A greater evil is, that this ship is one hundred and twenty seamen short of her complement and three hundred short of what I should consider an efficient crew, whilst the bad quality and ignorance of the landsmen, makes the task of managing her in action no easy matter, the incessant bawling going on rendering the voices of the officers inaudible.  Had this ship yesterday been manned and equipped as she ought to have been, and free from the disadvantages stated, there is no doubt whatever in my mind, but, that singly, we could have dismantled half the ships of the enemy.

On the whole, Sir, you must perceive that I have not been supplied with any of those facilities which I requested to be placed in my hands.  I am, however, aware of the difficulties under which a new Government labours, and am ready to do all in my power under any circumstances.  What I have to request of you is, that you will do me the justice to feel that the predicament in which I am now placed, is somewhat analogous to your own, and that if I cannot accomplish all I wish, the deficiency arises from causes beyond my control; but I entreat you to let me have—­at least this ship—­ well manned, and I will answer for her rendering more efficient service than the whole squadron besides—­constituted as it now is.

You will perceive by my public despatch addressed to the Minister of Marine, that although we passed through the enemy’s line, and, I may add, actually brushed the nearest vessel, which we cut off—­yet nothing really useful was effected, notwithstanding that the vessel we touched ought to have been sunk, and those separated to have been dismantled or destroyed.  I am quite vexed at the result—­which was such, however, as might have been expected from the bad manning of the squadron.

I have determined to proceed forthwith to the Moro San Paulo, and to leave there the ill-sailing vessels.  I intend to remove all the effective officers and seamen from the Piranga and Nitherohy, into this ship, and with her alone, or attended only by the Maria de Gloria, to proceed to Bahia, to reconnoitre the situation of the enemy at their anchorage, and obtain the information requisite to enable me to enter on more effectual operations.

   I have the honour, &c.

   COCHRANE.

   Ill.  Exmo.  Senor JOSE BONIFACIO D’ANDRADE Y SILVA,
   Ministro e Secretario d’Estado.

A rigorous blockade was nevertheless established, in spite of our deficiencies or the efforts made to raise or evade it—­though the enemy were bold in reliance upon their numbers, and none the less so, perhaps, from considering our recent failure a defeat.  They did not, however, venture to attack us, nor were we yet in a condition to meddle further with them.