PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIR(^. 



51 



minister, met the Queen in the same neighbourhood. The guard rode up to 

 him, saying, " Apea-se Senr." He repHed, that he was the American minister, 

 and that he should not dismount, on which they did not hesitate to compel 

 him. Mr. Sumpter said that he did not require any satisfaction for this gross 

 insult, but stated with great spirit, that he should provide himself with holsters 

 and pistols, and would shoot the first person who offered him a similar insult. 

 Very shortly afterwards, he met the Queen's guard again, who rode up to 

 him, making the same peremptory demand as before. In answer to which, 

 he frankly told them, that the first man who offered him any violence, he 

 would shoot dead upon the spot. This resolute conduct induced them to 

 retire. Upon this, it is said, the Queen ordered them to proceed a second time 

 to dismount Mr. Sumpter; but they were intimidated by his continued firmness. 

 It is generally affirmed that her Majesty was highly incensed at Mr. Sumpter s 

 conduct, and requested the minister of state to issue an order for his imprison- 

 ment in the island of Cobras. The minister prevailed upon her Majesty to wait 

 the result of a despatch to the King upon the subject, who was then forty miles 

 off at St. Crnz, and who gave orders immediately, that no foreigner should be 

 compelled to pay more courtesy than his own Sovereign would require from 

 him. Since that time, however, an English merchant, who was driving his 

 lady in a chaise, was beat by the Queen's guards, till his arm became quite 

 black, and his life endangered, notwithstanding he had stopped his horse, 

 stood up in the chaise, and took off his hat. In the month of July, 1819, 

 Commodore Bowles was taking a ride near the Orange Valley, when the 

 Queen's cadets beat him off his horse with their swords. The cadets were sent 

 on board the Creole to apologize for their conduct, and the commodore advised 

 them in future to draw their swords only against an enemy. To the King, who 

 does not require this ridiculous and inconvenient homage, the English generally 

 are desirous of showing their respect by dismounting. 



On the northern side of the city is situated an almost oblong square, called the 

 Campo of St. Anna. It is more than a quarter of a mile in length, and about half 

 the width. A church of the same name divides it into two parts. The western 

 part is destined for the Cidade Nova, (or New City,) and increasing in build- 

 ings, denoting, however, very little regard to architecture or general comfort 

 in the edifices. Of the eight streets which run into the Campo St. Anna, those 

 of St. Pedro and Sabao are intended to continue under the same names the 

 whole extent of the new city, which is to terminate at the wooden-bridge of 

 St. Diogo already mentioned. 



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