Kj

.W![

£ a Q a\ 'J give thefe Books
for the founding of a College in this Colony"

•YigyLE-^MiiiVEissjnnf'

Gift of
Dr. Hiram Bingham
of the Class of 1898
1907

;-SH

HISTORY OF
BRAZIL, COMPRISING
A GEOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THAT COUNTRY,
TOGETHBH WITH
A NARRATIVE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE EVENTS WHICH
HAVE OCCURRED THERE SIM CE ITS DISCOVERY;
A Description of the Manners, Customs, Religion, 8{c.
bf the Natives and Colonists
Interspersed with Remarks
ON
THE NATURE OF ITS SOIL, CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS,
AND
Jfom'gn ana infernal Commerce.
To which are subjoined
i AUTIONS TO NEW SETTLERS FOR THE PRESERVATIO V
OF HEALTH.
% ANDREW GRANT, M. D.

LOXVOX:
piiotedfok HENRY COLBlilN, toxn . ; i.sxw.f.T,
XEW BONH-STRHt.':'***-
1809.

1 \ ;¦ w* **

B. Clarke, Printer, Well-Street, Cripplegate.

TO THE
MERCHANTS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
TRADING TO BRAZIL,
THIS HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT
OF THAT INTERESTING COLONY,
IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,
BY
Their most obedient, humble Servant,
The AUTHOR.

AD VER TISEMENT.

As the recent political changes in Europe
have naturally attracted the general attention
towards the New World,' no apology, it is
presumed, can be deemed necessary for present
ing to the public the following'succinct account
of one of the most interesting colonies in that
quarter of the globe.
The jealous and illiberal policy which at
all times characterized the government of Bra
zil, in its intercourse with foreigners, have
hitherto rendered it difficult to obtain accurate
information respecting the productions, trade,
and commerce of this colony. The author
therefore trusts that the information contained
in the following sheets cannot fail to prove ac
ceptable to the general reader, and highly in-
. terestiug to every one engaged in commercial
speculations.

I.on.lon, Feb. ';.-"•. 1S09.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
Discovery and settlement of Brazil by the Portu
guese — Climate — Natural productidns — Animals,
Page. 1
CHAPTER II.
General character of the Natives of Brazil — Personal
qualities and means of subsistence— Religion--- Wars
— Polygamy — Domestic slavery of wives- '-Hospita
lity to strangers— Diseases  15
i
CHAPTER III.
Arrival of a Portuguese governor at Brazil — Impolicy
of his conduct — Character of the missionaries — Un
successful attempts of the French to settle a colony
in Brazil  34
CHAPTER IV-
Invasion of Brazil by the Dutch — Their conquests in
that country — Gallant conduct of Admiral Pater 47

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
Farther successes of (he Dutch over the combined forces
of Spain and Portugal — Appointment of Count Mau
rice of Nassau to be governor of Brazil — Wisdom of
his administration — His recal  Page 60
CHAPTER VI.
Impolitic conduct of the Dutch West India Company-
— Three citizens appointed to succeed Count Mau
rice — Reduction of the military force — Commence
ment of hostilities by the Portuguese — Critical situa
tion and final expulsion of the Dutch from Brazil 7S
CHAPTER VII.
Situation of the Portuguese after the expulsion of the
Dutch — Settlement of the Portuguese on the river
Amazon — Attempts of the Portuguese to establish
themselves on the river Plata — Disputes with Spain 91
CHAPTER VIII.
Division of Brazil. — Civil and ecclesiastical government
— Slave trade- — Present condition of the native Bra-
z'v-iuns  104
CHAPTER IX.
Remarks on the -winds and currents in crossing the
Atlantic— Island of Frio — Observations u-j the Lat-

CONTENTS.
bom of Rio de Janeiro — Description of the capital —
General view of the country — Natural produc
tions — Trade — Manufactures — Military establish
ment  '-  Page 118
CHAPTER X.
Description of the provinces of Porto Seguro, Spiritn
Sancto, and St. Vincent — Manners of the inhabi
tants — Trade — Manufactures — Military establish
ment  174
CHAPTER XI.
Description of the captainship of Bahia, or the Bay of
All Saints — Manners of the inhabitants— Natural pro
ductions—Trade — Manufactures — Military establish
ment  '  204
CHAPTER XII.
Description of the provinces of Para, Maragnon, Siara,
Rio Grande, Paraiba, Tamaraca, Fernambucca, Se-
gerlppa del Rey, and Rio das Velhas — Manners of
the inhabitants — Trade — Manufactures — Military
establishment  26S
APPENDIX.
Medical hints to Europeans emigrating to Brazil 2.93

Just Published,
By H. COLBURN, No. 50, Conduit-Street,
1. A PICTURE OF LISBON, taken on the Spot;
being a Description, moral, civil, political, physical, and
religious, of that Capital ; with Sketches on the Govern
ment, Character, and Manners, of the Portuguese in ge
neral ; 8vo. 8s.
" This Picture of Lisbon is an interesting performance ; and it
deserves an attentive perusal, not only from the curious details
which it contains, but from the striking proofs which it exhibits
of the numerous and portentous evils of a despotic Government. "'
Critical Rev tea.
2. A PICTURE OF VALENCIA, taken on the Spot,
by Christian Augustus Fischer, 8vo. 9s.
" We have no hesitation in recommending this Picture of
Valencia to the attention of the Public at the present crisis ;
and the Translator deserves our thanks for furnishing the British
Public with a description of oue of the most fascinating pro
vinces of the most interesting country in Europe."
Anti-Jacobin Review.
3. HISTORY OF THE FEMALE SEX, written by
,C. Meikers, Counsellor of State to his Britannic Majesty.,
&c. &c. 2d edition, 4 vols. 28s. boards. For an Account of
this IVork, see the Monthly Review.

HISTORY OF BJtAZIL.

CHAPTER I.

DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF BRAZIL BYTHE
PORTUGUESE  CLIMATE  NATURAL PRODUCTIONS
 ANIMALS, &C.

XHE immense territory of Brazil, extending
from the frontier of French Guiana, in 1° 30'
north latitude, to Port St. Pedro, in 32° south
latitude, being 33° and a half, or 2000 geo
graphical miles, was accidentally discovered by
the Portuguese admiral, Peter Alvarez de Ca-
bral, in the year 1500, -when on a voyage to
the East-Indies.
Standing farther out to sea than usual, after
passing the Cape de Verde islands, in order to
E

2 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
avoid the calms and currents which are common
on the African coast, he descried, on the 24th
of April, an unknown country, lying to the
westward ; but the sea running high, he was
obliged to steer along the coast as far as the
fifteenth degree of south latitude, where finding
an excellent haven;, he termed it Porto Seguro,
and landing, took possession of the country by
the name of Santa Cruz. This name was af
terwards changed to that of Brazil, from the
country abounding with Brazil wood, so termed
in Europe many centuries previous to the dis
covery of this part of the new world. The
breadth of these possessions from Cape St.
Rogue to Sapatinga equals, if it does not ex
ceed., the above extent.
Cabral sent some, of his people to explore this
new country, and" in consequence of the favour
able report they gave respecting the fertility of
the soil, and the mild and gentle disposition of
the inhabitants, he resolved to suffer his crew
to refresh themselves ashore. On landing, he
was pleased to find that the report given to him
had been accurate, and that the natives, so far
from offering any insult to him or his people,
received them with the greatest kindness.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 3
De Cabral having some criminals on board,
whose sentence had been transmuted from death
to banishment, he left two of them behind, in
order to learn the language, and acquire a more
intimate knowledge of this unknown land and
its inhabitants.
Aware of the importance of the discovery of
this large portion of the new continent, he im
mediately dispatched one of his vessels, with
some confidential persons on board, to Lisbon,
with the intelligence, accompanied by one of
the natives, in order to his being instructed in
the Portuguese language.
On receiving this advice, the Court of Lis
bon ordered a survey to be taken of the har
bours, bays, rivers, and coast of Brazil; but
though this survey confirmed the relation of the
discbverers respecting the fertility of the soil,
and its capability of producing the necessaries
of life in abundance, yet, as neither gold nor
silver mines had been found, the government
contented itself with sending thither condemned
criminals and profligate females. Two ships
were freighted annually from Portugal to carry
these unfortunate beings to the new world, and
b2

4 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
to bring back parrots, and wood for dyers and
cabinet-makers. Ginger at one time also formed
an article of importation, but was soon prohibited,
from the idea that it would interfere /.with the
sale of that brought from India.
About this period, the inhabitants of Por
tugal, regarding Asia as the road to fame,
wealth, and power, flocked thither in prodi
gious numbers, while not an individual could
be found voluntarily to emigrate to America.
Those unfortunate men, * however, who had
fallen into the power of the inquisition, were
added to the convicts already transported to
Brazil. The majority of these were Jews, a
race unremittingly persecuted by this dreadful
tribunal, probably on account of their great
riches. Though deprived of their wealth, they
carried along with them to the new world ha
bits of industry, and a spirit of enterprise.
Their success in establishing some valuable
plantations displayed to the Portuguese court,
that a colony may become valuable to the mo
ther country, though destitute of the precious
metals. As this opinion began to gain ground, several

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. ' &
noblemen solicited and obtained grants of land
on the coast of Brazil, with an unlimited ex
tent in the interior, so that some of the richest
and most powerful of the nobility possessed dis
tricts equal in extent to Portugal itself.
These nobles were authorised by their charter
to treat the vanquished people in whatever
manner they chose. They had a right, which
most of them exercised, to dispose of the terri
tory they had invaded in favour of any Portu
guese who would undertake to cultivate it ; but
they granted lands only for three lives, reserving
also certain rent-charges. These great proprie
tors were to enjoy all the rights of sovereignty,
except that of condemning to death, coining,:
and exacting tythes— prerogatives which the
court reserved to itself. These useful and ho
nourable fiefs could only be forfeited by neg
lecting to cultivate and defend them, by the
deficiency of male issue, or by. the commission
of some capital crime.
/ There is no country between the4ropics that
enjoys a more wholesome climate than Brazil,
the heat being much moderated by the breezes
from the sea, and in the interior of the country

6 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
by the winds from the mountains, which are
even cooler than those that blow from the
ocean. Piso and Margrave, two eminent na
turalists who have treated this subject with
philosophical accuracy, represent the tempera
ture as mild when compared with that of
Africa, and agree in ascribing this to the re
freshing wind which blows continually from
the sea. According to them, the air is not only
cool, but even so chilly during the night, that
the natives kindle fires every evening in their
huts; and Nieuhoff, who resided long in Bra
zil, confirms their description.
i
The whole of Brazil is extremely fertile and
pleasant, being watered by many large rivers
and lakes, most of which have their source in
the mountains, and flow through extensive
plains, which produce various sorts of fruit and
vegetables in great abundance. The manioc
root, to which the Brazilians are indebted for
Jhe chief part of their subsistence, is a shrub
which abounds every where, and is termed by
the natives maniiba, and the root mandioka
(Jatroplia vianinot, L. ) It rises to the height
of about seven feet, and from its knotted stem
proceed branches, producing smaller stalks,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. i
which hear clusters, resembling stars, of small :t
green oblong leaves, pointed at the apex. The ,
flowers are of a pale yellow colour, and the
root is of the shape of a parsnip. Their forests
also abound with palms and mastic wood, as
also with mangoe and guyava trees. Pine
apples, or ananas, grow here in great profu
sion ; when ripe, they are of a beautiful golden
hue, and by their fragrant odour perfume the
air to a great distance. In taste they excel our
richest preserved fruits, and the liquor drawn
from them h riot inferior to Malmsey wine.
From the great fertility of the soil, the cotton-
tree is here produced spontaneously. It grows
to a considerable height, and yields the cotton-
in flocks, about the size of a little ball, but it
is less productive than the cultivated sorts.
Brazil likewise abounds in shrubs and reeds
of different kinds, some of which creep along
the ground, while others climb to the top of
the tallest trees. Even the most barren parts
of the country produce a certain kind of tree
wholly destitute of leaves, termed by the na
tives Umbo. The timber of these trees, owing
to its great flexibility, makes excellent hoops,
and the bark is employed by the ship carpenters

8 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
instead of hemp. But the most valuable indi
genous tree is unquestionably the C&salpinia,
brasiliensis, from which the Brazil wood is ob
tained. It is generally found in dry barren
situations, and among rocks. Its flowers are
of a most beautiful bright red, and diffuse a
very agreeable odour. It attains a considerable
size and thickness, but the wood is mostly
crooked and knotty. It is extremely com
pact and heavy, crackling in the fire, but
without producing much smoke. That held
in most esteem is extremely hard, and on be
ing split, changes from a pale to a deep red.
These chips, on being chewed, yield a sweetish
taste, somewhat resembling thafrof sugar. This
_wbod is applicable to various purposes, and
takes a very good polish, but it is chiefly used
in dying red. The splendour and brilliant co
lour of many of the flowers, and the gaudy
plumage of the birds, when perched on trees^
or flying from bough to bough, ^render the fo
rests extremely picturesque and striking.
Parrots of every species and variety abound
in this country. They fly in large flocks ; and
though numbers of them are killed by the na
tives, this havoc produces among them no per-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 9
ceptible diminution. Their cojours are ex
tremely lively and shining, and in some species
most delicately shaded. The breasts of some
are of a deep scarlet, and their bodies either
yellow, green, or blue, and sometimes a mixture
of all these colours. These never lay above
two eggs at a time, and build their nests in the
trunks of old trees, or among the rocks. Others,
superadded to the former colours, have a mix-v
ture of black and grey, and these breed in tWb
houses ; while a third species is black, inter
mixed with green ; their eyes and beak are red,
and the feet yellow. But the most beautiful
kind is perhaps that, the body of which' is
wholly green ; it has a yellow cap and collar ;
the head is adorned with a fine tuft of blue
feathers, and the tail exhibits a mixture of red?
yellow, and green. The most curious, how
ever, of these species of birds, is that termed by
the natives Tuin, which is insize not larger
than a sparrow, and evinces great facility in
learning to talk, and is constantly singing its
native notes ; it is extremely nimble, and be
comes in a short time so familiar, that it will
skip on the bosom of those who feed it, and eat
out of their mouth.

10 HISTORY OF BRAZIL^
Brazil also produces a species of wild geese,
and many other kinds of wild fowl, that differ
very little from those of Europe. Among the
small birds, the Brazilian humming-bird is the
most interesting ; for though not much larger
than a drone, the noise it makes is extremely
loud; and so changeable are its hues, that in
whatever direction it is turned, the colour va-
ries. Some of the native females hang them to
their ears, in the manner of a pendant.
Among the quadrupeds of Brazil, the wild
boar, the leopard, the tyger (Felis onca, L. )
and the ounce (Felis caiida elongata, corpore
nigroj, are the mo3t formidable : the last, in
particular, will ascend the highest trees in pur
suit of his prey. The killing one of them is
considered as a glorious action among the na
tives ; and he who is so lucky is ever after re
garded and esteemed as a hero.
One of the most extraordinary animals found
on this continent is a species of porcupine called
by the Brazilians kuandu. It is about the
size of an ape, but, instead of hair, is covered
with spikes of three or four fingers length,
which it darts forth, when exasperated, as the

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 11
common porcupine does its quills, and that
with such violence, if we are to believe Nieu-
hoff, as frequently to kill persons who are so
incautious as to approach it. This animal is
roasted and eaten by the inhabitants.
The armadillo, or shield-hog, resembles our
hogs in shape and size, but is covered with
scales, in the form of a shield. This animal
lives on roets and all kinds of carrion, drinks a
great deal, and is extremely fat. It delights in
marshy places, and digs holes under the earth,
in which it shelters itself. Its flesh is much ad
mired, and has an exquisite flavour.
Apes and monkeys are very numerous in this
country, and are of several colours. They are
esteemed good food by the natives.
The woods abound in snakes, some of which
are extremely large and formidable ; but their
hissing puts the" hearer on his guard, and they
seldom proceed to an attack without provoca
tion. Nieuhoff indeed mentions one .kind of
serpent, the boa set/tale, of a monstrous size,
being from twenty to thirty feet long, which is
so extremely voracious, that it will dart from

12 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

\

the hedges either upon" man or animals ; its
bite is however, according to him, less injurious
than that of another species, which he describes ,
under the name of gekko. He affirms that the bite
of this last animal proves in every instance mortal,
unless the wounded part be immediately cut aut
or burnt, by means of a red hot iron. Turme
ric root (curcuma longa, L. ) is deemed by
the Brazilians the most effectual remedy against
this poison. The Javanese poison their arrows,
it is said, with the blood of this reptile. Liz
ards in Brazil grow to the length of four feet,
and are eaten with the greatest safety.
Among the spiders there is one of a remark
ably large size, found in the cavities of large
trees, which, if disturbed, inflicts a wound so
small as to be scarcely visible, but which pro
duces a blueish swelling, extremely painful,
and in v some instances said to occasion death.
One species, the aranea avicularia venatoria,
spins balls much larger than those of the spiders
of Europe, in which it deposits its eggs, and
the substance of which resembles the finest silk.
Among the various insects produced in Brazil
we may mention the silk worm, which abounds
<m the mulberry trees, as well as several specie*

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 13
I
of bees: some of these fix their combs in the
cavities of trees, whence the natives draw out
the honey by means of hollow pipes; but that
which is most highly esteemed, is produced by
a smaller bee, which places its combs on the
highest trees. It is little inferior to the best
European honey, and was collected in such
quantities by the Dutch, when in possession of
this country, that they transported it to Hol
land, where it was sold very cheap.
The coasts and harbours of Brazil abound
with fish of several species : among these are
lampreys and morenos, the last of which is of
an enormous size, but neither of them pala
table The lakes and rivers likewise teem with an
incredible multitude of fish : though the former
are not held in such high estimation as the ri
ver-fish, they are nevertheless not much inferior
to them in goodness. That called by the na
tives karapantangele, which resembles our
perch, obtains the preference among them.
In the rivers and lakes are also found croco
diles, or alligators, of the same species, though

14 HISTORY 0£ BRAZIL.
somewhat smaller than those of Africa. - They
seldom exceed five feet in length, and usually
lay from twenty to thirty eggs, which are eaten
by the Brazilians, as well as the flesh of the
animal. The whole coast, particularly in the
bay of All Saints, also swarms with whales ; and
during the season in which the turtles lay their
eggs, namely from December to April, the shores
are covered with them ; after which they retire
into the sea, and disappear.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 15

CHAPTER II.

GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE NATIVES OF BRAZIL
 PERSONAL QUALITIES AND MEANS OF SUBSIST
ENCE  RELIGION-rWARS  POLYGAMY  DOMESTIC
SLAVERY OF WIVES  HOSPITALITY TO STRANGERS
 DISEASES, &C

I
The native Brazilians differ, very little in j
stature or complexion from the Portuguese ;
themselves ; but some of the tribes greatly ex
ceed them in strength and vigour.

At the period this country was discovered,
aome of the natives lived in villages, and others
roamed about according to their caprice or their.
necessities. These villages consisted, however,!
only of three or four very large houses, in each ~
of which lived a whole family or tribe, under a .
species of patriarchal government.

16 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
The Portuguese and Dutch writers give the
name of Tapuyers to the native inhabitants of
the northern part of Brazil ; and that of
TupihamMcs., or Tupanamboys, to those who
dwell in the south ; but divide these again into
several petty nations, each having a different
dialect, though their manners and customs were
nearly similar. " Every colony of this vast
continent," says the Abbe Raynal, "had its
own idioms ; but not one of them had any words
to convey general or abstract ideas. This
poverty of language, which is common to all
the nations of South America, affords a con
vincing proof of the little progress the human
understanding had made in these countries.
The analogy between the words in the several
languages of this continent shews, that the
reciprocal transmigrations of these, savages had
been frequent."
The Tapuyers are in general tall, and from
living under the equator, of a dark copper
colour ; their hair, which is black, hangs over
their shoulders, but they have no beards or hair
on any part of their body. They go naked,
the women only concealing certain parts of their
bodies with leaves, which they fasten to a cord

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 17
or small rope, tied round the waist like a girdle.
The men employ a little bag or net, formed of
the bark of trees, with the same intention, and
wear on the head a cap or coronet of feathers.
Their ornaments consist of glittering stones,
hanging to their lips and nostrils, and bracelets
of feathers on their arms ; some of them paint
their bodies of various colours ; while others,
rubbing themselves with gum, attach by this
means to their skin feathers of different birds,
which give them, when viewed at a distance, a
very motley appearance.
The TupinambieSj on the contrary, are of a
moderate stature, and of a lighter complexion
than their more northern neighbours, who are
not, however, so dark as the African negroes
under the same degree of latitude. The Tupi-
nambies resemble them in their flat noses, which
being esteemed a beauty, are produced by
art during infancy. The huir of their head,
which is black, is long and lank, but like the
Tapuyers, they have no hair on their faces or
any part of the body.
Before the arrival of the Portuguese, they
were masters of the arts of spinning, weaving,
c

18 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
and building houses ; they also formed arms,
which consisted of bows, arrows, lances, and
darts. They pretended to have a knowledge of
the virtues of herbs, some of which they ad
ministered with success to the sick.
Hunting, fowling, and fishings were rather
their business than amusement, these being
absolutely necessary for the support of their
families. In a country destitute of domestic
animals, their food must necessarily be very
simple : those along the sea-shore lived mostly
on the shell-fish they could pick up ; while the
inhabitants in the vicinity of rivers subsisted by
fishing, and those in the forests by hunting.
When these precarious provisions failed them,
they had recourse to the manioc and other roots,
as well as different fruits and herbs with which
the country abounds. The former of these
resembles, as we have already mentioned, our
parsnip in shape, being two or three feet long,
and about the thickness of a man's arm. The
root, after being taken out of the ground, is
well washed, and freed from the external rind
by means of a knife ; it is then reduced to a
state of powder, on a rude kind of machine
resembling a nutmeg-grater, turned with a wheel.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 19
fixed in a trough, into which the powder falls.
The root thus prepared is put into a bag about
four inches wide, formed of the rind of trees,
and subjected to the action of a press till it be
completely deprived of the juice, which in its
crude state possesses a very deleterious quality.
It is next beaten through a sieve, and then
dried over the fire in a copper or earthen vessel
or pan till it is quite dry, care being taken to
stir it during the process with a wooden spoon of
spatula. Of this dried flour the Brazilians
make cakes resembling our biscuits : they also
carry a portion of it with them when on a jour
ney, or when marching in time of war ; and
when infused in a small portion of water, it sup
plies them both with food and drink. The
expressed juice of the manioc, when left at rest
for about two hours, deposits a copious white
sediment, which is the tapioca powder of our
shops. This they bake into cakes which taste
as well as wheaten bread. When boiled to the
consistence of pap, this juice affords a very
wholesome nourishment. Sometimes the root,
after being taken out of the ground, is sliced
into small pieces, and soaked for four or five'
days in fresh water, when it begins to be soft.
This the wild Brazilians, inhabiting the woods,
c2

tUU) HISTORY OF BRAZIt.
roast in the ashes, preferring this mode of pre
paration, because it is attended with the least
trouble. From the root of another species of the
manioc is prepared, by boiling, a pleasant
liquor similar to whey, which they term
kavimakaxera. The same root, chewed and
mixed with water, furnishes them with another
liquor, called haon ; and the cakes made from
the flour of this root, kept in a cask of water
till fermentation takes place, affords them like
wise a liquor of considerable strength^ resem
bling beer.
The Brazilians are extremely fond of dancing;
their songs, however, consist of one monotonous
tone, without the leastmodulation, and generally
turn on the subject of love or war.
The inland Brazilians have scarcely any
knowledge of a supreme being. They have a
confused idea of some general deluge, by
which they believe the whole race of mankind
were destroyed, except one man and his sister,.
and that these by degrees re-peopled the world,
ft They know not," says ZSieuhofl*. " what

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 21
God is, nor have any word in their language
expressive of this idea, unless it be tuba, which
signifies something most excellent." By this
name they designate thunder, which is so
frequent and awful in their country, as well as
in other parts of the torrid zone, that to them
it is not only an object of terror but of religious
reverence. They are utterly unacquainted
with heaven or hell, though a tradition exists
among them that the soul does not perish with
the body, but is either transplanted into devils,
or else enjoys a superior degree of happiness
from dancing and singing, in some pleasant
fields beyond the mountains. These fields, they
imagine, are inhabited by all the brave men and
women who have killed and eaten a number of
their enemies ; whereas those who have lived in
indolence, and never performed any heroic ex
ploits, are tortured by an evil spirit to whom
they give various names.
They perform no religious ceremonies, yet
they sometimes endeavour to appease their
wrath by certain presents fastened to stakes,
which they fix in the ground. They have
priests, however, or rather magicians, among
them, who are carefully consulted in all ma-

%% HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Bientous transactions, especially those connected
with war. The Potiguaras, a nation among
the Brazilians, are accounted so well skilled in
sorcery, as to be able to kill their enemies by
their enchantments.
The Brazilians are unacquainted with those
notions of subordination which, in other coun
tries are, perhaps, originally derived from reli
gion, or a belief in the moral government of a
deity ; but they display much deference to
wisdom and bravery, almost idolizing the man
who has slain the greatest number of his ene^
mies. But though bound by no positive law,
dissensions rarely occur in their societies. If a
dispute originate from drunkenness or any other
ca.use, in which a life is unfortunately lost, the
murderer is delivered up to the relations of the
deceased, who instaptly and without hesitation,
sacrifice him to appease the manes of their de
parted friend : after which the reconciliation
of the two families is celebrated by a tumul
tuous feast, and the pause of discord for ever
burie4 in oblivion. Their kings, or rather
chiefs, and their offspring, are distinguished by
haying thq hair rut in a particular form, and
by the length of the thumb nails ; but this last

History of brazil. 23
mark of royalty is restricted, according to
Nieuhoff, to the king alone, his sons being
allowed to have long nails on the fingers but
not on the thumbs.
The frequent wars in which the different
tribes inhabiting the vast continent of Brazil
were engaged, have been attributed by some of
the older writers to their taste for human flesh.
Nieuhoff, who resided long in the country,
affirms, that the bodies of their still-born chil
dren were devoured by the parents as the
greatest delicacy. Be this, however, as it may,
it appears sufficiently evident that motives of
interest or ambition never urged the Brazilians
to war, but a desire of avenging the injuries
committed against their relations or friends.'
The oldest and bravest men of the tribe deter
mined the propriety of commencing hostilities,
and during the march, animated, by their
speeches, the hatred of the combatants against.
their enemies. Their only arms are an ebony
club about six feet long, one foot broad, and
an inch thick, and a bow and arrow of the
same wood ; the bow-strings are made of
twisted cotton, and the darts, which they term
nba, of the wild cane. The. points of these

24 History of brazil.
darts are either formed of jwood, very much
hardened, bones, or the teeth of fishes ; they
are generally, very sharp, and some of them
have several points, others but one. Some
tribes use neither bows nor arrows, but throw
their darts with the hand. The bones of their
enemies slain in former battles furnish them
with a rude kind of instrument resembling a
flute, which is their only martial music, and
they were led on by men who had displayed
in former wars the most signal proofs of cou
rage and intrepidity. The aim of the contend
ing armies was to take each other by surprise,
and their chief ambition consisted in making a
great number of prisoners : these were imme
diately massacred and eaten with great solem
nity; but their relish for human flesh appears
not to have been so great as to induce them
to devour, the bodies of those slain in battle,
but only such as had fallen alive into their
hands. Many singular circumstances concern
ing their treatment of prisoners are related by
Stadius, a German officer in the service of the
Portuguese. He was taken prisoner by the
Tupinambies, and remained in captivity nine
years. He was frequently present at those hor
rid festivals which he describes, and was des-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 25
tined himself to th,e same cruel fate with many
other prisoners, but he saved his life by extraor
dinary efforts of courage and address. Lery, who
accompanied M. de Villegagnon in his expedi
tion to Brazil, in the year 1556, and who resided
some time in that country, agrees with Stadius
in every circumstance of importance. He was
frequently an eye-witness of the manner in
which the Brazilians treated their prisoners,
and several striking circumstances omitted by
them are mentioned by a Portuguese author.*
The heads of those who fell in battle, as well
as of those who were afterwards immolated,
the Brazilians carefully preserved, and osten
tatiously displayed to strangers, as trophies of
their valour. Their heroes made deep inci
sions in their limbs to commemorate their war
like exploits, and the more they were disfigured
by such honourable testimonies of bravery, the
more did it ensure to them the deference and
respect of the whole tribe.
I
Polygamy was universal among the Brazilian
tribes : each individual espoused as many wives
as his fancy dictated, and repudiated them with
*Purch..Pilgr. IV. 1231.

36 HISTORY OF ERAZIL.
equal facility : but a violatfton of the marriage
vow by these latter was punished with death.
These women are extremely prolific, and sel
dom miscarry. Child-birth among them is not
attended with those consequence which result
from it in civilized states ; for no sooner are
they delivered, than, proceeding to the next
river without assistance, they bathe their bo
dies, and hanging the child to their neck in a
kind of scarf, return to their ordinary occupa
tions without experiencing the slightest incon
venience. The following absurd custom is
said, by some writers, to prevail among them.
The husband, immediately after the birth of
his child, retires to bed, where he remains
twenty-four hours, and during that time is
nursed and attended with the greatest care.
Mothers lament the death of their infants by
Imwling and crying for three or four days;
liiit on the death of their parents they pull out
the hair of their head, and strew it over the
body, which they regard with the most tender
emotions, recounting the exploits of the de
ceased with complacency, arid celebrating their
virtues with transpdrt. The body, after a

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 27
while, is buried in an upright posture, in a
round grave, and if the deceased be the head
of a family, his plumes, necklace, and arms
are interred with him. When the tribe re
moves to a distance, which frequently happens,
they erect some rude stones oyer the graves of
their most respected relations, and never ap
proach these monuments of their grief and af
fection without making the air resound with
their lamentations.
The Brazilian wives constantly follow their
husbands, whether they go to war or the chace.
While the men carry only their arms, the poor fe
males are loaded, not only with their children,
but also with the provisions and other articles ne
cessary during the journey. Towards night
they fasten their hammocks on trees, or long
poles, and defend them from the rain by the
leaves of palm-trees. These hammocks consti
tute the chief part of their furniture; they are
made of cotton, formed into a kind of net
work, being commonly six or seven feet long,
and about four in breadth, though some tribes
make them so large as to contain four, or even
sometimes six persons. Their cans, cups, &c.
are made of calabashes, some of which are so

28 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
large as to contain thirty quarts. It is a cns^
torn among the Brazilians to eat and drink at
different hours: during their meals they resign
^very idea of care, even their vengeance is for
gotten until their appetites are satisfied. Lery,
who resided long among the natives, gives
them the character of being very sober : —
'' They usually live," says he, " on two sorts
of roots, the aipy and manioc. These plants
require little cultivation in a country so fertile
as Brazil, where there is also plenty of maize,
and a great profusion of the most exquisite tro
pical fruits. These vegetable productions,
joined to what they procure by hunting and
fishing, afford to the different tribes a sufficient
variety of excellent and wholesome food."
The husband usually goes abroad in the
morning with his bow and arrow, to shoot
wild beasts, to catch birds, or to fish in the
sea or nearest river; while the women are
employed in the plantations, or else accom
pany their husbands in order to carry home the
prey. Sometimes they catch the wild animals
in pits, dug for the purpose, in which they
place a piece of carrion, and cover them over
with leaves ; at others they employ a kind of
rude wooden trap with the same intention.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 29
They use snares or nets to entrap the birds,
with which the country abounds, and their
fishing-tackle consists of a line and hook, which
they bait with worms, crabs, or small fish; for
catching sea-fish they employ strong iron hooks
baited with carrion. When engaged in this
occupation, they proceed a good way into the
sea, on three pieces of wood fastened together,
termed by them igxipeda.
Hospitality universally prevailed among the *
natives, and before distrust and suspicion were
introduced into their minds by the conduct of
the Europeans, strangers were every where re
ceived among them with kindness and civility.
Wherever they came, they were surrounded by
Hhe women, who washed their feet, and welcomed
them with expressions of the greatest kindness.
Neither expence nor trouble was spared in their
entertainment, and it would have been regarded
as an unpardonable insult, had they left the
family in which they were first received, in
hopes of better accommodation.
While their hospitality was thus exercised
toward strangers, they received their friends,
after a long journey, with open arms and u'ur«.

30 HISTORY OF BRAZIL,
heating their foreheads against their breasts,
in remembrance of the misfortunes they had
sustained during their absence.
A community of goods generally prevails
among rude and savage tribes, but at the pe
riod of which we are treating, the Brazilians
were so far advanced in civilization, as to
have acquired pretty correct ideas concerning
property. When any one cultivated a field,
he alone was entitled to its produce. When
a family undertook a fishing or hunting excur
sion, they only shared the spoils with the
cacique, or those of their relations who were
confined at home by sickness ; and he who
encroached on what was thus caught, was'
sure to incur an exemplary punishment.
They have no method of reckoning time, but
they keep an account of their age by laying up
a chesnutfor every year, beginning the computa
tion of their years with the rising of a star
called Taku, or the rain-star.
) Many distempers which are common in Eu
rope are unknown among the natives of Brazil

HISTORY OF BRAKIL, 31
They use only simple remedies, and" deride our
multiform compositions. They employ scarifi
cation, and draw blood from the part by suc
tion with horn cups; for that purpose they use,<
instead of a lancet, the tooth of a lamprey,
termed by them kakaon, without which they
never stir abroad. As soon as any of their
friends or relatives fall sick they all assemble,
each recommending that remedy which from
his own experience appears to him likely to
prove successful. Sometimes, instead of the horn
cups, they have recourse to suction with their
mouths, by which means they affirm they draw
all the ill-humours from the diseased part. Ac
cording to Nieuhoff, when every thing fails,
and the recovery of the patient is despaired of,
they proceed to dispatch him with their clubs
regarding it as more glorious to be thus deli
vered from their misery, than suffered to linger
out a painful existence.
Such were the Brazilians at the period their
country was discovered by the Portuguese : a
tractable and ingenious people, ready to learn
any art or science they might have been inclined
to introduce among them. They were, it is
true, not much disposed io labour, for their de-

32Tr history of Brazil.
sires were few and easily gratified. While they
were treated with kindness, they offered no ob
jections to the occupation of lands by the stran
gers, wherever they might chuse.
These new settlers, who had been regarded
in the mother country as the dregs of society,
finding their condition greatly improved, took
every opportunity of ingratiating themselves
with the natives. They had brought with
them, from the island of Madeira, ¦ cuttings of
the sugar-cane, which they reared and culti
vated with the greatest care. The fertility of
the soil attracted abundance of people from
other parts of America' to join these colonists.
Here every master of a family was both a
planter and a soldier. He occupied as much
land as himself and his family could cultivate,
and daily performed his military exercises with
the view of enabling him to defend his pro
perty ; and hence every district had the title of
captainship, which they still retain, though the
state of affairs is absolutely changed.
About fifty years after the discovery of Bra
zil, the flourishing state of this colony began
to attract (he notice of the Portuguese court,

histort of brazil. 33
nd in 1549 King John III. ungenerously re-
oked all the grants made to the original pro-
rietors. He appointed Thomas de Souza go-
ernor-general of Brazil, who the same year
ailed from Lisbon with a fleet of six men of
rar and a considerable body of troops, accom-
anied by six missionaries belonging to the Or-
er ofJesuits.

34 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

CHAPTER III.

. ¦; 'Mil . ¦• ''¦:. <:
ARRIVAL OF A PORTUGUESE GOVERNOR AT BRAZIL —
IMPOLICY OF HIS CONDUCT  CHARACTER OF THE
MISSIONARIES  UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS OF THE
FRENCH TO SETTLE A COLONY IN BRAZIL.

