made in their administration. +Still not a word of instruction was vouchsafed for my future guidance. + +The subjoined is the letter conveying His Imperial Majesty's approval of +my acts and judgment:-- + + His Imperial Majesty commands the Secretary of State of the + Marine to apprise the First Admiral, Commander-in-Chief of the + naval forces of this Empire, that His Majesty received his despatches + by the schooner _Maria de Gloria_, by which His Majesty was informed + of his proceedings, and approves of his determination to proceed to + the Northern provinces, where the fire of rebellion has been lighted, + with a view to establish therein the order and obedience due to the + said august sovereign, a duty which he has so wisely and judiciously + undertaken, and in which course he must continue, notwithstanding + the previous instructions sent to him, bearing date the 4th of October + last, which instructions are hereby annulled until he shall attain + the highly important objects proposed in the before-mentioned provinces, + viz., till they submit themselves to the authorities lately + appointed, and enjoy the benefits of the paternal Government of His + Imperial Majesty. + + Palace of Rio Janeiro, Dec. 2, 1824. + + (Signed) FRANCISCA VILLELA BARBOSA. + +To this letter--annulling my recall after the fall of Pernambuco--I +returned the following reply:-- + + No. 289. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + Since I had the honour of addressing your Excellency + in my letter, No. 288, I have not had any further intelligence + from Parà ; I therefore conclude that the officers and seamen whom + I detached there, will be sufficient to aid the President in maintaining + good order. + + Here, nothing particular has happened, beyond the collecting + of a few runaway soldiers and vagabonds in the woods. A party + detached in pursuit of them, dispersed them all, and brought in + several prisoners yesterday. + + I have received your Excellency's communication by the schooner + _Maria de Gloria_, and _feel highly gratified that His Imperial Majesty + has been pleased to approve of the course which I have pursued for the + termination of dissensions in the Northern provinces. Since the + gracious communication of His Imperial Majesty, I feel less weight of + responsibility in the course which circumstances have compelled me to + follow, with a view to restore order in the province of Maranham._ + + I hope soon to inform your Excellency that the task which His + Imperial Majesty has been further pleased to confide to me, of + causing the newly-appointed authorities to be acknowledged, is + accomplished; but I beg respectfully again to add my opinion that + these Northern provinces will not long continue in a state of + tranquillity, unless the provincial forces are shifted to other + quarters of the empire. In fact, if attention be not paid to this, I + consider that these provinces will shortly be entirely lost, both to + the empire of Brazil and to Portugal. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + Jan. 21, 1834. + +The continued absence of even the slightest instructions for my +guidance--coupled with the Imperial approval of all I had done upon my +own responsibility, naturally implied that it was considered better to +leave me entirely unfettered by orders, which, if given at all, must be +issued in ignorance of the actual state of things which required +renovation. In this light I should have regarded the omission to direct +my conduct, but for the warnings privately received, to be careful what +I was about, for that, despite any apparent public approval of my +proceedings, my enemies in the administration were on the watch for some +act which might be construed to my disadvantage, and thus become the +pretext for blame which should outweigh the praise accorded. The +opportunity I felt had already been afforded by the suspension of Bruce +from the presidency, notwithstanding that this--as has been seen--was +fully justified by circumstances, and was not resorted to without +deliberate consideration, and the deepest conviction of its necessity. +Still, any opposition to the suspension of Bruce could only be factious, +for, on the 2nd of December, the Minister of Marine had in anticipation +forwarded to me a list of new presidents and generals-at-arms, every +person in authority throughout the whole extent of the Northern coast +being changed--with the exception of the president of Parà ; so that +there was every reason to anticipate that even the strong measures +which I had been compelled to adopt with regard to Bruce would meet the +views of His Imperial Majesty. + +On the 31st of January, the interim President apprised me that the Junta +refused to liquidate any part of the claim made in behalf of the +squadron. Upon this refusal, I wrote to the Junta that, such being their +decision, I would hold them personally responsible that no bills, debts, +nor claims of any kind beyond the current expenses of government should +be paid, till this prior claim--in honour and justice due to the +officers and seamen, who had generously advanced their prize money to +meet state exigencies--should be liquidated; adding, that the seamen +_relied on me for justice_, and if my warning were not attended to, I +should be compelled to take such steps as the necessity of upholding the +interests of the crown and the efficiency of the naval service appeared +to demand. + +In taking this step, I frankly admit that it was the only way to obtain +from the Government of Maranham even a compromise for the amount owing +by the province to the captors. I had every confidence in His Imperial +Majesty that as far as lay in _his_ power justice would be done, as +evinced by the acknowledgments given in his own handwriting in +opposition to the measures of his ministers, on whom, or the prize +tribunal, no reliance could be placed; the former having done all in +_their_ power to thwart my efforts in His Majesty's service, whilst the +tribunal, acting by the sanction or in conformity to the known wishes +of the ministry, had delayed adjudication, with the evident intention +of _evading it altogether_, except in cases which gave a colour for +condemning me in damages, in which respect--apparently their only +object--they were prompt enough. + +I therefore determined that as a specific portion of the prize property +taken at Maranham in 1823, had, at its own request, been given up to the +provisional Government, upon the express understanding of repayment +--without which it could not have been thus surrendered--the Junta +should be made to preserve their own good faith, as well as mine, to the +squadron, which, relying on my promises, had been influenced temporarily +to devote to the exigencies of the State that which by imperial decree, +as well as according to the laws of all nations, was their undoubted +right. + +My orders to the Junta of Fazenda not to pay any claims--with the +exception of the ordinary expenses of Government--till those of the +squadron had been satisfied, were, however, almost superogatory; for, on +a visit of inspection to the arsenal on the 2nd of February, it appeared +that they had established a system of not paying any debts, even those +incurred for the provisions of the squadron, the contract prices being +set down at _treble the market price!_ This overcharge was accounted for +by the merchants on the ground of dilatory payments, which could only be +obtained at all from the Junta by fees to those whose duty it was to +pass the accounts! To counteract this, I requested the interim President +to forbid any further purchases on the part of the provincial +Government, as, in future, I would make them myself, and, what was more +to the purpose, pay for them. + +By limiting the demand of repayment to one-fourth only of the amount +captured from the Portuguese Government, I was not pressing at all +severely upon the resources of the province, which is one of the richest +in Brazil; nor should I have put them to any inconvenience had I +demanded repayment of the whole, _as I justly might have done_. + +On the 8th of February, the Junta of Fazenda sent me a verbal +communication to the effect that they would give the sum agreed upon in +commutation of prize money due to the captors--_in five bills, payable +in five months_. As I knew that, in case of my departure, these would +not be worth the paper upon which they were written, I refused the +offer, adding that, after the course pursued by the prize tribunal at +Rio de Janeiro the seamen had no faith in promises. + +Finding that the Junta shewed every disposition to evade the demand, I +requested a personal interview with that body, intimating that I +expected all the members to be present. At this interview, I told the +Junta that all the documents necessary in support of the claim had been +laid before them, these being too precise to admit of dispute--that they +had no right in law, justice, or precedent, to withhold the portion of +the prize property left at Maranham, by the request of the provisional +government, no funds of their own being then available to meet the +exigencies which had arisen--and therefore they were in honour bound to +restore it. + +I was induced to adopt this step, not only on account of the evasive +conduct experienced at the hands of the administration at Rio de +Janeiro, but because I knew that negotiations were actually pending for +the restitution of all the Portuguese property captured, as a basis of +the projected peace between Portugal and Brazil; in other words, that +the squadron--whose exertions had added to the Empire a territory larger +than the whole empire as it existed previous to the complete expulsion +of the Portuguese--was to be altogether sacrificed to a settlement +which its own termination of the war had brought about. So barefaced a +proceeding towards those whose services had been engaged on the express +stipulation of a right to all captures is, perhaps, unparalleled in the +history of nations; and, as both officers and men looked to me for +protection, I determined to persevere in demanding from the Government +of Maranham--at least a compromise of the sums which the captors had, in +1823, lent to its pressing exigencies. + +No small amount of obloquy has been attached to me with regard to this +act of justice, the only one the squadron was ever likely to obtain; but +the transaction involved my own good faith with both officers and men, +who had lent the money solely on my assurance that the Government at Rio +de Janeiro could not do otherwise than refund the amount--so important +was it at the time, that the pressing difficulties of the province +should be promptly met. A man must have a singularly constituted mind, +who, in my position, would have acted otherwise. To this subject it will +be necessary to recur. + +On the 7th of February, I was surprised by an intimation from Pedro +José da Costa Barros, of his intention to assume the presidency of +Maranham, founding his pretensions upon a letter addressed to Bruce, +whom I had suspended. At first--believing that he possessed the +requisite authority--I invited him to take possession of the office, but +finding that he had no patent to shew for the appointment, I considered +it my duty to His Majesty not to admit such pretensions till their +validity was established, and therefore told Barros that he must await +the official communications from Rio de Janeiro, before I could +acknowledge him as president--for that tranquillity being now restored, +I would not have the minds of the people again unsettled on the mere +presumption of his appointment. + +In this arrangement Barros appeared to acquiesce, but being a well-known +partisan of the Portuguese faction, he was soon surrounded by the +adherents of that party in Maranham. On the 10th of March, a series of +allegations was forwarded to me by the party of Barros against the +interim President, but as they were of the most insignificant nature, +and unsupported by proof, I refused to pay attention to them. They were +shortly afterwards followed by a letter from Barros to the same purport, +but without any specific accusation against Lobo, whom he nevertheless +represented as about to fly from Maranham in order to evade the +punishment due to his crimes! Upon this I addressed to him the following +letter demanding specific charges against the interim President:-- + + Maranham, 10th March, 1825. + + SIR, + + I have received your Excellency's letter, in which the interim + President, Manuel Pellas da Silva Lobo, is charged with an intention + of departing from Maranham in a sudden and clandestine manner, and + in which your Excellency calls on me to adopt measures for the + prevention of his flight. I must, however, represent to your + Excellency that, since I have been in this province, so many reports + have been made to me with the greatest confidence, impeaching the + character and motives of individuals--all of which have proved + unfounded--that I feel it impossible to act with any propriety on + your Excellency's intimation--without being furnished with proof of + the truth of the allegation. + + Your Excellency, I am persuaded, is too honourable to propagate so + serious a charge without believing it to be well founded, and I + cannot doubt that you will have the candour to admit that I am + entitled to be made acquainted with the grounds on which your + Excellency's belief rests, before proceeding to any measure of + severity against the party accused. + + I have further to request that your Excellency will be pleased to + say _for what crime, or crimes_, the President interino is supposed + to be about to abandon--not only this province--but to flee from his + native country? + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + To PEDRO JOSÉ DE COSTA BARROS. + +The charges against Lobo, I well knew to have been fabricated for the +purpose of getting me to place him in arrest, and instal Barros in the +presidency. This plot failing, I learned, on the following day, that +arrangements had been made for the forcible seizure of the interim +President's person without any specific cause for dissatisfaction with +his government, which was in all respects just and excellent. Finding +the spirit of intrigue thus again manifested for the neutralisation of +all my efforts to restore order and prosperity to the province--to the +discomfiture of the intriguants--I again, on the 11th of March, declared +martial law. Such was the terror inspired by this act in the minds of +those who had fomented renewed disorder, that, anticipating summary +retribution from me, they prepared for the flight of which they had +accused an innocent man. On learning this, I despatched a vessel with a +competent officer to cruise at the mouth of the port, under orders +neither to let ships nor passengers leave without passports +counter-signed by myself. + +Having received a letter from José Feliz de Azevedo e Sa, the President +of Cearà , warning me of the intentions of Barros, who had come from that +province, I was confirmed in my determination that the good which had +been effected at Maranham should not be neutralised by one who had no +authority to shew for his interference. Accordingly, I wrote to Barros +the following order to quit the province forthwith, until His Majesty's +intentions with regard to him should be made known:-- + + March 11th,1825. + + SIR, + + Your Excellency having acquainted me that the + President interino intended to fly from justice, at the same time + calling upon me to take precautionary measures to prevent his + escape, without setting forth any crime of which he had been guilty; + and further, with regard to my letter requesting that you would + make known the nature of the delinquency which impelled the said + President interino to fly from the province, you have not considered + it necessary to give the slightest explanation. + + Now, as I have ample reason to believe the whole allegation to be + a fabrication--as I know that your Excellency--instead of waiting, + as is your duty, for communications from His Imperial Majesty + --has, by your countenance, suffered to be stirred up a spirit of + dissension and party, and as I understand the laws which I have been + compelled to call into operation to prevent greater evils. + + I have to acquaint your Excellency that I have provided a convenient + conveyance for your Excellency and suite, in order that you + may reside in the neighbouring province of Parà , until the arrival of + orders from His Imperial Majesty; and that my barge will be at + the service of your Excellency and suite at any hour to-morrow, + between sunrise and sunset, in order to proceed to the anchorage of + the _Pedro 1'ro_, where you will find the _Cacique_ ready for your + reception. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + To PEDRO JOSÉ DE COSTA BARROS. + +Barros strongly remonstrated against this proceeding; but knowing that +the machinations of his party had been the direct cause of renewed +disorders, I resolved not to give way; telling him that he had only +himself to blame, by not having abstained from meddling with public +affairs till the arrival of competent authority from His Imperial +Majesty. Accordingly, I insisted on his immediately embarking on board +the _Cacique_, in charge of Captain Manson, for conveyance to Parà , to +the President of which province I addressed the following letter:-- + + Maranham, 13th March,1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + Since I had the honour of writing to your + Excellency, Pedro José de Costa Barros, who arrived from Cearà + with the intention to take upon himself the office of President + here--has unfortunately been the occasion of stirring up old + animosities, which I had hoped experience might have taught him + the advantage of leaving dormant. Had Barros been provided + with proper authority under the sign manual of His Imperial + Majesty, the difficulties that have occurred since his arrival might + have been prevented; though I am extremely apprehensive that if + ever he shall be invested with such authority, still greater evils will + befal the province. The Portuguese party are in favour of Barros, + and have expressed their sentiments unequivocally, and this your + Excellency knows is sufficient to raise up the native Brazilians + against him. + + The Portuguese and some others had combined to place Barros + in the Presidency by force, which intention I happily frustrated by + arriving in Maranham with a considerable reinforcement from the + _Pedro Primiero_, at midnight--when the attempt was to have + occurred. To put a stop to proceedings so injurious to the interests + of His Imperial Majesty and the public, I have felt it necessary to + remove Barros from Maranham until his commission shall arrive, + or until His Majesty's pleasure respecting the appointment of + Manoel Telles da Silva Lobo, shall be known. Barros therefore + proceeds in the _Cacique_ (which is the bearer of this) to Parà --where + having no pretensions, he will have no partisans, and will be + inoffensive. + + I have not time, nor would it be of any utility to occupy your + Excellency with a minute detail of the affairs of this province, + whilst your Excellency has so much to do in that under your + immediate superintendence: I am convinced that in all I have + done, I have acted in conformity with the true interests of His + Majesty and his people, and am in no degree under any apprehension + that the malevolent aspersions of self-interested or + disappointed individuals will have the least influence on any candid + mind, when a real statement of facts shall be laid before the + public. + + I shall be gratified if your Excellency attains the satisfaction + of preserving the province of Parà free from those party dissensions, + the danger and inconvenience of which are best known to those who + are obliged to be on the watch to counteract them. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +To José Feliz de Azevedo e Sa, the President of Cearà , I addressed the +subjoined letter of thanks for the warning he had given me respecting +Barros:-- + + Maranham, March 16th, 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have to offer your Excellency many thanks for + your kind letter, informing me, by anticipation, of the character of + an individual whose principles and plans I was not long in discovering. + Scarcely had he placed his foot on the soil of Maranham, + when he was surrounded by all the Portuguese of the city, who + expressed their joy at his arrival in no equivocal manner. To give + you a history of his intrigues would require pages. Suffice it to say, + that--after having attempted to thrust himself into the Government + within forty-eight hours after his arrival,--without having any lawful + commission from His Imperial Majesty--and being defeated in that + object--he placed himself at the head of a faction, brought charges + against the President interino, and on the night of the 10th formed + a plan to seize his person! This, however, I defeated, and as his + charges against Lobo were entirely false and malicious, I have sent + him off to Parà , there to await the determination of His Imperial + Majesty. + + The intrigues here are so numerous, and there are so many + interests to reconcile, that the harmony now restored will probably + cease with the departure of the force under my command. But + it is obvious that the squadron cannot remain here for ever to watch + over private broils and feuds of so contemptible a nature. The only + thing of which I am seriously afraid, is the influence and number of + the Portuguese settled here, should they find a president desirous of + promoting their views and supposed interests. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +There was great difficulty to act for the best in this matter: but +whether Barros were appointed to the presidency or not, the course taken +was the only one even temporarily to ensure public tranquillity. If +appointed, it was evident, from his acts, that he had been selected by +the administration to put in execution their anti-Brazilian projects; +whilst the Portuguese party in Maranham unequivocally expressed their +intention to revive the old animosities between themselves and the +native Brazilians; thus causing a renewal of disorder which I was +determined not to permit, in favour of one who had no patent to shew for +his assumption of authority. + +This monstrous state of affairs--fostered by the Imperial +administration--was a natural consequence of their Portuguese +predilections, and could not have existed, except from want of union +amongst the Brazilians themselves, who, unskilled in political +organization, were compelled to submit to a foreign faction, unable to +carry out its own views, and only powerful in thwarting those of the +patriots. Their policy was the more reprehensible, for even the +government of the mother country conceded that Brazil was too extensive +and powerful to be again reduced to a state of colonial dependence, and +therefore confined its aims to the Northern provinces, the Portuguese +party in the administration seconding the intentions of the parent +state; both, however, shutting their eyes to the fact, that, if these +were separated from Brazil, they would become disorganized in a vain +attempt to imitate the constitution of the United States--by whose more +enlightened citizens they were greatly influenced--and, as a +consequence, would be lost both to the parent state and the Empire. As +it was, all I had effected for their annexation and tranquillization was +regarded with perfect hatred by the Portuguese residents in the +provinces as well as by the administration, who did everything in their +power to thwart my measures for the union and consolidation of the +Empire. + +During the whole of this period, I repeat that I had received no +communication from Rio de Janeiro, with the exception of the letter +before mentioned, with the rubrick of His Imperial Majesty, thanking me +for the course I had pursued. Though no instructions were sent for my +guidance, nor any fault found with my acts, yet, from private sources, I +was advised that my success in restoring order to the Northern provinces +had greatly embittered the administration against me, as having +destroyed the hopes of Portugal--expressed through Palmella--of +profiting by disorder. I was also left to provide for the pay and +maintenance of the squadron, one vessel only with supplies having been +forwarded since our departure from Rio de Janeiro, in the preceding +August! + +Notwithstanding this marked neglect, I took care to keep the +administration well advised of all my proceedings, and the causes +thereof, the following being extracts from my letters to the Minister of +Marine, respecting the events just narrated:-- + + No. 290. + + Maranham, March 16th, 1825. + + I beg to acquaint your Excellency, for the satisfaction of the + Imperial government, that I have caused the provinces which required + military assistance, to furnish pay and provisions for the ships + immediately under my command; and further, that I have required the + government of Maranham to pay, as a recompence to the officers and + seamen, _one-fourth part_ of the amount of money and bills, and + _one-fifth part_ of the value of the military stores surrendered by + the Portuguese authorities on the 28th of July, 1823. Thus the + Imperial government at Rio de Janeiro will be relieved from + considerable disbursement, and the officers and + seamen--notwithstanding the great additional trouble to which they + have been put--will be satisfied, so far as regards their claim to + the value of their captures in compensation for their services at + Maranham. + + I cannot refrain from drawing the attention of the Imperial + government to the abuses which exist in every department of the + provincial government, where, notwithstanding the great revenue + derived from various sources, the Junta of Fazenda possess so little + credit, that their bills have actually been sold at 30 per cent. + discount, and I am credibly informed that no money can, at any time, + be received from the treasury without a heavy per centage being given + to the inferior officers; but how such per centages are afterwards + disposed of, is to me unknown. + + The price at which provisions were being purchased by the + Intendente for the use of the squadron being exorbitant, I instituted + a minute inquiry, the result of which was the discovery of + a fraudulent system which I abolished by purchasing our own + provisions. American salt beef, for which the Provincial Government + charged 25 milreis the barrel, I have purchased for 12 milreis--pork + charged 32 milreis, I buy for 15-1/2 milreis. Bread is charged + 10 milreis the quintal, whilst the English sloop-of-war _Jaseur_ is + purchasing it at 5 milreis, for bills on England. Indeed, the abuses + here of all kinds are too numerous to be detailed by letter, and to + endeavour to put a stop to them, unless under the express authority + and protection of the Imperial Government, would be a thankless + task. + + * * * * * + + No. 291. + + Maranham, March 17th, 1825. + + The difficulties with which I have had to contend in this + province have been greatly increased by the arrival of Pedro José + de Costa Barros on the 5th of last month--when intrigue within + intrigue was set on foot by different parties, and which--if Barros + were placed in power--I clearly foresaw would end in anarchy and + bloodshed--and probably in the destruction of all the Portuguese + part of the community, whose unequivocal reception of a partisan + President excited at once the jealousy and distrust of the + Brazilians. + + Under these circumstances, I felt that the only course to be + adopted, for the prevention of serious evils, was to defer the + introduction of Barros into authority, and to leave Lobo as President + interino, until further directions from the Imperial Government. + This additional degree of responsibility I took upon myself with the + less reluctance, as Barros had no other authority to assume the + Government than a letter to Bruce, whom I had previously been + compelled to suspend from office and send to Rio--to whom, therefore, + such letter could not be delivered. Besides which, having + appointed Lobo to be President interino, until His Majesty's + pleasure should be known, I could not consistently consent to his + removal from office until His Majesty was acquainted with his + appointment, and had expressed his pleasure thereon. + + * * * * * + + No. 292. + + Maranham, March 18th, 1825. + + As I observe by the Lisbon newspapers that most of the vessels + acquitted by the Court of Admiralty have arrived at Lisbon, I beg to + call your Excellency's attention to the fact that I have received no + reply to my letter addressed to your Excellency on the 1st of + August last, requesting to know whether, in addition to the loss + of the property, _which ought to have been condemned_, I was personally + liable to the enormous costs and damages decreed against me by + that tribunal. + + * * * * * + + No. 293. + + Maranham, March 18, 1825. + + In my letter, No. 291, I acquainted your Excellency + of the course pursued with regard to Pedro José de Costa Barros, + who, under the mistaken counsels of a faction here, would have + again involved this province in scenes of bloodshed and confusion. + It is neither my duty nor inclination to become a tool in the hands + of any faction, whose views are contrary to the true interests of + His Imperial Majesty, and, were they countenanced and protected, + would infallibly involve all Brazil in civil war and anarchy. + + I contented myself, however, with continuing the usual precautions, + which were sufficient to prevent disasters till His Majesty's + pleasure, with regard to recent occurrences in this province, should + become known, of which I have been in daily expectation for some + time past; but Barros--after agreeing to await the expected + instructions--considered that he had gained over a sufficient party + to overthrow the government by violent means, and addressed to me + the letter A, which was considered by him a sufficient pretext to + warrant the imprisonment of the President interino, during my + temporary absence on board the flagship, whence, it was supposed, + I should not be able to arrive in time to prevent the execution of + that violent measure; and I regret to add, that, in this plot--so + prejudicial to His Majesty's interests, and so disgraceful to the + parties concerned--persons whose duty it was to have at once combatted + such unjustifiable proceedings took an underhand but active + part. The letters of Barros, A and B, will sufficiently shew the + violence of his prejudices, his credulity, and precipitancy in acting + upon false information and reports, as well as his total ignorance of + law and justice, in requiring the seizure of an individual without + specifying either crime or accuser. + + I enclose to your Excellency all the correspondence which has + taken place between Barros and myself, together with the proclamation + which I felt it my duty to issue for the maintenance of order; + for the legal department here now profess to consider that, although + the constitution has been granted and accepted, they have no + authority to put it in practice--hence, between the ancient and new + laws, justice is at a stand. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +To these and all my previous communications no reply was returned either +in the way of approval or otherwise. There was, however, one member of +the administration, Luiz José Carvalho e Mello, who had ever been my +friend, being himself a man of patriotic and enlightened views, but +without the influence to counteract the designs of his Portuguese +colleagues. As I knew from private sources, that this silence had its +objects, I addressed to Carvalho e Mello the following letter:-- + + Maranham, March 22nd, 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + By the arrival of my despatches transmitted by the _George_ and other + ships, your Excellency will have been successively informed of such + public transactions and occurrences as seemed to me worthy of the + attention of the Imperial Government. But notwithstanding that three + months and upwards have now elapsed since the date of my first + communications, I have the misfortune (for so I must call it) to be + left without any precise or applicable instructions from Rio de + Janeiro. The responsibility, therefore, rests entirely on my + shoulders, and I feel this the more--being aware that not only shall + I meet with no support from the majority of the Ministry itself--but + that the most powerful faction in Rio de Janeiro will represent every + thing I have done--or may do--in the blackest colours. + + I console myself, however, with the knowledge that I possess the + means of exposing the falsehood of every allegation that can be + brought against me. I have acted towards His Imperial Majesty + and the Brazilian nation, in the same manner as I should have + done for my native Sovereign and country; and I must say--that, + had I freed the shores of England from a superior hostile force, and + rescued half the country from the dominion of an enemy--the + British Government would not have left me to seek the fruit of my + labours, and those of the officers and seamen who served with me, + in the manner in which I have been compelled to seek them in + Brazil; and would never have subjected me to the necessity of + having recourse to measures capable of being so perversely represented + as to obscure for a time that credit to which I am entitled + for the successful conduct of the naval war. I am, however, + resolved never to be deterred, by fear of consequences, from using + every endeavour within my power to obtain justice for all who have + continued to perform their duty in the Imperial service. And + I have the less hesitation in persevering in this resolution--because + it cannot be denied that I have strictly limited the claims of the + naval service to such rewards as would have been admitted to + be due, under similar circumstances, in the navy of England. + + I have used the freedom to say thus much to your Excellency as + my friend--because I am well aware that the old cry of the Portuguese + faction in Rio will be set up against me the moment they + hear that I have caused the Junta of Fazenda of this province to pay + a part of the amount of the money and bills taken on the surrender + of the Portuguese authorities at Maranham. This, of course, though + only one-fourth of the amount due, _will be represented as an outrageous + robbery_; but I again say, that it is not from the Portuguese + faction at Rio, that I expect either credit or justice. Their object is + sufficiently evident, namely--_the expulsion of every foreign officer + from the service, by means of privation and insult, in order that they + may fill the ships with their Portuguese countrymen and dependents_; + a result which I should lament to witness, because fraught with mischief + to His Imperial Majesty and Brazil. + + I feel myself much shaken in health by the great heat of the climate, + and the anxiety occasioned by the peculiar circumstances in which I + have been placed; all of which I might have saved myself under the + plea of want of instructions, but for my desire to promote the real + interests of His Imperial Majesty, by once more accomplishing that + which His Majesty, in his instructions to me of the 31st of July + last, was graciously pleased to describe as "_of no less importance + than the integrity and independence of the Empire_." + + I am, with great respect, + + Your Excellency's devoted friend, + + and obedient servant, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +On the 16th of March, the Junta--finding that I would not listen to any +farther evasion--paid 30 contos (£.6000) in bills, and 3 contos (£.600) +in silver, as the first instalment of the 106,000 dollars (£.21,200) for +which the restoration of 425,000 dollars (£.85,000) had been commuted. +The disbursement of this sum amongst the officers and men entitled to +it, is fully narrated in the concluding chapter, containing a full +statement of the disbursement of this and other monies charged against +me, which statement is accompanied by vouchers fortunately retained in +my possession, these placing the proper disbursement of the money +amongst its rightful owners beyond doubt or question. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +I QUIT MARANHAM FOR A CRUISE--BAD STATE OF THE FRIGATE--CONNIVANCE AT +ILLICIT TRADE--WE ARE COMPELLED TO PROCEED TO ENGLAND--THE FRIGATE +REPORTED TO THE BRAZILIAN ENVOY--WHO CHEATS ME OF £.2,000--HIS +ASSUMPTION THAT I HAD ABANDONED THE SERVICE--MY CONTRADICTION +THEREOF--ORDER TO RETURN TO RIO--REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO--BRAZILIAN +ENVOY TAMPERS WITH MY OFFICER--WHO ACQUAINTS ME THEREWITH--ENVOY STOPS +PAY AND PROVISIONS--DECLARES THAT THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE ME +NOTHING!--CAPTAIN SHEPHERD'S REPLY--I PREPARE TO RETURN TO RIO--THE +ENVOY DISMISSES ME FROM THE SERVICE--WITHOUT REASON ASSIGNED--HE +DECLARES THAT I VOLUNTARILY ABANDONED THE SERVICE--RECEIPTS FOE ACCOUNTS +TRANSMITTED TO BRAZIL--THESE DENIED TO HAVE BEEN SENT. + + +The anxiety occasioned by the constant harassing which I had +undergone--unalleviated by any acknowledgment on the part of the +Imperial government of the services which had a second time saved the +Empire from intestine war, anarchy and revolution--began to make serious +inroads on my health; whilst that of the officers and men, in +consequence of the great heat and pestilential exhalations of the +climate, and of the double duty which they had to perform, afloat and +ashore, was even less satisfactory. As I saw no advantage in longer +contending with factious intrigues at Maranham--unsupported and +neglected as I was by the administration at Rio de Janeiro, and as I +knew that my immediate return to the Capital would instantly be followed +by resident contention, I resolved upon a short run into a more bracing +Northerly atmosphere, which would answer the double purpose of +restoring our health, and of giving us a clear offing for our +subsequent voyage to Rio de Janeiro. + +Accordingly--after paying both to officers and crews their share of the +prize money refunded by the Junta of Maranham (see concluding Chapter), +I shifted my flag into the _Piranga_, despatched the _Pedro Primiero_ to +Rio, and leaving Captain Manson, of the _Cacique_, in charge of the +naval department at Maranham, put to sea on the 18th of May. + +On the 21st we crossed the Equator, and meeting with a succession of +Easterly winds, were carried to the Northward of the Azores, passing St. +Michael's on the 11th of June. It had been my intention to sail into the +latitude of the Azores, and then to return to Rio de Janeiro; but strong +gales coming on we made the unpleasant discovery that the frigate's +maintopmast was sprung, and when putting her about, the main and +maintopsail yards were discovered to be unserviceable. A still worse +disaster was, that the salt provisions shipped at Maranham were reported +bad; mercantile ingenuity having resorted to the device of placing good +meat at the top and bottom of the barrels; whilst the middle, being +composed of unsound provisions, had tainted the whole, thereby rendering +it not only uneatable, but positively dangerous to health. + +For the condition of the ship's spars I had depended on others, not +deeming it necessary to take upon myself such investigation; it is +however possible that we might have patched these up, so as to reach Rio +de Janeiro, had not the running rigging been as rotten as the masts, +and we had no spare cordage on board. The state of the provisions, +however, rendered a direct return to Rio de Janeiro out of the question, +the good provisions on board being little more than sufficient for a +week's subsistence of the crew. + +On ascertaining these facts, I convened the officers for the purpose of +holding a survey on the state of the ship and provisions, they all +agreeing with me as to the impracticability of attempting a six weeks' +voyage with defective masts and rigging, and only a week's provisions on +board, at the same time signing a survey to that effect, which document +is now in my possession. It was therefore determined to put into some +port for the purpose of refitting; but here another difficulty presented +itself. Portugal was still an enemy's country. Had we made a Spanish +port, the prominent part I had taken in depriving Spain of her colonies +in the Pacific would have ensured me a questionable reception. A French +port too was unsuitable, as France had not acknowledged the independence +of Brazil. + +To enter an English harbour was attended with some risk of annoyance to +myself, in consequence of the enactments of the "Foreign Enlistment +Bill," the provisions of which had been specially aimed at my having +taken service in South America though before that Bill was passed, so +that I did not consider myself to come within the meaning of the Act. +Still the point was debateable, and were it raised, might subject me to +considerable personal inconvenience, the more so as being in command of +a foreign ship of war belonging to an unacknowledged state. The +necessity was, however, urgent, and taking all circumstances into +consideration, I resolved, notwithstanding the Foreign Enlistment Bill, +to stretch on to Portsmouth, and there procure provisions, anchors, +cables, and stores, indispensable for the use of a ship of war; the +frigate being so destitute of all these, that, had I been fully aware of +her condition before quitting Maranham, I should have hesitated to put +to sea. + +In passing the Azores, we overtook the brig _Aurora_, which left +Maranham ten days before the _Piranga_, cleared out for Gibraltar under +Brazilian colours. She was now steering direct for Lisbon under a +Portuguese ensign, in company with a Portuguese schooner; this +circumstance clearly shewing the kind of intercourse carried on between +Brazil and the mother country by connivance of the authorities. Though +both vessels were within my grasp I did not molest them, in consequence +of having received private information of a decree passed by the supreme +military council at Rio de Janeiro on the 26th of October, from the +tenor of which decree, had I made further captures from the enemy, I +should have incurred additional penalties, as acting contrary to the +obvious intentions of a majority of the council, though their views had +not been officially communicated to me. + +I had, however, stronger reasons for not molesting these vessels. +Knowing that both were bound for Lisbon, I felt certain that they would +carry the news of our approaching the shores of Portugal with a view to +mischief--and that a knowledge of the proximity of a Brazilian ship of +war, with the further consideration of the injury she might do to the +trade of that nation in case of rupture of the pending negociations, +could not fail to inspire a desire for peace on the minds of the +mercantile portion of the population, who had hitherto been chiefly +instrumental in delaying the paternal intentions of His Portuguese +Majesty with regard to the independence of Brazil as now firmly +established under the government of his descendant and heir apparent. +The effect anticipated was, in reality, produced by their report, so +that we contributed in no small degree to hasten the peace which was +shortly afterwards established. + +Another motive for not molesting these vessels was, that being +compelled, for the reasons before stated, to resort to an English +port, at a time when I knew the British Government to be carrying +on negociations for peace between Portugal and Brazil, I felt it +better to abstain from hostilities against Portuguese vessels or +property--considering that a contrary course might impede the +reconciliation which was desirable both for the interests of His +Imperial Majesty and his royal father; a result scarcely less +advantageous to England on account of her rapidly extending commerce in +Brazil. + +We sighted the English coast on the 25th of June, and on the following +day came to anchor at Spithead, our available provisions being entirely +expended. My first step was to inquire of the authorities at +Portsmouth, whether, in case of the _Piranha's_ saluting, the +compliment would be returned with the same number of guns? The inquiry +being answered in the affirmative, the salute was fired, and replied to; +thus, for the first time, was the flag of His Imperial Majesty saluted +by an European state, and the independence of Brazil virtually +acknowledged. + +My next step was to report the arrival of the _Piranga_ at Portsmouth, +to the Chevalier Manoel Rodriguez Gameiro Pessoa, the Brazilian Envoy in +London; at the same time informing his Excellency of the circumstances +which had unavoidably led to our appearance in British waters, and +requesting him to forward the means of paying the men's wages. This +requisition was complied with, to the extent of two months' pay to the +men. + +As it was contrary to the law or usage of England to assist in the +equipment of ships of war belonging to foreign belligerent states, the +articles required for the re-equipment of the frigate could not be +furnished from the Royal arsenal--the duty of providing these, +therefore, devolved upon the Brazilian Envoy, who soon afterwards +represented that he was without means for the purpose, thus impeding the +equipment of the frigate. The men being also without fresh provisions or +the means to procure them, were beginning to desert, I advanced £.2000, +in order to keep them together, giving the Chevalier Gameiro an order +for this amount on my bankers, Messrs. Coutts, and taking his receipt +for the amount, for which I drew a bill upon the Imperial Government at +Rio de Janeiro, which was _protested, and has not been paid to this +day!_ + +On the 4th of August, I was surprised at receiving from the Envoy a +letter charging _me personally_ with the amount he had advanced to the +_Piranga_, and also with £.295, an alleged error of account in payments +made at Maranham; his Excellency concluding with the extraordinary +declaration, that--"having received from my bankers, Messrs. Coutts and +Co. the sum of £.2000 he had placed against it the amount advanced, the +transaction leaving me indebted to the Legation in the sum of £.25!" +Though the Legation could not have anything to do with the assumed error +arising from transactions at Maranham. + +On the 21st of August, I received a letter from the Brazilian Envoy to +the effect that he had perceived in the newspapers a report that I had +accepted from the Government of Greece the command of its navy--and +wished to know if there was any truth in the assertion. To this inquiry +I replied that so long as I continued in the Brazilian service I could +not accept any other command; that the Greek command had been offered to +me whilst in Brazil, in the same manner as the Brazilian command had +been offered to me whilst in the service of Chili; and that, soon after +my return to Portsmouth, the Greek committee, zealous in the cause which +they had adopted, had renewed their offers, under the impression that my +work in Brazil was now completed. At the same time, I assured the Envoy +that as, in the case of Chili, I did not accept the Brazilian command +till my work was done, neither should I accept a Greek commission till +my relations with Brazil were honourably concluded, but that +nevertheless the offer made to me on behalf of Greece was not rejected. + +This reply was construed by the Chevalier Gameiro into an admission that +_I had_ accepted the Greek command, and he addressed to me another +letter, expressive of his regret that I should have "come to the +resolution to retire from the service of His Imperial Majesty the +Emperor of Brazil, in the great work of whose independence I had taken +so glorious a part, (a grande obra da independencia, V. E'a teve tao +gloriosa parte) regretting the more especially that his august Sovereign +should be deprived of my important services (prestantes servicios) just +at a moment when new difficulties required their prompt application," +&c. &c. + +These expressions were probably sincere, for, since my departure from +Maranham, serious difficulties had arisen in the river Plate, which +afterwards ended with little credit to the Brazilian cause. But _I had +not accepted the Greek command_, and had no intention of so doing +otherwise than consistently with my engagements with Brazil. On the 6th +of September, I therefore addressed to the Envoy the following letter:-- + + Edinburgh, 6th Sept. 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I regret that your translator should have so far + mistaken the words and meaning of my last letter as to lead your + Excellency to a conclusion that I had taken the resolution to leave + the service of H.I.M. the Emperor of Brazil, or, in other words, + that it was I who had violated the engagements entered into with + the late ministers of His Imperial Majesty in 1823. Whereas, on + the contrary, the _portaria_ published in the Rio Gazette on the 28th + of February, 1824, was promulgated without my knowledge or + sanction, and the limitation of my authority to _the existing war_ was + persevered in by the present ministers, notwithstanding my remonstrance + in writing, both to the Minister of Marine and the Minister + of the Interior. + + Your Excellency ought not therefore to be surprised, if--threatened + as I am with this _portaria_--I should provide beforehand + against a contingency which might _hereafter_ arise from an occasion + happily so nigh, as seems to be the restoration of peace and amity + between His Imperial Majesty and his royal father. + + With regard to any communications of a pressing nature relative + to the equipment of the _Piranga_, your Excellency may consider + Captain Shepherd authorised to act, in my absence, in all ordinary + cases. And that officer, having instructions to acquaint me whenever + the _Piranga_ shall have two-thirds of her complement of men on + board--I can at any time be in London within two days of the + receipt of such communication, and most assuredly before the + complement can be procured. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + To Chevalier MANOEL RODRIGUEZ GAMBIRO PESSOA. + +Notwithstanding that my engagements with Brazil rested on the original +patents conferred upon me by His Majesty, of which the validity had been +further established by the additional documents given before my +departure for Pernambuco--the latter completely setting aside the +spurious _portaria_ of Barbosa, limiting my services to the duration of +the war--I nevertheless felt confident that, when my services were no +longer required, no scruples as to honourable engagements would prevent +the ministry from acting on the spurious documents, though promulgated +without my knowledge or consent, against every principle of the +conditions upon which I entered the Brazilian service. No blame could +therefore attach to me, for not rejecting the offer of the Greek +command, in case a trick of this kind should be played, as I had every +reason to believe it would be--and as it afterwards in reality was. + +On the 27th of September, the Brazilian Envoy forwarded to me an order +from the Imperial Government at Rio, dated June 27th, and addressed to +me at Maranham; the order directing me to proceed from that port to Rio +immediately on its receipt, to give an account of my proceedings +there--though despatches relating even to minute particulars of every +transaction had, as the reader is well aware, been sent by every +opportunity. His Majesty, when issuing the order, was ignorant that I +had quitted Maranham, still more that on the day the order was issued at +Rio de Janeiro, I had anchored at Spithead, so that obedience to His +Majesty's commands was impossible. + +Acting on this order, the Chevalier Gameiro took upon himself to +"require, in the name of the Emperor, the immediate return of the +_Piranga_, so soon as her repairs were completed, and her complement of +men filled up." As I knew that the order in question would not have been +promulgated by the Emperor, had he known the effect produced by the +presence of the _Piranga_ in the vicinity of Portugal; and as, in +everything I had accomplished in Brazil, His Majesty had placed the +fullest confidence in my discretion, I felt certain that he would be +equally well satisfied with whatever course I might deem it necessary to +pursue, I did not therefore think it expedient to comply with the +requisition of the Envoy, assigning the following reasons for using my +own judgment in the matter:-- + + Edinburgh, Oct. 1, 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have this day been favoured with your letter containing + a copy of a _portaria_ dated June 27th, wherein His Imperial + Majesty, through his Minister of Marine, directs my immediate + return from Maranham to Rio de Janeiro, leaving only the small + vessels there; which order you will observe I had anticipated on the + 20th of May, when I left the Imperial brig-of-war _Cacique_ and the + schooner _Maria_ in that port. Since then, His Excellency the + Minister of Marine is in possession of duplicates of my correspondence + mentioning the arrangements I had so made in anticipation + of the Imperial order; and of my official communications--also in + duplicate--transmitted on my arrival at Portsmouth, by your + Excellency's favour, with your despatches. + + These will have acquainted His Imperial Majesty with the cause + and necessity of our arrival at Spithead--as well as with my intention + there to wait a reasonable time before the departure of the _Piranga,_ + in order to learn the result of the negociations with Portugal. + + I have only to add that, by some inadvertence, your Excellency's + secretary has sent me the copy instead of the original order addressed + to me by order of His Imperial Majesty, which mistake may be + remedied on my return to town. + + I am gratified to learn that there is less difficulty in procuring men + than I had anticipated under the regulations respecting foreign seamen. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + The Chevalier GAMEIRO. + +Shortly previous to this, the Chevalier Gameiro addressed a letter to +Lieutenant Shepherd, under the title of "Commander of the _Piranga_!" +unjustifiably informing him officially that _"I had retired from the +service of His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil!"_ notwithstanding my +letters to him in contradiction. Indeed, the letter just quoted is +sufficient to shew that not only had I not relinquished the service, but +that I refused to obey Gameiro's order to proceed to Rio, because I knew +that if the frigate returned to Brazil, the impression her presence had +produced on Portugal would be altogether neutralized, and the +negociations for peace might be indefinitely prolonged; so that his +order to run away from the good which had been effected, was so truly +absurd, that I did not choose to comply with it. Had the negociations +for peace been broken off, I had formed plans of attacking Portugal in +her own waters, though with but a single frigate; and I had no +reasonable doubt of producing an impression there of no less forcible a +character than, with a single ship, I had, two years before, produced on +the Portuguese fleet in Brazil. The order was, therefore, one commanding +me to run away from my own plans, of which the Envoy however knew +nothing, as I did not feel justified in entrusting him with my +intentions. + +On receiving the above-mentioned intimation to proceed to Rio de +Janeiro--without my intervention, Lieutenant Shepherd very properly +forwarded the Envoy's letter to me--when, of course, I apprised him that +he was under my command, and not under that of the Chevalier Gameiro. +At the same time I wrote to the latter, that "it would be the subject of +regret if anything should cause the spurious decree of the 28th of +February, 1824, to be brought into operation, but that, _at present, +being in full possession of my office and authority_, my opinion was in +no way changed, that the _Piranga_ should be first fully equipped, and +then wait for a reasonable time for the decision of those important +matters in discussion." + +Finding that Lieutenant Shepherd would not fly in the face of my +authority, the Envoy finally resorted to the extraordinary measure of +stopping the seamen's wages and provisions. On the 6th of October, +Lieutenant Shepherd wrote to me, that "in consequence of their wages not +being paid they had all left off work, and though Clarence did all he +could to pacify them, and get them to return to their duty, they had +determined not to go to work until they were paid." On the 8th, +Lieutenant Shepherd again wrote, "that Gameiro having ceased to supply +the frigate with fresh provisions, he had, on his own responsibility, +ordered the butcher to continue supplying them as usual." On Lieutenant +Shepherd waiting upon the Envoy to remonstrate against this system of +starvation, he replied--and his words are extracted from Lieutenant +Shepherd's letter to me, that as "His Lordship did not think proper to +sail at the time he wished, he would not be responsible for supplying +the frigate with anything more--nor would he advance another shilling." +In all this, Gameiro--acting, no doubt, on instructions from the +Portuguese faction at Rio--resorted to every kind of falsehood to get +the officers to renounce my authority and to accept his! Of the +character of the man and his petty expedients, the following extract +from Lieutenant Shepherd's letter of the 8th of October, will form the +best exponent:-- + + I have had another visit from General Brown, when he began a + conversation by mentioning the evils which would arise from the + feeling between your Lordship and Gameiro, who was at a loss how to + act, as he had no authority over you--Gen. Brown suggesting how much + better it would be for me to place myself under Gameiro's orders. + Finding that I refused--on the following morning he called again, and + told me that he had seen Gameiro, and had heard that the + misunderstanding between your Lordship and him was at an end, but + that Gameiro wanted to see me. On this I waited on Gameiro, who after + some conversation told me that if I had any regard for His Imperial + Majesty's service, I should never have acted as I had done. I told + him that all I had done had been for the good of the service, and + that I was ready to put to sea as soon as I received your Lordship's + orders. He then asked me if I was the effective Captain of the ship? + and whether I was not under the orders of Captain Crosbie? I told him + that I was not acting under the orders of Captain Crosbie, but that I + was Captain of the ship by virtue of a commission from the Emperor, + and by an order from Lord Cochrane. He then said--Are you authorised + to obey the orders of Captain Crosbie? and I said, I was not. Suppose + you were to receive an order from Captain Crosbie, would you obey it? + I said I would not. Then you consider yourself the lawful Captain of + that ship? I do. + + Upon this Gameiro remarked, "You are not an officer of Lord + Cochrane's, but of the Imperial Government. It is impossible for Lord + Cochrane to return to the Brazils as the Admiralty Court there _has + sentenced him to pay £.60,000 sterling, and his command will cease as + soon as peace is made between Brazil and Portugal! Besides, Lord + Cochrane's motive for detaining the_ Piranga _is the expectation on + his part of receiving £.6000 per annum at the termination of the war, + which the Government will never give him_!" + + Finding that this made no impression on me, he began to threaten, + saying that "he would state to his Government that all delay was + occasioned by me, and that I should have to answer for it." I told + him that, in the event of my sailing without your orders, I subjected + myself to be tried by a court-martial for so doing, and leaving your + Lordship behind. He answered that "I must be aware that he was the + legal representative of His Imperial Majesty, and that he would give + me despatches of such a nature as would not only exonerate me from + all blame, but would shew the great zeal I had for His Imperial + Majesty's service." + + I asked Gameiro--if I were to act in such a manner, what would people + think of me? The answer was, "_Never mind what Lord Cochrane says, + you will be in the Brazils and he in England, and I will take upon + myself all the blame and the responsibility._" He gave me till the + evening to think of his proposals, and if I would not consent to + them, he had other means of sending the _Piranga_ to sea. He further + requested me to keep this secret from your Lordship, as if you heard + of it you would come post and stop it; adding that if I would + consent, he would send a sufficient number of men in a steamboat, + with every kind of store and provisions required to complete us, and + we were to sail immediately. + + This deep laid plot of Gameiro's was not to be carried on as + Portuguese plots are in general, but was to be done--using his own + words--_at a blow_, before anybody could know anything about it. + + With this I send a copy of my answer to Gameiro's proposals, and a + letter representing the state of the ship. + + I have the honour to remain + Your Lordship's obedient Servant, + JA'S. SHEPHERD. + +Such were the underhand expedients of a man who was silly enough to tell +the secrets of his Government, as regarded the intended injustice of the +Brazilian Ministry towards me--in spite of stipulations thrice ratified +by the Emperor's own hand. But in confiding them to Lieutenant Shepherd, +the Envoy's want of common honesty, no less than of common sense, did +not perceive that he was imparting iniquitous projects to a brave and +faithful officer, who would not lose a moment till he had apprised me of +the whole. I should be unjust to the memory of Captain Shepherd did I +not give his written reply to the infamous proposals of Gameiro, a copy +of which was enclosed to me in the preceding letter. + +Copy of my answer to Gameiro's proposals, sent in Portuguese, and +translated by Mr. March:-- + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + In answer to the wishes of your Excellency to place + myself under your immediate orders, I have to acquaint you that I + have this morning had a letter from Lord Cochrane, stating that he + had received letters from your Excellency of such a nature as to + require his immediate presence in town, where he intends to be on + Monday next. This alone--you must be aware--will entirely preclude + the possibility of putting into execution the arrangements + which you wished; the celerity of the Admiral's movements being + such as to preclude all hope of effecting them. + + I am sorry to add, that all our men have this morning left + the ship in a complete state of mutiny, occasioned by their not + having received their last two months' pay, and I much fear that it + will be now more difficult than ever to get her manned--as, from + their having been so long kept in arrears, and leaving their ship + without being paid, has irritated their feelings to such a degree, that + I have no hesitation whatever in saying that they will do all in their + power to prevent others from joining her. + + I have the honour to remain + Your obedient humble Servant, + + JAMES SHEPHERD. + + To His Excellency + MANOEL RODRIGUEZ GAMEIRO PESSOA. + +On the 29th of October, I received from the Brazilian Legation in +London, further orders from the Imperial Government, dated August 25th, +1825, to return with the _Piranga_ to Rio de Janeiro--and with these I +made preparations to comply, notifying to Gameiro my readiness to +sail--by the following letter:-- + + London, Nov. 3, 1825. + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + + Having informed your Excellency on the 1st of + October, that previous to quitting Maranham I had anticipated the + Imperial resolutions, and having in my letter of the 24th further + made known to your Excellency that the _Piranga_ should sail for + Brazil on or as soon after the 10th of this month as the wind would + permit, your Excellency will perceive that there is nothing remaining + of the Imperial decree to be executed, unless the _Piranga_ (which I + much doubt) should be enabled to put to sea before the early day + which I have fixed for departure. + + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + His Excellency + MANOEL RODRIGUEZ GAMEIRO PESSOA. + +This declaration of my readiness to comply with His Imperial Majesty's +orders did not, however, suit the Envoy, nor did it fall in with his +instructions from the Brazilian Ministry, which, no doubt were, as soon +as peace was proclaimed, _to get rid of me without satisfying my +claims_--this course being, indeed, apparent from what the Envoy, as +just shewn, had communicated to Lieutenant Shepherd. (See page 260.) On +the 3rd of November, peace between Portugal and Brazil was announced, +and the independence of the Empire acknowledged; Gameiro being, on the +occasion, created Baron Itabayana, whilst I--to whose instrumentality +the peace--as a consequence of the consolidation of the Empire had been +mainly owing, _was to be ignominiously dismissed the service_! + +On the 7th of November--four days only after the announcement of +peace--Gameiro took upon himself the execution of the spurious +ministerial decree issued by Barbosa on the 27th of February, 1824, +which _had been abrogated by the Emperor, through the same minister, in +the July following, as a prelude to my employment in the +tranquillisation of the Northern provinces_. Gameiro did not venture +previously to apprise me of the act lest I should resist it--but +insultingly sent an order to the officers of the Piranga to "disengage +themselves from all obedience to my command." (Se desligaõ de toda +subordinacaõ a o Ex'mo S'r Marquez do Maranhaõ), thus unjustifiably +terminating my services--as I was on the point of returning, in +obedience to the order of the Emperor. The subjoined is the order +alluded to:-- + + _To_ Captain SHEPHERD, _commanding the Piranga, still refusing + supplies whilst I held the command._ + + Having received the two letters which you addressed to me on the + 4th of this month, enclosing three demands for various articles for + the use of the frigate, I have to reply that I persist in my resolution + not to furnish anything to the frigate unless she is placed under the + immediate orders of this Legation, which I shall only consider + accomplished when I shall receive a reply signed by yourself, and + by all the other officers, declaring that--in compliance with the + orders of His Imperial Majesty, contained in the two portarias of + 37th of June and 20th of August last--_you all place yourselves under + the orders of this Legation, and cast off all subordination to the + Marquis of Maranhaõ!_ + + Dated London, 7th November, 1825. + + (Signed) GAMEIRO. + +As this was done without the slightest motive existing or assigned, +there was no doubt in my mind but that Barbosa and his colleagues in the +ministry had instructed Gameiro to dismiss me from the service whenever +peace was effected; indeed, he had so informed Lieutenant Shepherd by +the letter before quoted. To resist a measure--though thus insultingly +resorted to--in the face of the Imperial order to return, was out of the +question, as the instant consequence would have been a disgraceful +outbreak between the Brazilian and Portuguese seamen of the _Piranga,_ +in the principal war port of England, to my own scandal, no less than to +that of the Imperial government. I had, therefore, no alternative to +avert this outrage but by submitting to the forcible deposition from my +authority as Commander-in-Chief. + +This act of the Envoy--_based upon the deliberate falsehood that His +Imperial Majesty had ordered the officers not to obey me, no such order +existing_ in either of the Portarias mentioned--precluded my obedience +to the Imperial command to return to Rio de Janeiro, for being no longer +acknowledged as "First Admiral of Brazil, and Commander-in-Chief of the +National Armada," I could only have accompanied the _Piranga_ as a +passenger, or rather _quasi_ prisoner; and to this, in either capacity, +it was impossible, without degradation, to submit. I had no inclination +to place myself at the mercy of men who had taken advantage of a +spurious decree to dismiss me--now that--in spite of their +opposition--the destiny of the Empire had been irrevocably decided by +my having counteracted their _anti-national_ views whilst carrying out +the intentions of His Imperial Majesty. + +As will presently be seen, it was falsely represented by Gameiro, to the +Imperial Government, that I had _voluntarily abandoned the service!_ +though, from the letter just quoted--ordering the officers to "disengage +themselves from all subordination to me," this subterfuge of my having +_dismissed myself_ is obviously false. I will not, therefore, trespass +on the patience of the reader by dilating upon the subject; suffice it +to say that, not choosing to return to Rio de Janeiro as a passenger, I +had no dignified alternative but to give up the frigate to the command +of the senior officer, Captain Shepherd; confiding to him all accounts +of monies distributed for the Imperial service, with the vouchers for +the same--taking the precaution to send however the duplicate receipts +given by the officers on account of the monies paid by the Junta of +Maranham--and retaining the originals in my possession, where they now +remain, and will be adduced in the statement of account forming the +concluding chapter of this volume. + +For these accounts--which the Brazilian ministers _deny ever to have +received_--Captain Shepherd gave me, under his own signature, the +following acknowledgment--now in my possession; a photograph of which, +together with photographs of other important documents has long since +been sent to the Brazilian Government:-- + + Received from Lord Cochrane, Marquess of Maranhaõ, the key of the + iron chest, in which the prize lists and receipts for the + disbursement of public monies have been kept during His Excellency's + command; which key and chest I engage faithfully to deliver to the + accountant-general of His Imperial Majesty's navy, or to the proper + authority at Rio de Janeiro, taking his receipt for the same. + + On board H.I.M.'s ship _Piranga_, November 12th, 1825, + + JA's SHEPHERD. + + +The denial by the Brazilian Administration--of the accounts and receipts +thus acknowledged by Captain Shepherd, and the absence of any +ministerial communication on the subject, forms an unworthy imputation +on the memory of a gallant officer, who a short time afterwards nobly +died in action in the cause of Brazil. It was utterly impossible that +Captain Shepherd should have done otherwise than have delivered them, +for he was a man upon whose honour no reproach could be cast. There are +only two ways to account for their not having been delivered, if such be +the case. 1st, that Gameiro on the delivery of the frigate to the +legation obtained possession of the chest in which they were deposited, +and withheld them to justify my dismissal by casting the reproach upon +me of having appropriated the amount--an act of which the Brazilian +Government may judge whether he was capable; or, 2ndly, that from the +same reason they were purposely withheld or destroyed by the ministers +who had been so inimical to me. The present Brazilian Administration is +happily composed of men of a different stamp, and it becomes them, for +the sake of the national reputation, to institute the strictest search +for the documentary evidence adduced, as no man will believe that I +withheld documents which could alone justify my acts. + +And here I must be permitted to remark, that the documentary evidence +adduced in this volume proves the history, and not the history the +documents. If any question be made as to their validity or fidelity, _I +hereby call upon the Brazilian Government to appoint a Commission, or +authorise their Embassy to compare the extracts with the originals in my +possession, so that no manner of doubt or question shall attach to +them._ My object in now producing them is, that I will not voluntarily +go to my grave with obloquy, cast on me by men, who, at the outset of +Brazilian independence, were a misfortune to the Empire no less than to +myself; men who not only pursued this shameful line of conduct towards +me who was unable to resist it,--but towards His Imperial Majesty,--who, +by similar practices, was eventually disgusted into AN ABDICATION OF HIS +THRONE AND AN ABANDONMENT OF THE COUNTRY--to which he had given one of +the freest Constitutions in existence--achieved under the Imperial +watchword, "Independencia ou morte." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +I AM DISMISSED THE SERVICE BY THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT--WITHOUT ANY +ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY SERVICES--INCONSISTENCY OF THIS WITH FORMER +THANKS--THOUGH DISMISSED I AM TRIED AS A DESERTER--AND AM REFUSED ALL +COMPENSATION--REPORT OF RECENT COMMISSION ON THE SUBJECT--FALSE +REPRESENTATIONS--BUT PARTIALLY TRUE CONCLUSIONS--MY ORIGINAL PATENTS +NEVER SET ASIDE--UNTRUE ASSUMPTIONS AS TO MY DISMISSAL--MY CLAIMS +FOUNDED ON THE ORIGINAL PATENTS--LESS THAN HALF THE INTEREST DUE +PAID--OPINIONS OF EMINENT BRAZILIANS THEREON--MY SERVICES TARDILY +ACKNOWLEDGED--NO ACT OF MINE HAD ANNULLED THEM--THE ESTATE CONFERRED, +NOT CONFIRMED--PROMISES ON ACCOUNT OF CHILI UNFULFILLED--THE WHOLE +STILL MY RIGHT. + + +Having been thus unceremoniously dismissed from the Imperial +service--without doubt, by order of the Brazilian Ministry to their +Envoy in London, I was some months afterwards surprised by the receipt +of a letter from the Imperial Government, dated December 21st, 1825, and +signed "Visconde de Paranagua," informing me that His Imperial Majesty +had ordered all my pay and other claims to be suspended till I should +return to Rio de Janeiro to justify myself and give an account of my +commission--this being now out of my power, as I had been deprived of +command, and the frigate in which I came to England had returned, by +order of the Envoy, to Rio de Janeiro. + +Without, however, giving me time to do this, I received another letter +from the same authority, dated Dec. 30, containing my formal dismission +from the service--this shewing that Gameiro had previous instructions +to act in the way narrated in the last chapter. + +The following is the official letter dismissing me from the command of +the Navy, and from the post of First Admiral:-- + + His Majesty the Emperor, informed of that which your Excellency has + set forth in your letter No. 300, dated the 5th of November last, has + been pleased to determine that your Excellency shall fulfil the + orders already several times transmitted to you, and further in + compliance with the order of the 20th inst., a copy of which I + inclose, you are to return to this Court, where it is necessary you + shall give an account of the Commission with which you were + entrusted. His Majesty is much surprised that, after having taken the + frigate _Piranga_ to a foreign port, and having there remained in + despite of the Baron Itabayana, you should have adopted the + extraordinary resolution, not only _to abandon that frigate, but also + to retire from the service of the Emperor_, without having returned + to give an account of your proceedings _previous to your dismissal + from the command of the naval forces, and from the post of First + Admiral_ of the National and Imperial Armada. All which I communicate + for the information and execution of your Excellency. + + God preserve your Excellency. + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 30th, 1825. + + (Signed) VISCONDE DE PARANAGUA. + + To the Marquis of Maranhaõ. + +From this extraordinary document it is plain that Gameiro had written to +the Imperial Government the same falsehood, as he had used when +endeavouring to seduce Lieut. Shepherd from his duty to me as his +Commander-in-Chief; viz. that I had voluntarily retired from the +service, because the Admiralty Court having condemned me in £.60,000 +_damages, I durst not return to Rio de Janeiro!_ though I announced to +him my readiness to sail in the frigate. The Jesuitical nature of the +preceding letter amply proves its object and motive. It does not dismiss +me--but _it calls on me to come and be dismissed_! carefully addressing +me, however, as "Marquis of Maranhaõ," and not as First Admiral, thereby +intimating that I was _already dismissed_! As there can be no mistake +about the meaning of the document, it is not worth while to discuss +it--the reason why it is adduced being to shew that I was not only +dismissed by the Envoy Gameiro, but in a little more than a month +afterwards by the Imperial Government itself; which for thirty years +reiterated in reply to my often pressed claims--that _I dismissed myself +by abandoning the service of my own accord_! + +Not a word of acknowledgment was ever given for having a second time +saved the Empire from dismemberment, though this service was entirely +extra-official, it being no part of my contract with the Brazilian +Government to put down revolution, nor to take upon myself the +responsibility and difficult labour of reducing half the Empire to the +allegiance which it had perhaps not without cause repudiated--at the +same time, of necessity, taking the management of the whole upon myself. +This had been done at the pressing personal request of His Imperial +Majesty, in face of the decree of the Court of Admiralty _that no prizes +should be made within a certain distance of the shore_; so that no +benefit, public or private--arising from the operations of war--could +result from blockade; yet I had a right to expect even greater thanks +and a more liberal amount of compensation in case of success, than from +the first expedition. Not a word of acknowledgment nor a shilling of +remuneration for that service has ever been awarded to this day; though +such treatment stands out in glaring inconsistency with the Imperial +thanks and honours--the thanks of the Administration--and the vote of +the General Assembly, for expelling on the first expedition enemies not +half so formidable as were the revolutionary factions with which I had +to contend in the Northern provinces. + +Neither in Brazil nor in England had I done anything to forfeit my right +to the fulfilment of the explicit stipulations set forth in the Imperial +patents of March 26th, and November 25th, 1823. His Imperial Majesty had +all along marked his approbation of my zealous exertions for the +interests of the empire--designating them "_altos e extraordinarios +servicios_."--and desired that I should have the most ample +remuneration; having, in addition to every honour in his power to +confer, granted me an estate, which grant was by the Portuguese faction +strenuously and successfully opposed, and not this only, but every other +recompence proposed by His Majesty as a remuneration for my services. +The object being to subvert whatever had been effected by my exertions, +though, but for these the inevitable consequence would have been the +establishment of insignificant local governments in perpetual turmoil +and revolution, in place of an entire empire in the enjoyment of +uninterrupted repose. Had I connived at the views of the Anti-Imperial +faction--even by avoiding the performance of extra-official services--I +might, without dereliction of my duty as an officer, have amply shared +in their favours; but for my adherence to the Emperor against their +machinations, that influence was successfully used to deprive me even of +the ordinary reward of my labours in the cause of independence. + +As soon as the compulsory deprivation of my command, by the Envoy +Gameiro, became known in Rio de Janeiro--where, doubtless, it was +expected--a great outcry was raised against me, _as though my non-return +had been my own act_. The press was set in motion, and every effort was +used to traduce me in the eyes of the Brazilian people, from whom the +truth of the matter was carefully withheld; the whole, eventually, +terminating with a mock trial in my absence, when it had been placed out +of my power to defend myself. At this trial I was accused of +contumacy--stigmatised as a deserter, though, as has just been seen, +formally dismissed by the government, in confirmation of my dismissal by +the Envoy in England--and not only this, but I was declared by the +creatures of the administration in the National Assembly, to merit +punishment as a deserter! Such was my reward for first consolidating and +afterwards preserving the Empire of Brazil. + +Never dreaming of the advantage which might thus be taken by the +Administration of the act of their envoy--on the 10th of February, 1826, +I drew a bill upon the Brazilian Government for the remainder of my pay +up to the period of my dismissal by Itabayana. This was refused and +protested, as was also another afterwards drawn. + +This course clearly indicated the intention of the Administration not to +pay me anything, now that they had dismissed me from the service. To +have returned then to prosecute my claims against such judges, would +have been an act of folly, if not of insanity; my only alternative being +to memorialize the Emperor, which for many successive years I did +without effect--the execution of the Imperial will unhappily depending +on the decision of his ministers, who, little more than five years +afterwards, partly forced, and partly disgusted His Majesty into an +abdication in favour of his infant son, Don Pedro de Alcantara, now +Emperor of Brazil; committing the guardianship of his family to José +Bonifacio de Andrada, who, like myself, had been forced into exile from +the hatred of the very men who had so bitterly persecuted me, but had +been permitted to return to Brazil from which he never ought to have +been exiled. + +For more than twenty years did I unceasingly memorialize successive +Brazilian governments, but without effect. At length the Administration +which had so bitterly visited its hatred on me passed away, and it +became evident to His present Imperial Majesty, and the Brazilian +people, that I had been most shamefully treated. Nearly at the same time +I had fortunately succeeded in convincing the British Government that +the obloquy for so many years heaped upon me was unmerited; and Lord +Clarendon warmly espoused my cause, as did the Hon. Mr. Scarlett, the +British Minister at Rio de Janeiro; these excellent personages taking +the trouble to investigate the matter, a boon which I had in vain +solicited from any of their predecessors; though, had the favour +previously been granted, it would have had the effect of explaining my +conduct in Brazil as satisfactorily as, I trust, this volume has done to +the reader. + +The result of this was a commission, appointed by the Brazilian +Government, to inquire into the case of the squadron generally. The +following is an extract from their report, so far as regards myself:-- + + LORD COCHRANE. + + The first in rank and title assuredly is Lord Cochrane, Earl of + Dundonald, and Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief + of the National Armada during the War of Independence. + + The fame of the services rendered by Lord Cochrane in Chili, as + Commander-in-Chief of the squadron of that republic induced the + Imperial Government to invite him to accept a similar command in + Brazil, so long as the War of Independence should last, with the + promise of the same advantages which he there enjoyed. + + Accepting the invitation, he was appointed by the decree of the + 21st of March, 1823, with the pay of 11.520 milreis, being the same + as he had in Chili, conferring upon him, by communication of the + same date, the command of the squadron which was being equipped + in the port of this city; and by decree of the 23rd of February, + 1824, the command-in-chief of the naval forces of the Empire during + the War of Independence. + + It was afterwards decreed, on the 27th of July, 1824, that he + should enjoy the said pay in full, so long as he continued in the + service of the Empire; and _in case of his not desiring to continue + therein_ after the War of Independence, one half of the said pay as + a pension, which, in the event of his decease, should revert to Lady + Cochrane. + + Lastly, by a _portaria_ of the 20th of December, 1825, it was + decreed that all his muniments and rights should be suspended, and + he was dismissed by a decree of the 10th April, 1827. + + Justice demands that we shall acknowledge (says the Commission) + that the services of Lord Cochrane in the command of the squadron, + put an end to the war more speedily than had been expected; but if + his services were great, it is impossible to conceal that unqualified + and arbitrary acts of the most audacious daring were committed by + him and by the ships under his command, occasioning to the National + Treasury enormous losses, particularly by the heavy indemnification + of an infinite number of bad prizes, which it was obliged to satisfy; + and truth demands that we should declare that if the pretended + claims are suspended, the fault was entirely his own, from having + disobeyed the repeated orders of the Imperial Government, which + commanded his return to this Court to give account of his commission, + aggravated by the crime of having withdrawn himself from the + Empire for England with the frigate _Piranga_, and there remaining + with that frigate, notwithstanding the reiterated orders of the + Imperial Government, for more than two years, pretending that he + had not received the said orders, which at last were ordered to be + communicated to him through the Brazilian Minister resident in + London. + + All this is amply proved by different official documents, some of + which documents are from the claimant himself, this justifying the + suspension of the payment of his claims, no less than the crime of + his obstinate disobedience; and, indeed more by the indispensable + obligation by which he was bound to give accounts of the sums + which he received on account of prizes to distribute to the squadron + under his command, which distribution he himself acknowledged in + his letter of the 5th of November, 1825, wherein he says, "I shall + forward to the Imperial Government an account of the money + received from His Imperial Majesty for distribution to the seamen, + as well as other sums to the account of the captors." + + Having traced this outline relative to the services and excesses of + Lord Cochrane, the Commission now proceeds to discuss his claims. + + First,--His annual pay is 11.520 milreis, which was owing to him + from the 1st of August to the 10th of November 1825, when he left + the service of the Empire. The claimant founds his demand on the + decree of the 21st of March 1823, added to and confirmed on the + 27th of July, 1824. + + The second decree says,--"I deem fit, by the advice of my + Council of State, to determine that the said Marquis of Maranhaõ + shall receive, so long as he is in the service of the Empire, the + pay of his patent (11.520 milreis), and in case of his not choosing + to continue therein after the termination of the present war, the + half of the said pay, as a pension, the same being extended, in + case of his death, to Lady Cochrane." The said enactment being + so positive that at the sight thereof, the Commission declares, that + _it cannot do otherwise than confirm the right of the claimant to the + prompt payment of the pension due to him._ + +In this report there are many inaccuracies. It is stated that when in +Chili I accepted "the Brazilian command during the war of Independence" +only.--"_Viesse occupar igual commando no Brazil emquanto durasse Guerra +da Independencia._" This is contrary to fact, as will be seen in the +first chapter of this volume, where both the invitation to accept the +command, and my conditional acceptance thereof are given. To repeat the +actual words of the invitation, _"Abandonnez-nous, Milord, à la +reconnaissance Brésilienne--a la munificence du Prince--à la probité +sans tache de l'actuel Gouvernement--on vous fera justice"_ &c. &c. It +was neither "princely munificence"--"ministerial probity"--nor "common +justice," to dismiss me from the service without my professional and +stipulated emoluments, or even the arrears of my pay, the very moment +tranquillity had been established as a consequence of my exertions, and +so far the Commission decided; though they ought to have added, as was +well known, that my command in Chili had been without limitation of +time, and therefore my Brazilian command, as expressed in the Imperial +patents, was not accepted under other conditions. The above opinion, +expressed by the Commission, could only have been given to justify the +spurious decree of Barbosa, in virtue of which, though set aside by His +Imperial Majesty, I was dismissed by Gameiro, that decree--under the +hypocritical pretence of conferring upon me a boon--limiting my services +to the war, _after the war had been terminated by my exertions;_ the +object being to get rid of me, and thus to avoid condemning the prizes +captured by the squadron. Nevertheless, the promises held out to me in +Chili, were most honourably admitted by His Imperial Majesty and his +first Ministry--and were moreover twice confirmed by Imperial patent, +counter-signed by the Ministers, and registered in the National +Archives. These patents _have never been set aside by any act of mine,_ +yet to this day their solemn stipulations remain unfulfilled. + +The Commission complains that the Treasury was caused to sustain +"enormous losses by the indemnification of an infinite number of bad +prizes, which it was obliged to satisfy." I deny that there was _one bad +prize,_ all, without exception, being captured in violation of blockade, +or having Portuguese registers, crews, and owners. But even if they had +been bad--His Majesty's stipulation, in his own handwriting (see page +118), provided that they should be paid by the state. The fact was, as +proved in these pages beyond contradiction, that they were given back +by the Portuguese members of the Prize Tribunal to their own friends and +relations--this alone constituting the illegality of the captures. +Some--as in the case of the _Pombinho_'s cargo--were given up to persons +who had not the shadow of a claim upon them. The squadron never received +a shilling on their account. + +Again, the Commission declares that I was dismissed the service on the +10th of April, 1827; whereas I have given the letter of Gameiro, +dismissing me, on the 7th of November, 1825, and the _portaria_ of the +Imperial Government, dismissing me, on the 30th of December, in the same +year! This renewed dismissal was only a repetition of the former +unjustifiable dismissals, adding nothing to their force, and in no way +alleviating their injustice. + +The imputation of "the crime of obstinate disobedience" has been so +fully refuted in this volume, that it is unnecessary to offer another +word of explanation. + +Finally, the Commission decided that the "Imperial act of July 27, 1824, +_is so positive that, at the sight thereof, the Commission declares it +cannot do otherwise than confirm the right of the claimant to the prompt +payment of the pension due to him._" But if the Commissioners had +examined this act of His Imperial Majesty more closely, together with +the explanatory letter of Barbosa, accompanying it, they would have seen +that the decree of July 27th, 1824, was not only additive to the +Imperial patents, but admitted _to be confirmatory of them_, by Barbosa +himself, notwithstanding his own spurious decree, nullified by His +Imperial Majesty, but afterwards unjustifiably acted upon. (See page +150.) + +If I have any claim at all for the numerous and important services which +I rendered to Brazil, it is founded _on the original patents_ granted to +me by His Imperial Majesty, without limitation as to time, which I +solemnly declare was not even mentioned--much less stipulated--as the +patents themselves prove. The decree awarding me half pay as a pension, +"in case _I did not choose_ to continue in the service," has no +reference to me. I never left the service, but--as even admitted by +Gameiro, in his negotiations with Lieutenant Shepherd--was most +unjustifiably, and by wilful falsehood, _turned out of it_, in order to +rid the administration of my claims on a hundred and twenty ships, and a +vast amount of valuable property captured in lawful warfare, under the +express directions of His Imperial Majesty. + +Why also is no compensation awarded to me for my extra-official services +in putting down revolution in the Northern provinces--an act, or series +of acts--in my estimation, of far greater importance and difficulty than +the expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army? Every historian of +Brazil has spoken in high praise of my execution of this almost +impracticable task--but coupled with the infamous lie derived from the +Government that, for my own personal benefit, I robbed the Treasury at +Maranham of 106,000 dollars; though in the concluding chapter _I will +print in full the receipt of every officer under my command for his +share of the money returned by the Junta_, the original receipts being +now in my possession for the inspection of the Brazilian Government, or +of any commission or persons it may choose to appoint for that purpose. +Were these services nothing, just as half the Empire had declared itself +Republican? Was my refusal to accept a bribe of 400,000 dollars from the +revolutionary president of Pernambuco the act of a man who would +afterwards conduct himself as has been falsely imputed to me? The +Brazilian Government cannot refuse to inspect or authorise the +inspection of the originals of documents contained in this narrative, +and if they consent, I have no fear but that the national honour will +yet do me justice. + +It is not justice to have awarded to me the above-named pension +merely--even on the assumption of the Commissioners that I did leave the +service of my own accord--for that sum is _less than one half the simple +interest_ of the amount of which for thirty years I was, even by their +own admission, unjustly deprived. This may be a cheap way of liquidating +obligations, but it is not consistent with the honour of a nation thus +to delay its pecuniary obligations, and then _pay the principal with +less than half the interest_! I feel certain that when making an +award--which they admit could not be avoided--the Commissioners +inadvertently lost sight of this obvious truth. + +Let me refer the Brazilian Government to the officially recorded +opinions of honourable men on the Commission, or "_Seccoes_," when +commenting upon this very inadequate reward about to be given after the +lapse of thirty years of unmerited obloquy, which would have sunk any +man unsupported by the consciousness of rectitude to a premature grave. + + Senor Alvez Bhanco E Hollanda declared that "as a commemoration + of the benefits which Brazil had derived from Lord + Cochrane, there was no other conclusion than that _he ought to be + paid the whole sum which he claimed, for which the 'Assemblea + Geral' should ask a credit_." + + Senor Hollanda Cavalcante, in taking into account the requisition + of Lord Cochrane, was "altogether of the opinion expressed + by Senor Alvez Branco--that his Lordship as well as others + should have the whole amount claimed." + + Viscount Olinda, in the Council of State, gave his opinion that + "Lord Cochrane shall be paid the various demands he has made. + He repeated his opinion that this course alone was consistent + with the dignity of the Government, or the services of the Admiral. + He (Viscount Olinda) well remembered the great services of Lord + Cochrane, and these ought not to be depreciated by paltry imputed + omissions. It appeared to him little conformable to the dignity + of Brazil, to enter, at this distance of time, into questions of + money with one to whom they owed so much." + + Viscount Parana "was of opinion that _no responsibility for + captures rested on the officers who had made them, they acting + under the orders of the Government, which took the responsibility + on itself_. Justice demanded this view of the matter, and even + the acquittal of many of the prizes might be attributed to _a + change of Ministerial policy_." + + Senor Aranjo Vicuna. "There is no necessity for continuing the + suspension of Lord Cochrane's pay. It ought to be paid as remuneration + for important services, the benefits whereof were not diminished + by any subsequent conduct on the part of His Lordship." + + "It was the opinion of the Council that Lord Cochrane's pension + ought to be paid, notwithstanding any question as to the limitation + of prizes, or any defects in the prize accounts."--_Correio + Mercantil_, Aug. 29, 1854. + +Yet notwithstanding these expressions of opinion, less than half the +interest of even the limited sum admitted to be due to me was awarded. + +The Commissioners admit in the preceding Report that _my speedy +annexation of the Portuguese provinces was unexpected_, and this alone +should have made them pause ere they awarded me less than half the +interest of my own money, withheld for 30 years--themselves retaining +the principal--the amount received, being, in reality, insufficient to +liquidate the engagements which I had of necessity incurred during the +thirty years of neglect to satisfy my claims--now admitted to be beyond +dispute. Their admission involves the fact that the "_unexpected_" +expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army _saved Brazil millions of +dollars in military and naval expeditions_ against an organised European +power, which only required time to set at complete defiance any efforts +which Brazil herself was in a condition to make. It was, in fact, a +question of "_speedy_" annexation, or no annexation at all, and it was +this consideration which impelled me to the extraordinary measures +adopted for the intimidation of the enemy, in the absence of means for +their forcible expulsion. But is it generous to reward a service of such +admitted importance, by giving me less than half the interest of a +sum--acknowledged as a right which could no longer be withheld? + +Is it not ungenerous to exclude me from my share of the prize-money +taken in the first expedition, though a prize tribunal is at this moment +sitting in Rio de Janeiro to consider the claims of officers and men, +nine-tenths of whom are dead? Is it not ungenerous to have engaged me in +the extra-professional service of putting down revolution and anarchy in +the Northern provinces, and when the mission was successfully +accomplished, to have dismissed me from the Imperial service without one +expression of acknowledgment or the slightest reward? + +But to put generosity out of the question--is it wise so to do? That, +says Burke--"can never be politically right which is morally wrong." +Brazil, doubtless, expects other nations to keep faith with her, and it +is not wise on her part to afford a precedent for breaking national +faith. The _Amazon_ is a rich prize, and may one day be contested. What +reply would Brazil give to a power which might attempt to seize it, +under the argument that she broke faith with those _who gave her the +title to this, the most magnificent river on the face of the earth_, and +that therefore it was not necessary to preserve faith with her? It would +puzzle Brazilian diplomatists to answer such a question. + +From what has been adduced in this volume, it must be clear to all who +have perused it with ordinary attention that Brazil is to this day in +honour bound to fulfil the original stipulations solemnly entered into +with me, and twice guaranteed under the Imperial sign manual, with all +the official ratifications and formalities usual amongst civilized +states. This _I claim individually_; and further--_conjointly with the +squadron_--my share of the prize-money conceded to the captors by +Imperial decree, without which customary incentive neither myself, nor +any other foreign officer or seaman, would have been likely to enter the +service. My _individual claim_, viz. the pay stipulated in the Imperial +patents, was agreed upon without limitation as to time, as is clear from +the expression that I should receive it whether "afloat or ashore," +"_tanto em terra como no mar_," _i.e._ whether "actively engaged or +not"--whether "in war or peace." I have committed no act whereby this +right could be cancelled, but was fraudulently driven from the Imperial +service, as the shortest way of getting rid of me and my claims +together. These are no assertions of mine, but are the _only possible +deductions_ from documents which have one meaning, and that +incontestible. + +I claim, moreover, the estate awarded to me by His Imperial Majesty, +with the double purpose of conferring a mark of national approbation of +my services, and of supporting the high dignities to which--with the +full concurrence of the Brazilian people and legislature--I was raised +as a reward for those services, the magnitude and importance of which +were on all hands admitted. To have withheld that estate, after the +reasons assigned by His Imperial Majesty for conferring it, was a +national error which Brazil should not have committed, and which it +should, even now, be careful to efface; for by approving the dignities +conferred, and withholding the means of supporting them, it has +pronounced its highest honours to be worthless, empty sounding titles, +lightly esteemed by the givers, and of no value to the recipient. Had +this estate cost anything to the Brazilian nation, a miserable economy +might have been pleaded as a reason for withholding it; but even this +excuse is wanting. Any territorial grant to myself could only have been +an imperceptible fraction of the vast regions, which, together with an +annual revenue of many millions of dollars--my own exertions, _without +cost to the Empire_, had added to its dominions "_unexpectedly_" as the +Commission appointed to investigate my claim felt bound to admit. If +Brazil value its national honour, that blot upon it should not be +suffered to remain. + +With regard to the sum owing to me by Chili, for which, in the event of +its non-payment, both His Imperial Majesty Don Pedro I. and his Minister +José Bonifacio de Andrada made the Brazilian nation responsible. The +discussion in the National Assembly testifies to the validity of the +claim, which therefore rests upon the generosity no less than the good +faith of Brazil, for whose interests, in accordance with the most +flattering promises, I was induced to quit Chili. To this day, Chili has +not fulfilled her obligations to me; the miserable pittance of £.6000, +which--by some process I do not now care to inquire into, she has fixed +upon as ample remuneration for one who consolidated her liberties and +those of Peru, supporting her navy at its own expense during the +operation--constituted no part of my admitted claim for the capture of +Valdivia and other previous services, involving no dispute. Payment of +this sum (67,000 dollars) was promised at the earliest possible period +by the then Supreme Director of the Republic--but to this day the +promise has never been redeemed by succeeding Chilian Governments. With +regard to this claim, founded on the concessions of His late Imperial +Majesty and his Minister, I am content, as before said, to leave the +matter to the generosity of the Brazilian nation. The other, and more +important claims, I demand as a right which has never been cancelled, +and which a strict sense of national honour ought not longer to evade. +If it be evaded, the documentary history of the whole matter is now +before the world--and let the world judge between us. I have no fears as +to its decision. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +PROCLAMATION FOR PAYMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEN--LOG EXTRACTS IN PROOF +THEREOF--THE SUM GIVEN UP TO THE SQUADRON DISBURSED--DENIAL THEREOF BY +THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT--THOUGH MADE TO SERVE AS ADVANCE OF WAGES--THE +AMOUNT RECEIVED AT MARANHAM FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR--BY THE RECEIPTS OF THE +OFFICERS--OFFICERS' RECEIPTS--EXTRACTS FROM LOG IN FURTHER +CORROBORATION--UP TO MY ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND--ALL OUR PRIZES MONOPOLIZED +BY BRAZIL--THE CONDUCT OF THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT UNJUSTIFIABLE. + + +The whole dispute raised by the Brazilian Administration as a pretext +for evading my claims, has been--as the reader is now aware--about the +sum of 200,000 dollars, _given out of the proceeds of our own captures, +which cost nothing to the Government; but were made to serve as a +substitute for the usual advance of wages!_ Also about 40,000 dollars +ordered by His Imperial Majesty as compensation for the _Imperatrice_ +frigate, captured by Captain Grenfell at Parà --but _never paid_, and +therefore never accounted for. Finally, with regard to 106,000 dollars +reimbursed by the authorities of Maranham, as a compromise for four +times the amount generously surrendered by the squadron to the +necessities of the province in 1823--on promise of repayment. As regards +the whole of the sums, it is alleged that _I never furnished accounts +of their expenditure, and therefore they are charged against me, as +though not expended at all._ + +For the disbursement of the first item of 200,000 dollars, I have +already stated sufficient to satisfy any reasonable person. The accounts +set forth at page 169, shews that a balance remained in hand from the +200,000 dollars put on board at Rio de Janeiro, of 39,538 dollars. I +shall now state what became of this sum. And first let me adduce the +following proclamation:-- + + By His Excellency the Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral, &c. &c. + + WHEREAS, many officers and seamen are here employed who were + not present, last year, at the capitulation of the hostile authorities, + and seizure of Portuguese funds and property at Maranhaõ; + + And whereas it is condusive to the interests of His Imperial + Majesty, that all those officers and seamen who have now contributed + to the restoration of tranquillity, good order, and obedience to His + Imperial Majesty, shall receive encouragement and reward; + + It is hereby directed that three months additional pay shall, + without deduction, be distributed _as a gratuity_ to the said officers + and men. + + Given under my hand, this 8th day + of February, 1825, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +I had, it is true, no authority for making this extra payment, but at +the same time, I had the authority of His Imperial Majesty to devote the +200,000 dollars to the good of the service--thus clearly leaving its +disbursement to my discretion; and this appeared to me to be properly +exercised in rewarding those who had been performing double duty afloat +and ashore, in the arduous task of putting down, and keeping down +revolt and anarchy. On this principle, I had previously doubled the pay +of some of the officers, without whose incessant exertion, I could not +have effected the tranquillization of the province. It is true that the +principle adopted was opposed to that pursued by the Administration, +viz. neither to acknowledge these extra services nor reward them; but +such a course neither accorded with my judgment nor discretion. The sums +paid as above were entered in the usual manner in a pay book, +acknowledged by the signatures of the recipients--attested by the +officers--and, as has been said, duly forwarded to the Imperial +Government. + +I shall now give some extracts from the log before quoted in reference +to these and other transactions:-- + + _January 5th_, 1825. His Lordship left at Hesketh's his last two + months' pay, received this month, and also two months' pay for + Captain Crosbie. Paid other officers and men two months' pay. + + _6th_. Employed in sorting the paper money in the small + iron chest. _Found its contents to be only_ 16,000 dollars. + (This was all that now remained of the 200,000 dollars received at + Rio de Janeiro.) + + _8th_. Officers having been paid, the men received to-day two + months' pay. + + _9th_. Admiral took to Hesketh's three bags of dollars (Each containing + 1000 dollars, the remainder of money which I had brought + from Chili, and which therefore had nothing to do with the Brazilian + Government). + + _February 10th_. Paid third payment of prize-money to Clewley, + Clare and January. + + _11th_. Paid prize-money to March and Carter. + + _26th_. Paid Lieutenant Shepherd 1,500 dollars. + + _28th_. Paid Commissary, Escrivaõ, and Pilot. + + _March 1st_. Paid Portuguese Doctor. + + _3rd_. Paid Corning's account for ship provisions. + +The above payments, with others disbursed in pursuance of my +proclamation, were all made out of the balance of the 200,000 dollars +aforesaid, and 40,000 dollars which had been in my possession ever since +the capture of Maranham; the latter being the amount which I had refused +to give up to the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, well knowing that it +would be returned to their Portuguese friends and connections. When +these payments were made, a few hundred dollars alone remained. As this +200,000 dollars was the indisputable property of the squadron before it +was assigned for distribution amongst those to whom it belonged--on this +ground alone it scarcely became the Government to raise doubts about its +proper application; for they well knew that if it were not distributed, +the fact could not be concealed from the officers and men, who would not +have submitted quietly to my retention of their money, as has been +shamelessly imputed to me. Not only was the whole disbursed--but the +accounts, as has been stated, were faithfully transmitted to the +Brazilian authorities at Rio de Janeiro, as appears by Captain +Shepherd's receipt, adduced in the present volume, and years ago +photographed, and transmitted with a memorial to the Brazilian +Government, which, nevertheless, on the 28th of April, _in the present +year_, published in its official organ, the _Correio Mercantil_, a +report on the prizes made during the war of independence--excluding me +from a share, on _the ground of not having delivered my accounts_. The +following is an extract:-- + + (After enumerating the prizes, and estimating their gross value + at 521,315 dollars--_not one-fourth of the real amount_--the Commission + goes on to say:--) + + Referring to what has been stated, it appears that the First + Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Squadron from its commencement + to the conclusion of the war, _had a right to his share + of all prizes_--and so the Commission has judged in regard to the + total value, amounting to the said sum of 521,315 milreis up to + the 12th of February, 1824. _From that sum, however, must be + deducted 200,000 dollars given to the Admiral on account of prize-money + for distribution, which it does not appear by any document that + he made_. It also appears by the report of the Junta of Maranhaõ, + of the 17th of October, 1825, that the said Admiral received the + further sum of 217,659 dollars at different times, there appearing + 108,736 dollars under the title of indemnification for prizes made + by the squadron in the port of that city, to be divided as such. _This + division does not seem to have been made_. + + From this it appears that the said Admiral must be charged as + having received the sum of 308,238 dollars on account of prizes to + be divided amongst the squadron; with the addition of 40,000 + dollars which he received also by decree of the 23rd of February, + to be, in like manner, divided amongst those who co-operated in + the annexation of the province of Maranhaõ, and the capture of + the frigate _Imperatrice--seeing that there is no evidence that such + distribution took place_--thus increasing the sum due to 348,238 + dollars, of which the said claimant is bound to give account to the + Imperial Government. + + In consequence of the determination of the Regulations let this + decree be printed and published. + + Rio, April 21, 1858. + + (Signed) JOAQUIM JOSÉ IGNACIO, + _Chefe de esquadra_, President. + + ANTONIO JOSÉ DA SILVA, + _Contador da Marinha_. + + JOSÉ BAPTISTA LISBOA, + _Auditor e Secretario_. + +This document, so recently promulgated, after the decision of the +_Seccoes_ in 1854, and the expression of opinion given by the most +eminent men of Brazil (see page 282), that I ought to have the whole of +my claims--is really wonderful. But the false assertions it contains +must be met. + +And first--the receipt of the 40,000 dollars for the _Imperatrice_, I +altogether deny, and can be easily convicted of untruth if my receipt +for that sum can be produced. It is worthy of note, that the date of the +decree for the payment of this sum is carefully given in the preceding +document, but the data of my acknowledgment of having received is +annulled for the sufficient reason that no acknowledgment was ever +given. The 200,000 dollars, I trust that I have sufficiently accounted +for, as well as for the vouchers sent to Rio by Captain Shepherd, whose +receipt I took for the chest containing them. But the 200,000 dollars +with which the Government charges me--even supposing the accounts to be +lost--destroyed--or purposely made away with--was not the property of +the Brazilian Government, but of the squadron, who received it only as +part payment of ten times the amount due to them! This sum though the +property of the squadron, was made to serve _as an advance of wages_, no +less than as prize-money; and does the Brazilian Government imagine that +any squadron could be sent to sea without money? Or that any reader of +common sense will acquiesce in the assertion that under such +circumstances it was not properly disbursed, even though I had not shewn +_its precise disbursement_? The Brazilian Government well knows that +the men composing the squadron were of so mutinous a character, that the +slightest deviation from their rights would have been met with instant +insubordination. Did this ever occur, even in the slightest possible +degree? It is no fault of mine, if the accounts were destroyed, as I +have no doubt they were, from pure malice towards myself, in order to +bring me into an amount of disrepute, which might justify the +withholding of my claims according to the stipulations of the Imperial +patents. By whom this infamy was perpetrated, it is impossible for me to +say--but that it was perpetrated--there cannot be the smallest possible +doubt. + +It is altogether unnecessary to say another word about the 40,000 +dollars for the _Imperatrice_, or the 200,000 dollars for +distribution--as the evidence adduced is sufficient to satisfy any man +not determined to be unconvinced. + +I now come to the amount alleged to have been received from the Junta of +Maranham, viz. 217,659 dollars, "at different times," which I have no +doubt is perfectly correct, though that portion of it under the title of +"indemnification for prizes"--is incorrect, the amount being 106,000 +dollars--_minus_ the discount, and not 108,736 dollars as represented. +The difference is not, however, worth notice. Deducting this sum from +the total of 217,659 dollars, would leave 108,923 dollars to be +accounted for otherwise than as "indemnifieation." This also is, no +doubt, correct. The inhabitants of Maranham cheerfully agreed _to pay +and subsist the squadron_, provided it remained amongst them to +preserve the order which had been restored, and the offer was accepted +by me. The 108,923 dollars thus went for the pay and subsistence of the +squadron during many months of disturbance; and if it prove any thing, +it is the economy with which the wants of the squadron were satisfied, +despite the corruption of the authorities, in paying double for +provisions, because the merchants could only get paid at all, except by +bribes to their debtors. Does the Brazilian Government mean to tell the +world that it sent a squadron to put down revolution in a territory as +large as half Europe, _without receiving a penny in the shape of wages_, +except their own 200,000 dollars of prize-money--that it never +considered it necessary to send to the squadron a single dollar of pay +whilst the work was in process--and that it now considers it just to +charge the whole expenses to me as Commander-in-Chief, though the +expedition did not cost the Government any thing? Yet this is precisely +that which the Brazilian Administration has done--with what justice let +the world decide. I aver that the accounts were faithfully transmitted. +The Imperial Government of the present day, says that the accounts are +not in existence--_not that I did not transmit them_! Surely they ought +to blame their predecessors, not me. Let this history decide which of +the two is deserving of reprobation. + +I now come to the 108,736 dollars--or rather 106,000 dollars received +from the Junta of Maranham as "indemnification,"--respecting which the +Commission unjustly asserts that "_no division appears to have been +made!_" The untruth of this imputation, the most atrocious of all, is +very easily met _by the publication of every receipt connected with the +matter_; and to this I now proceed, requesting the reader to bear in +mind that in my letter to the Minister of Marine (see page 209), I +announced my intention of retaining for my own justification all +_original documents_, sending to the Government, copies or duplicates. +The whole of the subjoined receipts are now in my possession, and I +demand from the Brazilian Government their verification, by its +Ministerial or Consular representatives in Great Britain. + + RECEIPTS OF OFFICERS, + + And others for their proportion of 106,000 dollars paid by the + Junta of Fazenda of Maranham in commutation of 425,000 + dollars--the value of prize property left for the use of the Province + on its acquisition from Portugal in 1823; the duplicates having + been sent by me to the Imperial Government, the originals now + remaining in my possession. + + 5,000 000. + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis + of Maranhaõ, and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armada, + the sum of five thousand milreis, being four thousand one hundred + and thirty-seven, or one-third of the Admiral's share of prize-money; + and eight hundred and sixty three to account of double pay for services + on shore. + + DAVID JOWETT, + + Maranhaõ, 19th March, 1825. Chief of Division. + + * * * * * + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis + of Maranhaõ, First Admiral of Brazil, and Commander-in-Chief of + the Naval Forces of the Empire, the sum of five hundred milreis, + as a recompence for extra services as Commandant-Interim of His + Imperial Majesty's ship _Piranga_, during the absence of Chief of + Division Jowett, on service on shore at Maranhaõ during four + months past. + + March 32nd, 1825. JAMES WALLACE. + + Witness, W. JACKSON. + + + * * * * * + + + Received this 18th day of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral of + Brazil, and Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the Empire, + the sum of ten thousand milreis, on account of a distribution + of eighty contos of reis, being part of certain monies received from + the Junta of Fazenda of Maranhaõ. + + T. SACKVILLE CROSBIE. + + _Rs._ 10,000 000. + + + * * * * * + + + 5,000 000. + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis + of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Naval + Forces of the Empire, the sum of five thousand milreis, being the + amount of additional pay to all the subordinate officers and seamen + of His Imperial Majesty's ship _Piranga_, who have served on shore + at Maranhaõ, between the 18th day of November, 1824, and the + 14th day of March, 1825. + + DAVID JOWETT, + + Chief of Division, Commandant of the _Piranga_. + Maranhaõ, 20th March, 1825. + + + * * * * * + + + Received this 18th day of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of one thousand five hundred + milreis, on account of a distribution of eighty contos of reis, being + part of certain monies received from the Junta of Fazenda at + Maranhaõ. + + W. JACKSON, + _Rs._ 1,500 000. Capt.-Lieut. and Secretary. + + Received this 21st day of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis of Maranhaõ, &c. &c. the sum of one + thousand milreis, on account of an allowance of one-half per cent. + for my trouble in the distribution of prize-money. + + W. JACKSON, + 1,000 000. Capt.-Lieut. and Secretary. + + + * * * * * + + + Received this 21st of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum one thousand five hundred + milreis, on account of a distribution of eighty contos of reis, being + part of certain monies received from the Junta of Fazenda of + Maranhaõ. + + JA's SHEPHERD, + + 1,500 000. First Lieut. of _Pedro Primiero._ + + + * * * * * + + + _Pedro Primiero,_ March 24, 1825. + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, + &c. &c. the sum of one thousand milreis, on account of a distribution + of eighty contos of reis, being part of certain monies received + from the Junta of Fazenda of Maranhaõ. + + 1,000 000. S.E. CLEWLEY. + + + * * * * * + + + _Pedro Primiero_, March 24th, 1825. + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, + &c. &c. the sum of one thousand milreis, on account of a distribution + of eighty contos of reis, &c. &c. + + 1,000 000. FRANCIS CLARE. + + + * * * * * + + + Naõ Nacional e Imperial, + + _Pedro Iro_, March 24, 1825. + + Recebei do Excellentissimo Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + a quartier de hum contos de reis, pro conta de huma divisiaõ de + octento contos de reis, senda parte de certos dinheiros recebidos da + Junta da Fazenda do Maranhaõ. + + FRANCISCO DE PAULO DOS SANTOS GOMEZ. + + 1,000 000. + + * * * * * + + OFFICERS' RECEIPTS + + Precisely similar receipts, on same date, from the following + officers: + + FRANCISCO ADEIAO PERA............................... 1,000 000 + + MANOEL S. SINTO .................................... 500 000 + + ALEXANDER JOSÉ (remainder illegible) ............... 200 000 + + * * * * * + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of five + hundred milreis, on account of a distribution, &c. &c. 500 000. G. + MARCH. + + * * * * * + + Maranhaõ, 24th March, 1825. Received from the Right Hon. Lord + Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of five hundred milreis, on account of a + distribution, &c. &c. 500 000. W. JANNARY. + + * * * * * + + 24th March, 1825. Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. + &c. the sum of five hundred milreis, on account of distribution, &c. + &c. 500 000. DAVID CARTER, Second Lieut. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 9th, 1825, of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + the sum of one thousand four hundred and eighty milreis, being + prize-money due to Capt.-Lieut. G. Manson. For CAPT.-LT. MANSON, + 1,480 000. W. JANNARY. + + * * * * * + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of one + thousand milreis, on account of a distribution of eighty contos of + reis, being part of certain monies received from the Junta of + Fazenda of Maranhaõ. 1,000 000. GEO. MANSON. April 9, 1825. + + * * * * * + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of four + hundred and eighty milreis, on account of prize-money due to me. 480 + 000. GEO. MANSON. Maranhaõ, April 9, 1825. + + Authoriso Se José Perea de sua Excellencia Marques do Maranhaõ + recober e quantier de quinhentos milreis. March 9th, 1825. (Name + illegible.) + + 500 000. + + * * * * * + + Maranham, March 3, 1825. + + Received of Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of two thousand six + hundred and five milreis, being the amount of my account for + provisions supplied to the Brazilian Squadron. + + 2,605 000. LEONARD COMING. + + * * * * * + + Received, the 12th of April, 1885, of His Excellency Lord Cochrane, + &c. &c. one hundred and ninety-five milreis, being additional pay + for extra duty on shore for five months. + + Rs. 195 000. G. MARCH. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 12th, 1825, of His Excellency Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + four hundred and eighty milreis, being additional pay for extra duty + as Secretary to His Lordship for the period of five months. + + 480 000. W. JACKSON. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 21, 1825, of the Right. Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + thirty-nine milreis, being a month's additional pay for extra + services at Maranham. + + 39 000. FRANCIS DRUMMOND. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 21, 1825, of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + sixty-nine milreis, being additional pay for sixty days' extra + service at Maranham. + + 69 000. JOSEPH FITZCOSTEN. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 3rd, of His Excellency the Marquis of Maranhaõ, &c. + &c. twenty-three dollars for my services as prize master of the + vessels _Dido_ and _Joaninho_. + + 23 000. C. ROSE, Second Lieut. + + * * * * * + + Received, May 14th, 1825, of Mr. W. Jackson, two hundred and + eighty-five milreis, part of prize money due to me. + + 285 000. JA'S SHEPHERD. + + * * * * * + + _Piranga_, Spithead, July 5, 1835. + + Received of Mr. W. Jackson, Secretary to His Excellency the Marquis + of Maranham, &c. &c. the sum of two hundred and thirty-five pounds + sterling, in order to pay the same as prize-money to those persons, + late of the _Pedro Primiero_, but now belonging to this frigate, to + whom the sum is due. £.235 or 1,175 000. + + + * * * * * + +There is, however, _one omission_. The payment of the crews is not +adduced, because the pay books were sent with duplicate receipts to Rio +de Janeiro by the _Piranga_. But as no reasonable man will imagine that +I publicly paid the officers and _neglected payment to the crews_, the +omission is of the least possible consequence. But lest the payment of +the crews may be disputed, I subjoin the following extracts from the log +before quoted, from the commencement of the payment, to its termination. + + DATES AND PARTICULARS. + + 1825. + March 16th. Received from the Junta of Maranham, 30 contos + (£6,000) in bills, and 3 contos (£600) in money. + + " 17th. Writing new book of distribution. + + " 18th. Captain Crosbie brought 30 contas (£6,000). Went + with him to Hesketh's, where I found that he had + received 10 contos (£2,000) for himself. + + " 19th. Lord Cochrane paid Jowett 5,000 dollars as + prize-money and double pay. + + " 20th. 5,000 dollars paid to Jowett's officers and men as + double pay. Paid March his further share of + prize-money, 500 dollars. Took at Admiral's + desire 500 dollars for my distribution of the 100 + contos in part received--from which it appears + that I am to have half per cent, for distribution. + + March 22nd. Received two months' pay to the 1st of February. + Went on board the _Piranga_, and made Wallace + a gratuity from the Admiral of 500 dollars. + + " 24th. Paid Shepherd, Clewley, Clare, Commissary, Doctors + Escrivaõ, Jannary, and the Pilot, a proportion of + 80 contos, in course of payment by the Junta. + Went on board the _Piranga_, and paid prize-money + to Carter and a number of men. + + " 26th. Paying prize-money to such of Jowett's men as were + absent on shore on the 24th. + + " 27th. Paying prize-money to such of the _Pedro's_ people + entitled thereto, as are to remain on board that ship. + + " 30th. Making book for distribution of double pay to those + who have served on shore. + + April 6th. Counting out the money for double pay to the men + who did shore service. + + " 7th. Paid part of the men their additional pay. + + " 8th. Paying the additional pay. + + " 9th. Paying additional pay. Sent Capt. Manson by + January 1480 dollars prize-money. + + " 10th. A decree arrives by the _Guarani _from the Imperial + Government, directing the Interim President that + no money shall be paid to the squadron on account + of the taking of Maranham. Admiral suspects + Barros to be at the bottom of it. + + " 11th. Went on shore with the Admiral, with sixteen bags + of dollars, besides Clewley's bag and mine. + + " 13th. Paid Inglis and his men additional pay. + + " 14th. Admiral proposed to Hesketh to ship cotton to the + extent of forty or sixty contos, to which Mr. Hesketh + (British Consul) agreed. + + " 25th. Remainder of the money from the Junta promised + to-morrow. + + April 26th. Captain Crosbie received 2,000 dollars as his further + share. Received 285 dollars, seventy-six for + distribution. + More money from the Treasury. + + May 5th. Wrote to the Junta, with further demand of 13,000 + dollars to make up the stipulated amount. + + " 11th. Paying his Lordship's bills. + + " 12th. Paying his Lordship's bills. + + " 17th. Received my last three months' pay to the 30th of + April. + + " 18th. Received the remaining money from the Treasury. + + " 19th. Sailed in the _Piranga_. + + " 20th. Sent sixty dollars by pilot to two soldiers on shore. + + June 6th. Captain Crosbie appointed Captain of the Fleet, with + rank of Chief of Division. + + July 2nd. At Portsmouth. Agent arrived from London with + two months' pay. + + " 4th. Paying prize-money to men who had not been paid. + Received two months' pay to the 1st instant. + + " 11th. Paid John Skirr £.10 for wounds. + +The amount paid by the Junta was, in fact, 105,800 dollars, partly in +bills, from which a discount of 1800 dollars had to be taken. But these +trifles are unworthy of notice: I have thus accounted for every shilling +received from the Brazilian Government for the use of the squadron--to +the satisfaction of my own conscience, and, I trust, to the satisfaction +of all who may read this narrative. + +From what has been herein stated, it is obvious that Brazil was, by my +instrumentality--though with inadequate means--entirely freed from a +foreign yoke, not only without national cost, but with positive gain, +arising from the vast territories and revenues annexed--as well as from +prizes, the value of which alone exceeded the cost of all naval +equipments. It is true that, after a lapse of thirty-five years, a +profession is made of adjudicating these prizes--but as nearly all the +claimants are dead, and as an intention is manifested to retain my +share, unless I produce accounts already transmitted--Brazil will have +thus monopolized the fruits of our exertions in the cause of +independence--achieved without trouble or thought to the Imperial +Government. For, beyond the usual orders on the departure of the +squadron, not a single instruction was given--all being left to my +discretion, and accomplished on my sole responsibility. Even the +favourable contraction of a loan in England--the acknowledgment of +Brazilian independence by European states--and the establishment of +permanent peace--were the direct consequences of my services, but for +which Brazil might still have presented the same lamentable specimen of +weakness without, and anarchy within, which forms the characteristics of +other South American states. + +Can any government then justify the conduct pursued towards me by +Brazil? Can any government believe that the promises held out to me as +an inducement to accept the command--may be optionally evaded after the +more than completion of my part of the contract? The services rendered +were fully acknowledged by those with whom that contract was made, and +only repudiated by their factions successors, to whom Brazil owed +nothing but prospective confusion. Can any one, then, judge +otherwise--than that the present Brazilian Government is bound, in +honour and good faith, to fulfil the national contract with me--not +only on account of professional services accomplished--even beyond +national expectation; but also on account of extra-official services +which did not come within the scope of my professional duties, viz. the +pacification of the Northern provinces? That the fulfilment of these +obligations is due, I once more quote the Imperial invitation to adopt +the cause of Brazil:--"_Votre Grace est invitée, pour--et de part le +Gouvernement du Brésil, à accepter le service de la nation Brésilienne; +chez qui je suis dûment autorisé à vous assurer le rang et le grade +nullement inférieur à celui que vous tenez de la République. +Abandonnez-vous, Milord, à la reconnaissance Brésilienne;_ À LA +MUNIFICENCE DU PRINCE; À LA PROBITÉ SANS TACHE DE L'ACTUEL GOUVERNEMENT; +ON VOUS FERA JUSTICE; ON NE RABAISSERA D'UN SEUL POINT LA HAUTE +CONSIDÉRATION--RANG--GRADE--CARACTÈRE--ET AVANTAGES QUI VOUS SONT DÛS." +"VENEZ, MILORD, L'HONNEUR VOUS INVITE--LA GLOIRE VOUS APPELLE. VENEZ, +DONNER À NOS ARMES NAVALES, CET ORDRE MERVEILLEUX ET DISCIPLINE +INCOMPARABLE DE PUISSANTE ALBION." + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14479 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..06dc845 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #14479 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14479) diff --git a/old/14479-8.txt b/old/14479-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..443f704 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/14479-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10138 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Narrative of Services in the Liberation of +Chili, Peru and Brazil, from Spanish and Portuguese Domination, Volume 2, +by Thomas Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, +from Spanish and Portuguese Domination, Volume 2 + +Author: Thomas Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald + +Release Date: December 27, 2004 [eBook #14479] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF SERVICES IN THE +LIBERATION OF CHILI, PERU AND BRAZIL, FROM SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE +DOMINATION, VOLUME 2*** + + +E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Graeme Mackreth, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +NARRATIVE OF SERVICES IN THE LIBERATION OF CHILI, PERU, AND BRAZIL, +FROM SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE DOMINATION + +by + +THOMAS, EARL OF DUNDONALD, G.C.B. +Admiral of the Red; Rear-Admiral of the Fleet, etc. etc. + +VOL. II + +MDCCCLIX + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Brazilian and Portuguese factions--Don Pedro ordered to quit +Brazil--Appointed "Perpetual Protector"--Proclaimed Emperor of +Brazil--Efforts to obtain foreign officers and seamen--The naval command +offered to me--Acceptation thereof--Arrival at Rio de Janeiro--Visit of +inspection to the squadron--Condition of the vessels--Inferiority of +seamen--Imperial affability--Attempt to evade the terms offered me--This +failing, to reduce the value of my pay--Pretended commission +conferred--And refused--The point argued--I decline the command--The +Prime Minister gives in--Explanatory Portaria--Formal commission--Orders +to blockade Bahia--Portuguese faction--Averse to me from the outset. + + +CHAPTER II. + +Attempt to cut off the enemy's ships--Disobedience to orders--Letter to +the Prime Minister--Worthlessness of the men--Their treachery--Blockade +established--Equipment of fireships--Enemy's supplies cut +off--Portuguese untrustworthy--Demonstrations of the enemy--His +pretended contempt for us--The enemy returns to port--Their +consternation at the fireships--Portuguese contemplate attacking +us--Flagship reconnoitres enemy at anchor--Excessive alarm at my +nocturnal visit--Proclamation of the Commandant--Consternation in the +city--The authorities decide on evacuating Bahia--Instructions to the +Brazilian Captains--Warnings addressed to the authorities--Enemy quits +Bahia--Readiness for chase--Numbers of the enemy--Capture of the +Convoy--Prizes disabled--Attempt of troops to escape--Prizes sent to +Pernambuco--Pursuit discontinued--Reasons for going to Maranham--Reasons +for not taking more prizes--Advantages to the Empire. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Capture of the Don Miguel--Summons to the authorities--Reasons for +threats held out--Proposals for capitulation--Proclamations--Terms +granted to Portuguese garrison--Declaration of Independence--Portuguese +troops ordered to embark--Symptoms of disobeying the order--Delight of +the people on becoming free--Election of a Provisional +Government--Letters to the Minister of Marine. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Captain Grenfell sent to summon Parà--The Junta demands the prize +property--My refusal--Imperial approval of my services--Realisation of +prize property--Turi Assu sends in its adhesion--Money captured lent to +the Junta--Its return to the squadron expected--Possession taken of +Parà--Insurrection at Parà--Misconduct of the Maranham Junta--Their +persecution of the Portuguese--Steps in consequence--Manifestation of +the national delight--The Marquisate conferred on me--Vote of thanks by +the Assemblea Geral--My arrival at Rio de Janeiro--Satisfaction with my +services--Lady Cochrane joins me. + + +CHAPTER V. + +First effort to curtail the Imperial power--Portuguese +intrigue--Dismissal of the Andradas--The Assembly dissolved by +force--Exile of the Andradas--Letter to his Imperial Majesty--My advice +partly adopted--and causes ministerial enmity towards me--Ratification +of my patent--I demand the adjudication of prizes--Letter to the +Minister of Marine--Offer of personal advantage to foreign +claims--Squadron remained unpaid--I am appointed a Privy Councillor--The +prize vessels plundered--Shameful treatment of Captain +Grenfell--Troubles in Pernambuco--Hostility of the Prize +Tribunal--Condemns me to the restitution of prizes--Forbids making any +capture at all. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Remonstrance against decree of Prize Tribunal--Settlement of prize +question by the Emperor--His Ministers refuse to conform to +it--Obstacles thrown in the way of equipment--My services limited to the +duration of war--My remonstrance on this breach of faith--Ministers +refuse to pay the squadron anything--A fresh insult offered to me--Offer +to resign the command--My resignation evaded--Letter to the Prime +Minister--Letter to the Minister of Marine. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Ministerial malignity towards me--Dangers in Pernambuco--Portuguese +threats--My advice thereon--Failure in Manning the squadron--Plot formed +to search the flagship--Timely warning thereon--I demand his Majesty's +interference--Which was promptly granted--Protest against prize +decisions--My advice sought as regards Pernambuco--Letter to his +Imperial Majesty--Pointing out the annoyance practised--And tendering my +resignation--The Emperor's intervention--His Ministers neglect to fulfil +his engagement--Confirmation of my previous patents--But with an +unjustifiable reservation--Prize money devoted to advance of +wages--Proofs thereof--Baseless imputations on me--Extracts from +log--Further distribution of prize money. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Republican Government proclaimed at Pernambuco--Its Concordat--The +President Carvalho--Threat of Bombardment--A bribe offered to me and +refused--The revolt admitted of palliation--It was fast becoming +general--Intimidation ineffectual--The revolutionists expect Foreign +aid--Pernambuco taken possession of--- Payment of prize money--The +accounts rendered in due course--Orders to put down revolt at +Parà--Character of the revolution--Difficulty in finding proper +Governors--Revolt at Cearà--Steps taken to suppress it--They prove +successful--The insurgent leader killed--Measures for preserving +tranquillity. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Arrival at Maranham--Character of disturbances there--I assume the +military command--Proclamation commanding surrender of arms--Condition +of the people--Corruption of the authorities--Murderous +propensities--Difficulty in detecting assassins--Letter to Minister of +Marine--Pacification of Parahyba--Doubts as to the President's +sincerity--He establishes secret agencies--Extraordinary +memorials--Public complaints of the President--Bruce endeavours to +intercept them--My reply to the memorialists--Letter to the Minister of +Marine--Enclosing complaints of the Consuls--Bruce prepares to resist +my authority--Complaints of the British Consul--He considers my presence +necessary--Letter of the French Consul--Detailing shameful +atrocities--Danger of collision with foreign states--Suspension of the +President--Provision for future Government--Conduct of the faction at +Rio de Janeiro--No instructions sent for my guidance--Letter to the +Minister of Marine--The Ministry had previously deposed Bruce--But +turned on me for anticipating their own act. + + +CHAPTER X. + +Misrepresentations made in England--Letter to the Emperor--Tendering my +resignation--Repayment demanded from the Junta--Conduct of the Prize +Tribunal--No adjudication of prizes intended--Letter to the interim +President--Demanding the sums owing to the squadron--Disturbance in +Parà--Statement of Account to the Junta--Offer of compromise--Imperial +decree--Right of the squadron to the claim. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Imperial approval--Continued enmity of the Administration--Junta refuses +to pay the squadron's claim--I persevere in the demand--Junta agrees to +pay the amount in bills--This refused--Arrival of a new President--But +without authority for the assumption--Intrigues to establish him in +office--I order him to quit the province--And send him to Parà--Letter +to the President of Cearà--International animosities--The squadron left +to provide for itself--Abuse of authority--Explanations to Minister of +Marine--Of transactions at Maranham--Letter to Carvalho e +Mello--Anticipating ministerial displeasure--The Junta reimburses part +of its debt. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +I quit Maranham for a cruise--Bad state of the frigate--Connivance at +illicit trade--We are compelled to proceed to England--The frigate +reported to the Brazilian Envoy--Who cheats me of £2,000--His assumption +that I had abandoned the service--My contradiction thereof--Order to +return to Rio--Reasons for not doing so--Brazilian Envoy tampers with my +Officer--Who acquaints me therewith--Envoy stops pay and +provisions--Declares that the Brazilian Government will give me +nothing!--Captain Shepherd's reply--I prepare to return to Rio--The +Envoy dismisses me from the service--Without reason assigned--He +declares that I voluntarily abandoned the service--Receipts for accounts +transmitted to Brazil--These denied to have been sent. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +I am dismissed the service by the Brazilian Government--Without any +acknowledgment of my services--Inconsistency of this with former +thanks--Though dismissed I am tried as a deserter--And am refused all +compensation--Report of recent Commission on the subject--False +representations--But partially true conclusions--My original patents +never set aside--Untrue assumptions as to my dismissal--My claims +founded on the original patents--Less than half the interest due +paid--Opinions of eminent Brazilians thereon--My services tardily +acknowledged--No act of mine had annulled them--The Estate conferred, +not confirmed--Promises on account of Chili unfulfilled--The whole still +my right. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Proclamation for payment of Officers and Men--Log extracts in proof +thereof--The sum given up to the squadron disbursed--Denial thereof by +the Brazilian Government--Though made to serve as advance of wages--The +amount received at Maranham--Fully accounted for--By the receipts of the +Officers--Officers' receipts--Extracts from log in further +corroboration--Up to my arrival in England--All our prizes, monopolized +by Brazil--The conduct of the Brazilian Government unjustifiable. