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
common-with the rest--is so ill-equipped as to be much less
efficient than she otherwise would be.