The Life and Times of Carlos Frederico Lecor

MARSHAL OF THE ARMY CARLOS FREDERICO LECOR

VISCOUNT OF THE LAGUNA, GRAND OF THE EMPIRE

* Honorary Grand Cross of the Military Order of the Tower and the Sword (Portugal)

* Officer of the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross (Cruzeiro) (Brazil)

* Commander of the Royal Order (Portugal) and the Imperial Order of St. Benedict of Aviz (Brazil)

* Medal fo Distinction of Command of the Peninsular War, for 4 actions (Vitoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle e Nive) (Portugal)

* Peninsular War Cross, 1st class, Gold, for 6 campaigns (Portugal)

* Army Gold Cross (Vitoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle e Nive) (United Kingdom)

* Medal for Distinction in the Army of the South (Brazil)

I. Childhood and Youth (1764-1793)

CARLOS FREDERICO LECOR, the first son of Luiz Pedro Lecor and D. Quitéria Luísa Marina Lecor, was born on 6 October 1764, in Santos-o-Velho, Lisboa, in the Pé de Ferro St., next to the Convent of the Trinas do Mocambo. He moves, along with his family to Faro somewhere in the 1770s.

After his initial studies, he may have worked as a clerk in his uncle's commercial company, as well as traveled to northern Europe, but, at 29, he decided to enlist in the royal service, as a Gunner, in the Fortress of São João, in Tavira, 13 October 1793. 

II. Subaltern (1794-1797)

On 17 March 1794, already a Sargeant, he is promoted to Adjutant in Portimão, his first position as a commissioned officer. That same year, 5 October, he is admitted to the Navy Royal Academy (Real Academia de Marinha), as a first-year disciple, having been 'fully approved' in the admission exam.  At the end of the year, 2 December, he became the First Lieutenant of the 8th company of Gunners of the Algarve Artillery Regiment.

Between the Algarve and Lisbon, he concludes the 1st year in the Royal Academy, being approved in the final exam, around June1795, thus being entitled to attend the 2nd year. That is not to happen, as he embarks on the Príncipe Real, in late December, to Brazil, with a detachment of his regiment to serve in the ship's complement. The fleet travels from Lisbon to Salvador, and returns to Lisbon around July 1796. According to some sources, Lecor takes a leave from service, and it is possible that he may have attended the 2nd year courses of the Royal Academy.

III. Captain in the Light Troops (1797-1805)

On 1 March 1798, Lecor is promoted to captain of the 8th infantry company of the Light Troops Legion (LTL), the first permanent light unit in the Portuguese army. He participates in the 1801 campaign, in Zibreira, in the Castelo Branco frontier. A year later, 13 May 1802 (anniversary of the Prince Regent), he is promoted to major (sargento mor) of the LTL.

IV. Aid de Camp (1805-1808)

Three years on, 1 August 1805, he is promoted to lieutenant colonel of the legion, but exercising as the Aid of Camp (AdC) of the newly appointed Vice King of Brazil, the 3rd marquis of Alorna. Although Alorna is not to take possession of his office, Lecor remains as his AdC when he becomes Governor at Arms (Governador de Armas) of the Alentejo province.

Before uniting with his general in the Alentejo, he remains as caretaker commander of the Legion, until Baron of Wiederhold finally assumes his command.

In 1807, it is Lecor the one who identifies the French already well inside Portugal, in Vila Velha de Ródão, on the 2 November, running to warn the Minister of War, António de Araújo Azevedo, and the Prince Regent João which he is able to do by the morning of the 23rd, in Lisbon. His report and further reconnoiter in the Cartaxo and Golegã areas were essential to assure the full security of the Court's boarding.

After 29 November, he remains aid de camp to the marquis of Alorna, cooperating with the French occupation, until he flees, on Easter 1808, towards the British fleet, commanded by Admiral Sir Sidney Smith, taking exile in Plymouth. After the revolt and the creation of the Oporto Junta, lieutenant colonel Lecor arrives at Oporto, with the task of promoting the formation of the 2nd Battalion of the Lusitanian Loyal Legion, which he had helped to create in England.

V. Peninsular War (1808-1812)

On 20 November 1808, during the process of reforming the Army, he is promoted to Colonel commanding the Infantry Regiment nr. 23, in Almeida. On 2 February next year, he is appointed brigade commander of the forces present in the Beira Baixa province, with his headquarters first at Idanha a Nova and then in Castelo Branco.

Lecor participates in the August 1809 campaign, commanding the brigade made up of the Caçadores Battallions nr. 3 and 4, at one point, and 4 and 6, on a later one, together with the 2nd Battalion of the Infantry Regiment nr. 9. In February 1810, the Lecor Brigade, (made of the Infantry Regiments nr. 12 and 13) is positioned in Muradal Heights, forming a second line to Robert Wilson's command in Castelo Branco. The following month, Lecor takes his brigade to Castelo Branco, replacing the Wilson Brigade.

