this hemisphere.

"Even this availed not. We were so oppressed by the European forces,
that I was obliged to send them to the opposite shore of the Rio; to
blockade them; to force them to embark and pass the bar, in order to
save the honour of Brazil, and to procure that liberty which we desire
and ought to enjoy; but in vain shall we labour to procure it, if we
permit to exist among us a party inimical to our true cause.

"Scarcely were we well free from these enemies, when in a few days
arrived another expedition, which Lisbon had sent for our protection;
but I took upon myself to protect this empire, and I refused to receive
it. Pernambuco did the same. And Bahia, which was the first place to
unite with Portugal, as a reward for her good faith, and because she
perceived too late the track she ought to have followed, now suffers
under a cruel war for those Vandals; and her chief city, occupied only
by them, is on the point of being rased, for they cannot maintain
themselves there.

"Such is the freedom Portugal sought to bestow on Brazil: it was to be
converted into slavery for us; and would have ruined us totally if we
had continued to execute her commands; which we must have done, but for
the heroic remonstrances conveyed by petitions, first from the junta of
government of St. Paul's, then from the camara of this capital, and
afterwards from all the other juntas of government and camaras,
imploring me to remain here. It appeared to me that Brazil would be
ruined, if I did not attend to the petitions; and I did attend to them.
I know that this was my duty, though at the risk of my life; but as it
was in defence of this empire, it was ready, as it is now, and ever,
when it shall be requisite.

"I had scarcely pronounced the words, _As it is for the good of all, and
the general happiness of the nation, tell the people that I remain_,
recommending to them at the same time _union_ and _tranquillity_, when I
began to take measures to put ourselves in a state to meet the attacks
of our enemies, then concealed, since unmasked; one part among
ourselves, the rest in the Portuguese democratic Cortes; providing for
all the departments, especially those of the treasury and foreign
affairs, by such means as prudence dictated, and which I shall not
mention here, because they will be laid before you in proper time by the
different officers of state.

"The public treasury was in the very worst state, as the receipts had
been