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Brazil: its inhabitants, climate, and productions.
Francis H, Tintlenot.
K. X. : 1865.

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BRAZIL :j

IN.HABITANTS, CLIMATE,
AND PRODUCTIONS.

I-

FEANCIS H. TINTELNOT.

I>XTBX,lSIIE;r> BY THE ^TJTHOR
1865.

BRAZIL:

INHABITANTS, CLIMATE,
AND PRODUCTIONS.

FEANCIS H. TINTELNOT.

• ^m |0rli:
i»XTBr,IS"HEX) BY THE A.XTTHOE..
1865.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865,
By rEANCIS H. TINTELNOT,-
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern
District of New York,

NEW York;
EDWAKD 0. JENKINS, PHINTKE,
20 MOETH WILLIAM ST.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
Discovery of Brazil — Portuguese Settlements — Narrow Policy of the
Mother Country — Obstacles to Emigration — Independence of Brazil — ^Es
tablishment of the Empire — Policy of the Grovernment in Eegard to Em
igration — The Prejudices of the People the Main Obstacle to a Rapid
Emigration — The Emperor and the Empress — ^Eeligion, Religious Toler
ance — Church Festival — Population — Traits of Character of the Brazilians
— Absence of Crime — Averseness of the Brazilians to Manual Labor — Ed
ucation and Personal Appearance of the Ladies — Slavery in Brazil — Re
marks on the Institution — Free Negroes ; their Political Rights and Posi
tion in Society — Climate — Remarks on the Climate and Seasons — The Soil
of Brazil —Public Debt — Revenue — Tariff — Railroads, etc.

CHAPTER IL
Division of the Empire into Provinces — ^The Provinces of Amazonia
and Para —Population, Climate and Productions — Facilities of Water
Transportation — Fertility of Soil — The City of Para — Discription— Com
merce — The Provinces of Maranham, Piauhy, Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte,
Peira, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Sergipe do Rei — Observations on the
Provinces — Culture of Cotton — City of Pernambuco, its Commerce — Pro
vinces of Bahia and Espirito Santo — Commerce of Bahia — Exportation of
Sugar. CHAPTER III.
Provinces of Rio de Janeiro and Santo Paulo— Population— Productions
—Letter -of Robert G. Scott, Sr., Consul of the United States at Rio de
Janeiro— Coffee Plantations— The Mode and Cost of Transporting Coffee
to the Coast— Observations on the Coffee Tree— Increasing Consumption of
Coffee— European Emigrants on the Coffee Plantations— The Contracts
they make with the Owners of the Plantations— Coffee Culture— Sugar—

b CONTENTS.
Tea — Rice — Corn — Tapioca— Vegetables— Timber— Tropical Fruits—
Game— Birds- Domestic Animals— Diseases— Yellow Fever— Healthiness
of the Interior— Longevity— Simple Mode of Treating Diseases— The
Beverages of the Country : Coffee, Wine, Ale and Porter— Manufacture of
Rum and Whisky — Articles of Diet — Mea!l Hours.
CHAPTER IV.
Observations and Statistics on the Commerce of the Rio de Janeiro.
CHAPTER V.
Beauty of the Environs of Rio de Janeiro — Harbor — Passport Laws —
Custom House Regulations— Noise and Bustle about the Landing Places —
The City— Lack of Hotels— Streets— Splendor of the Shops— Fountains of
Freestone Water — Suburbs — Retail Prices of Provisions, etc. — The Pro
vinces of Santa Catharina and Santo Pedro do Sul — Observations on their
Climate, Fertility and Productions. CHAPTER VI
Description of the Interior Provinces, with Observations on Population,
Climate, Natural Resources, Productions, etc.
CHAPTER VII.— General Remarks.

BRAZIL

rrs

INHABITANTS, CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS.

CHAPTER 1.
The question is frequently asked — How is it that with so
fertile a soil, so fine a climate, with so much territory and so
great an amount of mineral wealth, that Brazil has not grown
more rapidly in population and political importance. The coun
try is compared with the United States in all these respects, and
is found to suflfer greatly by the comparison, but the true cause
of the difference is not generally understood.
Brazil was discovered, taken possession of, and portions of it
settled by the Portuguese in the early part of the sixteenth cen
tury. At first, they held the country in a low estimation, as
they did not realize their hopes of finding there large quantities
of the precious metals. But in after years, when the extreme
fertility of the soil became revealed, and when the introduction
of African slavery developed its agricultural resources, they began
to perceive its immense importance. So vigilant was the watch
kept over it, the country was held in fetters until the year 1825,
when it shook off its foreign yoke and became an independent
empire. From this recent period, therefore, we must date Brazil
in its career among other nations. For while under Portuguese
rule, not only was emigration discouraged and prohibited, but
Brazilians, Creoles and Portuguese settlers were submitted to the
closest surveillance whenever patriotism or generosity led them
to exert themselves for the advancement of the land of their
adoption. The impotent mother country could then only feel
secure in the possession of her colonies when they were re
tained in a still greater state of prostration than herself, l^ow
that these restrictions are removed and the unfettered govern
ment has become more liberal, granting to settlers tracts of land,
many an emigrant ship is speeding its way thither. Emigration,

8 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
however, falls very far short of what the great advantages of the
country would lead one to expect. The main obstacles to a
rapid ingress of population are to be found in the habits and
prejudices of the Brazilians. They lie in the disposition and
character of that people, such as they are, because of their race,
and such as they have been made by climate and the force of
circumstances. Manual labor is seldom performed by them, and
is almost considered disreputable.
It often happens that young Europeans, who come with letters
of introduction to some commercial house of Eio de Janeiro,
have to wait for weeks and months before any suitable employ
ment can be obtained. Now, should one of these become weary
of inactivity and express a desire to procure some occupation, 'no
matter of what kind, so that it be honest and profitable, he will
be advised to desist, on the ground of losing caste. He would
be reminded that he was not in the United States, etc. The
man who has amassed a fortune of twenty to thirty thousand'
dollars who tells you that he has made most of his property by
" hard licks," and boasts that he can split as many rails as the
stoutest of his menials, and that he is not ashamed to confess it,
you will not find there.
Few persons who live in prosperity and abundance will leave
their own country for the untried fortunes of a new one. Brazil
must look to the poorer class for the bulk of her emigrants ; let
labor become respected, let idleness cease to command premiums,
and emigration will increase tenfold. Mechanics, the most use
ful members of community, are there represented only by the
free negroes — lazy wretches whose efforts go no further than to
procure a supply of mandioca meal, fish and fruit ; and they are
the more respected' for their indolence. Under these circum
stances, the poorer emigrants can only feel comfortable and at,
ease, when they emigrate in considerable bodies and in some
pleasant and healthy locality form colonies. There, in a little
world of their own, with unchanged habits of industry, of life
and religion— they may dwell as pleasantly as in the old home
stead, and at the same time enter upon a career of wealth which
in their former homes was closed to them. Not always are
those countries the most wealthy and populous whose soil is
capable of sustaining the greatest populations. England does
not owe her millions of men, and billions of wealth, to°a pleasant
climate and fertile soil. Sicily was once the granary of Eome
now it swarms with beggars; and the Island of Corsica has
lately lost so much opulence and population by the very circum
stance of fine climate and fertile soil, that the authorities of the
island deliberated upon the propriety of cutting down the im
mense forests of chestnuts, whose fruit pandered to the laziness
ot the inhabitants.

