The Minister of Marine affected to be surprised at my want of confidence in the Government, but I explained that this was not the case.  “It was quite possible that a Congress might at any time be convened which would be less liberally inclined than the present ministry, and that acceptance of an appointment so loosely made might afford the admirals placed over me, not only a control over my movements, but an easy and convenient mode of getting rid of me after I had done their work; and this without any imputation of injustice on their proceedings.  The fact, indeed, of a Cortes being about to assemble, and the possibility of their interfering with me, was sufficient to fix my determination to have nothing to do with the command, under any circumstances, save those set forth in the tender made to me by command of His Majesty.”

To this the Minister replied, that, “if I could be thus dismissed, the Government must likewise fall—­because to suppose that a popular assembly could dictate to His Majesty in such a case was to suppose the Government no longer in existence.”

I then frankly told the Minister, that “my experience as a naval officer—­founded upon many years’ practical observation, had taught me that, in engagements of this nature, it was necessary to be clear and explicit in every arrangement.  I did not mean to insinuate anything disrespectful to the ministers of His Brazilian Majesty, but knowing that a Senate was about to assemble, and having reason to believe that a majority of the members might differ from the ministerial views, and might—­when the work was done—­take a fancy to see the squadron commanded by one of their own countrymen—­a step which would leave me no alternative but to quit the service—­it was much better for all parties to put our mutual engagements on a firm basis.”

The Minister continued to argue the point, but finding argument of no avail in altering my determination, he insinuated—­though not stating as much in positive terms—­that he had no prospect of any arrangement being effected regarding my rank other than that which had been tendered.

Determined to be no longer trifled with—­on the following morning I waited on the Prime Minister, Bonifacio de Andrada, whom I found in high dudgeon at what he termed the unreasonableness of my demands; stating, moreover, that the Consul at Buenos Ayres had exceeded his authority by writing me a bombastic letter, though but a few days before, Andrada not only expressed his entire concurrence in its contents, but stated that the letter had been written through his influence with the Emperor!