Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil Volume II Part 6

(Signed) COCHRANE.

To DON AGOSTINHO ANTONIA DE FARIA, General-at-Arms of Maranha.

On the 28th the declaration of independence was made amidst the acclamation of the inhabitants generally--those who were adverse to the measure not venturing to make any demonstration to the contrary.

Still it was important to get rid of the Portuguese troops before they found out the _ruse_ which had been practised upon them; for, three days having now elapsed without any appearance of my reputed forces, there was some fear that they might attempt to recover their former position.

Accordingly I addressed the following letter to General de Faria:--

_Pedro Primiero_, July 29, 1823.

MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

The declaration of independence having been formally made, and His Imperial Majesty being declared const.i.tutional Emperor of Brazil by acclamation of the worthy people of Maranham--which important event has happily taken place, not only without disorder, but, to the honour and credit of the inhabitants, with the greatest harmony and regularity--it now becomes my duty, as military chief under his Imperial Majesty, to take care that no military interference or intimidation shall in any way overawe or influence the choice of the inhabitants in the election of their provisional government. I have, therefore, to request that you will be pleased to direct all the Portuguese troops who intend to avail themselves of the third article of the stipulations entered into with regard to the military to repair to the place appointed, and there await the preparations which I shall immediately make for their transportation to Lisbon.

I have also to beg that you will he pleased to furnish me with a correct list of those who desire to depart, and also of those who choose to remain and take the oaths as Brazilian citizens.

I have, &c. &c.

COCHRANE.

To Gen. A.A. DE FARIA.

These instructions were promptly complied with by the Ex-Commandant, and no time was lost in providing ships for the reception of the Portuguese troops who wished to avail themselves of permission to sail for Lisbon.

This leniency was scarcely deserved, for the Portuguese authorities had filled the gaols with respectable Brazilian citizens, who were treated with great severity; but, for obvious reasons, I was desirous to get rid of the Portuguese on any terms.

The next step was to provide for the proper administration of government, and this--from the factions which were afterwards found to exist--was a work of infinitely greater difficulty than had been the acquisition of the city. Some of the more influential inhabitants, however, offering their services, I formed them into a provisional Junta, until a more popular Government could be provided.

Munic.i.p.al security being thus attained, the Portuguese troops were embarked, on the 1st of August, though not without some difficulty, for, from the non-arrival of my supposed fleet and army, some amongst them began to suspect that a deception had been practised, and many--backed by the militia--refused to embark. Upon this, a notice was issued that if the treaty were not instantly complied with, such steps should be taken as would render unnecessary the stipulation of safe conveyance to Europe, as I was determined that a solemn engagement should not be violated with impunity. This, as a great portion of the troops were actually on board, and within reach of the flagship's guns, produced the desired effect on the refractory troops ash.o.r.e, though not till I was compelled to send Captain Crosbie with a large party to enforce compliance and to disarm the militia, both of which objects he effected without bloodshed.

The embarkation being accomplished, and the foreign portion of the militia disarmed, so as to leave the city in the hands of the civil authorities--on the 2nd of August, I issued a proclamation declaring the commerce of the coast free and uninterrupted; following this, shortly afterwards by another, declaratory of my willingness to accept from consignees and others, two-thirds of the estimated value of Portuguese property liable to confiscation--in place of sending the captured vessels to Rio de Janeiro; which--from the state of the city, as well as from want of seamen to man them--was impossible.

To the inhabitants of the city I had been careful to accord complete liberty, exacting, in return, perfect order, which was preserved, and property of all kinds respected; the delight of the inhabitants being unbounded at having been freed from a terrible system of exaction and imprisonment, which, when I entered the river, was being carried on with unrelenting rigour by the Portuguese authorities towards all suspected of a leaning to the Imperial Government. Instead of retaliating--as would have been gratifying to those so recently labouring under oppression--I directed oaths to the Const.i.tution to be administered, not to Brazilians only, but also to all Portuguese who chose to remain and conform to the new order of things; a privilege, of which many influential persons of that nation availed themselves.

On the 1st of August the inhabitants of Alcantara made a declaration of adherence to His Imperial Majesty, notwithstanding a report sedulously circulated amongst them that the Portuguese troops at Maranham were about to recover the city. An a.s.surance from me, that the Portuguese troops were embarked, and were under the guns of the flagship, as well as the fire of their own gunboats, which could be turned against them, and that the European militia was disarmed, speedily dispelled all grounds for alarm.

