To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 3 January 1808

By the Brig Apollo Capt [G]oldsbury who sail’d on the 24th: Ulto. I had [on]ly time to inform you that Sir Saml. Hood [w]ith four Sail of the Line, five Frigates & a [n]umber of Transports with General Berresford [& f]our thousand Troops on board had just anchor’d [w]ithin two Cables length of the fortifications of [th]is City Some of whom had already dropped their [S]tern Anchors & had springs upon their Cables [f]lat bottom’d Boats out & apparently making [ev]ery preparation to land their Troops in case [of] resistance. Three British officers had come [on] Shore & were at that moment at the Govern[or’]s who had called a Council of War, and as the [Lo]ndon, ninety, one of the Ships that accomp[a]nied the Prince of Brazils from Lisbon, touched [he]re on the 11th: Ulto: gave us information of his [h]aving abdicated the Throne of his Ancestors, it is the general opinion that no hostilities will take place, that the Troops would be landed & be permitted to take possession of the Fortif[i]cations of the Island, but whether the Britis[h] intended holding the Island in deposit for the Crown of Portugal or convert it into a British Colony was not then known. I confir[m] the contents of the preceeding & have the honou[r] to inform you that this Island was taken possession of by the British with the greatest tranquility & good order & that on the 1st: of January 1808 the Council & heads of depa[r]tments took an oath of allegiance to His Britannic Majesty. Enclosed is a Copy of the Capitulation.

The Squadron still remains here & has not landed above two Thousand Troops. The remainder it is Supposed are destined to tak[e] possession of the Western Islands or Azores. This Port has been embargoed ever Since the arrival of the British Forces but the Apollo was blown off in a gale of Wind Consequently if she arrives in any regular time you will [h]ave early information of the Changes which [ha]ve taken place in this Island. This moment I have received the enclosed from the [G]overnors Secretary, which with my answer [I] transmit for your information. I request [y]ou Sir to have the goodness to order a new [C]ommission to be Sent to me as Soon as possible [&] that a duplicate thereof may be Sent to our Minister at London in order that my Exequator may be expedited as Soon as possible. I have the honour to continue with the most respectful [E]steem Sir Your obedt: Servant