hing upon the men, dragged
them on deck; but to continue the action under such circumstances was
not to be thought of; and as the enemy had more than double our
numerical force, I did not consider myself warranted in further
attempting, with greater hazard, what on a future opportunity might be
accomplished with less. Quitting the enemy's ships cut off, we therefore
hauled our wind, to join the vessels which had kept aloof, and to
proceed to the station previously appointed as the rendezvous of the
squadron, whither the fireships were to follow. In this affair no lives
were lost.

Extremely annoyed at this failure, arising from non-fulfilment of
orders, and finding, from experience on the voyage, that we had been
hurried to sea, without consideration as to the materials of which the
squadron was composed, a rigid inquiry was instituted, which gave me
such cogent reasons for losing all confidence in it, that on the day
following I considered it expedient to address the following letter to
the Prime Minister, Andrada, pointing out that if prompt steps were not
taken to add to our strength, by providing more efficient crews, the
result might be to compromise the interests of the empire, no less than
the character of the officers commanding.

(Secret) H.I.M.S. _Pedro Primiero_, at Sea,

May 5, 1823.
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SIR,

Availing myself of your permission to address you
upon points of a particular nature, and referring you to my public
despatches to the Minister of Marine, I beg leave to add that it
was not only unfavourable winds which retarded our progress, but
the extreme bad sailing of the _Piranga_ and _Liberal_. Neither these
ships nor the _Nitherohy_, which sails equally ill, are adapted to the
purposes to be effected, as from their slowness, the enemy has an
opportunity to force an action under any circumstances, however
disadvantageous to this undisciplined squadron. The _Real_ is no
better, and her total uselessness as a ship of war, has determined
me to prepare her as a fireship, there appearing no probability of the
others joining.

From the defective sailing and manning of the squadron it
seems, indeed, to me, that the _Pedro Primiero_ is the only one
that can assail an enemy's ship of war, or act in the face of a
superior force, so as not to compromise the interests of the empire
and the character of the officers commanding. Even this ship--in