In 1810, the Lecor Brigade, with the addition of a battalion each from the Militia Regiments of Castelo Branco, Idanha and Covilhã, is made subordinate to general Hill's command, the campaign culminating in the battle of Buçaco, 27 September, where he doesn't engage in combat, retreating then with the rest of the army until the first days of October to the extreme right of the defensive lines, in Alhandra, by the Tagus.

On 5 March 1811, Lecor is appointed commanding officer of the Portuguese brigade of the newly formed 7th Division, but in April that year, before Fuentes de Honor, he is again appointed the military governor of the Castelo Branco area, with the Militia regiments of the area. Two months later, on 8 May, he is promoted to brigadier. In 1812, he reacts with the utmost judgment and firmness to the Marmont's incursion of April, complying to the letter with Beresford's orders and evacuating Castelo Branco calmly and without casualties.

VI. Campaigns of Spain and France (1813-1814)

On March 1813, on the verge of the new campaign, Lecor is again appointed commanding officer of the Portuguese brigade of the 7th Division, participating in Vitoria and the Pyrenees. On 10 July, he is promoted to major general (marechal de campo). On 10 November 1813, he is the interim commanding officer of the 7th Division in the battle of Nivelle, the only Portuguese general who ever commanded a division made up of both British and Portuguese units in battle. In early December, with the appointment of George Walker to the divisional command, Lecor resumes the command of the 6th Portuguese Brigade, but is almost immediately appointed commanding officer of the Portuguese Division, part of general Hill's corps.

On 13 December that year, in St. Pierre's battle, the last day of the Nive, he commands the Portuguese Division, mainly the Algarve Brigade (Infantry Regiments nr. 2 and 14) in the centre, even ordering himself a charge of the Infantry 14's 2nd Battalion to disentangle the 1st  Battalion which were enveloped by French voltigeurs. He is lightly wounded that day.

He commands the division until the end of the war, returning to Portugal the following month, as the most senior Portuguese officer of the Army at Operations. Shortly after arriving in Lisbon, on 28 August, he assumes the position of governor of the Elvas fortress, to which he was appointed the previous year.

VII. The Royal Volunteers (1815)

In June 1815, some months after becoming Elva's Governor, Carlos Fredrico is promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed commanding officer of the Prince's Royal Volunteers Division (Divisão dos Voluntários Reais do Príncipe), a grand unit with a little under 5000 men, destined for Brazil. His name was chosen by the Rio Government in December 1814, when the orders were signed and sent to Lisbon.

From July to December, Lecor was in Belém, supervising the training and equipping of the new grand unit, leaving Lisbon in early 1816, with most of it (mainly the infantry). Among the many concerns regarding the training of the military force, Lecor worried also with the health of his men having vaccinated them, with himself being vaccinated in public for all to see. For that, he was made a correspondent of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

He arrives at Rio de Janeiro in early April 1816, receiving then the news that queen Maria had died a few days before. Despite the sad news, these are moments of great joy in Rio. Among the many moments of pomp, like the parade and the exercise on 13th May, immortalized in a painting by Debret, royal receptions and diplomatic dinner parties, the Division was under almost daily training.

Finally, on 12 June the Division, now called King's Royal Volunteers Division, as João VI became king, embarked once more on the fleet and sailed from Rio towards Santa Catarina, arriving at the island in early July. By this time, the Division's objective is perfectly clear and defined: taking Montevideo and the Banda Oriental province and the creation of a general-captaincy under the leadership of Carlos Frederico Lecor.

VIII. Montevideo Campaign (1816-1821)

Upon arrival in July, the Division started disembarking the first detachment of many that were to march the around 700 kilometers between S. Catarina and the Rio Grande town.

By this time the Division was wholly on enemy territory, the action had already begun in the Rio Grande's southwest theater, with the battle of Carumbé, on 27 October. After the battle of India Muerta, on 19 November, in which major general Sebastião Pinto de Araújo Correia, Lecor's nr. 2, destroyed the only threat in eastern Banda Oriental, the road to Montevideo was wide open, with Lecor trying to obtain political compromises more than an armed domination.

On 20 January 1817, six months after initially predicted, and after negotiations with the municipal council, Lecor and the Royal Volunteers peacefully enter Montevideo, received by the majority of the Cabildo. To the north, two weeks earlier, the marquis of Alegrete destroyed Artigas' forces at Catalán. Thus starts what Falcão Espalter calls the Lecor Vigil (Vigia Lecor), the 9-year period of Lecor as the captain-general of the Banda Oriental. The refined, tall, blonde and blue-eyed general cultivated social relations with the city's bourgeoisie and surrounded himself with local allies of great worth, which in turn allowed for more alliances. 

On 6 February 1818, Carlos Frederico is made Baron of the Laguna, on occasion of the acclamation of the new king João VI (Portuguese kings were not crowned since around 1660). On 3 December the same year, he marries Rosa Maria Josefa Deogracias de Herrera y Basavilbaso, a 18-year-old Montevidean.

