Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil Volume II Part 7

To this I replied, that the captures made by the flagship were strictly in accordance with the decrees of His Imperial Majesty, no less than with the rights of belligerents as defined by the laws of nations; so that their request was directly opposed to the Imperial decrees against all the subjects of Portugal, as well as against all who should contribute to continue the Brazils under a foreign yoke. The Junta was reminded that it was within my power to have imposed upon the Portuguese authorities whatever terms I thought proper, but having granted those I had judged best for the interests of the empire to which I was bound, I would adhere to the treaty as it stood, and should any attempt be made to evade it, it would be my duty--however painful--to enforce its fulfilment, as being responsible to His Imperial Majesty.

This specimen of patriotism in a body of men who little more than a fortnight before were imprisoned or in expectation of imprisonment, but now--to save their own interests in Lisbon--sought to set His Majesty's decrees and my instructions alike at defiance, inspired me with deep distrust of their fitness for the Government of the province--it being evident that if the flagship quitted the port, they would construe the functions of Government in favour of their own private purposes. I accordingly wrote to the Prime Minister, Andrada, representing the course which had been pursued--concluding with the subjoined advice as to the steps to be taken in order to place the future Government on a right basis:--

I beg, through your Excellency, to suggest most respectfully to His Imperial Majesty my opinion that it would greatly conduce to the peace and prosperity of this province, if some able and honourable person should be sent to take the chief authority; for--with all respect to the individuals composing the new Junta, and to those from whom succeeding Juntas might be chosen--none appear to me to possess either the talents or acquirements necessary for the good government of Maranham. I may also add that family connections, together with private and political friendships, no less than enmities--exist here to a degree which can hardly fail to involve the province in internal dissensions, unless averted by the means which I respectfully suggest.

I had shortly afterwards the pleasure of receiving the following expressions of satisfaction from His Imperial Majesty through the Prime Minister:--

Rio, July 12, 1823.

MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

I have received the secret communications with which you have favoured me, whereby I learn in detail the distinguished conduct which you have pursued since quitting this port, and the various difficulties with which, (to my regret) you have had to contend. These are, however, of such a nature as to be irremediable in our present circ.u.mstances; but let us hope they will vanish when the empire is consolidated.

Meanwhile your Excellency--being no less a politician than a warrior, and enjoying to the utmost the confidence of His Imperial Majesty--is fully empowered to adopt whatever means your judgment may suggest to facilitate the important objects of your commission. On this subject, I also refer to the Imperial authority and other doc.u.ments addressed to you in reply to your communications.

I beg to add my personal thanks for the interesting communications with which you have favoured me, of which I shall avail myself in order to accomplish the objects desired to be effected.

Be a.s.sured of the particular esteem and high consideration with which I am,

De V. Exa.

Attento venerador e criado, JOZE BONIFACIO DE ANDRADA E SILVA.

The Junta continuing its unreasonable demand, the moveable property captured was embarked on board the _Pombinho_, and another vessel--both prizes--for the purpose of being sent to Rio de Janeiro for adjudication. I then directed the Provisional Government to furnish me with an account of all money found in the treasury, customs, military chest, and other departments; also of all military stores in the various forts and magazines and of government property of every description, such property having been wholly awarded to the captors by Imperial decree of the 11th of December, 1822, issued to induce foreign seamen to enter the service.

On the 20th of August the Portuguese troops were ordered to depart for Lisbon--Maranham being thus entirely freed from the presence of the armaments upon which the mother country had relied for the maintenance of her Northern provinces; this result, wholly unexpected by the Imperial Government or the nation, having been accomplished within the s.p.a.ce of a few months, by measures adopted on my own responsibility.

Still numerous vessels and much perishable property taken from the enemy, remained on hand--with which it was difficult to deal. From having manned the captured brig-of-war, _Don Miguel_--as well as the prize vessel, _Pombinho_, from the crew of the flagship, it was not expedient further to reduce her efficiency; so that there were no means of forwarding the other prizes and property to Rio de Janeiro for adjudication. I therefore apprised the Minister of Marine, that the only course circ.u.mstances would permit me to pursue--though not perfectly regular--would be to dispose of them and remit to the Government in specie the amount realised; as, in case of my departure from Maranham, they were certain to be improperly appropriated. Accordingly, an offer was again made to the merchants, to accept two-thirds of their value in specie, and to submit the amount to the further decision of the Court of Admiralty, I little antic.i.p.ating at the time the anti-Imperial predilections of the members composing the prize tribunal at Rio de Janeiro.

