Extremely annoyed at this failure, arising from non-fulfilment of orders, and finding, from experience on the voyage, that we had been hurried to sea, without consideration as to the materials of which the squadron was composed, a rigid inquiry was instituted, which gave me such cogent reasons for losing all confidence in it, that on the day following I considered it expedient to address the following letter to the Prime Minister, Andrada, pointing out that if prompt steps were not taken to add to our strength, by providing more efficient crews, the result might be to compromise the interests of the empire, no less than the character of the officers commanding.

   (Secret) H.I.M.S. Pedro Primiero, at Sea,

   May 5, 1823. 
   MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR,

Availing myself of your permission to address you upon points of a particular nature, and referring you to my public despatches to the Minister of Marine, I beg leave to add that it was not only unfavourable winds which retarded our progress, but the extreme bad sailing of the Piranga and Liberal.  Neither these ships nor the Nitherohy, which sails equally ill, are adapted to the purposes to be effected, as from their slowness, the enemy has an opportunity to force an action under any circumstances, however disadvantageous to this undisciplined squadron.  The Real is no better, and her total uselessness as a ship of war, has determined me to prepare her as a fireship, there appearing no probability of the others joining.

From the defective sailing and manning of the squadron it seems, indeed, to me, that the Pedro Primiero is the only one that can assail an enemy’s ship of war, or act in the face of a superior force, so as not to compromise the interests of the empire and the character of the officers commanding.  Even this ship—­in common-with the rest—­is so ill-equipped as to be much less efficient than she otherwise would be.

   This letter, you will observe, is not intended to meet the public
   eye, but merely to put the Government in possession of facts
   necessary for its information.

Our cartridges are all unfit for service, and I have been obliged to cut up every flag and ensign that could be spared, to render them serviceable, so as to prevent the men’s arms being blown off whilst working the guns, and also to prevent the constant necessity of sponging, &c. which, from the time it consumes, diminishes the effective force of the ships fully one half.

   The guns are without locks—­which they ought to have had in
   order to their being efficient.

   The sails of this ship are all rotten—­the light and baffling airs on
   our way hither, having beaten one set to pieces, and the others
   are hourly giving way to the slightest breeze of wind.