CLIMATE AND TRODUCTIONS. 9
Brazil is a constitutional monarchy, founded upon the liberty
of the press and of speech. It has a Chamber of Deputies and a
Chamber of Senators to legislate, and an Emperor for an execu
tive. The first Emperor, Pedro I., was inaugurated in 1846.
After his expulsion, the senate deliberated whether the Imperial
form of government should not be changed to a Eepublic. To
the Senator Vergueiro the empire owed its preservation. His
son, who was an officer in the Prussian army, no sooner heard of
the troubles of his country than he hastened thither ; and being
a man of great talents and lofty ambition, he conceived plans to
seize the reins of government himself. His few thousand parti
sans were, however, soon dispersed, and his father's great political
influence was barely sufficient to obtain for him a pardon. From
that time he entered into agricultural and mercantile pursuits, in
which he was still engaged at the time I left his house, eight
years ago.
The present Emperor is a fine-looking man, not at all of the
Brazilian type. He has a fair complexion, light brown hair and
blue eyes. He is free from ostentation, shows himself at public
places with a small retinue, or is unattended. Unlike so many
sovereigns who consider that their dignity is best preserved by
reserve, he is very accessible. He is partial to foreigners, and
always disposed to give audience to such as have new inventions
to exhibit, and schemes of agricultural improvement to impart.
The Empress is a blonde; she has blue eyes and very prepos
sessing features.
The Catholic is the established religion of the land, but all
other religious sects are tolerated. There is an Episcopal church
at Kio de Janeiro and several other Protestant houses of worship
are scattered over the country. When the occasion so requires
it, Protestant foreigners are expected to, and generally do con
form to the customs of the land. For instance, on Church fes
tivals, when the effigies of the Apostles and the Virgin Mary are
carried through the streets, both Protestants and Catholics who
may happen to be on the side-walks, bow on their knees before
the saints, let the street? be ever so muddy. These processions are
the most magnificent pageants the country ever exhibits.
Directly after the church dignitaries, the images of saints, arrayed
in silks and laces, and blazing with jewels are borne on scaffolds
supported by the shoulders of church members. Next comes the
band — the best one the empire can muster — ^then the bearers of
wax torches, and finally the procession of ladies and gentlemen.
A truly graceful part of the show are the numbers of little girls
who flit up and down on the sides representing angels ; they are
from five to seven years old, and are chosen from among the
prettiest girls of the country. Their dresses are of blue and white
gauze, bespangled with gold and silver stars. On their heads are

10 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
worn garlands of orange Ijlossoms and their feet are encased in
white satin shoes. Ladies of the highest families often make a
vow to save the life of a friend, or to avert any calamity, to follow
the next procession, bare foot and bare headed. I have -seen as
many as fifty of these fair devotees together. They go at night,
as they could not follow a procession bare-headed in day time on
account of the sun. The most pleasant festival occurs about the
time of our Valentine's Day. At that time the restrictions of
society are so far removed, as to allow ladies and gentlemen to
make a comic war upon each other. The weapons employed are
balls of very strong silk paper of the size of a hen's egg, filled
with aromatic water. Now on that day some poor wight puts
his foot out of doors for a walk, or pokes his head through the
lattice over the balcony, for a snuff of fresh air ; presto ! dozens
of green and yellow balls will whiz about his ears, one will
perhaps strike his nose and another deluge his ruffles. Before a
fellow has walked a hundred steps he has become perfectly inde
pendent. His garments are then thoroughly saturated with the
perfumed water, and he will not care how often he is hit, pro
vided he can give his pretty friend a good drenching. I have
often wondered how the Brazilians can believe so blindly in
miracles performed by waxen hands and feet, or by water blessed
by their priests, when I remember the utter contempt in which
they hold their clergy. No other people in the world treat their
clergy so badly as the Brazilians. If seen on steamboats or in
public places, anywhere except at church, they are hooted and
jeered at, pulled and tossed about, and create about the same
sensation that an owl produces when he ventures in open day
light among a large flock of smaller birds.
The population of Brazil, according to the latest estimate, is
6,500,000, of which about one-fourth are whites, three-fifths
negroes and mulattoes, and the remainder Indians. The great
bulk of the whites are descended from the Portuguese. They are
generally smaller of stature and of a. more delicate fi-ame than
the Americans. They have dark eyes, black hair, and an olive
complexion. Their hands and feet are particularly small.
Many of the virtues and not a few of the vices peculiar to
Southern races have found in them the highest development.
There is not a more hospitable people on the globe. A letter of
introduction ensures the stranger a home for months, if he
desire it, and enables him to travel without expense in all the
districts where white men live. This circumstance explains the
.fact that there are hardly any places of public entertainment in
the empire. Eio de Janeiro, the capital and great commercial
emporium, a city of 225,00.0 inhabitants, has but one respectable
hotel.

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 11
The Brazilians are extremely polite, and prodigal of titles. The
common man is addressed by Vassa Merce (your honor), lUus-
trissimo Senhor (most illustrious sire). Vassa Senhorea (your
lordship) belongs to the better class, such as lawyers, physicians,
etc.; while Vassa Excellancia (your excellency) is given to all
judges, commanders, and mayors of towns, governors, etc. If
you express a liking for anything a Brazilian happens to have
about his person, such as a cane, a watch, or chain, he will often
tell you, £stat a sas ordems (it belongs to you), and will insist
upon your receiving it. But should it be an article of value,
good breeding demands that you should refuse. Even the
lowest of the whites are altogether free from that clumsiness and
embarrassment which the humbler classes of northern races dis
play when brought into contact with persons of rank and refine
ment. Easy and pleasant of deportment, their self-possession
never deserts them. They are everywhere at home, except in
circles where solid and varied information is required. On the
other hand, they have much less candor and openness of charac
ter than the Teuton and Anglo-Saxon. Criminations and re
criminations are rare matters. A downright good cursing,
showing the overflow of an honest fellow's bile, and his irrepress
ible desire to pour out his wrath forthwith, I never heard there
in my life. For all this, however, they are a people who
cherish revenge, and harbor malice for insults and wrongs.
Smooth are the brows and smiling the lips of enemies when
confronted ; keen and poisonous the words launched at each
other from a distance.
A peculiar feature of Brazilian society is the absence of such
crimes as, in civilized society, are punished by the halter and
confinement in prison. You seldom hear of murders, theft,
robbery, or arson. The jails of the cities are empty, except when
some English or American ship's crews get drunk, and commit
depredations on shore. I was never able to solve this phenome
non to my satisfaction. Perhaps the mildness of the climate, and
the fertility of the soil, which enable the inhabitants to live with
out much exertion, may have contributed to produce this effect.
But after all, that traveller who says the Brazilians " are too
lazy to commit crimes" comes probably nearer to the truth.
No moneyed ari.stocracy exists in Brazil. This circumstance is
not so decided an advantage to the country as one might be led
to suppose, but, on the contrary, tends to confirm the indolent
habits of the nation. The industrious and intelligent mechanic
is but little appreciated, while the lounging idler is highly
respected, simply because he is a man of leisure. Near our
offices, in Santos, lived the widow of a mercantile clerk. She'
had four or five daughters, and only a small property for their

12 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
support. Still she frequented the highest circles of society, and
on occasions which required a little exertion to prepare suitable
dresses, you might see them employed ; otherwise they would
idle away the time dressed in domestic wrappers which well
suited their lounging habits. Their food consisted principally
of fruit, mandioca meal, and salt fish— the cheapest articles
afforded by the market. I made a proposal to these ladies of
some honest and lucrative employment by which their condition
might have been improved; but, to my surprise, they were quite
horrified at the idea of exerting themselves for a support. Labor
was disgraceful in their eyes, and poverty altogether preferable.
Hundreds of wealthy Brazilians send their children to Europe
for the purpose of securing a superior education, although the
country contains several good educational establishments.
The ladies of Brazil are extremely pretty — much finer looking
than the gentlemen. This is no doubt, in part, owing to the cir
cumstance that from early childhood they are seldom exposed to
the open air, consequently their complexions are as white as a
lily, but seldom tinged with the rose. This white complexion,
relieved by sparkling eyes and flowing locks of jet, which they
are wont to adorn with a single white or red rose, gives them a
peculiarly attractive appearance. The accomplishments, except
of those educated in Europe, are limited to French, music, and
dancing. .They usually sing, play, and dance well, but are dull
in conversation. They pass their time idly, of course, while the
entire management of the household is entrusted to servants.
The slave population of Brazil amounts to about 3,200,000, of
which 2,700,000 are employed on the plantations, and 500,000
are city laborers and domestic servants. Climate and diet com
bine to bring the slaves of Brazil to the highest physical
development. They are athletic, and live to a very great age.
In 1855 the value of slaves ranged from three to five hundred
dollars, but they are increasing in value in consequence of the
greater amount of produce in the country, and also because the
number of slaves is not increasing in ratio to the demand for
labor. This results from the fact that there are three male slaves
to one female throughout the country. The rite of marriao-e is
generally dispensed with. Freedom of discussion in regard to
slavery is permitted, and you may speak of it in all parts of the
empire as you would of the crops, the points of a horse, the siege
of Sebastopol, or any other topic, without arousing the ire of the
Brazilian. If you are opposed to the institution, you may
declare it to be an abomination, a violation of laws, human and
divine, and you are not ridden on a rail, nor tarred and feathered
for the expression of your opinions. The Brazilians feel so
secure in the possession of their slave property that they can

