Republic of Independent Guiana

Long regarded in European lore as the fabled El Dorado, the area captivated imaginations for centuries. In its early days, pioneering priests ventured deep into the region, instructing the native inhabitants in the cultivation of cacao, coffee, and other vital crops, thereby transforming the landscape into productive agricultural zones. For over a century, the territory had been referred to as the "Conteste Franco-Brésilien" — a disputed zone that, despite its strategic and economic allure, remained largely unoccupied and ungoverned by either of the rival powers claiming it until the 1900s. == Precedents ==

To help protect themselves from the Cabanagem revolt, France built a fort in 1840 on the eastern bank of the Oyapock River, within what was then Brazilian-claimed territory. In response, Brazil established another fort past the Araguari, threatening France's claimed land. The risk of war resulted in British mediation in 1841, after which the two rival forts were dismantled. His Imperial Majesty Dom Pedro II accepted the neutralization of the territory between the rivers, pending negotiations deciding its attribution. While the Treaty of Paris was very clear, establishing the border at the Oyapock with mention of geographic coordinates, His Majesty, confident of prevailing in the dispute, allowed some flexibility in order to buy time and address internal challenges facing the Empire, which was threatened with fragmentation. Chaton (1874–), Paul Cartier (Quartier?), Adolphe Brezet (1892–1894), Albert Franken (1894–?), Adolphe Brezet (1901-1910s). In addition, usurper Francisco X. V. Cabral (1895) was mentioned. ==The Republic (1886–1891)==

The borders between the empires of France and the Brazil were not clear. Attempts at negotiations failed, and in 1862, it was decided that the area between the Amazon and the Oyapock rivers was a neutral territory. Paul Quartier, who had previously visited the territory in 1883, returned in 1885 and had a meeting with the village chiefs of Counani and Carsewenne (nowadays: Calçoene) who were hostile to the Brazilians. Quartier signed a treaty on 23 July 1886, creating the country of Counani in the disputed area. In 1886, Gros embarked on a scheme hatched for him by British businessmen who wanted to make him president for life of the so-called new country in exchange for the right to control the country's infrastructure for ninety years. A government was set up in Counani led by Jules Gros as president, Guigues as Minister of State and Quartier as Quartermaster. They set about recruiting settlers, and according to Le Gaulois, received over 3,000 requests. In 1894–95, the discovery of rich deposits of gold and precious stones in the Carsewenne region attracted several thousand Brazilian prospectors, disrupting the demographic balance in their favour. Rising ethnic tensions culminated in what became known as the "Mapá Incident". Supposed Counani's representative in Iberia and Morocco, claimed that on 12 December 1894, a popular levant deposed Eugene Voissien, an influent warlord in Amapá, opening a door for what would happen in the following: In May 1895, Trajano Bentes, a pro-France former Brazilian slave and a leader of Carsewenne, was arrested by a Brazilian militia led by General Francisco Xavier da Veiga Cabral — who had declared an autonomous state under a triumvirate, allegedly protected by Brazil — which took him to be tried in the town of Mapá, predominantly Brazilian. In response, Camille Charvein, Governor of French Guiana, sent troops to the region to defend French territorial integrity—without the authorization of France's Foreign Affairs or Colonies Ministries. Trajano was freed, but a violent skirmish followed: the French captain along with six soldiers were killed, forcing the detachment to retreat. Around thirty Brazilian soldiers and civilians were also killed; claimed to be reprisals. It is claimed that Cabral would later be deposed by a "revolution" in the same year. The incident sparked an international scandal. In 1897, both France and Brazil submitted the dispute to the Swiss, in what was called the Berne Arbitration, and on 1 December 1900, the neutral court awarded nearly all the contested area (147 out of 150 miles) to Brazil—a decision France accepted, though reportedly with indifference (Du Réau, 2000). The Counanians were not asked to participate in the adjustment, and not unreasonably refused, therefore, to be influenced by the decree or to recognize any impairment of their independence. ==L'Etat Libre du Counani (1892?–1918)==

On 1 February 1901, adventurous Frenchman Monsieur Adolphe Brezet, described as the "Garibaldi of Counani" and a "nobleman poser" — who has been identified with more than one abortive buccaneering attempt —, reportedly president since 1892, In 1906 the Counanian government published, to clarify the righteousness of their position, a diplomatic paper called "Red Book No. 3": and in 1904, Japan and Russia asked for vessels which Brézet didn't have and thus exposed himself to France and Brazil. It was said: "Another illusion gone, another castle in Spain crumbled to dust and ashes in Counani. Nothing remains, not even Port Tarascon of the immortal Tartarin". — Paris correspondence, New York Press. In 1913, he claimed support of "British military and naval men" in a plan to expel Brazilian presence in the region and re-establish the Utopian Republic. On 29 January 1916, Counani declared war on Germany, before that, it was especulated that the Free State was a German plan to capture the resource rich region in Brazil. == The 1990s Revival ==

In 1990s Paris, the "Constitutional Executive in Exile of the Free State of Counani" emerged, aiming to protest the treatment of Indian peoples and environmental degradation in Amapá. Their flag replicated the original design of Gros' republic, with the addition of the white star on its centre. ==The Counaniot Stamp Tradition==

One consistent feature throughout most of the history of Counani was the issuance of stamps, reflecting its struggle to claim to sovereignty. As philatelist Gauthier Toulemonde noted in The Atlas of Philately (from A to B): "It is unimaginable for a country not to issue stamps, which are a mark of power and sovereignty." The government of the Free State tried to join the Universal Postal Union, which the bureau at Berne respectfully acknowledged, but silly adds that it is impossible to give the information requested until the moment when the recognition of Counani has had been obtained. == Other members of Counani's government and army ==

As of 3 September 1904: Commander of the Army: Baron Jette de Ryckel Financial Secretary: Joseph Marie Brezet, Duc de Beaufort Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs: M. Isidore Lopez Lapuya == Gallery ==