Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 306 pages of information about Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil,.

Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 306 pages of information about Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil,.

CHAPTER XIV.

PROCLAMATION FOR PAYMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEN—­LOG EXTRACTS IN PROOF THEREOF—­THE SUM GIVEN UP TO THE SQUADRON DISBURSED—­DENIAL THEREOF BY THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT—­THOUGH MADE TO SERVE AS ADVANCE OF WAGES—­THE AMOUNT RECEIVED AT MARANHAM FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR—­BY THE RECEIPTS OF THE OFFICERS—­OFFICERS’ RECEIPTS—­EXTRACTS FROM LOG IN FURTHER CORROBORATION—­UP TO MY ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND—­ALL OUR PRIZES MONOPOLIZED BY BRAZIL—­THE CONDUCT OF THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT UNJUSTIFIABLE.

The whole dispute raised by the Brazilian Administration as a pretext for evading my claims, has been—­as the reader is now aware—­about the sum of 200,000 dollars, given out of the proceeds of our own captures, which cost nothing to the Government; but were made to serve as a substitute for the usual advance of wages! Also about 40,000 dollars ordered by His Imperial Majesty as compensation for the Imperatrice frigate, captured by Captain Grenfell at Para—­but never paid, and therefore never accounted for.  Finally, with regard to 106,000 dollars reimbursed by the authorities of Maranham, as a compromise for four times the amount generously surrendered by the squadron to the necessities of the province in 1823—­on promise of repayment.  As regards the whole of the sums, it is alleged that I never furnished accounts of their expenditure, and therefore they are charged against me, as though not expended at all.

For the disbursement of the first item of 200,000 dollars, I have already stated sufficient to satisfy any reasonable person.  The accounts set forth at page 169, shews that a balance remained in hand from the 200,000 dollars put on board at Rio de Janeiro, of 39,538 dollars.  I shall now state what became of this sum.  And first let me adduce the following proclamation:—­

   By His Excellency the Marquis of Maranhao, First Admiral, &c. &c.

   WHEREAS, many officers and seamen are here employed who were
   not present, last year, at the capitulation of the hostile authorities,
   and seizure of Portuguese funds and property at Maranhao;

And whereas it is condusive to the interests of His Imperial Majesty, that all those officers and seamen who have now contributed to the restoration of tranquillity, good order, and obedience to His Imperial Majesty, shall receive encouragement and reward;

   It is hereby directed that three months additional pay shall,
   without deduction, be distributed as a gratuity to the said officers
   and men.

   Given under my hand, this 8th day
   of February, 1825,

   COCHRANE AND MARANHAO.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.