The amount of the seizures effected by the squadron was very considerable, comprising upwards of a hundred and twenty vessels, some of which contained important cargoes. The aggregate amount of these--together with merchandise found in the Custom-house--Government and other public property and stores--was several millions of dollars, and this by His Imperial Majesty's decree of the 11th of December, 1822--promulgated to attract foreign seamen into the Brazilian service--was, as before mentioned, the property of the captors; the Imperial Government, by that decree, disclaiming all share in it,--a stipulation afterwards remorselessly violated.

On the 25th of August, the province of Turi a.s.su sent in its adhesion to the Empire, this favourable circ.u.mstance being however counteracted by the arrival of deputies from the troops of Ceara and Piahuy, reporting their revolutionary tendency, and demanding payment for their previous service; the Piahuy troops--consisting for the most part of Indians recruited in the interior--even threatened to march upon Maranham and enforce their demand, although they had rendered no a.s.sistance. The Junta, alarmed at this demonstration, now forwarded to me a request that I would appropriate some portion of the captured property to satisfy the importunity of the mutinous troops.

Considering that the tranquillity of the province in a great measure depended upon silencing these troops--who were not only clamorous and menacing, but in a state of nakedness and dest.i.tution--which rendered it probable that they might help themselves at the expense of the inhabitants--I consented to the application of the Junta, placing at their disposal the monies taken in the Portuguese treasury, amounting in cash to Rs.62.560 $423 (60,560 dollars); that found in the custom-house, to the amount of Rs.54.167 $877 (54,167 dollars); and outstanding bills to the amount of Rs.147.316 $656 (147,316 dollars); making in the whole Rs.264.044 $776 (264,044 dollars): accounts of these sums, and the urgency of their appropriation to the necessities of the public service, being duly forwarded to the Minister of Marine at Rio de Janeiro.

These sums are thus minutely set forth, because it has been erroneously represented that sixty contos of reis alone (60,000 dollars), were given up to the Junta, though reference to the vouchers themselves would have dissipated this error, which will be found to have an important bearing upon a subsequent part of the narrative. It may be also necessary to explain how "outstanding debts" could be owing to the Government.

Contrary to the English practice of paying duties to the revenue, before goods are cleared from the custom-house, it was the habit of the Portuguese authorities to permit their clearance on receipt of bills to be paid after the goods were disposed of; hence merchants became indebted to the Government in the amount of such engagements.

It was impossible to avoid a.s.sisting the Junta, in the extremity alluded to, as the neglected troops might have caused a dangerous _emeute_, which would have proved injurious to the interests of His Imperial Majesty.

The a.s.sistance rendered to the Junta was given at the expense of the officers and seamen, to whom the money of right belonged, and who looked for its repayment as soon as circ.u.mstances would permit. On this subject I wrote as follows to the Minister of Marine:--

Maranham, Aug. 26, 1833.

MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

Since I had the honour of addressing you deputies have arrived from the troops of Ceara and Piahuy soliciting payment for their services.

The provisional Junta of Maranham have requested my a.s.sistance in this object, and as I consider the tranquillity of this province to depend in a great measure on the speedy payment of these forces, I have placed at the disposal of the Junta various funds arising from the capitulation of this place. This will doubtless be considered by the seamen--who are the captors--as an unwarrantable sacrifice of their rights in favour of mutinous troops, who have effected nothing; but feeling confident of support from the Imperial Government on a matter so essential to the public interest, I have had no hesitation in a.s.suring the seamen that they _will not be losers by their captures being, in the first instance, applied to the relief of the immediate exigencies of the State._

(Signed) COCHRANE.

On the 30th of August, I had the satisfaction to learn from Captain Grenfell that his mission to Para had been completely successful, the frigate, together with another vessel of war, having been secured, the former being, by my previous directions, named the _Imperatrice_, and added to the Imperial navy; several merchantmen were also taken and sent to Rio de Janeiro.