Scarcely had the new governor landed in
Brazil before he began to quarrel with the na
tives. Convinced by his own observations, as
well as from the report of the colonists, that
these people were of a mild and tractable dis
position, he formed the design of reducing them
to a state of slavery. But however susceptible
the Brazilians might be to kindness, their man
ners were not such as to dispose them patiently
to submit to the yoke thus attempted to be im
posed on them, and they determined to repel
by force this base and ungenerous proceeding
on the part of the new governor. Their num
bers and courage would most probably have
swept away this infant colony, had it not been
for the timely interference of the Jesuit father t,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 35
who had succeeded, by their gentle and mild
manners, in gaining the esteem of the natives.
These holy men prevailed on a number of those
who inhabited the sea-coast to accede to terms
of reconciliation with the colonists, though
others of them would listen to no proposals of
accommodation whatever, but retiring to the
interior, abjured all intercourse with their Por
tuguese invaders.
It is a melancholy fact, which is confirmed
however by the united testimony of travellers,
that into whatever country Europeans have
penetrated, there the natives have been cor
rupted, their primitive simplicity destroyed,
and -the means of subsistence rendered more pre
carious and difficult, while at the same time
they make no progress either in arts, manufac
tures, or civil policy. Some writers, unable to
deny or palliate this truth, have endeavoured
to account for it from the stubborn and unsocial
disposition of savages and uncivilized man ; but
the most cursory view of the cruel and into
lerant modes of treatment adopted by the co
lonists of all countries, sufficiently evinces the
fallacy of such an apology. Without entering
at large into this subject, we may be permitted
d2

'¦t
36 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
to observe, that rapacity arid injustice on the
part of the Europeans naturally produced a
spirit of retaliation and revenge in the breasts
of those children of nature, who were the sub
jects bf their fury or caprice ; whereas a con
trary mode of conduct would infallibly have
insured their ^gratitude and good will.
If anyone still doubts the happy effects of
kindness and humanity over savage tribes, let
him compare the sprogre'ss made by the Jesuits
in a very short space of rime in South America,
with what the arms of Spain and Portugal have
been able to atcbieve during the lapse of two
centuries. " While multitudes of soldiers,"
to use the words of the eloquent Raynal, " were
employed in transforming two great and ci
vilized empires into deserts, inhabited by roving
barbarians, a feyv missionaries have changed
little wandering tribes into great and civilized
nations." In Brazil these daring and intrepid
men dispersed themselves among the diflerent
Indian tribes, and though many of them were
cut off, from hatred to the Portuguese name,
this did not deter others from supplying their
place. Breathing only sentiments of peace and
charity, these missionaries at length succeeded

history of brazil. 37
ia gaining the confidence of the natives. Where-
ever they appeared, they were hailed with ac
clamations of gladness, and conducted to the
assembled tribe, which they exhorted to regu
larity of manners, to a love of justice; to bro
therly charity, and to an abhorrence of human
blood. Uniting the most consummate know
ledge of human nature to the greatest skill and
prudence, they did not attempt forcibly to de
stroy the deep-rooted prejudices of the natives,
or to oppose their prevailing superstitions ;
while at the same time they suffered no proper
opportunity to escape of forwarding the grand
object of their mission ; and there can be little
hesitation in believing that they would, if time
had been allowed them, have ultimately suc
ceeded in civilizing these savage tribes. After
the suppression of their order, however, the
business of conversion being entrusted to the
more rigid and less enlightened orders of the
catholics, who, all at once, aimed at the total /
subversion of the creed of the natives, and at
compelling their assent to the dogmas of their
own faith, the cause was at length wholly
abandoned ; in consequence of which, the Bra
zilians remain at the present day as unenlight
ened as at the period their country wa9 disco
vered by the Portuguese.

38 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
The new governor, when fully convinced of
the impossibility of reducing the natives to a
state of slavery, or of compelling them to sub
mit to the labours of agriculture, next formed
the equally unjust and cruel project of import
ing a sufficient number of negroes from th :r
newly-acquired settlements in Africa; and no
sooner was the strength of those ill-fated beings
substituted to the languid efforts of the native
Indians, than the culture of the sugar-cane was
greatly increased ; and, this increase became
progressively more considerable, since sugar,
which had hitherto only been employed in me
dicine, began about this period to be pretty ge
nerally used as a luxury.
Taking advantage of the termination of hos
tilities with the natives, which had been brought
about by the wise and temperate conduct of the
Jesuits, De Souza proceeded to build the town
of St. Salvador; but scarcely had he finished
this undertaking, when the growing prosperity
of the colony, which was visible in all the mar
kets of Europe, excited the cupidity of the
French. At this time the affairs of France
being in the greatest confusion, and the dis
pute* between the church of Rome and the C al
pinists having reached the. greatest height, many

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 39
of the most active and industrious inhabitants"
were desirous of finding a safe asylum in distant
climates against the persecutions which awaited
them in their native land. Among these was
Nicholas Durant, Lord of Villegagnon, Knight
of the order of Malta, and Vice-admiral of
Brittany, who, being ill-treated at Nantz, sud
denly resolved to leave the kingdom, and trans
port a colony to some distant part of the globe ;
and fixing on Brazil, he drew up a plan for
establishing a settlement in that country, which
he submitted to the consideration of Gaspar de
/Coligny, Admiral of France, requesting his aid
in fitting out a squadron for that purpose.
The admiral, who was no less distinguished
for his abilities and virtue than for his warm
attachment to the protestant cause, promised
him every assistance in his power, in hopes of
establishing a protestant colony in the new
world, which, in the event of their affairs being
ruined in France,' might afford them a retreat
from the fury of their persecutors. With this
view, the admiral gave such a representation of
the project to Henry II. that he obtained leave
from that monarch to fit out three large vessels,
onboard of which a great number of adventurers

40 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
embarked ; and in May, 1555, this small squa
dron sailed from Havre de Grace for Brazil,
which, after a tedious and troublesome voyage,
they reached in November.
This colony landed on a barren and uninha
bitable rock ; but proceeding farther into the
country, they fixed on a convenient spot of
ground almost under the tropic of Capricorn,
where they erected a commodious fortress for
their security, both against the natives and the
Portuguese, which they termed Fort Coligny.
From this place De Villegagnon transmitted to
the admiral an account of his proceedings and
present situation; observing, that those who
could dispense with European delicacies, and
be content to live upon game, fish, and other
provisions, with which the country abounded,
might find a secure retreat in his fort at
Brazil. This letter De Coligny communicated to the
celebrated reformer, John Calvin of Geneva,
who prevailed on about a dozen Genevese
protestants to engage in the design of improv
ing this infant settlement. Du Pont, a man of
integrity and judgment, was nominated to su-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 41
perintend the business, with the assistance of
two clergymen, Peter Richer, who had origi- '
nally been a Carmelite, and William Chartier.
Setting out from Geneva, these gentlemen
waited on the admiral at Chatillon, who gave
them a kind reception ; and by his assistance,
united with their own interest, they soon col
lected about 300 men, who embarked at
Honfleur, on board three vessels, in November,
1556, and arrived at Fort Coligny, on the 7th
of March, 1557, where they were received with
the greatest joy.
Things, however, did not continue long to
wear the same promising aspect, for de Ville-
gagnon, who had pretended to be a zealous
Calvinist, in order at first to forward his designs^
now threw aside the mask, which producing a
quarrel betyveen him and the minister, Richer,
he drove the latter and all his adherents out of
the colony. Richer and his companions estab
lished themselves on the banks of the Rio
Janeiro, a considerab'e way above the fort,
where they remained about eight months, at the
expiration of which they returned to France,
and gave such a representation of the hypocriti
cal conduct of de Villegagnon, that the admiral

42 HISTORY OF BRAZIL,
finding this scheme would not tend to the ad
vantage of the protestants, ceased to take any
farther concern in its success.
De Villegagnon, thus abandoned to himself,
put the colony in the best possible state of
defence, after which he returned to France in
order to counteract, as far as lay in his power,
the reports which had been propagated against
him. But finding every effort to this purpose
ineffectual, he etired to a monastery of his own
order, and spent the residue of his days in writ
ing against the prote: ants. In the mean time
the Portuguese availed themselves of his ab
sence to attack their new neighbours, and in
the following year Emanuel Sa, who was then
governor of Brazil, succeeded in cutting off the
few French he had left behind, and demolished
the fort.
During the short period that the French
possessed this settlement, they established a
more friendly correspondence with the natives
than the Portuguese had been able to effect in
fifty years. This may be partly accounted for
from the more conciliating manners of the
French, and partly from a ship from Normandy

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 43
having been lost on that coast about twenty
years before, when a few of the crew having
reached the shore, and being well received,,
had intermarried with the natives, and these men
were of the greatest service to the colony.
The Portuguese were now for a considerable
time allowed to remain in undisturbed possession
of their settlements, till a Captain Riffaut, who
had been cruizing in these latitudes, touched at
the Island of Maragnan on the Brazilian coast.
In a short time he contracted so great an inti
macy with the chief of this island, that he
invited him to form a settlement in it, promising
him every assistance in his power. Warmly
entering into the views of this chief, the captain
exerted his credit and interest so effectually, on
his return to France, that he was soon enabled
to equip three vessels, with which he shortly
set sail, with every prospect of success ; but
the crews mutinying before he reached the island,
and the largest of the ships running aground
upon the coast, and being lost, he was obliged
to return to France ; some of his people, how
ever, among whom was M. de Vaux, preferred
remaining with the natives, Avho gave them a
very friendly reception. This young gentle-

44 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
man, who was of a lively and active disposition,
became a great favourite with the natives, to
whom he proved, on many occasions, extremely
useful, and they made to him the same offers'
that had formerly been done by the Indian chief
to Captain Riffaut, and he took the first oppor
tunity of returning home to put the project in
execution. On his arrival in France, M. de Vaux
applied to Henry IV. to whom he represented
the vast advantages that would result to his
country from such an establishment; upon
which that prince, who was unwilling wholly
to trust to the prudence of this young ad
venturer, sent a small vessel, under the com
mand of M. Rivardier, upon whose report he
could depend, and who was accompanied by
M. de Vaux. After remaining six months at
Brazil he returned to France, and made several
voyages back before the government seriously
thought of forming a settlement.
Preparations, however, were at last made for
sending thither a strong squadron, when a stop
was put to them by the murder of Henry IV.
But so fully persuaded was M. Rivardier of the

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. ^ 45
practicability of forming a productive settle
ment in Brazil, that he not only embarked his
whole private fortune in this project, but
likewise engaged several of his fViesnds to follow
his example. By their united efforts, three
strong vessels were equipped, on board of which
he and three hundred adventurers sailed from
Cancale, on the coast of Brittany, and arrived
without accident in the July following, at the
Island of Maragnan.
His first object was. the erection of a fort on
the summit of a hill, near the best port in the
island, between two fine rivers, which washed
both sides of the mountain, and afterwards
disembogued themselves into the sea. Upon
the bastions of this fort he mounted twenty-two
pieces of cannon, and every thing seemed to
promise complete success to their scheme;
when, about two years after their first arrival,
a strong squadron, sent by Don Jerome de
Albuquerque, the Portuguese governor of
Brazil, appearing before the bay, soon com
pelled them to surrender, and the fort, according
to his orders, was instantly razed to the foun
dation. Thus ended for ever the fruitless
attempts of this giddy and volatile nation to

46 v HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
i i
establish themselves in the Brazils. The
Dutch, however, were more successful and more
persevering in their efforts to colonize this new
country, though by the impolicy of their
proceedings, they at length fell an easy prey to
the arms of the Portuguese.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL 47

CHAPTER IV.

INVASION OF BRAZIL BY THE DUTCH  THEIR CON
QUESTS IN THAT COUNTRY  GALLANT CONDUCT
OF ADMIRAL PATER.

In 1581, the crown of Portugal devolving on
the head of Philip II. King of Spain, he not
only became possessed of all the rich settlements
in America, discovered by the Spaniards, but
of Brazil, and the whole of the Portuguese
colonies in India.
History has recorded the acts of tyranny and
cruelty that excited the Low Countries to at
tempt to throw off the Spanish yoke. The
Seven United Provinces, succeeding in their
desperate struggle with the crown of Spain,
formed themselves into a republic, which, by
attending to commerce, soon rose to consider
ation in the scale of nations. Their indepen

48 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
dence being once firmly established, they
attacked their enemy on the remotest seas : — on
the Indus, the Ganges, and on the shores of the
Moluccas, which constituted a part of the
Spanish dominions, since the crown of Portugal
had been united to that of Spain. This enter
prising and fortunate republic, by forming an
East India Company, obtained such prodigious
advantages, that in 1624 they also established
a West India Company, from which the same
success was expected in Africa and America,
that had attended the former in Asia ; and the
first operation of this new association was the
attack of Brazil.
The Dutch being fully acquainted with the
state of that country, and the little resistance
they had to expect if they made a descent o»
the coast, which was more than 1200 leagues in
extent, lost no time in dispatching a squadron
under the command of James Willikens, which
entering the bay of All Saints, proceeded di
rectly to the capital, San Salvador, which fell
an easy conquest. Don Diego de Mendoza,
the Portuguese governor, not having the cou
rage to defend the place, fled, but Michael
Texeira, the Archbishop, descended from one

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 49
of the most ancient families in Portugal, not
withstanding his advanced age, collected around
him all the clergy and monks, and represent
ing to them the necessity of relinquishing for a
season their clerical character, prevailed on them
to take up arms ; and though deserted by the
governor, the soldiers, and the inhabitants,
they for some time made a gallant defence, and
at last retreated to a town at a short distance,
where, after acting the part of soldiers, they
turned engineers, and, under the conduct of the
archbishop, fortified the place, and gave the
enemy as much trouble as if they had been the
most regular troops in the world.
By the taking of this town, the Dutch not
only acquired immense plunder, but became
possessed of the largest and most populous dis
trict in the country, and indeed appeared to
be placed in such an advantageous position,
that it seemed highly probable, in a short
time, they would make themselves completely
masters of the whole colony ; a disaster which
was warded off by the heroic conduct of the
archbishop, who assumed the title of captain-
general, an office which he said, came to him

$Q HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
ftom n&wtyt, in the legible characters of public'
faceasity. The news of this Dutch invasion no sooner
reached Portugal, (than the utmost consterna
tion prevailed, not only in the city of Lisbon,
but throughout the rest of the kingdom. This
consternation was greatly increased by the sus
picion that the Spanish ministry were not dis
pleased' at an event that would lessen the power
and wealth of the grandees of Portugal, the
greatest part of whose estates lay in the Brazils.
Philip IV. during whose reign this event hap
pened, without perhaps entertaining more just
ideas, or more elevated sentiments on the sub
ject, nevertheless conceived that the majesty of
his throne required him to make some exertions
on this occasion. He accordingly dispatched
letters to the principal nobility in Portugal, ex
horting them to make such generous efforts as
the present state of the colonies required. To
this request, self-interest, patriotism, and the
wish to give a check to the joy of their tyrants,
all conduced to insure a ready acquiescence.
The rich poured forth their treasures, others
raised troops, and all were eager to join the ex-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 51
pedition. So effectually, indeed, did the Por
tuguese of all descriptions exert themselves on
this occasion, that in three months they equip
ped for sea a fleet of twenty-six sail ; but ow
ing to the tardiness or policy of the Spaniards,
their fleet did not join that of Portugal till Fe
bruary 1626, when they set sail, under the
command of Don Frederic de Toledo Osoria,
Marquis of Valduesa, having 15,000 tmqn on
board. In the mean time the Dutch being in posses
sion of St. Salvador, and the adjacent ter
ritory, began to extend themselves in every di
rection, emboldened either by Gontempt of the
Portuguese, or instigated by an insatiable thirst
of plunder. The venerable archbishop, how
ever, soon convinced them of their error. Hav
ing assembled 1500 men, he not only succeeded
in cutting off many of their detached parties,
but at last, forcing them to take shelter in the
town, he blocked them up, and reduced them
to the greatest distress.
Such was the situation of affairs when the
united fleets of Spain and Portugal arrived in
the bay of All Saints. Don Emanue^ de Me-
e2

52 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
nessez immediately landed 4000 men, and joined
the army before St. Salvador. The Dutch go
vernor was, however, resolved to defend it to
the last extremity, but the garrison, reduced
by hunger and fatigue, compelled him to sur
render the place on the 20th of April; after
which the commanders of the united fleet, sup
posing that the Dutch, like the French, would
not ^enew their hostile attempts on Brazil, re
turned to Europe in triumph.
This opinion proved, however, eventually to
be erroneous, for the success of the company by
sea made them ample amends for their lossj
and rendered them desirous of engaging in other
expeditions of a similar kind. Whenever their
ships entered into port, they were laden with
the spoils of the Spaniards and Portuguese.
The ocean was covered with their fleets, which
never struck to the enemy, but uniformly at
tacked their ships with a skill arid intrepi
dity that failed not, on every occasion, to en
sure victory. In the course of about thirteen
years, the company fitted out eight hundred
ships, which cost ninety millions of livres
(.€3,750,000.). In this space of time they
captured five hundred and forty-five vessel*

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 53
belonging to their enemies, which, with the
cargoes, sold for one hundred and eighty millions
of livres (a£ 7,500,000.). The dividend was
never below twenty per cent, and often rose to
fifty. This unexampled prosperity, which was
wholly attributable to the war, enabled the
company to make a second attack upon the
Brazils. They accordingly fitted out a strong
fleet of forty- six men of war, commanded by
Admiral Lonk, with a considerable body of1
land forces on board, under General Warden-
bourg, which arrived on the 3rd of February,
1630, in sight of Fernambucca, one of the
largest and best fortified towns in Brazil.
On the 15th of the same month, the general,
landing 3000 men, marched directly towards the
city of Olinda, which he found covered by
three forts, each containing a numerous garri-
1 son ; these he attacked and carried, not however
without experiencing a powerful resistance.
The inhabitants of the city, terrified by his
success, immediately surrendered, though the
native Brazilians, who had been converted to
Christianity, behaved on this, as well as on
similar occasions, with the utmost courage and
fidelity.

54 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
While General Wardenbourg was thus suc
cessful on shore, Admiral Lonk was not less
active bv sea ; and as the Portuguese had not a
considerable naval force to oppose him, he
shortly reduced all the coast to the South of
Olinda. As it was the determination of the
Dutch to obtain, if possible, such a footing in
the eountry, as would enable them to maintain
their ground against the whole force of Portu
gal ; Admiral Lonk fortified and garrisoned all
the places which fell into his hands. He also
resolved, at every hazard, to obtain possession of
a very strong post, which appeared to him
necessary to forward that design.
The whole coast of Brazil is bordered by a
thick and flat ridge of rocks, which'is in some
places twenty, and in others thirty yards broad;
and were it not for several breaks and chasms
in this rocky inclosure, it would he altogether
impracticable to approach the shore. There is
in particular a very large passage towards the
north of Olinda, but the ridge of rocks again
appears almost before the city, and the inhabi
tants enter it in boats at high water. This part
of the ridge is termed by the Portuguese
Reciffo, and by the Dutch the Reccif. On the

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 55
north point is a very narrow Open passage,
through which ships approach the shore, and
between this ridge of rocks and the main land,
is a sandy island, about one league in length,
called the Sandy Receif. On this island the
Portuguese had constructed a strong fort, well
provided with artillery, and which by them was
deemed impregnable. Of this the Dutch
admiral made himself master, and having
strengthened the Stony Receif, he rendered it
the chief seat of commerce, and it became
afterwards one of the most considerable places
in Brazil.
The court of Portugal and Spain, alarmed at
the news of this second attempt upon their
possessions, and at the conquest of the captain
ship of Fernambucca by the Dutch, resolved
immediately to send out a force sufficient, not
only to dislodge them, but effectually to secure
the country from their future inroads. The
disaffection of the Portuguese to the Spanish
government, their divided and perplexed coun
cils, for a long time retarded the completion of
that design, and this interval of quiet was
employed by the Dutch in fortifying them
selves, in extending theit conquests, and in.

56 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
adopting every necessary measure of de
fence.

The Dutch fleet had no sooner returned to
Holland, than Admiral Pater was dispatched to
America with an additional force, and on the
1st of May, 1631, reached the coast of Fernam
bucca, where he found the city of Olinda closely
blockaded by a numerous army under the com
mand of the celebrated Portuguese general, Al
buquerque : but the Dutch garrison, on ob
serving the ships come to anchor, and part of
the troops landed, made such a vigorous sally
on the besiegers, as obliged them to retire from
before the city with considerable loss. By this
timely assistance the Dutch were enabled to ex
tend their conquests, particularly towards the
south ; and it was in contemplation to have at
tacked the city of St. Salvador both by sea and
land, when intelligence was received that a
strong Portuguese and Spanish fleet had ac
tually put to sea, with the intention of relieving
Brazil. This fleet consisted of about thirty ships,
commanded by Admiral d'Oquendo: they were
in but an indifferent condition when they left

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 57
i
Spain, but werejoined at the Canaries by fifteen
more vessels, and at the Cape de Verde islands
received such a farther accession of force as
made the whole amount to fifty-four large
ships. The Dutch admiral had under his com
mand only sixteen, yet resolved to give battle
to the enemy; but as soon as they appeared in
sight, ten of the Dutch captains, observing
how unequal the contest must prove, bore away,
and left the admiral with only six ships to en
counter an enemy who had almost ten times his
number. The conflict was, however, long and
sanguinary ; and, incredible as it may appear,
many of the Portuguese ships were sunk; but
at length the Prince William went to the bot
tom ; and soon after a ball unfortunately falling
into the Dutch admiral's powder room, the ves
sel blew up, by which means this gallant com
mander lost his life. , The four remaining
Dutch ships, upon this, were forced to retire ;
but they effected their retreat in such a masterly
manner, that they not only arrived safe at
Olinda, but brought .in with them a Portuguese
vessel, which they had taken during the action.
The great loss sustained by the Portuguese
admiral, who during the engagement had thir-

58 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
teen sail taken and sunk, prevented him from
making any attempt against the city of Olinda.
After reinforcing the army under Albuquerque,
and repairing his ships, he set sail for Lisbon,
in the month of October ; but in his passage he
fell in with four Dutch men of war, well armed,
who bravely resolved to attack him, though he
had still forty sail under his command, and
most of them large ships.
s In this engagement d'Oquendo lost his own
captain, his vice-admiral, twenty-two captains,
three men of war, two frigates, and about seven
hundred men; after which he returned horne, with
the wretched remains of his unfortunate fleet.
It is but justice to the memory of this brave
man, however, to observe, that the blame of his
disasters rested solely with ministers, who, not
withstanding the warmest remonstrances on his
part, had forced him to sail with ships half
equipped, and half manned.
Willing to repair their error, the government
gave immediate orders for the equipment of
another fleet, the conduct of which was entrusted
to Don Frederic de Toledo, who had acquired
great reputation as a naval commander. No-

HISTORY OF'BRAZIL. 59
ing, however, could be done till the ensuing
ring, when this celebrated admiral proceeded
i his voyage with a very large fleet, and such
force as was deeiped sufficient at once to ter-
inate the war, and expel the Dutch from the
tuntry : yet, notwithstanding these high-raised
:pectations, he returned to Europe without
iving achieved any thing worthy of notice,

60 HISTORY OF BRAZIL

CHAPTER V.

FARTHER SUCCESSES OF THE DUTCH OVER THE COM
BINED FORCES OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL  AP
POINTMENT OF COUNT MAURICE OF NASSAU TO BE
GOVERNOR OF BRAZIL  WISDOM OF HIS ADMINI
STRATION  HIS RECAL.

The Dutch, taking advantage of the delays
and misconduct of their opponents, subjugated,
in the space of seven years, the captainships of
Fernainbucca, Tamaraca, Paraiba, and Rio
Grande. In short, their efforts were attended
with such astonishing success, in this and other
parts of America, that from the time of the
consolidation of the West. India company in
, J624 to 1637, they destroyed and took from
(he Spaniards and Portuguese money and mer
chandise, of various kinds, to the value of forty-
live millions of florins, or four millions and a
half of our money; and out of eight hundred
«hips. fitted out against them by the crown of

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 61
Spfm, they took or destroyed five hundred and.\
forty-seven. Elated with the acquisition of this wealth,
which flowed into Ariisterdam instead of Lisbon,
the company resolved to attempt the conquest/
of the whole of the Brazils, and entrusted thu]
enterprise to Maurice of Nassau, a nea relation
of the Prince of Orange, and who had already
greatly distinguished himself in the service of
the States. Impatient of delay, this general
did not wait for the large armament fitting Out
to accompany him, but took his departure with
only four ships, having 350 soldiers on board,
and being joined by Adrian Vander Dussen,
near the island of Madeira, reached the place of
his destination on the 23d of January, 1637.
Finding the soldiers well disciplined^ eager
to engage, and headed by experienced leaders,
he took the field, immediately on his landing,
with two considerable bodies of troops. With
one of these, consisting of 300 men, he resolved
to attack the Portuguese army, while the other,
of 600, was to be employed in various expedi
tions, with a view to divide and distract the
enemy, the principal part of whose forces were

62 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
concentrated at Porto Cavalla, under the com
mand of Count de Banjola, an officer of great
bravery and experience. Thither Count Mau
rice marched, and after a very obstinate resist
ance defeated the Portuguese, and forced their
camp, though strongly entrenched. After this
disaster, de Banjola retired with the remains of
his troops under the cannon of the citadel. pf
Povacaon, whence he retreated on the approach
of the Dutch, who laid siege to that fortress,
and forced its garrison, of 600 men, to sur
render. Count Maurice next took the town of Ope-
rteda, on the river of St. Francis, where he
erected a fort, as well as another at the mouth
of the river, by which he effectually covered
his new conquests, after which he returned to
Olinda. During his stay in this city, he was
sedulously occupied in organizing the civil and
military government, and in fitting out two
fleets. One of these, under the command of
Admiral Lichlhart, was ordered to attack the
south coast of Brazil, while the other, com
manded by Commodore Hanskins, was destined
to a service of still greater importance, that of
securing a station on the opposite shore of

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 63
Africa. • With this view, it was resolved to at
tack the Portuguese castle of St. George de la
Mina, on the coast of Guinea, in the neigh
bourhood of which the Dutch possessed a strong
settlement. Commodore Hanskins, therefore,
joined the Dutch governor of this place on the
25th of July, when attacking the above-men
tioned castle, which was then deemed one of
the most formidable in that part of the world,
they obliged it, after a siege of some length, to
surrender. Having thus succeeded in his enter
prise, the commodore returned to Olinda, where
he was received by Count Maurice with all
that distinction which the achievement merited.
The campaign of 1638 was equally glorious
and successful on the part of the Dutch; for
de Banjola having collected a numerous army,
with the view of defending the captainship of
Segerippa, Count Maurice attacked and defeated
him, took the capital, and reduced the whole
province under the subjection of the Dutch.
These splendid successes induced the natives of
Siarra, one of the northern captainships, to de»
clare in their favour, and to offer as the price
of their restoration to liberty, to assist them
against the Portuguese; on which, a body of

64 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
troops being sent to join them, these united
forces soon reduced the whole district.
Count Maurice now determined to attack
Saint Salvador, in the Bay of All Saints, which
was in some measure considered as the capital
of all Brazil; and with this view he embarked
all the troops he could spare for this expedi
tion, at Olinda, and landed them in the Bay,
expecting by the promptness of his measures to
take the Portuguese by surprise. Count de
Banjola, however, on learning his intention,
immediately threw himself into the place with
a small body of regular troops, though the go
vernor was his avowed enemy ; a step at which
Count Maurice greatly rejoiced, expecting that
their differences would facilitate the reduction
of the city. But the moderation and firmness
of Count de Banjola disappointed these expec
tations, though he did not ultimately succeed
in defending the place ; for when the governor
at first seemed inclined to dispute the command
with him, that nobleman observed, " that their
quarrels only tended to ruin themselves, and
injure the cause for which they fought; whereas
if they heartily concurred in those measures
which the public safety demanded, each of

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 6>&
them might acquire as much fame as he could
desire." To this wise speech the governor
returned the following memorable answer.
" Sir, I perceive you are a wiser man than I, and
nobody shall obey your orders more punctually."
Count Maurice without much resistance
made himself master of the strong fort of Albert,
of that of St. Bartholomew, and of the celebrated
Castle of St. Philip. Encouraged by this suc
cess, he erected two batteries, with the view of
attacking Fort Roses, which covered the city on
one side, and a horn work on the other. Be
tween these lay a piece of ground covered with
shrubs and bushes, where Count de Banjola
advised the governor to post himself with four
hundred men, while he made a sally on the
besiegers. This wise disposition was attended
with the happiest consequences, for the Dutch,
after an obstinate engagement attempting, to
retire by that way, were attacked in the rear, and
lost four officers of distinction, besides their
principal engineer, and three hundred of their
best men, on which Count Maurice, abandoning
the post he had taken, raised the siege with great
precipitation, v

66 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
On Count Maurice's return from this fruitless
expedition, he sedulously occupied himself in
establishing order, and perfect discipline in every
department of his government, in fortifying
the frontier places, reviewing his troops in
person, placing them under the command of
experienced officers, and offering the most
liberal encouragement to such of the natives as
evinced the least disposition to join his forces,
as well as to those of them who were inclined to
live peaceably under the protection of the Dutch.
By these and other wise measures he in some
degree counteracted the advantages which the
enemy might otherwise have reaped from their
late successes.
In the mean time the Spanish government,
having learned the true state of affairs in Brazil,
prepared to send out such a force as would
speedily bring the contest to a final issue, and
expel the Dutch from the country. With
this intention they fitted out a fleet of twenty-
six galleons, double manned, and twuity large
men of war. On board of these vessels five thou--
sand regular troops were embarked, under the
command of Count de las Torres, who sailed in
the autumn of 1639. This commander received

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 67
Considerable reinforcements in his passage ;
but being detained by calms on the African
coast, the plague broke out in his crowded ships,
and swept off above three thousand of his
people before he reached the bay of All Saints.
The residue of his troops' were in such bad con
dition, that he was compelled to abstain from all
active operations till they were recruited; and
during this period some succours, which the
Dutch had been impatiently expecting, arrived
from Holland.
In the beginning of 1640, Count da las Tor
res proceeded to sea with a fleet of large and
small vessels, amounting to ninety-three sail,
Itaving twelve thousand men on board. Count
Maurice awaited his approach., with forty-one^
men of war,, within four miles of the coast oft
Olinda. This last fleet was commanded, under
the Count, by Admiral Loos, a man of the most
determined courage and bravery. These hostile
fleets met and engaged, on the 12th of January,
near the Island of Tamaraca, and fought from
one in the afternoon till night. In this engage
ment fell the Dutch Admiral Loos, but except
himself only three men were killed. Next
morning James Huyghens, on whom the com*
f2

6$ HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
mand of the fleet devolved by the death of the
admiral, again combated the Spaniards with
considerable advantage, and on the following
morning renewed the attack a third time with
still grater success, on the coast of Paraib ; but
the most important victory was reserved for the
fourth day, when the vessels of the Portuguese
were driven on the shoals on the coast, where
many of the men were drowned, and a still greater
number perished through hunger and fatigue.
Those who escaped wished to return to Europe,
but to add to their misfortune*, disputes ran so
high among the commanders, that they sepa
rated, by which means only two men of war and
four galleons arrived in the Spanish ports ; and
even these did not without much difficulty
escape a Dutch fleet bound for Brazil.
Meanwhile the Portuguese, being informed
that Count Maurice had embarked the major
part of his force on board the fleet,- embraced
this opportunity of attacking the Dutch set
tlements, and actually succeeded . in gaining
possession of several places, when a check was
put to their progress by Hanskins, at the head
of a body of planters. While things were in
this situation a considerable reinforcement

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 69
very opportunely for them arrived from Hol
land, under the command of Admiral Lichthart
and Commodore Cornelius Jol ; the former of
whom was immediately ordered to the hay of
All Saints, where he landed some of his men,
and laid waste the surrounding country with
fire and sword, while Commodore Jol acted the
same barbarous part in the vicinity of the river
St. Lawrence.
Nieuhoff, while he admits these acts of cru
elty on the part of his countrymen the Dutch,
charges the Portuguese with similar practices,
especially a party of them under the command
of Paulo de Kunha ; at the same time he states
that the Portuguese viceroy displayed great
unwillingness to enter into a treaty to regulate
for the future the mode of warfare in conformity,
as far as circumstances would admit, to the
principles of humanity, and that it was not un
til he had been repeatedly urged to this purpose
by Prince Maurice, that such an agreement
was actually concluded.
Other writers however affirm, that Count de
Montalvan, the Viceroy of Brazil, immediately
sent deputies to Count Maurice, representing to

70 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
him the cruelty of the above commanders, and
requesting that henceforward the war might
be regulated so as to prevent a repetition of
such horrid scenes of murder and devastation ;
and that the count, who in issuing such orders,
had acted according to the company's instruc
tions, eagerly embraced this opportunity of
yielding to his own inclinations, and offered to
send commissaries to St. Salvador, in order to
settle the terms of a provisional treaty with the
viceroy. An event, however, which at this
time occurred in Europe completely changed
the state of affairs in Brazil.
The Portuguese had never been thoroughly
satisfied with their situation, nor enjoyed much
prosperity since their subjugation to the Spanish
yoke in 1581. Philip II. a subtle, avaricious,
and despotic monarch, deeming it better to reign
over an enslaved nation than to owe its alle
giance to the affection and good-will of the
people, in almost every instance sacrificed the
¦ glory of the Portuguese name to those narrow
and mistaken ideas of policy. This prince had,
however, the address to conceal his real inten
tions under the most specious and honourable
pretexts; but his son, who pursued the same

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 71
pernicious maxims of government, suffered the
Portuguese to be deprived of a number of con
quests which had been acquired at the expence
of much blood and treasure, and had proved to
them a source of glory, power, and riches.
The successor of this weak and contemptible
monarch, possessing still less understanding
than even his father, openly attacked the ad
ministration, the laws, and privileges of the
Portuguese people ; and to this /impolitic con
duct he is said to have been instigated by the
advice of Olivarez, with a view to provoke a
revolt, that he might obtain over them the
rights of a conqueror.
A short time however evinced how .unwise
had been his plans for these repeated outrages,
uniting all the Portuguese whom Spain had
laboured to divide, a conspiracy, which dur
ing three years had been organizing with un
common secrecy, burst out with incredible fury
in December, 1640, when Philip IV. was ig-
nominiously expelled from Portugal, and the
Duke of Braganza, by the title of John IV.
placed on the throne of his ancestors. The
example of the capital was soon followed by
the rest of the kingdom, as well as by what re-

72 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
mained of the colonies, settled under happier
auspices, in Asia, Africa, and America.
The new king had scarcely ascended the
throne before he united his interests and resent
ments with" those of the English, the French,
and, in short, with all the enemies of Spain.
On the 23d of June, 1641, he concluded an
offensive and defensive alliance with the United
Provinces for Europe, and a ten years truce for
the East and West Indies. Prince Maurice,
who had foreseen that such an event would na
turally result from the changes which had taken
place in Portugal, resolved to embrace the pre
sent opportunity of regaining the captainship of
Segerippa, which had been wrested from him
by the Portuguese. He also reduced the island
of Loanda, on the coast of Conga, and that of
St. Thomas, which lies directly under the equi
noctial line ; after which, he dispatched Ad
miral Lichthart and Commodore Hanskins with
six men of war ancT an equal number of fri
gates, in order to reduce the island of Marag-
nan and the town of St. Lewis, Having ef
fected this service, the rest of the districts sub
mitted of course, so that towards the conclusion
of the year 1641 the Dutch possessed seven out

' HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 73
of the fourteen captainships into which Brazil
was divided.
As most of these successes were ob
tained after the publication of the truce above
mentioned, a remonstrance was addressed to te
states-general by the Portuguese ambassador,
representing in strong terms the unjustifiable
nature of such proceedings. Some of the places
in question they refused, under one^pecious
pretence or another, to relinquish ; and though
orders were sent out for the delivering up
others, these injunctions were drawn up in such
a vague manner, that most of the Dutch go
vernors in Brazil refused to comply with them.
While these unjustifiable proceedings ren
dered the Portuguese more anxious than ever
to expel the Dutch wholly from Brazil, they
had recourse to a most wise and refined piece-.
of policy, in order to forward the accomplish
ment of their designs. They magnified the
wisdom of the Dutch government, apparently
confided in their promises, and readily acqui
esced in the validity of the excuses which they
offered for their non-performance. Thrown off"
their guard, by what they supposed the friendly

74 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
disposition of their neighbours, Count Maurice
and the Directors of the West-India Company
conceived they had nothing now to dread, either
from the natives or the Portuguese ; but even
these arts of their rivals would not probably
have led to their final overthrow, had it not
been for the narrow and illiberal views of the
company itself. Fully confident that the Dutch
had secured a firm and permanent settlement in
Brazil, they dispatched orders to Count Mau
rice to ^dopt such measures as would augment
their revenue, by forwarding vast cargoes of
sugar, and the other commodities of the coun
try : -they particularly enjoined him not to re
ceive the debts of the company in small sums,
but to enforce payment all at once. Count
Maurice remonstrated against these orders, and
represented to the company the inconveniences
and distress which would attend their execution.
He represented to them, that the country had
only enjoyed a short state of tranquillity, after
a long protracted, and expensive war ; that
most of the company's debtors were Portuguese,
who had settled in their territories, and hitherto
acted in the most honourable manner, and there
fore ought to be treated with liberality, and
suit urged to extremities ; but the company

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 75
i
were deaf to his arguments. They knew that
Brazil was a rich country; and indulging a
truly mercantile spirit, they could see no reason
why all that it produced should not be instantly
shipped for Holland.
Other parts of Count Maurice's conduct like
wise afforded them a subject of discontent:
Opposite to the Receif is situated a commo
dious island, upon which he ordered a town to
be built, and well fortified, chiefly out of the
ruins of Olinda. This town, to which he gaye
the name of Mauriceburgh, in a short time
became so extensive, that he united it to the
Receif, which was become the centre of the
Dutch commerce, by means of a stone bridge.
These improvements, which were undertaken
far the public benefit, and, with a view of se
curing the company's capital from accidents,
were not relished by the proprietors, as thef
expence attending them amounted to above!
^40,000 ; but what created in their minds still-
greater discontent, was the splendid palace built
by Count Maurice for his own use. This mag ;
nificent edifice was erected in such a situation
as to command an extensive prospect both by

76 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
sea and land ; it was surrounded by gardens,
elegantly laid out, and planted with citrons,
lemons, figs, and other fruit-trees. In its front
was a marble battery, rising gradually from the
river-side, upon which were mounted ten pieces
; of cannon. The count also possessed a large
' villa at a short distance in the country, encom
passed by fine gardens adorned with fish-ponds,
and protected by strong walls ; the whole being
so disposed as to serve at once for the purposes
of pleasure and the defence of the city, which
it covered on -that side as a fort. Within the
fortifications were also laid out extensive parks
and meadows, which, by judicious manage
ment, became capable of producing everything
necessary for the subsistence of the garrison,
arid in the disposition of which, utility and
beauty were equally combined.
| Thus did Count Maurice expend the trea
sures, which were the fruits of his conquests
and victories, in the improvement of the colony/,
which an individual of less generosity would
have appropriated to his own private advan
tage. ' But this disinterested and public spirited
Iconduct, which ought to have ensured to him
the applause and gratitude of his country, ap-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 77
pears to have produced a contrary effect ; for
while thus employed, it was finally resolved to'
recal him, as the only means of drawing from
the colony such a revenue as would be propor
tional to the expectations of the company. In
consequence of this order, the count sailed for
Europe with a fleet of thirteen large ships, and
near three thousand soldiers on board ; while,
in conformity with the instructions he had re
ceived, and with the economical scheme of go
vernment to be pursued in future, only eighteen
companies were left for the defence of the whole
of the Dutch settlements,

78 HISTORY OF BRAZIL

CHAPTER VI.

