distribution amongst those to whom it belonged—­on this ground alone it scarcely became the Government to raise doubts about its proper application; for they well knew that if it were not distributed, the fact could not be concealed from the officers and men, who would not have submitted quietly to my retention of their money, as has been shamelessly imputed to me.  Not only was the whole disbursed—­but the accounts, as has been stated, were faithfully transmitted to the Brazilian authorities at Rio de Janeiro, as appears by Captain Shepherd’s receipt, adduced in the present volume, and years ago photographed, and transmitted with a memorial to the Brazilian Government, which, nevertheless, on the 28th of April, in the present year, published in its official organ, the Correio Mercantil, a report on the prizes made during the war of independence—­excluding me from a share, on the ground of not having delivered my accounts.  The following is an extract:—­

   (After enumerating the prizes, and estimating their gross value
   at 521,315 dollars—­not one-fourth of the real amount—­the Commission
   goes on to say:—­)

Referring to what has been stated, it appears that the First Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Squadron from its commencement to the conclusion of the war, had a right to his share of all prizes—­and so the Commission has judged in regard to the total value, amounting to the said sum of 521,315 milreis up to the 12th of February, 1824. From that sum, however, must be deducted 200,000 dollars given to the Admiral on account of prize-money for distribution, which it does not appear by any document that he made.  It also appears by the report of the Junta of Maranhao, of the 17th of October, 1825, that the said Admiral received the further sum of 217,659 dollars at different times, there appearing 108,736 dollars under the title of indemnification for prizes made by the squadron in the port of that city, to be divided as such. This division does not seem to have been made.

From this it appears that the said Admiral must be charged as having received the sum of 308,238 dollars on account of prizes to be divided amongst the squadron; with the addition of 40,000 dollars which he received also by decree of the 23rd of February, to be, in like manner, divided amongst those who co-operated in the annexation of the province of Maranhao, and the capture of the frigate Imperatrice—­seeing that there is no evidence that such distribution took place—­thus increasing the sum due to 348,238 dollars, of which the said claimant is bound to give account to the Imperial Government.

   In consequence of the determination of the Regulations let this
   decree be printed and published.

   Rio, April 21, 1858.

   (Signed) JOAQUIM JOSE IGNACIO,
   Chefe de esquadra, President.