Chap. I. REBELLION". 17 



by tribes which live on the rivers flowing into the 

 Upper Amazons from the north, 1200 miles distant 

 from the Tapajos. 



The city of Santarem suffered greatly during the dis- 

 orders of 1835-6. According to the accounts I received, 

 it must have been just before that time a much more 

 flourishing place than it is now. There were many 

 more large proprietors, rich in slaves and cattle; the 

 produce of cacao was greater ; and a much larger trade 

 was done with the miners of Matto Grosso, who de- 

 scended the Tapajos with their gold and 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 con- 

 tentment 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 Portu- 

 guese were nicknamed, and supporters of the legal 

 Brazilian Government ; the other in favour of revo- 

 lution, 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 



VOL. II. c 



