History
In 1808, Portugal's Royal Family had sought refuge in Brazil during the Napoleonic wars. On June 10, 1808, Dom João VI declared war on France and sent 470 soldiers to French Guiana to bring support to the Royal Navy.
On January 12, 1809, these troops had conquered the Cayenne, capturing Guiana`s governor. The Portuguese maintained a presence in Guiana until 1817.
In 1815, Brazil's status was elevated to The United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. The Portuguese troops in Brazil, some of which had already been previously stationed there, all united under the direct command of the Brazilian Ministry of War, now known as the Cayenne Battery.
Read more about this topic: Cayenne Battery
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“We have need of history in its entirety, not to fall back into it, but to see if we can escape from it.”
—José Ortega Y Gasset (1883–1955)