Chapter 9

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 as to 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 for my guidance--Letter to the Minister of Marine--The Ministry had previously deposed Bruce--But turned on me for anticipating their own act.