rdingly four vessels, having on board
six hundred and fifty-two officers, with Count Saldanha at their head,
sailed from Plymouth. The British government, however, suspected that
the true design was to land those troops at Terceira; and notice
was given to them before they sailed that any such attempt would be
resisted. A small force, under the command of Captain Walpole, was
despatched to enforce the prohibition; his instructions being to cruise
off the island; to inform the Portuguese that he had authority to
prevent their landing; and if they made any effort to effect a landing,
to resist such an attempt by force, and to drive them away from that
neighbourhood. The suspicions of the government were in this instance
justified. The expedition of Count Saldanha appeared off Terceira on the
16th of January; and was discovered by Captain Walpole standing right
in for Port Praya. Two shots were fired for the purpose of bringing
them to; but without effect. The vessels then lay-to; and to a note
from Captain Walpole, inquiring what was their object in coming thither,
Saldanha answered, that his object in appearing there was to fulfil
the orders of her majesty the Queen of Portugal, which directed him
to conduct, unarmed, without any hostile appearance, to the isle of
Terceira, the men that were on board the four vessels in sight, which
island has never ceased to acknowledge Donna Maria II. as its legitimate
sovereign. He added:--"As a faithful subject and soldier, I think it
unnecessary to assure you that I am determined to fulfil my duty at all
peril." Captain Walpole replied, that he had instructions to obey,
and an imperious duty to perform; that both of them prevented him
from allowing the count, or any part of his force, to land either at
Terceira, or on any part of the western islands of the Azores, or
even to continue in that neighbourhood. To this communication Saldanha
replied, that he considered himself and his men, in such circumstances,
Captain Walpole's prisoners; that they would follow his vessels
where-ever he chose to take them; but must have a written order to that
effect, and be supplied with water and provisions; if he had not this
written order, he said, he would pursue his course, and endeavour at all
risks to fulfil his instructions. Captain Walpole's reply still was, "Go
where you choose, but don't stay here; if you persist in hovering about
these islands, it is my duty and firm determination to carry t