I am aware that it is difficult to follow a course, under the
circumstances in which I am placed, that when judged of at a
distance, and merely on such evidence as can be conveyed by writing,
will leave no room for persons to contend that a different line might
have been followed with greater advantage; and I am perfectly aware
that whether I had left this province, and anarchy had followed, or
whether by remaining I had succeeded in preventing that anarchy, _I
should equally be exposed to the cavils of those who are always
disposed to reprobate the measures actually adopted, whatever they
may be_.

Having, therefore, but _a choice of evils with respect to myself_,
I have--without further care as to my personal responsibility--pursued
that course which, on full consideration, appeared to me
to be most conducive to the interests of His Imperial Majesty, and
best adapted to secure the tranquillity of this province; and I have
_reserved for my own security_ such original documents as will satisfy
the mind of His Imperial Majesty on the subject of my conduct in
suspending the functions of the President of Maranham.

A few of the many reasons which have induced me thus to take
upon myself a heavier responsibility than would have attached to
the adoption of either of the measures before alluded to, will be
found on the printed paper which I enclose. In that paper, however,
I did not consider it proper to set forth all the facts which
have come to my knowledge; such as his tampering through various
agents with the troops, artillery, and police, and above all with the
disbanded "_Pedestres_;" and the sending of emissaries to the
distant quarters of the province to excite the people again to rise in
arms for his support--though no legal prerogative which the
President does, or ought to possess, had been in any way infringed
by me or any person acting under my authority. The fact is, that
this gentleman, bred up under the despotic Captains-General,
accustomed to their arbitrary proceedings, to the mal-administration
of colonial law, and the absence of everything like fair trial, cannot
brook any limitation to his power, and has demonstrated his desire,
if not to establish an independent sway, at least to act solely
according to his will and pleasure. I am anxious to ascribe his
faults rather to the circumstances und