trict, however, was soon occupied by the
Brazilians; and Madeira had only his supplies from seaward, unless he
could by force dislodge the Brazilians from their quarters on that
island.

[Note 96: This gentleman was an officer under Napoleon, in the
Spanish war. For some military irregularity, he was dismissed; but
pardoned on condition of living in Cayenne, and procuring information
for the French government. He left that country, however, and settled in
Brazil; where, with the exception of a short time spent in the service
of Bolivar, he had lived quietly and respectably till the present
juncture.]

The cabinet of Rio became sensible that it was necessary to provide a
naval force, if they wished to preserve the kingdom from the farther
attacks of Portugal, or to dislodge the enemy from his strong-hold in
Bahia. Accordingly, the agents of the government in England were
employed to engage officers and men: some were collected on the spot;
others, such as Captain David Jewet, from Buenos Ayres and America, were
instantly employed; and all exertions were made to repair such of the
ships left behind by King John as would bear the repairs.

At length, on the 12th of October, the birth-day of the Prince, the
troops being, as usual, assembled in the great square of Santa Anna, and
a great concourse of people attending, the Prince was suddenly hailed
Emperor of Brazil, and the kingdom changed in style and title, and all
dependence on, or connection with Portugal, for ever abjured.

This event seemed to give new spirit to the war of Bahia: as it
exasperated the Portuguese, so it encouraged the Brazilians, now assured
of independence. Madeira, resolved, if possible, to gain a communication
with Nazareth on one of the rivers of the Reconcave, which is most
fertile, and furnishes abundance of farinha, sent one hundred men of
the Cacadores, under Colonel Russel, to attempt to gain possession of
the Ulha do Medo, which commands the Funil, or passage between the
mainland and Itaparica leading to Nazareth; but their boats grounded,
and they were obliged to wait for the tide, while the Brazilians, who
are excellent marksmen, and were concealed among the bushes ashore,
picked them off at leisure. Another expedition, equally unfortunate, was
sent with a large gun-vessel to Cachoeira, and arrived off the public
square, just as it was filled with people proclaiming the Emperor. The
guns began to play on the mob; but the tide was low, a