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 ILLUSTRIOUS SIR,

Your Excellency will perceive by the official documents 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 circumstances 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 anticipated, 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 document:—­

   Pedro Primiero, Aug. 8, 1823.

   MOST ILLUSTRIOUS 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 latitude 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