Preface
The first of these volumes forms a history of the consolidation of
Chilian independence, and of the subsequent liberation of
Peru--through the instrumentality of the Chilian squadron under my
command; a service which called forth from the Governments and
people of the liberated states the warmest expressions of gratitude
to the naval service collectively, and to myself personally, as
having planned and conducted the operations whereby these results
were attained.
It records also the strangely
inconsistent fact that--beyond these marks of national
approbation--neither Chili nor Peru ever awarded to the squadron or
myself any more substantial reward--though, in a pecuniary sense,
deeply indebted to us; for, during the greater portion of the war of
independence, the subsistence of the crews, and the repairs and
equipment of the Chilian squadron were solely provided for by our
own exertions, without cost to the Government; since, in addition to
the capture of Spanish ships-of-war and merchant vessels--money,
provisions, and stores to a great extent fell into our hands; all of
which--though our own stipulated right--were voluntarily devoted to
state exigencies, in the full conviction that, at the expiration of
the war, the value of our sacrifices would, as a point of national
honour, be returned to us by Chili. As regards Peru, our still
unpaid for captures of ships-of-war formed her first naval force,
for which the only requital has been, a vote of her first National
Assembly--almost its inaugural act--ascribing to me the double
praise of her liberation from the Spanish yoke, and of her
subsequent deliverance from an intolerable military tyranny.
The volume contains another point, which forms a yet stranger sequel
to my services on the Western shores of South America. After the
expiration of thirty years, Chili granted me the absurdly inadequate
sum of L.6,000 in full of all my claims! And this, with the
knowledge that, after my return to England I was involved in
litigation on account of the legal seizure of vessels under the
orders of her former Government--by which I was subjected to a loss,
directly and indirectly, of more than three times the amount. The
Chilian portion of this history, therefore, resolves itself into the
fact, that not only did I reap no reward whatever, for the
liberation of Chili and Peru, but that the independence of both
countries was achieved at a heavy pecuniary sacrifice to myself! in
compensation for which, as well as for my recognised services--Chili
has thought its national honour sufficiently vindicated by allotting
me one-third of my losses only, without other compensation of any
kind! I regret to add, that my necessities at the time, arising for
the most part from the pecuniary difficulties to which I had been
subjected on Chilian account, compelled me to accept the amount
tendered.
The second volume is of a character
somewhat similar. It narrates the circumstances under which--by
promises the most inviting, and stipulations the most binding--I was
induced to accept the command, or rather organization of the first
Brazilian navy. It details the complete expulsion of all Portuguese
armaments, naval and military, from the Eastern shores of the South
American Continent, by the squadron alone, wholly unaided by
military co-operation; in the course of which arduous service, ships
of war, merchant vessels, and valuable property to the extent of
several millions of dollars were captured under the Imperial order,
and their value--in spite of previous stipulations--refused to the
captors, on the falsely assumed ground that the provinces liberated
were Brazilian--though a Brazilian military force had been recently
beaten in an attempt to expel the Portuguese--and though these
provinces were, at the period of my assuming the command, in the
uninterrupted occupation of the very Portuguese fleets and armies
afterwards expelled, it was falsely pretended that the property
captured was not enemy's property--though expressly described as
such in numerous Imperial decrees--and more especially by the
instructions given to me by His Imperial Majesty to seize or destroy
it wherever found.
It was, in short, subsequently
decided by a Court of Admiralty--for the most part composed of
Portuguese members, acting under the influence of a Portuguese
faction in the Administration--that neither myself nor the squadron
were entitled to the prizes made--though most inconsistently, the
same tribunal condemned the ships of war taken--as "droits" to the
crown--for which, compensation was awarded to the squadron by His
Imperial Majesty, but never paid by the ministers to whom the order
was directed.
Not to anticipate the contents of
the volume devoted to Brazilian affairs. It being found after the
expulsion of the enemy, that the stipulations made with myself were
too binding to be easily set aside, several futile attempts were
made to evade them, but this being found impossible, the unworthy
expedient was resorted to of summarily dismissing me from the
service, after the establishment of peace with Portugal--an event
entirely consequent on my individual services. By this expedient--of
the rectitude or otherwise of which the reader will be able to judge
from the documentary evidence laid before him--I was got rid of
without compensation for my claims, which for thirty years were
altogether repudiated; but, at the expiration of that period, fully
recognised as having been due from the beginning! The Brazilian
Government, however, satisfied its own sense of justice by awarding
me less than one-half the simple interest of the amount stipulated
in my patents; thus retaining the whole of the principal admitted to
be due.
The preceding remarks form a synopsis of
my career on both sides of the continent of South America; the
narrative, where dispute might arise, being carefully founded on,
and in all cases accompanied by documentary evidence, which admits
neither dispute nor contradiction.
The trifling
amount awarded by Chili, would probably not have been granted at
all, but for the earnest remonstrance of Lord Palmerston, warmly
seconded by the efforts of the Hon. Mr. Jerningham, British Minister
to the Chilian Republic, by whose joint exertions the Government was
induced to admit--that national honour was involved in fulfilling
national obligations; though an infinitesimal view of either the one
or the other was certainly taken when awarding me the insignificant
sum previously mentioned.
In Brazil the case was
somewhat different. It is to His present Imperial Majesty, Don Pedro
II. that I owe any investigation of my claims, by the appointment of
a Commission (Seccoes), which reported that they ought never to have
been withheld, as being my stipulated right. But even the limited
amount awarded in consequence of this decision, was on the point of
being further diminished one half by its projected payment in a
depreciated currency--and, had it not been for the intervention of
Lord Clarendon, and of the Hon. Mr. Scarlett, British Minister at
Rio de Janeiro, of whose zealous exertions in my favour I cannot
speak too warmly--this further injustice would have been perpetrated
without the knowledge or sanction of His present Imperial Majesty.
It may be asked, why--with the clear documentary evidence in my
possession--and now adduced--I have for so many years endured an
amount of obloquy and injustice, which might at any time have been
set aside by its publication? The reply is obvious. The withholding
of my claims by the Governments of both sides the South American
Continent, and the ruinous expense to which I was put on account of
Chili, entailed upon me many years of pecuniary difficulty. To have
told even the truth--unbacked as I then was, by the British
Government--would have been to have all my claims set at defiance,
so that compulsory discretion was a sufficient reason for my
silence. It was long before I could induce a British Minister to
satisfy himself of the rectitude of my conduct--the soundness of my
claims--or the dishonesty of those who, believing me to be
powerless, laughed at reiterated demands for my stipulated rights.
Yet more I have never sought from those to whom I gave liberty and
dominion.
There is, however, a reason for the
present publication, of which I have never lost sight. Amidst all
the injustice which it has been my lot to sustain, I have ever
determined--for the sake of my family--to whom my character is an
heir-loom--that no obloquy shall follow me to the grave, for none
have I merited. On the day these volumes see the light, this
resolution will be partially fulfilled. On that day I shall have
completed the eighty-third year of a career strangely chequered, yet
not undistinguished; and, therefore, the opinions of either Chilians
or Brazilians are now of small moment to me in comparison with a
reputation which has been demmed worthy of belonging to history.
None of the present ruling powers in either Chili or Brazil can
possibly be offended with me for giving a guardedly temperate
documentary narrative of what must hereafter form the basis of their
national annals. I do not for a moment contemplate that men of
enlightened views such as now direct the affairs of both countries
have either part or sympathy with self-interested adventurers who in
popular revolutions too often rise to the surface, and for a time
make confusion worse confounded; till replaced--as a matter of
course, no less than by necessity--by men of greater grasp of mind
and more exalted aspirations.
But this is as it
maybe--my reputation as a British seaman is to me of the highest
moment, and it shall not be sullied after my death by the aspersions
of those who wilfully revenged the thwarting of their anti-Imperial
designs, by imputations which can alone enter into the minds of men
devoid of generous impulses and therefore incapable of appreciating
higher motives. I have not followed their example, but where it is
necessary to bring forward such persons--they will be viewed through
the medium of their own documents, which are incontestible and
irresistible, and which would as easily convict me of untruth as
they convict my maligners of practices unworthy the honour of a
nation.
To my own countrymen these volumes can
scarcely be matter of indifference; though, perhaps, few reflect
that the numerous fleets of British merchantmen which now frequent
both shores of South America, are the consequence of the deliverance
of these vast territories from an exclusive colonial yoke. It is
true that England had previously formed a treaty with Portugal,
permitting English vessels to trade to her South American Colonies,
but such was the influence of Portuguese merchants with the local
governments, that it was nearly inoperative; so that, practically,
the Portuguese were in the exclusive possession of that commerce
which my expulsion of the fleet and army of the mother country
unreservedly threw open to British enterprise. The same, even in a
higher degree, may be said with regard to Chili and Peru.
