MINISTERIAL MALIGNITY TOWARDS ME--DANGERS IN PERNAMBUCO--PORTUGUESE
THREATS--MY ADVICE THEREON--FAILURE IN MANNING THE SQUADRON--PLOT FORMED
TO SEARCH THE FLAGSHIP--TIMELY WARNING THEREON--I DEMAND HIS MAJESTY'S
INTERFERENCE--WHICH WAS PROMPTLY GRANTED--PROTEST AGAINST PRIZE
DECISIONS--MY ADVICE SOUGHT AS REGARDED PERNAMBUCO--LETTER TO HIS
IMPERIAL MAJESTY--POINTING OUT THE ANNOYANCE PRACTISED--AND TENDERING MY
RESIGNATION--THE EMPEROR'S INTERVENTION--HIS MINISTERS NEGLECT TO FULFIL
HIS ENGAGEMENT--CONFIRMATION OF MY PREVIOUS PATENTS--BUT WITH AN
UNJUSTIFIABLE RESERVATION--PRIZE MONEY DEVOTED TO ADVANCE OF
WAGES--PROOFS THEREOF--BASELESS IMPUTATIONS ON ME--EXTRACTS FROM
LOG--FURTHER DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZE MONEY.
Having failed in inducing the Administration to withdraw the _portaria_
issued with a view to nullify the commissions conferred upon me by His
Imperial Majesty,--I waited upon the Emperor to beg his interference in
a matter no less derogatory to his authority, than unjust to myself. His
Majesty regretted the circumstance, but having alluded to the
difficulties in which he was placed with regard to the Administration,
begged me to rely on him for justice, assuring me that he would take
care that nothing was done which should practically alter my original
compact.
His Majesty was exceedingly anxious that the expedition to Pernambuco
should not be delayed, but I could only represent to him that nothing
whatever had been done to satisfy the seamen, who, in consequence,
would not re-enter--that several of the best officers were either in
prison on frivolous accusations, or under arrest--that the necessary
repairs to the ships were not completed--that no steps had been taken to
provide for their equipment--and that, in fact, the greater was His
Majesty's anxiety to put down the revolution, the more obstructive were
the obstacles interposed by the Ministry to the accomplishment of his
wishes.
The Ministers now resorted to a clumsy system in order to lower me in
popular estimation, by imposing, for my guidance in naval matters,
stringent orders about trifles which were absurd or impracticable,
non-observance of these being followed by _printed reprimands_ such as
were never before addressed to a Commander-in-Chief, whilst my
refutations and remonstrances against such treatment were refused
publication. This course was succeeded by another still more unworthy,
the ministers so far forgetting the dignity of their position, as to
write or cause to be written against me a series of scurrilous articles
in the newspapers under the feigned signature of "Curioso," these
containing matters which could only have come from the Minister of
Marine's office; but as I was able to reply to _anonymous_ attacks
through the same channel, I took care that the refutation signally
recoiled on the writers, who, finding the course pursued more
detrimental to their objects than to mine, relinquished this mode of
attack. Pamphlets of an atrocious description were then resorted to, the
more noticeable of which, was one purporting to emanate from Chili, and
representing that not only had I effected nothing for that country or
Peru, but that my very presence in the Peruvian waters had been the
greatest obstacle to the speedy attainment of independence!
A circumstance however occurred which alarmed even the Ministers
themselves. On the 20th of April, I received a despatch from Captain
Taylor, commanding the naval force before Pernambuco, stating that on
the 7th, the Camara of that province had unanimously resolved that they
would no longer obey the Imperial authority--that the Governor appointed
by His Imperial Majesty had been deposed--and that they had elected a
President from amongst their own body.
This was an extremity upon which the Portuguese faction in the
Administration had not calculated--their object being to encourage
disturbance in remote provinces, in order to further their own purposes
at Rio de Janeiro. An attempt to institute a Republican form of
Government was, however, another thing, it being well known that this
movement was fostered by merchants and influential citizens with
republican tendencies.