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 13
afford to be tolerant. Slavery is indispensable in many of the
districts, and profitable in all sections of the empire. Every one
is interested in its perpetuation. Slaves are allowed, by the civil
laws, to purchase their own freedom, of which many of the city
negroes, who have greater facilities to make savings than farm
laborers, often avail themselves. When free, they mostly join
the army, which is mainly composed of free negroes. It has
been argued that this preponderant element in the national army
will cause the downfall of slavery should any great political
revolution occur. In my opinion, it will be the mevns of secur
ing its permanence.
The free negroes have the same political rights as white men,
and consider themselves as almost superior to the slaves. The
latter are fed on the meal of mandioca (farina), bacon, beans, rice,
sugar and molasses. They also enjoy fruit and coffee ad libitum.
Some masters exercise great cruelty over their slaves. Several in
stances occurred under my observation where slaves died under the
infliction of corporeal punishment. Though the law does not
sanction these barbarities, the offender is seldom prosecuted and
brought to justice for them.
The situation of the domestic servant is pleasant enough. On
Sundays and during the frequent ChUrch festivals of this Catholic
country they are not required to labor. The female portion of
them then appear in muslins and silks, blazing with all the gew
gaws and trinkets of which the African is so fond. The African
slave trade was not suppressed in Brazil until the year 1850.
The following table shows the number of slaves imported from
Africa into Brazil :
1842  17,435 1847  50,173
1843  19,035 1848  60,000
1844  23,840 1849  54,000
1845  19,453 1850  23,000
1846  50,324 1851  8,487
The figures for 1851 evidence the vigilance of the government
in the detection of those engaged in the traffic. It may be
remembered that of the 3,487 given for 1851, 1,006 were re
captured by the Brazilian cruisers, and declared free. The free
negroes and mulattoes of Brazil may be put down at 600,000.
They have the same political rights as the whites and are eligible
to office if they show extraordinary talents, and have not too
much African blood. There was once a mulatto Bishop in Eio
de Janeiro, and I knew a mulatto Senator of Santo Paulo — Don
Antonio Joaquim da Louza Bueiroz. Such cases, however, are
extremely rare. There are very few of them among the more
liberal professions; they are mostly mechanics and day-laborers.

14 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
The social position of even the wealthy and educated is decidedly
inferior to that of the whites. There is no intermarrying between
the different races. No white of any pretension to respectability
would marry a female with ever so little African blood in her
veins. These Quadroons and Octoroons are very often pretty,
and sometimes wealthy and well educated.
The aborigines of the country are partly civilized and partly
savage. They have no firearms, but in lieu of them, use spears
and bows and arrows for weapons. They subsist on fruit and
game, and are pacific in their dispositions, rarely disturbing the
white settlers.
Climate. — There are three distinct climates in Brazil. That
of the Amazon Valley is altogether tropical, except that there are
no dry and rainy seasons. The nights are cloudless, but in the
morning clouds accumulate and continue till the afternoon, when
torrents of rain prevail for two hours, and all is clear again. The
climate of the interior, and also of west Brazil, is more varied,
the heat in the dry season being excessive, while frosty nights are
of frequent occurrence in the winter. Eain in some situations
is a rare occurrence. Of the climate of the southern and south
eastern parts, I shall give a more minute description, as districts
infinitely more worthy of attention. These regions are blessed
with the most genial climate in the world. In the summer
months of December, January, February and March, the tempera
ture corresponds with that of Alabama in the months of June,
July and August, only the heat is not felt to be so oppressive on
account of the sea-breezes that prevail near the sea-shore, and the
regular highland winds which blow in the upper countries over
the Plateau. Only when the wind blows from the northwest,
which in the summer seldom occurs, is the heat oppressive. The
winter, and portions of the spring and fall are so delightfully
tempered, so adapted to the comforts of white men, that mere
existence becomes a luxury. The days then somewhat resemble
our Indian summer, only that the air is much softer, and the trees
and shrubs retain their green foliage during the year. The air is
so pure that the silver streams on the mountain -slopes appear to
be only two or three miles distant, when in reality one would be
obliged to travel twelve or fifteen miles to reach them. The
nights hardly vary in temperature from the days. I never saw
nor heard of frost in these localities. These regions are also
blessed with regular and seasonable rains. It is rare that a week
passes without a good shower; and if immediately after you sally
out on the high road, or in the woods, the perfume emitted by the
numerous fragrant plants and shrubs is quite intoxicating. I
have often dismounted from my mule, and, seated on a log, have
enjoyed for hours, the rich vanilla aroma exhaled by the cactus.

climate and productions. 15
Uniformity of temperature, snch a distinguishing feature of this
climate, is produced by its topographical situation. South and
east winds blow over an immense tract of sea, as also do the west
winds, except where the narrow continent intervenes. The north
west wind alone reaches them over a solid tract of land. Water
being a much better conductor than land, the surface of the latter
heats and cools off quicker than the former. So that contiguity
to water both tempers the heat of summer and softens the rigor
of winter. In the United States — where the solid continent
squarely stretches from New York to San Francisco, from the
Arctic Ocean to New Orleans — the great variations in tempera
ture of the different seasons, and the changes of temperature pro
duced by winds are very destructive to health, and no doubt
shorten human life. In no country do consumption and rheuma
tism commit so many ravages as in the United States — complaints
altogether unknown in this portion of Brazil, where many foreign
ers affected by these diseases have become completely restored to
their primitive vigor. The provinces comprised in these salu
brious and pleasant districts, are Rio de Janeiro, Santo Paulo,
Santa Catarina and Santo Pedro do Sul. Eio de Janeiro lies
rather too much northward and has a somewhat warmer climate,
but this delightful climate is eminently enjoyed by the three last
named provinces. The surface of Brazil is about equally divided
into uplands and lowlands, or valleys. Two parallel mountain
ranges traverse the country from north to south, forming elevated
ridges of table land, the greatest height of the central range bei^g
from 6,000 to 7,000 feet. Several minor ranges intersect the
country, enclosing tracts, some of which are elevated and others
low level plains. The northern part of Brazil consists of the vast
plain through which flows the Amazon river and its tributaries.
It varies in width from 350 to 800 miles. The rivers, lakes and
water courses are so numerous as completely to intersect this
great plain. The soil is deep and soft, and for the most part
covered by dense forests. Southeast of this lies another plain.
The principal rivers in this direction are the Tocantins, Araguay,
Paranahyba, San Francisco, Belmonte, Doce, ParahibadoSuland
Rio Grande do Sul — all large streams, but of difficult navigation
in consequence of rapids. The table land on the west is separated
from the Andes of Bolivia, by a large and extensive plain, tra
versed by those rivers which unite and form the Madeira. The
elevation of this plain is from 14,000 to 15,000 feet. On the
banks of Ireicana, and westward to the north branch of the Serra
Pareces, extends a sandy and nearly barren desert called Campos
das Pareois. From seven lakes on this table land rises the river
Paraguay, which flows southward, through a swampy country
over the great plain of Paraguay to join the Parana. The latter

16 brazil: its inhabitants,
has a course of thousands of miles, and receives the Eio Grande,
Paranahyba, Tapucahy, Pardo, etc. Several small streams flow
in a southeasterly direction into the Atlantic.
The debts and liabilities of Brazil in 1851 may be estimated m
round numbers at £40,500,000. Of these
Foreign Debts  £6,187,000
Local Funded Do  . - 7,540,000
Notes in Circulation  6,700,000
Treasury Bills Afloat  240,000
Total  £20,667,000
The revenue of the country in the same year was $19,000,000,
arising partly out of the proceeds of public property ,_ such as
diamond was'heries, mines, etc., partly out of tariffs on imported
goods, and partly on the taxes on exports.
The following table exhibits the tariff in regard to the principal
articles imported from the United States :
Oil — Spermaceti — 3 pints  ' . . $0.38
Fish, dried and smoked, 357 ad iialoi'em  6.58
Lumber and Boards, 9,000 square inch  6.53
Manufactures of Wood, 407 ad i^alorem
Butter  0.13
Cheese  0.13
Pork and Bacon  0.05
Lard, 33 lbs  1.63
Flour per barrel  1.50
Spirits, 50 per cent, ad valorem
Molasses, " " "
Beer, 3 pints  0.33
Linseed Oil, per pound  O.SJ
Spirits of Turpentine  0.10
Hats, of Fur and Silk each  26c. to $2.50
Gunpowder, per pound  0.19
Boots and Shoes, each  35c. to 5.25
Cable and Cordage, 128 pounds  4.90
Salt, li peck  0.17
Lead, 128 pounds  8.37
Iron, Pig, "  3.27
" Bar, 25 per cent, ad valorem.
" Nails and Castings, 82 pounds  2.62
" other Manufactures, from  $3 to 3.50
Drugs and Medicine, per pound, from  2 to 19.50
Wearing Apparel, 40 per cent, ad valorem.
Books, 30 per cent. ''
Paper of all kinds, ream  9c. to 1.90
Jewelry, 30 per cent, ad valorem.
Glass, 40 per cent. "
The first railroad in Brazil was thrown open to the public on
the 30th of Aoril. 1854. the inaueuration taking place in the pre-

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 17
sence of their Imperial Majesties and an immense concourse of
the leading personages of the empire. This railroad has its ter
minus in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Since then quite a number
of railroads have been projected, and are in course of construc
tion. The most important of these are tbe Pernambuco Road ;
the Bahia Road, from Bahia to the San Francisco River, a dis
tance of 250 miles ; and the road from Santos to Santo Paulo.

