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THOMAS, EARL OF DUNDONALD, G.C.B.
Admiral of the Red; Rear-Admiral of the Fleet, etc. etc.
Brazilian and Portuguese factions—Don Pedro ordered to quitBrazil—Appointed "Perpetual Protector"—Proclaimed Emperor ofBrazil—Efforts to obtain foreign officers and seamen—The naval commandoffered to me—Acceptation thereof—Arrival at Rio de Janeiro—Visit ofinspection to the squadron—Condition of the vessels—Inferiority ofseamen—Imperial affability—Attempt to evade the terms offered me—Thisfailing, to reduce the value of my pay—Pretended commissionconferred—And refused—The point argued—I decline the command—ThePrime Minister gives in—Explanatory Portaria—Formal commission—Ordersto blockade Bahia—Portuguese faction—Averse to me from the outset.
Attempt to cut off the enemy's ships—Disobedience to orders—Letter tothe Prime Minister—Worthlessness of the men—Their treachery—Blockadeestablished—Equipment of fireships—Enemy's supplies cutoff—Portuguese untrustworthy—Demonstrations of the enemy—Hispretended contempt for us—The enemy returns to port—Theirconsternation at the fireships—Portuguese contemplate attackingus—Flagship reconnoitres enemy at anchor—Excessive alarm at mynocturnal visit—Proclamation of the Commandant—Consternation in thecity—The authorities decide on evacuating Bahia—Instructions to theBrazilian Captains—Warnings addressed to the authorities—Enemy quitsBahia—Readiness for chase—Numbers of the enemy—Capture of theConvoy—Prizes disabled—Attempt of troops to escape—Prizes sent toPernambuco—Pursuit discontinued—Reasons for going to Maranham—Reasonsfor not taking more prizes—Advantages to the Empire.
Capture of the Don Miguel—Summons to the authorities—Reasons forthreats held out—Proposals for capitulation—Proclamations—Termsgranted to Portuguese garrison—Declaration of Independence—Portuguesetroops ordered to embark—Symptoms of disobeying the order—Delight ofthe people on becoming free—Election of a ProvisionalGovernment—Letters to the Minister of Marine.
Captain Grenfell sent to summon Parà—The Junta demands the prizeproperty—My refusal—Imperial approval of my services—Realisation ofprize property—Turi Assu sends in its adhesion—Money captured lent tothe Junta—Its return to the squadron expected—Possession taken ofParà—Insurrection at Parà—Misconduct of the Maranham Junta—Theirpersecution of the Portuguese—Steps in consequence—Manifestation ofthe national delight—The Marquisate conferred on me—Vote of thanks bythe Assemblea Geral—My arrival at Rio de Janeiro—Satisfaction with myservices—Lady Cochrane joins me.
First effort to curtail the Imperial power—Portugueseintrigue—Dismissal of the Andradas—The Assembly dissolved byforce—Exile of the Andradas—Letter to his Imperial Majesty—My advicepartly adopted—and causes ministerial enmity towards me—Ratificationof my patent—I demand the adjudication of prizes—Letter to theMinister of Marine—Offer of personal advantage to foreignclaims—Squadron remained unpaid—I am appointed a Privy Co