SLAVERY. 295 



1,177,022 j of whom 623,274 are males, 553,748 females, and 

 87,492 are over sixty years of age.* 



The extraordinary session of the Brazilian Legislature having 

 closed on May 19, the ordinary session opened on the following 

 day, when the Emperor, referring in his speech to the Emancipa- 

 tion question, said — 



"The gradual extinction of slavery, which was the special object of the extra- 

 ordinary session, should continue to merit the greatest solicitude on^our 

 part. This question, which is bound up with the deepest interests of 

 Brazil, demands a settlement which shall tranquilize our agricultural 

 classes. I commit it, therefore, to your wisdom and patriotism." 



Dr. Ernesto Ferreira Franga, Advocate to the Council of 

 State, in a letter dated Rio de Janeiro, August 22, which appeared 

 in the Times of September 21, points out the difference between 

 the bills of Dantas and Saraiva. He says, " The Cabinet of 

 Senhor Dantas conceded indemnification as a favour, and that 

 of Senhor Saraiva as a right." 



It is needless to refer in detail to the events which followed. 

 The following telegrams will be sufficient ; — 



Rio de Janeiro, August 1 5. 

 Senhor Saraiva, the Premier, and the other members of the Cabinet have 

 collectively tendered their resignation to the Emperor, owing to the 

 hostility displayed towards their general policy by the majority of the 

 Chamber of Deputies. 



Rio de Janeiro, August 19. 

 Baron de Cotegipe, one of the Conservative leaders, has been charged by the 

 Emperor vrith the formation of a new Cabinet, and has accepted the 

 task. 



Rio de Janeiro, August 20. 

 Baron de Cotegipe has succeeded in forming a Conservative Cabinet. The 

 Baron is Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs. 



Dr. Ferreira Franga concludes the letter referred to above as 

 follows — 



" As I write, a political change has taken place. The Baron de Cotegipe is at 

 the head of a new Cabinet, belonging to the Conservative party, after 

 Liberal administrations for between seven or eight years. Senhor Saraiva, 

 having passed the Slavery bill through the Chamber, aided by a coalition of 



* For further particulars of numbers in each province, see South American 

 Journal, May 16, 1885. 