Yet, scarcely had my mission to Chili become known, than the
influence of Spain induced the British Ministry to pass a "Foreign
Enlistment Act," the penal clauses of which were evidently aimed at
me, for having entered into the service of unacknowledged
governments without permission--though I had shortly before been
most unjustly driven from the service of my native country.
In blind animosity towards me, my former English persecutors failed
to perceive the advantage to British commerce, of freeing both sides
of South America from lingering war and internal dissension. An
amusing instance of this occurred on my return to England. Having
occasion to wait upon the then Attorney-General relative to a patent
which I had in hand, he brusquely inquired "whether I was not afraid
to appear before him?" On my replying that "I was not aware of
having reason to fear appearing in the presence of any man," he told
me the question had been officially put to him, whether I could be
punished under the "Foreign Enlistment Act," for the part I had
taken in the liberation of Chili, Peru, and Brazil? To this I
replied, that "if Government was indiscreet enough further to
persecute me for having thrown open to British commerce the largest
field for enterprise of modern times, they could take what steps
they chose, for that I, having accepted service in South America
before the passing of the Act, was not afraid of the consequences of
having infringed its provisions." It is almost needless to say that
no such prosecution was instituted, though the will was good,
despite the national benefits conferred.
I will
not enter farther into the subject in a preface to volumes which
themselves form only a summary of events in which I was a principal
actor, but at the same time, one, which I hope will prove
satisfactory and decisive. It would have been easy to have dilated
the narrative, but my object is solely to leave behind me a faithful
record of events which must one day become history, and there is no
history like documentary history.
To those high
personages who have advocated my cause with other nations, the
present volume will give satisfaction, as affording additional proof
that their advocacy rested upon no visionary basis. To the members
of the press, who have adopted the same views, this exposition will
be equally satisfactory. To all these I owe the thanks of
recognising in me, a love for that service, from which--for a time I
was unjustly expelled. It is my intention, if God spare my life, to
add to these Memoirs a narrative of my former experience in the
British navy, and, what may be of greater utility, an exposition of
that which, from jealousy and other causes no less unworthy, I was
not permitted to effect. To these I shall add a few remarks upon my
connexion with the liberation of Greece, developing some remarkable
facts, which have as yet escaped the notice of historians. These
reminiscences of the past will, at least, be instructive to future
generations and if any remarks of mine will conduce to the permanent
greatness and security of my country, I shall deem the residue of my
life well spent in recording them.
At my advanced
age, such a task as that now partially executed, would, perhaps,
have presented insuperable difficulties, but for the assistance
rendered me by Mr. Earp, who, with great perseverance, has
unravelled--what, in the lapse of time, had become the almost
inextricable confusion of my papers. That, however, has, with his
assistance, been accomplished in such a way as to base upon original
documents every incident contained in the work--the more important
of these documents being adduced, so as to admit of neither doubt
nor question. The same course will be pursued in the forthcoming
English portion of my career, with a result, I trust, equally clear
and convincing.
DUNDONALD.
Contents - Volume I
Chapter I.
Invitation to take command of
Chilian Navy--Arrival at Valparaiso--First expedition to Peru--Attack on Spanish shipping at
Callao--Departure for
Huacho--Capture of Spanish convoys of money--Paita taken--Return to Valparaiso to reorganise the squadron--Offer to
give up my share of
prize money to the Republic--This offer declined by the Supreme Director--Popular congratulations--Attempt on Lady
Cochrane's life.
Chapter II.
Second expedition to
Peru--Disappointment at not being provided with troops--Failure of rockets--Departure for
Arica--Capture of Pisco--Capture
of Spanish ships at Puna--Determine to make an attempt on Valdivia--Arrival off that port, and capture of
Spanish brig of war Potrillo--Troops
obtained from Conception--Flag-ship nearly wrecked--Attack on forts, and conquest of
Valdivia.
Chapter III.
Departure for
Chiloe--Preparations of the enemy--Capture of Fort Corona--Failure at Fort Aguy, and subsequent
retreat--Return to
Valdivia--Capture of Osorio--Return to Valparaiso--Enthusiastic reception--Chagrin of the ministry--Importance of
conquest of Valdivia in
a political point of view--Promotion of officers under arrest--Employment of Indians by the
Spaniards--Career of
Benavides--Mutinous spirit of the seamen in consequence of their captures being appropriated by
Government--Resignation of my commission--Refusal thereof--Renewed offer of an
estate--This again
declined--Seamen obtain their wages--Private purchase of an estate--Government gives notice of taking
it--Appointment of flag
captain against my wishes--Annoyance given to me by Minister of Marine--Renewed resignation of the
command--Officers of the squadron resign in a body--Government begs of me to retain
the command--My
consent--General San Martin--The Senate--Zenteno--Corruption of parties in the Administration.
