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this tneasure, formed themselves into a party under the guidance of 

 Manuel Nunez Viana, an adventurer of some consequence, who 

 strenuously asserted their claim to equal rights and advantages. 

 Disputes arose on both sides, and were at length aggravated into 

 hostilities, which proved unfavourable to the Paulistas, the greater 

 part of whom fled to a considerable station of their own, and 

 there awaited reinforcements. Viana and his followers, without loss 

 of time, went in pursuit of their foes, whom they found on a plain 

 near the site of St. Joao del Rey. The two parties met on the bor- 

 ders of a river, and a sanguinary battle took place, which ended in 

 the defeat of the Pauhstas, who afterwards made the best terms they 

 could. The slain were buried on the margin of the river, whicli, from 

 that circumstance, took the name of Rio das Mortes. 



The Paulistas, bent on revenge, but weakened by defeat, appealed 

 to the sovereign. King Pedro, denouncing Viana and his followers as 

 rebels who were attempting to take the district to themselves, and 

 set up an independent government. The King's ministers, apprized 

 of the state of affairs, and learning by report the immense riches of 

 the country, immediately sent a chief, with a competent body of 

 troops, to take advantage of the strife between the two parties ; 

 which, in a country tenable by a few men on account of its nume- 

 rous strong-holds, was a most fortunate circumstance. The name of 

 this chief was Albuquerque ; a man of enterprize and perseverance, 

 in all respects qualified for the service on which he was sent. His 

 appearance at first occasioned much confusion and discontent among 

 both parties ; and though he was not openly opposed, yet he was in 

 continual alarm. The Paulistas now saw that the riches which they 

 in conjunction with their rivals might have retained, were about to 

 be seized by a third party which would reduce them both to subor- 

 dination. Disturbances prevailed for some time, but reinforcements 

 continually arriving from Government, tranquillity was at length 

 perfectly estabhshed ; and in the year 1711 a regular town began to 

 be formed ; a government-house, a mint, and a depot for arms were. 