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +BRAZILIAN AND PORTUGUESE FACTIONS--DON PEDEO ORDERED TO QUIT +BRAZIL--APPOINTED "PERPETUAL PROTECTOR"--PROCLAIMED EMPEROR OF +BRAZIL--EFFORTS TO OBTAIN FOREIGN OFFICERS AND SEAMEN--THE NAVAL COMMAND +OFFERED TO ME--ACCEPTATION THEREOF--ARRIVAL AT RIO DE JANEIRO--VISIT OF +INSPECTION TO THE SQUADRON--CONDITION OF THE VESSELS--INFERIORITY OF +SEAMEN--IMPERIAL AFFABILITY--ATTEMPT TO EVADE THE TERMS OFFERED ME--THIS +FAILING, TO REDUCE THE VALUE OF MY PAY--PRETENDED COMMISSION +CONFERRED--AND REFUSED--THE POINT ARGUED--I DECLINE THE COMMAND--THE +PRIME MINISTER GIVES IN--EXPLANATORY FORTARIA--FORMAL COMMISSION--ORDERS +TO BLOCKADE BAHIA--PORTUGUESE FACTION--AVERSE TO ME FROM THE OUTSET. + + +Although these memoirs relate to personal services in Brazil, it is +nevertheless essential, in order to their comprehension, briefly to +recapitulate a few events which more immediately led to my connection +with the cause of independence in that country. + +The expulsion of the Portuguese Royal Family from Lisbon, in consequence +of the occupation of Portugal by the armies of the French Republic, was +followed by the accession of Don John VI. to the throne of Portugal +whilst resident in Rio de Janeiro. + +Twelve months previous to my arrival in Brazil, His Majesty returned to +Portugal, leaving his son and heir-apparent, Don Pedro, regent of the +Portuguese possessions in South America, which had been for some time in +a state of disaffection, arising from a growing desire throughout the +various provinces for a distinct nationality. Hence two opposing +interests had arisen,--a Brazilian party, which had for its object +national independence; and a Portuguese party, whose aim was to prevent +separation from the mother country--or, if this could not be +accomplished, so to paralyse the efforts of the Brazilians, that in case +of revolt it might not be difficult for Portugal to keep in subjection, +at least the Northern portion of her South American Colonies. It will be +necessary, in the course of the narrative, to bear these party +distinctions clearly in mind. + +As the Regent, Don Pedro, was supposed to evince a leaning to the +Brazilian party, he gave proportionate offence to the Portuguese +faction, which--though inferior in number, was, from its wealth and +position, superior in influence; hence the Regent found himself involved +in disputes with the latter, which in June 1821 compelled him to submit +to some humiliations. + +Shortly previous to this, the Cortes at Lisbon--aware of what was going +on in Brazil, and disregarding the temperate views of the King--issued a +declaration inviting the Brazilian municipalities to repudiate the +Regent's authority at Rio de Janeiro, and to adhere to the immediate +administration of the Cortes alone--thus indicating a course to be +pursued by the Portuguese faction in Brazil. The result was--as had been +anticipated--disunion amongst the people, consequent on the formation of +petty provincial governments; each refusing to pay revenue to the +central Government at Rio de Janeiro, for the alleged reason that the +Regent was only waiting an opportunity to invest himself with absolute +power. This opinion was eagerly adopted by the commercial +class--consisting almost exclusively of native Portuguese--in the hope +that the Cortes would reinvest them with their ancient trade privileges +and monopolies, to the exclusion of foreigners, whom they considered as +interlopers--the English especially, who, protected by a treaty of +commerce, were fast undermining the former monopolists. Amidst these +difficulties Don Pedro, though nominally Regent of Brazil, found +himself, in reality, little more than Governor of Rio de Janeiro. + +In July 1821, the Lisbon Cortes passed a decree, that thenceforth the +Brazilian and Portuguese armies should form one body; the object being +to ship the Brazilian troops to Portugal, and to send Portuguese troops +to Brazil, thereby ensuring its subjection. The Regent was, moreover, +ordered to return to Portugal. + +These rash steps greatly irritated the native Brazilians, who saw in +them a subversion of all their hopes of nationality. With scarcely less +rashness, they issued proclamations declaring Brazil independent, with +Don Pedro as Emperor; but he repudiated the act, and prepared to quit +Brazil in obedience to orders. + +The approaching departure of the Regent caused a general ferment, when a +popular leader arose in the person of José Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, +vice-president of the provisional Junta at San Paulo. Summoning his +colleagues at midnight, they signed an address to the Regent--to the +effect that his departure would be the signal for a declaration of +independence--daring the Cortes at Lisbon to promulgate laws for the +dismemberment of Brazil into insignificant provinces, possessing no +common centre of union; above all, daring them to dispossess Don Pedro +of the authority of Regent conferred by his august father. This address +was conveyed to the Prince by Bonifacio himself, and was shortly +afterwards followed by others of a similar nature from the Southern +provinces, and from the municipality of Rio de Janeiro--all begging him +to remain and avert the consequences of the late decrees of the Cortes. +On more deliberate reflection Don Pedro consented, and was shortly +afterwards invested with the title of "Perpetual Protector and Defender +of Brazil." + +Meanwhile the Cortes, confident in their own power, were enforcing their +obnoxious decrees by the despatch of ships of war and troops to the +Northern provinces. As the intention of this step was unmistakeable, His +Royal Highness the Protector promptly issued a manifesto, declaring the +wish of Brazil to maintain an amicable union with Portugal, but at the +same time calling on the Brazilians to secure their independence by +force, if necessary. In furtherance of this determination, an attack was +made by the Brazilian troops upon General Madeira, the Portuguese +commandant at Bahia, but from want of proper military organization, it +proved unsuccessful. + +Despatches now arrived from Portugal, which cut off every hope of +reconciliation, and on the 12th of October, Don Pedro was induced to +accept the title of "Constitutional Emperor of Brazil," with Bonifacio +de Andrada as his Minister of the Interior, of Justice, and of Foreign +Affairs. + +The Southern provinces gave in their adhesion to the Emperor, but all +the Northern provinces--including Bahia, Maranham, and Parà--were still +held by Portuguese troops; a numerous and well appointed squadron +commanding the seaboard, and effectually preventing the despatch of +Brazilian forces to those localities by water; whilst by land there were +neither roads, nor other facilities of communication with the Northern +patriots, who were thus isolated from effectual aid, could such have +been rendered from Rio de Janeiro. + +His Imperial Majesty saw that, without a fleet, the dismemberment of the +Empire--as regarded the Northern provinces--was inevitable; and the +energy of his minister Bonifacio in preparing a squadron, was as +praiseworthy as had been the Emperor's sagacity in determining upon its +creation. A voluntary subscription was enthusiastically entered into; +artisans flocked into the dockyard; the only ship of the line in the +harbour required to be nearly rebuilt; but to man that and other +available vessels with native seamen was impossible--the policy of the +mother country having been to carry on even the coasting trade +exclusively by Portuguese, who could not now be relied on by Brazil, in +the approaching contest with their own countrymen. + +Orders were consequently sent to the Brazilian _chargé d'affaires_ in +London, to engage officers and seamen there; and to stimulate these, a +decree was, on the 11th of December, 1822, issued by His Imperial +Majesty, to sequestrate Portuguese property throughout the Empire, and +also another, _that all prizes taken in the war should become the +property of the captors_, which decrees must be borne in mind. + +His Imperial Majesty, having ascertained that the War of Independence in +the Pacific had been brought to a successful conclusion by the squadron +under my command, ordered his minister, Bonifacio, to communicate with +me, through the Brazilian Consul at Buenos Ayres; judging that, from the +termination of hostilities in the Pacific, I might be at liberty to +organize a naval force in Brazil, which--if properly conducted--might +successfully cope with the Portuguese fleet protecting the Northern +harbours of the Empire. + +Accordingly, whilst residing on my estate at Quintera, in Chili, I +received from Antonio Manuel Correa, the Brazilian Consul at Buenos +Ayres, a letter on the part of His Imperial Majesty, inviting me to +accept service under the Brazilian flag, guaranteeing moreover rank and +position in no way inferior to that which I then held under the Republic +of Chili; the Consul exhorting me, in addition, "to throw myself upon +the munificence of the Emperor, and the undoubted probity of His +Majesty's Government, which would do me justice." The following is one +of the letters of invitation:-- + + _Le Conseiller Agent du Brésil, près le Gouvernement de Buenos Ayres + à l'Amiral Lord Cochrane, Commandant-en-Chef les forces navales de + la République du Chili._ + + MILORD, + + Le Brésil, puissance du premier ordre devint un nouvel empire, une + nation indépendente sous le légitime héritier de la monarchie, + Pierre le Grand, son auguste defenseur. + + C'est par son ordre--c'est de sa part, et en vertu des dépêches + ministériales, que je viens de reçevoir de Monseigneur Joseph + Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, Ministre de l'Intérieur et des + Relations Extérieures du Brésil, en date du 13 Septembre + dernier--que j'ai l'honneur de vous adresser cette note; en laquelle + votre Grace est invitée, pour--et de part le Gouvernement du + Brésil--à accepter le service de la nation Brésilienne; chez qui je + suis dûment autorisé à vous assurer le rang et le grade nullement + inférieur à celui que vous tenez de la République. + + Abandonnez vous, Milord, à la reconnaisance Brésilienne; à la + munificence du Prince; à la probité sans tache de l'actuel + Gouvernement; on vous fera justice; on ne rabaissera d'un seul point + la haute considération--Rang--grade--caractère--et avantages qui + vous sont dûs. + + (Signé) ANTONIO MANUEL CORREA DA CAMARA, Consul de l'Empire du + Brésil, à Buenos Ayres, 4 Novembre, 1822. + +Annoyed by the ingratitude with which my services were requited in +Chili, and disliking the inaction consequent on the capture of Valdivia, +followed by the annihilation of the Spanish naval force at Callao, and +elsewhere in the Pacific--whereby internal peace had been obtained for +Chili, and independence for Peru--I felt gratified by the further terms +of invitation, contained in a second letter--"Venez, milord, l'honneur +vous invite--la gloire vous appelle. Venez--donner à nos armés navales +cet ordre merveilleux et discipline incomparable de puissante Albion" +--and on mature consideration returned the following reply:-- + + Valparaiso, Nov. 29, 1832. + + Sir, + + The war in the Pacific having been happily terminated by the total + destruction of the Spanish naval force, I am, of course, free for + the crusade of liberty in any other quarter of the globe. + + I confess, however, that I had not hitherto directed my attention + to the Brazils; considering that the struggle for the liberties of + Greece--the most oppressed of modern states--afforded the fairest + opportunity for enterprise and exertion. + + I have to-day tendered my ultimate resignation to the Government of + Chili, and am not at this moment aware that any material delay will + be necessary, previous to my setting off, by way of Cape Horn, for + Rio de Janeiro, calling at Buenos Ayres, where I hope to have the + pleasure of meeting you, and where we may talk further on this + subject; it being, in the meantime, understood that I hold myself + free to decline--as well as entitled to accept--the offer which + has, through you, been made to me by His Imperial Majesty. I only + mention this from a desire to preserve a consistence of character, + should the Government (which I by no means anticipate) differ so + widely in its nature from those which I have been in the habit of + supporting, as to render the proposed situation repugnant to my + principles--and so justly expose me to suspicion, and render me + unworthy the confidence of His Majesty and the nation. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + To Don ANTONIO MANUEL COEREA DA CAMARA, His Brazilian Majesty's + Consul at Buenos Ayres. + +Having obtained the unqualified consent of the Chilian Government--there +being now no enemy in the Pacific--- I chartered a vessel for my own +conveyance, and that of several valuable officers and seamen who, +preferring to serve under my command, desired to accompany me. Knowing +that the Portuguese were making great efforts to re-establish their +authority in Brazil, no time was lost in quitting Chili. + +We reached Rio de Janeiro on the 13th of March, 1822, barely six months +after the declaration of Independence. Despatching a letter to the Prime +Minister Bonifacio de Andrada--reporting my arrival in conformity with +the invitation which His Imperial Majesty had caused to be transmitted +to me through his Consul-General at Buenos Ayres--I was honoured by the +Imperial command to attend His Majesty at the house of his Minister, +where a complimentary reception awaited me. The Emperor assured me that, +so far as the ships themselves were concerned, the squadron was nearly +ready for sea; but that good officers and seamen were wanting; adding, +that, if I thought proper to take the command, he would give the +requisite directions to his Minister of Marine. + +On the following day, the Prime Minister--after a profusion of +compliments on my professional reputation, and an entire concurrence +with the invitation forwarded to me by the Consul at Buenos Ayres--which +invitation he stated to have arisen from his own influence with the +Emperor--desired me to communicate personally with him, upon all matters +of importance, the Minister of Marine being merely appointed to transact +subordinate business. As nothing more positive was said in relation to +my appointment, it struck me that this also might be included amongst +the subordinate duties of the Minister of Marine, to whose house I +repaired; but he could say nothing on the subject, as nothing specific +had been laid before him. Being desirous to come to a proper +understanding, I wrote to the Prime Minister, that the officers who had +accompanied me from Chili would expect the same rank, pay, and +emoluments as they had there enjoyed; that, as regarded myself, I was +prepared to accept the terms offered by His Imperial Majesty, through +the Consul at Buenos Ayres, viz. the same position, pay, and emoluments +as had been accorded to me by the Chilian Government; and that although +I felt myself entitled to the customary remuneration in all +well-regulated states for extraordinary, as well as ordinary, services, +yet I was more anxious to learn the footing on which the naval service +was to be put, than the nature of any stipulations regarding myself. + +On the following day His Imperial Majesty invited me at an early hour to +the palace, in order to accompany him on a visit to the ships of war, +with some of which I was much pleased, as demonstrative of the exertions +which must have been made within a short time to get them into such +creditable condition. Great care had evidently been bestowed upon the +_Pedro Primiero_, rated as a 74--though in the English service she would +have been termed a 64. She was evidently a good sailer, and was ready +for sea, with four months provisions on board, which scarcely half +filled her hold, such was her capacity for stowage; I had therefore +reason to be satisfied with my intended flagship. + +Another showy vessel was the _Maria da Gloria_--a North American +clipper; a class of vessels in those days little calculated to do +substantial service, being built of unseasoned wood, and badly fastened. +Though mounting 32 guns, she was a ship of little force, having only +24-pounder carronades, mixed with short 18-pounder guns. As a redeeming +feature, she was commanded by a Frenchman, Captain Beaurepaire, who had +contrived to rally round him some of his own countrymen, mingled with +native Brazilians--in which he displayed considerable tact to free +himself from the unpromising groups elsewhere to be selected from. + +The history of this vessel was not a little curious: she had been built +in North America at the expense of the Chilian Government, and sent to +Buenos Ayres, where an additional 40,000 dollars was demanded by her +owners. Payment of this was demurred to, when, without the slightest +consideration for the expense incurred by Chili in her building and +equipment, her captain suddenly got under weigh, and proceeding to Rio +de Janeiro, sold her to the Brazilian Government. + +I was further much pleased with the _Piranga_, a noble frigate mounting +long 24-pounders on the main deck. Not to enter into any further +details, with regard to the ships, a brief notice must be taken of the +men, who, with the exception of the crew of the _Maria da Gloria_, were +of a very questionable description,--consisting of the worst class of +Portuguese, with whom the Brazilian portion of the men had an evident +disinclination to mingle. On inquiry, I ascertained that their pay was +only eight milreas per month, whereas in the merchant service, eighteen +milreas was the current rate for good seamen,--whence it naturally +followed that the wooden walls of Brazil were to be manned with the +refuse of the merchant service. The worst kind of saving--false +economy--had evidently established itself in the Brazilian Naval +Administration. + +The captains complained of the difficulties they had to contend with as +regarded the crews, particularly that the marines were so much gentlemen +that they considered themselves degraded by cleaning their own berths, +and had demanded and obtained attendants to wait on them! whilst they +could only be punished for offences by their own officers! or, to use +the words of one of the captains, "They were very much their own +masters, and seemed inclined to be his!" It was, indeed, evident to me +that neither seamen nor marines were in any state of discipline. + +Not having as yet had experience of political party in the Empire, it +struck me as an anomaly that Portuguese should be employed in such +numbers to fight their own countrymen, though I afterwards became but +too well acquainted with the cause of a proceeding at the time beyond my +comprehension. In the course of our visit of inspection, the phrase +"attacking the Portuguese parliamentary force," was frequently used by +the Emperor, and was no less singular, as implying that the Brazilian +Government did not make war against the King or country of Portugal, +but merely against the Cortes; the distinction, as regarded the conduct +of hostilities, being without a difference. + +A curious circumstance occurred after this visit of inspection. On +landing--hundreds of people of all ages and colours, crowded round to +kiss His Majesty's hands--paternally extended on both sides to rows of +devoted subjects, who, under no other circumstances, could have come in +such familiar contact with royalty. To this ceremony the Emperor +submitted with the greatest possible good humour and affability, his +equanimity not even being ruined by familiarities such as I had never +before seen taken with King or Emperor. + +On the 17th, a visit was paid to me by the Minister of Marine, Luiz da +Cunha Moreira, relative to the terms of my appointment, he being +evidently desirous that my services should be obtained at as cheap a +rate as possible, notwithstanding the concurrence of the Prime Minister +with the offers which had been made through the Consul-General at Buenos +Ayres. The pay now offered was that of an admiral in the Portuguese +service,--notoriously the worst paid in the world. On enquiring what +this might be, I found it less than half what I had received in Chill! +My pay there being 8000 dollars per annum, with permission from the +Supreme Director to appropriate another 4000 from the Government moiety +of captures made. + +By way of reply, I produced a letter from the Chilian Minister of +Marine, counter-signed by the Supreme Director, acknowledging the +receipt of an offer subsequently made to the Chilian Government +voluntarily to give up to public exigencies a portion of my pay greater +than the amount now tendered--at the same time telling the Minister, +that by accepting such an arrangement I should lose more annually by +entering the Brazilian service than the whole sum offered to me. Without +condescending to chaffer on such a subject, I added that His Imperial +Majesty had invited me to Brazil on specific promises, which, if my +services were required, must be strictly fulfilled; if not, it would be +candid in him to say so, as it was not the amount of pay for which I +contended; but the reflection, that if the first stipulations of the +Brazilian Government were violated, no future confidence could be placed +in its good faith. If the State were poor, I had no objection, +conditionally, to surrender an equal or even a greater proportion of pay +than I had tendered to the Chilian Government; but that it was no part +of my intention to be placed on the footing of a Portuguese admiral, +especially after the terms, which, without application on my part, had +been voluntarily offered to induce me to accept service in Brazil. + +The Minister of Marine seemed hurt at this, and said the State was not +poor, and that the terms originally offered should be complied with, by +granting me the amount I had enjoyed in Chili; a decision the more +speedily arrived at, from an intimation on my part, of referring to the +Prime Minister, as requested in cases of difficulty. This the Minister +of Marine begged me not to do, saying that there was no occasion for it. + +He next proposed that, as my Brazilian pay was to be equivalent to that +which I received in Chili, it should he numerically estimated in Spanish +dollars, at the rate of 800 reis per dollar--though the Brazilian mint +was then actually restamping those very dollars at the rate of 960 reis! +thus, by a manoeuvre, which reflected little credit on a Minister, +lessening the pay agreed on by one-fifth. To this proposition I replied +that there was no objection, provided my services were also revalued--as +he seemed disposed to revalue his dollar; so that, setting aside the +offers which had induced me to leave Chili, I would make a new offer, +which should not only compensate for the difference in dispute, but +leave a considerable surplus on my side into the bargain. Alarmed at the +sarcasm, and perhaps judging from my manner, that I cared little for a +service in which such petty expedients formed an important element, he +at once gave up the false value which he had attached to the dollar, and +agreed to estimate it at 960 reis--a microscopic saving, truly! + +As such a mode of proceeding had been adopted towards me, it became +necessary on my part to look well after the interests of the officers +who had accompanied me under the assurance that their position in Brazil +should be at least equal to that which they had held on the other side +of the continent. This was not more a duty than a necessity, for I saw +that, unless supported by officers upon whose talent and courage +reliance could be placed, it would be out of my power individually to +accomplish any enterprise satisfactory to myself or beneficial to +Brazil. I therefore required and obtained the same stipulations with +regard to their respective rank and pay as had, in my own case, been +insisted on. Of these, Admiral Grenfell is the only survivor. + +On the 19th, a writing on a common sheet of letter paper was forwarded +to me by the Minister of Marine, purporting to be a commission, with the +rank of admiral; stating, however, inaccurately the amount of pay and +table money agreed upon, by transposing the one for the other,--so that +the table money was figured as pay, and the pay as table money; the +effect being, that when on shore, my pay would have amounted to exactly +one half of the sum stipulated! This proceeding could not be tolerated, +so on the following morning I returned the commission to the Minister of +Marine, who hastened to assure me that it was a mistake, which should be +rectified. + +This pretended commission was accompanied by the following order to take +command of the squadron:-- + + His Imperial Majesty--through the secretary for naval + affairs--commands that the Admiral of the Imperial and National + Marine--Lord Cochrane--shall take command of the squadron at anchor + in this port, consisting of the ship _Pedro Primiero_; the frigates + _Unao, Nitherohy_, and _Carolina_; the corvettes _Maria de Gloria_ + and _Liberal_; the brig _Guarani_, and the schooners _Real_ and + _Leopoldina_; hoisting his flag aboard the line-of-battle ship: the + said Admiral having, at his choice, the whole--or any of the said + vessels, for the purpose of the expedition about to sail. + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, March 19, 1823. + + (Signed) LUIZ DA CUNHA MOREIEA. + +There was, however, another point still less satisfactory. The +commission conferred upon me the rank of Admiral, but of what grade was +not specified. On pressing the Minister of Marine, he admitted that it +was only intended to give me the rank of Junior Admiral,--there being +already two Admirals in the service, whose functions would not, however, +interfere with me, as their duties were confined to the ordinary +administration of a Board of Admiralty. I at once told him that for me +to serve under such naval administrators was out of the question. As the +Minister of Marine professed want of sufficient power to warrant him in +altering the commission, I announced my intention of taking it to the +Prime Minister, and respectfully restoring it into his hands. The +Minister of Marine again begged me not to do so, as an alteration might +be made, if I would consent to go at once on board the _Pedro +Primiero_--on board which ship my flag had been directed to be hoisted +at mid-day! This, it is needless to add, was declined, not only by +myself, but by the officers who had accompanied me from Chili. + +The Minister of Marine affected to be surprised at my want of confidence +in the Government, but I explained that this was not the case. "It was +quite possible that a Congress might at any time be convened which would +be less liberally inclined than the present ministry, and that +acceptance of an appointment so loosely made might afford the admirals +placed over me, not only a control over my movements, but an easy and +convenient mode of getting rid of me after I had done their work; and +this without any imputation of injustice on their proceedings. The +fact, indeed, of a Cortes being about to assemble, and the possibility +of their interfering with me, was sufficient to fix my determination to +have nothing to do with the command, under any circumstances, save those +set forth in the tender made to me by command of His Majesty." + +To this the Minister replied, that, "if I could be thus dismissed, the +Government must likewise fall--because to suppose that a popular +assembly could dictate to His Majesty in such a case was to suppose the +Government no longer in existence." + +I then frankly told the Minister, that "my experience as a naval +officer--founded upon many years' practical observation, had taught me +that, in engagements of this nature, it was necessary to be clear and +explicit in every arrangement. I did not mean to insinuate anything +disrespectful to the ministers of His Brazilian Majesty, but knowing +that a Senate was about to assemble, and having reason to believe that a +majority of the members might differ from the ministerial views, and +might--when the work was done--take a fancy to see the squadron +commanded by one of their own countrymen--a step which would leave me no +alternative but to quit the service--it was much better for all parties +to put our mutual engagements on a firm basis." + +The Minister continued to argue the point, but finding argument of no +avail in altering my determination, he insinuated--though not stating as +much in positive terms--that he had no prospect of any arrangement +being effected regarding my rank other than that which had been +tendered. + +Determined to be no longer trifled with--on the following morning I +waited on the Prime Minister, Bonifacio de Andrada, whom I found in high +dudgeon at what he termed the unreasonableness of my demands; stating, +moreover, that the Consul at Buenos Ayres had exceeded his authority by +writing me a bombastic letter, though but a few days before, Andrada not +only expressed his entire concurrence in its contents, but stated that +the letter had been written through his influence with the Emperor! + +To this I replied that, "be that as it might, it was absurd to suppose +that I should have given up my position in Chili for anything less in +Brazil, and that all that had been offered by the Consul, or desired by +me, was simply an equivalent to my Chilian command, with adequate +reimbursement of any losses I might sustain by quitting Chili so +abruptly, before the settlement of my affairs with that country. This +offer had been made on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, under the express +authority of the Prime Minister himself, as set forth in the Consul's +letters, and for this I held the Government responsible. But, at the +same time, I informed the Prime Minister that if he were disinclined to +fulfil his own voluntary obligations, I would at once free him from them +by declining the proffered command, and therefore begged of him to take +back his commission, about which I would hold no further parley." + +This step was evidently unexpected, for, lowering his tone, Bonifacio +assured me that "good faith was the peculiar characteristic of the +Brazilian Administration;" and to prove this, he had to announce to me +that a Cabinet Council had that morning been held, at which it was +resolved that the newly created honour of "First Admiral of Brazil" +should be conferred upon me, with the pay and emoluments of Chili, as +stipulated through the Consul at Buenos Ayres. He then asked me if I was +content, to which I replied in the affirmative; pointing out, however, +how much better it would have been to have taken this course at first, +than to have caused such contention about a matter altogether +insignificant, as compared with the work in hand. He replied that, as +everything had been conceded, it was not worth while to reopen the +question; but to this view I demurred, telling him that _nothing +whatever had been conceded, the Government having only fulfilled its own +stipulations_, which were insignificant in comparison with obtaining the +services of an officer whom it believed competent to carry out alone, +what otherwise would entail great expense on the State. I further +assured him that it would afford me much satisfaction to prove to him of +how little importance was all that which had been the subject of +dispute, and that His Imperial Majesty's Government might rest assured +that my utmost exertions would be used to bring the naval war to a +speedy termination. + +He then requested me to hoist my flag forthwith, as the Government was +very anxious on this point. Accordingly, at four o'clock in the +afternoon of the 21st of March, 1823, I went on board the _Pedro +Primiero_, and hoisted my flag, which was saluted with twenty-one guns +from each ship of war, the salute being acknowledged from the flagship +with an equal number. + +Shortly afterwards, a _portaria_, dated on the same day, was sent to me, +explanatory of the commission which had given rise to so much trouble, +and detailing my future pay as agreed upon. By the same document I was +ordered to take command of the squadron, and an intimation was given +that a formal commission as "First Admiral" would forthwith be made out. + +It was further acknowledged that, by accepting the Brazilian command, I +had risked an admitted reward for services rendered to Chili and Peru, +to the extent of more than sixty thousand dollars--and it was agreed +that this amount should be repaid to me in the event of those countries +not fulfilling their obligations--provided equivalent services were +rendered to Brazil. For more than thirty years Chili has withheld that +amount, but the Brazilian Government has never fulfilled this portion of +its engagements. + +Notwithstanding the praiseworthy exertions of the administration to +place their navy in a creditable position as regarded the ships, the +want of seamen was severely felt, and little had been done beyond +shipping a number of Portuguese sailors, whose fidelity to the Imperial +cause was doubtful. + +In the hope of getting a more reliable class of men for the flagship, I +authorised Captain Crosbie to offer from my own purse, eight dollars +per man, in addition to the bounty given by the Government, and by this +means procured some English and North American seamen, who, together +with the men who accompanied me from Chili, sufficed to form a tolerable +nucleus for a future crew; as to the rest--though far short of the +ship's complement--it had never before fallen to my lot to command a +crew so inefficient. + +On the 26th of March, the following commission from His Imperial Majesty +was presented to me:-- + + IMPERADOR, + + The valour, intelligence, activity, and other qualities of Lord + Cochrane as an admiral, being well-known by the performance of + various services in which he has been engaged, and seeing how + advantageous it would be for the Empire to avail itself of the + known qualities of an Officer so gifted, I deem it proper to confer + on him a patent as "First Admiral of the National and Imperial + Navy," with an annual salary of eleven contos and five hundred and + twenty milreis, whether at sea or on shore; and further in table + money, when embarked, five contos, seven hundred and twenty + milreis, which is the same pay and table money as he received in + Chili. To which favour, no admiral of the Imperial Navy shall claim + succession, neither to the post of "First Admiral," which I have + thought fit to create solely for this occasion, from the motives + aforesaid, and from particular consideration of the merits of the + said Lord Cochrane. The supreme Military Council will so + understand, and shall execute the necessary despatches. + + Given at the Palace of Rio de Janeiro, March 21st, 1823. + + Second year of the Independence of the Empire. + + (Signed) IMPERADOR. LUIZ DA CUNHA MOREIEA, + + Secretary of State, + + March 26th, 1823. + + LEONARDO ANTONIO BASTO. + +Thus was a right understanding established, my only object during the +undignified contentions which had arisen, being--relinquishment of the +proffered command, in order to carry out my long-entertained intention +of visiting Greece, then engaged in a struggle for independence--or to +obtain a definite arrangement with the Brazilian Government, which +should recognise the circumstances under which I had been induced to +quit Chili--_confer upon me permanent rank--give me the equivalent +promised with regard to pay_--and be binding on both parties. + +On the 29th of March, a proclamation was issued by the Imperial +Government declaring Bahia in a state of blockade, the Portuguese having +there assembled a combined naval and military force superior to that of +Brazil, and, under ordinary circumstances, fully competent to maintain +itself; as well as to put down, or at least paralyse, any movement in +favour of independence. + +The following orders were then communicated to me, and were of the usual +kind, viz. "to capture or destroy all enemy's ships and property, +whereever found:"-- + + His Imperial Majesty, through the Secretary of State for the + Marine, commands that the First Admiral, Lord Cochrane, + Commander-in-Chief of the Squadron, shall, to-morrow morning, + proceed from this port with such vessels as he shall judge proper + to the port of Bahia, to institute a rigorous blockade, destroying + or capturing whatever Portuguese force he may fall in with--doing + all possible damage to the enemies of this Empire, it being left to + the discretion of the said Admiral to act as he shall deem + advantageous, in order to save that city from the thraldom to which + it is reduced by the enemies of the cause of Brazil; for this + purpose consulting with Gen. Labatu, commanding the Army, in order + to the general good of the service, and glory of the national and + Imperial arms. + + Palace of Rio Janeiro, March 30, 1823. + + LUIZ DA CUNHA MOREIRA. + +To the Brazilian party and the mass of the people generally, the +approaching departure of the squadron was a matter for congratulation, +but to the Portuguese faction it presented a cause for fear, as tending +to destroy their hopes of re-establishing the authority of the mother +country. Their influence, as has before been said, was as great, if not +greater, than that of the patriots, and being more systematic, it had +been effectually employed to increase the disaffection which existed in +the Northern provinces to the--as yet--but partially established +authority of his Imperial Majesty. + +It is not my intention for a moment to impute malicious motives to the +Portuguese faction in Brazil. The King of Portugal, Don John VI. had, +within twelve months, quitted their shores to resume the throne of his +ancestors, so that they had a right to the praise of loyalty, and the +more so, as at that time few calculated on separation from the mother +country. The Empire itself was not six months old, and therefore they +were not to be blamed for doubting its stability. The Cortes at Lisbon +had sent a large force for the protection of the more remote provinces, +and in an attack upon these at Bahia, the Brazilian troops had been +unsuccessful, so that no great confidence was to be reposed on any +future _military_ efforts to eject the Portuguese troops. + +Where the Portuguese party was really to blame, consisted in +this,--that seeing disorder everywhere more or less prevalent, they +strained every nerve to increase it, hoping thereby to paralyse further +attempts at independence, by exposing whole provinces to the evils of +anarchy and confusion. Their loyalty also partook more of self-interest +than of attachment to the supremacy of Portugal, for the commercial +classes, which formed the real strength of the Portuguese faction, +hoped, by preserving the authority of the mother country in her distant +provinces, thereby to obtain as their reward the revival of old trade +monopolies, which twelve years before had been thrown open, enabling the +English traders--whom they cordially hated--to supersede them in their +own markets. Being a citizen of the rival nation, their aversion to me +personally was undisguised; the more so perhaps, that they believed me +capable of achieving at Bahia--whither the squadron was destined--that +irreparable injury to their own cause, which the Imperial troops had +been unable to effect. Had I, at the time, been aware of the influence +and latent power of the Portuguese party in the empire, not all the +so-called concessions made by De Andrada would have induced me to accept +the command of the Brazilian navy; for to contend with faction is more +dangerous than to engage an enemy, and a contest of intrigue was alike +foreign to my nature and inclination. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +ATTEMPT TO CUT OFF THE ENEMY'S SHIPS--DISOBEDIENCE TO ORDERS--LETTER TO +THE PRIME MINISTER--WORTHLESSNESS OF THE MEN--THEIR TREACHERY--BLOCKADE +ESTABLISHED--EQUIPMENT OF FIRESHIPS--ENEMY'S SUPPLIES CUT +OFF--PORTUGUESE UNTRUSTWORTHY--DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE ENEMY--HIS +PRETENDED CONTEMPT FOR US--THE ENEMY RETURNS TO PORT--THEIR +CONSTERNATION AT THE FIRESHIPS--PORTUGUESE CONTEMPLATE ATTACKING +US--FLAGSHIP RECONNOITRES ENEMY AT ANCHOR--EXCESSIVE ALARM AT MY +NOCTURNAL VISIT--PROCLAMATION OF THE COMMANDANT--CONSTERNATION IN THE +CITY--THE AUTHORITIES DECIDE ON EVACUATING BAHIA--INSTRUCTIONS TO THE +BRAZILIAN CAPTAINS--WARNINGS ADDRESSED TO THE AUTHORITIES--ENEMY QUITS +BAHIA--READINESS FOR CHASE--NUMBERS OF THE ENEMY--CAPTURE OF THE +CONVOY--PRIZES DISABLED--ATTEMPT OF TROOPS TO ESCAPE--PRIZES SENT TO +PERNAMBUCO--PURSUIT DISCONTINUED--REASONS FOR GOING TO MARANHAM--REASONS +FOR NOT TAKING MORE PRIZES--ADVANTAGES TO THE EMPIRE. + + +On the 3rd of April, we put to sea with a squadron of four ships only, +viz. the _Pedro Primiero_, Captain Crosbie, _Piranga_, Captain Jowett, +_Maria de Gloria_, Captain Beaurepaire, and _Liberal_, Captain +Garcaõ--two others which accompanied us, viz. the _Guarani_, Captain de +Coito, and _Real_, Captain de Castro, were intended as fireships. Two +vessels of war, the _Paraguassu_ and the _Nitherohy_, being incomplete +in their equipment, were of necessity left behind. + +The _Nitherohy_, Captain Taylor, joined on the 29th of April, and on the +1st of May we made the coast of Bahia. On the 4th, we made the +unexpected discovery of thirteen sail to leeward, which proved to be the +enemy's fleet leaving port with a view of preventing or raising the +blockade. Shortly afterwards the Portuguese Admiral formed line of +battle to receive us, his force consisting of one ship of the line, five +frigates, five corvettes, a brig, and schooner. + +Regularly to attack a more numerous and better trained squadron with our +small force, manned by undisciplined and--as had been ascertained on the +Voyage--disaffected crews, was out of the question. On board the +flagship there were only a hundred and sixty English and American +seamen, the remainder consisting of the vagabondage of the capital, with +a hundred and thirty black marines, just emancipated from slavery. +Nevertheless, observing an opening in the enemy's line, which would +enable us to cut off their four rearmost ships, I made signals +accordingly, and with the flagship alone gave the practical example of +breaking the line, firing into their frigates as we passed. The +Portuguese Admiral promptly sent vessels to the aid of the four cut off, +when, hauling our wind on the larboard tack, we avoided singly a +collision with the whole squadron, but endeavoured to draw the enemy's +ships assisting into a position where they might be separately attacked +to advantage. + +Had the rest of the Brazilian squadron come down in obedience to +signals, the ships cut off might have been taken or dismantled, as, with +the flagship I could have kept the others at bay, and no doubt have +crippled all in a position to render them assistance. To my astonishment +the signals were disregarded, and--for reasons which will presently be +adduced--no efforts were made to second my operations. + +For some time the action was continued by the _Pedro Primiero_ alone, +but to my mortification the fire of the flagship was exceedingly +ill-directed. A still more untoward circumstance occurred in the +discovery that two Portuguese seamen who had been stationed to hand up +powder, were not only withholding it, but had made prisoners of the +powder boys who came to obtain it! This would have been serious but for +the promptitude of Captain Grenfell, who, rushing upon the men, dragged +them on deck; but to continue the action under such circumstances was +not to be thought of; and as the enemy had more than double our +numerical force, I did not consider myself warranted in further +attempting, with greater hazard, what on a future opportunity might be +accomplished with less. Quitting the enemy's ships cut off, we therefore +hauled our wind, to join the vessels which had kept aloof, and to +proceed to the station previously appointed as the rendezvous of the +squadron, whither the fireships were to follow. In this affair no lives +were lost. + +Extremely annoyed at this failure, arising from non-fulfilment of +orders, and finding, from experience on the voyage, that we had been +hurried to sea, without consideration as to the materials of which the +squadron was composed, a rigid inquiry was instituted, which gave me +such cogent reasons for losing all confidence in it, that on the day +following I considered it expedient to address the following letter to +the Prime Minister, Andrada, pointing out that if prompt steps were not +taken to add to our strength, by providing more efficient crews, the +result might be to compromise the interests of the empire, no less than +the character of the officers commanding. + + (Secret) H.I.M.S. _Pedro Primiero_, at Sea, + + May 5, 1823. + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + Availing myself of your permission to address you + upon points of a particular nature, and referring you to my public + despatches to the Minister of Marine, I beg leave to add that it + was not only unfavourable winds which retarded our progress, but + the extreme bad sailing of the _Piranga_ and _Liberal_. Neither these + ships nor the _Nitherohy_, which sails equally ill, are adapted to the + purposes to be effected, as from their slowness, the enemy has an + opportunity to force an action under any circumstances, however + disadvantageous to this undisciplined squadron. The _Real_ is no + better, and her total uselessness as a ship of war, has determined + me to prepare her as a fireship, there appearing no probability of the + others joining. + + From the defective sailing and manning of the squadron it + seems, indeed, to me, that the _Pedro Primiero_ is the only one + that can assail an enemy's ship of war, or act in the face of a + superior force, so as not to compromise the interests of the empire + and the character of the officers commanding. Even this ship--in + common-with the rest--is so ill-equipped as to be much less + efficient than she otherwise would be. + + This letter, you will observe, is not intended to meet the public + eye, but merely to put the Government in possession of facts + necessary for its information. + + Our cartridges are all unfit for service, and I have been obliged + to cut up every flag and ensign that could be spared, to render them + serviceable, so as to prevent the men's arms being blown off whilst + working the guns, and also to prevent the constant necessity of + sponging, &c. which, from the time it consumes, diminishes the + effective force of the ships fully one half. + + The guns are without locks--which they ought to have had in + order to their being efficient. + + The sails of this ship are all rotten--the light and baffling airs on + our way hither, having beaten one set to pieces, and the others + are hourly giving way to the slightest breeze of wind. + + The bed of the mortar which I received on board this ship was + crushed on the first fire--being entirety rotten; the fuzes for the + shells are formed of such wretched composition that it will not take + fire with the discharge of the mortar, and are consequently unfit + for use on board a ship where it is extremely dangerous to kindle + the fuze otherwise than by the explosion; even the powder with + which this ship is supplied is so bad, that six pounds will not + throw our shells more than a thousand yards, instead of double that + distance. + + The marines neither understand gun exercise, the use of + small arms, nor the sword, and yet have so high an opinion of + themselves that they will not assist to wash the decks, or even to + clean out their own berths, but sit and look on whilst these + operations are being performed by seamen; being thus useless as + marines, they are a hinderance to the seamen, who ought to be + learning their duty in the tops, instead of being converted into + sweepers and scavengers. I have not yet interfered in this injurious + practice, because I think that reforms of the ancient practice of the + service, ought to form the subject of instruction from the Government + --and also, because at this moment, any alterations of mine + might create dissatisfactions and dissensions even more prejudicial + to the service in which we are engaged, than the evils in question. + + With respect to the seamen, I would observe, that, in order to + create an effective marine, young active lads of from fourteen to + twenty should be selected. Almost the whole of those who + constitute the crews of these vessels--with the exception of the + foreign seamen, are not only totally unpractised in naval profession, + but are too old to learn. + + I warned the Minister of Marine, that every native of Portugal + put on board the squadron--with the exception of officers of known + character--would prove prejudicial to the expedition, and yesterday + we had a clear proof of the fact. The Portuguese stationed in the + magazine, actually withheld the powder whilst this ship was in the + midst of the enemy, and I have since learned that they did so from + feelings of attachment to their own countrymen. I now inclose + you two letters on this subject--one just received from the officer + commanding the _Real_, whose crew were on the point of _carrying + that vessel into the enemy's squadron for the purpose of delivering her + up!_ I have also reason to believe, that the conduct of the _Liberal_ + yesterday in not bearing down upon the enemy and not complying + with the signal which I had made to break the line--was owing to + her being manned with Portuguese. The _Maria de Gloria_ has also + a great number of Portuguese, which is the more to be regretted, + as otherwise her superior sailing, with the zeal and activity of her + captain, would render her an effective vessel. To disclose to you + the truth, it appears to me that one half of the squadron is + necessary to watch over the other half: and, assuredly, this is a + system which ought to be put an end to without delay. + + A greater evil is, that this ship is one hundred and twenty seamen + short of her complement and three hundred short of what I should + consider an efficient crew, whilst the bad quality and ignorance of + the landsmen, makes the task of managing her in action no easy + matter, the incessant bawling going on rendering the voices of the + officers inaudible. Had this ship yesterday been manned and equipped + as she ought to have been, and free from the disadvantages stated, + there is no doubt whatever in my mind, but, that singly, we could + have dismantled half the ships of the enemy. + + On the whole, Sir, you must perceive that I have not been supplied + with any of those facilities which I requested to be placed in my + hands. I am, however, aware of the difficulties under which a new + Government labours, and am ready to do all in my power under + any circumstances. What I have to request of you is, that you will + do me the justice to feel that the predicament in which I am now + placed, is somewhat analogous to your own, and that if I cannot + accomplish all I wish, the deficiency arises from causes beyond my + control; but I entreat you to let me have--at least this ship-- + _well manned_, and I will answer for her rendering more efficient + service than the whole squadron besides--constituted as it now is. + + You will perceive by my public despatch addressed to the Minister + of Marine, that although we passed through the enemy's line, and, + I may add, actually brushed the nearest vessel, which we cut off--yet + nothing really useful was effected, notwithstanding that the + vessel we touched ought to have been sunk, and those separated to + have been dismantled or destroyed. I am quite vexed at the result--which + was such, however, as might have been expected from the bad + manning of the squadron. + + I have determined to proceed forthwith to the Moro San Paulo, + and to leave there the ill-sailing vessels. I intend to remove all the + effective officers and seamen from the _Piranga_ and _Nitherohy_, into + this ship, and with her alone, or attended only by the _Maria de + Gloria_, to proceed to Bahia, to reconnoitre the situation of the + enemy at their anchorage, and obtain the information requisite to + enable me to enter on more effectual operations. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + + Ill. Exmo. Senor JOSÉ BONIFACIO D'ANDRADE Y SILVA, + Ministro e Secretario d'Estado. + +A rigorous blockade was nevertheless established, in spite of our +deficiencies or the efforts made to raise or evade it--though the enemy +were bold in reliance upon their numbers, and none the less so, perhaps, +from considering our recent failure a defeat. They did not, however, +venture to attack us, nor were we yet in a condition to meddle further +with them. + +The blockade of the port was not calculated to effect anything decisive, +beyond paralysing the naval operations of the enemy's squadron. Even +this would not prevent the Portuguese from strengthening themselves in +positions on shore, and thus, by intimidating all other districts within +reach,--enable them to bar the progress of independence. I therefore +determined, as a force in our condition was not safe to hazard in any +combination requiring prompt and implicit obedience, to adopt the step +of which I had apprised the Prime Minister, and took the squadron to +Moro San Paulo, where, transferring from the bad sailing frigates to the +flagship, the captains, officers, and best petty officers and seamen, +the _Pedro Primiero_ was rendered more efficient than the whole +together; and with her and the _Maria de Gloria_, I resolved to conduct +further operations against the enemy--leaving the _Piranga_, and +_Nitherohy_, together with all the other vessels, in charge of Captain +Pio--the two senior captains having been transferred to the flagship, in +charge of their officers and men. + +There was, however, another reason for leaving the remainder of the +squadron at Moro San Paulo. Before quitting Rio de Janeiro, I had urged +on the Government the necessity of immediately forwarding fireships, as +the most reliable means for destroying a superior force. These had not +been supplied; but in their place a quantity of inflammable and +explosive materials had been sent. As several prizes had been taken, I +determined to convert them into fireships, as well as the _Real_ +schooner--a useless vessel, the crew of which had shewn that they were +not to be depended upon; so that the remaining ships of the squadron, +though unreliable in other respects, were well employed in carrying +these objects into execution. + +In order to protect the ships and men thus engaged, I directed a body of +marines to be landed, for the purpose of making a show by forming and +manning batteries to repel any attack, though, had such been made, +neither the batteries nor their defenders would have been of much +service. + +The flagship, together with the _Maria de Gloria_, now proceeded to +cruize off Bahia, with such success that all supplies were cut off by +sea, notwithstanding repeated attempts to introduce vessels from San +Mattheos with farinha--a dozen of which fell into our hands, in spite of +the enemy's superiority. + +As the _Carolina_ had now joined us, I directed her to take under convoy +the captured transports with provisions, whilst the _Guarani_ was sent +to scour the coast, with orders to avoid approaching the enemy's fleet, +and to bring me information as to the progress of the fireships, upon +which I now saw that I must mainly rely. + +On the 21st, I considered it expedient to address the following private +letter to the Minister of Marine:-- + + Off Bahia, N.W. 12 miles, + May 21, 1833. + + Most Illustrious Sir, + + In addition to my official letters of the 3rd and + 4th inst. I beg to acquaint you that, being convinced--not only + from the conduct of the crew of this ship during the attack on the + 4th, but from what I observed in regard to the other vessels--that + nothing beneficial to His Imperial Majesty's service could be + effected by any attempts to combine the whole squadron in an + attack against the enemy--but, on the contrary, from the imperfect + and incongruous manner in which the vessels are manned-- + consequences of the most serious nature would ensue from any + further attempt of the kind. I have therefore determined to take + the squadron to Moro San Paulo, for the adoption of other measures + essential under such circumstances, viz. to take on board such officers + and men from the bad sailing vessels as will render the _Pedro + Primiero_ more effective than the whole squadron as now constituted. + + In the first conversation I had with you, I gave you my opinion + as to the superior benefit of equipping one or two vessels _well_-- + rather than many imperfectly, and I again beg to press on your + consideration the necessity of such efficient equipment of all + vessels, whether many or few. I must also remind you of the great + danger that arises from the employment of Portuguese of the + inferior class in active operations against their own countrymen, + because they neither do nor can consider that the dispute between + Brazil and the Portuguese Government, bears any similarity to warfare + as ordinarily understood. I have had sufficient proof since + leaving Rio de Janeiro, that there is no more trust to be placed in + Portuguese, when employed to fight against their countrymen, than + there was in the Spaniards, who, on the opposite side of this continent, + betrayed the patriot Governments, by whom they were employed. + I shall press this point no further than to say, that so long as His + Imperial Majesty's ships are so manned, I shall consider them + as not only wholly inefficient, but requiring to be vigilantly watched + in order to prevent the most dangerous consequences. + + Since making my arrangements at the Moro, where I left all + the squadron except this ship and the _Maria de Gloria_, I have been + constantly off the port of Bahia, but could see nothing of the + enemy's squadron, till the 20th, when I learned from an English + vessel that they had been as far down as the Abrolhos shoals, for + what purpose I know not. They consist of thirteen vessels, being + the number which we encountered on the 4th. I am watching an + opportunity to attack them in the night, in the hope not only of + being able to damage them materially by the fire of this ship, but + also in the expectation that, if they are not better disciplined than + the crews of this squadron, they will occasion as much damage + amongst themselves, as they would sustain if they had an equal + force to contend with. In the meantime we are as effectually + blockading Bahia, as if the enemy did not dare to remove from his + anchorage--for both this ship and the _Maria de Gloria_ outsail them + all. We have captured three Portuguese vessels, and from the + letters found therein, many more are expected from Maranham and + other ports to leeward, as well as from San Mattheos. + + Should the enemy's squadron return to port before I can obtain + a favourable opportunity of assailing them at sea, I shall endeavour + to attack them at their anchorage, and the Government may be + assured that no exertion shall be wanting on my part, or on that of + the officers now in this ship, to effect their destruction. + + I may fairly ascribe the prepared state of the enemy, and the + great force in which they appeared on the 4th, and still exhibit--to + the information carried by the British ship of war Tartar, which + was permitted to sail from Rio so early after our departure for + Bahia, and thus served them as effectually as though she had been + expressly hired for the purpose. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + To the Minister of Marine. + +On the 22nd we captured another vessel, and reconnoitred the port of +Bahia, the Portuguese squadron being there at anchor. Finding this to be +the case, I returned to the Moro to expedite the fireships--leaving the +_Maria de Gloria_ to watch the enemy's movements. + +On the 26th the Portuguese Admiral again appeared in full force, and +approached towards us at the Moro San Paulo, when we prepared for +action, but the hostile squadron withdrew. The same demonstration was +made for several days, the enemy not venturing on an attack, whilst, +from the causes previously alleged, we were in no condition to take the +initiative. + +On the 26th I apprised the Minister of Marine that, when the enemy +returned to port, I should make an attempt on them on the first dark +night with the flagship alone, pending the equipment of the fireships. +At the same time I addressed the following letter to the Prime Minister, +De Andrada:-- + + Moro San Paulo, 26th May, 1823. + + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + With regard to the transactions of the squadron, I beg to refer you + to my despatches to the Minister of Marine, but solicit your + attention to a few particulars which appear to me of importance. + + In the first place, you will observe from the enclosed Bahia + newspaper, that the maritime force of the enemy is contrasted with + that of the squadron under my command. I should be well content were + the real disparity of the respective forces no greater than the + statement has set forth, but unfortunately, the Brazilians, who have + never before been at sea, are of little or no use, from their total + want of discipline, and of any kind of nautical knowledge; whilst + the Portuguese seamen in the squadron, are not only useless--but a + great deal worse, for the reasons stated in my former letters. + + The enemy in Bahia are in want of all kinds of fresh provisions + --though they have been using every means to procure them. Some + supplies they have lately had from Buenos Ayres, and even from the + Cape de Verds; but the most surprising fact is that the Brazilian + Governor of San Mattheos, near the Abrolhos, and the chiefs of other + small Brazilian ports in that quarter have been loading vessels for + the enemy's use--under the simulated destination of Rio de Janeiro. + Permit me to suggest that an investigation into this matter is + highly essential. + + From all the information which I can collect, the enemy at Bahia are + considerably distracted in their councils, which dissensions cannot + fail to be increased by seeing their vessels taken in the very mouth + of the harbour, and their look-out ships driven under the guns of + the batteries by those of His Imperial Majesty, I may, indeed, say + by two ships alone, because in the state of the other vessels and + crews I have not deemed it prudent to trust them in the + neighbourhood of a port occupied by the enemy. + + I have no doubt of succeeding--by some means or other--in effecting + our object, and that in as short a time as can reasonably be + expected--for it is not to be supposed that I should all at once + accomplish objects of such magnitude with a force so inferior, and + in great part so inexperienced and heterogeneously composed. On + this subject I beg to call your attention to the low opinion + entertained of our squadron by the enemy, as expressed in the + enclosed Bahia Gazette (No 65), which, on that point, is in + conformity with my own opinion as previously expressed. + + I have the honour, &c. COCHRANE. + + To the Prime Minister. + +The following proclamation from the _Bahia Gazette_ will shew the +nature of these vapourings deliberately inserted by the Bahia +authorities:-- + + Last week the wind was Southerly, with rain, which has rendered + it impossible for our squadron to get at the Rio squadron, to decide + whether Brazil shall remain in the fetters of the usurper of Rio-- + or enjoy constitutional liberty. Had they credited me more, we + should not have seen on our bar, an enterprising man who ruined + the commerce of the Pacific, and now thinks to regain the glory he + lost. The conduct of Lord Cochrane verberates in our ears-- + examine his conduct in the Pacific, and observe that he lost all, and + was obliged to abandon everything to the Spaniards in Peru, afterwards + losing his little force in attacks and tempests. The Ministry + of Rio sent for him, giving him the pompous title of "Admiral of + the Brazils," and great promises--thinking that he would bring + with him a squadron to help the Imperial fraudulence. This is + the great wonder, who has come to carry fire and blood to the + trusty Bahia, bringing with him vessels manned, for the most part, + with Portuguese sailors--and not leaving in Rio a single vessel, + from which he did not take even the negro sailors. + + It is only the _Pedro Primiero_ that is manned with the adventurous + foreigners, so that we shall fall upon the 74, and by beating + her, decide the business of Brazil. Our squadron is superior in + physical force, having at their head brave officers, with plenty of + troops. It is commanded in chief by an Admiral who has success + before him, and who wishes to regain the opinion of the public, so + that we may all wait a happy result. + + Commerce--the strong pillar which upholds the Constitutional + edifice--has promised great recompense to the victorious fleet and + their chief, and has precious gifts for those who will shew their + gratitude to Bahia, and defend their liberty. Officers who distinguish + themselves, will have a medal representing their victory, + which will make them known to the citizens of Bahia, who will not + be ungrateful. + + Citizens of all classes are ready at a moment's warning to decide + the great cause of our liberty, and will measure the greatness of our + triumph by the sacrifices made. Constance, courage, and union, + and we shall see the despotic monster raging and tearing himself to + pieces. + + All we look to, at this moment, is to destroy the Rio squadron. + The usurper who rules in that Capital thinks that, reaching the bar + with the squadron of his imaginary Empire, we should be attacked + on all sides, and compelled to make a shameful capitulation. How + much you are mistaken--new-born monster! We have abundant + force at our disposal; but in the meantime we must overthrow the + plans of the enterprising Cochrane, and wait the result of maritime + prowess. + +Notwithstanding that the Portuguese opinion of the Brazilian squadron, +as expressed in the official gazette, is couched in terms of contempt, +as compared with the efficiency of their own squadron--yet most +inconsistently, they did not venture to attack us. The fact was, +however, most painful to me, being aware of its truthfulness, and I +wrote to the Minister of Marine, begging him to enable us to intercept +the numerous vessels expected at Bahia, by procuring three fast-sailing +American clippers, armed with 18 or 24-pounders, in lieu of the useless +schooners with which we were encumbered. In addition to the professed +contempt of the Portuguese authorities for the ships blockading +Bahia--the proclamation in which these expressions were contained, +termed His Imperial Majesty a "Turkish despot,"--his Prime Minister a +"tyrannical vizier," and myself "a coward;" so that I had at least the +satisfaction of being maligned in good company. + +On the 2nd of June, to my great satisfaction, the Portuguese returned to +port, and I felt certain that so soon as the fireships in preparation at +the Moro San Paulo were ready, the destruction of the whole was +inevitable--the Portuguese naval officers being of the same opinion, +whatever might be the official boasts of the military Commandant. +According to the secret correspondence which I had established with +Brazilian patriots resident within the city, the Admiral's consternation +on learning that fireships were nearly equipped was excessive--and being +in nightly expectation of a repetition of the scene in Basque Roads; or +at least of that which little more than a year previous had been enacted +before Callao--every precaution was taken against surprise. He was +quite right in the conjecture as to what was intended; but did not +calculate--as I was obliged to do--on the general want of experience of +such matters in the Brazilian service. + +Our preparations being, on the 8th of June, reported to be favourably +progressing, I determined to put the attack in execution so soon as the +tide flowed late enough in the evening to prevent the enemy from +perceiving us in time to disturb or defeat our operations. The +difficulty was to find competent persons to take charge of the +fireships, so as to kindle them at the proper moment--the want of which +had rendered most of the fireships ineffective--as such--in the affair +of Basque Roads in 1809, and had formed one of the principal obstacles +when attacking Callao in 1821. Of the explosion vessel I intended myself +to take charge, as I had formerly done in Basque Roads. + +On the 9th of June information arrived that the enemy had resolved on an +attempt to destroy the fireships in the Moro San Paulo, and that the +second division of their army was being embarked in transports for that +purpose. Preparations were at once made to receive them by ordering in +the vessels scouring the coast, and by such other precautionary measures +as were necessary for the defence of that important station. + +It was, however, difficult to make a proper defence, for, with the +exception of Portuguese--who could not be trusted--there were no +Artillerymen in the Brazilian squadron who had any practical knowledge +of their duty, even if the guns on the Moro could be made to contribute +to its defence, for the place was open, and commanded by heights, of +which, as we had no troops, the enemy could possess themselves by night +or by day. In case they did so, before adequate preparations could be +made, I directed the guns to be spiked, that they might not be turned +against the ships. No attack was, however, made, the enemy being +doubtless deterred by the apparent promptitude in anticipating their +movements. + +On the 11th of June further information was received that the +contemplated attack on the Moro had been abandoned, and that the enemy +were seriously deliberating on evacuating the port before the fireships +were completed, I therefore ordered the _Maria de Gloria_ to water and +re-victual for three months, so as to be in readiness for anything which +might occur, as, in case the rumour proved correct, our operations might +take a different turn to those previously intended. The _Piranga_ was +also directed to have everything in readiness for weighing immediately, +on the flagship appearing off the Moro and making signals to that +effect. The whole squadron was at the same time ordered to re-victual, +and to place its surplus articles in a large shed constructed of trees +and branches felled in the neighbourhood of the Moro. + +Whilst the other ships were thus engaged, I determined to increase the +panic of the enemy with the flagship alone. The position of their fleet +was about nine miles up the bay, under shelter of fortifications, so +that an attack by day would have been more perilous than prudent. +Nevertheless, it appeared practicable to pay them a hostile visit on the +first dark night, when, if unable to effect any serious mischief, it +would at least be possible to ascertain their exact position, and to +judge what could be accomplished when the fireships were brought to bear +upon them. + +Accordingly, having during the day carefully taken bearings of the high +lands at the mouth of the river--on the night of the 12th June, I +decided on making the attempt, which might possibly result in the +destruction of part of the enemy's fleet, in consequence of the +confused manner in which the ships were anchored, and from information +received that the chief officers were invited ashore to a public ball. + +As soon as it became dark, we proceeded up the river, but unfortunately, +when within hail of the outermost ship, the wind failed, and the tide +soon after turning, our plan of attack was rendered abortive; +determined, however, to complete the reconnaissance, we threaded our way +amongst the outermost vessels, but dark as was the night--the presence +of a strange ship under sail was discovered--and some beat to quarters, +hailing to know what ship that was? The reply being "an English vessel," +satisfied them, so that our investigation was made unmolested. The chief +object thus accomplished, we succeeded in dropping out with the ebb +tide, now rapidly running, and were enabled to steady our course +stern-foremost with the stream anchor adrag, whereby we reached our +former position off the mouth of the river. + +Finding from the reconnaissance, that it would not be difficult to +destroy the enemy's vessels, huddled together as they were amongst a +crowd of merchantmen, I hastened to Moro San Paulo, to expedite the +completion of the fireships. Returning immediately to Bahia, and again +anchoring off the entrance of the harbour, I now learned that the alarm +created by our nocturnal visit was excessive; indeed, my informants +stated that the exploit had the effect of determining the Portuguese +admiral to remove as quickly as possible from a locality in which he +could no longer consider himself safe. + +On the 29th of June, information was again forwarded to me, by persons +favourable to the Imperial cause, that a council of war had been held, +at which it had been resolved to withdraw the fleet to St. Catherine's +or Maranham, and not the fleet alone but the troops also--thus +abandoning the city and province of Bahia to the Imperial squadron; the +council judging that I should be well content to permit them to pass to +another part of the coast, as their departure would result in the +Imperial occupation of Bahia. + +The subjoined proclamation issued by General Madeira will shew the +straits to which the blockading squadron had reduced the city and +garrison:-- + + INHABITANTS OF BAHIA, + + The crisis in which we find ourselves is perilous, + because the means of subsistence fail us, and we cannot secure the + entrance of any provisions. My duty as a soldier, and as Governor, + is to make any sacrifice in order to save the city; but it is equally + my duty to prevent, in an extreme case, the sacrifice of the troops I + command--of the squadron--and of yourselves. I shall employ + every means to fulfil both duties. Do not suffer yourselves to be + persuaded that measures of foresight are always followed by disasters. + You have already seen me take such once before. They alarmed + you, but you were afterwards convinced that they portended nothing + extraordinary. Even in the midst of formidable armies measures + of precaution are daily used, because victory is not constant, and + reverses should be provided against. You may assure yourselves, + that the measures I am now taking, are purely precautionary, but it + is necessary to communicate them to you, because if it happens that + _we must abandon the, city_, many of you will leave it also; and I + should be responsible to the nation and to the King if I had not + forewarned you. + + (Signed) IGNACIO LUIZ MADEIRA DE MELLA. + +Were it dignified to allude to the cowardice imputed to me by the same +authority, it would be easy to refer to the above enumeration of +distresses caused by our two ships having captured all their provisions +in the face of thirteen, in every way better manned and equipped. + +The consternation caused by my nocturnal visit, which decided the +evacuation of the city, was described as almost ludicrous. As I had been +correctly informed, the Portuguese admiral and his officers _were_ at a +ball, and information of our appearance amongst the fleet was conveyed +to him in the midst of the festivities. "What"--exclaimed he--"Lord +Cochrane's line-of-battleship in the very midst of our fleet! Impossible +--no large ship can have come up in the dark." We, however, did find our +way in the dark--and did not retire till our _reconnaissance_ was as +complete as darkness would permit. + +The lamentations caused by General Madeira's proclamation were no doubt +faithfully chronicled in the Bahia newspapers, one of these declaring +"in the last few days we have witnessed in this city a most doleful +spectacle that must touch the heart even of the most insensible. A panic +terror has seized on all men's minds--the city will be left without +protectors--and families, whose fathers are obliged to fly, will be left +orphans--a prey to the invaders," &c. &c. A prognostication not at all +in accordance with my mode of carrying on warfare, which, as Portuguese +families afterwards found, both at Bahia and elsewhere, was to protect +the defenceless and unoffending. + +The before-mentioned resolution of the council was precisely what I +wished, as the evacuation of the port and province by the troops as well +as the fleet, must prove more favourable to the Imperial cause than if +the fleet alone had been destroyed and the military force remained. As I +had, however, every reason to believe that it was General Madeira's +intention to remove the troops to the Northern provinces, which would +only have shifted the scene of war to another locality, I was determined +at all hazards to prevent such movement. + +On the 1st of July, information was brought, that, as the fireships were +now known to be in readiness for the attack, the Portuguese admiral had +hastily embarked the whole of the troops in transports, and that a +number of merchantmen were also filled with persons who wished to leave +Bahia under his protection. As it was clear that the total evacuation of +the province by the enemy was preferable to an attack which might only +end in destroying the ships and driving both naval and military forces +on shore to renew their operations--I determined not to interfere with +their retreat, till they were clear out of the harbour, when a vigilant +pursuit would prevent them from again taking shelter in Brazil. + +The following order was therefore issued to Captain Beaurepaire, of the +_Maria de Gloria_, Captain Taylor, of the _Nitherohy_, and Captain. +Thompson, of the _Carolina_, these being the only vessels on which I +could in any degree depend:-- + + Having received information that the enemies of the independence + of Brazil are about to evacuate the city, and quit the + port of Bahia--taking under the protection of their ships of war + numerous transports in which the military force and stores are + embarked, together with all the moveable property, public and + private--not excepting even the sacred vases appropriated to + religious uses--and as it is highly expedient that the progress of + the enemy should be interrupted and impeded as far as is + practicable--you are required to be particularly vigilant in watching + their escape, and are to endeavour to cut off such of their vessels as + you can assail with safety, and are to continue in the execution of + this duty so long as you can keep sight of the enemy. + + COCHRANE. + + Given on board the _Pedro Primiero_ this 1st of July, 1823. + +To Captain Taylor, of the _Nitherohy_, I gave further instructions to +continue the chase as long as he considered it practicable to capture or +destroy the enemy's vessels, using his utmost endeavours to disable all +having troops on board; and as it was necessary to occupy Bahia after +its evacuation, I directed Captains Beaurepaire and Thompson, after +having captured or disabled all they could, to return forthwith to +Bahia, and take possession; for which purpose the following order was +issued to Captain Beaurepaire:-- + + After having executed the previous order, you are to return to + the port of Bahia, taking upon yourself the command of the naval + department afloat in my absence, and it will be your duty to + ascertain the nature of the cargoes of the neutral ships now in the + port of Bahia, or which may afterwards enter, as there are many + neutral ships said to have embarked property to a large amount, + which has been illegally transferred to such neutrals since the + blockade, for the purpose of fraudulent concealment. All such + vessels and all such property ought to be detained and subjected to + legal investigation in the prize tribunals of His Imperial Majesty. + You will have a perfect right to require this investigation, and + though the neutrals may clamour, they cannot lawfully oppose your + proceedings therein--advisedly taken. + + A Portuguese frigate being daily expected at Bahia, as well as + other vessels from Portugal and the Portuguese colonies, it will be + advisable, for the better opportunity of capturing the same, to + arrange with the General and Commander-in-Chief, that the + Portuguese flag shall be displayed at least on the outer fort or + battery on the appearance of such Portuguese vessels, or of others + whose nationality is doubtful. + + You are to continue on the service above pointed out until further + orders from me, or from the Minister of Marine, with whom you are + to communicate, and convey to him a copy of the present order. + + COCHRANE. + +Having learned that a great number of the more influential inhabitants +were about to quit Bahia with the fleet--and not wishing to involve them +in the consequences of war--I addressed the following caution to the +Junta of Bahia:-- + + GENTLEMEN, + + Understanding that it is in contemplation to abandon the town of + Bahia, without any security being given not again to resume + hostilities against the subjects and territories of His Imperial + Majesty, and as you may not be aware of the difficulty of + retiring--whilst hopes may have been held out to you that this is + practicable--I must, for the sake of humanity, caution you against + any attempt to remove yourselves by sea, unless I have a perfect + understanding as to the future intentions of the naval forces which + may accompany you, but to whom I have nothing to suggest. + + I tell you however, that it is in my power to take advantages which + may be fatal to your escape, and if, after this notice, you shall + sail, you must not lay anything to my charge in the destruction of + passengers, for in the obscurity of night it is impossible to + discriminate ships in which they may be embarked. If, after this + notice, you embark, or continue embarked, it will be to me a subject + of great regret, because I have ever desired that the dangers of war + should be confined to the military and naval profession. + + COCHRANE. + + To the Junta, Bahia, + +To General Madeira, commanding the Portuguese troops, I wrote as +follows:-- + + Understanding that you are about to embark the military forces + under your command, with a view to proceed to some of the Northern + provinces, humanity compels me to declare to you my duty, however + painful, to take all measures within my power to dismantle whatever + transports may attempt to sail from Bahia under convoy of the + ships of war. That I have the means of performing this duty, in + defiance of the ships of war which may endeavour to obstruct + my operations, is a fact which no naval officer will doubt--but + which to you as a military man may not be so apparent. If, + after this warning, I am compelled to have recourse to the measures + alluded to, and if numerous lives should be sacrificed thereby, I + shall stand acquitted of those consequences which would otherwise + press heavily on my mind. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + Gen. MADEIRA. + +To the Portuguese Admiral I addressed the following note:-- + + Sir, + + I have written to the Junta and the General commanding + the military force, relative to particulars which I have felt it my + duty to submit to their consideration. To you, as a professional + man, I have nothing to suggest or request--but merely to express + my conviction that, for the sake of humanity, you will give that + professional opinion on the subject of my letters--should they be + referred to you--which may be expected from a naval officer of your + experience. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + The Admiral of the Portuguese Squadron. + +On the 2nd of July, the whole Portuguese force, naval and military, got +under weigh, and steered out--the troops being embarked in the armed +transports and large merchantmen, whilst other vessels were filled with +Portuguese families and their property--everything moveable being put on +board--with the utmost confidence in the protection of their fleet. As +only the flagship and _Maria de Gloria_ were present, we made no attempt +to attack them whilst issuing from the mouth of the river, they no doubt +ridiculing my warnings as communicated to the Junta and the commanding +officers. + +In this, however, they were mistaken; as every thing was in readiness, +both on board the flagship and the _Maria de Gloria_, for immediate +chase, so soon as the whole were clear of the port; though I had no +intention--as they no doubt interpreted my letters--of attacking +thirteen ships of war and numerous armed transports, with two ships +alone, so long as they remained within the harbour; but when once out, +the superior sailing qualities of these two ships would safely enable us +to harass them with impunity. + +As the merchant brig, _Colonel Allen_, which had conveyed us from Chili, +was still with us, and as she might be made useful in looking after the +prizes, I adopted her into the Brazilian navy under the name of the +_Bahia_, appointing her master, Captain Haydon, to the rank of +captain-lieutenant. + +Whilst the Portuguese were passing out, I wrote and despatched by the +_Liberal_ schooner, the following letter to the Minister of Marine at +Rio de Janeiro:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, off Bahia, + July 2nd, 1833. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Excellency + that the enemy's squadron have this day evacuated Bahia, their + resources by sea being no longer available. Their ships of war, + consisting of thirteen sail of different sizes, and many large + merchantmen filled with troops, are now standing out of the bay. + It is my intention to pursue them as long as it shall appear + beneficial so to do. This ship and the _Maria de Gloria_ are the only + two in sight of the enemy, the _Carolina_ having been obliged to + return to the Moro, in consequence of having lost a topmast, and + the _Nitherohy_ not having joined. I hope in my next to be able to + give you some account of the ulterior objects the enemy have in + view, which, whatever they may be, I shall endeavour to frustrate. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +To the commanders of the other ships, I sent the following order on +their joining the pursuit:-- + + It being improper to weaken the squadron, and impossible to + officer and man the vessels which may fall into our hands, you are to + adopt the following plan to secure them, viz. to send with the boats + crews which board the enemy's vessels a sufficient number of + crowbars, for the purpose of breaking up their water casks, leaving + only water enough to carry them, on short allowance, into Bahia, to + which port you are to order them immediately to return. + + Their papers being essential to the justification of this or any + other hostile act, the boarding officer will take especial care to + secure them. + + COCHRANE. + +In addition to this, the masts of all troopships which might be +boarded, were directed to be so far cut away as to prevent their +escape--a written order instructing them to return forthwith to Bahia, +on pain of being treated with great severity if found on any other +course. Singular as the order may appear, it was in most cases obeyed, +and thus the captured vessels navigated themselves into our hands. + +The Portuguese squadron consisted of _Don Joaõ_, 74; _Constitucaõ_,50; +_Perola_, 44; _Princeza Real_,28; _Calypso_, 22; _Regeneracaõ_, 26; +_Activa_, 22; _Dez de Fevereiro_, 26; _Audaz_, 20; _S. Gaulter_, 26; +_Principe do Brazil_, 26; _Restauracaõ_, 26; _Canceicaõ_, 8; with +between sixty and seventy merchant vessels and transports filled with +troops. + +As soon as they were clear of the port, we fell upon the rearmost ships, +disabling their main and mizen masts, so as to render it difficult for +them to sail otherwise than before the wind, which would carry them to +the Brazilian coast, and ordering them back to Bahia. The flagship and +the _Maria de Gloria_ then resumed the pursuit, but the latter being +employed in looking after the prizes, on the following morning we were +alone amongst the enemy's convoy. + +The next day, July 3rd, the _Carolina_ and _Nitherohy_ came up, as did +also the _Colonel Allen_. The frigates captured a number of merchantmen +mostly filled with Portuguese families--these unfortunate people finding +to their cost that my warnings were not empty threats, though they had +no doubt been led to ridicule the remonstrance by a misplaced +confidence in the protection of their national squadron. Many prizes +were taken, and as evening closed the frigates dropped out of sight with +the captured vessels. + +It would have been easy for the flagship also to have taken prizes, but +about this I cared nothing,--my great object being to prevent the enemy +from landing troops elsewhere, and with this view I determined on +closely following the ships of war and transports--leaving the Brazilian +frigates to exercise their own discretion in disabling the convoy. It +may be considered an act of temerity for one ship of war thus to chase +thirteen; but, encumbered as they were, and, as I knew, short of +provisions, I felt assured of accomplishing my object. + +The enemy--being greatly annoyed at our perseverance in following, and +still more so at the loss of so many of the convoy--on the morning of +the 4th, gave chase to the flagship with the whole squadron, +endeavouring to hem her in, and at one time we were pursued so closely +inshore, that there was some danger of getting embayed, but the handling +and superior sailing qualities of the _Pedro Primiero_ enabled her to +out-manoeuvre them and get clear. On seeing this, the Portuguese +squadron, finding further chase unavailing, gave us a broadside which +did no damage, and resumed its position in the van of the convoy, to +which we immediately gave chase as before, and as soon as night set in, +dashed in amongst them, firing right and left till the nearest ships +brought to, when they were boarded--the topmasts cut away--the rigging +disabled--the arms thrown overboard--and the officers compelled to give +their _parole_ not to serve against Brazil until regularly exchanged--an +event not likely to happen. + +Keeping well up with them on the 5th--as soon as night set in, this mode +of attack was repeated, when we took a Russian vessel filled with +Portuguese troops, and disabled her in like manner. Of the merchantmen +within reach we took no notice, as it was impolitic to weaken the crew +of the flagship by manning prizes, whilst, as we saw nothing of the +remainder of the Brazilian squadron, there was no other means of +preventing their escape. + +The prudence of preserving the crew of the flagship entire, was now well +exemplified. After taking possession of the Russian transport, at dusk, +I observed half-a-dozen large ships detach themselves from the main body +of the convoy, and suspecting some valid reason for the movement, +immediately gave chase. Though they crowded all sail, we came up with +them on the following morning, and singling out a large frigate-built +ship, filled with troops, we fired upon her till she brought to. On +boarding, we found her to be the _Gran Para_, containing--with the +others--a division of several thousand troops, destined to maintain +Portuguese authority in the province of Maranham--as, indeed, I had been +informed at Bahia. The private signals and instructions of the +Portuguese admiral--obtained by Flag-Lieutenant Grenfell from her +captain--put me in possession of the whole arrangement, which was thus +luckily frustrated. + +As it was of importance not to let any of these troopships escape, +Captain Grenfell was ordered to disable the _Gran Para_, cutting away +her main and mizen masts, throwing the arms and ammunition overboard, +taking possession of the regimental flags, and compelling the officers, +as before, to give their _parole_ not to serve against Brazil. This +done, the other transports were successively boarded and disabled, so +far as was consistent with not leaving them positive wrecks on the +water; for with my single ship, to have made prisoners of so numerous a +body of troops was manifestly impossible. + +The brig _Bahia_ having opportunely hove in sight, I seized four of the +vessels carrying troops, and ordered Captain Haydon to convoy them to +Pernambuco, to the President of which province I addressed the following +letter:-- + + Pedro Primiero, July 7th, 1823. + + ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT SIR, + + The abandonment of Bahia by the enemy, in + consequence of the rigours of blockade--and the capture of half of + his army, ensigns, artillery, and stores, are events which you will + be gratified to learn. Part of the captured officers and troops I + send in for your disposal, having engaged that they shall be treated + after the manner which may justly be expected from the high + character of the Government of His Imperial Majesty, and the + customary practice of all European states. I have to request that + you will be pleased to order their disembarkation without delay. + + We require seamen to finish the war. If you will be pleased to + grant the bounty of 24 dollars per man, as at Rio--charging the + same to the Government--you will render an essential service to + your country. I do not mean Portuguese seamen--who are enemies; + but able seamen of any other nation, and I need scarcely say, that + from my knowledge of the character of the men, I should prefer + British seamen to all others. + + I shall probably have the honour of shortly making myself known + to you, but that depends on circumstances over which I have no + control. If we can come in, permit me to observe, that it would be + conducive to the health of my crew to have ready a supply of fresh + provisions and fruits, especially lemons and oranges. I hope you + will excuse my freedom in mentioning these things, as the health + of the men is as conducive to the interests of the empire as are + the ships of war themselves. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + Sent by the _Balia_, Captain Haydon. + +By the same opportunity I despatched the following to the Minister of +Marine:-- + + ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + I have the honour to inform you that half the + enemy's army, their colours, cannon, ammunition, stores, and + baggage, have been taken. We are still in pursuit, and shall + endeavour to intercept the remainder of the troops, and shall then + look after the ships of war, which would have been my first object, + but that, in pursuing this course, the military would have escaped + to occasion further hostilities against the Brazilian Empire. + + Such of the enemy's colours as we have had time to take away + I have the honour to transmit, and to lay them at the feet of His + Imperial Majesty, and shall shortly forward the remainder. + + The vessels taken are large and beautiful ships, fast sailers, and + resemble, in their appearance, ships of war. + + The Portuguese squadron, and other vessels armed for war, I + have every reason to believe are on their route for Lisbon. I have + also fully ascertained that the troopships which separated from their + squadron during the night were destined for Maranham. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + The Minister of Marine. + +The pursuit was now resumed, but the weather becoming hazy, we saw +nothing of the enemy till the 11th, when they appeared to have recovered +the _Gran Para_. As it became calm, nothing could be done till the 14th, +when we crossed the Equator in Long. 33-30, making straight for the +ships of war, but finding them well together, considered it prudent to +defer an attack till they should become separated. + +On the 15th they continued united, giving us no opportunity for +mischief, yet not venturing to attack us, though only one ship to +thirteen. At 3 A.M. on the 16th, we crowded sail and went in amongst +them, firing a broadside within half musket shot at one of the frigates +with evident effect, as, from the damage caused, they did not return our +fire. Whilst tacking to give them the other broadside, our mainsail +split in two, and night setting in, we relinquished the pursuit in 5 +degrees North latitude. + +My object in so doing was--that as we had only taken part of the +troopships destined for Maranham, it was quite possible--as that port +lay to leeward--that the remainder might even yet reach their +destination; and as the Portuguese authority still existed in that--as +throughout all the Northern provinces--they might again be armed and +equipped. The instructions of the Portuguese admiral were, moreover, +that, in case of separation, they were to rendezvous at the island of +Fernando de Noronha, near which they were fallen in with some days +afterwards; so that there were good grounds for anticipating the +possibility of their yet reaching their original destination. Instead, +therefore, of following the enemy's squadron farther, I thought we +should better serve the interests of Brazil by proceeding direct to +Maranham, with the double purpose of being beforehand with the enemy's +troops, should the attempt be made--and, if practicable, reducing the +province to the authority of the Emperor; a proceeding which, though not +within my orders, was, as I conceived, nevertheless of great importance. +Accordingly, quitting the Portuguese fleet and convoy, during the +obscurity of night, we made straight for Maranham. + +Thus were the Northern provinces entirely rescued from the designs of +this armament, which--luckily for the consolidation of the empire--I had +been enabled to frustrate; so that the cause of independence became free +to develop itself throughout its whole extent. It is satisfactory to +record the fact, that the whole military force was captured or +dispersed, and its objects averted--by a single ship--without the loss +of a man on our part--or the additional cost of a dollar to the Imperial +Government; though, when we left Rio de Janeiro, it was believed that +such objects could only be effected by costly naval and military +expeditions combined. + +During this chase, as I have said, it did not appear a national object +to make captures, though many were secured--as officers and seamen must +have been detached for the purpose, thereby diminishing our efficiency +for the annexation of those provinces where the Portuguese authority was +still intact; to accomplish which--though such result was not expected +by the Government--I had formed plans during the pursuit. Considering +that zeal for Brazilian interests would be better shewn by expelling the +enemy which remained, I therefore refrained from taking possession of +many valuable ships, otherwise completely at our mercy, _though not +having done so--then (previous to my experience of the Court of +Admiralty) seemed_ a heavy pecuniary loss to myself, the officers, and +crew. Such sacrifice should have secured us better treatment than we +subsequently endured from the Administration of a country whose entire +independence was thus obtained by our personal sacrifices. + +The means of intimidation employed for the expulsion of the Portuguese +from Bahia--the pursuit of the enemy's fleet--and the disabling of the +troopships destined for Maranham--acts altogether in excess of the +Imperial instructions--not only freed the Northern provinces from the +enemy, but, as before stated, saved the Brazilian Government the delay, +expense, and uncertainty of powerful expeditions. + +These services--undertaken solely on my own responsibility--were +productive of the most beneficial consequences to the future career of +the Brazilian Empire, the integrity of which they secured at a blow, or +it may rather be said, without a blow, for none of any magnitude was +struck; the dread of the fireships and the certainty arising--from the +nocturnal visit of the flagship on the 12th of June, that my plans for +making use of them were completed--having determined the Portuguese +Admiral to save his fleet by evacuating Bahia. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +CAPTURE OF THE DON MIGUEL--SUMMONS TO THE AUTHORITIES--REASONS FOR +THREATS HELD OUT--PROPOSALS FOR CAPITULATION--PROCLAMATIONS--TERMS +GRANTED TO PORTUGUESE GARRISON--DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE--PORTUGUESE +TROOPS ORDERED TO EMBARK--SYMPTOMS OF DISOBEYING THE ORDER--DELIGHT OF +THE PEOPLE ON BECOMING FREE--ELECTION OF A PROVISIONAL +GOVERNMENT--LETTERS TO THE MINISTER OF MARINE. + + +On the 26th of July, the _Pedro Primiero_ arrived in the river Maranhaõ, +and--knowing from the Portuguese admiral's instructions found in the +troopships overhauled in the chase, that reinforcements were +expected--we hoisted Portuguese colours, with a view of inducing a +belief that the flagship belonged to that nation, and had arrived in +support of its cause. The authorities, deceived by this ruse, sent off a +brig of war--the _Don Miguel_, Captain Garcaõ--with despatches and +congratulations upon our safe arrival! but the commander of the brig was +disagreeably undeceived by finding himself upon the deck of a Brazilian +ship. The despatches put me in possession of the enemy's plans and +intentions, and from them I learned that some reinforcements had already +reached, independent of those which had been intercepted in the recent +chase; thus shewing the great importance attached by Portugal to the +preservation of the wealthy and influential province of Maranham. + +To the surprise of Captain Garcaõ--now a prisoner of war--I offered to +release him and his vessel on condition of his carrying sealed letters +to the Governor and Junta in the city--a proposition gladly accepted. +Previous to his departure--by a fiction held justifiable in war, and, +indeed, necessary under our peculiar circumstances, as having only a +single ship to reduce a province--he was duly impressed by the relation +of an imaginary number of vessels of war in the offing, accompanied by +transports filled with troops, which the superior sailing of the +flagship had enabled her to outstrip. Captain Garcaõ being a seaman and +well able to judge as to the sailing qualities of the _Pedro Primiero_, +was easily impressed with this story, and returned to the city with +intelligence of an irresistible force about to disembark for its +reduction. + +My letters to the Governor and Junta were to the same effect; for--as +before noticed--having only a single ship, it was necessary to impress +on their imagination--that a fleet and army were at hand to add the +province to Brazil. As this is the only instance within my knowledge of +a military force surrendering itself and the province which it defended, +to a stratagem of this nature, I shall append the documents by which a +result so desirable was effected. + +To Don Agostinho Antonia de Faria, the commandant, I wrote as follows:-- + + Pedro Primiero, July 26, 1823. + + SIR, + + The naval and military forces under my command, + leave me no room to doubt the success of the enterprise in which I + am about to engage, in order to free the province of Maranham from + foreign domination, and to allow the people free choice of government + in the same manner as the inhabitants of Portugal have decided + with regard to their constitution. + + Of the flight of the Portuguese naval and military forces from + Bahia you are aware. I have now to inform you of the capture of + two-thirds of the transports and troops, with all their stores and + ammunition. + + I am anxious not to let loose the Imperial troops of Bahia upon + Maranham, exasperated as they are at the injuries and cruelties + exercised towards themselves and their countrymen, as well as by + the plunder of the people and churches of Bahia. It is for you to + decide whether the inhabitants of these countries shall be further + exasperated by resistance which appears to me unavailing, and alike + prejudicial to the best interests of Portugal and Brazil. + + Although it is not customary amongst European nations to receive or + respect flags of truce, being armed vessels, yet as a proof that we + came here with objects far superior to the seizure of the brig of + war just released, I have paid respect to the flag, in the hope that + forbearance will facilitate that harmony which all must be desirous + should exist between the government of the Royal father and that of + the Imperial son; and in doing this, I only fulfil the gracious + intentions of His Imperial Majesty. + + Awaiting your early reply, + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + Don AGOSTINHO ANTONIA DE FARIA, + Commanding the Portuguese Forces. + +The subjoined was at the same time despatched to the Provincial Junta;-- + + ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT SIRS, + + The forces of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor + of Brazil, having freed the city and province of Bahia from the + enemies of independence--in conformity with the will of His + Imperial Majesty that the beautiful province of Maranham should + be free also--I now hasten to offer to the oppressed inhabitants + whatever aid and protection they need against a foreign yoke; + desiring to accomplish their liberation and to hail them as brethren + and friends. + + Should there, however, be any who--from self-interested motives--oppose + themselves to the deliverance of their country, let such be + assured that the naval and military forces which have driven the + Portuguese from the South, are again ready to draw the sword in + the like just cause--and having drawn it, the result cannot be long + doubtful. + + The chief authorities are hereby invited to make known to me + their decision, in order that the responsibility of consequences--in + case of opposition--may not be imputed to any undue haste in the + execution of the duty which I shall have to perform. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + To the Illustrious and Excellent + The Provincial Junta of Maranham. + +The reader may perhaps conclude, that the threats held out are somewhat +inconsistent with my only having a single ship, without a soldier in +her; and I must even confess to some compunction at this off-hand sketch +of an imaginary fleet and army--but the matter was of the last +importance. On the one hand, if my demands were vigorously pressed, +there was a strong probability of obtaining them without bloodshed; but, +on the other hand, if any delay took place, the enemy would, in a day or +two at most, find out that the only force was the flagship, when the +acquisition of Maranham would be impossible. The sensation caused by the +evacuation of Bahia gave probability to my representations, and added to +the despondency of the Portuguese, so that the _ruse_ was completely +successful. + +Proposals of capitulation were immediately returned; but, as these were +only conditional, I refused to accept them. In order to enforce the +terms proffered, we entered the river--never before navigated by a +line-of-battle ship--and anchored the _Pedro Primiero_ abreast of the +fort. On the following day, July 27th, the Junta, accompanied by the +bishop, came on board, and gave in their adherence to the empire, after +which the city, forts, and island, were unconditionally surrendered, +though not without subsequent hesitation, which was dispelled by firing +a shot over the town, whereupon a flag of truce was sent off, and all +demands were complied with. Landing a party of marines for the +maintenance of order, the Portuguese ensign was hauled down by +Lieutenant Grenfell, who hoisted Brazilian colours in its place. + +Thus, without military force or bloodshed, was a second great province +secured to the empire, neither result being anticipated, nor even +contemplated in the orders communicated to me, which were to blockade +the Portuguese in Bahia, and capture or destroy all ships met +with--anything beyond this not having entered the imagination of the +Government. + +As--considering the circumstances in which I was placed--there was no +time to be lost in completing the declaration of independence, I +addressed the subjoined instructions to the civil authorities:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, July 27, 1823. + MOST EXCELLENT SIRS, + + It affords me the highest satisfaction that your Excellencies have + adopted a course by which all hostilities may be avoided, and the + tranquillity and prosperity of this province peaceably established + upon a secure and permanent basis. The declaration of the independence + of Brazil under His Imperial Majesty will at once tranquillise the + public mind, and give opportunity to the worthy and patriotic + inhabitants to proceed afterwards with a due formality and + deliberation to take the oaths, and elect their provisional + government. To-morrow, therefore--being the earliest possible day--it + maybe well that the said declaration shall be made taking every + necessary precaution that the public peace shall not be disturbed by + individuals under any pretence. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +To the inhabitants generally I issued the following proclamation:-- + + THE FIRST ADMIRAL OF BRAZIL TO THE INHABITANTS OF + MARANHAM. + + The auspicious day has arrived on which the + worthy and public-spirited inhabitants of Maranham have it in their + power at once to declare the independence of their country, and + their adherence to their patriotic monarch, Pedro Primiero, whose + protection has afforded them the glorious privilege of freemen--that + of choosing their constitution and enacting their laws by their own + representatives assembled to decide upon their own affairs in their + own country. + + That the glory of this day may not be tarnished by any acts of + excess--even proceeding from enthusiasm for the cause in which we + have embarked--must be the wish of every honourable and well-judging + citizen. To these it would be superfluous to offer any + advice as to their conduct; but should there be any who, from whatever + motives, would disturb public tranquillity, they are hereby + warned that the strictest orders are given to bring those guilty of + disturbance to the punishment their crime shall deserve. + + Taking the necessary oaths, and the election of civil government, + are acts which must be deliberately performed, and for this, the + 1st of August is selected. Citizens! let us proceed gravely and + methodically, without tumult, haste, or confusion, and let the act be + accomplished in a manner worthy the approbation of His Imperial + Majesty, and which shall give no cause for regret, and leave no room + for amendment. + + Long live the Emperor, and the Independence and Constitution + of Brazil. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +To the garrison of Maranham, liberty was granted to remain or depart, as +they chose; in the latter case, free egress to Europe being permitted, +with ensigns, arms, and military honours. Of the vessels of war we took +possession, giving to the officers and men, the option of entering the +service of Brazil, or accepting the conditions conceded to the army. + +As the Brazilian people will naturally be interested in all that led to +the completion of the integrity of the empire, the terms granted to the +Portuguese garrison are subjoined. + + _Pedro Primiero_, July 27, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + In reply to your letter of this date, I beg leave to + assure you, first, that my utmost endeavours shall be used to + protect the persons and property of the citizens of Maranham--with + the exception of such species of property as, being proved to + belong to a hostile party, shall become, according to the laws of + war, subject to the decision of the tribunals of His Imperial Majesty; + that the same leniency with respect to all past political opinions + shall be used as has been observed under the constitutional government + of His Most Faithful Majesty John VI.; and that all persons + desiring to remove shall be at liberty to do so, under the usual + formalities. + + Secondly,--You are at liberty either to depart to any other + country, or to remain in this. + + Thirdly,--The commanding officers, superior officers, and soldiers + of the Portuguese nation, shall be free to retire to their native + country, or to any other quarter; and shall be permitted to embark + with their ensigns, arms, and military honours. + + As independence is to be declared to-morrow, and as the vessels + of war now in the port bear the ensigns of Portugal--and as I + believe the necessary authority is vested in you, I have to request + that you will order that ensign not to be hoisted on board the said + vessels, in order that the substitution of that of Brazil may be + made in the manner least offensive to the feelings of the officers--all, + or any of whom may remain with their men in the service of + Brazil, or may consider themselves under the third article relating + to the army. + + I have to express my regret at your indisposition, which has + deprived me of the pleasure of seeing you; but, if circumstances + permit, I shall avail myself of an early opportunity of paying you + my personal respects. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + To DON AGOSTINHO ANTONIA DE FARIA, + General-at-Arms of Maranhaõ. + +On the 28th the declaration of independence was made amidst the +acclamation of the inhabitants generally--those who were adverse to the +measure not venturing to make any demonstration to the contrary. + +Still it was important to get rid of the Portuguese troops before they +found out the _ruse_ which had been practised upon them; for, three days +having now elapsed without any appearance of my reputed forces, there +was some fear that they might attempt to recover their former position. +Accordingly I addressed the following letter to General de Faria:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, July 29, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + The declaration of independence having been + formally made, and His Imperial Majesty being declared constitutional + Emperor of Brazil by acclamation of the worthy people of + Maranham--which important event has happily taken place, not + only without disorder, but, to the honour and credit of the + inhabitants, with the greatest harmony and regularity--it now + becomes my duty, as military chief under his Imperial Majesty, to + take care that no military interference or intimidation shall in any + way overawe or influence the choice of the inhabitants in the + election of their provisional government. I have, therefore, to + request that you will be pleased to direct all the Portuguese troops + who intend to avail themselves of the third article of the stipulations + entered into with regard to the military to repair to the + place appointed, and there await the preparations which I shall + immediately make for their transportation to Lisbon. + + I have also to beg that you will he pleased to furnish me with a + correct list of those who desire to depart, and also of those who + choose to remain and take the oaths as Brazilian citizens. + + I have, &c. &c. + + COCHRANE. + + To Gen. A.A. DE FARIA. + +These instructions were promptly complied with by the Ex-Commandant, and +no time was lost in providing ships for the reception of the Portuguese +troops who wished to avail themselves of permission to sail for Lisbon. +This leniency was scarcely deserved, for the Portuguese authorities had +filled the gaols with respectable Brazilian citizens, who were treated +with great severity; but, for obvious reasons, I was desirous to get rid +of the Portuguese on any terms. + +The next step was to provide for the proper administration of +government, and this--from the factions which were afterwards found to +exist--was a work of infinitely greater difficulty than had been the +acquisition of the city. Some of the more influential inhabitants, +however, offering their services, I formed them into a provisional +Junta, until a more popular Government could be provided. + +Municipal security being thus attained, the Portuguese troops were +embarked, on the 1st of August, though not without some difficulty, for, +from the non-arrival of my supposed fleet and army, some amongst them +began to suspect that a deception had been practised, and many--backed +by the militia--refused to embark. Upon this, a notice was issued that +if the treaty were not instantly complied with, such steps should be +taken as would render unnecessary the stipulation of safe conveyance to +Europe, as I was determined that a solemn engagement should not be +violated with impunity. This, as a great portion of the troops were +actually on board, and within reach of the flagship's guns, produced the +desired effect on the refractory troops ashore, though not till I was +compelled to send Captain Crosbie with a large party to enforce +compliance and to disarm the militia, both of which objects he effected +without bloodshed. + +The embarkation being accomplished, and the foreign portion of the +militia disarmed, so as to leave the city in the hands of the civil +authorities--on the 2nd of August, I issued a proclamation declaring the +commerce of the coast free and uninterrupted; following this, shortly +afterwards by another, declaratory of my willingness to accept from +consignees and others, two-thirds of the estimated value of Portuguese +property liable to confiscation--in place of sending the captured +vessels to Rio de Janeiro; which--from the state of the city, as well as +from want of seamen to man them--was impossible. + +To the inhabitants of the city I had been careful to accord complete +liberty, exacting, in return, perfect order, which was preserved, and +property of all kinds respected; the delight of the inhabitants being +unbounded at having been freed from a terrible system of exaction and +imprisonment, which, when I entered the river, was being carried on with +unrelenting rigour by the Portuguese authorities towards all suspected +of a leaning to the Imperial Government. Instead of retaliating--as +would have been gratifying to those so recently labouring under +oppression--I directed oaths to the Constitution to be administered, not +to Brazilians only, but also to all Portuguese who chose to remain and +conform to the new order of things; a privilege, of which many +influential persons of that nation availed themselves. + +On the 1st of August the inhabitants of Alcantara made a declaration of +adherence to His Imperial Majesty, notwithstanding a report sedulously +circulated amongst them that the Portuguese troops at Maranham were +about to recover the city. An assurance from me, that the Portuguese +troops were embarked, and were under the guns of the flagship, as well +as the fire of their own gunboats, which could be turned against them, +and that the European militia was disarmed, speedily dispelled all +grounds for alarm. + +The proceedings of the temporary Provisional Junta being unsatisfactory, +especially as regarded their desire for retaliation on the Portuguese, I +determined to embody a more popular Government, though, as yet the +election would, of necessity, be confined to the inhabitants of the +city only. Accordingly on the 8th of August, in less than a fortnight +after my first appearance off the port, a Provisional Government was +chosen by the population, and the city and province were incorporated +with Brazil, with the national advantage of adding nearly a million of +dollars to the annual revenue of the empire; and this without the +expense of another expedition to the Government, or the loss of time +which would have been necessary, and might, had the reinforcements +intercepted, gained their destination--have ended in a different result +to the integrity of the empire. + +The first act of the new Government was to address a congratulatory +letter to His Imperial Majesty, explaining that they should long before +have espoused the Imperial cause, but from fear of the Portuguese +troops. The following is an extract from this letter:-- + + What was our joy when unexpectedly we saw the _Pedro Primiero_ + summoning our port. Oh, 26th of July, 1823! Thrice happy day, + thou wilt be as conspicuous in the annals of our province, as the + sentiments of gratitude and respect inspired by the illustrious + admiral sent to our aid by the best and most amiable of monarchs + will be deeply engraven on our hearts and on those of our posterity. + Yes! august Sire! the wisdom, prudence, and gentle manners of + Lord Cochrane have contributed still more to the happy issue of our + political difficulties than even the fear of his force. To anchor in + our port--to proclaim independence--to administer the oaths of + obedience to your Majesty--to suspend hostilities throughout the + province--to provide proper government--to bring the troops of the + country into the town, but only in sufficient numbers to ensure + order and tranquillity--to open the communication between the + interior and the capital--to provide it with necessaries--and to + restore navigation and commerce to their pristine state--all this, + Sire, was the work of a few days. Grant Heaven, that this noble + chief may end the glorious career of his political and military labours + with the like felicity and success, and that your Imperial Majesty + being so well served, nothing more may be necessary to immortalise + that admirable commander, not only in the annals of Brazil, but in + those of the whole world. + +A large amount of government and public property in the several +departments was seized, in conformity with the Imperial proclamation, +and an addition made to the Brazilian navy of a brig-of-war, the _Don +Miguel_, a schooner, and eight gunboats--besides merchant vessels, some +of which were appropriated to the conveyance of the late garrison to +Lisbon, under engagement to restore their value--a stipulation which was +never fulfilled. + +Everything being thus satisfactorily settled, my next step was to inform +the Minister of Marine at Rio de Janeiro of the extraordinary means by +which possession of the city and province of Maranham had been obtained; +the subjoined letters were accordingly despatched. + + (Secret.) _Pedro Primiero_, August 8, 1823. + + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + Your Excellency will perceive by the official + documents accompanying this, that in order to effect the objects I + had in view at Maranham, I judged it expedient to create a belief + amongst the people and garrison, that a large force was at my + disposal, and therefore I used expressions in my public correspondence + that were not borne out by the actual circumstances + under which I summoned that city, as I had--in fact--no other force + than this ship alone, which from the nature of the anchorage could + scarcely approach within gunshot--whilst there was neither a soldier + nor effective marine on board; but the fear entertained by the hostile + Government of Imperial troops from Bahia, whom they understood + to be off the bar with the remainder of the squadron, and the sudden + appearance of so large a ship as this, produced the effect which I + had anticipated, and it is with the greatest satisfaction that I now + communicate the occupation of this important city and province, + which has been accomplished without effusion of blood, or material + disturbance. + + As soon as I have completed the necessary arrangements here, I + propose to return to Rio de Janeiro, and to have the honour + personally to inform you of all particulars. + + I have, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + Minister of Marine. + +With this was transmitted the following official document:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, Aug. 8, 1823. + + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + I had the honour to inform your Excellency by + letter, off Pernambuco, that we had captured transports containing a + moiety of the enemy's army--that we were in pursuit of the + remainder--and that I hoped for further success. I have now to + acquaint your Excellency that, having followed the enemy's squadron + to the fifth degree of North latitude beyond the line, until, by capture + and dispersion, their convoy was so reduced that only thirteen + vessels out of seventy remained with the ships of war, and as the + latter were evidently steering for Lisbon, and were too strong to be + attacked with success by this ship alone--for the remainder of the + Brazilian squadron had separated in the chase--I judged it advantageous + for the interests of His Imperial Majesty's service, to discontinue + the pursuit, and to proceed, with all possible despatch, to + Maranham, where I arrived on the 26th ultimo. + + I have the happiness to acquaint you, for the satisfaction of + the Imperial government, that Maranham is now united to the + Empire, the inhabitants having proclaimed their independence of + Portugal on the 28th, and elected their provisional government this + day. I have embarked the Portuguese troops for Europe, and the + militia are disarmed. + + I have the honour to enclose a copy of the correspondence which + has taken place on the occasion, with other papers and documents. + We have found here a fine brig of war--a schooner--eight gunboats, + and about sixteen sail of Portuguese merchant vessels. Amongst + the other advantages of this important event may be mentioned, that + while the expense of an express expedition has been saved, an addition + of nearly a million of dollars is made to the revenue of His + Imperial Majesty. + + I have manned and sent the brig of war to Parà, to summon that + city--offering to the enemy the same terms as we have granted + here. The beautiful new frigate, lately launched at Parà, has not + sailed for Portugal, and I am in expectation that the next account + which I shall have the honour to send or bring to your Excellency, + will communicate the pleasing intelligence that His Imperial + Majesty has no enemy, either on shore or afloat, between the extremities + of his empire. + + I have, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + The Minister of Marine. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +CAPT. GRENFELL SENT TO SUMMON PARA--THE JUNTA DEMANDS THE PRIZE +PROPERTY--MY REFUSAL--IMPERIAL APPROVAL OF MY SERVICES--REALISATION OF +PRIZE PROPERTY--TURI ASSU SENDS IN ITS ADHESION--MONEY CAPTURED LENT TO +THE JUNTA--ITS RETURN TO THE SQUADRON EXPECTED--POSSESSION TAKEN OF +PARA--INSURRECTION AT PARA--MISCONDUCT OF THE MARANHAM JUNTA--THEIR +PERSECUTION OF THE PORTUGUESE--STEPS IN CONSEQUENCE--MANIFESTATION OF +THE NATIONAL DELIGHT--THE MARQUISATE CONFERRED ON ME--VOTE OF THANKS BY +THE ASSEMBLEA GERAL--MY ARRIVAL AT RIO DE JANEIRO--SATISFACTION WITH MY +SERVICES--LADY COCHRANE JOINS ME. + + +As the province of Parà was now the only one which remained under the +authority of Portugal, it became of importance to take possession of it, +whilst the _prestige_ arising from our acquisition of Maranham was in +all its freshness; for we had still no other force than the flagship, +which was necessary to maintain order there. In the absence of a +Brazilian ship-of-war, I manned the captured brig _Don Miguel_--changing +her name to the _Maranhaõ_--and placed her under the command of an able +and gallant officer, Captain-Lieutenant (now Admiral) Grenfell, upon +whose judicious management every reliance was to be placed. + +Captain Grenfell was the bearer of a summons from me to the Junta and +garrison of Parà, dated off the bar, as though a force were at hand to +second his operations. In short, he was instructed to employ the same +_ruse_ for intimidating the city as had been so successful at +Maranham--the summons as well as the terms to be granted to the +Portuguese garrison being similar in both cases. He was further +instructed to secure, if possible, the new frigate which had just been +launched for the service of Portugal, and if successful, to name her the +_Impératrice_, in honour of the Empress--to take command of her--and +after the submission of the city to return to Rio de Janeiro with his +prize. The nature of Captain Grenfell's mission will be apparent from +the following extracts from the orders given to him:-- + + The enclosed orders in Portuguese you may show. They purport to be + addressed to you at the mouth of the river Parà, and to be there + dated on board this ship, she being supposed at anchor there; for it + is essential to create a belief in the Government at Parà that you do + not come alone, but that the squadron is at hand ready to cooperate. + You will therefore fill up the date of the Portuguese orders on the + day of your arrival at the mouth of the river. You will also fill in + the dates of the official letters to the Junta, at the same time, + without regard to the delay which may arise, from proceeding up the + river. + + You will perceive that my intentions are to effect, by your means, + objects _which would otherwise require an expedition_, and therefore + the utmost prudence and circumspection are necessary. Next to the + liberation of Parà, the great object is to secure the frigate. If you + succeed in obtaining possession of her, and find yourself deficient + in men, you are at liberty to leave the brig for the purpose of + manning the frigate. I expect everything from your exertions and good + management in bringing about the surrender of Parà, with all that is + important to His Brazilian Majesty. + +To return to the state of affairs at Maranham. One of the first acts of +the new Junta--despite their professed admiration of the course I had +pursued--was to transmit to me a demand that the property taken from +the Portuguese should be placed _at their disposal._ My surprise at such +a request from men whom I had unexpectedly released from thraldom, and +elevated to power, ceased as I became better acquainted with the +factions existing amongst them. Now that they were invested with power, +they were evidently bent on turning it to their own private advantage, +by representing to me that if I retained the property of Portuguese in +Maranham--that of Brazilians in Lisbon, viz. _their own mercantile +consignments_--would be confiscated in retaliation, and that, therefore, +I ought to restore it! + +To this I replied, that the captures made by the flagship were strictly +in accordance with the decrees of His Imperial Majesty, no less than +with the rights of belligerents as defined by the laws of nations; so +that their request was directly opposed to the Imperial decrees against +all the subjects of Portugal, as well as against all who should +contribute to continue the Brazils under a foreign yoke. The Junta was +reminded that it was within my power to have imposed upon the Portuguese +authorities whatever terms I thought proper, but having granted those I +had judged best for the interests of the empire to which I was bound, I +would adhere to the treaty as it stood, and should any attempt be made +to evade it, it would be my duty--however painful--to enforce its +fulfilment, as being responsible to His Imperial Majesty. + +This specimen of patriotism in a body of men who little more than a +fortnight before were imprisoned or in expectation of imprisonment, but +now--to save their own interests in Lisbon--sought to set His Majesty's +decrees and my instructions alike at defiance, inspired me with deep +distrust of their fitness for the Government of the province--it being +evident that if the flagship quitted the port, they would construe the +functions of Government in favour of their own private purposes. I +accordingly wrote to the Prime Minister, Andrada, representing the +course which had been pursued--concluding with the subjoined advice as +to the steps to be taken in order to place the future Government on a +right basis:-- + + I beg, through your Excellency, to suggest most respectfully to His + Imperial Majesty my opinion that it would greatly conduce to the + peace and prosperity of this province, if some able and honourable + person should be sent to take the chief authority; for--with all + respect to the individuals composing the new Junta, and to those from + whom succeeding Juntas might be chosen--none appear to me to possess + either the talents or acquirements necessary for the good government + of Maranham. I may also add that family connections, together with + private and political friendships, no less than enmities--exist here + to a degree which can hardly fail to involve the province in internal + dissensions, unless averted by the means which I respectfully + suggest. + +I had shortly afterwards the pleasure of receiving the following +expressions of satisfaction from His Imperial Majesty through the Prime +Minister:-- + + Rio, July 12, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have received the secret communications with + which you have favoured me, whereby I learn in detail the distinguished + conduct which you have pursued since quitting this port, + and the various difficulties with which, (to my regret) you have had + to contend. These are, however, of such a nature as to be + irremediable in our present circumstances; but let us hope they + will vanish when the empire is consolidated. + + Meanwhile your Excellency--being no less a politician than a + warrior, and enjoying to the utmost the confidence of His Imperial + Majesty--is fully empowered to adopt whatever means your judgment + may suggest to facilitate the important objects of your + commission. On this subject, I also refer to the Imperial authority + and other documents addressed to you in reply to your communications. + + I beg to add my personal thanks for the interesting communications + with which you have favoured me, of which I shall avail + myself in order to accomplish the objects desired to be effected. + + Be assured of the particular esteem and high consideration + with which I am, + + De V. Exa. + Attento venerador e criado, + JOZE BONIFACIO DE ANDRADA E SILVA. + +The Junta continuing its unreasonable demand, the moveable property +captured was embarked on board the _Pombinho_, and another vessel--both +prizes--for the purpose of being sent to Rio de Janeiro for +adjudication. I then directed the Provisional Government to furnish me +with an account of all money found in the treasury, customs, military +chest, and other departments; also of all military stores in the various +forts and magazines and of government property of every description, +such property having been wholly awarded to the captors by Imperial +decree of the 11th of December, 1822, issued to induce foreign seamen to +enter the service. + +On the 20th of August the Portuguese troops were ordered to depart for +Lisbon--Maranham being thus entirely freed from the presence of the +armaments upon which the mother country had relied for the maintenance +of her Northern provinces; this result, wholly unexpected by the +Imperial Government or the nation, having been accomplished within the +space of a few months, by measures adopted on my own responsibility. + +Still numerous vessels and much perishable property taken from the +enemy, remained on hand--with which it was difficult to deal. From +having manned the captured brig-of-war, _Don Miguel_--as well as the +prize vessel, _Pombinho_, from the crew of the flagship, it was not +expedient further to reduce her efficiency; so that there were no means +of forwarding the other prizes and property to Rio de Janeiro for +adjudication. I therefore apprised the Minister of Marine, that the only +course circumstances would permit me to pursue--though not perfectly +regular--would be to dispose of them and remit to the Government in +specie the amount realised; as, in case of my departure from Maranham, +they were certain to be improperly appropriated. Accordingly, an offer +was again made to the merchants, to accept two-thirds of their value in +specie, and to submit the amount to the further decision of the Court of +Admiralty, I little anticipating at the time the anti-Imperial +predilections of the members composing the prize tribunal at Rio de +Janeiro. + +The amount of the seizures effected by the squadron was very +considerable, comprising upwards of a hundred and twenty vessels, some +of which contained important cargoes. The aggregate amount of +these--together with merchandise found in the Custom-house--Government +and other public property and stores--was several millions of dollars, +and this by His Imperial Majesty's decree of the 11th of December, +1822--promulgated to attract foreign seamen into the Brazilian +service--was, as before mentioned, the property of the captors; the +Imperial Government, by that decree, disclaiming all share in it,--a +stipulation afterwards remorselessly violated. + +On the 25th of August, the province of Turi Assu sent in its adhesion to +the Empire, this favourable circumstance being however counteracted by +the arrival of deputies from the troops of Cearà and Piahuy, reporting +their revolutionary tendency, and demanding payment for their previous +service; the Piahuy troops--consisting for the most part of Indians +recruited in the interior--even threatened to march upon Maranham and +enforce their demand, although they had rendered no assistance. The +Junta, alarmed at this demonstration, now forwarded to me a request that +I would appropriate some portion of the captured property to satisfy the +importunity of the mutinous troops. + +Considering that the tranquillity of the province in a great measure +depended upon silencing these troops--who were not only clamorous and +menacing, but in a state of nakedness and destitution--which rendered it +probable that they might help themselves at the expense of the +inhabitants--I consented to the application of the Junta, placing at +their disposal the monies taken in the Portuguese treasury, amounting in +cash to Rs.62.560 $423 (60,560 dollars); that found in the custom-house, +to the amount of Rs.54.167 $877 (54,167 dollars); and outstanding bills +to the amount of Rs.147.316 $656 (147,316 dollars); making in the whole +Rs.264.044 $776 (264,044 dollars): accounts of these sums, and the +urgency of their appropriation to the necessities of the public service, +being duly forwarded to the Minister of Marine at Rio de Janeiro. + +These sums are thus minutely set forth, because it has been erroneously +represented that sixty contos of reis alone (60,000 dollars), were given +up to the Junta, though reference to the vouchers themselves would have +dissipated this error, which will be found to have an important bearing +upon a subsequent part of the narrative. It may be also necessary to +explain how "outstanding debts" could be owing to the Government. +Contrary to the English practice of paying duties to the revenue, before +goods are cleared from the custom-house, it was the habit of the +Portuguese authorities to permit their clearance on receipt of bills to +be paid after the goods were disposed of; hence merchants became +indebted to the Government in the amount of such engagements. + +It was impossible to avoid assisting the Junta, in the extremity alluded +to, as the neglected troops might have caused a dangerous _émeute_, +which would have proved injurious to the interests of His Imperial +Majesty. + +The assistance rendered to the Junta was given at the expense of the +officers and seamen, to whom the money of right belonged, and who looked +for its repayment as soon as circumstances would permit. On this subject +I wrote as follows to the Minister of Marine:-- + + Maranham, Aug. 26, 1833. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + Since I had the honour of addressing you deputies have arrived from + the troops of Cearà and Piahuy soliciting payment for their services. + The provisional Junta of Maranham have requested my assistance in + this object, and as I consider the tranquillity of this province to + depend in a great measure on the speedy payment of these forces, I + have placed at the disposal of the Junta various funds arising from + the capitulation of this place. This will doubtless be considered by + the seamen--who are the captors--as an unwarrantable sacrifice of + their rights in favour of mutinous troops, who have effected nothing; + but feeling confident of support from the Imperial Government on a + matter so essential to the public interest, I have had no hesitation + in assuring the seamen that they _will not be losers by their + captures being, in the first instance, applied to the relief of the + immediate exigencies of the State._ + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +On the 30th of August, I had the satisfaction to learn from Captain +Grenfell that his mission to Parà had been completely successful, the +frigate, together with another vessel of war, having been secured, the +former being, by my previous directions, named the _Imperatrice_, and +added to the Imperial navy; several merchantmen were also taken and sent +to Rio de Janeiro. + +The summons despatched by Captain Grenfell was--as has been said--based +upon the same _ruse_ as had been so successful at Maranham. In order to +produce a more decisive effect, it had been dated off the mouth of the +river, as though the squadron was there at anchor to compel submission +to the Imperial Government. The plan was so ably conducted by the +talented officer to whom it was entrusted, that although his force +consisted of less than a hundred men, the inhabitants of Parà, without a +dissentient voice--save that of the Portuguese commandant--pronounced +their adhesion to the Government of His Imperial Majesty, and thus a +province, greater in extent than France and England combined, was added +to the empire, and the independence of Brazil effected to its Northern +extremity. + +The only blood shed in the liberation of Parà, was that of Captain +Grenfell, who received a severe wound, treacherously inflicted by a +Portuguese who was hired to assassinate him! This cowardly act was +resorted to, on the discovery--when too late--that I was not in the +river, as the Portuguese authorities had been led to believe. + +The subjoined is Captain Grenfell's letter announcing the success of his +mission:-- + + H.I.M.B. Maranham, + + August 12, 1833. (Off Parà.) + + MY LORD, + + I have the honour to inform your Lordship that + your hopes of the union of Parà to the empire of Brazil are verified. + Agreeably to your Lordship's instructions, and in virtue of the + power conferred on me, I opened the communications with the + Junta, and enclose a letter from the General-at-Arms to your + Lordship, and am glad to inform you that his is the only dissenting + voice. I shall pursue the tenor of your Lordship's instructions + until further orders. + + I have the honour, &c. &c. + + J. PASCOE GRENFELL. + +I had directed Captain Grenfell--in case of a declaration of +independence by the inhabitants of Parà--to form a Junta, and to adopt +generally the same course as had been so instrumental in preserving +tranquillity at Maranham; giving him, moreover, power to employ the +resources at his command in supplying the exigencies of the Imperial +service generally, as might be necessary. A Provisional Government was +accordingly formed, though not to the satisfaction of a number of +refractory persons, who, on the pretence of adhesion to the Imperial +Government, connected themselves with a body of undisciplined troops, +and made an attempt to depose the newly constituted Junta, which applied +to Captain Grenfell for support. Landing his men, the insurrection was +with some difficulty put down; but as an ill feeling still prevailed, he +considered it necessary to make an example by ordering the trial of five +of the ringleaders, who, being condemned, were shot in the public +square. + +On the 9th of September, I apprised the Junta of Maranham of my +intention to proceed to Parà, though--being without instructions from +the Administration, I really purposed to sail for Rio de Janeiro; for as +the Provisional authority temporarily established was not, by any means +conducting public affairs in a satisfactory manner, I thought it as well +to keep them in ignorance of our real destination, in order that they +should believe me within reach, till the Imperial Government might +exercise its own discretion as to the future. + +The Junta of Maranham, indeed, appeared to have no other object than to +shew how liberty suddenly acquired could degenerate into despotism. It +was, for the most part, composed of men, who were not only united by +family connections and private friendship, but who were nearly allied, +as members of one influential family. No sooner had they been invested +with power, than they dismissed all civil and military officers, and +filled the vacant situations with their own friends, relations, and +dependents, without consideration as to their talents or qualifications, +thus equally exciting discontent amongst the Brazilians--who were +excluded, and the Portuguese--who were dismissed. + +Their chief aim was to maintain themselves in power against the will of +the people, who, now that tranquillity had been restored, desired a free +and general election of a Constitutional Government throughout the +province, in place of that which, of necessity, had been confined to the +city only. To put down what they considered disaffection--towards +themselves--the Junta brought into the city a large body of irregular +troops, intending, by means of these, to gratify their resentment +against the resident Portuguese, who, having taken the oaths of +allegiance to the Imperial Government, were entitled to protection. It +appeared, moreover, that the Junta and their friends owed large sums of +money to some of the more wealthy and influential Portuguese, and that +they intended to get rid of their debts, by the expulsion of their +creditors. + +As it was sufficiently clear that the Junta was determined not to be +advised, it became my duty to avert the evils in contemplation, by +expediting the change of administration so much desired by the people. +Therefore, on the 12th of September, I transmitted to the Junta, an +order for the election of a more comprehensive Government, as they were +only intended to remain in power until a general election throughout the +province could conveniently take place. Satisfactory as was this measure +to the public, it was anything but agreeable to the despotic body, at +whose ill-advised measures it was aimed; their resource being to +increase the ferment amongst the soldiery brought into the city to +uphold their authority, and who--partly from motives of revenge, but +more from the hope of plunder--were eager to execute the hostile +intentions of the Junta against the Portuguese. + +An attempt to arrest the president of the Camara, Senor Luiz Salgado, by +the General-at-arms--who had reason to suspect Salgado of intriguing to +remove him from office, gave a pretext for disturbance. On the night of +the 14th of September, the troops rose and plundered many Portuguese +houses, compelling their owners to fly for safety to neutral and other +vessels in the harbour. They then deposed the General-at-arms, and chose +Salgado in his stead, a proceeding which was next day confirmed by a +decree of the Junta, in conjunction with the Camara. + +Addressing a letter to Salgado, I firmly refused to acknowledge him as +commandant, telling him, at the same time, that his only means of being +recognised as a Brazilian citizen, was by allaying the ferment he had +contributed to raise. I wrote also to the Junta and Camara, threatening +to act in a decisive manner, if these disgraceful scenes were not +instantly put an end to, pointing out to them that, as they were the +chief proprietors of houses and stores, so they would be the greatest +sufferers from anarchy. This step checked the disturbance, but the Junta +granted the riotous military a gratuity, levied on the Portuguese who +had been attacked. The more respectable of whom soon after quitted +Maranham in disgust. + +It must, however, be stated that these disorders admitted of some +palliation, from the consideration that hundreds of Brazilians had been +transported to Lisbon, by the Portuguese authorities, when in power; +whilst hundreds of others were on my arrival imprisoned at Maranham, in +the gaols and vessels in the harbour. On my entrance into the city, I +released numbers of these, and saved many others from impending +incarceration. + +By the 18th, though tranquillity was restored, I postponed the election +of a general provisional Junta till the 20th of October, hoping that +before that period, a reply to my earnest entreaties for instructions, +would arrive from the Imperial Government. It was for the sake of +preserving order during the interval, that I had announced my intention +of taking the _Pedro Primiero_ to Parà only, well knowing that a belief +in her speedy return to Maranham would have a salutary influence in +maintaining public peace. + +Intelligence of the reduction of Maranham, and the annexation of that +province, together with the province of Parà, to the empire, was +received at Rio de Janeiro with surprise and delight;--surprise, that, +in less than six months, without military force, and, in truth, with one +ship of war only, so much had been effected--and delight that the Empire +was cleared of its enemies without the expense and uncertainty of +expeditions which had been calculated on. All Brazilians were eager to +vie with each other in the expression of entire satisfaction with my +exertions. + +His Imperial Majesty was pleased to reward the services rendered, by +creating me Marquis of Maranhaõ, as the fittest title to commemorate the +advantages gained for the empire, at the same time awarding me an estate +commensurate with the dignity of the honours conferred; the "Assemblea +Geral, Constituente e Legislativa" adding a vote of thanks in the name +of the nation. The estate, however, _was never given_, notwithstanding +that, at Maranham, and in other of the Northern provinces, numerous fine +properties, appertaining to the Portuguese Crown, were added to the +Imperial domain. The inconsistency of this was remarkable, seeing that I +had been the means of adding to Brazil a territory larger than half +Europe--for which service I was warmly thanked by the Emperor, his +Ministers, and also by the General Assembly--the latter body, +nevertheless, refusing to confirm the gift of even so minute a portion +of the vast territory unexpectedly added to the Empire. + +The subjoined is the Imperial order, elevating me to the Marquisate:-- + + His Majesty the Emperor, taking into consideration the great services + which your Excellency has just rendered to the nation by assisting to + liberate the city of Bahia from the unjust Lusitanian yoke, and + afterwards wisely aiding the honourable inhabitants of the province + of Maranham in throwing off the said foreign domination, so that they + were enabled, according to their desire, to acknowledge His Majesty + as their constitutional Emperor; and desiring to give your Excellency + a public testimonial of gratitude for these great and extraordinary + services (_per estse altos e extraordinarios serviços_) on behalf of + the generous Brazilian people, who will ever preserve a lively + remembrance of such illustrious acts, I deem it right to confer upon + your Excellency the title of Marquis of Maranhaõ. My Secretary of + State will expedite the necessary patent which I communicate to your + Excellency for your information. + + God preserve your Excellency many years. + + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, 25th of November, 1823. + (Signed) JOAÕ SEVERIANO MACIEL DA COSTA. + +The annexed is the vote of thanks awarded by the _"Assemblea Geral"_ +which, as has been said, refused to recognise His Majesty's gift of an +estate in order to support in a dignified manner the title which His +Majesty had graciously been pleased to confer. The reason assigned for +this extraordinary proceeding, in a lengthy debate on the subject was, +that in granting me an estate His Majesty had exercised a feudal +prerogative inconsistent with a free country. + + The General Constituent and Legislative Assembly having been + officially informed that your Excellency, after having freed the + province of Bahia from the oppression of Portuguese troops, and + having pursued them beyond the equinoctial line, led the squadron on + your own judgment and responsibility to the port of the city of St. + Louis of Maranhaõ, where, with your accustomed valour and singular + good judgment, you dislodged the Portuguese troops, who had kept down + the patriotism of its generous inhabitants, and accomplished their + liberation, so that they proclaimed and spontaneously swore with + unanimity their independence of Portugal and their decided union with + the Brazilian empire. The General Constituent and Legislative + Assembly, acknowledging the importance of these great services has + decreed in this day's session that there shall be given to your + Excellency in the name of the nation which it represents the thanks + due. + + Charged as organs to transmit this resolution to your Excellency, + we fulfil the task with pleasure, and have the honour to lay the + same before your Excellency. + + God preserve your Excellency. + + Palace of the Assembly, Oct. 3, 1823. + + + MARTIN FRANCISCO EIBEIEO DE ANDEADA, + JOAÕ SEVERIANO MACIEL DA COSTA, + MIGUEL CALMON DU PIN E ALMEIDA. + +This vote of thanks by the Assembly contains a remarkable error, by +averring that I "led the squadron" to Maranhaõ, whereas I had only a +single ship, and with her singly performed all for which I received the +thanks of the nation. + +In the interval between this recognition of my services and my return to +Rio de Janeiro, an unfortunate change had taken place in the Councils of +His Imperial Majesty, introductive of persons more favourable to the +interests of Portugal than to furtherance of the judicious measures +contemplated by His Majesty for the consolidation of the +newly-constituted empire. To the obstructive aspirations of these +persons--in ill-concealed concert with the designs of the parent +state--my annexation of the Northern provinces necessarily proved +fatal; and they ever afterwards regarded me with an animosity which +appeared to increase as the empire became, by these, and my subsequent +exertions, more firmly established. + +Sailing from Maranham on the 20th of September, the _Pedro Primiero_ +arrived at Rio de Janeiro on the 9th of November--the Emperor doing me +the honour to come on board to welcome me. I immediately forwarded to +the Minister of Marine a recapitulation of all transactions since my +departure seven months before; viz. the evacuation of Bahia by the +Portuguese in consequence of our nocturnal visit, connected with the +dread of my reputed skill in the use of fireships, as arising from the +affair of Basque Roads; the pursuit of their fleet beyond the Equator, +and the dispersion of its convoy; the capture and disabling of the +transports filled with troops intended to maintain Portuguese domination +in Maranham and Parà; the device adopted to obtain the surrender to the +_Pedro Primiero_ alone of the enemy's naval and military forces at +Maranham; the capitulation of Parà with the ships of war to my summons +sent by Captain Grenfell; the deliverance of the Brazilian patriots whom +the Portuguese had imprisoned; the declaration of independence by the +intermediate provinces thus liberated, and their union with the empire; +the appointment of Provisional Governments; the embarkation and final +departure of every Portuguese soldier from Brazil; and the enthusiasm +with which all my measures--though unauthorised and therefore extra +official--- had been received by the people of the Northern provinces, +who--thus relieved from the dread of further oppression--had everywhere +acknowledged and proclaimed His Imperial Majesty "Constitutional +Emperor." + +The powers which I had taken upon myself to exercise during this +eventful period, were, no doubt; in excess of those conferred by my +orders, but, knowing that everything depended upon the annexation and +pacification of the Northern provinces by the expulsion of the +enemy--setting aside my own interests--I considered it better for the +welfare of the empire to exceed my instructions, than to entail the +continuance of civil war by confining my operations within their scope. +In the exercise of this self-imposed duty it may be said that I had also +exercised Imperial functions, but this was only in the unavoidable +absence of Imperial instructions, which it was my constant endeavour to +anticipate rather than to exceed; that I judged and acted rightly, the +elevation to the title of Marquis of Maranhaõ, before reaching Rio de +Janeiro--the vote of thanks of the legislature, and the warm +acknowledgment of His Imperial Majesty on landing, sufficiently testify. +In addition to the gracious reception accorded by His Majesty, I +received from his own hands a decoration of the Imperial Order of the +Cruizeiro, and, though a foreigner, was subsequently nominated to the +high office of Privy Councillor--the greatest honour in the Imperial +gift to bestow. + +During my absence from Rio de Janeiro, Lady Cochrane--ignorant of my +having quitted Chili--was on her way to rejoin me at Valparaiso, but +the vessel in which she embarked, having fortunately put into Rio de +Janeiro, she was at once made acquainted with my change of service, and +remained in the capital till my return. The most hospitable attention +was paid to her by the Royal family, the Empress conferring upon her the +appointment of Lady of Honour to Her Majesty. The relief to my mind on +finding Lady Cochrane at Rio de Janeiro was very great, for, as there +had not been opportunity to apprise her of my departure from Chili in +time to prevent her return thither, it had been a constant source of +regret to me that she would have to endure the discomfort of two tedious +voyages round Cape Horn before she could join me in Brazil. The +fortunate circumstance of putting into Rio happily terminated the +embarrassment. