It was not to be expected that the motley crowd of adventurers of all classes which thronged to the mines should long continue to live together with the same harmony that might be expected from a more settled community; and _Minas Geraes_ soon acquired the unenviable notoriety, which had hitherto belonged to _Maranham_, of being the most turbulent settlement in _Brazil_. Its people were divided into two classes, called, respectively, _Paulistas_ and _Florasteiros_ or strangers. Before very long the ill-feeling between these culminated in their taking up arms. A report arose that the _Paulistas_ had combined for the purpose of exterminating all strangers at the mines, and a civil war broke out, which was of so serious a nature as to call forth the presence of the governor with troops from _Rio de Janeiro_. The _Florasteiros_ had, however, been fortunate in their choice of a commander, named Manoel Muñes, through whose prudence some degree of order was ere long restored; and, on the arrival of a new governor, a general amnesty was proclaimed. [Sidenote: 1708.] The governor, having left things in a most satisfactory condition at the mines, set out to restore good government in the district of _St. Paulo_, where he found the people in a violent state of agitation. The _Paulistas_ who had returned home from _Minas Geraes_ were violently taunted by their wives with pusillanimity in having failed to avenge their comrades who had fallen; and the result was the formation of a strong force, which set out for the scene of struggle, and which declined to listen to the remonstrances of the governor. Albuquerque, having learned that there was an intention to seize his person, consulted his safety by escaping to _Rio_, whence he lost no time in sending messengers to the _Florasteiros_ to warn them of their danger. The latter, in turn, made hasty preparations to resist an attack, which was wholly unexpected. After withstanding a siege for several days, they were relieved from danger by the news of an approaching force to their assistance, the _Paulistas_ at the same time retreating in haste. Albuquerque took steps to ensure the tranquillity of the district, and was himself soon afterwards appointed governor of _St. Paulo_ and of the mining country, which was now separated from the captaincy of _Rio de Janeiro_. [Sidenote: 1710.]