Captain Grenfell was the bearer of a summons from me to the Junta and garrison of Para, dated off the bar, as though a force were at hand to second his operations.  In short, he was instructed to employ the same ruse for intimidating the city as had been so successful at Maranham—­the summons as well as the terms to be granted to the Portuguese garrison being similar in both cases.  He was further instructed to secure, if possible, the new frigate which had just been launched for the service of Portugal, and if successful, to name her the Imperatrice, in honour of the Empress—­to take command of her—­and after the submission of the city to return to Rio de Janeiro with his prize.  The nature of Captain Grenfell’s mission will be apparent from the following extracts from the orders given to him:—­

The enclosed orders in Portuguese you may show.  They purport to be addressed to you at the mouth of the river Para, and to be there dated on board this ship, she being supposed at anchor there; for it is essential to create a belief in the Government at Para that you do not come alone, but that the squadron is at hand ready to cooperate.  You will therefore fill up the date of the Portuguese orders on the day of your arrival at the mouth of the river.  You will also fill in the dates of the official letters to the Junta, at the same time, without regard to the delay which may arise, from proceeding up the river.

You will perceive that my intentions are to effect, by your means, objects which would otherwise require an expedition, and therefore the utmost prudence and circumspection are necessary.  Next to the liberation of Para, the great object is to secure the frigate.  If you succeed in obtaining possession of her, and find yourself deficient in men, you are at liberty to leave the brig for the purpose of manning the frigate.  I expect everything from your exertions and good management in bringing about the surrender of Para, with all that is important to His Brazilian Majesty.

To return to the state of affairs at Maranham.  One of the first acts of the new Junta—­despite their professed admiration of the course I had pursued—­was to transmit to me a demand that the property taken from the Portuguese should be placed at their disposal. My surprise at such a request from men whom I had unexpectedly released from thraldom, and elevated to power, ceased as I became better acquainted with the factions existing amongst them.  Now that they were invested with power, they were evidently bent on turning it to their own private advantage, by representing to me that if I retained the property of Portuguese in Maranham—­that of Brazilians in Lisbon, viz. their own mercantile consignments—­would be confiscated in retaliation, and that, therefore, I ought to restore it!