The story in brief
At three in the afternoon, an emperor who has governed Brazil for 49 years is given 24 hours to leave. By three in the morning he is on a ship. He refuses the Republic’s money, loses his wife in Porto and dies in Paris with a parcel of Brazilian earth. The ban lasts 31 years.
The chapters
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Chapter 1 · 5 min · Free
Three in the Afternoon
At three in the afternoon, a paper reaches the palace: the emperor has 24 hours to leave Brazil.
Sources: The Provisional Government’s message to Dom Pedro II and his reply, 16 November 1889 (reprinted by the IHGB, 1894)
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Chapter 2 · 5 min · Free
Three in the Morning
Two in the morning. The emperor refuses to sail in the dark: “I am no fugitive.”
Sources: The Baron of Jaceguay’s account to Taunay (Gazeta de Notícias, 23 December 1890); Garcez Palha, Ephemerides navaes (1892)
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Chapter 3 · 5 min
Banished
The government offers a fortune. The emperor refuses. Rio answers with one word: banished.
Sources: Decree no. 2 of 16 November 1889; Dom Pedro II’s letter, São Vicente, 29 November 1889; Decree no. 78-A of 21 December 1889; Dom Pedro II’s diary (Museu Imperial)
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Chapter 4 · 5 min
Earth of My Country
After the emperor dies, his son-in-law finds a sealed parcel. Inside, earth. And a note.
Sources: Dom Pedro II’s diary, 1890 and 1891 (Museu Imperial); The note found by the Count of Eu, December 1891; The Paris and Rio press reprinted by the IHGB (1894)
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Chapter 5 · 5 min
The Return
Thirty-one years later, the emperor comes back to Brazil. His daughter never does.
Sources: Supreme Federal Court, habeas corpus no. 1,974, 14 January 1903; Decree no. 4,120 of 3 September 1920
Who’s who
The people you meet. Each one is a hero card you can collect.
- Sólon RibeiroThe major of the rumor · The messenger of exile · Republican
- André RebouçasEngineer · Abolitionist · Exile by choice
- Teresa CristinaEmpress of Brazil · Mother of the Brazilians · Collector of antiquities
- Count of Mota MaiaThe emperor’s physician · Companion in exile · The last to care for him
- Epitácio PessoaSupreme Court justice · President of the Republic · The end of the ban
- Count of EuPrince consort · Commander in Paraguay · The man who kept the earth
What you’ll be able to tell
This story belongs to the journey “The Deposed”. By the end of it, you can tell why each of them had to leave, how they left, and what exile cost them.
Stories in this journey
- 24 Hours: The Exile of Dom Pedro II
- Washington Luís: The Deposed President
- Jango: The President Who Never Came Home
Sources
- The Provisional Government’s message and Dom Pedro II’s reply (16 November 1889)
- Decrees no. 2 and 78-A (1889) and no. 4,120 (1920)
- Dom Pedro II’s diary (Museu Imperial)
- The Brazilian Historical and Geographical Institute’s tribute to Dom Pedro II (1894)
- Eduardo Prado, Fastos da ditadura militar (1890)
- Afonso Celso, O imperador no exílio (1893)
