s armed transports, with two ships
alone, so long as they remained within the harbour; but when once out,
the superior sailing qualities of these two ships would safely enable us
to harass them with impunity.

As the merchant brig, _Colonel Allen_, which had conveyed us from Chili,
was still with us, and as she might be made useful in looking after the
prizes, I adopted her into the Brazilian navy under the name of the
_Bahia_, appointing her master, Captain Haydon, to the rank of
captain-lieutenant.

Whilst the Portuguese were passing out, I wrote and despatched by the
_Liberal_ schooner, the following letter to the Minister of Marine at
Rio de Janeiro:--

_Pedro Primiero_, off Bahia,
July 2nd, 1833.

MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Excellency
that the enemy's squadron have this day evacuated Bahia, their
resources by sea being no longer available. Their ships of war,
consisting of thirteen sail of different sizes, and many large
merchantmen filled with troops, are now standing out of the bay.
It is my intention to pursue them as long as it shall appear
beneficial so to do. This ship and the _Maria de Gloria_ are the only
two in sight of the enemy, the _Carolina_ having been obliged to
return to the Moro, in consequence of having lost a topmast, and
the _Nitherohy_ not having joined. I hope in my next to be able to
give you some account of the ulterior objects the enemy have in
view, which, whatever they may be, I shall endeavour to frustrate.

(Signed) COCHRANE.

To the commanders of the other ships, I sent the following order on
their joining the pursuit:--

It being improper to weaken the squadron, and impossible to
officer and man the vessels which may fall into our hands, you are to
adopt the following plan to secure them, viz. to send with the boats
crews which board the enemy's vessels a sufficient number of
crowbars, for the purpose of breaking up their water casks, leaving
only water enough to carry them, on short allowance, into Bahia, to
which port you are to order them immediately to return.

Their papers being essential to the justification of this or any
other hostile act, the boarding officer will take especial care to
secure them.

COCHRANE.

In addition to this, the masts of all troopships which might be
boarded, were directed to be so far cut away as to prevent their
escape--