Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, / from Spanish and Portuguese Domination, Volume 2

by Earl of Thomas Cochrane Dundonald

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.