CHAPTER IL
The empire is divided into nineteen provinces, fourteen situ
ated along the shores of the ocean, and four in the interior, the
relative population of wbich. is exliibited in the following table,
drawn up according to the most recent and accurate authorities :
MARITIME PROVINCES. Sq. Miles. Population.
Para  534,370 165,000
Maranhan  94,960 390,000
Piauhy  109,668 80,000
Ceara  66,378 190,000
Rio Grande do Norte  28,800 1 10,000
Paraiba  59,948 260,000
Pernambuco  108,896 600,000
Alagoas  75,036 220,000
Sergipe do Rei  40,484' 175,000
Bahia  303,020 780,000
Espirito Santo  43,200 140,000
Rio de Janeiro  89,466 850,000
Santo Paulo  173,160 458,000
Santa Catarina  31,746 90,000
Santo Pedro do Sul  118,758 260,000
INTERIOR PROVINCES.
Amazona  750,000 145,000
MinasGeraes  260,450 900,000
Matto Grosso  865,800 180,000
Goyaz  360,750 185,000
3,965,800 6,150,000
The provinces of Amazona and Para lie between the equator
and the seventh degree of southern latitude, extending from Peru
and Bquador to the Atlantic Ocean. They embrace, as shown
by the table above, the third part of the empire's territory, but
have only the twentieth part of its population. The land is flat,
and formed from the alluvions of the Amazon and its tributaries,
and has, for depth and richness of soil, no equal in the world.
2

18 brazil: ITS inhabitants.
But, alas ! the white man cannot live, at least, cannot labor in
this climate. With fifty millions of Africans, and the Anglo-
Saxon as the master race, this country might become a Paradise,
and that only under the supposition that the clearing of the
forests, the draining of lagunes and marshes, and the general im
provement of the rivers, must drive away the myriads of
mosquitoes which infest these provinces, and render life almo.st
intolerable. As it is, the great fertility given by nature to this
valley seems to have been bestowed to no purpose. No benefit
arises from it to the civilized world, nor will arise for centuries
to come. Tbe Indian of these regions is placed above the neces
sity of labor by the spontaneous productions of the forest, and the
negroes employed on the scattered river plantations decrease
daily, great numbers being removed to the coffee plantations of
Rio de Janeiro and Santo Paulo.
Para the outlet and commercial city of these regions has only
four per cent, of the commerce of the empire, notwithstanding
it enjoys the advantage of magnificent water transportation. Few
Brazilians of the wealthier and more civilized provinces, such
as Eio de Janeiro and Santo Paulo feel any interest in, or are
acquainted with the Amazon country. They regard it, such as
it is in truth, a barbarous region, doomed, on account of climatic
obstacles, to neglect for centuries to come. In the United States,
on the contrary, this section of the empire is better known than
any other. The reason of this is that the Amazon affords
greater facilities to travel, and that its shores, abounding with
tropical birds, trees, shrubs and flowers, all peculiar to the
equatorial regions, have the greatest attraction for the man of
science. Most explorations and descriptions of travel, therefore,
relate to this country.
Lieut. Houdon's report is extensively circulated, but his
readers complain that he gives no information about the interior
of the country, but describes only the immediate sliore of the river.
The fact is, independent of scientific investigations, this country
demands but few words. It is a tract of land larger than the
Southern and Middle States of the Union, and inhabited only
by 100,000 Indians; a land mostly level, a soil of unsurpassed
fertility, covered with a dense growth, and the greatest variety
of useful and costly timber, and with an impenetrable luxuriance
of aromatic plants and medicinal shrubs ; but a land also upon
which civilization has not yet stamped her first impression, and
where precious stones have run to waste from year to year, since
the earth was made. By his description of the cocoa plantations,
of the gathering of turtle -eggs, and of the process to convert
them into butter, of the collection of Indian rubber and its man
ufacture, etc., Lieut. Houdon has, in a pleasant manner, grati-

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 19
fied the curiosity of his readers ; his statements of the fertility of
the country, which he asserts can under proper cultivation feed
the whole world, and which can be made to produce four crops
in a year, fill us with amazement; but his accounts of the mos
quitoes, and of the climate which so enervates the inhabitants
that famine prevailed in many villages, and that the better
species of food, such as chickens, could be procured but at few
places, should banish from every American the thought of ever
seeking Amazonia as a home.
The seaport of the two provinces is the city of Para, with a
population of 10,000 inhabitants mostly of European descent.
Para stands on elevated ground, on the south side of the bay of
Guazuara, on the right bank of the Tocantins, and has a fine
appearance from the river. Chief edifices — the governor's palace,
cathedral, several other churches, convents, barracks, arsenal,
Episcopal Palace and Seminary, formerly a Jesuits College, a
prison and an unfinished theatre. Vessels of large draft can lie
near the city, and the cocoa, caoutchouc, isinglass, rice and drugs
exported from Brazil, are chiefly from Para. It has also a trade
in vanilla, cotton, amatti, dyewoods, honey, wax and a great
variety of other vegetable and animal products. The trade is
mostly with Liverpool, London, Barbadoes, Cayenne and the
North American and Brazilian Ports. The river Para, bound
ing the island of Marajo southward, extends between longitude
18° 10' and 50° 40' W. recrosses the Tocantins and Anapee from
the south, and is connected northwestward with the Amazon.
Para enjoys an advantage over all seaport towns in Brazil —
that of an unobstructed intercourse by water with the interior.
The commercial resources of this province, and the admirable
trading position of the city are unsurpassed, but inhabitants are
wanting to develop these elements of commerce and civilization.
In 1840, some American citizens established several sawmills
at Maguery, in the vicinity of Para ; but whether they met with
better success than did the Glasgow merchants, whose property
to the amount of $350,000 was pillaged in the same place during
the revolt of 1835, has not been ascertained. The cotton of
Para has been highly praised. Caoutchouc, the use of which
was first discovered in 1835, by French Academicians sent to
Brazil to make astronomical observations, is abundant, and is ex
tensively manufactured into shoes, etc. Were this article ad
mitted into the United States as in England, free of duty, it
would become one of the staple exports of this country. A
well-informed American merchant, residing at Para, addressed a
letter on this subject to one of the officers of Lieut. Houdon's
expedition to the Amazon, urging the disadvantage under which
American commerce labors, as compared with Great Britain, in
regard to the caoutchouc trade. This article is now becoming

20 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
the chief staple in the province of Para ; and so various and
multiform are the uses to which it is applicable, both in the arts
and in domestic economy ; so important an article of commerce
has it already become, that even against the import duty of ten
per cent, in the United States, it constitutes almost fifty per cent.
of our trade with Para. The following statement exhibits the
quantities of indiarubber imported from Para into the United
States during the years designated. Value

1850 
1854 

Pounds
 1,500,000
 3,380,000

1855 

 2,740,000

$1,660,000
The exports of Para are caoutchouc, cotton, rice, castor oil,
copaiba, anise seed oil, cocoa, cloves, cinnamon, hides, horns,
ifeinglass, Peruvian bark, etc. In this province, the sugar and
coffee plantations do not produce sufficient for home consump
tion, and supplies of these articles are generally imported from
the neighboring provinces. The imports from foreign countries,
consist of cotton goods, silks, hardware, wines, spirits, salt, flour,
salt provisions, gunpowder, etc. The only manufactures are
ordinary cotton cloths for sacks and hammocks, and indiarub
ber shoes ; but these manufactures seem not to thrive from a
want of skill in their direction or from a want of proper en
couragement. Total number of vessels, with their tonnage engaged in the
trade between Para and foreign countries, and value of exports
and imports, etc., in 1848 and 1850:

Imports  $ 740,000
Exports  975,000
Imports  1,050,000
Exports  1,500,000
Staple productions of Para relatively considered, with respect
to the quantities annually exported :
Caoutchouc. ...  32,500 Arobas of 82 pounds
Cocoa  200,000
Cotton  6,120
Hides  15,500 Pieces.
Copavea  3,800 Pots.
Rice  180,000 Arobas.
Sugar  46,000
Indiarubber Shoes  192,000 Pairs.

•1848.

Vessels.

Tons.

Entered .

...88

12,828

Cleared . .

..83

12,029

1850.