My advice was now asked as to what was best to be done in the emergency,
to which I replied that "no time ought to be lost in sending small
vessels to enforce the blockade of Pernambuco, which had already been
declared by Captain Taylor; as large vessels would be in imminent danger
of being wrecked if anchored upon that open coast at this season of the
year."
To add to the dangers threatening the Empire, intelligence was received
that the Portuguese had reinforced and refitted their fleet with the
intention of returning to Brazil and recovering the Northern provinces.
This course, no doubt, having been determined upon on account of
information, that, in consequence of the injustice done to the Brazilian
squadron, it had been abandoned by the seamen, and was now powerless.
I did not offer to accompany any vessels that might be sent to
Pernambuco; for I had made up my mind not to undertake anything unless
some satisfaction were accorded to the squadron. On the 3rd of May, I,
however, addressed to the Prime Minister a letter stating the plan
which, in my opinion, ought to be pursued in the present predicament.
The subjoined are extracts:--
Drawing a veil over that which has passed--though had my
recommendations, given in writing to His Imperial Majesty on the
14th of November last--two days after the dissolution of the
Assembly--been attended to, the rebellion and separation of the
Northern provinces might have been prevented. Passing over the
errors committed in the non-employment of the greater part of the
naval forces; passing over the disgust occasioned by the conduct
pursued towards the seamen, the opposition which had been
encountered in every step towards amelioration, and the mischief
occasioned by these and many other sources of disunion and
paralysation, I say--passing over all these--let me call Your
Excellency's attention to the only means which appear to me
practicable to save the country--if not from again devolving to
Portugal as colonial possessions, yet at least from protracted
war, and its attendant calamities.
Taking it then for granted that an expedition is actually fitting
out at Lisbon, destined to act against Brazil, the question is, how
and by what means can that expedition be most successfully opposed?
what is the force necessary? and how, under existing circumstances,
it can be procured?
(Here follow plans for the reorganization of the navy, and its mode
of operation, in order to prevent the anticipated invasion.)
As regards myself, it is my conviction that, though I might be
responsible for the discipline and good order of a single ship, I
could make nothing of a squadron so manned, as it inevitably must
be, and actuated by those feelings which have been excited to the
detriment of the Imperial service.
Since the date of my last letter to Your Excellency, I have
received a copy of the laws relative to prizes, and am convinced
that these laws differ in no material degree from the maritime code
of England, the adoption of which I had solicited; and that the
blame of all the disquiet that has been occasioned is entirely
owing to the non-execution of the laws by those individuals who
have been nominated to dispense justice, but who have perverted it.
(Signed) COCHRANE & MARANHAÕ.
Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of affairs in the North, no steps
were taken to satisfy the seamen. In place of this I received orders to
use my influence with them _to re-enter without payment!_ Determined
that the Government should not have to find fault with any want of
effort on my part, I obeyed the order, with what result the following
letter to the Minister of Marine will shew:--
In consequence of the directions from His Imperial Majesty,
communicated through Your Excellency, to equip the _Pedro Primiero,
Carolina_, and _Maria de Gloria_, with all possible despatch, and
to hold them in readiness to proceed on service, I ordered a
commissioned officer to visit the different rendezvous which the
seamen frequent, and endeavour to prevail on them to re-enter
--assuring them that the continuance of their services was the best
means whereby to obtain their rewards for captures made during the
late campaign. It appears, however, that it will be difficult to
prevail on them to engage again in the service, without some
explicit declaration made public on the part of the Imperial
Government, stating what they have to expect for the past, and to
anticipate for the future; for the conduct that has been pursued,
especially in regard to matters of prize, has led them to draw
conclusions highly prejudicial to the service of His Imperial
Majesty.
(Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ.
I also protested against the intended arrest of Captain Grenfell,
knowing that there were no grounds for such a step, and more especially
against the seizure of his papers, which necessarily contained the
requisite proofs in justification of his conduct at Parà. The only
offence he had committed was his firmness in repressing the seditious
acts of the Portuguese faction there; and as those whom he had offended
had influence with their countrymen connected with the administration at
Rio de Janeiro, a tissue of false representations as to his conduct, was
the readiest mode of revenge, so that he shared the enmity of the
faction in common with myself, though they did not venture to order my
arrest.
