Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-01-09


deed the panic was so general. that
before gun was fired, party of for
ty or fifty Portuguese sailors (whosc
vessels had been embargoed in the
port from the commencement of tie
resolution landed and took possession
of the first Fort that the Patriots took
from the Royalists the day on which
the revolution broke out. A few
hours after, Commodore Labo, with
some Of his officers, landed from his
squadron without opposition. and the
people received him with every mani
frstation of Joy.
The day before these transactions
took place in Peruambuco, the Co
vcrnment received information that
body of the Royalists, consisting of
about three hundred men, who lad
marched by land from st. Salvador.
together with as many more Indians.
who had Joined them on their march,
were advancing upon the rear of the
town, and tEcn about twenty miles
distant from it. Martins, though not
a military man. took command of a
bout 600 men, and adj, anced to give
them battle. He encampcd the first
nightOf his march short distance
from the enemy. and at day light the
next morning, found that half of his
men had deserted. He was soon at
tackled a slight skirmish ensued, in
which he was woundcd-his troops
fed in every direction. but principally
to the enemy. lie made his escape in
disguise. but was shortly afterwards
betrayed by an old woman. i'm whnsc
house he had sought for concealment.
The victorious troops marched into
the city. and the kings authority was
immediately established. Paraiba,
Rio Grande, and some other small
towns to the north, and to the interior,
followed in quick succession the ex-
ample of Pcrnambuco.
OF those who had espoused the
cause Of the revolution. more than
ninety-nine of a hundred, with the
trembling dupIicity of SpanicIs, 1ccre
no1c not only loudest in their huzGas
to welcome the return of the kings
authority, but were also loudest in
their denunciations of the residue of
those with whom they had acted
Hence prisoners were daily march.
cd into The city from almost every
part ofthe province. and considerations
and executions were daily taking
place.
Their treatment of the lifeless bo-
dies Of these prisoners. is worthy Of
savages. After the prisoner is put to
death (Which is done by haugipg) his
head and hands are cut off, and his
body made fast to a horse and dragged
through the filth and dust Of the priu
cipai streets Of the city. This cere-
mony has followed every execution
that has taken place thcre-and is
strikingly characteristic of the pre-
sent state of refinement in that coun-
try az rather. 1t indicates how near
~ the people and their rulers are as
simulated in their passions and man
ners to state of barbarism.
After sufficiently gratifying them
selves with this hnrid spectacle. their
heads and hands were either erected
on poles on some conspicuous place,
where they remained to fright the
Soils of fearful adversaIies" or sent 10
soluc other town in the province for a
like exhibition. Indeed, there is scarce
amuch frequented spot orpublic square
in the city. but exhibits sumo part
of the mang!ed bodies of these unfor.
tunatc adventures. Some were sent
in irons to st. Salvador and Rio de
Janerio. there to be executed /; others
banished to Africa. and about three
hundred now remain in the prisons
of Pcrnambuco and Paraiba, who are
doomed, no doubt. soon to experience
the :. tender mcrcics" OF this merci-
fiji government.
: Thus has terminated the revolu-
ton in tho BraZils. We have there
seen FIVE hundred thousand people
pass from under the yoke of the most
abject scrviude, without the loss of
scarce drop of blood, TO position
from which. had it been spiritedly
maintained. they might have increas-
ed the value Of their mines of dia-
mond and gold. by an introduction Of
,the brighter, and far more valuable
gem of Liberty. But combination
of ignorance and vice. forbads so hap