IMPOLITIC CONDUCT OF THE DUTCH WEST INDIA COM*
PANY  THREE CITIZENS APPOINTED TO SUCCEED
COUNT MAURICE  REDUCTION OF THE MILITARY
FORCE  COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES BY THE
PORTUGUESE  CRITICAL SITUATION AND FINAL EX*
PULSION OP THE DUTCH FROM BRAZIL.

After the recal of Count Maurice, the go
vernment of the Dutch possessions in Brazil
was bestowed on Hamel, a merchant, of Am
sterdam, Bassis, a goldsmith, of Haerlem, and
Bullestraat, a carpenter, of Middleburgh. To
this council the decision of all commercial af
fairs was in future to be confined.
These successors to the illustrious warrior and
statesman, who had hitherto ruled the colony,
were men of unimpeachable integrity and solid
good sense, but with narrow minds, and wholly

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 79
unacquainted with the science of government.
Under their administration the face of affairs
became for a short time changed ; every depart
ment of commerce seemed to be animated with
new life and vigour, and in the year following
a greater quantity of sugar and other commo
dities was sent home to Europe than had ever
been received in the same space of time before.
This dawn of prosperity proved, however, al
together illusory. They had sent to Holland
the very produce of the lands which Count
Maurice had assigned for maintaining the for
tifications in a proper state of defence, by which
means they were suffered to fall into ruin.
They even sold the arms and ammunition, and
granted passports on the most easy terms to
every soldier who was desirous of returning, to
the mother country. They compelled the Por
tuguese; who lived under their jurisdiction, to
liquidate their debts to the company all at,
once, which rendered many of them insolvent ;
and in other cases they forced the cultivators to
resign the entire price of their productions, till
their- demands should be fully satisfied. By
this conduct the public strength was annihi
lated, and the Portuguese began to entertain
hopes that they might free themselves from the

80 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
galling bondage of a foreign yoke. The last
stipulation which deprived them of those com
forts and conveniences to which they had been
accustomed, above all stimulated them to at
tempt the recovery of their just rights.
At the head of this conspiracy was Juan
Fernandez Viera, a Portuguese of obscure
birth, who, from being a page to one of the
magistrates of Olinda, had risen to be an agent,
and afterwards an opulent merchant. His in
flexible integrity had gained him universal
esteem, and the generosity of his character had
attached to him many warm and sincere friends.
It was the intention of Viera and. his asso
ciates to put their designs in execution on the
24th of June, 1645, in the midst of the capital of
Fernambucca, at an entertainment to be given
at Viera's house, in honodr of his marriage
with one of the daughters of Antonio Caval-
cante, who was himself a warm adherent to the
cause. To this festival were invited most of the
officers and principal people in the service of
the company, whom the conspirators intended
to seize, and then immediately attack the peo
ple, who would be wholly unprepared for their

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. #1
.defence. The plot, however, was discovered at
the moment of its execution ; but such was the
consternation of the Dutch at this discovery,
that Viera and his associates succeeded in escap
ing into the neighbouring woods, where they
formed themselves into a body, and immediately
took up arms.
Viera now, assumed the character of general
and commander in chief. His name, his virtues,
and the popularity of his projects, soon collected
round him the Brazilians, the Portuguese sol
diers, and even the coloriists. Assisted by
Colonel Diaz, with a few Portuguese troops,
and the Brazilian, Cameron; the idol of his
people, with a numerous body of natites, he
fixed his head-quarters at Pojug, a town!
between the Receif and Cape St. Augustine^ so
that he commenced the war in the very heart of
the Dutch dominions.
Alarmed at these hostile proceedings, the
council issued a proclamation, promising pardon
to all those who would return to their duty, with
the exception of Viera, Cayalcante, and Ara-
gousa. They gave the command of a few ill-
appointed troops to vHuys, on whom they con-
<&

82 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
ferred the title of general ; and dispatched two
captains to the Portuguese viceroy, at the Bay
of All Saints, to remonstrate against this infrac
tion of the truce.
The viceroy received these gentlemen with
all the politeness and courtesy which their rank
demanded, and replied to them, with much
seeming frankness, that he was unquestionably
answerable for the conduct of the inhabitants of
that part of Brazil under the dominion of
Portugal, and if they had broken the truce, he
would give the Dutch every satisfaction they
could reasonably desire; but if the Portu
guese settled in the Dutch territories had been
induced by oppression or any other cause to take
up arms, he did not conceive himself amenable
for their conduct. Notwithstanding this decla
ration, it is affirmed that he clandestinely en
couraged those who had begun hostilities ; and
that even on the present occasion, he had secret
ly prevailed on Captain Hoogstrate, one of the
gentlemen charged wlih this negociation, to
deliver up the important post of St. Augustine,
of which he was the "overnor.

»i

While this negociation was going forward,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 83
General Huys, attacking Colonel Cameron, was
defeated with the loss of one hundred men.
About the same time Admiral Salvador Correa
de Bonavides appeared with a formidable fleet
on the coast, on which Admiral Lichthart,
though he had with him at the time only five
men of war, offered him battle. The Portu
guese commander, however, declined the com
bat, alleging that he had no orders to aet
against the Dutch, but only to land a body of
men on his sovereign's dominions. But these
troops were no sooner landed than they entered
the Dutch territories in a hostile manner, mak
ing themselves masters of every place which
fell in their way ; on which General Huys was
ordered by the council to retreat, but haying
waited for an officer whom he had dispatched to
bring off some valuable effects, and escort a
party of ladies to a place of safety, he was sur
rounded by the Portuguese, who made him and
his whole army prisoners.
Orders were now dispatched to Admiral
Lichthart to attack the Portuguese ships where-
ever he could find them, and in consequence of
these orders he had soon an opportunity of ex
hibiting a fresh proof of his skill and courage;
g 2

84 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
for with four ships, a frigate, and a bark, he
attacked a Portuguese fleet of seventeen sail,
captured three of the largest ships, together
with the admiral, burnt and sunk most of the
rest, and killed 700 men.
/ ¦ /,*„
On the news of this victory, the hopes of the
council began to revive, when they received
information that Hoogstrate had yielded up the
post of St. Augustine. This officer, with the
price of his treachery, raised a regiment of 650
Brazilians, of whom he was made colonel by
the Portuguese, and appearing at their head
against his countrymen, behaved with great
resolution and fidelity in the service of his new
masters. In a short time the Portuguese, owing to the
great superiority of their force, made them
selves masters of all the strong places in Fer-
nambucca, and at length blocked up the Receif,
the only remaining strong hold of the Dutch.
As soon as the news of these transactions reach
ed Holland, the Portuguese ambassador endea
voured to allay the irritation they had produced,
by representing that his Most Faithful Majesty
had no concern in them whatever. Notwith-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL^ 85
standing these representations, however, the
Dutch government fitted out a fleet of fifty-two
men of war, under the command of Admiral
Blankert, whom they nominated admiral of
Brazil, Guinea, and Angola. He was accom-
paniecj on this expedition by Colonels Schuppen
and Henderson, who had acquired much cele-'
brity in the service of Count Maurice; and
thus an open rupture commenced between Hol
land and Portugal.
The delays and disasters encountered by this
fleet on its passage were so great, that it did not
arrive at the Receif till the garrison, reduced
to the utmost . extremity, was on the point of
surrendering. The reinforcements, however,
brought by this fleet, enabled the Dutch to
protract the war a short time longer, and even
to obtain a few trifling advantages.
But at the commencement of 1647 the
Portuguese again blocked up the Receif, where
ihe whole Dutch forces, amounting to only
1800 men, were concentrated. This handful of
roops made a gallant defence, but at length
;allying out to attack the enemy in the open
1 eld, they were overpowered by numbers, and

S6 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
defeated with the loss of 11,000 men, most of
their officers, and all their artillery . and ammu
nition. / /v>/>Ja /
The progress of the Portuguese about this
period became so rapid as to threaten the total
ruin of the Dutch affairs in that part of the
world ; but these misfortunes, instead of
stimulating them to greater exertions, produced
a national-despondency that tended to accele
rate the destruction which was become inevi
table. The province of Zealand recalled
Admiral Blankert, who was accompanied on his
return by most of the officers who had se'rved
under him; but similar hardships to those they
had experienced in the passage out befel them
on their return; so that the admiral, as well as
several of his officers, died before the fleet
arrived in Holland. Sieur Shuk, an agent from
the governors Of Brazil, who came over at the
same time, drew such an affecting picture of
affairs in that country, as induced the States to
resolve to make a vigorous effort for the pre
servation of so valuable a settlement. With
this view they issued orders for fitting out a
fleet of fifty large men of war, and for the em
barkation of 6,000 troops. The command of

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 87
this expedition was 'given to Admiral Witte
Wittezen, who was esteemed one of the ablest
officers in the Dutch service ; and it was also
resolved to send after him an additional supply
of 5 or 6000 more troops. The admiral sailed
towards the end of the year 1650; and after
encountering very stormy weather, on the pas
sage, he at length arrived on the coast of Fer-
nambucca ; but instead of a colony he found
only an hospital of sick, maimed, and infirm ;
and in place of the fortresses he Was sent to
succour, church-yards filled with the bodies of
those brave men who had preceded him, and
found their graves in the New World.
Such being the posture of affairs, the admiral
resolved, notwithstanding his orders, to return
home without delay; and this resolution he put
immediately into practice, leaving the colony in
a worse situation, if possible, than he found it ;
for which conduct he was called to account by
the States General, though he found means to
justify himself to their satisfaction.
<
In short, ill-fortune still continued to pursue
the Dutch ; and towards the conclusion of
the year 1653, the Portuguese government, who

88 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
now ''avowedly assisted Viera, sent a fleet of
sixteen large men of war to attack the Receif
by sea, which so dismayed the garrison, that
they absolutely refused to fight ; and in the fol
lowing year the few remaining republicans
who had escaped famine and the sword evacu
ated Brazil, in consequence of a capitulation
signed the 28th of January, 1654.
Thus did the Dutch, by an ill-judged par
simony, joined to a number of unfortunate and
unforeseen circumstances, relinquish a conquest
which, under a more liberal policy, might have
become one of the richest and most flourishing
of the European colonies in the New World.
The sensation created in the mother country
by the news of this untoward event, and the
fury with which they demanded justice against
General Sigismund Schuppen, who had com
manded in chief many years in Brazil, and was
governor of the Receif at the time of its sur
render, is perfectly inconceivable. The States,
in order to protect him and his officers from the
resentment of an enraged populace, found it
necessary to send them to prison. In this situ
ation, the general earnestly entreated to be saf-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 89

t

fered to make a public defence ; and in this he
recapitulated with so much clearness his own
long and faithful services, and the splendid
successes he had obtained under the admirnstra-
tion of Count Maurice, while at the same time
he drew such a faithful picture of the misfor
tunes and hardships which he and his brave
companions in arms had lately sustained, that
the audience dissolved into tears, and his judges
honourably acquitted him.
#
To conclude : when Count Maurice, after
residing eight years in Brazil, relinquished the
government, he left seven captainships, one
city, thirty large towns, forty-five regular for
tresses, ninety sail of ships, 3000 regular troops,
20,000 Dutch, 60,000 negroes, and about
twice the number of native Brazilians : but,
after the expenditure of several millions of mo
ney, and the destruction of several thousands of
lives, there returned to Holland, in 1655, only,
between six and seven hundred individuals, and
these wholly destitute of property.
The peace which was a short time before this
period concluded between England and Vac
'United Provinces, seemed to leave the latter- at.
i

90 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
liberty to attempt the recovery of this valuable
settlement. But the general expectation, which
anticipated this event, was disappointed by the
treaty/ which put an end to the hostilities be
tween the two powers in 1661, and by which
the Brazils were secured to the crown of Por
tugal, in consideration of eight millions of livres
(333,3331. 6s. 6d,), which that 'government
engaged to pay, either in jnoney or goods, to
the United Provinces.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL 91

CHAPTER VII.

SITUATION OF THE PORTUGUESE AFTER THE EXPUL
SION OF THE DUTCH  SETTLEMENT OF THE PORTU
GUESE ON THE/RIVER AMAZON  ATTEMPTS OF THE
PORTUGUESE TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES ON THE
RIVER PLATA  DISPUTES WITH SPAIN.

Since the above period, the Portuguese have
remained in quiet possession of this extensive
country. "The treaty, which delivered them
from the presence of an enemy by whom they
had been so often humbled, was no sooner exe
cuted, than the Court of Lisbon began to con
sider the best means of securing the future
tranquillity, and increasing the riches, of their
possessions. While these momentous concerns
engaged the councils of the mother country,
some of the most enterprising colonists were
devising the means of extending their posses
sions. With this intention, they undertook an
excursion southwards as far as the river de la

9'2 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Plata, and to the north towards the confines of
that of Maragnan, noW more commonly known
'by the name of the river of the Amazons. This
i celebrated river, according to some writers, is
produced by innumerable torrents that rush
down from the eastern side of the Andes, and
unite in a spacious plain below ; but a more
common opinion is, that it takes its rise from
the lake of Lauricocha, as from a reservoir of
thd Cordilleras, situated in the district of
Guanuco, thirty leagues distant from Lima, in
about 11° of south latitude. In its progress,
which extends for the length of one thousand or
twelve hundred leagues, it receives the waters
of a prodigious number of rivers, some of
which are of considerable size and extent. It
is studded with an infinite number of islands ;
hut these are so often overflowed as to preclude
every idea of their cultivation. The Amazons
is fifty leagues broad at its mouth, and falls
iaio the ocean directly under the Line.
I The mouth of this river was discovered, in
1500, by Vincent Pincon, one of the compa
risons of Columbus; and thirty-eight years
afterwards, its source is said to have been found
nut bvGonzalo Pizarro. whose lieutenant Orel-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 93
lanaembarked on this river, and sailed through-
out its course. In fighting his way through
the canoes of the different tribes who inhabited
its banks, and who also endeavoured by 'showers
of arrows from the shore to obstruct his pro
gress, the imagination of the Spaniard converted
these beardless savages into a nation of female
warriors : and hence the name of Amazons,.
which he bestowed on this river.
Little information was obtained by the voyage
of Orellana, and no farther attempt was made to
gratify the curiosity it had excited till 1650,
when Pedro d'Orsua resumed the project, and
sailing down the Amazons into the ocean, landed
at Trinidad, which island he plundered, and
afterwards successively ravaged the coasts of
Cumana, Caraccas, and St. Martha. He then
penetrated into New Granada, and was advan
cing to the interior of Peru, when he was met
by a body of troops hastily assembled for the
purpose, who attacked him, dispersed his des
perate followers, and made himself prisoner.
After these unfortunate events, this celebrated
river appears to have been entirely neglect ;J for
more than half a century, when some ill-con-

94 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
ducted- and unsuccessful attempts were again
made to explore it.
The Portuguese had some years before built
the town of Belem, at the entrance of this ri
ver ; and in 1638 Pedro Texeira embarked at
this place, accompanied by a great number of
Portuguese and Indians, in canoes. After sail
ing up the Amazons as far as the mouth of the
Napo, they continued their course up this last
river nearly to Quito; and then disembarking,
they proceeded thither by land, The enmity
subsisting between the Spaniards and Portu
guese, though at this period subject to the
same master, did not prevent Texeira meeting
with that reception so justly due to his high
character, and to the importance of the enter-
prize in which he was engaged. Another suc
cessful voyage was shortly after made by two
learned Jesuits, d'Acunha and Artieda, who
confirmed and extended the observations of
Texeira. The communication between the Spanish co
lonies was attended with considerable difficulty
and danger, on account of some pirates who in
fested the south and north seas, and intercepted
their navigation. The galleons, richly' laden

HISTORY OF brazil; 95
with the treasures of Peru, &c; were captured
in great numbers by these daring freebooters.
Things were in this situation when an account
of the successful attempts which had been made
to explore the course of the Amazons reached
the court of Madrid, and gave rise to the pro
ject of transporting thither, by means of the
numerous navigable rivers which flow into it,
the riches of New Granada, Popayan, Quito,
Peru, and Chili itself. After proceeding down
the river, galleons were to be stationed in the
harbour of Para, in order to receive the trea
sures ; and these being joined by the Brazil
fleet, it was supposed they might navigate in
security in latitudes little known and' fre
quented by these formidable pirates. The re
volution, however, which placed the Duke of
Braganza on the throne of Portugal, put an
end to these important projects. Each of the
two nations was then only intent on securing to
itself a settlement on that part of the river
which best suited its own situation.
Thus while the Spanish missionaries were en
deavouring to form a settlement in the country
lying between the banks of the Amazon and of
the Napo, as far as the confluence of these ri-

96 history of Brazil.
*ers, some Jesuit fathers were occupied in per
forming the same service for the Portuguese
government. These indefatigable enthusiasts,
patient of toil, of fatigue, and of hardships of
every kind, at length succeeded in establishing
• St. Paul and numerous other villages, about six
or seven days journey below St. Ignacio de
Pevas, the last of the Spanish settlements in the
vicinity of the Amazons. Had a free intercourse
been permitted between these infant states, the
greatest advantages would, most certainly have
accrued to each. In this way the Spanish set
tlements might have been supplied with many
articles from their Portuguese neighbours,
which they could not receive from Quito, as
they are effectually separated from it by the
Cordilleras. Brazil is, besides, poor, from
being unable to dispose of the overplus of
those very commodities which cannot be ob
tained at Peru. If, therefore, the national an
tipathies and jealousies subsisting between the
courts of Lisbon and Madrid had not led them
to prohibit all communication between their
settlements in the New World, these two pro
vinces, by an interchange of commodities, by
means of the Napo and the Amazon, might
have attained to a degree of opulence and pros-—

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 97
perity, which they cannot otherwise enjoy, and
which might ultimately have even proved bene
ficial to the mother countries. Commercewould
be readily established among men possessing re
ciprocal wants, did not the narrow and mono
polizing spirit of governments foster among
them a spirit of hatred and revenge, which
produce mutual injuries, and frequently termi
nate in the effusion of blood. Such was the
case in the New World.
The Portuguese visited the river Plata shortly
after the Spaniards, but whatever might be
their views in this excursion, it does not appear
that they endeavoured to form any settlement
on it till 1553, at which period they proceeded
as far as Buenos-Ayres, and took possession of
the northern coast of the Spanish provinces in
that quarter. This transaction seems to have
been overlooked by the Spanish government,
till the court of Lisbon proceeded, in 1600, to
found the colony of St. Sacrament, at the ex
tremity of the territory hitherto claimed by
Spain. Hence arose a new source of jealousy
and animosity, which gave rise to the most
violent contests between these rival powers, and
eventually stained the river Plata with blood.
H

98 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Spain contended that the new colony was
planted in the space allotted to her by the popes, a
truth which the Portuguese attempted not to deny,
but they maintained that this tract was yielded
up to them by later agreements, and particu
larly by the treaty of 1668. After various acts
of hostilities, in which the rising walls of the
colony had been destroyed, and the Portuguese
expelled, it was agreed in 1681 that they should
be re-instated in possession of the post they had
been compelled to abandon, but that the inha
bitants of Buenos- Ayres should have an equal
right with themselves to the enjoyment of the
disputed territory.
This provisional treaty was however abro
gated during the war which broke out between
the two crowns at the commencement of the
last century; in consequence of which, the
Portuguese, in 1705, were again expelled from
St. Sacrament. It was once more, however,
ceded to them by the treaty of Utrecht, as well
as the exclusive possession of the whole terri
tory in dispute.
No sooner had hostilities ceased between these
rival crowns, than the inhabitants of St. Sacra-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 99
ment, and those of Buenos-Ayres, Jmpelled by
their mutual wants and conveniences, entered
into a considerable contraband trade with each
other, in which it appears that all parts of
Brazil and of Peru, and even some merchants
of the mother countries, were more or less
engaged. The Spanish government, uneasy at perceiv
ing the treasures of the New World diverted
into any other channel, with that short-sighted
policy which marked all if,s councils in respect
to its South American possessions, endeavoured
as far as possible to limit, these unauthorised
connections. Asserting that the Portuguese
had no right to advance beyond cannon-shot
from their own walls, orders were given to oc
cupy the northern banks of the Plata from its
mouth to St. Sacrament, with flocks and herds
of cattle. The villages of Maldonado and
Montevideo were built, sand every other mea
sure adopted to secure the possession of this in
termediate domain.
These unexpected and offensive proceedings
on the part of Spain quickly revived those feuds
and animosities which had been suspended by
h 2

\
100 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
their commercial intercourse with the Portu
guese, and which in a little time would have
been wholly forgotten. A clandestine war, to
which the people were stimulated by the agents
of their respective governments, was carried on
for some time, and the two nations were on the
brink of an open .rupture, when a treaty was
proposed, in 1750, that appeared well calcu
lated to terminate the differences between these
monarchies. By this treaty the Portuguese
agreed to exchange the colony of St. Sacrament,
and the territory annexed to it, for the seven
missions established by Spain on the eastern
coast of the Uruguay.
Considerable opposition was, however, ex
pected to the execution of this treaty in Ame
rica. " The Jesuits," says the Abbe Raynal,
" who from their earliest origin had opened to
themselves a secret road to dominion, might have
objected to the dismembering of an empire
which owed its existence to their labours. In
dependent of this great interest, they might
have thought themselves responsible for the
prosperity of a docile set of people, who, by
throwing themselves into their arms, had en
trusted them with the care of their future wel-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 101
fare. These tribes had not, besides, been con
quered, and therefore when they submitted to
Spain, they did not give to that crown the
right of alienating them from its dominion.
Without having reflected on the incontestible
rights of nations, they might imagine that it
belonged to them alone to determine what was
conducive to their happiness. The horror they
were well^ known to entertain for the Portu
guese yoke, was equally capable of leading
them astray, or of enlightening them." What
ever may be thought of these speculations. —
whether the above, or whatever other motives
'operated on the seven ceded proyinces, it is
\ certain that they prepared to repel by force
the united armies of Spain and Portugal, which
had been sent from Europe to enforce the ex
ecution of the treaty.
Unfortunately, however, their military skill
and conduct did not equal their love of inde
pendence ; for instead of harrassing the enemy,
and cutting off their supplies, which they were
obliged to procure from a great distance, they
imprudently waited for them in the open field.
Being defeated in a pitched battle with consi
derable slaughter, which disconcerted their

102 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
measures, they abandoned their territory with
out another effort.
In consequence of this event the Spaniards
conceived themselves warranted to take pos
session of the colony of St. Sacrament, which
was, however, resisted by the Portuguese, on
the pretence that the inhabitants of the Uru
guay were only dispersed, and would, in all
probability, endeavour to regain a territory
from which they had been forcibly expelled.
These difficulties retarded the conclusion of
the treaty, which was at length finally broken
off in 1761.
From that period these deserts once more be
came the theatre of war and bloodshed ; till
Portugal, deprived of the assistance of one of
her most powerful allies, was forced to submit.
By the treaties of 1777, and 1778, she relin
quished for ever the colony of St. Sacrament,
but received, in exchange, the territory of the
river St. Peter, of which she had been for
merly deprived.
While these enterprizes were going forward

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 103
on the Amazon and the Plata, the more peace
ful and industrious citizens on the coast of
Brazil were endeavouring to encrease the use
ful productions of the colony, and to give re
spectability and permanency to her commercial
undertakings.

104 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

CHAPTER VIII.

JDIVISION OF BRAZIL  CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL GO
VERNMENT  SLAVE TRADE  PRESENT CONDITION
OF THE NATIVE BRAZILIANS, &C.

Brazil is at present divided into fourteen
provinces or captainships, in the following or
der from north to south, viz. Para, Maragnon,
Siara, Rio Grande, Paraiba, Tamaraca, Fer-
nambucca, Segerippa Del Rey, Bahia, or the
Bay of All Saints, Rio das Velhas, Ponto Se-
guro, Spiritu-Sancto, Rio de Janeiro, and St.
Vincent. Each of these provinces is under the govern
ment of a separate commander ; but though
these governors are expected to conform to the
general regulations enacted by the viceroy, they
are wholly independent of his authority, since
they receive their instructions directly from the
Portuguese government, and are bound to trans
mit to Lisbon an account of the business trans-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 105
acted in their several departments. They are
only appointed for three years, but their com
mission is usually extended beyond that period.
They are prohibited by law from marrying in
the country under their jurisdiction, from being
concerned in any branch of trade, from accept
ing any present whatsoever, from receiving any
emoluments for the functions of their office;
and these regulations have been very rigorously
adhered to for several years past.
Individuals who voluntarily resign their of
fice, or who are recalled by the government,
are obliged to give an account of their conduct
to commissioners appointed by the mother
country; and the citizens, whatever may be
their rank, are competent to impeach them.
If they happen to die while in office, the bishop,
in conjunction with the commanding officer and
the chief magistrate, immediately assume the
reins of government, till the arrival of a suc
cessor. The jurisprudence in Brazil is the same as
that of the mother country. A judge resides
in each district, from whose decision an appeal
lies to the superior tribunals ofBahia, Rio de

106 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Janeiro, and even to those of Lisbon, if it be a
question of great importance. In the districts
of Para and Maragnon1, they are allowed how
ever to appeal directly to the mother country,
without being obliged to appear before the two
intermediate tribunals already mentioned.
In criminal cases a different practice is fol
lowed. The judge belonging to each parti
cular district is empowered to punish petty
misdemeanours ; while more enormous offences
are judged by the governor, assisted by a cer
tain number of assessors appointed for this
purpose. In every province there is also established an
especial tribunal, in order to take cognizance
of those legacies bequeathed to persons residing
beyond the seas. They have no fixed salary,
but are allowed to deduct five per cent, from
such capitals, the remainder being transmitted
to Portugal, and deposited in an office appro
priated to the purpose.
The finances of each province are adminis
tered by the commandant and four magistrates;
and their accounts are annually forwarded to

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 107
the royal treasury at Lisbon, where they un
dergo- a most minute inspection.
The military establishment is here on the
same footing as in Portugal, and other European
countries. The troops are at the disposal of
the governor for the time being, who is entrusted
with the nomination of all the officers under
the rank of captain. The militia is in like
manner placed under his controul. It is com
posed of all the citizens indiscriminately, except
the hidalgos, or highest order of nobility, who
are exempted from every kind of personal ser
vice. This body of men furnish their own
uniforms ; in the interior parts of the country
they are only assembled in cases of absolute
necessity; but at Fernambucca, Bahia, and
other parts on the coast, they are exercised one
month every year, during which they receive
pay from the government. The negroes and
mulattoes are embodied by themselves, but the
Indians are incorporated along with the co
lonists. The regular troops generally amount
to about eight thousand men, and the militia to
upwards of thirty thousand.
The king, as grand master of the order of

108 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Christ, has the sole right to the tythes, as well
as to the produce of the Crusade; nevertheless,
six bishopricks have been established at different
times, which are all subordinate to the Arch-
bishoprick of Bahia, founded in 1552. The
prelates, who fill those sees, are all of them
Europeans, and their salaries, which are paid
by the government, vary from twelve hun
dred to thirty thousand livres (from £50 to
a£1250). None of the inferior clergy are paid by the go
vernment, except the missionaries. The cupidity
of the parish priests is, however, amply gratified
by the contributions they contrive, under various
pretexts, to levy on the superstitious, ignorant,
and bigotted inhabitants : for, exclusive of an
annual tribute which they exact from every fa
mily, they are paid forty sols ( Is. Bd. ) for
every birth, marriage, and burial ; and in the
districts of the mines this oppressive and ini
quitous exaction is more than doubled.
No regular convents are established by law
in Brazil; but in a few of the districts, such
as Bahia, and at Rio de Janeiro, some establish
ments have been endowed for female devotees.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 109
There are, however, more than twenty monaste
ries belonging to different religious orders, the
two richest of which are occupied by Benedictine
monks, who are remarkable for their indolence,
and for the licentiousness of their conduct;
and, indeed, in none of them is practised that
austerity and self denial intended by their
founders. In the gold provinces these institu
tions are prohibited by law, though, while in
the plenitude of their power, the Jesuits had
sufficient influence to evade this salutary regu
lation ; but, since the period of their expulsion,
no other regular orders have been permitted to
settle in those regions.
Though the professed motive for the con
quest of this country was that of converting the
natives to Christianity, and liberal provision
has been made for maintaining friars to preach
the Gospel to the Indians, yet of late years not
one of these fathers have engaged in this dan
gerous and perhaps hopeless undertaking. At
the period Sir George Staunton visited this
country, a few Italian missionaries residing at
Rio, he informs us, took some pains to send
among the Indians such of their tribe who fre
quented this city, as they were enabled to gain

110 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
over to their faith, by presents, as well as by
persuasion, in order by that means to endeavour
to convert the Indians scattered throughout the
country. /
No inquisition, or tribunal of the holy office,
was ever legally established in the Brazils ; ne
vertheless the colonists are not wholly protected
from the gripe of that barbarous institution.
The ecclesiastics of the colony, appointed by that
tribunal as their agents, are generally imbued
with the same sanguinary spirit as their em
ployers. Their holy zeal, or more properly
speaking, their merciless vengeance, is most
commonly called forth by accusations of Ju
daism. To such a height indeed was this per
secuting disposition carried about the beginning
of the last century, that from 1702 to 1718, so
great was the terror and dismay inspired by
their proceedings, that the efforts of the colo
nists appear to have been palsied : their planta
tions were neglected, and trade of every kind
began to languish. But though' the fury of
these fanatical directors of the consciences of
men have somewhat abated since that period,,
yet, superstition, and a bigotted attachment to
the external ceremonials of religion, still form

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. Ill
a striking feature in the character of the Por
tuguese colonists.
In the whole of the Brazils it is computed
that there are at least six hundred thousand
slaves, who have either been born in Africa, or
descended from those originally brought from
that countrj'. No particular ordonnance ex
ists respecting these slaves, though it is gene
rally understood that they ought to be tried by
the common law. About twenty thousand are
annually imported to keep up the number. The
average price is about thirty pounds sterling
each. Before being shipped from Africa, a
duty of ten reis per head used to be paid to the
Queen of Portugal's agent in that country, and
which in the whole amounted to about sixty
thousand pounds a year. This sum went to her
own private purse, and was not considered as a
part of the public revenue. These ill-fated
beings are clothed and fed by their masters;
and a small portion of ground being allotted to
each, which they are allowed two days out of
the seven to cultivate for their own emolument,
those among them who are laborious are some
times by this means enabled to purchase their
freedom, and which they have a right to de-

112 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
mand at a fixed price, whenever they find them
selves oppressed. To this circumstance it may
perhaps be owing that there are few fugitive
negroes in Brazil, and those few are chiefly to
be found in the vicinity of the mines, where
they subsist on the productions of the fields.
This condition in Brazil is hereditary through
the mother, and is not confined to colour, many
of them exhibiting every different shade from
black to white. Those belonging to the crown
are chiefly employed in the diamond mines, and
other public works ; several are also attached
to the convents.
The Benedictines alone have more than a
thousand on their different plantations. These
fathers are of opinion that the mulattoes, or
the offspring between blacks and whites, are
generally endowed with much intelligence and
ingenuity. Some of these children they have
educated and instructed with much care and
success; and one of the friars, with great tri
umph, mentioned to Sir George Staunton, du
ring his stay in Brazil, that a person of a mixed
breed bad been lately promoted to a learned
professorship at Lisbon,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 113.
Such of the negroes, as well as the mulattoes,
who have purchased their liberty, enjoy all the
rights of citizens, but they are excluded from the
priesthood, and from any civil employment under
government, nor can they hold a commission in
the army, except in their own batallions. The
colonists seldom or never marry a negro woman,
Confining themselves merely to forming with them
illicit connexions, which are sanctioned by the
manners of the country. These unfortunate
beings are accused by their tyrants of almost
every crime, and that they are addicted to the
vices of their situation, we do not pretend to
deny. Be that, however, as it may, the testi
mony of men, who have degraded the dignity
of their nature by trafficking in human flesh,
can never be of much weight, since individuals
are too apt to calumniate and misrepresent those
they have injured, as if, by aggravating their
errors or crimes, they could justify, or at least
palliate their own.
Had the Portuguese, instead of introducing
negro slavery, and all its attendant train of
evils, into their new possessions, endeavoured,
by a wise and enlightened policy, to conciliate
the good will of the natives; had they endea-
i

114 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
voured to overcome their natural indolence, by
introducing among them a taste for the conve
niences of civilized life ; had they, in short,
endeavoured to render them and the colonists
but as one people, then would their presence
have proved a blessing to one of the finest por
tions of the globe. But such was the inhu
manity and impolicy of these conquerors of the
New World, that no sooner had they gained a
secure footing in Brazil, than they seized upon
the Indians, whom they sold in the public
markets, and compelled to work like slaves on
the different plantations.
In 1570, Sebastian prohibited any Brazilian
from being subjected to slavery, except those
who were taken prisoners in a just war; but
this wise regulation was evaded by the Portu
guese, who were too indolent to till the land*
themselves, and who had, besides, attached
some idea of disgrace to this species of labour ;
and at this period a sufficient number of Afri
cans had not been imported to answer the de
mand for cultivators.
An edict of Philip II. in 1595, which con
firmed the above orders, and likewise reduced

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 115
the term of slavery, in the case of prisoners, to
ten years, was equally disregarded by the colo
nists. In 1605 and 1609, orders were again sent
from Europe, which declared the freedom of
the Indians ; and Philip III. having some time
after learned that this law had been in a great
measure disregarded, issued an edict by which
those who infringed it in future should be sub
jected to heavy penalties. But as these edicts
were not more respected than the former, the
missionaries became loud in their complaints
respecting the oppression to which the Indian
converts were subjected. These remonstrances
induced the new court of Lisbon, in 1647, once
more to renew their orders against Brazilian
slavery. The internal state of the colony, how
ever, and a rising spirit of independence which
began to pervade all ranks among the colonists,
induced that weak power to compromise then?
just decrees, and permit those individuals who
were born of a negro mother and an Indian
father, to be retained in slavery. Tired at last
with the languid labours of the unfortunate
natives, the colonists gradually began to supply
their place with African slaves, except in a few
t2

116 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
of the poorer captainships, where they were in
capable of purchasing them; and notwithstand
ing various edict's of the government issued
during the early part of the last century, this
remnant of barbarism continued to prevail in
these districts till 1755, ait which period the In
dians without exception were declared citizens.
The same road was opened to them as to their
conquerors for the exercise of their talents, and
they were suffered to aspire to the highest offices
and dignities in the colony. Various circum
stances, however, prevented or retarded the
good effects which might have been expected to
result from this political amelioration of their
condition ; but the most powerful of these is,
perhaps, the want of a free intercourse between
them and the Portuguese. Most of the Indians
live in separate villages, over which an European
presides, who is invested with the power of di
recting all their concerns, and of punishing or
rewarding them according to their deserts. He
sup; intends the sale of all commodities in be
half of the community, delivers to the govern
ment agents the tenth part of the territorial pro
ducts, and appoints the portion of labour to be
performed by those who have fallen into a state
of vassalage ; and these agents act under the

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 117
direction of a chief to whom is delegated stil
more extensive authority. It is easy to con
ceive, d priori, to what a degree of mental im
becility such a state of society must reduce any
people ; but if a doubt could remain of this
truth, we have only to compare the sluggish,
indolent conduct of the inhabitants of the Indian
villages, with the superior industry and intelli
gence displayed by the few natives who inter-
mingle with the Portuguese, and are suffered
to act as their own masters.

