have only to re-assure your Excellency, that I shall studiously endeavour to comply with your wishes, so long as they do not impede the promotion of those duties which H.B.M. Government have called upon me to discharge in this river; and I therefore repeat, that all means of communication with H.B.M. ships and vessels of war, without the bar, must be left open to my discretion. I may require the Echo, or one, or ten boats, to pass and re-pass the bar of the Douro on the same day.
“I have frequently assured your Excellency of my determination to preserve a strict and honorable neutrality, and from your Excellency’s courteous correspondence with me, I feel satisfied that you will still repose in me that confidence which your Excellency has more than once been pleased to express. With the highest consideration and respect, I have the honor to be, &c.
On the 15th Dec, a shell from one of Don Pedro’s batteries burst over, and fell on board the Echo, but without doing any material damage. On the 17th, at 7 a.m., a considerable number of the constitutional troops were most unexpectedly discovered crossing the river in large boats, pulling directly for the landing place in close proximity with the neutral position taken up by the British squadron; a position purposely selected to guard against the wonted dangers of the winter “freshes.”
The assailing party were permitted to land unmolested, although thirty or forty expert marksmen, from the windows of the Quinta, situated close to the water side, and in which a strong picquet was constantly stationed, might have prevented the landing of double the number. From the many large boats, and particularly “river-men” employed on the occasion, it was obvious that the object in view was to embark a considerable quantity of wine stored in a neighbouring “Lodge” – the property of the “Portuguese General Company” – upon which it is said, together with the collateral security of the island of Madeira, Don Pedro expected to raise a loan.
Anticipating the result, a general signal was immediately made by Commander Glascock to “veer cable,” in order to afford sufficient room for the Pedroites to effect a landing clear of H.M. squadron. The half ports of the Orestes were shipped on both sides, – the hammocks stowed high, – the
