Setting aside all Ministerial interposition, I received His Majesty’s orders to repair at once to the palace, to decide on the best plan of meeting these revolutionary manifestations.  My advice was—­at once to put them down with a strong hand; but I called His Majesty’s attention to the ministerial contempt of his orders to satisfy the seamen, and the consequent hopeless condition of the squadron—­abandoned because no assurance had been given that past services would be rewarded by the adjudication of the prizes—­against which adjudication the tribunal resolutely set their faces, or, what was worse, unwarrantably disposed of the property entrusted to them for adjudication.

His Majesty was greatly annoyed at learning the continuance and extent of the vexatious opposition to his wishes; but, begging me not to be influenced by the injustice committed, strongly urged the necessity of my using every endeavour for immediate action,—­I at once pointed out to His Majesty that the only way to accomplish this was, to restore confidence to the men by maintaining public faith with the officers and seamen, giving compensation—­at least in part—­of their prize money, with recognition of their claims to the remainder.

Still nothing was done, until, becoming tired of the harassing circumstances in which I was placed, I made up my mind to a last effort, which, if unsuccessful, should be followed by my resignation of the command, even though it might involve the loss of all that which was due to me.  Accordingly, I addressed to His Majesty a letter from which the following are extracts:—­

The time has at length arrived when it is impossible to doubt that the influence which the Portuguese faction has so long exerted, with the view of depriving the officers and seamen of their stipulated rights, has succeeded in its object, and has even prevailed against the expressed wishes and intentions of Your Majesty in person.

   (Here follows a recapitulation of injuries and annoyances with
   which the reader is familiar):—­

The determined perseverance in a course so opposed to justice, by those members and adherents of the Portuguese faction, whose influence prevails in the ministry and council, and more especially the proceedings of those individuals of that faction, who compose the naval tribunals, must come to an end.

The general discontent which prevails in the squadron has rendered the situation in which I am placed one of the most embarrassing description; for though few may be aware that my own cause of complaint is equal to theirs, many cannot perceive the consistency of my patient continuation in the service, with disapprobation of the measures pursued.  Even the honours which Your Majesty has been pleased to bestow upon me, are deemed by most of the officers, and by the whole of the men—­who know not the assiduity with which I have persevered in earnest but unavailing remonstrance—­as