serve, that, in order to
create an effective marine, young active lads of from fourteen to
twenty should be selected. Almost the whole of those who
constitute the crews of these vessels--with the exception of the
foreign seamen, are not only totally unpractised in naval profession,
but are too old to learn.

I warned the Minister of Marine, that every native of Portugal
put on board the squadron--with the exception of officers of known
character--would prove prejudicial to the expedition, and yesterday
we had a clear proof of the fact. The Portuguese stationed in the
magazine, actually withheld the powder whilst this ship was in the
midst of the enemy, and I have since learned that they did so from
feelings of attachment to their own countrymen. I now inclose
you two letters on this subject--one just received from the officer
commanding the _Real_, whose crew were on the point of _carrying
that vessel into the enemy's squadron for the purpose of delivering her
up!_ I have also reason to believe, that the conduct of the _Liberal_
yesterday in not bearing down upon the enemy and not complying
with the signal which I had made to break the line--was owing to
her being manned with Portuguese. The _Maria de Gloria_ has also
a great number of Portuguese, which is the more to be regretted,
as otherwise her superior sailing, with the zeal and activity of her
captain, would render her an effective vessel. To disclose to you
the truth, it appears to me that one half of the squadron is
necessary to watch over the other half: and, assuredly, this is a
system which ought to be put an end to without delay.

A greater evil is, that this ship is one hundred and twenty seamen
short of her complement and three hundred short of what I should
consider an efficient crew, whilst the bad quality and ignorance of
the landsmen, makes the task of managing her in action no easy
matter, the incessant bawling going on rendering the voices of the
officers inaudible. Had this ship yesterday been manned and equipped
as she ought to have been, and free from the disadvantages stated,
there is no doubt whatever in my mind, but, that singly, we could
have dismantled half the ships of the enemy.

On the whole, Sir, you must perceive that I have not been supplied
with any of those facilities which I requested to be placed in my
hands. I am, howev