Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil Volume II Part 5

CHAPTER III.

CAPTURE OF THE DON MIGUEL--SUMMONS TO THE AUTHORITIES--REASONS FOR THREATS HELD OUT--PROPOSALS FOR CAPITULATION--PROCLAMATIONS--TERMS GRANTED TO PORTUGUESE GARRISON--DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE--PORTUGUESE TROOPS ORDERED TO EMBARK--SYMPTOMS OF DISOBEYING THE ORDER--DELIGHT OF THE PEOPLE ON BECOMING FREE--ELECTION OF A PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT--LETTERS TO THE MINISTER OF MARINE.

On the 26th of July, the _Pedro Primiero_ arrived in the river Maranha, and--knowing from the Portuguese admiral's instructions found in the troopships overhauled in the chase, that reinforcements were expected--we hoisted Portuguese colours, with a view of inducing a belief that the flagship belonged to that nation, and had arrived in support of its cause. The authorities, deceived by this ruse, sent off a brig of war--the _Don Miguel_, Captain Garca--with despatches and congratulations upon our safe arrival! but the commander of the brig was disagreeably undeceived by finding himself upon the deck of a Brazilian ship. The despatches put me in possession of the enemy's plans and intentions, and from them I learned that some reinforcements had already reached, independent of those which had been intercepted in the recent chase; thus shewing the great importance attached by Portugal to the preservation of the wealthy and influential province of Maranham.

To the surprise of Captain Garca--now a prisoner of war--I offered to release him and his vessel on condition of his carrying sealed letters to the Governor and Junta in the city--a proposition gladly accepted.

Previous to his departure--by a fiction held justifiable in war, and, indeed, necessary under our peculiar circ.u.mstances, as having only a single ship to reduce a province--he was duly impressed by the relation of an imaginary number of vessels of war in the offing, accompanied by transports filled with troops, which the superior sailing of the flagship had enabled her to outstrip. Captain Garca being a seaman and well able to judge as to the sailing qualities of the _Pedro Primiero_, was easily impressed with this story, and returned to the city with intelligence of an irresistible force about to disembark for its reduction.

My letters to the Governor and Junta were to the same effect; for--as before noticed--having only a single ship, it was necessary to impress on their imagination--that a fleet and army were at hand to add the province to Brazil. As this is the only instance within my knowledge of a military force surrendering itself and the province which it defended, to a stratagem of this nature, I shall append the doc.u.ments by which a result so desirable was effected.

To Don Agostinho Antonia de Faria, the commandant, I wrote as follows:--

Pedro Primiero, July 26, 1823.

SIR,

The naval and military forces under my command, leave me no room to doubt the success of the enterprise in which I am about to engage, in order to free the province of Maranham from foreign domination, and to allow the people free choice of government in the same manner as the inhabitants of Portugal have decided with regard to their const.i.tution.

Of the flight of the Portuguese naval and military forces from Bahia you are aware. I have now to inform you of the capture of two-thirds of the transports and troops, with all their stores and ammunition.

I am anxious not to let loose the Imperial troops of Bahia upon Maranham, exasperated as they are at the injuries and cruelties exercised towards themselves and their countrymen, as well as by the plunder of the people and churches of Bahia. It is for you to decide whether the inhabitants of these countries shall be further exasperated by resistance which appears to me unavailing, and alike prejudicial to the best interests of Portugal and Brazil.

Although it is not customary amongst European nations to receive or respect flags of truce, being armed vessels, yet as a proof that we came here with objects far superior to the seizure of the brig of war just released, I have paid respect to the flag, in the hope that forbearance will facilitate that harmony which all must be desirous should exist between the government of the Royal father and that of the Imperial son; and in doing this, I only fulfil the gracious intentions of His Imperial Majesty.

Awaiting your early reply,

I have the honour, &c.

COCHRANE.

Don AGOSTINHO ANTONIA DE FARIA, Commanding the Portuguese Forces.

The subjoined was at the same time despatched to the Provincial Junta;--

ILl.u.s.tRIOUS AND EXCELLENT SIRS,

The forces of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, having freed the city and province of Bahia from the enemies of independence--in conformity with the will of His Imperial Majesty that the beautiful province of Maranham should be free also--I now hasten to offer to the oppressed inhabitants whatever aid and protection they need against a foreign yoke; desiring to accomplish their liberation and to hail them as brethren and friends.

Should there, however, be any who--from self-interested motives--oppose themselves to the deliverance of their country, let such be a.s.sured that the naval and military forces which have driven the Portuguese from the South, are again ready to draw the sword in the like just cause--and having drawn it, the result cannot be long doubtful.

The chief authorities are hereby invited to make known to me their decision, in order that the responsibility of consequences--in case of opposition--may not be imputed to any undue haste in the execution of the duty which I shall have to perform.

I have the honour, &c.

COCHRANE.

To the Ill.u.s.trious and Excellent The Provincial Junta of Maranham.

The reader may perhaps conclude, that the threats held out are somewhat inconsistent with my only having a single ship, without a soldier in her; and I must even confess to some compunction at this off-hand sketch of an imaginary fleet and army--but the matter was of the last importance. On the one hand, if my demands were vigorously pressed, there was a strong probability of obtaining them without bloodshed; but, on the other hand, if any delay took place, the enemy would, in a day or two at most, find out that the only force was the flagship, when the acquisition of Maranham would be impossible. The sensation caused by the evacuation of Bahia gave probability to my representations, and added to the despondency of the Portuguese, so that the _ruse_ was completely successful.