Entered .

...90

16,877

Cleared .

,..92

16,433

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 21
The above are the leading exports froni Para; but besidesthese
the province produces various kinds of timber admirably adapted
for ship building, and a great variety of textile plants, medicinal
drugs and dyewoods of the richest qualities.
The provinces of Maranham, Piauhy, Ceara Rio Grande do
Norte, Peira, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe do Rei, lie along the
Atlantic Coast between the third and twelfth degree of southern
latitude, and extend from two to four hundred miles into the in
terior. With a total area of 5,600,000 square miles, they have a
population of 2,025,000 inhabitants. Their climate is in so far
different from Amazonia, as the excessive heat of the summer is
tempered by sea-breezes on the shore, and in some of the pro
vinces also by a considerable elevation. Their soil is also of the
highest fertility, and is particularly well adapted for the cultiva
tion of cotton and sugar. All the cotton that Brazil now pro
duces, to the number of about 200,000 bales, is made in the pro
vinces. Another important staple is dyewood (Brazil wood),
which is principally exported from the port of Pernambuco. The
two principal cities are Maranham and Pernambuco. Pernam-
huco, the capital of the province of that name, is inferior only to
Rio de Janeiro and Bahia in commercial importance. Population
estimated in 1852 at 100,000. Foreign vessels are not allowed to
engage in the coasting trade, but they can load here for any
foreign port. Vessels from the United States can discharge part
of their cargo, and, if desired, they can proceed on with the re
mainder to Bahia, Eio de Janeiro, etc.
There are no insurance offices here, all such business being done
either in the United States or England. With funds in hand, a
commission of two and a half is charged. Vessels are generally
chartered both ways, arriving with flour, the charterer stipulating
for a return cargo of sugar. Vessels carrying out on their own
account may be chartered back as low as 60 cents a bag of 160
pounds. Usually, however, the freight ranges from 80 cents to
one dollar per bag of sugar. There is no business done in ex
change between this port and the United States, except a few
whalers' drafts, that are purchased at from two to twelve per cent.
discount. The value of the milreis is governed by the state of
exchange on England. The principal articles imported from the
United States are flour and tea. The former pays a duty of three
milreis ($1.50) per barrel, and the latter pays thirty cen,ts per
pound, hams pay six cents per pound, tobacco nine cents per
pound, sugar and hides are the only articles of export worth men
tioning. Sugar pays an export duty of eight per cent. The ex
port duty on hides is 10 per cent, on a valuation fixed weekly by
a committee appointed for the purpose. The only articles on
which the government levies a consumer's tax are, all spirituous
and malt liquors, cigars, tobacco, soap and snuff. Wines and

22 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
liquors pay one and a ¦ half per cent, a canada (a gallon and
three-fifths) ; fifty-six cents in addition to this is levied on each
pipe, for what the decree calls charitable purposes. Cigars pay
fifty-six cents per hundred ; tobacco one_ cent per pound; soap
one and a quarter cents per pound.
The provinces of Bahia and Espirito Santo lie between the
twelfth and twenty-second degree of southern latitude, and ex
tend from 150 to 200 miles into the interior. Their area is
245,000 square miles, their population 920,000 inhabitants. The
climate is much more adapted to the constitution of the Caucas-
sian. The principal exports are sugar and tobacco. The pro
vince of Bahia has also the most important diamond districts of
the country
The city of Bahia has a population of 100,000 inhabitants, one-
third of whom are white, one-third mulattoes,and the rest blacks.
According to the observation of Mr. Eoussin, the lighthouse on
the Cape is in latitude 13 degrees 0 minutes 30 seconds south.
The opposite side of the entrance to the bay is formed by the
island of Taparica, distant from Cape San Antonio about one and
a half leagues. Within, the bay expands into a capacious basin,
having several islands and harbors, the depth of water varying
from eight and ten to forty fathoms, affording ample accommoda
tion and secure anchorage for the largest fleets.
Statement of sugar exported from Bahia during the year 1856-
57, compared with the export for the year 1855-56.

Whither exported. Cases. Boxes. Bags. Tons.
Channel British .. . . 11,023 188 41,445 10,100
Great Britain  4,809 188 70,414 8,160
Germany  1,019 16 10,283 1,390
Holland  405 1 1,775 888
France  484 1 14,116 1,830
Sweden  3,336 24 1,707 2,209
Portugal  7,832 408 13,338 6,053
Gibraltar  2,402 180 21,813 3,154
Genoa  2 3,596 257
Trieste  1,373 2 1,564 130
United States  1,401 8 18,144 1,840
River Platte  4 254 9,097 725
Pacific  1,633 16
Africa  1 8 69 8
Total, 1856-57  33.889 1,315 303,234 36,650
1855-56  42,315 808 170,173 33,160
Bahia founded in 1549, by Thomas da Sousa, first captain-gen
eral of Brazil, is one of the most important commercial cities of
America. In 1853, the trade of Bahia -was very extensive. About
60,000 tons of sugar, 18,500 bags of cotton, 20,000 bags of coffee,
with hides, tobacco, rice, dye and fancy woods, bullion, etc. The

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 23
imports consist principally of cottons aud other manufactured
goods, provisions, flour, salt, salt fish, soap, wine, etc.
The provinces of Eio de Janeiro and Santo Paulo lie be
tween the 22d and 25th degree of southern latitude. Their area
is 260,000 square miles, with a population of 1,350,000 inhabi
tants. They are the wealthiest and most populous provinces,
having about five inhabitants to the square mile. Tbe popula
tion of Alabama being about 19 inhabitants to a square mile, it
will be seen how much room there is yet left for new settlers.
The climate, as I have already said, is the finest in the world, and
capable of bringing the Caucasian to a high physical development.
The principal produce is coffee ; but cotton, tobacco and particu
larly sugar can be cultivated to great advantage.
At the suggestion of several gentlemen interested in the pro
duction, as well as in the trade of cotton, a circular was issued
from the Patent Office on the 29th of February, 1856, and for
warded through the Department of State, to our diplomatic and
commercial agents, missionaries, officers of the navy, and other
public functionaries, residing and traveling in the principal
countries of the globe, soliciting from them such information on
the subject as might be at their command. Tbe following is the
reply of Robert G. Scott, Jr., Consul of the United States, at
Rio de Janeiro:
" All kinds of cotton can be cultivated to advantage in the pro
vince of Eio de Janeiro, whether annual or perennial varieties;
but the small quantity that is produced is almost exclusively tree
cotton, of the introduction of which there is no record. Its seed,
however, no doubt came originally from Asia. The general
character of the fibre is long, sti-ong and somewhat coarse.
Whether it has deteriorated or not, it is impossible to say. The
quantity produced is so limited, that no account is taken of it ;
nor is any of it exported. The quantity manufactured here does
not probably amount to 500,000 pounds a year. There is only
one factory in the province, and it manufactures very coarse and
heavy cloths, for bagging and negro wear.
"Good ginned cotton generally rules at from 200 to 250 reis per
pound, or say about 12 or 13 cents of our currency. It is nearly
all imported from Pernambuco, Bahia, and other northern ports
of this empire. It is ginned mostly by roller gins. Saw gins
are also used, but much cotton is still ginned by hand. A hun
dred pounds of unginned cotton produce from 25 to 30 pounds
of ginned cotton, and sometimes even more when the saw gin is
used. These gins all come from the United States, but the roller
gins are made where tbe cotton grows. That brought from the
northern parts is very badly packed by screw press into bales of
from 120 to 160 pounds.

24 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
" The cost of production of a jiound of fibre well ginned cannot
be accurately determined where no plantation is regularly de
voted to its culture. But the usual calculation is, that one negro
can cultivate 2,000 hills of cotton, producing about 700 pounds
when ginned.
" The soil and climate are finely and perfectly adapted to the
growth of cotton. The thermometer ranges from about 60 degs.
to 95 degs. Fahrenheit the whole year round, and cotton bears
more or less nearly all the time. Eespecting the quatitity of rain
which falls during the year, I can only state that it is sufficient
for the cultivation of cotton. •
" The mode of cultivation is as follows : — The land is first cleared
of wood and underbrush, which is burned where it falls. Then
the ground is hoed up into hills about seven feet apart. In each
seven or eight seeds are planted. In ten or fifteen days the seeds
sprout, and when the young plants have attained their sufficient
strength, four or five of the weaker ones are rooted up and
thrown away, leaving three or four plants in each hill. In from
six to eight months they yield the first crop of cotton, and they
continue to bear well for five or six years, provided they are
properly trimmed, aud the ground cleared from weeds, etc., once
or twice a year. When the cotton is planted it is usual to plant
or sow rice, beans, pumpkins, or other crops on the spaces be
tween the hills. Even Indian corn is so planted, and with
advantage, on account of the shade it affords to the young cotton
trees. Of course this is only done when the cotton is planted, as
in a short time the tree attains the height of twelve to fifteen feet,
and if the soil is good, the trunk often grows to four inches in
diameter, and naturally branches out in proportion. No manure
of any kind is used for the cotton crop, nor anywhere, indeed,
except in gardens and lots for grasses. The seeds are generally
planted in November. The plants flower mostly in June, but
they open freely almost all the year. The bulk of the harvest is
in September and October, but cotton is picked also nearly all
the year. The product per acre, and the value of cotton lands,
cannot be well determined, because of the limited experience in
this department of culture.
" The causes which operate against this branch of industry are,
first, habit of routine, which induces the planter to cultivate
coffee rather than anything else, because his father aud grand
father did so before him, and because all of his neighbors do so
now, and he dislikes innovation and change, and sees no market
for a cotton crop. Second, habits of idleness — want of energy
and enterprise. No cause, physical, political nor social, except
such as have been named, so far as 1 am aware, operates injuri
ously to the cultivation of cotton in this empire."

