As the merchant brig, Colonel Allen, which had conveyed us from Chili, was still with us, and as she might be made useful in looking after the prizes, I adopted her into the Brazilian navy under the name of the Bahia, appointing her master, Captain Haydon, to the rank of captain-lieutenant.

Whilst the Portuguese were passing out, I wrote and despatched by the Liberal schooner, the following letter to the Minister of Marine at Rio de Janeiro:—­

   Pedro Primiero, off Bahia,
   July 2nd, 1833.

   MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Excellency that the enemy’s squadron have this day evacuated Bahia, their resources by sea being no longer available.  Their ships of war, consisting of thirteen sail of different sizes, and many large merchantmen filled with troops, are now standing out of the bay.  It is my intention to pursue them as long as it shall appear beneficial so to do.  This ship and the Maria de Gloria are the only two in sight of the enemy, the Carolina having been obliged to return to the Moro, in consequence of having lost a topmast, and the Nitherohy not having joined.  I hope in my next to be able to give you some account of the ulterior objects the enemy have in view, which, whatever they may be, I shall endeavour to frustrate.

   (Signed) COCHRANE.

To the commanders of the other ships, I sent the following order on their joining the pursuit:—­

It being improper to weaken the squadron, and impossible to officer and man the vessels which may fall into our hands, you are to adopt the following plan to secure them, viz. to send with the boats crews which board the enemy’s vessels a sufficient number of crowbars, for the purpose of breaking up their water casks, leaving only water enough to carry them, on short allowance, into Bahia, to which port you are to order them immediately to return.

   Their papers being essential to the justification of this or any
   other hostile act, the boarding officer will take especial care to
   secure them.

   COCHRANE.

In addition to this, the masts of all troopships which might be boarded, were directed to be so far cut away as to prevent their escape—­a written order instructing them to return forthwith to Bahia, on pain of being treated with great severity if found on any other course.  Singular as the order may appear, it was in most cases obeyed, and thus the captured vessels navigated themselves into our hands.

The Portuguese squadron consisted of Don Joao, 74; Constitucao,50; Perola, 44; Princeza Real,28; Calypso, 22; Regeneracao, 26; Activa, 22; Dez de Fevereiro, 26; Audaz, 20; S.  Gaulter, 26; Principe do Brazil, 26; Restauracao, 26; Canceicao, 8; with between sixty and seventy merchant vessels and transports filled with troops.