of Government in favour of their own private purposes. I
accordingly wrote to the Prime Minister, Andrada, representing the
course which had been pursued--concluding with the subjoined advice as
to the steps to be taken in order to place the future Government on a
right basis:--

I beg, through your Excellency, to suggest most respectfully to His
Imperial Majesty my opinion that it would greatly conduce to the
peace and prosperity of this province, if some able and honourable
person should be sent to take the chief authority; for--with all
respect to the individuals composing the new Junta, and to those from
whom succeeding Juntas might be chosen--none appear to me to possess
either the talents or acquirements necessary for the good government
of Maranham. I may also add that family connections, together with
private and political friendships, no less than enmities--exist here
to a degree which can hardly fail to involve the province in internal
dissensions, unless averted by the means which I respectfully
suggest.

I had shortly afterwards the pleasure of receiving the following
expressions of satisfaction from His Imperial Majesty through the Prime
Minister:--

Rio, July 12, 1823.

MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

I have received the secret communications with
which you have favoured me, whereby I learn in detail the distinguished
conduct which you have pursued since quitting this port,
and the various difficulties with which, (to my regret) you have had
to contend. These are, however, of such a nature as to be
irremediable in our present circumstances; but let us hope they
will vanish when the empire is consolidated.

Meanwhile your Excellency--being no less a politician than a
warrior, and enjoying to the utmost the confidence of His Imperial
Majesty--is fully empowered to adopt whatever means your judgment
may suggest to facilitate the important objects of your
commission. On this subject, I also refer to the Imperial authority
and other documents addressed to you in reply to your communications.

I beg to add my personal thanks for the interesting communications
with which you have favoured me, of which I shall avail
myself in order to accomplish the objects desired to be effected.

Be assured of the particular esteem and high consideration
with which I am,

De V. Exa.
Attento venerador e criado,
JOZE BONIFA