er, aware of the difficulties under which a new
Government labours, and am ready to do all in my power under
any circumstances. What I have to request of you is, that you will
do me the justice to feel that the predicament in which I am now
placed, is somewhat analogous to your own, and that if I cannot
accomplish all I wish, the deficiency arises from causes beyond my
control; but I entreat you to let me have--at least this ship--
_well manned_, and I will answer for her rendering more efficient
service than the whole squadron besides--constituted as it now is.

You will perceive by my public despatch addressed to the Minister
of Marine, that although we passed through the enemy's line, and,
I may add, actually brushed the nearest vessel, which we cut off--yet
nothing really useful was effected, notwithstanding that the
vessel we touched ought to have been sunk, and those separated to
have been dismantled or destroyed. I am quite vexed at the result--which
was such, however, as might have been expected from the bad
manning of the squadron.

I have determined to proceed forthwith to the Moro San Paulo,
and to leave there the ill-sailing vessels. I intend to remove all the
effective officers and seamen from the _Piranga_ and _Nitherohy_, into
this ship, and with her alone, or attended only by the _Maria de
Gloria_, to proceed to Bahia, to reconnoitre the situation of the
enemy at their anchorage, and obtain the information requisite to
enable me to enter on more effectual operations.

I have the honour, &c.

COCHRANE.

Ill. Exmo. Senor JOSE BONIFACIO D'ANDRADE Y SILVA,
Ministro e Secretario d'Estado.

A rigorous blockade was nevertheless established, in spite of our
deficiencies or the efforts made to raise or evade it--though the enemy
were bold in reliance upon their numbers, and none the less so, perhaps,
from considering our recent failure a defeat. They did not, however,
venture to attack us, nor were we yet in a condition to meddle further
with them.

The blockade of the port was not calculated to effect anything decisive,
beyond paralysing the naval operations of the enemy's squadron. Even
this would not prevent the Portuguese from strengthening themselves in
positions on shore, and thus, by intimidating all other districts within
reach,--enable them to bar the progress of independence. I therefore
determined, as a force in