itself, was certain, nor should I have waited for its
expression, but from respectful attachment to His Majesty, and from the
expectation of obtaining justice for the squadron, which relied on me
for procuring satisfaction of their claims.

To have accepted an invitation of this public nature, under
circumstances so insulting, was out of the question. I therefore joined
Lady Cochrane at the island of Governador, and sent an excuse to the
minister expressive of my regret at being prevented by unavoidable
circumstances from sharing in the honour of the august ceremony.

In consequence of the insulting conduct of the Administration, and the
impossibility of obtaining compensation for the squadron,
notwithstanding His Majesty's orders to that effect, I made up my mind
to quit a service in which the authority of the adverse Ministry was
superior to that of the Sovereign. Accordingly, on the 20th of March, I
addressed to the Minister of Marine a letter, from which the subjoined
is an extract:--

If I thought that the course pursued towards me was dictated by His
Imperial Majesty, it would be impossible for me to remain an hour
longer in his service, and I should feel it my duty, at the earliest
possible moment, to lay my commission at his feet. If I have not done
so before--from the treatment which, in common with the navy, I have
experienced--it has been solely from an anxious desire to promote His
Majesty's real interests. Indeed, to struggle against prejudices, and
at the same time against those in power, whose prepossessions are at
variance with the interests of His Majesty, and the tranquillity and
independence of Brazil, is a task to which I am by no means equal. I
am, therefore, perfectly willing to resign the situation I hold,
rather than contend against difficulties which appear to me
insurmountable. I have only to add, that it will give me extreme
satisfaction to find that Your Excellency is enabled to rear an
effective marine out of the materials which constituted the fabric of
the old marine of Portugal--or any Brazilian marine at all, without
beginning on principles totally opposite to those which have been
pursued since my return to this port.

(Signed) COCHRANE AND MARANHAO.

This proffer of resignation was met by an assurance that I had
misconstrued both the acts and intentions of the Administration, and the
expression of a hope that I would not th