ty to its engagements formed no part of national honour and good
faith:--

I, Don Pedro, by the grace of God, and the unanimous voice
of the people, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender
of Brazil, hereby make known to those who shall see this my
charter patent, that the valour, intelligence, and activity united in
Admiral Lord Cochrane, now Marquis of Maranhao, who has so
distinguished himself in the different services with which he has
been entrusted--giving proof of the greatest bravery and talent;
and seeing how advantageous it would be for the interests of this
empire to avail itself of the skill of so valuable an officer--consider
it beneficial to confer upon him--as by this charter is
confirmed--the patent of "First Admiral," with the annual pay of
eleven contos five hundred and twenty milreas, as well ashore as
afloat; and farther in table money, when embarked, five contos
seven hundred and seventy milreas--which are the same emoluments
as he received in Chili. No admiral in the service having
any right to consider himself entitled to succeed to the post of
First Admiral, which I create solely for this occasion for the motives
expressed, and from the particular consideration merited by the said
admiral.

The pay referred to shall be entered in the books to which it
appertains, in order to the payments when due. In attestation
of that which I have hereby commanded, I give this charter
under the sign manual and sealed with the great seal of the
Empire.

Given in the city of Rio de Janeiro on the 25th day of the month
of November, in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1823. Second
of Independence and of this empire.

(Signed) IMPERADOR P.
Countersigned by all the Ministers.

From the difference of expression used in this commission, as compared
with the temporary commission given previous to my departure for Bahia,
it is clear that my late services were fully recognised; and from the
fact that the new commission was conferred after the war was ended by
the annexation of Bahia, Maranham, Para, and all the intermediate
provinces, it is equally clear that my rank and pay--as originally
stipulated were conferred without limitation of time--a circumstance
which will have to be borne to mind.

This being complied with, I requested an order for the speedy
adjudication of the prize property surrendered at Maranham, the