Given in the Palace of Rio de Janeiro, December the Eleventh, 1822, first of the Independence of the Empire.

With the Rubrica of His Imperial Majesty,

JOSÉ BONIFACIO DE ANDRADE E SILVA.

These documents—coupled with the decree of Dec. 1822, awarding the above confiscations to the captors—shew so clearly the right of the squadron's claim, and the injustice of the course pursued by the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro, in refusing to adjudge Portuguese property to the captors, that further comment is unnecessary. In order, however, to give every possible information relative to a matter which has been, to me, a cause of so much obloquy, I subjoin my letter to the interim President, accompanying the preceding documents:—

SIR,

I have the honour to enclose to your Excellency, two hundred and sixty obligations seized under the orders of His Imperial Majesty—dated the 11th December, 1822—which I request you will be pleased to cause to be laid before the Junta of Fazenda, together with the papers enclosed, in order that the Junta may take the necessary steps to the liquidation of the just and moderate claims of the officers and seamen. I further beg your Excellency will be pleased to intimate to the Junta, that I cannot abstain from taking whatever measures may be necessary to prevent the violation of the laws and regulations of the military service—the infraction of the express engagement of His Imperial Majesty—and the consequent disorganization of the squadron, so essential for the maintenance of tranquillity, and the preservation of the independence of the Empire.

(Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ.

20th Jan. 1825.

CHAPTER XI.

IMPERIAL APPROVAL—CONTINUED ENMITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION—JUNTA REFUSES TO PAY THE SQUADRON'S CLAIM—I PERSEVERE IN THE DEMAND—JUNTA AGREES TO PAY THE AMOUNT IN BILLS—THIS REFUSED—ARRIVAL OF A NEW PRESIDENT—BUT WITHOUT AUTHORITY FOR THE ASSUMPTION—INTRIGUES TO ESTABLISH HIM IN OFFICE—I ORDER HIM TO QUIT THE PROVINCE—AND SEND HIM TO PARA—LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CEARA—INTERNATIONAL ANIMOSITIES—THE SQUADRON LEFT TO PROVIDE FOR ITSELF—ABUSE OF AUTHORITY—EXPLANATIONS TO MINISTER OF MARINE—OF TRANSACTIONS AT MARANHAM—LETTER TO CARVALHO E MELLO—ANTICIPATING MINISTERIAL DISPLEASURE—THE JUNTA REIMBURSES PART OF ITS DEBT.