spection in future, shifted her berth accordingly, and placed her, as soon as possible, on the flank of a low battery, mounting eighteen 9 and 6-pounders. In the meantime, the Vice-Consul had obtained an apology for the outrage committed; but the Junta of the province afterwards deliberated whether they should not deprive the Eclair of her rudder, for approaching so near the shore! On leaving that harbour to join Sir George Eyre (his commander-in-chief) Captain Johnstone received the following letter:–
“Dear Sir,– I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter which I received this morning from the British merchants, under the signatures of their respective firms, expressive of their wish, that the visits of His Majesty’s ships to this port may he continued, and their grateful sense of the attention you have paid to the protection of their interests, also of their individual regrets at losing the pleasure of the society of yourself and the officers of H.M.S. Eclair.
“I comply with the wish of the merchants in transmitting the enclosed, and rejoice in the opportunity thus afforded me to express my particular thanks for the zealous and friendly disposition so sincerely manifested on the morning of the 14th instant, towards my brother and myself; and I shall ever feel proud of the acquaintance I have made from your visit to this place. I am, with great truth and regard, my dear Sir, yours very sincerely,
“To Captain Johnstone, H.M.S. Eclair.”
The measures adopted by this officer at Maranham were also highly approved by Mr. Secretary Canning. In Mar. 1824, he assumed the command of the Doris 42, at Pernambuco, into which frigate he had been posted by the Admiralty, on the 2 1st of October preceding.
The port of Pernambuco was then closely blockaded by a squadron from Rio Janeiro, the province having refused to acquiesce in the wishes of the Brazilian government; and Captain Johnstone remained there nearly four months, for the protection of British property. Notwithstanding every endeavour on his part to steer a perfectly neutral course, he was formally accused by the President, of sending supplies to the royal squadron, which induced him to address a letter to his Excellency, denying that the boats of the Doris had, “either directly or indirectly,” been so employed; and stating, that unless the President allowed he had acted on partial
