Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p2.djvu/541

 General in command of the Villa Nova division, of which the following is a copy:

“Excellent Sir,– A most wanton outrage has just been committed by some of your troops in the vicinity of the St. Antonio convent. A boat of H.B.M.S. Orestes, with her ensign flying, has been fired into, and another man shot. I demand that you will take instant steps to give up the offender to me, or that you will satisfy me, and that immediately, that the party offending will be instantly punished. I wait your reply until two o’clock this afternoon. If not then received, I shall despatch a vessel direct to Admiral Parker, in the Tagus, acquainting him of this gross violation of neutrality. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)“.”

Long before Commander Belcher had reached St. Ovidio, the offender had been apprehended, lodged a prisoner in the guard-house, and the General’s aide-de-camp sent on board to learn the particulars of the case. On the night of the 11th, Commander Glascock received a letter from the Miguelite chief, Jose Antonio d’A Lemos, acquainting him that it was his intention to inflict corporal punishment upon the culprit, and intimating a desire that an officer of the British squadron should be present. Commander Glascock availed himself of this opportunity to visit the besiegers’ head quarters, accompanied by Commander Belcher.

Immediately after despatching Commander Belcher to