One instance of the annoyance still directed against myself, on the 4th
of June, is perhaps worth relating. It had been falsely reported to the
Emperor by his ministers that--besides the 40,000 dollars which I
refused to give up--specie to a large amount was secreted on board the
_Pedro Primiero_, and it was suggested to His Majesty, that, as I was
living on shore, it would be easy to search the ship in my absence
--whereby the Emperor could possess himself of all the money found. This
disgraceful insult was on the point of being put in execution, when an
accident revealed the whole plot; the object of which was, by implied
accusation, to lower me in popular estimation--a dastardly device,
which, though contemptible, could hardly fail to be prejudicial to
myself, against whom it was directed.
Late one evening I received a visit from Madame Bonpland, the talented
wife of the distinguished French naturalist. This lady--who had singular
opportunities for becoming acquainted with state secrets--came
expressly to inform me that my house was at that moment surrounded by a
guard of soldiers! On asking if she knew the reason of such a
proceeding, she informed me that, under the pretence of a review to be
held at the opposite side of the harbour early the following morning,
preparations had been made by the ministers to board the flagship, which
was to be thoroughly overhauled whilst I was detained on shore, and all
the money found taken possession of!
Thanking my excellent friend for her timely warning, I clambered over my
garden fence, as the only practicable way to the stables, selected a
horse, and notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, proceeded to St.
Christoval, the country palace of the Emperor, where, on my arrival, I
demanded to see His Majesty. The request being refused by the gentleman
in waiting, in such a way as to confirm the statement of Madame
Bonpland--I dared him to refuse me admission at his peril; adding that
"the matter upon which I had come was fraught with grave consequences to
His Majesty and the Empire." "But," said he, "His Majesty has retired to
bed long ago." "No matter," replied I, "in bed, or not in bed, I demand
to see him, in virtue of my privilege of access to him at all times, and
if you refuse to concede permission--look to the consequences."
His Majesty was not, however, asleep, and the royal chamber being close
at hand, he recognised my voice in the altercation with the attendant.
Hastily coming out of his apartments in a _dishabille_ which, under
ordinary circumstances, would have been inconsistent, he asked--"What
could have brought me there at that time of night?" My reply was--that
"understanding that the troops ordered for a review were destined to
proceed to the flagship in search of supposed treasure, I had come to
request His Majesty immediately to appoint confidential persons to
accompany me on board, when the key of every chest in the ship should be
placed in their hands, and every place thrown open to their inspection;
but that if any of his anti-Brazilian Administration ventured to board
the ship in perpetration of the contemplated insult, they would
certainly be regarded as pirates, and treated as such." Adding at the
same time--"Depend upon it, that they are not more my enemies, than the
enemies of your Majesty and the Empire, and an intrusion so
unwarrantable, the officers and crew are bound to resist." "Well,"
replied His Majesty, "you seem to be apprised of everything, but the
plot is not mine; being--as far as I am concerned--convinced that no
money would be found more than we already know of from yourself."
I then entreated His Majesty to take such steps for my justification as
would be satisfactory to the public. "There is no necessity for any,"
replied he; "but how to dispense with the review is the puzzle.--I will
be ill in the morning--so go home, and think no more of the matter. I
give you my word your flag shall not be outraged by the contemplated
proceeding."
The _denouement_ of the farce is worthy of being recorded. The Emperor
kept his word, and in the night was taken suddenly ill. As His Majesty
was really beloved by his Brazilian subjects, all the native
respectability of Rio was early next day on its way to the palace to
inquire after the Royal health, and, ordering my carriage, I also
proceeded to the palace, lest my absence might appear singular. On
entering the room, where--surrounded by many influential persons--the
Emperor was in the act of explaining the nature of his disease to the
anxious inquirers--a strange incident occurred. On catching my eye, His
Majesty burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, in which I as
heartily joined; the bystanders, from the gravity of their countenances,
evidently considering that both had taken leave of their senses. The
Ministers looked astounded, but said nothing--His Majesty kept his
secret, and I was silent.
