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
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 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.
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.
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.