The proceedings of the temporary Provisional Junta being unsatisfactory, especially as regarded their desire for retaliation on the Portuguese, I determined to embody a more popular Government, though, as yet the election would, of necessity, be confined to the inhabitants of the city only. Accordingly on the 8th of August, in less than a fortnight after my first appearance off the port, a Provisional Government was chosen by the population, and the city and province were incorporated with Brazil, with the national advantage of adding nearly a million of dollars to the annual revenue of the empire; and this without the expense of another expedition to the Government, or the loss of time which would have been necessary, and might, had the reinforcements intercepted, gained their destination--have ended in a different result to the integrity of the empire.

The first act of the new Government was to address a congratulatory letter to His Imperial Majesty, explaining that they should long before have espoused the Imperial cause, but from fear of the Portuguese troops. The following is an extract from this letter:--

What was our joy when unexpectedly we saw the _Pedro Primiero_ summoning our port. Oh, 26th of July, 1823! Thrice happy day, thou wilt be as conspicuous in the annals of our province, as the sentiments of grat.i.tude and respect inspired by the ill.u.s.trious admiral sent to our aid by the best and most amiable of monarchs will be deeply engraven on our hearts and on those of our posterity.

Yes! august Sire! the wisdom, prudence, and gentle manners of Lord Cochrane have contributed still more to the happy issue of our political difficulties than even the fear of his force. To anchor in our port--to proclaim independence--to administer the oaths of obedience to your Majesty--to suspend hostilities throughout the province--to provide proper government--to bring the troops of the country into the town, but only in sufficient numbers to ensure order and tranquillity--to open the communication between the interior and the capital--to provide it with necessaries--and to restore navigation and commerce to their pristine state--all this, Sire, was the work of a few days. Grant Heaven, that this n.o.ble chief may end the glorious career of his political and military labours with the like felicity and success, and that your Imperial Majesty being so well served, nothing more may be necessary to immortalise that admirable commander, not only in the annals of Brazil, but in those of the whole world.

A large amount of government and public property in the several departments was seized, in conformity with the Imperial proclamation, and an addition made to the Brazilian navy of a brig-of-war, the _Don Miguel_, a schooner, and eight gunboats--besides merchant vessels, some of which were appropriated to the conveyance of the late garrison to Lisbon, under engagement to restore their value--a stipulation which was never fulfilled.

Everything being thus satisfactorily settled, my next step was to inform the Minister of Marine at Rio de Janeiro of the extraordinary means by which possession of the city and province of Maranham had been obtained; the subjoined letters were accordingly despatched.

(Secret.) _Pedro Primiero_, August 8, 1823.

MOST ILl.u.s.tRIOUS SIR,

Your Excellency will perceive by the official doc.u.ments accompanying this, that in order to effect the objects I had in view at Maranham, I judged it expedient to create a belief amongst the people and garrison, that a large force was at my disposal, and therefore I used expressions in my public correspondence that were not borne out by the actual circ.u.mstances under which I summoned that city, as I had--in fact--no other force than this ship alone, which from the nature of the anchorage could scarcely approach within gunshot--whilst there was neither a soldier nor effective marine on board; but the fear entertained by the hostile Government of Imperial troops from Bahia, whom they understood to be off the bar with the remainder of the squadron, and the sudden appearance of so large a ship as this, produced the effect which I had antic.i.p.ated, and it is with the greatest satisfaction that I now communicate the occupation of this important city and province, which has been accomplished without effusion of blood, or material disturbance.

As soon as I have completed the necessary arrangements here, I propose to return to Rio de Janeiro, and to have the honour personally to inform you of all particulars.

I have, &c.

COCHRANE.

Minister of Marine.

With this was transmitted the following official doc.u.ment:--

_Pedro Primiero_, Aug. 8, 1823.

MOST ILl.u.s.tRIOUS SIR,

I had the honour to inform your Excellency by letter, off Pernambuco, that we had captured transports containing a moiety of the enemy's army--that we were in pursuit of the remainder--and that I hoped for further success. I have now to acquaint your Excellency that, having followed the enemy's squadron to the fifth degree of North lat.i.tude beyond the line, until, by capture and dispersion, their convoy was so reduced that only thirteen vessels out of seventy remained with the ships of war, and as the latter were evidently steering for Lisbon, and were too strong to be attacked with success by this ship alone--for the remainder of the Brazilian squadron had separated in the chase--I judged it advantageous for the interests of His Imperial Majesty's service, to discontinue the pursuit, and to proceed, with all possible despatch, to Maranham, where I arrived on the 26th ultimo.

I have the happiness to acquaint you, for the satisfaction of the Imperial government, that Maranham is now united to the Empire, the inhabitants having proclaimed their independence of Portugal on the 28th, and elected their provisional government this day. I have embarked the Portuguese troops for Europe, and the militia are disarmed.