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 25
The coffee plantations are from 50 to 250.miles from the coast,
and most of that staple is brought to market on mule back. For
this purpose planters, or persons who make a regular pursuit of
it, keep large droves of mules, sometimes to the number of 500,
the^ maintenance of which, on account of the cheapness of corn,
which is worth from 18c. to 25c. per bushel, and on account of
the abundance of grass, is not expensive. A mule is loaded with
from 110 to 130 pounds of coffee, which is packed in panniers in
such a manner that the weight on each side of the animal is
equal. There is only one driver to about thirty mules. On their
return, these baskets are loaded with goods for the country,
mostly with salt. There is only one driver to about forty
mules. To an American this odd manner of transportation
would seem to absorb the profits of the farmer, but facts show that
this mule transportation is not much more expensive than our
transportation on railroads at the present day. I will give the
cost of transportation from several fazendas (plantations) far off
from the coast.
Fazenda of Joaquim Antonio Rodriguez, 150 miles from the
seaport. Transportation of the aroba, 32 IbS. of coffee, 1,500
reis; the milreis at 52c., equal to 78c., which would make a
freight of not quite 2^ cents per pound. Fazenda of Jos6 An
tonio da Silva, distance 210 miles ; freight per aroba, 1,900 reis,
equal to one dollar. The freight on coffee from the nearer plan
tations, is from one half a cent to one cent. The coffee tree is a
native of Ethiopia and Abyssinia, but it was in Arabia that it
first became an object of interest and importance to the civilized
world. The plant is an evergreen, from six to twelve feet high,
and the stem is ten, twelve, and fifteen inches in circumference.
When it is full grown, it much resembles in figure our apple
trees of eight or nine years' standing. The lower branches
ordinarily bend when the tree begins to grow old, and extend
themselves into a round form, somewhat like an umbrella; and
the wood is so very limber and pliable, that the ends of the
longest branches may be bent down within two or three feet of
the earth. The bark is whitish, and somewhat rough. Its leaf
is much like that of the citron tree. It continues green all the
year, and the tree is never without leaves, which are ranged
almost opposite on each side of the bough, and at small distances
from each other. Nothing is more singular in its kind than its
productions ; for almost in all seasons of the year blossoms and
green and ripe fruit may be seen on the same tree at the same
time. When the blossom falls off, there remains in its room, or
rather springs from each blossom, a small fruit, green at first, but
which becomes red as it ripens, and is not unlike a large cherry,
and is very good to eat. Under the flesh of this cherry, instead

26 BRAZIL: ITS INHABITANTS,
of the stone, is found the bean or berry we call coffee,
wrapped round in a thin, fine skin. The berry is then very soft,
and of a disagreeable taste ; but as the cherry ripens, the berry m
the inside grows harder, and the dried up fruit, being the flesh
or pulp of it, which was before eatable, becomes a shell or pod of
a deep brown color. The berry is now solid, and of a clear,
transparent green. Each shell contains one berry, which splits
into two equal parts. When the fruit is sufficiently ripe tobe
shaken off from the tree, the husks are sepai-ated from the berries,
and are used in Arabia by the natives, while the berries are ex
ported for the European markets. The coffee tree is most pro
ductive on hills and slopes where its root is almost always dry,
and its head frequently watered with gentle showers. It prefers
a westerly exposure, and a loose, gi'avelly soil, but freed from
weeds and grass. The plants are in>^erted at distances of six or
eight feet asunder, and in holes from twelve to eighteen inches
deep. If left to themselves, they would rise to the bight of six
teen or eighteen feet ; but in extensive plantations the trees are
topped and stunted to about five feet, for the convenience of
having the fruit within reach of the gatherer. Thus dwarfed,
they extend their branches until they cover the whole spot round
about them. They begin to yield fruit the third year. By the
fifth, sixth, or seventh year, acpording to the nature of the soil,
they are at full bearing, and continue to bear for upwards of
twenty years. It has but recently come to the knowledge of
Europeans that the leaves of tbe coffee plant contain the same
essential principle for which the berries are so m,uch valued, and
that in the Dutch island of Sumatra, in the Indian Archipelago,
the natives scarcely use anything else, and greatly prefer a
beverage made from the leaf'to the berry itself. The leaves un
dergo a process of curing similar to t-ea, and they possess all the
virtues of either tea or coffee. This may be looked upon as the
introduction of a new element among the innocent and beneficial
necessaries of life ; for while the culture of the coffee plant, for
the sake of its fruit, is limited to particular soils and high tem
perature, the tree produces leaves in abundance anywhere within
the tropics whore the soil is sufficiently fertile.
The climate of Brazil is highly favorable to the cultivation of
coffee, the trees yielding nearly doable those of the West Indies.
The coffee growth of Brazil by 1854 reached the astonishing
quantity of 400,000,000 pounds, while the production of the West
India Islands has rapidly declined.
The coffee-growing districts of Brazil are divided into the
Serra Arbaixo (or below the mountains), and Serra Acima
(above the mountains). Tlie produce of the former is about one
sixth part of the whole crop in good years, but is much more un-

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 27
certain than the Serra Acima, being more liable to injury from
drought. The quality is also inferior, and seldom shipped to the
United States. The trees usually flower three times each year,
generally in August, September, and October, and are ready for
picking, in favorable seasons, in March, April, and May, with
considerable variation, according to situation. In April small
quantities of poor new coffee appear in market. In May and
June the quantity is greater, but never abundant till July and
August. Tbe trees of Serra Acima bloom later, but the crop is
more uniform, enabling planters to gather a crop at a single
picking, which is a great saving of labor. Entire cargoes are not
generally obtained from the Serra Acima districts until August
and September. Usually, the supplies remaining over of the old
crop are first sent to the market before planters clean out the new,
and hence it is often as late as October and November before the
bulk of the new crop is in market. The cost of transporting the
coffee to market averages the planter about two cents per pound,
owing to imperfect facilities. The actual cost of production is said
to be not much under four cents per pound ; and as negroes are
decimated by cholera, without new importations to supply their
place-s, negroes must advance in value and enhance the cost of
production. The question of labor in the cultivation of this and other tropi
cal productions which have become commercial necessities to the
populations of the northern latitudes, which embrace the largest
civilized portions of the human race, is becoming one of great im
portance. The growing deficiency must not only continue, but in
time greatly enhance the price of these products which have be
come necessaries of life, and tend to drain the money from north
ern nations, in order to secure them, or, in other words, place them
under heavy tribute for articles which are from habit necessary
to their comfort and well-being. England, through her East
India possessions, is, no doubt, anxious to secure as large a share
of this tribute as possible, and may, to a certain extent, succeed
with indigo, sugar, and coffee; but she has failed, and will con
tinue to fail, in the production of cotton.
The value of slaves in Brazil — the only South American State
which has made any great progress, and that through African
labor — has for several years steadily increased. Prior to 1830,
when the slave trade was legal, slaves were sold at $66.
From 1830 to 1850, when the trade was, under treaties with
England, prohibited, and had to be conducted clandestinely, they
advanced to $220. Since 1850, the trade having been almost
entirely suppressed, they have gradually advanced to from 400
to 500 dollars. This gradual decrease of the black labor force
in the empire could not fail to be followed by a corresponding

