service than the whole squadron besides--constituted as it now is.

You will perceive by my public despatch addressed to the Minister
of Marine, that although we passed through the enemy's line, and,
I may add, actually brushed the nearest vessel, which we cut off--yet
nothing really useful was effected, notwithstanding that the
vessel we touched ought to have been sunk, and those separated to
have been dismantled or destroyed. I am quite vexed at the result--which
was such, however, as might have been expected from the bad
manning of the squadron.

I have determined to proceed forthwith to the Moro San Paulo,
and to leave there the ill-sailing vessels. I intend to remove all the
effective officers and seamen from the _Piranga_ and _Nitherohy_, into
this ship, and with her alone, or attended only by the _Maria de
Gloria_, to proceed to Bahia, to reconnoitre the situation of the
enemy at their anchorage, and obtain the information requisite to
enable me to enter on more effectual operations.

I have the honour, &c.

COCHRANE.


Ill. Exmo. Senor JOSÉ BONIFACIO D'ANDRADE Y SILVA,
Ministro e Secretario d'Estado.

A rigorous blockade was nevertheless established, in spite of our
deficiencies or the efforts made to raise or evade it--though the enemy
were bold in reliance upon their numbers, and none the less so, perhaps,