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Correspondence during the Armada Revolt (1891, 1893, 1894)

Correspondence during the Armada Revolt (1891, 1893, 1894)

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Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Digital Warranty ©

This item is no longer available. However, we may be able to put you in touch with its owner — who knows, they might accept your offer? — or, alternatively, suggest other items of similar interest, without any obligation. Please contact us via WhatsApp: +55 31 98221-5758 or email: contato@glorias.com.br

In the mid-1890s, a French immigrant couple recounts the difficulties of living in the capital, Rio de Janeiro, plagued by yellow fever and the Revolta da Armada.

  • Four handwritten letters from Xavier and Marthe, two French immigrants, to an aunt.
  • Four leaves, twelve pages.
  • In French.
  • +/- 12 cm x 18 cm (folded letters).
  • Between 1891 and 1894, Rio de Janeiro.
  • Excellent condition.
  • Unique set.

Here we have four letters sent by Xavier and Marthe, a French immigrant couple in Brazil, to an aunt in Paris. They arrived in Brazil in 1891 to try to make their fortune in the construction business, first in Caxambu and then in Rio de Janeiro. Unfortunately, they had to face both yellow fever and the Revolta da Armada.

The Revolta da Armada, which occurred in Rio de Janeiro between 1891 and 1894, was an armed action by the Brazilian Navy, which bombarded the capital Rio de Janeiro with warships. The opponents were monarchists, dissatisfied with the presidency of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, who was pointed out as one of those responsible for a serious political and economic crisis.

Rio de Janeiro, April 20, 1891

Dear aunt, I tell you that Martha arrived in Rio on April 8th. I went to Rio de Janeiro, where it was unbearably hot. So I only stayed three days in Rio de Janeiro with Martha, because it is also very dangerous for Europeans who are not used to it, especially when yellow fever has reappeared. (...) But the air is very good here. We always eat at the hotel because I don't know exactly how long we will stay in Caxambu (...).

Rio de Janeiro, February 1, 1893

I believe that this year again the Americas will not provide good business; there is nothing stable, all businesses and three-quarters of the banks are in a state of collapse (...). I hope it will be better soon, but we are not so sure. Work is not lacking, but it is difficult because material prices increase day by day, making it difficult to prepare quotes.

Rio de Janeiro, October 29, 1893

(...) we are in revolution, which doesn't help at all. God knows when they will end. We are again under siege for a month; we can't have high hopes, all work is stopped.

I sued the client for whom I built, but he has just been murdered (...).

If I could, I would have gone to another province called Amazonas. The journey is a bit long, about twenty days by boat, but I would leave without a problem. Unfortunately, I cannot leave before the complete end X of the revolution.

You see, when I made the small cross above, a bombardment began, something that is repeated every day. And if you knew where we live, we are on the front line, we dominate the whole city and I promise it's really beautiful (...).

If only we knew the day this revolution will end, but we have been there for two months and without a decision. I think that at the same time these noises of killings will be over, work will resume because the bombardments destroyed many buildings, which will give a lot of reconstruction work.

Dear aunt, you see that in all countries of the world there are problems, in Brazil too, which is the most beautiful country in the world. We would never have an idea of what these countries are like before we see them. And, certainly, I do not regret having come, even if I have the misfortune of not making a fortune, but the magnitude of this nature is a richness that is found only in Brazil.

Martha often talks about you; she wants you to come and admire this rich country, especially from our house, where we admire the whole sea, but we see this bombardment, sometimes with fear because we see all the shots.

Rio de Janeiro, February 2, 1894

(...) Sorry for not responding sooner, but Marthe is so sick with yellow fever. Today is the seventh day, and if she gets through it, she will be saved. You see that we have all possible misfortunes. I only have 17 contos de Réis. We are reduced to starting over, but in an absolutely primitive way. I have a new company, but what I lack is raw materials and money.

We had one of those misfortunes that we rarely see. I got sick three or four times; it's not what it should be. After being ahead of a small fortune, I lost it so quickly, it would be enough to drive one mad. (...)

Your coming would be a great pleasure for us, but I don't believe this project can be carried out immediately because this revolution is more terrible. So, I think they wouldn't let you disembark. It would also be the greatest imprudence, because yellow fever is terrible this year, and we only cure 9% of patients, to show you how devastating it is. Martha is better; I hope to save her.

I no longer talk about the revolution because they control the letters. We have nothing to do with politics, so it's best not to talk about it. We are still in a state of war. Business is very difficult. I have a construction project to do, but at the moment materials are so scarce that I'm afraid to start. Please get information in Paris because I would like to leave here for a healthier country and make money.

Correspondence from anonymous people also tells our History, sometimes in a very relevant way. This is the case here.


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