I have the honour to enclose a copy of the correspondence which has taken place on the occasion, with other papers and doc.u.ments.

We have found here a fine brig of war--a schooner--eight gunboats, and about sixteen sail of Portuguese merchant vessels. Amongst the other advantages of this important event may be mentioned, that while the expense of an express expedition has been saved, an addition of nearly a million of dollars is made to the revenue of His Imperial Majesty.

I have manned and sent the brig of war to Para, to summon that city--offering to the enemy the same terms as we have granted here. The beautiful new frigate, lately launched at Para, has not sailed for Portugal, and I am in expectation that the next account which I shall have the honour to send or bring to your Excellency, will communicate the pleasing intelligence that His Imperial Majesty has no enemy, either on sh.o.r.e or afloat, between the extremities of his empire.

I have, &c.

COCHRANE.

The Minister of Marine.

CHAPTER IV.

CAPT. GRENFELL SENT TO SUMMON PARA--THE JUNTA DEMANDS THE PRIZE PROPERTY--MY REFUSAL--IMPERIAL APPROVAL OF MY SERVICES--REALISATION OF PRIZE PROPERTY--TURI a.s.sU SENDS IN ITS ADHESION--MONEY CAPTURED LENT TO THE JUNTA--ITS RETURN TO THE SQUADRON EXPECTED--POSSESSION TAKEN OF PARA--INSURRECTION AT PARA--MISCONDUCT OF THE MARANHAM JUNTA--THEIR PERSECUTION OF THE PORTUGUESE--STEPS IN CONSEQUENCE--MANIFESTATION OF THE NATIONAL DELIGHT--THE MARQUISATE CONFERRED ON ME--VOTE OF THANKS BY THE a.s.sEMBLEA GERAL--MY ARRIVAL AT RIO DE JANEIRO--SATISFACTION WITH MY SERVICES--LADY COCHRANE JOINS ME.

As the province of Para was now the only one which remained under the authority of Portugal, it became of importance to take possession of it, whilst the _prestige_ arising from our acquisition of Maranham was in all its freshness; for we had still no other force than the flagship, which was necessary to maintain order there. In the absence of a Brazilian ship-of-war, I manned the captured brig _Don Miguel_--changing her name to the _Maranha_--and placed her under the command of an able and gallant officer, Captain-Lieutenant (now Admiral) Grenfell, upon whose judicious management every reliance was to be placed.

Captain Grenfell was the bearer of a summons from me to the Junta and garrison of Para, dated off the bar, as though a force were at hand to second his operations. In short, he was instructed to employ the same _ruse_ for intimidating the city as had been so successful at Maranham--the summons as well as the terms to be granted to the Portuguese garrison being similar in both cases. He was further instructed to secure, if possible, the new frigate which had just been launched for the service of Portugal, and if successful, to name her the _Imperatrice_, in honour of the Empress--to take command of her--and after the submission of the city to return to Rio de Janeiro with his prize. The nature of Captain Grenfell's mission will be apparent from the following extracts from the orders given to him:--

The enclosed orders in Portuguese you may show. They purport to be addressed to you at the mouth of the river Para, and to be there dated on board this ship, she being supposed at anchor there; for it is essential to create a belief in the Government at Para that you do not come alone, but that the squadron is at hand ready to cooperate.

You will therefore fill up the date of the Portuguese orders on the day of your arrival at the mouth of the river. You will also fill in the dates of the official letters to the Junta, at the same time, without regard to the delay which may arise, from proceeding up the river.

You will perceive that my intentions are to effect, by your means, objects _which would otherwise require an expedition_, and therefore the utmost prudence and circ.u.mspection are necessary. Next to the liberation of Para, the great object is to secure the frigate. If you succeed in obtaining possession of her, and find yourself deficient in men, you are at liberty to leave the brig for the purpose of manning the frigate. I expect everything from your exertions and good management in bringing about the surrender of Para, with all that is important to His Brazilian Majesty.

To return to the state of affairs at Maranham. One of the first acts of the new Junta--despite their professed admiration of the course I had pursued--was to transmit to me a demand that the property taken from the Portuguese should be placed _at their disposal._ My surprise at such a request from men whom I had unexpectedly released from thraldom, and elevated to power, ceased as I became better acquainted with the factions existing amongst them. Now that they were invested with power, they were evidently bent on turning it to their own private advantage, by representing to me that if I retained the property of Portuguese in Maranham--that of Brazilians in Lisbon, viz. _their own mercantile consignments_--would be confiscated in retaliation, and that, therefore, I ought to restore it!