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +FIRST EFFORT 10 CURTAIL THE IMPERIAL POWER--PORTUGUESE +INTRIGUE--DISMISSAL Of THE ANDRADAS--THE ASSEMBLY DISSOLVED BY +FORCE--EXILE OF THE ANDRADAS--LETTER TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY--MY ADVICE +PARTLY ADOPTED--AND CAUSES MINISTERIAL ENMITY TOWARDS ME--RATIFICATION +Of MY PATENT--I DEMAND THE ADJUDICATION OF PRIZES--LETTER TO THE +MINISTER OF MARINE--OFFER OF PERSONAL ADVANTAGE TO FOREIGN +CLAIMS--SQUADRON REMAINED UNPAID--I AM APPOINTED A PRIVY COUNCILLOR--THE +PRIZE VESSELS PLUNDERED--SHAMEFUL TREATMENT OF CAPTAIN +GRENFELL--TROUBLES IN PERNAMBUCO--HOSTILITY OF THE PRIZE +TRIBUNAL--CONDEMNS ME TO THE RESTITUTION OF PRIZES--FORBIDS MAKING ANY +CAPTURES AT ALL. + + +Shortly before returning to Rio de Janeiro, a total change had taken +place in the administration of which José Bonifacio de Andrada was the +head. As that minister's views were patriotic, he was, in consequence, +obnoxious to the Portuguese faction, which had made one or two +unsuccessful efforts to supplant him, these only serving to confirm his +power amongst the people, who justly appreciated his leadership in the +cause of independence. Becoming, thus, more confident in his position, +he was accused, whether rightly or wrongly, of intolerance towards +persons who were plotting against him, though, even if the accusation +were true, he was scarcely to blame for discountenancing those whose +chief aim was to paralyse the independence they were unable to prevent. + +On the proclamation of the Empire, two influential Portuguese, in the +Assembly, endeavoured to impose a condition on the Emperor that, before +ascending the throne, he should make oath to a constitution framed by +the Constituent Assembly alone, thus reducing His Majesty to a cypher in +the hands of the legislature. The proposition was plausible enough to +those who were anticipating power, but it gave rise to such dissensions, +that Bonifacio de Andrada and his brother sent in their resignations, +which, under these difficult circumstances, were accepted by the +Emperor. + +A violent tumult amongst the people was the immediate consequence, and +His Majesty was induced to recall the patriotic Andradas to the +cabinet--they however, refusing to resume their functions, unless their +Portuguese opponents were banished; to this the Emperor assented, and +the Andradas returned to office amidst the plaudits of the populace, who +drew the carriage of José de Andrada in triumph into the town. + +As might have been expected, less tolerance was manifested by the +triumphant ministers than before, this just but perhaps impolitic course +being eagerly seized on by the Portuguese faction to excite the +apprehension of the patriots, who were somewhat dissatisfied by the +revival of what were considered feudal usages; above all, by the +creation of an Imperial Guard of Honour, selected from the youth of the +principal families, who were required to take an oath "of implicit +obedience to His Majesty"--this act being especially represented by the +adverse faction as evincing a tendency to absolutism. + +On the 20th of June, 1823, a project of law had been laid before the +Assembly, for the expulsion of all Portuguese deemed hostile to the +cause of the empire. This measure might have originated with the +Andradas, or not; it was certainly defended in the Assembly by Antonio +Andrada. The Portuguese party, alarmed by the still impending danger, +formed a coalition with the Brazilian party, to eject the Andradas from +the ministry, and having, during a severe illness of the Emperor, gained +the ascendancy, the now obnoxious ministers were dismissed; and--though +the patriots had not calculated thereon--were succeeded by the leaders +of the Portuguese faction itself, who, to the regret of all true +Brazilians, effected an immediate change of policy in the Government. + +The chief object of the new administration, appeared to be to limit the +functions of the Emperor to an extent almost subversive of his +authority; His Majesty, in the unsettled state of the empire, being +comparatively powerless amidst the machinations with which he was +surrounded. + +No constitution had, as yet, been fixed upon--His Majesty resenting the +former attempt to force upon him a constitution framed solely by the +will of the Assembly, which was still seeking an opportunity to assert +its supremacy. As the city and province abounded with influential +Portuguese, desirous of overthrowing the new _régime_, and as many of +these were in the Assembly, there was a total want of unity between the +Emperor and his legislature, the administration leaning to the side of +the latter. + +About this time, the Marquis of Palmella had widely circulated a +document, appealing to the loyalty of the Portuguese, and declaring the +policy desired by the mother country; which policy was--to divide Brazil +into a number of petty states, easy to be intimidated and controlled. As +this scheme held out large promise of irresponsible power to influential +persons in such anticipated states--it could scarcely fail to be +agreeable to many expectants of office, whose interest it therefore was +to prevent the consolidation of the empire, by promoting disunion. It +was scarcely a secret that some in the administration were favourable to +these views, though not openly professing them; so that the patriotic +efforts of His Majesty were paralysed, and the administration, no less +than the legislature, exhibited a policy seriously detrimental to the +interests of the Empire. + +Indeed, a powerful party in the legislative assembly openly called in +question the Emperor's authority--even requiring His Majesty to divest +himself of his crown in their presence. They deprived him of his council +of state; denied him a voice in the enactment of laws, and the functions +of administration; even objecting to His Majesty's exercise of the +common prerogative of royalty to confer crown lands as territorial +rewards for public services--the latter limitation of the royal +prerogative being avowedly directed against the grant of an estate to +myself, as spontaneously accorded by His Majesty, in gratitude for my +recent services to the nation. + +This was the state of affairs on my return to Rio de Janeiro, and as +His Majesty did me the honour to consult with me in his difficulties, +I unhesitatingly recommended him to support his dignity +constitutionally--despite all attempts made for its limitation by the +Portuguese faction; which--extraordinary as it may appear--was now said +to be countenanced by the Andradas, who, though out of office, were +still deputies to the assembly, and who--in consequence of their +dismissal from power--were considered to be giving opposition to every +measure calculated to promote unity between the Emperor and the +legislature. The Brazilian patriots--and with good reason--were becoming +alarmed, lest an attempt might yet be made to place Portugal and Brazil +upon their former relative footing, and the Emperor, who was thoroughly +Brazilian--from a conviction that Portuguese ascendancy could never be +regained--was no less so. + +Matters, at length, rose to such a pitch in the assembly, that the +intentions of the factious majority became no longer doubtful, when His +Majesty somewhat unceremoniously adopted the course pursued in England +by Cromwell in a somewhat similar predicament, viz. to dissolve the +assembly, and, should it prove refractory, to turn the members out by +force. Cutting short all farther altercation with his legislature, the +scene of the English protectorate was re-enacted in Brazil; the Emperor +entering Rio de Janeiro at the head of a body of cavalry--surrounding +the chamber with a military force--planting cannon before it--and +ordering its instantaneous dissolution; the members--after in vain +remonstrating against this proceeding--being compelled to retire. + +The Andradas were soon afterwards arrested, and exiled--a proceeding +impolitic and unjust to men who had laid the foundation of Brazilian +independence, and who were no less distinguished by their honesty than +their ability. By consenting to their exile, His Majesty lost three +valuable servants, and at the same time placed himself in the hands of a +faction which he never afterwards controlled, and which eventually +forced him from his throne. + +As the expulsion of the Assembly--whether justifiable or not, it is not +my province to inquire--was decisive, it was obviously of the greatest +importance to follow it up by some measure which should convince the +public that so extreme a course was intended for their good. As yet no +permanent constitution had been declared This, therefore, was clearly +the moment for its proclamation, no less to satisfy the people--who +were heart and soul with the Emperor--than to prevent retaliation by the +faction which had been thus summarily dealt with. + +Seeing that nothing was promptly acted upon in an emergency involving +the stability of Government, I addressed to His Imperial Majesty the +following letter:-- + + Rio de Janeiro, November 14, 1823. + + SIRE, + + My sense of the impropriety of intruding myself on the + attention of your Imperial Majesty, on any subject unconnected + with the official position with which your Majesty has been pleased + to honour me, could only have been overcome by an irresistible + desire, under existing circumstances, to contribute to the service of + your Majesty and the Empire. + + The conduct of the late legislative assembly, which sought to + derogate from the dignity and prerogatives of Your Majesty--even + presuming to require you to divest yourself of your crown in their + presence--who deprived you of your Council of State--denied you + a voice in the enactment of laws and the formation of the constitution, + and who dared to object to your exercising the only + remaining function of royalty--that of rewarding services, and + conferring honours--could no longer be tolerated; and the justice + and wisdom of Your Imperial Majesty in dissolving such an + assembly will be duly appreciated by discerning men, and by those + whose love of good order and their country supersedes their ambition + or personal interests. There are, however, individuals who will + wickedly take advantage of the late proceedings to kindle the flames + of discord, and throw the empire into anarchy and confusion, unless + timely prevented by the wisdom and energy of Your Imperial + Majesty. + + The declaration that you will give to your people a practical + constitution, more free than even that which the late assembly + professed an intention to establish, cannot--considering the spirit + which now pervades South America--have the effect of averting + impending evils, unless Your Imperial Majesty shall be pleased to + dissipate all doubts by _at once declaring_--before news of the recent + events can be dispersed throughout the provinces, and before the + discontented members of the late congress can return to their + constituents--what is the precise nature of that constitution which + Your Imperial Majesty intends to bestow. + + Permit me, then, humbly and respectfully to suggest to Your + Imperial Majesty, as a means of tranquillising the public mind--of + averting evils at home, and preventing injurious representations + abroad--that, _even before the sailing of the next packet for Europe_, + Your Majesty should specifically declare the nature of the government + you are graciously pleased should be adopted. As no monarch + is more happy, or more truly powerful than the limited monarch of + England, surrounded by a free people, enriched by that industry + which the security of property by means of just laws never fails to + create--if Your Majesty were to decree that the English constitution, + in its most perfect practical form (which, with slight + alteration, and, chiefly in name, is also the constitution of the + United States of North America), shall be the model for the + Government of Brazil under Your Imperial Majesty, with power to + the constituent assembly so to alter particular parts as local + circumstances may render advisable--it would excite the sympathy + of powerful states abroad, and the firm allegiance of the Brazilian + people to Your Majesty's throne. + + Were Your Majesty, by a few brief lines in the Gazette, to + announce your intention so to do, and were you to banish all + distrust from the public mind by removing from your person for a + time, and finding employment on honourable missions abroad, for + those Portuguese individuals of whom the Brazilians are jealous--the + purity of Your Majesty's motives would be secured from the + possibility of misrepresentation--the factions which disturb the + country would be silenced or converted--and the feelings of the + world, especially those of England and North America, would + be interested in promoting the glory, happiness, and prosperity + of Your Imperial Majesty. + + These thoughts, hastily expressed, but most respectfully submitted + to your gracious consideration will, I hope, be candidly appreciated + by Your Imperial Majesty, proceeding, as they do, from the + heart of + + Your Majesty's most faithful and dutiful Servant, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +His Majesty saw good to adopt this advice in part, but in offering +it--though instrumental in establishing the political liberties of +Brazil--I had unconsciously placed myself in the position of a partisan +against the powerful faction which influenced the administration, and +through them every part of the empire. My unauthorised services after +the pursuit of the Portuguese fleet and army--resulting in the +annexation of the Northern provinces--had drawn upon me the resentment +of those now in power whose ultimate intentions were thus defeated. That +I--a foreigner, having nothing to do with national politics--should have +counselled His Majesty to banish those who opposed him, was not to be +borne, and the resentment caused by my recent services was increased to +bitter enmity for meddling in affairs which it was considered did not +concern me; though I could have had no other object than the good of the +Empire by the establishment of a constitution which should give it +stability in the estimation of European states. + +The effect of this enmity towards me personally, was not long in +manifesting itself, and fearing the extent to which this might be +carried, I lost no time in demanding that the patent under which I had +been invested with the grade of "First Admiral," should be formally +engrossed and registered, according to the engagement of the late Prime +Minister, previous to my departure for Bahia. On the 25th of November, +this was accordingly done, and a commission conferring the same pay and +emolument as before--without limitation as to time, received the sign +manual--was counter-signed by the Ministers--sealed with the great +seal--and registered in the archives of the empire; His Majesty further +testifying his approbation of my conduct and services, by directing the +transmission of the completed patent without payment of the usual fees. + +The following are the stipulations of the commission so solemnly +conferred--but afterwards shamefully violated without cause, as though +fidelity to its engagements formed no part of national honour and good +faith:-- + + I, Don Pedro, by the grace of God, and the unanimous voice + of the people, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender + of Brazil, hereby make known to those who shall see this my + charter patent, that the valour, intelligence, and activity united in + Admiral Lord Cochrane, now Marquis of Maranhaõ, who has so + distinguished himself in the different services with which he has + been entrusted--giving proof of the greatest bravery and talent; + and seeing how advantageous it would be for the interests of this + empire to avail itself of the skill of so valuable an officer--consider + it beneficial to confer upon him--as by this charter is + confirmed--the patent of "First Admiral," with the annual pay of + eleven contos five hundred and twenty milreas, as well ashore as + afloat; and farther in table money, when embarked, five contos + seven hundred and seventy milreas--which are the same emoluments + as he received in Chili. No admiral in the service having + any right to consider himself entitled to succeed to the post of + First Admiral, which I create solely for this occasion for the motives + expressed, and from the particular consideration merited by the said + admiral. + + The pay referred to shall be entered in the books to which it + appertains, in order to the payments when due. In attestation + of that which I have hereby commanded, I give this charter + under the sign manual and sealed with the great seal of the + Empire. + + Given in the city of Rio de Janeiro on the 25th day of the month + of November, in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1823. Second + of Independence and of this empire. + + + (Signed) IMPERADOR P. + Countersigned by all the Ministers. + +From the difference of expression used in this commission, as compared +with the temporary commission given previous to my departure for Bahia, +it is clear that my late services were fully recognised; and from the +fact that the new commission was conferred after the war was ended by +the annexation of Bahia, Maranham, Parà, and all the intermediate +provinces, it is equally clear that my rank and pay--as originally +stipulated were conferred without limitation of time--a circumstance +which will have to be borne to mind. + +This being complied with, I requested an order for the speedy +adjudication of the prize property surrendered at Maranham, the +flagship's portion being Rs. 607.315 $000, or £.121,463 sterling, in +addition to the captures made by the squadron generally--no less than +one hundred and twenty enemy's ships, with Portuguese registers and +crews, having been taken, the value, at a very moderate computation, +amounting to upwards of 2,000,000 dollars. As officers and men were +anxiously awaiting their prize money, it became my duty to the squadron +to urge its stipulated distribution upon the consideration of the +Government. + +His Majesty directed this to be done, but the prize tribunal +appointed--consisting of thirteen members, nine of whom were natives of +Portugal--was directly interested in defeating the claims of the +captors, being inimical to any confiscation of Portuguese vessels and +property taken in the late campaign. Not venturing, as yet, openly to +act in this spirit, they adopted the alternative of doing nothing +towards adjudicating the prizes. + +Finding this to be the case, and fearing that the Portuguese tendencies +of the new administration might interfere with the repayment of the sums +temporarily supplied to the Maranham Junta--I addressed the following +letter to the new Minister of Marine, Francisco Villela Barbosa:-- + + (Secret.) Rio de Janeiro, November 18, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + In my letter, No. 38, I communicated to your + predecessor my intention of aiding the Provisional Junta of + Maranham, in the payment of the auxiliary troops of Cearà and + Piahuy, who being in a naked and destitute condition had become + clamorous for their arrears; and I now beg to state that in prosecution + of such intention, I placed at the disposal of the Junta the + monies taken in the Portuguese treasury, amounting in cash and + good bills to Rs. 62,560 $243, together with outstanding debts + amounting to Rs. 147,316 $656, and I have also left in their + hands the balance which we found in the Portuguese custom-house, + amounting to Rs. 54,167 $877. All these accounts I have the + honour to convey to you for the information of the Imperial + Government. + + In addition to these large sums, I left at the disposal of the + Junta much moveable property which belonged to Portuguese + individuals in Europe, desiring the authorities to render an + account of the same for the information of the Imperial Government. + + Your Excellency will perceive that in leaving at Maranham these + monies, and other property captured from the enemy, instead of + bringing them to Rio for adjudication, we could be influenced by no + other motive than zeal for the interests of His Imperial Majesty + and the good of his people; as by so doing, we enabled the + Provisional Government to meet the present exigencies of the + moment, and to quiet the Cearà and Piahuy troops; whilst the + revenue of the province thus remains clear and unanticipated-- + being applicable to such purposes as His Imperial Majesty shall + command. All which I trust His Imperial Majesty will take into + his gracious consideration, and be pleased to award such compensation + to the officers and seamen as he, in his princely justice, + shall deem fit. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +For some days no notice was taken of this letter, but on the 24th I +received a visit from the Minister of Marine, bringing what professed to +be a verbal message from His Majesty, that he "would do every thing in +his power for me _personally_." The way in which this intimation was +conveyed led me to infer that these personal favours implied a sacrifice +on my part of the rights of the squadron, by shutting my eyes to the +restoration of the captured Portuguese ships and property to the friends +and adherents of the ministry, for the purpose of conciliating the +Portuguese party. Taking the message, however, literally--I told the +Minister that His Majesty had "already conferred honours upon me quite +equal to my merits--and that the greatest personal favour he could +bestow, was, to urge on the speedy adjudication of the prizes, so that +the officers and seamen might reap the reward decreed by the Emperor's +own authority." + +The policy of the Portuguese faction in power, was--now that the +squadron had expelled the fleet and army of the mother country--to +conciliate their countrymen who remained, and thus to create and +maintain an influence which should reduce the Imperial authority to the +smallest possible dimensions. The first object--if I could be brought to +acquiesce--was to restore Portuguese property, captured by Imperial +order, and now the right of the captors--my connivance being supposed to +be procurable by offers of personal enrichment! I scarcely need say that +the offer failed in its purpose. + +As the squadron had received no pay during the performance of all its +services, it became my duty to urge attention to the subject, and this +was apparently complied with, the 27th of November being appointed for +the payment of the men. On that day _three months' pay only_ was offered +to them, notwithstanding all they had achieved. This paltry pittance was +refused. + +About this time the extraordinary news was received, that great +rejoicings and a general illumination had taken place in Lisbon in +consequence of the destruction of the Brazilian squadron by the +Portuguese fleet at Bahia! this version having, no doubt, been +transmitted home subsequently to the affair of the 4th of May. +Singularly enough, these ill-founded rejoicings were going on in Lisbon +at the time the flagship was chasing the Portuguese fleet across the +Equator! It is difficult to say how the Portuguese admiral contrived to +reconcile this premature vaunt, and the unwelcome fact of his arrival in +the Tagus, with the loss of half his troops and more than half his +convoy. + +On the 2nd of December despatches arrived from Captain Grenfell at Parà, +stating that he had possession of the new Portuguese frigate, which +according to my directions, had been named the _Imperatrice_. He had +also captured another vessel of war, and several merchantmen; thus +fulfilling his difficult mission in a way which justified my confidence +in his ability, and should have merited the warmest thanks from the +government, instead of the treatment he subsequently experienced. + +On the 19th of December, His Majesty appointed me a member of the Privy +Council, the highest honour in his power to bestow. It was a singular +circumstance that whilst His Imperial Majesty consulted me on matters of +importance, and manifested his appreciation both of my opinions and +services by the honours conferred--his anti-Brazilian ministers were +practising every species of annoyance towards myself and the +squadron--more especially in the matter of the prizes, the condemnation +of which they obstinately opposed. + +It would be wearisome to enter into details of the annoyance and injury +now systematised by the Portuguese faction in the administration; +nevertheless, in order to appreciate subsequent occurrences, it is +necessary briefly to advert to these matters. The personal feeling +against myself was easily accounted for from my adherence to the Emperor +in opposition to interested councils, which imperilled the existence of +the Empire. These councils His Majesty was unable to disregard or to +counteract the injury inflicted on the officers and seamen, by the +conduct of the Court of Admiralty towards the squadron; a policy +persevered in with the object of annihilating the naval force, for no +other reason than that its achievements had rendered itself obnoxious to +the Portuguese faction--the leaders of which no doubt calculated, that +if the officers and crews could be worried out of the service, the +dismemberment of the Northern provinces might yet be effected by +disunion. + +On the 13th of December, I wrote to the Minister of Marine that, as the +prize vessels were daily being plundered, an immediate investigation was +necessary--they having, by order of the administration, been delivered +over to the charge of the inspector of the arsenal, the naval officers +in charge being withdrawn. One officer was put in prison for obeying my +orders to remain on board his prize till I received an answer from the +Minister of Marine. The ship he had in charge (_the Pombinho_) was +immediately afterwards given up to a Portuguese claim ant, together with +all its contents, promiscuously taken from the custom house at Maranham, +none of which ever belonged to him. + +A number of additional prizes had been sent in by Captain Taylor, of the +_Nitherohy_, who had pursued the scattered ships of the enemy to the +Tagus, and there burned four vessels under the guns of the +line-of-battle ship _Don John VI_. For this he was sentenced by the +prize council to six months imprisonment, and to forfeit double the +amount of his prize money, on behalf of the owners of the property +destroyed; it being thus decided by the _quasi_ Portuguese prize +tribunal that, to destroy enemy's property, in pursuance of His +Majesty's orders, was a crime! + +Captain Grenfell having arrived in the frigate _Imperatrice_--captured +at Parà--bringing with him some forty thousand dollars--the ransom for +prizes there taken, as had been done at Maranham--the _Imperatrice_ was +boarded in his absence, and the money carried to the treasury, though by +His Majesty guaranteed to the captors. Captain Grenfell was afterwards +charged with acting in opposition to the Junta at Parà, though only +carrying out my instructions. Upon this charge he was tried and +acquitted. + +In consequence of these and other arbitrary acts, I represented to His +Majesty the necessity of forming some definite maritime code, which +should put an end to proceedings so arbitrary, and proposed the adoption +of the naval laws of England as the most experienced and complete. His +Majesty approving the suggestion, directed me to transmit a memorial on +the subject to the Privy Council, which was accordingly done. + +By this, and similar suggestions to His Majesty, with view to render the +navy more efficient, I was widening the breach between myself and the +Portuguese party in the administration, whose object it was to frustrate +any attempt of the kind. It was not long before an overt blow was struck +at my authority as Commander-in-Chief by the preparation of the +_Atalanta_ for sea without my intervention. Imagining that she might be +on some secret service, I disregarded the circumstance, till, on the +27th of December, a notice appeared in the Gazette announcing her +destination to be for the blockade of Monte Video, whilst I was +mentioned in the Gazette, under the limited title of "Commander of the +naval forces in the port of Rio de Janeiro." Thus, by a stroke of the +Minister's pen, was I, despite the patents of His Imperial Majesty, +reduced to the rank of Port Admiral. + +Convinced that this had been done without the sanction or even knowledge +of the Emperor, I protested against the despatch of the _Atalanta_, +except through my orders, as well as against the limitation indicated by +my new title--contrary to the agreement under which I entered the +service, as twice confirmed by Imperial commissions--further informing +the Minister of Marine that, although no one could be less ambitious of +power than myself, I could not allow an agreement solemnly entered into +to be thus violated. + +The remonstrance as regarded the _Atalanta_ was effectual, and she was +not despatched; but--as regarded the limitation of my rank--no notice +was taken. + +Intelligence now arrived from Pernambuco that a strong party was there +endeavouring to establish a Republic, and that preparatory steps were +being taken to throw off allegiance to the Empire. + +The expedition sent by the ministry to put down this rising at +Pernambuco was a premeditated insult to me, as not having been at all +consulted in the matter; and the reason why an inexperienced officer had +been sent, doubtless was, that the ministry did not wish the +insurrection to be put down. In this respect the expedition fulfilled +the wishes of those who despatched it, by having failed. On its return I +personally received _His Majesty's orders_ that the _Pedro Primiero_, +_Piranga_, _Nitherohy_, and _Atalanta_, should be immediately equipped +for important service. It was easy thus to give orders to equip a +squadron, but after the treatment received, not so easy to effect it. +All the foreign seamen had abandoned the ships in disgust, and to have +shipped Portuguese would have been worse than useless. I wrote to the +Minister of Marine that the squadron could not be manned unless +confidence was restored amongst the men, the shameful proceedings of the +prize court having disinclined them to re-enter the service,--even if +they did, I could not be responsible for order and discipline, or for +the safety of the ships, unless some definite adjustment as to pay and +prize money took place before putting to sea. + +In the face of these remonstrances the prize tribunal adopted an openly +hostile course, by altogether denying the right of the squadron to the +prizes taken at Maranham, or the property there seized in the custom +house, and shipped by me on board the _Pombinho_ and another vessel. The +_Pombinho_, as has been said, was declared an illegal prize, and given +up to her Portuguese owner, together with all public property contained +in her, though to this he had not the shadow of a claim, as the whole +cargo belonged originally to others, and had been put on board this +particular ship by my orders for transmission to Rio de Janeiro. Numbers +of similar decisions were made, on the false plea that Maranham +previously formed part of the Brazilian empire, and consequently that +all the seizures effected were invalid! + +I remonstrated that, on our arrival at Maranham, the city and province +were, and ever had been, in possession of Portugal--that the Portuguese +had by the ordinary capitulations of war delivered up both to an armed +Brazilian force without question--and that, by a previous decree of the +Emperor, no less than by the customary usages of war, all enemy's +property fell to the captors. The prize court not only overruled the +objection, but condemned me to make restitution of all sums received in +ransom for property taken at Maranham. In one instance the tribunal +declared me deserving of corporal punishment (_pena corporal!_) and +would, had they dared, doubtless have enforced this, and the restitution +to which I was condemned. + +As the plunder of prize property was becoming notorious, the tribunal +directed it to be unloaded, in order to prevent the cargoes from being +_damaged!_ but, on the execution of the order it was found that all the +valuable portion had already disappeared! How, of course could not be +ascertained; but no one doubted. The ships themselves were neglected +till they became useless to the original owners, the Government, or the +captors. + +Thus, of this vast amount of property taken in the campaign, not a +_milrea_ was suffered to find its way into the pockets of the officers +and men, and the squadron would have been wholly defrauded of its +reward, had I not refused to give up to the prize tribunal the +comparatively trifling sums received in redemption of the seizures at +Maranham; these being retained on board the flagship in consequence of +the unjustifiable course which the tribunal was pursuing. A plot was, +however, formed to seize it by force, but this was met by such measures +as were calculated to prevent a renewal of the attempt. + +The prize tribunal being thus determined to deprive the squadron of the +whole of its emoluments, proceeded to condemn the ships of war taken as +being _droits_ to the crown, without compensation of any kind, +notwithstanding that the before-mentioned Imperial decree of the 11th of +December, 1822, awarded all prizes wholly to the captors. The tribunal +then issued a decree, that vessels taken within a certain distance from +the shore--where alone a blockade could be effective--were not lawful +seizures; the effect being that, as the squadron was about to blockade +Pernambuco it could have no opportunity of falling in with enemy's +vessels at sea, and therefore _could not make captures at all!_ Thus +enemy's ships would be permitted to carry on their revolutionary +occupations unmolested; which was, no doubt, the intention of those who +framed the resolution, as wishing to defeat the blockade for their own +purposes. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +REMONSTRANCE AGAINST DECREE OF PRIZE TRIBUNAL--SETTLEMENT OF PRIZE +QUESTION BY THE EMPEROR--HIS MINISTERS REFUSE TO CONFORM TO +IT--OBSTACLES THROWN IN THE WAY OF EQUIPMENT--MY SERVICES LIMITED TO THE +DURATION OF WAR--MY REMONSTRANCE ON THIS BREACH OF FAITH--MINISTERS +REFUSE TO PAY THE SQUADRON ANYTHING--A FRESH INSULT OFFERED TO ME--OFFER +TO RESIGN THE COMMAND--MY RESIGNATION EVADED--LETTER TO THE PRIME +MINISTER--LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF MARINE. + + +On the 1st of January, 1824, I communicated to the Minister of Marine +the contents of a despatch received from Captain Haydon at Pernambuco, +in which he apprised me of a plot on the part of the revolutionary +Government to seize his person and take possession of the Imperial brig +of war which he commanded; the latter intention having been openly +advocated in the Assembly. + +On the 6th, I addressed to the Minister of Marine the following +remonstrance against the before-mentioned regulation of the Admiralty +Court, that vessels captured within a certain distance of the shore +should not be prize to the captor; this regulation being evidently +intended as retrospective, with a view of nullifying the captures which +had already been made:-- + + As I have before endeavoured, by anticipating evils, to prevent + their occurrence, so in the present instance, I feel it my duty to + His Imperial Majesty to place you, as Minister of Marine, on your + guard against countenancing any such measure in regard either to + the vessels captured in the blockade of Bahia, or to those taken + in the colonial possessions, and under the forts and batteries + of the enemy--and also in the case--if such there should be--of + vessels captured on the shores of Portugal. + + It is quite clear that these cases of capture are distinct from + those in which protection is afforded by independent states to + belligerents approaching within a certain distance of neutral shores. + But you must be perfectly aware that, if enemy's ships are not to + be prize--if captured navigating near the shore no blockade can be + effective, as there will be no right to disturb them; besides which + the mass of the people engaged in a naval service will certainly not + encounter toil and hazard without remuneration of any kind beyond + their ordinary pay. + + Should such a decree be really in contemplation, there is nothing + to hope from the naval service useful or creditable to the state; + and this opinion is founded on more than thirty years' unremitting + experience of seamen--that where there is no premium there is no + permanent zeal or exertion. + + (Signed) COCHRANE & MARANHAÕ. + +On the 10th of January, I communicated to the Government the contents of +another despatch from Captain Haydon, at Pernambuco, reporting that the +new Junta there had seized the Imperial ship of war, _Independencia ou +morte_, and had removed the officer in command, at the same time +threatening to treat Captain Haydon as a pirate. + +The revolt was now becoming serious, and His Majesty--anxious to +expedite the equipment of the squadron--on the 12th of February, 1824, +sent for me to consult on the subject. Having told His Majesty the +course which had been pursued by the prize tribunal, he said he would +see justice done in spite of faction, and asked me to make a moderate +valuation of the prize property taken in the late campaign, +ascertaining, at the same time, if the seamen were willing to accept a +specific sum in compensation of their claims? On asking His Majesty what +assurance could be given that the administration would carry out such an +arrangement, he replied that he would give me his own assurance, and +ordering me to sit down beside him, wrote _with his own hand_ the +following proposal--now in my possession:-- + + "_The Government is ready to pay to the squadron, the value of the + prizes which have been, or may be judged bad, the value thereof being + settled by arbitrators jointly chosen, and to pay the proprietors + their losses and damages; that in the number of the said prizes, the + frigate Imperatrice is not included, but the Government, as a + remuneration for her capture, will immediately give from the public + treasury the sum of 40,000 milreis to the captors; that the value of + the prizes already declared bad, shall be immediately paid, this + stipulation relating to all captures up to the present date, February + 12th, and that henceforth captures shall be adjudged with more + dispatch, the Government being about to decree a provisional + arrangement, remedying all errors and omissions that may have + occurred._" + +Nothing can be more clear than the above stipulations in His Majesty's +own handwriting, to pay the squadron immediately the value of their +prizes despite the Court of Admiralty, to pay 40,000 milreis for the +_Imperatrice_, and that even the value of the prizes _adjudged bad_ +should be paid, His Majesty thus rightly estimating the conduct and +motives of the Court of Admiralty. _Not one of these conditions was ever +complied with!_ + +On the 1st of March, His Majesty, through his minister, Francisco +Villela Barbosa, informed me that he had assigned 40,000 milreis in +recompense for the acquisition of the frigate _Imperatrice_; stating +that, with regard to the other prizes made at Parà, they must be +sentenced by the tribunal, in order that their value might be paid by +the public treasury--the said treasury taking upon itself to satisfy all +costs and damages on captures judged illegal; but that with regard to my +assertion, that there were amongst them no illegal prizes, the +Government could not itself decide the question. + +That His Majesty gave the order for payment of 40,000 milreis, as +compensation for the _Imperatrice_, there is no doubt; _but not a +shilling of the amount was ever paid by his ministers, nevertheless even +within the past few months the present Brazilian Ministry has charged +that sum against me, as having been received and not accounted for!_ It +is quite possible, that, in ignorance of the practices common amongst +their predecessors of 1824, the present ministers of Brazil may imagine +that the orders of His Majesty were complied with; but if so, the 40,000 +milreis never reached me or the squadron. Had it done so, nothing can be +more easy than to find my receipt for the amount, which I defy them to +do. + +Considering our difficulties in a fair way of now being settled, I +willingly undertook to conciliate the seamen, and having made the low +calculation of _Rs_. 650.000 milreis--a sum scarcely one-fourth the +value of the prize property--reported to the Minister of Marine the +willingness of the squadron generally to accept 600,000 dollars (about +£.120,000) in compensation of their full rights; agreeing, moreover, to +give up all claim on the Imperial Government on payment of one-half, and +security for the remainder. + +Notwithstanding this easy mode of arrangement, solely brought about by +my personal influence with the men, not a milrea was allotted, His +Majesty's ministers deliberately evading the Imperial wishes and +promises. On the contrary, the more His Majesty was determined to do the +squadron justice the more was the Portuguese faction in the ministry +bent on frustrating the Imperial intentions--notwithstanding that, by +the revolutionary proceedings in the North, the integrity of the empire +was at stake. I may indeed go farther and state with great truth, that +whilst His Majesty was most anxious for our speedy departure, in order +to suppress the revolution at Pernambuco, his ministers were, day by +day, addressing to me letters on the most insignificant subjects, with +the apparent object of delaying the squadron by official frivolities, +the necessity of replying to which would prevent my attention to the +fulfilment of the Imperial wish. The best proof of this is the fact +which will be apparent in the course of this chapter, viz.--that +although the province of Pernambuco was in open revolt, the +Administration contrived to delay the sailing of the squadron for _six +months_ beyond the events just narrated. + +On the 24th of February, the following extraordinary _portaria_ was +transmitted to me by the Minister of Marine:-- + + Desiring to give a further testimony of the high estimation in which + the Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral of the National and Imperial + Armada, is held, by reason of the distinguished services which he + has rendered to the state, and which it is hoped that he will + continue to render for the independence of Brazil, I deem it proper + to name him Commander-in-Chief of all the naval forces of the empire + _during the present war_. The Supreme Military Council is hereby + informed thereof, and will cause this decree to be executed. + + Palace of Rio Janeiro, the 23rd of February, 1824. Third of the + Independence of the Empire, with the Rubrica of His Imperial + Majesty. + + FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA, + + Secretariat of State, + + 27th February, 1824. + + (Signed) ANASTASIO DE BRITO, + + Acting Chief Secretary. + +The audacity of this _portaria_--setting aside the stipulations of His +Majesty and his late ministers in my commission, thus rendering it null +and void without my consent--was only equalled by its hypocrisy. As a +"_further testimony_ of the high estimation in which I was held," +&c.--His Majesty's ministers were graciously pleased to annul my +commission, in order that they might get rid of me at a moment's +warning! + +The document transmitted to me _did not_ bear the Rubrica of the +Emperor, though falsely asserted so to do. If the reader will take the +trouble to compare it with my two commissions, he will agree with me in +the inference that it was written by Barbosa without the Emperor's +knowledge or consent, with the object of terminating my command--the +Imperial patents notwithstanding, as will be evident from the +expression, "_during the present war;_" the war being _already ended_ by +my expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army. + +No time was lost in remonstrating against this insidious decree. After +pointing out to the Minister of Marine the agreements which had been +made with me by the late ministers, and ratified by the Imperial sign +manual, I addressed His Excellency as follows:-- + + The late decree inserted in the Gazette of February 28th, instead of + increasing my official rank and authority--as it professes to do--in + effect circumscribes it, because _there was no limitation of time_ in + the offer which I accepted from His Imperial Majesty. But by this + decree, my official rank and authority are limited to the duration of + the present war. Now, if I could believe that the idea of this + limitation originated with his Imperial Majesty himself, I should + respectfully and silently acquiesce; but being satisfied--from the + gracious manner in which he has been pleased to act towards me on all + occasions--that it did not so originate, I can only consider it an + intimation of an opinion prevalent in the councils of the state, that + myself and services can very well be done without, as soon as the + independence of Brazil shall be decided or peace restored. + + As no man can be expected to dedicate his professional services + to a foreign country, without having a prospect of some recompence + more durable than that which such a limitation as is expressed in the + document in question seems to indicate, I am naturally led to inquire + whether it is the intention of His Majesty's advisers that, on the + termination of the present war, _my pay is to cease with my + authority?_ or whether I am to receive any permanent reward for + services, _the consequences of which will be permanent to Brazil?_ + Because--if no recompence is to be received for public services + --however important and lasting in their effects those services may + be--it is a duty to myself and family to consider how far I am + justified in farther devoting my time to a service from which so + little future benefit is to be expected; a consideration the more + interesting to me, in consequence of repeated solicitations from the + Chilian Government to resume my rank and command in that state. + + In saying thus much, you may consider me of a mercenary + disposition; but I have received from Brazil _no recompence whatever_, + beyond the honours conferred by His Imperial Majesty. If + you will peruse the accompanying papers, you will find that when I + left Chili I had disbursed of my own monies, 66,000 dollars, to keep + the Chilian squadron from starving, which sum, in consequence of + my leaving Chili, and accepting the offers of His Imperial Majesty, + has not been repaid. This amount His Majesty and his ministers + agreed to repay on my acceptance of the command; but I declined + to seek reimbursement at the expense of Brazil, "unless I + should perform greater services to the Empire than I had rendered + to Chili; but in the event of such services being rendered to + Brazil, and of Chili continuing its refusal to pay me, then--and + not otherwise--I should hope for indemnification." To this + stipulation the late ministers gave their assent. + + It is no proof of an avaricious disposition that I at once + acquiesced in the proposition of His Imperial Majesty, that 40,000 + dollars only for the _Imperatrice_, which is not one-third of her value, + should be apportioned to her captors. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +I might have added that the squadron had received _no emoluments of any +kind whatever_, notwithstanding the spontaneous stipulations of His +Imperial Majesty to pay everything, there not being even an indication +of handing over to them the 40,000 dollars awarded by His Majesty for +the frigate captured at Parà. On the contrary, I had been condemned in +costs and damages to a great amount for having captured Portuguese +vessels in pursuance of His Majesty's orders; so that had the Court of +Admiralty been in a position to enforce these, I should not only be +unpaid but be mulcted of a very large sum, as the price of having +accepted the command of the Brazilian navy! + +So far from the 40,000 dollars awarded by His Majesty for the capture of +the frigate _Imperatrice_ having been paid according to the Imperial +directions, I received from the Minister of Marine a letter dated +February 27th, implying that the above sum--one third the value of the +vessel--was when paid, to be considered as the _sole_ reward of the +squadron. This violation of His Majesty's agreement was at once +repudiated, and an explanatory letter from the Minister of +Marine--almost as ambiguous as the former--assured me that I had +misconstrued his intention, which, however, was not the case, for the +40,000 dollars were never paid. + +On the 19th of March, a direct insult was offered me by Severiano da +Costa, now first minister, by an intimation to attend in the Imperial +chapel for the purpose of assisting at the ceremony of swearing to the +Constitution, but I was distinctly told that I should not be permitted +to swear; the reason no doubt being, that, by a clause therein +contained, military officers who swore to it, could not be dismissed +without trial, and sentence of court martial; so that the not permitting +me to swear--coupled with Barbosa's _portaria_ limiting my command to +the duration of the war--indirectly gave power to the Administration to +dismiss me at their option, whenever they might deem it expedient so to +do. That such desire would arise the moment an opportunity might +present itself, was certain, nor should I have waited for its +expression, but from respectful attachment to His Majesty, and from the +expectation of obtaining justice for the squadron, which relied on me +for procuring satisfaction of their claims. + +To have accepted an invitation of this public nature, under +circumstances so insulting, was out of the question. I therefore joined +Lady Cochrane at the island of Governador, and sent an excuse to the +minister expressive of my regret at being prevented by unavoidable +circumstances from sharing in the honour of the august ceremony. + +In consequence of the insulting conduct of the Administration, and the +impossibility of obtaining compensation for the squadron, +notwithstanding His Majesty's orders to that effect, I made up my mind +to quit a service in which the authority of the adverse Ministry was +superior to that of the Sovereign. Accordingly, on the 20th of March, I +addressed to the Minister of Marine a letter, from which the subjoined +is an extract:-- + + If I thought that the course pursued towards me was dictated by His + Imperial Majesty, it would be impossible for me to remain an hour + longer in his service, and I should feel it my duty, at the earliest + possible moment, to lay my commission at his feet. If I have not done + so before--from the treatment which, in common with the navy, I have + experienced--it has been solely from an anxious desire to promote His + Majesty's real interests. Indeed, to struggle against prejudices, and + at the same time against those in power, whose prepossessions are at + variance with the interests of His Majesty, and the tranquillity and + independence of Brazil, is a task to which I am by no means equal. I + am, therefore, perfectly willing to resign the situation I hold, + rather than contend against difficulties which appear to me + insurmountable. I have only to add, that it will give me extreme + satisfaction to find that Your Excellency is enabled to rear an + effective marine out of the materials which constituted the fabric of + the old marine of Portugal--or any Brazilian marine at all, without + beginning on principles totally opposite to those which have been + pursued since my return to this port. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +This proffer of resignation was met by an assurance that I had +misconstrued both the acts and intentions of the Administration, and the +expression of a hope that I would not think of abandoning Brazil for +which I had done so much. The real fact was, that although the +Administration was endeavouring to delay the expedition for the +suppression of revolution in the North, they were afraid of its results, +dreading that a _republican_ Government might be established, as was +indeed imminent. It was only from a conviction of not being able to meet +such an emergency, otherwise than through my instrumentality--that my +resignation was not accepted. + +Determined to pursue the course I had now begun, I addressed the +following letter to the prime minister:-- + + Rio de Janeiro, March 30, 1824. + + Most Excellent Sir, + + The late Prime Minister, José Bonifacio de Andrada + e Silva, was pleased to express a desire that I should communicate + directly with him in all extraordinary difficulties with respect + to the naval service. If I have not had recourse to your Excellency + until the present juncture, it has not been from any doubt of your + readiness to accord me similar indulgence, but because the evils + of which I had to complain were so palpable, that I conceived a + remedy would--of necessity be applied in the ordinary course of + things. But now that a system is adopted which must very soon + bring the naval service of His Imperial Majesty to utter insignificance + and ruin, I can no longer abstain from calling on your + Excellency as Minister of State for the internal affairs of the + empire, to interfere before it is too late. + + Here follow complaints of the wretched state of the squadron--its + want of repairs--the neglect of pay--the illegal imprisonment of + officers for months without trial and on untenable grounds, &c. &c. + + By the promises held out last year of punctuality in payment, and of + other rewards, foreign officers and seamen were induced to enter the + service--believing in the good faith of the Government. The + result--in the short period that has elapsed--has been the complete + expulsion of the enemy's forces, naval and military; all of whom + would have been still in arms against the independence of Brazil, had + it not been for the assistance of the foreign officers and seamen. + + In the course of these important services, various captures were + made and sent for adjudication to Rio de Janeiro, under the + authority of His Imperial Majesty's orders to make war on the + subjects and property of Portugal. The captures made in prosecution + of the war were--according to the engagements under which the + expedition proceeded--to be the reward of the captors in return for + the benefits derived by the empire for their exertions. + + Judge then, Sir, of the astonishment of the officers and seamen + at finding on their return to this port eight months afterwards, that + the Court of Admiralty (chiefly composed of natives of Portugal) + pretended to be ignorant whether the nation was at war or peace! + Under this plea they have avoided the adjudication of the + prizes--have + thrown every impediment in the way of the captors--by giving + sentences equally contrary to law, common sense and justice. + + Great quantities of goods in the captured ships have decayed or + wholly perished from lapse of time--great quantities more have + been stolen--whilst whole cargoes, by the arbitrary authority of an + auditor, have been given up without trial, to pretended owners, + without even the decency of communication to the captors or their + agents. In short, nothing has been done in furtherance of the + gracious directions of His Majesty, given on the 12th ultimo, that + the prize affairs should be instantly adjusted. + + It is certainly a hardship to the Portuguese gentlemen in the + Court of Admiralty, to be under the necessity of condemning + property that belonged to their countrymen, friends, and relations; + but if they have undertaken the duties of such an office, they ought + not to be permitted to weigh their private feelings against their + public duty--nor to bring upon the whole Government that character + of bad faith, which has been so disgraceful, and has proved so + injurious to all the Governments which have hitherto been + established in South America. + + Even the payment of wages was not made to the _Pedro Primiero_ + till nearly three months after her return, when the seamen-- + irritated by the evasion of their dues--had nearly all abandoned the + ship; and if the crews of the _Nitherohy_ and _Carolina_ did not follow + their example on their return to port, it was entirely owing to my + perseverance before their arrival in procuring this tardy justice. + + It was a maxim of the Emperor Napoleon, that "no events are + trifling with regard to nations and sovereigns, their destinies + being controlled by the most inconsiderable circumstances,"-- + though circumstances which have the effect of causing the Imperial + marine to be abandoned, ought not--in a national point of view--to + be regarded as inconsiderable; but whether this be of importance + or not, the consequences of such abandonment by men who have so + faithfully performed their duty, will be far from beneficial to those + short sighted and vain individuals who imagine that the employment + of foreign officers is an obstacle to their own advancement. + If the present foreign officers are compelled to abandon their + situations an explanation must be given of the cause, and public + indignation must inevitably fall on the unreflecting heads of the + prejudiced or selfish authors of such impolitic injustice. + + I have heard it stated, as a motive for the delay in condemning + the prizes, that the Government--in case of a treaty of peace-- + might be called upon to refund the value to the original owners. + But, Sir, let me ask such wretched statesmen, what would have + been the situation of Brazil, if foreign officers and seamen had + refused to enter the service--as would have been the case, had no + prize money been promised? In that case, it is true, the vessels + in question would not have been taken--but it is equally true that + the enemy's troops would not have been starved into the evacuation + of Bahia, nor their squadron have been intimidated to flee from + these shores. Military warfare would still have raged in the + interior, and the hostile fleet might now have been engaged in the + blockade of Rio de Janeiro itself. Would it not be infinitely better + that the Government should have to pay the value of these prizes + even twice over--than that such calamities should not have been + averted? + + But how can it be argued that the Government may be required + to restore to the enemy prizes lawfully taken in war? Is it possible + that the victors can be compelled to make humiliating terms with + the vanquished? Certainly not--unless the means by which victory + was obtained are insanely sacrificed, by permitting the squadron to + go to ruin and decay. The results which have been obtained could + not have been accomplished by any other measures than those + adopted by the wisdom of His Imperial Majesty. Is it then + justifiable, to suffer the engagements which produced such results + to be evaded and set at nought? Still more monstrous--decrees + have been passed, both by the Auditor of Marine and the Court of + Admiralty, to punish the captors for the execution of their duty, + and by means of pains and penalties to deter them from the performance + of it in future. + + It is even more unjust and inconsistent, that although His + Majesty's late ministers held out that ships of war were to be prize + to the captors, they are now declared to be the property of the state! + Do those narrow-minded persons who prompted such a decree, + imagine this to be a saving to the country? or do they expect that + seamen--especially foreign seamen--will fight heartily on such + terms? The power which the British navy has acquired arises + from the wisdom of the government in making the interests of the + officers and men identical with the interests of the state, which + gives bounties and premiums even in addition to the full value of + the prizes; whilst the insignificance and inefficiency of the navies + of governments which adopt opposite principles, sufficiently + indicate whether such liberality, or the want of it, is the best policy + in maritime affairs. + + Having said thus much on public matters, I shall very briefly + trouble you with respect to myself, by stating that, as regards all + which does not depend on the uncontrolled exercise of the Imperial + functions--there has been no respect paid to the written stipulations + entered into with me on accepting the command of the Brazilian + navy, and that since my return from freeing the Northern provinces + and uniting them to the Empire, every promise--written and verbal--has + been evaded or set at nought, which facts I am prepared to + prove beyond the possibility of contradiction. + + My nature is not suspicious, nor did I ever become doubtful of + promises and professions of friendship till after the third year of + my connection with Chili--when, having swept every ship of war + belonging to the enemy from the Pacific, the Chilian ministers + imagined that they could dispense with my services. They had + not, indeed, the candour which I have experienced here, for, after + appointing me to a command without limitation as to time, _they did + not publicly restrict the duration of that command to the earliest + moment that they could dispense with me_. It was their + plan--while + openly professing kindness and gratitude--to endeavour, by secret + artifices, to render me odious to the public, and to transfer to me + the responsibility which they themselves incurred by bringing the + navy to ruin, and causing the seamen to abandon it, by withholding + their pay, and even the provisions necessary for their subsistence. + As for the rest, my remonstrances against such conduct were treated + in Chili just as my representations have been treated here. Like + causes will ever produce similar effects; but as there was no hostile + or Spanish party in the Chilian state, four years elapsed before + the mischiefs could be accomplished, which, by the machinations of + the Portuguese faction, have been here effected in the short space + of four months. + + Truths are often disagreeable to those who are not in the habit + of hearing them, and doubly offensive after long experience of the + homage of blind obedience and subserviency. I have, nevertheless, + always felt it my duty to the Governments under which I have + served, not to abstain from uttering truths under any dread of + offence, because I have ever been impressed with the conviction + that speaking truth is not only the most honourable mode of + proceeding, but that the time seldom fails to arrive when those who + are warned of a wrong line of conduct feel grateful to the man--who + at the risk of personal inconvenience, or even punishment--dared + to apprise them of their danger. + + In England--where mischiefs were heaped upon me for _opposing a + ministerial vote of parliamentary thanks to an undeserving + officer_--the people at once saw the propriety of my conduct, and the + Government has since virtually admitted its justice. In Chili, the + ministers who hated me, because they knew me to be aware of their + deceitful and dishonest acts, were succeeded by others who have + solicited my return. And the worthy and excellent Supreme Director + (O'Higgins, whom those ministers, by their wickedness and folly, + brought to ruin) found at last, and acknowledged--but too late to + attend to my warnings--that I had acted towards him, in all cases, + with honour and fidelity. + + The error and fate of the excellent and eminent person whom I + have just named--affords a proof of the folly and danger of the + notion--that ministers who have forfeited the confidence of the + public by breach of faith and evil acts, can be upheld by military + force against public opinion, especially in Governments recently + constituted. The people respected their Supreme Director; but + when he marshalled his troops to uphold his evil ministers, he fell + with them. Had he adopted the policy of Cromwell, and delivered + to justice those who merited punishment, he would have saved + himself. + + Permit me to say, in conclusion, that the Ministers of His Imperial + Majesty are identified with the Court of Admiralty, and with + the officers whom they maintain in the different departments. + Let them--I repeat--take heed that the operation of similar causes + does not produce like effects; for if the conduct of these individuals + shall cause the naval service to be abandoned, and shall thereby--as + a necessary consequence--occasion great disasters to the Empire, + I am convinced that in a short period, all the troops in Rio de + Janeiro will not be able to repress the storm that will be raised + against the factious Portuguese. + + It is my fervent hope--that His Imperial Majesty, by gloriously + adhering to the cause of independence and to Brazil, will save and + unite the largest portion of his royal patrimony in defiance of the + blind efforts of Portugal, and in spite of the cunning intrigues of the + Portuguese faction here, to prolong civil war, and create dismemberment + and disunion. + + I have the honour to be, + + &c. &c. + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + His Excellency Joao Severiano Maciel de Costa, + Chief Minister of State, &c. &c. + +One effect of the preceding letter was--that the Court of Admiralty +requested my consent to give up certain prize property, the object being +to construe my acquiescence as regarded a small portion--into a +precedent for giving up the remainder. This was firmly refused on the +ground of its being a fraud on the captors. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +MINISTERIAL MALIGNITY TOWARDS ME--DANGERS IN PERNAMBUCO--PORTUGUESE +THREATS--MY ADVICE THEREON--FAILURE IN MANNING THE SQUADRON--PLOT FORMED +TO SEARCH THE FLAGSHIP--TIMELY WARNING THEREON--I DEMAND HIS MAJESTY'S +INTERFERENCE--WHICH WAS PROMPTLY GRANTED--PROTEST AGAINST PRIZE +DECISIONS--MY ADVICE SOUGHT AS REGARDED PERNAMBUCO--LETTER TO HIS +IMPERIAL MAJESTY--POINTING OUT THE ANNOYANCE PRACTISED--AND TENDERING MY +RESIGNATION--THE EMPEROR'S INTERVENTION--HIS MINISTERS NEGLECT TO FULFIL +HIS ENGAGEMENT--CONFIRMATION OF MY PREVIOUS PATENTS--BUT WITH AN +UNJUSTIFIABLE RESERVATION--PRIZE MONEY DEVOTED TO ADVANCE OF +WAGES--PROOFS THEREOF--BASELESS IMPUTATIONS ON ME--EXTRACTS FROM +LOG--FURTHER DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZE MONEY. + + +Having failed in inducing the Administration to withdraw the _portaria_ +issued with a view to nullify the commissions conferred upon me by His +Imperial Majesty,--I waited upon the Emperor to beg his interference in +a matter no less derogatory to his authority, than unjust to myself. His +Majesty regretted the circumstance, but having alluded to the +difficulties in which he was placed with regard to the Administration, +begged me to rely on him for justice, assuring me that he would take +care that nothing was done which should practically alter my original +compact. + +His Majesty was exceedingly anxious that the expedition to Pernambuco +should not be delayed, but I could only represent to him that nothing +whatever had been done to satisfy the seamen, who, in consequence, +would not re-enter--that several of the best officers were either in +prison on frivolous accusations, or under arrest--that the necessary +repairs to the ships were not completed--that no steps had been taken to +provide for their equipment--and that, in fact, the greater was His +Majesty's anxiety to put down the revolution, the more obstructive were +the obstacles interposed by the Ministry to the accomplishment of his +wishes. + +The Ministers now resorted to a clumsy system in order to lower me in +popular estimation, by imposing, for my guidance in naval matters, +stringent orders about trifles which were absurd or impracticable, +non-observance of these being followed by _printed reprimands_ such as +were never before addressed to a Commander-in-Chief, whilst my +refutations and remonstrances against such treatment were refused +publication. This course was succeeded by another still more unworthy, +the ministers so far forgetting the dignity of their position, as to +write or cause to be written against me a series of scurrilous articles +in the newspapers under the feigned signature of "Curioso," these +containing matters which could only have come from the Minister of +Marine's office; but as I was able to reply to _anonymous_ attacks +through the same channel, I took care that the refutation signally +recoiled on the writers, who, finding the course pursued more +detrimental to their objects than to mine, relinquished this mode of +attack. Pamphlets of an atrocious description were then resorted to, the +more noticeable of which, was one purporting to emanate from Chili, and +representing that not only had I effected nothing for that country or +Peru, but that my very presence in the Peruvian waters had been the +greatest obstacle to the speedy attainment of independence! + +A circumstance however occurred which alarmed even the Ministers +themselves. On the 20th of April, I received a despatch from Captain +Taylor, commanding the naval force before Pernambuco, stating that on +the 7th, the Camara of that province had unanimously resolved that they +would no longer obey the Imperial authority--that the Governor appointed +by His Imperial Majesty had been deposed--and that they had elected a +President from amongst their own body. + +This was an extremity upon which the Portuguese faction in the +Administration had not calculated--their object being to encourage +disturbance in remote provinces, in order to further their own purposes +at Rio de Janeiro. An attempt to institute a Republican form of +Government was, however, another thing, it being well known that this +movement was fostered by merchants and influential citizens with +republican tendencies. + +My advice was now asked as to what was best to be done in the emergency, +to which I replied that "no time ought to be lost in sending small +vessels to enforce the blockade of Pernambuco, which had already been +declared by Captain Taylor; as large vessels would be in imminent danger +of being wrecked if anchored upon that open coast at this season of the +year." + +To add to the dangers threatening the Empire, intelligence was received +that the Portuguese had reinforced and refitted their fleet with the +intention of returning to Brazil and recovering the Northern provinces. +This course, no doubt, having been determined upon on account of +information, that, in consequence of the injustice done to the Brazilian +squadron, it had been abandoned by the seamen, and was now powerless. + +I did not offer to accompany any vessels that might be sent to +Pernambuco; for I had made up my mind not to undertake anything unless +some satisfaction were accorded to the squadron. On the 3rd of May, I, +however, addressed to the Prime Minister a letter stating the plan +which, in my opinion, ought to be pursued in the present predicament. +The subjoined are extracts:-- + + Drawing a veil over that which has passed--though had my + recommendations, given in writing to His Imperial Majesty on the + 14th of November last--two days after the dissolution of the + Assembly--been attended to, the rebellion and separation of the + Northern provinces might have been prevented. Passing over the + errors committed in the non-employment of the greater part of the + naval forces; passing over the disgust occasioned by the conduct + pursued towards the seamen, the opposition which had been + encountered in every step towards amelioration, and the mischief + occasioned by these and many other sources of disunion and + paralysation, I say--passing over all these--let me call Your + Excellency's attention to the only means which appear to me + practicable to save the country--if not from again devolving to + Portugal as colonial possessions, yet at least from protracted + war, and its attendant calamities. + + Taking it then for granted that an expedition is actually fitting + out at Lisbon, destined to act against Brazil, the question is, how + and by what means can that expedition be most successfully opposed? + what is the force necessary? and how, under existing circumstances, + it can be procured? + + (Here follow plans for the reorganization of the navy, and its mode + of operation, in order to prevent the anticipated invasion.) + + As regards myself, it is my conviction that, though I might be + responsible for the discipline and good order of a single ship, I + could make nothing of a squadron so manned, as it inevitably must + be, and actuated by those feelings which have been excited to the + detriment of the Imperial service. + + Since the date of my last letter to Your Excellency, I have + received a copy of the laws relative to prizes, and am convinced + that these laws differ in no material degree from the maritime code + of England, the adoption of which I had solicited; and that the + blame of all the disquiet that has been occasioned is entirely + owing to the non-execution of the laws by those individuals who + have been nominated to dispense justice, but who have perverted it. + + (Signed) COCHRANE & MARANHAÕ. + +Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of affairs in the North, no steps +were taken to satisfy the seamen. In place of this I received orders to +use my influence with them _to re-enter without payment!_ Determined +that the Government should not have to find fault with any want of +effort on my part, I obeyed the order, with what result the following +letter to the Minister of Marine will shew:-- + + In consequence of the directions from His Imperial Majesty, + communicated through Your Excellency, to equip the _Pedro Primiero, + Carolina_, and _Maria de Gloria_, with all possible despatch, and + to hold them in readiness to proceed on service, I ordered a + commissioned officer to visit the different rendezvous which the + seamen frequent, and endeavour to prevail on them to re-enter + --assuring them that the continuance of their services was the best + means whereby to obtain their rewards for captures made during the + late campaign. It appears, however, that it will be difficult to + prevail on them to engage again in the service, without some + explicit declaration made public on the part of the Imperial + Government, stating what they have to expect for the past, and to + anticipate for the future; for the conduct that has been pursued, + especially in regard to matters of prize, has led them to draw + conclusions highly prejudicial to the service of His Imperial + Majesty. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +I also protested against the intended arrest of Captain Grenfell, +knowing that there were no grounds for such a step, and more especially +against the seizure of his papers, which necessarily contained the +requisite proofs in justification of his conduct at Parà. The only +offence he had committed was his firmness in repressing the seditious +acts of the Portuguese faction there; and as those whom he had offended +had influence with their countrymen connected with the administration at +Rio de Janeiro, a tissue of false representations as to his conduct, was +the readiest mode of revenge, so that he shared the enmity of the +faction in common with myself, though they did not venture to order my +arrest. + +One instance of the annoyance still directed against myself, on the 4th +of June, is perhaps worth relating. It had been falsely reported to the +Emperor by his ministers that--besides the 40,000 dollars which I +refused to give up--specie to a large amount was secreted on board the +_Pedro Primiero_, and it was suggested to His Majesty, that, as I was +living on shore, it would be easy to search the ship in my absence +--whereby the Emperor could possess himself of all the money found. This +disgraceful insult was on the point of being put in execution, when an +accident revealed the whole plot; the object of which was, by implied +accusation, to lower me in popular estimation--a dastardly device, +which, though contemptible, could hardly fail to be prejudicial to +myself, against whom it was directed. + +Late one evening I received a visit from Madame Bonpland, the talented +wife of the distinguished French naturalist. This lady--who had singular +opportunities for becoming acquainted with state secrets--came +expressly to inform me that my house was at that moment surrounded by a +guard of soldiers! On asking if she knew the reason of such a +proceeding, she informed me that, under the pretence of a review to be +held at the opposite side of the harbour early the following morning, +preparations had been made by the ministers to board the flagship, which +was to be thoroughly overhauled whilst I was detained on shore, and all +the money found taken possession of! + +Thanking my excellent friend for her timely warning, I clambered over my +garden fence, as the only practicable way to the stables, selected a +horse, and notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, proceeded to St. +Christoval, the country palace of the Emperor, where, on my arrival, I +demanded to see His Majesty. The request being refused by the gentleman +in waiting, in such a way as to confirm the statement of Madame +Bonpland--I dared him to refuse me admission at his peril; adding that +"the matter upon which I had come was fraught with grave consequences to +His Majesty and the Empire." "But," said he, "His Majesty has retired to +bed long ago." "No matter," replied I, "in bed, or not in bed, I demand +to see him, in virtue of my privilege of access to him at all times, and +if you refuse to concede permission--look to the consequences." + +His Majesty was not, however, asleep, and the royal chamber being close +at hand, he recognised my voice in the altercation with the attendant. +Hastily coming out of his apartments in a _dishabille_ which, under +ordinary circumstances, would have been inconsistent, he asked--"What +could have brought me there at that time of night?" My reply was--that +"understanding that the troops ordered for a review were destined to +proceed to the flagship in search of supposed treasure, I had come to +request His Majesty immediately to appoint confidential persons to +accompany me on board, when the key of every chest in the ship should be +placed in their hands, and every place thrown open to their inspection; +but that if any of his anti-Brazilian Administration ventured to board +the ship in perpetration of the contemplated insult, they would +certainly be regarded as pirates, and treated as such." Adding at the +same time--"Depend upon it, that they are not more my enemies, than the +enemies of your Majesty and the Empire, and an intrusion so +unwarrantable, the officers and crew are bound to resist." "Well," +replied His Majesty, "you seem to be apprised of everything, but the +plot is not mine; being--as far as I am concerned--convinced that no +money would be found more than we already know of from yourself." + +I then entreated His Majesty to take such steps for my justification as +would be satisfactory to the public. "There is no necessity for any," +replied he; "but how to dispense with the review is the puzzle.--I will +be ill in the morning--so go home, and think no more of the matter. I +give you my word your flag shall not be outraged by the contemplated +proceeding." + +The _denouement_ of the farce is worthy of being recorded. The Emperor +kept his word, and in the night was taken suddenly ill. As His Majesty +was really beloved by his Brazilian subjects, all the native +respectability of Rio was early next day on its way to the palace to +inquire after the Royal health, and, ordering my carriage, I also +proceeded to the palace, lest my absence might appear singular. On +entering the room, where--surrounded by many influential persons--the +Emperor was in the act of explaining the nature of his disease to the +anxious inquirers--a strange incident occurred. On catching my eye, His +Majesty burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, in which I as +heartily joined; the bystanders, from the gravity of their countenances, +evidently considering that both had taken leave of their senses. The +Ministers looked astounded, but said nothing--His Majesty kept his +secret, and I was silent. + +Months had now been consumed in endeavours on the part of the +Administration to give annoyance to me--and on the part of the prize +tribunal to condemn me in costs for making lawful captures, this +appearing to form their only object; save when a prize vessel could be +given up to a claimant or pretended claimant, in outrage of justice, as +evinced in the case of the _Pombinho's_ cargo, and numerous other +instances. + +To such an extent was this being carried, that I sent protest after +protest on the subject. The following will serve as a specimen:-- + + PROTEST. + + The Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the + Naval forces of His Imperial Majesty, does hereby protest, on behalf + of himself and those employed under his command in the blockade of + Bahia, and other services of the Empire, against the sentence given + in the case of the Nova Constitucaõ, _whereby costs and damages to + the amount of four times the value are decreed against the captors + of the said vessel_ (taken in the act of violating the blockade of + Bahia), in performance of duties which the law sanctioned and the + service of His Imperial Majesty required. + + And further, the said Marquis of Maranhaõ, on behalf of himself and + the captors, does again most solemnly protest against _all sentences + of acquittal_ of vessels which violated the said blockade, or which + were seized, navigating under Portuguese flags or with Portuguese + registers--and against all proceedings to recover damages against + the said Marquis and captors _for any capture whatsoever_; His + Imperial Majesty having been graciously pleased to signify that all + expenses thus incurred in case of vessels pronounced "_malprisa_," + shall be placed to the account of the State. + + Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 1824. + +The anxiety of His Majesty on account of the revolt at Pernambuco was +meanwhile utterly set at nought, neither Severiano, nor his colleague +Barbosa--though now beginning to be alarmed--shewing the slightest +disposition to carry out His Majesty's orders for the compromise with +the officers and seamen, in order that the squadron might be manned. At +length intelligence arrived from the revolted districts, of such a +nature as to appear to His Majesty fraught with immediate danger to the +integrity of the Empire, as in truth it was, for the Republican nature +of the insurrection had become an established fact, whilst the squadron +which, months before, ought to have sailed to quell the revolt, was, +from, want of men, lying idle in the port of the capital. + +Setting aside all Ministerial interposition, I received His Majesty's +orders to repair at once to the palace, to decide on the best plan of +meeting these revolutionary manifestations. My advice was--at once to +put them down with a strong hand; but I called His Majesty's attention +to the ministerial contempt of his orders to satisfy the seamen, and the +consequent hopeless condition of the squadron--abandoned because no +assurance had been given that past services would be rewarded by the +adjudication of the prizes--against which adjudication the tribunal +resolutely set their faces, or, what was worse, unwarrantably disposed +of the property entrusted to them for adjudication. + +His Majesty was greatly annoyed at learning the continuance and extent +of the vexatious opposition to his wishes; but, begging me not to be +influenced by the injustice committed, strongly urged the necessity of +my using every endeavour for immediate action,--I at once pointed out to +His Majesty that the only way to accomplish this was, to restore +confidence to the men by maintaining public faith with the officers and +seamen, giving compensation--at least in part--of their prize money, +with recognition of their claims to the remainder. + +Still nothing was done, until, becoming tired of the harassing +circumstances in which I was placed, I made up my mind to a last effort, +which, if unsuccessful, should be followed by my resignation of the +command, even though it might involve the loss of all that which was due +to me. Accordingly, I addressed to His Majesty a letter from which the +following are extracts:-- + + The time has at length arrived when it is impossible to doubt + that the influence which the Portuguese faction has so long exerted, + with the view of depriving the officers and seamen of their stipulated + rights, has succeeded in its object, and has even prevailed against + the expressed wishes and intentions of Your Majesty in person. + + (Here follows a recapitulation of injuries and annoyances with + which the reader is familiar):-- + + The determined perseverance in a course so opposed to justice, + by those members and adherents of the Portuguese faction, whose + influence prevails in the ministry and council, and more especially + the proceedings of those individuals of that faction, who compose + the naval tribunals, must come to an end. + + The general discontent which prevails in the squadron has rendered + the situation in which I am placed one of the most embarrassing + description; for though few may be aware that my own cause of + complaint is equal to theirs, many cannot perceive the consistency of + my patient continuation in the service, with disapprobation of the + measures pursued. Even the honours which Your Majesty has been + pleased to bestow upon me, are deemed by most of the officers, and by + the whole of the men--who know not the assiduity with which I have + persevered in earnest but unavailing remonstrance--as a bribe by + which I have been induced to abandon their interests. Much, + therefore, as I prize those honours, as the gracious gift of Your + Imperial Majesty, yet, holding in still dearer estimation my + character as an officer and a man, I cannot hesitate a moment which + to sacrifice when the retention of both is evidently incompatible. + + I can, therefore, no longer delay to demonstrate to the squadron, + and the world, that I am no partner in the deceptions and oppressions + which are practised on the naval service; and as the first, + and most painful step in the performance of this imperious duty, I + crave permission--with all humility and respect--to return those + honours, and lay them at the feet of Your Imperial Majesty. + + I should, however, fall short of my duty to those who were + induced to enter the service by my example or invitation, were I to + do nothing more than convince them that I had been deceived. It + is incumbent on me to make every effort to obtain for them the + fulfilment of engagements for which I made myself responsible. + + As far as I am personally concerned, I could be content to quit + the service of Your Imperial Majesty, either with or without the + expectation of obtaining compensation at a future period, and could + submit to the same sacrifices here as I did on the other side of + the continent, even to abandoning the ships which I captured from + the enemy--without payment or reward--as I did in Chili and Peru. + After effectually fighting the battles of freedom and independence + on both sides of South America, and clearing the two seas of every + vessel of war, I could submit to return to my native country + unrewarded; but I cannot submit to adopt any course which shall + not redeem my pledge to my brother officers and seamen. Neither + can I relinquish the object which I have equally at heart, of + depriving the Portuguese faction of the means of undermining the + nationality and independence of the empire, to which--notwithstanding + their admission to places of honour and trust--they are + notoriously and naturally opposed. + + It is impossible to view the prize tribunal--consisting of natives + of the hostile nation--in any other light than as a party of the + enemy, who, in the disguise of judges, have surprised and recaptured + our prizes, after we had lodged them--as we thought--safely in + port. And we have not the slightest reason to doubt that, if + suffered to proceed unmolested, they will eventually get them clean + out of the harbour, and convey them back to their own country. + We do not ask for reprisals upon these people, but simply restitution + of the fruits of our labours in the service of Your Majesty, of which + they have insidiously despoiled us, and that no impediment to this + act of justice may arise, or be pretended by the individuals in + question, we are willing to wait for a still further period--retaining, + however, what remains of the prizes in our own custody--until our + claims are settled; when we shall punctually surrender them into + Your Imperial hands at whatever moment Your Majesty shall be + pleased to cause the said claims to be duly discharged. + + We most earnestly beseech Your Imperial Majesty--upon whom + alone we depend for justice--to take into your consideration the + necessity of withdrawing all control over the naval service and its + interests from the hands of individuals with whose country Your + Majesty is at war, and against which, under Your Imperial authority, + we have been employed in active hostilities. It is only by the removal + of Portuguese functionaries--more especially from the naval department, + and the appointment of native Brazilians in their stead, that + Your Imperial Majesty can reasonably hope to possess the full + confidence of your people. Such a proceeding would be far more + effective for the suppression of the rebellion in the North, than + the ill-equipped naval detachment employed on that service. + + I trust that Your Imperial Majesty will perceive that nothing + short of the most thorough conviction in my own mind, with regard + to the step now taken, could have led me to adopt it on my own + account, or on that of the squadron. To myself, in particular, it + must be a source of great anxiety, and in all probability, for a time + --before the circumstances are generally understood--it may bring + on me a large share of obloquy. My resignation is attended with + the surrender of the high honours with which Your Majesty has + graciously invested me, in addition to the honourable situation + which I hold under Your Imperial authority. Your Majesty may be + assured that such sacrifices as these are not made without extreme + reluctance, and if there had remained the slightest probability of + obtaining by any ordinary means the justice for the squadron, + which it is my bounden duty to persevere in demanding, I should + have avoided a step so pregnant with disadvantages to myself. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +His Majesty frankly admitted that the course pursued by his Ministers +towards the squadron was no less discreditable than injurious to the +vital interests of the state, but begged me to reconsider my +determination. To prevent further ministerial interposition, at a moment +so pregnant with danger, the Emperor offered to place at my disposal, +for the temporary satisfaction of the men, 200,000 milreis in paper +currency--not one-tenth of the value of the prizes--if I would endeavour +to rally them under the national flag, and merge my own injuries in +oblivion, till he should be better able to do us justice. + +My reply was that, personally, His Majesty had ever manifested his +desire to fulfil his promises to me, and that I would stand by the +integrity of the empire, and its consolidation. It was of the ministers +I had to complain, by whom all the Imperial promises had been broken, +and His Majesty's intentions thwarted; but that this would neither +interfere with my duty nor gratitude to His Majesty, personally; and +that if the 200,000 milreis were paid, I would endeavour to use the +money to the best advantage by inducing the men to return to the ships. + +The amount was directed to be placed in my hands, with the request that +I would proceed to Pernambuco, and use my discretion in putting down the +revolution, unfettered by orders; His Majesty recommending me to +withhold payment till the squadron was at sea, in order to prevent delay +and desertion. I begged of His Majesty to appoint a commission for the +distribution of the money, as the responsibility was foreign to my +duties. This, however, was overruled with a gracious compliment as to +the manner in which my services had uniformly been conducted; being thus +pressed I made no further opposition. + +Still the ministers withheld the money, on which I wrote to the +Emperor, requesting that His Majesty would perform the gracious +compliment of delivering it on board personally. The Emperor at once +comprehended the nature of the hint, and insisted on the sum being +placed in my hands. On receiving it, I immediately issued a proclamation +to the seamen, informing them of His Majesty's concession--inviting them +to return to their duty--and promising payment to the extent of the +funds supplied. The result was, that all who had not quitted Rio de +Janeiro in despair, with one accord rejoined the service, and every +effort was made to get the expedition ready for sea. + +Before sailing for Pernambuco I was naturally desirous of coming to a +definite understanding on the subject of my commission, the patents +conferring which had been ruthlessly attempted to be set aside under the +signature of Barbosa, on the _assumed pretence of authority_ from His +Imperial Majesty, whose _rubrica_, however, was not attached to this +violation of our original compact. Accordingly, on the 26th of July, I +addressed a letter to Barbosa on the subject, and on the 29th received +the following reply:-- + + His Imperial Majesty commands, through the Secretary of State + and Marine, that there shall be transmitted to the First Admiral + commanding-in-chief the naval forces of this empire the enclosed copy + of a decree of the 27th of this month, by which His Imperial Majesty + has judged proper to determine that the said First Admiral shall + receive _in full_, so long as he shall continue in the service of this + empire, _the full pay of his patent_; and, _in the event of his not + choosing to continue therein after the termination of the present + war of independence, the one-half of his pay as a pension_--the same + being extended to his wife in the event of his decease. + + The said First Admiral is hereby certified that the said decree of + His Imperial Majesty is not required to be inserted in his patent, + as he requests in his letter of the 26th instant, the said decree + being as valid as the patent itself. + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, + July 29th, 1824. + + (Signed) FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA. + + Decree of His Imperial Majesty, inserted in the _Mercurio de + Brazil_, Sunday, 31st July, 1824. + + In consequence of what has been represented to me by the + Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the + naval forces of the empire, and in consequence of the great services + he has rendered, and which we hope he will continue to render to + the sacred cause of Brazil, I hereby--by the advice of my Council + of State--determine that the said Marquis of Maranhaõ shall be + paid in full, during the period that he shall remain in the service of + this empire, the whole amount of salary due to his patent; and in + the case of his _not wishing to continue in the service_ after the + termination of the present war of independence, the one-half of the + said pay as a pension, the same, in case of his death, being extended + to his wife. + + Francisco Villela Barbosa, of my Council of State, Minister and + Secretary of Marine, is hereby commanded to promulgate the same, + and execute the necessary despatches. + + Given in the palace of Rio de Janeiro, the 27th of July, 1824, + and the third of independence and the empire. + + With the _Rubrica_ of His Imperial Majesty. + + (Signed) FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA. + +This decree nullified the unjustifiable _portaria_ issued by Barbosa, +limiting my services to the period of the war, which, in reality, had +been ended by my expulsion of the Portuguese from Bahia and Maranham. It +recognised and established the validity of the Emperor's original +patents, of which, by the minister's own explanation, it was a +continuation, with an extension to Lady Cochrane; a boon spontaneously +granted by the Emperor, as a mark of gratitude for services rendered in +the preceding year. It was, moreover, clearly left to my own option to +continue in the service or to quit it on half-pay, on the termination of +the war of independence. + +If there was any faith to be placed in princes or ministers, nothing +could be more definite or satisfactory than the preceding document, with +the exception of the phrase, "_in the event of his not choosing to +continue therein_," which evidently contained an _arrière pensée_, +implying, as was afterwards proved, that when I could be got rid of it +would be easy to _compel me_ to retire from the service; but even this +alternative was subsequently disregarded--though His Imperial Majesty, +on my thanking him for having so far done me justice against the +attempts of his Ministers--remarked, "_never mind their injustice--they +can't deprive you of that"_--alluding to the stipulations contained in +the Imperial patents, and this renewed confirmation thereof. + +The concession of 200,000 dollars, as a portion of the prize money so +long due to the officers and crews, was actually made to suffice, in +place of an advance of wages usually given on the departure of a naval +expedition; so that, in fact, the squadron was manned at its own +expense! no other payment being accorded by the _Government_. As His +Majesty had requested that the men should not receive their money before +going to sea, _the squadron_, with the exception of the flagship, was +despatched on its voyage, the crews being satisfied--now that the money +was on board--with my promise of payment when they should assemble at +the rendezvous appointed. + +It is requisite to enter into some detail relative to the distribution +of prize money thus of necessity substituted as an advance of wages: it +being impossible to get the requisite numbers of foreign seamen for the +_Pedro Primiero_ without such advance; and although the frigates which +had sailed, manned for the most part with Portuguese or Brazilian crews, +relied upon _me_ for payment of their prize money, the foreign seamen +refused even to remain on board the flagship without the usual advance; +the officers also were in want of everything, and the men--indebted to +tavern keepers--clamorous for payment. + +As the necessity was urgent, I did not choose that the flagship, under +my immediate command, should leave port in a discreditable manner, I +therefore took upon myself--notwithstanding His Majesty's suggestion to +withhold payment till we were at sea--to accommodate the officers and +satisfy the crew by the advance demanded; a step, in my judgment, the +more necessary, since, as had been the case in the former campaign, I +should mainly have to depend upon the foreign officers and seamen of my +own ship, for the execution of plans which might become requisite--the +best way, therefore, to ensure their zealous co-operation throughout the +voyage, was to establish harmony at its commencement by complying with +their just demand. + +The following were the principal sums disbursed on this occasion, as +appears from my private memoranda, the vouchers themselves being +afterwards transmitted to the Minister of Marine through Captain +Shepherd, as will subsequently appear:-- + + Dollars. + To Myself 85,000 + Paid Messrs. May and Lukin, Prize Agents, + for Admiralty Court expenses, and + commission, at 5 per cent 15,000 + + Advanced to Squadron generally 23,000 + + Ditto to Captain Crosbie 5,000 + + Ditto, to other Officers 3,750 + + Disbursed at Rio, 70,750 + +This sum, about £.14,000, may appear trivial to the English reader, +accustomed to lavish expenditure in all naval expeditions as the most +economical way of securing their future efficiency--and hence the +mention of such an amount may be deemed superfluous. That this is not +the case will presently appear. + +The reader must not however imagine that I am about to inflict on him an +account current of the expenditure of the squadron; but circumstances +compel me to a precision in this respect on personal grounds: the +Brazilian Government--though in possession of the documents and vouchers +afterwards transmitted by Captain Shepherd--publicly persisting in the +statement that I never furnished accounts of the expedition to +Pernambuco and Maranham--thus leaving the public to infer that the +disbursements just narrated, together with subsequent payments, had +never in reality been made! In other words, that I induced the crews to +go to sea--put down the revolution in the North--spent nine months in +pacifying the revolutionary provinces--and yet fraudulently withheld +200,000 dollars, the only sum supplied during the whole of the +expedition; the seamen meanwhile not only serving without reward, but +being content with my monopolizing the portion of the prize-money known +by them to have been awarded for the expulsion of the Portuguese in the +preceding year, and notoriously in my possession! Their forbearance +being so improbable as to refute itself, being contrary to common sense; +even in the absence of the vouchers, which were transmitted to the +Brazilian Government, _but never acknowledged_--I am able however to +account for the whole from documents no less convincing than the +vouchers transmitted. + +It is true that nothing but the blind hatred of the old Portuguese +faction towards me could have originated such charges, and that hatred +was greatly increased by my pacification of the revolutionary +provinces--this being the death-blow to the intrigues recommended by +Palmella in favour of the mother country. As, however, the Brazilian +Government did not acknowledge to me the receipt of my accounts, which +must either exist to this day in the office of the Minister of Marine, +or must have been destroyed, for the sake of traducing my character in +justification of my prospective dismissal--it is incumbent on me to +supply, for the information of the Brazilian people, explanations which +have been repeatedly given to their Government, but which have not as +yet been made public through the medium of the press--and that not for +the information of the Brazilian people solely, but of the British +public, who, in the absence of official imputations recently +promulgated, have never before been put in possession of facts. + +The Brazilian people may rest assured that whenever I received, for the +use of the squadron, sums which itself had captured, I could neither +then conceal the circumstance nor can I now disavow the fact--giving, +however, the reasons which, for the interests of the Empire, justified +my proceedings. The only instance of this kind which had hitherto +occurred was my retention of 40,000 dollars captured at Maranham, and +they who have perused the preceding narrative will be at no loss for the +ground of my refusal to surrender to the Court of Admiralty a sum which +would have been returned by that tribunal to their Portuguese +brethren--nor for my resistance to the plot which the ministers had +formed to take it by force from on board the flagship. + +To return to the advances made to the officers and seamen of the +flagship. The following extracts from the original log kept by my +secretary will shew the fact of the distribution previously narrated:-- + + _July 12th_, 1824. Received the 200,000 dollars at the treasury, and + gave receipt, with Captain Crosbie and the Commissary. Deposited + the notes in the iron chest on board the _Pedro Primiero_. + + _July 19th_. Went on board the _Pedro Primiero_ to pay advance. + (Paid May and Lukin 15,000 dollars.) Engaged all day in paying + the men. + + _July 26th._ Went to the _Pedro_, with the Admiral and Lieutenant + Blake, to pay advance from the prize-money. In the evening the + Emperor called and announced to the Admiral that he was to sail + on Sunday next. + + _July 31st_. On board the _Pedro_ paying seamen as before. + Soldiers came on board. + + _August 2nd._ Emperor came alongside. Admiral embarked. + Got under way, and set sail in company with the _Maranhaõ_ brig + and three transports. + +The preceding extracts shew that not only was an advance made for the +good of the service, but this was done with such publicity, that both +the Emperor and his ministers could not fail to be aware of the +circumstance. The further distribution as prize-money, according to His +Majesty's direction, took place at Bahia and Pernambuco, as will be +shewn in the next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT PROCLAIMED AT PERNAMBUCO--ITS CONCORDAT----THE +PRESIDENT CARVALHO--THREAT OF BOMBARDMENT--A BRIBE OFFERED TO ME AND +REFUSED--THE REVOLT ADMITTED OF PALLIATION--IT WAS FAST BECOMING +GENERAL--INTIMIDATION INEFFECTUAL--THE REVOLUTIONISTS EXPECT FOREIGN +AID--PERNAMBUCO TAKEN POSSESSION OF--PAYMENT OF PRIZE MONEY--THE +ACCOUNTS RENDERED IN DUE COURSE--ORDERS TO PUT DOWN REVOLT AT +PARA--CHARACTER OF THE REVOLUTION--DIFFICULTY IN FINDING PROPER +GOVERNORS--REVOLT AT CEARA--STEPS TAKEN TO SUPPRESS IT--THEY PROVE +SUCCESSFUL--THE INSURGENT LEADER KILLED--MEASURES FOR PRESERVING +TRANQUILLITY. + + +On the 2nd of August, 1824, the Imperial squadron again quitted Rio de +Janeiro, the rendezvous being appointed at Jurugua, where we arrived on +the 13th, and on the 16th landed a body of twelve hundred troops under +General Lima, at Alagoas, seventy or eighty miles from the seat of +revolt! this notable step being taken in pursuance of strict orders from +the Administration at Rio de Janeiro. + +On the 18th, the squadron reached Pernambuco, falling in, near the +entrance of the port, with a number of Portuguese vessels quitting the +city with passengers; but in consequence of the prize tribunal having +_decreed damages_ for the seizure of enemy's ships within a certain +distance of the coast, they were permitted to pass unmolested. + +We did not reach Pernambuco too soon, for proclamations had been +issued by Manuel Carvalho Paes de Andrade, the revolutionary +President--denouncing Don Pedro as a traitor, whose aim it was to +abandon Brazil to the Portuguese; which denunciation, though right in +one sense, was wrong as regarded the Emperor, whose views were +thoroughly national--though the object of his ministers was as +thoroughly Portuguese. Had the Pernambucans been aware of the want of +concord between the Emperor's intentions and those of his ministers, who +had forced themselves upon him--the probability is that they would have +supported, instead of denouncing his government. + +The revolution had, however, now taken vigorous root, and the democratic +spirit of the Pernambucans was not to be trifled with. A republican form +of Government had been proclaimed, the views of which were on a more +extensive scale than was commensurate with the abilities of those +propounding them; it being their vain hope to constitute all the +equatorial provinces into a federation, on the model of the United +States, a project fostered--if not originated--by Americans resident in +the city. To further this object, an appeal was made to the other +Northern provinces to repudiate the Imperial authority, and to form with +Pernambuco an alliance, under the title of "Confederation of the +Equator;" the consequence being, that a large proportion of the +inhabitants of Parahyba, Piahuy, Rio Grande do Norte, and Cearà, +declared in favour of the measure. + +The annexed is the Concordat of the revolutionary provinces:-- + + In the year of Our Lord 1824, third year of the Independence of + Brazil, and the 3rd of August in that year, in the Hall of Session of + the Government of the Province of Pernambuco, there being present, + the Brazilian citizen, Quaresma Torreaõ, on behalf of His Excellency + the President, Carvalho Paes de Andrade, and the Illustrious and + Reverend Francisco da Costa Leixas; José Joaquim Fernandez Barros, + and the Citizen José Joaquim Germiniano de Moraes Navarro, on behalf + of the province of Rio Grande del Norte, by diploma dated August 16, + 1824, and also the Illustrious deputies commissioned by His + Excellency the Governor of the Province of Pernambuco to treat on + behalf of his Government, with a view to extinguish dissension in + political opinions, which has so greatly retarded the progress of + Brazil, and of independence and liberty; and, at the same time, to do + their endeavour to banish a servile spirit which tends to enthral + Brazil by a pretended Constitution, domineering over the Brazilian + nation like that of the Grand Seignior of the Ottoman Porte. + + The Commission of the Government of this province, and the + illustrious deputations before-mentioned, having maturely considered + these subjects, agree-- + + First,--That these provinces of Pernambuco and Rio Grande + unite in a fraternal league, offensive and defensive, to assemble + all their forces against any aggression of the Portuguese Government, + or that of the Government of Rio de Janeiro, to reduce these + provinces to a state of thraldom. + + Secondly,--That the said league shall extend to the establishing + constitutional liberty throughout the said provinces, and to supplant + the servile spirit with which they are infected, and thus avert civil + war, engendered by the intrigues at Rio de Janeiro, the influence of + which now pervades the whole of Brazil. + + + Thirdly,--That to insure the effect of this compact, the Government + of Rio Grande must form a body of troops, and place them on + the borders of the province of Parahyba, to be employed as necessity + requires. + + Fourthly,--That this body of troops shall be supported by the + province of Pernambuco, but shall be afterwards supported by the + "Confederation of the Equador." And that the same may be + carried into immediate effect, this Concordat shall have full force, + after being signed and ratified by their Excellencies the Presidents + of the said provinces of Pernambuco and Rio del Norte. + + (Signed) + P. FRANCISCO DA COSTA LEIXAS. + JOSÉ JOAQUIM FERNANDEZ BARROS. + JOSÉ JOAQUIM GERMINIANO DE MORAES NAVARRO. + BASILIO QUARESMA TORREAÓ. + MANOEL DE CARVALHO PAES D'ANDRADE, President. + + _Printed at the National Press._ + +Carvalho, however, was not the man to carry out such a scheme, his +enthusiasm being without prudence or daring; hence, on our arrival--in +place of union, the contending factions were engaged in destroying each +other's sugar-mills and plantations, whilst Carvalho himself had taken +the precaution to station a vessel at the island of Tamarica, for the +purpose of escaping, if necessary, from the turbulence which he had +raised, but could not control. On learning this, I felt it my duty to +despatch a corvette to seize her, _though at the risk of four-fold +damages, according to the regulations of the Admiralty Court!_ + +Knowing that it would take some time for the troops to come up, I +determined to try the effect of a threat of bombardment, and issued a +proclamation remonstrating with the inhabitants on the folly of +permitting themselves to be deceived by men who lacked the ability to +execute their schemes; pointing out, moreover, that persistence in +revolt would involve both the town and its rulers in one common ruin; +for, if forced to the necessity of bombardment,--I would reduce the +port and city to insignificance. On the other hand, I assured them that +if they retraced their steps, and rallied round the Imperial throne, +thus aiding to protect it from foreign influence--it would be more +gratifying to me to act the part of a mediator, and to restore +Pernambuco to peace, prosperity and happiness--than to carry out the +work of destruction which would be my only remaining alternative. + +In another proclamation I called the attention of the inhabitants to the +distracted state of the Spanish republics on the other side of the +Continent, asking whether it would be wise to risk the benefits of +orderly government for social and political confusion; entreating them +not to compel me to proceed to extremities, as it would become my duty +to destroy their shipping and block up their port, unless within eight +days the integrity of the empire were acknowledged. + +These threats were held out in the hope that by intimidation a struggle +might be prevented, but they failed to produce the desired effect. One +result was, however, not a little curious, as originating an offer to +myself from the revolutionary President, of a bribe of 400,000 milreis, +to be shipped immediately on board the English packet anchored off the +port, if I would abandon the Imperial cause, and come over to the +Republicans; this offer alluding, in strong terms, to the "infamous +treatment with which my services had been met by the administration at +Rio de Janeiro, and warning me that, by adhering to it, I should meet +with nothing but continued ill-treatment and ingratitude." + +The subjoined is the revolutionary President's letter: + + MY LORD, + + Frankness is the distinguishing character of free men, but + Your Excellency has not found it in your connection with the + Imperial Government. _Your not having been rewarded for the + first expedition affords a justifiable inference that you will get + nothing for the second._ I therefore use the freedom to assure Your + Excellency the amount of 400 contos of Reis, as an indemnification + for your losses. + + The services required from Your Excellency are to take up the + cause of the "Confederation of the Equator," as adopted by the + majority of the Northern provinces, whose limits will be the river of + Francisco da Norte. + + I have the honour to be + Your Excellency's most humble servant, + + MANUEL DE CARVALHO PAES D'ANDEADE. + +The letter contained, in addition, an argumentative justification of the +revolt, but as it abounds in abuse of the Emperor, couched in the most +indecorous language, I will not sully these pages by printing it entire. + +The result predicted by Carvalho--as I had learned by experience--was +not improbable, but it did not follow that, because the Brazilian +ministers were unjust and hostile to me, I should accept a bribe from a +traitor to follow his example. I therefore transmitted the following +reply to his impudent proposal:-- + + _Pedro Primiero,_ Off Pernambuco, Aug. 26, 1824. + + SIR, + + If I shall have an opportunity of becoming personally known to Your + Excellency, I can afford you proof to conviction, that the opinion + you have formed of me has had its origin in the misrepresentations + of those in power, whose purposes I was incapable, on principle, to + serve. + + I have, &c. &c. COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + His Excellency M. DE C. PAES D'ANDEADE. + +On the 19th, the Junta requested the interposition of the English and +French consuls to induce me to give further time for consideration. This +I refused, from the dangerous nature of the anchorage, by which the +safety of the ships was imperilled. + +Unwilling, however, to injure this fine city, I sent in proposals for +capitulation, giving permission to the revolutionary leaders to depart +unpunished, together with their property, provided they quitted the +Brazilian territory--demanding in return the surrender of the forts, +ships of war, gunboats, &c. as well as of all public property. In order +to prevent waste of time in correspondence, I proposed to Carvalho to +meet me on board any neutral ship of war, pledging my honour as to his +being permitted to return in safety; he nevertheless declined the +interview, proposing in return to meet me on shore on an island near the +town but--as after his insulting proposal, I could have no confidence in +his honour, this was of course declined. + +Still anxious to avoid extremities--from which, after the threats made, +I could not consistently refrain--I again wrote to Carvalho, that, had +he possessed the means of distinguishing between the intentions of the +Emperor, and the proceedings of a foreign faction, he would not have +been in arms against His Imperial Majesty, by adherence to whom Brazil +could alone be saved from that anarchy and confusion into which Mexico +and other South American States had fallen through individual rivalry +and the ignorance of their popular assemblies. I further pointed out to +him, that if, by procrastination I was compelled to bombard the city, +the popular clamour against the insurgent authorities might be followed +by melancholy proof to himself how quickly political adventurers may be +abandoned or betrayed in the hour of danger, and that he had better +yield to reason, what he could not prevent my effecting by force. + +By writers who could not have known anything of the circumstances--which +exist only in my own documents--I have been blamed for this tone of +moderation towards the revolutionary President. There were two valid +reasons for this course; first, that the conduct of the Pernambucans +admitted of great palliation, seeing that the distractions resulting +from the Portuguese faction in the administration at Rio de Janeiro had +been ignorantly construed into acts of His Imperial Majesty--so that the +injured people argued that it would have been better for them to have +remained a colony of Portugal, than a colony of the Government at Rio de +Janeiro--this mode of reasoning not being very far wrong. Secondly--and +this fully accounts for the moderation complained of--I knew, from the +most authentic sources that, in case of attack on the city, Carvalho had +determined to retire into the interior, there to carry on civil war by +enlisting the negro population under his standard; to avert which, I +considered that moderation was the best course to induce him and his +partisans to quit the empire, which would thus have been well rid of +them. + +It was folly, therefore, to consider the rebellion local, as had been +represented to the Imperial Government, or that its actors and +instigators were few and insignificant, for, in truth, as has been said, +it had already extended far and wide into the adjacent provinces, I +therefore wrote to the Minister of Marine, that "although it might not +be difficult to put down the revolution in the city, which, even the +land forces could have already accomplished, had they not been landed at +a distance--yet that without great circumspection, the prevention of +further revolution in the interior would be a work of time, trouble, and +expense; and that even all these would be thrown away, unless the causes +which had led to the rebellion, were removed or explained." + +The time given having expired without acceptance of the terms, it became +necessary to make at least a shew of enforcing them, though the water +was too shallow to admit vessels of large burden to approach with +safety, and the small vessels were ill adapted to the purpose; still I +determined to make a demonstration, and as a preparatory step ordered +Captain Welsh, of the _Paraguassu_, to shift into the flagship all the +English petty officers and seamen; but a heavy swell set in, and as the +anchorage was bad, I considered the risk imprudent. + +The schooner _Leopoldina_ was therefore ordered to try the effect of a +few experimental shells; but the mortar so shook the vessel, that she +had to be withdrawn, it being evident that nothing further could be done +till the weather would permit the approach of ships, or that rafts could +be constructed--for which purpose timber had been ordered from Bahia. +Little damage was effected by this experiment, for the wealthiest +inhabitants had fled into the interior, taking with them all their +valuable property. + +Heavy weather having now set in compelled the flagship to run to Bahia +for safety, the outer road of Pernambuco being at this season +exceedingly dangerous from the coralline nature of the bottom, as was +practically proved by the fact that the _Pedro Primiero_ lost every +anchor but one, so that to remain was certain destruction, and there was +no alternative but to make for Bahia to procure anchors. + +Nothing had been heard of General Lima's force since its debarkation, I +was therefore anxious to know what had become of it, and how far it was +in a condition to cooperate, the speedy possession of the place being +nautically an important point--for, whilst blockading we had intercepted +a Portuguese vessel, only forty-three days from the Tagus, and learned +from her letters that a large force was preparing at Lisbon, consisting +of sixteen ships of war and numerous transports, their destination +being Pernambuco; this forming sufficient proof that the Portuguese +Government counted on the recovery of those disorganised provinces which +had alike revolted against the mother country and the Emperor of Brazil. + +On the 4th of September, the flagship left for Bahia, first visiting the +island of Alexo, where the _Cacique_ and _Maranhaõ_ were at anchor. From +them we learned that General Lima's head-quarters were at Leimham, his +advance guard having joined the troops at Mogado, on the banks of a +river near Cape St. Augustine, the revolutionary forces occupying the +other bank. + +On reaching Bahia, we received information that the rebel Government at +Pernambuco was in immediate expectation of several fast sailing vessels, +ordered by the revolutionary President from North America, and also of +two steamers from England. I therefore wrote to the Minister of Marine +to send me some superior sailing vessels, as, if the anticipated +expedition from Lisbon, or those expected from England and America, made +their appearance, four at least of our force would, from their bad +sailing, run the risk of being captured on the first appearance of the +enemy. + +On learning the panic which had been created in Pernambuco, by the show +of bombardment, and its anticipated repetition in earnest on my return, +General Lima pushed forward towards the capital with no more formidable +opposition than a few desultory skirmishes; and on the 11th of +September, with the co-operation of the naval officers and seamen there +left, took possession of the city, Carvalho retreating into the +suburbs, where, breaking down the bridge which united them, he +entrenched himself. On the following day, it was said that General Lima +found in the treasury 400,000 dollars; perhaps the same which Carvalho +had offered to me as a bribe to join the republican party. + +The _Piranga_ arriving at this juncture with a convoy bringing eight +hundred additional troops, preparations were made to attack Carvalho; +but the insurgent president, making his escape on a fishing raft, took +refuge on board the British corvette _Tweed_, and afterwards got to sea. + +During the interval which elapsed between my departure for Bahia and my +return to Pernambuco, the distribution of prize money amongst those +entitled to it took place, the flagship and the _Maria de Gloria_ being +paid at Bahia, and the rest at Pernambuco. As His Imperial Majesty had +left me altogether unfettered by orders or instructions, and as he had +given the 200,000 dollars to be used in furthering the Imperial objects, +I determined not to regard the advances which had been made at Rio de +Janeiro, as forming any portion of the reward, especially to the +flagship, which had, unaided, achieved the more important results of the +late campaign, and was therefore entitled to a share commensurate with +the arduous exertions of the officers and crew, now again under my flag. + +The subjoined extracts from the log of my secretary will shew the +periods at which the distribution took place:-- + + _Sept.10th._ Made distribution of prize money in silver. + + _Sept.15th to 16th._ Went on board the _Maria de Gloria_, and paid + prize money. + + _Sept. 17th._ Paid Capt. Crosbie, 10,400 dollars in specie. Paid + other officers 5750 dollars. + + _Sept. 18th._ Paid Admiral 4750 dollars. + + _Sept. 27th._ Paying prize money to the _Paraguassu_ and others. + + _Sept. 28th._ Similarly employed. + + _Sept. 30th._ Paying prize money. + + _Oct. 1st to 5th._ Paying prize money. + + +The following were the amounts disbursed on these occasions, as far as +they appear in my private memoranda--some doubtless having been lost:-- + + Dollars. + Disbursements at Rio de Janeiro 70,750 + _(Paid Squadron as per account, made up Sept. 23, 1824.)_ + + + To petty officers and seamen of flagship, in classes + numbered A to Y, as per pay books transmitted + by _Piranha_ 18,289 + + Paid Captain Crosbie 10,400 + + " Captain-Lieutenants Carvalho, Grenfell, and + Shepherd, 2250 dollars each 6,750 + + " Capt. Grenfell, on account of captures at Parà 2,750 + + " Seven Lieutenants, at 1500 dollars each 10,500 + + " Two Lieutenants at 1000 dollars each 2,000 + + " Six Lieutenants at 750 dollars each 4,500 + + " Lieutenant Ross as prize master 500 + + " _Maria de Gloria_ 2,483 + + " _Nitherohy, Carolina,_ and _Paraguassu_, no + account, say the same 7,500 + + " Brig _Bahia_ 274 + + " Officers and men of the _Piranga_ 7,053 + + " Mr. Dean, purser 600 + + " Lieutenant Ayre 480 + + " Florencia José da Costa 140 + + " Gratifications to artisans 419 + + + " To Admiral 4,750 + " Secretary, for distribution 5,000 + " May and Lukin, prize agents, as per balance + of account, July 15, 1824 5,324 + ------ + 160,462 + Original amount 200,000 + ------ + Balance to be accounted for 39,538 + ====== + +The above were not the whole amounts paid, but they are all that a +search amongst my numerous papers at present furnish; and as the +original accounts, as has been previously stated, were sent to Rio de +Janeiro, a more precise balance cannot here be drawn; but even this is +sufficient to carry conviction to any reasonable mind, that the sums +above stated were disbursed in ordinary routine, and should make the +Brazilian administration ashamed to say, that "the First Admiral never +sent in his accounts of the 200,000 dollars entrusted to him," thus +inducing an unworthy inference that they were not disbursed; though any +man possessed of common understanding could never believe that a +squadron, constituted as the Brazilian Marine was, would obey orders and +cheerfully act in unison with me, knowing that their prize money was on +board--of which I unwarrantably held possession! + +These explanations are more humiliating to the Brazilian administration +than to myself--though for so many years the subject of unmerited +obloquy from their denial of accounts which must unquestionably have +been in the possession of the Administration of 1825. But I must carry +these explanations yet farther. With the exception of 4750 dollars for +my own necessities, I took none as my share, though entitled to an +eighth in all cases, and to a fourth in the absence of other ships +whenever important services were performed by the flagship alone. +Neither had I received from the Imperial Government a single dollar of +the customary emoluments due to me, though, had these been honestly paid +according to the usages of nations and the stipulations of the Emperor's +decree of December 11, 1822, my share ought to have been more than +double the whole amount entrusted to me to man the ships and satisfy the +officers and men. Still I did not appropriate the 39,000 dollars which +remained, after paying the men, but determined to withhold it till I saw +what course the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro intended to pursue; +and, if that course were not satisfactory, then to appropriate it as a +right, although it was wholly inadequate to the services rendered, for +which I had been loaded with Imperial honours and national thanks, +without a shilling of emolument, notwithstanding the capture of a +hundred and twenty _bona fide_ enemy's ships--the expulsion of their +fleet and army--and the annexation of more than one half the empire. But +more of this in another place. + +On my return to Pernambuco, I found General Lima in quiet possession of +the city, and as the _Piranga_ had brought me instructions from His +Imperial Majesty, that, as soon as order was restored, a force should +proceed to Parà, and depose the, General-at-Arms there nominated, I +applied to General Lima for a small military detachment to effect that +object; but he declined--on the ground, that in the present state of +affairs in Pernambuco, it was not practicable to diminish his force. + +It was not at Parà only that irregularities prevailed: even at Maranham +serious disturbances had broken out, with the avowed intention, on the +part of the insurgents, of deposing the Governor acting under the +authority of His Imperial Majesty--to whom this new attempt at +revolution was as yet unknown. In short, the order to depose the +General-at-Arms at Parà had unexpectedly resolved itself into the +necessity of tranquillizing the whole of the Northern provinces, which +were only waiting the result of Carvalho's measures at Pernambuco, +openly to declare against the Imperial authority. + +The dissatisfaction in the Northern provinces originated solely in the +anti-Brazilian system of Government pursued at Rio de Janeiro, which in +the estimation of all at a distance was Portuguese rather than +Brazilian. As they were either ignorant, or did not believe, that the +patriotic intentions of the Emperor were overruled or thwarted by the +Portuguese faction in the administration, which, holding in reality the +reins of power, left to His Majesty little more than nominal authority. + +It was not, then, to be wondered at, that the inhabitants of these +distant provinces, who, only a year before, had welcomed me as their +liberator from Portuguese oppression, and as the representative of +constitutional authority, should now be dissatisfied with what they +rightly considered an unnational system of government--preferring to +submit to a bad government of their own choosing rather than to one thus +arbitrarily imposed upon them. + +To avert revolution required able presidents, well skilled in the +management of public affairs; but, in place of these, men of an opposite +character had, for the most part, been chosen by the administration. + +It was no less essential that the Generals-at-Arms, or military +commandants, should be temperate and unprejudiced; but those placed in +this responsible position used their authority in the most obnoxious and +arbitrary manner. It was, no doubt, difficult to find proper men; or, if +they existed amongst the Brazilians, the jealousy of the Portuguese +party in the administration prevented their elevation to power; the aim +of that faction being disorder, as auxiliary to their anti-imperial +views. This had been strikingly evinced by the instructions given to +disembark General Lima's force at Alagoas, instead of near the seat of +disturbance; thus entailing loss of time and a difficult and tedious +march, which might have ended in failure, had it not been for the +distraction caused by the threatened bombardment of Pernambuco by water, +and the demonstration made to shew how easily it would be effected, when +means for a destructive attack were complete; the result was, +that--knowing my return from Bahia, with everything in readiness for an +attack in earnest, could not be delayed beyond a few days, no serious +opposition was offered to the occupation of the city by the force under +General Lima. + +The reports of increased disaffection in the Northern provinces becoming +daily more precise, it was necessary to take advantage of the panic +which the recovery of Pernambuco had occasioned; the more so, as serious +commotions had arisen, whilst a strong disposition to revolt was almost +universally manifested. As General Lima had refused me a military +detachment--and as the _Pedro Primeiro_ and _Piranga_ could render him +no further assistance, I considered it more in conformity with His +Majesty's interests to visit the Northern ports with these ships; taking +also the _Cacique_ and _Atalanta_, for the performance of services to +which the larger vessels were not adapted. The mere presence of these +off the disaffected ports would, I knew, suffice to restore order, by +affording inferential demonstration that, if force were required, it was +ready to be applied. + +Accordingly, leaving at Pernambuco the remainder of the squadron, we +sailed on the 10th of October for Rio Grande do Norte, where great +confusion prevailed amongst the inhabitants, threatened by the +insurgents in the adjacent province of Cearà, on account of their +abandonment of revolutionary designs in consequence of events at +Pernambuco. + +Arriving off the Rio Grande on the 12th, I requested information from +the President, relative to the state of the maritime towns and provinces +between Rio Grande and Parà, especially with regard to Cearà. The +nature of the reply determined me at once to proceed to the latter +place, though regretting the necessity of going farther to leeward, on +account of the time which would be occupied in getting back to Rio de +Janeiro; yet feeling assured that it would not be satisfactory to His +Majesty, were we to return without ascertaining more particularly the +condition of the North, and without contributing to the restoration of +tranquillity. + +Arriving off Cearà on the 18th, I sent a communication to the President, +requiring him to make known my arrival for the purpose of restoring +order, and promising that all disaffected persons who, within fourteen +days, should return to their allegiance, would be permitted to retire +quietly to their homes, and would not in any way be molested on account +of their previous acts or opinions. + +A deputation of the inhabitants came off to the flagship, asking me to +land as large a force as I could spare, but as General Lima had declined +to supply a military detachment, it was out of my power to comply; for +the roadstead being unsafe, and the flagship nearly aground, I could not +dispense with the English seamen, whilst the Portuguese portion of the +crews was not to be trusted. Besides which, the foreign seamen were not +adapted to garrisoning a town. + +The application was, therefore, evaded; but with an assurance to the +President that, should the insurgents advance, we would render effectual +assistance; reminding him, however, that the inhabitants ought to be +induced to adopt amongst themselves, measures for their own protection +and preservation of tranquillity, which results were perfectly within +their power; and would render unnecessary the presence of military. + +I however landed a small detachment for the purpose of ascertaining the +means of defence, as well as in the hope of exciting the authorities on +shore to some degree of activity in their own cause. In case of attack, +I promised to disembark for their assistance the whole of the men who +could be spared; at the same time giving permission to withdraw to the +ships in case of sudden emergency, which might not admit of +communication with me in time. + +This offer produced the best effect in the city, giving confidence to +the well-affected, whilst, as the discontented were ignorant of the +extent of aid that could be afforded, they deemed it wisest to keep +quiet. On the following day, the inhabitants returned to their +allegiance, the officiating President hoisting the Imperial flag on the +ramparts with his own hands, amidst every demonstration of general +satisfaction. + +I next caused despatches to be sent to all quarters of the province, +announcing the return of the city to its allegiance, promising oblivion +of the past to all who followed the example, and this was succeeded by a +general acknowledgment of the Imperial authority. Confidential agents, +entrusted with similar despatches, were likewise sent to the +revolutionary forces headed by Bizarra, the rebel General-at-Arms, the +whole of whose troops abandoned him; whilst, by similar agency, the +_corps_, under the immediate command of the revolutionary president, +Araripe, was reduced to a hundred men--even the Indians, without +exception, abandoning his standard. + +As one of the first steps towards the pacification of the province, I +had published not only a general amnesty, but also a particular amnesty, +offering to the insurgent leaders themselves especial pardon, from +which, in ordinary general amnesty, they might otherwise imagine +themselves excluded, I had, in my own mind, determined upon this as a +general course to be pursued, as I could not but see that, in the outset +of the revolt, both insurgents and leaders had good cause to be +dissatisfied with the central Government at Rio de Janeiro. I had even +addressed a letter personally to the revolutionary president, Araripe, +remonstrating upon the folly of the course he was pursuing, and +promising my protection to _himself_, as well as to the other +revolutionary leaders, if they would return to their allegiance. He +chose rather to withdraw into the interior, with the discontented who +adhered to him, intending, no doubt, to wait till the naval force had +retired. Foreseeing the danger of this, I issued a proclamation, +offering a reward for his capture, sufficient to induce the Indians who +had previously been his supporters to proceed in quest of him, the +result being that he himself was killed, and the whole of his followers +captured. The Indian chiefs, as well as their dependants, were of great +service in the restoration of order, combining superior bodily strength +and activity, with energy, docility, and unfailing power of endurance +--forming, indeed, the best specimens of the native race I had seen in +South America. + +Previous to this I had succeeded, without much trouble, in restoring +tranquillity to the province of Parahyba, which had also been disturbed +by the mandates of Araripe; the inhabitants complying with his orders, +from the immediate danger to which they were exposed by his violence, +and being under the impression that Rio de Janeiro was too far distant +to afford them succour. Their delight at finding a squadron at hand was, +therefore, immediately followed by a repudiation of the insurgent chief, +and a return to unqualified allegiance. + +My next endeavour was to organise an effective force at Cearà, and this +was accomplished by the embodiment of more than a thousand men, though +we had not a soldier in the squadron. Various _corps_ were also raised +in the towns and villages of the province, and were active in pursuit of +the scattered remains of the republican army. + +Having thus assured myself of the complete restoration of order in the +capital and province of Cearà, and addressed a proclamation to the +inhabitants, pointing out to them the folly of being misled by designing +persons, who could have no accurate knowledge of matters which formed +the ground of complaint against the Imperial Government, we sailed on +the 4th of November for Maranham, which province was found in a state of +even greater anarchy than had prevailed at Cearà. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +ARRIVAL AT MARANHAM--CHARACTER OF DISTURBANCES THERE--I ASSUME THE +MILITARY COMMAND--PROCLAMATION COMMANDING SURRENDER OF ARMS--CONDITION +OF THE PEOPLE--CORRUPTION OF THE AUTHORITIES--MURDEROUS +PROPENSITIES--DIFFICULTY IN DETECTING ASSASSINS--LETTER TO MINISTER OF +MARINE--PACIFICATION OF PARAHYBA--DOUBTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S +SINCERITY--HE ESTABLISHES SECRET AGENCIES--EXTRAORDINARY +MEMORIALS--PUBLIC COMPLAINTS OF THE PRESIDENT--BRUCE ENDEAVOURS TO +INTERCEPT THEM--MY REPLY TO THE MEMORIALISTS--LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF +MARINE--ENCLOSING COMPLAINTS OF THE CONSULS--BRUCE PREPARES TO RESIST MY +AUTHORITY--COMPLAINTS OF THE BRITISH CONSUL--HE CONSIDERS MY PRESENCE +NECESSARY--LETTER OF THE FRENCH CONSUL--DETAILING SHAMEFUL +ATROCITIES--DANGER OF COLLISION WITH FOREIGN STATES--SUSPENSION OF THE +PRESIDENT--PROVISION FOR FUTURE GOVERNMENT--CONDUCT OF THE FACTION AT +RIO DE JANEIRO--NO INSTRUCTIONS SENT FOB MY GUIDANCE--LETTER TO THE +MINISTER OF MARINE--THE MINISTRY HAD PREVIOUSLY DEPOSED BRUCE--BUT +TURNED ON ME FOR ANTICIPATING THEIR OWN ACT. + + +We arrived at Maranham on the 9th of November, and ascertained that the +city and province--as had been reported--were in a complete state of +anarchy, arising from causes almost incomprehensible. The leaders of the +army had risen against the authority of the president, Miguel Bruce, and +fighting was going on when we entered the river. The strangest part of +the affair was, that both parties declared themselves supporters of the +Imperial authority, whilst each accused the other of plotting to form a +republic. Bruce kept possession of the city by means of negro troops, +from amongst whom he had also picked his officers, conferring upon them +regular commissions; the result being, that their excesses kept the +respectable inhabitants in a state of constant terror, so that my +arrival was hailed with the greatest satisfaction, and addresses of +congratulation were sent in from all quarters, even the ladies adopting +the unusual course of sending a deputation to welcome me. + +I immediately demanded from the president a report of the condition of +the province; but before this was presented, memorials from every part +put me in possession of the causes of disorder universally prevailing. +The general complaint was, that the president had established an +autocracy, refusing the co-operation of a council, as required by the +constitution, and that under his individual authority, military +disorders of all kind prevailed, even to murder, whilst outrages of the +most revolting nature were committed amidst cheers of "Long live His +Imperial Majesty;" thus using the Imperial name as a sanction to the +perpetration of acts the most unlawful and injurious. + +The President Bruce was the same individual whom, on the expulsion of +the Portuguese in the previous year, I had temporarily appointed +President to the first provisional Junta under the Empire, which body +was quickly superseded by a Government elected by the people. Possessing +influence amongst the Portuguese, of which faction--as afterwards +appeared--he was a prominent supporter, he had contrived to get himself +reinstated as head of the provincial Government, and was apparently +following the policy of the Portuguese faction in power at Rio de +Janeiro, viz. that of keeping his province in a state of confusion with +a view to disgust the populace with the Imperial rule, and so dispose +them, should opportunity offer, to favour the views of the mother +country. This policy, as has been said, was marked out by the agents of +Portugal; but Bruce, with every disposition to favour the views of the +parent state, was not the man to be entrusted with political strategy of +this nature. The fact being that, though possessed of a certain amount +of cunning, Bruce was unfit to be entrusted with authority at all--much +less to exercise that which recognises no control--so that the disorder +which prevailed was rather a natural consequence of his own want of +capacity, and arbitrary system of government. Finding every one against +him, he was gradually throwing himself on the black population for +support, promoting emancipated slaves to the rank of officers; and it +was generally acknowledged that had it not been for our opportune +arrival, both himself and the whites who remained in the city might +speedily have fallen a sacrifice to the force which had been organised +for his especial protection. + +On the other hand, the opponents of the president were not only in arms +against him, but there were two or three family parties fighting each +other under the Imperial flag! and carrying their revengeful animosities +to an outrageous extent, which threatened the extermination of one, at +least, of the contending parties, if not the total ruin of the province. +To deal with these parties was, from their mutual recriminations, more +difficult than had they declared themselves inimical to the Imperial +Government. In one thing, however, they were all agreed, viz. in +opposition to the president; but as his was the constituted authority, +this was precisely what I did not intend to sanction. + +It was clear to me that the first remedy was the appointment of a proper +military authority, and as none could be trusted, I apprised the +president of my intention to assume the chief military command during my +stay, or at least until order was restored, issuing a proclamation to +that effect. + +As hostilities were still going on, I sent an order to both parties to +lay down their arms, with which mandate the anti-president party +immediately complied, and dispersed; but as the savage blacks under the +authority of the president attacked their now unarmed adversaries, and +committed great excesses, I seized and put them on board some vessels, +anchoring these under the guns of the flagship, and retained the whole +as prisoners, thus keeping them out of the way of further mischief. + +The surrender of the arms was effected by the following proclamation, +which also explains my motives for this measure:-- + + Whereas, it is essential to the interests of the empire in general + and to the province of Maranham in particular, to put an end to + all public disturbances, whether arising from the contentions of + individuals, or from other causes; and whereas, the Constitution + has provided not only for the administration of justice in civil cases, + but also for the summary trial of military offences. + + Be it henceforth known that--all persons armed, or commanding + or acting with men in arms, or aiding and assisting any body of + armed men in the support or defence of any persons assuming or + pretending to authority as chieftains, or attempting to alter the + Constitution by force--are hereby subject to military jurisdiction + and shall be tried by military law accordingly. But this regulation + is not intended to prohibit individuals from meeting together unarmed, + for the purpose of uniting in an application for the redress + of grievances, or petitioning His Imperial Majesty on points connected + with public or private interests. + + And whereas, military arms and ammunition have been obtained, + by numerous individuals on the pretext of using them for private + defence--it being essential to public tranquillity and general good + that people should have recourse to the protection of the laws, and + not to violence for their security--notice is hereby given, that all + persons in possession of such military arms are to deliver them up + to the chief military officers in their respective districts, to be + deposited in the public armoury. Whoever shall be found in + possession of arms after the termination of this present month of + November, shall be judged according to military law. + + Given on board the _Pedro Primiero_ this 12th day of November, + 1824. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +This proclamation is adduced in order to shew the condition of the +province on my arrival, which it does more fully than would pages of +description. To these difficulties were now added the chagrin of Bruce, +at having his military authority superseded, though his civil authority +was not only uninterfered with, but supported. Still, having the orders +of His Imperial Majesty to use my discretion in tranquillizing the +disturbed provinces, it was not my intention to permit His Majesty's +views to be frustrated by undue deference to a Governor, whose folly and +despotism combined, had been the chief cause of the disturbances, though +I well knew that the course I was pursuing, even though approved by His +Majesty, would bring down upon me the indignation of the Portuguese +faction in power at Rio de Janeiro. + +The proclamation had the effect of procuring the surrender of arms to a +great extent, followed by the disbandment of all irregular forces +collected by the contending chieftains, so that apparent tranquillity +was everywhere enforced. + +The great point was to establish permanent order, which, had we gone +away, would soon have been broken. As, since the reduction of +Pernambuco, there was no other field for my active services, and as I +had no instructions how to dispose of the squadron, I determined to +remain at Maranham, and employ myself in consolidating the good already +produced, till further commands from His Imperial Majesty; for having in +the preceding year expelled the Portuguese from the province, its +welfare was a matter of interest to me, and I felt assured that were His +Majesty acquainted with the want of unity existing, authority would be +given to carry out my views. + +In Maranham, as in the other Northern provinces of the empire, there had +been no amelioration whatever in the condition of the people, and +without such amelioration, it was absurd to place reliance on the +hyperbolical professions of devotion to the Emperor which were now +abundantly avowed by those who before my arrival had been foremost in +promoting and cherishing disturbance. + +The condition of the province--and indeed of all the provinces--was in +no way better than they had been under the dominion of Portugal, though +they presented one of the finest fields imaginable for improvement. All +the old colonial imposts and duties remained without alteration--the +manifold hindrances to commerce and agriculture still existed--and +arbitrary power was everywhere exercised uncontrolled; so that in place +of being benefited by emancipation from the Portuguese yoke, the +condition of the great mass of the population was literally worse than +before. + +To amend this state of things it was necessary to begin with the +officers of Government, of whose corruption and arbitrary conduct, +complaints--signed by whole communities--were daily arriving from every +part of the province; to such an extent, indeed, was this misrule +carried, that neither the lives nor property of the inhabitants were +safe, where revenge, or baser motives, existed for the exercise of acts +of oppression[1]. + +[Footnote 1: Numerous original, but lengthy, documents are in my +possession proving all these facts.] + +I therefore addressed a letter to the president, warning him that such +things ought not to be tolerated; that reports of excesses committed by +those under his authority were reaching me from all quarters, the +perpetrators deserving the most severe and exemplary chastisement; that +I had determined to investigate these matters; and under the reservation +made--of personally acting under extraordinary circumstances--would +visit these cases with severe punishment, should the reality come up to +the representations made. + +The recklessness of human life was amongst the more remarkable features +of these excesses. Only a short time before this, I had granted a +passport to Captain Pedro Martins, as the bearer of an offer from an +insurgent party to lay down their arms, but he was murdered on his +return. This atrocious act, perpetrated, as I had reason to believe, by +some factious adherents to the president's party, from motives of +revenge, was unfortunate, as affording a pretext for others who were +ready to submit, to continue in arms for their mutual protection. I +therefore directed that all troops under the authority of the president +should remain where they were until further orders from me; and demanded +of His Excellency to use every endeavour to apprehend the parties guilty +of an act so disgraceful to the Imperial cause, that they might meet +with due punishment. + +Finding no effort made to apprehend the murderers, I addressed to Bruce +the following letter:-- + + It is with great regret that I have learned the atrocious act committed + by your soldiers against an officer having my passport + for the purpose of endeavouring to tranquillize the province, by + inducing the dissentient party to lay down their arms. This is + a matter so disgraceful to the cause of those by whom it has been + perpetrated, that I must enforce on your attention the necessity of + exertion to apprehend all persons who may be suspected of having + committed this crime, and send them immediately, prisoners, to this + city. + + I have further to direct, in the name of His Imperial Majesty, that + the troops under your command shall remain where they are until + further orders from me, as Commander-in-chief of the military and + naval forces of this province, notwithstanding any authority or order + which you may heretofore have received, or which you may hereafter + receive--except from me--to the contrary. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ + +It is almost needless to say that the guilty parties--though doubtless +well known--were permitted to escape with impunity; the president +alleging as his excuse, "the insufficiency of the regular troops to +preserve the tranquillity of the city;" this remark being intended to +throw upon me the responsibility of having secured on board the black +savages whom he had organized. My reply was, that--"for what I had done, +I was responsible to the supreme Government and the public, and if he +could not find means to preserve the public tranquillity, I must do so; +as he must be sensible that I had acted with propriety in relieving him +from a portion of the labour and responsibility which he had hitherto +sustained." + +On the 28th of November, I forwarded to the Minister of Marine, at Rio +de Janeiro, a full report of these transactions, from which the +subjoined are extracts:-- + + The completion of the task of tranquillizing Cearà in a manner + I trust satisfactory to His Imperial Majesty, was, in a great + measure, effected by the pardon promulgated in the name of His + Majesty--consigning to oblivion those occurrences which would + otherwise have agitated the public mind. The only exception + made was the intrusive President Araripe, and this, because, + instead of availing himself of the first proclamation of amnesty, in + which he was included, he retired into the interior with a band of + robbers, in order to excite further disturbance. The consequence + of this obstinate perseverance in disobedience on the part of + Araripe, has been his death, and the capture of all his followers. + + The restoration of Cearà to its allegiance and tranquillity having + been thus accomplished, we proceeded to Parahyba, where all was + tranquil, the inhabitants having unanimously declared His Imperial + Majesty Constitutional Emperor, the moment that they became free + from the terror of their more powerful and military neighbours at + Cearà. Some dissensions, however, remained in the province. With + respect to Maranham, things are different: no republican flag has + been displayed--nor, as far as I can learn, did any intention exist + on the part of the inhabitants of raising the standard of rebellion; + the state of civil war in which we found the presidency arising + from personal animosities amongst some of the principal families, + especially between those families and that of His Excellency the + President. Certain it is, that all were united against the President, + who, to protect himself, had recourse to the assistance of the lowest + classes of the community, even to emancipated slaves. The result + has been, military disorders of all kinds--and there is no outrage + which has not been perpetrated. + + The general complaint against the President is, that the constitution + has in no way been put in practice; that he has not + established any lawful council; and that he has been guilty of + arbitrary acts. The original documents relating to these matters + are enclosed for the judgment of His Imperial Majesty. + + I humbly hope that His Imperial Majesty will perceive that, + although I had no express authority to interfere in internal disputes, + yet it became my duty--on finding the province in a state of civil + war--without any General-at-Arms, or other military officer of + sufficient authority or capacity, to restore public peace--to take + upon myself powers which I trust have been used for the benefit of + His Imperial service. In order that the Imperial Government may + judge of my proceedings, I have the honour to enclose copies of + proclamations, and other documents relative to my transactions. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +On the 4th of December I was not a little surprised at receiving from +President Bruce a letter requiring me to banish certain persons +obnoxious to himself, amongst others Francisco de Moraes, who had been +the first to set the example of submission to the proclamation issued on +my arrival. This most unreasonable request I refused--writing to Bruce +that dissensions were not likely to be healed by punishing those who had +laid down their arms on the faith of a proclamation issued in the name +of His Imperial Majesty; further assuring him that, if he did his duty, +he would not find me remiss in endeavours to relieve the province and +himself from the miseries and difficulties with which he had been +surrounded. + +On the 5th of December I had the satisfaction of receiving a deputy from +Parahyba, assuring me of the perfect pacification of the town and +province. On receipt of this gratifying intelligence I transmitted to +Parahyba a general amnesty, coupled with advice as to the folly "of +rebelling under erroneous impressions of circumstances with regard to +His Imperial Majesty, which could not come within the sphere of their +personal knowledge, and hoping that, for the future, they would duly +appreciate the beneficence of a sovereign who desired that his authority +--limited by the Constitution--should be felt by his people only through +the exercise of justice and benevolence." + +It was a vexatious task to be thus constantly exhorting the disaffected +in the Northern provinces to confidence in the Imperial Government, +because I knew that they had but too good reason to be dissatisfied--not +with the Emperor--but with his administration, whose hopes were founded +on anarchy and intrigue. It was therefore my practice to exhort them to +rely on His Imperial Majesty--it not being within the scope of my duty +to draw the distinction between the Imperial wishes and the sinister +practices of those by whom His Majesty was surrounded. + +During the period of my absence I had been pressing upon the Department +of Marine at Rio de Janeiro the necessity of a speedy adjudication of +the prizes belonging to the squadron, according to the written order of +His Imperial Majesty. On the 5th of December I received an evasive reply +from the Auditor of Marine, stating that "he did not consider himself in +possession of all the laws and regulations whereon his judgment should +be founded in regard to seizures made or vessels captured by the naval +forces of Brazil." A miserable subterfuge!--as though it were any part +of my duty to supply an official with "laws and regulations" on such a +subject. It was quite evident to me that, despite His Majesty's orders, +no adjudication was intended, nor was any afterwards made; but in order +to prevent complaint of neglect on my part. I transmitted, on the same +date, to the auditor the whole of my documents, with a request that they +might be returned. + +From the state of the province on my first arrival, I had entertained +suspicions as to the President's sincerity; and as outbreaks were again +of frequent occurrence, notwithstanding the general desire for +pacification, an investigation into the causes of these elicited the +fact that he was secretly sending agents to promote disturbance, for the +purpose of revenging himself upon those now disarmed, who, before my +arrival, had opposed his arbitrary authority. + +To such an extent was this carried, that memorials reached me begging my +interference, as the memorialists could not now defend themselves. Two +of these memorials, signed by upwards of three hundred of the +respectable inhabitants of the province, were of such a nature as to +render hopeless the perfect restoration of order so long as the +President was permitted to exercise the autocracy, which, contrary to +all the principles of the constitution, he had irresponsibly assumed. + +In order to account for a step which I subsequently considered it my +duty to adopt, it is necessary to give some extracts from one of these +memorials, signed by a hundred and fifty-two of the most respectable +inhabitants in a distant part of the province:-- + + "That the most demoralizing excesses are permitted amongst + the soldiery, and, in order to preserve his influence with the troops, + the President permits them to murder with impunity--even Europeans; + the perpetrators of these acts being not only unpunished, + but rewarded, whilst military commandants and others attempting to + repress these disorders are dismissed; so that absolute authority is + established--the public money being squandered on the soldiery, in + order to support a criminal despotism. + + "Your Excellency must have witnessed the state to which the + province was reduced on your arrival, the people being compelled + to have recourse to arms in order to ward off a multitude of vexations. + Your Excellency must also have observed how quickly they + laid down their arms at your summons, of which circumstance the + party of the President availed themselves to sack and plunder the + towns and villages everywhere in the country; the tears, desolation, + and misery of so many villages and estates, accompanied by the + blood of the murdered and wounded, remaining eternal monuments + of these crimes. + + "The President and his followers, convinced of the abhorrence + with which such atrocities were viewed, availed themselves of the + false pretext that such acts were necessary for the Imperial service, + the people being in rebellion against him. + + "At the present moment he has given out that he has three thousand + men ready to support him in the Presidency against the measures of + your Excellency, and it is a fact that, in various parts of the + province, he has troops, militia, and arms; whilst the commandants, + appointed by himself, are all ready to execute his measures. + + "If your Excellency should unhappily quit the province, whilst + matters are in this state, it will be totally desolated--its commerce + annihilated--and its agriculture abandoned; confiscation and terror + will be everywhere established, accompanied by rebellion towards + the Emperor. If you will remain, we, the undersigned, undertake + to support the squadron, in the absence of funds from the Imperial + treasury. + + "To terminate these evils, we beg to represent to your Excellency + that there is only one remedy. President Bruce must be deposed + and sent to Rio de Janeiro, with his coadjutors, who are well known, + in order that his acts may be lawfully investigated, and punished + as justice demands; and that, in the interim, there should be + elected by your Excellency, from amongst the more respectable + inhabitants of this province, a person to represent to His Imperial + Majesty the horrible state of things here existing, and to implore + His Imperial Majesty's interposition for its salvation--your Excellency, + in the meantime, assuming the civil and military government + of the province, until His Imperial Majesty's pleasure can + become known. And we further beg of your Excellency that you will + name able magistrates, of known probity, to the respective districts, + and cause oaths to be taken, in order that the respective Camaras + may proceed to the work of saving the province from tumult and + anarchy, by observing faithful obedience to His Imperial Majesty + and by the administration of laws for the government of the people. + + "Maranhaõ, Dec. 11, 1824." + + Signed by one hundred and fifty-two + of the principal inhabitants of the province. + +A similar document, signed by upwards of a hundred and fifty of the +respectable inhabitants of Alcantara--upon whom excesses had been +committed in no way less reprehensible than at Maranham--had been +forwarded to me on the 6th of December; but, as the complaints were of +the same nature, it is unnecessary to do more than advert to the +circumstance. In addition to these, I received a statistic list of the +murders and robberies perpetrated throughout the province, under the +agency of those placed in authority by the President. The whole of these +documents were retained by me as a justification of any contingency that +might arise, and are still in my possession. + +The Maranham memorial reached me on the 14th of December, and had +scarcely been placed in my hands, when a letter arrived from President +Bruce, deprecating its reception, thus shewing that he had previously +been made aware of the contents, and--as I had afterwards reason to +believe--had attempted to intercept the memorial, but had failed in so +doing. After glancing at the contents, I made him the following reply:-- + + SIR, + + I have this moment been honoured with the receipt + of your Excellency's letter, and have to state that the document to + which you allude had not been delivered to me five minutes previous + to your Excellency's communication, and that I have not yet had + time to read it. + + Your Excellency may, however, rest assured that if the said paper + contains any thing injurious to the interests or dignity of his Imperial + Majesty, I shall not fail to take such steps as the occasion may + require. All papers that have been presented to me, it is my intention + to transmit to Rio de Janeiro, where the Imperial government + will judge of the motives of the writers, and of the contents of their + communications. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + Dec. 14, 1824. + +My reply to the memorialists was as follows:-- + + Maranham, Dec. 18,1834. + + GENTLEMEN, + + I have read your memorial with attention, and + regret that you should have occasion to detail complaints of so painful + a nature, the more so as I do not know whether I am authorised + to remedy the evils otherwise than by such measures as have been + already adopted. + + According to the Constitution, you ought to find a remedy in the + laws; but if any authority, commissioned by His Imperial Majesty, + has improperly placed obstacles in the way of law, to His + Majesty only can an appeal against such conduct be made, for they + who attempt to redress evils arising from a breach of the Constitution, + by violating that very Constitution place themselves in an + equally disadvantageous position with the object of their accusation. + + As regards the deposition of the President, which you request, I + frankly confess to you, Gentlemen, that whatever may be my private + opinion as to the course most advantageous to you and the province + in general--and even to the President himself--I should feel extremely + reluctant, except in a case of manifest and extreme necessity, + to take upon myself a responsibility which might possibly subject + me to the displeasure of His Imperial Majesty, and would most + certainly expose me to be continually harassed by prejudicial reports + and false accusations, supported by artful intrigues, against which + neither prudence nor rectitude could effectually avail. + + To mention an instance of this, within your own knowledge, you + all know that, last year, when this province was annexed to the + empire, the property of Brazilians under the flag of Portugal, and of + all resident Portuguese, was by me respected and unmolested. You + know, too, that all the public property of the Portuguese Government + in the arsenals and magazines was left untouched, and it is + equally true that upwards of sixty contos of reis (60,000 dollars) in + specie, and one hundred and forty contos (140,000 dollars) in bills + taken in the Portuguese treasury and custom house, were left by + me in the hands of the Government of Maranham, for the payment + of the army. Yet, notwithstanding these notorious facts, it has + been audaciously declared by the Portuguese authorities composing + the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, that that very army--which I + had thus left the means to pay--_had served disinterestedly at their + own expense, and that I was a mercenary and a robber!_ I may add, + too, that the Junta of Maranham contributed in no small degree to + this calumny, for, after they had secured the money, they refused to + give me a receipt, though the sum I had so lent for the use of the + army was, and still is, the indisputable property of the officers and + men of the ships of war who were instrumental in freeing this + province from a colonial yoke. + + In short, great as is my desire to render you every service in my + power, I am not willing to interfere in matters over which I have + no express authority--because I do not like to risk the displeasure + of His Imperial Majesty, attended, as it might be, not only with + sudden dismissal from my official situation, but even with heavy + fines and imprisonment; not to mention the sacrifice of all those + pecuniary interests which I possess at Rio de Janeiro, where I have + enemies _eagerly watching for a pretence to deprive me of all to which + I have a claim_. Neither am I disposed to afford to those persons + any opportunity of giving plausibility to those calumnies which + they are ever so ready to utter, nor to be under the necessity of + placing myself on my defence before the world against their false + accusations. + + I have the honour, GENTLEMEN, + &c. &c. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +The memorial of the inhabitants of Maranham was, together with other +complaints, forwarded by me to the Imperial Government, accompanied by +the following letter to the Minister of Marine:-- + + December 16th, 1824. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + My letters 278-279, will have acquainted your + Excellency of our proceedings here up to their respective dates, and + will also have afforded the Imperial Government such information + as I could collect regarding the origin and progress of the disputes + which have so unhappily prevailed. + + It was my hope that--by taking their implements of war from + the hands of the contending parties, and removing the most disorderly + portion of the military--the public mind would have + subsided into tranquillity. It appears, however, that--from the + constant alarm occasioned by the "_Pedestres_," and other irregular + troops lately maintained by the President--the public still continue + in dread of being exposed to outrages, similar to those lately committed + on their persons and property. The terror excited is + universal, and as the people must be well acquainted with the + character and conduct of persons with whom they have been bred + up, I cannot bring myself to believe--however desirous to support a + President nominated by His Imperial Majesty--that all the + respectable portion of the population, without exception, entertain + fears that are groundless. Indeed, from all that I have seen or + heard, there is but little reason to hope that his Excellency the + President has any intention to govern this province on any other + system than that of the Captains-General, under the old Portuguese + government; that is to say, rather according to his own will than + in conformity with the dictates of justice or equity. + + Certain it is, that, up to the present moment, the Constitution + has never been put in practice, and even military law has not been + adhered to. Numerous persons have been banished without accuser + or declared crime--others have been thrown into gaol--and the + greater portion of the principal people who remained had--previous + to our arrival--fled to the woods, to avoid being the objects of the + like arbitrary proceedings. + + The representations which I now enclose to your Excellency as a + sample of the numerous documents of a similar nature addressed to + me, will, at least, lead His Imperial Majesty to the conclusion that + such complaints could not have arisen, and continued under the + government of a person calculated to preside over the interests + of so important a province. + + Your Excellency will find a memorial from the French Consul, + marked No. 7, and the other Consuls have only been restrained + from sending similar representations from the consideration that, + on the squadron quitting this port, the consequences might be + highly prejudicial to their interests and those whom they + represent. + + I would further state to your Excellency the remarkable fact + that the President--after having continued a _high pay_ to the + soldiery during the existence of those disorders of which they were + the instrument--did, at the moment of my taking the command, + send me an old order respecting the diminution of the pay of the + troops, which order he himself had never put in execution. And it + is still more extraordinary, that he since refused _any pay whatever_, + to the small number of troops of the line, who are continued in + service for the preservation of the tranquillity of the city. + + Since my last letters, I have been using all possible diligence to + get the remainder of the firearms out of the hands of the lower + classes of the population. Many, however, have been withheld--a + circumstance which gives additional importance to the extraordinary + fact, which I have only by accident learned--that the + Junta of Fazenda, acting under the President, issued an order + on the 6th of December (an attested copy of which is enclosed), + _authorising the sale of powder, and that too, under the false pretence + that "all motives for suspending the sale of powder had ceased."_ + I have not words in which to express the astonishment I felt at this + extraordinary proceeding. I shall only add that, as soon as it + came to my knowledge, I gave orders that such sale should not be + permitted, and I have since directed the whole of the powder in the + magazines at Maranham to be embarked and deposited in a vessel + near the anchorage of the ships-of-war; by which precaution I + consider the security of the white population to be in a great + measure secured, till His Imperial Majesty shall be enabled to + take such steps as in his judgment may appear necessary. + + Were I to detail to your Excellency all the facts that lead my + mind to a conclusion that this province will be entirely lost to the + empire unless a speedy remedy be applied to the evils which here + exist--it would be necessary to trespass upon you at very great + length; but as the brother of the Secretary of Government proceeds + to Rio de Janeiro by the same conveyance as this, your Excellency + and colleagues will be able to obtain from him such further information + as may satisfy your minds regarding the state of this + province. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +It was not long before I learned that in many parts troops were being +secretly organised to support the President's authority against me, but +this was met by removing from command those officers who had either +permitted or encouraged military insubordination; supplying their places +with others upon whom I could better rely. + +An occurrence, however, now took place which threatened to involve +Brazil in serious difficulties. From the indiscrimination of Bruce's +troops in their career of injury and plunder, some renewed outrages had +been committed on French subjects; for which the French consul required +reparation from me, as having assumed the chief authority; at the same +time again demanding passports for himself and the whole of the French +residents, in case of my intention to quit the city and leave Bruce +again in power. The British consul also forwarded additional complaints +of similar outrages against his countrymen; but, in place of requiring +reparation at my hands, he forwarded representations to his own +government, requesting protection against the acts of Bruce, at the same +time communicating the fact of these representations to me, but +declining to furnish me with a copy of his despatch, as I had no direct +appointment from the Imperial Government for the authority I was +exercising. The demands of the French consul were, however, pressing; +but I could only reply with regard to the outrages committed against +French subjects by the adherents of the President:--"I was sorry that it +was not in my power to remedy past evils; but that such steps had been +taken as would prevent their recurrence for the future." + +The subjoined is one of the letters of the British Consul:-- + + British Consul's Office, + + Maranhaõ, Dec. 17, 1824. + + My Lord, + + Understanding that your Lordship has an intention of soon withdrawing + your presence from this province, I am forced, as the official and + responsible protector of British interests in this quarter, to make + the following statement, leaving it to be proved by the facts therein + set forth that I am, by this course, adopting the only means within + my reach, of providing for the interests confided to my attention, a + satisfactory security! and that I am, by so doing, not departing from + that line of conduct which, as a neutral officer, I am bound to + observe. + + By this time your Lordship must be fully aware of the violent + character and desolating effects of the late civil commotions + throughout this province. These commotions unhappily existed during a + protracted period, and whilst they were raging, the regular pursuits + of the community were either interrupted by violent party + intrigues--suspended by a barbarous warfare--or totally stopped by + merciless outrages. + + Notwithstanding this disjointed state of society, and the consequent + inefficiency of all constituted authority, the resident British, by + general and firm perseverance in a strictly neutral line of conduct, + and by calm endurance of not a few unavoidable ills--succeeded in + averting from themselves the chief weight of those evils to which all + the remaining population were exposed. + + But though they now feel grateful at having escaped outrage + and have passed unhurt amidst general anarchy, still, they recollect, + that while by their conduct they were entitled to protection, they + nevertheless continued in a painful anxiety for their safety. + + In this state of uncertain security the resident British continued + for several months, and when at last intrigue attempted to force + them into the general scene of distress--some being openly + threatened--your Lordship's providential arrival averted the destruction + of many inhabitants, and the dangerous condition of all. + + Into this critical situation were British interests at this place + thrown by violent party spirit. That spirit, though at present + smothered, cannot be totally extinguished without time. It has + unsettled the community at large, and disorganised all the military + establishments of the province. + + After this exposition of facts, I may be allowed to assert, without + thereby offering the least disrespect to any constituted authority, + that your Lordship's presence in this province for the time being is + indispensable for the tranquillity and security of all its inhabitants-- + because the only means by which legal control can be revived, and + consequently an occurrence which must be as desirable and needful + to all public functionaries, as I frankly avow it to be to one, who has + the honour to declare himself + + Your Lordship's + Most obedient and humble servant, + + ROBERT HESKETH, + His Britannic Majesty's Consul. + + To the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, + Marquis of Maranhaõ, Admiral, &c. &c. + +The letter of the French Consul is even more precise, and therefore I +subjoin that also:-- + + Vice Consulate of France at S. Louis de Maragnon, + + Monsieur le Marquis, Dec. 4, 1821. + + La position difficile dans laquelle je me suis trouvé depuis trois + mois--la délicatesse de celle dans laquelle je suis placé maintenant + vis-à-vis M. le Président de la province de Maragnon, m'imposant le + devoir de porter à la connoissance de votre Excellence les justes + motifs de plainte que j'ai à lui exposer centre la conduite de M. le + Président Bruce envers un Agent de Sa Majesté le Roi de France, et + venir à ce titre reclâmer un appui que je ne puis plus dorénavant + attendre de sa part. La confiance que m'inspire le caractère dont + votre Excellence est revêtue, et la certitude qu'elle n'ignore pas + les intimes relations qui lient la France à l'Empire du Brésil, me + font qu'elle saura apprécier les conséquences graves que doivent + entraîner l'avance faite ici aux sujets de mon Souverain, et le + silence méprisant que garde à cet égard le Président depuis un mois + que je lui ai demandé la participation du résultat d'une enquête + qu'il m'assura avoir été ordonnée par lui. Sans m'entendre sur les + évènements facheux qui ont désolé cette province depuis cinq mois, + pour être hors du but que je me propose je me bornerai à parler de + ceux dont je puis garantir l'authenticité et de l'influence du + Gouvernement de M. Bruce pendant cet intervalle sur le bien-être de + mes nationaux. + + Lors des premières armamens faits dans la province, pour opposer des + forces à une expédition supposée de la part du Portugal, un François + établi à Caixas, compris dans une mesure générale fut obligé + d'autorité de délivrer une partie d'armes dont il ne recût jamais la + valeur, malgré un sejour prolongé de plusieurs mois dans le même + endroit. Quelque modique que soit la somme qu'il s'est vu dans la + nécessité de venir reclâmer ici, elle est proportionnée à ses + moyens. C'est un tort évident fait à cet homme qui ne put continuer + à exercer son industrie dans le lieu qu'il avoit choisi, et fut + contraint à un déplacement coûteux qui doit lui retirer toute + confiance à l'avenir. + + L'arrivée des troupes envoyées par le Président pour réprimer un + mouvement dans l'intérieur immédiatement après le départ de M. José + Felix Burgos, ne fut signalée dans la ville d'Alcantara que par des + désordres, les Etrangers même n'y furent pas respectés dans cet + endroit, qui n'étoit pas encore le théâtre des hostilités. Un homme + de ma Nation y exerçant paisiblement son commerce fut attaqué chez + lui, eut les portes de sa maison enfoncées par les soldats, fut + temoin deux fois du pillage de sa boutique et forcé pour sauver ses + jours d'aller séjourner dans le bois; ce malheureux n'a d'autre + ressource maintenant que le travail de ses mains, ce fait contre + lequel il eut été de mon devoir de reclâmer vient seulement de + parvenir à ma connoissance. + + Les François établis en cette ville avoient joui jusqu'à l'arrivée + dans l'île des troupes armées contre le Président d'une trop grande + sécurité, pour ne pas révailler contre eux toute la haine dont avoit + eut fait preuve déjà les Portugais avant l'adhésion de cette + province a l'Empire du Brésil. Un acte émané _de leur despotique + Junte_ avoit malgré les traités fait fermer les loges Françoises + jusqu'à la reception des ordres précis de leur gouvernement, qui + désapprouvait hautement cette mesure. Ces mêmes Portugais oubliant + la générositie avec laquelle les commandants de trois bâtimens de Sa + Majesté le Roi de France venoient de sauver un grand nombre de leurs + compatriotes lors des derniers troubles du Parà, n'écoutant que leur + jalousie ne s'efforcèrent qu'à nous perdre dans l'opinion publique + _par le plus noires inculpations._ Je les considère comme ayant + influé puissament sur le malhereux évènement que j'ai eu à dèplorer. + Malgré l'avertissement que j'avois donné huit jours auparavant au + Président de la menace qui étoit faite aux François de leur faire + subir le genre d'assassinat usité ici, le 21 Septembre, quatre + François été surpris par des assassins, deux furent très maltraités, + l'un atteint de plusieurs blessures à la tête et au bras fut + reconduit chez lui baigné dans son sang; ses blessures au bras, + fracturé en deux endroits laissent encore douter après 70 jours de + douleurs aigues s'il ne devra par subir l'amputation. Le même jour à + la même heure, un François fut attaqué chez lui malgré le signe de + reconnaisance qui distingue depuis les troubles les maisons des + François; des pierres lancées dans sa porte et ses fenêtres pendant + un long espace de temps, l'obligèrent à venir lui-même dissiper par + des menaces une troupe d'hommes qu'il espéroit ne pas voir échapper + à la surveillance d'un porte militaire à proximité de sa maison. + + M'étant rendu chez le Président, lui demander d'abord la punition + de ce crime atroce, il eut l'inconvenance de m'objecter que la + conduite des François étoit très repréhensible, je remarquoi ces + paroles et le lui fis observer; elles ne pouvoient s'appliquer + d'ailleurs qu'à deux individus passés au service du parti opposé, + que j'étois venu desavouer lui en demandant expulsion. Le Président + repondant se rendit à ma demande, et me donna l'espoir d'avoir une + satisfaction, tant pour l'attentat à la vie des quatre individus de + ma Nation, que pour l'attaque du domicile d'un François. + + Néanmoins les jours suivants les désordres continuerant, les + François étoient outragés publiquement; un soldat eut l'audace de + poursuivre mon negre dans la maison Consulaire et de l'y frapper en + se repondant en invectives contre les François; un enfant de neuf + ans fut horriblement maltraité par des soldats, jusqu'aux négres + osoient lever la tête, et nous insulter. Mr. Bruce avoit-il pris du + mesures de repression? Est-ce la protection que devoit en attendre + l'Agent d'une puissance amie du Brésil? En butte à l'animositie + d'une soldatesque indisciplinée, nous courûmes pendant quinze jours + le danger le plus imminent, nous attendant à tout instant à voir se + réaliser ses menaces de venir nous massacre dans nos maisons. + + J'ai eu depuis à reclamer contre le violation d'un batimen du + commerce François. Malgré trois gardes de la Douane, cinq soldats + armés furent envoyés à son bord à neuf heures du soir; je les fis + retirer le lendemain; ce dernier acte du Président qui des lors + commença à ne plus garder aucuns ménagemens avec moi, faisant + incarcerer un des mes nationaux sans m'en donner avis ainsi que des + motifs qui l'y portoient; le pavilion du Roi placé au dessus de + l'Écusson de France, que je trouvai lacéré, me firent prévoir que je + n'avois plus rien à attendre de la protection de l'autorité. + + Monsieur le Marquis, je me suis maintenu à mon poste malgré les + dangers tant que j'ai eu l'espoir que l'arrivée de Votre Excellence + si desirée de la population entière de la province, viendroit nous + délivrer de ce déplorable état de choses. Sans connaître les + intentions de Votre Excellence, je vois Mr. Bruce encore président, + non-seulement il ne m'a donné aucune satisfaction, mais encore + apporte dans sa conduite, le mépris le plus marqué par un fileure + qui ne pent s'interprêter autrement. + + C'est donc contre lui, Monsieur le Marquis, que je vieus en + solliciter une aujourd'hui pour ce total oubli de ses devoirs + envers un Agent de Sa Majesté très Chrétienne; cette conduite + emporte le refus d'aucun appui de sa part pour l'avenir; d'ailleurs + mon caractère publique m'impose de ne pas m'exposer à un outrage, et + l'intérêt que je dois à mes nationaux de les soustraire à son + implacable vengeance. Si Votre Excellence ne jugeoit pas convenable + d'user de ses pleins pouvoirs pour m'accorder la seule garantie qui + puisse me permettre de séjourner plus longtemps ici, je viens lui + demander de protéger mon embarquement et celui des François qui + restant encore à Maragnon. + + Je suis, avec respect, Monsieur le Marquis, de Votre Excellence le + très humble et très obéissant serviteur, + + (Signé) PL. DES SALLIERES. + + À son Excellence LORD COCHRANE, Marquis de Maragnon, Premier Amiral + du Brésil, &c. &c. + + +The steps alluded to were such as I considered most essential for the +safety of the as yet unacknowledged empire; which, through the folly of +a provincial Governor, was in danger of being jeopardised by collision +with powerful European states. As stated to the Maranham memorialists, I +did not adopt the extreme measure of deposing Bruce from the +presidential authority, but resolved to suspend him therefrom till the +pleasure of His Imperial Majesty as regarded his conduct should be made +known. Accordingly, on Christmas day, 1824, I addressed to him the +following letter;-- + + Maranham, Dec. 25,1824. + + SIR, + + It is with extreme regret that I feel myself under + the necessity of acquainting your Excellency that it is impossible + for me to withdraw the squadron from Maranham, so long as your + Excellency continues to exercise the functions of President of this + province; because it is evident that if your Excellency is left in + authority, without the aid of the squadron, you must again + have recourse to the assistance of the lowest order of the people, + whom, on my arrival here, I found in arms in support of your + Excellency, against nine-tenths of the upper classes of society, who + continue to entertain the greatest terror of being left under the + authority of your Excellency. + + To prevent the recurrence of so lamentable a state of things--the + loss of lives--and the calamities of every kind which would inevitably + ensue, I would respectfully suggest to your Excellency the + necessity of your withdrawing from office, until the determination of + His Imperial Majesty can be obtained. + + I can, with great truth, assure your Excellency that my intentions + are not in any degree dictated by any feelings of personal ill-will + towards your Excellency. On the contrary, I have a wish to rescue + you from a situation of great jeopardy, and it is chiefly with a view + of avoiding to do anything that might appear derogatory to your + Excellency, that I am desirous the change so necessary to be effected + should proceed from your Excellency's voluntary resignation. But + I regret to add that so pressing is that necessity, that it is quite + essential that your Excellency's determination should be immediate, + and therefore I hope to be favoured with your Excellency's reply in + the course of the present forenoon. + + Permit me to assure you that if it should be your desire to continue + in this city in the character of a private gentleman until the + determination of His Imperial Majesty, with respect to your resumption + of office, or otherwise, shall be known, no impediment to + your Excellency's wishes will originate with me; or, if you should + think proper to proceed at once to the Court of Rio de Janeiro, a + commodious conveyance shall be provided for the accommodation of + your Excellency, and of those whom you may deem it convenient to + accompany you. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +Bruce did not resign, preferring to accept my offer of conveyance to Rio +de Janeiro, there to await His Majesty's decision. Complete tranquillity +being thus restored to the province of Maranham, and not to that only, +but also to the adjoining provinces, which had more or less entered into +the existing disorders, either as adherents of the insurgent chiefs, or +of the President, it became requisite to organize a government. Not +deeming it politic to elevate to power any member of those families of +distinction whose feuds were only dormant on compulsion, I appointed +Manuel Telles de Silva Lobo, the Secretary of Government, as interim +President; he being entirely unconnected with family factions, well +acquainted with the details of government, and of unimpeachable +integrity. At the same time I caused the Camaras to be re-assembled, so +that the administration of law and public affairs might be carried on +according to the forms and intentions of the constitution. + +This suspension of the President was afterwards fully approved of by His +Majesty, and the more patriotic of his advisers, as only anticipating +their intentions, it being a remarkable fact that, at the very time I +was suspending him, _an order from His Majesty was on its way to +supersede him_; information of his proceedings having previously reached +Rio de Janeiro, so that in what had been done, I had only carried out +the intentions of His Majesty. + +Nevertheless, the occasion--as affording a good opportunity to traduce +me--was afterwards eagerly seized by the Portuguese faction in the +administration. All attempts to injure me in the estimation of the +population at Rio de Janeiro--which was firmly attached to the Emperor, +and grateful to me for my services--had signally failed; but on his +arrival at Rio de Janeiro the representations of the ex-president whose +mal-administration I had summarily checked, were published in every +possible shape, whilst the Minister of Marine unwarrantably withheld my +despatches from the public, as well as from His Majesty, the consequence +of which was that the prejudicial representations of what were termed my +arbitrary acts had full effect. It was represented that I, a foreigner, +had dared, unauthorised, and on false pretences, to seize on the person +of a gentleman occupying the highest position in one of the most +important provinces, and had sent him to Rio de Janeiro as a prisoner, +whilst it was I who deserved to be brought to condign punishment for the +outrage; and had I at the moment been within reach of the Portuguese +faction at the capital, which was embittered against me for establishing +order, when to further their own anti-Imperial designs disorder was +alone wished--a summary end might have been put to my efforts for +preserving and consolidating the integrity of the Brazilian empire. + +That this vituperation and hostility would be the result I well knew; +but as the Portuguese party in the administration could scarcely treat +me worse than they had done, I had made up my mind to encounter their +displeasure. Of His Majesty's approval I felt certain; and, in return +for the uninterrupted favour and reliance, which, notwithstanding the +self-interested hostility of his anti-Brazilian Ministers, I had +uniformly experienced at his hands, I had all along resolved to secure +that which I knew to be His Majesty's earnest wish--the unity of the +empire by the pacification of the Northern provinces. All attempts to +thwart this on the part of the Portuguese faction were futile, and even +unconsciously favourable to the course I was perseveringly pursuing, +though all my despatches to the minister remained unanswered, and no +instructions were sent for my guidance. + +Notwithstanding the neglect of the administration to supply the squadron +with necessaries, and myself with instructions, in a position foreign to +my duties as naval Commander-in-Chief, and which I had only accepted at +the earnest wish of His Imperial Majesty--I carefully kept the +Government advised of all that took place. The same ship which conveyed +the ex-president to Rio de Janeiro, carried also the following despatch +to the Minister of Marine:-- + + Maranham, December 31st, 1824. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have to acquaint your Excellency that a belief + that the squadron was about to withdraw and leave the abandoned + and disorderly military of this place under the feeble control of his + Excellency the President, excited a degree of dread in the public + mind amounting almost to a state of frenzy--and convinced me + that I had no alternative, but either to abandon the principal + inhabitants, and, indeed, the whole white population, to the fury of + mercenary troops and blacks--or to remain with the squadron until + another President should be nominated by His Imperial Majesty. + + This last measure, however, upon mature consideration, appeared + to be wholly incompatible with the interests of His Imperial + Majesty, not only on account of the violent animosities subsisting + between President and people, which, notwithstanding the utmost + vigilance on my part, daily disturbed the public tranquillity--but + because the presence on shore of nearly the whole of the + seamen in the ships of war is requisite to counterbalance the + influence and power which the President has obtained over the + soldiery and irregular bands, by the impunity with which he has + suffered them to act, and by rewards bestowed on persons in the + ranks, or of the lowest orders of society. The continued absence of + seamen from the ships would, it is evident, endanger the safety of + the latter; besides which, the season is now approaching when diseases + incident to the climate become prevalent, and would not fail + considerably to thin the small force at my disposal. + + The necessity of adopting some decided measure became every day more + urgent. Representations continued to pour in from all quarters + against the conduct of the President. The Consul of His Britannic + Majesty, moreover, having heard that the squadron is about to depart, + has written me a letter, of which I enclose to your Excellency a + copy. + + I am aware that it is difficult to follow a course, under the + circumstances in which I am placed, that when judged of at a + distance, and merely on such evidence as can be conveyed by writing, + will leave no room for persons to contend that a different line might + have been followed with greater advantage; and I am perfectly aware + that whether I had left this province, and anarchy had followed, or + whether by remaining I had succeeded in preventing that anarchy, _I + should equally be exposed to the cavils of those who are always + disposed to reprobate the measures actually adopted, whatever they + may be_. + + Having, therefore, but _a choice of evils with respect to myself_, + I have--without further care as to my personal responsibility--pursued + that course which, on full consideration, appeared to me + to be most conducive to the interests of His Imperial Majesty, and + best adapted to secure the tranquillity of this province; and I have + _reserved for my own security_ such original documents as will satisfy + the mind of His Imperial Majesty on the subject of my conduct in + suspending the functions of the President of Maranham. + + A few of the many reasons which have induced me thus to take + upon myself a heavier responsibility than would have attached to + the adoption of either of the measures before alluded to, will be + found on the printed paper which I enclose. In that paper, however, + I did not consider it proper to set forth all the facts which + have come to my knowledge; such as his tampering through various + agents with the troops, artillery, and police, and above all with the + disbanded "_Pedestres_;" and the sending of emissaries to the + distant quarters of the province to excite the people again to rise in + arms for his support--though no legal prerogative which the + President does, or ought to possess, had been in any way infringed + by me or any person acting under my authority. The fact is, that + this gentleman, bred up under the despotic Captains-General, + accustomed to their arbitrary proceedings, to the mal-administration + of colonial law, and the absence of everything like fair trial, cannot + brook any limitation to his power, and has demonstrated his desire, + if not to establish an independent sway, at least to act solely + according to his will and pleasure. I am anxious to ascribe his + faults rather to the circumstances under which he has unfortunately + been brought up, and to his advanced age, than to premeditated + evil intentions. + + I have the satisfaction of adding, that, by the course I have + adopted, a desolating civil war has been terminated--the treasury + saved further expenditure--and the persons and property of the + people have been rescued from destruction, and placed under the + protection of the laws. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +Such was the history of an affair, which would not have been thus +minutely detailed, but for the obloquy against me to which it +subsequently gave rise; the ministry afterwards declaring that, to serve +my own purposes, I had _deposed_ Bruce, and appointed Lobo in his +place--the facts being, that I never deposed him at all, but suspended +his functions merely till His Majesty's pleasure should be known--and +that, at the very period when this took place, _the Administration, +unknown to me, had deposed him for the same causes which led me to +suspend him!_ as will appear in the next chapter. Nevertheless, when +they found that--acting under the discretion accorded to me by His +Imperial Majesty--I had partially only anticipated their own act, and +that vituperation against me in my absence might be turned to their own +account, they took up the cause of the very man whom they had deposed, +and loaded me with abuse for having outraged the feelings and position +of a most excellent person nominated by His Majesty to one of the +highest offices in the state. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +MISREPRESENTATIONS MADE IN ENGLAND--LETTER TO THE EMPEROR--TENDERING MY +RESIGNATION--REPAYMENT DEMANDED FROM THE JUNTA--CONDUCT OF THE PRIZE +TRIBUNAL--NO ADJUDICATION OF PRIZES INTENDED--LETTER TO THE INTERIM +PRESIDENT--DEMANDING THE SUMS OWING TO THE SQUADRON--DISTURBANCE IN +PARA--STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT TO THE JUNTA--OFFER OF COMPROMISE--IMPERIAL +DECREE--RIGHT OF THE SQUADRON TO THE CLAIM. + + +Worn down in health by the harassing duties of the naval, military, and +civil departments, the conduct of all these wholly devolving upon me, +whilst the Ministry at Rio, by withholding instructions, neither +incurred trouble nor responsibility--and aware that my character was +being traduced by every species of malignity which could be devised by +the party whose views were destroyed by the successful manner in which +those duties had been performed, I was heartily sick of the ingratitude +and misrepresentation with which the service of having twice secured the +Northern provinces to Brazil was met on the part of the Administration, +in addition to their now apparent determination that neither myself nor +the squadron should reap any benefit from the prize property taken in +the preceding year, notwithstanding that, under the Andrada ministry, +both had been solemnly guaranteed to the captors. + +I was, however, even more annoyed on another account, viz. from being +apprised that the vilest misrepresentations of my conduct were being +sedulously circulated in England by the partisans of the Administration. +Their vituperation in Brazil could, to some extent, be met; but the +petty meanness of attacking a man in a distant country, without the +possibility of his defending himself, was a matter against which no +prudence or foresight could guard. + +Determined no longer to contend with an Administration, which could thus +conduct itself towards an officer whose exertions had been deemed worthy +of the highest honours from the Emperor, and the warmest thanks from the +National Assembly, I resolved to request permission from His Imperial +Majesty to retire from so unequal a contest, for I did not choose +spontaneously to abandon the command, without at least some compensation +beyond my ordinary pay. Even setting aside the stipulations under which +I had entered and continued in the Imperial service--this was at least +due to me from the unquestioned fact that to my twice rendered +exertions--first as naval Commander-in-Chief; and, secondly, as a +pacificator--the empire owed its unity and stability, _even in the +estimation of European governments_, which, now that the provinces were +tranquillized and the empire consolidated, exerted themselves to promote +peace between Brazil and the mother country. + +Accordingly--on New Year's day, 1825--I addressed to the Emperor the +following letter:-- + + SIRE, + + The condescension with which your Imperial + Majesty has been pleased to permit me to approach your royal + person, on matters regarding the public service, and even on those + more particularly relating to myself, emboldens me to adopt + the only means in my power, at this distance, of craving that + your Majesty will be graciously pleased to judge of my conduct in + the Imperial service, by the result of my endeavours to promote + your Majesty's interests, and not by the false reports spread by + those who--for reasons best known to themselves--desire to alienate + your Majesty's mind from me, and thus to bring about my removal + from your Majesty's service. + + Whilst I have the honour to continue as an officer acting under + the authority of your Imperial Majesty, I shall ever perform my + duty to your Majesty and to the Brazilian people; and I trust that, + up to the present day, your Majesty has not felt any reason to doubt + my sincerity and fidelity to your Imperial interests. And if his + Excellency the Minister of Marine has failed to lay before the + public my despatches, and thereby permitted rumours prejudicial to + my character to go forth, I respectfully look up to your Imperial + Majesty for justice. + + In this hope, I most respectfully entreat permission to refer + your Imperial Majesty to my letter No. 271, which I addressed to his + Excellency the Minister of Marine, from Pernambuco, early in + October, previous to my departure from that port, announcing my + intention of proceeding northward, and the necessity of so doing, for + the pacification of the northern provinces; also to my letter of the + 13th of October (No. 273), written from Rio Grande do Norte; and + No. 274, dated October 28th, written from Cearà; all of which + letters, explicitly describing my proceedings, intentions, and reasons, + were duly transmitted, both in original and duplicate, by different + conveyances. + + I trust that your Imperial Majesty will please to believe me to be + sensible that the honours which you have so graciously bestowed upon + me, it is my duty not to tarnish; and that your Majesty will further + believe that, highly as I prize those honours, I hold the maintenance + of my reputation in my native country in equal estimation. + + I respectfully crave permission to add, that--_perceiving it to be + impossible to continue in the service of your Imperial Majesty, without_ + _at all times, subjecting my professional character to great risks under + the present management of the Marine department--I trust that your + Majesty will be graciously pleased to grant me leave to retire from your + Imperial service, in which it appears to me that I have now accomplished + all that can be expected from me--the authority of your Imperial + Majesty being established throughout the whole extent of Brazil._ + + I have the honour to be + Your Imperial Majesty's + Dutiful and faithful servant, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +The permission to retire was neither granted, nor was the request +noticed, yet--notwithstanding that the ministerial organs of the press +teemed with matters injurious to my reputation, and displayed the most +unfair comments on my proceedings--no complaint was officially made to +me, as indeed none could be made; this ungenerous mode of attack being +resorted to, whilst the whole of my letters and despatches were withheld +from public knowledge. + +On the 3rd of January, intelligence was received that an outbreak had +occurred at Caixas, promoted by the adherents of Bruce on learning the +fact of his suspension from the presidentship. The interim-president, +Lobo, was anxious to re-arm the disbanded troops against them, but this +I forbade, telling him that, "in my opinion a military mode of governing +was neither suited to the maintenance of tranquillity nor the promotion +of obedience to the law, and that it would be better to give the civil +law a trial before proceeding to extremities; and that although some +outrages had occurred in the heat of party spirit, yet they would +probably cease on the intelligence that President Bruce had embarked +for Rio de Janeiro." The result was in accordance with these +anticipations, for, on learning this fact, the insurgents immediately +laid down their arms--being only too glad to escape further notice. + +In the expectation that His Imperial Majesty would approve of the act, +and that his ministers could offer no opposition, I considered it my +duty to the officers and seamen of the squadron, no less than to myself, +to obtain repayment from the Junta of Maranham--at least in part--of the +sums temporarily left for their use in the preceding year. + +It will be remembered that after the expulsion of the Portuguese from +Maranham in 1823, considerable sums of money and bonds had been taken in +the treasury, custom-house, and other public offices, together with +military and other stores--and the value of these, though guaranteed by +His Imperial Majesty to the captors, had, with the consent of officers +and seamen, been temporarily lent to the then Provisional Government, +for the double purpose of satisfying the mutinous troops of Cearà and +Piahuy, and carrying on the ordinary functions of Government--there +being no other funds available! + +At the period of this temporary surrender of the prize property to state +exigencies, it was expressly stipulated and fully understood that, as +soon as commerce had returned to its usual channels, and with it the +customary revenues of the province, the whole should be repaid to the +account of the captors. This had not been done, and the officers and men +were still losers to the amount, in addition to the non-adjudication of +their prizes generally by the Portuguese tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, +which, in unprincipled violation of the express decrees of His Imperial +Majesty--asserted that "they knew nothing of prizes, and did not know +that Brazil was at war with Portugal!" though, in the Imperial order of +March 30th, 1823--given for the vigorous blockade of Bahia, His Majesty +had explicitly ordered the Portuguese to be considered as "enemies of +the empire."--"Distruindo ou tomando todas as forcas Portuguesas que +encontrar e fazendo todas damnos possives a os inimigos deste Imperio." + +It was further pretended by the tribunal that Bahia and Maranham were +not foreign ports, but parts of the Brazilian empire, though, at the +time of my appearance before them, both provinces were then, and ever +had been, in possession of Portugal; the tribunal, nevertheless, +deciding with equal absurdity and injustice, that captures made in those +ports, or within three miles of the shore, were unlawful--this decision +including, of necessity, the unaccountable declaration, that His +Majesty's orders to me to blockade the enemy's port of Bahia, and to +take, burn or destroy all Portuguese vessels and property--were also +unjust and unlawful! although this was the very purpose for which I had +been invited to quit the Chilian service. Yet, notwithstanding this +Imperial decision, the tribunal also most inconsistently condemned all +ships of war taken (as _droits_) to the crown, without the slightest +compensation to the captors. + +But there was still a more flagrant injustice committed, viz. that +whilst the officers and seamen were thus deprived of the fruits of their +exertions, they became liable to about twenty thousand milreas in the +prosecution of their claims; for no other reason than the unwillingness +of the prize tribunal to order condemnations injurious to their friends +and native country; for as has been said nine out of the thirteen +members of the tribunal were Portuguese! + +It had, therefore, been long apparent that no adjudication in favour of +the squadron was intended, and that its services in having united the +empire and saved it from dismemberment, would only be met by continued +injustice. + +As the property left with the Provisional Government of Maranham had +been used for the benefit of that province, and as no part of it had +ever been repaid, I determined that those to whom it was due should not, +at least, be defrauded of that portion of their claims, or of a +reasonable compromise thereof; and therefore I addressed to the +interim-president the following letter:-- + + TO HIS EXCELLENCY MANOEL TELLES DA SILVA LOBO, + PRESIDENT INTERINO. + + SIR, + + The public duties which I had to perform for the + service of His Imperial Majesty, and the pacification of this province, + being now happily brought to a termination, it becomes my duty, as + Commander-in-chief, to call your Excellency's attention to some + facts concerning the interests of the officers and seamen under my + command. + + On the occasion of my former visit, in 1823, which was so happily + instrumental in rescuing this province from the yoke of Portugal + and annexing it to the Empire, I was desirous of rendering the + service performed still more grateful to the people by voluntarily + granting, in the conditions of capitulation, not only my guarantee for + the inviolability of all Brazilian property then under the Portuguese + flag, but also of all the property belonging to resident Portuguese + who should subscribe to the independence of the Empire, and the + authority of His Imperial Majesty. These conditions were most + scrupulously observed and fulfilled on my part, without the slightest + infringement in any one instance. + + But--on the other hand--it was expressly set forth in the terms + of capitulation, that all property belonging to those who remained in + hostility--that is to say, property belonging to the crown or government + of Portugal, or to absent Portuguese (though with respect to + the latter a commutation was subsequently consented to) being, + according to the laws of war, subject to condemnation to the captors + --should be delivered to the captors accordingly, to be, by themselves, + subjected to the customary investigation in the prize tribunals of + His Imperial Majesty. + + Amongst other articles of property of this description were, of + course, included the money due on the balance of public accounts + to the crown of Portugal, and this amount--partly in specie and + partly in bills--was held in readiness by the capitulating authorities + to be delivered when required. But, as my attention was for some + time solely directed to the arrangement of public affairs, I neglected + to call for the said balance until the new Junta of Government, + chosen under my authority, had taken possession of their office, and + obtained the control of the public moneys. + + After several applications on my part to the said Junta, and as + many evasions on their part, I had, at last, a personal conference + with them on the subject--on which occasion they solicited, as a + particular favour, that I would permit the amount to remain in their + hands, for the purpose of satisfying the claims of the troops of + Piahuy and Cearà, whom they represented as being clamorous for + their pay. To this request I agreed, under the assurance that I + should receive bills from the said Junta for the amount. These, + however, they not only evaded granting, but, when afterwards called + upon for a receipt, they declined giving any acknowledgment. + + To the truth, however, of the main fact, viz., the claims of myself, + and the officers and men under my command, your Excellency + has now the power of satisfying yourself by a reference to the official + documents that passed between the functionaries of government and + myself, both previous and subsequent to the surrender of the Portuguese + authorities in this province. + + The conduct of this Junta has proved to be merely a type of that + which we have since experienced on a larger scale at the hands of + the supreme tribunal of justice at Rio de Janeiro. But there is a + point beyond which forbearance ceases to be a virtue, and I now + call upon your Excellency to direct that the Junta of Fazenda, who + so unjustly and deceitfully withheld from the officers and men the + property above described, shall, with all convenient despatch, + proceed to the adjustment of the claim in question. + + An attested copy of the accounts, signed by the members of the + late Portuguese Junta of Government--being in my possession, I + enclose a copy thereof, which your Excellency can cause to be + compared with the original treasury and custom-house books. I + likewise enclose to your Excellency a copy of a gracious communication + which I received from His Imperial Majesty--the original of + which, in His Majesty's own handwriting, is now in my possession. + + This will enable your Excellency to judge as to what the + understanding and intentions of His Imperial Majesty really are, + with respect to the claims of the squadron--when influenced by the + dictates of honour and his own unbiassed judgment. + + Nevertheless--should your Excellency consider it necessary, I + have no objection to prosecute the claims of the officers and seamen + to the balance before alluded to--in the Court of Admiralty which + your Excellency is about to convene. But I beg it may be distinctly + understood that I hold myself bound not to relax in any way + from my determination that these accounts shall be settled, so as to + enable me to fulfil the duty which I am engaged to perform to those + under my command. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +To my annoyance Parà became the scene of renewed disturbance, and even +the life of the President was threatened. This was disheartening, as +evincing a desire on the part of the provinces to pursue--each its own +separate course; proving the deep hold which the counsels of Palmella +had taken to promote anarchy by fostering provincial pride--as a means +to promote discord, and thus to reduce the newly-formed empire to +insignificance and ruin,--from the same cause which had befallen the +liberated provinces of Spanish America. + +Not having been furnished with troops, it was difficult to spare a force +to meet this new emergency. There was no time, however, for hesitation, +so I despatched the _Atalanta_ to Parà, with a detachment of the best +seamen, under the command of Lieutenants Clarence and Reed, upon whose +zeal every reliance was to be placed; at the same time sending a +recommendation to the President to use the force for the purpose of +remitting to me those who had threatened his life, and of overawing +those who had been endeavouring to subvert his authority. + +The Junta of Fazenda having now assembled, I transmitted to them the +following; + + GENERAL STATEMENT + + Of the money and other property claimed by the squadron on the + surrender of the Portuguese authorities of Maranham; in conformity + to the laws relative to matters of prize, and the gracious + decrees of His Imperial Majesty:-- + + + Milreis. + Treasury and custom-house 62,000 000 + In bills and debts 147,000 000 + Value of artillery, stores, and ammunition, + say 100,000,000 at 1/5th + for the squadron 20,000 000 + Value of stores in the arsenal, including + gunboats, launches, boats, + and materials of all kinds 25,000,000 + ___________ + Public property 254,000 000 + + Obligations delivered as Portuguese + property under the decree of + H.I.M. of Dec. 11th, 1822; by + that decree confiscated to the + Crown, but by the gracious bounty + of H.I.M. awarded to the squadron, + in his own handwriting, dated + 12th February, 1824 170,196 461 + ___________ + Sum total 424,196 461 + +Together with this statement of account, I forwarded the following offer +of compromise, on the part of the squadron, for the payment of +one-fourth only:-- + + His Imperial Majesty, having--by decree of the 11th of December, + 1822--commanded the seizure and confiscation of all merchandise in + the custom-houses of Brazil belonging to Portuguese subjects--all + merchandise so belonging, or the proceeds thereof, in the hands of + merchants--and all vessels or parts of vessels belonging to such + subjects--I, therefore, in conformity with the said decree, having, + on the occasion of the capitulation of Maranham, directed, that all + persons having property in their hands of the nature set forth in the + said decree, should deliver in an account of the same; and the bills + and papers herewith annexed having been given up by their respective + holders as _Portuguese property of the description set forth_, the + said bills and papers are now laid before the Court of + Vice-Admiralty, in order to the adjudication thereof in conformity to + the said decree. + + But, whereas, the said Imperial decree could not be enforced at + Maranham in the ordinary manner, by means of civil officers acting + under the authority of His Imperial Majesty, by reason of the + port and province being under the authority and government of + Portugal; And whereas, His Imperial Majesty, in consideration of + the annexation of the said port and province to the Empire, by + the naval means under my command--and generally of other + important services--was graciously pleased, by virtue of a grant + in his own handwriting, bearing date the 12th day of February last, + to accord the value of the seizures to the officers and men as a + reward for their exertions and services; the said officers and men + agree to surrender these bills and the property, as set forth in the + annexed list, amounting to 484,196,461, together with all other + claims, for the sum of one-fourth, or 106,000, to be paid by the + Treasury of Maranham by instalments, within the period of thirty + days from the date hereof. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +The following is the Imperial decree alluded to in the preceding +letter:-- + + DECREE. + + It being obvious that the scandalous proceedings and hostility + manifested by the government of Portugal against the liberty, honour, + and interests of this Empire, and by the captious insinuations of the + demagogical congress of Lisbon, which--seeing it impracticable to + enslave this rich region and its generous inhabitants--endeavours to + oppress them with all kinds of evils, and civil war, which has occurred + through their barbarous vandalism. It being one of my principal + duties, as Constitutional Emperor and Defender of this vast Empire, + to adopt all measures to render effective the security of the country, + and its defence efficient against further and desperate attempts + which its enemies may adopt; and also to deprive, as far as possible, + the inhabitants of that kingdom from continuing to act hostilely + against Brazil--tyrannizing over my good and honourable subjects-- + deem it well to order that there be placed in effective sequestration, + + 1_st_. All goods and merchandise existing in the custom-houses of + this Empire, belonging to subjects of the kingdom of Portugal. + + 2_nd_. All Portuguese merchandise, or the value thereof, which + exists in the hands of subjects of this Empire. + + 3_rd_. All real and agricultural property, held under the same + circumstances. + + 4_th_. Finally, all vessels or parts of vessels, which belong to + merchants of the said kingdom. There being excepted from this + sequestration, bills of the national bank, banks of security, and + those of the Iron Company of Villa Sorocaba. + + Joseph Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, of my Council of State, + Minister of the Interior, and of Foreign Affairs, shall cause the + execution of this decree. + + Given in the Palace of Rio de Janeiro, December the Eleventh, + 1822, first of the Independence of the Empire. + + With the Rubrica of His Imperial Majesty, + + JOSÉ BONIFACIO DE ANDRADE E SILVA. + +These documents--coupled with the decree of Dec. 1822, awarding the +above confiscations to the captors--shew so clearly the right of the +squadron's claim, and the injustice of the course pursued by the prize +tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, in refusing to adjudge Portuguese property +to the captors, that further comment is unnecessary. In order, however, +to give every possible information relative to a matter which has been, +to me, a cause of so much obloquy, I subjoin my letter to the interim +President, accompanying the preceding documents:-- + + SIR, + + I have the honour to enclose to your Excellency, + two hundred and sixty obligations seized under the orders of His + Imperial Majesty--dated the 11th December, 1822--which I + request you will be pleased to cause to be laid before the Junta of + Fazenda, together with the papers enclosed, in order that the Junta + may take the necessary steps to the liquidation of the just and + moderate claims of the officers and seamen. I further beg your + Excellency will be pleased to intimate to the Junta, that I cannot + abstain from taking whatever measures may be necessary to prevent + the violation of the laws and regulations of the military service--the + infraction of the express engagement of His Imperial Majesty--and + the consequent disorganization of the squadron, so essential for the + maintenance of tranquillity, and the preservation of the independence + of the Empire. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + 20th Jan. 1825. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +IMPERIAL APPROVAL--CONTINUED ENMITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION--JUNTA REFUSES +TO PAY THE SQUADRON'S CLAIM--I PERSEVERE IN THE DEMAND--JUNTA AGREES TO +PAY THE AMOUNT IN BILLS--THIS REFUSED--ARRIVAL OF A NEW PRESIDENT--BUT +WITHOUT AUTHORITY FOR THE ASSUMPTION--INTRIGUES TO ESTABLISH HIM IN +OFFICE--I ORDER HIM TO QUIT THE PROVINCE--AND SEND HIM TO PARA--LETTER +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CEARA--INTERNATIONAL ANIMOSITIES--THE SQUADRON LEFT +TO PROVIDE FOR ITSELF--ABUSE OF AUTHORITY--EXPLANATIONS TO MINISTER OF +MARINE--OF TRANSACTIONS AT MARANHAM--LETTER TO CARVALHO E +MELLO--ANTICIPATING MINISTERIAL DISPLEASURE--THE JUNTA REIMBURSES PART +OF ITS DEBT. + + +On the 16th of January I had at length the satisfaction to receive, +through the Minister of Marine, the Emperor's approval of the course +pursued in the pacification of the Northern provinces, and his +confirmation of the changes that had been made in their administration. +Still not a word of instruction was vouchsafed for my future guidance. + +The subjoined is the letter conveying His Imperial Majesty's approval of +my acts and judgment:-- + + His Imperial Majesty commands the Secretary of State of the + Marine to apprise the First Admiral, Commander-in-Chief of the + naval forces of this Empire, that His Majesty received his despatches + by the schooner _Maria de Gloria_, by which His Majesty was informed + of his proceedings, and approves of his determination to proceed to + the Northern provinces, where the fire of rebellion has been lighted, + with a view to establish therein the order and obedience due to the + said august sovereign, a duty which he has so wisely and judiciously + undertaken, and in which course he must continue, notwithstanding + the previous instructions sent to him, bearing date the 4th of October + last, which instructions are hereby annulled until he shall attain + the highly important objects proposed in the before-mentioned provinces, + viz., till they submit themselves to the authorities lately + appointed, and enjoy the benefits of the paternal Government of His + Imperial Majesty. + + Palace of Rio Janeiro, Dec. 2, 1824. + + (Signed) FRANCISCA VILLELA BARBOSA. + +To this letter--annulling my recall after the fall of Pernambuco--I +returned the following reply:-- + + No. 289. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + Since I had the honour of addressing your Excellency + in my letter, No. 288, I have not had any further intelligence + from Parà; I therefore conclude that the officers and seamen whom + I detached there, will be sufficient to aid the President in maintaining + good order. + + Here, nothing particular has happened, beyond the collecting + of a few runaway soldiers and vagabonds in the woods. A party + detached in pursuit of them, dispersed them all, and brought in + several prisoners yesterday. + + I have received your Excellency's communication by the schooner + _Maria de Gloria_, and _feel highly gratified that His Imperial Majesty + has been pleased to approve of the course which I have pursued for the + termination of dissensions in the Northern provinces. Since the + gracious communication of His Imperial Majesty, I feel less weight of + responsibility in the course which circumstances have compelled me to + follow, with a view to restore order in the province of Maranham._ + + I hope soon to inform your Excellency that the task which His + Imperial Majesty has been further pleased to confide to me, of + causing the newly-appointed authorities to be acknowledged, is + accomplished; but I beg respectfully again to add my opinion that + these Northern provinces will not long continue in a state of + tranquillity, unless the provincial forces are shifted to other + quarters of the empire. In fact, if attention be not paid to this, I + consider that these provinces will shortly be entirely lost, both to + the empire of Brazil and to Portugal. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + Jan. 21, 1834. + +The continued absence of even the slightest instructions for my +guidance--coupled with the Imperial approval of all I had done upon my +own responsibility, naturally implied that it was considered better to +leave me entirely unfettered by orders, which, if given at all, must be +issued in ignorance of the actual state of things which required +renovation. In this light I should have regarded the omission to direct +my conduct, but for the warnings privately received, to be careful what +I was about, for that, despite any apparent public approval of my +proceedings, my enemies in the administration were on the watch for some +act which might be construed to my disadvantage, and thus become the +pretext for blame which should outweigh the praise accorded. The +opportunity I felt had already been afforded by the suspension of Bruce +from the presidency, notwithstanding that this--as has been seen--was +fully justified by circumstances, and was not resorted to without +deliberate consideration, and the deepest conviction of its necessity. +Still, any opposition to the suspension of Bruce could only be factious, +for, on the 2nd of December, the Minister of Marine had in anticipation +forwarded to me a list of new presidents and generals-at-arms, every +person in authority throughout the whole extent of the Northern coast +being changed--with the exception of the president of Parà; so that +there was every reason to anticipate that even the strong measures +which I had been compelled to adopt with regard to Bruce would meet the +views of His Imperial Majesty. + +On the 31st of January, the interim President apprised me that the Junta +refused to liquidate any part of the claim made in behalf of the +squadron. Upon this refusal, I wrote to the Junta that, such being their +decision, I would hold them personally responsible that no bills, debts, +nor claims of any kind beyond the current expenses of government should +be paid, till this prior claim--in honour and justice due to the +officers and seamen, who had generously advanced their prize money to +meet state exigencies--should be liquidated; adding, that the seamen +_relied on me for justice_, and if my warning were not attended to, I +should be compelled to take such steps as the necessity of upholding the +interests of the crown and the efficiency of the naval service appeared +to demand. + +In taking this step, I frankly admit that it was the only way to obtain +from the Government of Maranham even a compromise for the amount owing +by the province to the captors. I had every confidence in His Imperial +Majesty that as far as lay in _his_ power justice would be done, as +evinced by the acknowledgments given in his own handwriting in +opposition to the measures of his ministers, on whom, or the prize +tribunal, no reliance could be placed; the former having done all in +_their_ power to thwart my efforts in His Majesty's service, whilst the +tribunal, acting by the sanction or in conformity to the known wishes +of the ministry, had delayed adjudication, with the evident intention +of _evading it altogether_, except in cases which gave a colour for +condemning me in damages, in which respect--apparently their only +object--they were prompt enough. + +I therefore determined that as a specific portion of the prize property +taken at Maranham in 1823, had, at its own request, been given up to the +provisional Government, upon the express understanding of repayment +--without which it could not have been thus surrendered--the Junta +should be made to preserve their own good faith, as well as mine, to the +squadron, which, relying on my promises, had been influenced temporarily +to devote to the exigencies of the State that which by imperial decree, +as well as according to the laws of all nations, was their undoubted +right. + +My orders to the Junta of Fazenda not to pay any claims--with the +exception of the ordinary expenses of Government--till those of the +squadron had been satisfied, were, however, almost superogatory; for, on +a visit of inspection to the arsenal on the 2nd of February, it appeared +that they had established a system of not paying any debts, even those +incurred for the provisions of the squadron, the contract prices being +set down at _treble the market price!_ This overcharge was accounted for +by the merchants on the ground of dilatory payments, which could only be +obtained at all from the Junta by fees to those whose duty it was to +pass the accounts! To counteract this, I requested the interim President +to forbid any further purchases on the part of the provincial +Government, as, in future, I would make them myself, and, what was more +to the purpose, pay for them. + +By limiting the demand of repayment to one-fourth only of the amount +captured from the Portuguese Government, I was not pressing at all +severely upon the resources of the province, which is one of the richest +in Brazil; nor should I have put them to any inconvenience had I +demanded repayment of the whole, _as I justly might have done_. + +On the 8th of February, the Junta of Fazenda sent me a verbal +communication to the effect that they would give the sum agreed upon in +commutation of prize money due to the captors--_in five bills, payable +in five months_. As I knew that, in case of my departure, these would +not be worth the paper upon which they were written, I refused the +offer, adding that, after the course pursued by the prize tribunal at +Rio de Janeiro the seamen had no faith in promises. + +Finding that the Junta shewed every disposition to evade the demand, I +requested a personal interview with that body, intimating that I +expected all the members to be present. At this interview, I told the +Junta that all the documents necessary in support of the claim had been +laid before them, these being too precise to admit of dispute--that they +had no right in law, justice, or precedent, to withhold the portion of +the prize property left at Maranham, by the request of the provisional +government, no funds of their own being then available to meet the +exigencies which had arisen--and therefore they were in honour bound to +restore it. + +I was induced to adopt this step, not only on account of the evasive +conduct experienced at the hands of the administration at Rio de +Janeiro, but because I knew that negotiations were actually pending for +the restitution of all the Portuguese property captured, as a basis of +the projected peace between Portugal and Brazil; in other words, that +the squadron--whose exertions had added to the Empire a territory larger +than the whole empire as it existed previous to the complete expulsion +of the Portuguese--was to be altogether sacrificed to a settlement +which its own termination of the war had brought about. So barefaced a +proceeding towards those whose services had been engaged on the express +stipulation of a right to all captures is, perhaps, unparalleled in the +history of nations; and, as both officers and men looked to me for +protection, I determined to persevere in demanding from the Government +of Maranham--at least a compromise of the sums which the captors had, in +1823, lent to its pressing exigencies. + +No small amount of obloquy has been attached to me with regard to this +act of justice, the only one the squadron was ever likely to obtain; but +the transaction involved my own good faith with both officers and men, +who had lent the money solely on my assurance that the Government at Rio +de Janeiro could not do otherwise than refund the amount--so important +was it at the time, that the pressing difficulties of the province +should be promptly met. A man must have a singularly constituted mind, +who, in my position, would have acted otherwise. To this subject it will +be necessary to recur. + +On the 7th of February, I was surprised by an intimation from Pedro +José da Costa Barros, of his intention to assume the presidency of +Maranham, founding his pretensions upon a letter addressed to Bruce, +whom I had suspended. At first--believing that he possessed the +requisite authority--I invited him to take possession of the office, but +finding that he had no patent to shew for the appointment, I considered +it my duty to His Majesty not to admit such pretensions till their +validity was established, and therefore told Barros that he must await +the official communications from Rio de Janeiro, before I could +acknowledge him as president--for that tranquillity being now restored, +I would not have the minds of the people again unsettled on the mere +presumption of his appointment. + +In this arrangement Barros appeared to acquiesce, but being a well-known +partisan of the Portuguese faction, he was soon surrounded by the +adherents of that party in Maranham. On the 10th of March, a series of +allegations was forwarded to me by the party of Barros against the +interim President, but as they were of the most insignificant nature, +and unsupported by proof, I refused to pay attention to them. They were +shortly afterwards followed by a letter from Barros to the same purport, +but without any specific accusation against Lobo, whom he nevertheless +represented as about to fly from Maranham in order to evade the +punishment due to his crimes! Upon this I addressed to him the following +letter demanding specific charges against the interim President:-- + + Maranham, 10th March, 1825. + + SIR, + + I have received your Excellency's letter, in which the interim + President, Manuel Pellas da Silva Lobo, is charged with an intention + of departing from Maranham in a sudden and clandestine manner, and + in which your Excellency calls on me to adopt measures for the + prevention of his flight. I must, however, represent to your + Excellency that, since I have been in this province, so many reports + have been made to me with the greatest confidence, impeaching the + character and motives of individuals--all of which have proved + unfounded--that I feel it impossible to act with any propriety on + your Excellency's intimation--without being furnished with proof of + the truth of the allegation. + + Your Excellency, I am persuaded, is too honourable to propagate so + serious a charge without believing it to be well founded, and I + cannot doubt that you will have the candour to admit that I am + entitled to be made acquainted with the grounds on which your + Excellency's belief rests, before proceeding to any measure of + severity against the party accused. + + I have further to request that your Excellency will be pleased to + say _for what crime, or crimes_, the President interino is supposed + to be about to abandon--not only this province--but to flee from his + native country? + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + To PEDRO JOSÉ DE COSTA BARROS. + +The charges against Lobo, I well knew to have been fabricated for the +purpose of getting me to place him in arrest, and instal Barros in the +presidency. This plot failing, I learned, on the following day, that +arrangements had been made for the forcible seizure of the interim +President's person without any specific cause for dissatisfaction with +his government, which was in all respects just and excellent. Finding +the spirit of intrigue thus again manifested for the neutralisation of +all my efforts to restore order and prosperity to the province--to the +discomfiture of the intriguants--I again, on the 11th of March, declared +martial law. Such was the terror inspired by this act in the minds of +those who had fomented renewed disorder, that, anticipating summary +retribution from me, they prepared for the flight of which they had +accused an innocent man. On learning this, I despatched a vessel with a +competent officer to cruise at the mouth of the port, under orders +neither to let ships nor passengers leave without passports +counter-signed by myself. + +Having received a letter from José Feliz de Azevedo e Sa, the President +of Cearà, warning me of the intentions of Barros, who had come from that +province, I was confirmed in my determination that the good which had +been effected at Maranham should not be neutralised by one who had no +authority to shew for his interference. Accordingly, I wrote to Barros +the following order to quit the province forthwith, until His Majesty's +intentions with regard to him should be made known:-- + + March 11th,1825. + + SIR, + + Your Excellency having acquainted me that the + President interino intended to fly from justice, at the same time + calling upon me to take precautionary measures to prevent his + escape, without setting forth any crime of which he had been guilty; + and further, with regard to my letter requesting that you would + make known the nature of the delinquency which impelled the said + President interino to fly from the province, you have not considered + it necessary to give the slightest explanation. + + Now, as I have ample reason to believe the whole allegation to be + a fabrication--as I know that your Excellency--instead of waiting, + as is your duty, for communications from His Imperial Majesty + --has, by your countenance, suffered to be stirred up a spirit of + dissension and party, and as I understand the laws which I have been + compelled to call into operation to prevent greater evils. + + I have to acquaint your Excellency that I have provided a convenient + conveyance for your Excellency and suite, in order that you + may reside in the neighbouring province of Parà, until the arrival of + orders from His Imperial Majesty; and that my barge will be at + the service of your Excellency and suite at any hour to-morrow, + between sunrise and sunset, in order to proceed to the anchorage of + the _Pedro 1'ro_, where you will find the _Cacique_ ready for your + reception. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + To PEDRO JOSÉ DE COSTA BARROS. + +Barros strongly remonstrated against this proceeding; but knowing that +the machinations of his party had been the direct cause of renewed +disorders, I resolved not to give way; telling him that he had only +himself to blame, by not having abstained from meddling with public +affairs till the arrival of competent authority from His Imperial +Majesty. Accordingly, I insisted on his immediately embarking on board +the _Cacique_, in charge of Captain Manson, for conveyance to Parà, to +the President of which province I addressed the following letter:-- + + Maranham, 13th March,1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + Since I had the honour of writing to your + Excellency, Pedro José de Costa Barros, who arrived from Cearà + with the intention to take upon himself the office of President + here--has unfortunately been the occasion of stirring up old + animosities, which I had hoped experience might have taught him + the advantage of leaving dormant. Had Barros been provided + with proper authority under the sign manual of His Imperial + Majesty, the difficulties that have occurred since his arrival might + have been prevented; though I am extremely apprehensive that if + ever he shall be invested with such authority, still greater evils will + befal the province. The Portuguese party are in favour of Barros, + and have expressed their sentiments unequivocally, and this your + Excellency knows is sufficient to raise up the native Brazilians + against him. + + The Portuguese and some others had combined to place Barros + in the Presidency by force, which intention I happily frustrated by + arriving in Maranham with a considerable reinforcement from the + _Pedro Primiero_, at midnight--when the attempt was to have + occurred. To put a stop to proceedings so injurious to the interests + of His Imperial Majesty and the public, I have felt it necessary to + remove Barros from Maranham until his commission shall arrive, + or until His Majesty's pleasure respecting the appointment of + Manoel Telles da Silva Lobo, shall be known. Barros therefore + proceeds in the _Cacique_ (which is the bearer of this) to Parà--where + having no pretensions, he will have no partisans, and will be + inoffensive. + + I have not time, nor would it be of any utility to occupy your + Excellency with a minute detail of the affairs of this province, + whilst your Excellency has so much to do in that under your + immediate superintendence: I am convinced that in all I have + done, I have acted in conformity with the true interests of His + Majesty and his people, and am in no degree under any apprehension + that the malevolent aspersions of self-interested or + disappointed individuals will have the least influence on any candid + mind, when a real statement of facts shall be laid before the + public. + + I shall be gratified if your Excellency attains the satisfaction + of preserving the province of Parà free from those party dissensions, + the danger and inconvenience of which are best known to those who + are obliged to be on the watch to counteract them. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +To José Feliz de Azevedo e Sa, the President of Cearà, I addressed the +subjoined letter of thanks for the warning he had given me respecting +Barros:-- + + Maranham, March 16th, 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have to offer your Excellency many thanks for + your kind letter, informing me, by anticipation, of the character of + an individual whose principles and plans I was not long in discovering. + Scarcely had he placed his foot on the soil of Maranham, + when he was surrounded by all the Portuguese of the city, who + expressed their joy at his arrival in no equivocal manner. To give + you a history of his intrigues would require pages. Suffice it to say, + that--after having attempted to thrust himself into the Government + within forty-eight hours after his arrival,--without having any lawful + commission from His Imperial Majesty--and being defeated in that + object--he placed himself at the head of a faction, brought charges + against the President interino, and on the night of the 10th formed + a plan to seize his person! This, however, I defeated, and as his + charges against Lobo were entirely false and malicious, I have sent + him off to Parà, there to await the determination of His Imperial + Majesty. + + The intrigues here are so numerous, and there are so many + interests to reconcile, that the harmony now restored will probably + cease with the departure of the force under my command. But + it is obvious that the squadron cannot remain here for ever to watch + over private broils and feuds of so contemptible a nature. The only + thing of which I am seriously afraid, is the influence and number of + the Portuguese settled here, should they find a president desirous of + promoting their views and supposed interests. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +There was great difficulty to act for the best in this matter: but +whether Barros were appointed to the presidency or not, the course taken +was the only one even temporarily to ensure public tranquillity. If +appointed, it was evident, from his acts, that he had been selected by +the administration to put in execution their anti-Brazilian projects; +whilst the Portuguese party in Maranham unequivocally expressed their +intention to revive the old animosities between themselves and the +native Brazilians; thus causing a renewal of disorder which I was +determined not to permit, in favour of one who had no patent to shew for +his assumption of authority. + +This monstrous state of affairs--fostered by the Imperial +administration--was a natural consequence of their Portuguese +predilections, and could not have existed, except from want of union +amongst the Brazilians themselves, who, unskilled in political +organization, were compelled to submit to a foreign faction, unable to +carry out its own views, and only powerful in thwarting those of the +patriots. Their policy was the more reprehensible, for even the +government of the mother country conceded that Brazil was too extensive +and powerful to be again reduced to a state of colonial dependence, and +therefore confined its aims to the Northern provinces, the Portuguese +party in the administration seconding the intentions of the parent +state; both, however, shutting their eyes to the fact, that, if these +were separated from Brazil, they would become disorganized in a vain +attempt to imitate the constitution of the United States--by whose more +enlightened citizens they were greatly influenced--and, as a +consequence, would be lost both to the parent state and the Empire. As +it was, all I had effected for their annexation and tranquillization was +regarded with perfect hatred by the Portuguese residents in the +provinces as well as by the administration, who did everything in their +power to thwart my measures for the union and consolidation of the +Empire. + +During the whole of this period, I repeat that I had received no +communication from Rio de Janeiro, with the exception of the letter +before mentioned, with the rubrick of His Imperial Majesty, thanking me +for the course I had pursued. Though no instructions were sent for my +guidance, nor any fault found with my acts, yet, from private sources, I +was advised that my success in restoring order to the Northern provinces +had greatly embittered the administration against me, as having +destroyed the hopes of Portugal--expressed through Palmella--of +profiting by disorder. I was also left to provide for the pay and +maintenance of the squadron, one vessel only with supplies having been +forwarded since our departure from Rio de Janeiro, in the preceding +August! + +Notwithstanding this marked neglect, I took care to keep the +administration well advised of all my proceedings, and the causes +thereof, the following being extracts from my letters to the Minister of +Marine, respecting the events just narrated:-- + + No. 290. + + Maranham, March 16th, 1825. + + I beg to acquaint your Excellency, for the satisfaction of the + Imperial government, that I have caused the provinces which required + military assistance, to furnish pay and provisions for the ships + immediately under my command; and further, that I have required the + government of Maranham to pay, as a recompence to the officers and + seamen, _one-fourth part_ of the amount of money and bills, and + _one-fifth part_ of the value of the military stores surrendered by + the Portuguese authorities on the 28th of July, 1823. Thus the + Imperial government at Rio de Janeiro will be relieved from + considerable disbursement, and the officers and + seamen--notwithstanding the great additional trouble to which they + have been put--will be satisfied, so far as regards their claim to + the value of their captures in compensation for their services at + Maranham. + + I cannot refrain from drawing the attention of the Imperial + government to the abuses which exist in every department of the + provincial government, where, notwithstanding the great revenue + derived from various sources, the Junta of Fazenda possess so little + credit, that their bills have actually been sold at 30 per cent. + discount, and I am credibly informed that no money can, at any time, + be received from the treasury without a heavy per centage being given + to the inferior officers; but how such per centages are afterwards + disposed of, is to me unknown. + + The price at which provisions were being purchased by the + Intendente for the use of the squadron being exorbitant, I instituted + a minute inquiry, the result of which was the discovery of + a fraudulent system which I abolished by purchasing our own + provisions. American salt beef, for which the Provincial Government + charged 25 milreis the barrel, I have purchased for 12 milreis--pork + charged 32 milreis, I buy for 15-1/2 milreis. Bread is charged + 10 milreis the quintal, whilst the English sloop-of-war _Jaseur_ is + purchasing it at 5 milreis, for bills on England. Indeed, the abuses + here of all kinds are too numerous to be detailed by letter, and to + endeavour to put a stop to them, unless under the express authority + and protection of the Imperial Government, would be a thankless + task. + + * * * * * + + No. 291. + + Maranham, March 17th, 1825. + + The difficulties with which I have had to contend in this + province have been greatly increased by the arrival of Pedro José + de Costa Barros on the 5th of last month--when intrigue within + intrigue was set on foot by different parties, and which--if Barros + were placed in power--I clearly foresaw would end in anarchy and + bloodshed--and probably in the destruction of all the Portuguese + part of the community, whose unequivocal reception of a partisan + President excited at once the jealousy and distrust of the + Brazilians. + + Under these circumstances, I felt that the only course to be + adopted, for the prevention of serious evils, was to defer the + introduction of Barros into authority, and to leave Lobo as President + interino, until further directions from the Imperial Government. + This additional degree of responsibility I took upon myself with the + less reluctance, as Barros had no other authority to assume the + Government than a letter to Bruce, whom I had previously been + compelled to suspend from office and send to Rio--to whom, therefore, + such letter could not be delivered. Besides which, having + appointed Lobo to be President interino, until His Majesty's + pleasure should be known, I could not consistently consent to his + removal from office until His Majesty was acquainted with his + appointment, and had expressed his pleasure thereon. + + * * * * * + + No. 292. + + Maranham, March 18th, 1825. + + As I observe by the Lisbon newspapers that most of the vessels + acquitted by the Court of Admiralty have arrived at Lisbon, I beg to + call your Excellency's attention to the fact that I have received no + reply to my letter addressed to your Excellency on the 1st of + August last, requesting to know whether, in addition to the loss + of the property, _which ought to have been condemned_, I was personally + liable to the enormous costs and damages decreed against me by + that tribunal. + + * * * * * + + No. 293. + + Maranham, March 18, 1825. + + In my letter, No. 291, I acquainted your Excellency + of the course pursued with regard to Pedro José de Costa Barros, + who, under the mistaken counsels of a faction here, would have + again involved this province in scenes of bloodshed and confusion. + It is neither my duty nor inclination to become a tool in the hands + of any faction, whose views are contrary to the true interests of + His Imperial Majesty, and, were they countenanced and protected, + would infallibly involve all Brazil in civil war and anarchy. + + I contented myself, however, with continuing the usual precautions, + which were sufficient to prevent disasters till His Majesty's + pleasure, with regard to recent occurrences in this province, should + become known, of which I have been in daily expectation for some + time past; but Barros--after agreeing to await the expected + instructions--considered that he had gained over a sufficient party + to overthrow the government by violent means, and addressed to me + the letter A, which was considered by him a sufficient pretext to + warrant the imprisonment of the President interino, during my + temporary absence on board the flagship, whence, it was supposed, + I should not be able to arrive in time to prevent the execution of + that violent measure; and I regret to add, that, in this plot--so + prejudicial to His Majesty's interests, and so disgraceful to the + parties concerned--persons whose duty it was to have at once combatted + such unjustifiable proceedings took an underhand but active + part. The letters of Barros, A and B, will sufficiently shew the + violence of his prejudices, his credulity, and precipitancy in acting + upon false information and reports, as well as his total ignorance of + law and justice, in requiring the seizure of an individual without + specifying either crime or accuser. + + I enclose to your Excellency all the correspondence which has + taken place between Barros and myself, together with the proclamation + which I felt it my duty to issue for the maintenance of order; + for the legal department here now profess to consider that, although + the constitution has been granted and accepted, they have no + authority to put it in practice--hence, between the ancient and new + laws, justice is at a stand. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +To these and all my previous communications no reply was returned either +in the way of approval or otherwise. There was, however, one member of +the administration, Luiz José Carvalho e Mello, who had ever been my +friend, being himself a man of patriotic and enlightened views, but +without the influence to counteract the designs of his Portuguese +colleagues. As I knew from private sources, that this silence had its +objects, I addressed to Carvalho e Mello the following letter:-- + + Maranham, March 22nd, 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + By the arrival of my despatches transmitted by the _George_ and other + ships, your Excellency will have been successively informed of such + public transactions and occurrences as seemed to me worthy of the + attention of the Imperial Government. But notwithstanding that three + months and upwards have now elapsed since the date of my first + communications, I have the misfortune (for so I must call it) to be + left without any precise or applicable instructions from Rio de + Janeiro. The responsibility, therefore, rests entirely on my + shoulders, and I feel this the more--being aware that not only shall + I meet with no support from the majority of the Ministry itself--but + that the most powerful faction in Rio de Janeiro will represent every + thing I have done--or may do--in the blackest colours. + + I console myself, however, with the knowledge that I possess the + means of exposing the falsehood of every allegation that can be + brought against me. I have acted towards His Imperial Majesty + and the Brazilian nation, in the same manner as I should have + done for my native Sovereign and country; and I must say--that, + had I freed the shores of England from a superior hostile force, and + rescued half the country from the dominion of an enemy--the + British Government would not have left me to seek the fruit of my + labours, and those of the officers and seamen who served with me, + in the manner in which I have been compelled to seek them in + Brazil; and would never have subjected me to the necessity of + having recourse to measures capable of being so perversely represented + as to obscure for a time that credit to which I am entitled + for the successful conduct of the naval war. I am, however, + resolved never to be deterred, by fear of consequences, from using + every endeavour within my power to obtain justice for all who have + continued to perform their duty in the Imperial service. And + I have the less hesitation in persevering in this resolution--because + it cannot be denied that I have strictly limited the claims of the + naval service to such rewards as would have been admitted to + be due, under similar circumstances, in the navy of England. + + I have used the freedom to say thus much to your Excellency as + my friend--because I am well aware that the old cry of the Portuguese + faction in Rio will be set up against me the moment they + hear that I have caused the Junta of Fazenda of this province to pay + a part of the amount of the money and bills taken on the surrender + of the Portuguese authorities at Maranham. This, of course, though + only one-fourth of the amount due, _will be represented as an outrageous + robbery_; but I again say, that it is not from the Portuguese + faction at Rio, that I expect either credit or justice. Their object is + sufficiently evident, namely--_the expulsion of every foreign officer + from the service, by means of privation and insult, in order that they + may fill the ships with their Portuguese countrymen and dependents_; + a result which I should lament to witness, because fraught with mischief + to His Imperial Majesty and Brazil. + + I feel myself much shaken in health by the great heat of the climate, + and the anxiety occasioned by the peculiar circumstances in which I + have been placed; all of which I might have saved myself under the + plea of want of instructions, but for my desire to promote the real + interests of His Imperial Majesty, by once more accomplishing that + which His Majesty, in his instructions to me of the 31st of July + last, was graciously pleased to describe as "_of no less importance + than the integrity and independence of the Empire_." + + I am, with great respect, + + Your Excellency's devoted friend, + + and obedient servant, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +On the 16th of March, the Junta--finding that I would not listen to any +farther evasion--paid 30 contos (£.6000) in bills, and 3 contos (£.600) +in silver, as the first instalment of the 106,000 dollars (£.21,200) for +which the restoration of 425,000 dollars (£.85,000) had been commuted. +The disbursement of this sum amongst the officers and men entitled to +it, is fully narrated in the concluding chapter, containing a full +statement of the disbursement of this and other monies charged against +me, which statement is accompanied by vouchers fortunately retained in +my possession, these placing the proper disbursement of the money +amongst its rightful owners beyond doubt or question. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +I QUIT MARANHAM FOR A CRUISE--BAD STATE OF THE FRIGATE--CONNIVANCE AT +ILLICIT TRADE--WE ARE COMPELLED TO PROCEED TO ENGLAND--THE FRIGATE +REPORTED TO THE BRAZILIAN ENVOY--WHO CHEATS ME OF £.2,000--HIS +ASSUMPTION THAT I HAD ABANDONED THE SERVICE--MY CONTRADICTION +THEREOF--ORDER TO RETURN TO RIO--REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO--BRAZILIAN +ENVOY TAMPERS WITH MY OFFICER--WHO ACQUAINTS ME THEREWITH--ENVOY STOPS +PAY AND PROVISIONS--DECLARES THAT THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE ME +NOTHING!--CAPTAIN SHEPHERD'S REPLY--I PREPARE TO RETURN TO RIO--THE +ENVOY DISMISSES ME FROM THE SERVICE--WITHOUT REASON ASSIGNED--HE +DECLARES THAT I VOLUNTARILY ABANDONED THE SERVICE--RECEIPTS FOE ACCOUNTS +TRANSMITTED TO BRAZIL--THESE DENIED TO HAVE BEEN SENT. + + +The anxiety occasioned by the constant harassing which I had +undergone--unalleviated by any acknowledgment on the part of the +Imperial government of the services which had a second time saved the +Empire from intestine war, anarchy and revolution--began to make serious +inroads on my health; whilst that of the officers and men, in +consequence of the great heat and pestilential exhalations of the +climate, and of the double duty which they had to perform, afloat and +ashore, was even less satisfactory. As I saw no advantage in longer +contending with factious intrigues at Maranham--unsupported and +neglected as I was by the administration at Rio de Janeiro, and as I +knew that my immediate return to the Capital would instantly be followed +by resident contention, I resolved upon a short run into a more bracing +Northerly atmosphere, which would answer the double purpose of +restoring our health, and of giving us a clear offing for our +subsequent voyage to Rio de Janeiro. + +Accordingly--after paying both to officers and crews their share of the +prize money refunded by the Junta of Maranham (see concluding Chapter), +I shifted my flag into the _Piranga_, despatched the _Pedro Primiero_ to +Rio, and leaving Captain Manson, of the _Cacique_, in charge of the +naval department at Maranham, put to sea on the 18th of May. + +On the 21st we crossed the Equator, and meeting with a succession of +Easterly winds, were carried to the Northward of the Azores, passing St. +Michael's on the 11th of June. It had been my intention to sail into the +latitude of the Azores, and then to return to Rio de Janeiro; but strong +gales coming on we made the unpleasant discovery that the frigate's +maintopmast was sprung, and when putting her about, the main and +maintopsail yards were discovered to be unserviceable. A still worse +disaster was, that the salt provisions shipped at Maranham were reported +bad; mercantile ingenuity having resorted to the device of placing good +meat at the top and bottom of the barrels; whilst the middle, being +composed of unsound provisions, had tainted the whole, thereby rendering +it not only uneatable, but positively dangerous to health. + +For the condition of the ship's spars I had depended on others, not +deeming it necessary to take upon myself such investigation; it is +however possible that we might have patched these up, so as to reach Rio +de Janeiro, had not the running rigging been as rotten as the masts, +and we had no spare cordage on board. The state of the provisions, +however, rendered a direct return to Rio de Janeiro out of the question, +the good provisions on board being little more than sufficient for a +week's subsistence of the crew. + +On ascertaining these facts, I convened the officers for the purpose of +holding a survey on the state of the ship and provisions, they all +agreeing with me as to the impracticability of attempting a six weeks' +voyage with defective masts and rigging, and only a week's provisions on +board, at the same time signing a survey to that effect, which document +is now in my possession. It was therefore determined to put into some +port for the purpose of refitting; but here another difficulty presented +itself. Portugal was still an enemy's country. Had we made a Spanish +port, the prominent part I had taken in depriving Spain of her colonies +in the Pacific would have ensured me a questionable reception. A French +port too was unsuitable, as France had not acknowledged the independence +of Brazil. + +To enter an English harbour was attended with some risk of annoyance to +myself, in consequence of the enactments of the "Foreign Enlistment +Bill," the provisions of which had been specially aimed at my having +taken service in South America though before that Bill was passed, so +that I did not consider myself to come within the meaning of the Act. +Still the point was debateable, and were it raised, might subject me to +considerable personal inconvenience, the more so as being in command of +a foreign ship of war belonging to an unacknowledged state. The +necessity was, however, urgent, and taking all circumstances into +consideration, I resolved, notwithstanding the Foreign Enlistment Bill, +to stretch on to Portsmouth, and there procure provisions, anchors, +cables, and stores, indispensable for the use of a ship of war; the +frigate being so destitute of all these, that, had I been fully aware of +her condition before quitting Maranham, I should have hesitated to put +to sea. + +In passing the Azores, we overtook the brig _Aurora_, which left +Maranham ten days before the _Piranga_, cleared out for Gibraltar under +Brazilian colours. She was now steering direct for Lisbon under a +Portuguese ensign, in company with a Portuguese schooner; this +circumstance clearly shewing the kind of intercourse carried on between +Brazil and the mother country by connivance of the authorities. Though +both vessels were within my grasp I did not molest them, in consequence +of having received private information of a decree passed by the supreme +military council at Rio de Janeiro on the 26th of October, from the +tenor of which decree, had I made further captures from the enemy, I +should have incurred additional penalties, as acting contrary to the +obvious intentions of a majority of the council, though their views had +not been officially communicated to me. + +I had, however, stronger reasons for not molesting these vessels. +Knowing that both were bound for Lisbon, I felt certain that they would +carry the news of our approaching the shores of Portugal with a view to +mischief--and that a knowledge of the proximity of a Brazilian ship of +war, with the further consideration of the injury she might do to the +trade of that nation in case of rupture of the pending negociations, +could not fail to inspire a desire for peace on the minds of the +mercantile portion of the population, who had hitherto been chiefly +instrumental in delaying the paternal intentions of His Portuguese +Majesty with regard to the independence of Brazil as now firmly +established under the government of his descendant and heir apparent. +The effect anticipated was, in reality, produced by their report, so +that we contributed in no small degree to hasten the peace which was +shortly afterwards established. + +Another motive for not molesting these vessels was, that being +compelled, for the reasons before stated, to resort to an English +port, at a time when I knew the British Government to be carrying +on negociations for peace between Portugal and Brazil, I felt it +better to abstain from hostilities against Portuguese vessels or +property--considering that a contrary course might impede the +reconciliation which was desirable both for the interests of His +Imperial Majesty and his royal father; a result scarcely less +advantageous to England on account of her rapidly extending commerce in +Brazil. + +We sighted the English coast on the 25th of June, and on the following +day came to anchor at Spithead, our available provisions being entirely +expended. My first step was to inquire of the authorities at +Portsmouth, whether, in case of the _Piranha's_ saluting, the +compliment would be returned with the same number of guns? The inquiry +being answered in the affirmative, the salute was fired, and replied to; +thus, for the first time, was the flag of His Imperial Majesty saluted +by an European state, and the independence of Brazil virtually +acknowledged. + +My next step was to report the arrival of the _Piranga_ at Portsmouth, +to the Chevalier Manoel Rodriguez Gameiro Pessoa, the Brazilian Envoy in +London; at the same time informing his Excellency of the circumstances +which had unavoidably led to our appearance in British waters, and +requesting him to forward the means of paying the men's wages. This +requisition was complied with, to the extent of two months' pay to the +men. + +As it was contrary to the law or usage of England to assist in the +equipment of ships of war belonging to foreign belligerent states, the +articles required for the re-equipment of the frigate could not be +furnished from the Royal arsenal--the duty of providing these, +therefore, devolved upon the Brazilian Envoy, who soon afterwards +represented that he was without means for the purpose, thus impeding the +equipment of the frigate. The men being also without fresh provisions or +the means to procure them, were beginning to desert, I advanced £.2000, +in order to keep them together, giving the Chevalier Gameiro an order +for this amount on my bankers, Messrs. Coutts, and taking his receipt +for the amount, for which I drew a bill upon the Imperial Government at +Rio de Janeiro, which was _protested, and has not been paid to this +day!_ + +On the 4th of August, I was surprised at receiving from the Envoy a +letter charging _me personally_ with the amount he had advanced to the +_Piranga_, and also with £.295, an alleged error of account in payments +made at Maranham; his Excellency concluding with the extraordinary +declaration, that--"having received from my bankers, Messrs. Coutts and +Co. the sum of £.2000 he had placed against it the amount advanced, the +transaction leaving me indebted to the Legation in the sum of £.25!" +Though the Legation could not have anything to do with the assumed error +arising from transactions at Maranham. + +On the 21st of August, I received a letter from the Brazilian Envoy to +the effect that he had perceived in the newspapers a report that I had +accepted from the Government of Greece the command of its navy--and +wished to know if there was any truth in the assertion. To this inquiry +I replied that so long as I continued in the Brazilian service I could +not accept any other command; that the Greek command had been offered to +me whilst in Brazil, in the same manner as the Brazilian command had +been offered to me whilst in the service of Chili; and that, soon after +my return to Portsmouth, the Greek committee, zealous in the cause which +they had adopted, had renewed their offers, under the impression that my +work in Brazil was now completed. At the same time, I assured the Envoy +that as, in the case of Chili, I did not accept the Brazilian command +till my work was done, neither should I accept a Greek commission till +my relations with Brazil were honourably concluded, but that +nevertheless the offer made to me on behalf of Greece was not rejected. + +This reply was construed by the Chevalier Gameiro into an admission that +_I had_ accepted the Greek command, and he addressed to me another +letter, expressive of his regret that I should have "come to the +resolution to retire from the service of His Imperial Majesty the +Emperor of Brazil, in the great work of whose independence I had taken +so glorious a part, (a grande obra da independencia, V. E'a teve tao +gloriosa parte) regretting the more especially that his august Sovereign +should be deprived of my important services (prestantes servicios) just +at a moment when new difficulties required their prompt application," +&c. &c. + +These expressions were probably sincere, for, since my departure from +Maranham, serious difficulties had arisen in the river Plate, which +afterwards ended with little credit to the Brazilian cause. But _I had +not accepted the Greek command_, and had no intention of so doing +otherwise than consistently with my engagements with Brazil. On the 6th +of September, I therefore addressed to the Envoy the following letter:-- + + Edinburgh, 6th Sept. 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I regret that your translator should have so far + mistaken the words and meaning of my last letter as to lead your + Excellency to a conclusion that I had taken the resolution to leave + the service of H.I.M. the Emperor of Brazil, or, in other words, + that it was I who had violated the engagements entered into with + the late ministers of His Imperial Majesty in 1823. Whereas, on + the contrary, the _portaria_ published in the Rio Gazette on the 28th + of February, 1824, was promulgated without my knowledge or + sanction, and the limitation of my authority to _the existing war_ was + persevered in by the present ministers, notwithstanding my remonstrance + in writing, both to the Minister of Marine and the Minister + of the Interior. + + Your Excellency ought not therefore to be surprised, if--threatened + as I am with this _portaria_--I should provide beforehand + against a contingency which might _hereafter_ arise from an occasion + happily so nigh, as seems to be the restoration of peace and amity + between His Imperial Majesty and his royal father. + + With regard to any communications of a pressing nature relative + to the equipment of the _Piranga_, your Excellency may consider + Captain Shepherd authorised to act, in my absence, in all ordinary + cases. And that officer, having instructions to acquaint me whenever + the _Piranga_ shall have two-thirds of her complement of men on + board--I can at any time be in London within two days of the + receipt of such communication, and most assuredly before the + complement can be procured. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + To Chevalier MANOEL RODRIGUEZ GAMBIRO PESSOA. + +Notwithstanding that my engagements with Brazil rested on the original +patents conferred upon me by His Majesty, of which the validity had been +further established by the additional documents given before my +departure for Pernambuco--the latter completely setting aside the +spurious _portaria_ of Barbosa, limiting my services to the duration of +the war--I nevertheless felt confident that, when my services were no +longer required, no scruples as to honourable engagements would prevent +the ministry from acting on the spurious documents, though promulgated +without my knowledge or consent, against every principle of the +conditions upon which I entered the Brazilian service. No blame could +therefore attach to me, for not rejecting the offer of the Greek +command, in case a trick of this kind should be played, as I had every +reason to believe it would be--and as it afterwards in reality was. + +On the 27th of September, the Brazilian Envoy forwarded to me an order +from the Imperial Government at Rio, dated June 27th, and addressed to +me at Maranham; the order directing me to proceed from that port to Rio +immediately on its receipt, to give an account of my proceedings +there--though despatches relating even to minute particulars of every +transaction had, as the reader is well aware, been sent by every +opportunity. His Majesty, when issuing the order, was ignorant that I +had quitted Maranham, still more that on the day the order was issued at +Rio de Janeiro, I had anchored at Spithead, so that obedience to His +Majesty's commands was impossible. + +Acting on this order, the Chevalier Gameiro took upon himself to +"require, in the name of the Emperor, the immediate return of the +_Piranga_, so soon as her repairs were completed, and her complement of +men filled up." As I knew that the order in question would not have been +promulgated by the Emperor, had he known the effect produced by the +presence of the _Piranga_ in the vicinity of Portugal; and as, in +everything I had accomplished in Brazil, His Majesty had placed the +fullest confidence in my discretion, I felt certain that he would be +equally well satisfied with whatever course I might deem it necessary to +pursue, I did not therefore think it expedient to comply with the +requisition of the Envoy, assigning the following reasons for using my +own judgment in the matter:-- + + Edinburgh, Oct. 1, 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have this day been favoured with your letter containing + a copy of a _portaria_ dated June 27th, wherein His Imperial + Majesty, through his Minister of Marine, directs my immediate + return from Maranham to Rio de Janeiro, leaving only the small + vessels there; which order you will observe I had anticipated on the + 20th of May, when I left the Imperial brig-of-war _Cacique_ and the + schooner _Maria_ in that port. Since then, His Excellency the + Minister of Marine is in possession of duplicates of my correspondence + mentioning the arrangements I had so made in anticipation + of the Imperial order; and of my official communications--also in + duplicate--transmitted on my arrival at Portsmouth, by your + Excellency's favour, with your despatches. + + These will have acquainted His Imperial Majesty with the cause + and necessity of our arrival at Spithead--as well as with my intention + there to wait a reasonable time before the departure of the _Piranga,_ + in order to learn the result of the negociations with Portugal. + + I have only to add that, by some inadvertence, your Excellency's + secretary has sent me the copy instead of the original order addressed + to me by order of His Imperial Majesty, which mistake may be + remedied on my return to town. + + I am gratified to learn that there is less difficulty in procuring men + than I had anticipated under the regulations respecting foreign seamen. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + + The Chevalier GAMEIRO. + +Shortly previous to this, the Chevalier Gameiro addressed a letter to +Lieutenant Shepherd, under the title of "Commander of the _Piranga_!" +unjustifiably informing him officially that _"I had retired from the +service of His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil!"_ notwithstanding my +letters to him in contradiction. Indeed, the letter just quoted is +sufficient to shew that not only had I not relinquished the service, but +that I refused to obey Gameiro's order to proceed to Rio, because I knew +that if the frigate returned to Brazil, the impression her presence had +produced on Portugal would be altogether neutralized, and the +negociations for peace might be indefinitely prolonged; so that his +order to run away from the good which had been effected, was so truly +absurd, that I did not choose to comply with it. Had the negociations +for peace been broken off, I had formed plans of attacking Portugal in +her own waters, though with but a single frigate; and I had no +reasonable doubt of producing an impression there of no less forcible a +character than, with a single ship, I had, two years before, produced on +the Portuguese fleet in Brazil. The order was, therefore, one commanding +me to run away from my own plans, of which the Envoy however knew +nothing, as I did not feel justified in entrusting him with my +intentions. + +On receiving the above-mentioned intimation to proceed to Rio de +Janeiro--without my intervention, Lieutenant Shepherd very properly +forwarded the Envoy's letter to me--when, of course, I apprised him that +he was under my command, and not under that of the Chevalier Gameiro. +At the same time I wrote to the latter, that "it would be the subject of +regret if anything should cause the spurious decree of the 28th of +February, 1824, to be brought into operation, but that, _at present, +being in full possession of my office and authority_, my opinion was in +no way changed, that the _Piranga_ should be first fully equipped, and +then wait for a reasonable time for the decision of those important +matters in discussion." + +Finding that Lieutenant Shepherd would not fly in the face of my +authority, the Envoy finally resorted to the extraordinary measure of +stopping the seamen's wages and provisions. On the 6th of October, +Lieutenant Shepherd wrote to me, that "in consequence of their wages not +being paid they had all left off work, and though Clarence did all he +could to pacify them, and get them to return to their duty, they had +determined not to go to work until they were paid." On the 8th, +Lieutenant Shepherd again wrote, "that Gameiro having ceased to supply +the frigate with fresh provisions, he had, on his own responsibility, +ordered the butcher to continue supplying them as usual." On Lieutenant +Shepherd waiting upon the Envoy to remonstrate against this system of +starvation, he replied--and his words are extracted from Lieutenant +Shepherd's letter to me, that as "His Lordship did not think proper to +sail at the time he wished, he would not be responsible for supplying +the frigate with anything more--nor would he advance another shilling." +In all this, Gameiro--acting, no doubt, on instructions from the +Portuguese faction at Rio--resorted to every kind of falsehood to get +the officers to renounce my authority and to accept his! Of the +character of the man and his petty expedients, the following extract +from Lieutenant Shepherd's letter of the 8th of October, will form the +best exponent:-- + + I have had another visit from General Brown, when he began a + conversation by mentioning the evils which would arise from the + feeling between your Lordship and Gameiro, who was at a loss how to + act, as he had no authority over you--Gen. Brown suggesting how much + better it would be for me to place myself under Gameiro's orders. + Finding that I refused--on the following morning he called again, and + told me that he had seen Gameiro, and had heard that the + misunderstanding between your Lordship and him was at an end, but + that Gameiro wanted to see me. On this I waited on Gameiro, who after + some conversation told me that if I had any regard for His Imperial + Majesty's service, I should never have acted as I had done. I told + him that all I had done had been for the good of the service, and + that I was ready to put to sea as soon as I received your Lordship's + orders. He then asked me if I was the effective Captain of the ship? + and whether I was not under the orders of Captain Crosbie? I told him + that I was not acting under the orders of Captain Crosbie, but that I + was Captain of the ship by virtue of a commission from the Emperor, + and by an order from Lord Cochrane. He then said--Are you authorised + to obey the orders of Captain Crosbie? and I said, I was not. Suppose + you were to receive an order from Captain Crosbie, would you obey it? + I said I would not. Then you consider yourself the lawful Captain of + that ship? I do. + + Upon this Gameiro remarked, "You are not an officer of Lord + Cochrane's, but of the Imperial Government. It is impossible for Lord + Cochrane to return to the Brazils as the Admiralty Court there _has + sentenced him to pay £.60,000 sterling, and his command will cease as + soon as peace is made between Brazil and Portugal! Besides, Lord + Cochrane's motive for detaining the_ Piranga _is the expectation on + his part of receiving £.6000 per annum at the termination of the war, + which the Government will never give him_!" + + Finding that this made no impression on me, he began to threaten, + saying that "he would state to his Government that all delay was + occasioned by me, and that I should have to answer for it." I told + him that, in the event of my sailing without your orders, I subjected + myself to be tried by a court-martial for so doing, and leaving your + Lordship behind. He answered that "I must be aware that he was the + legal representative of His Imperial Majesty, and that he would give + me despatches of such a nature as would not only exonerate me from + all blame, but would shew the great zeal I had for His Imperial + Majesty's service." + + I asked Gameiro--if I were to act in such a manner, what would people + think of me? The answer was, "_Never mind what Lord Cochrane says, + you will be in the Brazils and he in England, and I will take upon + myself all the blame and the responsibility._" He gave me till the + evening to think of his proposals, and if I would not consent to + them, he had other means of sending the _Piranga_ to sea. He further + requested me to keep this secret from your Lordship, as if you heard + of it you would come post and stop it; adding that if I would + consent, he would send a sufficient number of men in a steamboat, + with every kind of store and provisions required to complete us, and + we were to sail immediately. + + This deep laid plot of Gameiro's was not to be carried on as + Portuguese plots are in general, but was to be done--using his own + words--_at a blow_, before anybody could know anything about it. + + With this I send a copy of my answer to Gameiro's proposals, and a + letter representing the state of the ship. + + I have the honour to remain + Your Lordship's obedient Servant, + JA'S. SHEPHERD. + +Such were the underhand expedients of a man who was silly enough to tell +the secrets of his Government, as regarded the intended injustice of the +Brazilian Ministry towards me--in spite of stipulations thrice ratified +by the Emperor's own hand. But in confiding them to Lieutenant Shepherd, +the Envoy's want of common honesty, no less than of common sense, did +not perceive that he was imparting iniquitous projects to a brave and +faithful officer, who would not lose a moment till he had apprised me of +the whole. I should be unjust to the memory of Captain Shepherd did I +not give his written reply to the infamous proposals of Gameiro, a copy +of which was enclosed to me in the preceding letter. + +Copy of my answer to Gameiro's proposals, sent in Portuguese, and +translated by Mr. March:-- + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + In answer to the wishes of your Excellency to place + myself under your immediate orders, I have to acquaint you that I + have this morning had a letter from Lord Cochrane, stating that he + had received letters from your Excellency of such a nature as to + require his immediate presence in town, where he intends to be on + Monday next. This alone--you must be aware--will entirely preclude + the possibility of putting into execution the arrangements + which you wished; the celerity of the Admiral's movements being + such as to preclude all hope of effecting them. + + I am sorry to add, that all our men have this morning left + the ship in a complete state of mutiny, occasioned by their not + having received their last two months' pay, and I much fear that it + will be now more difficult than ever to get her manned--as, from + their having been so long kept in arrears, and leaving their ship + without being paid, has irritated their feelings to such a degree, that + I have no hesitation whatever in saying that they will do all in their + power to prevent others from joining her. + + I have the honour to remain + Your obedient humble Servant, + + JAMES SHEPHERD. + + To His Excellency + MANOEL RODRIGUEZ GAMEIRO PESSOA. + +On the 29th of October, I received from the Brazilian Legation in +London, further orders from the Imperial Government, dated August 25th, +1825, to return with the _Piranga_ to Rio de Janeiro--and with these I +made preparations to comply, notifying to Gameiro my readiness to +sail--by the following letter:-- + + London, Nov. 3, 1825. + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + + Having informed your Excellency on the 1st of + October, that previous to quitting Maranham I had anticipated the + Imperial resolutions, and having in my letter of the 24th further + made known to your Excellency that the _Piranga_ should sail for + Brazil on or as soon after the 10th of this month as the wind would + permit, your Excellency will perceive that there is nothing remaining + of the Imperial decree to be executed, unless the _Piranga_ (which I + much doubt) should be enabled to put to sea before the early day + which I have fixed for departure. + + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + His Excellency + MANOEL RODRIGUEZ GAMEIRO PESSOA. + +This declaration of my readiness to comply with His Imperial Majesty's +orders did not, however, suit the Envoy, nor did it fall in with his +instructions from the Brazilian Ministry, which, no doubt were, as soon +as peace was proclaimed, _to get rid of me without satisfying my +claims_--this course being, indeed, apparent from what the Envoy, as +just shewn, had communicated to Lieutenant Shepherd. (See page 260.) On +the 3rd of November, peace between Portugal and Brazil was announced, +and the independence of the Empire acknowledged; Gameiro being, on the +occasion, created Baron Itabayana, whilst I--to whose instrumentality +the peace--as a consequence of the consolidation of the Empire had been +mainly owing, _was to be ignominiously dismissed the service_! + +On the 7th of November--four days only after the announcement of +peace--Gameiro took upon himself the execution of the spurious +ministerial decree issued by Barbosa on the 27th of February, 1824, +which _had been abrogated by the Emperor, through the same minister, in +the July following, as a prelude to my employment in the +tranquillisation of the Northern provinces_. Gameiro did not venture +previously to apprise me of the act lest I should resist it--but +insultingly sent an order to the officers of the Piranga to "disengage +themselves from all obedience to my command." (Se desligaõ de toda +subordinacaõ a o Ex'mo S'r Marquez do Maranhaõ), thus unjustifiably +terminating my services--as I was on the point of returning, in +obedience to the order of the Emperor. The subjoined is the order +alluded to:-- + + _To_ Captain SHEPHERD, _commanding the Piranga, still refusing + supplies whilst I held the command._ + + Having received the two letters which you addressed to me on the + 4th of this month, enclosing three demands for various articles for + the use of the frigate, I have to reply that I persist in my resolution + not to furnish anything to the frigate unless she is placed under the + immediate orders of this Legation, which I shall only consider + accomplished when I shall receive a reply signed by yourself, and + by all the other officers, declaring that--in compliance with the + orders of His Imperial Majesty, contained in the two portarias of + 37th of June and 20th of August last--_you all place yourselves under + the orders of this Legation, and cast off all subordination to the + Marquis of Maranhaõ!