The prezidio of Nova Coimbra was besieged in September, 1801, by the Spaniards, who proceeded from the city of Assumption with four escunas and twenty canoes. It was the first time that the thunder of contending artillery had been heard in the centre of South America, and from which the Guaycuru and Payagoa warriors formed an idea of the European mode of warfare. The commencement of hostilities produced the following correspondence between the Spanish and Portuguese commandants:—
“I had the honour, last evening, to contest the fire of the fort under the command of your Honour; and having ascertained that the force with which I am about to attack it is much superior to that of your Honour, which cannot fail to reduce it to the ultimate state of misfortune; and as the vassals of his Catholic Majesty know how to respect the laws of humanity, an opportunity is offered, and your Honour is required to surrender the fort to the arms of the King my master; on the contrary the cannon and the sword will decide the fate of Coimbra, and its unfortunate garrison will suffer all the extremities of war, from which calamity it will see itself delivered, if your Honour complies with my proposal. Furnish me with your decision categorically, in the course of one hour. On board of the Escuna, Nossa Senhora do Carmo, 17th of September, 1801.
“Don Lazaro da Ribera.”
“Coimbra, 17th September, 1801.
“I have the honour to reply categorically to your Excellency, that the inequality of force always was a stimulus which greatly animated the Portuguese not to forsake their posts, and to defend themselves to the two extremities, either of repelling the enemy, or burying themselves below the ruins of forts confided to them. In this resolution are all the individuals of this prezidio, who have the distinguished honour of seeing in front of it the exalted person of your Excellency, whom God preserve.
“Ricardo Franco d’Almeida.”
The assailants withdrew with some loss, after being nine days ineffectually attempting to carry the fort.
This province, which lies between the parallel of 7° where it joins that of Para, and 24° 30′ of south latitude where it borders upon that of Paranna, occupies a territory of nearly eleven hundred miles from north to south, with almost eight hundred at its greatest width, being more extensive than ancient Germany.