of the harbour, and their look-out ships driven under the guns of
the batteries by those of His Imperial Majesty, I may, indeed, say
by two ships alone, because in the state of the other vessels and
crews I have not deemed it prudent to trust them in the
neighbourhood of a port occupied by the enemy.

I have no doubt of succeeding--by some means or other--in effecting
our object, and that in as short a time as can reasonably be
expected--for it is not to be supposed that I should all at once
accomplish objects of such magnitude with a force so inferior, and
in great part so inexperienced and heterogeneously composed. On
this subject I beg to call your attention to the low opinion
entertained of our squadron by the enemy, as expressed in the
enclosed Bahia Gazette (No 65), which, on that point, is in
conformity with my own opinion as previously expressed.

I have the honour, &c. COCHRANE.

To the Prime Minister.

The following proclamation from the _Bahia Gazette_ will shew the
nature of these vapourings deliberately inserted by the Bahia
authorities:--

Last week the wind was Southerly, with rain, which has rendered
it impossible for our squadron to get at the Rio squadron, to decide
whether Brazil shall remain in the fetters of the usurper of Rio--
or enjoy constitutional liberty. Had they credited me more, we
should not have seen on our bar, an enterprising man who ruined
the commerce of the Pacific, and now thinks to regain the glory he