After the end of the conflict, in 1820, with the battle of Tacuarembó, won under the command of the count of Figueira, in the border with Rio Grande, the federalist opposition by Artigas ends. In a year's time, Lecor obtains the full integration of the Banda Oriental into the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, under the name of Cisplatina. It is the last acquisition of land by the Portuguese empire.

He is made Honorary Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and the Sword on 15 November 1820.

IX. The Brazilian Liberty (1822-1828)

Lecor follows the evolution of the political situation in Rio, since king João VI returns to Portugal, and when the independence finally comes, he supports Pedro, exits Montevideo to Canelones, just two days after the 7 September, under the pretence of reviewing troops and assumes command of the Brazilian forces, hailing the new empire. In December 1822 he is made Officer of the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross. In early 1823, his title of baron of the Laguna is confirmed, also receiving the honours of Grand of the Empire.

Lecor maintains a prolonged siege of his old conquest, Montevideo, and by the end of 1823 he reaches a peace arrangement with what is left of the Royal Volunteers, thus concluding the last act of the Brazilian War of Independence. The Portuguese evacuate the city in 1824, and are the last forces to do so.

In 1825, Lecor's title is raised to Viscount of the Laguna, and Grand of the Empire, equivalent to count. That same year, the 33 Orientales disembark in Cisplatina with the aim to restart the struggle and liberate once and for all the Banda Oriental of the Uruguay, in order to bring it back to Argentina. In April 1826, Lecor is appointed commander in chief of the Army of the South and travels to Porto Alegre later that year, in August. Despite being received as a hero and a saviour, is work is cut short when the emperor Pedro exonerates him a month after, in an audience in Porto Alegre in which the emperor (then visiting Rio Grande) shows him nothing but coldness and spite.

Hurt, Carlos Frederico travels to Rio de Janeiro, thinking it would be the end of his military career. However, the army is defeated in Itazuangó (or Passo do Rosário) in February 1827, under the command of the marquis of Barbacena. By August, the emperor felt the need to reinstate the old general. Lecor arrived from Rio de Janeiro, but assumes command only in January 1828. The now 63-year-old general faces the double task of caring for a tired and demoralised army and avoiding more unnecessary battles, against the backdrop of peace negotiations already taking place in London. Finally, the peace comes in late 1828 and Lecor's military career, despite this brief second wind, is over.

X. Old Soldiers never die... (1829-1836)

In 1829, Lecor embarks to Rio de Janeiro where he will live until the end of his life. He is subjected to a Justificative Court Martial, much in response to a conflict he maintained with his number 2 in the Army of the South, Gustavo Braun (or Brown). He is acquitted, congratulated and retires as a Marshall of the Army, the highest rank in the Brazilian army.

The Viscount of the Laguna with Greatness resided in the Aterrado Street by the bridge, then in the outskirts of Rio, with his young wife. He kept away from politics, but remained in the confidence of the regency governments, after the abdication of Pedro in 1831. In 1835, that same regency appointed him Superior Commander of the newly created National Guard in Rio de Janeiro. The appointment was clearly honorary, but a proof that the old general had still the confidence of his country.

On 2 August 1836, not even a year later, Carlos Frederico Lecor died in his home, with the age of 71 years and 10 months. The cause of death is not known, but may have been result of a prolonged disease. He left no descendency.

Alguns Documentos Primários acerca da Tomada de Caiena (14 de Janeiro 1809)

No dia 14 de Janeiro de 1809, forças portuguesas e britânicas tomaram posse oficialmente de Caiena, dois dias após o assentamento dos termos de rendição. Do dia 5 a 14, as operações desenrolaram-se em território francês.

D. João havia declarado guerra a França em Junho do ano anterior, a tomada de Caiena foi uma primeira oportunidade de causar dano aos franceses a partir da nova base de poder no Rio de Janeiro.

Tendo sido ordenado ao capitão general do Pará, tenente general Jozé Narciso de Magalhães de Menezes, que tomasse Caiena e a Guiana Francesa, este ordenou ao tenente coronel Manuel Marques, comandante da Artilharia do Pará que comandasse um destacamento que operaria em conjunto com as forças navais britânicas e algumas portuguesas.

Apresento as duas partes oficiais, do comandante português, tenente coronel Manuel Marques e o comandante britânico, Captain James Yeo, do que ocorreu entre os dias 5 e 14 de Janeiro.

Carta do Tenente Coronel Manuel Marques (Corpo de Artilharia do Pará) ao Capitão General do Pará, Cayenne, 21.1.1809 [de 5 de Janeiro a 14 de Janeiro, pelo menos]

Ill.mo e Ex.mo Senhor = A minha ultima Carta dattada a 5 de Janeiro de 1809 annuncia a V. Ex.ª a minha sahida do Aproague, e o projecto do attaque de Cayenna combinado entre mim, e o Capitão Yeo [James Lucas Yeo, Royal Navy, 1782-1818]: Resta-me agora relatar a V. Ex.ª a concluzão dos nossos successos na Guyanna, e o inteiro cumprimento das Respeitaveis Ordens de que V. Ex.ª foi servido encarregar-me.

