The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-22
BRAZIL.
CONFESSION or DREADFUL CRIME BY A
DYING MANTLE EXECUTION OF FOUR INSo-
CENT PEGsoNs--HEALTH OF CAPTAIN ADAMS.

CONFESSION or DREADFUL CRIME Ell A
CENT PEEsoNs--HEALTH OF CAPTAIN ADAMS.
RIoJAxEIRo, Dec. 81, 1871
Much talk has been caused by the confession Of
In tho OF the province that he was the real
author OF the murder and burning of family OF eight
persons In 1882 Tor which wealthy planter ard Of
slaves executed IN 1856 In 1862 near Macah6
port to the north OF Rio, house destroyed by
ire one night, and on examination WAS found tnas
all tho Inmates eisht in numoar had been previously
murdered. The family were tenants OF rich planter
named Motta Coqueiro, who had been credited with
vlanous designs upon one OF the daughters. hand
girl OF sixteen When the fact Of the murder Of
the family aud subsequent firing OF the house became
known suspicion at once pointed TO Motta Ccquciro
and pubic rumor asserted that, after his violating
the gir his slaves, ny his order, had murdered thu
whole family 10 prevent denunciation and had then
burned down the house In tho expectation OF eaacpg
the evidence Of the murders
ARRESTED AND TRIED
Accordingly warrants Tor the arrest of the planter
eight OF his slaves issued, and hs lhrce
OF the secured and brought to trial Tho
evidence was very weak, consisting merely OF somo
crcums tanta and much hcarsay, which last brazilian
law admits. But so strong was the feeling against
hun that the jury lound him guIty, and the Court OF
l.claton at l.io confirmed Inc seutcaco oi death.
Motta Uoquero aud HIS friends strsnuors!y inaln.
tanned HIS lIsuocencc aud made The greatest efforts
obtain acquitlal but usclcs-iy.
EFFORTS 10 OBTAIN PARDON.
Ii was then sought to obtain ms pardon, ana II Is
saii mat Gums amounting To $500 U0J were promised
10 persons around tnc Empress 10 induce her to
her ute recession WIN IN, Enlveror To OBJ In pnrdu
But Her Majesty Was Thoroughly convinced OF tna
pdhicrs gu and no SOLICITATIONS could sway her TO
ask Tor even Communication into prIsoninent FOR life.
The Emperor was indignant al dreadful a crim,.
AHA tue government 10 prevent any attempt a
rescue, sent dO"n vessel Of Macaho and Mota
Coquciro, and the thrcc slaves 10 death
in 1906 lais appeared tho vcngciul feelings
aroused ~ the people and authorities and 10 s.eps
wers taken to hunt down tue other lye slaves wno
MA escaped capture al The Il, ST
DEAD sEcgkr
But, ACCORDING 10 the confession made upon tho
death bed u man lust l1ontD III The north
OF HE province OF RIO Janeiro, tue unhappy planter
ANA hs slaves were entirely innocent. IL was tho
uyins VINO, assisted by sone dependents, had
or.ed the house Ia tue dead OF nghl, tho
inmates, outraged tue ili-latcd woman and then.
driven 10 desperation as lie iofcsaw
oil MS vi,unous act, had deliberately murdered Tho
wnOc fanny destroy ihcIr evidence aud set tho
house lrc in the expectation That their death would
DO ascriUed 10 ACCIDENT Whether after DOUBTS Of
Motta CDuueiro's ussueu the Emperor later eau.
be saiu, icr, Ike the late Louis Nnpocuu, he "a
rctcent but u 10 certain that very rare have been
,he Cases. since IN which the EMPEROR allowed
sentences vi death to be carried into elect.
ILLNESS OF CAPTAIN
Tue Hartford still He's la the vuter of tho ar.
Dor To avoid having 10 saiuto whiic U" Adams
reports OF his condition his Illness had assumed a
more favoraoie aspect
IMPERIAL HOPES
Another grandchild Ia expected TO be added to tho
Ehpcror's family curly III tho year. The Prince Ut
Gran Para s tprivina cnild bot the injury donc 10
one arm, paraIyZ.ng ITO great extent by The Tor.
ccps used at his birth, seems likely bo out
grown winch was AT frat confidently nopea.