Notwithstanding this easy mode of arrangement, solely brought about by my personal influence with the men, not a milrea was allotted, His Majesty’s ministers deliberately evading the Imperial wishes and promises.  On the contrary, the more His Majesty was determined to do the squadron justice the more was the Portuguese faction in the ministry bent on frustrating the Imperial intentions—­notwithstanding that, by the revolutionary proceedings in the North, the integrity of the empire was at stake.  I may indeed go farther and state with great truth, that whilst His Majesty was most anxious for our speedy departure, in order to suppress the revolution at Pernambuco, his ministers were, day by day, addressing to me letters on the most insignificant subjects, with the apparent object of delaying the squadron by official frivolities, the necessity of replying to which would prevent my attention to the fulfilment of the Imperial wish.  The best proof of this is the fact which will be apparent in the course of this chapter, viz.—­that although the province of Pernambuco was in open revolt, the Administration contrived to delay the sailing of the squadron for six months beyond the events just narrated.

On the 24th of February, the following extraordinary portaria was transmitted to me by the Minister of Marine:—­

Desiring to give a further testimony of the high estimation in which the Marquis of Maranhao, First Admiral of the National and Imperial Armada, is held, by reason of the distinguished services which he has rendered to the state, and which it is hoped that he will continue to render for the independence of Brazil, I deem it proper to name him Commander-in-Chief of all the naval forces of the empire during the present war.  The Supreme Military Council is hereby informed thereof, and will cause this decree to be executed.

    Palace of Rio Janeiro, the 23rd of February, 1824.  Third of the
    Independence of the Empire, with the Rubrica of His Imperial
    Majesty.

    FRANCISCO VILLELA BARBOSA,

    Secretariat of State,

    27th February, 1824.

    (Signed) ANASTASIO DE BRITO,

    Acting Chief Secretary.

The audacity of this portaria—­setting aside the stipulations of His Majesty and his late ministers in my commission, thus rendering it null and void without my consent—­was only equalled by its hypocrisy.  As a “further testimony of the high estimation in which I was held,” &c.—­His Majesty’s ministers were graciously pleased to annul my commission, in order that they might get rid of me at a moment’s warning!

The document transmitted to me did not bear the Rubrica of the Emperor, though falsely asserted so to do.  If the reader will take the trouble to compare it with my two commissions, he will agree with me in the inference that it was written by Barbosa without the Emperor’s knowledge or consent, with the object of terminating my command—­the Imperial patents notwithstanding, as will be evident from the expression, “during the present war;” the war being already ended by my expulsion of the Portuguese fleet and army.