[5JAN1809] No dia 5 de Janeiro embarcou a Tropa do meu Commando, ficando no Aproague [rio Aproak] settenta homens, tanto sãos, como enfermos, commandados pelo Capitão Luiz Antonio Jozé Salgado, pelo Tenente Francisco Antonio Pinto / encarregado das muniçoens de Guerra, e bocas e pelo Alferes Florentino Jozé da Costa,

[6JAN1809] No dia 6 ancoramos ao largo da embocadura do Rio, e d'ali marchou o Capitão Yeo com trezentos homens (duzentos Granadeiros e Cassadores do meu Commando, e um das guarnições da Fragata e Brigues) e huma das nossas Peças de Campanha Commandada pelo Capitão Azedo [Joaquim Pedro Azedo], em pequenas Embarcaçoens, com o projecto de dezembarcar no Rio Mayori [rio Mahuri] da parte da Ilha, isto se effectuou da meia noite para o dia 7 n'huma Batteria denominada o Diamante [hoje Fort du Diamant] de duas Peças de 24 de Ferro, e huma de 8 de Bronze; n'esta Batteria forão mortos dos Francezes o capitão Commandante, e trez soldados, e prizioneiros dezasseis, incluzos trez feridos, tendo fugido o resto: da nossa parte foi ferido mortalmente o Commandante da Tropa Ingleza [tenente John Read, Royal Marines], que morreu no dia 9, e trez soldados tambem Inglezes: O Capitão Joaquim Manuel [Joaquim Manuel Pinto, 1.º RegInf Pará] com 140 homens marchou immediatamente por terra a attacar o Degrá de Canne [Degrad-de-Cannes], outra Batteria de duas Peças de 8 de Bronze, distante desta pouco mais, ou menos huma lêgoa, e guarnecida por trinta e sette homens, dos quaes morreu o Commandante, e hum soldado, prizioneiros quatro, e os mais em fuga.

[7JAN1809] Na manhãa do referido dia 7 dezembarquei eu com o resto da Tropa no Diamante, o tempo que chegava huma parte do Capitão Joaquim Manuel [Pinto, ver acima], dizendo, que era precizo reforçar o Posto do Degrá de Canne onde se achava, porque o Inimigo trabalhava em formar Batterias da parte opposta, e já tinha duas estabelecidas: marchei logo com huma pequena Guarda a reconhecer os pontos por onde podia ser attacado, e ordenei ao Major Palmeirim [José Xavier Palmeirim, 3.º RegInf Pará] que conduzisse a Tropa para aquelle Posto em que eu me estabeleci, porque elle protege hum dos caminhos de Cayenna: ali se ajuntou comigo o Capitão Yeo, e assentando de mandar // encravar a Artilheria de Ferro, e destruir a Batteria do Diamante, o que foi logo executado.

Ainda nos restava de mesma margem do Rio hum Posto de duas peças denominado o Triô, e da margem opposta as referidas duas Batterias que deffendião a habitação, ou fazenda de Mr. Hugues [Victor Hughes, governador francês de Caiena], para as destruir mandamos entrar as Embarcaçoens no Rio: principiou o fogo às quatro horas e meia da tarde pela Batteria em que já me achava postado, pelo Cuter Vingança Commandado pelo Patrão Mor [Manuel Correia], Chalupa Leão pelos Sargentos Jozé Antonio de Barros, de Pedestres, e Ignacio Pereira, d'Artilheria, Goleta Invencivel Menezes pelo Tenente Mikilles [José Bernardo Miquilles], Barcas N.º 1 pelo Furriel Bernardo António, e N.º 2 pelo Sargento João Gonçalvez Correia Guimaraens: as seis horas vendo eu que deminuia o fogo inimigo mandei cento e cinquenta homens de dezembarque em Montarias para se senhorearem dos Postos; forão recebidos com Fuzilaria, e Metralha; conseguirão porem pôr os inimigos em fuga total, desmontarem as Peças, e destruir os Reparos.

[7JAN1809, 1900H] As sette horas, quando tudo se achava em movimento, e a Tropa quazi toda dividida pelos differentes postos; fui attacado n'aquelle em que me achava pela rectaguarda da parte da Ilha: As Guardas avançadas, compostas, a principal de 80 homens Commandada pelo Tenente Jozé Leitão Fernandes, e huma Peça de Campanha pelo Tenente Chateauneuf sustentarão o primeiro fogo: marchei logo em seu socorro com a gente que me restava, e outra Peça Commandada pelo Tenente Francisco Marques: a Tropa que havia passado à outra parte pensando não haver mais inimigos, voltou com velocidade, e tendo-se feito hum fogo vivissimo tanto d'Artilheria, como de Mosquetaria pelo espaço de quazi duas horas, foi derrotado, e posto em fuga o inimigo, deixando seis mortos sobre o Campo, e levando trinta feridos.

