soon
make their threatened attack on Oeiras, about 600 of these troops were
despatched early in the month of July, under the command of Major
Clementino Martins, the baron's nephew, to join others, ordered to
march from Ceara and Pernambuco, to the succour of Cachias. As soon as
the rebels received notice of this movement, a general sack of the town
took place, by about a thousand men, who still remained there, on which
occasion many of the inhabitants for the most part Portuguese were
murdered. It was not till the month of January ] 840, that Cachias was
finally restored to order, and still later before peace was established
in Pastos Boms and Brejo. In passing through a ravine near Cachias,
that had been fortified by the rebels, Major Clementino and nearly all
his troops were cut off. It was calculated that from the beginning to
the end of this insurrection, more than 5,000 fell victims; this may be
considered as an example of the outbreaks perpetually occurring in
Brazil, which keep it in an almost continual state of disorder, and
paralyse the energies of those who really wish well to their country.
Prevented
in this manner from travelling westward, and unwilling to retrace my
steps, I determined to proceed southward to Rio de Janeiro, through the
great inland provinces of Goyaz and Minus Geraes, though but ill
provided for such an undertaking, particularly in pecuniary matters,
the state of the country rendering it impossible to receive money from
the coast. I had, however, my profession to depend upon, and I knew
that if much money could not be gained by it, a great deal of expense
might be saved, for I had already experienced that, as a medical man, I
was well received wherever I went. The country to the southwest being
also in rather an unsettled state, I was strongly advised by the Barao
de Parnahiba, as well as by other influential persons in Oeiras, not to
pursue this proposed journey, as I should run a risk of losing my life
by so doing; but my strong desire to pass through a hitherto unexplored
country, determined me not to listen to their advice, and I immediately
set about making arrangements for undertaking it.
The large collections which I made between Crato and Oeiras,
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