Chapter IV.
Obstacles to equipping the
squadron--Sailing of the liberating expedition--Debarcation at Pisco--Long inaction of
the army--General San
Martin removes to Ancon--Capture of the Esmeralda--Exchange of prisoners--Acknowledgment of the service by
General San Martin--Lady Cochrane's visit to Mendoza.
Chapter V.
San Martin's violation, of
truth--Removal of blockade--Spanish depression--Troops dying of fever--San Martin's
designs on
Guayaquil--Mutinous conduct of officers--Refusal to obey orders--Deposition of Viceroy--San Martin gives me
troops--Jealousy of San
Martin--Attack on Arica--Capture of Tacna--Capture of Moquega--Refusal of more men--an armistice
ratified--Distress of
Lima--Dissatisfaction of the army--Lady Cochrane in action--Devotion of seamen.
Chapter VI.
Return to Callao--Lima
abandoned--Hesitation of General San Martin to occupy the City--Loss of the San
Martin--Excesses of the Spaniards--Proclamation of independence--San
Martin assumes autocratic power under the title of Protector--My
remonstrance--His reply--Mutinous state of the squadron from neglect.
Chapter VII.
Tampering with Chilian
officers--The Archbishop of Lima--His expulsion--Negociation for surrender of the
Forts--This
counteracted--San Martin's bombastic Proclamations--His refusal to encounter the enemy--The Spaniards relieve
Callao--Delusive
proclamation--The unblushing falsehood--Spaniards carry off the treasure--Discontent of the squadron.
Chapter VIII.
Prolonged destitution of
squadron--The men mutiny in a body--The seamen's letters--San Martin sends away the public
treasure--My seizure of
it--Private property restored--San Martin's accusations against me--The squadron paid wages--Attempt on the
officers' fidelity--I am asked to desert from Chili--Ordered to quit on
refusal--Monteagudo's
letter--My reply--Justification of seizing the treasure--- No other course possible.
Chapter IX.
Arrival at Guayaquil--Address
to Guayaquilenos--Injurious monopolies--Ministerial folly--Departure from
Guayaquil--Arrival in
Mexico--Anchor at Acapulco--Mock Ambassadors--Plot against me--Return to Guayaquil--Venganza taken possession of--Agreement
with Junta--General La
Mar--Orders to withhold supplies--Abominable cruelty--Courtly splendour--Destruction of a division of the
Army--Dissatisfaction of officers--Renewed overtures from San Martin--Their
refusal by me--Warning
to the Chilian Government.
Chapter X.
Return to Valparaiso--Thanks
of the Government--Reasons for satisfaction--Illegitimate trade--Turned to good
account--Denunciation of
Officers deserted--Investigation of accounts--San Martin's charges against me--My refutation--Government refuses its
publication--Cruelty to
Spanish prisoners--Retirement to Quintero--Political fruits of our success--Destitute condition of squadron--Infamous
attempt to promote
dissatisfaction therein--Object of this course--Steps taken to defeat it--Disavowed by the Minister--Sympathy of
officers--Attempt to get rid of Gen. Freire--Its eventual result--Letter of the
Captains.
Chapter XI.
Negociations with
Bolivar--Exile of Monteagudo--Complaints of the Limenos--Extravagance of the
Government--Exculpation of San Martin--Effects of popular
dissension--Disagreement of Bolivar and San Martin--Vote of Peruvian Congress--Extraordinary
neglect of the Chilian
Squadron--San Martin's arrival at Valparaiso--I demand his trial--Countenance of the Supreme
Director--Squadron at length paid wages--Revolt of Conception--General Freire
apprises me of it--Freire asks for my support--His letter not replied
to--San Martin's influence.
Chapter XII.
The squadron taken from me--I
accept invitation from Brazil--Letter to the Supreme Director--San Martin quits Chili--His
prudence--Opinion of his
Aide-de Camp--Ministerial neglect--Permission to quit Chili--Letter to General Freire--For the first time made
public--Letter to the
Captains and Officers--To the Chilian people--To the foreign merchants--To the President of Peru--San Martin
actuated by
revenge--This shewn from his letters.