118 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

CHAPTER IX.

REMARKS ON THE WINDS AND CURRENTS IN CROSSING
THE ATLANTIC  ISLAND OF FRIO  OBSERVATIONS
ON THE HARBOUR OF- RIO DE JANEIRO — DESCRIP
TION OF THE CAPITAL  GENERAL VIEW OF THE
COUNTRY  NATURAL PRODUCTIONS  TRADE  MA
NUFACTURES  MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT, &C

In proceeding from Europe to Brazil, navi
gators must be determined, in what degree of
longitude it may be proper to pass the line, by
the winds which prevail at different seasons of
j the year. When the sun is far to the southward
of the line, the south-east winds begin to blow
in about seven degrees of north latitude, and
sometimes force ships to the twenty-seventh
degree, or more, of western longitude, before
they have passed the equator. When, on the con
trary, the sun is to the northward, the line may
be crossed in a much more eastern longitude,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL.- 119
as the winds then generally blow from the north
east ; but on arriving at the seventeenth degree
of latitude south of the equator, the winds be
come influenced by the land of Brazil, which
appears in latitude twenty-two degrees forty
minutes south.
This land, which lies to the northward of
the island of Frio, is extremely high and irre
gular ; its peaked hills are interspersed with
white vertical streaks, which give to them,
when viewed from a distance, the appearance
of cascades of water. Steering in a southerly
direction towards Frio, a small island is very
soon perceived. It is of a moderate height, and
about three miles distant from the main land of
Brazil, between which and it there is a free
passage. The island of Frio lies about south-west eight
leagues from the former ; and the shore between
them appears perfectly free from danger. The
land of Frio is high, and from having a hollow in
the middle, has the appearance of two separate
islands. The straight between Frio and the
continent of Brazil is nearly a mile in breadth.

120

HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

and seems clear from shoals. The latitude is
thirty-two degrees two minutes south; the lon
gitude, by observation, forty-one degrees thirty-
one minutes forty-five seconds west. In sailing
westward, towards Rio de Janeiro, the shore
is perceived to be covered with white sand ;
the land is high and irregular, with two or three
small islands situated near it.
Some of our most experienced navigators,
and among others Captain Mackintosh, in the
service of the East-India Company, recom
mend that ships bound to Rio de Janeiro,
should, after falling in with Cape Frio, instead
of steering along shore, shape their course be
tween south-west and south-west by west for
twelve or fourteen leagues, as to this distance
the land-wind extends. The forenoons are in
general calm, but almost every afternoon a
fresh sea-breeze sets in from the south-west. It
is proper to steer, in a direct course, from hence
to the small islands lying under the great in
clining sugar-loaf, on the western side of the
entrance into Rio harbour.
From these small islands the wind will carry
the ship to the opposite side of the harbour's

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. }21
mouth, where the fort of Santa Cruz is si--
tuated, and which may be approached within
fifty yards, and thence safely and quickly into
harbour. Captain Mackintosh adds, that in
his first voyage to this place, by keeping ia
shore, he spent five days of very unpleasant and
troublesome navigation, before he could get
into the harbour ; whereas, by the method now
laid down, he came the same distance in much
less than twenty-four hours, and with great ease
and satisfaction.
Sir Erasmus Gower, who commanded the
expedition to China in 1792, observes, " that
the entrance of the harbour of Rio de Janeiro
will shew itself by discovering the castle or fort
of Santa Cruz, and a small fortified island,
called Fort Lucia, nearly abreast of it. Be
tween these is the channel into the harbour,
near a mile wide; both shores are steep; that
pf Santa Cruz is perpendicular, there being six
fathoms in the wash of the sea. The narrow
ness of the channel causes strong tides; but as
the sea-breeze blows fresh, they do not impede
vessels entering into the harbour. In going in,
it is best to keep mid-channel, or even nearer to
Santa Cruz. About four miles outside the har-

122 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
bour's mouth, the depth of water is eighteen
and nineteen fathoms, which decreases gra
dually to eight or seven ; and this being the
shallowest part, may be called the bar, which
is about two miles outside the fort. The water
again deepens on approaching Santa Cruz, to
seventeen and eighteen fathoms, nor will less
be found in the fair way of the great road.
Large ships may moor in shoaler water, but
that depth or thereabouts is more advisable, as
such a situation affords the full advantage of
the sea-breeze, as well as that of avoiding the
insects; which are very troublesome when nearer
to the shore." The Lion, which carried Sir
Erasmus Gower's flag, we are informed, an*
ehored in eighteen fathoms, the sugar-loaf
hearing south by east half east ; the castle of
Santa Cruz south-east by south ; a convent on
an eminence over the south part of the city
south-west by west ; one mile and a half from
the landing-place opposite the viceroy's palace.
In no part of the world, China and Japan ex
cepted, is there so much jealousy evinced on the
approach of foreign ships, or are there so many
obstacles to overcome before permission can be
obtained to land, as at Brazil. The difficulties

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 123
experienced in this way by Lord Anson, and
tome of our more early circumnavigators, ap
pear in no respect to have diminished in later
times ; since every vessel before attempting to
enter the harbour, must send a boat with an
officer on board to the castle of Santa Cruz,
who is thence conducted to the palace of the
viceroy, in order to inform his excellency of the
arrival of the ship or fleet, and the reason of its
touching at this port. It is also necessary that
the ship's colours should be hoisted as early as
possible, unless the pratique, or visiting boat from
shore, has been already on board ; so strictly
indeed are these regulations enforced, that even a
Portuguese vessel, attempting to pass"the fort,
will be hailed and forced to anchor, till such
time as permission be obtained for her entering
the harbour. The condition, force, destination,
and wants of the ship must be minutely certified
by the captain, and if these appear satisfactory,
orders are issued to afford him the necessary
aid ; but no part of the crew is suffered to land
except.';* the stairs opposite the palace, and even
there not without express permission. A military
rifficer or soldier attends each person while he
remains on shore; guard-boats likewise sur
round the vessel; and these regulations are if
possible more rigorously executed with regard

124 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
to mercantile vessels than even ships of war. In
the inner harbour there is every conveniency for
heaving down ships; and it is here that all those
vessels anchor that require repair, as well as
those which are receiving or delivering out
cargoes; but the outer harbour is justly con
sidered as the most healthy situation. The
latitude of Rio is twenty-two degrees fifty-four
minutes south, and the longitude forty-two
degrees, forty-four minutes west from Green
wich. Variation of the compass four degrees
fifty-five minutes to the westward of the Pole.
The tide flows seven hours and a half, and
rises about five feet and a half perpendicu
lar. Fahrenheit's thermometer usually stands
between seventy and eighty-six degrees.
The harbour of Rio de Janeiro is one of the
finest known, and indeed can scarcely be excelled
for capaciousness, and the security which it
affords to vessels of every description. The en
trance into it from the sea is bounded, on one side,
by the lofty inclining cone already mentioned,
and on the other by the huge mass of granite
which supports the Castle of Santa Cruz; near
the middle lies the small island on which Fort
Lucia is built. Though at first narrow, it gra
dually widens to about three or four miles, and

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 125
has an excellent muddy bottom. In several
directions it branches farther than the eye can
reach, and is interspersed with numerous little
islands, some of which are clothed with vege
tation alone, while others are covered with bat
teries and habitations of different kinds. Nu
merous villages, farms, and plantations, divided
from each other by little sandy bays, rivulets,
and forests, diversify and adorn the shores of
this spacious harbour ; while, in the distance,
the eye rests on a lofty ridge of mountains
rising in various fantastic forms, and clothed
with wood to their very summits.
The captainship of Rio de Janeiro occupies
a length of coast, commencing at the river
Doce, and ending at that of Rio Grand of St.
Peter. On the inland side it is bounded by the
extensive chain of mountains which extends
from Una to Minas-Geraes. At present it in
cludes the districts St. Esprit, Cabofrio, and
South Paraiba, originally granted to different
individuals, but which have been since re-
annexed to the lands belonging to the crown.
On the west side of the river, about four
miles from the mouth of the harbour, stands

126 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
St. Sebastian, usually termed Rio, the capital
of the district. This city is built on a pro
jecting tongue of land, while the ground behind
it is irregular, and broken into hills and rocks,
many of which are covered with the most beau
tiful trees, and diversified with houses, con
vents, and churches. A Benedictine monas
tery, and a fort commanding the town, are
situated upon the extreme point, stretching into
the harbour.
Over against this point lies Ilheo dos Cobras,
or Serpent Island ; between which and the city
runs a narrow channel, but sufficiently deep to
admit of the passage of the largest ships. On
this island a commodious dock-yard has been
erected, with magazines and naval storehouses ;
and the ships which trade to this port find se
cure anchorage ground round its shores.
Rio de Janeiro was discovered by Dias de
Solis in 1525; and it was here that Villegag-
non, accompanied by a handful of French pro-
testants, formed his small settlement, which
was afterwards destroyed, as has already been
mentioned by Emanuel de Sa, who, in his turn,
attracted by the fertility of the soil, and tbg

HISTORY OF BRAZIL, 127
mildness of the climate, laid the foundation of
a city, which has since gradually increased in
opulence and importance.
Some of the houses a^e built of hewn stone,
and others of brick, all of them being covered
with tolerably fine slate, and furnished with av
balcony, surrounded with lattices. The streets
are generally straight, well paved, and haye
excellent foot-paths. Most of them are ter
minated by a chapel, whither the people flock
every evening to offer up their devotions anrl
sing hymns before a saint magnificently ar
rayed, and placed in a gilded niche, brilliantly
illuminated, and covered with the clearest
mirror. The ceremonies of religion are mul
tiplied beyond example in this city, where,
throughout the day, bells and sometimes sky
rockets announce, at every hour, the perform
ance of some ceremony in the churches ; and
after sun-set it is extremely inconvenient to
walk the streets of this capital, as they are
constantly crowded with religious processions.
At every corner an image of the Virgin Marv
is fixed in a glass-case, to which homage i«*
paid by the passengers.

128 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
There are no public buildings in this city1
particularly deserving of attention, except thef
mint. The churches are all gloomy, and loaded
with ornaments executed without taste.
An aqueduct of considerable length supplies
the inhabitants with water. It is carried over
the vallies by a double row of arches, one
placed above another, and proves highly orna
mental to the city. In the squares and public
places fountains are erected, which are attended
by a guard to regulate the distribution of the
water, as it is not sufficiently abundant for the
wants of the inhabitants ; and people frequently
are seen waiting a |ong time with buckets be
fore they receive their allotted quantity. A
certain portion of the water from the fountain
on the quay, opposite the palace, is appro
priated to the use of the shipping, and is con
veyed to the casks, which remain in the boats,
by means of a woollen or canvas tube, called a
hose, stretching from the fountain to the cask.
Captain Cook found this water did not re
main long sweet at sea; but his opinion pro
bably resulted from some extraneous matters
having been accidentally suffered to remain* in-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 129
the casks, or from some other circumstance, as
other mariners affirm that it keeps better during
long voyages than any other. The quay above
mentioned is extremely spacious, and, as well as
several of the houses, built of granite, a material
which is found in abundance on the spot. The
high conical rocks at the entrance of the har
bour are all of granite, and ccmtain a large
proportion of feldspar. On the south-west side
of the harbour, a very high rock particularly
attracts the attention of strangers. It is com
posed of columnar masses, resembling basaltes,
resting on a clayey bottom ; and indeed all the
granitic quarries in this neighbourhood are in
cumbent on clay and sand.
As this city, previous to the late political
changes in Europe, was the principal depot of
the riches which flowed from Brazil to Por
tugal, and the harbour to which the fleets
destined to supply this part of the New World
with European commodities proceeded, it may
easily be conceived that the morals of the in
habitants of this commercial city must be si
milar to those of other opulent capitals ; and
in fact indolence, dishonesty, a spirit of re
venge, and excesses of every kind, are not
K

ISO HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
unfrequent among the great body of the people,
while the higher orders indulge in every luxury
which wealth can procure. The men are ac
cused of yielding to the indulgence of depraved
and unnatural appetites" and the ladies of aban
doning that modesty and reserve which prove
the chief ornament of the female character.
This censure always appeared to me too indis
criminate, and perhaps originates from the sin
gular custom which prevails among the ladies
in this city, of exchanging bunches of flowers,
which they carry in iheir hands, with those
gentlemen, though total strangers, whom they
chance to meet.Mn the streets. They are also
in the habit, when seated in the balconies sur
rounding their houses, either alone or attended
by their slaves, to throw flowers on any one
passing beneath, whom caprice or a transient
liking lead them to distinguish.- Doubtless
more intimate connexions frequently result from
this custom ; yet I conceive it would be unfair
to conclude from it, that a spirit of intrigue is
universal among the Portuguese ladies of Rio.
It is well known that in Lisbon the ladies amuse
themselves on particular d:tv$, termed days of
intrusion,, by throwing nosegays from their bal
conies at the passengers ; and it has been pro-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 131
bably in imitation" of their mariners, that this
practice has been adopted by the females in this
New World.
Many of these females have fine dark eyes,
and animated countenances. They generally
have the head uncovered, and wear their hair
hanging down in tresses, tied with ribbands,
and ornamented with flowers. They are re
gular in their attendance in the churches both
at matins and vespers; and during the rest of
the day they generally remain seated at their
windows. In the evening they amuse them
selves by playing on the harpsichord or guitar„
when the doors and windows are thrown open
to admit the fresh breeze; and if a stranger
happen to pass at this time, and stop to listen
to the music, it is not unusual for the father,
husband, or brother of the fair musician, po
litely to invite him to enter the house.
The men, even of the -lowest order, are
usually covered with cloaks when they go
abroad ; and the middling and higher ranks
never appear in public without swords. Both
sexes are fond of operas, plays, and masque
rades. They also frequent a public garden,
k2

132 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
situated by the sea- side, near the extremity of
the city. This garden is laid out in grass-plots,
shrubberies, and parterres, interspersed with
trees, whose luxuriant foliage affords a> refresh
ing shade from the rays of the sun. In alcoves
or bowers of wooden frame-work painted green,
and adorned with a profusion of the most beau
tiful and odoriferous plants of tropical cli
mates, the fashionable parties of Rio repose
after the fatigue of their evening walks.
During the dry season these alcoves are gene
rally filled with company, who partake of an,
elegant supper, according to the Portuguese
fashion, during which they are entertained with
music, and sometimes fire-works ; and they
often protract their amusements to an early
hour on the following morning In the middle
of this garden stands a large fountain of arti
ficial rock-work, adorned with figures of two
alligators of tolerable sculpture, which throw
water from their mouths into a marble bason.
In this reservoir, aquatic birds, well executed
in bronze, appear to be sporting on the surface
of the water.
At a short distance from this fountain the
eye is disgusted v/ith a representation, in cop-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 133
per, painted green, of the papaye-tree, which
is indigenous to the climate, and of the most
rapid growth. Yet this absurd caricature of
one of nature's most beautiful productions, I
have been informed, was constructed at consi
derable expence and labour.
On the side of this garden, towards the sea,
there is a handsome terrace of granite, near the
middle of which another fountain has been
constructed. It is surmounted by the statue of
a little boy, holding in one hand a bird, from
whose bill the water gushes into a bason un
derneath, while with his other hand he displays
a label with the following inscription : Sou util
ainda brincando — I am useful even in my sport.
At the extremities of this terrace stand two -
neat square buildings, similar to our English
summer-houses. The walls of the one are co
vered with paintings, representing views of the
harbour, and of the whale fishery, which was
carried on within it till the increased number
of ships annually resorting thither, so terrified
these animals, that they have at length wholly
forsaken it. The ceiling is of shell-work, form
ing various designs, and the cornica, which is

134 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
of the same material, exhibits several species
of fish peculiar to the coast of Brazil, well
executed, and displaying their natural shades
and colours.
The ceiling of the other building is com
posed of devices wrought in feathers, and the
cornices are decorated with representations of
some of the most beautiful tropical birds, ele
gantly arrayed in their natural plumage. The
walls are covered with several large paintings,
which, though extremely ill executed, yet dis
play the chief productions from which the coun
try derives its opulence. They include views
of the gold and diamond mines, of the method
in which they are wrought, and in which the
precious materials are separated from the earth in
which they were originally embedded. They
likewise represent the culture of the sugar-cane
with the various processes for extracting its juice,
and granulating it into sugar ; the mode of collect
ing the small animals which produce the cochi
neal, and from which the rich and brilliant dye is
prepared ; the culture of the manioc, with the
means employed in making cassava and tapioca;
they also depict the culture and preparation of
coffee, rice, and indigo. In this garden, which

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 135
is termed the passao publico, are exhibited
spectacles for the entertainment of the people ;
and its object to promote the health and plea
sure of the inhabitants is expressed on two
granitic columns, on one of which is engraven
the words a saude do Rio ; and on the other,
o amor do publico.
On the whole, from the mode in which this
garden is laid out, its decorations, and the ge
neral character of the amusements, it may not
be inaptly termed the Vauxhall of Rio ; with
this difference, however, that here, throughout
the circle of the seasons, every production flou
rishes with all the vigour and freshness of
youth; nothing looks naked or arid, nor does
the eye rest on any object that conveys an image
of decay.
Near the town, and close to the sea-shore, is
another garden, which was originally appro
priated to the cultivation of plants, with a view
to -the study of botany ; but as this, like all the
other sciences, is here totally neglected, this
spot is now only deserving of notice on account
•of a small manufacture of cochineal. It is
somewhat difficult for strangers to obtain in-

136 HISTORY OP BRAZIL.
formation on the subject of this insect, and the
method employed in the preparation of the dye,
on account of the jealousy of foreigners of
every description entertained by the Portuguese.
Mr. Barrow, who from his peculiar situation
was indulged with greater latitude than other
travellers, has been enabled to furnish the pub
lic with some valuable details respecting this
insect, which is probably not the same as that
mentioned by Linnaeus, under the name of
coccus cacti coccinelliferi. The latter is de
scribed by this great naturalist as flat on the
back, with black legs, and tapering or awl-
shaped horns or antennae ; whereas, the insect
of Rio is convex, with legs of a clear bright
red in both male and female, and the antennae;
moniliform, or bead-like. The male is a
delicate and beautiful insect; the colour of
the whole body a bright red, nearly resem
bling the pigment usually called red lake;
the breast is elliptical, and slightly attached
to the head ; the antennae about half the length
of the body ; the legs are of a more brilliant
red than that of the other parts ; two fine white
filaments, about three times the length of the
insect, project from the extremity of its belly
or abdomen ; the wings are two, erect, of a

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 137
faint straw colour, and of a very delicate tex
ture. The female has no wings, is elliptic in
form, and convex on both sides, but most so
on the back, which is covered with a white
downy substance, resembling the finest cotton ;
the abdomen is marked with transverse ruga;
or furrows ; the mouth is situated in the breast,
having a brown beak, inclining to a purple
tint, that penetrates the plant on which the
insect feeds ; its six legs are of a clear bright
red. It becomes pregnant about twenty days
after it is born, and dies after bringing forth
an innumerable offspring, of so minute a size
as to be easily mistaken for the eggs only of
those insects. For about the space of a day,
they remain without any appearance of life or
motion, but soon afterwards shew signs of ani
mation, and begin to move with great agility
over the surface of the leaf on which the mo
ther had deposited them. At this time they
appear, through a magnifier, like small specks
of red unshapen matter, thinly covered over
with a fine cottony down. In three or four
days this downy envelopment becomes visible
to the naked eye; the insect it covered increas
ing rapidly in size, till the largest is nearly
equal to a grain of rice. With this increase of

138 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
size they decrease in motion ; and when arrived
at their full growth, they adhere to the leaf in
a torpid state. At this period they are taken
from the plant for use ; but, if suffered to re
main, will deposit their young as already men
tioned. Amongst the clusters of these insects,
enveloped in their cotton, there are several cells
of a cylindric form, standing perpendicularly
on the surface of the leaf. These cells are the
chrysalides or cocoons of the male, and out
of which the wings, in their nascent state, make
their first appearance, and are visible about
three days before the perfect insect is produced.
It enjoys its existence in that state only three
ot four days, during which it impregnates the
females. The plant, on which this insect feeds,
is called at Rio, orumbela, a species of the
cactus or prickly pear, and, probably, the
cactus opuntia of Linnaeus. The leaves are
thick and fleshy ; the upper side more flat, or
even concave, than the opposite ; are somewhat
of an oval form, growing without stalks, but
rising one immediately from the other's edge,
as well as from the stem, and armed with round
and tapering prickles, about an inch, or nearly
so, in length. These plants grow, sometimes,
to the height of twenty feet; but they are ge-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 139
nerally prevented from rising above eight feet,
which is a size more convenient to the manu
facturer, and at which the leaves are thought
to contain juices most nutritious to the insects.
The young leaves are of a dark green, but in
cline towards a yellow colour as they advance
in age. The internal substance of the leaf is
of the same colour with its exterior surface.
It is easy to discern when any insects are upon
the plant ; they first appear like a white pow
der thinly spread upon its flat or hollow side,
which is marked, soon afterwards, with small
protuberances of the same white downy sub
stance, already said to resemble the finest
cotton. Another insect is found upon the cactus, and
is supposed to feed upon the coccus or cochi
neal insect. In its perfect state it bears a strong
resemblance to a four-winged insect, called
ichneumon; but, on examination, is found to
be a fly with two wings only. The larva or
caterpillar of this fly insinuates itself into the
cotton with which the coccus is enveloped, and
is scarcely distinguishable from the latter, ex
cept that it is a little more elongated, with
somewhat longer legs, and that the cotton does

140 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
not stick to it, whereas from the coccus it is
with difficulty separated. When this fly is pre
pared to change its skin, it creeps out of the
cotton upon the naked part of the leaf, in
creases quickly in its bulk, and its colour
changes from that of a bright red to a clear
yellow, with rings of brownish spots about its
body. In a few days it becomes torpid ; but,
soon afterwards, contracting its rings with vi
olent agitation, it deposits a large globule of
pure red colouring matter ; after which, it im
mediately hangs itself upon the prickles of the
leaf, and becomes a chrysalis, out of which
issues, shortly, the perfect fly. From the cir
cumstance of the colouring matter being de
posited by this insect, previous to its change
into the chrysalis state, it might be inferred,
that any other insect, feeding on the same plant,
would be productive likewise of the same co
louring matter ; yet the leaf itself constantly
gives out, only, a transparent gelatinous fluid,
perfectly colourless. The fruit, indeed, or fig
of the cactus, when ripe, contains a scarlet
juice, which colours some of the excretions of
those who eat it.
The profit to the Portuguese at Rio, from

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 141
the cochineal, is inconsiderable, owing to an
error in the preparation. Twice or thrice a
week the slaves, appropriated to this employ
ment, go among the cactus plants, and pick off
carefully, with a bamboo twig shaped some
what into the form of a pen, every full grown
insect they can find, with many not yet arrived
to their perfect state ; the consequence of which
is, that the plants are never half stocked with
insects, many of the females being destroyed
before they had deposited their young. The
natives of Mexico pursue a method very dif
ferent. As soon as the periodical rains are
over, and the weather is warmer, as well as
drier, they fix, on the prickles of the cactus
leaves, small parcels of the finest moss, serving
as nests to contain, each, ten or a dozen full
grown female insects. These, in the course of
a few days, bring forth an innumerable tribe
of young, spreading themselves over the leaves
and branches of the plant, till they become at
tached to those spots which they find most fa
vourable for supplying nutritious juice ; where,
soon acquiring their full growth, they remain
motionless, and then are gathered off for use ;
a sufficient number being always left for the
production of new broods. The insects are

142

HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

soon converted into cochineal by a very simple
process ; but if in corporal sufferance, the poor
beetle feels a pang as great as when a giant dies,
this process is not more simple than it is
cruel. The insects, which were collected in a
wooden bowl, are thickly spread, upon a flat
dish of earthenware, and placed alive over
a charcoal fire, where they are slowly roasted
until the downy covering disappears, and
the aqueous juices of the animal are totally
evaporated. During this operation the insects
are constantly stirred about with a tin ladle;
and sometimes water is sprinkled upon them, to
prevent absolute torrefaction, which would
destroy the colour, and reduce them to a coal ;
but a little habit teaches when to remove them
from the fire. They then appear like so many
dark round reddish grains, and take the name of
cochineal, preserving so little of the original
form of the insect, that this precious dye was long
known and sought in Europe, before naturalists
had determined whether it was an animal, vegeta
ble, or mineral substance. The garden at Rio
does not annually p: duce above thirty pounds
weight of this comn.ulity; though by proper
treatment, from the same number of plants, ten
I Hues the quantity might be obtained. At

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 143
Marica, and Saquarima, both places contiguous
to Cape Frio, are considerable plantations of the
cactus, which are propagated easily from cut
tings set into the earth during the cold and rainy
season, though they afterwards thrive least
where excluded from the sun. The insects breed
and are collected in dry weather, from October
until March. The preparation of cochineal is
encouraged by the trade being laid open, which
had formerly been a monopoly of the crown.
In Rio, not only science, but .literature of
every kind is neglected; as a proof of which it
is only necessary to mention that, in this large
and opulent city there are but two or three
booksellers' shops, and that these contain little
besides a few obsolete works on theology and
medicine. Neither do we meet with any cabinets
of natural history ; there is, however, a professed
collector of birds and insects; but among his
collection, are few articles that may not bejfound
in the cabinets of Europe. Though literature
and science are yet in their infancy in this exten
sive country, the native powers of the human
mind have of late beg-un to unfoldt hemselves.
In proof of this it may be mentioned, that the
colonists of every description, particularly the

144 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
younger part of them, have watched with no
common degree of interest the progress of the
French revolution, and though disgusted with
the sanguinary measures that have unfortunately
marked its course, they can nevertheless separate
them from that spirit of independence, which led
a great nation to burst the bonds of slavery, and
throw off the galling yoke of a licentious and
oppressive government. Such being the feelings
and sentiments of this people, it is not impro
bable, that the restrictive and injurious regula
tions of the parent state might have led them, in
a short time, to rebel against the authority of a
distant sceptre, had not recent events transferred
the seat of the Portuguese government to Brazil.
Time alone can show whether this measure will
be followed with those beneficial consequences,
which, in the present posture of European
affairs, some sanguine politicians are incli.ieu to
expect. The population of Rio is computed at forty-
three thousand souls, of which fortv thousand
are blacks, including such as have bee;, iv.ian-
cipated,and the remainingthree thousand, whiles.
Few of the native Brazilians are to he found
in this city ; some of their children have been

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 145
taken into Portuguese families, but they con
stantly evince a desire to return to the habits
of savage life. These people are seldom em
ployed except as boat-rov/ers, in which capa
city they display uncoii.uno<i dexterity. They
appear to entertain an hereditary antipathy to
the conquerors of their country, and shun, as
much as possible, tiie settlements of the Por-
tuguese. A considerable part of the coast, between Rio
and Bahia, is stilt inhabited by them, which
prevents a regular communication, by land, be
tween these districts, since they attack mdivi-
duals without remorse, whenever they find them
• scattered or unprotected. Ease and comfort
are displayed in the external appearance of the
inhabitants of Rio ; their bouses are large,
commodious, and some of them superbly fur
nished. -,
Most of the menial offices are performed by
slaves, who, in this capital, have little appear
ance of wretchedness, when compared with
those upon the plantations, who suffer under
cruel and severe task-masters'. They appear to
possess a gay and lively temper, and are ex-
L

146 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
tremely fond of dancing and music. It is very
common to see the black drivers of hackney
carriages at Rio, in the intervals of employ
ment, amusing themselves by playing on some
musical instrument, most commonly a guitar.
All classes of society, indeed, in this city, dis
play an, unbounded propensity to mirth and
pleasure, nor does their religion, which is
chiefly" ceremonial, impart any thing like gloom
or austerity to their manners.
There are three religious establishments for
men,, and two for women, in this capital, but
neither the holy fathers, nor the nuns, manifest
the smallest tendency to run into any self-deny
ing excess of devotion. The ladies, in parti-
cular, appear without hesitation/ or restraint,
at the grates, and converse freely with those
strangers, whom curiosity may lead to visit
their convents.
Rio, as might be expected from its commer
cial undertakings, has been greatly improved
and enlarged within these last few years. Its
population has also proportionally increased,
and every thing indicates the thriving condition
of the place. The shops are filled not only

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 147
with such British manufactures as contribute
to the c unfort of the inhabitants, but also with
thosle that administer to fheir luxury or pride.
The markets are well stored with provisions,
and the magazines with merchandise of every
kind. The city is .^r^rtua'^y extending by the
erection of public and private buildings; and
the mercha ,ts, pr«:« tradesmen of every descrip
tion, appear to be busily employed.
Besides the gardens already mei-+ioned, 'there
are several public walks, hainisceiy laui out,
in the immediate vicinity of the ? it'. , whither
the inhabitants resort after the fatigues of bu
siness. The town, however, is ret healthy,
and instances of longevity are extremely rare.
But this may, perhaps, be more properly at
tributed to local situation and other circum
stances, than to the insalubrity of the climate.
The town being surrounded on all sides, except
towards the harbour, by high hills, clothed
with thick spreading trees, a free circulation
of air is thereby prevented ; and the moisture
evaporated during the day, falls throughout
the n'ght in the form of fog or drizzling rain.
Another circumstance which contributes to the
unhealthiness of Rio, is the water being suf-

148 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
fered to stagnate near the town ; and this i#
more deserving of reprobation, since it might
be easily remedied, and at a small expence,
either by draining those marshes, or filling them
up with earth. This shameful neglect is at
tended with another, though a subordinate evil,
since infinite myriads of musquitoes are thus
fostered, which prove a serious annoyance,
particularly to strangers oh their first arrival in
this country.
Besides the manufacture of cochineal, which
we mentioned, when speaking of the botanical
garden, there is a very considerable one, of a
different kind, carried on within the harbour,
belonging to an exclusive company, which pays
lone-fifth of its profits to the crown. The fat,
or blubber of the large black whale (balena
physalus), which formerly frequented this har
bour, but which is now caught near the island
of Saint Catherine, and on other parts of the
coast, is here converted into oil. The whale
bone, whiph is prepared from the cartilages of
the jaw of this animal, is also cleansed and se
parated here, before being shipped for Europe.
The whale-fishery, as well as that of the ca-
zclote (physeter cotodon,) which is at present

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 149
chiefly confined to the bar of the Island of
St. Catherine, and the Bay of All Saints, might
be extended with much profit and advantage
to all the coast, as well as to the high seas of
Brazil, and Cape Verde. The Dutch found the
whale-fishery extremely profitable. In 1697,
they gained by it more than two millions of
florins ; and though, in other years, it was not
equally productive, yet on the whole it yielded
tlrem a very large revenue.
Oth6r nations also avail themselves of the
whales of those seas. The white whale, (phy-
seter macrocephalu's), affords a still more lucra
tive branch of commerce. It is no unusual
thing for an English whaler, from the South
Seas, to put in at Rio for refreshments, having
onboard sixty-nine whales, each worth at an
average two hundred pounds. Sometimes a
single whale is of such an enormous size, as to
fetch one thousand.
Other species of fish, frequenting the shores
of Brazil, might likewise be converted to use,
such as. the hippopotamus, or sea-horse of An
gola. From the mermaid (trichechus manatusj,
might be extracted great quantities of a coarse

150 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
kind of oil, fit for burning and other purposes.
The disagreeable smell of this oil might be cor
rected at a small expence, by repeated washing.
The importance of fisheries, not only in a
commercial point of view, but as a means of
augmenting the naval power of. any maritime
country, is too obvious to require illustration.
Of the truth of this position, Holland and
England furnish conspicuous examples. The
celebrated De Wit, iu his Political Memoirs,
computes the population of the United Pro
vinces at 2,400,0(;0 souls, 750,000 of whom are,
he affirms, supported by the produce of the
fisheries. And the excellent and prolific nur
sery of seamen furnished by our fisheries, is
certainly one means which has contributed to
the stupendous power and unrivalled glory of
the British navy.
Were the new Portuguese government in
Brazil to extend their fisheries on the coasts of
the Azores and Madeira, and to establish a re
gular fishery at Cape Verde, similar to those
of other nations, they might not only supply a
sufficiency of dry fish for internal consumption,
but likewise have large quantities to exchange

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 151
with their neighbours for articles of which
they stand in need.
Notwithstanding the discouragements, jea
lousies, and exactions of the mother country,
a spirit of enterprise appears to have been gra
dually gaining ground for these few last years
in Brazil. Even the inveterate prejudices of
the Portuguese nobles against trade have, in a
gfeat measure, yielded to the increasing libe
rality of the times ; and several of them are
now concerned in the different manufactures
lately established in Rio. One gentleman of
high rank has erected a rice-work in this city,
in which he employs near one hundred slaves,
in preparing the grain for -use. There is no
thing in the method employed in this work par
ticularly deserving of attention, .except the use
of siliceous sand, the small sharp angles of
which materially assist in freeing the grain from
the husks which adhere to it. The sand7 is af
terwards separated from the grain by means of
sieves, sufficiently wide to suffer ^it to pass
through, while they retain the rice.
The mechanical arts have not yet attain;
much perfection in Rio, though more attentic

152 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
daily begins to be paid to such pursuits. The
i corn-mill, in general use here, is of a very sim
ple construction. One which is erected on a
stream near the town, consists of a wl. --A, only
a few feet in diameter, placed horizontally be
low the current of the water, which falls vtora
a considerable height into bellows, obliquely
cut out in the superior rim of the wheel, and
impel it to a rapid rotatory motion, while its
upright shaft, passing through the centre of an
immoveable mill-stone above the wheel, but
of a narrow diameter, is fixed to a smaller
mill-stone, which being forced round with the
motion of the wheel, and dependent shaft,
bruises between it and the stone underneath,
the grain, which is insinuated between them
from a hopper.
But whatever may be the rising prosperity,
or increasing riches of Rio, it is with pain that
we behold this city disgraced by an establish
ment originating in the sufferings and misfor
tunes of an unoffending race of our fellow-men.
1 I speak of the warehouses erected at Val Longo,
not far from the town, for the reception of
j slaves, who are import i chiefly from Angola
! and Benguela, on the African coast. Here

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 153 \
these unfortunate beings are prepared for mar
ket, like so many herds of cattle. EJvery art is
employed that cupidity can invent to conceal
their defects, and render them sleek and sale
able. They are washed, anointed, and fattened
like stalled bullocks; yet these slave-owners,
these tormeutors of human beings, term them
selves men and christians. Such, however, is
the moral constitution of things, that, even in
this world, the practice of iniquity never fails
to bring along with it its own punishment.
Thus that debility of body, and eriervation of
mind, consequent on the uncontroled indul
gence of sensual appetites, to which the slave-
trade affords such powerful stimuli, — that im
patience of contradiction, and cruelty of dis^
position, generated by unlimited authority over
any set of men, render the planter, in his
sumptuous mansion, a more unhappy as well as
a more degraded being than the poor negro,
who crouches beneath the rod of an unfeeling
overseer. About five thousand slaves, amounting to
nearly a fourth of the number annually imported
irito Brazil, are every year sold in the market
of Rio.

