He feared falling victim to the yellow fever that decimated the population of Brazil on a regular basis.[119] The only thing that pleased him as he landed in Rio was seeing black slaves whose backs bore the scars of whippings unload his luggage.[119] Gobineau's major duties during his time in Brazil from March 1869 to April 1870 were to help mediate the end of the Paraguayan War and seek compensation after Brazilian troops looted the French legation in Asunción. He did so and was equally successful in negotiating an extradition treaty between the French Empire and the Empire of Brazil.