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 had arrived from Vigo, bringing accounts that upwards of 150 seamen had deserted from the constitutional squadron; and that the Spanish authorities had decided that Sartorious should leave the bay with his ships, and not again take shelter nearer than the anchorage under the Bayonne Islands. This decision, it was apprehended, would materially affect the Vice-Admiral’s means of procuring supplies for Oporto, as well as for the Pedroite vessels of war in the Douro. The city was then becoming seriously distressed for provisions, and it appeared to be the object of Don Miguel to adopt every means in his power to cut off his opponent’s supplies.

On the morning of January 5th, Don Miguel’s troops brought some field-pieces on the heights opposite to the Seminaria, and succeeded in sinking the Pedroite schooner Coquette, and two gun-boats. On the afternoon of the same day, the Fulminénsia, a large bark under Brazilian colours, having on board 118 soldiers discharged from the constitutional service, when going out of the river, was fired at by the Sampaio battery, and compelled to anchor immediately under that fortification. Five of these men were killed and three dangerously wounded.

On the 7th, Commander Glascock made the following report to Rear-Admiral Parker:–

“Captain George, of Don Pedro’s service, having communicated to me, that it was apprehended many were wounded on board the vessel in question, and that he had no medical aid to send to her assistance, I immediately sent Commander Belcher with an official intimation to the officer commanding the fort at Sampaio, acquainting him that, in the cause of humanity, I requested, when sending on board surgical assistance, no molestation might be offered to the boats of H.M. squadron. Though Commander Belcher communicated with the fort at 5, I did not receive a written reply till half-past two on the following morning. The surgeons of H.M. ships had, however, in the first instance, accompanied Commander Belcher, who had obtained verbal permission for them to proceed on board the Brazilian bark. On returning to the squadron, notwithstanding intimation had been given, our boats were fired at by the piquets of Don Miguel; and on the following afternoon, when medical aid was again sent to the same vessel, a battery on Don Pedro’s side of the river threw shells at the moment the boats of the British squadron were accompanying their own wounded on shore, Don