Bandarra 2.0

Report in the archives of the Preventive Police, consulted in 1922. It was not possible to find the manuscript annexed to this report, which was presumably lost.

Report on an infiltration mission in enemy territory

Classification: SECRET

1. Background

About a month ago, leaflets began to appear in the city of Porto, sold in grazing houses and by blind people in the street, with verses laudatory of the Monarchy, and prophesying centuries of duration for this regime.

2. Carried out research

Having set up an infiltration team under suitable cover, we managed to reach the printing press behind the leaflets, due to our network of informers in the city. There, a printer worker, a republican sympathizer, directed us to a tailor in Paços de Ferreira, who was supposedly the author of the verses.

3. It was the tailor Simão Fagundes; we questioned him in this workshop. He said that he had always written verses and that, when he read Bandarra’s troves, he had thought of writing similar verses applied to the present day.

He showed us the manuscript, which we seized, and which is attached to this report.

He also said that he had gone to a printer in Porto to ask about the cost of publishing it as a book, but that he had found it very expensive. However, one of the printers must have copied a page from the manuscript and printed the leaflets that circulate in the city.

4. While we were performing the described diligences, two agents from the Department entered the workshop. There was a confrontation in which the two agents were wounded, one of them gravely. Unfortunately, Simão Fagundes was victim of a stray bullet, which was mortal.

5. In our group, one officer suffered a superficial injury to his arm. Our rapid exfiltration along the previously planned route went without incident.

6. To give an idea of the tone of these verses, here is a stanza:

For twelve hundred years

Monarchy will reign.

Everything that is republican

Into Hell will descend.

All of Portugal serving

The acclaimed King

(By the people, for the people)

And progress shall come.

And our traditions

In the hearts will remain

Of those who with faith live.

Head of the Mission,

Joaquim Antunes

1st Lieutenant of the Preventive Police