Eu vi n'esta acção com prazer, que a nossa Tropa se portou com hum vallor extraordinario: cada hum de persi dezejava assignalar-se,e eu não devo omittir a V. Ex.ª que vindo a faltar os Cartuxos dos Soldados, por se terem consumido os que tinhão nas Patronas, o Reverendo Padre Capellão poz hum cunhete d'elles sobre as costas, e foi levar-lho pelo meio do fogo.

[8JAN1809] No dia 8 reaparecerão ainda sobre as Batterias que deffendião a habitação de M.r Hugues os inimigos: Mr. Maclester [William Howe Mulcaster, Royal Navy, 1785-1837] foi enviado como Parlamentário ao Commandante d'ellas, sendo porem (contra todas as Leys da Guerra) recebido com Fuzilaria, o Commandante Yeo em consequencia d'este attentado marchou sobre ellas com toda a sua gente, cincoenta homens nossos, e huma Peça de Campanha: levou as Batterias a golpes de sabre, poz em fuga os inimigos, e querendo perseguillos por h~ua grande Estrada, encontrou n'ella trez cortaduras deffendidas por duas Peças de Campanha, venceu ainda estes obstaculos, e tomou as Peças: a este tempo enviei-lhe mais cincoenta homens com o Alferes Morada [Manuel José da Morada, 1.º RegInf Pará], bravo official que cumpriu valerozamente e decidio: Mr. Yeo // fez pôr fogo a toda a habitação de M.r Hugues, assim como áo Posto do Triô em razão da reiterada rezistencia que fizerão.

N'esta acção foi ferido gravemente o Patrão Mor [Manuel Correia, ver acima] por huma Balla de Metralha que lhe atraveçou o beiço inferior, acha-se porem melhor, e dá esperança de um prompto restabelecimento.

Na Rellação incluza N.º 1 verá V. Ex.ª os Individuos debaixo do meu Commando que forão feridos, nestas differentes acçoens, assim como d'aquelles que mais se destinguirão, posto que geralmente não se pode taxar de Cobardia a nenhum delles.

Eu não tenho termos assáz expressivos, e fortes com que possa exprimir a V. Ex.ª o quanto incessantemente nos tem ajudado, e os serviços importantes que tem rendido ào Nosso Soberano a Guarnição da Fragata Ingleza; a intrepidez, o valor o mais distincto os guia em todas as occazioens, e seus dignos officiais infatigaveis, não se poupando a trabalho algum, se tem achado sempre à teste d'elles nos mais perigozos encontros.

[9JAN1809] Achando-nos pois senhores de todos os Pontos Fortificados que defendião o dezembarque na Ilha de Cayenna, de 11 Canhoens tomados em dous dias, e não nos restando mais inimigos a combater n'esta parte, rezolvemos eu, e Mr. Yeo hir tomar no interior huma pozição vantajoza, e por isso marchei com a Minha Tropa no dia 9 a postar-me na habitação de Bourgarde situada sobre huma altura d'onde podia interceptar toda a communicação com Cayenna, tendo segura retirada no cazo de ser attacado superiormente: N'esta marcha de quazi duas Legoas feita debaixo de hum sol ardentissimo; eu me enchi de prazer, e ternura vendo o valor, a constancia, e a obediencia da nossa Tropa levada áo ultimo gráo: o Soldado atenuado de fadia, coberto de suor, carregado com a sua Espingarda, e com 50 Cartuxos embalados, trazia ainda às costas as Munições da Artilheria, e puxava as Peças; isto admira tanto mais que elles não tinhão largado as Armas, e cessado de trabalhar os dias antecedentes, tomando sempre à pressa a nutrição necessaria.

[10-11JAN1809] Estando estabelecidos na refrida pozição enviamos, como Parlamentarios a Cayenna no dia 10, M.r Maclester [Mulcaster, ver acima], e o Tenente Mikilles com a sommação ào Governador que por Copia N.º 2 remeto incluza a V. Ex.ª respondeu com a Carta aqui tambem junta N.º 3: Em consequencia d'ella tivemos huma conferencia no dia 11 em que se tratou da Capitulação, e pedindo-nos pela Carta N.º 4 lhe dicessemos se o systema de libertar os Escravos era em conformidade das nossas Instrucçoens; lhe respondemos com a Carta N.º 5:

[12JAN1809] Em 12 de Janeiro foi feita, e assignada a Capitulação no Posto avançado de Bordá, e n'ella verá V. Ex.ª que eu me cingi literalmente as Instrucçoens que V. Ex.ª foi servido dar-me, e que não exigi outras vantagens que as de segurar a pocessão d'esta Colonia a Sua Alteza Real o Principe Regente Nosso Senhor.

[14JAN1809] O Artigo 1.º foi exactamente cumprido no dia 14 em que eu entrei com a minha Tropa n'esta Cidade, e fiz arvorar a nossa Bandeira solemnizando este acto com huma salva de 21 tiros: a Tropa Franceza embarcou logo para bordo das nossas pequenas Embarcaçoens, que são ao todo 593 homens; e para se dar o devido cumprimento aos Artigos 2.º, e 3.º, faz-se precizo que V. Ex.ª envie aqui as Embarcaçoens competentes, tendo V. Ex.ª em consideração que não há viveres para a sustentação d'esta gente longo tempo: O Capitão Yeo já escreveo ao Governador de Suriname para o mesmo fim; mas hé outra couza incerta, e esta Tropa, torno a dizer, faz aqui muito pezo.