Months had now been consumed in endeavours on the part of the
Administration to give annoyance to me--and on the part of the prize
tribunal to condemn me in costs for making lawful captures, this
appearing to form their only object; save when a prize vessel could be
given up to a claimant or pretended claimant, in outrage of justice, as
evinced in the case of the _Pombinho's_ cargo, and numerous other
instances.
To such an extent was this being carried, that I sent protest after
protest on the subject. The following will serve as a specimen:--
PROTEST.
The Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the
Naval forces of His Imperial Majesty, does hereby protest, on behalf
of himself and those employed under his command in the blockade of
Bahia, and other services of the Empire, against the sentence given
in the case of the Nova Constitucaõ, _whereby costs and damages to
the amount of four times the value are decreed against the captors
of the said vessel_ (taken in the act of violating the blockade of
Bahia), in performance of duties which the law sanctioned and the
service of His Imperial Majesty required.
And further, the said Marquis of Maranhaõ, on behalf of himself and
the captors, does again most solemnly protest against _all sentences
of acquittal_ of vessels which violated the said blockade, or which
were seized, navigating under Portuguese flags or with Portuguese
registers--and against all proceedings to recover damages against
the said Marquis and captors _for any capture whatsoever_; His
Imperial Majesty having been graciously pleased to signify that all
expenses thus incurred in case of vessels pronounced "_malprisa_,"
shall be placed to the account of the State.
Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 1824.
The anxiety of His Majesty on account of the revolt at Pernambuco was
meanwhile utterly set at nought, neither Severiano, nor his colleague
Barbosa--though now beginning to be alarmed--shewing the slightest
disposition to carry out His Majesty's orders for the compromise with
the officers and seamen, in order that the squadron might be manned. At
length intelligence arrived from the revolted districts, of such a
nature as to appear to His Majesty fraught with immediate danger to the
integrity of the Empire, as in truth it was, for the Republican nature
of the insurrection had become an established fact, whilst the squadron
which, months before, ought to have sailed to quell the revolt, was,
from, want of men, lying idle in the port of the capital.
Setting aside all Ministerial interposition, I received His Majesty's
orders to repair at once to the palace, to decide on the best plan of
meeting these revolutionary manifestations. My advice was--at once to
put them down with a strong hand; but I called His Majesty's attention
to the ministerial contempt of his orders to satisfy the seamen, and the
consequent hopeless condition of the squadron--abandoned because no
assurance had been given that past services would be rewarded by the
adjudication of the prizes--against which adjudication the tribunal
resolutely set their faces, or, what was worse, unwarrantably disposed
of the property entrusted to them for adjudication.
His Majesty was greatly annoyed at learning the continuance and extent
of the vexatious opposition to his wishes; but, begging me not to be
influenced by the injustice committed, strongly urged the necessity of
my using every endeavour for immediate action,--I at once pointed out to
His Majesty that the only way to accomplish this was, to restore
confidence to the men by maintaining public faith with the officers and
seamen, giving compensation--at least in part--of their prize money,
with recognition of their claims to the remainder.
Still nothing was done, until, becoming tired of the harassing
circumstances in which I was placed, I made up my mind to a last effort,
which, if unsuccessful, should be followed by my resignation of the
command, even though it might involve the loss of all that which was due
to me. Accordingly, I addressed to His Majesty a letter from which the
following are extracts:--
The time has at length arrived when it is impossible to doubt
that the influence which the Portuguese faction has so long exerted,
with the view of depriving the officers and seamen of their stipulated
rights, has succeeded in its object, and has even prevailed against
the expressed wishes and intentions of Your Majesty in person.
(Here follows a recapitulation of injuries and annoyances with
which the reader is familiar):--
The determined perseverance in a course so opposed to justice,
by those members and adherents of the Portuguese faction, whose
influence prevails in the ministry and council, and more especially
the proceedings of those individuals of that faction, who compose
the naval tribunals, must come to an end.