Proposals of capitulation were immediately returned; but, as these were only conditional, I refused to accept them. In order to enforce the terms proffered, we entered the river--never before navigated by a line-of-battle ship--and anch.o.r.ed the _Pedro Primiero_ abreast of the fort. On the following day, July 27th, the Junta, accompanied by the bishop, came on board, and gave in their adherence to the empire, after which the city, forts, and island, were unconditionally surrendered, though not without subsequent hesitation, which was dispelled by firing a shot over the town, whereupon a flag of truce was sent off, and all demands were complied with. Landing a party of marines for the maintenance of order, the Portuguese ensign was hauled down by Lieutenant Grenfell, who hoisted Brazilian colours in its place.

Thus, without military force or bloodshed, was a second great province secured to the empire, neither result being antic.i.p.ated, nor even contemplated in the orders communicated to me, which were to blockade the Portuguese in Bahia, and capture or destroy all ships met with--anything beyond this not having entered the imagination of the Government.

As--considering the circ.u.mstances in which I was placed--there was no time to be lost in completing the declaration of independence, I addressed the subjoined instructions to the civil authorities:--

_Pedro Primiero_, July 27, 1823.

MOST EXCELLENT SIRS,

It affords me the highest satisfaction that your Excellencies have adopted a course by which all hostilities may be avoided, and the tranquillity and prosperity of this province peaceably established upon a secure and permanent basis. The declaration of the independence of Brazil under His Imperial Majesty will at once tranquillise the public mind, and give opportunity to the worthy and patriotic inhabitants to proceed afterwards with a due formality and deliberation to take the oaths, and elect their provisional government. To-morrow, therefore--being the earliest possible day--it maybe well that the said declaration shall be made taking every necessary precaution that the public peace shall not be disturbed by individuals under any pretence.

(Signed) COCHRANE.

To the inhabitants generally I issued the following proclamation:--

THE FIRST ADMIRAL OF BRAZIL TO THE INHABITANTS OF MARANHAM.

The auspicious day has arrived on which the worthy and public-spirited inhabitants of Maranham have it in their power at once to declare the independence of their country, and their adherence to their patriotic monarch, Pedro Primiero, whose protection has afforded them the glorious privilege of freemen--that of choosing their const.i.tution and enacting their laws by their own representatives a.s.sembled to decide upon their own affairs in their own country.

That the glory of this day may not be tarnished by any acts of excess--even proceeding from enthusiasm for the cause in which we have embarked--must be the wish of every honourable and well-judging citizen. To these it would be superfluous to offer any advice as to their conduct; but should there be any who, from whatever motives, would disturb public tranquillity, they are hereby warned that the strictest orders are given to bring those guilty of disturbance to the punishment their crime shall deserve.

Taking the necessary oaths, and the election of civil government, are acts which must be deliberately performed, and for this, the 1st of August is selected. Citizens! let us proceed gravely and methodically, without tumult, haste, or confusion, and let the act be accomplished in a manner worthy the approbation of His Imperial Majesty, and which shall give no cause for regret, and leave no room for amendment.

Long live the Emperor, and the Independence and Const.i.tution of Brazil.

(Signed) COCHRANE.

To the garrison of Maranham, liberty was granted to remain or depart, as they chose; in the latter case, free egress to Europe being permitted, with ensigns, arms, and military honours. Of the vessels of war we took possession, giving to the officers and men, the option of entering the service of Brazil, or accepting the conditions conceded to the army.

As the Brazilian people will naturally be interested in all that led to the completion of the integrity of the empire, the terms granted to the Portuguese garrison are subjoined.

_Pedro Primiero_, July 27, 1823.

MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

In reply to your letter of this date, I beg leave to a.s.sure you, first, that my utmost endeavours shall be used to protect the persons and property of the citizens of Maranham--with the exception of such species of property as, being proved to belong to a hostile party, shall become, according to the laws of war, subject to the decision of the tribunals of His Imperial Majesty; that the same leniency with respect to all past political opinions shall be used as has been observed under the const.i.tutional government of His Most Faithful Majesty John VI.; and that all persons desiring to remove shall be at liberty to do so, under the usual formalities.

Secondly,--You are at liberty either to depart to any other country, or to remain in this.

Thirdly,--The commanding officers, superior officers, and soldiers of the Portuguese nation, shall be free to retire to their native country, or to any other quarter; and shall be permitted to embark with their ensigns, arms, and military honours.

As independence is to be declared to-morrow, and as the vessels of war now in the port bear the ensigns of Portugal--and as I believe the necessary authority is vested in you, I have to request that you will order that ensign not to be hoisted on board the said vessels, in order that the subst.i.tution of that of Brazil may be made in the manner least offensive to the feelings of the officers--all, or any of whom may remain with their men in the service of Brazil, or may consider themselves under the third article relating to the army.

I have to express my regret at your indisposition, which has deprived me of the pleasure of seeing you; but, if circ.u.mstances permit, I shall avail myself of an early opportunity of paying you my personal respects.