at this time, though many historians contradict this, stating that the colonists were encouraged to remain initially under the authority of Vernet's storekeeper, William Dickson and later his deputy, Matthew Brisbane. On returning to the River Plate, the Sarandí was observed by the Americans as the USS Lexington was being prepared to sail to the Falklands to protect American interests. As a result, there was no further action by the Americans. On his return Pinedo was the subject of a Court-martial for failing to resist the British in accordance with the Argentine Military Code. He argued that he did not receive specific instructions from Buenos Aires on how to react in case of a British military expedition. He was found guilty with a split decision between execution and being expelled from the service being decided by the Judge Advocate in favour of expulsion. However, the verdict was annulled due to irregularities in the proceedings and Pinedo given another command four months later. War against Uruguay Pinedo was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 3 July 1833. He commanded the Brig General Rosas between April and June 1834 patrolling the River Plate before transferring to the Schooner San Martin until September, when he joined the squadron of colonel Tomas Espora, which patrolled the Paraná river against any attempts of infiltration by the Paraguayan fleet, after threats made by Paraguayan dictator Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. In 1835, he commanded the schooner Federación patrolling between Bahía Blanca and Patagonia. On 29 September 1838 he was appointed colonel. Between January and May of that year he commanded the brig Republicano(the former schooner General San Martín). During the French blockade of the Río de la Plata Pinedo, once more under the command of William Brown, engaged several French launches. On 25 February 1841 Pinedo relieved John King of command of the Brig Vigilante then part of a squadron fighting against the squadron of Fructuoso Rivera. Between July and December 1841 Pinedo commanded the schooner Libertad conducting patrols in the River Plate. In January 1842, he became commander of the schooner Restaurador and the General Echagüe (formerly the Cagancha and later renamed Republicano). With this small flotilla Pinedo once more under the command of William Brown). Pinedo participated in riverine action against the forces of the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi, whose squadron was eventually destroyed at the battle of Costa Brava. Later in 1842 he organised a