The general discontent which prevails in the squadron has rendered
the situation in which I am placed one of the most embarrassing
description; for though few may be aware that my own cause of
complaint is equal to theirs, many cannot perceive the consistency of
my patient continuation in the service, with disapprobation of the
measures pursued. Even the honours which Your Majesty has been
pleased to bestow upon me, are deemed by most of the officers, and by
the whole of the men--who know not the assiduity with which I have
persevered in earnest but unavailing remonstrance--as a bribe by
which I have been induced to abandon their interests. Much,
therefore, as I prize those honours, as the gracious gift of Your
Imperial Majesty, yet, holding in still dearer estimation my
character as an officer and a man, I cannot hesitate a moment which
to sacrifice when the retention of both is evidently incompatible.
I can, therefore, no longer delay to demonstrate to the squadron,
and the world, that I am no partner in the deceptions and oppressions
which are practised on the naval service; and as the first,
and most painful step in the performance of this imperious duty, I
crave permission--with all humility and respect--to return those
honours, and lay them at the feet of Your Imperial Majesty.
I should, however, fall short of my duty to those who were
induced to enter the service by my example or invitation, were I to
do nothing more than convince them that I had been deceived. It
is incumbent on me to make every effort to obtain for them the
fulfilment of engagements for which I made myself responsible.
As far as I am personally concerned, I could be content to quit
the service of Your Imperial Majesty, either with or without the
expectation of obtaining compensation at a future period, and could
submit to the same sacrifices here as I did on the other side of
the continent, even to abandoning the ships which I captured from
the enemy--without payment or reward--as I did in Chili and Peru.
After effectually fighting the battles of freedom and independence
on both sides of South America, and clearing the two seas of every
vessel of war, I could submit to return to my native country
unrewarded; but I cannot submit to adopt any course which shall
not redeem my pledge to my brother officers and seamen. Neither
can I relinquish the object which I have equally at heart, of
depriving the Portuguese faction of the means of undermining the
nationality and independence of the empire, to which--notwithstanding
their admission to places of honour and trust--they are
notoriously and naturally opposed.
It is impossible to view the prize tribunal--consisting of natives
of the hostile nation--in any other light than as a party of the
enemy, who, in the disguise of judges, have surprised and recaptured
our prizes, after we had lodged them--as we thought--safely in
port. And we have not the slightest reason to doubt that, if
suffered to proceed unmolested, they will eventually get them clean
out of the harbour, and convey them back to their own country.
We do not ask for reprisals upon these people, but simply restitution
of the fruits of our labours in the service of Your Majesty, of which
they have insidiously despoiled us, and that no impediment to this
act of justice may arise, or be pretended by the individuals in
question, we are willing to wait for a still further period--retaining,
however, what remains of the prizes in our own custody--until our
claims are settled; when we shall punctually surrender them into
Your Imperial hands at whatever moment Your Majesty shall be
pleased to cause the said claims to be duly discharged.
We most earnestly beseech Your Imperial Majesty--upon whom
alone we depend for justice--to take into your consideration the
necessity of withdrawing all control over the naval service and its
interests from the hands of individuals with whose country Your
Majesty is at war, and against which, under Your Imperial authority,
we have been employed in active hostilities. It is only by the removal
of Portuguese functionaries--more especially from the naval department,
and the appointment of native Brazilians in their stead, that
Your Imperial Majesty can reasonably hope to possess the full
confidence of your people. Such a proceeding would be far more
effective for the suppression of the rebellion in the North, than
the ill-equipped naval detachment employed on that service.