Em consequencia do Artigo 6.º forão enviados para bordo da Fragata e Brigues os Pretos a quem era devida a liberdade, pelos seus serviços: estes sujeitos que até aqui nos forão favoraveis, agora se inquietão sobre maneira: elles se tem sublevado em quazi toda a Colonia, tem pilhado algumas habitaçoens, e até mesmo a Gabriella que faz o Assumpto do Artigo 14.º, a qual pertencia ao Imperador, e hé hum objecto muito preciozo para o Nosso Soberano, não só pelo seu splendor, e magnificencia, como pela prodigioza quantidade de Cravo que produz. Para remediar efficázmente à propagação d'este mal, fiz publicar na Cidade a Proclama incluzo N.º 6, que felizmente vai produzindo o effeito dezejado.

A Barca N.º 3, cuja falta tento me tem mortificado, acha-se em Suriname: soube aqui depois de ter deixado a Fragata entre Coanany, e Cacipure, amarou-se bastante para poder montar em segurança este ultimo Cabo; as correntezas porem a trouxerão para sotavento de Cayenna, e achando-se sem agoa mandou a terra o Sargento João da Costa Roza d'Artilheria, e cinco Soldados para fazerem provizão d'ella; os quaes sendo aqui feitos prizioneiros; ella fez-se à vella, e se acolheu a aquelle Porto d'onde já a mandei buscar.

Achou-se n'esta Praça muita Artilheria; porem quazi toda desmontada, e muito poucas Muniçoens de Guerra: Os inventarios de tudo isto, assim como das Muniçoens de boca, hirão no Brigue Avoador que está a partir para essa Capital, porque achando-se os objectos em varias repartiçoens hé precizo tempo para se fazerem com exactidão os ditos Inventarios.

Sendo necessario, e indispensavel vella na segurança interior, Policia, e tranquilidade da Colonia, e não tendo a quem incarregar destas importantes Commissoens; organizei huma Junta Provizoria composta de oito dos mais conspicuos habitantes; cuja constituição, deveres e condiçoens, verá V. Ex.ª na Ordenança N.º 7, pela qual a institui, e criei.

As sabias Ordens, e Determinaçoens de V. Ex.ª que anciozamente espero me esclarecerão sobre a marcha que devo seguir no Governo d'esta Colonia; em quanto V. Ex.ª // for servido que eu o ocupe; devendo asseverar a V. Ex.ª que pelo genio activo, e industriozo dos Habitantes, e pela sua assiduidade na Agricultura, ella hé huma acquizição importante para o Nosso Soberano, e igualará em opulencia; se não exceder; às outras Colonias da America, se a liberdade do Commercio, e huma Paz duravel, a deixarem restabelecer dos choques destructores que tem soffrido.

Deus Guarde a V. Ex. Cayenna, 21 de Janeiro de 1809
Ill.mo e Ex.mo Senhor Tenente General Jozé Narcizo de Magalhaens de Menezes, Governador e Capitão General do estado do Pará, e da Guyanna 
O Tenente Coronel Manoel Marques.

Está conforme ao original
O Secretario interino do Governo

Giraldo Jozé d'Abreu (...)

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Pormenores da Tomada de Caiena, a dia 4

Foi assignada a Capitulação de Cayenna a 12 de Janeiro deste anno de 1S09 por Victor Hugues, General Francez , e pelos Commandantes acima nomeados Yeo, , e Marques.

Éffectuou-se a entrada das nossas Tropas em Cayenna a 14 de Janeiro. Conduzia no centro dellas o triunfante Estandarte Real José de Figueiredo Aragão e Vasconcellos, Cadete Granadeiro do 1. ° Regimento de Linha do Pará , o qual teve a distincta honra de o arvorar no Castello da Cidade; acto que foi applaudido com repetidos vivas a S. A. R , e vinte e hum tiros d'Artilheria. Espera-se que alli por largos séculos tremule a mesma Real Bandeira, para honra de DEOS, gloria permanente do PRINCIPE REGENTE N. S., e grandíssimas utilidades da Nação Portugueza.

In: José Eugénio de Aragão e Lima, À Tomada da Cayenna pelas Tropas do Pará - Ode, Rio de Janeiro, imprensda Régia, 1810

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Parte Oficial do Captain James Lucas Yeo, em carta de 15 de Janeiro, um dia após a entrada oficial em Cayenna

APRIL 15. Captain James Lucas Yea, of his Majesty's ship the Confiance, has, with his letter dated at Cayenne, the 9th February last, transmittedto the Hon. William Wellesley Pole. copies of his letters to Rear-Admiral Sir William Sidney Smith, detailing his proceedings in the expedition against the above settlement.

