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.