Chapter XIII.
Freire marches on
Valparaiso--Elected Supreme Director--He begs of me to return--My reply--Subsequent letter to General
Freire.
Chapter XIV.
Injustice to the
squadron--Inconsistency of this--Estate taken from me--My losses by litigation--Endeavours to enforce
my claims--Petty excuses
for evading them--I am charged with expenses of the Army--And with costs for making legal captures--My conduct
approved at the time---Ministerial approbation--Paltry compensation at length
given--Ministerial
corruption--Proved by San Martin--Cause of official animosity to me--Conclusion.
Appendix
Contents - Volume II
Chapter I.
Brazilian and Portuguese factions--Don Pedro ordered to quit
Brazil--Appointed "Perpetual Protector"--Proclaimed Emperor of
Brazil--Efforts to obtain foreign officers and seamen--The naval command
offered to me--Acceptation thereof--Arrival at Rio de Janeiro--Visit of
inspection to the squadron--Condition of the vessels--Inferiority of
seamen--Imperial affability--Attempt to evade the terms offered me--This
failing, to reduce the value of my pay--Pretended commission
conferred--And refused--The point argued--I decline the command--The
Prime Minister gives in--Explanatory Portaria--Formal commission--Orders
to blockade Bahia--Portuguese faction--Averse to me from the outset.
Chapter II.
Attempt to cut off the enemy's
ships--Disobedience to orders--Letter to the Prime
Minister--Worthlessness of the men--Their treachery--Blockade
established--Equipment of fireships--Enemy's supplies cut
off--Portuguese untrustworthy--Demonstrations of the enemy--His
pretended contempt for us--The enemy returns to port--Their
consternation at the fireships--Portuguese contemplate attacking
us--Flagship reconnoitres enemy at anchor--Excessive alarm at my
nocturnal visit--Proclamation of the Commandant--Consternation in the
city--The authorities decide on evacuating Bahia--Instructions to the
Brazilian Captains--Warnings addressed to the authorities--Enemy quits
Bahia--Readiness for chase--Numbers of the enemy--Capture of the
Convoy--Prizes disabled--Attempt of troops to escape--Prizes sent to
Pernambuco--Pursuit discontinued--Reasons for going to Maranham--Reasons
for not taking more prizes--Advantages to the Empire.
Chapter III.
Capture of the Don Miguel--Summons
to the authorities--Reasons for threats held out--Proposals for
capitulation--Proclamations--Terms granted to Portuguese
garrison--Declaration of Independence--Portuguese troops ordered to
embark--Symptoms of disobeying the order--Delight of the people on
becoming free--Election of a Provisional Government--Letters to the
Minister of Marine.
Chapter IV.
Captain 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.
Chapter
V.
First effort to curtail the Imperial power--Portuguese
intrigue--Dismissal of the Andradas--The Assembly dissolved by
force--Exile of the Andradas--Letter to his Imperial Majesty--My advice
partly adopted--and causes ministerial enmity towards me--Ratification
of my patent--I demand the adjudication of prizes--Letter to the
Minister of Marine--Offer of personal advantage to foreign
claims--Squadron remained unpaid--I am appointed a Privy Councillor--The
prize vessels plundered--Shameful treatment of Captain
Grenfell--Troubles in Pernambuco--Hostility of the Prize
Tribunal--Condemns me to the restitution of prizes--Forbids making any
capture at all.
Chapter VI.
Remonstrance against decree of Prize Tribunal--Settlement of prize
question by the Emperor--His Ministers refuse to conform to
it--Obstacles thrown in the way of equipment--My services limited to the
duration of war--My remonstrance on this breach of faith--Ministers
refuse to pay the squadron anything--A fresh insult offered to me--Offer
to resign the command--My resignation evaded--Letter to the Prime
Minister--Letter to the Minister of Marine.
Chapter VII.
Ministerial malignity towards
me--Dangers in Pernambuco--Portuguese threats--My advice
thereon--Failure in Manning the squadron--Plot formed to search the
flagship--Timely warning thereon--I demand his Majesty's
interference--Which was promptly granted--Protest against prize
decisions--My advice sought as regards Pernambuco--Letter to his
Imperial Majesty--Pointing out the annoyance practised--And tendering my
resignation--The Emperor's intervention--His Ministers neglect to fulfil
his engagement--Confirmation of my previous patents--But with an
unjustifiable reservation--Prize money devoted to advance of
wages--Proofs thereof--Baseless imputations on me--Extracts from
log--Further distribution of prize money.