154 l HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Agriculture, asmighthave been expected, has
made little progress in this country. In the vicinity
of Rio, the soil is chiefly cultivated for raising
vegetables for the whites, and rice, manioc,
maize, &c. for the blacks. The roads are so
extremely bad as only to be passable for car
riages a few miles beyond the city. The neigh
bouring forests abound in trees, many of which
are unknown to botanists, and which might
prove of great value in the construction of
ships, houses, and'for other purposes. Palms and
mastic wood, as. well as mangoe and guoyava
trees, are here also extremely common ; and
besides the dyeing woods already known, there
are many others, which, on being submitted to
a chemical examination, yield lakes of different
colours : from one was extracted, in the che
mical laboratory of Ajuda, near Lisbon, a beau
tiful rose colour that is more permanent than
that of the Brazil wood. To the west of the
city, at the extremity of an extensive forest, is
situated the rich and fertile valley of Tijouca.
It is surrounded on all sides by lofty moun
tains, excepting towards the south, where,
through a small opening, is admitted a branch
or arm of the sea. But the principal ornament
of this delightful spot is a clear stream, which

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 155
falling down a steep and broad granite rock,
forms a magnificent cascade, whence it mean
ders through the valley beneath. The tempe
rature, on account of its confined situation, is
extremely hot and oppressive ; and the heat is
augmented by the reflection of the sun's rays
from the sides of the mountains, which are in
many places bare and rocky. In the plantations?
of Tijouca we meet with indigo, manioc, cof
fee, cocoa, or chocolate trees, sugar canes,
plantains, and orange and lime-trees, all grow- |
ing promiscuously in the greatest luxuriance,
though coffee and indigo appear to be the chief
objects of attention.
Several districts in the government of Rio'i
produce cotton, sugar, coffee, cocoa, rice, pep- \
per, and tobacco, in great abundance. That
of Rio Grand yields plenty of excellent wheat,
which is also found to grow in other parts of
Brazil, with an increase far beyond what is
known in Europe. The vine likewise attains
to great perfection in this climate ; but the
grape is not suffered to be pressed, lest it might
interfere with the sale of the Portugal wines.
Th^ ipecacuanha plant, the root of which has
been so long used as a valuable article in medi-

156 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
cine, grows in great profusion near St. Catha-
rine's, in the government of Rio, as well as a
variety of other medicinal plants, some of which
have been exported to Europe, while others
are but very little known.
Formerly Bahia, or the. Bay of All Saints,
was the principal seat of the government, and
ehief mart of the commerce of Brazil ; but the
discovery of the gold and diamond mines, within
a short distance of Rio de Janeiro, and commu
nicating directly with it, has given a decided
superiority to the latter. The manner in which
the former of these were discovered, is diffe
rently related : but the most common account
is, that the Indians on the back of the Portu
guese settlements were observed to make use of
gold for their fish-hooks ; and enquiry being
made as to their manner of procuring this metal,
it appeared that considerable quantities of it
were annnally washed from the mountains, and
left among the gravel and sand that remained
in the valleys, after the running off or evapora
tion of the water.
From the time of this discovery, considerable
quantities of gold were imported into Europe

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 157/
from Brazil ; and these imports have gradually
augmented, since new mines have been wrought
in many of the other provinces.
The extraction of this precious metal is nei-/
ther very laborious, nor attended with the,;
smallest danger in this part of the New World.
The purest sort is generally found near the sur
face of the soil, though it is sometimes neces
sary to dig for it to the depth of three or four
fathoms. It is usually incumbent on a bed of
sandy earth, termed by the natives Saibro.
Though for the most part the veins that are
regular, and run in the same direction, are the
richest, it has been observed that those spaces,
the surface of which was most spangled with
crystals, were those which furnished the greatest
plenty of gold. It is found in larger pieces on
the mountains and barren or stony rocks than in
the vailies, or on the banks of rivers. But in
whatever place it may have been gathered, it is
of three-and-twenty carats and a ha'f, on coming-
out of the mine, unless it be mixed with sul
phur, silver, iron, or mercury- — a circumstance
that rarely occurs, except at Goyas and Araes.

15S HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Every man who discovered a mine was obliged
to give notice of it to the government. If it
was conceived to be of little consequence by
-those persons appointed to examine into its va
lue, it was always given up to the public : but
if, on the contrary, it was found to be a rich
vein, the government never failed to reserve a
portion of it for themselves. Another share
was given to tile commandant; a third to the
intendant; and two shares were awarded t> the
discoverers: the remainder was divided amongst
the miners of the district, in proportion to their
circumstances, which were determined by the
number of their slaves. The disputes, to which
this species of property gave rise, fell under
the cognizance of the intendant, with the right
of appeal from his decrees to the supreme
Court established at Lisbon, under the title of
Council d'Outremer.
It is said, that a slender vein of this metal
runs through the whole country, at about twenty-
four feet from the surface ; but it is too thin and
poor to answer the expence of digging. Gold,
is always however to be collected in the beds
of rivers which have pursued th^ same course
for a considerable time; and therefore to be

HISTORY OF BRAZIL, 159
able to divert a stream from its usual channel
is esteemed an infallible source of gain.
The employment of searching the bottoms of
rivers and torrents, and Washing the gold from
the mud and sand, is principally performed by
slaves, who are chiefly negroes, of whom the
Portuguese keep great numbers for that pur
pose. By a particular regulation, these slaves
are obliged to furnish their master every day
with the eighth part of an ounce of gold ;
and if by their industry or good fortune they
collect a larger quantity, the surplus is consi
dered as their own property, and they are al
lowed to dispose of it as they think fit; by
which means some negroes have, it is said, pur
chased slaves of their own, and lived in great
splendour ; their original master having no
other demand upon them than the daily supply
of an eighth of an ounce, which amounts to
about nine shillings sterling ; the Portuguese
ounce being somewhat lighter than our troy
ounce. The proprietors of the mines paid to the king
of Portugal a fifth part of the gold which they

16(5 HISTORY OF BRAZ'IL.
extracted by operations more or less successful ;
and this fifth of the gold obtained from all the
mines in Brazil was estimated, at %n average,
to amount annually to about 300,000/. sterling:
consequently the whole capital must be nearly
a million and a half sterling. If we add to
this the gold exchanged with the Spaniards for
silver, and what was privately brought to Eu
rope without paying the duty, which amounted
to half a million more, the annual produce of
the Brazilian mines was about two millions ster
ling ; an immense sum to be found in a country
which a few years ago was not known to pro
duce a single grain.
Among the many impediments thrown in the
way of trade, may be ranked the prohibition,
which prevented the people of Brazil from
working up the gold of their own mines. Even
the tools and instruments used by the artificers
for such purposes, were seized and confiscated
by the strong hand of arbitrary power.
It was only about the beginning of the last
century that diamonds made a part of the ex
ports from Brazil to Europe. These valuable
stones are, like the gold, found frequently in the

HISTORY OF BRAZIL 161
beds of rivers and torrents. Before they were
supposed to be of any value, they were often
perceived in washing the gold/ and were conse
quently thrown away with the sand and gravel;
and numbers of large stones, that would have
enriched the possessors passed unregarded
through the hands of several persons wholly
ignorant of their nature. Antonio R >drigues
Banha suspected the value of them, and com
municated his idea to Pedro d' Almeida, the
governor of the country. Some of these bril
liant pebbles were sent to the court of Lisbon,
which, in 1730, commissioned d'Acunha, their
minister in Holland, to have them examined.
After repeated experiments, the artists pro
nounced them to be very fine diamonds.
The diamonds found in the different districts
of Brazil are naturally set in a matrix of iron
mineral, like those brought from" the mines of
Golconda and Visapour. Those found in the
rivers appear to have been forced thither by
currents from the adjacent mountains, where
veins of them have been traced, and where they
might be obtained at less trouble and expence
than in the rivers.

M

162 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
The value of these precious stones having
heeu ascertained, the Portuguese were eager to
collect them ; and in 1731, eleven hundred and
forty-six ounces were brought to the mother
country by the fleet from Rio de Janeiro. This
immense influx considerably lessened the price
of diamonds in the European market, and in
duced the Portuguese government to take such
measures as they deemed adequate to restore
them to their original value. With this view,
they conferred the exclusive right of searching
for diamonds on a few wealthy associates ; and
in order even to restrain the avidity of the com
pany itself, it was stipulated that it should em
ploy no more than six hundred slaves in that
business. It has since been permitted to increase
their number at pleasure, paying 4s. 2d. per
day for each miner.
Jji order to insure the business of the chartered
company, the gold mines which were worked
in the neighbourhood were in general shut up ;
and those who had founded their expectations
of fortune upon this frequently deceitful basis,
were compelled to turn their activity into some
other channel. The other citizens were allowed
to remain on their estates ; but capital punish-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 163
ments were decreed by the law against those
persons who should encroach upon the exclusive
rights granted to the company. Since the1
sovereign has succeeded to the company, all the
citizens are suffered to search for diamonds, but
under the restriction of delivering them to the
agents of the crown, at the price which it has
stipulated, and on paying twenty per cent, upon
this sum.
Th^ diamonds sent from the New to the Old
Woiid were inclosed in a casket with three
locks, the keys of which were separately put
•into the hands of the chief members of ad
ministration ; and those keys were deposited
in another casket, to which was affixed the
viceroy's seal. While the exclusive privi-
ledge subsisted, this precious deposit, on its
arrival in Europe, was remitted to government,
which, according to a*isettled regulation, retain
ed the very scarce diamonds which exeeeded
twenty carats, and delivered every year, for the
profit of the company, to one, or to several con
tractors united, forty thousand carats, at prices
which have successively varied. An engage
ment was made on one hand to receive that
quantity; and on the other, not to distribute
m2

164 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
any more ; and whatever might be the produce
of the mines, which necessarily varied," the
contract was faithfully adhered to.
Before the recent changes in the Portuguese
government, that court , threw sixty thousand
carats of diamonds into trade, which was mono
polized by a single merchant, who paid for
them at the rate of about a guinea and arhalf
per carat, amounting in the whole to £ 130,000.
sterling. The contraband trade in this article
is said, by persons competent to form a just esti
mate on the subject, to have amounted to a tenth .
more, so that the produce of these mines,the riches
of which have been so much boasted of, did not
exceed annually £ 143,000. The rough dia
monds used to be purchased from the merchants
iu Lisbon, and other places in Portugal, by the
English and Dutch, who, after cutting and
polishing them with ra&re or less perfection,
disposed of what remained, after supplying the
demand of their own countries, to other nations
of Europe.
In the diamond and mine districts are found,
between the parasitic stones, some very
mperfect amethysts and topazes ; as also

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 165
saphires, and emeralds ; and some fine chryso
lites. Jacinths, or granites, are sometimes dis
covered in the interstices of talc or micacious
stpnes : these, as well as some other precious
stones, never having been subjected to a mono
poly like diamonds, those who discovered them
were at perfect liberty to dispose of them in the
manner they deemed most conducive to their
interest. The annual exportation of these stones from
Rio, and some of the other ports, seldom ex
ceeded £ 6,250. for which the goyernment re
ceived a duty of one per cent, amounting in the
whole to the trifling sum of £62 :,10s. ster
ling. Mines of iron, sulphur, antimony, tin,
lead, and quick-silver, are likewise found in this
and other provinces of Brazil ; but the pursuit
of gold has too much diverted the attention of
the colonists from more useful speculations. It
was #long supposed that copper had been with
held by nature from this vast and fruitful
region of the new hemisphere : but later re
searches have shown this to be an unfounded
suspicion. In Rio de Janeiro there exists a
rich and copious mine of cupreous pyrites
(pyrites cupri) : one hundred weight of this

16& HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
mineral yields twenty-five pounds of pure cop
per. Similar mines of this metal have also been
discovered in Minas Geraes, and other districts.
Besides the capital, there are also several
towns in this district which carry on a consider
able trade; Cabo Frio, in particular, has at
tained considerable opulence from its traffic in
salt. There are no less than a hundred sugar
plantations in this captainship.
Sugar was first exported into Europe from
Brazil about 1580, and as they appear to be
more careful in the management of this article
than other nations, even at present, the clayed
sugars of Brazil, being finer and whiter than
ours, maintains a superiority in the market.
The manner of preparing them is extremely
simple. When the sugar is put into pots, it
is sunk two or three inches below the brim, by
draining out the molasses; after which, thsthin
hard crust, that forms on the top of the sugar,
is carefully scraped off,' and the pots filled up
with the refining mixture. This mixture con
sists of a fine white clay, beat up with water to
the consistence of cream ; in the course of ten
or twelve days, the water, percolating through

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 167
the sugar, whitens it, while the thick clay left
at the top is readily removed by means of a
knife. Notwithstanding the heavy imposts which are
severely felt in the interior of this and the other
provinces*, where the carriage and transit duties
increased the price of every article to an enor
mous height, the plantations are daily ac
quiring greater importance. For some time
past more attention has been paid to the sugar
cane, and its culture greatly improved, especi
ally in the plains of Guatacazes. Indigo and
coffee are also raised in a greater quantity than
formerly. The southern district of this pro
vince, as far as Rio Grande, fiirnjshes a liberal
supply of hides, flour, and very excellent salt
provisions. Under the government of Rio de Janeiro is
p . - ,f,. ;.-rr ¦.-
comprehended the Island, of St. Catherine.
This island, which is nine leagues in length,
and two in breadth, is only separated from the
continent by a narrow channel. The land is
low, and cannot be seen at a great distance ; but
there is in i,t an abundant spring of excellent
water. It abouuds with wood, a variety of

168 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
delicious fruits, and many different kinds of
vegetables. The climate is salubrious, except
in the harbour, where a free circulation of air
being prevented by the neighbouring hills, it is
thus rendered damp and unwholesome.
> ¦
This island, before it was annexed to the dis
trict of, Rio de Janeiro, was inhabited by a set
of adventurers, who scarcely recognized the
authority of Portugal. They admitted, with
out distinction, the ships of all nations, and
bartered with them oxen, fruit, and pulse, for
arms, brandy, linen, and wearing apparel.
Towards the year 1738, the Portuguese fortified
the harbour of St. Catherine, sent a large mili
tary force into the island, and gave to them an
administration, similar to those of the other pro
vinces of Brazil. In 1778 the Spaniards invad
ed this island, which was, however, restored at
the peace to its former masters, and at present
carries on a valuable trade in cochineal. ji»
The commodities from the captainships of St.
Vincent, Spiritu Sancto, an.' Porte Seguro, are
transmitted to Rio, and thence shipped for
Europe.., These expo ts consist chiefly of gold,
diamonds, piecious stones of various kinds,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL? 169
tobacco, indigo, coffee, rice, cocoa, maize,
sugar, honey, wax, balsam capivi, ipecacuanha,
cinnamon, long pepper, ginger, dyeing woods,
cochineal, ambergris, wood for inlaying and
'other purposes, various rich drugs, and perfumes.
Besides these, they also export hides, train-oil,
and whale bone. I'
Among the articles sent from Portugal inj
return, the following are the principal ; wool
lens, linens, stuffs, gold and silver- lace, dried fish,
hams, sausages, haggasses, pilchards, cheese,
butter, biscuits, cakes, wine, oil, vinegar, ver
micelli, macaroni, bay leaves, walnuts, peeled
chesnuts, dried plumbs, olives, onions, garlick,
rosemary, and glass ware of every kind, manufac
tured at Marinha. The duties which the agents of
the Portuguese government levied on the impor
tation of goods from Lisbon and Oporto, at Rio
de Janeiro, were twelve per cent, upon the value
of er.?h article. The chief duties paid at Lis
bon on the commodities of the Brazils were as
follows: on gold, one per cent, coffee, eight per
cent, sugar, rice, and skins, tec per cent, indigo,
twelve per cent. ; and on rum, four dollars on
every pipe of one hundred and eighty gallons.
Brazil wood, and timber fit for ship building,

170 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.^
was claimed as the property of the crown. One
fifth of the gold, as already mentioned, extracted
from the mines, was also exacted by the govern
ment, and when any diamonds happen to be
found in a gold mine, it was no longer suffered
to he wrought for that metal, all diamond mines
being seized as exclusively belonging to the
crown. The works erected for the defence of Rio are
not very considerable : they consist of several
small forts and batteries, detached from each
other, but so disposed as to offer every obstacle to
the approach of an enemy, on his entrance ihto the
harbour, as well as in his subsequent attempts
on thevshore. Should he even, however, make
good a landing, the military establishement of
Rio, even before the Portuguese court sought a
refuge in Brazil, was considered by those compe
tent to form a correct judgement on the subject,
sufficiently respectable to oppose any hostile
attempt in the field.
This establishment consisted of two squadrons
of 'cavalry, two regiments of artillery, six regi
ments of infantry, two battalions of well trained
militia, besides above two hundred disciplin-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 171
ed fCQe negroes, amounting in the whole to a
body of at least ten thousand men, exclusive
of a numerous registered, but undisciplined mi
litia, of whom a great proportion belongs to
the city and immediate neighbourhood.
The entrance of the harbour, which does not
exceed a mile from point to point, is intersected
in every direction with heavy batteries. Be
sides ships, in returning their fire, would la
bour under the disadvantage of a swell occa
sioned by the bar, which runs across the out
side of the mouth of the harbour.
The fort of Santa Cruz, which is a work of
considerable strength, and forms the principal
"defence of the harbour, is in its general height
from twerty-four to thirty feet. It mounts
twenty-three guns towards the sea, and thirty -
three to the west and east. It is situated on
the low point of a smooth rock, from the body
of which it is separated by a fissure, ten or
twelve feet in width. It is flanked by batteries
to the eastward and westward, and is overlooked
and protected by a regular front for musquetry,
which runs between the hills. The weight of
the guns is carefully concealed, but from "the
report they are judged to be heavy pieces.

172 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
The defence of the city of Rio is supposed,
however, by military men, to depend chiefly on
the works erected on Serpent Island ; the high
est part of which, looking towards the town,
is nearly eighty feet above the water. Here a
small square fort is constructed. This island
lowers gradually on the eastern side to the wa
ter's edge, and is occupied by an irregular
stone-line, having occasional flanks. It has no
ditch, and in some parts the stone-line is low,
not being more than eight feet above the rocks.
Serpent Island does not exceed three hundred
yards in length. There are mounted on it forty-
six guns, twenty facing the south and south
east, and the remainder facing the opposite
points. The parapet-wall, lately built along
the front of the town, affords a good line for
musquetry and light guns.
Ships leaving Rio de Janeiro seldom find it ,
practicable to work out of the harbour against
the wind blowing from the sea ; but, in gene
ral, take advantage of the land-breeze prevail
ing in the morning, at which time the harbour
empties itself of the accumulation of water
forced into it by the sea-wind during the night.
This reflux is frequently more powerful than

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 1?3
the wind. Its course is along the bays on the
eastern side of the shore, and it afterwards sets
upon the point of Santa Cruz. Ships are sorne-
times carried into that part of the stream, where
it runs with the greatest impetuosity, and car
ried directly towards the rock, which is an oc
currence attended with much danger, since this
rock being nearly perpendicular, ships may
strike against it without their keels touching
any bottom.

174 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

CHAPTER X.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROVINCES OF PORTO SEGURO,
SFlRlTU-SANCTO, AND ST. VINCENT  MANNERS OF
THE INK ABITANTS — TRADE — MANUFACTURES  MI-
LITARY ESTABLISHMENT, &C

The trade from Brazil to Europe is chiefly
•carried on by three principal ports. These are,
Grand Para, Bahia, or the Bay of All Saints,
and Rio de Janeiro. Into the last of these are
poured the treasures from the mines of the
south ; and from this port are exported the
commodities of Porto-Seguro, Spiritu-Sancto,
and St. Vincent.
The province of Porto Seguro is bounded on
the north by the Rio Grande, which separates it
from the captainship of dos Ilheos ; and on the
south by that of Spiritu-Sancto.
Porto Seguro, so denominated from its being

HISTORY OF BRAZIL." 175
a safe harbour, is formed by a ledge of rocks
that stretch out from an extended point of the
main, about a mile, in a direction parallel to
the land, forming a natural mole. These rocks,
which are dry at low water, terminate abruptly,
and again appear at the distance of half a
league. The space between these rocks is the bar or
entrance to the harbour, over which, during
high tides, the depth of water is abont twenty
feet ; but, within, it decreases to twelve feet.
A little farther up, however, where a river dis
embogues itself into the harbour, the Water
again somewhat deepens. This port has a fine
sandy hottom, terminating in a broad beach.
On entering'' the port, the adjacent country
presents to the view a most delightful and va
riegated landscape. Close to the shore we be
hold a range of fishermen's cabins, shaded with
luxuriant trees; and in the back ground, exten
sive woods, intersected with paths leading to
various sequestered habitations. To the north-?
ward rises a steep hill, on the summit of which
stands the capital, termed, like the province,
Porto Seguro.

176 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Though, from its commanding situation, this
city certainly has an elegant aspect at a dis
tance, yet, on a nearer approach, its general ap
pearance is mean and wretched. The streets
are straight and sufficiently wide ; but they are
irregularly disposed, and the houses, in general,
low and ill-constructed. Few of them are
above one, and none of them exceeds two stories ;
they are built of a soft kind of brick, and co
vered over with plaster ; the windows are fur
nished with a kind of split-cane blinds, as a
substitute for casements.
There are no public edifices in Porto Seguro
deserving of attention. The town-house is a
large quadrangular building; and the prison is
also of considerable extent. There are only two
churches in the city, one Of which is a neat
plain building, furnished with glass casements ;
but the other is no way distinguished from the
warehouses, except by having been erected of
better materials, which are a mixture of stone
and red brick.
In 1550 a monastery of Franciscans was esta
blished, at the expence of the city, which ha?
long since fallen into a state of decay.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 177
On the banks of the river running at the foot
of the hill, on which stands the city, a village is
situated equal in extent to the town itself. It
consists of about four hundred huts Or cabins,
and, including Indians and slaves, contains -a
population of nearly three thousand souls. The
sole occupation of these villagers consists in
fishing off the islands and rocks of Abrolhos,
where a species of salmon abounds, which is
salted for the market of Bahia. About fifty or
sixty small vessels are employed in this fishery,
and remain at sea for a month or six weeks till
their cargoes are completed.
Those of the inhabitants not engaged in this
fishery are employed in careening and repairing
these vessels, and manufacturing the lines and
nets. Their lines are excellent, being composed
of cotton well twisted,1 and afterwards several
times rubbed over with the inner bark of a tree
which contains a glutinous substance that hard
ens on exposure to the sun, and is proof against
the action of salt water. These lines are there
fore* both strong and elastic.
These fishing vessels are the property of a few
individuals, who are comparatively rich. At

178 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Bahia, they either receive cash in return for their
fish, or else exchange them for different articles
of food or clothing, which they retail to such
of their more indigent neighbours , as can afford
to purchase them.
The food of the inhabitants consists princi
pally of salt fish and the flour of the manioc,
which is sold here at about three shillings and
sixpence per bushel. Scanty, however, as may
be their means of enjoyment, they at least live
in a temperate climate, where they are exposed
to fewer miseries, and experience fewer hard
ships, than the inhabitants of colder regions.
In the latter, a sheltered habitation, warm
clothing, and fuel during the rigorous season
of winter, are necessary to the comfort of exist
ence ; whereas in a tropical climate these neces
saries may with less inconvenience be dispensed
with, or a -sufficiency of them more easily ob
tained ; Wthile food is supplied in greater abun
dance by the bounteous band of nature, in
warmer than in colder countries. Thus, for
instance, oranges, bananas, cocoas, and a pro
fusion of other delicious fruits, which are so
highly prized in Europe, form part of the suste-
r^uice of the poorest inhabitants of these cli
mates.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 179
Various species of fish, besides that already
mentioned, abound on the coast, but the inha
bitants are of too indolent a disposition to avail
themsejycs of this advantage, consequently fresh
fish is both scarce and bears a high price at
Porto Seguro. Beef, of a very Indifferent qua
lity, and of which but a scanty supply is
brought to market, is in general sold at three
vintims — about 4d. per pound ; and mutton or
pork is almost unknown. No attention is in
deed paid, in this district to the breeding of
hogs or sheep, though the wftods afford an in
exhaustible store of food for these animals.
The more opulent part of the inhabitants
possess each a country-house, with extensile
plantations of sugar-cane and manioc attached
to them. These farms, are in general situated
on the banks of a river which runs past the
city. They are well stored with poultry and
domestic cattle, but from the total deficiency in
the art of cookery, their tables are not much
better supplied here, than in the city; and in
deed they may be said, in a great measure, to
exist in poverty and want in the midst of
abundance.

n2

180 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
We have already mentioned the little atten
tion paid to literature and science in Rio, but
here, if we are to rest on the authority of Mr.
Lindley; who was unwarrantably detained a
considerable time in Porto Seguro, the inha
bitants are buried in a still greater degree of
ignorance. •"•Employment of any sort," he observes, " is near
ly unknown among the females, In some instances
they fabricate a kind of coarse lace for their
own use, but even this is by no means universal
among them. The needle they are still less ac
quainted with ; for there are few who can sew
the simple chemises (although their chief ar
ticle of dress), and they have mulatto slaves
for that purpose. Cookery is entirely out of
the question, their general diet not requiring
nor admitting it ; and so completely ignorant
are they of this addition to our comforts, that
some flour which I had I could not get con
verted into bread throughout the town."
The province naturally abounds in the most
delicious fruits for preserves ; but this prepa
ration too is totally neglected by the ladies,
even the confections and marmalades of Bahia

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 181
«nd Rio de Janeiro being manufactured by male
slaves. In short, the people here merely vege
tate in a senseless apathy and unnerving indo
lence, increased by the equal neglect of their
minds : for few of the females can read ; and
writing is an art which not many of the men
acquire. The same inanimate existence and constitu
tional idleness characterize theraale sex. They
lose whole days in visiting each other, yawning
in flimsy conversation, or playing at cards for
pence; while the plantations, &c, are carried
on by European overseers, some favourite mu-
lattoes, or confidential slaves. Nor is the cli
mate to be admitted as an excuse for want of
exertion : for many weeks are moderate as an
European September, and their winter months
are generally so. Even during the hot days,
there are intervals of cool breezes, besides some
hours of every evening and morning, during
which the sun's rays have but little force, and
the ground is cool, from the excessive dews
generally found within the tropics, and parti
cularly here.
The inhabitants of Porto Seguro plume them-

18!§ HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Selves on the circumstances of their's being the
immediate spot where Brazil was first discovered
by Cabral ; and they still preserve with great
veneration the holy cross that was erected under
a spreading tree at the first high mass, with
music, discharge Of ordnance, &c. during which
the Indians, they say, flocked in crowds at a
sight so novel, and continued in profound si
lence, absorbed in amazement and curiosity ;
and that the divine spirit so visibly manifested
itself, that the natives, at the moment, were
converted to the holy faith.
The interior bf the district abounds with wild
cattle and horses, but they never approach the
coast. The horses employed by the inhabitants
are of the Buenos Ayres breed. They are in
general fourteen hands high, small boned, but
capable of sustaining great fatigue; they, how
ever, neither possess much beauty of form,
nor display much spirit in their motions. ;
The sheep here, with a few exceptions, are
of a small breed, and resemble those of Europe.
There is one Variety, however, that has several
horns,, and another apparently of the hairy
African breed. The ewes of Guinea (oris

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 183
Guineensis), might be transported from Angola
to Brazil with the greatest advantage.
The numerous herds of cattle that are found
in this and indeed in the interior of all the pro
vinces of Brazil, might, under proper manage
ment, afford cheese and butter not only for
home consumption, but also for foreign com
merce ; but at present these useful articles are
prepared in small quantities,' and rather for
curiosity than use. The cheese, made in the
colony, is of a very indifferent quality ; and it
is a pretty general opinion, that butter can
not be prepared on account of the heat of the
climate, though it is well known that in the
East Indies, where the weather is much warmer,
most excellent butter may always be procured.
The vast numbers of oxen killed in Brazil are
mostly slaughtered on account of their hides,
though it is evident that, besides salting the
carcase, other parts of the body might be ap
propriated to some useful purpose. But with
out the adoption of a liberal plan of policy,
and judicious encouragements being offered for
the promotion of agriculture, it will, in all
probability, a,s well as its sister arts, continue

184 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
to languish in a country possessing every ad
vantage of climate and natural situation.
The mules reared in and near Porto Seguro
are large, well shaped, and extremely hand
some. , They are lively, and do not display, in
their general appearance, the sluggishness com
mon to these animals.
The wild animals of this district are similar
to those of the other provinces of Brazil. The
ravenous quadrupeds of the New World, such
as ounces, leopards, tygers, hyenas, &c. display
less ferocity, and are far inferior in size and
strength to those of the same kind in the Afri
can and Asiatic continents.
The pregusia or sloth is very common in this
province, and perfectly harmless. Its head is
round, with a very small round mouth, and
small blunt teeth ; its nose is black, high, and
smooth, but the other parts of the body are
covered with ash-coloured hair, and the eyes
are smaii, black, and heavy. This animal,
which is about the size of a fox, feeds on the
succulent leaves of trees, which serve it both
for food and drink. Though its limbs appear

HISTORY OF BRAZIL, 185
to be exceedingly weak, it will nevertheless lay
hold so firmly of the branches of trees, as not
to be easily shaken oft". So great an antipathy
has the sloth to rain, that on its approach it
carefully conceals itself. It cannot proceed
above a stone's throw in the course of several
minutes, and derives its name from the uncom
mon slowness of its motion. Monkeys, which
are so numerous in other parts of this colony,
are here extremely scarce : the few that do fre
quent the woods in the neighbourhood of Porto
Seguro are chiefly of the grey sort. Armadil-
loes are, however, extremely numerous, and
run about in every direction. One species pos
sesses a quality similar to the hedge-hog — of
rolling itself up into a ball when attacked,
and presenting on all sides its scaly covering,
which forms an impenetrable shield. The
saratue, which is about the size of our fox, is
an extremely savage animal, and commits great
depredations among the poultry in the vicinity
of the city. This animal, when attacked, de
fends itself with great resolution.
The woods and groves abound with various
birds, some of which display the most brilliant
and gaudy plumage, while others delight us by

186 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
their melodious voices ; but as they do not dif
fer from those in the other provinces, we shall
not here enter into a particular description of
them. The botanical productions are here, as in
every part of this country, extremely abundant.
They are, however, but little known to the in
habitants, and from the extreme jealousy of the
goyernment, learned foreigners have been hi
therto prevented from examining them. Many
of the trees round Porto Seguro exude gums of
a resinous, mucilaginous, and balsamic nature.
Among the latter is one similar to the balsam
of Peru, which is collected by the inhabitants,
and exported in considerable quantities to Eu
rope. It is procured from the female of the
pine tribe, and is collected in pans after the
tree is cut down. Towards the northern ex
tremity of this captainship, the banks, of the
Rio Grande are covered'with immense forests,
which are considered as the best in Brazil for
the purposes of ship-building. It is from hence
that the king's yards are principally supplied
with timber.
The trees chiefly employed for thiB purpose,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 18?
are the sippipira, which resembles the teak of
India, and the peroba, oraubu, and louro,
which are species or varieties of oak and larch.
Cedar and other woods, which are used for
deck planks, also abound in these forests, as
Well as Brazil and logwood, mahogany, cam
wood, campeachy, and various other, The
Rio Grande is navigable for canoes to a great
distance, uninterrupted by any falls or rapids.
After ascending the country to a considerable
distance westward, it takes a direction to the
south, and is supposed to originate beyond the
mines of Pitangui, though its source has not
hitherto been explored. It is broad and deep
at its mouth within the bar, and for a consi
derable distance above it. An expedition was
undertaken a few years ago by the two sons of
the civil governor or judge of the province,
Sen. Joze Dantes Coelho, accompanied by his
servant and the capitian mor, or military cap
tain of Porto Seguro, attended by their servants
and a party of Indians. During fifteen days
they proceeded up the river in canoes without
experiencing the slightest interruption. They
found its banks clothed with the most valuable
natural productions, the forests abounding with
hogs, and the savannahs with cattle. At the

188 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
termination of their voyage, they observed
small diamonds scattered oVer the' ground, at
a short distance from the river, as well as se
veral other precious stones. The diamonds did
not appear to them of great value; but they
proposed to repeat their excursion with the
view of more accurately investigating this part
of the district, when they were prevented, by
the interposition of government, from carrying
this resolution into effect.
From the cursory observations which their
short stay enabled them to make, it appears
evident, that under an enlightened administra
tion, and with proper encouragement, settle
ments might be formed on the Rio Grande of
Porto Seguro, which in, a short time would
become a great national benefit, though at pre
sent, from the most absurd and mistaken po
licy, the Portuguese government wish it to re
main unpeopled and unknown.
On the coast, to the south of the Rio Grande*
has been lately established the settlement of
Belmont, which is at present in a thriving
condition : and, a little farther on, we meet
with the town of Santa Cruz, which is about fiv#

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 189
leagues distant from Porto Seguro. The town,
which has never been large, is now rapidly
falling into a state of decay : the harbour ad
mits only small vessels, drawing about twelve
feet water ; but in the Coroa Vermeil imme
diately adjoining, ships of any burden may
safely come to anchor.
To the south of Porto Seguro, the small shal
low bay of Tranquoso indents the shore. This
part of the coast is delightful, and covered
with several thriving plantations. At a small
distance from Tranquoso, on the banks of the
Ri« des Fratres, the country is uninhabited,
owing possibly to the risks to which vessels are
exposed, on entering this river, from its mouth
being choked up by a very dangerous bar.
To the south of the Rio Fratres, the country
becomes mountainous. Monte Pascoa serves as
a land-mark to those mariners who navigate
this part of the coast, which is extremely dan
gerous, on account of a continuation of reefs,
sunken rocks, and shallows, especially to those
vessels which approach to the river Carevellos,
though the neighbouring pilots are so extremely
skilful, that very few accidents are known to
occur.

