Previous to this I had succeeded, without much trouble, in restoring tranquillity to the province of Parahyba, which had also been disturbed by the mandates of Araripe; the inhabitants complying with his orders, from the immediate danger to which they were exposed by his violence, and being under the impression that Rio de Janeiro was too far distant to afford them succour.  Their delight at finding a squadron at hand was, therefore, immediately followed by a repudiation of the insurgent chief, and a return to unqualified allegiance.

My next endeavour was to organise an effective force at Ceara, and this was accomplished by the embodiment of more than a thousand men, though we had not a soldier in the squadron.  Various corps were also raised in the towns and villages of the province, and were active in pursuit of the scattered remains of the republican 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.