Chapter VIII.
Republican Government proclaimed
at Pernambuco--Its Concordat--The President Carvalho--Threat of
Bombardment--A bribe offered to me and refused--The revolt admitted of
palliation--It was fast becoming general--Intimidation ineffectual--The
revolutionists expect Foreign aid--Pernambuco taken possession of---
Payment of prize money--The accounts rendered in due course--Orders to
put down revolt at Para--Character of the revolution--Difficulty in
finding proper Governors--Revolt at Ceara--Steps taken to suppress
it--They prove successful--The insurgent leader killed--Measures for
preserving tranquillity.
Chapter IX.
Arrival at Maranham--Character of disturbances there--I assume the
military command--Proclamation commanding surrender of arms--Condition
of the people--Corruption of the authorities--Murderous
propensities--Difficulty in detecting assassins--Letter to Minister of
Marine--Pacification of Parahyba--Doubts as to the President's
sincerity--He establishes secret agencies--Extraordinary
memorials--Public complaints of the President--Bruce endeavours to
intercept them--My reply to the memorialists--Letter to the Minister of
Marine--Enclosing complaints of the Consuls--Bruce prepares to resist my
authority--Complaints of the British Consul--He considers my presence
necessary--Letter of the French Consul--Detailing shameful
atrocities--Danger of collision with foreign states--Suspension of the
President--Provision for future Government--Conduct of the faction at
Rio de Janeiro--No instructions sent for my guidance--Letter to the
Minister of Marine--The Ministry had previously deposed Bruce--But
turned on me for anticipating their own act.
Chapter X.
Misrepresentations made in
England--Letter to the Emperor--Tendering my resignation--Repayment
demanded from the Junta--Conduct of the Prize Tribunal--No adjudication
of prizes intended--Letter to the interim President--Demanding the sums
owing to the squadron--Disturbance in Para--Statement of Account to the
Junta--Offer of compromise--Imperial decree--Right of the squadron to
the claim.
Chapter XI.
Imperial
approval--Continued enmity of the Administration--Junta refuses to pay
the squadron's claim--I persevere in the demand--Junta agrees to pay the
amount in bills--This refused--Arrival of a new President--But without
authority for the assumption--Intrigues to establish him in office--I
order him to quit the province--And send him to Para--Letter to the
President of Ceara--International animosities--The squadron left to
provide for itself--Abuse of authority--Explanations to Minister of
Marine--Of transactions at Maranham--Letter to Carvalho e
Mello--Anticipating ministerial displeasure--The Junta reimburses part
of its debt.
Chapter XII.
I quit
Maranham for a cruise--Bad state of the frigate--Connivance at illicit
trade--We are compelled to proceed to England--The frigate reported to
the Brazilian Envoy--Who cheats me of L2,000--His assumption that I had
abandoned the service--My contradiction thereof--Order to return to
Rio--Reasons for not doing so--Brazilian Envoy tampers with my
Officer--Who acquaints me therewith--Envoy stops pay and
provisions--Declares that the Brazilian Government will give me
nothing!--Captain Shepherd's reply--I prepare to return to Rio--The
Envoy dismisses me from the service--Without reason assigned--He
declares that I voluntarily abandoned the service--Receipts for accounts
transmitted to Brazil--These denied to have been sent.
Chapter XIII.
I am dismissed the service by the
Brazilian Government--Without any acknowledgment of my
services--Inconsistency of this with former thanks--Though dismissed I
am tried as a deserter--And am refused all compensation--Report of
recent Commission on the subject--False representations--But partially
true conclusions--My original patents never set aside--Untrue
assumptions as to my dismissal--My claims founded on the original
patents--Less than half the interest due paid--Opinions of eminent
Brazilians thereon--My services tardily acknowledged--No act of mine had
annulled them--The Estate conferred, not confirmed--Promises on account
of Chili unfulfilled--The whole still my right.
Chapter XIV.
Proclamation for payment of
Officers and Men--Log extracts in proof thereof--The sum given up to the
squadron disbursed--Denial thereof by the Brazilian Government--Though
made to serve as advance of wages--The amount received at Maranham--Fully
accounted for--By the receipts of the Officers--Officers'
receipts--Extracts from log in further corroboration--Up to my arrival
in England--All our prizes, monopolized by Brazil--The conduct of the
Brazilian Government unjustifiable.
