POLITICAL STATE OF BRAZIL. 



89 



On the 5th of January the Porpoise was ordered to drop down near 

 a slaver, on board of which it was reported some of our men had been 

 smuggled, to form a part of her crew. She was boarded, and though 

 the captain denied that they were on board, after a search two were 

 found. One of them was a black, who had himself been a slave, yet 

 he had been induced to enter for the purpose of carrying on this 

 nefarious traffic. This was the brig Fox, and though undoubtedly 

 fitted for a slaver, she sailed under English colours. It was given out 

 that she was bound for New Zealand. 



On the 6th of January, every thing being ready, we weighed 

 anchor, and dropped down the harbour. On passing the Indepen- 

 dence, we were saluted with six cheers, which were returned with 

 enthusiasm. 



There is no difficulty in beating out of the harbour of Rio, with a 

 ship of any class, although vessels sail generally in the morning, 

 with the land-breeze. The breeze failing, we anchored without the 

 harbour, and I took this opportunity of sending back the Flying-Fish, 

 in order to recover some of our men who had absented themselves. 

 Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold took charge of her, and effected the 

 object without difficulty. During this time I employed the officers in 

 measuring the height of the Sugar Loaf again for exercise. 



In the evening we weighed anchor, and stood to the southward on 

 our course. 



VOL. I. 



H2 



12 