190 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
From the Rio des Fratres to Villa Prado, the
coast is inhabited by numerous, hostile tribes of
Indians, which renders travelling so extremely
dangerous as. to cut off all communication by
land between these two places. The latter is a
flourishing fishing-towiii The inhabitants in
the vicinity of this village, as well as of Alcoa-
bass, which is situated at a short distance from
it, are chiefly occupied with the . culture of
manioc, and the preparation of the cassava
powder, which they carry to the port of Care-
vellos. On account of a dangerous bar, only vessel*
of small burden can enter this harbour, though
within it the wafer deepens to ten fathoms.
The town of Carevellos is situated about six
miles above the mouth of the river. It is more
populous, and the buildings somewhat superior
to those of Porto Seguro. The country around
is covered with plantations of manioc, whence
large quantities of this useful article are sent
to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Fernambucco.
Small craft are bijilt at the port of Carevellos,
not only for their own use, but in order to sup
ply what is wanted at Porto Seguro.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 191
San Matthias, which forms the boundary of
Porto Seguro in this direction, lies about tea
leagues to the southward of Carevellos. Here
likewise we meet with extensive plantations of
manioc. The coast of this captainship extends
for the length of seventy leagues, with an un
bounded extent of country towards the west,
though at present there are no settlements in
that direction above ten or twelve leagues from
the sea. Gold and many valuable minerals
abound in the interior of this district.
We have more than once had occasion to
observe, since the commencement of this work,
the extreme jealousy displayed by the Portu
guese respecting the admission of strangers into
their colonies, and hence our knowledge of
the interior of this interesting country is still
extremely defective. During Mr. Lindley's
enforced stay at Porto Seguro, the, commission
empowered to seize his papers found in his pos
session a small quantity of grain gold, inter
mixed with gold-coloured sand, which had been
given to him by one of the colonists as a sample.
This strongly attracted their curiosity, and he
was strictly questioned respecting it. This
gentleman frankly informed them how it came

192 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
into his possession, but declared that he was
totally ignorant of the person from whom he"
received it, though he had reason to suppose
that he was an inhabitant of a distant settle
ment ; on which he was ordered t* prepare for
a journey, in order, if possible, to discover and
identify the individual from whom he ob
tained it,
In consequence of this determination, he was
commanded to be in readiness to accompany the
minister, &c. on the following morning, at five
o'clock ; and he gives the following interesting
account of that part of the district which he
was thus enabled to visit : —
" On the second of August," says hey " we
mounted our horses, altogether seven of us, and
took the beach to the south. After an hour's
ride, abruptly turned to the west into the coun
try, and ascending a steep height, soon arrived
at the chapel of Nossa Senhora de Judea, on
its summit,. The prospect from hence is grand
indeed, not only of the surrounding country,
but commanding the adjacent ocean, upon
which the white walls of the chapel form an
excellent sea-mark ; and its patroness, the vir-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL? 193
gin, is particularly invoked by the neighbouring
coasting vessels and fishing smacks, in cases of
distress or contrary winds : her fame even
extends to curing several disorders, if called on
with proper faith. The inside of the building
is decorated with rude drawings of vessels in
distress ; and of sick chambers, having inscrip
tions under each, of the different cases which
they are intended to commemorate.
" After eating a biscuit, and drinking some
of the good vicar's water, we visited several
plantations and ingenios in the neighbourhood,
at one of which we procured an Indian guide1.
Taking the course of the river, we had a beau
tiful ride over a fine champaign country, want
ing only cultivation to form the best of meadow
land ; the soil black mbuld, at times gravelly,
clay patches and sandy flats.
" Leaving the open land, we entered the
woods of ages through a narrow path, which
admitted only one horseman abreast, and was
impenetrably defended from the sun's- rays by
the overhanging branches, which sometimes.
were so low as to be very inconvenient. After
two hours' smart ride, the country again opened?

194 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
and we passed several plantations of sugar
cane, raandiock, &c. with pieces of ground
partly cleared, and numberless other spots capa
ble of being converted into fine land, either for
pasture or tillage. The scene nbw changed to
a range of low hills, lying east and west, in the
direction of the river, to which the land gra
dually descended ; but on the opposite bank it
rose precipitately to a high cliff, cbvered with
never-fading verdure. Riding parallel to these
hills, about one o'clock we arrived at the planta
tion and ingenio of Jaoa Furtado. Here we
alighted, expecting better accommodation than
we might meet with at the Villa Verde, a little
further ; which, being an extreme settlement, i$
inhabited only by the vicar ( a missionary ), three
whites, and a few converted Indians.
" Our host was an old bachelor of seventy,
who resided with a maiden sister, of nearly the
same age. The old man told me he was born
near the spot ; that his life had been a series of
industry; and the ingenio, building, furniture,
&c. were almost entirely the work of his own
hands. I found him very conversant in the na,-
tural history of the country around him, parti
cularly in ornithology ; and I was sorry our

HISTORY OF BRAZIL.PT 195
momentary stay enabled me not to obtain more
information.

, " The word ingenio is the Portuguese dis.
tinction of those who have a sugar-work, here
very simple, consisting of three rollers, of pon-i
derous wood, two feet in diameter, and three
in length, working horizontally in a frame:-:
the upper part of the. centre roller joins a square
beam that ascends through the frame- work, and
to which are affixed cross pieces, sufficiently
low for the harness of two horses that move the
whole. The side-rollers work by cogs from the
centre one. Underneath this machine is a long
trough, slanted, that receives the juice of the?
cane as pressed out by the rollers. The juice is
thence conveyed to a shallow boiler, of six feet ;
in diameter, and skimmed from all impurities;
after cooling in another vessel, they add an al
kali of wood ashes, suffer it to stand some days.,
pour off the pure liquor, convey it to the samef
boiler, and evaporate till the sugar is formed,)
the settlings, &c. being distilled to a powerful/
spirit. How widely different is this primitive!
sugar-making, from the immense worki, ma
chines, and engines, eniployed by our West In
dia planters !
o2

196 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
" I found the accommodation of the house
far superior to what I had expected from the
general poverty of Porto Seguro, and, in fact,
the best I met with in this part of Brazil : our
welcome was free, provision well cooked (for
the country), and tolerably clean. We dined
on the ground, mats being first laid, and a clean
cloth spread over them. There was plenty of
earthen- ware (a rarity here), silver spoons, and
knives and forks hafted with the same metal.
At night, the bedding was decent and com
fortable. " The next morning I arose with the sun,
and was charmed with the country surrounding
the plantation. The house itself was encircled
with bannanas, cotton shrubs, cocoas, and
orange trees: diverging from them, inclosures
of canes, mandiock, &c. To the westward lay
a large tract of herbage, reserved for grazing,
irregularly fenced with native woods. On its de
scent to the river, the ground, unequal, formed
some beautiful hollows, patched with groups of
trees, which, with the stream itself, and cattle
on its banks, pictured the most delightful
scene.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 197
" As I skirted the woods, I saw birds of the
most brilliant plumage, one nearly the size of a
turkey. Of these the moutou was particularly
rich, of a deep blue, nearly approaching black,
with a head and eye strikingly beautiful. Tou
cans were numerous, and many others elegant
indeed. Marmozets, both of the grey and sil
ver lion colour, were in every bush ; but their
piercing shriek is disagreeable, and, if near
you, penetrates to the very brain. I fancied I
heard the distant growl of ounces, which are
numerous, and fatal- in their ravages, forming,
with snakes, the chief scourge of the planters.
" After dinner we began our return, by the
same route, passing several scattered plantations,
situate near the river, for the better transporting
their products to Porto Seguro, &c. The
whole land besides ( extending both ways to the
next sea-ports) is entirely neglected, although
finely watered with small streams in every part,
where the cane, cotton, and mandiock, would
grow with scarcely any labour, as well as the
immense variety of other tropical produce,: in
short, where nature spontaneously offers her J
gifts, and invites the hand of man. But this;
beautiful country, one of the finest in the worlds

198 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
is "entirely lost through want of inhabitants, of
cultivation, and of industry; mines of wealth
being buried, far exceeding all their mineral
or metallic ones.
" Absorbed in these reflections, I rode along,
our party returning very silent, probably cha
grined at their want of success in discovering
the presumptuous vassal who had dared to
touch or think of so prohibited an article as
gold; but though the bird. was flown, his rich
nest remained. They found out the stream on
whose margin the gold had been discovered.
Guards were directly appointed over it, and all
approach to its banks interdicted, in the dread
name of her most faithful majesty; while a
further sample was taken for accurate inspec
tion and assay on the arrival of the commission
at Bahia."
On Mr. Lindley's arrival at Porto Seguro,
some of the inhabitants, who were officiously-
prying into every corner of his vessel, observing
a medicine chest, immediately concluded that
he belonged to the medical profession. This
mistake being disseminated through the city
and its neighbourhood, he was immediately be-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 199
set with patients of every description; some im
ploring his assistance por amor de Deus, and
others entreating him in the name of Nossa
Senhora Maria to cure their maladies. i
Even the commandant had so far imbibed
the general opinion respecting his profession,
as to request him to visit a sick man in the
village, below the town, on which occasion he
had an opportunity of witnessing a scene, than
which nothing can more forcibly depict the
extreme ignorance and superstition of these co
lonists : — The patient, who had the day before
been seized with an apoplectic fit, he found in
a close chamber, into which neither fresh air,
nor light was admitted. To supply the want
of the last, a candle was held over his head, as
he lay, without motion, extended on one side
of a large bedstead. The bed occupied one
corner of the room with its head, and one side
towards the wall, between which and the sick
man was a small space, where his wife and ano
ther female were squatted, who stept over the
body as occasion required. On the top of the
bedstead were placed several small images, and
a leg, a foot, and a small sword, with other
relics ; and a twisted wooden wreath was. con-

200 * HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
stantly suspended over him, tV whole exhibit
ing a striking and curious picture of sickness,
stupidity, and superstition.
This man died before midnight, and on the
following day the bells were constantly tolled,
preparatory to 'his interment, which took place
about eight o'clock in the evening. The ban
ner of the church, surmounted by a large silver
cross, was carried before the cavalcade, fol
lowed by men bearing smaller crosses, and by
the principal inhabitants of the town, amounting
to about one hundred and fifty, each carrying
a wax-light, with three priests," church cho
risters, music, &c. The body, which lay open
in the coffin, with the face exposed, was dressed
in the grey habit of a Franciscan, with his
cord, &c. At -intervals the procession halted,
and mementoes were sung.
<' The stillness of the night," says Mr. Lind-
ley, " the solemn dirge stealing on the ear, and
responding from the vale and hanging hill of
St. Francis, made the scene particularly in
teresting." , Many other instances are recorded by this

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 20L
writer of the ignorance and superstition of the
inhabitants in the city and neighbourhood of
Porto Seguro, as well as of their extreme fil-
thiness, indelicacy, and indolence. The shock
ing custom of searching each others heads for
vermin, which is only practised by the low'est
vulgar in Spain and Portugal, here prevails
among all ranks of the community ; nor does
the presence of strangers prove any hindrance
to this disgusting operation.
To a certain cutaneous distemper (psora),
here termed- sarna, which is regarded as an op
probrium by the natives of other countries, no
idea of shame or disgrace is attached in Brazil.
It is common to hear even ladies complain of it
% without a blush, nor, so. far as we have been
informed, is its cure ever attempted in this
country. This disorder often terminates in a
scaly leprosy, particularly on the stomachs of
the men, who are provided with openings in the
sides of their shirts, for the purpose of scratch
ing, which they do without the least hesitation,
whatever company may be present.
The captainship of Spiritu Sancto occupies a
line of coast for about fifty leagues south of

203 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Porto Seguro. The harbour is extremely com
modious, and the trade carried on therein is in
every respect similar to that of the former port.
Besides the capital, there are two other con
siderable towns in this district, namely, Nuestra
Sennora de la Victoria, and Nuestra Sennora
de la Conception. The country around is fer
tile and pleasant, and abounds with thriving
plantations of manioc, &c. The population of
this captainship is estimated at above twenty-
five thousand souls.
To the south of the captainship of Rio de Ja
neiro lies that of St. Vincent, which is supposed
to be one of the richest districts of Brazil. It is
bounded on the north by the captainship of Rio
de Janeiro ; on the east by the ocean ; on the
south by Del Rey* ; and on the west by the
mountain of La Plata, and the countries inha
bited by various savage nations, extending from
* This settlement is considered, by some writers, as a
separate captainship, dependent on that of St. Vincent;
and Santos, which is the principal town in this district,
they regard as the capital of the whole province. Its har.
hour is capacious, and capable of holding ships of the
greatest burden, and of being fortified in such a manner aS
to resist aDy force which could be brought against it.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 203
twenty-two to twenty-seven degrees south la
titude. It is iu length, from north to south,
about three hundred miles, and in breadth, from
east to west, in some places, near one hundred
and eighty ; though, for the greatest part, it is
not above half that breadth.
The town of St. Vincent is situated in a very
fine bay of the Atlantic ocean; it is well for
tified, and its population amounts to about
three thousand souls. This province was much
neglected till the discovery of the gold mines
in 1735, since which it has been extended by
the addition of Del Rey, and several fortresses
erected for its defence, on the, north side of the
Rio de la Plata. This part of the province is
far, however, from being yet sufficiently peo
pled, as there are only a few scattered villages
on the sea-coast. The inhabitants carry on a
contraband trade with the Spaniards, whom
they furnish with rum, and tobacco of thpir
own growth, and with cloths, silks, linens, and
brandy, from Europe.

The commerce of St. Vincent, which is car
vied on through Rio de Janeiro, consists hi
black cattle^ hogs, sugar, tobacco, and spirits,

204? HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

CHAPTER XI.

DESCHIPTION OF THE CAPTAINSHIP OF BAHIA, OR
THE BAY OF ALL SAINTS — MANNERS OF THE INHA
BITANTS  NATURAL PRODUCTIONS  TRADE  MA
NUFACTURES — MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT, &C. &C.

The province of Bahia comprises fifty leagues
of coast, in the immediate neighbourhood of
the bay. Though one of the smallest divisions
of Brazil, it is the most fertile, populous, and
luxuriant. The Bay of All Saints, which is between two
and three leagues broad at its mouth, twelve in
diameter, and between thirteen and fourteen in
length, is entered from the south.
It is formed by a large peninsula of the main
and the island of Itaporica, extending north
westward among distant islands, and a branching
inland sea, a complete degree in extent, and

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 205
which receives the tribute of six large rivers — ¦
Paraguassu, Serzipe, Jaguaripe, Matuim, Pa-
ranamerim, and Paraja, mostly all navigable.
The small islands interspersed in this gulph or
bay are covered with cotton trees, which pro
duce the most pleasing effect. It turns narrow
towards the bottom, which is sheltered from
every attack, and affords a safe and capacious
harbour for the most numerous fleets. On each
side a small fortress has been erected, which
are not so much calculated to prevent ships en
tering the bay, as to be a check on their land
ing their cargoes, &c.
From the bar off St. Antonio, the extre
mity of the large peninsula, to the point of
Montserrat, a small peninsula within the other,
and the beach of Tapagippe, is the part imme
diately used for anchorage, where vessels are
sheltered from every wind in clear ground, and
have a space in which the united shipping of
the universe might rendezvous without con^
fusion. St. Salvador,- the capital of this captainship,
was the capital of the whole of Brazil, until
the seat of the general government was removed

206 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
to Rio. It stands on the right side of the bay,
and what is termed the upper town, being built
on the summit of a steep hill, commands the
harbour. The lower town, which consists
chiefly of a single street running parallel to the
beach, is situated at the bottom of the hill,
which is extremely steep, though not of a great
heiffht. Here all the merchants and people of business
reside, and there prevails among them a con
siderable appearance of activity and bustle.
i; The population of St. Salvador, including
(both the upper and lower town, is computed at
|iipw<irds of a hundred thousand souls, of whom
thirty thousand are whites, an equal number
inulattoes, and the remainder negro slaves.
I The houses, which are mostly built in the
style of the seventeenth century, are in general
flarge, though neither handsome nor commodi
ous. Lately, however, many of the superior
classes of the inhabitants have erected for them
selves very elegant habitations, especially in the
vicinity of the city, and furnished them very
sumptuously.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 207
By an ancient regulation, which in 1749 was
extended to the New World, the Portuguese
were strictly prohibited from wearing gold or
silver stuffs, or lace of any kind, upon their
clothes ; but sumptuary laws, though they may
restrain, cannot eradicate a false taste for shew
and glitter. Hence the Bahians spare notrou*
ble in procuring rich and costly furniture, the
choice and arrangement of which equally dis
play their bad taste and profusion. ,
In general, the houses, viewed from without,
have a dull and mean appearance, owing to
the extreme neglect of cleanliness, which pre
vails to a very blameable degree throughout
Brazil. This effect is heightened by the house?
of the more opulent tradesmen and shopkeepers
having wooden lattices, instead of glazed win
dows. Those who have resided in warm climates
will be surprised at this remark, from having
experienced the superior comfort of such shades;
hut here they are not even painted, which cer
tainly imparts to the houses furnished with them
a cheerful and enlivening appearance.
The lowest orders of the inhabitants, such as

208 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
soldiers, mulattoes, and negroes, live in low
tiled huts or cabins, open in the roof, and having
only a single latticed window ; and these build
ings, except in one or two of the principal streets,
are so intermixed with the other houses as to
exhibit a very motley and burlesque appearance.
The streets are narrow, which perhaps, in a
climate like that of Brazil, is rather an advan
tage; but they are ill-paved, and kept extremely
dirty. ; In the middle of the town, the great, or, as it
is sometimes called, the royal square is situated.
Its four sides are occupied by the governor's.
palace, the mint, and other public buildings,
Which are erected of stone brought from the
mother country.
The palace is an old insignificant edifice,
wholly undeserving of notice; as likewise the
mint, which stands opposite to it. The third
side of this square contains the court-house of
the relacao, and the fourth the hall of the se~
natc, and the prison.
This last is a large structure, of considerable

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 209
strength. The windows of the lower divisions
are secured by two sets of heavy circular iron
bars, placed at the distance of about fifteen or
sixteen inches from each other. These dun
geons are entered from a grated room above by
trap-doors ; and in the centre of the first story
we meet with a large hall, from which entrance
is obtained into a number of dark cells, termed
by the Portuguese secretos. Each of these cells
is about six feet square, secured by a strong
door, and furnished with a heavy chain, fastened
to a ring in the wall. They are chiefly intended
for state criminals, and those individuals who
have fallen under the power of the Inquisition.
A small hospital has been erected adjoining
to this prison ; but from the want of a free ven
tilation, the total neglect of cleanliness, and
other circumstances, the number of deaths is
truly lamentable. The only beverage allowed
to the prisoners is water, which is brought
from a considerable distance by the slave pri
soners in barrels. These unfortunate beings
have iron collars round their necks, through
which a chain of the same metal is passed, in
order to fasten them together, and prevent their '
escape. r

210 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
No tegular provision is made by law for the'
maintenance of the prisoners; so that their si
tuation would be truly deplorable but for the
humane exertions of the Sisters ofMiserecordia,
who solicit in their behalf the donations of the
charitable, and daily distribute to the most des
titute among them cassava, and s,uch other pro
visions as they are able to procure.
Ib_ this city, which is the seat of an arch
bishop, the churches are the most distinguished
edifices ; and greater expence appears to have
been lavished on their erection than on any other
of the public buildings. The cathedral, which
has been originally a large building, for some
years past has been gradually suffered to fall
into a state of decay ; but the college and
archiepiscopal palace, adjoining to it, are main
tained in complete repair. These buildings
stand on the summit of the hill, and command
an extensive \ie\v of the bay, and surrounding
country. The church belonging to the ex-jesuits is by
far the largest and finest edifice in the city; the
sacristy is especially worthy of notice, being
lined throughout with beautiful tortoise-shell,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 211
disposed in the most elegant manner, so that it
is impossible to imagine any thing that can prflfc
¦duce a more pleasing effect upon the eye. The
rails of the altar are of cast brass; and the
grand chancel, and some other communion re
cesses which diverge from the side aisles, are
decorated with images, paintings, and various
other ornaments.
After the suppression of this order, the col
lege and monastery adjoining to the church re
mained for a long time unoccupied ; but govern
ment have lately converted them into an hospi
tal for the sick. It is much to be lamented,
that the valuable library of books and manu
scripts, collected at so much labour and expence
by these learned fathers, is now wholly lost- to
the public, and suffered to moulder in a state
of total neglect. It is well known that the
members of this order penetrated farther into
the interior of America than any other indivi
duals ; and many valuable manuscripts, relating
to the discoveries they made during their vari-^
ous missions, are contained in this collection :
yet, notwithstanding the apathy displayed by
the Portuguese themselves to every subject con
nected with literature and science, such is their
p2

212 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
illiberal jealousy of foreigners, that no access
#o it is allowed them.
The church and monastery of the Franciscans
are also extensive buildings, but the decorations
of the church are not deserving of particular
notice. The monastery is two stories inheight,
and the apartments of the monks open into spa
cious corridors, fronting a large square court,
with a fountain in the centre. . The walls of
this court are lined with European blue tiles,
divided into different compartments, containing
passages indiscriminately taken from the hea
then mythology and the sacred writings of the
Christians, ,
Immediately adjoining the, monastery, a sepa
rate establishment has been endowed for such
of the lay brothers of this order as are desirous
of retiring wholly from the world during the
latter period of their lives.
This building has a neat stucco front, and
the interior is sufficiently commodious : it is
chiefly remarkable, however, for the neatness
of its cemetery, which consists of two rows of
small arched vaults, three tiers deep. Each of

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 213
these vaults is formed of such a size as to con
tain a single coffin, and immediately closed on
receiving its solitary tenant. They are num
bered and white-washed, except the arches,
which are coloured, and produce a considerable
relief to the uniformity of their appearance. The
space between the rows is occupied by an aisle,
paved with white and black marble, and orna
mented at the farther extremity with a figure of
religion. The interior is kept extremely clean,
and ventilated by means of windows near the
roof, which open into the gardens of the mona
stery, while the luxuriant foliage of the banana
and other tropical trees, by intercepting the
brilliant rays of the sun, impart a solemn,
though not unpleasing gloom to this mansion of
the dead.
The Carmelite church is built in a more mo
dern style than that of the Franciscans; and
the monastery belonging to this order is said to
be very amply endowed, as well as that of the
Benedictines. Among the parochial churches within the
city, those of the Concession and St. Peter are the
most distinguished ; and in the suburbs, towards

214 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
the beach, we meet withthe church of St. An
tonio, and that of Victoria, both of which are
in a tolerable style of architecture, but, like all
the churches and chapels of this city, loaded
with ornaments which equally display the bad
taste and superstition of the inhabitants.
Among the cdnvents of this capital, the most
celebrated is one belonging to the Order of
St. Clare ; and another, appropriated to the re
ception of female children who are exposed
and abandoned by their parents. These deserted
beings are much attended to in this city -. they
are adopted by the government ; and it is
fashionable for ladies of the first distinction to
take them, when of a proper age, and breed
them up as if they were their own offspring.
In the lower town, near the beach, stand the
custom-house and wharfs, as also the dock-yard,
the royal arsenal, the marine storehouses, maga
zines, &c. which are large, well filled with
every necessary article, and kept in excellent
order. Adjoining to the public buildings, a
residence has been erected for the intendant, or
port commander.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 21j»
The dock-yard admits but one ship of the
line to be built at a time ; and the operation of
ship-building appears to be here extremely te
dious, as four years, and sometimes longer, are
required to complete a sixty-four.
At Tapagippa, a 'short distance from the
city, are several private yards, in which mer
chants' ships of all dimensions are built, and
with much greater dispatch, and at' less ex-
pence, than in the king's yard. These vessels
are not only well modelled, but extremely ser
viceable, from the timber possessing the pecu
liar property of not being penetrable by worms.
Some useful observations were made several
years ago, respecting the different kinds of tim
ber employed at Bahia for ship-building, by
Colonels de Brito and Weinholtz. The follow
ing table, drawn up by them, shews the gravity
of a cubic foot of each, and to what purposes
they may be most advantageously appropriated. lb. , ox.
Sucupira merim, useful in the construc
tion of every part of a vessel  59 7-f
Pao de arco, serves for keels, stern-
posts, ribs, and gunwales  66 7

21$ HISTORY OF BRAZIL. Jfc. OZ.
JPao roxa, for the same purposes  63 9f
Feguim, for deck-beams, &c  64 3
Sapocaya* for keels, ribs, &c  73 7
Jetahy amarello, for gunwales, &c  66 0
Vinhatico, for planks above and below
water, floors, &c,  46 Of
Futumuju, for planks, floors, &c  48 0
Louro, for yards, masts, &c...t  37 3
Jequitiba, for masts, top-masts, yards,
&c  44 4
Pao de olio do vermilho, for the same
purposes  56 If
JVLassaranduba, for beams, posts, &c... 68 6
Olandim, for bowsprits, top-masts,
cheeks, gunwales, and planks  , 57 9
These are only a very few of the trees which
might be advantageously employed, not only in
the construction of ships and houses, but for va
rious other purposes ; and it is much to be la
mented that so many of the valuable produc-
tions of this country are still unknown to bota
nists. On account of the difficulty of trans
porting timber, many large woods in the inte
rior of the country are burnt down by the inha
bitants, in order that they may form plantations

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 217
of maize and manioc ; and, like the back-sefc
tiers in North America, they forsake these plan
tations in a few years, and proceeding still far
ther into the interior, continue to reduce the
woods in the same manner, by which means a vast
number of trees is destroyed that might be
converted to purposes of utility.
The fortifications of St. Salvador consist of a
great number of forts and batteries, the princi
pal of which is Fort do Mar, This fort, which
stands on a small, rocky bank of the inner bay,
about three quarters of a mile from the shore,
was built in 1600. It was originally of a cir
cular form ; but On the city being taken posses
sion of by the Dutch, in 1624, they strengthened
the fortifications, and completed it in its pre
sent state ; razing the old tower, and surround
ing it with a lower battery.
The diameter of the whole works is about
270 feet, and that of the upper tower battery
100. Twenty-nine 42-pounders are mounted
on the lower battery, and on the upper sixteen,
consisting of eighteens and twenty-fours. The
tower is nearly twenty-five feet in height from
the level Of the lower battery, and contains se-

218 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
veral apartments, diverging from the centre,
some of which are employed as magazines for
powder, artillery stores, &c. while others are
appropriated for lodging the troops employed in
the garrison . The top of the tower is coveredwith
hewn stones, sloping inwards, in order to collect
the rain as it falls, which descends through
a grate fixed in the centre, into a large reservoir
underneath. In this way a sufficient supply
of water is furnished the garrison for six
months. This fort is employed as a magazine for ship
ping ; and it is here that all vessels, except
men of war, are obliged to land their powder,
on arriving in the bay ; so that with its own
stock, this fort seldom contains less than five
hundred barrels, and sometimes double that
number. This powder is deposited in the four arched
casemates of the upper battery, each of which
is furnished with a grated door, and a solid one
on the outside.
The house and offices of the commandant, and
a few apartments for state prisoners, are ranged

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 219
on the lower battery, near the sloping entrance
on that side towards the sea. The garrison
ought to consist of five hundred men ; but it
seldom exceeds half that number. The ship
ping come to anchor under the protection of
this fort, and that of St. Philipo, which stands
on the opposite shore.
On the point of the peninsula, and nearly op-
site the bar, a small, but strong fort was erected
by the Dutch ; and on this point also stands the
light-house of St. Antonio: Proceeding from
this point towards the bar, a deep, small bay in
dents the shore, which is flanked on One side bjr
the small fort of Santa Maria, and on the other
by that of St. Diego.
At the extremity of the city, towards the sea.;
an eighteen-gun battery ranges at water-mark,
and is kept in tolerable condition, and mounted
with twenty-fours.
The dock-yard is defended by the battery of
St. Philipo, which mounts thirty-eight guns, of
different calibres. On the inhabited part of
the beach, several trifling batteries, calculated
rather for shew than utility, have been erected

220 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
from time to time ; as also a small, but strong
fort on the point of Montserrat, mounted with
twelve pieces of heavy ordnance. On the oppo
site side of the town, where the gunpowder is
manufactured, a fortress has been erected, which
commands a large artificial lake, formed by the
Dutch, which covers one side of St. Salvador,
as the sea does the other.
The city is also defended on the land^side, at
the south and north passes, which are parallel
to the beach, by three forts : on the south, by
the extensive fortifications of St. Pedro, which
has however for some years been nearly dis
mantled. The northern pass is a valley, entirely
commanded by Barbalbo on the one side, and
St. Antonio do Carmo, on the opposite eminence
nearer the hay. This last is a quadrangular
fort, which has a few guns peeping over its
glacis. It was in Barbalho that Mr. Lindley was
some time confined, during the period he re
mained a prisoner at Bahia ; and he has fur
nished us with the following curious account of
the state of this fortress, and the regulation^
adopted with respect to the prisoners :

HISTORY OF BRAZIL .221
" Fort Barbalho," says this writer, " is situ
ated on the outside of the city, on an elevated
scite, and commands two important passes from
the interior of the peninsula. It is an irregu
lar square, fronting the four cardinal points of
the horizon : two of its corners are composed
of a quadrangular bastion, and the others of a
half moon. The surrounding fosse is deep,
with a draw-bridge over its entrance. The
whole structure is strong, and in an unimpaired
condition. A few straggling guns peep over
the embrazures, but are completely ruined by
neglect and time. The house of the commandant
is erected on the south side of the rampart, and,
contrary to the fort, is in a neglected and ruinous
condition. The fort itself is entered through a
deep, strait port, with an exterior door, and
another leading to an inside green square be
neath the ramparts, along each side of which
are several offices (the casemates of the ram
parts), which are built on arches. These offices
have lately been occupied by upwards of 300
French prisoners, taken on the coast in the course
of the last war, and, if kept clean, are well adapted
to the purpose; the square into which they
open having sufficient air, room for exercise,
and a supply of water from a reservoir in the
centre.

222 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
" The particular easemate used, for confining
the sailors of my brig, and in which they were
locked every night, is small, with a grated door,
and has a drain from above, passing through
the back part, that emits a most intolerable
stench. I mention this as a proof of the pointed
hatred and total want of humanity exerted on
the occasion ; so many of the other casemates
being vacant, more rodmy and convenient, and
without the nuisance just spoken of. During
their imprisonment, six soldiers were on duty ;
but now hone appear ; and the fort is merely
occupied by its peaceable inhabitants, except
several black laudresses, who daily frequent the
square for the water which it contains.
" A few friends of Captain Matos, the com
mandant, who had formerly visited us, returned
one day to pay their respects, or rather satisfy their
curiosity. After they had continued some time,
we were surprised at their introducing five male
strangers, severally provided with a sword and
large stick. I did not wonder at their abrupt
appearance, as I knew the manners of the na
tion, but could not help inquiring why they
were thus armed. They answered, it was to
defend themsehcs airninst the attacks 'of lie-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 223
groes and other villains who infest this neigh
bourhood. %" Some whispers passing between them, and
the dark, rascally look of one of their number,
created in me an unpleasant sensation, which
was increased by Captain Matos being called
out by a soldier, and our soon after seeing him
converse with an aide-de-camp of the governor.
Altogether, this seriously alarmed us, and,ex-
cited a painful suspicion that some new event
was agitating. However, our fears were pre
sently dispersed by the departure of the whole
company from my room, and soon after from the
fort ; but it was some hours before sleep chased
away the ideas which fancy had conjured up."
• The troops belonging to the city consist of a
regiment of artillery, three regiments of the
line, three of militia,. and one composed of mu-
lattoes and free negroes, the whole amounting
to about five thousand men, commanded by a
field-marshal, under the orders of the governor.
All the troops in Brazil are furnished by
the mother-country with British muskets; but
the appointment of these troops is miserable,
and their pay extremely trifling.

224 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
The motley appearance of the Bahian artil
lery is thus humourously described by Mr.
Jjindley, whom we have before had occasion to
quote. The detachments from this corps, which
he had an opportunity of observing, while in
the different forts, are, he says, the most beg
garly set of beingS'that ever were honoured with
the name of soldiers. They wear an uni
form, consisting of a thread-bare blue jacket,
generally patched or torn, coarse white calico
waistcoat, breeches of the same material, a
white handkerchief, and a few only have the
remnant of a wretched shirt. Their hair is
profusely powdered, hats as various as thp
wearers, and legs encased in spatterdashes of
painted linen. This dress is pulled off when in
the fort, and carefully guarded ; the men con
tinuing in a ragged shirt and old pair of draw
ers, frequently with only the latter, except the
sentinels. These. soldiers are chiefly boys, or
mere shadows of men, v there never being five
effective men out of twenty ; and the whole are
enfeebled with dirt, disease, and idleness ; and
their countenances are of every colour, from an
European white to the darkest shade of a Bra
zilian mulatto. I wonder not at their misery, but
how they exist ; for they live solely on bananas
and farinha, with now and then a small fish or

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 225
. v.-
two, their pay affording no better fare. It is
only twopence a day, with no rates of extra
allowance, and even contingencies of clothes
deducted from that sum.
Though no people with which we are ac
quainted treat strangers with greater reserve and
haughtiness than the Brazilians, yet subordina
tion of rank is little known among themselves.
This spirit of licentiousness even in some mea
sure pervades the navy and army. It is no
unusual thing to hear the sailors giving their
opinion on orders that have been issued to them
with no small degree of noise and clamour;
and the officers usually walk the deck with
a stick, which they employ to keep order in
the vessel. The author already mentioned in
forms us, that the commander of the fort in
which he was confined used to traverse the
platform in a pair of coarse printed cotton
trowsers, a jacket of the same, with a supple
jack in his hand, commanding his working party
of artillery-men, under the title of comrades.
"I took," says he, "the liberty of remonstrating
about his wooden companion ; but he replied,
f No duty could go on without it.' "
o.

226 , HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
At Porto Seguro, I have often seen the lieu
tenant, serjeant, and a private, in the same
card party : even the captain, and others, the
most respectable inhabitants, betting and taking
part in the game, without scruple. This un
reserved freedom is productive of the most
pernicious consequence : you get no command
promptly obeyed ; and strangers, who expect
better, are ever liable to insult.
The government of Bahia, like that of all
the other captainships, is absolute. It is vested
in a governor-general, elected for three years,
but who is eligible to be- re-elected at the ter
mination of that period. During the time he
remains in office, he has a controul over all
the tribunals established in the district.
Six aides-de-camp belong to his staff, who
wrait in rotation at the government-house, to
assist in the dispatch of business.
The senate or council consists of four mem
bers and a president, who attend 10 the concerns
of tlie city, examine weights and measures,
and superintend plans of public improvement,
&c.

HISTORY OF" BRAZIL.

\ 22?

