A quarrel which arose between some soldiers of the _Recife_ regiment and a party of Bernardo Vieyra’s men was the means of bringing affairs to a climax. The _Recife_ soldiers, sallying from the church in which they had taken sanctuary, caused the drummer to beat the rendezvous, while they raised the cry of “Down with the traitors!” The officers putting themselves at their head, the bishop retired to the Jesuits’ college, and Bernardo Vieyra was speedily arrested. The forts were now secured by trustworthy men. A proclamation was issued by the troops, vindicating their own conduct and their loyalty to the King. But, meanwhile, the opposite party gathered their forces at _Olinda_; and the land-holders, who were joined by the bishop, prepared to besiege _Recife_, intercepting the supplies of food for that town. In this critical state of affairs the prudent bishop thought fit to resign the government. A civil war thereupon commenced. The independent party hoped to reduce _Recife_ by famine; but the Royalists, like the Dutch before them, had command of the port. The insurgents had the superiority in the field; and the garrison of _Recife_ had to despatch a vessel to _Bahia_ to represent their danger and to request the aid of the Governor-General. After the siege had continued for three months, the Portuguese fleet fortunately made its appearance, having on board the new governor. The authorities of _Olinda_ lost no time in sending on board to inform him that _Recife_ was in the hands of mutineers; but the commandant of that place had been beforehand with them in going on board in person. Machado entered _Recife_, and on the following day took possession of his government at _Olinda_. He then proceeded to institute a fair inquiry into past circumstances, listening impartially to all parties. The principal offenders were then arrested and sent to Lisbon, where two of them received the sentence of banishment for life to India, the others being permitted to return to _Brazil_. The consequences of this civil war were severely felt by many of the chief families of _Pernambuco_. [Sidenote: 1710.] Hitherto _Rio de Janeiro_ had for many years escaped its share of the troubles with which the other chief centres of Brazilian colonization were visited in turn. In the year, however, preceding that which witnessed the above-mentioned events at _Recife_, the future capital of _Brazil_ had been the scene of war. Five large ships were reported as being seen off Cape _Frio_. As they approached the shore the customary signals were given, but were left unanswered; and all doubts as to their nature were removed upon the capture by them of a small vessel, within sight of the forts. They indeed proved to be a French squadron under the command of _M. du Clerc_, the object of which was to plunder the city which had at one time seemed destined to belong to France, and which was now supposed to contain much of the produce of the recently-found mines.