e, but from conviction,
for I love just liberty,--have been furnished for their defence with
warlike stores, great part of which are newly purchased, besides those
already in the arsenals; and, moreover, they have been assisted with
money, because their funds did not cover their necessary expenses.

"In a word, the province now yields from eleven to twelve millions; its
produce, before the departure of my august father, having been at most
from six to seven.

"Among the extraordinary expenses are, the freights of the ships on
board of which the different expeditions sent back to Lisbon were
embarked; the purchase of several vessels; the repair of others; pay to
civil and military officers who have arrived here on service, and to
those expelled from the provinces for their private sufferings in the
tumults there raised.

"The expenditure has certainly been great: but hitherto, nevertheless,
there remain untouched, the gratuitous contributions; the sequestrated
property of the absentees on account of political opinions; the loan of
400,000 milrees for the purchase of ships of war indispensably necessary
for the defence of the empire, and which exists entire; and the
exchequer of the administration of diamonds.

"In every department there was an urgent necessity for reform; but in
this of finance still more, because it is the chief spring of the state.

"The army had neither arms, men, nor discipline: with regard to arms, it
is now perfectly ready; the men are increasing daily in proportion to
the population; and in discipline it will soon be perfect, being already
in obedience exemplary. I have twice sent assistance to Bahia: first 240
men, then 735, forming a battalion called the Emperor's Battalion; which
in eight days was chosen, prepared, and sailed.

"Besides these, a foreign regiment has been raised, and a battalion of
artillery of freed men, which will shortly be completed.

"In the military arsenal they have wrought diligently to prepare every
thing necessary for the defence of the different provinces; and all,
_from Paraiba of the North to Montevideo_, have received the assistance
they have requested.

"The walls of the fortifications of this city were totally ruined: they
are now repaired; and important works necessary in the arsenal itself
have been finished.

"As to military works, the walls of all the fortresses have been
repaired, and some entirely new-constructed. These are formed in the
differen