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.