In another quarter of _Brazil_ we find the first dawn of rebellion in the province of _Minas Geraes_, where in the year 1789 a conspiracy broke out with the view of declaring that captaincy a separate commonwealth. Fortunately, however, this plot was nipped in the bud, the chief conspirators, including the prime mover, being condemned to be hanged. The latter, however, was the only one upon whom the capital sentence was executed. [Sidenote: 1801.] When the governor of _Rio Grande_ had received advice of the war which had broken out in Europe, he did not wait for instructions from the Viceroy, but issued a declaration against the Spaniards, who were attacked both on the western frontier and towards the south. The fort of _Chui_ was surprised and sacked, as were the Spanish forts upon the _Gaguaron_ and their establishments towards the _Jacuy_, whilst at the same time a movement was made upon the seven “Reductions.” The Portuguese, who were formerly the objects of hatred, were received as liberators by the _Guaranís_, so effectually had the Jesuits’ successors done their work of estranging them from Spain. The commander was permitted by the Portuguese leader to retire with his men, but he and they were made prisoners by another band whom they met on their march. But these colonial hostilities were of short duration, peace having been concluded between Portugal and Spain before they were effected. The Portuguese, however, insisted on retaining the seven “Reductions,” on the ground that they were not specified in the Treaty of Badajoz; and they accordingly remained a portion of _Brazil_. At the time of these last-mentioned hostilities, the Spaniards and Portuguese likewise appeared in arms against each other on the upper waters of the _Paraguay_, where _Nova Coïmbra_ was besieged by the former and the fort of _S. Jozé_ destroyed by the latter. By the Treaty of Madrid, which followed that of Badajoz, France obtained from Portugal a cession of territory on the side of _Guyana_. As the limits of this cession were subsequently annulled, the frontier reverting to the _Oyapok_, no advantage would be gained by detailing them. _Brazil_ fortunately remained at peace when the revolutionary war was renewed: but that war was to have a momentous influence on the destinies of the great Lusitanian colony, bringing about as it did the removal of the Braganzas from Portugal to _Rio de Janeiro_. By this event the last-named city became the seat of government of the Portuguese dominions; and there can be no doubt that it was owing mainly to the presence of the royal family that, whilst the Spanish dominions in South America, on their separation from the mother-country, became divided into as many as nine separate states, the empire of _Brazil_ has remained one and undivided to the present day.