28 BRAZIL: ITS INHABITANTS,
decrease of the coffee crop if another element of labor had not,
of late, been secured to the country — I mean colonists from Eu
rope. It is owing to this European element that, notwithstanding
the decrease of slave labor since 1850, the bulk of exports from
the country has increased. The greater part of these European
settlers are so poor that either the Government of Brazil or some
wealthy planters of that country have to advance them the
greater part or the whole of the passage money, which from
Europe averages about $25 to the person. Arrived in Brazil,
without any means whatever, they generally form this contract
with some rich planter who may be in need of their services :
The Brazilian is to deliver to a party of colonists, say of 200 or
300 persons, a coffee plantation of the size adapted to their
number. The coffee trees must be in full bearing, four or five
years old ; and there must be a sufficient number of dwellings
on the place so as to give to each family their own habitation.
The planter is also to furnish to each family a requisite stock
of cows, hogs, poultry, etc. The colonists keep the plantation
free from weeds and grass, and gather and clean tbe crop. The
net proceeds of the crop are then equally divided between
the planter and the colonists. The colonists make written
agreements not to leave the plantation before the passage money
they may owe is repaid ; after this they may settle on lands of
their own, if they choose ; but the majority of these men, who
in their own countries never looked forward to independence,
prefer, after they have become independent, moderate but safe
profit to establishments of their own, and remain on the planta
tions. The labor on coffee plantations, after the ground is
cleared and the trees have been set out, is very light and can be
performed by children. The climate of those regions is salubri
ous and mild. The coffee berry, when ripe, is cured in the
West Indies and South America by a process called pulping
and washing. I shall give a description of the process as prac
ticed in the West Indies — -differing, in no respects, from the
procedure in Brazil. I make the extract from the Report of the
Commissioner of Patents for the year 1858 :
" On the first establishment of coffee plantations in the West
Indies, the trees were allowed to grow up in their primitive
state ; that is, the young seedling was planted in the usual man-
mer, and kept clear of weeds; but uo means were taken to
ascertain whether science could be applied to its cultivation, so
as to render the shrub more fruitful and profitable. It was
therefore pjermitted to grow to the hight of ten feet and up
wards, so far as the richness of the soil would allow it to extend.
Fields were not unfrequently seen in which Nature had thus
taken her own course, and where the trees threw up suckers to

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 29
a hight of nearly twelve feet. These suckers in favorable
seasons bore prodigiously, but after they were relieved of their
fruit they died away and gave place to a new vegetation of the
sanie description. Among the French refugees, who went from
Haiti to Jamaica at the time of the revolution of that ill-fated
country, this system of culture prevailed ; but they were induced
to alter that course of management, and to resort to the use of the
pruning-knife. " The land best adapted to the cultivation of coffee in Jamaica
is the loose, gravelly or stony, and the chocolate soils ; but the
tree sustains life and yields fruit, though not to a great extent,
in other soils. Tbe rich, black mold is peculiarly favorable to
this shrub, and will produce it like other fruit trees in perfection
in a seasonable climate. Although fields have been established
on rich soils, where an immense foliage was thrown out, and
always appeared green and beautiful, yet they proved fruitless.
A clayey soil favors dampness in wet weather, whilst it becomes
dry and sterile at the opposite change, and stops vegetation in
the tree. It is not unfrequently mixed with a stratum of marl,
to which, as soon as the roots of the tree arrive, decay is induced ;
the first indication observed being a yellowness of the leaves,
that soon shrivel, and at length drop off, when nature yields and
life becomes extinct.
"In virgin lands, after the usual preparation of felling and
clearing away the wood, the coffee plant is managed in tbe
following manner : The field is lined off into rows and cross-rows
from six to seven feet apart each way, as the richness of the soil
and the prospects of the climate may warrant. At the intersec
tion of the lines pegs are inserted to denote the points assigned
for the reception of the plants ; and the persons engaged in
putting in the young suckers, these being preferred to seedlings,
follow with spades, and as the pegs are removed, holes are dug
about 18 inches deep into which the plants are inserted, when
the earth is gently filled in about them, leaving from six to eight
inches exposed above the surface. Formerly, it was customary
to raise nurseries by planting the berries at the period of their
maturity, whence a regular supply of plants could be obtained
for laying out new fields ; but this method has fallen into disuse
in consequence of the quantity of young trees to be found
growing spontaneously on abandoned lands of plantations, pro
duced by seeds taken from cultivated fields by rats and birds.
The suckers are drawn, and, after their roots are trimmed off',
cut into lengths of about two feet. Good stout stumps are
generally preferred, as they vegetate with greater vigor. A
small eye is the first indication of vegetation which attracts
notice; then a bud, a couple of leaves, and joints and leaves

30 BRAZIL: ITS INHABITANTS,
follow in nature's course. The young tree throws out its lateral
branches at each joint, which process is continued in regular
succession till the tree arrives at the hight of four and a half
feet. It is at this period when science is first called into action
by 'topping,' which is performed by cutting off the upper
branches with a knife, so as to reduce the tree to a hight of four
feet. This operation has a wonderful effect on vegetation ; the
branches in their turn begin to throw out buds, which, in time,
become the limbs termed 'collaterals,' and in the course of
eighteen months the tree will have attained its full bearing point,
presenting a spectacle of amazing beauty as well as of order, and
exhibiting a remarkable pea-green hue. Tbe most difficult, and
yet important, portion of plantation management consists in the
attention required to keep the fields regularly and properly
pruned. There can be no specific rules laid down, however, for
tbe guidance of the uninitiated in tbe art of pruning. General
directions might be given,. but they are so liable to be interfered
with in their application by constant changes in the climate and
seasons as to render their intent unavailable. It may be suffi
cient to say that the tree throws out lateral branches in the first
state of its vegetation which are called ' primaries.' Should
these be cut off, or broken from the stem by accident, their place
can never be supplied by a growth of the same kind, ' suckers '
and 'gormandizers' following. The latter cognomen is applied
in consequence of its sucking voraciously all aliment from the
tree. It resembles a sucker, with this difference, that the sucker
springs in an upright direction from the joints, while the gor
mandizer shoots out horizontally. Trees suffer much, and soon
waste away, when they become addicted to this branch, which
arises frequently from the careless and ignorant pruning, by
cutting off' primaries, but in old fields they grow naturally from
the stock. Whenever the tree can stand such a course, they
should be exterminated from their sockets ; but when they have
assumed the place of primaries, which have been inadvertently
destroyed, it is impossible to change their order ; for so soon as
one is removed another is sure to assume its place. In this case
it would be as well to allow them to remain and bear, takino- them
out after every crop.
" All trees require a certain amount of light and respiration to
conduce to their vigor and health. With the coffee tree these
are in an unusual degree indispensable ; a constant and regular
circulation of air should be transmitted through its head and the
light should fall upon its trunk. After a severe pruning, the
vegetation is rank and stunted. The prudent planter now
watches his opportunity, and as soon as he perceives the youno-
wood of sufficient growth he directs the opening to be performed

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 31
The heads of the trees are first stripped of their leaves, so as to
form a clear space of at least six inches from the original stem,
afterwards all those which run transversely ; and as the operator
proceeds, he removes everything which appears ' spindly ' and
stunted, leaving the rich, healthy 'blackwood' to produce the
crop. When fields are kept in good order by light annual
prunings, there are always two growths of wood to be seen ; the
first in advance and ripe for the crop, and the second shooting
out to ripen for the ensuing year. It may have been remarked
that the wood of this tree is of a greenish color, and rather soft,
when young ; but as it matures, it assumes a brownish and hardy
appearance. In topping new fields, these signs must be strictly
attended to; and the trees should not be topped till the wood
has ripened at the point at which it is intended to be cut. As
the trees begin to produce in about three years after planting,
and as they generally bear heavily at the time of topping, unless
the parent stem be sufficiently mature to sustain the weight of
the branches loaded with fruit the unripe portion will break, and
both tree and fruit will be destroyed.
" The climate, as well as the seasons, vary so materially in this
island that the growth of the tree, as well as its cultivation, must
necessarily differ accoi'ding to its peculiar locality. In some dis
tricts it does not come into full bearing before it is seven years
old, whilst in others it fruits in half the time; and the longevity
of the tree presents a still more remarkable difference ; in the
one, fields have been seen in cultivation upwards of half a cen
tury : whilst in the other, fifteen years may be taken as the mean
age. Soil certainly does not of itself create this difference, as
tbe same indications of favorable molds are observable in each
district; but it may rather be attributed to the climate. In the
elevated regions where coffee plantations have been established,
below the range of the Blue Mountains, the temperature, though
cold and bleak, is dry and healthy ; whilst in St. Thomas in the
Vale, where the lands lie considerably lower, the atmosphere is
warm, though damp, and visited with continuous fogs and rains.
The climate of Jamaica, therefore, is so diversified in its char
acter that no time can be assigned as the most favorable for
pruning. In these altitudes, where the tree vegetates nearly all
the year round, pruning may be performed during the whole
period. It is evident, however, that there are certain seasons of
the year when the sap lies dormant in the tree, and not the
slightest circulation is perceptible. If the effect be to obtain a
copious and healthy supply of young wood, this season could
not be deemed suitable for the purpose ; for fields which have
been pruned in November and December have been known to
remain in a dormant state, and not to throw out a particle of

