Do you mean this? It is important, I think, to keep comments in context.

Of course I mean it. I'm not a joker like some around here.

There is no shame when a person like N, the notorious usurper and brutal renegade, attempts to brand Sir Sidney Smith as "infamous." It's a badge of honor to be worn proudly.

Regarding context, there's little doubt that royal elites, like those in Lisbon, were paying close attention to the Corsican's bulletins. They also would have been fully aware of the "infamous" Sir Sidney's exploits at Toulon, Acre, the "Lion of the Sea" in the channel, Naples (proudly defending the Bourbon dynasty of Queen Carolina) and, of course most recently, running the gauntlet of the Dardenelles. With Nelson gone, there was no more famous and feared (especially by N) British admiral than Sir Sidney.

What the Portuguese court saw in Sir Sidney was their savior from the ugly intentions of the French tyrant and save them he did; got another fancy medal for it, too.
See it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Tower_and_Sword