The governor, during the period of his ad
ministration, acts as president of the grand
Court of justice, termed the relacao, which is
composed of the chancellor, who fills the office
of vice-president, the minister of crimes, and
nine subordinate judges. The decisions of this
court are subject to an appeal to" the mother
country; but from the trouble, delay, and ex-
pence, attending such applications, yery few
cases occur in which the parties have recourse
to this measure.
There is also an inferior court of audience
established in this city, over which one of the
judges of crimes presides. It is the province of
this court to decide causes of less import, and
from its judgments an appeal lies to the gover
nor, who has the power of confirming or re
versing the decision, or of ordering the affair to
be decided by the relacao^
Several valuable privileges have been granted
to this tribunal, the most important of which
is, that of having the right of bringing any ac
cusation against the governor before the sove
reign himself.
q2

228 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
These courts do not assemble at stated pe
riods ; but one of the members sits three times a
week for the common dispatch of business.
The badge of office consists of a twisted cane,
about five inches in diameter, suspended from
the outside of the left pocket, and a small
sword, without which the members never ap
pear in public.
Except murder and treason, no crimes are
punished either here, or in any of the other cap
tainships, with death. The generality of those
convicted of petty offences are either sentenced
to imprisonment, or transported to Angola, or
some other of the Portuguese settlements in
Africa. Torture is not permitted by law ; but
solitary confinement in a dungeon is a frequent
punishment. The bankrupt laws in Bahia are similar to
those of Rio de Janeiro. By a late regulation,
imprisonment for debt is prohibited, except
when the creditors can prove a fraud on the
part of the debtor ; in which case he is con
demned to perpetual confinement, unless either
the injured party relents, or the debtor is ena-r
bled to satisfy the demands against him.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 229
When a bankrupt delivers up his effects, they
are sold and divided among his creditors, who
have no farther claim upon him ; but if he ei
ther neglects or refuses to do this, the law em
powers them to seize every thing he may possess ;
and in this case they still continue to have a
claim on whatever property he may acquire, till
the whole debt is liquidated.
British vessels bound to the East Indies, New
South Wales, the South Sea fishery, &c. from
the extreme length of the voyage, usually find
it necessary, or at least convenient, to touch at
some intermediate port. Among the ports on
the coast of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is that most
frequented by such vessels. Hence, from their
more frequent intercourse with strangers, the
inhabitants of that city have acquired a greater
degree of urbanity than those of St. Salvador,
and likewise display superior intelligence : but
here, as well as at Rio, the inhabitants who
are at all acquainted with European politics
display great partiality for the French cause ;
nor have the enormities unfortunately attendant
on the revolution abated their admiration of
this great event. They justly observe that the
crimes which stain the annals of republican

230 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
France are imputable to the errors of the old
government, and the hostilities of the combined
powers — not to those principles of freedom
wljich lead an oppressed people to assert the un
alienable rights of their nature. So deep-rooted
indeed do these opinions appear, especially in
the minds of the younger Brazilians, that it is
more than probable they would, in concurrence
with other circumstances, have quickly led to
an important change in their political situation,
but for the removal of the seat of government to
their country. Many of them ridiculed their
subjection to the mother country, and appeared
fully conscious that they possessed the most de
sirable country in the globe, sufficient in itself
amply to supply all the wants of man.
Many of the more opulent inhabitants both
here and at Rio have their apartments decorated
with sets of French engravings, illustrative of
the exploits of their victorious generals, which
they regard with feelings of the warmest enthu
siasm. Even their scanty libraries are furnished
with the writings of d'Alembert, Buffon, Adam
Smith, Thomas Paine, &c. &c. In proportion
to their admiration of the French appears to be

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 231
their antipathy to the British; and this senti
ment has been greatly strengthened by our late
injudicious attempt on Buenos-Ayres.
Our vessels, previous to the arrival of the
Portuguese court in Brazil, were detained on
the most frivolous pretences, and all intercourse
with the shore more strictly prohibited than
ever; yet as regulations which directly militate
against the general interests of a community are
seldom faithfully adhered to, a considerable
contraband trade continued to be carried on
with such of our vessels as entered their ports,
and was even secretly sanctioned by those indi
viduals appointed to prevent it.
Superstition, hypocrisy, indolence, a passion
for shew and parade, joined to the most extreme
avarice, and a marked disregard for the softer
sex,- form the distinguishing features of Bahian
manners. The chief amusements of the citizens are the
feasts of the different saints, and other religious
ceremonies and processions. Scarcely a day
passes without the celebration of some of these
festivals, in which the extremes of devotion and
pleasure are united. After leaving the church

232 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
on such occasions, they usually visit each other,
when they indulge in the excesses of the table,
at the same time swallowing copious draughts
of wine. London ale and porter are sometimes
introduced, as a great luxury, at the tables of
the most wealthy inhabitants ; but being con
traband articles, they are difficult to procure,
and bear a very high price.
After the spirits of the company have attained
a certain pitch of elevation, music is introduced,
which generally consists of a guitar, or a
wretched violin, which such of the guests as are
so disposed accompany with their voice. The
chief amusement, however, at these entertain
ments is the Brazilian dance, which appears to
be a mixture of that of Africa with the Spanish
fandango. It is performed by an individual of
each sex moving their bodies to the monotonous
tones of an instrument, always in one measure,
and with scarcely any action of the legs or feet.
The spectators seem delighted with the per
formance, and cheer the dancers by the most
clamorous marks of approbation. This national
dance, which may not inaptly be compared
to that of the dancing girls in Bengal, is in
dulged in by all ranks of the citizens, though

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 233
among the higher and more enlightened classes of
the Bahians it has in a great measure given place
to minuets and country dances. Indeed a few
of the superior families have lately begun to
give elegant entertainments, such as balls, card
parties, and private concerts.
The greatest enjoyment of a Bahian, and in
deed of the Brazilians in general, appears to con
sist in a state of complete inaction, both mental
and corporeal. Every thing 19 trusted to their
favourite slaves, who in turn lord if over their
inferiors. 1
v- The men copy the Europeans in their mode
¦of dress, except on holidays, or when paying
visits of ceremony. On these occasions they
wear lace on their linen, and have their clothes!
bedaubed with embroidery. Such is their love
of shew and finery, that the sumptuary laws for
the regulation of dress are wholly evaded.
At home most of them wear either a thin
night-gown or a jacket, while others remain in
their shirt and drawers.
The dress of the ladies consists of a thia mus-

234 HISTORY OF BRAZIL,
lin petticoat, which is worn over a chemise of
the same fabric, usually ornamented with needle
work. The hair, which is suffered to grow to
a great length, is fastened in a knot on the crown
of the head, and loaded with powder of tapioca.
When attending mass, a deep black silk mantle
is worn over the head, and reaches nearly to
the feet. Their chief ornament cpnsists of a
gold chain, passed two or three times round the
neck, and hanging down the bosom. To this
are suspended a crucifix, the figure of some fa
vourite saint, or two gold scapularies, here
termed bentos, which are supposed to guard the
wearer against demoniacal influence. Within
these scapularies, which open like a locket, are
frequently inclosed charms to cure or prevent
particular diseases, or to ward off" any threatened
disaster. The superior workmanship of these
chains, and the number and value of the orna
ments attached to them, indicate the rank of the
wearer. Both sexes permit the nails of the forefinger
and thumb to grow to a great length ; they are
then cut to a sharp point; and this absurd
custom serves to mark the high rank of those

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 235
who have adopted it. This sharp point, which
to an European would prove extremely incon
venient, answers several useful purposes to the
Brazilian. With it the men divide the fibres
from the tobacco leaves before rolling them into
segars, which they are passionately fond of
smoking ; they also touch the strings with them,
of their musical instruments, &c.
The situation of the town not admitting of
coaches, the rich, who in every country have
adopted various contrivances to distinguish
themselves from the vulgar, are here borne
along, in a kind of hammock, on the shoulders
of their slaves. These hammocks are surrounded
with silken curtains, which can be drawn occa
sionally, to prevent those within from being
seen, and to screen them from the heat of the
sun. They are also furnished with velvet
cushions, on which the Bahians of rank recline
in all the voluptuousness of indolence, while
they are carried along on the shoulders of two
of their stoutest negroes, as conveniently, if not
so expeditiously, as in the most easy carriage.
The canopy from which the curtains depend
is profusely loaded with carving and gilding ;
and the curtains themselves are wrought with

236 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
gold and silver to a variety of patterns, or
stamped with gold, and silver leaf.

Within these few years, some attempts have
been made to introduce cabrioles, similar to
those used at Rio ; but the inequalities of the
ground on which the city is built rendering this
mode of conveyance unsafe and inconvenient, it
seems probable that they can never be very gene
rally employed.
The Bahians emulate each other in the rich
ness and gaudy livery of their servants, which is
carried to a most ridiculous extreme, and ap
pears to an European more particularly ludicrous
from their never wearing shoes or stockings.
The state of ignorance and subjection in
which the females are kept affords a great im
pediment to the pleasures of society at Bahia.
They are not permitted to pass through the
streets, without being shut up in a chair or ca
briole ; for although the men are superstitious
to a degree of fanaticism, they will scarcely per
mit their wives or daughters to go to church,
covered with their cloaks, on high festivals ;

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 237
and no one is suffered to see them even at their
own houses, except the most intimate friends of
the family. Among a few of the more enlight
ened and higher order of citizens, this separa
tion of the sexes is not enforced with the same
rigour as formerly ; yet even a partial adherence
to this custom is a great deprivation of enjoy
ment to those accustomed to the refined manners
of civilized society.
" This restraint on the females," says the
Abbe Raynal, when considering this subject,
" which is the effect of an ungovernable jea
lousy, does not prevent them from carrying on
intrigues, though they are sure of being stabbed
to death upon the slightest suspicion. By a
lenity more judicious, perhaps, than our's, a
girl who, without her mother's consent, or even
under her protection, yields to the importuni
ties of a lover, is treated with less severity; but
if the father cannot conceal her infamy by dis
posing of her in marriage, he abandons her to
the scandalous trade of a courtesan. Thus it
is that riches bring on a train of vices and cor
ruption, especially when they are acquired by
bloodshed and murder, and are not preserved by
labour."

238 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
\ The cookery here is far inferior to that at
iRio; and in whatever manner their meat be
' ...
dressed, whether roasted or boiled, it is sure to be
[overdone. In eating, they use the hands, instead
lof knives and forks, which are suffered to lie use-
[ less on the table — a custom which is particularly
disgusting to foreigners, who have been accus
tomed to greater refinement of manners; though
water is regularly presented both before and
after meals.
A comic theatre was lately erected in this
city, and is at present under the direction of an
Italian ; but the whole is conducted in such a
wretched style as would not be tolerated even in
a provincial town in England. The music is
the only tolerable part of the performance. The
band is composed entirely of blacks, who, be
sides attending this theatre, find employment in
playing during the different festivals : they are
also sometimes hired by the European merchants,
who frequently have a concert on board their
vessels during the time they remain in harbour.
The butcher-market is extremely ill supplied
with meat : mutton, lamb, and veal, are luxu
ries with which the Bahians are wholly unac-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 239
quainted ; and the beef is lean and tasteless.
The city is, however, well supplied with fish,
which is sold at a high price, particularly dur
ing Lent, when the demand is more than suf
ficient for the supply, though the bay abounds
with an immense variety of the most excellent
kinds. Oysters, muscles, and other shell-fish
are likewise found in great profusion; but turtle,
which is elsewhere esteemed so great a delicacy,
is here chiefly caught for the sake of the shell.
The green-market, on the beach, is, however,
most deserving the attention of strangers, as
it exhibits a display of tropical fruits and other
vegetables, which affords a novel and pleasing
spectacle to the natives of temperate climates.
They are brought in small launches or boats
from the neighbouring coasts, by means of the
rivers which flow into the interior of the
bay. The market is in the form of a square,
and is filled at an early hour in the morning
with cocoas, plantains, oranges, and melons of
different kinds, as well as a great profusion of
bananas, which are mostly brought from St.
Thomas's. They display also an immense quan
tity of other delicious fruits, such asjacas, mam-
mams, guayas, mangoes, tamarinds, &c. &c.

240 HISTORY OF BRAZIL. ,
The ananas produced in this district are, how
ever, far inferior to those which grow in Ja
maica, and our other West India islands.
This market is also well supplied with culi
nary vegetables, such as yams, manioc, peas,
beans, cucumbers, &c. There are few onions
cultivated here, except in private gardens. The
effect produced on the beholder by such a pro
fusion of exquisite fruits and vegetables is
greatly heightened by the fragrance and ele
gance of the bouquets sold by the flower-girls.
Strangers are much worse accommodated here
than at Rio, as from the want of inns they are
obliged, however short their stay, to take the
whole or part of a house ; and this they cannot
even obtain furnished. In the houses of public
entertainment, the meat is bad and wretchedly
cooked ; and what is here termed coffee-houses
are similar to those in Britain in nothing but
the name. N
In Bahia, as in most catholic cities, mendicity
'is extremely prevalent. No regular provision
, has been made for the poor ; nor are there any
: public establishments for the reception of the
aged, the infirm., or the destitute.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 241
The different monasteries and crnvents, it is
true, occasionally distribute alms of money and
provisions, as well as many private individuals,
both on their recovery from sickness, andi in
consequence of the occurrence of any fortunate
event to themselves or families, yet the number
of miserable mendicants which continually assai^
passengers in the streets of this populous city
almost exceed belief.
The impudence, idleness, and fraudulent
tricks of many of these vagabonds are carried
so far that they openly defy the controul of the
weak and inefficient police established for the
maintenance of regularity and good order among
the citizens. The only remedy for this evil
would perhaps be the adoption of a coercive
system of industry, like that introduced by
Count Rumford into Munich, but divested of
its puerilities, and its tendency to render the
mind torpid and indifferent.
Besides the crowd of mendicants above men
tioned, Bahia, as well as most of the cities in
Brazil, are infested by a band of licensed beg
gars, who prey on the ignorance and credulity
of the superstitious inhabitants. Scarcely a day
elapses without some of the holy brothers belong
ing to the different religious orders appearing at
R

242

HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

the doors and windows of the poor, as well as the
rich, in order to solicit, or rather to extort
alms; and it is truly astonishing what immense
sums are thus obtained from these deluded vota
ries of superstition : but the most importunate
of these ghostly mendicants are the brothers of
the Santissimo Sacrernent, who disperse them
selves in every direction, assailing passengers of
every description for a tribute which is rarely de
nied them. They wear over their ordinary habits
a short cloak, made for the most part of blue
or crimson silk, and carry in their hands a silver
staff, and a large velvet bag with a silver plate,
in order to receive the offerings of the pious,
which they repay by an audible benediction.
We formerly mentioned the great number of
festivals and religious processions daily cele
brated in this city. Christmas is observed as a
holiday by all ranks of the inhabitants. At
this season, they proceed in parties to the neigh
bouring villages, where they remain several
days indulging in their favourite amusements of
cards, music, dancing, &c. The church of Boa
Fim, situated on the peninsula of Montserrat, is
a fashionable place of resort at this period,
where, after performing their devotions, and

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 243
receiving absolution, they enter with avidity
into every species of voluptuousness and dissi
pation. The feasts of the different churches are cele
brated with great pomp and magnificence : that
of the Concession is performed with much so
lemnity, and may serve to convey a general idea
of all the rest. The cavalcade is preceded by a
profusion of banners, silver crosses, images, and
ornaments of every description, and followed by
all the religious orders of the city, bearing in
their hands large waxen tapers. The images
are as large as life, and are Joaded with a pro
fusion of jewels, particularly our Lady of Con
cession, who is adorned with all the precious
stones which credulity and ignorance have offered
up at her shrine.
The feast of Corpus Christi is attended by all
the troops of the city, except those on guard,
the governor, senate, judges of the relacao, and
the members of the inquisition, &c. together
with the whole of the monastic and regular
clergy. An image of St. George, the titular
saint of Portugal, on horseback, is always the
most conspicuous figure in the procession. It
is richly habited ; and two men walk on each
side, to hold it on the animal, which is preceded
R.2

244 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
by a squire, and followed by a boy as a page,
both also mounted on horseback.
Lent is kept here with much apparent strict
ness, though it is always in the power of the
rich to purchase an exemption from observances
that trench on their pleasures or gratifications
of any kind.
A singular custom prevails, three or four
days previous to the commencement of Lent. It
consists in the passengers playing various little
tricks on each other, as they pass along the
streets, and partly reminds us of what is termed
in England making April fools. Great numbers
of coloured balls, made of blown wax, so as to
resemble eggs, and filled with water, are exposed
to sale at this season. These the ladies throw
against any one they chance to meet, and seem
highly amused when they burst, which they do
on the slightest touch, and sprinkle the party at
whom they are thrown. False coin are nailed
to the pavement, and various other deceptions
practised, with which the populace appear to be
highly delighted.
It is difficult to account for many ef the ob-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 245
servances and customs of different nations, as
they often continue long after the cause from
which they originated has ceased to be remem j
bered. The present custom is perhaps a rem
nant of the carnivals of the southern parts of
Europe ; or more probably, like the custom of
presenting nosegays of flowers which prevails at
Rio, it is a modification of the days of intrusion
kept in Lisbon.
The inhabitants have likewise a singular mode
of celebrating Midsummer-eve, or the vigil of
St. John. A great number of straight, tall,
slender trees, resembling our poplars, are fixed
in the ground throughout the streets and the
environs of the city, round which are piled dry
faggots, so high as to reach the lowermost
branches of these trees, which are kindled to
wards the evening. The origin of these singu
lar bonfires I have never heard satisfactorily
accounted for.
Palm Sunday, which is the commencement of
Holy Week, is regarded with great reverence.
High mass is celebrated in all the churches,
after which the priest presents each individual
of the assembly with the white stalk of a cocoa

246 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
palm, nearly two feet in length, entwined ^.with
tinsel, and ornamented with bunches, of coloured
paper. This consecrated gift they consider as
an infallible safeguard against a host of those
evils to which man is subjected, and conse
quently preserve it with religious care. If
burnt with proper faith, this holy road is re
garded as a never-failing preservative against
thunder-storms, however severe.
During the holy week the processions are ex
tremely numerous, the most curious of which is
that of the Penitentiary Disciplinants, and the
festival of Judas Iscariot. This last is con
ducted nearly in the same style as that of Guy
Faux is in England. Effigies of Judas are car
ried through the different streets, which, after
being abused and anathematised by the popu
lace, are exhibited on gibbets, erected for the
occasion in different parts of the city. When
they have hung some time, they are taken down
and dragged in triumph about the town, while
the Brazilians vie with each other who canexert
against these senseless images the greatest marks
of indignity.
The annual procession of the Penitentiary

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 247
Disciplinants, in 1803, which this year had the
additional object of accelerating rain that had
been delayed beyond the usual reason, is thus
described by M. Ferrara, who was present on
the occasion : —
" Several mulattoes and negroes were the
devotees, who scourged their naked backs
without mercy, leaving severe and sanguinary
marks of their enthusiastic ardour. They were
attended by trains of friars, brothers of the Sa
crament, and priests, chanting anthems, and
bearing tapers. The infatuated voluntary suf
ferers were consoled with absolution, remission
of all past sins, and indulgence for some future ,
ones : a pecuniary gratification of ten patackas,
Two pounds each was also given to the mulat
toes, and one to the negroes At the same
time, to prevent the failure of the sky's watery
influence, a holy legate was deputed and sanc
tified by the archbishop and the whole body of
his college, to proceed to a particular hermitage
adjoining the city, and breathe up his pious In
tercessions ; receiving visitors, with their offer
ings on the occasion, and presenting his sacred
foot for each to salute. These presents, which
were considerable, joined to so much ardent

248 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
piety, could not fail, it was supposed, of effect;
and the rain has accordingly been immense dur
ing some days. In fact, an approaching alter
ation of the weather was visible to any obser
ver, for a week antecedent to this ceremony,
from a haziness in the air, heavy clouds, &c. :
but among this superstitious people, nothing is
much esteemed, or thankfully accepted, that is
natural ; all must proceed from miracles."
The want of seats in all their churches is
particularly inconvenient to those spectators
whom curiosity or* other motives may lead to
witness their sacred festivals, as the ceremonies
occupy more than three hours. On these
occasions, the female auditors are^arranged in
the centre of the church; and, at particular
parts^ of the service, they squat down on their
hams in a very peculiar manner. Seats are
placed near the altar, in order to accommodate
some of the highest order of the citizens, to
whom are distributed small engravings of the
heart of Jesus, supported by an angel, and orna
mented with wreaths of artificial flowers. None
of the female auditors received these baubles •
indeed, as we have formerly mentioned, a marked
neglect of the women forms a distinguishing
feature in the Brazilian character.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 249
It would be equally tedious and unprofitable
to notice all the absurd and ridiculous pro
cessions and festivals celebrated during this
season; suffice it to say that Easter Sunday is a
day of general hilarity throughout the city, and
among all ranks of the inhabitants. Great
quantities of meat are provided in order to com
pensate their long abstinence ; and parties are
formed, as with us in England, in order to par
take of the festivities of the season. On such
occasions their meals are continued to excess;
and after they rise from table, they form them
selves into card parties, stiU continuing to
indulge in copious libations to the rosy god, nor
think of separating till their senses are wholly
steeped in forgetfulness.
"¦ Has death its fopperies, then well may
life," says the celebrated Dr. Young; and
surely no position was ever more fully illustrated
than in the sumptuous and gaudy funerals of
the Bahians. The solemn office performed over
the body of an officer of rank in the church
of the Franciscans, which was attended by the
governor and principal inhabitants, is thus de
scribed by Lindley, and may serve to convey to
the reader a general idea of such ceremonies.

250 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
" The body was placed within the rails of4
the altar, near to which sat the superior of the
monastery, supported by the guardian and
provedoFe, \ all most sumptuously habited in
robes of black velvet, nearly covered with a
deep rich gold lace. At a small distance, and
near the head of the corpse, were two monks at
reading-desks in white point-lace vestments ;
and extending from them in a double line on
each side to the altar sat other brothers in their
usual habits, each having a quarto volume in
their hands. The bbdy lay on a pyramidal
bier, of four stories, each of which was sup
ported by pillars, and surmounted with a coffin,
the whole covered with black velvet, embroi
dered with double borders of broad gold lace,
and the pillars entwined with. the same.
" The deceased lay in the first space or story
of the bier, dressed in his habit as chevalier of
the order of Christ: a white sarsnet robe, with
short scarlet cloak, a scarf of satin, red mo-
rocco'buskins, a silver ornamented helmet, with
gloves on his hands, the right grasping a rich
sword ; the face was exposed, and he appeared
about forty years of age.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 251
" The office was sung, an organ and full
band accompanying. On its ceasing, the friars
and spectators, each bearing an immense wax
candle, followed the body to the centre of the
church, where it was deposited, and the doors
were closed."
Free-masonry is expressly forbidden by the
laws of Portugal, and the same prohibition ex
tends to the colonies ; there are, however, se
veral masonic societies in Bahia, as well as in
the other cities of Brazil, but they conduct
themselves with the greatest possible secresy,
and have as yet established no regular lodges.
The soil in most parts of this province, like
that of Brazil in general, is extremely rich and
fertile, and the climate is such as to ripen and
bring to perfection the united products of the
globe. The clergy, who have in all ages been
attentive to their own interests, here share with
the government the most valuable lands in the
neighbourhood of the city. Some of those be-*
longing to the crown have been appropriated to
charitable purposes. The most conspicuous
establishment of this nature is the hospital of
St. Lazarus, situated about a mile distant from

252 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
the fort. This building, which is very exten
sive, is chiefly intended for the reception of
lepers. It was erected towards the conclusion
of the last century at the expence of the King
of Portugal, and is amply supported by the
produce of the grounds attached to it. It ap
pears to be well calculated to answer the pur
poses of its institution, as the patients enjoy the
full benefit of free air and water. These waters
are said to possess mineral qualities, which are
of great use in curing leprosy; but on what
ground this opinion rests I cannot determine,
since, to my knowledge, these waters have ne
ver been analyzed. The wings of this building
are appropriated to the male patients, and the
centre reserved entirely for females, who are
rigorously kept apart from the men. The
ground-floor is occupied with the offices, apart
ments for the attendants, and a number of con
venient baths. Above are the different wards,
which are roomy, well ventilated, and kept
extremely clean.
A small neat church belonging to the charity
is built on an eminence at a short distance from
the hospital, and the adjoining grounds and
plantations appear to be attended to with con-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 253
siderable care. The pepper-shrub, which was
imported from India, and the culture of which
was prohibited by the mistaken policy of the
Portuguese government, continues to be planted
here, and grows most luxuriantly. Besides all
the fruits, vegetables, and grain, peculiar to
their climate, they successfully cultivate a con
siderable quantity of European wheat.
St. Lazarus, which is under the immediate
patronage of the governor, is superintended by
a Portuguese 'gentleman, who deserves much
praise for the activity, order, and industry,
which he has introduced into every department
of this extensive establishment.
This province is in general well cultivated,
and abounds with many large plantations, the
owners of which employ from two to three
hundred slaves, with a proportionate number
of horses in their sugar works. Many of these
planters have realized large fortunes, and built
for themselves elegant mansions, with chapels
adjoining. Here they reside with their fami
lies, except during the rainy season, when they
repair to the city.

254 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
The natural productions and animals in the
province of Bahia are similar to those in the
other captainships.
Nitre (nitrum nativum) is found in great
abundance towards the south-west of the pro
vince ; it is said to be of the best quality, and,
if properly attended to, might furnish a profita
ble article of commerce.
In Caxeira, another district of Bahia, a piece
of native copper, weighing 2,666 "pounds, was
found several years ago. It was transmitted to
the Royal Museum at Lisbon, and far exceeds
in size the specimens contained in any other
European cabinet.
From Bahia there was also brought, nearly
about the same period, a specimen of globular
iron mineral,* with balls of various sizes, from
two lines to half an inch. From this mine,
besides the iron, ready formed balk for mus
kets and ordinance might be extracted.
The woods in the interior parts of Bahia,
especially towards Tapagippe, are loaded with
f Minera ferri sub-aquosa globosa, Wall-Min?

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 255
bees' nests. These nests, or hives, consist of a
ponderous shell of clay, cemented similarly to
martins' nests, swelling from high trees about a
foot thick, and forming an oval mass full two
feet in diameter. When broken, the wax is
arranged as in our hives, and the honey very
abundant; but this latter substance is here little
valued, sugar being so plentiful. The wax is
also neglected by the Brazilians; the supplies
of that article being very great from their
African colonies.
In this province there are, several little trading
towns beside the capital ; the chief of these are
Jagoaripe, Amor Jacobina, Do Sitio, St. Fran
cisco, and Cachoeira. The last of these places
is pleasantly situated on the banks of a small
river, about fourteen leagues from Bahia. It
is here that the produce of the gold mines of the
north centres, and for the space of about ninety
leagues round the country, is highly cultivated
and planted with tobacco. Though most of
the captainships furnish a small quantity of this
plant: it is in the province of Bahia alone that
it is become of consequence as an article of
commerce. About forty years ago the stagnation of the

256 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
exportation of tobacco, on account of the enor
mous duties imposed upon it in Portugal, was
severely felt in this province, when the govern
ment found it necessary to lighten them, on which
this trade recovered its former vigour. Besides
that, which, previous to the recent changes,
ysed to be exported to the mother-country ; a
considerable quantity of inferior tobacco is
annually sent to the African coast, fox which
they receive various articles in return.
Tobacco, Brazil wood, and the produce of
the gold and diamond mines were wholly mono
polized by the crown ; and from the probable
estimates given by different writers on the sub
ject of Portuguese finance, the revenue they
derived from these articles was very considera
ble. So carefully, however, was this subject
guarded from all inquiry, that it was impossible
to attain a knowledge of the exact amount.
Though the trade of Bahia is not equal to
that of Rio de Janeiro, it is nevertheless con
siderable ; which, however, is rather imputable
to its local advantages than to the industry of
the inhabitants.
Before the irruption of the French into Por-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 257
tugal, the principal trade of Bahia was carried
on directly with Lisbon and Oporto. Above
fifty large vessels vlete employed in this trade,
which supplied the colony with European ma
nufactures, as well as various other commodities,
such as wine, flour, butter, cheese, &c. In
return they are freighted with tobacco, lignum-
vitae, mahogany, and various other woods, both
for useful and ornamental works ; coffee, sugar,
cotton, a variety of medicinal roots, gums, and
balsams, dyeing woods, and an ardent spirit
distilled from the juice of the cane mixed with
molasses, but different in flavour from rum. , , V
/
We have elsewhere noticed that the shops in
Rio are filled with Manchester fabrics of dif
ferent kinds ; several of these are likewise to be
found at St. Salvador ; but the printed cottons
most commonly in use here are extremely coarse,
and chiefly of Lisbon manufacture.
The colonial trade of Bahia is also very con
siderable. A great number of vessels of about
two hundred and fifty tons burden are employed
in it. They are loaded at Bahia with rum,
sugar, earthenware, British, and German goods,
salt, &c. These cargoes are mostly disposed of

258 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
in a contraband traffic with the Spaniards of
Maldonado, and Montevideo,'and for which they
are paid in silver. They bring home with them
salt beef and hides. The beef, on their return,
is sold by retail at about two vintims a pound
to the poorer class of the inhabitants, as well as
for the use of the slaves, and for victualling
the shipping. v
The inland trade, notwithstanding the indo
lence of the colonists, is also very considerable.
Near a thousand, launches and other small craft
are constantly arriving in the bay with the va
rious productions of the interior of their own
and the adjoining captainships. These chiefly
consist of tobacco, cotton, and drugs of various
kinds, from Cachoiera, rum and oil from Ita-
porica, wood of different kinds from the pro-
vince of Ilheos, salt fish from Porto Seguro ;
cotton, maize, sugar, fire-wood, &c. from the
adjacent woods and rivers ; and vegetables from
the more immediate confines of the bay.
The cotton, Which here forms an important
staple of trade, after being landed, is deposited
in a warehouse appropriated to the purpose,
where it is sorted, weighed, and made up into

r HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 259
bales for exportation. The different qualities
are marked on the outside of these packages ;
and they remain in the, warehouse till they are
disposed of.
This spirit already mentioned as being dis
tilled from the juice of the cane, is in the hands
of an exclusive company, and consequently bears
an enormous price.
Foreigners of all nations were expressly pro
hibited from any kind of participation in the
trade of Brazil : they were not even allowed
to ship colonial produce in Portuguese bottoms.
Such unjust and impolitic restrictions and mo
nopolies, while they deadened industry, and
shackled the fair trader, opened a wide field
for smuggling. Hence a great quantity of Bri_
tish commodities were poured into Bahia and
the other ports of Brazil by the Lisbon traders ;
which even the severe laws, inflicting a heavy
fine upon the captain engaged in shch trade, and
transportation to Africa for three years, could
not wholly prevent.
Notwithstanding the large quantity of specie
in circulation, a great part of their commerce is
s2

260 HISTORY OF BRAZIL
conducted by barter. The Bahians are accused
by some writers of practising a mean and knavish
cunning in their mercantile dealings, especially
with strangers, from whom, it is affirmed, they
frequently ask double the price they will take;
while, on the other hand, they endeavour to un
dervalue, by every artifice in their power, the
articles offered to them in exchange. In a
word, they are represented as being, with a few
exceptions, wholly devoid of the feelings of ho
nour, and destitute of that common sense of rec
titude which ought to regulate every transaction
between man and man.
Except tanning of leather, manufactures of
every kind were expressly prohibited ; and so
strictly was this absurd law enforced, that a few
years ago a cotton-spinner, who lately attempted
to establish one near St. Salvador, was sent to
Europe, and his machinery destroyed.
The coast round Bahia abounds with whales :
only a few large boats are, however, employed
in this fishery ; and the oil procured from those
which are thus caught is by no means equal to
the consumption ; consequently it bears a high
price, When speaking on this subject, in treat-

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 261
ing of Rio de Janeiro, we observed that the
whale fishery might be extended with profit
and advantage, not only along the whole coast
of Brazil, but also to the high seas and Cape
Verde. In conformity with this idea, some of
the Bahian merchants, more than usually enter
prising, have lately 1)egun to send out vessels on
the same plan as the British, to carry on the
boiling on board, which will soon reduce the
price of oil, and, if carried to a greater extent,
produce a sufficient quantity to form a valuable
article of exportation.
The labour of workmen, as well as timber
and other articles for ship-building, is much
cheaper in Bahia than at Rio de Janeiro; but
the difficulty of obtaining permission to repair
and provision vessels is, if possible, greater here
than in this last port.
The port-charges, and other incidental ex- ;
pences incurred by each vessel, men of war and <
king's packets excepted, on entering any of the L
Brazilian harbours, are enormous *, and very!
frequently occasion disputes between the cap-
* See Appendix.

262 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
tains and the authorities of the place at which
they have put in.
It is probable, however, that these impolitic
exactions will in a short time be wholly removed,
from the political changes that have occurred
in this extensive colony ; at least the appoint
ment of British consuls and residents at . the
different ports will not leave the stranger
wholly at the mercy of the insolent minions of
office, without the possibility of obtaining the
slightest redress. On the arrival of any Bri
tish merchant vessel, six custom-house officers
are put on board under pretence of preventing
any contraband traffic ; and to each of them the
captain or master is obliged to pay 5s. 4d. pel"
day, which in a short time amounts to a con
siderable sum. Not, however, content with
these and other equally vexfttious impositions,
even the cargoes of those ships which the
proper officers, after a formal survey, have
declared it to be impossible to repair without
unloading, are only suffered to be landed under
the immediate inspection of the guard di mor,
and a clerk of the custom-house : but the
liberty of selling any part of such cargoes, in
order to defray the necessary expences, cannot

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 263
, /
be obtained. These illiberal and impolitic, re
gulations have been more strictly enforced than
usual within the few last years, in consequence
of a recent order from Portugal — that, in such
cases, a sufficient quantity of goods must, be
taken from the vessel . and sent to Lisbon for
sale, out of which the original debt, freight to
Europe, and other expences are to be deducted,
and the overplus, whatever might be its amount,
returned to the owners in Britain.
As few masters of ships are provided with
letters of credit on this country, the embarrass
ment and delays which those vessels experience
when compelled by distress, or accidents of any
kind, to seek refuge in the Brazilian ports, are
incalculable. Similar forms and delays are observed through
out the coast, of Brazil ; even at Riode Janeiro,
where the treatment of foreigners was formerly
more liberal, they have for these few last years
been enforced with equal rigour. These
general measures of extreme severity are re
garded by some writers to have proceeded front
political hatred, and to have had for their object
the destruction of British commerce. What-

264 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
ever may be thought of the justness of these
speculations, if gratitude have anyplace among
crowned heads, or even a proper sense of their
own interest, the British must henceforth be
received in Brazil as a favoured nation.
The Bahians are permitted to import their own
slaves, which they mostly obtain from Angola
and Benguela. These negroes, particularly the
Bengueleze, are a docile, active, and hardy
race. On the arrival of the slave-ships the
streets and squares of the city are crowded with
purchasers, proceeding to examine those un
fortunate beings who are exposed to sale at the
doors of the different merchants to whom they
belong. The usual price given for each slave
is about thirty pounds. Besides slaves, they
also bring home from their African colonies
wax, gold-dust, and various other articles, for
which they give, in exchange, coarse printed
cottons, spirits, and tobacco.
The impress service, which must always, in
whatever country it is practised, be regarded as
a direct violation of the rights of humanity, is
here carried on with a degree of brutality truly
shocking. They do not, as in Britain, employ

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 265
sailors in this business; but parties of the mili
tary, wearing their side arms, are dispersed
through the city and along the coast, to surprise
any poor seamen who fall in their way. Having
no feeling, in common with the objects of their
search, they in general execute their commis
sion with callous indifference, not to say the
most deliberate cruelty.
The valuable islands of Itaporica and Str
Paul's is included in the captainship of Bahia.
The morro of St. Paul's, which is seen at a con
siderable distance, is a rugged hill covered with
verdure, on the extreme point of which stands
a ruinous fort, producing a picturesque
effect. After passing the point, in the run from
Bahia, the land forms a small deep bay, the
water of which is still and transparent. The
capital of the island is a miserable place, con
sisting of mud-huts, forming a striking con
trast with the beauty of their situation, which is
on the side of the hill. .
A fort, garrisoned with about a hundred or a
hundred and fifty soldiers, guards the landing;
and a governor resides in it, whose jurisdiction
extends over several small villages in the vi
cinity.

266 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
The shores of this island are bold, and de
scribed by some mariners as resembling those of
St. Helena, About three leagues to the south
ward of the Spaniard's point (Point des Castil-
lianos) a reef of sunken rocks extends to a con
siderable distance, which frequently prove fatal
to vessels navigating near them. Most of our
charts being defective south of Bahia, our
most experienced sailors consider it extremely
dangerous to approach nearer than within half
a degree of this coast.
The Island of Itaporica, which occupies one
side of the Bay of All-Saints, is still more ro
mantic and beautiful than even that of St.
Paul's. The ground is every where broken into
hill and dale ; the shore is covered with numer
ous cottages, and over the higher grounds are
scattered various seats and plantations belonging
to the more opulent inhabitants. The principal
town of the Island, which also bears the same
name, is the general rendezvous of all the small
vessels which pass through the numerous creeks
and inlets of this part of the bay. It is more
populous than might be expected, and carries
on a considerable trade. St. Thomas is a
beautiful village, where a great quantity of
farinhais prepared.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 267
The military establishment in this province
is on the same footing as in Rio de Janeiro, and
the other captainships of Brazil. The govern
ment is particularly strict, especially in St.
Salvador and the other cities, in having all the
young men enrolled either to serve in the regu
lars or in the militia. No rank, however high,
is deemed sufficient to exempt them ; even the
Portuguese, as soon as they land, are liable to
the same law while they remain in the colony,
though they may "he already enrolled to serve in
the mother-country. Being a member nf the
holy office does not even appear to afford a
sufficient protection.

