abling the batteries of Don Miguel to open an uninterrupted fire upon his opponents, H.M. ships were this day removed to the position proposed by me and agreed to by the Visconde; but scarcely had the Orestes taken up her anchorage[1] before a heavy fire of musketry was not only opened upon her decks, but as well upon the boats which were employed in laying out the necessary stern-fasts to secure her. Three musket-balls were put into the bow of the barge, and several others in and about the masts and bulwarks of H.M. ship. Their Lordships will appreciate the great forbearance manifested by British seamen, when they are informed that the principal part of the fusilade proceeded from a fraternity of friars.”
This hostile proceeding called forth a strong remonstrance on the part of Commander Glascock, who, in his letter to the Miguelite General, thus expressed himself:–
“Luckily no lives have been lost; but I must now forcibly remind your Excellency, that there are limits beyond which patience and forbearance cannot be carried and I do therefore trust that prompt and decisive means will be resorted to by your Excellency to prevent even the possibility of the recurrence of such outrages, otherwise consequences may ensue for which I neither can nor will be responsible.”
To this, the Visconde de Santa Martha made an apologetic reply; and Commander Glascock, on the 2d Dec, informed Rear-Admiral Parker that his remonstrances with the contending parties appeared “for the present to have silenced the fusilade which had been so long kept up from both sides of the river.”
Dissensions had now for some time prevailed at Oporto; resignations consequently followed: the Duke of Braganza appeared to be quite at a stand still for want of money, ammunition, and a general-in-chief to whom he could intrust the execution of any important military measure. At the same time a most obstinate pertinacity prevailed amongst the owners and masters of British merchant vessels. Although the Consul, Colonel Sorrell, recommended as many as possibly could to depart the Douro, the masters appeared as it were callous to all reasonable advice, indulging in the
- ↑ Under the walls of the convent of St. Antonio.
