been accustomed all his life to use harsh measures.
For the first year of his term of office he kept seditious attempts in
check, but discontent grew apace. Nor was this surprising to those who
knew the corruption in the administration. Concessions and subsidies
were given broadcast for worthless undertakings in order to benefit the
friends of the president. Brazilian credit gave way under the strain,
and evidences were not wanting at the beginning of 1893 that an outburst
of public opinion was not far distant. Nevertheless President Peixoto
made no effort to reform the methods of administration. Meanwhile, the
revolution in Rio Grande do Sul had revived; and in July 1893 the
federal government was forced to send most of the available regular
troops to that state to hold the insurgents in check.

Naval revolt and civil war, 1893.

On the 6th of September prevailing discontent took definite shape in the
form of a naval revolt in the Bay of Rio de Janeiro. Admiral Custodio de
Mello took command of the naval forces, and demanded the resignation of
the president. General Peixoto replied by organizing a defence against
any attack from the squadron. Admiral Mello, finding that his demands
were not complied with, began a bombardment of the city, but did not
effect his purpose of compelling Peixoto to resign. The foreign
ministers then arranged a compromise between the contending parties,
according to which President Peixoto was to place no artillery in the
city, while Admiral Mello was to refrain from bombarding the town, which
was thus saved from destruction. Shortly afterwards the cruiser
"Republica" and a transport ran the gauntlet of the government forts at
the entrance of the bay, and proceeded south to the province of Santa
Catharina, taking possession of Desterro, its capital. A provisional
government was proclaimed by the insurgents, with headquarters at
Desterro, and communication was opened with Gumercindo Saraiva, the
leader of the insurrection in Rio Grande do Sul. It was proposed that
the army of some 10,000 men under his command should advance northwards
towards Rio de Janeiro, while the insurgent squadron threatened the city
of Rio. In November Admiral Mello left Rio de Janeiro in the armoured
cruiser "Aquidaban" and went to Desterro, the naval forces in Rio Bay
being left in charge of Admiral Saldanha da Gama, an ardent monarchist,
who had thrown in his lot with the insurgent cause. All was, apparently,
g