It is only the Pedro Primiero that is manned with the adventurous foreigners, so that we shall fall upon the 74, and by beating her, decide the business of Brazil.  Our squadron is superior in physical force, having at their head brave officers, with plenty of troops.  It is commanded in chief by an Admiral who has success before him, and who wishes to regain the opinion of the public, so that we may all wait a happy result.

Commerce—­the strong pillar which upholds the Constitutional edifice—­has promised great recompense to the victorious fleet and their chief, and has precious gifts for those who will shew their gratitude to Bahia, and defend their liberty.  Officers who distinguish themselves, will have a medal representing their victory, which will make them known to the citizens of Bahia, who will not be ungrateful.

Citizens of all classes are ready at a moment’s warning to decide the great cause of our liberty, and will measure the greatness of our triumph by the sacrifices made.  Constance, courage, and union, and we shall see the despotic monster raging and tearing himself to pieces.

All we look to, at this moment, is to destroy the Rio squadron.  The usurper who rules in that Capital thinks that, reaching the bar with the squadron of his imaginary Empire, we should be attacked on all sides, and compelled to make a shameful capitulation.  How much you are mistaken—­new-born monster!  We have abundant force at our disposal; but in the meantime we must overthrow the plans of the enterprising Cochrane, and wait the result of maritime prowess.

Notwithstanding that the Portuguese opinion of the Brazilian squadron, as expressed in the official gazette, is couched in terms of contempt, as compared with the efficiency of their own squadron—­yet most inconsistently, they did not venture to attack us.  The fact was, however, most painful to me, being aware of its truthfulness, and I wrote to the Minister of Marine, begging him to enable us to intercept the numerous vessels expected at Bahia, by procuring three fast-sailing American clippers, armed with 18 or 24-pounders, in lieu of the useless schooners with which we were encumbered.  In addition to the professed contempt of the Portuguese authorities for the ships blockading Bahia—­the proclamation in which these expressions were contained, termed His Imperial Majesty a “Turkish despot,”—­his Prime Minister a “tyrannical vizier,” and myself “a coward;” so that I had at least the satisfaction of being maligned in good company.