To PEDRO JOSE DE COSTA BARROS.

Barros strongly remonstrated against this proceeding; but knowing that the machinations of his party had been the direct cause of renewed disorders, I resolved not to give way; telling him that he had only himself to blame, by not having abstained from meddling with public affairs till the arrival of competent authority from His Imperial Majesty.  Accordingly, I insisted on his immediately embarking on board the Cacique, in charge of Captain Manson, for conveyance to Para, to the President of which province I addressed the following letter:—­

   Maranham, 13th March,1825.

   MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

Since I had the honour of writing to your Excellency, Pedro Jose de Costa Barros, who arrived from Ceara with the intention to take upon himself the office of President here—­has unfortunately been the occasion of stirring up old animosities, which I had hoped experience might have taught him the advantage of leaving dormant.  Had Barros been provided with proper authority under the sign manual of His Imperial Majesty, the difficulties that have occurred since his arrival might have been prevented; though I am extremely apprehensive that if ever he shall be invested with such authority, still greater evils will befal the province.  The Portuguese party are in favour of Barros, and have expressed their sentiments unequivocally, and this your Excellency knows is sufficient to raise up the native Brazilians against him.

The Portuguese and some others had combined to place Barros in the Presidency by force, which intention I happily frustrated by arriving in Maranham with a considerable reinforcement from the Pedro Primiero, at midnight—­when the attempt was to have occurred.  To put a stop to proceedings so injurious to the interests of His Imperial Majesty and the public, I have felt it necessary to remove Barros from Maranham until his commission shall arrive, or until His Majesty’s pleasure respecting the appointment of Manoel Telles da Silva Lobo, shall be known.  Barros therefore proceeds in the Cacique (which is the bearer of this) to Para—­where having no pretensions, he will have no partisans, and will be inoffensive.

I have not time, nor would it be of any utility to occupy your Excellency with a minute detail of the affairs of this province, whilst your Excellency has so much to do in that under your immediate superintendence:  I am convinced that in all I have done, I have acted in conformity with the true interests of His Majesty and his people, and am in no degree under any apprehension that the malevolent aspersions of self-interested or disappointed individuals will have the least influence on any candid mind, when a real statement of facts shall be laid before the public.

I shall be gratified if your Excellency attains the satisfaction of preserving the province of Para free from those party dissensions, the danger and inconvenience of which are best known to those who are obliged to be on the watch to counteract them.

   (Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO.