Conspiracy of Suassuna

The Enlightenment and the French Revolution were also discussed by priests and students of the Seminary of Olinda, founded by Bishop José Joaquim da Cunha Azeredo Coutinho on February 16, 1800.

This institution had, among its members, Father Miguel Joaquim de Almeida Castro, who was involved in a future revolution in Pernambuco in 1817.

The philosophical and political discussions at the Areopagus Lodge evolved into a conspiracy against Portuguese rule in Brazil, with the goal of the emancipation of Pernambuco, becoming a republic under the protection of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Areopagus Lodge was closed in 1802, and somewhat later reopened under the name of Suaçunas Academy, established in the same mill, the scene of meetings of former conspirators.

The episode is little known in the history of Brazil, since the inquiry was carried out in secrecy at the time, due to the high social position of those involved.