wards proceeded to Rio Janeiro, in his former ship, the Foudroyant.
The following extract from the Naval Chronicle throws considerable light on a subject that gave rise to many counter statements, and much diversity of opinion at the period we are now speaking of:
“Sometime in June last (1808) at Rio de Janeiro, the Prince of Brazil, talking over European news, in a circle of which two Captains and a Lieutenant of our Navy formed part, expressed himself somewhat indignantly at the London Gazette making him appear under the tuition of the English Chargé-d’-affairés, explaining that he had taken his decision to evacuate Portugal on the 25th November (1807), in consequence of a letter from the Admiral on the 22d: that he embarked on the 27th, and tried to sail on the 28th, but the wind was adverse, and would not let him leave the Tagus till the 29th. In point of fact, concluded the Prince, emphatically, ‘Je n’ai vû Milord S. qu’après le passage de la barre, J’ai sçu qu’il etoit abord la Méduse, avec M. D’Aranjo; et je me suis levé à 4 heures pour le recevoir; mais il n’est pas venu. Et le vent étant bon, je faisois lever l’ancre comme j’avois déjà donné l’ordre; le premier Anglais que j’ai vû à cette époque étoit le Capitaine Schomberg, envoyé de la part de l’Amiral[1].”
The period alluded to by the Prince, when speaking of Captain Schomberg, was the morning of the 29th, just after H.R.H. had passed the bar of Lisbon. Sir W. Sidney Smith had formed a line of battle, ordered his ships to be prepared for action, and sent Captain Schomberg to ascertain in what light the Portuguese were to be considered whether as friends or as enemies. If coming out with pacific intentions, he was directed to congratulate the Prince Regent, in the name of Sir W. Sidney Smith, on the wise measure he had adopted, and to assure H.R.H. that the British squadron was ready to afford him protection. The interview proved most gratifying to both parties; and the Prince, at a subsequent date, decorated Captain Schomberg with the insignia of a K.T.S., on account of his having been the first Englishman whom he saw on that memorable occasion[2].
- ↑ See Nav. Chron. v. 21, note * at p. 380.
- ↑ The closing of the Portuguese ports against British vessels, the departure of our Chargé-d’-affairés from Lisbon, the emigration of the House of Braganza, and the revival of the ancient Military Order of the Tower and Sword, by the Prince Regent in compliment to his allies, are subjects already noticed at pp. 319, 321, 537, and 852, of our first volume.