I trust that Your Imperial Majesty will perceive that nothing
short of the most thorough conviction in my own mind, with regard
to the step now taken, could have led me to adopt it on my own
account, or on that of the squadron. To myself, in particular, it
must be a source of great anxiety, and in all probability, for a time
--before the circumstances are generally understood--it may bring
on me a large share of obloquy. My resignation is attended with
the surrender of the high honours with which Your Majesty has
graciously invested me, in addition to the honourable situation
which I hold under Your Imperial authority. Your Majesty may be
assured that such sacrifices as these are not made without extreme
reluctance, and if there had remained the slightest probability of
obtaining by any ordinary means the justice for the squadron,
which it is my bounden duty to persevere in demanding, I should
have avoided a step so pregnant with disadvantages to myself.
(Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAÕ.
His Majesty frankly admitted that the course pursued by his Ministers
towards the squadron was no less discreditable than injurious to the
vital interests of the state, but begged me to reconsider my
determination. To prevent further ministerial interposition, at a moment
so pregnant with danger, the Emperor offered to place at my disposal,
for the temporary satisfaction of the men, 200,000 milreis in paper
currency--not one-tenth of the value of the prizes--if I would endeavour
to rally them under the national flag, and merge my own injuries in
oblivion, till he should be better able to do us justice.
My reply was that, personally, His Majesty had ever manifested his
desire to fulfil his promises to me, and that I would stand by the
integrity of the empire, and its consolidation. It was of the ministers
I had to complain, by whom all the Imperial promises had been broken,
and His Majesty's intentions thwarted; but that this would neither
interfere with my duty nor gratitude to His Majesty, personally; and
that if the 200,000 milreis were paid, I would endeavour to use the
money to the best advantage by inducing the men to return to the ships.
The amount was directed to be placed in my hands, with the request that
I would proceed to Pernambuco, and use my discretion in putting down the
revolution, unfettered by orders; His Majesty recommending me to
withhold payment till the squadron was at sea, in order to prevent delay
and desertion. I begged of His Majesty to appoint a commission for the
distribution of the money, as the responsibility was foreign to my
duties. This, however, was overruled with a gracious compliment as to
the manner in which my services had uniformly been conducted; being thus
pressed I made no further opposition.
Still the ministers withheld the money, on which I wrote to the
Emperor, requesting that His Majesty would perform the gracious
compliment of delivering it on board personally. The Emperor at once
comprehended the nature of the hint, and insisted on the sum being
placed in my hands. On receiving it, I immediately issued a proclamation
to the seamen, informing them of His Majesty's concession--inviting them
to return to their duty--and promising payment to the extent of the
funds supplied. The result was, that all who had not quitted Rio de
Janeiro in despair, with one accord rejoined the service, and every
effort was made to get the expedition ready for sea.
Before sailing for Pernambuco I was naturally desirous of coming to a
definite understanding on the subject of my commission, the patents
conferring which had been ruthlessly attempted to be set aside under the
signature of Barbosa, on the _assumed pretence of authority_ from His
Imperial Majesty, whose _rubrica_, however, was not attached to this
violation of our original compact. Accordingly, on the 26th of July, I
addressed a letter to Barbosa on the subject, and on the 29th received
the following reply:--
His Imperial Majesty commands, through the Secretary of State
and Marine, that there shall be transmitted to the First Admiral
commanding-in-chief the naval forces of this empire the enclosed copy
of a decree of the 27th of this month, by which His Imperial Majesty
has judged proper to determine that the said First Admiral shall
receive _in full_, so long as he shall continue in the service of this
empire, _the full pay of his patent_; and, _in the event of his not
choosing to continue therein after the termination of the present
war of independence, the one-half of his pay as a pension_--the same
being extended to his wife in the event of his decease.
The said First Admiral is hereby certified that the said decree of
His Imperial Majesty is not required to be inserted in his patent,
as he requests in his letter of the 26th instant, the said decree
being as valid as the patent itself.
Palace of Rio de Janeiro,
July 29th, 1824.
(Signed) FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA.
Decree of His Imperial Majesty, inserted in the _Mercurio de
Brazil_, Sunday, 31st July, 1824.
