that vessel did not communicate to me the circumstance at the time, – a broadside from the whole British squadron would have been the result; and had but the British once commenced hostilities in the Douro, the example would have soon been followed by the line-of-battleships at Lisbon. I caution your Excellency in time, and must reiterate what I have already stated in a former communication – ‘British forbearance has been carried to its utmost limit.’ In conclusion, I have only to regret that the conduct of your Excellency’s troops, on the morning, and more particularly on the afternoon, of the 17th, should now compel me to adopt a tone so contrary to that which I have hitherto observed in all communications with your Excellency. I have the honor to be, &c.
On the same day. Commander Glascock made Captain Markland acquainted with a circumstance of which he was ignorant when writing to that officer on the 17th. He says:
“So soon as the Caçadores had ascended the decks of the Echo, they took possession of the paddle boxes and began loading their pieces, with a view to fire from that vessel on the troops of Don Miguel. Lieutenant Otway detecting that perfidy from a party affecting to seek shelter in his vessel, soon compelled them to return to their boats and depart from the Echo.”
In a letter to Rear-Admiral Parker dated Dec. 21st, Commander Glascock acquainted him that the town, as usual, daily underwent a bombardment for an hour or two; and in one dated Dec. 24th, he says:
“In my last despatch I omitted to mention my motive for addressing the Visconde de Santa Martha on the 19th instant.
“On receiving the official returns of the damage H.M. ships had respectively sustained, I immediately visited them, inspecting each minutely, making every inquiry into the cause and effect of the belligerents’ fire. Commander Belcher, and the officers of the AEtna, informed me, that for some hours after Don Pedro’s troops had retreated across the river, and were quite out of their opponents’ fire, the soldiers of Don Miguel dispersed themselves behind rocks and trees, taking deliberate aim at the AEtna. Lieutenant Thomas Mitchell, first of that ship, was slightly wounded by a musket-ball in the leg, and he avers he distinctly saw the soldier pointing at his person. The commander of the Echo, Lieutenant Robert Otway, together with those of his officers who were on deck, have also affirmed, that apparently the same premeditated aim, and a similar fire, of which Commander Belcher and the officers of the AEtna complain, had been taken and opened upon the Echo. Under these circumstances, I felt myself called upon to communicate with the Visconde upon