( 46 ) 



CHAP. III. 



THE GOVERNMENT. — THE TAXES, — THE PUBLIC INSTI- 

 TUTIONS. CRIMINALS. — PRISONS. MILITARY ES- 

 TABLISHMENTS. THE ISLAND OF FERNANDO DE 



NORONHA. 



"T^HE captaincies-general, or provinces of the 

 first rank, in Brazil, of which Pernambuco 

 is one, are governed by captains-general or 

 governors, who are appointed for three years. 

 At the end of this period the same person is 

 continued or not, at the option of the supreme 

 government. They are, in fact, absolute in 

 power, but before the person who has been no- 

 minated to one of these places can exercise any 

 of its functions, he is under the necessity of pre- 

 senting his credentials to the Senado da Camara, 

 the chamber or municipality of the principal 

 town. This is formed of persons of respectabi- 

 lity in the place. The governor has the supreme 

 and sole command of the military force. The 

 civil and criminal causes are discussed before 

 and determined by the Ouvidor and Jidz de 

 Fora, the two chief judicial officers, whose du- 

 ties are somewhat similar, but the former is the 

 superior in rank. They are appointed for three 



