DEC. 1768 LEAVE RIO DE JANEIRO 31 
made it necessary for us to go no more ashore while we 
stayed. 
1st December. We learnt that Mr. Forster had been taken 
into custody, charged with smuggling. The real cause, we 
believe, was that he had shown some countenance to his 
countrymen, as we heard at the same time that five or six 
Englishmen residing in the town, and a poor Portuguese, 
who used to assist our people in bringing things to the boats, 
had also been put into prison without any reason being 
given. 
2nd. This morning, thank God, we have got all we 
want from these illiterate, impolite gentry, so we got up 
our anchor and sailed to the point of Ilhoa dos Cobras, 
where we were to lie and wait for a fair wind, which should 
come every night from the land. A Spanish brig from 
Buenos Ayres with letters for Spain arrived about a week 
ago; her officers were received ashore with all possible 
civility, and allowed, to take a house without the least 
hesitation. The captain, Don Antonio de Monte negro y 
Velasco, with great politeness offered to take our letters to 
Europe. Of this very fortunate circumstance we availed 
ourselves, and sent our letters on board this morning. 
5th. We attempted to tow down with our boats, and 
came nearly abreast of Santa Cruz, their chief fortification, 
when to our great surprise the fort fired two shots at us, 
one of which went just over our mast; we immediately 
brought to, and sent ashore to inquire the reason; we were 
told that no order had come down to allow us to pass, and 
that without such no ship was ever suffered to go below that 
fort. We were now obliged to send to town to know the 
reason of such extraordinary behaviour; the answer came 
back about eleven that it was a mistake, for the brigadier 
had forgotten to send the letter, which had been written 
some days ago. It was, however, sent by the boat, and we 
had leave to proceed. We now began to weigh our anchor, 
which had been dropped in foul ground, when we were fired 
upon, but it was so fast in a rock that it could not be got 
up while the land breeze blew, which to-day continued 