_ + + Dated London, 7th November, 1825. + + (Signed) GAMEIRO. + +As this was done without the slightest motive existing or assigned, +there was no doubt in my mind but that Barbosa and his colleagues in the +ministry had instructed Gameiro to dismiss me from the service whenever +peace was effected; indeed, he had so informed Lieutenant Shepherd by +the letter before quoted. To resist a measure--though thus insultingly +resorted to--in the face of the Imperial order to return, was out of the +question, as the instant consequence would have been a disgraceful +outbreak between the Brazilian and Portuguese seamen of the _Piranga,_ +in the principal war port of England, to my own scandal, no less than to +that of the Imperial government. I had, therefore, no alternative to +avert this outrage but by submitting to the forcible deposition from my +authority as Commander-in-Chief. + +This act of the Envoy--_based upon the deliberate falsehood that His +Imperial Majesty had ordered the officers not to obey me, no such order +existing_ in either of the Portarias mentioned--precluded my obedience +to the Imperial command to return to Rio de Janeiro, for being no longer +acknowledged as "First Admiral of Brazil, and Commander-in-Chief of the +National Armada," I could only have accompanied the _Piranga_ as a +passenger, or rather _quasi_ prisoner; and to this, in either capacity, +it was impossible, without degradation, to submit. I had no inclination +to place myself at the mercy of men who had taken advantage of a +spurious decree to dismiss me--now that--in spite of their +opposition--the destiny of the Empire had been irrevocably decided by +my having counteracted their _anti-national_ views whilst carrying out +the intentions of His Imperial Majesty. + +As will presently be seen, it was falsely represented by Gameiro, to the +Imperial Government, that I had _voluntarily abandoned the service!_ +though, from the letter just quoted--ordering the officers to "disengage +themselves from all subordination to me," this subterfuge of my having +_dismissed myself_ is obviously false. I will not, therefore, trespass +on the patience of the reader by dilating upon the subject; suffice it +to say that, not choosing to return to Rio de Janeiro as a passenger, I +had no dignified alternative but to give up the frigate to the command +of the senior officer, Captain Shepherd; confiding to him all accounts +of monies distributed for the Imperial service, with the vouchers for +the same--taking the precaution to send however the duplicate receipts +given by the officers on account of the monies paid by the Junta of +Maranham--and retaining the originals in my possession, where they now +remain, and will be adduced in the statement of account forming the +concluding chapter of this volume. + +For these accounts--which the Brazilian ministers _deny ever to have +received_--Captain Shepherd gave me, under his own signature, the +following acknowledgment--now in my possession; a photograph of which, +together with photographs of other important documents has long since +been sent to the Brazilian Government:-- + + Received from Lord Cochrane, Marquess of Maranhaõ, the key of the + iron chest, in which the prize lists and receipts for the + disbursement of public monies have been kept during His Excellency's + command; which key and chest I engage faithfully to deliver to the + accountant-general of His Imperial Majesty's navy, or to the proper + authority at Rio de Janeiro, taking his receipt for the same. + + On board H.I.M.'s ship _Piranga_, November 12th, 1825, + + JA's SHEPHERD. + + +The denial by the Brazilian Administration--of the accounts and receipts +thus acknowledged by Captain Shepherd, and the absence of any +ministerial communication on the subject, forms an unworthy imputation +on the memory of a gallant officer, who a short time afterwards nobly +died in action in the cause of Brazil. It was utterly impossible that +Captain Shepherd should have done otherwise than have delivered them, +for he was a man upon whose honour no reproach could be cast. There are +only two ways to account for their not having been delivered, if such be +the case. 1st, that Gameiro on the delivery of the frigate to the +legation obtained possession of the chest in which they were deposited, +and withheld them to justify my dismissal by casting the reproach upon +me of having appropriated the amount--an act of which the Brazilian +Government may judge whether he was capable; or, 2ndly, that from the +same reason they were purposely withheld or destroyed by the ministers +who had been so inimical to me. The present Brazilian Administration is +happily composed of men of a different stamp, and it becomes them, for +the sake of the national reputation, to institute the strictest search +for the documentary evidence adduced, as no man will believe that I +withheld documents which could alone justify my acts. + +And here I must be permitted to remark, that the documentary evidence +adduced in this volume proves the history, and not the history the +documents. If any question be made as to their validity or fidelity, _I +hereby call upon the Brazilian Government to appoint a Commission, or +authorise their Embassy to compare the extracts with the originals in my +possession, so that no manner of doubt or question shall attach to +them._ My object in now producing them is, that I will not voluntarily +go to my grave with obloquy, cast on me by men, who, at the outset of +Brazilian independence, were a misfortune to the Empire no less than to +myself; men who not only pursued this shameful line of conduct towards +me who was unable to resist it,--but towards His Imperial Majesty,--who, +by similar practices, was eventually disgusted into AN ABDICATION OF HIS +THRONE AND AN ABANDONMENT OF THE COUNTRY--to which he had given one of +the freest Constitutions in existence--achieved under the Imperial +watchword, "Independencia ou morte." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +I AM DISMISSED THE SERVICE BY THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT--WITHOUT ANY +ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY SERVICES--INCONSISTENCY OF THIS WITH FORMER +THANKS--THOUGH DISMISSED I AM TRIED AS A DESERTER--AND AM REFUSED ALL +COMPENSATION--REPORT OF RECENT COMMISSION ON THE SUBJECT--FALSE +REPRESENTATIONS--BUT PARTIALLY TRUE CONCLUSIONS--MY ORIGINAL PATENTS +NEVER SET ASIDE--UNTRUE ASSUMPTIONS AS TO MY DISMISSAL--MY CLAIMS +FOUNDED ON THE ORIGINAL PATENTS--LESS THAN HALF THE INTEREST DUE +PAID--OPINIONS OF EMINENT BRAZILIANS THEREON--MY SERVICES TARDILY +ACKNOWLEDGED--NO ACT OF MINE HAD ANNULLED THEM--THE ESTATE CONFERRED, +NOT CONFIRMED--PROMISES ON ACCOUNT OF CHILI UNFULFILLED--THE WHOLE +STILL MY RIGHT. + + +Having been thus unceremoniously dismissed from the Imperial +service--without doubt, by order of the Brazilian Ministry to their +Envoy in London, I was some months afterwards surprised by the receipt +of a letter from the Imperial Government, dated December 21st, 1825, and +signed "Visconde de Paranagua," informing me that His Imperial Majesty +had ordered all my pay and other claims to be suspended till I should +return to Rio de Janeiro to justify myself and give an account of my +commission--this being now out of my power, as I had been deprived of +command, and the frigate in which I came to England had returned, by +order of the Envoy, to Rio de Janeiro. + +Without, however, giving me time to do this, I received another letter +from the same authority, dated Dec. 30, containing my formal dismission +from the service--this shewing that Gameiro had previous instructions +to act in the way narrated in the last chapter. + +The following is the official letter dismissing me from the command of +the Navy, and from the post of First Admiral:-- + + His Majesty the Emperor, informed of that which your Excellency has + set forth in your letter No. 300, dated the 5th of November last, has + been pleased to determine that your Excellency shall fulfil the + orders already several times transmitted to you, and further in + compliance with the order of the 20th inst., a copy of which I + inclose, you are to return to this Court, where it is necessary you + shall give an account of the Commission with which you were + entrusted. His Majesty is much surprised that, after having taken the + frigate _Piranga_ to a foreign port, and having there remained in + despite of the Baron Itabayana, you should have adopted the + extraordinary resolution, not only _to abandon that frigate, but also + to retire from the service of the Emperor_, without having returned + to give an account of your proceedings _previous to your dismissal + from the command of the naval forces, and from the post of First + Admiral_ of the National and Imperial Armada. All which I communicate + for the information and execution of your Excellency. + + God preserve your Excellency. + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 30th, 1825. + + (Signed) VISCONDE DE PARANAGUA. + + To the Marquis of Maranhaõ. + +From this extraordinary document it is plain that Gameiro had written to +the Imperial Government the same falsehood, as he had used when +endeavouring to seduce Lieut. Shepherd from his duty to me as his +Commander-in-Chief; viz. that I had voluntarily retired from the +service, because the Admiralty Court having condemned me in £.60,000 +_damages, I durst not return to Rio de Janeiro!_ though I announced to +him my readiness to sail in the frigate. The Jesuitical nature of the +preceding letter amply proves its object and motive. It does not dismiss +me--but _it calls on me to come and be dismissed_! carefully addressing +me, however, as "Marquis of Maranhaõ," and not as First Admiral, thereby +intimating that I was _already dismissed_! As there can be no mistake +about the meaning of the document, it is not worth while to discuss +it--the reason why it is adduced being to shew that I was not only +dismissed by the Envoy Gameiro, but in a little more than a month +afterwards by the Imperial Government itself; which for thirty years +reiterated in reply to my often pressed claims--that _I dismissed myself +by abandoning the service of my own accord_! + +Not a word of acknowledgment was ever given for having a second time +saved the Empire from dismemberment, though this service was entirely +extra-official, it being no part of my contract with the Brazilian +Government to put down revolution, nor to take upon myself the +responsibility and difficult labour of reducing half the Empire to the +allegiance which it had perhaps not without cause repudiated--at the +same time, of necessity, taking the management of the whole upon myself. +This had been done at the pressing personal request of His Imperial +Majesty, in face of the decree of the Court of Admiralty _that no prizes +should be made within a certain distance of the shore_; so that no +benefit, public or private--arising from the operations of war--could +result from blockade; yet I had a right to expect even greater thanks +and a more liberal amount of compensation in case of success, than from +the first expedition. Not a word of acknowledgment nor a shilling of +remuneration for that service has ever been awarded to this day; though +such treatment stands out in glaring inconsistency with the Imperial +thanks and honours--the thanks of the Administration--and the vote of +the General Assembly, for expelling on the first expedition enemies not +half so formidable as were the revolutionary factions with which I had +to contend in the Northern provinces. + +Neither in Brazil nor in England had I done anything to forfeit my right +to the fulfilment of the explicit stipulations set forth in the Imperial +patents of March 26th, and November 25th, 1823. His Imperial Majesty had +all along marked his approbation of my zealous exertions for the +interests of the empire--designating them "_altos e extraordinarios +servicios_."--and desired that I should have the most ample +remuneration; having, in addition to every honour in his power to +confer, granted me an estate, which grant was by the Portuguese faction +strenuously and successfully opposed, and not this only, but every other +recompence proposed by His Majesty as a remuneration for my services. +The object being to subvert whatever had been effected by my exertions, +though, but for these the inevitable consequence would have been the +establishment of insignificant local governments in perpetual turmoil +and revolution, in place of an entire empire in the enjoyment of +uninterrupted repose. Had I connived at the views of the Anti-Imperial +faction--even by avoiding the performance of extra-official services--I +might, without dereliction of my duty as an officer, have amply shared +in their favours; but for my adherence to the Emperor against their +machinations, that influence was successfully used to deprive me even of +the ordinary reward of my labours in the cause of independence. + +As soon as the compulsory deprivation of my command, by the Envoy +Gameiro, became known in Rio de Janeiro--where, doubtless, it was +expected--a great outcry was raised against me, _as though my non-return +had been my own act_. The press was set in motion, and every effort was +used to traduce me in the eyes of the Brazilian people, from whom the +truth of the matter was carefully withheld; the whole, eventually, +terminating with a mock trial in my absence, when it had been placed out +of my power to defend myself. At this trial I was accused of +contumacy--stigmatised as a deserter, though, as has just been seen, +formally dismissed by the government, in confirmation of my dismissal by +the Envoy in England--and not only this, but I was declared by the +creatures of the administration in the National Assembly, to merit +punishment as a deserter! Such was my reward for first consolidating and +afterwards preserving the Empire of Brazil. + +Never dreaming of the advantage which might thus be taken by the +Administration of the act of their envoy--on the 10th of February, 1826, +I drew a bill upon the Brazilian Government for the remainder of my pay +up to the period of my dismissal by Itabayana. This was refused and +protested, as was also another afterwards drawn. + +This course clearly indicated the intention of the Administration not to +pay me anything, now that they had dismissed me from the service. To +have returned then to prosecute my claims against such judges, would +have been an act of folly, if not of insanity; my only alternative being +to memorialize the Emperor, which for many successive years I did +without effect--the execution of the Imperial will unhappily depending +on the decision of his ministers, who, little more than five years +afterwards, partly forced, and partly disgusted His Majesty into an +abdication in favour of his infant son, Don Pedro de Alcantara, now +Emperor of Brazil; committing the guardianship of his family to José +Bonifacio de Andrada, who, like myself, had been forced into exile from +the hatred of the very men who had so bitterly persecuted me, but had +been permitted to return to Brazil from which he never ought to have +been exiled. + +For more than twenty years did I unceasingly memorialize successive +Brazilian governments, but without effect. At length the Administration +which had so bitterly visited its hatred on me passed away, and it +became evident to His present Imperial Majesty, and the Brazilian +people, that I had been most shamefully treated. Nearly at the same time +I had fortunately succeeded in convincing the British Government that +the obloquy for so many years heaped upon me was unmerited; and Lord +Clarendon warmly espoused my cause, as did the Hon. Mr. Scarlett, the +British Minister at Rio de Janeiro; these excellent personages taking +the trouble to investigate the matter, a boon which I had in vain +solicited from any of their predecessors; though, had the favour +previously been granted, it would have had the effect of explaining my +conduct in Brazil as satisfactorily as, I trust, this volume has done to +the reader. + +The result of this was a commission, appointed by the Brazilian +Government, to inquire into the case of the squadron generally. The +following is an extract from their report, so far as regards myself:-- + + LORD COCHRANE. + + The first in rank and title assuredly is Lord Cochrane, Earl of + Dundonald, and Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief + of the National Armada during the War of Independence. + + The fame of the services rendered by Lord Cochrane in Chili, as + Commander-in-Chief of the squadron of that republic induced the + Imperial Government to invite him to accept a similar command in + Brazil, so long as the War of Independence should last, with the + promise of the same advantages which he there enjoyed. + + Accepting the invitation, he was appointed by the decree of the + 21st of March, 1823, with the pay of 11.520 milreis, being the same + as he had in Chili, conferring upon him, by communication of the + same date, the command of the squadron which was being equipped + in the port of this city; and by decree of the 23rd of February, + 1824, the command-in-chief of the naval forces of the Empire during + the War of Independence. + + It was afterwards decreed, on the 27th of July, 1824, that he + should enjoy the said pay in full, so long as he continued in the + service of the Empire; and _in case of his not desiring to continue + therein_ after the War of Independence, one half of the said pay as + a pension, which, in the event of his decease, should revert to Lady + Cochrane. + + Lastly, by a _portaria_ of the 20th of December, 1825, it was + decreed that all his muniments and rights should be suspended, and + he was dismissed by a decree of the 10th April, 1827. + + Justice demands that we shall acknowledge (says the Commission) + that the services of Lord Cochrane in the command of the squadron, + put an end to the war more speedily than had been expected; but if + his services were great, it is impossible to conceal that unqualified + and arbitrary acts of the most audacious daring were committed by + him and by the ships under his command, occasioning to the National + Treasury enormous losses, particularly by the heavy indemnification + of an infinite number of bad prizes, which it was obliged to satisfy; + and truth demands that we should declare that if the pretended + claims are suspended, the fault was entirely his own, from having + disobeyed the repeated orders of the Imperial Government, which + commanded his return to this Court to give account of his commission, + aggravated by the crime of having withdrawn himself from the + Empire for England with the frigate _Piranga_, and there remaining + with that frigate, notwithstanding the reiterated orders of the + Imperial Government, for more than two years, pretending that he + had not received the said orders, which at last were ordered to be + communicated to him through the Brazilian Minister resident in + London. + + All this is amply proved by different official documents, some of + which documents are from the claimant himself, this justifying the + suspension of the payment of his claims, no less than the crime of + his obstinate disobedience; and, indeed more by the indispensable + obligation by which he was bound to give accounts of the sums + which he received on account of prizes to distribute to the squadron + under his command, which distribution he himself acknowledged in + his letter of the 5th of November, 1825, wherein he says, "I shall + forward to the Imperial Government an account of the money + received from His Imperial Majesty for distribution to the seamen, + as well as other sums to the account of the captors." + + Having traced this outline relative to the services and excesses of + Lord Cochrane, the Commission now proceeds to discuss his claims. + + First,--His annual pay is 11.520 milreis, which was owing to him + from the 1st of August to the 10th of November 1825, when he left + the service of the Empire. The claimant founds his demand on the + decree of the 21st of March 1823, added to and confirmed on the + 27th of July, 1824. + + The second decree says,--"I deem fit, by the advice of my + Council of State, to determine that the said Marquis of Maranhaõ + shall receive, so long as he is in the service of the Empire, the + pay of his patent (11.520 milreis), and in case of his not choosing + to continue therein after the termination of the present war, the + half of the said pay, as a pension, the same being extended, in + case of his death, to Lady Cochrane." The said enactment being + so positive that at the sight thereof, the Commission declares, that + _it cannot do otherwise than confirm the right of the claimant to the + prompt payment of the pension due to him._ + +In this report there are many inaccuracies. It is stated that when in +Chili I accepted "the Brazilian command during the war of Independence" +only.--"_Viesse occupar igual commando no Brazil emquanto durasse Guerra +da Independencia._" This is contrary to fact, as will be seen in the +first chapter of this volume, where both the invitation to accept the +command, and my conditional acceptance thereof are given. To repeat the +actual words of the invitation, _"Abandonnez-nous, Milord, à la +reconnaissance Brésilienne--a la munificence du Prince--à la probité +sans tache de l'actuel Gouvernement--on vous fera justice"_ &c. &c. It +was neither "princely munificence"--"ministerial probity"--nor "common +justice," to dismiss me from the service without my professional and +stipulated emoluments, or even the arrears of my pay, the very moment +tranquillity had been established as a consequence of my exertions, and +so far the Commission decided; though they ought to have added, as was +well known, that my command in Chili had been without limitation of +time, and therefore my Brazilian command, as expressed in the Imperial +patents, was not accepted under other conditions. The above opinion, +expressed by the Commission, could only have been given to justify the +spurious decree of Barbosa, in virtue of which, though set aside by His +Imperial Majesty, I was dismissed by Gameiro, that decree--under the +hypocritical pretence of conferring upon me a boon--limiting my services +to the war, _after the war had been terminated by my exertions;_ the +object being to get rid of me, and thus to avoid condemning the prizes +captured by the squadron. Nevertheless, the promises held out to me in +Chili, were most honourably admitted by His Imperial Majesty and his +first Ministry--and were moreover twice confirmed by Imperial patent, +counter-signed by the Ministers, and registered in the National +Archives. These patents _have never been set aside by any act of mine,_ +yet to this day their solemn stipulations remain unfulfilled. + +The Commission complains that the Treasury was caused to sustain +"enormous losses by the indemnification of an infinite number of bad +prizes, which it was obliged to satisfy." I deny that there was _one bad +prize,_ all, without exception, being captured in violation of blockade, +or having Portuguese registers, crews, and owners. But even if they had +been bad--His Majesty's stipulation, in his own handwriting (see page +118), provided that they should be paid by the state. The fact was, as +proved in these pages beyond contradiction, that they were given back +by the Portuguese members of the Prize Tribunal to their own friends and +relations--this alone constituting the illegality of the captures. +Some--as in the case of the _Pombinho_'s cargo--were given up to persons +who had not the shadow of a claim upon them. The squadron never received +a shilling on their account. + +Again, the Commission declares that I was dismissed the service on the +10th of April, 1827; whereas I have given the letter of Gameiro, +dismissing me, on the 7th of November, 1825, and the _portaria_ of the +Imperial Government, dismissing me, on the 30th of December, in the same +year! This renewed dismissal was only a repetition of the former +unjustifiable dismissals, adding nothing to their force, and in no way +alleviating their injustice. + +The imputation of "the crime of obstinate disobedience" has been so +fully refuted in this volume, that it is unnecessary to offer another +word of explanation. + +Finally, the Commission decided that the "Imperial act of July 27, 1824, +_is so positive that, at the sight thereof, the Commission declares it +cannot do otherwise than confirm the right of the claimant to the prompt +payment of the pension due to him._" But if the Commissioners had +examined this act of His Imperial Majesty more closely, together with +the explanatory letter of Barbosa, accompanying it, they would have seen +that the decree of July 27th, 1824, was not only additive to the +Imperial patents, but admitted _to be confirmatory of them_, by Barbosa +himself, notwithstanding his own spurious decree, nullified by His +Imperial Majesty, but afterwards unjustifiably acted upon. (See page +150.) + +If I have any claim at all for the numerous and important services which +I rendered to Brazil, it is founded _on the original patents_ granted to +me by His Imperial Majesty, without limitation as to time, which I +solemnly declare was not even mentioned--much less stipulated--as the +patents themselves prove. The decree awarding me half pay as a pension, +"in case _I did not choose_ to continue in the service," has no +reference to me. I never left the service, but--as even admitted by +Gameiro, in his negotiations with Lieutenant Shepherd--was most +unjustifiably, and by wilful falsehood, _turned out of it_, in order to +rid the administration of my claims on a hundred and twenty ships, and a +vast amount of valuable property captured in lawful warfare, under the +express directions of His Imperial Majesty. + +Why also is no compensation awarded to me for my extra-official services +in putting down revolution in the Northern provinces--an act, or series +of acts--in my estimation, of far greater importance and difficulty than +the expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army? Every historian of +Brazil has spoken in high praise of my execution of this almost +impracticable task--but coupled with the infamous lie derived from the +Government that, for my own personal benefit, I robbed the Treasury at +Maranham of 106,000 dollars; though in the concluding chapter _I will +print in full the receipt of every officer under my command for his +share of the money returned by the Junta_, the original receipts being +now in my possession for the inspection of the Brazilian Government, or +of any commission or persons it may choose to appoint for that purpose. +Were these services nothing, just as half the Empire had declared itself +Republican? Was my refusal to accept a bribe of 400,000 dollars from the +revolutionary president of Pernambuco the act of a man who would +afterwards conduct himself as has been falsely imputed to me? The +Brazilian Government cannot refuse to inspect or authorise the +inspection of the originals of documents contained in this narrative, +and if they consent, I have no fear but that the national honour will +yet do me justice. + +It is not justice to have awarded to me the above-named pension +merely--even on the assumption of the Commissioners that I did leave the +service of my own accord--for that sum is _less than one half the simple +interest_ of the amount of which for thirty years I was, even by their +own admission, unjustly deprived. This may be a cheap way of liquidating +obligations, but it is not consistent with the honour of a nation thus +to delay its pecuniary obligations, and then _pay the principal with +less than half the interest_! I feel certain that when making an +award--which they admit could not be avoided--the Commissioners +inadvertently lost sight of this obvious truth. + +Let me refer the Brazilian Government to the officially recorded +opinions of honourable men on the Commission, or "_Seccoes_," when +commenting upon this very inadequate reward about to be given after the +lapse of thirty years of unmerited obloquy, which would have sunk any +man unsupported by the consciousness of rectitude to a premature grave. + + Senor Alvez Bhanco E Hollanda declared that "as a commemoration + of the benefits which Brazil had derived from Lord + Cochrane, there was no other conclusion than that _he ought to be + paid the whole sum which he claimed, for which the 'Assemblea + Geral' should ask a credit_." + + Senor Hollanda Cavalcante, in taking into account the requisition + of Lord Cochrane, was "altogether of the opinion expressed + by Senor Alvez Branco--that his Lordship as well as others + should have the whole amount claimed." + + Viscount Olinda, in the Council of State, gave his opinion that + "Lord Cochrane shall be paid the various demands he has made. + He repeated his opinion that this course alone was consistent + with the dignity of the Government, or the services of the Admiral. + He (Viscount Olinda) well remembered the great services of Lord + Cochrane, and these ought not to be depreciated by paltry imputed + omissions. It appeared to him little conformable to the dignity + of Brazil, to enter, at this distance of time, into questions of + money with one to whom they owed so much." + + Viscount Parana "was of opinion that _no responsibility for + captures rested on the officers who had made them, they acting + under the orders of the Government, which took the responsibility + on itself_. Justice demanded this view of the matter, and even + the acquittal of many of the prizes might be attributed to _a + change of Ministerial policy_." + + Senor Aranjo Vicuna. "There is no necessity for continuing the + suspension of Lord Cochrane's pay. It ought to be paid as remuneration + for important services, the benefits whereof were not diminished + by any subsequent conduct on the part of His Lordship." + + "It was the opinion of the Council that Lord Cochrane's pension + ought to be paid, notwithstanding any question as to the limitation + of prizes, or any defects in the prize accounts."--_Correio + Mercantil_, Aug. 29, 1854. + +Yet notwithstanding these expressions of opinion, less than half the +interest of even the limited sum admitted to be due to me was awarded. + +The Commissioners admit in the preceding Report that _my speedy +annexation of the Portuguese provinces was unexpected_, and this alone +should have made them pause ere they awarded me less than half the +interest of my own money, withheld for 30 years--themselves retaining +the principal--the amount received, being, in reality, insufficient to +liquidate the engagements which I had of necessity incurred during the +thirty years of neglect to satisfy my claims--now admitted to be beyond +dispute. Their admission involves the fact that the "_unexpected_" +expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army _saved Brazil millions of +dollars in military and naval expeditions_ against an organised European +power, which only required time to set at complete defiance any efforts +which Brazil herself was in a condition to make. It was, in fact, a +question of "_speedy_" annexation, or no annexation at all, and it was +this consideration which impelled me to the extraordinary measures +adopted for the intimidation of the enemy, in the absence of means for +their forcible expulsion. But is it generous to reward a service of such +admitted importance, by giving me less than half the interest of a +sum--acknowledged as a right which could no longer be withheld? + +Is it not ungenerous to exclude me from my share of the prize-money +taken in the first expedition, though a prize tribunal is at this moment +sitting in Rio de Janeiro to consider the claims of officers and men, +nine-tenths of whom are dead? Is it not ungenerous to have engaged me in +the extra-professional service of putting down revolution and anarchy in +the Northern provinces, and when the mission was successfully +accomplished, to have dismissed me from the Imperial service without one +expression of acknowledgment or the slightest reward? + +But to put generosity out of the question--is it wise so to do? That, +says Burke--"can never be politically right which is morally wrong." +Brazil, doubtless, expects other nations to keep faith with her, and it +is not wise on her part to afford a precedent for breaking national +faith. The _Amazon_ is a rich prize, and may one day be contested. What +reply would Brazil give to a power which might attempt to seize it, +under the argument that she broke faith with those _who gave her the +title to this, the most magnificent river on the face of the earth_, and +that therefore it was not necessary to preserve faith with her? It would +puzzle Brazilian diplomatists to answer such a question. + +From what has been adduced in this volume, it must be clear to all who +have perused it with ordinary attention that Brazil is to this day in +honour bound to fulfil the original stipulations solemnly entered into +with me, and twice guaranteed under the Imperial sign manual, with all +the official ratifications and formalities usual amongst civilized +states. This _I claim individually_; and further--_conjointly with the +squadron_--my share of the prize-money conceded to the captors by +Imperial decree, without which customary incentive neither myself, nor +any other foreign officer or seaman, would have been likely to enter the +service. My _individual claim_, viz. the pay stipulated in the Imperial +patents, was agreed upon without limitation as to time, as is clear from +the expression that I should receive it whether "afloat or ashore," +"_tanto em terra como no mar_," _i.e._ whether "actively engaged or +not"--whether "in war or peace." I have committed no act whereby this +right could be cancelled, but was fraudulently driven from the Imperial +service, as the shortest way of getting rid of me and my claims +together. These are no assertions of mine, but are the _only possible +deductions_ from documents which have one meaning, and that +incontestible. + +I claim, moreover, the estate awarded to me by His Imperial Majesty, +with the double purpose of conferring a mark of national approbation of +my services, and of supporting the high dignities to which--with the +full concurrence of the Brazilian people and legislature--I was raised +as a reward for those services, the magnitude and importance of which +were on all hands admitted. To have withheld that estate, after the +reasons assigned by His Imperial Majesty for conferring it, was a +national error which Brazil should not have committed, and which it +should, even now, be careful to efface; for by approving the dignities +conferred, and withholding the means of supporting them, it has +pronounced its highest honours to be worthless, empty sounding titles, +lightly esteemed by the givers, and of no value to the recipient. Had +this estate cost anything to the Brazilian nation, a miserable economy +might have been pleaded as a reason for withholding it; but even this +excuse is wanting. Any territorial grant to myself could only have been +an imperceptible fraction of the vast regions, which, together with an +annual revenue of many millions of dollars--my own exertions, _without +cost to the Empire_, had added to its dominions "_unexpectedly_" as the +Commission appointed to investigate my claim felt bound to admit. If +Brazil value its national honour, that blot upon it should not be +suffered to remain. + +With regard to the sum owing to me by Chili, for which, in the event of +its non-payment, both His Imperial Majesty Don Pedro I. and his Minister +José Bonifacio de Andrada made the Brazilian nation responsible. The +discussion in the National Assembly testifies to the validity of the +claim, which therefore rests upon the generosity no less than the good +faith of Brazil, for whose interests, in accordance with the most +flattering promises, I was induced to quit Chili. To this day, Chili has +not fulfilled her obligations to me; the miserable pittance of £.6000, +which--by some process I do not now care to inquire into, she has fixed +upon as ample remuneration for one who consolidated her liberties and +those of Peru, supporting her navy at its own expense during the +operation--constituted no part of my admitted claim for the capture of +Valdivia and other previous services, involving no dispute. Payment of +this sum (67,000 dollars) was promised at the earliest possible period +by the then Supreme Director of the Republic--but to this day the +promise has never been redeemed by succeeding Chilian Governments. With +regard to this claim, founded on the concessions of His late Imperial +Majesty and his Minister, I am content, as before said, to leave the +matter to the generosity of the Brazilian nation. The other, and more +important claims, I demand as a right which has never been cancelled, +and which a strict sense of national honour ought not longer to evade. +If it be evaded, the documentary history of the whole matter is now +before the world--and let the world judge between us. I have no fears as +to its decision. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +PROCLAMATION FOR PAYMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEN--LOG EXTRACTS IN PROOF +THEREOF--THE SUM GIVEN UP TO THE SQUADRON DISBURSED--DENIAL THEREOF BY +THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT--THOUGH MADE TO SERVE AS ADVANCE OF WAGES--THE +AMOUNT RECEIVED AT MARANHAM FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR--BY THE RECEIPTS OF THE +OFFICERS--OFFICERS' RECEIPTS--EXTRACTS FROM LOG IN FURTHER +CORROBORATION--UP TO MY ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND--ALL OUR PRIZES MONOPOLIZED +BY BRAZIL--THE CONDUCT OF THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT UNJUSTIFIABLE. + + +The whole dispute raised by the Brazilian Administration as a pretext +for evading my claims, has been--as the reader is now aware--about the +sum of 200,000 dollars, _given out of the proceeds of our own captures, +which cost nothing to the Government; but were made to serve as a +substitute for the usual advance of wages!_ Also about 40,000 dollars +ordered by His Imperial Majesty as compensation for the _Imperatrice_ +frigate, captured by Captain Grenfell at Parà--but _never paid_, and +therefore never accounted for. Finally, with regard to 106,000 dollars +reimbursed by the authorities of Maranham, as a compromise for four +times the amount generously surrendered by the squadron to the +necessities of the province in 1823--on promise of repayment. As regards +the whole of the sums, it is alleged that _I never furnished accounts +of their expenditure, and therefore they are charged against me, as +though not expended at all._ + +For the disbursement of the first item of 200,000 dollars, I have +already stated sufficient to satisfy any reasonable person. The accounts +set forth at page 169, shews that a balance remained in hand from the +200,000 dollars put on board at Rio de Janeiro, of 39,538 dollars. I +shall now state what became of this sum. And first let me adduce the +following proclamation:-- + + By His Excellency the Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral, &c. &c. + + WHEREAS, many officers and seamen are here employed who were + not present, last year, at the capitulation of the hostile authorities, + and seizure of Portuguese funds and property at Maranhaõ; + + And whereas it is condusive to the interests of His Imperial + Majesty, that all those officers and seamen who have now contributed + to the restoration of tranquillity, good order, and obedience to His + Imperial Majesty, shall receive encouragement and reward; + + It is hereby directed that three months additional pay shall, + without deduction, be distributed _as a gratuity_ to the said officers + and men. + + Given under my hand, this 8th day + of February, 1825, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ. + +I had, it is true, no authority for making this extra payment, but at +the same time, I had the authority of His Imperial Majesty to devote the +200,000 dollars to the good of the service--thus clearly leaving its +disbursement to my discretion; and this appeared to me to be properly +exercised in rewarding those who had been performing double duty afloat +and ashore, in the arduous task of putting down, and keeping down +revolt and anarchy. On this principle, I had previously doubled the pay +of some of the officers, without whose incessant exertion, I could not +have effected the tranquillization of the province. It is true that the +principle adopted was opposed to that pursued by the Administration, +viz. neither to acknowledge these extra services nor reward them; but +such a course neither accorded with my judgment nor discretion. The sums +paid as above were entered in the usual manner in a pay book, +acknowledged by the signatures of the recipients--attested by the +officers--and, as has been said, duly forwarded to the Imperial +Government. + +I shall now give some extracts from the log before quoted in reference +to these and other transactions:-- + + _January 5th_, 1825. His Lordship left at Hesketh's his last two + months' pay, received this month, and also two months' pay for + Captain Crosbie. Paid other officers and men two months' pay. + + _6th_. Employed in sorting the paper money in the small + iron chest. _Found its contents to be only_ 16,000 dollars. + (This was all that now remained of the 200,000 dollars received at + Rio de Janeiro.) + + _8th_. Officers having been paid, the men received to-day two + months' pay. + + _9th_. Admiral took to Hesketh's three bags of dollars (Each containing + 1000 dollars, the remainder of money which I had brought + from Chili, and which therefore had nothing to do with the Brazilian + Government). + + _February 10th_. Paid third payment of prize-money to Clewley, + Clare and January. + + _11th_. Paid prize-money to March and Carter. + + _26th_. Paid Lieutenant Shepherd 1,500 dollars. + + _28th_. Paid Commissary, Escrivaõ, and Pilot. + + _March 1st_. Paid Portuguese Doctor. + + _3rd_. Paid Corning's account for ship provisions. + +The above payments, with others disbursed in pursuance of my +proclamation, were all made out of the balance of the 200,000 dollars +aforesaid, and 40,000 dollars which had been in my possession ever since +the capture of Maranham; the latter being the amount which I had refused +to give up to the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, well knowing that it +would be returned to their Portuguese friends and connections. When +these payments were made, a few hundred dollars alone remained. As this +200,000 dollars was the indisputable property of the squadron before it +was assigned for distribution amongst those to whom it belonged--on this +ground alone it scarcely became the Government to raise doubts about its +proper application; for they well knew that if it were not distributed, +the fact could not be concealed from the officers and men, who would not +have submitted quietly to my retention of their money, as has been +shamelessly imputed to me. Not only was the whole disbursed--but the +accounts, as has been stated, were faithfully transmitted to the +Brazilian authorities at Rio de Janeiro, as appears by Captain +Shepherd's receipt, adduced in the present volume, and years ago +photographed, and transmitted with a memorial to the Brazilian +Government, which, nevertheless, on the 28th of April, _in the present +year_, published in its official organ, the _Correio Mercantil_, a +report on the prizes made during the war of independence--excluding me +from a share, on _the ground of not having delivered my accounts_. The +following is an extract:-- + + (After enumerating the prizes, and estimating their gross value + at 521,315 dollars--_not one-fourth of the real amount_--the Commission + goes on to say:--) + + Referring to what has been stated, it appears that the First + Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Squadron from its commencement + to the conclusion of the war, _had a right to his share + of all prizes_--and so the Commission has judged in regard to the + total value, amounting to the said sum of 521,315 milreis up to + the 12th of February, 1824. _From that sum, however, must be + deducted 200,000 dollars given to the Admiral on account of prize-money + for distribution, which it does not appear by any document that + he made_. It also appears by the report of the Junta of Maranhaõ, + of the 17th of October, 1825, that the said Admiral received the + further sum of 217,659 dollars at different times, there appearing + 108,736 dollars under the title of indemnification for prizes made + by the squadron in the port of that city, to be divided as such. _This + division does not seem to have been made_. + + From this it appears that the said Admiral must be charged as + having received the sum of 308,238 dollars on account of prizes to + be divided amongst the squadron; with the addition of 40,000 + dollars which he received also by decree of the 23rd of February, + to be, in like manner, divided amongst those who co-operated in + the annexation of the province of Maranhaõ, and the capture of + the frigate _Imperatrice--seeing that there is no evidence that such + distribution took place_--thus increasing the sum due to 348,238 + dollars, of which the said claimant is bound to give account to the + Imperial Government. + + In consequence of the determination of the Regulations let this + decree be printed and published. + + Rio, April 21, 1858. + + (Signed) JOAQUIM JOSÉ IGNACIO, + _Chefe de esquadra_, President. + + ANTONIO JOSÉ DA SILVA, + _Contador da Marinha_. + + JOSÉ BAPTISTA LISBOA, + _Auditor e Secretario_. + +This document, so recently promulgated, after the decision of the +_Seccoes_ in 1854, and the expression of opinion given by the most +eminent men of Brazil (see page 282), that I ought to have the whole of +my claims--is really wonderful. But the false assertions it contains +must be met. + +And first--the receipt of the 40,000 dollars for the _Imperatrice_, I +altogether deny, and can be easily convicted of untruth if my receipt +for that sum can be produced. It is worthy of note, that the date of the +decree for the payment of this sum is carefully given in the preceding +document, but the data of my acknowledgment of having received is +annulled for the sufficient reason that no acknowledgment was ever +given. The 200,000 dollars, I trust that I have sufficiently accounted +for, as well as for the vouchers sent to Rio by Captain Shepherd, whose +receipt I took for the chest containing them. But the 200,000 dollars +with which the Government charges me--even supposing the accounts to be +lost--destroyed--or purposely made away with--was not the property of +the Brazilian Government, but of the squadron, who received it only as +part payment of ten times the amount due to them! This sum though the +property of the squadron, was made to serve _as an advance of wages_, no +less than as prize-money; and does the Brazilian Government imagine that +any squadron could be sent to sea without money? Or that any reader of +common sense will acquiesce in the assertion that under such +circumstances it was not properly disbursed, even though I had not shewn +_its precise disbursement_? The Brazilian Government well knows that +the men composing the squadron were of so mutinous a character, that the +slightest deviation from their rights would have been met with instant +insubordination. Did this ever occur, even in the slightest possible +degree? It is no fault of mine, if the accounts were destroyed, as I +have no doubt they were, from pure malice towards myself, in order to +bring me into an amount of disrepute, which might justify the +withholding of my claims according to the stipulations of the Imperial +patents. By whom this infamy was perpetrated, it is impossible for me to +say--but that it was perpetrated--there cannot be the smallest possible +doubt. + +It is altogether unnecessary to say another word about the 40,000 +dollars for the _Imperatrice_, or the 200,000 dollars for +distribution--as the evidence adduced is sufficient to satisfy any man +not determined to be unconvinced. + +I now come to the amount alleged to have been received from the Junta of +Maranham, viz. 217,659 dollars, "at different times," which I have no +doubt is perfectly correct, though that portion of it under the title of +"indemnification for prizes"--is incorrect, the amount being 106,000 +dollars--_minus_ the discount, and not 108,736 dollars as represented. +The difference is not, however, worth notice. Deducting this sum from +the total of 217,659 dollars, would leave 108,923 dollars to be +accounted for otherwise than as "indemnifieation." This also is, no +doubt, correct. The inhabitants of Maranham cheerfully agreed _to pay +and subsist the squadron_, provided it remained amongst them to +preserve the order which had been restored, and the offer was accepted +by me. The 108,923 dollars thus went for the pay and subsistence of the +squadron during many months of disturbance; and if it prove any thing, +it is the economy with which the wants of the squadron were satisfied, +despite the corruption of the authorities, in paying double for +provisions, because the merchants could only get paid at all, except by +bribes to their debtors. Does the Brazilian Government mean to tell the +world that it sent a squadron to put down revolution in a territory as +large as half Europe, _without receiving a penny in the shape of wages_, +except their own 200,000 dollars of prize-money--that it never +considered it necessary to send to the squadron a single dollar of pay +whilst the work was in process--and that it now considers it just to +charge the whole expenses to me as Commander-in-Chief, though the +expedition did not cost the Government any thing? Yet this is precisely +that which the Brazilian Administration has done--with what justice let +the world decide. I aver that the accounts were faithfully transmitted. +The Imperial Government of the present day, says that the accounts are +not in existence--_not that I did not transmit them_! Surely they ought +to blame their predecessors, not me. Let this history decide which of +the two is deserving of reprobation. + +I now come to the 108,736 dollars--or rather 106,000 dollars received +from the Junta of Maranham as "indemnification,"--respecting which the +Commission unjustly asserts that "_no division appears to have been +made!_" The untruth of this imputation, the most atrocious of all, is +very easily met _by the publication of every receipt connected with the +matter_; and to this I now proceed, requesting the reader to bear in +mind that in my letter to the Minister of Marine (see page 209), I +announced my intention of retaining for my own justification all +_original documents_, sending to the Government, copies or duplicates. +The whole of the subjoined receipts are now in my possession, and I +demand from the Brazilian Government their verification, by its +Ministerial or Consular representatives in Great Britain. + + RECEIPTS OF OFFICERS, + + And others for their proportion of 106,000 dollars paid by the + Junta of Fazenda of Maranham in commutation of 425,000 + dollars--the value of prize property left for the use of the Province + on its acquisition from Portugal in 1823; the duplicates having + been sent by me to the Imperial Government, the originals now + remaining in my possession. + + 5,000 000. + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis + of Maranhaõ, and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armada, + the sum of five thousand milreis, being four thousand one hundred + and thirty-seven, or one-third of the Admiral's share of prize-money; + and eight hundred and sixty three to account of double pay for services + on shore. + + DAVID JOWETT, + + Maranhaõ, 19th March, 1825. Chief of Division. + + * * * * * + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis + of Maranhaõ, First Admiral of Brazil, and Commander-in-Chief of + the Naval Forces of the Empire, the sum of five hundred milreis, + as a recompence for extra services as Commandant-Interim of His + Imperial Majesty's ship _Piranga_, during the absence of Chief of + Division Jowett, on service on shore at Maranhaõ during four + months past. + + March 32nd, 1825. JAMES WALLACE. + + Witness, W. JACKSON. + + + * * * * * + + + Received this 18th day of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral of + Brazil, and Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the Empire, + the sum of ten thousand milreis, on account of a distribution + of eighty contos of reis, being part of certain monies received from + the Junta of Fazenda of Maranhaõ. + + T. SACKVILLE CROSBIE. + + _Rs._ 10,000 000. + + + * * * * * + + + 5,000 000. + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis + of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Naval + Forces of the Empire, the sum of five thousand milreis, being the + amount of additional pay to all the subordinate officers and seamen + of His Imperial Majesty's ship _Piranga_, who have served on shore + at Maranhaõ, between the 18th day of November, 1824, and the + 14th day of March, 1825. + + DAVID JOWETT, + + Chief of Division, Commandant of the _Piranga_. + Maranhaõ, 20th March, 1825. + + + * * * * * + + + Received this 18th day of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of one thousand five hundred + milreis, on account of a distribution of eighty contos of reis, being + part of certain monies received from the Junta of Fazenda at + Maranhaõ. + + W. JACKSON, + _Rs._ 1,500 000. Capt.-Lieut. and Secretary. + + Received this 21st day of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis of Maranhaõ, &c. &c. the sum of one + thousand milreis, on account of an allowance of one-half per cent. + for my trouble in the distribution of prize-money. + + W. JACKSON, + 1,000 000. Capt.-Lieut. and Secretary. + + + * * * * * + + + Received this 21st of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum one thousand five hundred + milreis, on account of a distribution of eighty contos of reis, being + part of certain monies received from the Junta of Fazenda of + Maranhaõ. + + JA's SHEPHERD, + + 1,500 000. First Lieut. of _Pedro Primiero._ + + + * * * * * + + + _Pedro Primiero,_ March 24, 1825. + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, + &c. &c. the sum of one thousand milreis, on account of a distribution + of eighty contos of reis, being part of certain monies received + from the Junta of Fazenda of Maranhaõ. + + 1,000 000. S.E. CLEWLEY. + + + * * * * * + + + _Pedro Primiero_, March 24th, 1825. + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, + &c. &c. the sum of one thousand milreis, on account of a distribution + of eighty contos of reis, &c. &c. + + 1,000 000. FRANCIS CLARE. + + + * * * * * + + + Naõ Nacional e Imperial, + + _Pedro Iro_, March 24, 1825. + + Recebei do Excellentissimo Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + a quartier de hum contos de reis, pro conta de huma divisiaõ de + octento contos de reis, senda parte de certos dinheiros recebidos da + Junta da Fazenda do Maranhaõ. + + FRANCISCO DE PAULO DOS SANTOS GOMEZ. + + 1,000 000. + + * * * * * + + OFFICERS' RECEIPTS + + Precisely similar receipts, on same date, from the following + officers: + + FRANCISCO ADEIAO PERA............................... 1,000 000 + + MANOEL S. SINTO .................................... 500 000 + + ALEXANDER JOSÉ (remainder illegible) ............... 200 000 + + * * * * * + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of five + hundred milreis, on account of a distribution, &c. &c. 500 000. G. + MARCH. + + * * * * * + + Maranhaõ, 24th March, 1825. Received from the Right Hon. Lord + Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of five hundred milreis, on account of a + distribution, &c. &c. 500 000. W. JANNARY. + + * * * * * + + 24th March, 1825. Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. + &c. the sum of five hundred milreis, on account of distribution, &c. + &c. 500 000. DAVID CARTER, Second Lieut. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 9th, 1825, of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + the sum of one thousand four hundred and eighty milreis, being + prize-money due to Capt.-Lieut. G. Manson. For CAPT.-LT. MANSON, + 1,480 000. W. JANNARY. + + * * * * * + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of one + thousand milreis, on account of a distribution of eighty contos of + reis, being part of certain monies received from the Junta of + Fazenda of Maranhaõ. 1,000 000. GEO. MANSON. April 9, 1825. + + * * * * * + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of four + hundred and eighty milreis, on account of prize-money due to me. 480 + 000. GEO. MANSON. Maranhaõ, April 9, 1825. + + Authoriso Se José Perea de sua Excellencia Marques do Maranhaõ + recober e quantier de quinhentos milreis. March 9th, 1825. (Name + illegible.) + + 500 000. + + * * * * * + + Maranham, March 3, 1825. + + Received of Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of two thousand six + hundred and five milreis, being the amount of my account for + provisions supplied to the Brazilian Squadron. + + 2,605 000. LEONARD COMING. + + * * * * * + + Received, the 12th of April, 1885, of His Excellency Lord Cochrane, + &c. &c. one hundred and ninety-five milreis, being additional pay + for extra duty on shore for five months. + + Rs. 195 000. G. MARCH. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 12th, 1825, of His Excellency Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + four hundred and eighty milreis, being additional pay for extra duty + as Secretary to His Lordship for the period of five months. + + 480 000. W. JACKSON. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 21, 1825, of the Right. Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + thirty-nine milreis, being a month's additional pay for extra + services at Maranham. + + 39 000. FRANCIS DRUMMOND. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 21, 1825, of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + sixty-nine milreis, being additional pay for sixty days' extra + service at Maranham. + + 69 000. JOSEPH FITZCOSTEN. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 3rd, of His Excellency the Marquis of Maranhaõ, &c. + &c. twenty-three dollars for my services as prize master of the + vessels _Dido_ and _Joaninho_. + + 23 000. C. ROSE, Second Lieut. + + * * * * * + + Received, May 14th, 1825, of Mr. W. Jackson, two hundred and + eighty-five milreis, part of prize money due to me. + + 285 000. JA'S SHEPHERD. + + * * * * * + + _Piranga_, Spithead, July 5, 1835. + + Received of Mr. W. Jackson, Secretary to His Excellency the Marquis + of Maranham, &c. &c. the sum of two hundred and thirty-five pounds + sterling, in order to pay the same as prize-money to those persons, + late of the _Pedro Primiero_, but now belonging to this frigate, to + whom the sum is due. £.235 or 1,175 000. + + + * * * * * + +There is, however, _one omission_. The payment of the crews is not +adduced, because the pay books were sent with duplicate receipts to Rio +de Janeiro by the _Piranga_. But as no reasonable man will imagine that +I publicly paid the officers and _neglected payment to the crews_, the +omission is of the least possible consequence. But lest the payment of +the crews may be disputed, I subjoin the following extracts from the log +before quoted, from the commencement of the payment, to its termination. + + DATES AND PARTICULARS. + + 1825. + March 16th. Received from the Junta of Maranham, 30 contos + (£6,000) in bills, and 3 contos (£600) in money. + + " 17th. Writing new book of distribution. + + " 18th. Captain Crosbie brought 30 contas (£6,000). Went + with him to Hesketh's, where I found that he had + received 10 contos (£2,000) for himself. + + " 19th. Lord Cochrane paid Jowett 5,000 dollars as + prize-money and double pay. + + " 20th. 5,000 dollars paid to Jowett's officers and men as + double pay. Paid March his further share of + prize-money, 500 dollars. Took at Admiral's + desire 500 dollars for my distribution of the 100 + contos in part received--from which it appears + that I am to have half per cent, for distribution. + + March 22nd. Received two months' pay to the 1st of February. + Went on board the _Piranga_, and made Wallace + a gratuity from the Admiral of 500 dollars. + + " 24th. Paid Shepherd, Clewley, Clare, Commissary, Doctors + Escrivaõ, Jannary, and the Pilot, a proportion of + 80 contos, in course of payment by the Junta. + Went on board the _Piranga_, and paid prize-money + to Carter and a number of men. + + " 26th. Paying prize-money to such of Jowett's men as were + absent on shore on the 24th. + + " 27th. Paying prize-money to such of the _Pedro's_ people + entitled thereto, as are to remain on board that ship. + + " 30th. Making book for distribution of double pay to those + who have served on shore. + + April 6th. Counting out the money for double pay to the men + who did shore service. + + " 7th. Paid part of the men their additional pay. + + " 8th. Paying the additional pay. + + " 9th. Paying additional pay. Sent Capt. Manson by + January 1480 dollars prize-money. + + " 10th. A decree arrives by the _Guarani _from the Imperial + Government, directing the Interim President that + no money shall be paid to the squadron on account + of the taking of Maranham. Admiral suspects + Barros to be at the bottom of it. + + " 11th. Went on shore with the Admiral, with sixteen bags + of dollars, besides Clewley's bag and mine. + + " 13th. Paid Inglis and his men additional pay. + + " 14th. Admiral proposed to Hesketh to ship cotton to the + extent of forty or sixty contos, to which Mr. Hesketh + (British Consul) agreed. + + " 25th. Remainder of the money from the Junta promised + to-morrow. + + April 26th. Captain Crosbie received 2,000 dollars as his further + share. Received 285 dollars, seventy-six for + distribution. + More money from the Treasury. + + May 5th. Wrote to the Junta, with further demand of 13,000 + dollars to make up the stipulated amount. + + " 11th. Paying his Lordship's bills. + + " 12th. Paying his Lordship's bills. + + " 17th. Received my last three months' pay to the 30th of + April. + + " 18th. Received the remaining money from the Treasury. + + " 19th. Sailed in the _Piranga_. + + " 20th. Sent sixty dollars by pilot to two soldiers on shore. + + June 6th. Captain Crosbie appointed Captain of the Fleet, with + rank of Chief of Division. + + July 2nd. At Portsmouth. Agent arrived from London with + two months' pay. + + " 4th. Paying prize-money to men who had not been paid. + Received two months' pay to the 1st instant. + + " 11th. Paid John Skirr £.10 for wounds. + +The amount paid by the Junta was, in fact, 105,800 dollars, partly in +bills, from which a discount of 1800 dollars had to be taken. But these +trifles are unworthy of notice: I have thus accounted for every shilling +received from the Brazilian Government for the use of the squadron--to +the satisfaction of my own conscience, and, I trust, to the satisfaction +of all who may read this narrative. + +From what has been herein stated, it is obvious that Brazil was, by my +instrumentality--though with inadequate means--entirely freed from a +foreign yoke, not only without national cost, but with positive gain, +arising from the vast territories and revenues annexed--as well as from +prizes, the value of which alone exceeded the cost of all naval +equipments. It is true that, after a lapse of thirty-five years, a +profession is made of adjudicating these prizes--but as nearly all the +claimants are dead, and as an intention is manifested to retain my +share, unless I produce accounts already transmitted--Brazil will have +thus monopolized the fruits of our exertions in the cause of +independence--achieved without trouble or thought to the Imperial +Government. For, beyond the usual orders on the departure of the +squadron, not a single instruction was given--all being left to my +discretion, and accomplished on my sole responsibility. Even the +favourable contraction of a loan in England--the acknowledgment of +Brazilian independence by European states--and the establishment of +permanent peace--were the direct consequences of my services, but for +which Brazil might still have presented the same lamentable specimen of +weakness without, and anarchy within, which forms the characteristics of +other South American states. + +Can any government then justify the conduct pursued towards me by +Brazil? Can any government believe that the promises held out to me as +an inducement to accept the command--may be optionally evaded after the +more than completion of my part of the contract? The services rendered +were fully acknowledged by those with whom that contract was made, and +only repudiated by their factions successors, to whom Brazil owed +nothing but prospective confusion. Can any one, then, judge +otherwise--than that the present Brazilian Government is bound, in +honour and good faith, to fulfil the national contract with me--not +only on account of professional services accomplished--even beyond +national expectation; but also on account of extra-official services +which did not come within the scope of my professional duties, viz. the +pacification of the Northern provinces? That the fulfilment of these +obligations is due, I once more quote the Imperial invitation to adopt +the cause of Brazil:--"_Votre Grace est invitée, pour--et de part le +Gouvernement du Brésil, à accepter le service de la nation Brésilienne; +chez qui je suis dûment autorisé à vous assurer le rang et le grade +nullement inférieur à celui que vous tenez de la République. +Abandonnez-vous, Milord, à la reconnaissance Brésilienne;_ À LA +MUNIFICENCE DU PRINCE; À LA PROBITÉ SANS TACHE DE L'ACTUEL GOUVERNEMENT; +ON VOUS FERA JUSTICE; ON NE RABAISSERA D'UN SEUL POINT LA HAUTE +CONSIDÉRATION--RANG--GRADE--CARACTÈRE--ET AVANTAGES QUI VOUS SONT DÛS." +"VENEZ, MILORD, L'HONNEUR VOUS INVITE--LA GLOIRE VOUS APPELLE. VENEZ, +DONNER À NOS ARMES NAVALES, CET ORDRE MERVEILLEUX ET DISCIPLINE +INCOMPARABLE DE PUISSANTE ALBION." + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF SERVICES IN THE +LIBERATION OF CHILI, PERU AND BRAZIL, FROM SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE +DOMINATION, VOLUME 2*** + + +******* This file should be named 14479-8.txt or 14479-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/4/7/14479 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/old/14479-8.zip b/old/14479-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9dd2e98 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/14479-8.zip diff --git a/old/14479.txt b/old/14479.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7866dc9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/14479.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10138 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Narrative of Services in the Liberation of +Chili, Peru and Brazil, from Spanish and Portuguese Domination, Volume 2, +by Thomas Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, +from Spanish and Portuguese Domination, Volume 2 + +Author: Thomas Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald + +Release Date: December 27, 2004 [eBook #14479] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF SERVICES IN THE +LIBERATION OF CHILI, PERU AND BRAZIL, FROM SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE +DOMINATION, VOLUME 2*** + + +E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Graeme Mackreth, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +NARRATIVE OF SERVICES IN THE LIBERATION OF CHILI, PERU, AND BRAZIL, +FROM SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE DOMINATION + +by + +THOMAS, EARL OF DUNDONALD, G.C.B. +Admiral of the Red; Rear-Admiral of the Fleet, etc. etc. + +VOL. II + +MDCCCLIX + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Brazilian and Portuguese factions--Don Pedro ordered to quit +Brazil--Appointed "Perpetual Protector"--Proclaimed Emperor of +Brazil--Efforts to obtain foreign officers and seamen--The naval command +offered to me--Acceptation thereof--Arrival at Rio de Janeiro--Visit of +inspection to the squadron--Condition of the vessels--Inferiority of +seamen--Imperial affability--Attempt to evade the terms offered me--This +failing, to reduce the value of my pay--Pretended commission +conferred--And refused--The point argued--I decline the command--The +Prime Minister gives in--Explanatory Portaria--Formal commission--Orders +to blockade Bahia--Portuguese faction--Averse to me from the outset. + + +CHAPTER II. + +Attempt to cut off the enemy's ships--Disobedience to orders--Letter to +the Prime Minister--Worthlessness of the men--Their treachery--Blockade +established--Equipment of fireships--Enemy's supplies cut +off--Portuguese untrustworthy--Demonstrations of the enemy--His +pretended contempt for us--The enemy returns to port--Their +consternation at the fireships--Portuguese contemplate attacking +us--Flagship reconnoitres enemy at anchor--Excessive alarm at my +nocturnal visit--Proclamation of the Commandant--Consternation in the +city--The authorities decide on evacuating Bahia--Instructions to the +Brazilian Captains--Warnings addressed to the authorities--Enemy quits +Bahia--Readiness for chase--Numbers of the enemy--Capture of the +Convoy--Prizes disabled--Attempt of troops to escape--Prizes sent to +Pernambuco--Pursuit discontinued--Reasons for going to Maranham--Reasons +for not taking more prizes--Advantages to the Empire. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Capture of the Don Miguel--Summons to the authorities--Reasons for +threats held out--Proposals for capitulation--Proclamations--Terms +granted to Portuguese garrison--Declaration of Independence--Portuguese +troops ordered to embark--Symptoms of disobeying the order--Delight of +the people on becoming free--Election of a Provisional +Government--Letters to the Minister of Marine. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Captain Grenfell sent to summon Para--The Junta demands the prize +property--My refusal--Imperial approval of my services--Realisation of +prize property--Turi Assu sends in its adhesion--Money captured lent to +the Junta--Its return to the squadron expected--Possession taken of +Para--Insurrection at Para--Misconduct of the Maranham Junta--Their +persecution of the Portuguese--Steps in consequence--Manifestation of +the national delight--The Marquisate conferred on me--Vote of thanks by +the Assemblea Geral--My arrival at Rio de Janeiro--Satisfaction with my +services--Lady Cochrane joins me. + + +CHAPTER V. + +First effort to curtail the Imperial power--Portuguese +intrigue--Dismissal of the Andradas--The Assembly dissolved by +force--Exile of the Andradas--Letter to his Imperial Majesty--My advice +partly adopted--and causes ministerial enmity towards me--Ratification +of my patent--I demand the adjudication of prizes--Letter to the +Minister of Marine--Offer of personal advantage to foreign +claims--Squadron remained unpaid--I am appointed a Privy Councillor--The +prize vessels plundered--Shameful treatment of Captain +Grenfell--Troubles in Pernambuco--Hostility of the Prize +Tribunal--Condemns me to the restitution of prizes--Forbids making any +capture at all. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Remonstrance against decree of Prize Tribunal--Settlement of prize +question by the Emperor--His Ministers refuse to conform to +it--Obstacles thrown in the way of equipment--My services limited to the +duration of war--My remonstrance on this breach of faith--Ministers +refuse to pay the squadron anything--A fresh insult offered to me--Offer +to resign the command--My resignation evaded--Letter to the Prime +Minister--Letter to the Minister of Marine. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Ministerial malignity towards me--Dangers in Pernambuco--Portuguese +threats--My advice thereon--Failure in Manning the squadron--Plot formed +to search the flagship--Timely warning thereon--I demand his Majesty's +interference--Which was promptly granted--Protest against prize +decisions--My advice sought as regards Pernambuco--Letter to his +Imperial Majesty--Pointing out the annoyance practised--And tendering my +resignation--The Emperor's intervention--His Ministers neglect to fulfil +his engagement--Confirmation of my previous patents--But with an +unjustifiable reservation--Prize money devoted to advance of +wages--Proofs thereof--Baseless imputations on me--Extracts from +log--Further distribution of prize money. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Republican Government proclaimed at Pernambuco--Its Concordat--The +President Carvalho--Threat of Bombardment--A bribe offered to me and +refused--The revolt admitted of palliation--It was fast becoming +general--Intimidation ineffectual--The revolutionists expect Foreign +aid--Pernambuco taken possession of--- Payment of prize money--The +accounts rendered in due course--Orders to put down revolt at +Para--Character of the revolution--Difficulty in finding proper +Governors--Revolt at Ceara--Steps taken to suppress it--They prove +successful--The insurgent leader killed--Measures for preserving +tranquillity. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Arrival at Maranham--Character of disturbances there--I assume the +military command--Proclamation commanding surrender of arms--Condition +of the people--Corruption of the authorities--Murderous +propensities--Difficulty in detecting assassins--Letter to Minister of +Marine--Pacification of Parahyba--Doubts as to the President's +sincerity--He establishes secret agencies--Extraordinary +memorials--Public complaints of the President--Bruce endeavours to +intercept them--My reply to the memorialists--Letter to the Minister of +Marine--Enclosing complaints of the Consuls--Bruce prepares to resist +my authority--Complaints of the British Consul--He considers my presence +necessary--Letter of the French Consul--Detailing shameful +atrocities--Danger of collision with foreign states--Suspension of the +President--Provision for future Government--Conduct of the faction at +Rio de Janeiro--No instructions sent for my guidance--Letter to the +Minister of Marine--The Ministry had previously deposed Bruce--But +turned on me for anticipating their own act. + + +CHAPTER X. + +Misrepresentations made in England--Letter to the Emperor--Tendering my +resignation--Repayment demanded from the Junta--Conduct of the Prize +Tribunal--No adjudication of prizes intended--Letter to the interim +President--Demanding the sums owing to the squadron--Disturbance in +Para--Statement of Account to the Junta--Offer of compromise--Imperial +decree--Right of the squadron to the claim. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Imperial approval--Continued enmity of the Administration--Junta refuses +to pay the squadron's claim--I persevere in the demand--Junta agrees to +pay the amount in bills--This refused--Arrival of a new President--But +without authority for the assumption--Intrigues to establish him in +office--I order him to quit the province--And send him to Para--Letter +to the President of Ceara--International animosities--The squadron left +to provide for itself--Abuse of authority--Explanations to Minister of +Marine--Of transactions at Maranham--Letter to Carvalho e +Mello--Anticipating ministerial displeasure--The Junta reimburses part +of its debt. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +I quit Maranham for a cruise--Bad state of the frigate--Connivance at +illicit trade--We are compelled to proceed to England--The frigate +reported to the Brazilian Envoy--Who cheats me of L2,000--His assumption +that I had abandoned the service--My contradiction thereof--Order to +return to Rio--Reasons for not doing so--Brazilian Envoy tampers with my +Officer--Who acquaints me therewith--Envoy stops pay and +provisions--Declares that the Brazilian Government will give me +nothing!--Captain Shepherd's reply--I prepare to return to Rio--The +Envoy dismisses me from the service--Without reason assigned--He +declares that I voluntarily abandoned the service--Receipts for accounts +transmitted to Brazil--These denied to have been sent. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +I am dismissed the service by the Brazilian Government--Without any +acknowledgment of my services--Inconsistency of this with former +thanks--Though dismissed I am tried as a deserter--And am refused all +compensation--Report of recent Commission on the subject--False +representations--But partially true conclusions--My original patents +never set aside--Untrue assumptions as to my dismissal--My claims +founded on the original patents--Less than half the interest due +paid--Opinions of eminent Brazilians thereon--My services tardily +acknowledged--No act of mine had annulled them--The Estate conferred, +not confirmed--Promises on account of Chili unfulfilled--The whole still +my right. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Proclamation for payment of Officers and Men--Log extracts in proof +thereof--The sum given up to the squadron disbursed--Denial thereof by +the Brazilian Government--Though made to serve as advance of wages--The +amount received at Maranham--Fully accounted for--By the receipts of the +Officers--Officers' receipts--Extracts from log in further +corroboration--Up to my arrival in England--All our prizes, monopolized +by Brazil--The conduct of the Brazilian Government unjustifiable. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +BRAZILIAN AND PORTUGUESE FACTIONS--DON PEDEO ORDERED TO QUIT +BRAZIL--APPOINTED "PERPETUAL PROTECTOR"--PROCLAIMED EMPEROR OF +BRAZIL--EFFORTS TO OBTAIN FOREIGN OFFICERS AND SEAMEN--THE NAVAL COMMAND +OFFERED TO ME--ACCEPTATION THEREOF--ARRIVAL AT RIO DE JANEIRO--VISIT OF +INSPECTION TO THE SQUADRON--CONDITION OF THE VESSELS--INFERIORITY OF +SEAMEN--IMPERIAL AFFABILITY--ATTEMPT TO EVADE THE TERMS OFFERED ME--THIS +FAILING, TO REDUCE THE VALUE OF MY PAY--PRETENDED COMMISSION +CONFERRED--AND REFUSED--THE POINT ARGUED--I DECLINE THE COMMAND--THE +PRIME MINISTER GIVES IN--EXPLANATORY FORTARIA--FORMAL COMMISSION--ORDERS +TO BLOCKADE BAHIA--PORTUGUESE FACTION--AVERSE TO ME FROM THE OUTSET. + + +Although these memoirs relate to personal services in Brazil, it is +nevertheless essential, in order to their comprehension, briefly to +recapitulate a few events which more immediately led to my connection +with the cause of independence in that country. + +The expulsion of the Portuguese Royal Family from Lisbon, in consequence +of the occupation of Portugal by the armies of the French Republic, was +followed by the accession of Don John VI. to the throne of Portugal +whilst resident in Rio de Janeiro. + +Twelve months previous to my arrival in Brazil, His Majesty returned to +Portugal, leaving his son and heir-apparent, Don Pedro, regent of the +Portuguese possessions in South America, which had been for some time in +a state of disaffection, arising from a growing desire throughout the +various provinces for a distinct nationality. Hence two opposing +interests had arisen,--a Brazilian party, which had for its object +national independence; and a Portuguese party, whose aim was to prevent +separation from the mother country--or, if this could not be +accomplished, so to paralyse the efforts of the Brazilians, that in case +of revolt it might not be difficult for Portugal to keep in subjection, +at least the Northern portion of her South American Colonies. It will be +necessary, in the course of the narrative, to bear these party +distinctions clearly in mind. + +As the Regent, Don Pedro, was supposed to evince a leaning to the +Brazilian party, he gave proportionate offence to the Portuguese +faction, which--though inferior in number, was, from its wealth and +position, superior in influence; hence the Regent found himself involved +in disputes with the latter, which in June 1821 compelled him to submit +to some humiliations. + +Shortly previous to this, the Cortes at Lisbon--aware of what was going +on in Brazil, and disregarding the temperate views of the King--issued a +declaration inviting the Brazilian municipalities to repudiate the +Regent's authority at Rio de Janeiro, and to adhere to the immediate +administration of the Cortes alone--thus indicating a course to be +pursued by the Portuguese faction in Brazil. The result was--as had been +anticipated--disunion amongst the people, consequent on the formation of +petty provincial governments; each refusing to pay revenue to the +central Government at Rio de Janeiro, for the alleged reason that the +Regent was only waiting an opportunity to invest himself with absolute +power. This opinion was eagerly adopted by the commercial +class--consisting almost exclusively of native Portuguese--in the hope +that the Cortes would reinvest them with their ancient trade privileges +and monopolies, to the exclusion of foreigners, whom they considered as +interlopers--the English especially, who, protected by a treaty of +commerce, were fast undermining the former monopolists. Amidst these +difficulties Don Pedro, though nominally Regent of Brazil, found +himself, in reality, little more than Governor of Rio de Janeiro. + +In July 1821, the Lisbon Cortes passed a decree, that thenceforth the +Brazilian and Portuguese armies should form one body; the object being +to ship the Brazilian troops to Portugal, and to send Portuguese troops +to Brazil, thereby ensuring its subjection. The Regent was, moreover, +ordered to return to Portugal. + +These rash steps greatly irritated the native Brazilians, who saw in +them a subversion of all their hopes of nationality. With scarcely less +rashness, they issued proclamations declaring Brazil independent, with +Don Pedro as Emperor; but he repudiated the act, and prepared to quit +Brazil in obedience to orders. + +The approaching departure of the Regent caused a general ferment, when a +popular leader arose in the person of Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, +vice-president of the provisional Junta at San Paulo. Summoning his +colleagues at midnight, they signed an address to the Regent--to the +effect that his departure would be the signal for a declaration of +independence--daring the Cortes at Lisbon to promulgate laws for the +dismemberment of Brazil into insignificant provinces, possessing no +common centre of union; above all, daring them to dispossess Don Pedro +of the authority of Regent conferred by his august father. This address +was conveyed to the Prince by Bonifacio himself, and was shortly +afterwards followed by others of a similar nature from the Southern +provinces, and from the municipality of Rio de Janeiro--all begging him +to remain and avert the consequences of the late decrees of the Cortes. +On more deliberate reflection Don Pedro consented, and was shortly +afterwards invested with the title of "Perpetual Protector and Defender +of Brazil." + +Meanwhile the Cortes, confident in their own power, were enforcing their +obnoxious decrees by the despatch of ships of war and troops to the +Northern provinces. As the intention of this step was unmistakeable, His +Royal Highness the Protector promptly issued a manifesto, declaring the +wish of Brazil to maintain an amicable union with Portugal, but at the +same time calling on the Brazilians to secure their independence by +force, if necessary. In furtherance of this determination, an attack was +made by the Brazilian troops upon General Madeira, the Portuguese +commandant at Bahia, but from want of proper military organization, it +proved unsuccessful. + +Despatches now arrived from Portugal, which cut off every hope of +reconciliation, and on the 12th of October, Don Pedro was induced to +accept the title of "Constitutional Emperor of Brazil," with Bonifacio +de Andrada as his Minister of the Interior, of Justice, and of Foreign +Affairs. + +The Southern provinces gave in their adhesion to the Emperor, but all +the Northern provinces--including Bahia, Maranham, and Para--were still +held by Portuguese troops; a numerous and well appointed squadron +commanding the seaboard, and effectually preventing the despatch of +Brazilian forces to those localities by water; whilst by land there were +neither roads, nor other facilities of communication with the Northern +patriots, who were thus isolated from effectual aid, could such have +been rendered from Rio de Janeiro. + +His Imperial Majesty saw that, without a fleet, the dismemberment of the +Empire--as regarded the Northern provinces--was inevitable; and the +energy of his minister Bonifacio in preparing a squadron, was as +praiseworthy as had been the Emperor's sagacity in determining upon its +creation. A voluntary subscription was enthusiastically entered into; +artisans flocked into the dockyard; the only ship of the line in the +harbour required to be nearly rebuilt; but to man that and other +available vessels with native seamen was impossible--the policy of the +mother country having been to carry on even the coasting trade +exclusively by Portuguese, who could not now be relied on by Brazil, in +the approaching contest with their own countrymen. + +Orders were consequently sent to the Brazilian _charge d'affaires_ in +London, to engage officers and seamen there; and to stimulate these, a +decree was, on the 11th of December, 1822, issued by His Imperial +Majesty, to sequestrate Portuguese property throughout the Empire, and +also another, _that all prizes taken in the war should become the +property of the captors_, which decrees must be borne in mind. + +His Imperial Majesty, having ascertained that the War of Independence in +the Pacific had been brought to a successful conclusion by the squadron +under my command, ordered his minister, Bonifacio, to communicate with +me, through the Brazilian Consul at Buenos Ayres; judging that, from the +termination of hostilities in the Pacific, I might be at liberty to +organize a naval force in Brazil, which--if properly conducted--might +successfully cope with the Portuguese fleet protecting the Northern +harbours of the Empire. + +Accordingly, whilst residing on my estate at Quintera, in Chili, I +received from Antonio Manuel Correa, the Brazilian Consul at Buenos +Ayres, a letter on the part of His Imperial Majesty, inviting me to +accept service under the Brazilian flag, guaranteeing moreover rank and +position in no way inferior to that which I then held under the Republic +of Chili; the Consul exhorting me, in addition, "to throw myself upon +the munificence of the Emperor, and the undoubted probity of His +Majesty's Government, which would do me justice." The following is one +of the letters of invitation:-- + + _Le Conseiller Agent du Bresil, pres le Gouvernement de Buenos Ayres + a l'Amiral Lord Cochrane, Commandant-en-Chef les forces navales de + la Republique du Chili._ + + MILORD, + + Le Bresil, puissance du premier ordre devint un nouvel empire, une + nation independente sous le legitime heritier de la monarchie, + Pierre le Grand, son auguste defenseur. + + C'est par son ordre--c'est de sa part, et en vertu des depeches + ministeriales, que je viens de recevoir de Monseigneur Joseph + Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, Ministre de l'Interieur et des + Relations Exterieures du Bresil, en date du 13 Septembre + dernier--que j'ai l'honneur de vous adresser cette note; en laquelle + votre Grace est invitee, pour--et de part le Gouvernement du + Bresil--a accepter le service de la nation Bresilienne; chez qui je + suis dument autorise a vous assurer le rang et le grade nullement + inferieur a celui que vous tenez de la Republique. + + Abandonnez vous, Milord, a la reconnaisance Bresilienne; a la + munificence du Prince; a la probite sans tache de l'actuel + Gouvernement; on vous fera justice; on ne rabaissera d'un seul point + la haute consideration--Rang--grade--caractere--et avantages qui + vous sont dus. + + (Signe) ANTONIO MANUEL CORREA DA CAMARA, Consul de l'Empire du + Bresil, a Buenos Ayres, 4 Novembre, 1822. + +Annoyed by the ingratitude with which my services were requited in +Chili, and disliking the inaction consequent on the capture of Valdivia, +followed by the annihilation of the Spanish naval force at Callao, and +elsewhere in the Pacific--whereby internal peace had been obtained for +Chili, and independence for Peru--I felt gratified by the further terms +of invitation, contained in a second letter--"Venez, milord, l'honneur +vous invite--la gloire vous appelle. Venez--donner a nos armes navales +cet ordre merveilleux et discipline incomparable de puissante Albion" +--and on mature consideration returned the following reply:-- + + Valparaiso, Nov. 29, 1832. + + Sir, + + The war in the Pacific having been happily terminated by the total + destruction of the Spanish naval force, I am, of course, free for + the crusade of liberty in any other quarter of the globe. + + I confess, however, that I had not hitherto directed my attention + to the Brazils; considering that the struggle for the liberties of + Greece--the most oppressed of modern states--afforded the fairest + opportunity for enterprise and exertion. + + I have to-day tendered my ultimate resignation to the Government of + Chili, and am not at this moment aware that any material delay will + be necessary, previous to my setting off, by way of Cape Horn, for + Rio de Janeiro, calling at Buenos Ayres, where I hope to have the + pleasure of meeting you, and where we may talk further on this + subject; it being, in the meantime, understood that I hold myself + free to decline--as well as entitled to accept--the offer which + has, through you, been made to me by His Imperial Majesty. I only + mention this from a desire to preserve a consistence of character, + should the Government (which I by no means anticipate) differ so + widely in its nature from those which I have been in the habit of + supporting, as to render the proposed situation repugnant to my + principles--and so justly expose me to suspicion, and render me + unworthy the confidence of His Majesty and the nation. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + To Don ANTONIO MANUEL COEREA DA CAMARA, His Brazilian Majesty's + Consul at Buenos Ayres. + +Having obtained the unqualified consent of the Chilian Government--there +being now no enemy in the Pacific--- I chartered a vessel for my own +conveyance, and that of several valuable officers and seamen who, +preferring to serve under my command, desired to accompany me. Knowing +that the Portuguese were making great efforts to re-establish their +authority in Brazil, no time was lost in quitting Chili. + +We reached Rio de Janeiro on the 13th of March, 1822, barely six months +after the declaration of Independence. Despatching a letter to the Prime +Minister Bonifacio de Andrada--reporting my arrival in conformity with +the invitation which His Imperial Majesty had caused to be transmitted +to me through his Consul-General at Buenos Ayres--I was honoured by the +Imperial command to attend His Majesty at the house of his Minister, +where a complimentary reception awaited me. The Emperor assured me that, +so far as the ships themselves were concerned, the squadron was nearly +ready for sea; but that good officers and seamen were wanting; adding, +that, if I thought proper to take the command, he would give the +requisite directions to his Minister of Marine. + +On the following day, the Prime Minister--after a profusion of +compliments on my professional reputation, and an entire concurrence +with the invitation forwarded to me by the Consul at Buenos Ayres--which +invitation he stated to have arisen from his own influence with the +Emperor--desired me to communicate personally with him, upon all matters +of importance, the Minister of Marine being merely appointed to transact +subordinate business. As nothing more positive was said in relation to +my appointment, it struck me that this also might be included amongst +the subordinate duties of the Minister of Marine, to whose house I +repaired; but he could say nothing on the subject, as nothing specific +had been laid before him. Being desirous to come to a proper +understanding, I wrote to the Prime Minister, that the officers who had +accompanied me from Chili would expect the same rank, pay, and +emoluments as they had there enjoyed; that, as regarded myself, I was +prepared to accept the terms offered by His Imperial Majesty, through +the Consul at Buenos Ayres, viz. the same position, pay, and emoluments +as had been accorded to me by the Chilian Government; and that although +I felt myself entitled to the customary remuneration in all +well-regulated states for extraordinary, as well as ordinary, services, +yet I was more anxious to learn the footing on which the naval service +was to be put, than the nature of any stipulations regarding myself. + +On the following day His Imperial Majesty invited me at an early hour to +the palace, in order to accompany him on a visit to the ships of war, +with some of which I was much pleased, as demonstrative of the exertions +which must have been made within a short time to get them into such +creditable condition. Great care had evidently been bestowed upon the +_Pedro Primiero_, rated as a 74--though in the English service she would +have been termed a 64. She was evidently a good sailer, and was ready +for sea, with four months provisions on board, which scarcely half +filled her hold, such was her capacity for stowage; I had therefore +reason to be satisfied with my intended flagship. + +Another showy vessel was the _Maria da Gloria_--a North American +clipper; a class of vessels in those days little calculated to do +substantial service, being built of unseasoned wood, and badly fastened. +Though mounting 32 guns, she was a ship of little force, having only +24-pounder carronades, mixed with short 18-pounder guns. As a redeeming +feature, she was commanded by a Frenchman, Captain Beaurepaire, who had +contrived to rally round him some of his own countrymen, mingled with +native Brazilians--in which he displayed considerable tact to free +himself from the unpromising groups elsewhere to be selected from. + +The history of this vessel was not a little curious: she had been built +in North America at the expense of the Chilian Government, and sent to +Buenos Ayres, where an additional 40,000 dollars was demanded by her +owners. Payment of this was demurred to, when, without the slightest +consideration for the expense incurred by Chili in her building and +equipment, her captain suddenly got under weigh, and proceeding to Rio +de Janeiro, sold her to the Brazilian Government. + +I was further much pleased with the _Piranga_, a noble frigate mounting +long 24-pounders on the main deck. Not to enter into any further +details, with regard to the ships, a brief notice must be taken of the +men, who, with the exception of the crew of the _Maria da Gloria_, were +of a very questionable description,--consisting of the worst class of +Portuguese, with whom the Brazilian portion of the men had an evident +disinclination to mingle. On inquiry, I ascertained that their pay was +only eight milreas per month, whereas in the merchant service, eighteen +milreas was the current rate for good seamen,--whence it naturally +followed that the wooden walls of Brazil were to be manned with the +refuse of the merchant service. The worst kind of saving--false +economy--had evidently established itself in the Brazilian Naval +Administration. + +The captains complained of the difficulties they had to contend with as +regarded the crews, particularly that the marines were so much gentlemen +that they considered themselves degraded by cleaning their own berths, +and had demanded and obtained attendants to wait on them! whilst they +could only be punished for offences by their own officers! or, to use +the words of one of the captains, "They were very much their own +masters, and seemed inclined to be his!" It was, indeed, evident to me +that neither seamen nor marines were in any state of discipline. + +Not having as yet had experience of political party in the Empire, it +struck me as an anomaly that Portuguese should be employed in such +numbers to fight their own countrymen, though I afterwards became but +too well acquainted with the cause of a proceeding at the time beyond my +comprehension. In the course of our visit of inspection, the phrase +"attacking the Portuguese parliamentary force," was frequently used by +the Emperor, and was no less singular, as implying that the Brazilian +Government did not make war against the King or country of Portugal, +but merely against the Cortes; the distinction, as regarded the conduct +of hostilities, being without a difference. + +A curious circumstance occurred after this visit of inspection. On +landing--hundreds of people of all ages and colours, crowded round to +kiss His Majesty's hands--paternally extended on both sides to rows of +devoted subjects, who, under no other circumstances, could have come in +such familiar contact with royalty. To this ceremony the Emperor +submitted with the greatest possible good humour and affability, his +equanimity not even being ruined by familiarities such as I had never +before seen taken with King or Emperor. + +On the 17th, a visit was paid to me by the Minister of Marine, Luiz da +Cunha Moreira, relative to the terms of my appointment, he being +evidently desirous that my services should be obtained at as cheap a +rate as possible, notwithstanding the concurrence of the Prime Minister +with the offers which had been made through the Consul-General at Buenos +Ayres. The pay now offered was that of an admiral in the Portuguese +service,--notoriously the worst paid in the world. On enquiring what +this might be, I found it less than half what I had received in Chill! +My pay there being 8000 dollars per annum, with permission from the +Supreme Director to appropriate another 4000 from the Government moiety +of captures made. + +By way of reply, I produced a letter from the Chilian Minister of +Marine, counter-signed by the Supreme Director, acknowledging the +receipt of an offer subsequently made to the Chilian Government +voluntarily to give up to public exigencies a portion of my pay greater +than the amount now tendered--at the same time telling the Minister, +that by accepting such an arrangement I should lose more annually by +entering the Brazilian service than the whole sum offered to me. Without +condescending to chaffer on such a subject, I added that His Imperial +Majesty had invited me to Brazil on specific promises, which, if my +services were required, must be strictly fulfilled; if not, it would be +candid in him to say so, as it was not the amount of pay for which I +contended; but the reflection, that if the first stipulations of the +Brazilian Government were violated, no future confidence could be placed +in its good faith. If the State were poor, I had no objection, +conditionally, to surrender an equal or even a greater proportion of pay +than I had tendered to the Chilian Government; but that it was no part +of my intention to be placed on the footing of a Portuguese admiral, +especially after the terms, which, without application on my part, had +been voluntarily offered to induce me to accept service in Brazil. + +The Minister of Marine seemed hurt at this, and said the State was not +poor, and that the terms originally offered should be complied with, by +granting me the amount I had enjoyed in Chili; a decision the more +speedily arrived at, from an intimation on my part, of referring to the +Prime Minister, as requested in cases of difficulty. This the Minister +of Marine begged me not to do, saying that there was no occasion for it. + +He next proposed that, as my Brazilian pay was to be equivalent to that +which I received in Chili, it should he numerically estimated in Spanish +dollars, at the rate of 800 reis per dollar--though the Brazilian mint +was then actually restamping those very dollars at the rate of 960 reis! +thus, by a manoeuvre, which reflected little credit on a Minister, +lessening the pay agreed on by one-fifth. To this proposition I replied +that there was no objection, provided my services were also revalued--as +he seemed disposed to revalue his dollar; so that, setting aside the +offers which had induced me to leave Chili, I would make a new offer, +which should not only compensate for the difference in dispute, but +leave a considerable surplus on my side into the bargain. Alarmed at the +sarcasm, and perhaps judging from my manner, that I cared little for a +service in which such petty expedients formed an important element, he +at once gave up the false value which he had attached to the dollar, and +agreed to estimate it at 960 reis--a microscopic saving, truly! + +As such a mode of proceeding had been adopted towards me, it became +necessary on my part to look well after the interests of the officers +who had accompanied me under the assurance that their position in Brazil +should be at least equal to that which they had held on the other side +of the continent. This was not more a duty than a necessity, for I saw +that, unless supported by officers upon whose talent and courage +reliance could be placed, it would be out of my power individually to +accomplish any enterprise satisfactory to myself or beneficial to +Brazil. I therefore required and obtained the same stipulations with +regard to their respective rank and pay as had, in my own case, been +insisted on. Of these, Admiral Grenfell is the only survivor. + +On the 19th, a writing on a common sheet of letter paper was forwarded +to me by the Minister of Marine, purporting to be a commission, with the +rank of admiral; stating, however, inaccurately the amount of pay and +table money agreed upon, by transposing the one for the other,--so that +the table money was figured as pay, and the pay as table money; the +effect being, that when on shore, my pay would have amounted to exactly +one half of the sum stipulated! This proceeding could not be tolerated, +so on the following morning I returned the commission to the Minister of +Marine, who hastened to assure me that it was a mistake, which should be +rectified. + +This pretended commission was accompanied by the following order to take +command of the squadron:-- + + His Imperial Majesty--through the secretary for naval + affairs--commands that the Admiral of the Imperial and National + Marine--Lord Cochrane--shall take command of the squadron at anchor + in this port, consisting of the ship _Pedro Primiero_; the frigates + _Unao, Nitherohy_, and _Carolina_; the corvettes _Maria de Gloria_ + and _Liberal_; the brig _Guarani_, and the schooners _Real_ and + _Leopoldina_; hoisting his flag aboard the line-of-battle ship: the + said Admiral having, at his choice, the whole--or any of the said + vessels, for the purpose of the expedition about to sail. + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, March 19, 1823. + + (Signed) LUIZ DA CUNHA MOREIEA. + +There was, however, another point still less satisfactory. The +commission conferred upon me the rank of Admiral, but of what grade was +not specified. On pressing the Minister of Marine, he admitted that it +was only intended to give me the rank of Junior Admiral,--there being +already two Admirals in the service, whose functions would not, however, +interfere with me, as their duties were confined to the ordinary +administration of a Board of Admiralty. I at once told him that for me +to serve under such naval administrators was out of the question. As the +Minister of Marine professed want of sufficient power to warrant him in +altering the commission, I announced my intention of taking it to the +Prime Minister, and respectfully restoring it into his hands. The +Minister of Marine again begged me not to do so, as an alteration might +be made, if I would consent to go at once on board the _Pedro +Primiero_--on board which ship my flag had been directed to be hoisted +at mid-day! This, it is needless to add, was declined, not only by +myself, but by the officers who had accompanied me from Chili. + +The Minister of Marine affected to be surprised at my want of confidence +in the Government, but I explained that this was not the case. "It was +quite possible that a Congress might at any time be convened which would +be less liberally inclined than the present ministry, and that +acceptance of an appointment so loosely made might afford the admirals +placed over me, not only a control over my movements, but an easy and +convenient mode of getting rid of me after I had done their work; and +this without any imputation of injustice on their proceedings. The +fact, indeed, of a Cortes being about to assemble, and the possibility +of their interfering with me, was sufficient to fix my determination to +have nothing to do with the command, under any circumstances, save those +set forth in the tender made to me by command of His Majesty." + +To this the Minister replied, that, "if I could be thus dismissed, the +Government must likewise fall--because to suppose that a popular +assembly could dictate to His Majesty in such a case was to suppose the +Government no longer in existence." + +I then frankly told the Minister, that "my experience as a naval +officer--founded upon many years' practical observation, had taught me +that, in engagements of this nature, it was necessary to be clear and +explicit in every arrangement. I did not mean to insinuate anything +disrespectful to the ministers of His Brazilian Majesty, but knowing +that a Senate was about to assemble, and having reason to believe that a +majority of the members might differ from the ministerial views, and +might--when the work was done--take a fancy to see the squadron +commanded by one of their own countrymen--a step which would leave me no +alternative but to quit the service--it was much better for all parties +to put our mutual engagements on a firm basis." + +The Minister continued to argue the point, but finding argument of no +avail in altering my determination, he insinuated--though not stating as +much in positive terms--that he had no prospect of any arrangement +being effected regarding my rank other than that which had been +tendered. + +Determined to be no longer trifled with--on the following morning I +waited on the Prime Minister, Bonifacio de Andrada, whom I found in high +dudgeon at what he termed the unreasonableness of my demands; stating, +moreover, that the Consul at Buenos Ayres had exceeded his authority by +writing me a bombastic letter, though but a few days before, Andrada not +only expressed his entire concurrence in its contents, but stated that +the letter had been written through his influence with the Emperor! + +To this I replied that, "be that as it might, it was absurd to suppose +that I should have given up my position in Chili for anything less in +Brazil, and that all that had been offered by the Consul, or desired by +me, was simply an equivalent to my Chilian command, with adequate +reimbursement of any losses I might sustain by quitting Chili so +abruptly, before the settlement of my affairs with that country. This +offer had been made on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, under the express +authority of the Prime Minister himself, as set forth in the Consul's +letters, and for this I held the Government responsible. But, at the +same time, I informed the Prime Minister that if he were disinclined to +fulfil his own voluntary obligations, I would at once free him from them +by declining the proffered command, and therefore begged of him to take +back his commission, about which I would hold no further parley." + +This step was evidently unexpected, for, lowering his tone, Bonifacio +assured me that "good faith was the peculiar characteristic of the +Brazilian Administration;" and to prove this, he had to announce to me +that a Cabinet Council had that morning been held, at which it was +resolved that the newly created honour of "First Admiral of Brazil" +should be conferred upon me, with the pay and emoluments of Chili, as +stipulated through the Consul at Buenos Ayres. He then asked me if I was +content, to which I replied in the affirmative; pointing out, however, +how much better it would have been to have taken this course at first, +than to have caused such contention about a matter altogether +insignificant, as compared with the work in hand. He replied that, as +everything had been conceded, it was not worth while to reopen the +question; but to this view I demurred, telling him that _nothing +whatever had been conceded, the Government having only fulfilled its own +stipulations_, which were insignificant in comparison with obtaining the +services of an officer whom it believed competent to carry out alone, +what otherwise would entail great expense on the State. I further +assured him that it would afford me much satisfaction to prove to him of +how little importance was all that which had been the subject of +dispute, and that His Imperial Majesty's Government might rest assured +that my utmost exertions would be used to bring the naval war to a +speedy termination. + +He then requested me to hoist my flag forthwith, as the Government was +very anxious on this point. Accordingly, at four o'clock in the +afternoon of the 21st of March, 1823, I went on board the _Pedro +Primiero_, and hoisted my flag, which was saluted with twenty-one guns +from each ship of war, the salute being acknowledged from the flagship +with an equal number. + +Shortly afterwards, a _portaria_, dated on the same day, was sent to me, +explanatory of the commission which had given rise to so much trouble, +and detailing my future pay as agreed upon. By the same document I was +ordered to take command of the squadron, and an intimation was given +that a formal commission as "First Admiral" would forthwith be made out. + +It was further acknowledged that, by accepting the Brazilian command, I +had risked an admitted reward for services rendered to Chili and Peru, +to the extent of more than sixty thousand dollars--and it was agreed +that this amount should be repaid to me in the event of those countries +not fulfilling their obligations--provided equivalent services were +rendered to Brazil. For more than thirty years Chili has withheld that +amount, but the Brazilian Government has never fulfilled this portion of +its engagements. + +Notwithstanding the praiseworthy exertions of the administration to +place their navy in a creditable position as regarded the ships, the +want of seamen was severely felt, and little had been done beyond +shipping a number of Portuguese sailors, whose fidelity to the Imperial +cause was doubtful. + +In the hope of getting a more reliable class of men for the flagship, I +authorised Captain Crosbie to offer from my own purse, eight dollars +per man, in addition to the bounty given by the Government, and by this +means procured some English and North American seamen, who, together +with the men who accompanied me from Chili, sufficed to form a tolerable +nucleus for a future crew; as to the rest--though far short of the +ship's complement--it had never before fallen to my lot to command a +crew so inefficient. + +On the 26th of March, the following commission from His Imperial Majesty +was presented to me:-- + + IMPERADOR, + + The valour, intelligence, activity, and other qualities of Lord + Cochrane as an admiral, being well-known by the performance of + various services in which he has been engaged, and seeing how + advantageous it would be for the Empire to avail itself of the + known qualities of an Officer so gifted, I deem it proper to confer + on him a patent as "First Admiral of the National and Imperial + Navy," with an annual salary of eleven contos and five hundred and + twenty milreis, whether at sea or on shore; and further in table + money, when embarked, five contos, seven hundred and twenty + milreis, which is the same pay and table money as he received in + Chili. To which favour, no admiral of the Imperial Navy shall claim + succession, neither to the post of "First Admiral," which I have + thought fit to create solely for this occasion, from the motives + aforesaid, and from particular consideration of the merits of the + said Lord Cochrane. The supreme Military Council will so + understand, and shall execute the necessary despatches. + + Given at the Palace of Rio de Janeiro, March 21st, 1823. + + Second year of the Independence of the Empire. + + (Signed) IMPERADOR. LUIZ DA CUNHA MOREIEA, + + Secretary of State, + + March 26th, 1823. + + LEONARDO ANTONIO BASTO. + +Thus was a right understanding established, my only object during the +undignified contentions which had arisen, being--relinquishment of the +proffered command, in order to carry out my long-entertained intention +of visiting Greece, then engaged in a struggle for independence--or to +obtain a definite arrangement with the Brazilian Government, which +should recognise the circumstances under which I had been induced to +quit Chili--_confer upon me permanent rank--give me the equivalent +promised with regard to pay_--and be binding on both parties. + +On the 29th of March, a proclamation was issued by the Imperial +Government declaring Bahia in a state of blockade, the Portuguese having +there assembled a combined naval and military force superior to that of +Brazil, and, under ordinary circumstances, fully competent to maintain +itself; as well as to put down, or at least paralyse, any movement in +favour of independence. + +The following orders were then communicated to me, and were of the usual +kind, viz. "to capture or destroy all enemy's ships and property, +whereever found:"-- + + His Imperial Majesty, through the Secretary of State for the + Marine, commands that the First Admiral, Lord Cochrane, + Commander-in-Chief of the Squadron, shall, to-morrow morning, + proceed from this port with such vessels as he shall judge proper + to the port of Bahia, to institute a rigorous blockade, destroying + or capturing whatever Portuguese force he may fall in with--doing + all possible damage to the enemies of this Empire, it being left to + the discretion of the said Admiral to act as he shall deem + advantageous, in order to save that city from the thraldom to which + it is reduced by the enemies of the cause of Brazil; for this + purpose consulting with Gen. Labatu, commanding the Army, in order + to the general good of the service, and glory of the national and + Imperial arms. + + Palace of Rio Janeiro, March 30, 1823. + + LUIZ DA CUNHA MOREIRA. + +To the Brazilian party and the mass of the people generally, the +approaching departure of the squadron was a matter for congratulation, +but to the Portuguese faction it presented a cause for fear, as tending +to destroy their hopes of re-establishing the authority of the mother +country. Their influence, as has before been said, was as great, if not +greater, than that of the patriots, and being more systematic, it had +been effectually employed to increase the disaffection which existed in +the Northern provinces to the--as yet--but partially established +authority of his Imperial Majesty. + +It is not my intention for a moment to impute malicious motives to the +Portuguese faction in Brazil. The King of Portugal, Don John VI. had, +within twelve months, quitted their shores to resume the throne of his +ancestors, so that they had a right to the praise of loyalty, and the +more so, as at that time few calculated on separation from the mother +country. The Empire itself was not six months old, and therefore they +were not to be blamed for doubting its stability. The Cortes at Lisbon +had sent a large force for the protection of the more remote provinces, +and in an attack upon these at Bahia, the Brazilian troops had been +unsuccessful, so that no great confidence was to be reposed on any +future _military_ efforts to eject the Portuguese troops. + +Where the Portuguese party was really to blame, consisted in +this,--that seeing disorder everywhere more or less prevalent, they +strained every nerve to increase it, hoping thereby to paralyse further +attempts at independence, by exposing whole provinces to the evils of +anarchy and confusion. Their loyalty also partook more of self-interest +than of attachment to the supremacy of Portugal, for the commercial +classes, which formed the real strength of the Portuguese faction, +hoped, by preserving the authority of the mother country in her distant +provinces, thereby to obtain as their reward the revival of old trade +monopolies, which twelve years before had been thrown open, enabling the +English traders--whom they cordially hated--to supersede them in their +own markets. Being a citizen of the rival nation, their aversion to me +personally was undisguised; the more so perhaps, that they believed me +capable of achieving at Bahia--whither the squadron was destined--that +irreparable injury to their own cause, which the Imperial troops had +been unable to effect. Had I, at the time, been aware of the influence +and latent power of the Portuguese party in the empire, not all the +so-called concessions made by De Andrada would have induced me to accept +the command of the Brazilian navy; for to contend with faction is more +dangerous than to engage an enemy, and a contest of intrigue was alike +foreign to my nature and inclination. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +ATTEMPT TO CUT OFF THE ENEMY'S SHIPS--DISOBEDIENCE TO ORDERS--LETTER TO +THE PRIME MINISTER--WORTHLESSNESS OF THE MEN--THEIR TREACHERY--BLOCKADE +ESTABLISHED--EQUIPMENT OF FIRESHIPS--ENEMY'S SUPPLIES CUT +OFF--PORTUGUESE UNTRUSTWORTHY--DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE ENEMY--HIS +PRETENDED CONTEMPT FOR US--THE ENEMY RETURNS TO PORT--THEIR +CONSTERNATION AT THE FIRESHIPS--PORTUGUESE CONTEMPLATE ATTACKING +US--FLAGSHIP RECONNOITRES ENEMY AT ANCHOR--EXCESSIVE ALARM AT MY +NOCTURNAL VISIT--PROCLAMATION OF THE COMMANDANT--CONSTERNATION IN THE +CITY--THE AUTHORITIES DECIDE ON EVACUATING BAHIA--INSTRUCTIONS TO THE +BRAZILIAN CAPTAINS--WARNINGS ADDRESSED TO THE AUTHORITIES--ENEMY QUITS +BAHIA--READINESS FOR CHASE--NUMBERS OF THE ENEMY--CAPTURE OF THE +CONVOY--PRIZES DISABLED--ATTEMPT OF TROOPS TO ESCAPE--PRIZES SENT TO +PERNAMBUCO--PURSUIT DISCONTINUED--REASONS FOR GOING TO MARANHAM--REASONS +FOR NOT TAKING MORE PRIZES--ADVANTAGES TO THE EMPIRE. + + +On the 3rd of April, we put to sea with a squadron of four ships only, +viz. the _Pedro Primiero_, Captain Crosbie, _Piranga_, Captain Jowett, +_Maria de Gloria_, Captain Beaurepaire, and _Liberal_, Captain +Garcao--two others which accompanied us, viz. the _Guarani_, Captain de +Coito, and _Real_, Captain de Castro, were intended as fireships. Two +vessels of war, the _Paraguassu_ and the _Nitherohy_, being incomplete +in their equipment, were of necessity left behind. + +The _Nitherohy_, Captain Taylor, joined on the 29th of April, and on the +1st of May we made the coast of Bahia. On the 4th, we made the +unexpected discovery of thirteen sail to leeward, which proved to be the +enemy's fleet leaving port with a view of preventing or raising the +blockade. Shortly afterwards the Portuguese Admiral formed line of +battle to receive us, his force consisting of one ship of the line, five +frigates, five corvettes, a brig, and schooner. + +Regularly to attack a more numerous and better trained squadron with our +small force, manned by undisciplined and--as had been ascertained on the +Voyage--disaffected crews, was out of the question. On board the +flagship there were only a hundred and sixty English and American +seamen, the remainder consisting of the vagabondage of the capital, with +a hundred and thirty black marines, just emancipated from slavery. +Nevertheless, observing an opening in the enemy's line, which would +enable us to cut off their four rearmost ships, I made signals +accordingly, and with the flagship alone gave the practical example of +breaking the line, firing into their frigates as we passed. The +Portuguese Admiral promptly sent vessels to the aid of the four cut off, +when, hauling our wind on the larboard tack, we avoided singly a +collision with the whole squadron, but endeavoured to draw the enemy's +ships assisting into a position where they might be separately attacked +to advantage. + +Had the rest of the Brazilian squadron come down in obedience to +signals, the ships cut off might have been taken or dismantled, as, with +the flagship I could have kept the others at bay, and no doubt have +crippled all in a position to render them assistance. To my astonishment +the signals were disregarded, and--for reasons which will presently be +adduced--no efforts were made to second my operations. + +For some time the action was continued by the _Pedro Primiero_ alone, +but to my mortification the fire of the flagship was exceedingly +ill-directed. A still more untoward circumstance occurred in the +discovery that two Portuguese seamen who had been stationed to hand up +powder, were not only withholding it, but had made prisoners of the +powder boys who came to obtain it! This would have been serious but for +the promptitude of Captain Grenfell, who, rushing upon the men, dragged +them on deck; but to continue the action under such circumstances was +not to be thought of; and as the enemy had more than double our +numerical force, I did not consider myself warranted in further +attempting, with greater hazard, what on a future opportunity might be +accomplished with less. Quitting the enemy's ships cut off, we therefore +hauled our wind, to join the vessels which had kept aloof, and to +proceed to the station previously appointed as the rendezvous of the +squadron, whither the fireships were to follow. In this affair no lives +were lost. + +Extremely annoyed at this failure, arising from non-fulfilment of +orders, and finding, from experience on the voyage, that we had been +hurried to sea, without consideration as to the materials of which the +squadron was composed, a rigid inquiry was instituted, which gave me +such cogent reasons for losing all confidence in it, that on the day +following I considered it expedient to address the following letter to +the Prime Minister, Andrada, pointing out that if prompt steps were not +taken to add to our strength, by providing more efficient crews, the +result might be to compromise the interests of the empire, no less than +the character of the officers commanding. + + (Secret) H.I.M.S. _Pedro Primiero_, at Sea, + + May 5, 1823. + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + Availing myself of your permission to address you + upon points of a particular nature, and referring you to my public + despatches to the Minister of Marine, I beg leave to add that it + was not only unfavourable winds which retarded our progress, but + the extreme bad sailing of the _Piranga_ and _Liberal_. Neither these + ships nor the _Nitherohy_, which sails equally ill, are adapted to the + purposes to be effected, as from their slowness, the enemy has an + opportunity to force an action under any circumstances, however + disadvantageous to this undisciplined squadron. The _Real_ is no + better, and her total uselessness as a ship of war, has determined + me to prepare her as a fireship, there appearing no probability of the + others joining. + + From the defective sailing and manning of the squadron it + seems, indeed, to me, that the _Pedro Primiero_ is the only one + that can assail an enemy's ship of war, or act in the face of a + superior force, so as not to compromise the interests of the empire + and the character of the officers commanding. Even this ship--in + common-with the rest--is so ill-equipped as to be much less + efficient than she otherwise would be. + + This letter, you will observe, is not intended to meet the public + eye, but merely to put the Government in possession of facts + necessary for its information. + + Our cartridges are all unfit for service, and I have been obliged + to cut up every flag and ensign that could be spared, to render them + serviceable, so as to prevent the men's arms being blown off whilst + working the guns, and also to prevent the constant necessity of + sponging, &c. which, from the time it consumes, diminishes the + effective force of the ships fully one half. + + The guns are without locks--which they ought to have had in + order to their being efficient. + + The sails of this ship are all rotten--the light and baffling airs on + our way hither, having beaten one set to pieces, and the others + are hourly giving way to the slightest breeze of wind. + + The bed of the mortar which I received on board this ship was + crushed on the first fire--being entirety rotten; the fuzes for the + shells are formed of such wretched composition that it will not take + fire with the discharge of the mortar, and are consequently unfit + for use on board a ship where it is extremely dangerous to kindle + the fuze otherwise than by the explosion; even the powder with + which this ship is supplied is so bad, that six pounds will not + throw our shells more than a thousand yards, instead of double that + distance. + + The marines neither understand gun exercise, the use of + small arms, nor the sword, and yet have so high an opinion of + themselves that they will not assist to wash the decks, or even to + clean out their own berths, but sit and look on whilst these + operations are being performed by seamen; being thus useless as + marines, they are a hinderance to the seamen, who ought to be + learning their duty in the tops, instead of being converted into + sweepers and scavengers. I have not yet interfered in this injurious + practice, because I think that reforms of the ancient practice of the + service, ought to form the subject of instruction from the Government + --and also, because at this moment, any alterations of mine + might create dissatisfactions and dissensions even more prejudicial + to the service in which we are engaged, than the evils in question. + + With respect to the seamen, I would observe, that, in order to + create an effective marine, young active lads of from fourteen to + twenty should be selected. Almost the whole of those who + constitute the crews of these vessels--with the exception of the + foreign seamen, are not only totally unpractised in naval profession, + but are too old to learn. + + I warned the Minister of Marine, that every native of Portugal + put on board the squadron--with the exception of officers of known + character--would prove prejudicial to the expedition, and yesterday + we had a clear proof of the fact. The Portuguese stationed in the + magazine, actually withheld the powder whilst this ship was in the + midst of the enemy, and I have since learned that they did so from + feelings of attachment to their own countrymen. I now inclose + you two letters on this subject--one just received from the officer + commanding the _Real_, whose crew were on the point of _carrying + that vessel into the enemy's squadron for the purpose of delivering her + up!_ I have also reason to believe, that the conduct of the _Liberal_ + yesterday in not bearing down upon the enemy and not complying + with the signal which I had made to break the line--was owing to + her being manned with Portuguese. The _Maria de Gloria_ has also + a great number of Portuguese, which is the more to be regretted, + as otherwise her superior sailing, with the zeal and activity of her + captain, would render her an effective vessel. To disclose to you + the truth, it appears to me that one half of the squadron is + necessary to watch over the other half: and, assuredly, this is a + system which ought to be put an end to without delay. + + A greater evil is, that this ship is one hundred and twenty seamen + short of her complement and three hundred short of what I should + consider an efficient crew, whilst the bad quality and ignorance of + the landsmen, makes the task of managing her in action no easy + matter, the incessant bawling going on rendering the voices of the + officers inaudible. Had this ship yesterday been manned and equipped + as she ought to have been, and free from the disadvantages stated, + there is no doubt whatever in my mind, but, that singly, we could + have dismantled half the ships of the enemy. + + On the whole, Sir, you must perceive that I have not been supplied + with any of those facilities which I requested to be placed in my + hands. I am, however, aware of the difficulties under which a new + Government labours, and am ready to do all in my power under + any circumstances. What I have to request of you is, that you will + do me the justice to feel that the predicament in which I am now + placed, is somewhat analogous to your own, and that if I cannot + accomplish all I wish, the deficiency arises from causes beyond my + control; but I entreat you to let me have--at least this ship-- + _well manned_, and I will answer for her rendering more efficient + service than the whole squadron besides--constituted as it now is. + + You will perceive by my public despatch addressed to the Minister + of Marine, that although we passed through the enemy's line, and, + I may add, actually brushed the nearest vessel, which we cut off--yet + nothing really useful was effected, notwithstanding that the + vessel we touched ought to have been sunk, and those separated to + have been dismantled or destroyed. I am quite vexed at the result--which + was such, however, as might have been expected from the bad + manning of the squadron. + + I have determined to proceed forthwith to the Moro San Paulo, + and to leave there the ill-sailing vessels. I intend to remove all the + effective officers and seamen from the _Piranga_ and _Nitherohy_, into + this ship, and with her alone, or attended only by the _Maria de + Gloria_, to proceed to Bahia, to reconnoitre the situation of the + enemy at their anchorage, and obtain the information requisite to + enable me to enter on more effectual operations. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + + Ill. Exmo. Senor JOSE BONIFACIO D'ANDRADE Y SILVA, + Ministro e Secretario d'Estado. + +A rigorous blockade was nevertheless established, in spite of our +deficiencies or the efforts made to raise or evade it--though the enemy +were bold in reliance upon their numbers, and none the less so, perhaps, +from considering our recent failure a defeat. They did not, however, +venture to attack us, nor were we yet in a condition to meddle further +with them. + +The blockade of the port was not calculated to effect anything decisive, +beyond paralysing the naval operations of the enemy's squadron. Even +this would not prevent the Portuguese from strengthening themselves in +positions on shore, and thus, by intimidating all other districts within +reach,--enable them to bar the progress of independence. I therefore +determined, as a force in our condition was not safe to hazard in any +combination requiring prompt and implicit obedience, to adopt the step +of which I had apprised the Prime Minister, and took the squadron to +Moro San Paulo, where, transferring from the bad sailing frigates to the +flagship, the captains, officers, and best petty officers and seamen, +the _Pedro Primiero_ was rendered more efficient than the whole +together; and with her and the _Maria de Gloria_, I resolved to conduct +further operations against the enemy--leaving the _Piranga_, and +_Nitherohy_, together with all the other vessels, in charge of Captain +Pio--the two senior captains having been transferred to the flagship, in +charge of their officers and men. + +There was, however, another reason for leaving the remainder of the +squadron at Moro San Paulo. Before quitting Rio de Janeiro, I had urged +on the Government the necessity of immediately forwarding fireships, as +the most reliable means for destroying a superior force. These had not +been supplied; but in their place a quantity of inflammable and +explosive materials had been sent. As several prizes had been taken, I +determined to convert them into fireships, as well as the _Real_ +schooner--a useless vessel, the crew of which had shewn that they were +not to be depended upon; so that the remaining ships of the squadron, +though unreliable in other respects, were well employed in carrying +these objects into execution. + +In order to protect the ships and men thus engaged, I directed a body of +marines to be landed, for the purpose of making a show by forming and +manning batteries to repel any attack, though, had such been made, +neither the batteries nor their defenders would have been of much +service. + +The flagship, together with the _Maria de Gloria_, now proceeded to +cruize off Bahia, with such success that all supplies were cut off by +sea, notwithstanding repeated attempts to introduce vessels from San +Mattheos with farinha--a dozen of which fell into our hands, in spite of +the enemy's superiority. + +As the _Carolina_ had now joined us, I directed her to take under convoy +the captured transports with provisions, whilst the _Guarani_ was sent +to scour the coast, with orders to avoid approaching the enemy's fleet, +and to bring me information as to the progress of the fireships, upon +which I now saw that I must mainly rely. + +On the 21st, I considered it expedient to address the following private +letter to the Minister of Marine:-- + + Off Bahia, N.W. 12 miles, + May 21, 1833. + + Most Illustrious Sir, + + In addition to my official letters of the 3rd and + 4th inst. I beg to acquaint you that, being convinced--not only + from the conduct of the crew of this ship during the attack on the + 4th, but from what I observed in regard to the other vessels--that + nothing beneficial to His Imperial Majesty's service could be + effected by any attempts to combine the whole squadron in an + attack against the enemy--but, on the contrary, from the imperfect + and incongruous manner in which the vessels are manned-- + consequences of the most serious nature would ensue from any + further attempt of the kind. I have therefore determined to take + the squadron to Moro San Paulo, for the adoption of other measures + essential under such circumstances, viz. to take on board such officers + and men from the bad sailing vessels as will render the _Pedro + Primiero_ more effective than the whole squadron as now constituted. + + In the first conversation I had with you, I gave you my opinion + as to the superior benefit of equipping one or two vessels _well_-- + rather than many imperfectly, and I again beg to press on your + consideration the necessity of such efficient equipment of all + vessels, whether many or few. I must also remind you of the great + danger that arises from the employment of Portuguese of the + inferior class in active operations against their own countrymen, + because they neither do nor can consider that the dispute between + Brazil and the Portuguese Government, bears any similarity to warfare + as ordinarily understood. I have had sufficient proof since + leaving Rio de Janeiro, that there is no more trust to be placed in + Portuguese, when employed to fight against their countrymen, than + there was in the Spaniards, who, on the opposite side of this continent, + betrayed the patriot Governments, by whom they were employed. + I shall press this point no further than to say, that so long as His + Imperial Majesty's ships are so manned, I shall consider them + as not only wholly inefficient, but requiring to be vigilantly watched + in order to prevent the most dangerous consequences. + + Since making my arrangements at the Moro, where I left all + the squadron except this ship and the _Maria de Gloria_, I have been + constantly off the port of Bahia, but could see nothing of the + enemy's squadron, till the 20th, when I learned from an English + vessel that they had been as far down as the Abrolhos shoals, for + what purpose I know not. They consist of thirteen vessels, being + the number which we encountered on the 4th. I am watching an + opportunity to attack them in the night, in the hope not only of + being able to damage them materially by the fire of this ship, but + also in the expectation that, if they are not better disciplined than + the crews of this squadron, they will occasion as much damage + amongst themselves, as they would sustain if they had an equal + force to contend with. In the meantime we are as effectually + blockading Bahia, as if the enemy did not dare to remove from his + anchorage--for both this ship and the _Maria de Gloria_ outsail them + all. We have captured three Portuguese vessels, and from the + letters found therein, many more are expected from Maranham and + other ports to leeward, as well as from San Mattheos. + + Should the enemy's squadron return to port before I can obtain + a favourable opportunity of assailing them at sea, I shall endeavour + to attack them at their anchorage, and the Government may be + assured that no exertion shall be wanting on my part, or on that of + the officers now in this ship, to effect their destruction. + + I may fairly ascribe the prepared state of the enemy, and the + great force in which they appeared on the 4th, and still exhibit--to + the information carried by the British ship of war Tartar, which + was permitted to sail from Rio so early after our departure for + Bahia, and thus served them as effectually as though she had been + expressly hired for the purpose. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + To the Minister of Marine. + +On the 22nd we captured another vessel, and reconnoitred the port of +Bahia, the Portuguese squadron being there at anchor. Finding this to be +the case, I returned to the Moro to expedite the fireships--leaving the +_Maria de Gloria_ to watch the enemy's movements. + +On the 26th the Portuguese Admiral again appeared in full force, and +approached towards us at the Moro San Paulo, when we prepared for +action, but the hostile squadron withdrew. The same demonstration was +made for several days, the enemy not venturing on an attack, whilst, +from the causes previously alleged, we were in no condition to take the +initiative. + +On the 26th I apprised the Minister of Marine that, when the enemy +returned to port, I should make an attempt on them on the first dark +night with the flagship alone, pending the equipment of the fireships. +At the same time I addressed the following letter to the Prime Minister, +De Andrada:-- + + Moro San Paulo, 26th May, 1823. + + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + With regard to the transactions of the squadron, I beg to refer you + to my despatches to the Minister of Marine, but solicit your + attention to a few particulars which appear to me of importance. + + In the first place, you will observe from the enclosed Bahia + newspaper, that the maritime force of the enemy is contrasted with + that of the squadron under my command. I should be well content were + the real disparity of the respective forces no greater than the + statement has set forth, but unfortunately, the Brazilians, who have + never before been at sea, are of little or no use, from their total + want of discipline, and of any kind of nautical knowledge; whilst + the Portuguese seamen in the squadron, are not only useless--but a + great deal worse, for the reasons stated in my former letters. + + The enemy in Bahia are in want of all kinds of fresh provisions + --though they have been using every means to procure them. Some + supplies they have lately had from Buenos Ayres, and even from the + Cape de Verds; but the most surprising fact is that the Brazilian + Governor of San Mattheos, near the Abrolhos, and the chiefs of other + small Brazilian ports in that quarter have been loading vessels for + the enemy's use--under the simulated destination of Rio de Janeiro. + Permit me to suggest that an investigation into this matter is + highly essential. + + From all the information which I can collect, the enemy at Bahia are + considerably distracted in their councils, which dissensions cannot + fail to be increased by seeing their vessels taken in the very mouth + of the harbour, and their look-out ships driven under the guns of + the batteries by those of His Imperial Majesty, I may, indeed, say + by two ships alone, because in the state of the other vessels and + crews I have not deemed it prudent to trust them in the + neighbourhood of a port occupied by the enemy. + + I have no doubt of succeeding--by some means or other--in effecting + our object, and that in as short a time as can reasonably be + expected--for it is not to be supposed that I should all at once + accomplish objects of such magnitude with a force so inferior, and + in great part so inexperienced and heterogeneously composed. On + this subject I beg to call your attention to the low opinion + entertained of our squadron by the enemy, as expressed in the + enclosed Bahia Gazette (No 65), which, on that point, is in + conformity with my own opinion as previously expressed. + + I have the honour, &c. COCHRANE. + + To the Prime Minister. + +The following proclamation from the _Bahia Gazette_ will shew the +nature of these vapourings deliberately inserted by the Bahia +authorities:-- + + Last week the wind was Southerly, with rain, which has rendered + it impossible for our squadron to get at the Rio squadron, to decide + whether Brazil shall remain in the fetters of the usurper of Rio-- + or enjoy constitutional liberty. Had they credited me more, we + should not have seen on our bar, an enterprising man who ruined + the commerce of the Pacific, and now thinks to regain the glory he + lost. The conduct of Lord Cochrane verberates in our ears-- + examine his conduct in the Pacific, and observe that he lost all, and + was obliged to abandon everything to the Spaniards in Peru, afterwards + losing his little force in attacks and tempests. The Ministry + of Rio sent for him, giving him the pompous title of "Admiral of + the Brazils," and great promises--thinking that he would bring + with him a squadron to help the Imperial fraudulence. This is + the great wonder, who has come to carry fire and blood to the + trusty Bahia, bringing with him vessels manned, for the most part, + with Portuguese sailors--and not leaving in Rio a single vessel, + from which he did not take even the negro sailors. + + It is only the _Pedro Primiero_ that is manned with the adventurous + foreigners, so that we shall fall upon the 74, and by beating + her, decide the business of Brazil. Our squadron is superior in + physical force, having at their head brave officers, with plenty of + troops. It is commanded in chief by an Admiral who has success + before him, and who wishes to regain the opinion of the public, so + that we may all wait a happy result. + + Commerce--the strong pillar which upholds the Constitutional + edifice--has promised great recompense to the victorious fleet and + their chief, and has precious gifts for those who will shew their + gratitude to Bahia, and defend their liberty. Officers who distinguish + themselves, will have a medal representing their victory, + which will make them known to the citizens of Bahia, who will not + be ungrateful. + + Citizens of all classes are ready at a moment's warning to decide + the great cause of our liberty, and will measure the greatness of our + triumph by the sacrifices made. Constance, courage, and union, + and we shall see the despotic monster raging and tearing himself to + pieces. + + All we look to, at this moment, is to destroy the Rio squadron. + The usurper who rules in that Capital thinks that, reaching the bar + with the squadron of his imaginary Empire, we should be attacked + on all sides, and compelled to make a shameful capitulation. How + much you are mistaken--new-born monster! We have abundant + force at our disposal; but in the meantime we must overthrow the + plans of the enterprising Cochrane, and wait the result of maritime + prowess. + +Notwithstanding that the Portuguese opinion of the Brazilian squadron, +as expressed in the official gazette, is couched in terms of contempt, +as compared with the efficiency of their own squadron--yet most +inconsistently, they did not venture to attack us. The fact was, +however, most painful to me, being aware of its truthfulness, and I +wrote to the Minister of Marine, begging him to enable us to intercept +the numerous vessels expected at Bahia, by procuring three fast-sailing +American clippers, armed with 18 or 24-pounders, in lieu of the useless +schooners with which we were encumbered. In addition to the professed +contempt of the Portuguese authorities for the ships blockading +Bahia--the proclamation in which these expressions were contained, +termed His Imperial Majesty a "Turkish despot,"--his Prime Minister a +"tyrannical vizier," and myself "a coward;" so that I had at least the +satisfaction of being maligned in good company. + +On the 2nd of June, to my great satisfaction, the Portuguese returned to +port, and I felt certain that so soon as the fireships in preparation at +the Moro San Paulo were ready, the destruction of the whole was +inevitable--the Portuguese naval officers being of the same opinion, +whatever might be the official boasts of the military Commandant. +According to the secret correspondence which I had established with +Brazilian patriots resident within the city, the Admiral's consternation +on learning that fireships were nearly equipped was excessive--and being +in nightly expectation of a repetition of the scene in Basque Roads; or +at least of that which little more than a year previous had been enacted +before Callao--every precaution was taken against surprise. He was +quite right in the conjecture as to what was intended; but did not +calculate--as I was obliged to do--on the general want of experience of +such matters in the Brazilian service. + +Our preparations being, on the 8th of June, reported to be favourably +progressing, I determined to put the attack in execution so soon as the +tide flowed late enough in the evening to prevent the enemy from +perceiving us in time to disturb or defeat our operations. The +difficulty was to find competent persons to take charge of the +fireships, so as to kindle them at the proper moment--the want of which +had rendered most of the fireships ineffective--as such--in the affair +of Basque Roads in 1809, and had formed one of the principal obstacles +when attacking Callao in 1821. Of the explosion vessel I intended myself +to take charge, as I had formerly done in Basque Roads. + +On the 9th of June information arrived that the enemy had resolved on an +attempt to destroy the fireships in the Moro San Paulo, and that the +second division of their army was being embarked in transports for that +purpose. Preparations were at once made to receive them by ordering in +the vessels scouring the coast, and by such other precautionary measures +as were necessary for the defence of that important station. + +It was, however, difficult to make a proper defence, for, with the +exception of Portuguese--who could not be trusted--there were no +Artillerymen in the Brazilian squadron who had any practical knowledge +of their duty, even if the guns on the Moro could be made to contribute +to its defence, for the place was open, and commanded by heights, of +which, as we had no troops, the enemy could possess themselves by night +or by day. In case they did so, before adequate preparations could be +made, I directed the guns to be spiked, that they might not be turned +against the ships. No attack was, however, made, the enemy being +doubtless deterred by the apparent promptitude in anticipating their +movements. + +On the 11th of June further information was received that the +contemplated attack on the Moro had been abandoned, and that the enemy +were seriously deliberating on evacuating the port before the fireships +were completed, I therefore ordered the _Maria de Gloria_ to water and +re-victual for three months, so as to be in readiness for anything which +might occur, as, in case the rumour proved correct, our operations might +take a different turn to those previously intended. The _Piranga_ was +also directed to have everything in readiness for weighing immediately, +on the flagship appearing off the Moro and making signals to that +effect. The whole squadron was at the same time ordered to re-victual, +and to place its surplus articles in a large shed constructed of trees +and branches felled in the neighbourhood of the Moro. + +Whilst the other ships were thus engaged, I determined to increase the +panic of the enemy with the flagship alone. The position of their fleet +was about nine miles up the bay, under shelter of fortifications, so +that an attack by day would have been more perilous than prudent. +Nevertheless, it appeared practicable to pay them a hostile visit on the +first dark night, when, if unable to effect any serious mischief, it +would at least be possible to ascertain their exact position, and to +judge what could be accomplished when the fireships were brought to bear +upon them. + +Accordingly, having during the day carefully taken bearings of the high +lands at the mouth of the river--on the night of the 12th June, I +decided on making the attempt, which might possibly result in the +destruction of part of the enemy's fleet, in consequence of the +confused manner in which the ships were anchored, and from information +received that the chief officers were invited ashore to a public ball. + +As soon as it became dark, we proceeded up the river, but unfortunately, +when within hail of the outermost ship, the wind failed, and the tide +soon after turning, our plan of attack was rendered abortive; +determined, however, to complete the reconnaissance, we threaded our way +amongst the outermost vessels, but dark as was the night--the presence +of a strange ship under sail was discovered--and some beat to quarters, +hailing to know what ship that was? The reply being "an English vessel," +satisfied them, so that our investigation was made unmolested. The chief +object thus accomplished, we succeeded in dropping out with the ebb +tide, now rapidly running, and were enabled to steady our course +stern-foremost with the stream anchor adrag, whereby we reached our +former position off the mouth of the river. + +Finding from the reconnaissance, that it would not be difficult to +destroy the enemy's vessels, huddled together as they were amongst a +crowd of merchantmen, I hastened to Moro San Paulo, to expedite the +completion of the fireships. Returning immediately to Bahia, and again +anchoring off the entrance of the harbour, I now learned that the alarm +created by our nocturnal visit was excessive; indeed, my informants +stated that the exploit had the effect of determining the Portuguese +admiral to remove as quickly as possible from a locality in which he +could no longer consider himself safe. + +On the 29th of June, information was again forwarded to me, by persons +favourable to the Imperial cause, that a council of war had been held, +at which it had been resolved to withdraw the fleet to St. Catherine's +or Maranham, and not the fleet alone but the troops also--thus +abandoning the city and province of Bahia to the Imperial squadron; the +council judging that I should be well content to permit them to pass to +another part of the coast, as their departure would result in the +Imperial occupation of Bahia. + +The subjoined proclamation issued by General Madeira will shew the +straits to which the blockading squadron had reduced the city and +garrison:-- + + INHABITANTS OF BAHIA, + + The crisis in which we find ourselves is perilous, + because the means of subsistence fail us, and we cannot secure the + entrance of any provisions. My duty as a soldier, and as Governor, + is to make any sacrifice in order to save the city; but it is equally + my duty to prevent, in an extreme case, the sacrifice of the troops I + command--of the squadron--and of yourselves. I shall employ + every means to fulfil both duties. Do not suffer yourselves to be + persuaded that measures of foresight are always followed by disasters. + You have already seen me take such once before. They alarmed + you, but you were afterwards convinced that they portended nothing + extraordinary. Even in the midst of formidable armies measures + of precaution are daily used, because victory is not constant, and + reverses should be provided against. You may assure yourselves, + that the measures I am now taking, are purely precautionary, but it + is necessary to communicate them to you, because if it happens that + _we must abandon the, city_, many of you will leave it also; and I + should be responsible to the nation and to the King if I had not + forewarned you. + + (Signed) IGNACIO LUIZ MADEIRA DE MELLA. + +Were it dignified to allude to the cowardice imputed to me by the same +authority, it would be easy to refer to the above enumeration of +distresses caused by our two ships having captured all their provisions +in the face of thirteen, in every way better manned and equipped. + +The consternation caused by my nocturnal visit, which decided the +evacuation of the city, was described as almost ludicrous. As I had been +correctly informed, the Portuguese admiral and his officers _were_ at a +ball, and information of our appearance amongst the fleet was conveyed +to him in the midst of the festivities. "What"--exclaimed he--"Lord +Cochrane's line-of-battleship in the very midst of our fleet! Impossible +--no large ship can have come up in the dark." We, however, did find our +way in the dark--and did not retire till our _reconnaissance_ was as +complete as darkness would permit. + +The lamentations caused by General Madeira's proclamation were no doubt +faithfully chronicled in the Bahia newspapers, one of these declaring +"in the last few days we have witnessed in this city a most doleful +spectacle that must touch the heart even of the most insensible. A panic +terror has seized on all men's minds--the city will be left without +protectors--and families, whose fathers are obliged to fly, will be left +orphans--a prey to the invaders," &c. &c. A prognostication not at all +in accordance with my mode of carrying on warfare, which, as Portuguese +families afterwards found, both at Bahia and elsewhere, was to protect +the defenceless and unoffending. + +The before-mentioned resolution of the council was precisely what I +wished, as the evacuation of the port and province by the troops as well +as the fleet, must prove more favourable to the Imperial cause than if +the fleet alone had been destroyed and the military force remained. As I +had, however, every reason to believe that it was General Madeira's +intention to remove the troops to the Northern provinces, which would +only have shifted the scene of war to another locality, I was determined +at all hazards to prevent such movement. + +On the 1st of July, information was brought, that, as the fireships were +now known to be in readiness for the attack, the Portuguese admiral had +hastily embarked the whole of the troops in transports, and that a +number of merchantmen were also filled with persons who wished to leave +Bahia under his protection. As it was clear that the total evacuation of +the province by the enemy was preferable to an attack which might only +end in destroying the ships and driving both naval and military forces +on shore to renew their operations--I determined not to interfere with +their retreat, till they were clear out of the harbour, when a vigilant +pursuit would prevent them from again taking shelter in Brazil. + +The following order was therefore issued to Captain Beaurepaire, of the +_Maria de Gloria_, Captain Taylor, of the _Nitherohy_, and Captain. +Thompson, of the _Carolina_, these being the only vessels on which I +could in any degree depend:-- + + Having received information that the enemies of the independence + of Brazil are about to evacuate the city, and quit the + port of Bahia--taking under the protection of their ships of war + numerous transports in which the military force and stores are + embarked, together with all the moveable property, public and + private--not excepting even the sacred vases appropriated to + religious uses--and as it is highly expedient that the progress of + the enemy should be interrupted and impeded as far as is + practicable--you are required to be particularly vigilant in watching + their escape, and are to endeavour to cut off such of their vessels as + you can assail with safety, and are to continue in the execution of + this duty so long as you can keep sight of the enemy. + + COCHRANE. + + Given on board the _Pedro Primiero_ this 1st of July, 1823. + +To Captain Taylor, of the _Nitherohy_, I gave further instructions to +continue the chase as long as he considered it practicable to capture or +destroy the enemy's vessels, using his utmost endeavours to disable all +having troops on board; and as it was necessary to occupy Bahia after +its evacuation, I directed Captains Beaurepaire and Thompson, after +having captured or disabled all they could, to return forthwith to +Bahia, and take possession; for which purpose the following order was +issued to Captain Beaurepaire:-- + + After having executed the previous order, you are to return to + the port of Bahia, taking upon yourself the command of the naval + department afloat in my absence, and it will be your duty to + ascertain the nature of the cargoes of the neutral ships now in the + port of Bahia, or which may afterwards enter, as there are many + neutral ships said to have embarked property to a large amount, + which has been illegally transferred to such neutrals since the + blockade, for the purpose of fraudulent concealment. All such + vessels and all such property ought to be detained and subjected to + legal investigation in the prize tribunals of His Imperial Majesty. + You will have a perfect right to require this investigation, and + though the neutrals may clamour, they cannot lawfully oppose your + proceedings therein--advisedly taken. + + A Portuguese frigate being daily expected at Bahia, as well as + other vessels from Portugal and the Portuguese colonies, it will be + advisable, for the better opportunity of capturing the same, to + arrange with the General and Commander-in-Chief, that the + Portuguese flag shall be displayed at least on the outer fort or + battery on the appearance of such Portuguese vessels, or of others + whose nationality is doubtful. + + You are to continue on the service above pointed out until further + orders from me, or from the Minister of Marine, with whom you are + to communicate, and convey to him a copy of the present order. + + COCHRANE. + +Having learned that a great number of the more influential inhabitants +were about to quit Bahia with the fleet--and not wishing to involve them +in the consequences of war--I addressed the following caution to the +Junta of Bahia:-- + + GENTLEMEN, + + Understanding that it is in contemplation to abandon the town of + Bahia, without any security being given not again to resume + hostilities against the subjects and territories of His Imperial + Majesty, and as you may not be aware of the difficulty of + retiring--whilst hopes may have been held out to you that this is + practicable--I must, for the sake of humanity, caution you against + any attempt to remove yourselves by sea, unless I have a perfect + understanding as to the future intentions of the naval forces which + may accompany you, but to whom I have nothing to suggest. + + I tell you however, that it is in my power to take advantages which + may be fatal to your escape, and if, after this notice, you shall + sail, you must not lay anything to my charge in the destruction of + passengers, for in the obscurity of night it is impossible to + discriminate ships in which they may be embarked. If, after this + notice, you embark, or continue embarked, it will be to me a subject + of great regret, because I have ever desired that the dangers of war + should be confined to the military and naval profession. + + COCHRANE. + + To the Junta, Bahia, + +To General Madeira, commanding the Portuguese troops, I wrote as +follows:-- + + Understanding that you are about to embark the military forces + under your command, with a view to proceed to some of the Northern + provinces, humanity compels me to declare to you my duty, however + painful, to take all measures within my power to dismantle whatever + transports may attempt to sail from Bahia under convoy of the + ships of war. That I have the means of performing this duty, in + defiance of the ships of war which may endeavour to obstruct + my operations, is a fact which no naval officer will doubt--but + which to you as a military man may not be so apparent. If, + after this warning, I am compelled to have recourse to the measures + alluded to, and if numerous lives should be sacrificed thereby, I + shall stand acquitted of those consequences which would otherwise + press heavily on my mind. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + Gen. MADEIRA. + +To the Portuguese Admiral I addressed the following note:-- + + Sir, + + I have written to the Junta and the General commanding + the military force, relative to particulars which I have felt it my + duty to submit to their consideration. To you, as a professional + man, I have nothing to suggest or request--but merely to express + my conviction that, for the sake of humanity, you will give that + professional opinion on the subject of my letters--should they be + referred to you--which may be expected from a naval officer of your + experience. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + The Admiral of the Portuguese Squadron. + +On the 2nd of July, the whole Portuguese force, naval and military, got +under weigh, and steered out--the troops being embarked in the armed +transports and large merchantmen, whilst other vessels were filled with +Portuguese families and their property--everything moveable being put on +board--with the utmost confidence in the protection of their fleet. As +only the flagship and _Maria de Gloria_ were present, we made no attempt +to attack them whilst issuing from the mouth of the river, they no doubt +ridiculing my warnings as communicated to the Junta and the commanding +officers. + +In this, however, they were mistaken; as every thing was in readiness, +both on board the flagship and the _Maria de Gloria_, for immediate +chase, so soon as the whole were clear of the port; though I had no +intention--as they no doubt interpreted my letters--of attacking +thirteen ships of war and numerous armed transports, with two ships +alone, so long as they remained within the harbour; but when once out, +the superior sailing qualities of these two ships would safely enable us +to harass them with impunity. + +As the merchant brig, _Colonel Allen_, which had conveyed us from Chili, +was still with us, and as she might be made useful in looking after the +prizes, I adopted her into the Brazilian navy under the name of the +_Bahia_, appointing her master, Captain Haydon, to the rank of +captain-lieutenant. + +Whilst the Portuguese were passing out, I wrote and despatched by the +_Liberal_ schooner, the following letter to the Minister of Marine at +Rio de Janeiro:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, off Bahia, + July 2nd, 1833. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Excellency + that the enemy's squadron have this day evacuated Bahia, their + resources by sea being no longer available. Their ships of war, + consisting of thirteen sail of different sizes, and many large + merchantmen filled with troops, are now standing out of the bay. + It is my intention to pursue them as long as it shall appear + beneficial so to do. This ship and the _Maria de Gloria_ are the only + two in sight of the enemy, the _Carolina_ having been obliged to + return to the Moro, in consequence of having lost a topmast, and + the _Nitherohy_ not having joined. I hope in my next to be able to + give you some account of the ulterior objects the enemy have in + view, which, whatever they may be, I shall endeavour to frustrate. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +To the commanders of the other ships, I sent the following order on +their joining the pursuit:-- + + It being improper to weaken the squadron, and impossible to + officer and man the vessels which may fall into our hands, you are to + adopt the following plan to secure them, viz. to send with the boats + crews which board the enemy's vessels a sufficient number of + crowbars, for the purpose of breaking up their water casks, leaving + only water enough to carry them, on short allowance, into Bahia, to + which port you are to order them immediately to return. + + Their papers being essential to the justification of this or any + other hostile act, the boarding officer will take especial care to + secure them. + + COCHRANE. + +In addition to this, the masts of all troopships which might be +boarded, were directed to be so far cut away as to prevent their +escape--a written order instructing them to return forthwith to Bahia, +on pain of being treated with great severity if found on any other +course. Singular as the order may appear, it was in most cases obeyed, +and thus the captured vessels navigated themselves into our hands. + +The Portuguese squadron consisted of _Don Joao_, 74; _Constitucao_,50; +_Perola_, 44; _Princeza Real_,28; _Calypso_, 22; _Regeneracao_, 26; +_Activa_, 22; _Dez de Fevereiro_, 26; _Audaz_, 20; _S. Gaulter_, 26; +_Principe do Brazil_, 26; _Restauracao_, 26; _Canceicao_, 8; with +between sixty and seventy merchant vessels and transports filled with +troops. + +As soon as they were clear of the port, we fell upon the rearmost ships, +disabling their main and mizen masts, so as to render it difficult for +them to sail otherwise than before the wind, which would carry them to +the Brazilian coast, and ordering them back to Bahia. The flagship and +the _Maria de Gloria_ then resumed the pursuit, but the latter being +employed in looking after the prizes, on the following morning we were +alone amongst the enemy's convoy. + +The next day, July 3rd, the _Carolina_ and _Nitherohy_ came up, as did +also the _Colonel Allen_. The frigates captured a number of merchantmen +mostly filled with Portuguese families--these unfortunate people finding +to their cost that my warnings were not empty threats, though they had +no doubt been led to ridicule the remonstrance by a misplaced +confidence in the protection of their national squadron. Many prizes +were taken, and as evening closed the frigates dropped out of sight with +the captured vessels. + +It would have been easy for the flagship also to have taken prizes, but +about this I cared nothing,--my great object being to prevent the enemy +from landing troops elsewhere, and with this view I determined on +closely following the ships of war and transports--leaving the Brazilian +frigates to exercise their own discretion in disabling the convoy. It +may be considered an act of temerity for one ship of war thus to chase +thirteen; but, encumbered as they were, and, as I knew, short of +provisions, I felt assured of accomplishing my object. + +The enemy--being greatly annoyed at our perseverance in following, and +still more so at the loss of so many of the convoy--on the morning of +the 4th, gave chase to the flagship with the whole squadron, +endeavouring to hem her in, and at one time we were pursued so closely +inshore, that there was some danger of getting embayed, but the handling +and superior sailing qualities of the _Pedro Primiero_ enabled her to +out-manoeuvre them and get clear. On seeing this, the Portuguese +squadron, finding further chase unavailing, gave us a broadside which +did no damage, and resumed its position in the van of the convoy, to +which we immediately gave chase as before, and as soon as night set in, +dashed in amongst them, firing right and left till the nearest ships +brought to, when they were boarded--the topmasts cut away--the rigging +disabled--the arms thrown overboard--and the officers compelled to give +their _parole_ not to serve against Brazil until regularly exchanged--an +event not likely to happen. + +Keeping well up with them on the 5th--as soon as night set in, this mode +of attack was repeated, when we took a Russian vessel filled with +Portuguese troops, and disabled her in like manner. Of the merchantmen +within reach we took no notice, as it was impolitic to weaken the crew +of the flagship by manning prizes, whilst, as we saw nothing of the +remainder of the Brazilian squadron, there was no other means of +preventing their escape. + +The prudence of preserving the crew of the flagship entire, was now well +exemplified. After taking possession of the Russian transport, at dusk, +I observed half-a-dozen large ships detach themselves from the main body +of the convoy, and suspecting some valid reason for the movement, +immediately gave chase. Though they crowded all sail, we came up with +them on the following morning, and singling out a large frigate-built +ship, filled with troops, we fired upon her till she brought to. On +boarding, we found her to be the _Gran Para_, containing--with the +others--a division of several thousand troops, destined to maintain +Portuguese authority in the province of Maranham--as, indeed, I had been +informed at Bahia. The private signals and instructions of the +Portuguese admiral--obtained by Flag-Lieutenant Grenfell from her +captain--put me in possession of the whole arrangement, which was thus +luckily frustrated. + +As it was of importance not to let any of these troopships escape, +Captain Grenfell was ordered to disable the _Gran Para_, cutting away +her main and mizen masts, throwing the arms and ammunition overboard, +taking possession of the regimental flags, and compelling the officers, +as before, to give their _parole_ not to serve against Brazil. This +done, the other transports were successively boarded and disabled, so +far as was consistent with not leaving them positive wrecks on the +water; for with my single ship, to have made prisoners of so numerous a +body of troops was manifestly impossible. + +The brig _Bahia_ having opportunely hove in sight, I seized four of the +vessels carrying troops, and ordered Captain Haydon to convoy them to +Pernambuco, to the President of which province I addressed the following +letter:-- + + Pedro Primiero, July 7th, 1823. + + ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT SIR, + + The abandonment of Bahia by the enemy, in + consequence of the rigours of blockade--and the capture of half of + his army, ensigns, artillery, and stores, are events which you will + be gratified to learn. Part of the captured officers and troops I + send in for your disposal, having engaged that they shall be treated + after the manner which may justly be expected from the high + character of the Government of His Imperial Majesty, and the + customary practice of all European states. I have to request that + you will be pleased to order their disembarkation without delay. + + We require seamen to finish the war. If you will be pleased to + grant the bounty of 24 dollars per man, as at Rio--charging the + same to the Government--you will render an essential service to + your country. I do not mean Portuguese seamen--who are enemies; + but able seamen of any other nation, and I need scarcely say, that + from my knowledge of the character of the men, I should prefer + British seamen to all others. + + I shall probably have the honour of shortly making myself known + to you, but that depends on circumstances over which I have no + control. If we can come in, permit me to observe, that it would be + conducive to the health of my crew to have ready a supply of fresh + provisions and fruits, especially lemons and oranges. I hope you + will excuse my freedom in mentioning these things, as the health + of the men is as conducive to the interests of the empire as are + the ships of war themselves. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + Sent by the _Balia_, Captain Haydon. + +By the same opportunity I despatched the following to the Minister of +Marine:-- + + ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + I have the honour to inform you that half the + enemy's army, their colours, cannon, ammunition, stores, and + baggage, have been taken. We are still in pursuit, and shall + endeavour to intercept the remainder of the troops, and shall then + look after the ships of war, which would have been my first object, + but that, in pursuing this course, the military would have escaped + to occasion further hostilities against the Brazilian Empire. + + Such of the enemy's colours as we have had time to take away + I have the honour to transmit, and to lay them at the feet of His + Imperial Majesty, and shall shortly forward the remainder. + + The vessels taken are large and beautiful ships, fast sailers, and + resemble, in their appearance, ships of war. + + The Portuguese squadron, and other vessels armed for war, I + have every reason to believe are on their route for Lisbon. I have + also fully ascertained that the troopships which separated from their + squadron during the night were destined for Maranham. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + The Minister of Marine. + +The pursuit was now resumed, but the weather becoming hazy, we saw +nothing of the enemy till the 11th, when they appeared to have recovered +the _Gran Para_. As it became calm, nothing could be done till the 14th, +when we crossed the Equator in Long. 33-30, making straight for the +ships of war, but finding them well together, considered it prudent to +defer an attack till they should become separated. + +On the 15th they continued united, giving us no opportunity for +mischief, yet not venturing to attack us, though only one ship to +thirteen. At 3 A.M. on the 16th, we crowded sail and went in amongst +them, firing a broadside within half musket shot at one of the frigates +with evident effect, as, from the damage caused, they did not return our +fire. Whilst tacking to give them the other broadside, our mainsail +split in two, and night setting in, we relinquished the pursuit in 5 +degrees North latitude. + +My object in so doing was--that as we had only taken part of the +troopships destined for Maranham, it was quite possible--as that port +lay to leeward--that the remainder might even yet reach their +destination; and as the Portuguese authority still existed in that--as +throughout all the Northern provinces--they might again be armed and +equipped. The instructions of the Portuguese admiral were, moreover, +that, in case of separation, they were to rendezvous at the island of +Fernando de Noronha, near which they were fallen in with some days +afterwards; so that there were good grounds for anticipating the +possibility of their yet reaching their original destination. Instead, +therefore, of following the enemy's squadron farther, I thought we +should better serve the interests of Brazil by proceeding direct to +Maranham, with the double purpose of being beforehand with the enemy's +troops, should the attempt be made--and, if practicable, reducing the +province to the authority of the Emperor; a proceeding which, though not +within my orders, was, as I conceived, nevertheless of great importance. +Accordingly, quitting the Portuguese fleet and convoy, during the +obscurity of night, we made straight for Maranham. + +Thus were the Northern provinces entirely rescued from the designs of +this armament, which--luckily for the consolidation of the empire--I had +been enabled to frustrate; so that the cause of independence became free +to develop itself throughout its whole extent. It is satisfactory to +record the fact, that the whole military force was captured or +dispersed, and its objects averted--by a single ship--without the loss +of a man on our part--or the additional cost of a dollar to the Imperial +Government; though, when we left Rio de Janeiro, it was believed that +such objects could only be effected by costly naval and military +expeditions combined. + +During this chase, as I have said, it did not appear a national object +to make captures, though many were secured--as officers and seamen must +have been detached for the purpose, thereby diminishing our efficiency +for the annexation of those provinces where the Portuguese authority was +still intact; to accomplish which--though such result was not expected +by the Government--I had formed plans during the pursuit. Considering +that zeal for Brazilian interests would be better shewn by expelling the +enemy which remained, I therefore refrained from taking possession of +many valuable ships, otherwise completely at our mercy, _though not +having done so--then (previous to my experience of the Court of +Admiralty) seemed_ a heavy pecuniary loss to myself, the officers, and +crew. Such sacrifice should have secured us better treatment than we +subsequently endured from the Administration of a country whose entire +independence was thus obtained by our personal sacrifices. + +The means of intimidation employed for the expulsion of the Portuguese +from Bahia--the pursuit of the enemy's fleet--and the disabling of the +troopships destined for Maranham--acts altogether in excess of the +Imperial instructions--not only freed the Northern provinces from the +enemy, but, as before stated, saved the Brazilian Government the delay, +expense, and uncertainty of powerful expeditions. + +These services--undertaken solely on my own responsibility--were +productive of the most beneficial consequences to the future career of +the Brazilian Empire, the integrity of which they secured at a blow, or +it may rather be said, without a blow, for none of any magnitude was +struck; the dread of the fireships and the certainty arising--from the +nocturnal visit of the flagship on the 12th of June, that my plans for +making use of them were completed--having determined the Portuguese +Admiral to save his fleet by evacuating Bahia. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +CAPTURE OF THE DON MIGUEL--SUMMONS TO THE AUTHORITIES--REASONS FOR +THREATS HELD OUT--PROPOSALS FOR CAPITULATION--PROCLAMATIONS--TERMS +GRANTED TO PORTUGUESE GARRISON--DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE--PORTUGUESE +TROOPS ORDERED TO EMBARK--SYMPTOMS OF DISOBEYING THE ORDER--DELIGHT OF +THE PEOPLE ON BECOMING FREE--ELECTION OF A PROVISIONAL +GOVERNMENT--LETTERS TO THE MINISTER OF MARINE. + + +On the 26th of July, the _Pedro Primiero_ arrived in the river Maranhao, +and--knowing from the Portuguese admiral's instructions found in the +troopships overhauled in the chase, that reinforcements were +expected--we hoisted Portuguese colours, with a view of inducing a +belief that the flagship belonged to that nation, and had arrived in +support of its cause. The authorities, deceived by this ruse, sent off a +brig of war--the _Don Miguel_, Captain Garcao--with despatches and +congratulations upon our safe arrival! but the commander of the brig was +disagreeably undeceived by finding himself upon the deck of a Brazilian +ship. The despatches put me in possession of the enemy's plans and +intentions, and from them I learned that some reinforcements had already +reached, independent of those which had been intercepted in the recent +chase; thus shewing the great importance attached by Portugal to the +preservation of the wealthy and influential province of Maranham. + +To the surprise of Captain Garcao--now a prisoner of war--I offered to +release him and his vessel on condition of his carrying sealed letters +to the Governor and Junta in the city--a proposition gladly accepted. +Previous to his departure--by a fiction held justifiable in war, and, +indeed, necessary under our peculiar circumstances, as having only a +single ship to reduce a province--he was duly impressed by the relation +of an imaginary number of vessels of war in the offing, accompanied by +transports filled with troops, which the superior sailing of the +flagship had enabled her to outstrip. Captain Garcao being a seaman and +well able to judge as to the sailing qualities of the _Pedro Primiero_, +was easily impressed with this story, and returned to the city with +intelligence of an irresistible force about to disembark for its +reduction. + +My letters to the Governor and Junta were to the same effect; for--as +before noticed--having only a single ship, it was necessary to impress +on their imagination--that a fleet and army were at hand to add the +province to Brazil. As this is the only instance within my knowledge of +a military force surrendering itself and the province which it defended, +to a stratagem of this nature, I shall append the documents by which a +result so desirable was effected. + +To Don Agostinho Antonia de Faria, the commandant, I wrote as follows:-- + + Pedro Primiero, July 26, 1823. + + SIR, + + The naval and military forces under my command, + leave me no room to doubt the success of the enterprise in which I + am about to engage, in order to free the province of Maranham from + foreign domination, and to allow the people free choice of government + in the same manner as the inhabitants of Portugal have decided + with regard to their constitution. + + Of the flight of the Portuguese naval and military forces from + Bahia you are aware. I have now to inform you of the capture of + two-thirds of the transports and troops, with all their stores and + ammunition. + + I am anxious not to let loose the Imperial troops of Bahia upon + Maranham, exasperated as they are at the injuries and cruelties + exercised towards themselves and their countrymen, as well as by + the plunder of the people and churches of Bahia. It is for you to + decide whether the inhabitants of these countries shall be further + exasperated by resistance which appears to me unavailing, and alike + prejudicial to the best interests of Portugal and Brazil. + + Although it is not customary amongst European nations to receive or + respect flags of truce, being armed vessels, yet as a proof that we + came here with objects far superior to the seizure of the brig of + war just released, I have paid respect to the flag, in the hope that + forbearance will facilitate that harmony which all must be desirous + should exist between the government of the Royal father and that of + the Imperial son; and in doing this, I only fulfil the gracious + intentions of His Imperial Majesty. + + Awaiting your early reply, + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + Don AGOSTINHO ANTONIA DE FARIA, + Commanding the Portuguese Forces. + +The subjoined was at the same time despatched to the Provincial Junta;-- + + ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT SIRS, + + The forces of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor + of Brazil, having freed the city and province of Bahia from the + enemies of independence--in conformity with the will of His + Imperial Majesty that the beautiful province of Maranham should + be free also--I now hasten to offer to the oppressed inhabitants + whatever aid and protection they need against a foreign yoke; + desiring to accomplish their liberation and to hail them as brethren + and friends. + + Should there, however, be any who--from self-interested motives--oppose + themselves to the deliverance of their country, let such be + assured that the naval and military forces which have driven the + Portuguese from the South, are again ready to draw the sword in + the like just cause--and having drawn it, the result cannot be long + doubtful. + + The chief authorities are hereby invited to make known to me + their decision, in order that the responsibility of consequences--in + case of opposition--may not be imputed to any undue haste in the + execution of the duty which I shall have to perform. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + To the Illustrious and Excellent + The Provincial Junta of Maranham. + +The reader may perhaps conclude, that the threats held out are somewhat +inconsistent with my only having a single ship, without a soldier in +her; and I must even confess to some compunction at this off-hand sketch +of an imaginary fleet and army--but the matter was of the last +importance. On the one hand, if my demands were vigorously pressed, +there was a strong probability of obtaining them without bloodshed; but, +on the other hand, if any delay took place, the enemy would, in a day or +two at most, find out that the only force was the flagship, when the +acquisition of Maranham would be impossible. The sensation caused by the +evacuation of Bahia gave probability to my representations, and added to +the despondency of the Portuguese, so that the _ruse_ was completely +successful. + +Proposals of capitulation were immediately returned; but, as these were +only conditional, I refused to accept them. In order to enforce the +terms proffered, we entered the river--never before navigated by a +line-of-battle ship--and anchored the _Pedro Primiero_ abreast of the +fort. On the following day, July 27th, the Junta, accompanied by the +bishop, came on board, and gave in their adherence to the empire, after +which the city, forts, and island, were unconditionally surrendered, +though not without subsequent hesitation, which was dispelled by firing +a shot over the town, whereupon a flag of truce was sent off, and all +demands were complied with. Landing a party of marines for the +maintenance of order, the Portuguese ensign was hauled down by +Lieutenant Grenfell, who hoisted Brazilian colours in its place. + +Thus, without military force or bloodshed, was a second great province +secured to the empire, neither result being anticipated, nor even +contemplated in the orders communicated to me, which were to blockade +the Portuguese in Bahia, and capture or destroy all ships met +with--anything beyond this not having entered the imagination of the +Government. + +As--considering the circumstances in which I was placed--there was no +time to be lost in completing the declaration of independence, I +addressed the subjoined instructions to the civil authorities:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, July 27, 1823. + MOST EXCELLENT SIRS, + + It affords me the highest satisfaction that your Excellencies have + adopted a course by which all hostilities may be avoided, and the + tranquillity and prosperity of this province peaceably established + upon a secure and permanent basis. The declaration of the independence + of Brazil under His Imperial Majesty will at once tranquillise the + public mind, and give opportunity to the worthy and patriotic + inhabitants to proceed afterwards with a due formality and + deliberation to take the oaths, and elect their provisional + government. To-morrow, therefore--being the earliest possible day--it + maybe well that the said declaration shall be made taking every + necessary precaution that the public peace shall not be disturbed by + individuals under any pretence. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +To the inhabitants generally I issued the following proclamation:-- + + THE FIRST ADMIRAL OF BRAZIL TO THE INHABITANTS OF + MARANHAM. + + The auspicious day has arrived on which the + worthy and public-spirited inhabitants of Maranham have it in their + power at once to declare the independence of their country, and + their adherence to their patriotic monarch, Pedro Primiero, whose + protection has afforded them the glorious privilege of freemen--that + of choosing their constitution and enacting their laws by their own + representatives assembled to decide upon their own affairs in their + own country. + + That the glory of this day may not be tarnished by any acts of + excess--even proceeding from enthusiasm for the cause in which we + have embarked--must be the wish of every honourable and well-judging + citizen. To these it would be superfluous to offer any + advice as to their conduct; but should there be any who, from whatever + motives, would disturb public tranquillity, they are hereby + warned that the strictest orders are given to bring those guilty of + disturbance to the punishment their crime shall deserve. + + Taking the necessary oaths, and the election of civil government, + are acts which must be deliberately performed, and for this, the + 1st of August is selected. Citizens! let us proceed gravely and + methodically, without tumult, haste, or confusion, and let the act be + accomplished in a manner worthy the approbation of His Imperial + Majesty, and which shall give no cause for regret, and leave no room + for amendment. + + Long live the Emperor, and the Independence and Constitution + of Brazil. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +To the garrison of Maranham, liberty was granted to remain or depart, as +they chose; in the latter case, free egress to Europe being permitted, +with ensigns, arms, and military honours. Of the vessels of war we took +possession, giving to the officers and men, the option of entering the +service of Brazil, or accepting the conditions conceded to the army. + +As the Brazilian people will naturally be interested in all that led to +the completion of the integrity of the empire, the terms granted to the +Portuguese garrison are subjoined. + + _Pedro Primiero_, July 27, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + In reply to your letter of this date, I beg leave to + assure you, first, that my utmost endeavours shall be used to + protect the persons and property of the citizens of Maranham--with + the exception of such species of property as, being proved to + belong to a hostile party, shall become, according to the laws of + war, subject to the decision of the tribunals of His Imperial Majesty; + that the same leniency with respect to all past political opinions + shall be used as has been observed under the constitutional government + of His Most Faithful Majesty John VI.; and that all persons + desiring to remove shall be at liberty to do so, under the usual + formalities. + + Secondly,--You are at liberty either to depart to any other + country, or to remain in this. + + Thirdly,--The commanding officers, superior officers, and soldiers + of the Portuguese nation, shall be free to retire to their native + country, or to any other quarter; and shall be permitted to embark + with their ensigns, arms, and military honours. + + As independence is to be declared to-morrow, and as the vessels + of war now in the port bear the ensigns of Portugal--and as I + believe the necessary authority is vested in you, I have to request + that you will order that ensign not to be hoisted on board the said + vessels, in order that the substitution of that of Brazil may be + made in the manner least offensive to the feelings of the officers--all, + or any of whom may remain with their men in the service of + Brazil, or may consider themselves under the third article relating + to the army. + + I have to express my regret at your indisposition, which has + deprived me of the pleasure of seeing you; but, if circumstances + permit, I shall avail myself of an early opportunity of paying you + my personal respects. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + + To DON AGOSTINHO ANTONIA DE FARIA, + General-at-Arms of Maranhao. + +On the 28th the declaration of independence was made amidst the +acclamation of the inhabitants generally--those who were adverse to the +measure not venturing to make any demonstration to the contrary. + +Still it was important to get rid of the Portuguese troops before they +found out the _ruse_ which had been practised upon them; for, three days +having now elapsed without any appearance of my reputed forces, there +was some fear that they might attempt to recover their former position. +Accordingly I addressed the following letter to General de Faria:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, July 29, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + The declaration of independence having been + formally made, and His Imperial Majesty being declared constitutional + Emperor of Brazil by acclamation of the worthy people of + Maranham--which important event has happily taken place, not + only without disorder, but, to the honour and credit of the + inhabitants, with the greatest harmony and regularity--it now + becomes my duty, as military chief under his Imperial Majesty, to + take care that no military interference or intimidation shall in any + way overawe or influence the choice of the inhabitants in the + election of their provisional government. I have, therefore, to + request that you will be pleased to direct all the Portuguese troops + who intend to avail themselves of the third article of the stipulations + entered into with regard to the military to repair to the + place appointed, and there await the preparations which I shall + immediately make for their transportation to Lisbon. + + I have also to beg that you will he pleased to furnish me with a + correct list of those who desire to depart, and also of those who + choose to remain and take the oaths as Brazilian citizens. + + I have, &c. &c. + + COCHRANE. + + To Gen. A.A. DE FARIA. + +These instructions were promptly complied with by the Ex-Commandant, and +no time was lost in providing ships for the reception of the Portuguese +troops who wished to avail themselves of permission to sail for Lisbon. +This leniency was scarcely deserved, for the Portuguese authorities had +filled the gaols with respectable Brazilian citizens, who were treated +with great severity; but, for obvious reasons, I was desirous to get rid +of the Portuguese on any terms. + +The next step was to provide for the proper administration of +government, and this--from the factions which were afterwards found to +exist--was a work of infinitely greater difficulty than had been the +acquisition of the city. Some of the more influential inhabitants, +however, offering their services, I formed them into a provisional +Junta, until a more popular Government could be provided. + +Municipal security being thus attained, the Portuguese troops were +embarked, on the 1st of August, though not without some difficulty, for, +from the non-arrival of my supposed fleet and army, some amongst them +began to suspect that a deception had been practised, and many--backed +by the militia--refused to embark. Upon this, a notice was issued that +if the treaty were not instantly complied with, such steps should be +taken as would render unnecessary the stipulation of safe conveyance to +Europe, as I was determined that a solemn engagement should not be +violated with impunity. This, as a great portion of the troops were +actually on board, and within reach of the flagship's guns, produced the +desired effect on the refractory troops ashore, though not till I was +compelled to send Captain Crosbie with a large party to enforce +compliance and to disarm the militia, both of which objects he effected +without bloodshed. + +The embarkation being accomplished, and the foreign portion of the +militia disarmed, so as to leave the city in the hands of the civil +authorities--on the 2nd of August, I issued a proclamation declaring the +commerce of the coast free and uninterrupted; following this, shortly +afterwards by another, declaratory of my willingness to accept from +consignees and others, two-thirds of the estimated value of Portuguese +property liable to confiscation--in place of sending the captured +vessels to Rio de Janeiro; which--from the state of the city, as well as +from want of seamen to man them--was impossible. + +To the inhabitants of the city I had been careful to accord complete +liberty, exacting, in return, perfect order, which was preserved, and +property of all kinds respected; the delight of the inhabitants being +unbounded at having been freed from a terrible system of exaction and +imprisonment, which, when I entered the river, was being carried on with +unrelenting rigour by the Portuguese authorities towards all suspected +of a leaning to the Imperial Government. Instead of retaliating--as +would have been gratifying to those so recently labouring under +oppression--I directed oaths to the Constitution to be administered, not +to Brazilians only, but also to all Portuguese who chose to remain and +conform to the new order of things; a privilege, of which many +influential persons of that nation availed themselves. + +On the 1st of August the inhabitants of Alcantara made a declaration of +adherence to His Imperial Majesty, notwithstanding a report sedulously +circulated amongst them that the Portuguese troops at Maranham were +about to recover the city. An assurance from me, that the Portuguese +troops were embarked, and were under the guns of the flagship, as well +as the fire of their own gunboats, which could be turned against them, +and that the European militia was disarmed, speedily dispelled all +grounds for alarm. + +The proceedings of the temporary Provisional Junta being unsatisfactory, +especially as regarded their desire for retaliation on the Portuguese, I +determined to embody a more popular Government, though, as yet the +election would, of necessity, be confined to the inhabitants of the +city only. Accordingly on the 8th of August, in less than a fortnight +after my first appearance off the port, a Provisional Government was +chosen by the population, and the city and province were incorporated +with Brazil, with the national advantage of adding nearly a million of +dollars to the annual revenue of the empire; and this without the +expense of another expedition to the Government, or the loss of time +which would have been necessary, and might, had the reinforcements +intercepted, gained their destination--have ended in a different result +to the integrity of the empire. + +The first act of the new Government was to address a congratulatory +letter to His Imperial Majesty, explaining that they should long before +have espoused the Imperial cause, but from fear of the Portuguese +troops. The following is an extract from this letter:-- + + What was our joy when unexpectedly we saw the _Pedro Primiero_ + summoning our port. Oh, 26th of July, 1823! Thrice happy day, + thou wilt be as conspicuous in the annals of our province, as the + sentiments of gratitude and respect inspired by the illustrious + admiral sent to our aid by the best and most amiable of monarchs + will be deeply engraven on our hearts and on those of our posterity. + Yes! august Sire! the wisdom, prudence, and gentle manners of + Lord Cochrane have contributed still more to the happy issue of our + political difficulties than even the fear of his force. To anchor in + our port--to proclaim independence--to administer the oaths of + obedience to your Majesty--to suspend hostilities throughout the + province--to provide proper government--to bring the troops of the + country into the town, but only in sufficient numbers to ensure + order and tranquillity--to open the communication between the + interior and the capital--to provide it with necessaries--and to + restore navigation and commerce to their pristine state--all this, + Sire, was the work of a few days. Grant Heaven, that this noble + chief may end the glorious career of his political and military labours + with the like felicity and success, and that your Imperial Majesty + being so well served, nothing more may be necessary to immortalise + that admirable commander, not only in the annals of Brazil, but in + those of the whole world. + +A large amount of government and public property in the several +departments was seized, in conformity with the Imperial proclamation, +and an addition made to the Brazilian navy of a brig-of-war, the _Don +Miguel_, a schooner, and eight gunboats--besides merchant vessels, some +of which were appropriated to the conveyance of the late garrison to +Lisbon, under engagement to restore their value--a stipulation which was +never fulfilled. + +Everything being thus satisfactorily settled, my next step was to inform +the Minister of Marine at Rio de Janeiro of the extraordinary means by +which possession of the city and province of Maranham had been obtained; +the subjoined letters were accordingly despatched. + + (Secret.) _Pedro Primiero_, August 8, 1823. + + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + Your Excellency will perceive by the official + documents accompanying this, that in order to effect the objects I + had in view at Maranham, I judged it expedient to create a belief + amongst the people and garrison, that a large force was at my + disposal, and therefore I used expressions in my public correspondence + that were not borne out by the actual circumstances + under which I summoned that city, as I had--in fact--no other force + than this ship alone, which from the nature of the anchorage could + scarcely approach within gunshot--whilst there was neither a soldier + nor effective marine on board; but the fear entertained by the hostile + Government of Imperial troops from Bahia, whom they understood + to be off the bar with the remainder of the squadron, and the sudden + appearance of so large a ship as this, produced the effect which I + had anticipated, and it is with the greatest satisfaction that I now + communicate the occupation of this important city and province, + which has been accomplished without effusion of blood, or material + disturbance. + + As soon as I have completed the necessary arrangements here, I + propose to return to Rio de Janeiro, and to have the honour + personally to inform you of all particulars. + + I have, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + Minister of Marine. + +With this was transmitted the following official document:-- + + _Pedro Primiero_, Aug. 8, 1823. + + MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR, + + I had the honour to inform your Excellency by + letter, off Pernambuco, that we had captured transports containing a + moiety of the enemy's army--that we were in pursuit of the + remainder--and that I hoped for further success. I have now to + acquaint your Excellency that, having followed the enemy's squadron + to the fifth degree of North latitude beyond the line, until, by capture + and dispersion, their convoy was so reduced that only thirteen + vessels out of seventy remained with the ships of war, and as the + latter were evidently steering for Lisbon, and were too strong to be + attacked with success by this ship alone--for the remainder of the + Brazilian squadron had separated in the chase--I judged it advantageous + for the interests of His Imperial Majesty's service, to discontinue + the pursuit, and to proceed, with all possible despatch, to + Maranham, where I arrived on the 26th ultimo. + + I have the happiness to acquaint you, for the satisfaction of + the Imperial government, that Maranham is now united to the + Empire, the inhabitants having proclaimed their independence of + Portugal on the 28th, and elected their provisional government this + day. I have embarked the Portuguese troops for Europe, and the + militia are disarmed. + + I have the honour to enclose a copy of the correspondence which + has taken place on the occasion, with other papers and documents. + We have found here a fine brig of war--a schooner--eight gunboats, + and about sixteen sail of Portuguese merchant vessels. Amongst + the other advantages of this important event may be mentioned, that + while the expense of an express expedition has been saved, an addition + of nearly a million of dollars is made to the revenue of His + Imperial Majesty. + + I have manned and sent the brig of war to Para, to summon that + city--offering to the enemy the same terms as we have granted + here. The beautiful new frigate, lately launched at Para, has not + sailed for Portugal, and I am in expectation that the next account + which I shall have the honour to send or bring to your Excellency, + will communicate the pleasing intelligence that His Imperial + Majesty has no enemy, either on shore or afloat, between the extremities + of his empire. + + I have, &c. + + COCHRANE. + + The Minister of Marine. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +CAPT. GRENFELL SENT TO SUMMON PARA--THE JUNTA DEMANDS THE PRIZE +PROPERTY--MY REFUSAL--IMPERIAL APPROVAL OF MY SERVICES--REALISATION OF +PRIZE PROPERTY--TURI ASSU SENDS IN ITS ADHESION--MONEY CAPTURED LENT TO +THE JUNTA--ITS RETURN TO THE SQUADRON EXPECTED--POSSESSION TAKEN OF +PARA--INSURRECTION AT PARA--MISCONDUCT OF THE MARANHAM JUNTA--THEIR +PERSECUTION OF THE PORTUGUESE--STEPS IN CONSEQUENCE--MANIFESTATION OF +THE NATIONAL DELIGHT--THE MARQUISATE CONFERRED ON ME--VOTE OF THANKS BY +THE ASSEMBLEA GERAL--MY ARRIVAL AT RIO DE JANEIRO--SATISFACTION WITH MY +SERVICES--LADY COCHRANE JOINS ME. + + +As the province of Para was now the only one which remained under the +authority of Portugal, it became of importance to take possession of it, +whilst the _prestige_ arising from our acquisition of Maranham was in +all its freshness; for we had still no other force than the flagship, +which was necessary to maintain order there. In the absence of a +Brazilian ship-of-war, I manned the captured brig _Don Miguel_--changing +her name to the _Maranhao_--and placed her under the command of an able +and gallant officer, Captain-Lieutenant (now Admiral) Grenfell, upon +whose judicious management every reliance was to be placed. + +Captain Grenfell was the bearer of a summons from me to the Junta and +garrison of Para, dated off the bar, as though a force were at hand to +second his operations. In short, he was instructed to employ the same +_ruse_ for intimidating the city as had been so successful at +Maranham--the summons as well as the terms to be granted to the +Portuguese garrison being similar in both cases. He was further +instructed to secure, if possible, the new frigate which had just been +launched for the service of Portugal, and if successful, to name her the +_Imperatrice_, in honour of the Empress--to take command of her--and +after the submission of the city to return to Rio de Janeiro with his +prize. The nature of Captain Grenfell's mission will be apparent from +the following extracts from the orders given to him:-- + + The enclosed orders in Portuguese you may show. They purport to be + addressed to you at the mouth of the river Para, and to be there + dated on board this ship, she being supposed at anchor there; for it + is essential to create a belief in the Government at Para that you do + not come alone, but that the squadron is at hand ready to cooperate. + You will therefore fill up the date of the Portuguese orders on the + day of your arrival at the mouth of the river. You will also fill in + the dates of the official letters to the Junta, at the same time, + without regard to the delay which may arise, from proceeding up the + river. + + You will perceive that my intentions are to effect, by your means, + objects _which would otherwise require an expedition_, and therefore + the utmost prudence and circumspection are necessary. Next to the + liberation of Para, the great object is to secure the frigate. If you + succeed in obtaining possession of her, and find yourself deficient + in men, you are at liberty to leave the brig for the purpose of + manning the frigate. I expect everything from your exertions and good + management in bringing about the surrender of Para, with all that is + important to His Brazilian Majesty. + +To return to the state of affairs at Maranham. One of the first acts of +the new Junta--despite their professed admiration of the course I had +pursued--was to transmit to me a demand that the property taken from +the Portuguese should be placed _at their disposal._ My surprise at such +a request from men whom I had unexpectedly released from thraldom, and +elevated to power, ceased as I became better acquainted with the +factions existing amongst them. Now that they were invested with power, +they were evidently bent on turning it to their own private advantage, +by representing to me that if I retained the property of Portuguese in +Maranham--that of Brazilians in Lisbon, viz. _their own mercantile +consignments_--would be confiscated in retaliation, and that, therefore, +I ought to restore it! + +To this I replied, that the captures made by the flagship were strictly +in accordance with the decrees of His Imperial Majesty, no less than +with the rights of belligerents as defined by the laws of nations; so +that their request was directly opposed to the Imperial decrees against +all the subjects of Portugal, as well as against all who should +contribute to continue the Brazils under a foreign yoke. The Junta was +reminded that it was within my power to have imposed upon the Portuguese +authorities whatever terms I thought proper, but having granted those I +had judged best for the interests of the empire to which I was bound, I +would adhere to the treaty as it stood, and should any attempt be made +to evade it, it would be my duty--however painful--to enforce its +fulfilment, as being responsible to His Imperial Majesty. + +This specimen of patriotism in a body of men who little more than a +fortnight before were imprisoned or in expectation of imprisonment, but +now--to save their own interests in Lisbon--sought to set His Majesty's +decrees and my instructions alike at defiance, inspired me with deep +distrust of their fitness for the Government of the province--it being +evident that if the flagship quitted the port, they would construe the +functions of Government in favour of their own private purposes. I +accordingly wrote to the Prime Minister, Andrada, representing the +course which had been pursued--concluding with the subjoined advice as +to the steps to be taken in order to place the future Government on a +right basis:-- + + I beg, through your Excellency, to suggest most respectfully to His + Imperial Majesty my opinion that it would greatly conduce to the + peace and prosperity of this province, if some able and honourable + person should be sent to take the chief authority; for--with all + respect to the individuals composing the new Junta, and to those from + whom succeeding Juntas might be chosen--none appear to me to possess + either the talents or acquirements necessary for the good government + of Maranham. I may also add that family connections, together with + private and political friendships, no less than enmities--exist here + to a degree which can hardly fail to involve the province in internal + dissensions, unless averted by the means which I respectfully + suggest. + +I had shortly afterwards the pleasure of receiving the following +expressions of satisfaction from His Imperial Majesty through the Prime +Minister:-- + + Rio, July 12, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have received the secret communications with + which you have favoured me, whereby I learn in detail the distinguished + conduct which you have pursued since quitting this port, + and the various difficulties with which, (to my regret) you have had + to contend. These are, however, of such a nature as to be + irremediable in our present circumstances; but let us hope they + will vanish when the empire is consolidated. + + Meanwhile your Excellency--being no less a politician than a + warrior, and enjoying to the utmost the confidence of His Imperial + Majesty--is fully empowered to adopt whatever means your judgment + may suggest to facilitate the important objects of your + commission. On this subject, I also refer to the Imperial authority + and other documents addressed to you in reply to your communications. + + I beg to add my personal thanks for the interesting communications + with which you have favoured me, of which I shall avail + myself in order to accomplish the objects desired to be effected. + + Be assured of the particular esteem and high consideration + with which I am, + + De V. Exa. + Attento venerador e criado, + JOZE BONIFACIO DE ANDRADA E SILVA. + +The Junta continuing its unreasonable demand, the moveable property +captured was embarked on board the _Pombinho_, and another vessel--both +prizes--for the purpose of being sent to Rio de Janeiro for +adjudication. I then directed the Provisional Government to furnish me +with an account of all money found in the treasury, customs, military +chest, and other departments; also of all military stores in the various +forts and magazines and of government property of every description, +such property having been wholly awarded to the captors by Imperial +decree of the 11th of December, 1822, issued to induce foreign seamen to +enter the service. + +On the 20th of August the Portuguese troops were ordered to depart for +Lisbon--Maranham being thus entirely freed from the presence of the +armaments upon which the mother country had relied for the maintenance +of her Northern provinces; this result, wholly unexpected by the +Imperial Government or the nation, having been accomplished within the +space of a few months, by measures adopted on my own responsibility. + +Still numerous vessels and much perishable property taken from the +enemy, remained on hand--with which it was difficult to deal. From +having manned the captured brig-of-war, _Don Miguel_--as well as the +prize vessel, _Pombinho_, from the crew of the flagship, it was not +expedient further to reduce her efficiency; so that there were no means +of forwarding the other prizes and property to Rio de Janeiro for +adjudication. I therefore apprised the Minister of Marine, that the only +course circumstances would permit me to pursue--though not perfectly +regular--would be to dispose of them and remit to the Government in +specie the amount realised; as, in case of my departure from Maranham, +they were certain to be improperly appropriated. Accordingly, an offer +was again made to the merchants, to accept two-thirds of their value in +specie, and to submit the amount to the further decision of the Court of +Admiralty, I little anticipating at the time the anti-Imperial +predilections of the members composing the prize tribunal at Rio de +Janeiro. + +The amount of the seizures effected by the squadron was very +considerable, comprising upwards of a hundred and twenty vessels, some +of which contained important cargoes. The aggregate amount of +these--together with merchandise found in the Custom-house--Government +and other public property and stores--was several millions of dollars, +and this by His Imperial Majesty's decree of the 11th of December, +1822--promulgated to attract foreign seamen into the Brazilian +service--was, as before mentioned, the property of the captors; the +Imperial Government, by that decree, disclaiming all share in it,--a +stipulation afterwards remorselessly violated. + +On the 25th of August, the province of Turi Assu sent in its adhesion to +the Empire, this favourable circumstance being however counteracted by +the arrival of deputies from the troops of Ceara and Piahuy, reporting +their revolutionary tendency, and demanding payment for their previous +service; the Piahuy troops--consisting for the most part of Indians +recruited in the interior--even threatened to march upon Maranham and +enforce their demand, although they had rendered no assistance. The +Junta, alarmed at this demonstration, now forwarded to me a request that +I would appropriate some portion of the captured property to satisfy the +importunity of the mutinous troops. + +Considering that the tranquillity of the province in a great measure +depended upon silencing these troops--who were not only clamorous and +menacing, but in a state of nakedness and destitution--which rendered it +probable that they might help themselves at the expense of the +inhabitants--I consented to the application of the Junta, placing at +their disposal the monies taken in the Portuguese treasury, amounting in +cash to Rs.62.560 $423 (60,560 dollars); that found in the custom-house, +to the amount of Rs.54.167 $877 (54,167 dollars); and outstanding bills +to the amount of Rs.147.316 $656 (147,316 dollars); making in the whole +Rs.264.044 $776 (264,044 dollars): accounts of these sums, and the +urgency of their appropriation to the necessities of the public service, +being duly forwarded to the Minister of Marine at Rio de Janeiro. + +These sums are thus minutely set forth, because it has been erroneously +represented that sixty contos of reis alone (60,000 dollars), were given +up to the Junta, though reference to the vouchers themselves would have +dissipated this error, which will be found to have an important bearing +upon a subsequent part of the narrative. It may be also necessary to +explain how "outstanding debts" could be owing to the Government. +Contrary to the English practice of paying duties to the revenue, before +goods are cleared from the custom-house, it was the habit of the +Portuguese authorities to permit their clearance on receipt of bills to +be paid after the goods were disposed of; hence merchants became +indebted to the Government in the amount of such engagements. + +It was impossible to avoid assisting the Junta, in the extremity alluded +to, as the neglected troops might have caused a dangerous _emeute_, +which would have proved injurious to the interests of His Imperial +Majesty. + +The assistance rendered to the Junta was given at the expense of the +officers and seamen, to whom the money of right belonged, and who looked +for its repayment as soon as circumstances would permit. On this subject +I wrote as follows to the Minister of Marine:-- + + Maranham, Aug. 26, 1833. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + Since I had the honour of addressing you deputies have arrived from + the troops of Ceara and Piahuy soliciting payment for their services. + The provisional Junta of Maranham have requested my assistance in + this object, and as I consider the tranquillity of this province to + depend in a great measure on the speedy payment of these forces, I + have placed at the disposal of the Junta various funds arising from + the capitulation of this place. This will doubtless be considered by + the seamen--who are the captors--as an unwarrantable sacrifice of + their rights in favour of mutinous troops, who have effected nothing; + but feeling confident of support from the Imperial Government on a + matter so essential to the public interest, I have had no hesitation + in assuring the seamen that they _will not be losers by their + captures being, in the first instance, applied to the relief of the + immediate exigencies of the State._ + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +On the 30th of August, I had the satisfaction to learn from Captain +Grenfell that his mission to Para had been completely successful, the +frigate, together with another vessel of war, having been secured, the +former being, by my previous directions, named the _Imperatrice_, and +added to the Imperial navy; several merchantmen were also taken and sent +to Rio de Janeiro. + +The summons despatched by Captain Grenfell was--as has been said--based +upon the same _ruse_ as had been so successful at Maranham. In order to +produce a more decisive effect, it had been dated off the mouth of the +river, as though the squadron was there at anchor to compel submission +to the Imperial Government. The plan was so ably conducted by the +talented officer to whom it was entrusted, that although his force +consisted of less than a hundred men, the inhabitants of Para, without a +dissentient voice--save that of the Portuguese commandant--pronounced +their adhesion to the Government of His Imperial Majesty, and thus a +province, greater in extent than France and England combined, was added +to the empire, and the independence of Brazil effected to its Northern +extremity. + +The only blood shed in the liberation of Para, was that of Captain +Grenfell, who received a severe wound, treacherously inflicted by a +Portuguese who was hired to assassinate him! This cowardly act was +resorted to, on the discovery--when too late--that I was not in the +river, as the Portuguese authorities had been led to believe. + +The subjoined is Captain Grenfell's letter announcing the success of his +mission:-- + + H.I.M.B. Maranham, + + August 12, 1833. (Off Para.) + + MY LORD, + + I have the honour to inform your Lordship that + your hopes of the union of Para to the empire of Brazil are verified. + Agreeably to your Lordship's instructions, and in virtue of the + power conferred on me, I opened the communications with the + Junta, and enclose a letter from the General-at-Arms to your + Lordship, and am glad to inform you that his is the only dissenting + voice. I shall pursue the tenor of your Lordship's instructions + until further orders. + + I have the honour, &c. &c. + + J. PASCOE GRENFELL. + +I had directed Captain Grenfell--in case of a declaration of +independence by the inhabitants of Para--to form a Junta, and to adopt +generally the same course as had been so instrumental in preserving +tranquillity at Maranham; giving him, moreover, power to employ the +resources at his command in supplying the exigencies of the Imperial +service generally, as might be necessary. A Provisional Government was +accordingly formed, though not to the satisfaction of a number of +refractory persons, who, on the pretence of adhesion to the Imperial +Government, connected themselves with a body of undisciplined troops, +and made an attempt to depose the newly constituted Junta, which applied +to Captain Grenfell for support. Landing his men, the insurrection was +with some difficulty put down; but as an ill feeling still prevailed, he +considered it necessary to make an example by ordering the trial of five +of the ringleaders, who, being condemned, were shot in the public +square. + +On the 9th of September, I apprised the Junta of Maranham of my +intention to proceed to Para, though--being without instructions from +the Administration, I really purposed to sail for Rio de Janeiro; for as +the Provisional authority temporarily established was not, by any means +conducting public affairs in a satisfactory manner, I thought it as well +to keep them in ignorance of our real destination, in order that they +should believe me within reach, till the Imperial Government might +exercise its own discretion as to the future. + +The Junta of Maranham, indeed, appeared to have no other object than to +shew how liberty suddenly acquired could degenerate into despotism. It +was, for the most part, composed of men, who were not only united by +family connections and private friendship, but who were nearly allied, +as members of one influential family. No sooner had they been invested +with power, than they dismissed all civil and military officers, and +filled the vacant situations with their own friends, relations, and +dependents, without consideration as to their talents or qualifications, +thus equally exciting discontent amongst the Brazilians--who were +excluded, and the Portuguese--who were dismissed. + +Their chief aim was to maintain themselves in power against the will of +the people, who, now that tranquillity had been restored, desired a free +and general election of a Constitutional Government throughout the +province, in place of that which, of necessity, had been confined to the +city only. To put down what they considered disaffection--towards +themselves--the Junta brought into the city a large body of irregular +troops, intending, by means of these, to gratify their resentment +against the resident Portuguese, who, having taken the oaths of +allegiance to the Imperial Government, were entitled to protection. It +appeared, moreover, that the Junta and their friends owed large sums of +money to some of the more wealthy and influential Portuguese, and that +they intended to get rid of their debts, by the expulsion of their +creditors. + +As it was sufficiently clear that the Junta was determined not to be +advised, it became my duty to avert the evils in contemplation, by +expediting the change of administration so much desired by the people. +Therefore, on the 12th of September, I transmitted to the Junta, an +order for the election of a more comprehensive Government, as they were +only intended to remain in power until a general election throughout the +province could conveniently take place. Satisfactory as was this measure +to the public, it was anything but agreeable to the despotic body, at +whose ill-advised measures it was aimed; their resource being to +increase the ferment amongst the soldiery brought into the city to +uphold their authority, and who--partly from motives of revenge, but +more from the hope of plunder--were eager to execute the hostile +intentions of the Junta against the Portuguese. + +An attempt to arrest the president of the Camara, Senor Luiz Salgado, by +the General-at-arms--who had reason to suspect Salgado of intriguing to +remove him from office, gave a pretext for disturbance. On the night of +the 14th of September, the troops rose and plundered many Portuguese +houses, compelling their owners to fly for safety to neutral and other +vessels in the harbour. They then deposed the General-at-arms, and chose +Salgado in his stead, a proceeding which was next day confirmed by a +decree of the Junta, in conjunction with the Camara. + +Addressing a letter to Salgado, I firmly refused to acknowledge him as +commandant, telling him, at the same time, that his only means of being +recognised as a Brazilian citizen, was by allaying the ferment he had +contributed to raise. I wrote also to the Junta and Camara, threatening +to act in a decisive manner, if these disgraceful scenes were not +instantly put an end to, pointing out to them that, as they were the +chief proprietors of houses and stores, so they would be the greatest +sufferers from anarchy. This step checked the disturbance, but the Junta +granted the riotous military a gratuity, levied on the Portuguese who +had been attacked. The more respectable of whom soon after quitted +Maranham in disgust. + +It must, however, be stated that these disorders admitted of some +palliation, from the consideration that hundreds of Brazilians had been +transported to Lisbon, by the Portuguese authorities, when in power; +whilst hundreds of others were on my arrival imprisoned at Maranham, in +the gaols and vessels in the harbour. On my entrance into the city, I +released numbers of these, and saved many others from impending +incarceration. + +By the 18th, though tranquillity was restored, I postponed the election +of a general provisional Junta till the 20th of October, hoping that +before that period, a reply to my earnest entreaties for instructions, +would arrive from the Imperial Government. It was for the sake of +preserving order during the interval, that I had announced my intention +of taking the _Pedro Primiero_ to Para only, well knowing that a belief +in her speedy return to Maranham would have a salutary influence in +maintaining public peace. + +Intelligence of the reduction of Maranham, and the annexation of that +province, together with the province of Para, to the empire, was +received at Rio de Janeiro with surprise and delight;--surprise, that, +in less than six months, without military force, and, in truth, with one +ship of war only, so much had been effected--and delight that the Empire +was cleared of its enemies without the expense and uncertainty of +expeditions which had been calculated on. All Brazilians were eager to +vie with each other in the expression of entire satisfaction with my +exertions. + +His Imperial Majesty was pleased to reward the services rendered, by +creating me Marquis of Maranhao, as the fittest title to commemorate the +advantages gained for the empire, at the same time awarding me an estate +commensurate with the dignity of the honours conferred; the "Assemblea +Geral, Constituente e Legislativa" adding a vote of thanks in the name +of the nation. The estate, however, _was never given_, notwithstanding +that, at Maranham, and in other of the Northern provinces, numerous fine +properties, appertaining to the Portuguese Crown, were added to the +Imperial domain. The inconsistency of this was remarkable, seeing that I +had been the means of adding to Brazil a territory larger than half +Europe--for which service I was warmly thanked by the Emperor, his +Ministers, and also by the General Assembly--the latter body, +nevertheless, refusing to confirm the gift of even so minute a portion +of the vast territory unexpectedly added to the Empire. + +The subjoined is the Imperial order, elevating me to the Marquisate:-- + + His Majesty the Emperor, taking into consideration the great services + which your Excellency has just rendered to the nation by assisting to + liberate the city of Bahia from the unjust Lusitanian yoke, and + afterwards wisely aiding the honourable inhabitants of the province + of Maranham in throwing off the said foreign domination, so that they + were enabled, according to their desire, to acknowledge His Majesty + as their constitutional Emperor; and desiring to give your Excellency + a public testimonial of gratitude for these great and extraordinary + services (_per estse altos e extraordinarios servicos_) on behalf of + the generous Brazilian people, who will ever preserve a lively + remembrance of such illustrious acts, I deem it right to confer upon + your Excellency the title of Marquis of Maranhao. My Secretary of + State will expedite the necessary patent which I communicate to your + Excellency for your information. + + God preserve your Excellency many years. + + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, 25th of November, 1823. + (Signed) JOAO SEVERIANO MACIEL DA COSTA. + +The annexed is the vote of thanks awarded by the _"Assemblea Geral"_ +which, as has been said, refused to recognise His Majesty's gift of an +estate in order to support in a dignified manner the title which His +Majesty had graciously been pleased to confer. The reason assigned for +this extraordinary proceeding, in a lengthy debate on the subject was, +that in granting me an estate His Majesty had exercised a feudal +prerogative inconsistent with a free country. + + The General Constituent and Legislative Assembly having been + officially informed that your Excellency, after having freed the + province of Bahia from the oppression of Portuguese troops, and + having pursued them beyond the equinoctial line, led the squadron on + your own judgment and responsibility to the port of the city of St. + Louis of Maranhao, where, with your accustomed valour and singular + good judgment, you dislodged the Portuguese troops, who had kept down + the patriotism of its generous inhabitants, and accomplished their + liberation, so that they proclaimed and spontaneously swore with + unanimity their independence of Portugal and their decided union with + the Brazilian empire. The General Constituent and Legislative + Assembly, acknowledging the importance of these great services has + decreed in this day's session that there shall be given to your + Excellency in the name of the nation which it represents the thanks + due. + + Charged as organs to transmit this resolution to your Excellency, + we fulfil the task with pleasure, and have the honour to lay the + same before your Excellency. + + God preserve your Excellency. + + Palace of the Assembly, Oct. 3, 1823. + + + MARTIN FRANCISCO EIBEIEO DE ANDEADA, + JOAO SEVERIANO MACIEL DA COSTA, + MIGUEL CALMON DU PIN E ALMEIDA. + +This vote of thanks by the Assembly contains a remarkable error, by +averring that I "led the squadron" to Maranhao, whereas I had only a +single ship, and with her singly performed all for which I received the +thanks of the nation. + +In the interval between this recognition of my services and my return to +Rio de Janeiro, an unfortunate change had taken place in the Councils of +His Imperial Majesty, introductive of persons more favourable to the +interests of Portugal than to furtherance of the judicious measures +contemplated by His Majesty for the consolidation of the +newly-constituted empire. To the obstructive aspirations of these +persons--in ill-concealed concert with the designs of the parent +state--my annexation of the Northern provinces necessarily proved +fatal; and they ever afterwards regarded me with an animosity which +appeared to increase as the empire became, by these, and my subsequent +exertions, more firmly established. + +Sailing from Maranham on the 20th of September, the _Pedro Primiero_ +arrived at Rio de Janeiro on the 9th of November--the Emperor doing me +the honour to come on board to welcome me. I immediately forwarded to +the Minister of Marine a recapitulation of all transactions since my +departure seven months before; viz. the evacuation of Bahia by the +Portuguese in consequence of our nocturnal visit, connected with the +dread of my reputed skill in the use of fireships, as arising from the +affair of Basque Roads; the pursuit of their fleet beyond the Equator, +and the dispersion of its convoy; the capture and disabling of the +transports filled with troops intended to maintain Portuguese domination +in Maranham and Para; the device adopted to obtain the surrender to the +_Pedro Primiero_ alone of the enemy's naval and military forces at +Maranham; the capitulation of Para with the ships of war to my summons +sent by Captain Grenfell; the deliverance of the Brazilian patriots whom +the Portuguese had imprisoned; the declaration of independence by the +intermediate provinces thus liberated, and their union with the empire; +the appointment of Provisional Governments; the embarkation and final +departure of every Portuguese soldier from Brazil; and the enthusiasm +with which all my measures--though unauthorised and therefore extra +official--- had been received by the people of the Northern provinces, +who--thus relieved from the dread of further oppression--had everywhere +acknowledged and proclaimed His Imperial Majesty "Constitutional +Emperor." + +The powers which I had taken upon myself to exercise during this +eventful period, were, no doubt; in excess of those conferred by my +orders, but, knowing that everything depended upon the annexation and +pacification of the Northern provinces by the expulsion of the +enemy--setting aside my own interests--I considered it better for the +welfare of the empire to exceed my instructions, than to entail the +continuance of civil war by confining my operations within their scope. +In the exercise of this self-imposed duty it may be said that I had also +exercised Imperial functions, but this was only in the unavoidable +absence of Imperial instructions, which it was my constant endeavour to +anticipate rather than to exceed; that I judged and acted rightly, the +elevation to the title of Marquis of Maranhao, before reaching Rio de +Janeiro--the vote of thanks of the legislature, and the warm +acknowledgment of His Imperial Majesty on landing, sufficiently testify. +In addition to the gracious reception accorded by His Majesty, I +received from his own hands a decoration of the Imperial Order of the +Cruizeiro, and, though a foreigner, was subsequently nominated to the +high office of Privy Councillor--the greatest honour in the Imperial +gift to bestow. + +During my absence from Rio de Janeiro, Lady Cochrane--ignorant of my +having quitted Chili--was on her way to rejoin me at Valparaiso, but +the vessel in which she embarked, having fortunately put into Rio de +Janeiro, she was at once made acquainted with my change of service, and +remained in the capital till my return. The most hospitable attention +was paid to her by the Royal family, the Empress conferring upon her the +appointment of Lady of Honour to Her Majesty. The relief to my mind on +finding Lady Cochrane at Rio de Janeiro was very great, for, as there +had not been opportunity to apprise her of my departure from Chili in +time to prevent her return thither, it had been a constant source of +regret to me that she would have to endure the discomfort of two tedious +voyages round Cape Horn before she could join me in Brazil. The +fortunate circumstance of putting into Rio happily terminated the +embarrassment. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +FIRST EFFORT 10 CURTAIL THE IMPERIAL POWER--PORTUGUESE +INTRIGUE--DISMISSAL Of THE ANDRADAS--THE ASSEMBLY DISSOLVED BY +FORCE--EXILE OF THE ANDRADAS--LETTER TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY--MY ADVICE +PARTLY ADOPTED--AND CAUSES MINISTERIAL ENMITY TOWARDS ME--RATIFICATION +Of MY PATENT--I DEMAND THE ADJUDICATION OF PRIZES--LETTER TO THE +MINISTER OF MARINE--OFFER OF PERSONAL ADVANTAGE TO FOREIGN +CLAIMS--SQUADRON REMAINED UNPAID--I AM APPOINTED A PRIVY COUNCILLOR--THE +PRIZE VESSELS PLUNDERED--SHAMEFUL TREATMENT OF CAPTAIN +GRENFELL--TROUBLES IN PERNAMBUCO--HOSTILITY OF THE PRIZE +TRIBUNAL--CONDEMNS ME TO THE RESTITUTION OF PRIZES--FORBIDS MAKING ANY +CAPTURES AT ALL. + + +Shortly before returning to Rio de Janeiro, a total change had taken +place in the administration of which Jose Bonifacio de Andrada was the +head. As that minister's views were patriotic, he was, in consequence, +obnoxious to the Portuguese faction, which had made one or two +unsuccessful efforts to supplant him, these only serving to confirm his +power amongst the people, who justly appreciated his leadership in the +cause of independence. Becoming, thus, more confident in his position, +he was accused, whether rightly or wrongly, of intolerance towards +persons who were plotting against him, though, even if the accusation +were true, he was scarcely to blame for discountenancing those whose +chief aim was to paralyse the independence they were unable to prevent. + +On the proclamation of the Empire, two influential Portuguese, in the +Assembly, endeavoured to impose a condition on the Emperor that, before +ascending the throne, he should make oath to a constitution framed by +the Constituent Assembly alone, thus reducing His Majesty to a cypher in +the hands of the legislature. The proposition was plausible enough to +those who were anticipating power, but it gave rise to such dissensions, +that Bonifacio de Andrada and his brother sent in their resignations, +which, under these difficult circumstances, were accepted by the +Emperor. + +A violent tumult amongst the people was the immediate consequence, and +His Majesty was induced to recall the patriotic Andradas to the +cabinet--they however, refusing to resume their functions, unless their +Portuguese opponents were banished; to this the Emperor assented, and +the Andradas returned to office amidst the plaudits of the populace, who +drew the carriage of Jose de Andrada in triumph into the town. + +As might have been expected, less tolerance was manifested by the +triumphant ministers than before, this just but perhaps impolitic course +being eagerly seized on by the Portuguese faction to excite the +apprehension of the patriots, who were somewhat dissatisfied by the +revival of what were considered feudal usages; above all, by the +creation of an Imperial Guard of Honour, selected from the youth of the +principal families, who were required to take an oath "of implicit +obedience to His Majesty"--this act being especially represented by the +adverse faction as evincing a tendency to absolutism. + +On the 20th of June, 1823, a project of law had been laid before the +Assembly, for the expulsion of all Portuguese deemed hostile to the +cause of the empire. This measure might have originated with the +Andradas, or not; it was certainly defended in the Assembly by Antonio +Andrada. The Portuguese party, alarmed by the still impending danger, +formed a coalition with the Brazilian party, to eject the Andradas from +the ministry, and having, during a severe illness of the Emperor, gained +the ascendancy, the now obnoxious ministers were dismissed; and--though +the patriots had not calculated thereon--were succeeded by the leaders +of the Portuguese faction itself, who, to the regret of all true +Brazilians, effected an immediate change of policy in the Government. + +The chief object of the new administration, appeared to be to limit the +functions of the Emperor to an extent almost subversive of his +authority; His Majesty, in the unsettled state of the empire, being +comparatively powerless amidst the machinations with which he was +surrounded. + +No constitution had, as yet, been fixed upon--His Majesty resenting the +former attempt to force upon him a constitution framed solely by the +will of the Assembly, which was still seeking an opportunity to assert +its supremacy. As the city and province abounded with influential +Portuguese, desirous of overthrowing the new _regime_, and as many of +these were in the Assembly, there was a total want of unity between the +Emperor and his legislature, the administration leaning to the side of +the latter. + +About this time, the Marquis of Palmella had widely circulated a +document, appealing to the loyalty of the Portuguese, and declaring the +policy desired by the mother country; which policy was--to divide Brazil +into a number of petty states, easy to be intimidated and controlled. As +this scheme held out large promise of irresponsible power to influential +persons in such anticipated states--it could scarcely fail to be +agreeable to many expectants of office, whose interest it therefore was +to prevent the consolidation of the empire, by promoting disunion. It +was scarcely a secret that some in the administration were favourable to +these views, though not openly professing them; so that the patriotic +efforts of His Majesty were paralysed, and the administration, no less +than the legislature, exhibited a policy seriously detrimental to the +interests of the Empire. + +Indeed, a powerful party in the legislative assembly openly called in +question the Emperor's authority--even requiring His Majesty to divest +himself of his crown in their presence. They deprived him of his council +of state; denied him a voice in the enactment of laws, and the functions +of administration; even objecting to His Majesty's exercise of the +common prerogative of royalty to confer crown lands as territorial +rewards for public services--the latter limitation of the royal +prerogative being avowedly directed against the grant of an estate to +myself, as spontaneously accorded by His Majesty, in gratitude for my +recent services to the nation. + +This was the state of affairs on my return to Rio de Janeiro, and as +His Majesty did me the honour to consult with me in his difficulties, +I unhesitatingly recommended him to support his dignity +constitutionally--despite all attempts made for its limitation by the +Portuguese faction; which--extraordinary as it may appear--was now said +to be countenanced by the Andradas, who, though out of office, were +still deputies to the assembly, and who--in consequence of their +dismissal from power--were considered to be giving opposition to every +measure calculated to promote unity between the Emperor and the +legislature. The Brazilian patriots--and with good reason--were becoming +alarmed, lest an attempt might yet be made to place Portugal and Brazil +upon their former relative footing, and the Emperor, who was thoroughly +Brazilian--from a conviction that Portuguese ascendancy could never be +regained--was no less so. + +Matters, at length, rose to such a pitch in the assembly, that the +intentions of the factious majority became no longer doubtful, when His +Majesty somewhat unceremoniously adopted the course pursued in England +by Cromwell in a somewhat similar predicament, viz. to dissolve the +assembly, and, should it prove refractory, to turn the members out by +force. Cutting short all farther altercation with his legislature, the +scene of the English protectorate was re-enacted in Brazil; the Emperor +entering Rio de Janeiro at the head of a body of cavalry--surrounding +the chamber with a military force--planting cannon before it--and +ordering its instantaneous dissolution; the members--after in vain +remonstrating against this proceeding--being compelled to retire. + +The Andradas were soon afterwards arrested, and exiled--a proceeding +impolitic and unjust to men who had laid the foundation of Brazilian +independence, and who were no less distinguished by their honesty than +their ability. By consenting to their exile, His Majesty lost three +valuable servants, and at the same time placed himself in the hands of a +faction which he never afterwards controlled, and which eventually +forced him from his throne. + +As the expulsion of the Assembly--whether justifiable or not, it is not +my province to inquire--was decisive, it was obviously of the greatest +importance to follow it up by some measure which should convince the +public that so extreme a course was intended for their good. As yet no +permanent constitution had been declared This, therefore, was clearly +the moment for its proclamation, no less to satisfy the people--who +were heart and soul with the Emperor--than to prevent retaliation by the +faction which had been thus summarily dealt with. + +Seeing that nothing was promptly acted upon in an emergency involving +the stability of Government, I addressed to His Imperial Majesty the +following letter:-- + + Rio de Janeiro, November 14, 1823. + + SIRE, + + My sense of the impropriety of intruding myself on the + attention of your Imperial Majesty, on any subject unconnected + with the official position with which your Majesty has been pleased + to honour me, could only have been overcome by an irresistible + desire, under existing circumstances, to contribute to the service of + your Majesty and the Empire. + + The conduct of the late legislative assembly, which sought to + derogate from the dignity and prerogatives of Your Majesty--even + presuming to require you to divest yourself of your crown in their + presence--who deprived you of your Council of State--denied you + a voice in the enactment of laws and the formation of the constitution, + and who dared to object to your exercising the only + remaining function of royalty--that of rewarding services, and + conferring honours--could no longer be tolerated; and the justice + and wisdom of Your Imperial Majesty in dissolving such an + assembly will be duly appreciated by discerning men, and by those + whose love of good order and their country supersedes their ambition + or personal interests. There are, however, individuals who will + wickedly take advantage of the late proceedings to kindle the flames + of discord, and throw the empire into anarchy and confusion, unless + timely prevented by the wisdom and energy of Your Imperial + Majesty. + + The declaration that you will give to your people a practical + constitution, more free than even that which the late assembly + professed an intention to establish, cannot--considering the spirit + which now pervades South America--have the effect of averting + impending evils, unless Your Imperial Majesty shall be pleased to + dissipate all doubts by _at once declaring_--before news of the recent + events can be dispersed throughout the provinces, and before the + discontented members of the late congress can return to their + constituents--what is the precise nature of that constitution which + Your Imperial Majesty intends to bestow. + + Permit me, then, humbly and respectfully to suggest to Your + Imperial Majesty, as a means of tranquillising the public mind--of + averting evils at home, and preventing injurious representations + abroad--that, _even before the sailing of the next packet for Europe_, + Your Majesty should specifically declare the nature of the government + you are graciously pleased should be adopted. As no monarch + is more happy, or more truly powerful than the limited monarch of + England, surrounded by a free people, enriched by that industry + which the security of property by means of just laws never fails to + create--if Your Majesty were to decree that the English constitution, + in its most perfect practical form (which, with slight + alteration, and, chiefly in name, is also the constitution of the + United States of North America), shall be the model for the + Government of Brazil under Your Imperial Majesty, with power to + the constituent assembly so to alter particular parts as local + circumstances may render advisable--it would excite the sympathy + of powerful states abroad, and the firm allegiance of the Brazilian + people to Your Majesty's throne. + + Were Your Majesty, by a few brief lines in the Gazette, to + announce your intention so to do, and were you to banish all + distrust from the public mind by removing from your person for a + time, and finding employment on honourable missions abroad, for + those Portuguese individuals of whom the Brazilians are jealous--the + purity of Your Majesty's motives would be secured from the + possibility of misrepresentation--the factions which disturb the + country would be silenced or converted--and the feelings of the + world, especially those of England and North America, would + be interested in promoting the glory, happiness, and prosperity + of Your Imperial Majesty. + + These thoughts, hastily expressed, but most respectfully submitted + to your gracious consideration will, I hope, be candidly appreciated + by Your Imperial Majesty, proceeding, as they do, from the + heart of + + Your Majesty's most faithful and dutiful Servant, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +His Majesty saw good to adopt this advice in part, but in offering +it--though instrumental in establishing the political liberties of +Brazil--I had unconsciously placed myself in the position of a partisan +against the powerful faction which influenced the administration, and +through them every part of the empire. My unauthorised services after +the pursuit of the Portuguese fleet and army--resulting in the +annexation of the Northern provinces--had drawn upon me the resentment +of those now in power whose ultimate intentions were thus defeated. That +I--a foreigner, having nothing to do with national politics--should have +counselled His Majesty to banish those who opposed him, was not to be +borne, and the resentment caused by my recent services was increased to +bitter enmity for meddling in affairs which it was considered did not +concern me; though I could have had no other object than the good of the +Empire by the establishment of a constitution which should give it +stability in the estimation of European states. + +The effect of this enmity towards me personally, was not long in +manifesting itself, and fearing the extent to which this might be +carried, I lost no time in demanding that the patent under which I had +been invested with the grade of "First Admiral," should be formally +engrossed and registered, according to the engagement of the late Prime +Minister, previous to my departure for Bahia. On the 25th of November, +this was accordingly done, and a commission conferring the same pay and +emolument as before--without limitation as to time, received the sign +manual--was counter-signed by the Ministers--sealed with the great +seal--and registered in the archives of the empire; His Majesty further +testifying his approbation of my conduct and services, by directing the +transmission of the completed patent without payment of the usual fees. + +The following are the stipulations of the commission so solemnly +conferred--but afterwards shamefully violated without cause, as though +fidelity to its engagements formed no part of national honour and good +faith:-- + + I, Don Pedro, by the grace of God, and the unanimous voice + of the people, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender + of Brazil, hereby make known to those who shall see this my + charter patent, that the valour, intelligence, and activity united in + Admiral Lord Cochrane, now Marquis of Maranhao, who has so + distinguished himself in the different services with which he has + been entrusted--giving proof of the greatest bravery and talent; + and seeing how advantageous it would be for the interests of this + empire to avail itself of the skill of so valuable an officer--consider + it beneficial to confer upon him--as by this charter is + confirmed--the patent of "First Admiral," with the annual pay of + eleven contos five hundred and twenty milreas, as well ashore as + afloat; and farther in table money, when embarked, five contos + seven hundred and seventy milreas--which are the same emoluments + as he received in Chili. No admiral in the service having + any right to consider himself entitled to succeed to the post of + First Admiral, which I create solely for this occasion for the motives + expressed, and from the particular consideration merited by the said + admiral. + + The pay referred to shall be entered in the books to which it + appertains, in order to the payments when due. In attestation + of that which I have hereby commanded, I give this charter + under the sign manual and sealed with the great seal of the + Empire. + + Given in the city of Rio de Janeiro on the 25th day of the month + of November, in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1823. Second + of Independence and of this empire. + + + (Signed) IMPERADOR P. + Countersigned by all the Ministers. + +From the difference of expression used in this commission, as compared +with the temporary commission given previous to my departure for Bahia, +it is clear that my late services were fully recognised; and from the +fact that the new commission was conferred after the war was ended by +the annexation of Bahia, Maranham, Para, and all the intermediate +provinces, it is equally clear that my rank and pay--as originally +stipulated were conferred without limitation of time--a circumstance +which will have to be borne to mind. + +This being complied with, I requested an order for the speedy +adjudication of the prize property surrendered at Maranham, the +flagship's portion being Rs. 607.315 $000, or L.121,463 sterling, in +addition to the captures made by the squadron generally--no less than +one hundred and twenty enemy's ships, with Portuguese registers and +crews, having been taken, the value, at a very moderate computation, +amounting to upwards of 2,000,000 dollars. As officers and men were +anxiously awaiting their prize money, it became my duty to the squadron +to urge its stipulated distribution upon the consideration of the +Government. + +His Majesty directed this to be done, but the prize tribunal +appointed--consisting of thirteen members, nine of whom were natives of +Portugal--was directly interested in defeating the claims of the +captors, being inimical to any confiscation of Portuguese vessels and +property taken in the late campaign. Not venturing, as yet, openly to +act in this spirit, they adopted the alternative of doing nothing +towards adjudicating the prizes. + +Finding this to be the case, and fearing that the Portuguese tendencies +of the new administration might interfere with the repayment of the sums +temporarily supplied to the Maranham Junta--I addressed the following +letter to the new Minister of Marine, Francisco Villela Barbosa:-- + + (Secret.) Rio de Janeiro, November 18, 1823. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + In my letter, No. 38, I communicated to your + predecessor my intention of aiding the Provisional Junta of + Maranham, in the payment of the auxiliary troops of Ceara and + Piahuy, who being in a naked and destitute condition had become + clamorous for their arrears; and I now beg to state that in prosecution + of such intention, I placed at the disposal of the Junta the + monies taken in the Portuguese treasury, amounting in cash and + good bills to Rs. 62,560 $243, together with outstanding debts + amounting to Rs. 147,316 $656, and I have also left in their + hands the balance which we found in the Portuguese custom-house, + amounting to Rs. 54,167 $877. All these accounts I have the + honour to convey to you for the information of the Imperial + Government. + + In addition to these large sums, I left at the disposal of the + Junta much moveable property which belonged to Portuguese + individuals in Europe, desiring the authorities to render an + account of the same for the information of the Imperial Government. + + Your Excellency will perceive that in leaving at Maranham these + monies, and other property captured from the enemy, instead of + bringing them to Rio for adjudication, we could be influenced by no + other motive than zeal for the interests of His Imperial Majesty + and the good of his people; as by so doing, we enabled the + Provisional Government to meet the present exigencies of the + moment, and to quiet the Ceara and Piahuy troops; whilst the + revenue of the province thus remains clear and unanticipated-- + being applicable to such purposes as His Imperial Majesty shall + command. All which I trust His Imperial Majesty will take into + his gracious consideration, and be pleased to award such compensation + to the officers and seamen as he, in his princely justice, + shall deem fit. + + (Signed) COCHRANE. + +For some days no notice was taken of this letter, but on the 24th I +received a visit from the Minister of Marine, bringing what professed to +be a verbal message from His Majesty, that he "would do every thing in +his power for me _personally_." The way in which this intimation was +conveyed led me to infer that these personal favours implied a sacrifice +on my part of the rights of the squadron, by shutting my eyes to the +restoration of the captured Portuguese ships and property to the friends +and adherents of the ministry, for the purpose of conciliating the +Portuguese party. Taking the message, however, literally--I told the +Minister that His Majesty had "already conferred honours upon me quite +equal to my merits--and that the greatest personal favour he could +bestow, was, to urge on the speedy adjudication of the prizes, so that +the officers and seamen might reap the reward decreed by the Emperor's +own authority." + +The policy of the Portuguese faction in power, was--now that the +squadron had expelled the fleet and army of the mother country--to +conciliate their countrymen who remained, and thus to create and +maintain an influence which should reduce the Imperial authority to the +smallest possible dimensions. The first object--if I could be brought to +acquiesce--was to restore Portuguese property, captured by Imperial +order, and now the right of the captors--my connivance being supposed to +be procurable by offers of personal enrichment! I scarcely need say that +the offer failed in its purpose. + +As the squadron had received no pay during the performance of all its +services, it became my duty to urge attention to the subject, and this +was apparently complied with, the 27th of November being appointed for +the payment of the men. On that day _three months' pay only_ was offered +to them, notwithstanding all they had achieved. This paltry pittance was +refused. + +About this time the extraordinary news was received, that great +rejoicings and a general illumination had taken place in Lisbon in +consequence of the destruction of the Brazilian squadron by the +Portuguese fleet at Bahia! this version having, no doubt, been +transmitted home subsequently to the affair of the 4th of May. +Singularly enough, these ill-founded rejoicings were going on in Lisbon +at the time the flagship was chasing the Portuguese fleet across the +Equator! It is difficult to say how the Portuguese admiral contrived to +reconcile this premature vaunt, and the unwelcome fact of his arrival in +the Tagus, with the loss of half his troops and more than half his +convoy. + +On the 2nd of December despatches arrived from Captain Grenfell at Para, +stating that he had possession of the new Portuguese frigate, which +according to my directions, had been named the _Imperatrice_. He had +also captured another vessel of war, and several merchantmen; thus +fulfilling his difficult mission in a way which justified my confidence +in his ability, and should have merited the warmest thanks from the +government, instead of the treatment he subsequently experienced. + +On the 19th of December, His Majesty appointed me a member of the Privy +Council, the highest honour in his power to bestow. It was a singular +circumstance that whilst His Imperial Majesty consulted me on matters of +importance, and manifested his appreciation both of my opinions and +services by the honours conferred--his anti-Brazilian ministers were +practising every species of annoyance towards myself and the +squadron--more especially in the matter of the prizes, the condemnation +of which they obstinately opposed. + +It would be wearisome to enter into details of the annoyance and injury +now systematised by the Portuguese faction in the administration; +nevertheless, in order to appreciate subsequent occurrences, it is +necessary briefly to advert to these matters. The personal feeling +against myself was easily accounted for from my adherence to the Emperor +in opposition to interested councils, which imperilled the existence of +the Empire. These councils His Majesty was unable to disregard or to +counteract the injury inflicted on the officers and seamen, by the +conduct of the Court of Admiralty towards the squadron; a policy +persevered in with the object of annihilating the naval force, for no +other reason than that its achievements had rendered itself obnoxious to +the Portuguese faction--the leaders of which no doubt calculated, that +if the officers and crews could be worried out of the service, the +dismemberment of the Northern provinces might yet be effected by +disunion. + +On the 13th of December, I wrote to the Minister of Marine that, as the +prize vessels were daily being plundered, an immediate investigation was +necessary--they having, by order of the administration, been delivered +over to the charge of the inspector of the arsenal, the naval officers +in charge being withdrawn. One officer was put in prison for obeying my +orders to remain on board his prize till I received an answer from the +Minister of Marine. The ship he had in charge (_the Pombinho_) was +immediately afterwards given up to a Portuguese claim ant, together with +all its contents, promiscuously taken from the custom house at Maranham, +none of which ever belonged to him. + +A number of additional prizes had been sent in by Captain Taylor, of the +_Nitherohy_, who had pursued the scattered ships of the enemy to the +Tagus, and there burned four vessels under the guns of the +line-of-battle ship _Don John VI_. For this he was sentenced by the +prize council to six months imprisonment, and to forfeit double the +amount of his prize money, on behalf of the owners of the property +destroyed; it being thus decided by the _quasi_ Portuguese prize +tribunal that, to destroy enemy's property, in pursuance of His +Majesty's orders, was a crime! + +Captain Grenfell having arrived in the frigate _Imperatrice_--captured +at Para--bringing with him some forty thousand dollars--the ransom for +prizes there taken, as had been done at Maranham--the _Imperatrice_ was +boarded in his absence, and the money carried to the treasury, though by +His Majesty guaranteed to the captors. Captain Grenfell was afterwards +charged with acting in opposition to the Junta at Para, though only +carrying out my instructions. Upon this charge he was tried and +acquitted. + +In consequence of these and other arbitrary acts, I represented to His +Majesty the necessity of forming some definite maritime code, which +should put an end to proceedings so arbitrary, and proposed the adoption +of the naval laws of England as the most experienced and complete. His +Majesty approving the suggestion, directed me to transmit a memorial on +the subject to the Privy Council, which was accordingly done. + +By this, and similar suggestions to His Majesty, with view to render the +navy more efficient, I was widening the breach between myself and the +Portuguese party in the administration, whose object it was to frustrate +any attempt of the kind. It was not long before an overt blow was struck +at my authority as Commander-in-Chief by the preparation of the +_Atalanta_ for sea without my intervention. Imagining that she might be +on some secret service, I disregarded the circumstance, till, on the +27th of December, a notice appeared in the Gazette announcing her +destination to be for the blockade of Monte Video, whilst I was +mentioned in the Gazette, under the limited title of "Commander of the +naval forces in the port of Rio de Janeiro." Thus, by a stroke of the +Minister's pen, was I, despite the patents of His Imperial Majesty, +reduced to the rank of Port Admiral. + +Convinced that this had been done without the sanction or even knowledge +of the Emperor, I protested against the despatch of the _Atalanta_, +except through my orders, as well as against the limitation indicated by +my new title--contrary to the agreement under which I entered the +service, as twice confirmed by Imperial commissions--further informing +the Minister of Marine that, although no one could be less ambitious of +power than myself, I could not allow an agreement solemnly entered into +to be thus violated. + +The remonstrance as regarded the _Atalanta_ was effectual, and she was +not despatched; but--as regarded the limitation of my rank--no notice +was taken. + +Intelligence now arrived from Pernambuco that a strong party was there +endeavouring to establish a Republic, and that preparatory steps were +being taken to throw off allegiance to the Empire. + +The expedition sent by the ministry to put down this rising at +Pernambuco was a premeditated insult to me, as not having been at all +consulted in the matter; and the reason why an inexperienced officer had +been sent, doubtless was, that the ministry did not wish the +insurrection to be put down. In this respect the expedition fulfilled +the wishes of those who despatched it, by having failed. On its return I +personally received _His Majesty's orders_ that the _Pedro Primiero_, +_Piranga_, _Nitherohy_, and _Atalanta_, should be immediately equipped +for important service. It was easy thus to give orders to equip a +squadron, but after the treatment received, not so easy to effect it. +All the foreign seamen had abandoned the ships in disgust, and to have +shipped Portuguese would have been worse than useless. I wrote to the +Minister of Marine that the squadron could not be manned unless +confidence was restored amongst the men, the shameful proceedings of the +prize court having disinclined them to re-enter the service,--even if +they did, I could not be responsible for order and discipline, or for +the safety of the ships, unless some definite adjustment as to pay and +prize money took place before putting to sea. + +In the face of these remonstrances the prize tribunal adopted an openly +hostile course, by altogether denying the right of the squadron to the +prizes taken at Maranham, or the property there seized in the custom +house, and shipped by me on board the _Pombinho_ and another vessel. The +_Pombinho_, as has been said, was declared an illegal prize, and given +up to her Portuguese owner, together with all public property contained +in her, though to this he had not the shadow of a claim, as the whole +cargo belonged originally to others, and had been put on board this +particular ship by my orders for transmission to Rio de Janeiro. Numbers +of similar decisions were made, on the false plea that Maranham +previously formed part of the Brazilian empire, and consequently that +all the seizures effected were invalid! + +I remonstrated that, on our arrival at Maranham, the city and province +were, and ever had been, in possession of Portugal--that the Portuguese +had by the ordinary capitulations of war delivered up both to an armed +Brazilian force without question--and that, by a previous decree of the +Emperor, no less than by the customary usages of war, all enemy's +property fell to the captors. The prize court not only overruled the +objection, but condemned me to make restitution of all sums received in +ransom for property taken at Maranham. In one instance the tribunal +declared me deserving of corporal punishment (_pena corporal!_) and +would, had they dared, doubtless have enforced this, and the restitution +to which I was condemned. + +As the plunder of prize property was becoming notorious, the tribunal +directed it to be unloaded, in order to prevent the cargoes from being +_damaged!_ but, on the execution of the order it was found that all the +valuable portion had already disappeared! How, of course could not be +ascertained; but no one doubted. The ships themselves were neglected +till they became useless to the original owners, the Government, or the +captors. + +Thus, of this vast amount of property taken in the campaign, not a +_milrea_ was suffered to find its way into the pockets of the officers +and men, and the squadron would have been wholly defrauded of its +reward, had I not refused to give up to the prize tribunal the +comparatively trifling sums received in redemption of the seizures at +Maranham; these being retained on board the flagship in consequence of +the unjustifiable course which the tribunal was pursuing. A plot was, +however, formed to seize it by force, but this was met by such measures +as were calculated to prevent a renewal of the attempt. + +The prize tribunal being thus determined to deprive the squadron of the +whole of its emoluments, proceeded to condemn the ships of war taken as +being _droits_ to the crown, without compensation of any kind, +notwithstanding that the before-mentioned Imperial decree of the 11th of +December, 1822, awarded all prizes wholly to the captors. The tribunal +then issued a decree, that vessels taken within a certain distance from +the shore--where alone a blockade could be effective--were not lawful +seizures; the effect being that, as the squadron was about to blockade +Pernambuco it could have no opportunity of falling in with enemy's +vessels at sea, and therefore _could not make captures at all!_ Thus +enemy's ships would be permitted to carry on their revolutionary +occupations unmolested; which was, no doubt, the intention of those who +framed the resolution, as wishing to defeat the blockade for their own +purposes. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +REMONSTRANCE AGAINST DECREE OF PRIZE TRIBUNAL--SETTLEMENT OF PRIZE +QUESTION BY THE EMPEROR--HIS MINISTERS REFUSE TO CONFORM TO +IT--OBSTACLES THROWN IN THE WAY OF EQUIPMENT--MY SERVICES LIMITED TO THE +DURATION OF WAR--MY REMONSTRANCE ON THIS BREACH OF FAITH--MINISTERS +REFUSE TO PAY THE SQUADRON ANYTHING--A FRESH INSULT OFFERED TO ME--OFFER +TO RESIGN THE COMMAND--MY RESIGNATION EVADED--LETTER TO THE PRIME +MINISTER--LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF MARINE. + + +On the 1st of January, 1824, I communicated to the Minister of Marine +the contents of a despatch received from Captain Haydon at Pernambuco, +in which he apprised me of a plot on the part of the revolutionary +Government to seize his person and take possession of the Imperial brig +of war which he commanded; the latter intention having been openly +advocated in the Assembly. + +On the 6th, I addressed to the Minister of Marine the following +remonstrance against the before-mentioned regulation of the Admiralty +Court, that vessels captured within a certain distance of the shore +should not be prize to the captor; this regulation being evidently +intended as retrospective, with a view of nullifying the captures which +had already been made:-- + + As I have before endeavoured, by anticipating evils, to prevent + their occurrence, so in the present instance, I feel it my duty to + His Imperial Majesty to place you, as Minister of Marine, on your + guard against countenancing any such measure in regard either to + the vessels captured in the blockade of Bahia, or to those taken + in the colonial possessions, and under the forts and batteries + of the enemy--and also in the case--if such there should be--of + vessels captured on the shores of Portugal. + + It is quite clear that these cases of capture are distinct from + those in which protection is afforded by independent states to + belligerents approaching within a certain distance of neutral shores. + But you must be perfectly aware that, if enemy's ships are not to + be prize--if captured navigating near the shore no blockade can be + effective, as there will be no right to disturb them; besides which + the mass of the people engaged in a naval service will certainly not + encounter toil and hazard without remuneration of any kind beyond + their ordinary pay. + + Should such a decree be really in contemplation, there is nothing + to hope from the naval service useful or creditable to the state; + and this opinion is founded on more than thirty years' unremitting + experience of seamen--that where there is no premium there is no + permanent zeal or exertion. + + (Signed) COCHRANE & MARANHAO. + +On the 10th of January, I communicated to the Government the contents of +another despatch from Captain Haydon, at Pernambuco, reporting that the +new Junta there had seized the Imperial ship of war, _Independencia ou +morte_, and had removed the officer in command, at the same time +threatening to treat Captain Haydon as a pirate. + +The revolt was now becoming serious, and His Majesty--anxious to +expedite the equipment of the squadron--on the 12th of February, 1824, +sent for me to consult on the subject. Having told His Majesty the +course which had been pursued by the prize tribunal, he said he would +see justice done in spite of faction, and asked me to make a moderate +valuation of the prize property taken in the late campaign, +ascertaining, at the same time, if the seamen were willing to accept a +specific sum in compensation of their claims? On asking His Majesty what +assurance could be given that the administration would carry out such an +arrangement, he replied that he would give me his own assurance, and +ordering me to sit down beside him, wrote _with his own hand_ the +following proposal--now in my possession:-- + + "_The Government is ready to pay to the squadron, the value of the + prizes which have been, or may be judged bad, the value thereof being + settled by arbitrators jointly chosen, and to pay the proprietors + their losses and damages; that in the number of the said prizes, the + frigate Imperatrice is not included, but the Government, as a + remuneration for her capture, will immediately give from the public + treasury the sum of 40,000 milreis to the captors; that the value of + the prizes already declared bad, shall be immediately paid, this + stipulation relating to all captures up to the present date, February + 12th, and that henceforth captures shall be adjudged with more + dispatch, the Government being about to decree a provisional + arrangement, remedying all errors and omissions that may have + occurred._" + +Nothing can be more clear than the above stipulations in His Majesty's +own handwriting, to pay the squadron immediately the value of their +prizes despite the Court of Admiralty, to pay 40,000 milreis for the +_Imperatrice_, and that even the value of the prizes _adjudged bad_ +should be paid, His Majesty thus rightly estimating the conduct and +motives of the Court of Admiralty. _Not one of these conditions was ever +complied with!_ + +On the 1st of March, His Majesty, through his minister, Francisco +Villela Barbosa, informed me that he had assigned 40,000 milreis in +recompense for the acquisition of the frigate _Imperatrice_; stating +that, with regard to the other prizes made at Para, they must be +sentenced by the tribunal, in order that their value might be paid by +the public treasury--the said treasury taking upon itself to satisfy all +costs and damages on captures judged illegal; but that with regard to my +assertion, that there were amongst them no illegal prizes, the +Government could not itself decide the question. + +That His Majesty gave the order for payment of 40,000 milreis, as +compensation for the _Imperatrice_, there is no doubt; _but not a +shilling of the amount was ever paid by his ministers, nevertheless even +within the past few months the present Brazilian Ministry has charged +that sum against me, as having been received and not accounted for!_ It +is quite possible, that, in ignorance of the practices common amongst +their predecessors of 1824, the present ministers of Brazil may imagine +that the orders of His Majesty were complied with; but if so, the 40,000 +milreis never reached me or the squadron. Had it done so, nothing can be +more easy than to find my receipt for the amount, which I defy them to +do. + +Considering our difficulties in a fair way of now being settled, I +willingly undertook to conciliate the seamen, and having made the low +calculation of _Rs_. 650.000 milreis--a sum scarcely one-fourth the +value of the prize property--reported to the Minister of Marine the +willingness of the squadron generally to accept 600,000 dollars (about +L.120,000) in compensation of their full rights; agreeing, moreover, to +give up all claim on the Imperial Government on payment of one-half, and +security for the remainder. + +Notwithstanding this easy mode of arrangement, solely brought about by +my personal influence with the men, not a milrea was allotted, His +Majesty's ministers deliberately evading the Imperial wishes and +promises. On the contrary, the more His Majesty was determined to do the +squadron justice the more was the Portuguese faction in the ministry +bent on frustrating the Imperial intentions--notwithstanding that, by +the revolutionary proceedings in the North, the integrity of the empire +was at stake. I may indeed go farther and state with great truth, that +whilst His Majesty was most anxious for our speedy departure, in order +to suppress the revolution at Pernambuco, his ministers were, day by +day, addressing to me letters on the most insignificant subjects, with +the apparent object of delaying the squadron by official frivolities, +the necessity of replying to which would prevent my attention to the +fulfilment of the Imperial wish. The best proof of this is the fact +which will be apparent in the course of this chapter, viz.--that +although the province of Pernambuco was in open revolt, the +Administration contrived to delay the sailing of the squadron for _six +months_ beyond the events just narrated. + +On the 24th of February, the following extraordinary _portaria_ was +transmitted to me by the Minister of Marine:-- + + Desiring to give a further testimony of the high estimation in which + the Marquis of Maranhao, First Admiral of the National and Imperial + Armada, is held, by reason of the distinguished services which he + has rendered to the state, and which it is hoped that he will + continue to render for the independence of Brazil, I deem it proper + to name him Commander-in-Chief of all the naval forces of the empire + _during the present war_. The Supreme Military Council is hereby + informed thereof, and will cause this decree to be executed. + + Palace of Rio Janeiro, the 23rd of February, 1824. Third of the + Independence of the Empire, with the Rubrica of His Imperial + Majesty. + + FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA, + + Secretariat of State, + + 27th February, 1824. + + (Signed) ANASTASIO DE BRITO, + + Acting Chief Secretary. + +The audacity of this _portaria_--setting aside the stipulations of His +Majesty and his late ministers in my commission, thus rendering it null +and void without my consent--was only equalled by its hypocrisy. As a +"_further testimony_ of the high estimation in which I was held," +&c.--His Majesty's ministers were graciously pleased to annul my +commission, in order that they might get rid of me at a moment's +warning! + +The document transmitted to me _did not_ bear the Rubrica of the +Emperor, though falsely asserted so to do. If the reader will take the +trouble to compare it with my two commissions, he will agree with me in +the inference that it was written by Barbosa without the Emperor's +knowledge or consent, with the object of terminating my command--the +Imperial patents notwithstanding, as will be evident from the +expression, "_during the present war;_" the war being _already ended_ by +my expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army. + +No time was lost in remonstrating against this insidious decree. After +pointing out to the Minister of Marine the agreements which had been +made with me by the late ministers, and ratified by the Imperial sign +manual, I addressed His Excellency as follows:-- + + The late decree inserted in the Gazette of February 28th, instead of + increasing my official rank and authority--as it professes to do--in + effect circumscribes it, because _there was no limitation of time_ in + the offer which I accepted from His Imperial Majesty. But by this + decree, my official rank and authority are limited to the duration of + the present war. Now, if I could believe that the idea of this + limitation originated with his Imperial Majesty himself, I should + respectfully and silently acquiesce; but being satisfied--from the + gracious manner in which he has been pleased to act towards me on all + occasions--that it did not so originate, I can only consider it an + intimation of an opinion prevalent in the councils of the state, that + myself and services can very well be done without, as soon as the + independence of Brazil shall be decided or peace restored. + + As no man can be expected to dedicate his professional services + to a foreign country, without having a prospect of some recompence + more durable than that which such a limitation as is expressed in the + document in question seems to indicate, I am naturally led to inquire + whether it is the intention of His Majesty's advisers that, on the + termination of the present war, _my pay is to cease with my + authority?_ or whether I am to receive any permanent reward for + services, _the consequences of which will be permanent to Brazil?_ + Because--if no recompence is to be received for public services + --however important and lasting in their effects those services may + be--it is a duty to myself and family to consider how far I am + justified in farther devoting my time to a service from which so + little future benefit is to be expected; a consideration the more + interesting to me, in consequence of repeated solicitations from the + Chilian Government to resume my rank and command in that state. + + In saying thus much, you may consider me of a mercenary + disposition; but I have received from Brazil _no recompence whatever_, + beyond the honours conferred by His Imperial Majesty. If + you will peruse the accompanying papers, you will find that when I + left Chili I had disbursed of my own monies, 66,000 dollars, to keep + the Chilian squadron from starving, which sum, in consequence of + my leaving Chili, and accepting the offers of His Imperial Majesty, + has not been repaid. This amount His Majesty and his ministers + agreed to repay on my acceptance of the command; but I declined + to seek reimbursement at the expense of Brazil, "unless I + should perform greater services to the Empire than I had rendered + to Chili; but in the event of such services being rendered to + Brazil, and of Chili continuing its refusal to pay me, then--and + not otherwise--I should hope for indemnification." To this + stipulation the late ministers gave their assent. + + It is no proof of an avaricious disposition that I at once + acquiesced in the proposition of His Imperial Majesty, that 40,000 + dollars only for the _Imperatrice_, which is not one-third of her value, + should be apportioned to her captors. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +I might have added that the squadron had received _no emoluments of any +kind whatever_, notwithstanding the spontaneous stipulations of His +Imperial Majesty to pay everything, there not being even an indication +of handing over to them the 40,000 dollars awarded by His Majesty for +the frigate captured at Para. On the contrary, I had been condemned in +costs and damages to a great amount for having captured Portuguese +vessels in pursuance of His Majesty's orders; so that had the Court of +Admiralty been in a position to enforce these, I should not only be +unpaid but be mulcted of a very large sum, as the price of having +accepted the command of the Brazilian navy! + +So far from the 40,000 dollars awarded by His Majesty for the capture of +the frigate _Imperatrice_ having been paid according to the Imperial +directions, I received from the Minister of Marine a letter dated +February 27th, implying that the above sum--one third the value of the +vessel--was when paid, to be considered as the _sole_ reward of the +squadron. This violation of His Majesty's agreement was at once +repudiated, and an explanatory letter from the Minister of +Marine--almost as ambiguous as the former--assured me that I had +misconstrued his intention, which, however, was not the case, for the +40,000 dollars were never paid. + +On the 19th of March, a direct insult was offered me by Severiano da +Costa, now first minister, by an intimation to attend in the Imperial +chapel for the purpose of assisting at the ceremony of swearing to the +Constitution, but I was distinctly told that I should not be permitted +to swear; the reason no doubt being, that, by a clause therein +contained, military officers who swore to it, could not be dismissed +without trial, and sentence of court martial; so that the not permitting +me to swear--coupled with Barbosa's _portaria_ limiting my command to +the duration of the war--indirectly gave power to the Administration to +dismiss me at their option, whenever they might deem it expedient so to +do. That such desire would arise the moment an opportunity might +present itself, was certain, nor should I have waited for its +expression, but from respectful attachment to His Majesty, and from the +expectation of obtaining justice for the squadron, which relied on me +for procuring satisfaction of their claims. + +To have accepted an invitation of this public nature, under +circumstances so insulting, was out of the question. I therefore joined +Lady Cochrane at the island of Governador, and sent an excuse to the +minister expressive of my regret at being prevented by unavoidable +circumstances from sharing in the honour of the august ceremony. + +In consequence of the insulting conduct of the Administration, and the +impossibility of obtaining compensation for the squadron, +notwithstanding His Majesty's orders to that effect, I made up my mind +to quit a service in which the authority of the adverse Ministry was +superior to that of the Sovereign. Accordingly, on the 20th of March, I +addressed to the Minister of Marine a letter, from which the subjoined +is an extract:-- + + If I thought that the course pursued towards me was dictated by His + Imperial Majesty, it would be impossible for me to remain an hour + longer in his service, and I should feel it my duty, at the earliest + possible moment, to lay my commission at his feet. If I have not done + so before--from the treatment which, in common with the navy, I have + experienced--it has been solely from an anxious desire to promote His + Majesty's real interests. Indeed, to struggle against prejudices, and + at the same time against those in power, whose prepossessions are at + variance with the interests of His Majesty, and the tranquillity and + independence of Brazil, is a task to which I am by no means equal. I + am, therefore, perfectly willing to resign the situation I hold, + rather than contend against difficulties which appear to me + insurmountable. I have only to add, that it will give me extreme + satisfaction to find that Your Excellency is enabled to rear an + effective marine out of the materials which constituted the fabric of + the old marine of Portugal--or any Brazilian marine at all, without + beginning on principles totally opposite to those which have been + pursued since my return to this port. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +This proffer of resignation was met by an assurance that I had +misconstrued both the acts and intentions of the Administration, and the +expression of a hope that I would not think of abandoning Brazil for +which I had done so much. The real fact was, that although the +Administration was endeavouring to delay the expedition for the +suppression of revolution in the North, they were afraid of its results, +dreading that a _republican_ Government might be established, as was +indeed imminent. It was only from a conviction of not being able to meet +such an emergency, otherwise than through my instrumentality--that my +resignation was not accepted. + +Determined to pursue the course I had now begun, I addressed the +following letter to the prime minister:-- + + Rio de Janeiro, March 30, 1824. + + Most Excellent Sir, + + The late Prime Minister, Jose Bonifacio de Andrada + e Silva, was pleased to express a desire that I should communicate + directly with him in all extraordinary difficulties with respect + to the naval service. If I have not had recourse to your Excellency + until the present juncture, it has not been from any doubt of your + readiness to accord me similar indulgence, but because the evils + of which I had to complain were so palpable, that I conceived a + remedy would--of necessity be applied in the ordinary course of + things. But now that a system is adopted which must very soon + bring the naval service of His Imperial Majesty to utter insignificance + and ruin, I can no longer abstain from calling on your + Excellency as Minister of State for the internal affairs of the + empire, to interfere before it is too late. + + Here follow complaints of the wretched state of the squadron--its + want of repairs--the neglect of pay--the illegal imprisonment of + officers for months without trial and on untenable grounds, &c. &c. + + By the promises held out last year of punctuality in payment, and of + other rewards, foreign officers and seamen were induced to enter the + service--believing in the good faith of the Government. The + result--in the short period that has elapsed--has been the complete + expulsion of the enemy's forces, naval and military; all of whom + would have been still in arms against the independence of Brazil, had + it not been for the assistance of the foreign officers and seamen. + + In the course of these important services, various captures were + made and sent for adjudication to Rio de Janeiro, under the + authority of His Imperial Majesty's orders to make war on the + subjects and property of Portugal. The captures made in prosecution + of the war were--according to the engagements under which the + expedition proceeded--to be the reward of the captors in return for + the benefits derived by the empire for their exertions. + + Judge then, Sir, of the astonishment of the officers and seamen + at finding on their return to this port eight months afterwards, that + the Court of Admiralty (chiefly composed of natives of Portugal) + pretended to be ignorant whether the nation was at war or peace! + Under this plea they have avoided the adjudication of the + prizes--have + thrown every impediment in the way of the captors--by giving + sentences equally contrary to law, common sense and justice. + + Great quantities of goods in the captured ships have decayed or + wholly perished from lapse of time--great quantities more have + been stolen--whilst whole cargoes, by the arbitrary authority of an + auditor, have been given up without trial, to pretended owners, + without even the decency of communication to the captors or their + agents. In short, nothing has been done in furtherance of the + gracious directions of His Majesty, given on the 12th ultimo, that + the prize affairs should be instantly adjusted. + + It is certainly a hardship to the Portuguese gentlemen in the + Court of Admiralty, to be under the necessity of condemning + property that belonged to their countrymen, friends, and relations; + but if they have undertaken the duties of such an office, they ought + not to be permitted to weigh their private feelings against their + public duty--nor to bring upon the whole Government that character + of bad faith, which has been so disgraceful, and has proved so + injurious to all the Governments which have hitherto been + established in South America. + + Even the payment of wages was not made to the _Pedro Primiero_ + till nearly three months after her return, when the seamen-- + irritated by the evasion of their dues--had nearly all abandoned the + ship; and if the crews of the _Nitherohy_ and _Carolina_ did not follow + their example on their return to port, it was entirely owing to my + perseverance before their arrival in procuring this tardy justice. + + It was a maxim of the Emperor Napoleon, that "no events are + trifling with regard to nations and sovereigns, their destinies + being controlled by the most inconsiderable circumstances,"-- + though circumstances which have the effect of causing the Imperial + marine to be abandoned, ought not--in a national point of view--to + be regarded as inconsiderable; but whether this be of importance + or not, the consequences of such abandonment by men who have so + faithfully performed their duty, will be far from beneficial to those + short sighted and vain individuals who imagine that the employment + of foreign officers is an obstacle to their own advancement. + If the present foreign officers are compelled to abandon their + situations an explanation must be given of the cause, and public + indignation must inevitably fall on the unreflecting heads of the + prejudiced or selfish authors of such impolitic injustice. + + I have heard it stated, as a motive for the delay in condemning + the prizes, that the Government--in case of a treaty of peace-- + might be called upon to refund the value to the original owners. + But, Sir, let me ask such wretched statesmen, what would have + been the situation of Brazil, if foreign officers and seamen had + refused to enter the service--as would have been the case, had no + prize money been promised? In that case, it is true, the vessels + in question would not have been taken--but it is equally true that + the enemy's troops would not have been starved into the evacuation + of Bahia, nor their squadron have been intimidated to flee from + these shores. Military warfare would still have raged in the + interior, and the hostile fleet might now have been engaged in the + blockade of Rio de Janeiro itself. Would it not be infinitely better + that the Government should have to pay the value of these prizes + even twice over--than that such calamities should not have been + averted? + + But how can it be argued that the Government may be required + to restore to the enemy prizes lawfully taken in war? Is it possible + that the victors can be compelled to make humiliating terms with + the vanquished? Certainly not--unless the means by which victory + was obtained are insanely sacrificed, by permitting the squadron to + go to ruin and decay. The results which have been obtained could + not have been accomplished by any other measures than those + adopted by the wisdom of His Imperial Majesty. Is it then + justifiable, to suffer the engagements which produced such results + to be evaded and set at nought? Still more monstrous--decrees + have been passed, both by the Auditor of Marine and the Court of + Admiralty, to punish the captors for the execution of their duty, + and by means of pains and penalties to deter them from the performance + of it in future. + + It is even more unjust and inconsistent, that although His + Majesty's late ministers held out that ships of war were to be prize + to the captors, they are now declared to be the property of the state! + Do those narrow-minded persons who prompted such a decree, + imagine this to be a saving to the country? or do they expect that + seamen--especially foreign seamen--will fight heartily on such + terms? The power which the British navy has acquired arises + from the wisdom of the government in making the interests of the + officers and men identical with the interests of the state, which + gives bounties and premiums even in addition to the full value of + the prizes; whilst the insignificance and inefficiency of the navies + of governments which adopt opposite principles, sufficiently + indicate whether such liberality, or the want of it, is the best policy + in maritime affairs. + + Having said thus much on public matters, I shall very briefly + trouble you with respect to myself, by stating that, as regards all + which does not depend on the uncontrolled exercise of the Imperial + functions--there has been no respect paid to the written stipulations + entered into with me on accepting the command of the Brazilian + navy, and that since my return from freeing the Northern provinces + and uniting them to the Empire, every promise--written and verbal--has + been evaded or set at nought, which facts I am prepared to + prove beyond the possibility of contradiction. + + My nature is not suspicious, nor did I ever become doubtful of + promises and professions of friendship till after the third year of + my connection with Chili--when, having swept every ship of war + belonging to the enemy from the Pacific, the Chilian ministers + imagined that they could dispense with my services. They had + not, indeed, the candour which I have experienced here, for, after + appointing me to a command without limitation as to time, _they did + not publicly restrict the duration of that command to the earliest + moment that they could dispense with me_. It was their + plan--while + openly professing kindness and gratitude--to endeavour, by secret + artifices, to render me odious to the public, and to transfer to me + the responsibility which they themselves incurred by bringing the + navy to ruin, and causing the seamen to abandon it, by withholding + their pay, and even the provisions necessary for their subsistence. + As for the rest, my remonstrances against such conduct were treated + in Chili just as my representations have been treated here. Like + causes will ever produce similar effects; but as there was no hostile + or Spanish party in the Chilian state, four years elapsed before + the mischiefs could be accomplished, which, by the machinations of + the Portuguese faction, have been here effected in the short space + of four months. + + Truths are often disagreeable to those who are not in the habit + of hearing them, and doubly offensive after long experience of the + homage of blind obedience and subserviency. I have, nevertheless, + always felt it my duty to the Governments under which I have + served, not to abstain from uttering truths under any dread of + offence, because I have ever been impressed with the conviction + that speaking truth is not only the most honourable mode of + proceeding, but that the time seldom fails to arrive when those who + are warned of a wrong line of conduct feel grateful to the man--who + at the risk of personal inconvenience, or even punishment--dared + to apprise them of their danger. + + In England--where mischiefs were heaped upon me for _opposing a + ministerial vote of parliamentary thanks to an undeserving + officer_--the people at once saw the propriety of my conduct, and the + Government has since virtually admitted its justice. In Chili, the + ministers who hated me, because they knew me to be aware of their + deceitful and dishonest acts, were succeeded by others who have + solicited my return. And the worthy and excellent Supreme Director + (O'Higgins, whom those ministers, by their wickedness and folly, + brought to ruin) found at last, and acknowledged--but too late to + attend to my warnings--that I had acted towards him, in all cases, + with honour and fidelity. + + The error and fate of the excellent and eminent person whom I + have just named--affords a proof of the folly and danger of the + notion--that ministers who have forfeited the confidence of the + public by breach of faith and evil acts, can be upheld by military + force against public opinion, especially in Governments recently + constituted. The people respected their Supreme Director; but + when he marshalled his troops to uphold his evil ministers, he fell + with them. Had he adopted the policy of Cromwell, and delivered + to justice those who merited punishment, he would have saved + himself. + + Permit me to say, in conclusion, that the Ministers of His Imperial + Majesty are identified with the Court of Admiralty, and with + the officers whom they maintain in the different departments. + Let them--I repeat--take heed that the operation of similar causes + does not produce like effects; for if the conduct of these individuals + shall cause the naval service to be abandoned, and shall thereby--as + a necessary consequence--occasion great disasters to the Empire, + I am convinced that in a short period, all the troops in Rio de + Janeiro will not be able to repress the storm that will be raised + against the factious Portuguese. + + It is my fervent hope--that His Imperial Majesty, by gloriously + adhering to the cause of independence and to Brazil, will save and + unite the largest portion of his royal patrimony in defiance of the + blind efforts of Portugal, and in spite of the cunning intrigues of the + Portuguese faction here, to prolong civil war, and create dismemberment + and disunion. + + I have the honour to be, + + &c. &c. + COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + + His Excellency Joao Severiano Maciel de Costa, + Chief Minister of State, &c. &c. + +One effect of the preceding letter was--that the Court of Admiralty +requested my consent to give up certain prize property, the object being +to construe my acquiescence as regarded a small portion--into a +precedent for giving up the remainder. This was firmly refused on the +ground of its being a fraud on the captors. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +MINISTERIAL MALIGNITY TOWARDS ME--DANGERS IN PERNAMBUCO--PORTUGUESE +THREATS--MY ADVICE THEREON--FAILURE IN MANNING THE SQUADRON--PLOT FORMED +TO SEARCH THE FLAGSHIP--TIMELY WARNING THEREON--I DEMAND HIS MAJESTY'S +INTERFERENCE--WHICH WAS PROMPTLY GRANTED--PROTEST AGAINST PRIZE +DECISIONS--MY ADVICE SOUGHT AS REGARDED PERNAMBUCO--LETTER TO HIS +IMPERIAL MAJESTY--POINTING OUT THE ANNOYANCE PRACTISED--AND TENDERING MY +RESIGNATION--THE EMPEROR'S INTERVENTION--HIS MINISTERS NEGLECT TO FULFIL +HIS ENGAGEMENT--CONFIRMATION OF MY PREVIOUS PATENTS--BUT WITH AN +UNJUSTIFIABLE RESERVATION--PRIZE MONEY DEVOTED TO ADVANCE OF +WAGES--PROOFS THEREOF--BASELESS IMPUTATIONS ON ME--EXTRACTS FROM +LOG--FURTHER DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZE MONEY. + + +Having failed in inducing the Administration to withdraw the _portaria_ +issued with a view to nullify the commissions conferred upon me by His +Imperial Majesty,--I waited upon the Emperor to beg his interference in +a matter no less derogatory to his authority, than unjust to myself. His +Majesty regretted the circumstance, but having alluded to the +difficulties in which he was placed with regard to the Administration, +begged me to rely on him for justice, assuring me that he would take +care that nothing was done which should practically alter my original +compact. + +His Majesty was exceedingly anxious that the expedition to Pernambuco +should not be delayed, but I could only represent to him that nothing +whatever had been done to satisfy the seamen, who, in consequence, +would not re-enter--that several of the best officers were either in +prison on frivolous accusations, or under arrest--that the necessary +repairs to the ships were not completed--that no steps had been taken to +provide for their equipment--and that, in fact, the greater was His +Majesty's anxiety to put down the revolution, the more obstructive were +the obstacles interposed by the Ministry to the accomplishment of his +wishes. + +The Ministers now resorted to a clumsy system in order to lower me in +popular estimation, by imposing, for my guidance in naval matters, +stringent orders about trifles which were absurd or impracticable, +non-observance of these being followed by _printed reprimands_ such as +were never before addressed to a Commander-in-Chief, whilst my +refutations and remonstrances against such treatment were refused +publication. This course was succeeded by another still more unworthy, +the ministers so far forgetting the dignity of their position, as to +write or cause to be written against me a series of scurrilous articles +in the newspapers under the feigned signature of "Curioso," these +containing matters which could only have come from the Minister of +Marine's office; but as I was able to reply to _anonymous_ attacks +through the same channel, I took care that the refutation signally +recoiled on the writers, who, finding the course pursued more +detrimental to their objects than to mine, relinquished this mode of +attack. Pamphlets of an atrocious description were then resorted to, the +more noticeable of which, was one purporting to emanate from Chili, and +representing that not only had I effected nothing for that country or +Peru, but that my very presence in the Peruvian waters had been the +greatest obstacle to the speedy attainment of independence! + +A circumstance however occurred which alarmed even the Ministers +themselves. On the 20th of April, I received a despatch from Captain +Taylor, commanding the naval force before Pernambuco, stating that on +the 7th, the Camara of that province had unanimously resolved that they +would no longer obey the Imperial authority--that the Governor appointed +by His Imperial Majesty had been deposed--and that they had elected a +President from amongst their own body. + +This was an extremity upon which the Portuguese faction in the +Administration had not calculated--their object being to encourage +disturbance in remote provinces, in order to further their own purposes +at Rio de Janeiro. An attempt to institute a Republican form of +Government was, however, another thing, it being well known that this +movement was fostered by merchants and influential citizens with +republican tendencies. + +My advice was now asked as to what was best to be done in the emergency, +to which I replied that "no time ought to be lost in sending small +vessels to enforce the blockade of Pernambuco, which had already been +declared by Captain Taylor; as large vessels would be in imminent danger +of being wrecked if anchored upon that open coast at this season of the +year." + +To add to the dangers threatening the Empire, intelligence was received +that the Portuguese had reinforced and refitted their fleet with the +intention of returning to Brazil and recovering the Northern provinces. +This course, no doubt, having been determined upon on account of +information, that, in consequence of the injustice done to the Brazilian +squadron, it had been abandoned by the seamen, and was now powerless. + +I did not offer to accompany any vessels that might be sent to +Pernambuco; for I had made up my mind not to undertake anything unless +some satisfaction were accorded to the squadron. On the 3rd of May, I, +however, addressed to the Prime Minister a letter stating the plan +which, in my opinion, ought to be pursued in the present predicament. +The subjoined are extracts:-- + + Drawing a veil over that which has passed--though had my + recommendations, given in writing to His Imperial Majesty on the + 14th of November last--two days after the dissolution of the + Assembly--been attended to, the rebellion and separation of the + Northern provinces might have been prevented. Passing over the + errors committed in the non-employment of the greater part of the + naval forces; passing over the disgust occasioned by the conduct + pursued towards the seamen, the opposition which had been + encountered in every step towards amelioration, and the mischief + occasioned by these and many other sources of disunion and + paralysation, I say--passing over all these--let me call Your + Excellency's attention to the only means which appear to me + practicable to save the country--if not from again devolving to + Portugal as colonial possessions, yet at least from protracted + war, and its attendant calamities. + + Taking it then for granted that an expedition is actually fitting + out at Lisbon, destined to act against Brazil, the question is, how + and by what means can that expedition be most successfully opposed? + what is the force necessary? and how, under existing circumstances, + it can be procured? + + (Here follow plans for the reorganization of the navy, and its mode + of operation, in order to prevent the anticipated invasion.) + + As regards myself, it is my conviction that, though I might be + responsible for the discipline and good order of a single ship, I + could make nothing of a squadron so manned, as it inevitably must + be, and actuated by those feelings which have been excited to the + detriment of the Imperial service. + + Since the date of my last letter to Your Excellency, I have + received a copy of the laws relative to prizes, and am convinced + that these laws differ in no material degree from the maritime code + of England, the adoption of which I had solicited; and that the + blame of all the disquiet that has been occasioned is entirely + owing to the non-execution of the laws by those individuals who + have been nominated to dispense justice, but who have perverted it. + + (Signed) COCHRANE & MARANHAO. + +Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of affairs in the North, no steps +were taken to satisfy the seamen. In place of this I received orders to +use my influence with them _to re-enter without payment!_ Determined +that the Government should not have to find fault with any want of +effort on my part, I obeyed the order, with what result the following +letter to the Minister of Marine will shew:-- + + In consequence of the directions from His Imperial Majesty, + communicated through Your Excellency, to equip the _Pedro Primiero, + Carolina_, and _Maria de Gloria_, with all possible despatch, and + to hold them in readiness to proceed on service, I ordered a + commissioned officer to visit the different rendezvous which the + seamen frequent, and endeavour to prevail on them to re-enter + --assuring them that the continuance of their services was the best + means whereby to obtain their rewards for captures made during the + late campaign. It appears, however, that it will be difficult to + prevail on them to engage again in the service, without some + explicit declaration made public on the part of the Imperial + Government, stating what they have to expect for the past, and to + anticipate for the future; for the conduct that has been pursued, + especially in regard to matters of prize, has led them to draw + conclusions highly prejudicial to the service of His Imperial + Majesty. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +I also protested against the intended arrest of Captain Grenfell, +knowing that there were no grounds for such a step, and more especially +against the seizure of his papers, which necessarily contained the +requisite proofs in justification of his conduct at Para. The only +offence he had committed was his firmness in repressing the seditious +acts of the Portuguese faction there; and as those whom he had offended +had influence with their countrymen connected with the administration at +Rio de Janeiro, a tissue of false representations as to his conduct, was +the readiest mode of revenge, so that he shared the enmity of the +faction in common with myself, though they did not venture to order my +arrest. + +One instance of the annoyance still directed against myself, on the 4th +of June, is perhaps worth relating. It had been falsely reported to the +Emperor by his ministers that--besides the 40,000 dollars which I +refused to give up--specie to a large amount was secreted on board the +_Pedro Primiero_, and it was suggested to His Majesty, that, as I was +living on shore, it would be easy to search the ship in my absence +--whereby the Emperor could possess himself of all the money found. This +disgraceful insult was on the point of being put in execution, when an +accident revealed the whole plot; the object of which was, by implied +accusation, to lower me in popular estimation--a dastardly device, +which, though contemptible, could hardly fail to be prejudicial to +myself, against whom it was directed. + +Late one evening I received a visit from Madame Bonpland, the talented +wife of the distinguished French naturalist. This lady--who had singular +opportunities for becoming acquainted with state secrets--came +expressly to inform me that my house was at that moment surrounded by a +guard of soldiers! On asking if she knew the reason of such a +proceeding, she informed me that, under the pretence of a review to be +held at the opposite side of the harbour early the following morning, +preparations had been made by the ministers to board the flagship, which +was to be thoroughly overhauled whilst I was detained on shore, and all +the money found taken possession of! + +Thanking my excellent friend for her timely warning, I clambered over my +garden fence, as the only practicable way to the stables, selected a +horse, and notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, proceeded to St. +Christoval, the country palace of the Emperor, where, on my arrival, I +demanded to see His Majesty. The request being refused by the gentleman +in waiting, in such a way as to confirm the statement of Madame +Bonpland--I dared him to refuse me admission at his peril; adding that +"the matter upon which I had come was fraught with grave consequences to +His Majesty and the Empire." "But," said he, "His Majesty has retired to +bed long ago." "No matter," replied I, "in bed, or not in bed, I demand +to see him, in virtue of my privilege of access to him at all times, and +if you refuse to concede permission--look to the consequences." + +His Majesty was not, however, asleep, and the royal chamber being close +at hand, he recognised my voice in the altercation with the attendant. +Hastily coming out of his apartments in a _dishabille_ which, under +ordinary circumstances, would have been inconsistent, he asked--"What +could have brought me there at that time of night?" My reply was--that +"understanding that the troops ordered for a review were destined to +proceed to the flagship in search of supposed treasure, I had come to +request His Majesty immediately to appoint confidential persons to +accompany me on board, when the key of every chest in the ship should be +placed in their hands, and every place thrown open to their inspection; +but that if any of his anti-Brazilian Administration ventured to board +the ship in perpetration of the contemplated insult, they would +certainly be regarded as pirates, and treated as such." Adding at the +same time--"Depend upon it, that they are not more my enemies, than the +enemies of your Majesty and the Empire, and an intrusion so +unwarrantable, the officers and crew are bound to resist." "Well," +replied His Majesty, "you seem to be apprised of everything, but the +plot is not mine; being--as far as I am concerned--convinced that no +money would be found more than we already know of from yourself." + +I then entreated His Majesty to take such steps for my justification as +would be satisfactory to the public. "There is no necessity for any," +replied he; "but how to dispense with the review is the puzzle.--I will +be ill in the morning--so go home, and think no more of the matter. I +give you my word your flag shall not be outraged by the contemplated +proceeding." + +The _denouement_ of the farce is worthy of being recorded. The Emperor +kept his word, and in the night was taken suddenly ill. As His Majesty +was really beloved by his Brazilian subjects, all the native +respectability of Rio was early next day on its way to the palace to +inquire after the Royal health, and, ordering my carriage, I also +proceeded to the palace, lest my absence might appear singular. On +entering the room, where--surrounded by many influential persons--the +Emperor was in the act of explaining the nature of his disease to the +anxious inquirers--a strange incident occurred. On catching my eye, His +Majesty burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, in which I as +heartily joined; the bystanders, from the gravity of their countenances, +evidently considering that both had taken leave of their senses. The +Ministers looked astounded, but said nothing--His Majesty kept his +secret, and I was silent. + +Months had now been consumed in endeavours on the part of the +Administration to give annoyance to me--and on the part of the prize +tribunal to condemn me in costs for making lawful captures, this +appearing to form their only object; save when a prize vessel could be +given up to a claimant or pretended claimant, in outrage of justice, as +evinced in the case of the _Pombinho's_ cargo, and numerous other +instances. + +To such an extent was this being carried, that I sent protest after +protest on the subject. The following will serve as a specimen:-- + + PROTEST. + + The Marquis of Maranhao, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the + Naval forces of His Imperial Majesty, does hereby protest, on behalf + of himself and those employed under his command in the blockade of + Bahia, and other services of the Empire, against the sentence given + in the case of the Nova Constitucao, _whereby costs and damages to + the amount of four times the value are decreed against the captors + of the said vessel_ (taken in the act of violating the blockade of + Bahia), in performance of duties which the law sanctioned and the + service of His Imperial Majesty required. + + And further, the said Marquis of Maranhao, on behalf of himself and + the captors, does again most solemnly protest against _all sentences + of acquittal_ of vessels which violated the said blockade, or which + were seized, navigating under Portuguese flags or with Portuguese + registers--and against all proceedings to recover damages against + the said Marquis and captors _for any capture whatsoever_; His + Imperial Majesty having been graciously pleased to signify that all + expenses thus incurred in case of vessels pronounced "_malprisa_," + shall be placed to the account of the State. + + Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 1824. + +The anxiety of His Majesty on account of the revolt at Pernambuco was +meanwhile utterly set at nought, neither Severiano, nor his colleague +Barbosa--though now beginning to be alarmed--shewing the slightest +disposition to carry out His Majesty's orders for the compromise with +the officers and seamen, in order that the squadron might be manned. At +length intelligence arrived from the revolted districts, of such a +nature as to appear to His Majesty fraught with immediate danger to the +integrity of the Empire, as in truth it was, for the Republican nature +of the insurrection had become an established fact, whilst the squadron +which, months before, ought to have sailed to quell the revolt, was, +from, want of men, lying idle in the port of the capital. + +Setting aside all Ministerial interposition, I received His Majesty's +orders to repair at once to the palace, to decide on the best plan of +meeting these revolutionary manifestations. My advice was--at once to +put them down with a strong hand; but I called His Majesty's attention +to the ministerial contempt of his orders to satisfy the seamen, and the +consequent hopeless condition of the squadron--abandoned because no +assurance had been given that past services would be rewarded by the +adjudication of the prizes--against which adjudication the tribunal +resolutely set their faces, or, what was worse, unwarrantably disposed +of the property entrusted to them for adjudication. + +His Majesty was greatly annoyed at learning the continuance and extent +of the vexatious opposition to his wishes; but, begging me not to be +influenced by the injustice committed, strongly urged the necessity of +my using every endeavour for immediate action,--I at once pointed out to +His Majesty that the only way to accomplish this was, to restore +confidence to the men by maintaining public faith with the officers and +seamen, giving compensation--at least in part--of their prize money, +with recognition of their claims to the remainder. + +Still nothing was done, until, becoming tired of the harassing +circumstances in which I was placed, I made up my mind to a last effort, +which, if unsuccessful, should be followed by my resignation of the +command, even though it might involve the loss of all that which was due +to me. Accordingly, I addressed to His Majesty a letter from which the +following are extracts:-- + + The time has at length arrived when it is impossible to doubt + that the influence which the Portuguese faction has so long exerted, + with the view of depriving the officers and seamen of their stipulated + rights, has succeeded in its object, and has even prevailed against + the expressed wishes and intentions of Your Majesty in person. + + (Here follows a recapitulation of injuries and annoyances with + which the reader is familiar):-- + + The determined perseverance in a course so opposed to justice, + by those members and adherents of the Portuguese faction, whose + influence prevails in the ministry and council, and more especially + the proceedings of those individuals of that faction, who compose + the naval tribunals, must come to an end. + + The general discontent which prevails in the squadron has rendered + the situation in which I am placed one of the most embarrassing + description; for though few may be aware that my own cause of + complaint is equal to theirs, many cannot perceive the consistency of + my patient continuation in the service, with disapprobation of the + measures pursued. Even the honours which Your Majesty has been + pleased to bestow upon me, are deemed by most of the officers, and by + the whole of the men--who know not the assiduity with which I have + persevered in earnest but unavailing remonstrance--as a bribe by + which I have been induced to abandon their interests. Much, + therefore, as I prize those honours, as the gracious gift of Your + Imperial Majesty, yet, holding in still dearer estimation my + character as an officer and a man, I cannot hesitate a moment which + to sacrifice when the retention of both is evidently incompatible. + + I can, therefore, no longer delay to demonstrate to the squadron, + and the world, that I am no partner in the deceptions and oppressions + which are practised on the naval service; and as the first, + and most painful step in the performance of this imperious duty, I + crave permission--with all humility and respect--to return those + honours, and lay them at the feet of Your Imperial Majesty. + + I should, however, fall short of my duty to those who were + induced to enter the service by my example or invitation, were I to + do nothing more than convince them that I had been deceived. It + is incumbent on me to make every effort to obtain for them the + fulfilment of engagements for which I made myself responsible. + + As far as I am personally concerned, I could be content to quit + the service of Your Imperial Majesty, either with or without the + expectation of obtaining compensation at a future period, and could + submit to the same sacrifices here as I did on the other side of + the continent, even to abandoning the ships which I captured from + the enemy--without payment or reward--as I did in Chili and Peru. + After effectually fighting the battles of freedom and independence + on both sides of South America, and clearing the two seas of every + vessel of war, I could submit to return to my native country + unrewarded; but I cannot submit to adopt any course which shall + not redeem my pledge to my brother officers and seamen. Neither + can I relinquish the object which I have equally at heart, of + depriving the Portuguese faction of the means of undermining the + nationality and independence of the empire, to which--notwithstanding + their admission to places of honour and trust--they are + notoriously and naturally opposed. + + It is impossible to view the prize tribunal--consisting of natives + of the hostile nation--in any other light than as a party of the + enemy, who, in the disguise of judges, have surprised and recaptured + our prizes, after we had lodged them--as we thought--safely in + port. And we have not the slightest reason to doubt that, if + suffered to proceed unmolested, they will eventually get them clean + out of the harbour, and convey them back to their own country. + We do not ask for reprisals upon these people, but simply restitution + of the fruits of our labours in the service of Your Majesty, of which + they have insidiously despoiled us, and that no impediment to this + act of justice may arise, or be pretended by the individuals in + question, we are willing to wait for a still further period--retaining, + however, what remains of the prizes in our own custody--until our + claims are settled; when we shall punctually surrender them into + Your Imperial hands at whatever moment Your Majesty shall be + pleased to cause the said claims to be duly discharged. + + We most earnestly beseech Your Imperial Majesty--upon whom + alone we depend for justice--to take into your consideration the + necessity of withdrawing all control over the naval service and its + interests from the hands of individuals with whose country Your + Majesty is at war, and against which, under Your Imperial authority, + we have been employed in active hostilities. It is only by the removal + of Portuguese functionaries--more especially from the naval department, + and the appointment of native Brazilians in their stead, that + Your Imperial Majesty can reasonably hope to possess the full + confidence of your people. Such a proceeding would be far more + effective for the suppression of the rebellion in the North, than + the ill-equipped naval detachment employed on that service. + + I trust that Your Imperial Majesty will perceive that nothing + short of the most thorough conviction in my own mind, with regard + to the step now taken, could have led me to adopt it on my own + account, or on that of the squadron. To myself, in particular, it + must be a source of great anxiety, and in all probability, for a time + --before the circumstances are generally understood--it may bring + on me a large share of obloquy. My resignation is attended with + the surrender of the high honours with which Your Majesty has + graciously invested me, in addition to the honourable situation + which I hold under Your Imperial authority. Your Majesty may be + assured that such sacrifices as these are not made without extreme + reluctance, and if there had remained the slightest probability of + obtaining by any ordinary means the justice for the squadron, + which it is my bounden duty to persevere in demanding, I should + have avoided a step so pregnant with disadvantages to myself. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +His Majesty frankly admitted that the course pursued by his Ministers +towards the squadron was no less discreditable than injurious to the +vital interests of the state, but begged me to reconsider my +determination. To prevent further ministerial interposition, at a moment +so pregnant with danger, the Emperor offered to place at my disposal, +for the temporary satisfaction of the men, 200,000 milreis in paper +currency--not one-tenth of the value of the prizes--if I would endeavour +to rally them under the national flag, and merge my own injuries in +oblivion, till he should be better able to do us justice. + +My reply was that, personally, His Majesty had ever manifested his +desire to fulfil his promises to me, and that I would stand by the +integrity of the empire, and its consolidation. It was of the ministers +I had to complain, by whom all the Imperial promises had been broken, +and His Majesty's intentions thwarted; but that this would neither +interfere with my duty nor gratitude to His Majesty, personally; and +that if the 200,000 milreis were paid, I would endeavour to use the +money to the best advantage by inducing the men to return to the ships. + +The amount was directed to be placed in my hands, with the request that +I would proceed to Pernambuco, and use my discretion in putting down the +revolution, unfettered by orders; His Majesty recommending me to +withhold payment till the squadron was at sea, in order to prevent delay +and desertion. I begged of His Majesty to appoint a commission for the +distribution of the money, as the responsibility was foreign to my +duties. This, however, was overruled with a gracious compliment as to +the manner in which my services had uniformly been conducted; being thus +pressed I made no further opposition. + +Still the ministers withheld the money, on which I wrote to the +Emperor, requesting that His Majesty would perform the gracious +compliment of delivering it on board personally. The Emperor at once +comprehended the nature of the hint, and insisted on the sum being +placed in my hands. On receiving it, I immediately issued a proclamation +to the seamen, informing them of His Majesty's concession--inviting them +to return to their duty--and promising payment to the extent of the +funds supplied. The result was, that all who had not quitted Rio de +Janeiro in despair, with one accord rejoined the service, and every +effort was made to get the expedition ready for sea. + +Before sailing for Pernambuco I was naturally desirous of coming to a +definite understanding on the subject of my commission, the patents +conferring which had been ruthlessly attempted to be set aside under the +signature of Barbosa, on the _assumed pretence of authority_ from His +Imperial Majesty, whose _rubrica_, however, was not attached to this +violation of our original compact. Accordingly, on the 26th of July, I +addressed a letter to Barbosa on the subject, and on the 29th received +the following reply:-- + + His Imperial Majesty commands, through the Secretary of State + and Marine, that there shall be transmitted to the First Admiral + commanding-in-chief the naval forces of this empire the enclosed copy + of a decree of the 27th of this month, by which His Imperial Majesty + has judged proper to determine that the said First Admiral shall + receive _in full_, so long as he shall continue in the service of this + empire, _the full pay of his patent_; and, _in the event of his not + choosing to continue therein after the termination of the present + war of independence, the one-half of his pay as a pension_--the same + being extended to his wife in the event of his decease. + + The said First Admiral is hereby certified that the said decree of + His Imperial Majesty is not required to be inserted in his patent, + as he requests in his letter of the 26th instant, the said decree + being as valid as the patent itself. + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, + July 29th, 1824. + + (Signed) FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA. + + Decree of His Imperial Majesty, inserted in the _Mercurio de + Brazil_, Sunday, 31st July, 1824. + + In consequence of what has been represented to me by the + Marquis of Maranhao, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the + naval forces of the empire, and in consequence of the great services + he has rendered, and which we hope he will continue to render to + the sacred cause of Brazil, I hereby--by the advice of my Council + of State--determine that the said Marquis of Maranhao shall be + paid in full, during the period that he shall remain in the service of + this empire, the whole amount of salary due to his patent; and in + the case of his _not wishing to continue in the service_ after the + termination of the present war of independence, the one-half of the + said pay as a pension, the same, in case of his death, being extended + to his wife. + + Francisco Villela Barbosa, of my Council of State, Minister and + Secretary of Marine, is hereby commanded to promulgate the same, + and execute the necessary despatches. + + Given in the palace of Rio de Janeiro, the 27th of July, 1824, + and the third of independence and the empire. + + With the _Rubrica_ of His Imperial Majesty. + + (Signed) FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA. + +This decree nullified the unjustifiable _portaria_ issued by Barbosa, +limiting my services to the period of the war, which, in reality, had +been ended by my expulsion of the Portuguese from Bahia and Maranham. It +recognised and established the validity of the Emperor's original +patents, of which, by the minister's own explanation, it was a +continuation, with an extension to Lady Cochrane; a boon spontaneously +granted by the Emperor, as a mark of gratitude for services rendered in +the preceding year. It was, moreover, clearly left to my own option to +continue in the service or to quit it on half-pay, on the termination of +the war of independence. + +If there was any faith to be placed in princes or ministers, nothing +could be more definite or satisfactory than the preceding document, with +the exception of the phrase, "_in the event of his not choosing to +continue therein_," which evidently contained an _arriere pensee_, +implying, as was afterwards proved, that when I could be got rid of it +would be easy to _compel me_ to retire from the service; but even this +alternative was subsequently disregarded--though His Imperial Majesty, +on my thanking him for having so far done me justice against the +attempts of his Ministers--remarked, "_never mind their injustice--they +can't deprive you of that"_--alluding to the stipulations contained in +the Imperial patents, and this renewed confirmation thereof. + +The concession of 200,000 dollars, as a portion of the prize money so +long due to the officers and crews, was actually made to suffice, in +place of an advance of wages usually given on the departure of a naval +expedition; so that, in fact, the squadron was manned at its own +expense! no other payment being accorded by the _Government_. As His +Majesty had requested that the men should not receive their money before +going to sea, _the squadron_, with the exception of the flagship, was +despatched on its voyage, the crews being satisfied--now that the money +was on board--with my promise of payment when they should assemble at +the rendezvous appointed. + +It is requisite to enter into some detail relative to the distribution +of prize money thus of necessity substituted as an advance of wages: it +being impossible to get the requisite numbers of foreign seamen for the +_Pedro Primiero_ without such advance; and although the frigates which +had sailed, manned for the most part with Portuguese or Brazilian crews, +relied upon _me_ for payment of their prize money, the foreign seamen +refused even to remain on board the flagship without the usual advance; +the officers also were in want of everything, and the men--indebted to +tavern keepers--clamorous for payment. + +As the necessity was urgent, I did not choose that the flagship, under +my immediate command, should leave port in a discreditable manner, I +therefore took upon myself--notwithstanding His Majesty's suggestion to +withhold payment till we were at sea--to accommodate the officers and +satisfy the crew by the advance demanded; a step, in my judgment, the +more necessary, since, as had been the case in the former campaign, I +should mainly have to depend upon the foreign officers and seamen of my +own ship, for the execution of plans which might become requisite--the +best way, therefore, to ensure their zealous co-operation throughout the +voyage, was to establish harmony at its commencement by complying with +their just demand. + +The following were the principal sums disbursed on this occasion, as +appears from my private memoranda, the vouchers themselves being +afterwards transmitted to the Minister of Marine through Captain +Shepherd, as will subsequently appear:-- + + Dollars. + To Myself 85,000 + Paid Messrs. May and Lukin, Prize Agents, + for Admiralty Court expenses, and + commission, at 5 per cent 15,000 + + Advanced to Squadron generally 23,000 + + Ditto to Captain Crosbie 5,000 + + Ditto, to other Officers 3,750 + + Disbursed at Rio, 70,750 + +This sum, about L.14,000, may appear trivial to the English reader, +accustomed to lavish expenditure in all naval expeditions as the most +economical way of securing their future efficiency--and hence the +mention of such an amount may be deemed superfluous. That this is not +the case will presently appear. + +The reader must not however imagine that I am about to inflict on him an +account current of the expenditure of the squadron; but circumstances +compel me to a precision in this respect on personal grounds: the +Brazilian Government--though in possession of the documents and vouchers +afterwards transmitted by Captain Shepherd--publicly persisting in the +statement that I never furnished accounts of the expedition to +Pernambuco and Maranham--thus leaving the public to infer that the +disbursements just narrated, together with subsequent payments, had +never in reality been made! In other words, that I induced the crews to +go to sea--put down the revolution in the North--spent nine months in +pacifying the revolutionary provinces--and yet fraudulently withheld +200,000 dollars, the only sum supplied during the whole of the +expedition; the seamen meanwhile not only serving without reward, but +being content with my monopolizing the portion of the prize-money known +by them to have been awarded for the expulsion of the Portuguese in the +preceding year, and notoriously in my possession! Their forbearance +being so improbable as to refute itself, being contrary to common sense; +even in the absence of the vouchers, which were transmitted to the +Brazilian Government, _but never acknowledged_--I am able however to +account for the whole from documents no less convincing than the +vouchers transmitted. + +It is true that nothing but the blind hatred of the old Portuguese +faction towards me could have originated such charges, and that hatred +was greatly increased by my pacification of the revolutionary +provinces--this being the death-blow to the intrigues recommended by +Palmella in favour of the mother country. As, however, the Brazilian +Government did not acknowledge to me the receipt of my accounts, which +must either exist to this day in the office of the Minister of Marine, +or must have been destroyed, for the sake of traducing my character in +justification of my prospective dismissal--it is incumbent on me to +supply, for the information of the Brazilian people, explanations which +have been repeatedly given to their Government, but which have not as +yet been made public through the medium of the press--and that not for +the information of the Brazilian people solely, but of the British +public, who, in the absence of official imputations recently +promulgated, have never before been put in possession of facts. + +The Brazilian people may rest assured that whenever I received, for the +use of the squadron, sums which itself had captured, I could neither +then conceal the circumstance nor can I now disavow the fact--giving, +however, the reasons which, for the interests of the Empire, justified +my proceedings. The only instance of this kind which had hitherto +occurred was my retention of 40,000 dollars captured at Maranham, and +they who have perused the preceding narrative will be at no loss for the +ground of my refusal to surrender to the Court of Admiralty a sum which +would have been returned by that tribunal to their Portuguese +brethren--nor for my resistance to the plot which the ministers had +formed to take it by force from on board the flagship. + +To return to the advances made to the officers and seamen of the +flagship. The following extracts from the original log kept by my +secretary will shew the fact of the distribution previously narrated:-- + + _July 12th_, 1824. Received the 200,000 dollars at the treasury, and + gave receipt, with Captain Crosbie and the Commissary. Deposited + the notes in the iron chest on board the _Pedro Primiero_. + + _July 19th_. Went on board the _Pedro Primiero_ to pay advance. + (Paid May and Lukin 15,000 dollars.) Engaged all day in paying + the men. + + _July 26th._ Went to the _Pedro_, with the Admiral and Lieutenant + Blake, to pay advance from the prize-money. In the evening the + Emperor called and announced to the Admiral that he was to sail + on Sunday next. + + _July 31st_. On board the _Pedro_ paying seamen as before. + Soldiers came on board. + + _August 2nd._ Emperor came alongside. Admiral embarked. + Got under way, and set sail in company with the _Maranhao_ brig + and three transports. + +The preceding extracts shew that not only was an advance made for the +good of the service, but this was done with such publicity, that both +the Emperor and his ministers could not fail to be aware of the +circumstance. The further distribution as prize-money, according to His +Majesty's direction, took place at Bahia and Pernambuco, as will be +shewn in the next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT PROCLAIMED AT PERNAMBUCO--ITS CONCORDAT----THE +PRESIDENT CARVALHO--THREAT OF BOMBARDMENT--A BRIBE OFFERED TO ME AND +REFUSED--THE REVOLT ADMITTED OF PALLIATION--IT WAS FAST BECOMING +GENERAL--INTIMIDATION INEFFECTUAL--THE REVOLUTIONISTS EXPECT FOREIGN +AID--PERNAMBUCO TAKEN POSSESSION OF--PAYMENT OF PRIZE MONEY--THE +ACCOUNTS RENDERED IN DUE COURSE--ORDERS TO PUT DOWN REVOLT AT +PARA--CHARACTER OF THE REVOLUTION--DIFFICULTY IN FINDING PROPER +GOVERNORS--REVOLT AT CEARA--STEPS TAKEN TO SUPPRESS IT--THEY PROVE +SUCCESSFUL--THE INSURGENT LEADER KILLED--MEASURES FOR PRESERVING +TRANQUILLITY. + + +On the 2nd of August, 1824, the Imperial squadron again quitted Rio de +Janeiro, the rendezvous being appointed at Jurugua, where we arrived on +the 13th, and on the 16th landed a body of twelve hundred troops under +General Lima, at Alagoas, seventy or eighty miles from the seat of +revolt! this notable step being taken in pursuance of strict orders from +the Administration at Rio de Janeiro. + +On the 18th, the squadron reached Pernambuco, falling in, near the +entrance of the port, with a number of Portuguese vessels quitting the +city with passengers; but in consequence of the prize tribunal having +_decreed damages_ for the seizure of enemy's ships within a certain +distance of the coast, they were permitted to pass unmolested. + +We did not reach Pernambuco too soon, for proclamations had been +issued by Manuel Carvalho Paes de Andrade, the revolutionary +President--denouncing Don Pedro as a traitor, whose aim it was to +abandon Brazil to the Portuguese; which denunciation, though right in +one sense, was wrong as regarded the Emperor, whose views were +thoroughly national--though the object of his ministers was as +thoroughly Portuguese. Had the Pernambucans been aware of the want of +concord between the Emperor's intentions and those of his ministers, who +had forced themselves upon him--the probability is that they would have +supported, instead of denouncing his government. + +The revolution had, however, now taken vigorous root, and the democratic +spirit of the Pernambucans was not to be trifled with. A republican form +of Government had been proclaimed, the views of which were on a more +extensive scale than was commensurate with the abilities of those +propounding them; it being their vain hope to constitute all the +equatorial provinces into a federation, on the model of the United +States, a project fostered--if not originated--by Americans resident in +the city. To further this object, an appeal was made to the other +Northern provinces to repudiate the Imperial authority, and to form with +Pernambuco an alliance, under the title of "Confederation of the +Equator;" the consequence being, that a large proportion of the +inhabitants of Parahyba, Piahuy, Rio Grande do Norte, and Ceara, +declared in favour of the measure. + +The annexed is the Concordat of the revolutionary provinces:-- + + In the year of Our Lord 1824, third year of the Independence of + Brazil, and the 3rd of August in that year, in the Hall of Session of + the Government of the Province of Pernambuco, there being present, + the Brazilian citizen, Quaresma Torreao, on behalf of His Excellency + the President, Carvalho Paes de Andrade, and the Illustrious and + Reverend Francisco da Costa Leixas; Jose Joaquim Fernandez Barros, + and the Citizen Jose Joaquim Germiniano de Moraes Navarro, on behalf + of the province of Rio Grande del Norte, by diploma dated August 16, + 1824, and also the Illustrious deputies commissioned by His + Excellency the Governor of the Province of Pernambuco to treat on + behalf of his Government, with a view to extinguish dissension in + political opinions, which has so greatly retarded the progress of + Brazil, and of independence and liberty; and, at the same time, to do + their endeavour to banish a servile spirit which tends to enthral + Brazil by a pretended Constitution, domineering over the Brazilian + nation like that of the Grand Seignior of the Ottoman Porte. + + The Commission of the Government of this province, and the + illustrious deputations before-mentioned, having maturely considered + these subjects, agree-- + + First,--That these provinces of Pernambuco and Rio Grande + unite in a fraternal league, offensive and defensive, to assemble + all their forces against any aggression of the Portuguese Government, + or that of the Government of Rio de Janeiro, to reduce these + provinces to a state of thraldom. + + Secondly,--That the said league shall extend to the establishing + constitutional liberty throughout the said provinces, and to supplant + the servile spirit with which they are infected, and thus avert civil + war, engendered by the intrigues at Rio de Janeiro, the influence of + which now pervades the whole of Brazil. + + + Thirdly,--That to insure the effect of this compact, the Government + of Rio Grande must form a body of troops, and place them on + the borders of the province of Parahyba, to be employed as necessity + requires. + + Fourthly,--That this body of troops shall be supported by the + province of Pernambuco, but shall be afterwards supported by the + "Confederation of the Equador." And that the same may be + carried into immediate effect, this Concordat shall have full force, + after being signed and ratified by their Excellencies the Presidents + of the said provinces of Pernambuco and Rio del Norte. + + (Signed) + P. FRANCISCO DA COSTA LEIXAS. + JOSE JOAQUIM FERNANDEZ BARROS. + JOSE JOAQUIM GERMINIANO DE MORAES NAVARRO. + BASILIO QUARESMA TORREAO. + MANOEL DE CARVALHO PAES D'ANDRADE, President. + + _Printed at the National Press._ + +Carvalho, however, was not the man to carry out such a scheme, his +enthusiasm being without prudence or daring; hence, on our arrival--in +place of union, the contending factions were engaged in destroying each +other's sugar-mills and plantations, whilst Carvalho himself had taken +the precaution to station a vessel at the island of Tamarica, for the +purpose of escaping, if necessary, from the turbulence which he had +raised, but could not control. On learning this, I felt it my duty to +despatch a corvette to seize her, _though at the risk of four-fold +damages, according to the regulations of the Admiralty Court!_ + +Knowing that it would take some time for the troops to come up, I +determined to try the effect of a threat of bombardment, and issued a +proclamation remonstrating with the inhabitants on the folly of +permitting themselves to be deceived by men who lacked the ability to +execute their schemes; pointing out, moreover, that persistence in +revolt would involve both the town and its rulers in one common ruin; +for, if forced to the necessity of bombardment,--I would reduce the +port and city to insignificance. On the other hand, I assured them that +if they retraced their steps, and rallied round the Imperial throne, +thus aiding to protect it from foreign influence--it would be more +gratifying to me to act the part of a mediator, and to restore +Pernambuco to peace, prosperity and happiness--than to carry out the +work of destruction which would be my only remaining alternative. + +In another proclamation I called the attention of the inhabitants to the +distracted state of the Spanish republics on the other side of the +Continent, asking whether it would be wise to risk the benefits of +orderly government for social and political confusion; entreating them +not to compel me to proceed to extremities, as it would become my duty +to destroy their shipping and block up their port, unless within eight +days the integrity of the empire were acknowledged. + +These threats were held out in the hope that by intimidation a struggle +might be prevented, but they failed to produce the desired effect. One +result was, however, not a little curious, as originating an offer to +myself from the revolutionary President, of a bribe of 400,000 milreis, +to be shipped immediately on board the English packet anchored off the +port, if I would abandon the Imperial cause, and come over to the +Republicans; this offer alluding, in strong terms, to the "infamous +treatment with which my services had been met by the administration at +Rio de Janeiro, and warning me that, by adhering to it, I should meet +with nothing but continued ill-treatment and ingratitude." + +The subjoined is the revolutionary President's letter: + + MY LORD, + + Frankness is the distinguishing character of free men, but + Your Excellency has not found it in your connection with the + Imperial Government. _Your not having been rewarded for the + first expedition affords a justifiable inference that you will get + nothing for the second._ I therefore use the freedom to assure Your + Excellency the amount of 400 contos of Reis, as an indemnification + for your losses. + + The services required from Your Excellency are to take up the + cause of the "Confederation of the Equator," as adopted by the + majority of the Northern provinces, whose limits will be the river of + Francisco da Norte. + + I have the honour to be + Your Excellency's most humble servant, + + MANUEL DE CARVALHO PAES D'ANDEADE. + +The letter contained, in addition, an argumentative justification of the +revolt, but as it abounds in abuse of the Emperor, couched in the most +indecorous language, I will not sully these pages by printing it entire. + +The result predicted by Carvalho--as I had learned by experience--was +not improbable, but it did not follow that, because the Brazilian +ministers were unjust and hostile to me, I should accept a bribe from a +traitor to follow his example. I therefore transmitted the following +reply to his impudent proposal:-- + + _Pedro Primiero,_ Off Pernambuco, Aug. 26, 1824. + + SIR, + + If I shall have an opportunity of becoming personally known to Your + Excellency, I can afford you proof to conviction, that the opinion + you have formed of me has had its origin in the misrepresentations + of those in power, whose purposes I was incapable, on principle, to + serve. + + I have, &c. &c. COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + + His Excellency M. DE C. PAES D'ANDEADE. + +On the 19th, the Junta requested the interposition of the English and +French consuls to induce me to give further time for consideration. This +I refused, from the dangerous nature of the anchorage, by which the +safety of the ships was imperilled. + +Unwilling, however, to injure this fine city, I sent in proposals for +capitulation, giving permission to the revolutionary leaders to depart +unpunished, together with their property, provided they quitted the +Brazilian territory--demanding in return the surrender of the forts, +ships of war, gunboats, &c. as well as of all public property. In order +to prevent waste of time in correspondence, I proposed to Carvalho to +meet me on board any neutral ship of war, pledging my honour as to his +being permitted to return in safety; he nevertheless declined the +interview, proposing in return to meet me on shore on an island near the +town but--as after his insulting proposal, I could have no confidence in +his honour, this was of course declined. + +Still anxious to avoid extremities--from which, after the threats made, +I could not consistently refrain--I again wrote to Carvalho, that, had +he possessed the means of distinguishing between the intentions of the +Emperor, and the proceedings of a foreign faction, he would not have +been in arms against His Imperial Majesty, by adherence to whom Brazil +could alone be saved from that anarchy and confusion into which Mexico +and other South American States had fallen through individual rivalry +and the ignorance of their popular assemblies. I further pointed out to +him, that if, by procrastination I was compelled to bombard the city, +the popular clamour against the insurgent authorities might be followed +by melancholy proof to himself how quickly political adventurers may be +abandoned or betrayed in the hour of danger, and that he had better +yield to reason, what he could not prevent my effecting by force. + +By writers who could not have known anything of the circumstances--which +exist only in my own documents--I have been blamed for this tone of +moderation towards the revolutionary President. There were two valid +reasons for this course; first, that the conduct of the Pernambucans +admitted of great palliation, seeing that the distractions resulting +from the Portuguese faction in the administration at Rio de Janeiro had +been ignorantly construed into acts of His Imperial Majesty--so that the +injured people argued that it would have been better for them to have +remained a colony of Portugal, than a colony of the Government at Rio de +Janeiro--this mode of reasoning not being very far wrong. Secondly--and +this fully accounts for the moderation complained of--I knew, from the +most authentic sources that, in case of attack on the city, Carvalho had +determined to retire into the interior, there to carry on civil war by +enlisting the negro population under his standard; to avert which, I +considered that moderation was the best course to induce him and his +partisans to quit the empire, which would thus have been well rid of +them. + +It was folly, therefore, to consider the rebellion local, as had been +represented to the Imperial Government, or that its actors and +instigators were few and insignificant, for, in truth, as has been said, +it had already extended far and wide into the adjacent provinces, I +therefore wrote to the Minister of Marine, that "although it might not +be difficult to put down the revolution in the city, which, even the +land forces could have already accomplished, had they not been landed at +a distance--yet that without great circumspection, the prevention of +further revolution in the interior would be a work of time, trouble, and +expense; and that even all these would be thrown away, unless the causes +which had led to the rebellion, were removed or explained." + +The time given having expired without acceptance of the terms, it became +necessary to make at least a shew of enforcing them, though the water +was too shallow to admit vessels of large burden to approach with +safety, and the small vessels were ill adapted to the purpose; still I +determined to make a demonstration, and as a preparatory step ordered +Captain Welsh, of the _Paraguassu_, to shift into the flagship all the +English petty officers and seamen; but a heavy swell set in, and as the +anchorage was bad, I considered the risk imprudent. + +The schooner _Leopoldina_ was therefore ordered to try the effect of a +few experimental shells; but the mortar so shook the vessel, that she +had to be withdrawn, it being evident that nothing further could be done +till the weather would permit the approach of ships, or that rafts could +be constructed--for which purpose timber had been ordered from Bahia. +Little damage was effected by this experiment, for the wealthiest +inhabitants had fled into the interior, taking with them all their +valuable property. + +Heavy weather having now set in compelled the flagship to run to Bahia +for safety, the outer road of Pernambuco being at this season +exceedingly dangerous from the coralline nature of the bottom, as was +practically proved by the fact that the _Pedro Primiero_ lost every +anchor but one, so that to remain was certain destruction, and there was +no alternative but to make for Bahia to procure anchors. + +Nothing had been heard of General Lima's force since its debarkation, I +was therefore anxious to know what had become of it, and how far it was +in a condition to cooperate, the speedy possession of the place being +nautically an important point--for, whilst blockading we had intercepted +a Portuguese vessel, only forty-three days from the Tagus, and learned +from her letters that a large force was preparing at Lisbon, consisting +of sixteen ships of war and numerous transports, their destination +being Pernambuco; this forming sufficient proof that the Portuguese +Government counted on the recovery of those disorganised provinces which +had alike revolted against the mother country and the Emperor of Brazil. + +On the 4th of September, the flagship left for Bahia, first visiting the +island of Alexo, where the _Cacique_ and _Maranhao_ were at anchor. From +them we learned that General Lima's head-quarters were at Leimham, his +advance guard having joined the troops at Mogado, on the banks of a +river near Cape St. Augustine, the revolutionary forces occupying the +other bank. + +On reaching Bahia, we received information that the rebel Government at +Pernambuco was in immediate expectation of several fast sailing vessels, +ordered by the revolutionary President from North America, and also of +two steamers from England. I therefore wrote to the Minister of Marine +to send me some superior sailing vessels, as, if the anticipated +expedition from Lisbon, or those expected from England and America, made +their appearance, four at least of our force would, from their bad +sailing, run the risk of being captured on the first appearance of the +enemy. + +On learning the panic which had been created in Pernambuco, by the show +of bombardment, and its anticipated repetition in earnest on my return, +General Lima pushed forward towards the capital with no more formidable +opposition than a few desultory skirmishes; and on the 11th of +September, with the co-operation of the naval officers and seamen there +left, took possession of the city, Carvalho retreating into the +suburbs, where, breaking down the bridge which united them, he +entrenched himself. On the following day, it was said that General Lima +found in the treasury 400,000 dollars; perhaps the same which Carvalho +had offered to me as a bribe to join the republican party. + +The _Piranga_ arriving at this juncture with a convoy bringing eight +hundred additional troops, preparations were made to attack Carvalho; +but the insurgent president, making his escape on a fishing raft, took +refuge on board the British corvette _Tweed_, and afterwards got to sea. + +During the interval which elapsed between my departure for Bahia and my +return to Pernambuco, the distribution of prize money amongst those +entitled to it took place, the flagship and the _Maria de Gloria_ being +paid at Bahia, and the rest at Pernambuco. As His Imperial Majesty had +left me altogether unfettered by orders or instructions, and as he had +given the 200,000 dollars to be used in furthering the Imperial objects, +I determined not to regard the advances which had been made at Rio de +Janeiro, as forming any portion of the reward, especially to the +flagship, which had, unaided, achieved the more important results of the +late campaign, and was therefore entitled to a share commensurate with +the arduous exertions of the officers and crew, now again under my flag. + +The subjoined extracts from the log of my secretary will shew the +periods at which the distribution took place:-- + + _Sept.10th._ Made distribution of prize money in silver. + + _Sept.15th to 16th._ Went on board the _Maria de Gloria_, and paid + prize money. + + _Sept. 17th._ Paid Capt. Crosbie, 10,400 dollars in specie. Paid + other officers 5750 dollars. + + _Sept. 18th._ Paid Admiral 4750 dollars. + + _Sept. 27th._ Paying prize money to the _Paraguassu_ and others. + + _Sept. 28th._ Similarly employed. + + _Sept. 30th._ Paying prize money. + + _Oct. 1st to 5th._ Paying prize money. + + +The following were the amounts disbursed on these occasions, as far as +they appear in my private memoranda--some doubtless having been lost:-- + + Dollars. + Disbursements at Rio de Janeiro 70,750 + _(Paid Squadron as per account, made up Sept. 23, 1824.)_ + + + To petty officers and seamen of flagship, in classes + numbered A to Y, as per pay books transmitted + by _Piranha_ 18,289 + + Paid Captain Crosbie 10,400 + + " Captain-Lieutenants Carvalho, Grenfell, and + Shepherd, 2250 dollars each 6,750 + + " Capt. Grenfell, on account of captures at Para 2,750 + + " Seven Lieutenants, at 1500 dollars each 10,500 + + " Two Lieutenants at 1000 dollars each 2,000 + + " Six Lieutenants at 750 dollars each 4,500 + + " Lieutenant Ross as prize master 500 + + " _Maria de Gloria_ 2,483 + + " _Nitherohy, Carolina,_ and _Paraguassu_, no + account, say the same 7,500 + + " Brig _Bahia_ 274 + + " Officers and men of the _Piranga_ 7,053 + + " Mr. Dean, purser 600 + + " Lieutenant Ayre 480 + + " Florencia Jose da Costa 140 + + " Gratifications to artisans 419 + + + " To Admiral 4,750 + " Secretary, for distribution 5,000 + " May and Lukin, prize agents, as per balance + of account, July 15, 1824 5,324 + ------ + 160,462 + Original amount 200,000 + ------ + Balance to be accounted for 39,538 + ====== + +The above were not the whole amounts paid, but they are all that a +search amongst my numerous papers at present furnish; and as the +original accounts, as has been previously stated, were sent to Rio de +Janeiro, a more precise balance cannot here be drawn; but even this is +sufficient to carry conviction to any reasonable mind, that the sums +above stated were disbursed in ordinary routine, and should make the +Brazilian administration ashamed to say, that "the First Admiral never +sent in his accounts of the 200,000 dollars entrusted to him," thus +inducing an unworthy inference that they were not disbursed; though any +man possessed of common understanding could never believe that a +squadron, constituted as the Brazilian Marine was, would obey orders and +cheerfully act in unison with me, knowing that their prize money was on +board--of which I unwarrantably held possession! + +These explanations are more humiliating to the Brazilian administration +than to myself--though for so many years the subject of unmerited +obloquy from their denial of accounts which must unquestionably have +been in the possession of the Administration of 1825. But I must carry +these explanations yet farther. With the exception of 4750 dollars for +my own necessities, I took none as my share, though entitled to an +eighth in all cases, and to a fourth in the absence of other ships +whenever important services were performed by the flagship alone. +Neither had I received from the Imperial Government a single dollar of +the customary emoluments due to me, though, had these been honestly paid +according to the usages of nations and the stipulations of the Emperor's +decree of December 11, 1822, my share ought to have been more than +double the whole amount entrusted to me to man the ships and satisfy the +officers and men. Still I did not appropriate the 39,000 dollars which +remained, after paying the men, but determined to withhold it till I saw +what course the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro intended to pursue; +and, if that course were not satisfactory, then to appropriate it as a +right, although it was wholly inadequate to the services rendered, for +which I had been loaded with Imperial honours and national thanks, +without a shilling of emolument, notwithstanding the capture of a +hundred and twenty _bona fide_ enemy's ships--the expulsion of their +fleet and army--and the annexation of more than one half the empire. But +more of this in another place. + +On my return to Pernambuco, I found General Lima in quiet possession of +the city, and as the _Piranga_ had brought me instructions from His +Imperial Majesty, that, as soon as order was restored, a force should +proceed to Para, and depose the, General-at-Arms there nominated, I +applied to General Lima for a small military detachment to effect that +object; but he declined--on the ground, that in the present state of +affairs in Pernambuco, it was not practicable to diminish his force. + +It was not at Para only that irregularities prevailed: even at Maranham +serious disturbances had broken out, with the avowed intention, on the +part of the insurgents, of deposing the Governor acting under the +authority of His Imperial Majesty--to whom this new attempt at +revolution was as yet unknown. In short, the order to depose the +General-at-Arms at Para had unexpectedly resolved itself into the +necessity of tranquillizing the whole of the Northern provinces, which +were only waiting the result of Carvalho's measures at Pernambuco, +openly to declare against the Imperial authority. + +The dissatisfaction in the Northern provinces originated solely in the +anti-Brazilian system of Government pursued at Rio de Janeiro, which in +the estimation of all at a distance was Portuguese rather than +Brazilian. As they were either ignorant, or did not believe, that the +patriotic intentions of the Emperor were overruled or thwarted by the +Portuguese faction in the administration, which, holding in reality the +reins of power, left to His Majesty little more than nominal authority. + +It was not, then, to be wondered at, that the inhabitants of these +distant provinces, who, only a year before, had welcomed me as their +liberator from Portuguese oppression, and as the representative of +constitutional authority, should now be dissatisfied with what they +rightly considered an unnational system of government--preferring to +submit to a bad government of their own choosing rather than to one thus +arbitrarily imposed upon them. + +To avert revolution required able presidents, well skilled in the +management of public affairs; but, in place of these, men of an opposite +character had, for the most part, been chosen by the administration. + +It was no less essential that the Generals-at-Arms, or military +commandants, should be temperate and unprejudiced; but those placed in +this responsible position used their authority in the most obnoxious and +arbitrary manner. It was, no doubt, difficult to find proper men; or, if +they existed amongst the Brazilians, the jealousy of the Portuguese +party in the administration prevented their elevation to power; the aim +of that faction being disorder, as auxiliary to their anti-imperial +views. This had been strikingly evinced by the instructions given to +disembark General Lima's force at Alagoas, instead of near the seat of +disturbance; thus entailing loss of time and a difficult and tedious +march, which might have ended in failure, had it not been for the +distraction caused by the threatened bombardment of Pernambuco by water, +and the demonstration made to shew how easily it would be effected, when +means for a destructive attack were complete; the result was, +that--knowing my return from Bahia, with everything in readiness for an +attack in earnest, could not be delayed beyond a few days, no serious +opposition was offered to the occupation of the city by the force under +General Lima. + +The reports of increased disaffection in the Northern provinces becoming +daily more precise, it was necessary to take advantage of the panic +which the recovery of Pernambuco had occasioned; the more so, as serious +commotions had arisen, whilst a strong disposition to revolt was almost +universally manifested. As General Lima had refused me a military +detachment--and as the _Pedro Primeiro_ and _Piranga_ could render him +no further assistance, I considered it more in conformity with His +Majesty's interests to visit the Northern ports with these ships; taking +also the _Cacique_ and _Atalanta_, for the performance of services to +which the larger vessels were not adapted. The mere presence of these +off the disaffected ports would, I knew, suffice to restore order, by +affording inferential demonstration that, if force were required, it was +ready to be applied. + +Accordingly, leaving at Pernambuco the remainder of the squadron, we +sailed on the 10th of October for Rio Grande do Norte, where great +confusion prevailed amongst the inhabitants, threatened by the +insurgents in the adjacent province of Ceara, on account of their +abandonment of revolutionary designs in consequence of events at +Pernambuco. + +Arriving off the Rio Grande on the 12th, I requested information from +the President, relative to the state of the maritime towns and provinces +between Rio Grande and Para, especially with regard to Ceara. The +nature of the reply determined me at once to proceed to the latter +place, though regretting the necessity of going farther to leeward, on +account of the time which would be occupied in getting back to Rio de +Janeiro; yet feeling assured that it would not be satisfactory to His +Majesty, were we to return without ascertaining more particularly the +condition of the North, and without contributing to the restoration of +tranquillity. + +Arriving off Ceara on the 18th, I sent a communication to the President, +requiring him to make known my arrival for the purpose of restoring +order, and promising that all disaffected persons who, within fourteen +days, should return to their allegiance, would be permitted to retire +quietly to their homes, and would not in any way be molested on account +of their previous acts or opinions. + +A deputation of the inhabitants came off to the flagship, asking me to +land as large a force as I could spare, but as General Lima had declined +to supply a military detachment, it was out of my power to comply; for +the roadstead being unsafe, and the flagship nearly aground, I could not +dispense with the English seamen, whilst the Portuguese portion of the +crews was not to be trusted. Besides which, the foreign seamen were not +adapted to garrisoning a town. + +The application was, therefore, evaded; but with an assurance to the +President that, should the insurgents advance, we would render effectual +assistance; reminding him, however, that the inhabitants ought to be +induced to adopt amongst themselves, measures for their own protection +and preservation of tranquillity, which results were perfectly within +their power; and would render unnecessary the presence of military. + +I however landed a small detachment for the purpose of ascertaining the +means of defence, as well as in the hope of exciting the authorities on +shore to some degree of activity in their own cause. In case of attack, +I promised to disembark for their assistance the whole of the men who +could be spared; at the same time giving permission to withdraw to the +ships in case of sudden emergency, which might not admit of +communication with me in time. + +This offer produced the best effect in the city, giving confidence to +the well-affected, whilst, as the discontented were ignorant of the +extent of aid that could be afforded, they deemed it wisest to keep +quiet. On the following day, the inhabitants returned to their +allegiance, the officiating President hoisting the Imperial flag on the +ramparts with his own hands, amidst every demonstration of general +satisfaction. + +I next caused despatches to be sent to all quarters of the province, +announcing the return of the city to its allegiance, promising oblivion +of the past to all who followed the example, and this was succeeded by a +general acknowledgment of the Imperial authority. Confidential agents, +entrusted with similar despatches, were likewise sent to the +revolutionary forces headed by Bizarra, the rebel General-at-Arms, the +whole of whose troops abandoned him; whilst, by similar agency, the +_corps_, under the immediate command of the revolutionary president, +Araripe, was reduced to a hundred men--even the Indians, without +exception, abandoning his standard. + +As one of the first steps towards the pacification of the province, I +had published not only a general amnesty, but also a particular amnesty, +offering to the insurgent leaders themselves especial pardon, from +which, in ordinary general amnesty, they might otherwise imagine +themselves excluded, I had, in my own mind, determined upon this as a +general course to be pursued, as I could not but see that, in the outset +of the revolt, both insurgents and leaders had good cause to be +dissatisfied with the central Government at Rio de Janeiro. I had even +addressed a letter personally to the revolutionary president, Araripe, +remonstrating upon the folly of the course he was pursuing, and +promising my protection to _himself_, as well as to the other +revolutionary leaders, if they would return to their allegiance. He +chose rather to withdraw into the interior, with the discontented who +adhered to him, intending, no doubt, to wait till the naval force had +retired. Foreseeing the danger of this, I issued a proclamation, +offering a reward for his capture, sufficient to induce the Indians who +had previously been his supporters to proceed in quest of him, the +result being that he himself was killed, and the whole of his followers +captured. The Indian chiefs, as well as their dependants, were of great +service in the restoration of order, combining superior bodily strength +and activity, with energy, docility, and unfailing power of endurance +--forming, indeed, the best specimens of the native race I had seen in +South America. + +Previous to this I had succeeded, without much trouble, in restoring +tranquillity to the province of Parahyba, which had also been disturbed +by the mandates of Araripe; the inhabitants complying with his orders, +from the immediate danger to which they were exposed by his violence, +and being under the impression that Rio de Janeiro was too far distant +to afford them succour. Their delight at finding a squadron at hand was, +therefore, immediately followed by a repudiation of the insurgent chief, +and a return to unqualified allegiance. + +My next endeavour was to organise an effective force at Ceara, and this +was accomplished by the embodiment of more than a thousand men, though +we had not a soldier in the squadron. Various _corps_ were also raised +in the towns and villages of the province, and were active in pursuit of +the scattered remains of the republican army. + +Having thus assured myself of the complete restoration of order in the +capital and province of Ceara, and addressed a proclamation to the +inhabitants, pointing out to them the folly of being misled by designing +persons, who could have no accurate knowledge of matters which formed +the ground of complaint against the Imperial Government, we sailed on +the 4th of November for Maranham, which province was found in a state of +even greater anarchy than had prevailed at Ceara. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +ARRIVAL AT MARANHAM--CHARACTER OF DISTURBANCES THERE--I ASSUME THE +MILITARY COMMAND--PROCLAMATION COMMANDING SURRENDER OF ARMS--CONDITION +OF THE PEOPLE--CORRUPTION OF THE AUTHORITIES--MURDEROUS +PROPENSITIES--DIFFICULTY IN DETECTING ASSASSINS--LETTER TO MINISTER OF +MARINE--PACIFICATION OF PARAHYBA--DOUBTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S +SINCERITY--HE ESTABLISHES SECRET AGENCIES--EXTRAORDINARY +MEMORIALS--PUBLIC COMPLAINTS OF THE PRESIDENT--BRUCE ENDEAVOURS TO +INTERCEPT THEM--MY REPLY TO THE MEMORIALISTS--LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF +MARINE--ENCLOSING COMPLAINTS OF THE CONSULS--BRUCE PREPARES TO RESIST MY +AUTHORITY--COMPLAINTS OF THE BRITISH CONSUL--HE CONSIDERS MY PRESENCE +NECESSARY--LETTER OF THE FRENCH CONSUL--DETAILING SHAMEFUL +ATROCITIES--DANGER OF COLLISION WITH FOREIGN STATES--SUSPENSION OF THE +PRESIDENT--PROVISION FOR FUTURE GOVERNMENT--CONDUCT OF THE FACTION AT +RIO DE JANEIRO--NO INSTRUCTIONS SENT FOB MY GUIDANCE--LETTER TO THE +MINISTER OF MARINE--THE MINISTRY HAD PREVIOUSLY DEPOSED BRUCE--BUT +TURNED ON ME FOR ANTICIPATING THEIR OWN ACT. + + +We arrived at Maranham on the 9th of November, and ascertained that the +city and province--as had been reported--were in a complete state of +anarchy, arising from causes almost incomprehensible. The leaders of the +army had risen against the authority of the president, Miguel Bruce, and +fighting was going on when we entered the river. The strangest part of +the affair was, that both parties declared themselves supporters of the +Imperial authority, whilst each accused the other of plotting to form a +republic. Bruce kept possession of the city by means of negro troops, +from amongst whom he had also picked his officers, conferring upon them +regular commissions; the result being, that their excesses kept the +respectable inhabitants in a state of constant terror, so that my +arrival was hailed with the greatest satisfaction, and addresses of +congratulation were sent in from all quarters, even the ladies adopting +the unusual course of sending a deputation to welcome me. + +I immediately demanded from the president a report of the condition of +the province; but before this was presented, memorials from every part +put me in possession of the causes of disorder universally prevailing. +The general complaint was, that the president had established an +autocracy, refusing the co-operation of a council, as required by the +constitution, and that under his individual authority, military +disorders of all kind prevailed, even to murder, whilst outrages of the +most revolting nature were committed amidst cheers of "Long live His +Imperial Majesty;" thus using the Imperial name as a sanction to the +perpetration of acts the most unlawful and injurious. + +The President Bruce was the same individual whom, on the expulsion of +the Portuguese in the previous year, I had temporarily appointed +President to the first provisional Junta under the Empire, which body +was quickly superseded by a Government elected by the people. Possessing +influence amongst the Portuguese, of which faction--as afterwards +appeared--he was a prominent supporter, he had contrived to get himself +reinstated as head of the provincial Government, and was apparently +following the policy of the Portuguese faction in power at Rio de +Janeiro, viz. that of keeping his province in a state of confusion with +a view to disgust the populace with the Imperial rule, and so dispose +them, should opportunity offer, to favour the views of the mother +country. This policy, as has been said, was marked out by the agents of +Portugal; but Bruce, with every disposition to favour the views of the +parent state, was not the man to be entrusted with political strategy of +this nature. The fact being that, though possessed of a certain amount +of cunning, Bruce was unfit to be entrusted with authority at all--much +less to exercise that which recognises no control--so that the disorder +which prevailed was rather a natural consequence of his own want of +capacity, and arbitrary system of government. Finding every one against +him, he was gradually throwing himself on the black population for +support, promoting emancipated slaves to the rank of officers; and it +was generally acknowledged that had it not been for our opportune +arrival, both himself and the whites who remained in the city might +speedily have fallen a sacrifice to the force which had been organised +for his especial protection. + +On the other hand, the opponents of the president were not only in arms +against him, but there were two or three family parties fighting each +other under the Imperial flag! and carrying their revengeful animosities +to an outrageous extent, which threatened the extermination of one, at +least, of the contending parties, if not the total ruin of the province. +To deal with these parties was, from their mutual recriminations, more +difficult than had they declared themselves inimical to the Imperial +Government. In one thing, however, they were all agreed, viz. in +opposition to the president; but as his was the constituted authority, +this was precisely what I did not intend to sanction. + +It was clear to me that the first remedy was the appointment of a proper +military authority, and as none could be trusted, I apprised the +president of my intention to assume the chief military command during my +stay, or at least until order was restored, issuing a proclamation to +that effect. + +As hostilities were still going on, I sent an order to both parties to +lay down their arms, with which mandate the anti-president party +immediately complied, and dispersed; but as the savage blacks under the +authority of the president attacked their now unarmed adversaries, and +committed great excesses, I seized and put them on board some vessels, +anchoring these under the guns of the flagship, and retained the whole +as prisoners, thus keeping them out of the way of further mischief. + +The surrender of the arms was effected by the following proclamation, +which also explains my motives for this measure:-- + + Whereas, it is essential to the interests of the empire in general + and to the province of Maranham in particular, to put an end to + all public disturbances, whether arising from the contentions of + individuals, or from other causes; and whereas, the Constitution + has provided not only for the administration of justice in civil cases, + but also for the summary trial of military offences. + + Be it henceforth known that--all persons armed, or commanding + or acting with men in arms, or aiding and assisting any body of + armed men in the support or defence of any persons assuming or + pretending to authority as chieftains, or attempting to alter the + Constitution by force--are hereby subject to military jurisdiction + and shall be tried by military law accordingly. But this regulation + is not intended to prohibit individuals from meeting together unarmed, + for the purpose of uniting in an application for the redress + of grievances, or petitioning His Imperial Majesty on points connected + with public or private interests. + + And whereas, military arms and ammunition have been obtained, + by numerous individuals on the pretext of using them for private + defence--it being essential to public tranquillity and general good + that people should have recourse to the protection of the laws, and + not to violence for their security--notice is hereby given, that all + persons in possession of such military arms are to deliver them up + to the chief military officers in their respective districts, to be + deposited in the public armoury. Whoever shall be found in + possession of arms after the termination of this present month of + November, shall be judged according to military law. + + Given on board the _Pedro Primiero_ this 12th day of November, + 1824. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +This proclamation is adduced in order to shew the condition of the +province on my arrival, which it does more fully than would pages of +description. To these difficulties were now added the chagrin of Bruce, +at having his military authority superseded, though his civil authority +was not only uninterfered with, but supported. Still, having the orders +of His Imperial Majesty to use my discretion in tranquillizing the +disturbed provinces, it was not my intention to permit His Majesty's +views to be frustrated by undue deference to a Governor, whose folly and +despotism combined, had been the chief cause of the disturbances, though +I well knew that the course I was pursuing, even though approved by His +Majesty, would bring down upon me the indignation of the Portuguese +faction in power at Rio de Janeiro. + +The proclamation had the effect of procuring the surrender of arms to a +great extent, followed by the disbandment of all irregular forces +collected by the contending chieftains, so that apparent tranquillity +was everywhere enforced. + +The great point was to establish permanent order, which, had we gone +away, would soon have been broken. As, since the reduction of +Pernambuco, there was no other field for my active services, and as I +had no instructions how to dispose of the squadron, I determined to +remain at Maranham, and employ myself in consolidating the good already +produced, till further commands from His Imperial Majesty; for having in +the preceding year expelled the Portuguese from the province, its +welfare was a matter of interest to me, and I felt assured that were His +Majesty acquainted with the want of unity existing, authority would be +given to carry out my views. + +In Maranham, as in the other Northern provinces of the empire, there had +been no amelioration whatever in the condition of the people, and +without such amelioration, it was absurd to place reliance on the +hyperbolical professions of devotion to the Emperor which were now +abundantly avowed by those who before my arrival had been foremost in +promoting and cherishing disturbance. + +The condition of the province--and indeed of all the provinces--was in +no way better than they had been under the dominion of Portugal, though +they presented one of the finest fields imaginable for improvement. All +the old colonial imposts and duties remained without alteration--the +manifold hindrances to commerce and agriculture still existed--and +arbitrary power was everywhere exercised uncontrolled; so that in place +of being benefited by emancipation from the Portuguese yoke, the +condition of the great mass of the population was literally worse than +before. + +To amend this state of things it was necessary to begin with the +officers of Government, of whose corruption and arbitrary conduct, +complaints--signed by whole communities--were daily arriving from every +part of the province; to such an extent, indeed, was this misrule +carried, that neither the lives nor property of the inhabitants were +safe, where revenge, or baser motives, existed for the exercise of acts +of oppression[1]. + +[Footnote 1: Numerous original, but lengthy, documents are in my +possession proving all these facts.] + +I therefore addressed a letter to the president, warning him that such +things ought not to be tolerated; that reports of excesses committed by +those under his authority were reaching me from all quarters, the +perpetrators deserving the most severe and exemplary chastisement; that +I had determined to investigate these matters; and under the reservation +made--of personally acting under extraordinary circumstances--would +visit these cases with severe punishment, should the reality come up to +the representations made. + +The recklessness of human life was amongst the more remarkable features +of these excesses. Only a short time before this, I had granted a +passport to Captain Pedro Martins, as the bearer of an offer from an +insurgent party to lay down their arms, but he was murdered on his +return. This atrocious act, perpetrated, as I had reason to believe, by +some factious adherents to the president's party, from motives of +revenge, was unfortunate, as affording a pretext for others who were +ready to submit, to continue in arms for their mutual protection. I +therefore directed that all troops under the authority of the president +should remain where they were until further orders from me; and demanded +of His Excellency to use every endeavour to apprehend the parties guilty +of an act so disgraceful to the Imperial cause, that they might meet +with due punishment. + +Finding no effort made to apprehend the murderers, I addressed to Bruce +the following letter:-- + + It is with great regret that I have learned the atrocious act committed + by your soldiers against an officer having my passport + for the purpose of endeavouring to tranquillize the province, by + inducing the dissentient party to lay down their arms. This is + a matter so disgraceful to the cause of those by whom it has been + perpetrated, that I must enforce on your attention the necessity of + exertion to apprehend all persons who may be suspected of having + committed this crime, and send them immediately, prisoners, to this + city. + + I have further to direct, in the name of His Imperial Majesty, that + the troops under your command shall remain where they are until + further orders from me, as Commander-in-chief of the military and + naval forces of this province, notwithstanding any authority or order + which you may heretofore have received, or which you may hereafter + receive--except from me--to the contrary. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO + +It is almost needless to say that the guilty parties--though doubtless +well known--were permitted to escape with impunity; the president +alleging as his excuse, "the insufficiency of the regular troops to +preserve the tranquillity of the city;" this remark being intended to +throw upon me the responsibility of having secured on board the black +savages whom he had organized. My reply was, that--"for what I had done, +I was responsible to the supreme Government and the public, and if he +could not find means to preserve the public tranquillity, I must do so; +as he must be sensible that I had acted with propriety in relieving him +from a portion of the labour and responsibility which he had hitherto +sustained." + +On the 28th of November, I forwarded to the Minister of Marine, at Rio +de Janeiro, a full report of these transactions, from which the +subjoined are extracts:-- + + The completion of the task of tranquillizing Ceara in a manner + I trust satisfactory to His Imperial Majesty, was, in a great + measure, effected by the pardon promulgated in the name of His + Majesty--consigning to oblivion those occurrences which would + otherwise have agitated the public mind. The only exception + made was the intrusive President Araripe, and this, because, + instead of availing himself of the first proclamation of amnesty, in + which he was included, he retired into the interior with a band of + robbers, in order to excite further disturbance. The consequence + of this obstinate perseverance in disobedience on the part of + Araripe, has been his death, and the capture of all his followers. + + The restoration of Ceara to its allegiance and tranquillity having + been thus accomplished, we proceeded to Parahyba, where all was + tranquil, the inhabitants having unanimously declared His Imperial + Majesty Constitutional Emperor, the moment that they became free + from the terror of their more powerful and military neighbours at + Ceara. Some dissensions, however, remained in the province. With + respect to Maranham, things are different: no republican flag has + been displayed--nor, as far as I can learn, did any intention exist + on the part of the inhabitants of raising the standard of rebellion; + the state of civil war in which we found the presidency arising + from personal animosities amongst some of the principal families, + especially between those families and that of His Excellency the + President. Certain it is, that all were united against the President, + who, to protect himself, had recourse to the assistance of the lowest + classes of the community, even to emancipated slaves. The result + has been, military disorders of all kinds--and there is no outrage + which has not been perpetrated. + + The general complaint against the President is, that the constitution + has in no way been put in practice; that he has not + established any lawful council; and that he has been guilty of + arbitrary acts. The original documents relating to these matters + are enclosed for the judgment of His Imperial Majesty. + + I humbly hope that His Imperial Majesty will perceive that, + although I had no express authority to interfere in internal disputes, + yet it became my duty--on finding the province in a state of civil + war--without any General-at-Arms, or other military officer of + sufficient authority or capacity, to restore public peace--to take + upon myself powers which I trust have been used for the benefit of + His Imperial service. In order that the Imperial Government may + judge of my proceedings, I have the honour to enclose copies of + proclamations, and other documents relative to my transactions. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +On the 4th of December I was not a little surprised at receiving from +President Bruce a letter requiring me to banish certain persons +obnoxious to himself, amongst others Francisco de Moraes, who had been +the first to set the example of submission to the proclamation issued on +my arrival. This most unreasonable request I refused--writing to Bruce +that dissensions were not likely to be healed by punishing those who had +laid down their arms on the faith of a proclamation issued in the name +of His Imperial Majesty; further assuring him that, if he did his duty, +he would not find me remiss in endeavours to relieve the province and +himself from the miseries and difficulties with which he had been +surrounded. + +On the 5th of December I had the satisfaction of receiving a deputy from +Parahyba, assuring me of the perfect pacification of the town and +province. On receipt of this gratifying intelligence I transmitted to +Parahyba a general amnesty, coupled with advice as to the folly "of +rebelling under erroneous impressions of circumstances with regard to +His Imperial Majesty, which could not come within the sphere of their +personal knowledge, and hoping that, for the future, they would duly +appreciate the beneficence of a sovereign who desired that his authority +--limited by the Constitution--should be felt by his people only through +the exercise of justice and benevolence." + +It was a vexatious task to be thus constantly exhorting the disaffected +in the Northern provinces to confidence in the Imperial Government, +because I knew that they had but too good reason to be dissatisfied--not +with the Emperor--but with his administration, whose hopes were founded +on anarchy and intrigue. It was therefore my practice to exhort them to +rely on His Imperial Majesty--it not being within the scope of my duty +to draw the distinction between the Imperial wishes and the sinister +practices of those by whom His Majesty was surrounded. + +During the period of my absence I had been pressing upon the Department +of Marine at Rio de Janeiro the necessity of a speedy adjudication of +the prizes belonging to the squadron, according to the written order of +His Imperial Majesty. On the 5th of December I received an evasive reply +from the Auditor of Marine, stating that "he did not consider himself in +possession of all the laws and regulations whereon his judgment should +be founded in regard to seizures made or vessels captured by the naval +forces of Brazil." A miserable subterfuge!--as though it were any part +of my duty to supply an official with "laws and regulations" on such a +subject. It was quite evident to me that, despite His Majesty's orders, +no adjudication was intended, nor was any afterwards made; but in order +to prevent complaint of neglect on my part. I transmitted, on the same +date, to the auditor the whole of my documents, with a request that they +might be returned. + +From the state of the province on my first arrival, I had entertained +suspicions as to the President's sincerity; and as outbreaks were again +of frequent occurrence, notwithstanding the general desire for +pacification, an investigation into the causes of these elicited the +fact that he was secretly sending agents to promote disturbance, for the +purpose of revenging himself upon those now disarmed, who, before my +arrival, had opposed his arbitrary authority. + +To such an extent was this carried, that memorials reached me begging my +interference, as the memorialists could not now defend themselves. Two +of these memorials, signed by upwards of three hundred of the +respectable inhabitants of the province, were of such a nature as to +render hopeless the perfect restoration of order so long as the +President was permitted to exercise the autocracy, which, contrary to +all the principles of the constitution, he had irresponsibly assumed. + +In order to account for a step which I subsequently considered it my +duty to adopt, it is necessary to give some extracts from one of these +memorials, signed by a hundred and fifty-two of the most respectable +inhabitants in a distant part of the province:-- + + "That the most demoralizing excesses are permitted amongst + the soldiery, and, in order to preserve his influence with the troops, + the President permits them to murder with impunity--even Europeans; + the perpetrators of these acts being not only unpunished, + but rewarded, whilst military commandants and others attempting to + repress these disorders are dismissed; so that absolute authority is + established--the public money being squandered on the soldiery, in + order to support a criminal despotism. + + "Your Excellency must have witnessed the state to which the + province was reduced on your arrival, the people being compelled + to have recourse to arms in order to ward off a multitude of vexations. + Your Excellency must also have observed how quickly they + laid down their arms at your summons, of which circumstance the + party of the President availed themselves to sack and plunder the + towns and villages everywhere in the country; the tears, desolation, + and misery of so many villages and estates, accompanied by the + blood of the murdered and wounded, remaining eternal monuments + of these crimes. + + "The President and his followers, convinced of the abhorrence + with which such atrocities were viewed, availed themselves of the + false pretext that such acts were necessary for the Imperial service, + the people being in rebellion against him. + + "At the present moment he has given out that he has three thousand + men ready to support him in the Presidency against the measures of + your Excellency, and it is a fact that, in various parts of the + province, he has troops, militia, and arms; whilst the commandants, + appointed by himself, are all ready to execute his measures. + + "If your Excellency should unhappily quit the province, whilst + matters are in this state, it will be totally desolated--its commerce + annihilated--and its agriculture abandoned; confiscation and terror + will be everywhere established, accompanied by rebellion towards + the Emperor. If you will remain, we, the undersigned, undertake + to support the squadron, in the absence of funds from the Imperial + treasury. + + "To terminate these evils, we beg to represent to your Excellency + that there is only one remedy. President Bruce must be deposed + and sent to Rio de Janeiro, with his coadjutors, who are well known, + in order that his acts may be lawfully investigated, and punished + as justice demands; and that, in the interim, there should be + elected by your Excellency, from amongst the more respectable + inhabitants of this province, a person to represent to His Imperial + Majesty the horrible state of things here existing, and to implore + His Imperial Majesty's interposition for its salvation--your Excellency, + in the meantime, assuming the civil and military government + of the province, until His Imperial Majesty's pleasure can + become known. And we further beg of your Excellency that you will + name able magistrates, of known probity, to the respective districts, + and cause oaths to be taken, in order that the respective Camaras + may proceed to the work of saving the province from tumult and + anarchy, by observing faithful obedience to His Imperial Majesty + and by the administration of laws for the government of the people. + + "Maranhao, Dec. 11, 1824." + + Signed by one hundred and fifty-two + of the principal inhabitants of the province. + +A similar document, signed by upwards of a hundred and fifty of the +respectable inhabitants of Alcantara--upon whom excesses had been +committed in no way less reprehensible than at Maranham--had been +forwarded to me on the 6th of December; but, as the complaints were of +the same nature, it is unnecessary to do more than advert to the +circumstance. In addition to these, I received a statistic list of the +murders and robberies perpetrated throughout the province, under the +agency of those placed in authority by the President. The whole of these +documents were retained by me as a justification of any contingency that +might arise, and are still in my possession. + +The Maranham memorial reached me on the 14th of December, and had +scarcely been placed in my hands, when a letter arrived from President +Bruce, deprecating its reception, thus shewing that he had previously +been made aware of the contents, and--as I had afterwards reason to +believe--had attempted to intercept the memorial, but had failed in so +doing. After glancing at the contents, I made him the following reply:-- + + SIR, + + I have this moment been honoured with the receipt + of your Excellency's letter, and have to state that the document to + which you allude had not been delivered to me five minutes previous + to your Excellency's communication, and that I have not yet had + time to read it. + + Your Excellency may, however, rest assured that if the said paper + contains any thing injurious to the interests or dignity of his Imperial + Majesty, I shall not fail to take such steps as the occasion may + require. All papers that have been presented to me, it is my intention + to transmit to Rio de Janeiro, where the Imperial government + will judge of the motives of the writers, and of the contents of their + communications. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + + Dec. 14, 1824. + +My reply to the memorialists was as follows:-- + + Maranham, Dec. 18,1834. + + GENTLEMEN, + + I have read your memorial with attention, and + regret that you should have occasion to detail complaints of so painful + a nature, the more so as I do not know whether I am authorised + to remedy the evils otherwise than by such measures as have been + already adopted. + + According to the Constitution, you ought to find a remedy in the + laws; but if any authority, commissioned by His Imperial Majesty, + has improperly placed obstacles in the way of law, to His + Majesty only can an appeal against such conduct be made, for they + who attempt to redress evils arising from a breach of the Constitution, + by violating that very Constitution place themselves in an + equally disadvantageous position with the object of their accusation. + + As regards the deposition of the President, which you request, I + frankly confess to you, Gentlemen, that whatever may be my private + opinion as to the course most advantageous to you and the province + in general--and even to the President himself--I should feel extremely + reluctant, except in a case of manifest and extreme necessity, + to take upon myself a responsibility which might possibly subject + me to the displeasure of His Imperial Majesty, and would most + certainly expose me to be continually harassed by prejudicial reports + and false accusations, supported by artful intrigues, against which + neither prudence nor rectitude could effectually avail. + + To mention an instance of this, within your own knowledge, you + all know that, last year, when this province was annexed to the + empire, the property of Brazilians under the flag of Portugal, and of + all resident Portuguese, was by me respected and unmolested. You + know, too, that all the public property of the Portuguese Government + in the arsenals and magazines was left untouched, and it is + equally true that upwards of sixty contos of reis (60,000 dollars) in + specie, and one hundred and forty contos (140,000 dollars) in bills + taken in the Portuguese treasury and custom house, were left by + me in the hands of the Government of Maranham, for the payment + of the army. Yet, notwithstanding these notorious facts, it has + been audaciously declared by the Portuguese authorities composing + the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, that that very army--which I + had thus left the means to pay--_had served disinterestedly at their + own expense, and that I was a mercenary and a robber!_ I may add, + too, that the Junta of Maranham contributed in no small degree to + this calumny, for, after they had secured the money, they refused to + give me a receipt, though the sum I had so lent for the use of the + army was, and still is, the indisputable property of the officers and + men of the ships of war who were instrumental in freeing this + province from a colonial yoke. + + In short, great as is my desire to render you every service in my + power, I am not willing to interfere in matters over which I have + no express authority--because I do not like to risk the displeasure + of His Imperial Majesty, attended, as it might be, not only with + sudden dismissal from my official situation, but even with heavy + fines and imprisonment; not to mention the sacrifice of all those + pecuniary interests which I possess at Rio de Janeiro, where I have + enemies _eagerly watching for a pretence to deprive me of all to which + I have a claim_. Neither am I disposed to afford to those persons + any opportunity of giving plausibility to those calumnies which + they are ever so ready to utter, nor to be under the necessity of + placing myself on my defence before the world against their false + accusations. + + I have the honour, GENTLEMEN, + &c. &c. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +The memorial of the inhabitants of Maranham was, together with other +complaints, forwarded by me to the Imperial Government, accompanied by +the following letter to the Minister of Marine:-- + + December 16th, 1824. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + My letters 278-279, will have acquainted your + Excellency of our proceedings here up to their respective dates, and + will also have afforded the Imperial Government such information + as I could collect regarding the origin and progress of the disputes + which have so unhappily prevailed. + + It was my hope that--by taking their implements of war from + the hands of the contending parties, and removing the most disorderly + portion of the military--the public mind would have + subsided into tranquillity. It appears, however, that--from the + constant alarm occasioned by the "_Pedestres_," and other irregular + troops lately maintained by the President--the public still continue + in dread of being exposed to outrages, similar to those lately committed + on their persons and property. The terror excited is + universal, and as the people must be well acquainted with the + character and conduct of persons with whom they have been bred + up, I cannot bring myself to believe--however desirous to support a + President nominated by His Imperial Majesty--that all the + respectable portion of the population, without exception, entertain + fears that are groundless. Indeed, from all that I have seen or + heard, there is but little reason to hope that his Excellency the + President has any intention to govern this province on any other + system than that of the Captains-General, under the old Portuguese + government; that is to say, rather according to his own will than + in conformity with the dictates of justice or equity. + + Certain it is, that, up to the present moment, the Constitution + has never been put in practice, and even military law has not been + adhered to. Numerous persons have been banished without accuser + or declared crime--others have been thrown into gaol--and the + greater portion of the principal people who remained had--previous + to our arrival--fled to the woods, to avoid being the objects of the + like arbitrary proceedings. + + The representations which I now enclose to your Excellency as a + sample of the numerous documents of a similar nature addressed to + me, will, at least, lead His Imperial Majesty to the conclusion that + such complaints could not have arisen, and continued under the + government of a person calculated to preside over the interests + of so important a province. + + Your Excellency will find a memorial from the French Consul, + marked No. 7, and the other Consuls have only been restrained + from sending similar representations from the consideration that, + on the squadron quitting this port, the consequences might be + highly prejudicial to their interests and those whom they + represent. + + I would further state to your Excellency the remarkable fact + that the President--after having continued a _high pay_ to the + soldiery during the existence of those disorders of which they were + the instrument--did, at the moment of my taking the command, + send me an old order respecting the diminution of the pay of the + troops, which order he himself had never put in execution. And it + is still more extraordinary, that he since refused _any pay whatever_, + to the small number of troops of the line, who are continued in + service for the preservation of the tranquillity of the city. + + Since my last letters, I have been using all possible diligence to + get the remainder of the firearms out of the hands of the lower + classes of the population. Many, however, have been withheld--a + circumstance which gives additional importance to the extraordinary + fact, which I have only by accident learned--that the + Junta of Fazenda, acting under the President, issued an order + on the 6th of December (an attested copy of which is enclosed), + _authorising the sale of powder, and that too, under the false pretence + that "all motives for suspending the sale of powder had ceased."_ + I have not words in which to express the astonishment I felt at this + extraordinary proceeding. I shall only add that, as soon as it + came to my knowledge, I gave orders that such sale should not be + permitted, and I have since directed the whole of the powder in the + magazines at Maranham to be embarked and deposited in a vessel + near the anchorage of the ships-of-war; by which precaution I + consider the security of the white population to be in a great + measure secured, till His Imperial Majesty shall be enabled to + take such steps as in his judgment may appear necessary. + + Were I to detail to your Excellency all the facts that lead my + mind to a conclusion that this province will be entirely lost to the + empire unless a speedy remedy be applied to the evils which here + exist--it would be necessary to trespass upon you at very great + length; but as the brother of the Secretary of Government proceeds + to Rio de Janeiro by the same conveyance as this, your Excellency + and colleagues will be able to obtain from him such further information + as may satisfy your minds regarding the state of this + province. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +It was not long before I learned that in many parts troops were being +secretly organised to support the President's authority against me, but +this was met by removing from command those officers who had either +permitted or encouraged military insubordination; supplying their places +with others upon whom I could better rely. + +An occurrence, however, now took place which threatened to involve +Brazil in serious difficulties. From the indiscrimination of Bruce's +troops in their career of injury and plunder, some renewed outrages had +been committed on French subjects; for which the French consul required +reparation from me, as having assumed the chief authority; at the same +time again demanding passports for himself and the whole of the French +residents, in case of my intention to quit the city and leave Bruce +again in power. The British consul also forwarded additional complaints +of similar outrages against his countrymen; but, in place of requiring +reparation at my hands, he forwarded representations to his own +government, requesting protection against the acts of Bruce, at the same +time communicating the fact of these representations to me, but +declining to furnish me with a copy of his despatch, as I had no direct +appointment from the Imperial Government for the authority I was +exercising. The demands of the French consul were, however, pressing; +but I could only reply with regard to the outrages committed against +French subjects by the adherents of the President:--"I was sorry that it +was not in my power to remedy past evils; but that such steps had been +taken as would prevent their recurrence for the future." + +The subjoined is one of the letters of the British Consul:-- + + British Consul's Office, + + Maranhao, Dec. 17, 1824. + + My Lord, + + Understanding that your Lordship has an intention of soon withdrawing + your presence from this province, I am forced, as the official and + responsible protector of British interests in this quarter, to make + the following statement, leaving it to be proved by the facts therein + set forth that I am, by this course, adopting the only means within + my reach, of providing for the interests confided to my attention, a + satisfactory security! and that I am, by so doing, not departing from + that line of conduct which, as a neutral officer, I am bound to + observe. + + By this time your Lordship must be fully aware of the violent + character and desolating effects of the late civil commotions + throughout this province. These commotions unhappily existed during a + protracted period, and whilst they were raging, the regular pursuits + of the community were either interrupted by violent party + intrigues--suspended by a barbarous warfare--or totally stopped by + merciless outrages. + + Notwithstanding this disjointed state of society, and the consequent + inefficiency of all constituted authority, the resident British, by + general and firm perseverance in a strictly neutral line of conduct, + and by calm endurance of not a few unavoidable ills--succeeded in + averting from themselves the chief weight of those evils to which all + the remaining population were exposed. + + But though they now feel grateful at having escaped outrage + and have passed unhurt amidst general anarchy, still, they recollect, + that while by their conduct they were entitled to protection, they + nevertheless continued in a painful anxiety for their safety. + + In this state of uncertain security the resident British continued + for several months, and when at last intrigue attempted to force + them into the general scene of distress--some being openly + threatened--your Lordship's providential arrival averted the destruction + of many inhabitants, and the dangerous condition of all. + + Into this critical situation were British interests at this place + thrown by violent party spirit. That spirit, though at present + smothered, cannot be totally extinguished without time. It has + unsettled the community at large, and disorganised all the military + establishments of the province. + + After this exposition of facts, I may be allowed to assert, without + thereby offering the least disrespect to any constituted authority, + that your Lordship's presence in this province for the time being is + indispensable for the tranquillity and security of all its inhabitants-- + because the only means by which legal control can be revived, and + consequently an occurrence which must be as desirable and needful + to all public functionaries, as I frankly avow it to be to one, who has + the honour to declare himself + + Your Lordship's + Most obedient and humble servant, + + ROBERT HESKETH, + His Britannic Majesty's Consul. + + To the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, + Marquis of Maranhao, Admiral, &c. &c. + +The letter of the French Consul is even more precise, and therefore I +subjoin that also:-- + + Vice Consulate of France at S. Louis de Maragnon, + + Monsieur le Marquis, Dec. 4, 1821. + + La position difficile dans laquelle je me suis trouve depuis trois + mois--la delicatesse de celle dans laquelle je suis place maintenant + vis-a-vis M. le President de la province de Maragnon, m'imposant le + devoir de porter a la connoissance de votre Excellence les justes + motifs de plainte que j'ai a lui exposer centre la conduite de M. le + President Bruce envers un Agent de Sa Majeste le Roi de France, et + venir a ce titre reclamer un appui que je ne puis plus dorenavant + attendre de sa part. La confiance que m'inspire le caractere dont + votre Excellence est revetue, et la certitude qu'elle n'ignore pas + les intimes relations qui lient la France a l'Empire du Bresil, me + font qu'elle saura apprecier les consequences graves que doivent + entrainer l'avance faite ici aux sujets de mon Souverain, et le + silence meprisant que garde a cet egard le President depuis un mois + que je lui ai demande la participation du resultat d'une enquete + qu'il m'assura avoir ete ordonnee par lui. Sans m'entendre sur les + evenements facheux qui ont desole cette province depuis cinq mois, + pour etre hors du but que je me propose je me bornerai a parler de + ceux dont je puis garantir l'authenticite et de l'influence du + Gouvernement de M. Bruce pendant cet intervalle sur le bien-etre de + mes nationaux. + + Lors des premieres armamens faits dans la province, pour opposer des + forces a une expedition supposee de la part du Portugal, un Francois + etabli a Caixas, compris dans une mesure generale fut oblige + d'autorite de delivrer une partie d'armes dont il ne recut jamais la + valeur, malgre un sejour prolonge de plusieurs mois dans le meme + endroit. Quelque modique que soit la somme qu'il s'est vu dans la + necessite de venir reclamer ici, elle est proportionnee a ses + moyens. C'est un tort evident fait a cet homme qui ne put continuer + a exercer son industrie dans le lieu qu'il avoit choisi, et fut + contraint a un deplacement couteux qui doit lui retirer toute + confiance a l'avenir. + + L'arrivee des troupes envoyees par le President pour reprimer un + mouvement dans l'interieur immediatement apres le depart de M. Jose + Felix Burgos, ne fut signalee dans la ville d'Alcantara que par des + desordres, les Etrangers meme n'y furent pas respectes dans cet + endroit, qui n'etoit pas encore le theatre des hostilites. Un homme + de ma Nation y exercant paisiblement son commerce fut attaque chez + lui, eut les portes de sa maison enfoncees par les soldats, fut + temoin deux fois du pillage de sa boutique et force pour sauver ses + jours d'aller sejourner dans le bois; ce malheureux n'a d'autre + ressource maintenant que le travail de ses mains, ce fait contre + lequel il eut ete de mon devoir de reclamer vient seulement de + parvenir a ma connoissance. + + Les Francois etablis en cette ville avoient joui jusqu'a l'arrivee + dans l'ile des troupes armees contre le President d'une trop grande + securite, pour ne pas revailler contre eux toute la haine dont avoit + eut fait preuve deja les Portugais avant l'adhesion de cette + province a l'Empire du Bresil. Un acte emane _de leur despotique + Junte_ avoit malgre les traites fait fermer les loges Francoises + jusqu'a la reception des ordres precis de leur gouvernement, qui + desapprouvait hautement cette mesure. Ces memes Portugais oubliant + la generositie avec laquelle les commandants de trois batimens de Sa + Majeste le Roi de France venoient de sauver un grand nombre de leurs + compatriotes lors des derniers troubles du Para, n'ecoutant que leur + jalousie ne s'efforcerent qu'a nous perdre dans l'opinion publique + _par le plus noires inculpations._ Je les considere comme ayant + influe puissament sur le malhereux evenement que j'ai eu a deplorer. + Malgre l'avertissement que j'avois donne huit jours auparavant au + President de la menace qui etoit faite aux Francois de leur faire + subir le genre d'assassinat usite ici, le 21 Septembre, quatre + Francois ete surpris par des assassins, deux furent tres maltraites, + l'un atteint de plusieurs blessures a la tete et au bras fut + reconduit chez lui baigne dans son sang; ses blessures au bras, + fracture en deux endroits laissent encore douter apres 70 jours de + douleurs aigues s'il ne devra par subir l'amputation. Le meme jour a + la meme heure, un Francois fut attaque chez lui malgre le signe de + reconnaisance qui distingue depuis les troubles les maisons des + Francois; des pierres lancees dans sa porte et ses fenetres pendant + un long espace de temps, l'obligerent a venir lui-meme dissiper par + des menaces une troupe d'hommes qu'il esperoit ne pas voir echapper + a la surveillance d'un porte militaire a proximite de sa maison. + + M'etant rendu chez le President, lui demander d'abord la punition + de ce crime atroce, il eut l'inconvenance de m'objecter que la + conduite des Francois etoit tres reprehensible, je remarquoi ces + paroles et le lui fis observer; elles ne pouvoient s'appliquer + d'ailleurs qu'a deux individus passes au service du parti oppose, + que j'etois venu desavouer lui en demandant expulsion. Le President + repondant se rendit a ma demande, et me donna l'espoir d'avoir une + satisfaction, tant pour l'attentat a la vie des quatre individus de + ma Nation, que pour l'attaque du domicile d'un Francois. + + Neanmoins les jours suivants les desordres continuerant, les + Francois etoient outrages publiquement; un soldat eut l'audace de + poursuivre mon negre dans la maison Consulaire et de l'y frapper en + se repondant en invectives contre les Francois; un enfant de neuf + ans fut horriblement maltraite par des soldats, jusqu'aux negres + osoient lever la tete, et nous insulter. Mr. Bruce avoit-il pris du + mesures de repression? Est-ce la protection que devoit en attendre + l'Agent d'une puissance amie du Bresil? En butte a l'animositie + d'une soldatesque indisciplinee, nous courumes pendant quinze jours + le danger le plus imminent, nous attendant a tout instant a voir se + realiser ses menaces de venir nous massacre dans nos maisons. + + J'ai eu depuis a reclamer contre le violation d'un batimen du + commerce Francois. Malgre trois gardes de la Douane, cinq soldats + armes furent envoyes a son bord a neuf heures du soir; je les fis + retirer le lendemain; ce dernier acte du President qui des lors + commenca a ne plus garder aucuns menagemens avec moi, faisant + incarcerer un des mes nationaux sans m'en donner avis ainsi que des + motifs qui l'y portoient; le pavilion du Roi place au dessus de + l'Ecusson de France, que je trouvai lacere, me firent prevoir que je + n'avois plus rien a attendre de la protection de l'autorite. + + Monsieur le Marquis, je me suis maintenu a mon poste malgre les + dangers tant que j'ai eu l'espoir que l'arrivee de Votre Excellence + si desiree de la population entiere de la province, viendroit nous + delivrer de ce deplorable etat de choses. Sans connaitre les + intentions de Votre Excellence, je vois Mr. Bruce encore president, + non-seulement il ne m'a donne aucune satisfaction, mais encore + apporte dans sa conduite, le mepris le plus marque par un fileure + qui ne pent s'interpreter autrement. + + C'est donc contre lui, Monsieur le Marquis, que je vieus en + solliciter une aujourd'hui pour ce total oubli de ses devoirs + envers un Agent de Sa Majeste tres Chretienne; cette conduite + emporte le refus d'aucun appui de sa part pour l'avenir; d'ailleurs + mon caractere publique m'impose de ne pas m'exposer a un outrage, et + l'interet que je dois a mes nationaux de les soustraire a son + implacable vengeance. Si Votre Excellence ne jugeoit pas convenable + d'user de ses pleins pouvoirs pour m'accorder la seule garantie qui + puisse me permettre de sejourner plus longtemps ici, je viens lui + demander de proteger mon embarquement et celui des Francois qui + restant encore a Maragnon. + + Je suis, avec respect, Monsieur le Marquis, de Votre Excellence le + tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, + + (Signe) PL. DES SALLIERES. + + A son Excellence LORD COCHRANE, Marquis de Maragnon, Premier Amiral + du Bresil, &c. &c. + + +The steps alluded to were such as I considered most essential for the +safety of the as yet unacknowledged empire; which, through the folly of +a provincial Governor, was in danger of being jeopardised by collision +with powerful European states. As stated to the Maranham memorialists, I +did not adopt the extreme measure of deposing Bruce from the +presidential authority, but resolved to suspend him therefrom till the +pleasure of His Imperial Majesty as regarded his conduct should be made +known. Accordingly, on Christmas day, 1824, I addressed to him the +following letter;-- + + Maranham, Dec. 25,1824. + + SIR, + + It is with extreme regret that I feel myself under + the necessity of acquainting your Excellency that it is impossible + for me to withdraw the squadron from Maranham, so long as your + Excellency continues to exercise the functions of President of this + province; because it is evident that if your Excellency is left in + authority, without the aid of the squadron, you must again + have recourse to the assistance of the lowest order of the people, + whom, on my arrival here, I found in arms in support of your + Excellency, against nine-tenths of the upper classes of society, who + continue to entertain the greatest terror of being left under the + authority of your Excellency. + + To prevent the recurrence of so lamentable a state of things--the + loss of lives--and the calamities of every kind which would inevitably + ensue, I would respectfully suggest to your Excellency the + necessity of your withdrawing from office, until the determination of + His Imperial Majesty can be obtained. + + I can, with great truth, assure your Excellency that my intentions + are not in any degree dictated by any feelings of personal ill-will + towards your Excellency. On the contrary, I have a wish to rescue + you from a situation of great jeopardy, and it is chiefly with a view + of avoiding to do anything that might appear derogatory to your + Excellency, that I am desirous the change so necessary to be effected + should proceed from your Excellency's voluntary resignation. But + I regret to add that so pressing is that necessity, that it is quite + essential that your Excellency's determination should be immediate, + and therefore I hope to be favoured with your Excellency's reply in + the course of the present forenoon. + + Permit me to assure you that if it should be your desire to continue + in this city in the character of a private gentleman until the + determination of His Imperial Majesty, with respect to your resumption + of office, or otherwise, shall be known, no impediment to + your Excellency's wishes will originate with me; or, if you should + think proper to proceed at once to the Court of Rio de Janeiro, a + commodious conveyance shall be provided for the accommodation of + your Excellency, and of those whom you may deem it convenient to + accompany you. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +Bruce did not resign, preferring to accept my offer of conveyance to Rio +de Janeiro, there to await His Majesty's decision. Complete tranquillity +being thus restored to the province of Maranham, and not to that only, +but also to the adjoining provinces, which had more or less entered into +the existing disorders, either as adherents of the insurgent chiefs, or +of the President, it became requisite to organize a government. Not +deeming it politic to elevate to power any member of those families of +distinction whose feuds were only dormant on compulsion, I appointed +Manuel Telles de Silva Lobo, the Secretary of Government, as interim +President; he being entirely unconnected with family factions, well +acquainted with the details of government, and of unimpeachable +integrity. At the same time I caused the Camaras to be re-assembled, so +that the administration of law and public affairs might be carried on +according to the forms and intentions of the constitution. + +This suspension of the President was afterwards fully approved of by His +Majesty, and the more patriotic of his advisers, as only anticipating +their intentions, it being a remarkable fact that, at the very time I +was suspending him, _an order from His Majesty was on its way to +supersede him_; information of his proceedings having previously reached +Rio de Janeiro, so that in what had been done, I had only carried out +the intentions of His Majesty. + +Nevertheless, the occasion--as affording a good opportunity to traduce +me--was afterwards eagerly seized by the Portuguese faction in the +administration. All attempts to injure me in the estimation of the +population at Rio de Janeiro--which was firmly attached to the Emperor, +and grateful to me for my services--had signally failed; but on his +arrival at Rio de Janeiro the representations of the ex-president whose +mal-administration I had summarily checked, were published in every +possible shape, whilst the Minister of Marine unwarrantably withheld my +despatches from the public, as well as from His Majesty, the consequence +of which was that the prejudicial representations of what were termed my +arbitrary acts had full effect. It was represented that I, a foreigner, +had dared, unauthorised, and on false pretences, to seize on the person +of a gentleman occupying the highest position in one of the most +important provinces, and had sent him to Rio de Janeiro as a prisoner, +whilst it was I who deserved to be brought to condign punishment for the +outrage; and had I at the moment been within reach of the Portuguese +faction at the capital, which was embittered against me for establishing +order, when to further their own anti-Imperial designs disorder was +alone wished--a summary end might have been put to my efforts for +preserving and consolidating the integrity of the Brazilian empire. + +That this vituperation and hostility would be the result I well knew; +but as the Portuguese party in the administration could scarcely treat +me worse than they had done, I had made up my mind to encounter their +displeasure. Of His Majesty's approval I felt certain; and, in return +for the uninterrupted favour and reliance, which, notwithstanding the +self-interested hostility of his anti-Brazilian Ministers, I had +uniformly experienced at his hands, I had all along resolved to secure +that which I knew to be His Majesty's earnest wish--the unity of the +empire by the pacification of the Northern provinces. All attempts to +thwart this on the part of the Portuguese faction were futile, and even +unconsciously favourable to the course I was perseveringly pursuing, +though all my despatches to the minister remained unanswered, and no +instructions were sent for my guidance. + +Notwithstanding the neglect of the administration to supply the squadron +with necessaries, and myself with instructions, in a position foreign to +my duties as naval Commander-in-Chief, and which I had only accepted at +the earnest wish of His Imperial Majesty--I carefully kept the +Government advised of all that took place. The same ship which conveyed +the ex-president to Rio de Janeiro, carried also the following despatch +to the Minister of Marine:-- + + Maranham, December 31st, 1824. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have to acquaint your Excellency that a belief + that the squadron was about to withdraw and leave the abandoned + and disorderly military of this place under the feeble control of his + Excellency the President, excited a degree of dread in the public + mind amounting almost to a state of frenzy--and convinced me + that I had no alternative, but either to abandon the principal + inhabitants, and, indeed, the whole white population, to the fury of + mercenary troops and blacks--or to remain with the squadron until + another President should be nominated by His Imperial Majesty. + + This last measure, however, upon mature consideration, appeared + to be wholly incompatible with the interests of His Imperial + Majesty, not only on account of the violent animosities subsisting + between President and people, which, notwithstanding the utmost + vigilance on my part, daily disturbed the public tranquillity--but + because the presence on shore of nearly the whole of the + seamen in the ships of war is requisite to counterbalance the + influence and power which the President has obtained over the + soldiery and irregular bands, by the impunity with which he has + suffered them to act, and by rewards bestowed on persons in the + ranks, or of the lowest orders of society. The continued absence of + seamen from the ships would, it is evident, endanger the safety of + the latter; besides which, the season is now approaching when diseases + incident to the climate become prevalent, and would not fail + considerably to thin the small force at my disposal. + + The necessity of adopting some decided measure became every day more + urgent. Representations continued to pour in from all quarters + against the conduct of the President. The Consul of His Britannic + Majesty, moreover, having heard that the squadron is about to depart, + has written me a letter, of which I enclose to your Excellency a + copy. + + I am aware that it is difficult to follow a course, under the + circumstances in which I am placed, that when judged of at a + distance, and merely on such evidence as can be conveyed by writing, + will leave no room for persons to contend that a different line might + have been followed with greater advantage; and I am perfectly aware + that whether I had left this province, and anarchy had followed, or + whether by remaining I had succeeded in preventing that anarchy, _I + should equally be exposed to the cavils of those who are always + disposed to reprobate the measures actually adopted, whatever they + may be_. + + Having, therefore, but _a choice of evils with respect to myself_, + I have--without further care as to my personal responsibility--pursued + that course which, on full consideration, appeared to me + to be most conducive to the interests of His Imperial Majesty, and + best adapted to secure the tranquillity of this province; and I have + _reserved for my own security_ such original documents as will satisfy + the mind of His Imperial Majesty on the subject of my conduct in + suspending the functions of the President of Maranham. + + A few of the many reasons which have induced me thus to take + upon myself a heavier responsibility than would have attached to + the adoption of either of the measures before alluded to, will be + found on the printed paper which I enclose. In that paper, however, + I did not consider it proper to set forth all the facts which + have come to my knowledge; such as his tampering through various + agents with the troops, artillery, and police, and above all with the + disbanded "_Pedestres_;" and the sending of emissaries to the + distant quarters of the province to excite the people again to rise in + arms for his support--though no legal prerogative which the + President does, or ought to possess, had been in any way infringed + by me or any person acting under my authority. The fact is, that + this gentleman, bred up under the despotic Captains-General, + accustomed to their arbitrary proceedings, to the mal-administration + of colonial law, and the absence of everything like fair trial, cannot + brook any limitation to his power, and has demonstrated his desire, + if not to establish an independent sway, at least to act solely + according to his will and pleasure. I am anxious to ascribe his + faults rather to the circumstances under which he has unfortunately + been brought up, and to his advanced age, than to premeditated + evil intentions. + + I have the satisfaction of adding, that, by the course I have + adopted, a desolating civil war has been terminated--the treasury + saved further expenditure--and the persons and property of the + people have been rescued from destruction, and placed under the + protection of the laws. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +Such was the history of an affair, which would not have been thus +minutely detailed, but for the obloquy against me to which it +subsequently gave rise; the ministry afterwards declaring that, to serve +my own purposes, I had _deposed_ Bruce, and appointed Lobo in his +place--the facts being, that I never deposed him at all, but suspended +his functions merely till His Majesty's pleasure should be known--and +that, at the very period when this took place, _the Administration, +unknown to me, had deposed him for the same causes which led me to +suspend him!_ as will appear in the next chapter. Nevertheless, when +they found that--acting under the discretion accorded to me by His +Imperial Majesty--I had partially only anticipated their own act, and +that vituperation against me in my absence might be turned to their own +account, they took up the cause of the very man whom they had deposed, +and loaded me with abuse for having outraged the feelings and position +of a most excellent person nominated by His Majesty to one of the +highest offices in the state. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +MISREPRESENTATIONS MADE IN ENGLAND--LETTER TO THE EMPEROR--TENDERING MY +RESIGNATION--REPAYMENT DEMANDED FROM THE JUNTA--CONDUCT OF THE PRIZE +TRIBUNAL--NO ADJUDICATION OF PRIZES INTENDED--LETTER TO THE INTERIM +PRESIDENT--DEMANDING THE SUMS OWING TO THE SQUADRON--DISTURBANCE IN +PARA--STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT TO THE JUNTA--OFFER OF COMPROMISE--IMPERIAL +DECREE--RIGHT OF THE SQUADRON TO THE CLAIM. + + +Worn down in health by the harassing duties of the naval, military, and +civil departments, the conduct of all these wholly devolving upon me, +whilst the Ministry at Rio, by withholding instructions, neither +incurred trouble nor responsibility--and aware that my character was +being traduced by every species of malignity which could be devised by +the party whose views were destroyed by the successful manner in which +those duties had been performed, I was heartily sick of the ingratitude +and misrepresentation with which the service of having twice secured the +Northern provinces to Brazil was met on the part of the Administration, +in addition to their now apparent determination that neither myself nor +the squadron should reap any benefit from the prize property taken in +the preceding year, notwithstanding that, under the Andrada ministry, +both had been solemnly guaranteed to the captors. + +I was, however, even more annoyed on another account, viz. from being +apprised that the vilest misrepresentations of my conduct were being +sedulously circulated in England by the partisans of the Administration. +Their vituperation in Brazil could, to some extent, be met; but the +petty meanness of attacking a man in a distant country, without the +possibility of his defending himself, was a matter against which no +prudence or foresight could guard. + +Determined no longer to contend with an Administration, which could thus +conduct itself towards an officer whose exertions had been deemed worthy +of the highest honours from the Emperor, and the warmest thanks from the +National Assembly, I resolved to request permission from His Imperial +Majesty to retire from so unequal a contest, for I did not choose +spontaneously to abandon the command, without at least some compensation +beyond my ordinary pay. Even setting aside the stipulations under which +I had entered and continued in the Imperial service--this was at least +due to me from the unquestioned fact that to my twice rendered +exertions--first as naval Commander-in-Chief; and, secondly, as a +pacificator--the empire owed its unity and stability, _even in the +estimation of European governments_, which, now that the provinces were +tranquillized and the empire consolidated, exerted themselves to promote +peace between Brazil and the mother country. + +Accordingly--on New Year's day, 1825--I addressed to the Emperor the +following letter:-- + + SIRE, + + The condescension with which your Imperial + Majesty has been pleased to permit me to approach your royal + person, on matters regarding the public service, and even on those + more particularly relating to myself, emboldens me to adopt + the only means in my power, at this distance, of craving that + your Majesty will be graciously pleased to judge of my conduct in + the Imperial service, by the result of my endeavours to promote + your Majesty's interests, and not by the false reports spread by + those who--for reasons best known to themselves--desire to alienate + your Majesty's mind from me, and thus to bring about my removal + from your Majesty's service. + + Whilst I have the honour to continue as an officer acting under + the authority of your Imperial Majesty, I shall ever perform my + duty to your Majesty and to the Brazilian people; and I trust that, + up to the present day, your Majesty has not felt any reason to doubt + my sincerity and fidelity to your Imperial interests. And if his + Excellency the Minister of Marine has failed to lay before the + public my despatches, and thereby permitted rumours prejudicial to + my character to go forth, I respectfully look up to your Imperial + Majesty for justice. + + In this hope, I most respectfully entreat permission to refer + your Imperial Majesty to my letter No. 271, which I addressed to his + Excellency the Minister of Marine, from Pernambuco, early in + October, previous to my departure from that port, announcing my + intention of proceeding northward, and the necessity of so doing, for + the pacification of the northern provinces; also to my letter of the + 13th of October (No. 273), written from Rio Grande do Norte; and + No. 274, dated October 28th, written from Ceara; all of which + letters, explicitly describing my proceedings, intentions, and reasons, + were duly transmitted, both in original and duplicate, by different + conveyances. + + I trust that your Imperial Majesty will please to believe me to be + sensible that the honours which you have so graciously bestowed upon + me, it is my duty not to tarnish; and that your Majesty will further + believe that, highly as I prize those honours, I hold the maintenance + of my reputation in my native country in equal estimation. + + I respectfully crave permission to add, that--_perceiving it to be + impossible to continue in the service of your Imperial Majesty, without_ + _at all times, subjecting my professional character to great risks under + the present management of the Marine department--I trust that your + Majesty will be graciously pleased to grant me leave to retire from your + Imperial service, in which it appears to me that I have now accomplished + all that can be expected from me--the authority of your Imperial + Majesty being established throughout the whole extent of Brazil._ + + I have the honour to be + Your Imperial Majesty's + Dutiful and faithful servant, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +The permission to retire was neither granted, nor was the request +noticed, yet--notwithstanding that the ministerial organs of the press +teemed with matters injurious to my reputation, and displayed the most +unfair comments on my proceedings--no complaint was officially made to +me, as indeed none could be made; this ungenerous mode of attack being +resorted to, whilst the whole of my letters and despatches were withheld +from public knowledge. + +On the 3rd of January, intelligence was received that an outbreak had +occurred at Caixas, promoted by the adherents of Bruce on learning the +fact of his suspension from the presidentship. The interim-president, +Lobo, was anxious to re-arm the disbanded troops against them, but this +I forbade, telling him that, "in my opinion a military mode of governing +was neither suited to the maintenance of tranquillity nor the promotion +of obedience to the law, and that it would be better to give the civil +law a trial before proceeding to extremities; and that although some +outrages had occurred in the heat of party spirit, yet they would +probably cease on the intelligence that President Bruce had embarked +for Rio de Janeiro." The result was in accordance with these +anticipations, for, on learning this fact, the insurgents immediately +laid down their arms--being only too glad to escape further notice. + +In the expectation that His Imperial Majesty would approve of the act, +and that his ministers could offer no opposition, I considered it my +duty to the officers and seamen of the squadron, no less than to myself, +to obtain repayment from the Junta of Maranham--at least in part--of the +sums temporarily left for their use in the preceding year. + +It will be remembered that after the expulsion of the Portuguese from +Maranham in 1823, considerable sums of money and bonds had been taken in +the treasury, custom-house, and other public offices, together with +military and other stores--and the value of these, though guaranteed by +His Imperial Majesty to the captors, had, with the consent of officers +and seamen, been temporarily lent to the then Provisional Government, +for the double purpose of satisfying the mutinous troops of Ceara and +Piahuy, and carrying on the ordinary functions of Government--there +being no other funds available! + +At the period of this temporary surrender of the prize property to state +exigencies, it was expressly stipulated and fully understood that, as +soon as commerce had returned to its usual channels, and with it the +customary revenues of the province, the whole should be repaid to the +account of the captors. This had not been done, and the officers and men +were still losers to the amount, in addition to the non-adjudication of +their prizes generally by the Portuguese tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, +which, in unprincipled violation of the express decrees of His Imperial +Majesty--asserted that "they knew nothing of prizes, and did not know +that Brazil was at war with Portugal!" though, in the Imperial order of +March 30th, 1823--given for the vigorous blockade of Bahia, His Majesty +had explicitly ordered the Portuguese to be considered as "enemies of +the empire."