acquaint your Excellency that, having followed the enemy's squadron
to the fifth degree of North latitude beyond the line, until, by capture
and dispersion, their convoy was so reduced that only thirteen
vessels out of seventy remained with the ships of war, and as the
latter were evidently steering for Lisbon, and were too strong to be
attacked with success by this ship alone--for the remainder of the
Brazilian squadron had separated in the chase--I judged it advantageous
for the interests of His Imperial Majesty's service, to discontinue
the pursuit, and to proceed, with all possible despatch, to
Maranham, where I arrived on the 26th ultimo.

I have the happiness to acquaint you, for the satisfaction of
the Imperial government, that Maranham is now united to the
Empire, the inhabitants having proclaimed their independence of
Portugal on the 28th, and elected their provisional government this
day. I have embarked the Portuguese troops for Europe, and the
militia are disarmed.

I have the honour to enclose a copy of the correspondence which
has taken place on the occasion, with other papers and documents.
We have found here a fine brig of war--a schooner--eight gunboats,
and about sixteen sail of Portuguese merchant vessels. Amongst
the other advantages of this important event may be mentioned, that
while the expense of an express expedition has been saved, an addition
of nearly a million of dollars is made to the revenue of His
Imperial Majesty.

I have manned and sent the brig of war to Parà, to summon that
city--offering to the enemy the same terms as we have granted
here. The beautiful new frigate, lately launched at Parà, has not