proposition which had been by us, for his lordship to land confer with the prince regen der the guarantee of a flag of t I furnished his lordship with conveyance and security, in that he might give to the p that confidence which his wat honour as the king's minister nipotentiary, united with that British admiral, could not inspire towards inducing his highness to throw himself an flect into the arms of Great Bri in perfect reliance on the overlooking a forced act of rent hostility against his flag subjects, and establishing his highness's government in his marine possessions, as origi promised. I have now the he felt satisfaction of announcin you, that our hopes and exp tions have been realized to the most extent. On the morning 29th, the Portuguese fleet (as list annexed) came out of the gus with his royal highness prince of Brazil and the whol the royal family of Braganza board, together with many faithful counsellors and adhere as well as other persons attached his present fortunes.

missioners of the Admiralty, the proofs contained in various docu. ments of the Portuguese government being so much influenced by terror of the French arms, as to have acquiesced to certain demands of France operating against Great Britain. The distribution of the Portuguese force was made wholly on the coast, while the land-sidewas left totally unguarded. British subjects of all descriptions were detained; and it therefore be came necessary to inform the Portuguese government, that the case had arisen which required, in obedience to my instructions, that I should declare the Tagus in a state of blockade; and lord Strangford agreeing with me that hostility should be met by hosti lity, the blockade was instituted, and the instructions we had received were acted upon to their full extent; still, however, bearing in recollection the first object adopted by his majesty's government, of opening a refuge for the head of the Portuguese government, menaced as it was by the powerful arms and baneful influence of the enemy, I thought it my duty to adopt the means open to us, of endeavouring to induce the prince regent of Portugal to reconsider his decision" to unite himself with the continent of Europe," and to recollect that he had possessions on that of America, affording an ample balance for any sacrifice he might make here, and from which he would be cut off by the nature of the maritime warfare, the termination of which could not be dictated by the combination of the continental powers of Europe.

In this view lord Strangford having received an acquiescence to the

of

This fleet of eight sail of the li four frigates, two brigs, and i schooner, with a crowd of la armed merchant-ships, arranged self under the protection of that his majesty, while the firing of reciprocal salute of twentyguns announced the friendly mee ing of those who but the day befo were on terms of hostility; scene impressing every beboldi (except the French army on hills) with the most lively emotion of gratitude to Providence, th

then

Tritao, of 40 guns-past repair.
Veney, of 30 guns-past repair.
(Copy) W. SIDNEY SMITH.

Hibernia, at sea, lat. 37.47. long.
14. 17. Dec. 6, 1807.
Sir,

I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, for the information of my lords commissioners of the Admiralty, that I succeeded in collecting the whole of the Portuguese fleet, except a brig, after the gale, and that the weather was such as to allow the necessary repairs and such dis. tribution of supernumeraries and resources to be made, as to enable vice-admiral Don Manuel d'Acuuha, sotto-mayor, to report to me yesterday all the ships capable of performing the voyage to Rio Janeiro, except one line-of-battle ship, which he requested might be conducted to an English port. I meant to escort her part of the way, but she did not quit the flect with me last night as settled. I hope, however, she may arrive safe, as she is not in a bad state, being substituted for the Martino de Freitas, which was at first destined to go to England, in consequence of a fresh arrange ment made yesterday, on the latter being found in the best state for the

voyage of the two. I have detached captain Moore in the Marlborough, with the London, Monarch, and Bedford, to attend the Portuguese fleet to the Brazils. I have thought it my duty, in addition to the usual order to take the above ships under his orders, to give captain Moore one to hoist a broad pendant after passing Madeira, in order to give him greater weight and consequence in the performance of the important and unusually delicate duties I hare confided to him. I feel the most perfect reliance in that officer's judgment, ability, and zeal,

The Portuguese ships did not, after their reparation, want more provisions or slops from us than the list enclosed, which I supplied from this ship and the Conqueror.

This dispatch will be delivered by captain Yeo, of his majesty's sloop Confiance, who has shewn great address and zeal in opening the communications by flag of truce, which it was the interest of those in power who were against the measure of emigration, to obstruct. - Lord Strangford speaks of his conduct in terms of warm approbation; on this ground I beg leave to recommend him to their lordships, to whom his general merits as an officer are al ready well known. Having been in Lisbon without restraint during the intercourse, he is qualified to answer any questions their lordships may wish to put to him.

I have the honour to be, &c.
W. SIDNEY SMITH.

"

A GENE

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tern.