188 SANTAREM. Cuap. VIII. 
diamonds, to exchange for salt, hardware, and other heavy European 
goods. An old Scotch gentleman, Captain Hislop, who had lived here 
for about thirty-five years, told me that Santarem was then a most 
delightful place to live in. Provisions were abundant and cheap ; labour 
was easily obtained ; and the greatest order, friendliness, and content- 
ment prevailed. The political squabble amongst the whites, which 
began the troubles, ended, in this part of the country, in a revolt of the 
Indians. At the beginning of the disorders two parties were formed, 
one tolerant of the “ Bicudos” (long-snouts), as the Portuguese were 
nicknamed, and supporters of the legal Brazilian Government; the 
other in favour of revolution, expulsion of the Portuguese, and native 
rule. The latter co-operated with a large body of rebels who had 
collected at a place on the banks of the river, not far distant; and on 
a certain day, according to agreement, the town was invaded by the 
horde of scoundrels and mistaken patriots. All the Portuguese and 
those who befriended them, that these infuriated people could lay their 
hands on, were brutally massacred. A space filled with mounds, 
amongst the myrtle bushes in the woods behind Santarem, now marks 
the spot where these poor fellows were confusedly buried. I could give 
a long account of the horrors of this time as they were related to me ; 
but I think the details would not serve any useful purpose. It must 
not be thought, however, that the Amazonian people are habitually a 
bloodthirsty race ; on the contrary, the peaceableness and gentleness 
of character of the inhabitants of this province, in quiet times, are pro- 
verbial throughout Brazil. The rarity or absence of deeds of violence 
from year to year is always commented upon by the President in his 
annual report to the Central Government. 
When the Cabanas or rebels entered the town, the friends of lawful 
government retired to a large block of buildings near the water-side, 
which they held for many days, to cover the embarcation of their 
families and movables. The negro slaves generally remained faithful 
to their masters. Whilst the embarcation was going on many daring 
feats were performed, chiefly by coloured people: one brave fellow, a 
mameluco, named Paca, made a bold dash one day, with a few young 
men of the same stamp, and secured five or six of the rebel leaders, 
who were carried, gagged and handcuffed, on board a schooner in the 
port. But the legal party were greatly outnumbered and deficient in 
arms and ammunition, and they were obliged, soon after Paca’s feat, 
entirely to evacuate the town ; retiring to the village of Prayinha, about 
150 miles down the river. Those citizens of Santarem who sympathised 
with the rebels were obliged to follow soon after, as the revolt took the 
shape of a war between Indians and whites. ‘The red skins, however, 
made an exception in favour of the few English and French residents. 
Captain Hislop remained in the town during its occupation by the 
Cabanas, and told me that he was treated very well by the Indians and 
rebel chiefs. 
After Santarem was recaptured, about nine months subsequent to 
these events, by a small sea and land force sent from Rio Janeiro, aided 
by the townspeople who were picked up at Prayinha, it was again 
attacked by a large force of Indians. This affair showed the blind fear- 
