ACROSS UNKNOWN SOUTH AMERICA 
armed citizens in a menacing attitude were dispersed by 
the police ... in other localities other riots or attempts 
(sic) at disorder were immediately repressed, and we can 
now say that the State enjoys perfect peace, save the 
municipality of Douro, which is threatened by bandits 
from Bahia. They are constantly springing upon the 
terrified population of the municipality and especially of 
the town. 
“ . . . The bandits continue their incursions; mur¬ 
ders follow one another in the entire zone between 
Formosa and Barreiros, including Santa Rita and 
Campo Largo, the inhabitants of which zone are para¬ 
lyzed with terror. . . . Our commerce with Bahia, as 
well as relations between private individuals, is thus 
interrupted.” 
In his message the Presidente wisely and frankly 
disclosed the difficulty of administering justice under 
existing laws, when juries would absolve proved and con¬ 
fessed murderers wholesale. He endeavoured to stimulate 
some sense of honour in the officials in charge of the 
various municipalities, where " as rendas em geral mol 
applicadas ” (the revenue generally misapplied) found 
its way into the channels through which it was not 
intended to pass. 
A fervent appeal the Presidente made to prevent the 
spread of smallpox. The vaccine which the Government 
sent to various points of the State was not used. 
Curious, indeed, but perfectly true, were his statements 
regarding the police force. 
“ The officers are zealous and understand their duty. 
The policemen, notwithstanding all their defects, are 
being instructed and disciplined. The policemen are in 
general ‘criminals’ (monger ados ). Ha falta de arma- 
mentOj e o eacistente ndo e o melhor . (There is lack of 
armament and the existing one is not the best.) The pay 
is small . . . and the body needs reorganization.” 
100 