The summons despatched by Captain Grenfell was--as has been said--based upon the same _ruse_ as had been so successful at Maranham. In order to produce a more decisive effect, it had been dated off the mouth of the river, as though the squadron was there at anchor to compel submission to the Imperial Government. The plan was so ably conducted by the talented officer to whom it was entrusted, that although his force consisted of less than a hundred men, the inhabitants of Para, without a dissentient voice--save that of the Portuguese commandant--p.r.o.nounced their adhesion to the Government of His Imperial Majesty, and thus a province, greater in extent than France and England combined, was added to the empire, and the independence of Brazil effected to its Northern extremity.

The only blood shed in the liberation of Para, was that of Captain Grenfell, who received a severe wound, treacherously inflicted by a Portuguese who was hired to a.s.sa.s.sinate him! This cowardly act was resorted to, on the discovery--when too late--that I was not in the river, as the Portuguese authorities had been led to believe.

The subjoined is Captain Grenfell's letter announcing the success of his mission:--

H.I.M.B. Maranham,

August 12, 1833. (Off Para.)

MY LORD,

I have the honour to inform your Lordship that your hopes of the union of Para to the empire of Brazil are verified.

Agreeably to your Lordship's instructions, and in virtue of the power conferred on me, I opened the communications with the Junta, and enclose a letter from the General-at-Arms to your Lordship, and am glad to inform you that his is the only dissenting voice. I shall pursue the tenor of your Lordship's instructions until further orders.

I have the honour, &c. &c.

J. PASCOE GRENFELL.

I had directed Captain Grenfell--in case of a declaration of independence by the inhabitants of Para--to form a Junta, and to adopt generally the same course as had been so instrumental in preserving tranquillity at Maranham; giving him, moreover, power to employ the resources at his command in supplying the exigencies of the Imperial service generally, as might be necessary. A Provisional Government was accordingly formed, though not to the satisfaction of a number of refractory persons, who, on the pretence of adhesion to the Imperial Government, connected themselves with a body of undisciplined troops, and made an attempt to depose the newly const.i.tuted Junta, which applied to Captain Grenfell for support. Landing his men, the insurrection was with some difficulty put down; but as an ill feeling still prevailed, he considered it necessary to make an example by ordering the trial of five of the ringleaders, who, being condemned, were shot in the public square.

On the 9th of September, I apprised the Junta of Maranham of my intention to proceed to Para, though--being without instructions from the Administration, I really purposed to sail for Rio de Janeiro; for as the Provisional authority temporarily established was not, by any means conducting public affairs in a satisfactory manner, I thought it as well to keep them in ignorance of our real destination, in order that they should believe me within reach, till the Imperial Government might exercise its own discretion as to the future.

The Junta of Maranham, indeed, appeared to have no other object than to shew how liberty suddenly acquired could degenerate into despotism. It was, for the most part, composed of men, who were not only united by family connections and private friendship, but who were nearly allied, as members of one influential family. No sooner had they been invested with power, than they dismissed all civil and military officers, and filled the vacant situations with their own friends, relations, and dependents, without consideration as to their talents or qualifications, thus equally exciting discontent amongst the Brazilians--who were excluded, and the Portuguese--who were dismissed.

Their chief aim was to maintain themselves in power against the will of the people, who, now that tranquillity had been restored, desired a free and general election of a Const.i.tutional Government throughout the province, in place of that which, of necessity, had been confined to the city only. To put down what they considered disaffection--towards themselves--the Junta brought into the city a large body of irregular troops, intending, by means of these, to gratify their resentment against the resident Portuguese, who, having taken the oaths of allegiance to the Imperial Government, were ent.i.tled to protection. It appeared, moreover, that the Junta and their friends owed large sums of money to some of the more wealthy and influential Portuguese, and that they intended to get rid of their debts, by the expulsion of their creditors.

As it was sufficiently clear that the Junta was determined not to be advised, it became my duty to avert the evils in contemplation, by expediting the change of administration so much desired by the people.

