to, as the neglected troops might have caused a dangerous _émeute_,
which would have proved injurious to the interests of His Imperial
Majesty.

The assistance rendered to the Junta was given at the expense of the
officers and seamen, to whom the money of right belonged, and who looked
for its repayment as soon as circumstances would permit. On this subject
I wrote as follows to the Minister of Marine:--

Maranham, Aug. 26, 1833.

MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

Since I had the honour of addressing you deputies have arrived from
the troops of Cearà and Piahuy soliciting payment for their services.
The provisional Junta of Maranham have requested my assistance in
this object, and as I consider the tranquillity of this province to
depend in a great measure on the speedy payment of these forces, I
have placed at the disposal of the Junta various funds arising from
the capitulation of this place. This will doubtless be considered by
the seamen--who are the captors--as an unwarrantable sacrifice of
their rights in favour of mutinous troops, who have effected nothing;
but feeling confident of support from the Imperial Government on a
matter so essential to the public interest, I have had no hesitation
in assuring the seamen that they _will not be losers by their
captures being, in the first instance, applied to the relief of the
immediate exigencies of the State._

(Signed) COCHRANE.