for Lisbon, and were too strong to be attacked with success by this ship alone—­for the remainder of the Brazilian squadron had separated in the chase—­I judged it advantageous for the interests of His Imperial Majesty’s service, to discontinue the pursuit, and to proceed, with all possible despatch, to Maranham, where I arrived on the 26th ultimo.

I have the happiness to acquaint you, for the satisfaction of the Imperial government, that Maranham is now united to the Empire, the inhabitants having proclaimed their independence of Portugal on the 28th, and elected their provisional government this day.  I have embarked the Portuguese troops for Europe, and the militia are disarmed.

I have the honour to enclose a copy of the correspondence which has taken place on the occasion, with other papers and documents.  We have found here a fine brig of war—­a schooner—­eight gunboats, and about sixteen sail of Portuguese merchant vessels.  Amongst the other advantages of this important event may be mentioned, that while the expense of an express expedition has been saved, an addition of nearly a million of dollars is made to the revenue of His Imperial Majesty.

I have manned and sent the brig of war to Para, to summon that city—­offering to the enemy the same terms as we have granted here.  The beautiful new frigate, lately launched at Para, has not sailed for Portugal, and I am in expectation that the next account which I shall have the honour to send or bring to your Excellency, will communicate the pleasing intelligence that His Imperial Majesty has no enemy, either on shore or afloat, between the extremities of his empire.

   I have, &c.

   COCHRANE.

   The Minister of Marine.

CHAPTER IV.

CAPT.  GRENFELL SENT TO SUMMON PARA—­THE JUNTA DEMANDS THE PRIZE
PROPERTY—­MY REFUSAL—­IMPERIAL APPROVAL OF MY SERVICES—­REALISATION OF
PRIZE PROPERTY—­TURI ASSU SENDS IN ITS ADHESION—­MONEY CAPTURED LENT TO
THE JUNTA—­ITS RETURN TO THE SQUADRON EXPECTED—­POSSESSION TAKEN OF
PARA—­INSURRECTION AT PARA—­MISCONDUCT OF THE MARANHAM JUNTA—­THEIR
PERSECUTION OF THE PORTUGUESE—­STEPS IN CONSEQUENCE—­MANIFESTATION OF
THE NATIONAL DELIGHT—­THE MARQUISATE CONFERRED ON ME—­VOTE OF THANKS BY
THE ASSEMBLEA GERAL—­MY ARRIVAL AT RIO DE JANEIRO—­SATISFACTION WITH MY
SERVICES—­LADY COCHRANE JOINS ME.

As the province of Para was now the only one which remained under the authority of Portugal, it became of importance to take possession of it, whilst the prestige arising from our acquisition of Maranham was in all its freshness; for we had still no other force than the flagship, which was necessary to maintain order there.  In the absence of a Brazilian ship-of-war, I manned the captured brig Don Miguel—­changing her name to the Maranhao—­and placed her under the command of an able and gallant officer, Captain-Lieutenant (now Admiral) Grenfell, upon whose judicious management every reliance was to be placed.