Therefore, on the 12th of September, I transmitted to the Junta, an order for the election of a more comprehensive Government, as they were only intended to remain in power until a general election throughout the province could conveniently take place. Satisfactory as was this measure to the public, it was anything but agreeable to the despotic body, at whose ill-advised measures it was aimed; their resource being to increase the ferment amongst the soldiery brought into the city to uphold their authority, and who--partly from motives of revenge, but more from the hope of plunder--were eager to execute the hostile intentions of the Junta against the Portuguese.

An attempt to arrest the president of the Camara, Senor Luiz Salgado, by the General-at-arms--who had reason to suspect Salgado of intriguing to remove him from office, gave a pretext for disturbance. On the night of the 14th of September, the troops rose and plundered many Portuguese houses, compelling their owners to fly for safety to neutral and other vessels in the harbour. They then deposed the General-at-arms, and chose Salgado in his stead, a proceeding which was next day confirmed by a decree of the Junta, in conjunction with the Camara.

Addressing a letter to Salgado, I firmly refused to acknowledge him as commandant, telling him, at the same time, that his only means of being recognised as a Brazilian citizen, was by allaying the ferment he had contributed to raise. I wrote also to the Junta and Camara, threatening to act in a decisive manner, if these disgraceful scenes were not instantly put an end to, pointing out to them that, as they were the chief proprietors of houses and stores, so they would be the greatest sufferers from anarchy. This step checked the disturbance, but the Junta granted the riotous military a gratuity, levied on the Portuguese who had been attacked. The more respectable of whom soon after quitted Maranham in disgust.

It must, however, be stated that these disorders admitted of some palliation, from the consideration that hundreds of Brazilians had been transported to Lisbon, by the Portuguese authorities, when in power; whilst hundreds of others were on my arrival imprisoned at Maranham, in the gaols and vessels in the harbour. On my entrance into the city, I released numbers of these, and saved many others from impending incarceration.

By the 18th, though tranquillity was restored, I postponed the election of a general provisional Junta till the 20th of October, hoping that before that period, a reply to my earnest entreaties for instructions, would arrive from the Imperial Government. It was for the sake of preserving order during the interval, that I had announced my intention of taking the _Pedro Primiero_ to Para only, well knowing that a belief in her speedy return to Maranham would have a salutary influence in maintaining public peace.

Intelligence of the reduction of Maranham, and the annexation of that province, together with the province of Para, to the empire, was received at Rio de Janeiro with surprise and delight;--surprise, that, in less than six months, without military force, and, in truth, with one ship of war only, so much had been effected--and delight that the Empire was cleared of its enemies without the expense and uncertainty of expeditions which had been calculated on. All Brazilians were eager to vie with each other in the expression of entire satisfaction with my exertions.

His Imperial Majesty was pleased to reward the services rendered, by creating me Marquis of Maranha, as the fittest t.i.tle to commemorate the advantages gained for the empire, at the same time awarding me an estate commensurate with the dignity of the honours conferred; the "a.s.semblea Geral, Const.i.tuente e Legislativa" adding a vote of thanks in the name of the nation. The estate, however, _was never given_, notwithstanding that, at Maranham, and in other of the Northern provinces, numerous fine properties, appertaining to the Portuguese Crown, were added to the Imperial domain. The inconsistency of this was remarkable, seeing that I had been the means of adding to Brazil a territory larger than half Europe--for which service I was warmly thanked by the Emperor, his Ministers, and also by the General a.s.sembly--the latter body, nevertheless, refusing to confirm the gift of even so minute a portion of the vast territory unexpectedly added to the Empire.

The subjoined is the Imperial order, elevating me to the Marquisate:--

His Majesty the Emperor, taking into consideration the great services which your Excellency has just rendered to the nation by a.s.sisting to liberate the city of Bahia from the unjust Lusitanian yoke, and afterwards wisely aiding the honourable inhabitants of the province of Maranham in throwing off the said foreign domination, so that they were enabled, according to their desire, to acknowledge His Majesty as their const.i.tutional Emperor; and desiring to give your Excellency a public testimonial of grat.i.tude for these great and extraordinary services (_per estse altos e extraordinarios servicos_) on behalf of the generous Brazilian people, who will ever preserve a lively remembrance of such ill.u.s.trious acts, I deem it right to confer upon your Excellency the t.i.tle of Marquis of Maranha. My Secretary of State will expedite the necessary patent which I communicate to your Excellency for your information.