268 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.

CHAPTER XII.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROVINCES OF PARA, MARAG-
NON, SIARA, RIO GRANDE, PARAIBA, TAMARACA,
FERNAMBUCCA, SEGERIPPA DEL HEY, AND RIO
DAS VELHAS — MANNERS OF THE INHABITANTS 
TRADE  MANUFACTURES — MILITARY ESTABLISH
MENT, &C. &C.

We have already mentioned that the trade
between Brazil and Europe is chiefly carried on
by three principal points ; viz. Rio de Janeiro,
Bahia, or the Bay of All Saints, and Grand
Para. The captainship of Grand Para is the most
northern of any of the Portuguese settlements
in Brazil. Belem, the capital, is situated on
the banks of the Amazon, and defended by a
strong fortress, named Notre Dame de las Mer-
ces, erected at the mouth of the River de
Muja, which forms the Port of Para. This

HISTORY OF BRAZIL.' 269
port is difficult of access, from the currents
which run in different directions, and which are
occasioned by a multitude of small islands,
rendering the navigation of ships slow and uncer
tain. But when once they get into the harbour,
they anchor in a muddy bottom, with four, five,
or six fathoms of water. The canal which
leads up to it grows, however, more shallow
every day, and in a short time it will not be
navigable, if, as it must be supposed, the
waters continue to deposit as much earth as they
have done for the last century.
The foundation of Belem, which is situated
at about twenty leagues from the sea, was laid
in 1615 by Francis Caldeira. It stands on a
spot of ground which rises about thirteen feet
above the level of the sea, and for a long time
afforded only a mart for the articles collected by
the wandering Indians in the neighbourhood,
such as the wild cocoa, vinilla, tortoise and
crab-shells, sarsaparilla, different kinds of bal
sams, cotton, &c.
The population of Belem amounts to about
ten thousand souls. The same indolence, super
stition, and ignorance which characterise the

270 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
j Portuguese in general are evident among the
\ inhabitants of this city, though an equal degree
of luxury does not prevail here as in the capi
tals of the more southern captainships. Another
j circumstance, which has tended to modify the
i character of the Parabians, is that negro slavery
: was introduced among them at a later period
than in most of the other captainships.
Too poor to purchase these devoted victims of
injustice and tyranny, they were long forced to
content themselves with what feeble assistance
they derived from the natives, who were longer
kept in a state of subjection in the northern
parts of Brazil than in the captainships towards
the south.
I In 1755 an exclusive company was appointed
! for Grand Para and Maragnon, possessing a
capital of about £ 125,000. Count d'Oyeras
was at the head of this monopoly. It was per
mitted to gain fifteen per cent, exclusive of all
expences, on articles of provisions, and to sell
its merchandize at forty-five per cent, more
than they would have cost even at Lisbon.
This company was also empowered to make its
own price for what provisions were furnished

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 271
by the districts subject to its jurisdiction. These
unjust and extraordinary privileges were grant
ed to this company for twenty years, after which
period they could be renewed by application to
the government of Portugal. It is easy to con-(
ceive the tendency which such a company must
have had in paralizing the efforts of the colo-|
nists; and, in fact, it was not until 1778, at
which period they were relieved from the op
pression necessarily attending these exclusive
privileges, that the colony began to exhibit any
signs of prosperity.
The principal commodities received from
Para are sugar, which is prepared in more than
thirty ingenios, or sugar-houses, in the interior
of the district, coffee, cocoa, and Brazil wood,
particularly that species called by the Portu
guese burapemina, which is beautifully veined,
and from which an odoriferous oil is extracted ; j
the bark is also burnt as a perfume.
The productions of this province are simjilar
to those of the captainships already described.
From the bark of a tree, called arariba, which
is very common in the neighbourhood of Para,
ihe inhabitants extract a fine purple colour.

272 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
which is said to be extremely permanent. A
new species of puchar'i, or precious fruit, is also
met with in this division of Brazil. It does
not attain to such a large size as the common
kind ; but the fruit is more aromatic, and forms
an excellent substitute for nutmegs. The real
jalap tree (convolvulus jalappa) abounds in
Para ; as well as various kinds of contrayerva
(dprstenia contrayerva), and many other medi
cinal plants.
Brazil abounds with gums of different kinds,
well calculated to supply the place of gum ara-
bic : the jutuicisica of Para is well calculated
for making sealing-wax.
Several parts of Para abound with yellow
ochres (ochraferri) which is frequently inter
mixed with a red ochre, of as brilliant a colour
as vermillion.
White argil (argilla bolus alba), called by
the colonists tabatinga ; and likewise red bole
(argilla bolus rubra) is very common in differ
ent parts of the province.
The animals in this province are similar to

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 273
those in the other districts of Brazil. For
merly the sale of the flocks which grazed in
the Island of Maraja was one of the principal
resources of this colony; but at present the
number of oxen are greatly diminished.
A large species of silk-worm (phalena atlas),
whose ball is three times the size of the com
mon silk-worm's, is found in great plenty in
Para. It feeds on the leaves of the orange
trees, and the silk produced by it is of a dark
yellow colour. Were this species cultivated
with care, the silk obtained from them might
prove a profitable article of commerce. The
people of Minas Geraes have already set them
the example, so far as regards the common silk- .
worm. Forty leagues from Para, on descendingxthe
river of the Amazons, is a large tongue of land
formed into several islands, the largest of which,
that of Joannes, is very populous, and defended
by a small fort. These isles belong to different
Portuguese nobles, and have the title of baronies.
A league and a half from the city stands the
town of St. Georges dos Alamos, with a regular
fortress. About forty leagues from the borders
T

274 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
of the river is another town, named Camuta,
with the fort of Gurupa: along the river are
the forts of Paru, which the French took and
destroyed in the year 1698, of Tapergos, and
Rio Negro. To the north, the Province of
Para is terminated by Cayenne ; on this side
it is limited by the north cape, where stands the
Fort of Cumanha, opposite that of Camon and
that of Dos Aragoariz. In this province are
four cities or towns ; viz. Para, St. Georges dos
Alamos, Camonta, and Cahete, and about fifty
thousand inhabitants : the government of Para
is dependent on that of Maragnon.
The Portuguese formed new establishments
on the Rio Negro, where they discovered
diamond and gold mines : in 1766, four hundred
soldiers and marines were sent from Lisbon, as
well as workmen of all kinds ; and several fami
lies were tempted, by the great encouragement
offered them, to join this expedition, with the
view of settling in this part of Brazil.
During war with any nation which may be in
possession of Guiana, this district would be
much exposed to invasion from that quarter. Its
great distance from Bahia, and rven from Para

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 275
and Maragnon, renders it next to impossible
for these provinces to afford it the necessary aid
to repel an invading foe.
The new colony of Rio Negro was extremely
ill-conducted by Francois Xavier de Mendoza,
Minister of Marine. Sufficient advantages,
indeed, have not yet been derived from this fine
country,from the improper steps taken to colonize
it. It is true that the population of this dis
trict has been augmented by many families who
have been forced to abandon Guiana, from the
bad success of the establishments attempted by
France in the year 1764, along the banks of the
Courou. It is a melancholy truth that coloni
zation which, if conducted with wisdom and
benevolence, might prove a blessing to mankind,
has in' general not only proved ruinous to those
unfortunate individuals who, attracted by the
love of gain, or driven from their country by
the pressure of want, have sought an asylum
in those new establishments.
The captainship of Maragnon is separated
from that of Para on the north by the River of
Tocautines. t2

276 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
The Portuguese were driven upon this pro
vince by a storm in 1535, but did not form any
settlement till 1599. The French, who invaded
this colony in 1612, kept possession of it from
that period till 1615, when it was wrested from
them by the Dutch, from whom the Portu
guese again recovered it in 1644.
Before it was visited by the Portuguese, the
chief employment of the savages was collecting
the ambergrease which abounds on this part of
the coast; and this likewise became the occupa*
tion of the first European settlers.
For many years after the re-settlement of the
Portuguese, Maragnon continued in a very
languishing state, till some of the more enter
prising colonists began to cultivate cotton,
which is said to be superior to any other raised
in the New World. For several years past, rice
(oryza mutica* ) has also been cultivated to a
considerable extent, though it is inferior to
Levant rice, and even to that produced in North
America. * This species of rice, which is natural to Brazil, differs
from the oryza sativa, in not being furnished with awns,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 277
Several attempts were lately made to produce
silk in this colony ; but either from the unfitness
of the climate, the improper methods employed
in the management of the insects, or from some
other cause, the project has proved wholly
abortive. The same want of success has not,
however, attended the culture of indigo, as the
numerous plantations of this valuable vegetable
are in a flourishing condition, and promise
amply to remunerate the proprietors. The finest
Brazil arnotto is also brought from this dis
trict. The Island of St. Louis constitutes that part|
of the province of Maragnon, which is by far j
the most populous. It is twenty-six leagues in ;
circumference, extremely fertile, and only sepa- I
rated from the continent by a small river.
The capital, which is also- named St. Louis,
was built by the French in 1612. The only
public building it contains worthy of notiee is
the Episcopal Palace, the houses in general
being ill-built and inconvenient. This town is
defended by a citadel and several forts, and is
the residence of the governor-general of the
three northern provinces. All the trade of the .

278 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
island is transacted here ; the harbour is capa
cious, but might be greatly improved by art.
I The population of the island is estimated at
about fifteen thousand souls. The plantations
are not here equally flourishing with those on the
continent, particularly on the banks of the rivers
Ytapicorie, Mony, &c.
Towards the eastern part of the interior of the
province, the natives have not yet been reduced
to complete subjection. This part of the
country, which is elevated and of a sandy soil,
is principally inhabited by shepherds. The
surface of the ground, which is covered with
saltpetre, is altogether appropriated to rearing
horses and horned cattle, which are sold to con
siderable advantage in the neighbouring coun
tries; but the sheep degenerate there as well
as in the other parts of Brazil, except in the
Coritibe. Unfortunately, the too frequent
droughts, and the excessive heats, often
destroy whole flocks, when sufficient attention
is not paid to lead them in time to distant pas
tures. Mines of sulphur, alum, copperas, iron, lead,

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 279
and antimony, are extremely common, though
very superficial in these mountains, and yet none
of them have been opened. In 1572, permis
sion was indeed granted to work a silver one,
which had been discovered three or four years
before ; but the court soon after retracted this
permission, for reasons that were never fully
explained. This government consists of eight thousand
nine hundred and ninety-three white men, seven
teen thousand eight hundred and forty-four
negroes, or free mulattoes, and slaves; and of
thirty-eight thousand nine hundred and thirty-
seven Indians, either scattered or assembled
in ten villages. The exports have not as yet
been equal to this degree of population. Their
value has never been estimated at more thans
£ 29,000. ; but" since the suppression of the
company already mentioned, it is presumeable
they must every year become more considerable.
The ecclesiastical, the military, and civil
establishment of Maragnon, are on the same
footing as those in the other captainships of
Brazil. In matters of consequence, however,
this province, as well as that of Grand Para,

280 HISTOR* OF BRAZIL.
is allowed to appeal directly to the mother-
country, without being obliged to appear before
the two intermediate tribunals of Bahia and
Rio de Janeiro.
The captainship of Siara contains about ten
thousand souls, and carries on very little com
merce. The harbour, which bears the same
name, can only be entered by small barks ; it is
defended by a small fortress, containing a garri
son of about 100 or 150 men.
The next captainship is that of Rio Grande.
The capital of this province, which is termed
Natalia, is situated half a league from the
harbour, and is defended by the fortress Dos
Santos Reyes, which is one of the strongest in
Brazil. The river originates in a lake, which is ten
leagues in circumference, and from which the
finest pearls in Brazil are obtained.
Besides the capital, this captainship contains
two other towns of some consideration ; the
first, Parantiba, is well fortified and garrisoned
to pievent a surprise from the Indians, who are

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 281
extremely numerous in the neighbourhood ; the
other, Cuhuna, is also a place of some strength.
The laws, customs, civil, and military establish'-
ment of this province, as well as its natural
productions, are precisely similar to those of
the other northern captainships ; its population
is estimated at twelve thousand souls.
The captainship of Paraiba was bestowed,
by John III on the celebrated Historian de
Barros ; but he was compelled to restore it to
the government after having nearly ruined him
self by his unsuccessful attempts to colonize it.
The capital, Nuestra Sennora de la Nevas,
was built at the expence of the king. It stands
near the river Paraiba, at the mouth of which
is the harbour. A handsome custom-house has
been erected near it, and a pentagonal fort,
named St. Catherine, which defends the entrance
into this harbour. Seven or eight ships, of about
250 tons burden, used annually to enter this
port from the mother-country, loaded with dif
ferent articles for the use of the colony. Their
homeward-bound cargoes consisted chiefly of
sugar, more of which is raised in the northern
captainships than in those of the south, especially

282 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
since the discovery of the gold mines, which
'j have rendered the inhabitants of these last dis-
,, tricts more negligent respecting the improvement

ft of their plantations. There* are twenty-one
I sugar-houses in this province, and the sugar
manufactured in them is said to be superior to
any other in Brazil.
Besides sugar, they also export dying woods,
several sorts of drugs, and other valuable com
modities, and it is generally allowed that these
northern captainships are the most populous,
and the inhabitants in very easy circumstances,
though no mines have yet been wrought in these
i parts. The capital is computed to contain
nearly four thousand souls, and the province
about twenty thousand.
The captainship of Tamaraca is composed of
the island of that name, and seven leagues of
coast. It is not known at what time, nor to whom
Tamaraca had been granted; but it reverted to
the crown soon after the elevation of the house
of Braganza ' -'> the throne of Portugal.
• ix
Tfee capital, termed Nuestra Sennora de la

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 283
Conception, is built on the declivity of a hill
near the middle of the island. In this island,
which is formed by the river of St. Francis,
there are three sugar -houses. In none of the
districts of these regions do the plantations of
sugar-cane flourish in such luxuriance as in the
plains of Tamaraca, which are well watered and
the soil rich.
The coast is covered with plantations of cot
ton, and the mountains with horned cattle, great
numbers of which are slaughtered for the sake
of the hides. This district likewise furnishes a
great quantity of Brazil wood. On the main
land, near the coast, stands Goyara, a thriving
town comprehending three parishes. The popu
lation of this province is computed at ten
thousand. / I
The province of Fernambucca comprehends a;
line of coast of the extent of sixty-five leagues.'
Thecapital, Olinda, was re-built by the Portu
guese, after it had been demolished by Count
Maurice. It occupies a commanding situation,
being built on the side of a hill near the sea ;
but from the nature of the ground, the streets
are uneven and particularly inconvenient. Some

284 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
*of the houses are tolerably handsome, and the
city is greatly ornamented by some elegant foun
tains. It contain! about twelve thousand inha
bitants, and a garrison' of two battalions, one
of which, however, is commonly stationed in the
'City of Receif.
The Dutch remained masters of this province
from 1624 till 1654, at which period they were
expelled from it by the inhabitants.
Count Maurice of Nassau, during his re
sidence in Brazil, greatly embellished the cities
of Olinda, and St. Antoine du Receif, otherwise
called Mauriceburg. In this last city he erect
ed a magnificent palace, and surrounded it with
gardens, which displayed at once the taste and
opulence of the owner. The harbour admits
large vessels, and is defended by several for
tresses. Fernambucca is a fertile province, and for
merly contained above a hundred sugar-planta
tions, extensive forests, well cultivated fields,
and a great profusion of the most delicious
fruits. It formerly produced, at every return,
more than fifteen thousand chests of sugar, but
at present it scarcely furnishes four thousand.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 285
The population of this province was, several
years ago, including negroes, people of colour
and Indians, estimated at about ninety thousand;
but since this period many families have emi
grated to Paraguay, Peru, and Chili. This
emigration has principally arisen from the em
barrassments occasioned by the debts with
which this province is loaded. Besides the
capital, it contains the cities of Igaracu, Serin-
ham, or Villa Fermosa, Porto- Calvo, Alagoas
del Norte, St. Antoine de Rio Grande, Alagoas
from the south, and Penedo upon the River St.
Francis, which terminates this province to the
south, as the Island of Tamaraca terminates it
on the north.
The Island of Fernando de Noronha, which
lies at the distance of fifty leagues from the
coast of Fernambucca, is nevertheless included
under the jurisdiction of this captainship. The
Portuguese, after having for many years desert
ed this island, returned to it in 1738; and under
the persuasion that the French East India Com
pany intended to take possession of it, erected
seven strong forts for its defence. These forts
are provided with artillery, and garrisoned
with regular troops, which are relieved every
six months.

286 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
A few exiles, a small number of indigent
mestees, and the Indians employed on the public
works, compose the whole of the inhabitants of
this island. No kind of plantations have ever
succeeded, though the soil is good, on account
of the dryness of the climate ; whole years
frequently elapsing without any-rain.
From December till April turtles constitute
the only food of the inhabitants ; after this period
they disappear, and leave them solely dependent
on the provisions sent from the continent.
There are two very good harbours in the
island, where ships of any size may ride in
safety, except during the prevalence of north
and west winds.
j The captainship of Segerippa del Rey, con
tains about twenty thousand souls, twenty-five
manufactories of sugar, tobacco, leather, &c;
it also abounds with horned cattle. Besides
St. Christopher, the capital, it contains four
other cities or towns, the most considerable of
which are St. Amaro das Brotas, and Villa
Real do Piagui. Its ports do not admit large
vessels, which proves a great drawback on its
commerce.

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 287
The captainship of Rio das Velhas, whiph
lies to the south of Bahia, has for its capital
the City of St. George, defended, as well as its
port, by two forts. The cities belonging to this
district are Cairu and Cumana, the bar of which
is defended by a fort with four bastions ; it con
tains more than twenty thousand souls, and is
extremely rich and fertile : its principal trade
consists in grain, with which it supplies Bahia,
and other parts of Brazil. ¦-- •"¦¦>
Besides the captainships already described,
which are situated along the coast, there are
three others, extending from west to east, which
occupy the center of Brazil, and which have
been denominated, by way of eminence, the
mine regions.
The most important of these districts is
known by the name of Minas Geraes. Its
population, including Indians and slaves, is
reckoned to be about two hundred and fifty
thousand. Villa Rica is the name of the
capital. Joyas, the second of "those districts, of which
the capital is called Villa Boa, issaidto contain
a population of seventy-three thousand. :

288 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Matto Grosso, the only village of which is
Villa Bella, contains only a population of about
thirteen thousand souls. It is the most western
part of the Portuguese dominions. The subject
of the gold mines we have already treated of in
another part of the work, and shall now there
fore proceed to notice the most singular com
munity of Brazil.
The district of St. Paul lies at about thirteen
leagues distant from the ocean, under a mild
sky, and in the midst of a country capable of
bringing to perfection the productions of both
hemispheres. The capital, which also bears the name of
, St. Paul, was built in 1570, by those criminals
whom Portugal had transported to the shores of
the New World. Unable to submit to restraint,
these men sought refuge in the interior of the
country, where the laws could not reach them,
and resolutely determined to become their own
masters. The place fixed upon by them for their
new settlement, was in the midst of the vast
forests which overspread the mountains of
Parnabaccaba. This was at first overlooked, for the country

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 289
was judged to be of no great value ; and the
adjacent captainships were pleased ft) get rid of
such turbulent and lawless members.
In a few years, however, they became so for
midable as to create consi'Ienble alarm to the
government; for being join d by other indivw
duals, of desperate fortunes, both from the Por
tuguese and Spanish colonies, ' this new and ex
traordinary republic quickly increased from two
or three hundred to as many thousands ; and
being a bold, daring, and enterprising people,
they frequently traversed the whole extent of
Brazil in parties of eighty or a hundred men.
They also took care to fortify the defiles which
led to their territory.
These people were denominated Paulistsj
from the name of their capital. They acknow
ledged the sovereignty of the crown of Portu
gal, but w ithout submitting to its jurisdiction ;
and as the tyranny of the governors of Brazil,
and the oppression of the Spanish rulers in the
adjacent provinces, furnished this new state
with abundance of members, it at last be
came very difficult to gain admittance among
them. v

290 HISTORY OF BRAZIL,
Those who sought to become members of this
society were obliged to submit to a very strict
examination, lest they might intend to betray
it, on the bare suspicion of which they were
barbarously murdered ; as were those who
shewed any disposition to quit the settlement.
If, however, on examination it was supposed that
they would become useful members of the so
ciety, they had a dwelling and a portion of land
assigned them. They made no exception with
respect to country or complexion : to them a sa
vage was as welcome as an European ; and
every man, after his admission, was at liberty to
lead what kind of life he pleased, provided he
did not violate the laws and rules of the com
munity. These people, rejecting and despising the
mandates of the court of Portugal, were fre
quently engaged in a state of hostility with the
Portuguese; but the mountainous nature of their
country generally put it in their power to make
their own terms; but after the discovery of gold
mines in this country, it was considered of
so much importance, that the most strenuous
efforts were made for its reduction, which, after
a violent struggle, at last proved successful ;

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 291
and the city of St. Paul may now be considered
as the ceatre of the Portuguese mines.

The district of St. Paul is at present com
puted to contain between 40,000. and 50,000,
souls, including Indians, negroes, and mulattoes.
The exports from this country are but trifling, and
consist chiefly of cotton. The inland trade is
confined to furnishing Rio de Janeiro with
flour and salt provisions. From some partial
trials, it has been found that flax and hemp
might be cultivated with success and advantage
in the neighbourhood of St. Paul; but the gold
mines have hitherto occupied the attention of the
rulers of Brazil, to the almost total exclusion
of every useful or profitable speculation. Even
the valuable ion and tin minus in the moun
tains of Parnabaccaba are wholly neglected.
The removal of the Portuguese government
to Brazil was suggested so early as"the time of
the adnjin.itiP.tion of the Marquis de Pombal,
but relinquished with the cessation of (he dan
ger , which gave birth to it. Now that the
flight of this imbecile court has actually takjen
place, it becomes a subject of serious inquiry
u2

292 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
what effect will be produced by this political
change on the trade and manufactures of Great
Britain.

There are a set of men in this eountry who
seem disposed " to hope against hope," and
who dream that the Portuguese emigration will
afford a compensation for the loss which our
commerce has sustained in every other region of
the globe. That these expectations are in a
great measure delusive, we think must be ad
mitted by any one who takes a comprehensive
survey- of the political situation of the two coun
tries. We have already pointed out, in the fore
going part of this work, that owing to the un
just and rigorous monopoly of the mother coun
try, an extensive contraband trade prevailed
both in the Spanish and Portuguese settlements,
by which these colonies were supplied with
European commodities, besides those which
were directly received through the mother-
country. The only advantage which we can therefore

HISTORY OF BRAZIL. 293
derive from the emigration in question, is the
difference of profit between a regular and ille
gitimate traffic, which must be extremely
trifling, and far more than counterbalanced by
the conquest of Portugal by France ; for that
such must ultimately prove the case, recent
transactions but too plainly indicate.
Besides, we can only now receive Brazilian
produce in return for our commodities, instead
of the wines, &c. of Portugal, as formerly;
and unfortunately the chief part of this pro
duce, viz. Cotton and sugar, is not only use
less, but would materially interfere with the
interests -of our own West India colonies.
At the restoration of peace, when Brazil will
doubtless remain finally separated from the mo
ther-country, it is probable, that the state of
trade between that colony and England will re
vert nearly to its ancient footing, except that it
will be carried on without the intermedium of
Portugal. In this case, should a wise and liberal po
licy be adopted by the new government of

294 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
Brazil, an increased demand for European
manufactures must flow as a consequence from
the prosperity of that colony, and ultimately
produce the most beneficial effects on the com
mercial and trading interests of this country.

APPENDIX.

JMedical Hints for Europeans migrating
to Brazil.
Though the climate of Brazil may in general
be termed salubrious, yet most of those diseases
which are common to other warm regions pre
vail here in a greater or less degree.
It is not our intention, by the following re
marks, to supersede the necessity of medical
assistance, which should be early resorted to on
every urgent occasion, but merely to offer a few
hints by an attention to which individuals,
emigrating to Brazil, or other tropical climates,
may be enabled to ward off the attacks of disease,
or should they be assailed by them, to diminish
their influence and fatality.
It is extremely proper, as a matter of precau
tion, on approaching warm latitudes, especially

H96 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
when the habit is plethoric or robust, to lower
the system, by the occasional use of a mild
cathartic, and by losing ten or twelve ounces of
blood, more or less, according to circumstances.
After bleeding, if the individual be of a bilious
temperament, a gentle emetic of ipecacuanha
will frequently be found useful.
In every climate temperance may justly be
regarded as the parent of health ; but Europeans,
and the English in particular, too generally
vilify tropical climates, because they cannot in
dulge with impunity in that free mode of living
to which they had habituated themselves in
their own country. The utility of temperance
is strikingly illustrated by the greater aptitude of
the English to diseases of every kind than the
French, whose mode of life, when compared
with that of the former, is temperate and regular
in an uncommon degree.
The diet of Europeans, on their first arrival,
should consist in a great measure of vegetable
food; and they ought to be particularly careful
to avoid such articles as are of a heating or stimu
lant nature ; yet so powerful is the effect of habit,
that they not only continue the use of animal

APPENDIX. 297
food, but indulge in inebriating liquors, &c.
to the same excess as they had been accustomed
to do in their own temperate climates. It can
not, therefore, be too seriously inculcated^ on
the minds of those individuals thus circum
stanced, that if they would content themselves
with a moderate use of wine, and confine theni^
selves to fruits and vegetables, like the natives,
they might rely almost to a certainty on escap
ing the attacks of fevers, and numerous other
diseases, to which, by not adapting their mode
of living to their new situation, they frequently
fall victims.
Self command in the indulgence of sensual
gratifications is also a circumstance of great
importance towards the preservation of health
in- warm climates, as well as a strict attention to
avoid a current of air or moisture, particularly
when the body is heated by exercise.
The habit of retiring to rest at an early hour,
and rising betimes in the morning, is particularly
favourable to health in warm climates, as well
as cold-bathing, after which gentle exercise,
either on horseback or on foot, will prove par
ticularly salutary, and render the body less

298 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
susceptible of external impressions. Dancing
is an amusement which ought to be carefully
avoided by strangers on their first arrival in
tropical regions.
The regulation of the bowels is likewise an
object of importance, and with this view mild
gentle laxatives ought to be taken occasionally^
The dress of new settlers ought to consist of
thin woollen or cotton cloths, or other washing
materials. For the under garments, calico is
preferable to linen, as this last substance, when
moistened with perspiration, is apt to convey a
sense of dullness over the whole frame. They
ought also to be particularly Careful to change
their garments after being wetted with rain, or
having perspired profusely.
It is well known that swamps and marshes,
when acted on by the heat of the sun, exhale
noxious effluvia, which prove a prolific source
of intermittent and remittent fevers, <&c. espe
cially to Europeans lately arrived. Those
who are obliged by business to remain in such
situations during the day, ought at least, if pos
sible, to retire in the evening to a more elevated

APPENDIX. 299
part of the neighbourhood. When, however,
circumstances render this impossible, such pre
cautions should be adopted as will tend in some
measure to lessen the danger to which they
are unavoidably exposed. With this view, an
upper apartment should be chosen as a bed
chamber, and those windows fronting the marshy
ground, when the house is to the leeward, kept
shut, while those on the opposite side may
be suffered to remain open, to admit of a free
ventilation. By an attention to these few hints, experience
and observation warrant us to affirm, that Eu*
ropeans and new settlers would for the most part
escape those diseases to which, merely through
want of precaution, they so frequently fall
victims. EXCHANGE AND COIN OF BRAZIL.
As the exchange and coin of Brazil are very
complex to the unaccustomed traveller, atao'e
of each is annexed, premising that the imaginary
rea is used as well in Brazil as Portugal, and
that the table of exchange is calculated at the
rate of sixty-seven and a half, or 5s. 7|d. ster
ling- for the milrea.

300 HISTORY OF BRAZIL.
TABLE OF EXCHANGE.

Reas.

j£.

^.

d.

Reas.

£. s. d.

10 ..

0

0

Of

4,000 ..

12 6

20,..

0

0

H

5,000 ..

1 8 If

50 ..

0

0

H

6,000 ..

1 13 9

100

0

0

H

7,000 ..

1 19 4f

200 ..

0

1

if

8,000 ..

2 5 0

300 ..

0

1

81

9,000 ..

2 10 7

400 ..

0

2

3

10,000 ..

2 IS 3

500 ..

0

2

H

„ 20,000 ..

5 12 6

600 ..

0

3

H

3o,eoo ..

8 8 9

700 ..

0

3

»i

40,000 ..

11 5 0

800 ..

0

4

6

50,000 ..

14 1 3

BOO ..

0

5

oj

+ 100,000 ..

28 2 6

*1,0Q0 ..

0

5

71

500,000 ..

140 12 fj

2,000 ..

0

11

3

+ 1,000,000 ..

281 5 0

3,000 ..

0

16

101

'"

£. s. d.

Reas.

£. S. d.

Reas.

1000 0 0..

3,556,000

40 0 0 .

142,240

300 0 0..

1,778,000

30 0 0 .

106,680

400 0 0 . .

1,422,400

20 0 0.

71,120

300 0 0 ..

1,060,800

10 0 0 .

35,560

200 0 0 ..

711,

200

9 0 0.

32,004-

100 0 0 ..

355,600

8 0 0.

28,448

50 0 0 ..

177,800

7 0 0.

24,802

* Say a mill, or thousand rcas; two mill, three mill, &c.
+ A cem mill, or hundred thousand.
t Con tide* reas, era million.

APPENDIX.

mi
s£. s.
d.
Reas.
£.
s.
d.
Reas..
6 0
0 ..
21,336
0
5
0 .. *
889
5 0
0 ..
17,780
0
4
0 ..
711
4 0
0 ..
14,224
0
3
0 ..
533
3 0
0 ..
10,668
0
2
0 ,.
356
2 0
0 ..
7,112*
0
1
0 ..
178
1 0
0 ..
3,556
0
0
6 ..
89
0 10
0 ..
1,778
0
0
1 ..
1*
It thus appears that the Portuguese imagi
nary rea is used merely to express their cash by
round numbers, while we employ three terms of
figures for that purpose, viz. pounds, shillings,
and pence. TABLE OF COIN.
gold:
Rcas.
£.
s.
d.
A doWoon is 40 patackas or
12,800
.. 3
12
0
Hatf ditto 20
6,400
.. 1
16
0
Gold piece of 12$
. .
4,000
.. 1
2
6
Ditto--. 6i
2,000
.. 0
11
3
Ditto 3r and two vintins
1,000
.. 0
5
n
SILVEK.
\
Two patackas is 16
vintins or
640
.. 0
3
71
A patack . . 8
..
320
.. 0
1
9
Half ditto . . 4
..
160 ;
say 0
0
11
COPPER.
"
Two rintins
is
40
.. 0
0
U
One ditto
. . .
20
.. 0
0
H
302 HISTORY OF BRAZIL-"
The Spanish dollar circulates universally in
Brazil; but, by a singular custom, if paid by-
strangers, it passes at from 720 (4s. -|d. ) to
750 (4s. 2^d. ) reas only, while its value, if re
ceived from the Portuguese, is estimated at 800
reas, or 4s. 6d.; making a difference of 10 per
cent, loss to foreigners. Port Charges in Brazil.
The Port charges in Brazil to each vessel of
whatever dimensions, except men of war, or
king's packets, are
AT FERNAMBUCCA & BAHIA. Reas. £. s. d.
Pilotage entrance and departure. .. . 7,000 .. 1 19 4f
For entrance into, and.departure from
the ports  4,000 . . I 2 6
Anchorage, per diem  2,000 ..Oil "
Patri Mor, or harbour.master, per
diem  1 ,000 . . 0 5
Linguister (total)  2,000 .. 0 11 -¦
Six custom-house guards at 3 pa
tackas each per diem, eating at their
own cost while on board  5,760 . . 1 12 5
Guard de Mor, of tobacco, to ial .. . 3,200 .. 0 18 0
Ditto of Alfacdego, or custom-house 1,280 ..0 7 ,2

Forming a total first expence of ... . 17, li>0 . . 4 IS 4
Additional daily one  i,. S;76D ..2 9 3}

s.

</.

7

4

0

0

5

71

0

5

71

0

10

91

7

4

0

1

2

Oi

APPENDIX. 303
EXPENCES AT RIO JANEIRO. Reas. £
Entrance and exit, including pilotage 25,600 . ,
Linguister, daily  1,000 . .
Anchorage, ditto  1 ,000 . ,
Two guards, ditto  1,920 ..
First expence  25,600 . .
Daily one  3,920 . .
Table of Latitude Sf Longitude.
City of Belem, on the river Grao d. m. s. h. u. s.
Para, or Amazons  1 30 0 S. 48 30 0
Point of Tegioca  0 27 0 . . 48 8 0
Vilia Cahete  0 36 0 . . 46 50 0
Isle of St. John Evangelist  1 17 0 .. 44 14 6
Island Maranhao..  2 32 0 . . 43 40 0
RioParnaiba  2 40 0 . . 41 20 0
Siera  3 31 0 . . 38 23 0
Cape San Rocque  5 7 0..36 15 0
Rio Grande  5 17 0 . . 36 5 0
Barra do Paraiba de Nord  6 40 0 . . 35 30 0
City Olinda  8 2 0 . . 35 15 0
Receif, or port of Olinda and Fer-
uambucca  8 14 0 .. 35 15 0
Cape St. Augustine  8 26 0 .. 35 16 0
Port and villa Alagoas  9 55 0 . . 36 41 0
Rio San Francisco do Nord  10 58 0 . . 37 0 0
Rio Real  11 38 0 .. 3740 3

304 HISTORY OF BRAZIL. B. M. S. B. M. S.
Bahia, or San Salvador  13 0 0 .. 39 25 0
Morro of St. Paul  13 30 0 .. 39 55 0
Piuita dos Castellianos  14 0 0 . . 40 0 0
itio des Vclhas, or the Isles  14 45 0 . . 40 7 0
Porto Seguro  1 6 40 0 . . 40 12 0
Rio Carevellos  18 Q 0 . . 40 22 0
Banks of the Abrolhos  18 0 0 . . 38 50 0
Rio Doce  19 33 0 . . 40 26 0
Spiritu-Sancto  20 13 0 . . 40 30 0
Paraiba do Sul or Campos  21 37 0 . . 40 38 0
Cape St. Thomas  ...2151 0 . . 40 49 0
Cape Frio..  22 54 0 . . 41 35 0
Rio dc Janeiro  22 54 10 . . 42 39 45
Ilha Grande  .-. . . 23 22 0 . . 43 30 0
Ilha de St. Sebastian  23 45 0 .. 44 28 0
Santos  24 0 0 .. 45 16 0
vlgoape  24 34 0 . . 46 0 O
Cananea  24 58 0 . . 47 7 0
Tapacoera  26 44 0 . . 47 39 6
Rio San Francisco de Sul  26 0 O . . 47 42 0
Enseadas do Garoupas . . ,'  27 10 0 . . 47 47 0
N.rt.47 36 0
Island of St. Catherine. .. ...... 27 40 0 s.*t. 47 43 0
Rio do Lagoa or Grande  28 46 0 . . 47 46 0
Ararapgua  29 1 1 0 . . 48 5 0
THE END.

«. Clarke, Printer, Well-Street, ('riypk-^te.

3 9002

^te? ft.