Having, in conjunction with the Portuguese land forces, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Manuel Marques, taken possession, on the 8th December last, of the district of Oyapok, and on the 15th of the same month, with the Confiance and a Portuguese sloop and cutter, reduced that of Approaque; Captain Yeo, together with the lieutenant-colonel, proceeded to the attack of the island of Cayenne with the Confiance, two Portuguese sloops, and some smaller vessels, having on board five hundred and fifty Portuguese troops. 

The following is a copy of Captain Yetes letter on this subject. 

His Majesty's Ship Confiance, Cayenne Harbour, 

15th January, 1809. 

My last letters to you of the 26th ult. informed you of the arrival of the Portuguese troops at Approaque.
[4JAN1809] On the 4th inst. it was determined by Lieutenant-colonel Mattoel Marques and myself, to make a descent on the east side of the island of Cayenne. Accordingly all the troops were embarked on board the small vessels, amounting to 560, and 80 seamen and marines from the Confiance, and a party of marines from the Voador and Infante brigs. 

[6JAN1809] On the morning of the 6th all dropt into the mouth of the river. In the evening I proceeded with ten Canoes and about 250 men, to endeavour to gain possession of two batteries: the one Fort Diamant, which commands the entrance of the river Mahuree [Mahury], the other Grand Cane [Degrad-de-Cannes], commanding the great road to the town of Cayenne. The vessels, with the remainder of the troops, I entrusted to Captain Salgado [Luís António José Salgado ?], of the Voador, with orders to follow me after dusk, to anchor in the mouth of the river Mahuree, and wait until I gained the before-mentioned batteries; when, on my making the signal agreed on, he was to enter the river and disembark with all possible despatch.

[7JAN1809, 0300H] I reached Point Mahuree at three o'clock next morning, with five canoes; the others being heavy could not keep up. We then landedin a bay half way between the two batteries. The surge was so great, that our boats soon went to pieces. I ordered Major Joaquim Manoel Pinto, with a detachment of Portuguese troops, to proceed to the left, and take Grand Cane; while myself, accompanied by Lieutenants Mulcaster, Blyth, and [John] Read (of the royal marines); Messrs. Savory, William Taylor, Forder, and Irwin, proceeded to the right with a party of the Confiance, to take Fort Diamant, which was soon in our possession, mounting two twenty-four and one brass nine-pounder, and fifty men.

I am sorry to add, that Lieutenant John Read, of the royal marines, a meritorious young officer, was mortally wounded, as also one sesman and five marines badly. The French captain and commandant, with three soldiers, killed, and four wounded. The major had the same success: the fort mounting two brass nine-pounders and forty men ; two of the enemy were killed. The entrance of the river being in our possession, the signal agreed on was made, and by noon all were disembarked. At the same time I received information of General Victor Hugues having quitted Cayenne, at the head of a thousand troops, to dispossess us of our posts. 

Our force bring too small to be divided, and the distance between the two posts being great, and only twelve miles from Cayenne, it was determined to dismantle Fort Diarnant, and collect all our forces at Grand Cane. I therefore left my first lieutenant, Mr. Mulcaster, with a party of the Confiance, to perform that service, and then join me. 

On arriving at Grand Cane [Degrad-de-Cannes], I perceived two other batteries about a mile up the river, on opposite sides, and within half gun-shot of each other: the one on the right bank called Treo, on an eminence commanding the creek leading to Cayenne; the other, at the opposite side, at the entrance of the creek leading to the house and plantation of General Victor Hugues, and evidently erected (or no other purpose than its defence. At three o'clock I anchored the Lion and Vinganza cutters abreast of them, when a smart action commenced on both sides for an hour; when finding the enemy's metal and position so superior to ours, the cutters having only four-pounders, and many of our men tolling from the incessant shower of grape-shot.

I determined to storm them, and therefore directed Mr. Savory (the purser,) to accompany a party of Portuguese to land at General Hugues' battery; at the same time proceeding my-self, accompanied by Lieutenant Myth, my gig's crew, and a party of Portuguere troops, to that of Treo; and though both parties had to land at the very muzzles of the guns keeping up a continual fire of grape and musketry, the cool bravery of the men soon carried them, and put the enemy to flight: each fort mounted two brass nine-pounders and fifty men. 

This service was scarcely accomplished, before the French troops from Cayenne attacked the colonel at Grand Cane. Our force then much dispersed, I therefore, without waiting an instant, ordered everybody to the boats, and proceeded to the aid of the colonel, who, with his small force, had withstood the enemy ; and after a smart action of three hours, they retreated to Cayenne.

At the same time, 250 of the enemy appeared before Fort Diamant; but perceiving Lieutenant Mulcaster prepared to receive them, and imagining his force much greater than it was, they, on hearing the defeat of their general, followed his example.

There vas yet the strongest post of the enemy to be taken, which was the private house of General Victor Hugues: he had, besides the fort above mentioned, planted before his house a field-piece and a swivel, with an hundred of his best troops. It is situated on the main, between two and three miles in the interior, at the end of an avenue the same length from the rivet; on the right of which is a thick wood, and on the left the creek Fouille. I have also to remark, that there is nothing near appertaining to government, or for the defence of the colony. 

