ding the Portuguese troops, I wrote as
follows:--

Understanding that you are about to embark the military forces
under your command, with a view to proceed to some of the Northern
provinces, humanity compels me to declare to you my duty, however
painful, to take all measures within my power to dismantle whatever
transports may attempt to sail from Bahia under convoy of the
ships of war. That I have the means of performing this duty, in
defiance of the ships of war which may endeavour to obstruct
my operations, is a fact which no naval officer will doubt--but
which to you as a military man may not be so apparent. If,
after this warning, I am compelled to have recourse to the measures
alluded to, and if numerous lives should be sacrificed thereby, I
shall stand acquitted of those consequences which would otherwise
press heavily on my mind.

(Signed) COCHRANE.

Gen. MADEIRA.

To the Portuguese Admiral I addressed the following note:--

Sir,

I have written to the Junta and the General commanding
the military force, relative to particulars which I have felt it my
duty to submit to their consideration. To you, as a professional
man, I have nothing to suggest or request--but merely to express
my conviction that, for the sake of humanity, you will give that
professional opinion on the subject of my letters--should they be
referred to you--which may be expected from a naval officer of your
experience.

(Signed) COCHRANE.

The Admiral of the Portuguese Squadron.

On the 2nd of July, the whole Portuguese force, naval and military, got
under weigh, and steered out--the troops being embarked in the armed
transports and large merchantmen, whilst other vessels were filled with
Portuguese families and their property--everything moveable being put on
board--with the utmost confidence in the protection of their fleet. As
only the flagship and _Maria de Gloria_ were present, we made no attempt
to attack them whilst issuing from the mouth of the river, they no doubt
ridiculing my warnings as communicated to the Junta and the commanding
officers.

In this, however, they were mistaken; as every thing was in readiness,
both on board the flagship and the _Maria de Gloria_, for immediate
chase, so soon as the whole were clear of the port; though I had no
intention--as they no doubt interpreted my letters--of attacking
thirteen ships of war and numerou