of Brazil under His Imperial Majesty will at once tranquillise the
public mind, and give opportunity to the worthy and patriotic
inhabitants to proceed afterwards with a due formality and
deliberation to take the oaths, and elect their provisional
government. To-morrow, therefore--being the earliest possible day--it
maybe well that the said declaration shall be made taking every
necessary precaution that the public peace shall not be disturbed by
individuals under any pretence.

(Signed) COCHRANE.

To the inhabitants generally I issued the following proclamation:--

THE FIRST ADMIRAL OF BRAZIL TO THE INHABITANTS OF
MARANHAM.

The auspicious day has arrived on which the
worthy and public-spirited inhabitants of Maranham have it in their
power at once to declare the independence of their country, and
their adherence to their patriotic monarch, Pedro Primiero, whose
protection has afforded them the glorious privilege of freemen--that
of choosing their constitution and enacting their laws by their own
representatives assembled to decide upon their own affairs in their
own country.

That the glory of this day may not be tarnished by any acts of
excess--even proceeding from enthusiasm for the cause in which we
have embarked--must be the wish of every honourable and well-judging
citizen. To these it would be superfluous to offer any
advice as to their conduct; but should there be any who, from whatever