On the 16th of January I had at length the satisfaction to receive, through the Minister of Marine, the Emperor's approval of the course pursued in the pacification of the Northern provinces, and his confirmation of the changes that had been made in their administration. Still not a word of instruction was vouchsafed for my future guidance.
The subjoined is the letter conveying His Imperial Majesty's approval of my acts and judgment:—
His Imperial Majesty commands the Secretary of State of the Marine to apprise the First Admiral, Commander-in-Chief of the naval forces of this Empire, that His Majesty received his despatches by the schooner Maria de Gloria, by which His Majesty was informed of his proceedings, and approves of his determination to proceed to the Northern provinces, where the fire of rebellion has been lighted, with a view to establish therein the order and obedience due to the said august sovereign, a duty which he has so wisely and judiciously undertaken, and in which course he must continue, notwithstanding the previous instructions sent to him, bearing date the 4th of October last, which instructions are hereby annulled until he shall attain the highly important objects proposed in the before-mentioned provinces, viz., till they submit themselves to the authorities lately appointed, and enjoy the benefits of the paternal Government of His Imperial Majesty.
Palace of Rio Janeiro, Dec. 2, 1824.
(Signed) FRANCISCA VILLELA BARBOSA.
To this letter—annulling my recall after the fall of Pernambuco—I returned the following reply:—
No. 289.
MOST EXCELLENT SIR,
Since I had the honour of addressing your Excellency in my letter, No. 288, I have not had any further intelligence from Parà; I therefore conclude that the officers and seamen whom I detached there, will be sufficient to aid the President in maintaining good order.
Here, nothing particular has happened, beyond the collecting of a few runaway soldiers and vagabonds in the woods. A party detached in pursuit of them, dispersed them all, and brought in several prisoners yesterday.