338 MISSION TO PORTUGAL. [1806. 



palace would be declared as the suspicion entered 

 their minds of what was in view. He then was de- 

 termined to take the prince's arm, while one of his 

 officers (I think it was Sir Pultney Malcolm who was 

 in the secret, and on whom he .had entire reliance), 

 took the other arm, and the men joining them, the 

 prince and his chief attendants were to be forced into 

 the boat as gently as possible, but at once, and con- 

 veyed on board the Hibernia without their having 

 time to give any warning to their servants, all of 

 whom were to be detained by the men surrounding 

 the boats. On their arrival at the Hibernia, the 

 regent would find the most ample preparation for 

 accommodating them, and as many as they chose to 

 send for. But they were to sail for Eio Janiero that 

 evening, after issuing a proclamation to declare the 

 seat of government transferred. Lord St Vincent 

 had no doubt that great as the ill-humour and even 

 indignation might be, yet a few hours' conversation 

 would obtain this proclamation. All communication 

 with the shore being cut off, and the commission 

 having the power of placing the whole affair in what- 

 ever light they pleased, he believed the regent and 

 those about him would consent, and care would be 

 taken to send for his favourites, in whose hands he 

 was known to be entirely, as we had found from all 

 our sources of information, including Lord Strangford, 

 who had been for some time charge d'affaires in the 

 absence of our minister, Lord Robert Fitzgerald. 

 Aranjo, the chief minister, was to be allowed, if he 