In consequence of what has been represented to me by the
Marquis of Maranhaõ, First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the
naval forces of the empire, and in consequence of the great services
he has rendered, and which we hope he will continue to render to
the sacred cause of Brazil, I hereby--by the advice of my Council
of State--determine that the said Marquis of Maranhaõ shall be
paid in full, during the period that he shall remain in the service of
this empire, the whole amount of salary due to his patent; and in
the case of his _not wishing to continue in the service_ after the
termination of the present war of independence, the one-half of the
said pay as a pension, the same, in case of his death, being extended
to his wife.
Francisco Villela Barbosa, of my Council of State, Minister and
Secretary of Marine, is hereby commanded to promulgate the same,
and execute the necessary despatches.
Given in the palace of Rio de Janeiro, the 27th of July, 1824,
and the third of independence and the empire.
With the _Rubrica_ of His Imperial Majesty.
(Signed) FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA.
This decree nullified the unjustifiable _portaria_ issued by Barbosa,
limiting my services to the period of the war, which, in reality, had
been ended by my expulsion of the Portuguese from Bahia and Maranham. It
recognised and established the validity of the Emperor's original
patents, of which, by the minister's own explanation, it was a
continuation, with an extension to Lady Cochrane; a boon spontaneously
granted by the Emperor, as a mark of gratitude for services rendered in
the preceding year. It was, moreover, clearly left to my own option to
continue in the service or to quit it on half-pay, on the termination of
the war of independence.
If there was any faith to be placed in princes or ministers, nothing
could be more definite or satisfactory than the preceding document, with
the exception of the phrase, "_in the event of his not choosing to
continue therein_," which evidently contained an _arrière pensée_,
implying, as was afterwards proved, that when I could be got rid of it
would be easy to _compel me_ to retire from the service; but even this
alternative was subsequently disregarded--though His Imperial Majesty,
on my thanking him for having so far done me justice against the
attempts of his Ministers--remarked, "_never mind their injustice--they
can't deprive you of that"_--alluding to the stipulations contained in
the Imperial patents, and this renewed confirmation thereof.
The concession of 200,000 dollars, as a portion of the prize money so
long due to the officers and crews, was actually made to suffice, in
place of an advance of wages usually given on the departure of a naval
expedition; so that, in fact, the squadron was manned at its own
expense! no other payment being accorded by the _Government_. As His
Majesty had requested that the men should not receive their money before
going to sea, _the squadron_, with the exception of the flagship, was
despatched on its voyage, the crews being satisfied--now that the money
was on board--with my promise of payment when they should assemble at
the rendezvous appointed.
It is requisite to enter into some detail relative to the distribution
of prize money thus of necessity substituted as an advance of wages: it
being impossible to get the requisite numbers of foreign seamen for the
_Pedro Primiero_ without such advance; and although the frigates which
had sailed, manned for the most part with Portuguese or Brazilian crews,
relied upon _me_ for payment of their prize money, the foreign seamen
refused even to remain on board the flagship without the usual advance;
the officers also were in want of everything, and the men--indebted to
tavern keepers--clamorous for payment.
As the necessity was urgent, I did not choose that the flagship, under
my immediate command, should leave port in a discreditable manner, I
therefore took upon myself--notwithstanding His Majesty's suggestion to
withhold payment till we were at sea--to accommodate the officers and
satisfy the crew by the advance demanded; a step, in my judgment, the
more necessary, since, as had been the case in the former campaign, I
should mainly have to depend upon the foreign officers and seamen of my
own ship, for the execution of plans which might become requisite--the
best way, therefore, to ensure their zealous co-operation throughout the
voyage, was to establish harmony at its commencement by complying with
their just demand.
The following were the principal sums disbursed on this occasion, as
appears from my private memoranda, the vouchers themselves being
afterwards transmitted to the Minister of Marine through Captain
Shepherd, as will subsequently appear:--
Dollars.
To Myself 85,000
Paid Messrs. May and Lukin, Prize Agents,
for Admiralty Court expenses, and
commission, at 5 per cent 15,000
Advanced to Squadron generally 23,000
Ditto to Captain Crosbie 5,000
Ditto, to other Officers 3,750
Disbursed at Rio, 70,750
This sum, about £.14,000, may appear trivial to the English reader,
accustomed to lavish expenditure in all naval expeditions as the most
economical way of securing their future efficiency--and hence the
mention of such an amount may be deemed superfluous. That this is not
the case will presently appear.
