ublican army.

Having thus assured myself of the complete restoration of order in the
capital and province of Ceara, and addressed a proclamation to the
inhabitants, pointing out to them the folly of being misled by designing
persons, who could have no accurate knowledge of matters which formed
the ground of complaint against the Imperial Government, we sailed on
the 4th of November for Maranham, which province was found in a state of
even greater anarchy than had prevailed at Ceara.

CHAPTER IX.

ARRIVAL AT MARANHAM--CHARACTER OF DISTURBANCES THERE--I ASSUME THE
MILITARY COMMAND--PROCLAMATION COMMANDING SURRENDER OF ARMS--CONDITION
OF THE PEOPLE--CORRUPTION OF THE AUTHORITIES--MURDEROUS
PROPENSITIES--DIFFICULTY IN DETECTING ASSASSINS--LETTER TO MINISTER OF
MARINE--PACIFICATION OF PARAHYBA--DOUBTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S
SINCERITY--HE ESTABLISHES SECRET AGENCIES--EXTRAORDINARY
MEMORIALS--PUBLIC COMPLAINTS OF THE PRESIDENT--BRUCE ENDEAVOURS TO
INTERCEPT THEM--MY REPLY TO THE MEMORIALISTS--LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF
MARINE--ENCLOSING COMPLAINTS OF THE CONSULS--BRUCE PREPARES TO RESIST MY
AUTHORITY--COMPLAINTS OF THE BRITISH CONSUL--HE CONSIDERS MY PRESENCE
NECESSARY--LETTER OF THE FRENCH CONSUL--DETAILING SHAMEFUL
ATROCITIES--DANGER OF COLLISION WITH FOREIGN STATES--SUSPENSION OF THE
PRESIDENT--PROVISION FOR FUTURE GOVERNMENT--CONDUCT OF THE FACTION AT
RIO DE JANEIRO--NO INSTRUCTIONS SENT FOB MY GUIDANCE--LETTER TO THE
MINISTER OF MARINE--THE MINISTRY HAD PREVIOUSLY DEPOSED BRUCE--BUT
TURNED ON ME FOR ANTICIPATING THEIR OWN ACT.

We arrived at Maranham on the 9th of November, and ascertained that the
city and province--as had been reported--were in a complete state of
anarchy, arising from causes almost incomprehensible. The leaders of the
army had risen against the authority of the president, Miguel Bruce, and
fighting was going on when we entered the river. The strangest part of
the affair was, that both parties declared themselves supporters of the
Imperial authority, whilst each accused the other of plotting to form a
republic. Bruce kept possession of the city by means of negro troops,
from amongst whom he had also picked his officers, conferring upon them
regular commissions; the result being, that their excesses kept the
respectable inhabitants in a state of constant terror, so that my
arrival was hailed with the greatest satisfaction, and addresses of
congratulation were sent in from all quarters, even the l