[179] [By this celebrated decree of May 25th, 1773, grandsons of slaves in Portugal and all children born after that day were declared free, and all civil restrictions on the “New Christians” or the converted Jews and Moors were forever removed.]
[180] [It is recorded, as a proof of the skill with which the count had trained his artillery men, and of his confidence in them, that he celebrated the king of Prussia’s birthday in 1759, by giving a dinner to his officers, in his tent; the flag at the top of that tent being aimed at during the whole entertainment as a mark for cannon-balls. It is not added with what degree of appetite the officers dined.[j]]
[181] [The credit for fully ending imprisonment for debt is, however, usually given to the later ministers and the queen Maria.]
[182] H. M. Stephens,[d] however, represents Dom João as so zealous for the reduction of the French that he forced his aid upon England and Spain counter to the advice of the English ministry.
[183] [With him went his wife and six children and his insane mother the queen, who violently resisted for some time the efforts to get her aboard.]
CHAPTER V. THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
[1822-1900 A.D.]