--"Distruindo ou tomando todas as forcas Portuguesas que +encontrar e fazendo todas damnos possives a os inimigos deste Imperio." + +It was further pretended by the tribunal that Bahia and Maranham were +not foreign ports, but parts of the Brazilian empire, though, at the +time of my appearance before them, both provinces were then, and ever +had been, in possession of Portugal; the tribunal, nevertheless, +deciding with equal absurdity and injustice, that captures made in those +ports, or within three miles of the shore, were unlawful--this decision +including, of necessity, the unaccountable declaration, that His +Majesty's orders to me to blockade the enemy's port of Bahia, and to +take, burn or destroy all Portuguese vessels and property--were also +unjust and unlawful! although this was the very purpose for which I had +been invited to quit the Chilian service. Yet, notwithstanding this +Imperial decision, the tribunal also most inconsistently condemned all +ships of war taken (as _droits_) to the crown, without the slightest +compensation to the captors. + +But there was still a more flagrant injustice committed, viz. that +whilst the officers and seamen were thus deprived of the fruits of their +exertions, they became liable to about twenty thousand milreas in the +prosecution of their claims; for no other reason than the unwillingness +of the prize tribunal to order condemnations injurious to their friends +and native country; for as has been said nine out of the thirteen +members of the tribunal were Portuguese! + +It had, therefore, been long apparent that no adjudication in favour of +the squadron was intended, and that its services in having united the +empire and saved it from dismemberment, would only be met by continued +injustice. + +As the property left with the Provisional Government of Maranham had +been used for the benefit of that province, and as no part of it had +ever been repaid, I determined that those to whom it was due should not, +at least, be defrauded of that portion of their claims, or of a +reasonable compromise thereof; and therefore I addressed to the +interim-president the following letter:-- + + TO HIS EXCELLENCY MANOEL TELLES DA SILVA LOBO, + PRESIDENT INTERINO. + + SIR, + + The public duties which I had to perform for the + service of His Imperial Majesty, and the pacification of this province, + being now happily brought to a termination, it becomes my duty, as + Commander-in-chief, to call your Excellency's attention to some + facts concerning the interests of the officers and seamen under my + command. + + On the occasion of my former visit, in 1823, which was so happily + instrumental in rescuing this province from the yoke of Portugal + and annexing it to the Empire, I was desirous of rendering the + service performed still more grateful to the people by voluntarily + granting, in the conditions of capitulation, not only my guarantee for + the inviolability of all Brazilian property then under the Portuguese + flag, but also of all the property belonging to resident Portuguese + who should subscribe to the independence of the Empire, and the + authority of His Imperial Majesty. These conditions were most + scrupulously observed and fulfilled on my part, without the slightest + infringement in any one instance. + + But--on the other hand--it was expressly set forth in the terms + of capitulation, that all property belonging to those who remained in + hostility--that is to say, property belonging to the crown or government + of Portugal, or to absent Portuguese (though with respect to + the latter a commutation was subsequently consented to) being, + according to the laws of war, subject to condemnation to the captors + --should be delivered to the captors accordingly, to be, by themselves, + subjected to the customary investigation in the prize tribunals of + His Imperial Majesty. + + Amongst other articles of property of this description were, of + course, included the money due on the balance of public accounts + to the crown of Portugal, and this amount--partly in specie and + partly in bills--was held in readiness by the capitulating authorities + to be delivered when required. But, as my attention was for some + time solely directed to the arrangement of public affairs, I neglected + to call for the said balance until the new Junta of Government, + chosen under my authority, had taken possession of their office, and + obtained the control of the public moneys. + + After several applications on my part to the said Junta, and as + many evasions on their part, I had, at last, a personal conference + with them on the subject--on which occasion they solicited, as a + particular favour, that I would permit the amount to remain in their + hands, for the purpose of satisfying the claims of the troops of + Piahuy and Ceara, whom they represented as being clamorous for + their pay. To this request I agreed, under the assurance that I + should receive bills from the said Junta for the amount. These, + however, they not only evaded granting, but, when afterwards called + upon for a receipt, they declined giving any acknowledgment. + + To the truth, however, of the main fact, viz., the claims of myself, + and the officers and men under my command, your Excellency + has now the power of satisfying yourself by a reference to the official + documents that passed between the functionaries of government and + myself, both previous and subsequent to the surrender of the Portuguese + authorities in this province. + + The conduct of this Junta has proved to be merely a type of that + which we have since experienced on a larger scale at the hands of + the supreme tribunal of justice at Rio de Janeiro. But there is a + point beyond which forbearance ceases to be a virtue, and I now + call upon your Excellency to direct that the Junta of Fazenda, who + so unjustly and deceitfully withheld from the officers and men the + property above described, shall, with all convenient despatch, + proceed to the adjustment of the claim in question. + + An attested copy of the accounts, signed by the members of the + late Portuguese Junta of Government--being in my possession, I + enclose a copy thereof, which your Excellency can cause to be + compared with the original treasury and custom-house books. I + likewise enclose to your Excellency a copy of a gracious communication + which I received from His Imperial Majesty--the original of + which, in His Majesty's own handwriting, is now in my possession. + + This will enable your Excellency to judge as to what the + understanding and intentions of His Imperial Majesty really are, + with respect to the claims of the squadron--when influenced by the + dictates of honour and his own unbiassed judgment. + + Nevertheless--should your Excellency consider it necessary, I + have no objection to prosecute the claims of the officers and seamen + to the balance before alluded to--in the Court of Admiralty which + your Excellency is about to convene. But I beg it may be distinctly + understood that I hold myself bound not to relax in any way + from my determination that these accounts shall be settled, so as to + enable me to fulfil the duty which I am engaged to perform to those + under my command. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +To my annoyance Para became the scene of renewed disturbance, and even +the life of the President was threatened. This was disheartening, as +evincing a desire on the part of the provinces to pursue--each its own +separate course; proving the deep hold which the counsels of Palmella +had taken to promote anarchy by fostering provincial pride--as a means +to promote discord, and thus to reduce the newly-formed empire to +insignificance and ruin,--from the same cause which had befallen the +liberated provinces of Spanish America. + +Not having been furnished with troops, it was difficult to spare a force +to meet this new emergency. There was no time, however, for hesitation, +so I despatched the _Atalanta_ to Para, with a detachment of the best +seamen, under the command of Lieutenants Clarence and Reed, upon whose +zeal every reliance was to be placed; at the same time sending a +recommendation to the President to use the force for the purpose of +remitting to me those who had threatened his life, and of overawing +those who had been endeavouring to subvert his authority. + +The Junta of Fazenda having now assembled, I transmitted to them the +following; + + GENERAL STATEMENT + + Of the money and other property claimed by the squadron on the + surrender of the Portuguese authorities of Maranham; in conformity + to the laws relative to matters of prize, and the gracious + decrees of His Imperial Majesty:-- + + + Milreis. + Treasury and custom-house 62,000 000 + In bills and debts 147,000 000 + Value of artillery, stores, and ammunition, + say 100,000,000 at 1/5th + for the squadron 20,000 000 + Value of stores in the arsenal, including + gunboats, launches, boats, + and materials of all kinds 25,000,000 + ___________ + Public property 254,000 000 + + Obligations delivered as Portuguese + property under the decree of + H.I.M. of Dec. 11th, 1822; by + that decree confiscated to the + Crown, but by the gracious bounty + of H.I.M. awarded to the squadron, + in his own handwriting, dated + 12th February, 1824 170,196 461 + ___________ + Sum total 424,196 461 + +Together with this statement of account, I forwarded the following offer +of compromise, on the part of the squadron, for the payment of +one-fourth only:-- + + His Imperial Majesty, having--by decree of the 11th of December, + 1822--commanded the seizure and confiscation of all merchandise in + the custom-houses of Brazil belonging to Portuguese subjects--all + merchandise so belonging, or the proceeds thereof, in the hands of + merchants--and all vessels or parts of vessels belonging to such + subjects--I, therefore, in conformity with the said decree, having, + on the occasion of the capitulation of Maranham, directed, that all + persons having property in their hands of the nature set forth in the + said decree, should deliver in an account of the same; and the bills + and papers herewith annexed having been given up by their respective + holders as _Portuguese property of the description set forth_, the + said bills and papers are now laid before the Court of + Vice-Admiralty, in order to the adjudication thereof in conformity to + the said decree. + + But, whereas, the said Imperial decree could not be enforced at + Maranham in the ordinary manner, by means of civil officers acting + under the authority of His Imperial Majesty, by reason of the + port and province being under the authority and government of + Portugal; And whereas, His Imperial Majesty, in consideration of + the annexation of the said port and province to the Empire, by + the naval means under my command--and generally of other + important services--was graciously pleased, by virtue of a grant + in his own handwriting, bearing date the 12th day of February last, + to accord the value of the seizures to the officers and men as a + reward for their exertions and services; the said officers and men + agree to surrender these bills and the property, as set forth in the + annexed list, amounting to 484,196,461, together with all other + claims, for the sum of one-fourth, or 106,000, to be paid by the + Treasury of Maranham by instalments, within the period of thirty + days from the date hereof. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +The following is the Imperial decree alluded to in the preceding +letter:-- + + DECREE. + + It being obvious that the scandalous proceedings and hostility + manifested by the government of Portugal against the liberty, honour, + and interests of this Empire, and by the captious insinuations of the + demagogical congress of Lisbon, which--seeing it impracticable to + enslave this rich region and its generous inhabitants--endeavours to + oppress them with all kinds of evils, and civil war, which has occurred + through their barbarous vandalism. It being one of my principal + duties, as Constitutional Emperor and Defender of this vast Empire, + to adopt all measures to render effective the security of the country, + and its defence efficient against further and desperate attempts + which its enemies may adopt; and also to deprive, as far as possible, + the inhabitants of that kingdom from continuing to act hostilely + against Brazil--tyrannizing over my good and honourable subjects-- + deem it well to order that there be placed in effective sequestration, + + 1_st_. All goods and merchandise existing in the custom-houses of + this Empire, belonging to subjects of the kingdom of Portugal. + + 2_nd_. All Portuguese merchandise, or the value thereof, which + exists in the hands of subjects of this Empire. + + 3_rd_. All real and agricultural property, held under the same + circumstances. + + 4_th_. Finally, all vessels or parts of vessels, which belong to + merchants of the said kingdom. There being excepted from this + sequestration, bills of the national bank, banks of security, and + those of the Iron Company of Villa Sorocaba. + + Joseph Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, of my Council of State, + Minister of the Interior, and of Foreign Affairs, shall cause the + execution of this decree. + + Given in the Palace of Rio de Janeiro, December the Eleventh, + 1822, first of the Independence of the Empire. + + With the Rubrica of His Imperial Majesty, + + JOSE BONIFACIO DE ANDRADE E SILVA. + +These documents--coupled with the decree of Dec. 1822, awarding the +above confiscations to the captors--shew so clearly the right of the +squadron's claim, and the injustice of the course pursued by the prize +tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, in refusing to adjudge Portuguese property +to the captors, that further comment is unnecessary. In order, however, +to give every possible information relative to a matter which has been, +to me, a cause of so much obloquy, I subjoin my letter to the interim +President, accompanying the preceding documents:-- + + SIR, + + I have the honour to enclose to your Excellency, + two hundred and sixty obligations seized under the orders of His + Imperial Majesty--dated the 11th December, 1822--which I + request you will be pleased to cause to be laid before the Junta of + Fazenda, together with the papers enclosed, in order that the Junta + may take the necessary steps to the liquidation of the just and + moderate claims of the officers and seamen. I further beg your + Excellency will be pleased to intimate to the Junta, that I cannot + abstain from taking whatever measures may be necessary to prevent + the violation of the laws and regulations of the military service--the + infraction of the express engagement of His Imperial Majesty--and + the consequent disorganization of the squadron, so essential for the + maintenance of tranquillity, and the preservation of the independence + of the Empire. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + + 20th Jan. 1825. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +IMPERIAL APPROVAL--CONTINUED ENMITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION--JUNTA REFUSES +TO PAY THE SQUADRON'S CLAIM--I PERSEVERE IN THE DEMAND--JUNTA AGREES TO +PAY THE AMOUNT IN BILLS--THIS REFUSED--ARRIVAL OF A NEW PRESIDENT--BUT +WITHOUT AUTHORITY FOR THE ASSUMPTION--INTRIGUES TO ESTABLISH HIM IN +OFFICE--I ORDER HIM TO QUIT THE PROVINCE--AND SEND HIM TO PARA--LETTER +TO THE PRESIDENT OF CEARA--INTERNATIONAL ANIMOSITIES--THE SQUADRON LEFT +TO PROVIDE FOR ITSELF--ABUSE OF AUTHORITY--EXPLANATIONS TO MINISTER OF +MARINE--OF TRANSACTIONS AT MARANHAM--LETTER TO CARVALHO E +MELLO--ANTICIPATING MINISTERIAL DISPLEASURE--THE JUNTA REIMBURSES PART +OF ITS DEBT. + + +On the 16th of January I had at length the satisfaction to receive, +through the Minister of Marine, the Emperor's approval of the course +pursued in the pacification of the Northern provinces, and his +confirmation of the changes that had been made in their administration. +Still not a word of instruction was vouchsafed for my future guidance. + +The subjoined is the letter conveying His Imperial Majesty's approval of +my acts and judgment:-- + + His Imperial Majesty commands the Secretary of State of the + Marine to apprise the First Admiral, Commander-in-Chief of the + naval forces of this Empire, that His Majesty received his despatches + by the schooner _Maria de Gloria_, by which His Majesty was informed + of his proceedings, and approves of his determination to proceed to + the Northern provinces, where the fire of rebellion has been lighted, + with a view to establish therein the order and obedience due to the + said august sovereign, a duty which he has so wisely and judiciously + undertaken, and in which course he must continue, notwithstanding + the previous instructions sent to him, bearing date the 4th of October + last, which instructions are hereby annulled until he shall attain + the highly important objects proposed in the before-mentioned provinces, + viz., till they submit themselves to the authorities lately + appointed, and enjoy the benefits of the paternal Government of His + Imperial Majesty. + + Palace of Rio Janeiro, Dec. 2, 1824. + + (Signed) FRANCISCA VILLELA BARBOSA. + +To this letter--annulling my recall after the fall of Pernambuco--I +returned the following reply:-- + + No. 289. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + Since I had the honour of addressing your Excellency + in my letter, No. 288, I have not had any further intelligence + from Para; I therefore conclude that the officers and seamen whom + I detached there, will be sufficient to aid the President in maintaining + good order. + + Here, nothing particular has happened, beyond the collecting + of a few runaway soldiers and vagabonds in the woods. A party + detached in pursuit of them, dispersed them all, and brought in + several prisoners yesterday. + + I have received your Excellency's communication by the schooner + _Maria de Gloria_, and _feel highly gratified that His Imperial Majesty + has been pleased to approve of the course which I have pursued for the + termination of dissensions in the Northern provinces. Since the + gracious communication of His Imperial Majesty, I feel less weight of + responsibility in the course which circumstances have compelled me to + follow, with a view to restore order in the province of Maranham._ + + I hope soon to inform your Excellency that the task which His + Imperial Majesty has been further pleased to confide to me, of + causing the newly-appointed authorities to be acknowledged, is + accomplished; but I beg respectfully again to add my opinion that + these Northern provinces will not long continue in a state of + tranquillity, unless the provincial forces are shifted to other + quarters of the empire. In fact, if attention be not paid to this, I + consider that these provinces will shortly be entirely lost, both to + the empire of Brazil and to Portugal. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + Jan. 21, 1834. + +The continued absence of even the slightest instructions for my +guidance--coupled with the Imperial approval of all I had done upon my +own responsibility, naturally implied that it was considered better to +leave me entirely unfettered by orders, which, if given at all, must be +issued in ignorance of the actual state of things which required +renovation. In this light I should have regarded the omission to direct +my conduct, but for the warnings privately received, to be careful what +I was about, for that, despite any apparent public approval of my +proceedings, my enemies in the administration were on the watch for some +act which might be construed to my disadvantage, and thus become the +pretext for blame which should outweigh the praise accorded. The +opportunity I felt had already been afforded by the suspension of Bruce +from the presidency, notwithstanding that this--as has been seen--was +fully justified by circumstances, and was not resorted to without +deliberate consideration, and the deepest conviction of its necessity. +Still, any opposition to the suspension of Bruce could only be factious, +for, on the 2nd of December, the Minister of Marine had in anticipation +forwarded to me a list of new presidents and generals-at-arms, every +person in authority throughout the whole extent of the Northern coast +being changed--with the exception of the president of Para; so that +there was every reason to anticipate that even the strong measures +which I had been compelled to adopt with regard to Bruce would meet the +views of His Imperial Majesty. + +On the 31st of January, the interim President apprised me that the Junta +refused to liquidate any part of the claim made in behalf of the +squadron. Upon this refusal, I wrote to the Junta that, such being their +decision, I would hold them personally responsible that no bills, debts, +nor claims of any kind beyond the current expenses of government should +be paid, till this prior claim--in honour and justice due to the +officers and seamen, who had generously advanced their prize money to +meet state exigencies--should be liquidated; adding, that the seamen +_relied on me for justice_, and if my warning were not attended to, I +should be compelled to take such steps as the necessity of upholding the +interests of the crown and the efficiency of the naval service appeared +to demand. + +In taking this step, I frankly admit that it was the only way to obtain +from the Government of Maranham even a compromise for the amount owing +by the province to the captors. I had every confidence in His Imperial +Majesty that as far as lay in _his_ power justice would be done, as +evinced by the acknowledgments given in his own handwriting in +opposition to the measures of his ministers, on whom, or the prize +tribunal, no reliance could be placed; the former having done all in +_their_ power to thwart my efforts in His Majesty's service, whilst the +tribunal, acting by the sanction or in conformity to the known wishes +of the ministry, had delayed adjudication, with the evident intention +of _evading it altogether_, except in cases which gave a colour for +condemning me in damages, in which respect--apparently their only +object--they were prompt enough. + +I therefore determined that as a specific portion of the prize property +taken at Maranham in 1823, had, at its own request, been given up to the +provisional Government, upon the express understanding of repayment +--without which it could not have been thus surrendered--the Junta +should be made to preserve their own good faith, as well as mine, to the +squadron, which, relying on my promises, had been influenced temporarily +to devote to the exigencies of the State that which by imperial decree, +as well as according to the laws of all nations, was their undoubted +right. + +My orders to the Junta of Fazenda not to pay any claims--with the +exception of the ordinary expenses of Government--till those of the +squadron had been satisfied, were, however, almost superogatory; for, on +a visit of inspection to the arsenal on the 2nd of February, it appeared +that they had established a system of not paying any debts, even those +incurred for the provisions of the squadron, the contract prices being +set down at _treble the market price!_ This overcharge was accounted for +by the merchants on the ground of dilatory payments, which could only be +obtained at all from the Junta by fees to those whose duty it was to +pass the accounts! To counteract this, I requested the interim President +to forbid any further purchases on the part of the provincial +Government, as, in future, I would make them myself, and, what was more +to the purpose, pay for them. + +By limiting the demand of repayment to one-fourth only of the amount +captured from the Portuguese Government, I was not pressing at all +severely upon the resources of the province, which is one of the richest +in Brazil; nor should I have put them to any inconvenience had I +demanded repayment of the whole, _as I justly might have done_. + +On the 8th of February, the Junta of Fazenda sent me a verbal +communication to the effect that they would give the sum agreed upon in +commutation of prize money due to the captors--_in five bills, payable +in five months_. As I knew that, in case of my departure, these would +not be worth the paper upon which they were written, I refused the +offer, adding that, after the course pursued by the prize tribunal at +Rio de Janeiro the seamen had no faith in promises. + +Finding that the Junta shewed every disposition to evade the demand, I +requested a personal interview with that body, intimating that I +expected all the members to be present. At this interview, I told the +Junta that all the documents necessary in support of the claim had been +laid before them, these being too precise to admit of dispute--that they +had no right in law, justice, or precedent, to withhold the portion of +the prize property left at Maranham, by the request of the provisional +government, no funds of their own being then available to meet the +exigencies which had arisen--and therefore they were in honour bound to +restore it. + +I was induced to adopt this step, not only on account of the evasive +conduct experienced at the hands of the administration at Rio de +Janeiro, but because I knew that negotiations were actually pending for +the restitution of all the Portuguese property captured, as a basis of +the projected peace between Portugal and Brazil; in other words, that +the squadron--whose exertions had added to the Empire a territory larger +than the whole empire as it existed previous to the complete expulsion +of the Portuguese--was to be altogether sacrificed to a settlement +which its own termination of the war had brought about. So barefaced a +proceeding towards those whose services had been engaged on the express +stipulation of a right to all captures is, perhaps, unparalleled in the +history of nations; and, as both officers and men looked to me for +protection, I determined to persevere in demanding from the Government +of Maranham--at least a compromise of the sums which the captors had, in +1823, lent to its pressing exigencies. + +No small amount of obloquy has been attached to me with regard to this +act of justice, the only one the squadron was ever likely to obtain; but +the transaction involved my own good faith with both officers and men, +who had lent the money solely on my assurance that the Government at Rio +de Janeiro could not do otherwise than refund the amount--so important +was it at the time, that the pressing difficulties of the province +should be promptly met. A man must have a singularly constituted mind, +who, in my position, would have acted otherwise. To this subject it will +be necessary to recur. + +On the 7th of February, I was surprised by an intimation from Pedro +Jose da Costa Barros, of his intention to assume the presidency of +Maranham, founding his pretensions upon a letter addressed to Bruce, +whom I had suspended. At first--believing that he possessed the +requisite authority--I invited him to take possession of the office, but +finding that he had no patent to shew for the appointment, I considered +it my duty to His Majesty not to admit such pretensions till their +validity was established, and therefore told Barros that he must await +the official communications from Rio de Janeiro, before I could +acknowledge him as president--for that tranquillity being now restored, +I would not have the minds of the people again unsettled on the mere +presumption of his appointment. + +In this arrangement Barros appeared to acquiesce, but being a well-known +partisan of the Portuguese faction, he was soon surrounded by the +adherents of that party in Maranham. On the 10th of March, a series of +allegations was forwarded to me by the party of Barros against the +interim President, but as they were of the most insignificant nature, +and unsupported by proof, I refused to pay attention to them. They were +shortly afterwards followed by a letter from Barros to the same purport, +but without any specific accusation against Lobo, whom he nevertheless +represented as about to fly from Maranham in order to evade the +punishment due to his crimes! Upon this I addressed to him the following +letter demanding specific charges against the interim President:-- + + Maranham, 10th March, 1825. + + SIR, + + I have received your Excellency's letter, in which the interim + President, Manuel Pellas da Silva Lobo, is charged with an intention + of departing from Maranham in a sudden and clandestine manner, and + in which your Excellency calls on me to adopt measures for the + prevention of his flight. I must, however, represent to your + Excellency that, since I have been in this province, so many reports + have been made to me with the greatest confidence, impeaching the + character and motives of individuals--all of which have proved + unfounded--that I feel it impossible to act with any propriety on + your Excellency's intimation--without being furnished with proof of + the truth of the allegation. + + Your Excellency, I am persuaded, is too honourable to propagate so + serious a charge without believing it to be well founded, and I + cannot doubt that you will have the candour to admit that I am + entitled to be made acquainted with the grounds on which your + Excellency's belief rests, before proceeding to any measure of + severity against the party accused. + + I have further to request that your Excellency will be pleased to + say _for what crime, or crimes_, the President interino is supposed + to be about to abandon--not only this province--but to flee from his + native country? + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + + To PEDRO JOSE DE COSTA BARROS. + +The charges against Lobo, I well knew to have been fabricated for the +purpose of getting me to place him in arrest, and instal Barros in the +presidency. This plot failing, I learned, on the following day, that +arrangements had been made for the forcible seizure of the interim +President's person without any specific cause for dissatisfaction with +his government, which was in all respects just and excellent. Finding +the spirit of intrigue thus again manifested for the neutralisation of +all my efforts to restore order and prosperity to the province--to the +discomfiture of the intriguants--I again, on the 11th of March, declared +martial law. Such was the terror inspired by this act in the minds of +those who had fomented renewed disorder, that, anticipating summary +retribution from me, they prepared for the flight of which they had +accused an innocent man. On learning this, I despatched a vessel with a +competent officer to cruise at the mouth of the port, under orders +neither to let ships nor passengers leave without passports +counter-signed by myself. + +Having received a letter from Jose Feliz de Azevedo e Sa, the President +of Ceara, warning me of the intentions of Barros, who had come from that +province, I was confirmed in my determination that the good which had +been effected at Maranham should not be neutralised by one who had no +authority to shew for his interference. Accordingly, I wrote to Barros +the following order to quit the province forthwith, until His Majesty's +intentions with regard to him should be made known:-- + + March 11th,1825. + + SIR, + + Your Excellency having acquainted me that the + President interino intended to fly from justice, at the same time + calling upon me to take precautionary measures to prevent his + escape, without setting forth any crime of which he had been guilty; + and further, with regard to my letter requesting that you would + make known the nature of the delinquency which impelled the said + President interino to fly from the province, you have not considered + it necessary to give the slightest explanation. + + Now, as I have ample reason to believe the whole allegation to be + a fabrication--as I know that your Excellency--instead of waiting, + as is your duty, for communications from His Imperial Majesty + --has, by your countenance, suffered to be stirred up a spirit of + dissension and party, and as I understand the laws which I have been + compelled to call into operation to prevent greater evils. + + I have to acquaint your Excellency that I have provided a convenient + conveyance for your Excellency and suite, in order that you + may reside in the neighbouring province of Para, until the arrival of + orders from His Imperial Majesty; and that my barge will be at + the service of your Excellency and suite at any hour to-morrow, + between sunrise and sunset, in order to proceed to the anchorage of + the _Pedro 1'ro_, where you will find the _Cacique_ ready for your + reception. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + + To PEDRO JOSE DE COSTA BARROS. + +Barros strongly remonstrated against this proceeding; but knowing that +the machinations of his party had been the direct cause of renewed +disorders, I resolved not to give way; telling him that he had only +himself to blame, by not having abstained from meddling with public +affairs till the arrival of competent authority from His Imperial +Majesty. Accordingly, I insisted on his immediately embarking on board +the _Cacique_, in charge of Captain Manson, for conveyance to Para, to +the President of which province I addressed the following letter:-- + + Maranham, 13th March,1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + Since I had the honour of writing to your + Excellency, Pedro Jose de Costa Barros, who arrived from Ceara + with the intention to take upon himself the office of President + here--has unfortunately been the occasion of stirring up old + animosities, which I had hoped experience might have taught him + the advantage of leaving dormant. Had Barros been provided + with proper authority under the sign manual of His Imperial + Majesty, the difficulties that have occurred since his arrival might + have been prevented; though I am extremely apprehensive that if + ever he shall be invested with such authority, still greater evils will + befal the province. The Portuguese party are in favour of Barros, + and have expressed their sentiments unequivocally, and this your + Excellency knows is sufficient to raise up the native Brazilians + against him. + + The Portuguese and some others had combined to place Barros + in the Presidency by force, which intention I happily frustrated by + arriving in Maranham with a considerable reinforcement from the + _Pedro Primiero_, at midnight--when the attempt was to have + occurred. To put a stop to proceedings so injurious to the interests + of His Imperial Majesty and the public, I have felt it necessary to + remove Barros from Maranham until his commission shall arrive, + or until His Majesty's pleasure respecting the appointment of + Manoel Telles da Silva Lobo, shall be known. Barros therefore + proceeds in the _Cacique_ (which is the bearer of this) to Para--where + having no pretensions, he will have no partisans, and will be + inoffensive. + + I have not time, nor would it be of any utility to occupy your + Excellency with a minute detail of the affairs of this province, + whilst your Excellency has so much to do in that under your + immediate superintendence: I am convinced that in all I have + done, I have acted in conformity with the true interests of His + Majesty and his people, and am in no degree under any apprehension + that the malevolent aspersions of self-interested or + disappointed individuals will have the least influence on any candid + mind, when a real statement of facts shall be laid before the + public. + + I shall be gratified if your Excellency attains the satisfaction + of preserving the province of Para free from those party dissensions, + the danger and inconvenience of which are best known to those who + are obliged to be on the watch to counteract them. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +To Jose Feliz de Azevedo e Sa, the President of Ceara, I addressed the +subjoined letter of thanks for the warning he had given me respecting +Barros:-- + + Maranham, March 16th, 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have to offer your Excellency many thanks for + your kind letter, informing me, by anticipation, of the character of + an individual whose principles and plans I was not long in discovering. + Scarcely had he placed his foot on the soil of Maranham, + when he was surrounded by all the Portuguese of the city, who + expressed their joy at his arrival in no equivocal manner. To give + you a history of his intrigues would require pages. Suffice it to say, + that--after having attempted to thrust himself into the Government + within forty-eight hours after his arrival,--without having any lawful + commission from His Imperial Majesty--and being defeated in that + object--he placed himself at the head of a faction, brought charges + against the President interino, and on the night of the 10th formed + a plan to seize his person! This, however, I defeated, and as his + charges against Lobo were entirely false and malicious, I have sent + him off to Para, there to await the determination of His Imperial + Majesty. + + The intrigues here are so numerous, and there are so many + interests to reconcile, that the harmony now restored will probably + cease with the departure of the force under my command. But + it is obvious that the squadron cannot remain here for ever to watch + over private broils and feuds of so contemptible a nature. The only + thing of which I am seriously afraid, is the influence and number of + the Portuguese settled here, should they find a president desirous of + promoting their views and supposed interests. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +There was great difficulty to act for the best in this matter: but +whether Barros were appointed to the presidency or not, the course taken +was the only one even temporarily to ensure public tranquillity. If +appointed, it was evident, from his acts, that he had been selected by +the administration to put in execution their anti-Brazilian projects; +whilst the Portuguese party in Maranham unequivocally expressed their +intention to revive the old animosities between themselves and the +native Brazilians; thus causing a renewal of disorder which I was +determined not to permit, in favour of one who had no patent to shew for +his assumption of authority. + +This monstrous state of affairs--fostered by the Imperial +administration--was a natural consequence of their Portuguese +predilections, and could not have existed, except from want of union +amongst the Brazilians themselves, who, unskilled in political +organization, were compelled to submit to a foreign faction, unable to +carry out its own views, and only powerful in thwarting those of the +patriots. Their policy was the more reprehensible, for even the +government of the mother country conceded that Brazil was too extensive +and powerful to be again reduced to a state of colonial dependence, and +therefore confined its aims to the Northern provinces, the Portuguese +party in the administration seconding the intentions of the parent +state; both, however, shutting their eyes to the fact, that, if these +were separated from Brazil, they would become disorganized in a vain +attempt to imitate the constitution of the United States--by whose more +enlightened citizens they were greatly influenced--and, as a +consequence, would be lost both to the parent state and the Empire. As +it was, all I had effected for their annexation and tranquillization was +regarded with perfect hatred by the Portuguese residents in the +provinces as well as by the administration, who did everything in their +power to thwart my measures for the union and consolidation of the +Empire. + +During the whole of this period, I repeat that I had received no +communication from Rio de Janeiro, with the exception of the letter +before mentioned, with the rubrick of His Imperial Majesty, thanking me +for the course I had pursued. Though no instructions were sent for my +guidance, nor any fault found with my acts, yet, from private sources, I +was advised that my success in restoring order to the Northern provinces +had greatly embittered the administration against me, as having +destroyed the hopes of Portugal--expressed through Palmella--of +profiting by disorder. I was also left to provide for the pay and +maintenance of the squadron, one vessel only with supplies having been +forwarded since our departure from Rio de Janeiro, in the preceding +August! + +Notwithstanding this marked neglect, I took care to keep the +administration well advised of all my proceedings, and the causes +thereof, the following being extracts from my letters to the Minister of +Marine, respecting the events just narrated:-- + + No. 290. + + Maranham, March 16th, 1825. + + I beg to acquaint your Excellency, for the satisfaction of the + Imperial government, that I have caused the provinces which required + military assistance, to furnish pay and provisions for the ships + immediately under my command; and further, that I have required the + government of Maranham to pay, as a recompence to the officers and + seamen, _one-fourth part_ of the amount of money and bills, and + _one-fifth part_ of the value of the military stores surrendered by + the Portuguese authorities on the 28th of July, 1823. Thus the + Imperial government at Rio de Janeiro will be relieved from + considerable disbursement, and the officers and + seamen--notwithstanding the great additional trouble to which they + have been put--will be satisfied, so far as regards their claim to + the value of their captures in compensation for their services at + Maranham. + + I cannot refrain from drawing the attention of the Imperial + government to the abuses which exist in every department of the + provincial government, where, notwithstanding the great revenue + derived from various sources, the Junta of Fazenda possess so little + credit, that their bills have actually been sold at 30 per cent. + discount, and I am credibly informed that no money can, at any time, + be received from the treasury without a heavy per centage being given + to the inferior officers; but how such per centages are afterwards + disposed of, is to me unknown. + + The price at which provisions were being purchased by the + Intendente for the use of the squadron being exorbitant, I instituted + a minute inquiry, the result of which was the discovery of + a fraudulent system which I abolished by purchasing our own + provisions. American salt beef, for which the Provincial Government + charged 25 milreis the barrel, I have purchased for 12 milreis--pork + charged 32 milreis, I buy for 15-1/2 milreis. Bread is charged + 10 milreis the quintal, whilst the English sloop-of-war _Jaseur_ is + purchasing it at 5 milreis, for bills on England. Indeed, the abuses + here of all kinds are too numerous to be detailed by letter, and to + endeavour to put a stop to them, unless under the express authority + and protection of the Imperial Government, would be a thankless + task. + + * * * * * + + No. 291. + + Maranham, March 17th, 1825. + + The difficulties with which I have had to contend in this + province have been greatly increased by the arrival of Pedro Jose + de Costa Barros on the 5th of last month--when intrigue within + intrigue was set on foot by different parties, and which--if Barros + were placed in power--I clearly foresaw would end in anarchy and + bloodshed--and probably in the destruction of all the Portuguese + part of the community, whose unequivocal reception of a partisan + President excited at once the jealousy and distrust of the + Brazilians. + + Under these circumstances, I felt that the only course to be + adopted, for the prevention of serious evils, was to defer the + introduction of Barros into authority, and to leave Lobo as President + interino, until further directions from the Imperial Government. + This additional degree of responsibility I took upon myself with the + less reluctance, as Barros had no other authority to assume the + Government than a letter to Bruce, whom I had previously been + compelled to suspend from office and send to Rio--to whom, therefore, + such letter could not be delivered. Besides which, having + appointed Lobo to be President interino, until His Majesty's + pleasure should be known, I could not consistently consent to his + removal from office until His Majesty was acquainted with his + appointment, and had expressed his pleasure thereon. + + * * * * * + + No. 292. + + Maranham, March 18th, 1825. + + As I observe by the Lisbon newspapers that most of the vessels + acquitted by the Court of Admiralty have arrived at Lisbon, I beg to + call your Excellency's attention to the fact that I have received no + reply to my letter addressed to your Excellency on the 1st of + August last, requesting to know whether, in addition to the loss + of the property, _which ought to have been condemned_, I was personally + liable to the enormous costs and damages decreed against me by + that tribunal. + + * * * * * + + No. 293. + + Maranham, March 18, 1825. + + In my letter, No. 291, I acquainted your Excellency + of the course pursued with regard to Pedro Jose de Costa Barros, + who, under the mistaken counsels of a faction here, would have + again involved this province in scenes of bloodshed and confusion. + It is neither my duty nor inclination to become a tool in the hands + of any faction, whose views are contrary to the true interests of + His Imperial Majesty, and, were they countenanced and protected, + would infallibly involve all Brazil in civil war and anarchy. + + I contented myself, however, with continuing the usual precautions, + which were sufficient to prevent disasters till His Majesty's + pleasure, with regard to recent occurrences in this province, should + become known, of which I have been in daily expectation for some + time past; but Barros--after agreeing to await the expected + instructions--considered that he had gained over a sufficient party + to overthrow the government by violent means, and addressed to me + the letter A, which was considered by him a sufficient pretext to + warrant the imprisonment of the President interino, during my + temporary absence on board the flagship, whence, it was supposed, + I should not be able to arrive in time to prevent the execution of + that violent measure; and I regret to add, that, in this plot--so + prejudicial to His Majesty's interests, and so disgraceful to the + parties concerned--persons whose duty it was to have at once combatted + such unjustifiable proceedings took an underhand but active + part. The letters of Barros, A and B, will sufficiently shew the + violence of his prejudices, his credulity, and precipitancy in acting + upon false information and reports, as well as his total ignorance of + law and justice, in requiring the seizure of an individual without + specifying either crime or accuser. + + I enclose to your Excellency all the correspondence which has + taken place between Barros and myself, together with the proclamation + which I felt it my duty to issue for the maintenance of order; + for the legal department here now profess to consider that, although + the constitution has been granted and accepted, they have no + authority to put it in practice--hence, between the ancient and new + laws, justice is at a stand. + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +To these and all my previous communications no reply was returned either +in the way of approval or otherwise. There was, however, one member of +the administration, Luiz Jose Carvalho e Mello, who had ever been my +friend, being himself a man of patriotic and enlightened views, but +without the influence to counteract the designs of his Portuguese +colleagues. As I knew from private sources, that this silence had its +objects, I addressed to Carvalho e Mello the following letter:-- + + Maranham, March 22nd, 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + By the arrival of my despatches transmitted by the _George_ and other + ships, your Excellency will have been successively informed of such + public transactions and occurrences as seemed to me worthy of the + attention of the Imperial Government. But notwithstanding that three + months and upwards have now elapsed since the date of my first + communications, I have the misfortune (for so I must call it) to be + left without any precise or applicable instructions from Rio de + Janeiro. The responsibility, therefore, rests entirely on my + shoulders, and I feel this the more--being aware that not only shall + I meet with no support from the majority of the Ministry itself--but + that the most powerful faction in Rio de Janeiro will represent every + thing I have done--or may do--in the blackest colours. + + I console myself, however, with the knowledge that I possess the + means of exposing the falsehood of every allegation that can be + brought against me. I have acted towards His Imperial Majesty + and the Brazilian nation, in the same manner as I should have + done for my native Sovereign and country; and I must say--that, + had I freed the shores of England from a superior hostile force, and + rescued half the country from the dominion of an enemy--the + British Government would not have left me to seek the fruit of my + labours, and those of the officers and seamen who served with me, + in the manner in which I have been compelled to seek them in + Brazil; and would never have subjected me to the necessity of + having recourse to measures capable of being so perversely represented + as to obscure for a time that credit to which I am entitled + for the successful conduct of the naval war. I am, however, + resolved never to be deterred, by fear of consequences, from using + every endeavour within my power to obtain justice for all who have + continued to perform their duty in the Imperial service. And + I have the less hesitation in persevering in this resolution--because + it cannot be denied that I have strictly limited the claims of the + naval service to such rewards as would have been admitted to + be due, under similar circumstances, in the navy of England. + + I have used the freedom to say thus much to your Excellency as + my friend--because I am well aware that the old cry of the Portuguese + faction in Rio will be set up against me the moment they + hear that I have caused the Junta of Fazenda of this province to pay + a part of the amount of the money and bills taken on the surrender + of the Portuguese authorities at Maranham. This, of course, though + only one-fourth of the amount due, _will be represented as an outrageous + robbery_; but I again say, that it is not from the Portuguese + faction at Rio, that I expect either credit or justice. Their object is + sufficiently evident, namely--_the expulsion of every foreign officer + from the service, by means of privation and insult, in order that they + may fill the ships with their Portuguese countrymen and dependents_; + a result which I should lament to witness, because fraught with mischief + to His Imperial Majesty and Brazil. + + I feel myself much shaken in health by the great heat of the climate, + and the anxiety occasioned by the peculiar circumstances in which I + have been placed; all of which I might have saved myself under the + plea of want of instructions, but for my desire to promote the real + interests of His Imperial Majesty, by once more accomplishing that + which His Majesty, in his instructions to me of the 31st of July + last, was graciously pleased to describe as "_of no less importance + than the integrity and independence of the Empire_." + + I am, with great respect, + + Your Excellency's devoted friend, + + and obedient servant, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +On the 16th of March, the Junta--finding that I would not listen to any +farther evasion--paid 30 contos (L.6000) in bills, and 3 contos (L.600) +in silver, as the first instalment of the 106,000 dollars (L.21,200) for +which the restoration of 425,000 dollars (L.85,000) had been commuted. +The disbursement of this sum amongst the officers and men entitled to +it, is fully narrated in the concluding chapter, containing a full +statement of the disbursement of this and other monies charged against +me, which statement is accompanied by vouchers fortunately retained in +my possession, these placing the proper disbursement of the money +amongst its rightful owners beyond doubt or question. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +I QUIT MARANHAM FOR A CRUISE--BAD STATE OF THE FRIGATE--CONNIVANCE AT +ILLICIT TRADE--WE ARE COMPELLED TO PROCEED TO ENGLAND--THE FRIGATE +REPORTED TO THE BRAZILIAN ENVOY--WHO CHEATS ME OF L.2,000--HIS +ASSUMPTION THAT I HAD ABANDONED THE SERVICE--MY CONTRADICTION +THEREOF--ORDER TO RETURN TO RIO--REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO--BRAZILIAN +ENVOY TAMPERS WITH MY OFFICER--WHO ACQUAINTS ME THEREWITH--ENVOY STOPS +PAY AND PROVISIONS--DECLARES THAT THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE ME +NOTHING!--CAPTAIN SHEPHERD'S REPLY--I PREPARE TO RETURN TO RIO--THE +ENVOY DISMISSES ME FROM THE SERVICE--WITHOUT REASON ASSIGNED--HE +DECLARES THAT I VOLUNTARILY ABANDONED THE SERVICE--RECEIPTS FOE ACCOUNTS +TRANSMITTED TO BRAZIL--THESE DENIED TO HAVE BEEN SENT. + + +The anxiety occasioned by the constant harassing which I had +undergone--unalleviated by any acknowledgment on the part of the +Imperial government of the services which had a second time saved the +Empire from intestine war, anarchy and revolution--began to make serious +inroads on my health; whilst that of the officers and men, in +consequence of the great heat and pestilential exhalations of the +climate, and of the double duty which they had to perform, afloat and +ashore, was even less satisfactory. As I saw no advantage in longer +contending with factious intrigues at Maranham--unsupported and +neglected as I was by the administration at Rio de Janeiro, and as I +knew that my immediate return to the Capital would instantly be followed +by resident contention, I resolved upon a short run into a more bracing +Northerly atmosphere, which would answer the double purpose of +restoring our health, and of giving us a clear offing for our +subsequent voyage to Rio de Janeiro. + +Accordingly--after paying both to officers and crews their share of the +prize money refunded by the Junta of Maranham (see concluding Chapter), +I shifted my flag into the _Piranga_, despatched the _Pedro Primiero_ to +Rio, and leaving Captain Manson, of the _Cacique_, in charge of the +naval department at Maranham, put to sea on the 18th of May. + +On the 21st we crossed the Equator, and meeting with a succession of +Easterly winds, were carried to the Northward of the Azores, passing St. +Michael's on the 11th of June. It had been my intention to sail into the +latitude of the Azores, and then to return to Rio de Janeiro; but strong +gales coming on we made the unpleasant discovery that the frigate's +maintopmast was sprung, and when putting her about, the main and +maintopsail yards were discovered to be unserviceable. A still worse +disaster was, that the salt provisions shipped at Maranham were reported +bad; mercantile ingenuity having resorted to the device of placing good +meat at the top and bottom of the barrels; whilst the middle, being +composed of unsound provisions, had tainted the whole, thereby rendering +it not only uneatable, but positively dangerous to health. + +For the condition of the ship's spars I had depended on others, not +deeming it necessary to take upon myself such investigation; it is +however possible that we might have patched these up, so as to reach Rio +de Janeiro, had not the running rigging been as rotten as the masts, +and we had no spare cordage on board. The state of the provisions, +however, rendered a direct return to Rio de Janeiro out of the question, +the good provisions on board being little more than sufficient for a +week's subsistence of the crew. + +On ascertaining these facts, I convened the officers for the purpose of +holding a survey on the state of the ship and provisions, they all +agreeing with me as to the impracticability of attempting a six weeks' +voyage with defective masts and rigging, and only a week's provisions on +board, at the same time signing a survey to that effect, which document +is now in my possession. It was therefore determined to put into some +port for the purpose of refitting; but here another difficulty presented +itself. Portugal was still an enemy's country. Had we made a Spanish +port, the prominent part I had taken in depriving Spain of her colonies +in the Pacific would have ensured me a questionable reception. A French +port too was unsuitable, as France had not acknowledged the independence +of Brazil. + +To enter an English harbour was attended with some risk of annoyance to +myself, in consequence of the enactments of the "Foreign Enlistment +Bill," the provisions of which had been specially aimed at my having +taken service in South America though before that Bill was passed, so +that I did not consider myself to come within the meaning of the Act. +Still the point was debateable, and were it raised, might subject me to +considerable personal inconvenience, the more so as being in command of +a foreign ship of war belonging to an unacknowledged state. The +necessity was, however, urgent, and taking all circumstances into +consideration, I resolved, notwithstanding the Foreign Enlistment Bill, +to stretch on to Portsmouth, and there procure provisions, anchors, +cables, and stores, indispensable for the use of a ship of war; the +frigate being so destitute of all these, that, had I been fully aware of +her condition before quitting Maranham, I should have hesitated to put +to sea. + +In passing the Azores, we overtook the brig _Aurora_, which left +Maranham ten days before the _Piranga_, cleared out for Gibraltar under +Brazilian colours. She was now steering direct for Lisbon under a +Portuguese ensign, in company with a Portuguese schooner; this +circumstance clearly shewing the kind of intercourse carried on between +Brazil and the mother country by connivance of the authorities. Though +both vessels were within my grasp I did not molest them, in consequence +of having received private information of a decree passed by the supreme +military council at Rio de Janeiro on the 26th of October, from the +tenor of which decree, had I made further captures from the enemy, I +should have incurred additional penalties, as acting contrary to the +obvious intentions of a majority of the council, though their views had +not been officially communicated to me. + +I had, however, stronger reasons for not molesting these vessels. +Knowing that both were bound for Lisbon, I felt certain that they would +carry the news of our approaching the shores of Portugal with a view to +mischief--and that a knowledge of the proximity of a Brazilian ship of +war, with the further consideration of the injury she might do to the +trade of that nation in case of rupture of the pending negociations, +could not fail to inspire a desire for peace on the minds of the +mercantile portion of the population, who had hitherto been chiefly +instrumental in delaying the paternal intentions of His Portuguese +Majesty with regard to the independence of Brazil as now firmly +established under the government of his descendant and heir apparent. +The effect anticipated was, in reality, produced by their report, so +that we contributed in no small degree to hasten the peace which was +shortly afterwards established. + +Another motive for not molesting these vessels was, that being +compelled, for the reasons before stated, to resort to an English +port, at a time when I knew the British Government to be carrying +on negociations for peace between Portugal and Brazil, I felt it +better to abstain from hostilities against Portuguese vessels or +property--considering that a contrary course might impede the +reconciliation which was desirable both for the interests of His +Imperial Majesty and his royal father; a result scarcely less +advantageous to England on account of her rapidly extending commerce in +Brazil. + +We sighted the English coast on the 25th of June, and on the following +day came to anchor at Spithead, our available provisions being entirely +expended. My first step was to inquire of the authorities at +Portsmouth, whether, in case of the _Piranha's_ saluting, the +compliment would be returned with the same number of guns? The inquiry +being answered in the affirmative, the salute was fired, and replied to; +thus, for the first time, was the flag of His Imperial Majesty saluted +by an European state, and the independence of Brazil virtually +acknowledged. + +My next step was to report the arrival of the _Piranga_ at Portsmouth, +to the Chevalier Manoel Rodriguez Gameiro Pessoa, the Brazilian Envoy in +London; at the same time informing his Excellency of the circumstances +which had unavoidably led to our appearance in British waters, and +requesting him to forward the means of paying the men's wages. This +requisition was complied with, to the extent of two months' pay to the +men. + +As it was contrary to the law or usage of England to assist in the +equipment of ships of war belonging to foreign belligerent states, the +articles required for the re-equipment of the frigate could not be +furnished from the Royal arsenal--the duty of providing these, +therefore, devolved upon the Brazilian Envoy, who soon afterwards +represented that he was without means for the purpose, thus impeding the +equipment of the frigate. The men being also without fresh provisions or +the means to procure them, were beginning to desert, I advanced L.2000, +in order to keep them together, giving the Chevalier Gameiro an order +for this amount on my bankers, Messrs. Coutts, and taking his receipt +for the amount, for which I drew a bill upon the Imperial Government at +Rio de Janeiro, which was _protested, and has not been paid to this +day!_ + +On the 4th of August, I was surprised at receiving from the Envoy a +letter charging _me personally_ with the amount he had advanced to the +_Piranga_, and also with L.295, an alleged error of account in payments +made at Maranham; his Excellency concluding with the extraordinary +declaration, that--"having received from my bankers, Messrs. Coutts and +Co. the sum of L.2000 he had placed against it the amount advanced, the +transaction leaving me indebted to the Legation in the sum of L.25!" +Though the Legation could not have anything to do with the assumed error +arising from transactions at Maranham. + +On the 21st of August, I received a letter from the Brazilian Envoy to +the effect that he had perceived in the newspapers a report that I had +accepted from the Government of Greece the command of its navy--and +wished to know if there was any truth in the assertion. To this inquiry +I replied that so long as I continued in the Brazilian service I could +not accept any other command; that the Greek command had been offered to +me whilst in Brazil, in the same manner as the Brazilian command had +been offered to me whilst in the service of Chili; and that, soon after +my return to Portsmouth, the Greek committee, zealous in the cause which +they had adopted, had renewed their offers, under the impression that my +work in Brazil was now completed. At the same time, I assured the Envoy +that as, in the case of Chili, I did not accept the Brazilian command +till my work was done, neither should I accept a Greek commission till +my relations with Brazil were honourably concluded, but that +nevertheless the offer made to me on behalf of Greece was not rejected. + +This reply was construed by the Chevalier Gameiro into an admission that +_I had_ accepted the Greek command, and he addressed to me another +letter, expressive of his regret that I should have "come to the +resolution to retire from the service of His Imperial Majesty the +Emperor of Brazil, in the great work of whose independence I had taken +so glorious a part, (a grande obra da independencia, V. E'a teve tao +gloriosa parte) regretting the more especially that his august Sovereign +should be deprived of my important services (prestantes servicios) just +at a moment when new difficulties required their prompt application," +&c. &c. + +These expressions were probably sincere, for, since my departure from +Maranham, serious difficulties had arisen in the river Plate, which +afterwards ended with little credit to the Brazilian cause. But _I had +not accepted the Greek command_, and had no intention of so doing +otherwise than consistently with my engagements with Brazil. On the 6th +of September, I therefore addressed to the Envoy the following letter:-- + + Edinburgh, 6th Sept. 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I regret that your translator should have so far + mistaken the words and meaning of my last letter as to lead your + Excellency to a conclusion that I had taken the resolution to leave + the service of H.I.M. the Emperor of Brazil, or, in other words, + that it was I who had violated the engagements entered into with + the late ministers of His Imperial Majesty in 1823. Whereas, on + the contrary, the _portaria_ published in the Rio Gazette on the 28th + of February, 1824, was promulgated without my knowledge or + sanction, and the limitation of my authority to _the existing war_ was + persevered in by the present ministers, notwithstanding my remonstrance + in writing, both to the Minister of Marine and the Minister + of the Interior. + + Your Excellency ought not therefore to be surprised, if--threatened + as I am with this _portaria_--I should provide beforehand + against a contingency which might _hereafter_ arise from an occasion + happily so nigh, as seems to be the restoration of peace and amity + between His Imperial Majesty and his royal father. + + With regard to any communications of a pressing nature relative + to the equipment of the _Piranga_, your Excellency may consider + Captain Shepherd authorised to act, in my absence, in all ordinary + cases. And that officer, having instructions to acquaint me whenever + the _Piranga_ shall have two-thirds of her complement of men on + board--I can at any time be in London within two days of the + receipt of such communication, and most assuredly before the + complement can be procured. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + + To Chevalier MANOEL RODRIGUEZ GAMBIRO PESSOA. + +Notwithstanding that my engagements with Brazil rested on the original +patents conferred upon me by His Majesty, of which the validity had been +further established by the additional documents given before my +departure for Pernambuco--the latter completely setting aside the +spurious _portaria_ of Barbosa, limiting my services to the duration of +the war--I nevertheless felt confident that, when my services were no +longer required, no scruples as to honourable engagements would prevent +the ministry from acting on the spurious documents, though promulgated +without my knowledge or consent, against every principle of the +conditions upon which I entered the Brazilian service. No blame could +therefore attach to me, for not rejecting the offer of the Greek +command, in case a trick of this kind should be played, as I had every +reason to believe it would be--and as it afterwards in reality was. + +On the 27th of September, the Brazilian Envoy forwarded to me an order +from the Imperial Government at Rio, dated June 27th, and addressed to +me at Maranham; the order directing me to proceed from that port to Rio +immediately on its receipt, to give an account of my proceedings +there--though despatches relating even to minute particulars of every +transaction had, as the reader is well aware, been sent by every +opportunity. His Majesty, when issuing the order, was ignorant that I +had quitted Maranham, still more that on the day the order was issued at +Rio de Janeiro, I had anchored at Spithead, so that obedience to His +Majesty's commands was impossible. + +Acting on this order, the Chevalier Gameiro took upon himself to +"require, in the name of the Emperor, the immediate return of the +_Piranga_, so soon as her repairs were completed, and her complement of +men filled up." As I knew that the order in question would not have been +promulgated by the Emperor, had he known the effect produced by the +presence of the _Piranga_ in the vicinity of Portugal; and as, in +everything I had accomplished in Brazil, His Majesty had placed the +fullest confidence in my discretion, I felt certain that he would be +equally well satisfied with whatever course I might deem it necessary to +pursue, I did not therefore think it expedient to comply with the +requisition of the Envoy, assigning the following reasons for using my +own judgment in the matter:-- + + Edinburgh, Oct. 1, 1825. + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + I have this day been favoured with your letter containing + a copy of a _portaria_ dated June 27th, wherein His Imperial + Majesty, through his Minister of Marine, directs my immediate + return from Maranham to Rio de Janeiro, leaving only the small + vessels there; which order you will observe I had anticipated on the + 20th of May, when I left the Imperial brig-of-war _Cacique_ and the + schooner _Maria_ in that port. Since then, His Excellency the + Minister of Marine is in possession of duplicates of my correspondence + mentioning the arrangements I had so made in anticipation + of the Imperial order; and of my official communications--also in + duplicate--transmitted on my arrival at Portsmouth, by your + Excellency's favour, with your despatches. + + These will have acquainted His Imperial Majesty with the cause + and necessity of our arrival at Spithead--as well as with my intention + there to wait a reasonable time before the departure of the _Piranga,_ + in order to learn the result of the negociations with Portugal. + + I have only to add that, by some inadvertence, your Excellency's + secretary has sent me the copy instead of the original order addressed + to me by order of His Imperial Majesty, which mistake may be + remedied on my return to town. + + I am gratified to learn that there is less difficulty in procuring men + than I had anticipated under the regulations respecting foreign seamen. + + I have the honour, &c. + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + + The Chevalier GAMEIRO. + +Shortly previous to this, the Chevalier Gameiro addressed a letter to +Lieutenant Shepherd, under the title of "Commander of the _Piranga_!" +unjustifiably informing him officially that _"I had retired from the +service of His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil!"_ notwithstanding my +letters to him in contradiction. Indeed, the letter just quoted is +sufficient to shew that not only had I not relinquished the service, but +that I refused to obey Gameiro's order to proceed to Rio, because I knew +that if the frigate returned to Brazil, the impression her presence had +produced on Portugal would be altogether neutralized, and the +negociations for peace might be indefinitely prolonged; so that his +order to run away from the good which had been effected, was so truly +absurd, that I did not choose to comply with it. Had the negociations +for peace been broken off, I had formed plans of attacking Portugal in +her own waters, though with but a single frigate; and I had no +reasonable doubt of producing an impression there of no less forcible a +character than, with a single ship, I had, two years before, produced on +the Portuguese fleet in Brazil. The order was, therefore, one commanding +me to run away from my own plans, of which the Envoy however knew +nothing, as I did not feel justified in entrusting him with my +intentions. + +On receiving the above-mentioned intimation to proceed to Rio de +Janeiro--without my intervention, Lieutenant Shepherd very properly +forwarded the Envoy's letter to me--when, of course, I apprised him that +he was under my command, and not under that of the Chevalier Gameiro. +At the same time I wrote to the latter, that "it would be the subject of +regret if anything should cause the spurious decree of the 28th of +February, 1824, to be brought into operation, but that, _at present, +being in full possession of my office and authority_, my opinion was in +no way changed, that the _Piranga_ should be first fully equipped, and +then wait for a reasonable time for the decision of those important +matters in discussion." + +Finding that Lieutenant Shepherd would not fly in the face of my +authority, the Envoy finally resorted to the extraordinary measure of +stopping the seamen's wages and provisions. On the 6th of October, +Lieutenant Shepherd wrote to me, that "in consequence of their wages not +being paid they had all left off work, and though Clarence did all he +could to pacify them, and get them to return to their duty, they had +determined not to go to work until they were paid." On the 8th, +Lieutenant Shepherd again wrote, "that Gameiro having ceased to supply +the frigate with fresh provisions, he had, on his own responsibility, +ordered the butcher to continue supplying them as usual." On Lieutenant +Shepherd waiting upon the Envoy to remonstrate against this system of +starvation, he replied--and his words are extracted from Lieutenant +Shepherd's letter to me, that as "His Lordship did not think proper to +sail at the time he wished, he would not be responsible for supplying +the frigate with anything more--nor would he advance another shilling." +In all this, Gameiro--acting, no doubt, on instructions from the +Portuguese faction at Rio--resorted to every kind of falsehood to get +the officers to renounce my authority and to accept his! Of the +character of the man and his petty expedients, the following extract +from Lieutenant Shepherd's letter of the 8th of October, will form the +best exponent:-- + + I have had another visit from General Brown, when he began a + conversation by mentioning the evils which would arise from the + feeling between your Lordship and Gameiro, who was at a loss how to + act, as he had no authority over you--Gen. Brown suggesting how much + better it would be for me to place myself under Gameiro's orders. + Finding that I refused--on the following morning he called again, and + told me that he had seen Gameiro, and had heard that the + misunderstanding between your Lordship and him was at an end, but + that Gameiro wanted to see me. On this I waited on Gameiro, who after + some conversation told me that if I had any regard for His Imperial + Majesty's service, I should never have acted as I had done. I told + him that all I had done had been for the good of the service, and + that I was ready to put to sea as soon as I received your Lordship's + orders. He then asked me if I was the effective Captain of the ship? + and whether I was not under the orders of Captain Crosbie? I told him + that I was not acting under the orders of Captain Crosbie, but that I + was Captain of the ship by virtue of a commission from the Emperor, + and by an order from Lord Cochrane. He then said--Are you authorised + to obey the orders of Captain Crosbie? and I said, I was not. Suppose + you were to receive an order from Captain Crosbie, would you obey it? + I said I would not. Then you consider yourself the lawful Captain of + that ship? I do. + + Upon this Gameiro remarked, "You are not an officer of Lord + Cochrane's, but of the Imperial Government. It is impossible for Lord + Cochrane to return to the Brazils as the Admiralty Court there _has + sentenced him to pay L.60,000 sterling, and his command will cease as + soon as peace is made between Brazil and Portugal! Besides, Lord + Cochrane's motive for detaining the_ Piranga _is the expectation on + his part of receiving L.6000 per annum at the termination of the war, + which the Government will never give him_!" + + Finding that this made no impression on me, he began to threaten, + saying that "he would state to his Government that all delay was + occasioned by me, and that I should have to answer for it." I told + him that, in the event of my sailing without your orders, I subjected + myself to be tried by a court-martial for so doing, and leaving your + Lordship behind. He answered that "I must be aware that he was the + legal representative of His Imperial Majesty, and that he would give + me despatches of such a nature as would not only exonerate me from + all blame, but would shew the great zeal I had for His Imperial + Majesty's service." + + I asked Gameiro--if I were to act in such a manner, what would people + think of me? The answer was, "_Never mind what Lord Cochrane says, + you will be in the Brazils and he in England, and I will take upon + myself all the blame and the responsibility._" He gave me till the + evening to think of his proposals, and if I would not consent to + them, he had other means of sending the _Piranga_ to sea. He further + requested me to keep this secret from your Lordship, as if you heard + of it you would come post and stop it; adding that if I would + consent, he would send a sufficient number of men in a steamboat, + with every kind of store and provisions required to complete us, and + we were to sail immediately. + + This deep laid plot of Gameiro's was not to be carried on as + Portuguese plots are in general, but was to be done--using his own + words--_at a blow_, before anybody could know anything about it. + + With this I send a copy of my answer to Gameiro's proposals, and a + letter representing the state of the ship. + + I have the honour to remain + Your Lordship's obedient Servant, + JA'S. SHEPHERD. + +Such were the underhand expedients of a man who was silly enough to tell +the secrets of his Government, as regarded the intended injustice of the +Brazilian Ministry towards me--in spite of stipulations thrice ratified +by the Emperor's own hand. But in confiding them to Lieutenant Shepherd, +the Envoy's want of common honesty, no less than of common sense, did +not perceive that he was imparting iniquitous projects to a brave and +faithful officer, who would not lose a moment till he had apprised me of +the whole. I should be unjust to the memory of Captain Shepherd did I +not give his written reply to the infamous proposals of Gameiro, a copy +of which was enclosed to me in the preceding letter. + +Copy of my answer to Gameiro's proposals, sent in Portuguese, and +translated by Mr. March:-- + + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + In answer to the wishes of your Excellency to place + myself under your immediate orders, I have to acquaint you that I + have this morning had a letter from Lord Cochrane, stating that he + had received letters from your Excellency of such a nature as to + require his immediate presence in town, where he intends to be on + Monday next. This alone--you must be aware--will entirely preclude + the possibility of putting into execution the arrangements + which you wished; the celerity of the Admiral's movements being + such as to preclude all hope of effecting them. + + I am sorry to add, that all our men have this morning left + the ship in a complete state of mutiny, occasioned by their not + having received their last two months' pay, and I much fear that it + will be now more difficult than ever to get her manned--as, from + their having been so long kept in arrears, and leaving their ship + without being paid, has irritated their feelings to such a degree, that + I have no hesitation whatever in saying that they will do all in their + power to prevent others from joining her. + + I have the honour to remain + Your obedient humble Servant, + + JAMES SHEPHERD. + + To His Excellency + MANOEL RODRIGUEZ GAMEIRO PESSOA. + +On the 29th of October, I received from the Brazilian Legation in +London, further orders from the Imperial Government, dated August 25th, +1825, to return with the _Piranga_ to Rio de Janeiro--and with these I +made preparations to comply, notifying to Gameiro my readiness to +sail--by the following letter:-- + + London, Nov. 3, 1825. + MOST EXCELLENT SIR, + + + Having informed your Excellency on the 1st of + October, that previous to quitting Maranham I had anticipated the + Imperial resolutions, and having in my letter of the 24th further + made known to your Excellency that the _Piranga_ should sail for + Brazil on or as soon after the 10th of this month as the wind would + permit, your Excellency will perceive that there is nothing remaining + of the Imperial decree to be executed, unless the _Piranga_ (which I + much doubt) should be enabled to put to sea before the early day + which I have fixed for departure. + + + (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + His Excellency + MANOEL RODRIGUEZ GAMEIRO PESSOA. + +This declaration of my readiness to comply with His Imperial Majesty's +orders did not, however, suit the Envoy, nor did it fall in with his +instructions from the Brazilian Ministry, which, no doubt were, as soon +as peace was proclaimed, _to get rid of me without satisfying my +claims_--this course being, indeed, apparent from what the Envoy, as +just shewn, had communicated to Lieutenant Shepherd. (See page 260.) On +the 3rd of November, peace between Portugal and Brazil was announced, +and the independence of the Empire acknowledged; Gameiro being, on the +occasion, created Baron Itabayana, whilst I--to whose instrumentality +the peace--as a consequence of the consolidation of the Empire had been +mainly owing, _was to be ignominiously dismissed the service_! + +On the 7th of November--four days only after the announcement of +peace--Gameiro took upon himself the execution of the spurious +ministerial decree issued by Barbosa on the 27th of February, 1824, +which _had been abrogated by the Emperor, through the same minister, in +the July following, as a prelude to my employment in the +tranquillisation of the Northern provinces_. Gameiro did not venture +previously to apprise me of the act lest I should resist it--but +insultingly sent an order to the officers of the Piranga to "disengage +themselves from all obedience to my command." (Se desligao de toda +subordinacao a o Ex'mo S'r Marquez do Maranhao), thus unjustifiably +terminating my services--as I was on the point of returning, in +obedience to the order of the Emperor. The subjoined is the order +alluded to:-- + + _To_ Captain SHEPHERD, _commanding the Piranga, still refusing + supplies whilst I held the command._ + + Having received the two letters which you addressed to me on the + 4th of this month, enclosing three demands for various articles for + the use of the frigate, I have to reply that I persist in my resolution + not to furnish anything to the frigate unless she is placed under the + immediate orders of this Legation, which I shall only consider + accomplished when I shall receive a reply signed by yourself, and + by all the other officers, declaring that--in compliance with the + orders of His Imperial Majesty, contained in the two portarias of + 37th of June and 20th of August last--_you all place yourselves under + the orders of this Legation, and cast off all subordination to the + Marquis of Maranhao!_ + + Dated London, 7th November, 1825. + + (Signed) GAMEIRO. + +As this was done without the slightest motive existing or assigned, +there was no doubt in my mind but that Barbosa and his colleagues in the +ministry had instructed Gameiro to dismiss me from the service whenever +peace was effected; indeed, he had so informed Lieutenant Shepherd by +the letter before quoted. To resist a measure--though thus insultingly +resorted to--in the face of the Imperial order to return, was out of the +question, as the instant consequence would have been a disgraceful +outbreak between the Brazilian and Portuguese seamen of the _Piranga,_ +in the principal war port of England, to my own scandal, no less than to +that of the Imperial government. I had, therefore, no alternative to +avert this outrage but by submitting to the forcible deposition from my +authority as Commander-in-Chief. + +This act of the Envoy--_based upon the deliberate falsehood that His +Imperial Majesty had ordered the officers not to obey me, no such order +existing_ in either of the Portarias mentioned--precluded my obedience +to the Imperial command to return to Rio de Janeiro, for being no longer +acknowledged as "First Admiral of Brazil, and Commander-in-Chief of the +National Armada," I could only have accompanied the _Piranga_ as a +passenger, or rather _quasi_ prisoner; and to this, in either capacity, +it was impossible, without degradation, to submit. I had no inclination +to place myself at the mercy of men who had taken advantage of a +spurious decree to dismiss me--now that--in spite of their +opposition--the destiny of the Empire had been irrevocably decided by +my having counteracted their _anti-national_ views whilst carrying out +the intentions of His Imperial Majesty. + +As will presently be seen, it was falsely represented by Gameiro, to the +Imperial Government, that I had _voluntarily abandoned the service!_ +though, from the letter just quoted--ordering the officers to "disengage +themselves from all subordination to me," this subterfuge of my having +_dismissed myself_ is obviously false. I will not, therefore, trespass +on the patience of the reader by dilating upon the subject; suffice it +to say that, not choosing to return to Rio de Janeiro as a passenger, I +had no dignified alternative but to give up the frigate to the command +of the senior officer, Captain Shepherd; confiding to him all accounts +of monies distributed for the Imperial service, with the vouchers for +the same--taking the precaution to send however the duplicate receipts +given by the officers on account of the monies paid by the Junta of +Maranham--and retaining the originals in my possession, where they now +remain, and will be adduced in the statement of account forming the +concluding chapter of this volume. + +For these accounts--which the Brazilian ministers _deny ever to have +received_--Captain Shepherd gave me, under his own signature, the +following acknowledgment--now in my possession; a photograph of which, +together with photographs of other important documents has long since +been sent to the Brazilian Government:-- + + Received from Lord Cochrane, Marquess of Maranhao, the key of the + iron chest, in which the prize lists and receipts for the + disbursement of public monies have been kept during His Excellency's + command; which key and chest I engage faithfully to deliver to the + accountant-general of His Imperial Majesty's navy, or to the proper + authority at Rio de Janeiro, taking his receipt for the same. + + On board H.I.M.'s ship _Piranga_, November 12th, 1825, + + JA's SHEPHERD. + + +The denial by the Brazilian Administration--of the accounts and receipts +thus acknowledged by Captain Shepherd, and the absence of any +ministerial communication on the subject, forms an unworthy imputation +on the memory of a gallant officer, who a short time afterwards nobly +died in action in the cause of Brazil. It was utterly impossible that +Captain Shepherd should have done otherwise than have delivered them, +for he was a man upon whose honour no reproach could be cast. There are +only two ways to account for their not having been delivered, if such be +the case. 1st, that Gameiro on the delivery of the frigate to the +legation obtained possession of the chest in which they were deposited, +and withheld them to justify my dismissal by casting the reproach upon +me of having appropriated the amount--an act of which the Brazilian +Government may judge whether he was capable; or, 2ndly, that from the +same reason they were purposely withheld or destroyed by the ministers +who had been so inimical to me. The present Brazilian Administration is +happily composed of men of a different stamp, and it becomes them, for +the sake of the national reputation, to institute the strictest search +for the documentary evidence adduced, as no man will believe that I +withheld documents which could alone justify my acts. + +And here I must be permitted to remark, that the documentary evidence +adduced in this volume proves the history, and not the history the +documents. If any question be made as to their validity or fidelity, _I +hereby call upon the Brazilian Government to appoint a Commission, or +authorise their Embassy to compare the extracts with the originals in my +possession, so that no manner of doubt or question shall attach to +them._ My object in now producing them is, that I will not voluntarily +go to my grave with obloquy, cast on me by men, who, at the outset of +Brazilian independence, were a misfortune to the Empire no less than to +myself; men who not only pursued this shameful line of conduct towards +me who was unable to resist it,--but towards His Imperial Majesty,--who, +by similar practices, was eventually disgusted into AN ABDICATION OF HIS +THRONE AND AN ABANDONMENT OF THE COUNTRY--to which he had given one of +the freest Constitutions in existence--achieved under the Imperial +watchword, "Independencia ou morte." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +I AM DISMISSED THE SERVICE BY THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT--WITHOUT ANY +ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY SERVICES--INCONSISTENCY OF THIS WITH FORMER +THANKS--THOUGH DISMISSED I AM TRIED AS A DESERTER--AND AM REFUSED ALL +COMPENSATION--REPORT OF RECENT COMMISSION ON THE SUBJECT--FALSE +REPRESENTATIONS--BUT PARTIALLY TRUE CONCLUSIONS--MY ORIGINAL PATENTS +NEVER SET ASIDE--UNTRUE ASSUMPTIONS AS TO MY DISMISSAL--MY CLAIMS +FOUNDED ON THE ORIGINAL PATENTS--LESS THAN HALF THE INTEREST DUE +PAID--OPINIONS OF EMINENT BRAZILIANS THEREON--MY SERVICES TARDILY +ACKNOWLEDGED--NO ACT OF MINE HAD ANNULLED THEM--THE ESTATE CONFERRED, +NOT CONFIRMED--PROMISES ON ACCOUNT OF CHILI UNFULFILLED--THE WHOLE +STILL MY RIGHT. + + +Having been thus unceremoniously dismissed from the Imperial +service--without doubt, by order of the Brazilian Ministry to their +Envoy in London, I was some months afterwards surprised by the receipt +of a letter from the Imperial Government, dated December 21st, 1825, and +signed "Visconde de Paranagua," informing me that His Imperial Majesty +had ordered all my pay and other claims to be suspended till I should +return to Rio de Janeiro to justify myself and give an account of my +commission--this being now out of my power, as I had been deprived of +command, and the frigate in which I came to England had returned, by +order of the Envoy, to Rio de Janeiro. + +Without, however, giving me time to do this, I received another letter +from the same authority, dated Dec. 30, containing my formal dismission +from the service--this shewing that Gameiro had previous instructions +to act in the way narrated in the last chapter. + +The following is the official letter dismissing me from the command of +the Navy, and from the post of First Admiral:-- + + His Majesty the Emperor, informed of that which your Excellency has + set forth in your letter No. 300, dated the 5th of November last, has + been pleased to determine that your Excellency shall fulfil the + orders already several times transmitted to you, and further in + compliance with the order of the 20th inst., a copy of which I + inclose, you are to return to this Court, where it is necessary you + shall give an account of the Commission with which you were + entrusted. His Majesty is much surprised that, after having taken the + frigate _Piranga_ to a foreign port, and having there remained in + despite of the Baron Itabayana, you should have adopted the + extraordinary resolution, not only _to abandon that frigate, but also + to retire from the service of the Emperor_, without having returned + to give an account of your proceedings _previous to your dismissal + from the command of the naval forces, and from the post of First + Admiral_ of the National and Imperial Armada. All which I communicate + for the information and execution of your Excellency. + + God preserve your Excellency. + + Palace of Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 30th, 1825. + + (Signed) VISCONDE DE PARANAGUA. + + To the Marquis of Maranhao. + +From this extraordinary document it is plain that Gameiro had written to +the Imperial Government the same falsehood, as he had used when +endeavouring to seduce Lieut. Shepherd from his duty to me as his +Commander-in-Chief; viz. that I had voluntarily retired from the +service, because the Admiralty Court having condemned me in L.60,000 +_damages, I durst not return to Rio de Janeiro!_ though I announced to +him my readiness to sail in the frigate. The Jesuitical nature of the +preceding letter amply proves its object and motive. It does not dismiss +me--but _it calls on me to come and be dismissed_! carefully addressing +me, however, as "Marquis of Maranhao," and not as First Admiral, thereby +intimating that I was _already dismissed_! As there can be no mistake +about the meaning of the document, it is not worth while to discuss +it--the reason why it is adduced being to shew that I was not only +dismissed by the Envoy Gameiro, but in a little more than a month +afterwards by the Imperial Government itself; which for thirty years +reiterated in reply to my often pressed claims--that _I dismissed myself +by abandoning the service of my own accord_! + +Not a word of acknowledgment was ever given for having a second time +saved the Empire from dismemberment, though this service was entirely +extra-official, it being no part of my contract with the Brazilian +Government to put down revolution, nor to take upon myself the +responsibility and difficult labour of reducing half the Empire to the +allegiance which it had perhaps not without cause repudiated--at the +same time, of necessity, taking the management of the whole upon myself. +This had been done at the pressing personal request of His Imperial +Majesty, in face of the decree of the Court of Admiralty _that no prizes +should be made within a certain distance of the shore_; so that no +benefit, public or private--arising from the operations of war--could +result from blockade; yet I had a right to expect even greater thanks +and a more liberal amount of compensation in case of success, than from +the first expedition. Not a word of acknowledgment nor a shilling of +remuneration for that service has ever been awarded to this day; though +such treatment stands out in glaring inconsistency with the Imperial +thanks and honours--the thanks of the Administration--and the vote of +the General Assembly, for expelling on the first expedition enemies not +half so formidable as were the revolutionary factions with which I had +to contend in the Northern provinces. + +Neither in Brazil nor in England had I done anything to forfeit my right +to the fulfilment of the explicit stipulations set forth in the Imperial +patents of March 26th, and November 25th, 1823. His Imperial Majesty had +all along marked his approbation of my zealous exertions for the +interests of the empire--designating them "_altos e extraordinarios +servicios_."--and desired that I should have the most ample +remuneration; having, in addition to every honour in his power to +confer, granted me an estate, which grant was by the Portuguese faction +strenuously and successfully opposed, and not this only, but every other +recompence proposed by His Majesty as a remuneration for my services. +The object being to subvert whatever had been effected by my exertions, +though, but for these the inevitable consequence would have been the +establishment of insignificant local governments in perpetual turmoil +and revolution, in place of an entire empire in the enjoyment of +uninterrupted repose. Had I connived at the views of the Anti-Imperial +faction--even by avoiding the performance of extra-official services--I +might, without dereliction of my duty as an officer, have amply shared +in their favours; but for my adherence to the Emperor against their +machinations, that influence was successfully used to deprive me even of +the ordinary reward of my labours in the cause of independence. + +As soon as the compulsory deprivation of my command, by the Envoy +Gameiro, became known in Rio de Janeiro--where, doubtless, it was +expected--a great outcry was raised against me, _as though my non-return +had been my own act_. The press was set in motion, and every effort was +used to traduce me in the eyes of the Brazilian people, from whom the +truth of the matter was carefully withheld; the whole, eventually, +terminating with a mock trial in my absence, when it had been placed out +of my power to defend myself. At this trial I was accused of +contumacy--stigmatised as a deserter, though, as has just been seen, +formally dismissed by the government, in confirmation of my dismissal by +the Envoy in England--and not only this, but I was declared by the +creatures of the administration in the National Assembly, to merit +punishment as a deserter! Such was my reward for first consolidating and +afterwards preserving the Empire of Brazil. + +Never dreaming of the advantage which might thus be taken by the +Administration of the act of their envoy--on the 10th of February, 1826, +I drew a bill upon the Brazilian Government for the remainder of my pay +up to the period of my dismissal by Itabayana. This was refused and +protested, as was also another afterwards drawn. + +This course clearly indicated the intention of the Administration not to +pay me anything, now that they had dismissed me from the service. To +have returned then to prosecute my claims against such judges, would +have been an act of folly, if not of insanity; my only alternative being +to memorialize the Emperor, which for many successive years I did +without effect--the execution of the Imperial will unhappily depending +on the decision of his ministers, who, little more than five years +afterwards, partly forced, and partly disgusted His Majesty into an +abdication in favour of his infant son, Don Pedro de Alcantara, now +Emperor of Brazil; committing the guardianship of his family to Jose +Bonifacio de Andrada, who, like myself, had been forced into exile from +the hatred of the very men who had so bitterly persecuted me, but had +been permitted to return to Brazil from which he never ought to have +been exiled. + +For more than twenty years did I unceasingly memorialize successive +Brazilian governments, but without effect. At length the Administration +which had so bitterly visited its hatred on me passed away, and it +became evident to His present Imperial Majesty, and the Brazilian +people, that I had been most shamefully treated. Nearly at the same time +I had fortunately succeeded in convincing the British Government that +the obloquy for so many years heaped upon me was unmerited; and Lord +Clarendon warmly espoused my cause, as did the Hon. Mr. Scarlett, the +British Minister at Rio de Janeiro; these excellent personages taking +the trouble to investigate the matter, a boon which I had in vain +solicited from any of their predecessors; though, had the favour +previously been granted, it would have had the effect of explaining my +conduct in Brazil as satisfactorily as, I trust, this volume has done to +the reader. + +The result of this was a commission, appointed by the Brazilian +Government, to inquire into the case of the squadron generally. The +following is an extract from their report, so far as regards myself:-- + + LORD COCHRANE. + + The first in rank and title assuredly is Lord Cochrane, Earl of + Dundonald, and Marquis of Maranhao, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief + of the National Armada during the War of Independence. + + The fame of the services rendered by Lord Cochrane in Chili, as + Commander-in-Chief of the squadron of that republic induced the + Imperial Government to invite him to accept a similar command in + Brazil, so long as the War of Independence should last, with the + promise of the same advantages which he there enjoyed. + + Accepting the invitation, he was appointed by the decree of the + 21st of March, 1823, with the pay of 11.520 milreis, being the same + as he had in Chili, conferring upon him, by communication of the + same date, the command of the squadron which was being equipped + in the port of this city; and by decree of the 23rd of February, + 1824, the command-in-chief of the naval forces of the Empire during + the War of Independence. + + It was afterwards decreed, on the 27th of July, 1824, that he + should enjoy the said pay in full, so long as he continued in the + service of the Empire; and _in case of his not desiring to continue + therein_ after the War of Independence, one half of the said pay as + a pension, which, in the event of his decease, should revert to Lady + Cochrane. + + Lastly, by a _portaria_ of the 20th of December, 1825, it was + decreed that all his muniments and rights should be suspended, and + he was dismissed by a decree of the 10th April, 1827. + + Justice demands that we shall acknowledge (says the Commission) + that the services of Lord Cochrane in the command of the squadron, + put an end to the war more speedily than had been expected; but if + his services were great, it is impossible to conceal that unqualified + and arbitrary acts of the most audacious daring were committed by + him and by the ships under his command, occasioning to the National + Treasury enormous losses, particularly by the heavy indemnification + of an infinite number of bad prizes, which it was obliged to satisfy; + and truth demands that we should declare that if the pretended + claims are suspended, the fault was entirely his own, from having + disobeyed the repeated orders of the Imperial Government, which + commanded his return to this Court to give account of his commission, + aggravated by the crime of having withdrawn himself from the + Empire for England with the frigate _Piranga_, and there remaining + with that frigate, notwithstanding the reiterated orders of the + Imperial Government, for more than two years, pretending that he + had not received the said orders, which at last were ordered to be + communicated to him through the Brazilian Minister resident in + London. + + All this is amply proved by different official documents, some of + which documents are from the claimant himself, this justifying the + suspension of the payment of his claims, no less than the crime of + his obstinate disobedience; and, indeed more by the indispensable + obligation by which he was bound to give accounts of the sums + which he received on account of prizes to distribute to the squadron + under his command, which distribution he himself acknowledged in + his letter of the 5th of November, 1825, wherein he says, "I shall + forward to the Imperial Government an account of the money + received from His Imperial Majesty for distribution to the seamen, + as well as other sums to the account of the captors." + + Having traced this outline relative to the services and excesses of + Lord Cochrane, the Commission now proceeds to discuss his claims. + + First,--His annual pay is 11.520 milreis, which was owing to him + from the 1st of August to the 10th of November 1825, when he left + the service of the Empire. The claimant founds his demand on the + decree of the 21st of March 1823, added to and confirmed on the + 27th of July, 1824. + + The second decree says,--"I deem fit, by the advice of my + Council of State, to determine that the said Marquis of Maranhao + shall receive, so long as he is in the service of the Empire, the + pay of his patent (11.520 milreis), and in case of his not choosing + to continue therein after the termination of the present war, the + half of the said pay, as a pension, the same being extended, in + case of his death, to Lady Cochrane." The said enactment being + so positive that at the sight thereof, the Commission declares, that + _it cannot do otherwise than confirm the right of the claimant to the + prompt payment of the pension due to him._ + +In this report there are many inaccuracies. It is stated that when in +Chili I accepted "the Brazilian command during the war of Independence" +only.--"_Viesse occupar igual commando no Brazil emquanto durasse Guerra +da Independencia._" This is contrary to fact, as will be seen in the +first chapter of this volume, where both the invitation to accept the +command, and my conditional acceptance thereof are given. To repeat the +actual words of the invitation, _"Abandonnez-nous, Milord, a la +reconnaissance Bresilienne--a la munificence du Prince--a la probite +sans tache de l'actuel Gouvernement--on vous fera justice"_ &c. &c. It +was neither "princely munificence"--"ministerial probity"--nor "common +justice," to dismiss me from the service without my professional and +stipulated emoluments, or even the arrears of my pay, the very moment +tranquillity had been established as a consequence of my exertions, and +so far the Commission decided; though they ought to have added, as was +well known, that my command in Chili had been without limitation of +time, and therefore my Brazilian command, as expressed in the Imperial +patents, was not accepted under other conditions. The above opinion, +expressed by the Commission, could only have been given to justify the +spurious decree of Barbosa, in virtue of which, though set aside by His +Imperial Majesty, I was dismissed by Gameiro, that decree--under the +hypocritical pretence of conferring upon me a boon--limiting my services +to the war, _after the war had been terminated by my exertions;_ the +object being to get rid of me, and thus to avoid condemning the prizes +captured by the squadron. Nevertheless, the promises held out to me in +Chili, were most honourably admitted by His Imperial Majesty and his +first Ministry--and were moreover twice confirmed by Imperial patent, +counter-signed by the Ministers, and registered in the National +Archives. These patents _have never been set aside by any act of mine,_ +yet to this day their solemn stipulations remain unfulfilled. + +The Commission complains that the Treasury was caused to sustain +"enormous losses by the indemnification of an infinite number of bad +prizes, which it was obliged to satisfy." I deny that there was _one bad +prize,_ all, without exception, being captured in violation of blockade, +or having Portuguese registers, crews, and owners. But even if they had +been bad--His Majesty's stipulation, in his own handwriting (see page +118), provided that they should be paid by the state. The fact was, as +proved in these pages beyond contradiction, that they were given back +by the Portuguese members of the Prize Tribunal to their own friends and +relations--this alone constituting the illegality of the captures. +Some--as in the case of the _Pombinho_'s cargo--were given up to persons +who had not the shadow of a claim upon them. The squadron never received +a shilling on their account. + +Again, the Commission declares that I was dismissed the service on the +10th of April, 1827; whereas I have given the letter of Gameiro, +dismissing me, on the 7th of November, 1825, and the _portaria_ of the +Imperial Government, dismissing me, on the 30th of December, in the same +year! This renewed dismissal was only a repetition of the former +unjustifiable dismissals, adding nothing to their force, and in no way +alleviating their injustice. + +The imputation of "the crime of obstinate disobedience" has been so +fully refuted in this volume, that it is unnecessary to offer another +word of explanation. + +Finally, the Commission decided that the "Imperial act of July 27, 1824, +_is so positive that, at the sight thereof, the Commission declares it +cannot do otherwise than confirm the right of the claimant to the prompt +payment of the pension due to him._" But if the Commissioners had +examined this act of His Imperial Majesty more closely, together with +the explanatory letter of Barbosa, accompanying it, they would have seen +that the decree of July 27th, 1824, was not only additive to the +Imperial patents, but admitted _to be confirmatory of them_, by Barbosa +himself, notwithstanding his own spurious decree, nullified by His +Imperial Majesty, but afterwards unjustifiably acted upon. (See page +150.) + +If I have any claim at all for the numerous and important services which +I rendered to Brazil, it is founded _on the original patents_ granted to +me by His Imperial Majesty, without limitation as to time, which I +solemnly declare was not even mentioned--much less stipulated--as the +patents themselves prove. The decree awarding me half pay as a pension, +"in case _I did not choose_ to continue in the service," has no +reference to me. I never left the service, but--as even admitted by +Gameiro, in his negotiations with Lieutenant Shepherd--was most +unjustifiably, and by wilful falsehood, _turned out of it_, in order to +rid the administration of my claims on a hundred and twenty ships, and a +vast amount of valuable property captured in lawful warfare, under the +express directions of His Imperial Majesty. + +Why also is no compensation awarded to me for my extra-official services +in putting down revolution in the Northern provinces--an act, or series +of acts--in my estimation, of far greater importance and difficulty than +the expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army? Every historian of +Brazil has spoken in high praise of my execution of this almost +impracticable task--but coupled with the infamous lie derived from the +Government that, for my own personal benefit, I robbed the Treasury at +Maranham of 106,000 dollars; though in the concluding chapter _I will +print in full the receipt of every officer under my command for his +share of the money returned by the Junta_, the original receipts being +now in my possession for the inspection of the Brazilian Government, or +of any commission or persons it may choose to appoint for that purpose. +Were these services nothing, just as half the Empire had declared itself +Republican? Was my refusal to accept a bribe of 400,000 dollars from the +revolutionary president of Pernambuco the act of a man who would +afterwards conduct himself as has been falsely imputed to me? The +Brazilian Government cannot refuse to inspect or authorise the +inspection of the originals of documents contained in this narrative, +and if they consent, I have no fear but that the national honour will +yet do me justice. + +It is not justice to have awarded to me the above-named pension +merely--even on the assumption of the Commissioners that I did leave the +service of my own accord--for that sum is _less than one half the simple +interest_ of the amount of which for thirty years I was, even by their +own admission, unjustly deprived. This may be a cheap way of liquidating +obligations, but it is not consistent with the honour of a nation thus +to delay its pecuniary obligations, and then _pay the principal with +less than half the interest_! I feel certain that when making an +award--which they admit could not be avoided--the Commissioners +inadvertently lost sight of this obvious truth. + +Let me refer the Brazilian Government to the officially recorded +opinions of honourable men on the Commission, or "_Seccoes_," when +commenting upon this very inadequate reward about to be given after the +lapse of thirty years of unmerited obloquy, which would have sunk any +man unsupported by the consciousness of rectitude to a premature grave. + + Senor Alvez Bhanco E Hollanda declared that "as a commemoration + of the benefits which Brazil had derived from Lord + Cochrane, there was no other conclusion than that _he ought to be + paid the whole sum which he claimed, for which the 'Assemblea + Geral' should ask a credit_." + + Senor Hollanda Cavalcante, in taking into account the requisition + of Lord Cochrane, was "altogether of the opinion expressed + by Senor Alvez Branco--that his Lordship as well as others + should have the whole amount claimed." + + Viscount Olinda, in the Council of State, gave his opinion that + "Lord Cochrane shall be paid the various demands he has made. + He repeated his opinion that this course alone was consistent + with the dignity of the Government, or the services of the Admiral. + He (Viscount Olinda) well remembered the great services of Lord + Cochrane, and these ought not to be depreciated by paltry imputed + omissions. It appeared to him little conformable to the dignity + of Brazil, to enter, at this distance of time, into questions of + money with one to whom they owed so much." + + Viscount Parana "was of opinion that _no responsibility for + captures rested on the officers who had made them, they acting + under the orders of the Government, which took the responsibility + on itself_. Justice demanded this view of the matter, and even + the acquittal of many of the prizes might be attributed to _a + change of Ministerial policy_." + + Senor Aranjo Vicuna. "There is no necessity for continuing the + suspension of Lord Cochrane's pay. It ought to be paid as remuneration + for important services, the benefits whereof were not diminished + by any subsequent conduct on the part of His Lordship." + + "It was the opinion of the Council that Lord Cochrane's pension + ought to be paid, notwithstanding any question as to the limitation + of prizes, or any defects in the prize accounts."--_Correio + Mercantil_, Aug. 29, 1854. + +Yet notwithstanding these expressions of opinion, less than half the +interest of even the limited sum admitted to be due to me was awarded. + +The Commissioners admit in the preceding Report that _my speedy +annexation of the Portuguese provinces was unexpected_, and this alone +should have made them pause ere they awarded me less than half the +interest of my own money, withheld for 30 years--themselves retaining +the principal--the amount received, being, in reality, insufficient to +liquidate the engagements which I had of necessity incurred during the +thirty years of neglect to satisfy my claims--now admitted to be beyond +dispute. Their admission involves the fact that the "_unexpected_" +expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army _saved Brazil millions of +dollars in military and naval expeditions_ against an organised European +power, which only required time to set at complete defiance any efforts +which Brazil herself was in a condition to make. It was, in fact, a +question of "_speedy_" annexation, or no annexation at all, and it was +this consideration which impelled me to the extraordinary measures +adopted for the intimidation of the enemy, in the absence of means for +their forcible expulsion. But is it generous to reward a service of such +admitted importance, by giving me less than half the interest of a +sum--acknowledged as a right which could no longer be withheld? + +Is it not ungenerous to exclude me from my share of the prize-money +taken in the first expedition, though a prize tribunal is at this moment +sitting in Rio de Janeiro to consider the claims of officers and men, +nine-tenths of whom are dead? Is it not ungenerous to have engaged me in +the extra-professional service of putting down revolution and anarchy in +the Northern provinces, and when the mission was successfully +accomplished, to have dismissed me from the Imperial service without one +expression of acknowledgment or the slightest reward? + +But to put generosity out of the question--is it wise so to do? That, +says Burke--"can never be politically right which is morally wrong." +Brazil, doubtless, expects other nations to keep faith with her, and it +is not wise on her part to afford a precedent for breaking national +faith. The _Amazon_ is a rich prize, and may one day be contested. What +reply would Brazil give to a power which might attempt to seize it, +under the argument that she broke faith with those _who gave her the +title to this, the most magnificent river on the face of the earth_, and +that therefore it was not necessary to preserve faith with her? It would +puzzle Brazilian diplomatists to answer such a question. + +From what has been adduced in this volume, it must be clear to all who +have perused it with ordinary attention that Brazil is to this day in +honour bound to fulfil the original stipulations solemnly entered into +with me, and twice guaranteed under the Imperial sign manual, with all +the official ratifications and formalities usual amongst civilized +states. This _I claim individually_; and further--_conjointly with the +squadron_--my share of the prize-money conceded to the captors by +Imperial decree, without which customary incentive neither myself, nor +any other foreign officer or seaman, would have been likely to enter the +service. My _individual claim_, viz. the pay stipulated in the Imperial +patents, was agreed upon without limitation as to time, as is clear from +the expression that I should receive it whether "afloat or ashore," +"_tanto em terra como no mar_," _i.e._ whether "actively engaged or +not"--whether "in war or peace." I have committed no act whereby this +right could be cancelled, but was fraudulently driven from the Imperial +service, as the shortest way of getting rid of me and my claims +together. These are no assertions of mine, but are the _only possible +deductions_ from documents which have one meaning, and that +incontestible. + +I claim, moreover, the estate awarded to me by His Imperial Majesty, +with the double purpose of conferring a mark of national approbation of +my services, and of supporting the high dignities to which--with the +full concurrence of the Brazilian people and legislature--I was raised +as a reward for those services, the magnitude and importance of which +were on all hands admitted. To have withheld that estate, after the +reasons assigned by His Imperial Majesty for conferring it, was a +national error which Brazil should not have committed, and which it +should, even now, be careful to efface; for by approving the dignities +conferred, and withholding the means of supporting them, it has +pronounced its highest honours to be worthless, empty sounding titles, +lightly esteemed by the givers, and of no value to the recipient. Had +this estate cost anything to the Brazilian nation, a miserable economy +might have been pleaded as a reason for withholding it; but even this +excuse is wanting. Any territorial grant to myself could only have been +an imperceptible fraction of the vast regions, which, together with an +annual revenue of many millions of dollars--my own exertions, _without +cost to the Empire_, had added to its dominions "_unexpectedly_" as the +Commission appointed to investigate my claim felt bound to admit. If +Brazil value its national honour, that blot upon it should not be +suffered to remain. + +With regard to the sum owing to me by Chili, for which, in the event of +its non-payment, both His Imperial Majesty Don Pedro I. and his Minister +Jose Bonifacio de Andrada made the Brazilian nation responsible. The +discussion in the National Assembly testifies to the validity of the +claim, which therefore rests upon the generosity no less than the good +faith of Brazil, for whose interests, in accordance with the most +flattering promises, I was induced to quit Chili. To this day, Chili has +not fulfilled her obligations to me; the miserable pittance of L.6000, +which--by some process I do not now care to inquire into, she has fixed +upon as ample remuneration for one who consolidated her liberties and +those of Peru, supporting her navy at its own expense during the +operation--constituted no part of my admitted claim for the capture of +Valdivia and other previous services, involving no dispute. Payment of +this sum (67,000 dollars) was promised at the earliest possible period +by the then Supreme Director of the Republic--but to this day the +promise has never been redeemed by succeeding Chilian Governments. With +regard to this claim, founded on the concessions of His late Imperial +Majesty and his Minister, I am content, as before said, to leave the +matter to the generosity of the Brazilian nation. The other, and more +important claims, I demand as a right which has never been cancelled, +and which a strict sense of national honour ought not longer to evade. +If it be evaded, the documentary history of the whole matter is now +before the world--and let the world judge between us. I have no fears as +to its decision. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +PROCLAMATION FOR PAYMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEN--LOG EXTRACTS IN PROOF +THEREOF--THE SUM GIVEN UP TO THE SQUADRON DISBURSED--DENIAL THEREOF BY +THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT--THOUGH MADE TO SERVE AS ADVANCE OF WAGES--THE +AMOUNT RECEIVED AT MARANHAM FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR--BY THE RECEIPTS OF THE +OFFICERS--OFFICERS' RECEIPTS--EXTRACTS FROM LOG IN FURTHER +CORROBORATION--UP TO MY ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND--ALL OUR PRIZES MONOPOLIZED +BY BRAZIL--THE CONDUCT OF THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT UNJUSTIFIABLE. + + +The whole dispute raised by the Brazilian Administration as a pretext +for evading my claims, has been--as the reader is now aware--about the +sum of 200,000 dollars, _given out of the proceeds of our own captures, +which cost nothing to the Government; but were made to serve as a +substitute for the usual advance of wages!_ Also about 40,000 dollars +ordered by His Imperial Majesty as compensation for the _Imperatrice_ +frigate, captured by Captain Grenfell at Para--but _never paid_, and +therefore never accounted for. Finally, with regard to 106,000 dollars +reimbursed by the authorities of Maranham, as a compromise for four +times the amount generously surrendered by the squadron to the +necessities of the province in 1823--on promise of repayment. As regards +the whole of the sums, it is alleged that _I never furnished accounts +of their expenditure, and therefore they are charged against me, as +though not expended at all._ + +For the disbursement of the first item of 200,000 dollars, I have +already stated sufficient to satisfy any reasonable person. The accounts +set forth at page 169, shews that a balance remained in hand from the +200,000 dollars put on board at Rio de Janeiro, of 39,538 dollars. I +shall now state what became of this sum. And first let me adduce the +following proclamation:-- + + By His Excellency the Marquis of Maranhao, First Admiral, &c. &c. + + WHEREAS, many officers and seamen are here employed who were + not present, last year, at the capitulation of the hostile authorities, + and seizure of Portuguese funds and property at Maranhao; + + And whereas it is condusive to the interests of His Imperial + Majesty, that all those officers and seamen who have now contributed + to the restoration of tranquillity, good order, and obedience to His + Imperial Majesty, shall receive encouragement and reward; + + It is hereby directed that three months additional pay shall, + without deduction, be distributed _as a gratuity_ to the said officers + and men. + + Given under my hand, this 8th day + of February, 1825, + + COCHRANE AND MARANHAO. + +I had, it is true, no authority for making this extra payment, but at +the same time, I had the authority of His Imperial Majesty to devote the +200,000 dollars to the good of the service--thus clearly leaving its +disbursement to my discretion; and this appeared to me to be properly +exercised in rewarding those who had been performing double duty afloat +and ashore, in the arduous task of putting down, and keeping down +revolt and anarchy. On this principle, I had previously doubled the pay +of some of the officers, without whose incessant exertion, I could not +have effected the tranquillization of the province. It is true that the +principle adopted was opposed to that pursued by the Administration, +viz. neither to acknowledge these extra services nor reward them; but +such a course neither accorded with my judgment nor discretion. The sums +paid as above were entered in the usual manner in a pay book, +acknowledged by the signatures of the recipients--attested by the +officers--and, as has been said, duly forwarded to the Imperial +Government. + +I shall now give some extracts from the log before quoted in reference +to these and other transactions:-- + + _January 5th_, 1825. His Lordship left at Hesketh's his last two + months' pay, received this month, and also two months' pay for + Captain Crosbie. Paid other officers and men two months' pay. + + _6th_. Employed in sorting the paper money in the small + iron chest. _Found its contents to be only_ 16,000 dollars. + (This was all that now remained of the 200,000 dollars received at + Rio de Janeiro.) + + _8th_. Officers having been paid, the men received to-day two + months' pay. + + _9th_. Admiral took to Hesketh's three bags of dollars (Each containing + 1000 dollars, the remainder of money which I had brought + from Chili, and which therefore had nothing to do with the Brazilian + Government). + + _February 10th_. Paid third payment of prize-money to Clewley, + Clare and January. + + _11th_. Paid prize-money to March and Carter. + + _26th_. Paid Lieutenant Shepherd 1,500 dollars. + + _28th_. Paid Commissary, Escrivao, and Pilot. + + _March 1st_. Paid Portuguese Doctor. + + _3rd_. Paid Corning's account for ship provisions. + +The above payments, with others disbursed in pursuance of my +proclamation, were all made out of the balance of the 200,000 dollars +aforesaid, and 40,000 dollars which had been in my possession ever since +the capture of Maranham; the latter being the amount which I had refused +to give up to the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, well knowing that it +would be returned to their Portuguese friends and connections. When +these payments were made, a few hundred dollars alone remained. As this +200,000 dollars was the indisputable property of the squadron before it +was assigned for distribution amongst those to whom it belonged--on this +ground alone it scarcely became the Government to raise doubts about its +proper application; for they well knew that if it were not distributed, +the fact could not be concealed from the officers and men, who would not +have submitted quietly to my retention of their money, as has been +shamelessly imputed to me. Not only was the whole disbursed--but the +accounts, as has been stated, were faithfully transmitted to the +Brazilian authorities at Rio de Janeiro, as appears by Captain +Shepherd's receipt, adduced in the present volume, and years ago +photographed, and transmitted with a memorial to the Brazilian +Government, which, nevertheless, on the 28th of April, _in the present +year_, published in its official organ, the _Correio Mercantil_, a +report on the prizes made during the war of independence--excluding me +from a share, on _the ground of not having delivered my accounts_. The +following is an extract:-- + + (After enumerating the prizes, and estimating their gross value + at 521,315 dollars--_not one-fourth of the real amount_--the Commission + goes on to say:--) + + Referring to what has been stated, it appears that the First + Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Squadron from its commencement + to the conclusion of the war, _had a right to his share + of all prizes_--and so the Commission has judged in regard to the + total value, amounting to the said sum of 521,315 milreis up to + the 12th of February, 1824. _From that sum, however, must be + deducted 200,000 dollars given to the Admiral on account of prize-money + for distribution, which it does not appear by any document that + he made_. It also appears by the report of the Junta of Maranhao, + of the 17th of October, 1825, that the said Admiral received the + further sum of 217,659 dollars at different times, there appearing + 108,736 dollars under the title of indemnification for prizes made + by the squadron in the port of that city, to be divided as such. _This + division does not seem to have been made_. + + From this it appears that the said Admiral must be charged as + having received the sum of 308,238 dollars on account of prizes to + be divided amongst the squadron; with the addition of 40,000 + dollars which he received also by decree of the 23rd of February, + to be, in like manner, divided amongst those who co-operated in + the annexation of the province of Maranhao, and the capture of + the frigate _Imperatrice--seeing that there is no evidence that such + distribution took place_--thus increasing the sum due to 348,238 + dollars, of which the said claimant is bound to give account to the + Imperial Government. + + In consequence of the determination of the Regulations let this + decree be printed and published. + + Rio, April 21, 1858. + + (Signed) JOAQUIM JOSE IGNACIO, + _Chefe de esquadra_, President. + + ANTONIO JOSE DA SILVA, + _Contador da Marinha_. + + JOSE BAPTISTA LISBOA, + _Auditor e Secretario_. + +This document, so recently promulgated, after the decision of the +_Seccoes_ in 1854, and the expression of opinion given by the most +eminent men of Brazil (see page 282), that I ought to have the whole of +my claims--is really wonderful. But the false assertions it contains +must be met. + +And first--the receipt of the 40,000 dollars for the _Imperatrice_, I +altogether deny, and can be easily convicted of untruth if my receipt +for that sum can be produced. It is worthy of note, that the date of the +decree for the payment of this sum is carefully given in the preceding +document, but the data of my acknowledgment of having received is +annulled for the sufficient reason that no acknowledgment was ever +given. The 200,000 dollars, I trust that I have sufficiently accounted +for, as well as for the vouchers sent to Rio by Captain Shepherd, whose +receipt I took for the chest containing them. But the 200,000 dollars +with which the Government charges me--even supposing the accounts to be +lost--destroyed--or purposely made away with--was not the property of +the Brazilian Government, but of the squadron, who received it only as +part payment of ten times the amount due to them! This sum though the +property of the squadron, was made to serve _as an advance of wages_, no +less than as prize-money; and does the Brazilian Government imagine that +any squadron could be sent to sea without money? Or that any reader of +common sense will acquiesce in the assertion that under such +circumstances it was not properly disbursed, even though I had not shewn +_its precise disbursement_? The Brazilian Government well knows that +the men composing the squadron were of so mutinous a character, that the +slightest deviation from their rights would have been met with instant +insubordination. Did this ever occur, even in the slightest possible +degree? It is no fault of mine, if the accounts were destroyed, as I +have no doubt they were, from pure malice towards myself, in order to +bring me into an amount of disrepute, which might justify the +withholding of my claims according to the stipulations of the Imperial +patents. By whom this infamy was perpetrated, it is impossible for me to +say--but that it was perpetrated--there cannot be the smallest possible +doubt. + +It is altogether unnecessary to say another word about the 40,000 +dollars for the _Imperatrice_, or the 200,000 dollars for +distribution--as the evidence adduced is sufficient to satisfy any man +not determined to be unconvinced. + +I now come to the amount alleged to have been received from the Junta of +Maranham, viz. 217,659 dollars, "at different times," which I have no +doubt is perfectly correct, though that portion of it under the title of +"indemnification for prizes"--is incorrect, the amount being 106,000 +dollars--_minus_ the discount, and not 108,736 dollars as represented. +The difference is not, however, worth notice. Deducting this sum from +the total of 217,659 dollars, would leave 108,923 dollars to be +accounted for otherwise than as "indemnifieation." This also is, no +doubt, correct. The inhabitants of Maranham cheerfully agreed _to pay +and subsist the squadron_, provided it remained amongst them to +preserve the order which had been restored, and the offer was accepted +by me. The 108,923 dollars thus went for the pay and subsistence of the +squadron during many months of disturbance; and if it prove any thing, +it is the economy with which the wants of the squadron were satisfied, +despite the corruption of the authorities, in paying double for +provisions, because the merchants could only get paid at all, except by +bribes to their debtors. Does the Brazilian Government mean to tell the +world that it sent a squadron to put down revolution in a territory as +large as half Europe, _without receiving a penny in the shape of wages_, +except their own 200,000 dollars of prize-money--that it never +considered it necessary to send to the squadron a single dollar of pay +whilst the work was in process--and that it now considers it just to +charge the whole expenses to me as Commander-in-Chief, though the +expedition did not cost the Government any thing? Yet this is precisely +that which the Brazilian Administration has done--with what justice let +the world decide. I aver that the accounts were faithfully transmitted. +The Imperial Government of the present day, says that the accounts are +not in existence--_not that I did not transmit them_! Surely they ought +to blame their predecessors, not me. Let this history decide which of +the two is deserving of reprobation. + +I now come to the 108,736 dollars--or rather 106,000 dollars received +from the Junta of Maranham as "indemnification,"--respecting which the +Commission unjustly asserts that "_no division appears to have been +made!_" The untruth of this imputation, the most atrocious of all, is +very easily met _by the publication of every receipt connected with the +matter_; and to this I now proceed, requesting the reader to bear in +mind that in my letter to the Minister of Marine (see page 209), I +announced my intention of retaining for my own justification all +_original documents_, sending to the Government, copies or duplicates. +The whole of the subjoined receipts are now in my possession, and I +demand from the Brazilian Government their verification, by its +Ministerial or Consular representatives in Great Britain. + + RECEIPTS OF OFFICERS, + + And others for their proportion of 106,000 dollars paid by the + Junta of Fazenda of Maranham in commutation of 425,000 + dollars--the value of prize property left for the use of the Province + on its acquisition from Portugal in 1823; the duplicates having + been sent by me to the Imperial Government, the originals now + remaining in my possession. + + 5,000 000. + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis + of Maranhao, and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Armada, + the sum of five thousand milreis, being four thousand one hundred + and thirty-seven, or one-third of the Admiral's share of prize-money; + and eight hundred and sixty three to account of double pay for services + on shore. + + DAVID JOWETT, + + Maranhao, 19th March, 1825. Chief of Division. + + * * * * * + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis + of Maranhao, First Admiral of Brazil, and Commander-in-Chief of + the Naval Forces of the Empire, the sum of five hundred milreis, + as a recompence for extra services as Commandant-Interim of His + Imperial Majesty's ship _Piranga_, during the absence of Chief of + Division Jowett, on service on shore at Maranhao during four + months past. + + March 32nd, 1825. JAMES WALLACE. + + Witness, W. JACKSON. + + + * * * * * + + + Received this 18th day of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis of Maranhao, First Admiral of + Brazil, and Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the Empire, + the sum of ten thousand milreis, on account of a distribution + of eighty contos of reis, being part of certain monies received from + the Junta of Fazenda of Maranhao. + + T. SACKVILLE CROSBIE. + + _Rs._ 10,000 000. + + + * * * * * + + + 5,000 000. + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis + of Maranhao, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Naval + Forces of the Empire, the sum of five thousand milreis, being the + amount of additional pay to all the subordinate officers and seamen + of His Imperial Majesty's ship _Piranga_, who have served on shore + at Maranhao, between the 18th day of November, 1824, and the + 14th day of March, 1825. + + DAVID JOWETT, + + Chief of Division, Commandant of the _Piranga_. + Maranhao, 20th March, 1825. + + + * * * * * + + + Received this 18th day of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of one thousand five hundred + milreis, on account of a distribution of eighty contos of reis, being + part of certain monies received from the Junta of Fazenda at + Maranhao. + + W. JACKSON, + _Rs._ 1,500 000. Capt.-Lieut. and Secretary. + + Received this 21st day of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, Marquis of Maranhao, &c. &c. the sum of one + thousand milreis, on account of an allowance of one-half per cent. + for my trouble in the distribution of prize-money. + + W. JACKSON, + 1,000 000. Capt.-Lieut. and Secretary. + + + * * * * * + + + Received this 21st of March, 1825, of the Right + Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum one thousand five hundred + milreis, on account of a distribution of eighty contos of reis, being + part of certain monies received from the Junta of Fazenda of + Maranhao. + + JA's SHEPHERD, + + 1,500 000. First Lieut. of _Pedro Primiero._ + + + * * * * * + + + _Pedro Primiero,_ March 24, 1825. + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, + &c. &c. the sum of one thousand milreis, on account of a distribution + of eighty contos of reis, being part of certain monies received + from the Junta of Fazenda of Maranhao. + + 1,000 000. S.E. CLEWLEY. + + + * * * * * + + + _Pedro Primiero_, March 24th, 1825. + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, + &c. &c. the sum of one thousand milreis, on account of a distribution + of eighty contos of reis, &c. &c. + + 1,000 000. FRANCIS CLARE. + + + * * * * * + + + Nao Nacional e Imperial, + + _Pedro Iro_, March 24, 1825. + + Recebei do Excellentissimo Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + a quartier de hum contos de reis, pro conta de huma divisiao de + octento contos de reis, senda parte de certos dinheiros recebidos da + Junta da Fazenda do Maranhao. + + FRANCISCO DE PAULO DOS SANTOS GOMEZ. + + 1,000 000. + + * * * * * + + OFFICERS' RECEIPTS + + Precisely similar receipts, on same date, from the following + officers: + + FRANCISCO ADEIAO PERA............................... 1,000 000 + + MANOEL S. SINTO .................................... 500 000 + + ALEXANDER JOSE (remainder illegible) ............... 200 000 + + * * * * * + + Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of five + hundred milreis, on account of a distribution, &c. &c. 500 000. G. + MARCH. + + * * * * * + + Maranhao, 24th March, 1825. Received from the Right Hon. Lord + Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of five hundred milreis, on account of a + distribution, &c. &c. 500 000. W. JANNARY. + + * * * * * + + 24th March, 1825. Received from the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. + &c. the sum of five hundred milreis, on account of distribution, &c. + &c. 500 000. DAVID CARTER, Second Lieut. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 9th, 1825, of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + the sum of one thousand four hundred and eighty milreis, being + prize-money due to Capt.-Lieut. G. Manson. For CAPT.-LT. MANSON, + 1,480 000. W. JANNARY. + + * * * * * + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of one + thousand milreis, on account of a distribution of eighty contos of + reis, being part of certain monies received from the Junta of + Fazenda of Maranhao. 1,000 000. GEO. MANSON. April 9, 1825. + + * * * * * + + Received of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of four + hundred and eighty milreis, on account of prize-money due to me. 480 + 000. GEO. MANSON. Maranhao, April 9, 1825. + + Authoriso Se Jose Perea de sua Excellencia Marques do Maranhao + recober e quantier de quinhentos milreis. March 9th, 1825. (Name + illegible.) + + 500 000. + + * * * * * + + Maranham, March 3, 1825. + + Received of Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. the sum of two thousand six + hundred and five milreis, being the amount of my account for + provisions supplied to the Brazilian Squadron. + + 2,605 000. LEONARD COMING. + + * * * * * + + Received, the 12th of April, 1885, of His Excellency Lord Cochrane, + &c. &c. one hundred and ninety-five milreis, being additional pay + for extra duty on shore for five months. + + Rs. 195 000. G. MARCH. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 12th, 1825, of His Excellency Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + four hundred and eighty milreis, being additional pay for extra duty + as Secretary to His Lordship for the period of five months. + + 480 000. W. JACKSON. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 21, 1825, of the Right. Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + thirty-nine milreis, being a month's additional pay for extra + services at Maranham. + + 39 000. FRANCIS DRUMMOND. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 21, 1825, of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. + sixty-nine milreis, being additional pay for sixty days' extra + service at Maranham. + + 69 000. JOSEPH FITZCOSTEN. + + * * * * * + + Received, April 3rd, of His Excellency the Marquis of Maranhao, &c. + &c. twenty-three dollars for my services as prize master of the + vessels _Dido_ and _Joaninho_. + + 23 000. C. ROSE, Second Lieut. + + * * * * * + + Received, May 14th, 1825, of Mr. W. Jackson, two hundred and + eighty-five milreis, part of prize money due to me. + + 285 000. JA'S SHEPHERD. + + * * * * * + + _Piranga_, Spithead, July 5, 1835. + + Received of Mr. W. Jackson, Secretary to His Excellency the Marquis + of Maranham, &c. &c. the sum of two hundred and thirty-five pounds + sterling, in order to pay the same as prize-money to those persons, + late of the _Pedro Primiero_, but now belonging to this frigate, to + whom the sum is due. L.235 or 1,175 000. + + + * * * * * + +There is, however, _one omission_. The payment of the crews is not +adduced, because the pay books were sent with duplicate receipts to Rio +de Janeiro by the _Piranga_. But as no reasonable man will imagine that +I publicly paid the officers and _neglected payment to the crews_, the +omission is of the least possible consequence. But lest the payment of +the crews may be disputed, I subjoin the following extracts from the log +before quoted, from the commencement of the payment, to its termination. + + DATES AND PARTICULARS. + + 1825. + March 16th. Received from the Junta of Maranham, 30 contos + (L6,000) in bills, and 3 contos (L600) in money. + + " 17th. Writing new book of distribution. + + " 18th. Captain Crosbie brought 30 contas (L6,000). Went + with him to Hesketh's, where I found that he had + received 10 contos (L2,000) for himself. + + " 19th. Lord Cochrane paid Jowett 5,000 dollars as + prize-money and double pay. + + " 20th. 5,000 dollars paid to Jowett's officers and men as + double pay. Paid March his further share of + prize-money, 500 dollars. Took at Admiral's + desire 500 dollars for my distribution of the 100 + contos in part received--from which it appears + that I am to have half per cent, for distribution. + + March 22nd. Received two months' pay to the 1st of February. + Went on board the _Piranga_, and made Wallace + a gratuity from the Admiral of 500 dollars. + + " 24th. Paid Shepherd, Clewley, Clare, Commissary, Doctors + Escrivao, Jannary, and the Pilot, a proportion of + 80 contos, in course of payment by the Junta. + Went on board the _Piranga_, and paid prize-money + to Carter and a number of men. + + " 26th. Paying prize-money to such of Jowett's men as were + absent on shore on the 24th. + + " 27th. Paying prize-money to such of the _Pedro's_ people + entitled thereto, as are to remain on board that ship. + + " 30th. Making book for distribution of double pay to those + who have served on shore. + + April 6th. Counting out the money for double pay to the men + who did shore service. + + " 7th. Paid part of the men their additional pay. + + " 8th. Paying the additional pay. + + " 9th. Paying additional pay. Sent Capt. Manson by + January 1480 dollars prize-money. + + " 10th. A decree arrives by the _Guarani _from the Imperial + Government, directing the Interim President that + no money shall be paid to the squadron on account + of the taking of Maranham. Admiral suspects + Barros to be at the bottom of it. + + " 11th. Went on shore with the Admiral, with sixteen bags + of dollars, besides Clewley's bag and mine. + + " 13th. Paid Inglis and his men additional pay. + + " 14th. Admiral proposed to Hesketh to ship cotton to the + extent of forty or sixty contos, to which Mr. Hesketh + (British Consul) agreed. + + " 25th. Remainder of the money from the Junta promised + to-morrow. + + April 26th. Captain Crosbie received 2,000 dollars as his further + share. Received 285 dollars, seventy-six for + distribution. + More money from the Treasury. + + May 5th. Wrote to the Junta, with further demand of 13,000 + dollars to make up the stipulated amount. + + " 11th. Paying his Lordship's bills. + + " 12th. Paying his Lordship's bills. + + " 17th. Received my last three months' pay to the 30th of + April. + + " 18th. Received the remaining money from the Treasury. + + " 19th. Sailed in the _Piranga_. + + " 20th. Sent sixty dollars by pilot to two soldiers on shore. + + June 6th. Captain Crosbie appointed Captain of the Fleet, with + rank of Chief of Division. + + July 2nd. At Portsmouth. Agent arrived from London with + two months' pay. + + " 4th. Paying prize-money to men who had not been paid. + Received two months' pay to the 1st instant. + + " 11th. Paid John Skirr L.10 for wounds. + +The amount paid by the Junta was, in fact, 105,800 dollars, partly in +bills, from which a discount of 1800 dollars had to be taken. But these +trifles are unworthy of notice: I have thus accounted for every shilling +received from the Brazilian Government for the use of the squadron--to +the satisfaction of my own conscience, and, I trust, to the satisfaction +of all who may read this narrative. + +From what has been herein stated, it is obvious that Brazil was, by my +instrumentality--though with inadequate means--entirely freed from a +foreign yoke, not only without national cost, but with positive gain, +arising from the vast territories and revenues annexed--as well as from +prizes, the value of which alone exceeded the cost of all naval +equipments. It is true that, after a lapse of thirty-five years, a +profession is made of adjudicating these prizes--but as nearly all the +claimants are dead, and as an intention is manifested to retain my +share, unless I produce accounts already transmitted--Brazil will have +thus monopolized the fruits of our exertions in the cause of +independence--achieved without trouble or thought to the Imperial +Government. For, beyond the usual orders on the departure of the +squadron, not a single instruction was given--all being left to my +discretion, and accomplished on my sole responsibility. Even the +favourable contraction of a loan in England--the acknowledgment of +Brazilian independence by European states--and the establishment of +permanent peace--were the direct consequences of my services, but for +which Brazil might still have presented the same lamentable specimen of +weakness without, and anarchy within, which forms the characteristics of +other South American states. + +Can any government then justify the conduct pursued towards me by +Brazil? Can any government believe that the promises held out to me as +an inducement to accept the command--may be optionally evaded after the +more than completion of my part of the contract? The services rendered +were fully acknowledged by those with whom that contract was made, and +only repudiated by their factions successors, to whom Brazil owed +nothing but prospective confusion. Can any one, then, judge +otherwise--than that the present Brazilian Government is bound, in +honour and good faith, to fulfil the national contract with me--not +only on account of professional services accomplished--even beyond +national expectation; but also on account of extra-official services +which did not come within the scope of my professional duties, viz. the +pacification of the Northern provinces? That the fulfilment of these +obligations is due, I once more quote the Imperial invitation to adopt +the cause of Brazil:--"_Votre Grace est invitee, pour--et de part le +Gouvernement du Bresil, a accepter le service de la nation Bresilienne; +chez qui je suis dument autorise a vous assurer le rang et le grade +nullement inferieur a celui que vous tenez de la Republique. +Abandonnez-vous, Milord, a la reconnaissance Bresilienne;_ A LA +MUNIFICENCE DU PRINCE; A LA PROBITE SANS TACHE DE L'ACTUEL GOUVERNEMENT; +ON VOUS FERA JUSTICE; ON NE RABAISSERA D'UN SEUL POINT LA HAUTE +CONSIDERATION--RANG--GRADE--CARACTERE--ET AVANTAGES QUI VOUS SONT DUS." +"VENEZ, MILORD, L'HONNEUR VOUS INVITE--LA GLOIRE VOUS APPELLE. VENEZ, +DONNER A NOS ARMES NAVALES, CET ORDRE MERVEILLEUX ET DISCIPLINE +INCOMPARABLE DE PUISSANTE ALBION." + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF SERVICES IN THE +LIBERATION OF CHILI, PERU AND BRAZIL, FROM SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE +DOMINATION, VOLUME 2*** + + +******* This file should be named 14479.txt or 14479.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/4/7/14479 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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