[8JAN1809]On the morning of the 8th I proceeded, accompanied by Lieutenant Mulcaster, Messrs. Savory and Forder, with some seamen and marines of the Confiance, and a party of Portuguese troops, with a field-piece, to take the said post; but as my only object. was to take the troops prisoners, by which the garrison of Cayenne would be much weakened.

I despatched Lieutenant Mulcaster in my gig, with a flag of truce, to acquaint the officer commanding, that my only object was to take the post, for which I had force sufficient; and though I might lose some men in taking it, there could be no doubt as to the result:

I therefore requested, for the sake of humanity, be would not attempt to defend a place not tenable; but that I was determined, if he made a useless resistance in defending a private habitation, against which I gave him my honour no harm was intended. I should consider it as a fortress, and would level it to the ground. The enemy's advanced guard allowed the flag of truce to approach them within boats length; then tired two vollies at them, and retreated. I then landed; but reflecting it was possible this outrage was committed from the  ignorance of an inferior officer, I sent Lieutenant Mulcaster a second time, when on his approaching the house, they fired the field-piece at him. 

Finding all communication the, way ineffectual, yet wishing to preserve the private property of a general officer, who was perhaps ignorant and innocent of his officer's conduct, i sent one of the general's slaves to the officer with the same message, who returned with an answer that anything I had to communicate must be in writing; at the same instant he fired his field-piece as a signal to his troops, who were in ambush on our right in the wood, to fire, keeping up a steady and well-directed fire from his fieldpiece at the house.

It was my intention to have advanced with my fieldpiece; but finding he had made several fosses in the road, and the wood being lined with musketry, not a mini of whom we could see, and the field-piece in front, I ordered ours to be thrown into a fosse, when our men, with cheers, advanced with pike and bayonet, took the enemy's gun:

They retreated in the house, and kept up a smart fire from the windows; but on our entering they flew through the back premises into the wood, firing as they retreated. Every thing was levelled with the ground, except the habitations of the slaves. 

As we received information that about 400 of the enemy were about to take possession of Beauregard Plain, on an eminence which commands the several roads to and from Cayenne, it was determined. between the lieutenant-colonel and myself to be before hand with the enemy, and march our whole force there direct.

[9-10JAN1809] We gained the situation on the enemy on the 9th, and on the 10th lieutenant Mulcaster and a Portuguese officer, (Lieutenant Bernardo Mikillis,) were sent into the town with a summons (No. 1.) to the general.

In the evening these officers returned, accompanied by Victor Hugues's aid-de-camp, requesting on armistice for twenty-four hours, to arrange the articles of capitulation. This being granted, and hostages exchanged, on the 11th the lieutenant-colonel and myself met the general, and partly arranged the articles.

[12-14JAN1809] A second meeting on the morning of the 12th totally fixed them, (No. 11.) and on the morning of the 14th, the Portuguese troops and British seamen and marines marched into Cayenne, and took possession of the town.

The enemy, amounting to 400, laid down their arms on the parade, and were immediately embarked on board the several vessels belonging to the expedition; at the same time the militia, amounting to 600, together with 200 blacks, who had been incorporated with the regular troops, delivered in their arms.

It is with pleasure I observe, that throughout the expedition the utmost unanimity has prevailed between the Portuguese and British, and I have myself experienced the most friendly intercourse with Lieutenant-colonel Manoel Marques.

The conduct of Captain Salgado of the Voader in the post I assigned him was that of a zealous and energetic officer, and I feel I should do him an injustice were I to withhold my testimony of his merit. I must also acknowledge with satisfaction the services of Lieutenant Joze Pedro Schultz, who landed the Voador's marines, and indeed every individual belonging to the Portuguese squadron.

It has always been with the highest gratification to my feelings, that I have had to mention the good conduct of the officers, seamen, and marines of the ship I have the honour to command, but during the whole course of any service I loan never witnessed such persevering resolution as they have displayed from the commencement of the campaign to the reduction of Cayenne. 

To my first lieutenant, Mr. William Howe Mulcaster I feel myself principally indebted for the very aisle support I have received from bins throughout, though it was no inure than I expected from an officer of Isis known merit in the ben ice. 

[…]

In: James Clarke & John MacArthur (ed.), The Naval Chronicle, Volume 21, Janeiro-Junho 1809, Camdrige University Press, pp. 337-339

Fontes

- Biblioteca Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, manuscrito:  http://objdigital.bn.br/acervo_digital/div_manuscritos/mss1233593/mss1233593.pdf

- James Clarke & John MacArthur (ed.), The Naval Chronicle, Volume 21, Janeiro-Junho 1809, Camdrige University Press, pp. 337-339

- José Eugénio de Aragão e Lima, À Tomada da Cayenna pelas Tropas do Pará - Ode, Rio de Janeiro, imprensda Régia, 1810