The reader must not however imagine that I am about to inflict on him an
account current of the expenditure of the squadron; but circumstances
compel me to a precision in this respect on personal grounds: the
Brazilian Government--though in possession of the documents and vouchers
afterwards transmitted by Captain Shepherd--publicly persisting in the
statement that I never furnished accounts of the expedition to
Pernambuco and Maranham--thus leaving the public to infer that the
disbursements just narrated, together with subsequent payments, had
never in reality been made! In other words, that I induced the crews to
go to sea--put down the revolution in the North--spent nine months in
pacifying the revolutionary provinces--and yet fraudulently withheld
200,000 dollars, the only sum supplied during the whole of the
expedition; the seamen meanwhile not only serving without reward, but
being content with my monopolizing the portion of the prize-money known
by them to have been awarded for the expulsion of the Portuguese in the
preceding year, and notoriously in my possession! Their forbearance
being so improbable as to refute itself, being contrary to common sense;
even in the absence of the vouchers, which were transmitted to the
Brazilian Government, _but never acknowledged_--I am able however to
account for the whole from documents no less convincing than the
vouchers transmitted.
It is true that nothing but the blind hatred of the old Portuguese
faction towards me could have originated such charges, and that hatred
was greatly increased by my pacification of the revolutionary
provinces--this being the death-blow to the intrigues recommended by
Palmella in favour of the mother country. As, however, the Brazilian
Government did not acknowledge to me the receipt of my accounts, which
must either exist to this day in the office of the Minister of Marine,
or must have been destroyed, for the sake of traducing my character in
justification of my prospective dismissal--it is incumbent on me to
supply, for the information of the Brazilian people, explanations which
have been repeatedly given to their Government, but which have not as
yet been made public through the medium of the press--and that not for
the information of the Brazilian people solely, but of the British
public, who, in the absence of official imputations recently
promulgated, have never before been put in possession of facts.
The Brazilian people may rest assured that whenever I received, for the
use of the squadron, sums which itself had captured, I could neither
then conceal the circumstance nor can I now disavow the fact--giving,
however, the reasons which, for the interests of the Empire, justified
my proceedings. The only instance of this kind which had hitherto
occurred was my retention of 40,000 dollars captured at Maranham, and
they who have perused the preceding narrative will be at no loss for the
ground of my refusal to surrender to the Court of Admiralty a sum which
would have been returned by that tribunal to their Portuguese
brethren--nor for my resistance to the plot which the ministers had
formed to take it by force from on board the flagship.
To return to the advances made to the officers and seamen of the
flagship. The following extracts from the original log kept by my
secretary will shew the fact of the distribution previously narrated:--
_July 12th_, 1824. Received the 200,000 dollars at the treasury, and
gave receipt, with Captain Crosbie and the Commissary. Deposited
the notes in the iron chest on board the _Pedro Primiero_.
_July 19th_. Went on board the _Pedro Primiero_ to pay advance.
(Paid May and Lukin 15,000 dollars.) Engaged all day in paying
the men.
_July 26th._ Went to the _Pedro_, with the Admiral and Lieutenant
Blake, to pay advance from the prize-money. In the evening the
Emperor called and announced to the Admiral that he was to sail
on Sunday next.
_July 31st_. On board the _Pedro_ paying seamen as before.
Soldiers came on board.
_August 2nd._ Emperor came alongside. Admiral embarked.
Got under way, and set sail in company with the _Maranhaõ_ brig
and three transports.
The preceding extracts shew that not only was an advance made for the
good of the service, but this was done with such publicity, that both
the Emperor and his ministers could not fail to be aware of the
circumstance. The further distribution as prize-money, according to His
Majesty's direction, took place at Bahia and Pernambuco, as will be
shewn in the next chapter.