32 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
young wood until the spring of the ensuing year. The months
of May, June, July, and August are those in which it has been
observed that pruning acts beneficially on the tree m the upper
districts; but it has often happened that in a.late crop the fruit
has not been removed up to August, consequently the pruning
had to be delayed until September and October.
" The due cleaning or weeding of coffee fields is equally re
quisite to their proper culture as pruning ; but this forms a mere
piece of physical labor, neither requiring much skill nor in
genuity in its exercise. Some care and consideration, however,
should be observed in this portion of management as to who
directs its performance. Established fields in dry climate do not
need more than two weedings a year, before and after harvesting;
but in a wet climate three or four are requisite. The weeds,
which are taken out by the hoe, form an excellent manure by
heaping them up beside the trees to admit of decomposition, and
at the next cleaning the mold thus obtained should be carefully
applied to their roots.
. " The manuring of old fields, with a view to their improve
ment, is an essential part of their cultivation. As guano is found
to be a very expensive renovator on this island, and as its pro
perties do not prove to be of so durable a nature as is desired, a
cheaper and more efficacious fertilizer has been produced on
plantations by ordinary means — -such as the pruning of stock,
and obtaining their excrement, and saving the fan trash and
pulp of the coffee. A combination of the properties of the three
manures forms a most effectual amendment to the declining soil
— a fact which is evinced in the richness and luxuriance of tbe
trees whenever the pulp or trash has been washed about their
roots by the rains.
" The indications of bearing in a coffee tree are usually mani- ¦
fested by the hanging down of the leaves and the swelling of the
joints, whence issue the buds. The blossoms , may have been
kept in this state for weeks and even months during dry weather,
but so soon as a shower of rain falls the buds shoot with astonish
ing rapidity, and in two days after the field will present a mass
of snowy whiteness, the fragrance of which is grateful to the
senses, and the whole scene imparts to the beholder pleasure and
satisfaction. Like other fruit trees, this shrub is acted upon by
the seasons, upon which late and early blossoms become contin
gent. In the warmer districts the March blossom is most calcu
lated upon, although expectations for a crop are not given over
before the end of May. In the colder regions blossoming may
commence in March or May, which is considered early, but July
and August give the strongest and most general flowers, and
¦ even large blossoms occur in September and October, such being

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 33
the peculiar changes brought about by the seasons. Three
periods of blooming are usually looked for, although good
crops have been made from a single heavy and regular flowering.
The blossoms shoot out in bunches similar to those of the Spanish
jasmine, but they decay in the course of two days, when the
fruit is supposed to be formed upon each ; the blossoms either
*^^jingi or in heavy rains falling off the trees. In the colder
climates the fields are sometimes seen for months in a continual
spitting blossom, and yet no fruit results, as the flowers previous
to setting are chilled, and often the young fruit also becomes
chilled, turns black and drops. But in warmer climates the
fruit rapidly advances, and in the course of the month grows to
the size of a small pea, whereas in colder localities two months
elapse before it arrives at that stage. While the fruit is young,
and until the beans begin to form, it will resist the influence of
dry weather ; but after that period it droops and feels much the
want of moisture, as if Nature, at that particular juncture, re
quired some assistance in her efforts to perfect the fruit. From
the time of the appearance of the blossom to the harvesting of
the berry seven months may be allotted, although crops have
been gathered in favorable seasons from a six month blossom ;
yet in the upper mountains the fruit does not mature before the
end of eight months. Thus the coffee begins to ripen in warm
districts in August, and in cold ones in February, at which
period the former crop is finished, whilst in the latter it lasts till
August. '' The fruit is harvested when in a blood-red state. The
laborers are principally accustomed to collect the crop in baskets;
and when the coff'ee is bearing heavily and is at full maturity, a
good picker will gather four bushels a day and carry them to the
works. The fruit, after being measured, is thrown into a heap in
the loft above the pulping machine, to which it is subjected, if
not immediately, within twenty-four hours after picking; but it
not unfrequently happens that tbe manager is unable to pulp his
coffee under two or three days, by which time fermentation takes
place, and it becomes impossible, after pulping, to wash off the
mucilage then adhering to the outer envelope of the berry, and
imparts to the produce a ' red' or ' blanketty' appearance when
spread on the platforms. The produce is let into the pulper
through a small hole in the floor of the loft, and by means of a
grater, forcing the fruit against the chops, the berries are dis
lodged from the pulp and fall upon a sieve, which being shaken
by the machinery causes the berries to drop into the cistern,
whilst the grater catches the pulp, carrying it backward at each
revolution of the roller. Any fruit which may have passed
through the machine half squeezed, and having only rejected one

34 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
bean, is returned to the hopper to undergo the process a second
time. The pulped coffee is permitted to remain in the cistern for
a day and a night, during which it ferments. It is then washed
in two or three waters, when all the mucilaginous matter which
had risen from the berry by fermentation is washed off, and the
beans present a beautiful white appearance. It is next turned
out to drain on a platform, so sloped as to throw all the water to
the center, where a conduit is placed to carry it off. In an hour
or so after the coff'ee is moved to the other platforms for curing,
where it is thinly spread out and exposed to the sun, which, if
shining strong, in eight or nine hours causes all the moisture to
evaporate, and the produce is fit for housing that day. From
the time the coffee is first exposed to the sun till the ' silver skin'
starts, is a stage during which the produce suffers most injury.
At the commencement of the process it is constantly thinned, in
order to get rid of the water as early as possible, and after it has
been housed the greatest precaution is taken to prevent its heat
ing, and for this reason early housing is disapproved of; for if
wet weather intervenes, and the coffee cannot be turned out, it
will become heated, and remain on the platform for several weeks
without the slightest advance in curing ; in this case, unless it be
frequently turned while in a wet state, it is sure to vegetate. The
berries first swell, then a thin white spire issues from the seam,
and on opening the bean the young leaves will actually be seen
formed inside, so rapid is the course of germination. Hence, the
coffee should not be housed till the silver skin begins to start,
when no danger can ensue ; for, if a few wet days should follow,
by turning the coffee in the house and exposing it to a current of
air, it will keep for weeks. It is at this state that the parchment
skin begins to show itself, which at first adheres to the beans, as
the heat of the sun starts it from its hold and causes it to separate ;
thus, on shaking a handful of the produce it will be heard to
rattle, a certain indication that the silver skin has risen from the
bean. As before observed, the bean is perfectly white till the
silver skin starts, when it begins gradually to assume the dark or
what is called the ' half cured' appearance. A day's exposure to
a strong sun will then half cure it, and by subsequent exposure
the produce takes another stage, gradually losing the half cured
and assuming a bluish tint; and when it is properly cured not
the sbghtest dark spot will be perceptible in the bean, which
should exhibit a horny blue color. When the coffee is perfectly
cured — which is generally ascertained by threshing out a few
berries, and observing if they have attained this horny blue — it
is fit for milling. Here the parchment and silver skin are dis
lodged from the berries by means of the friction of a large roller
passing over them in a wooden trough, out of which they are

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 35
taken and submitted to the fan or winnowing machine, when the
trash is all blown away, and the coffee passing through two or
three sieves comes out perfectly clean and partially sized. It is
then again sifted in order to assort it into proper sizes, hand-
picked, put into bags or tierces, and sent to the store.
"A variety of circumstances tend to injure the quality of the
coffee, which it is beyond human agency to control. Dry
weather, intervening at the particular period when the berry is
filling out, subjects it to be stunted and shrivelled ; and strong
dry breezes, happening at the same period, will cause an adhesion
of the silver skin, not to be overcome by the ordinary process of
manufacture and curing.
" A manifest preference is given in the leading markets to
coffee which has gone through the pulping and washing process ;
but, singular as it may appear, the consumers of this beverage,
perhaps, are not all aware of the fact that the produce which is
cured in the pulp furnishes a stronger decoction than an equal
quantity of the same that has undergone the other process. Many
are of opinion that the mucilaginous substance which is washed
off in pulping is absorbed by the bean when cured on the pulp,
and which gives strength to the coffee and enhances its aromatic
flavor. On most estates in Jamaica it has been customary to
cure the remnants of the crop in this way for domestic use ; and
it has been remarked by epicures in the flavor of the decoction,
that the article thus cured produced the strongest and best drink."
Sugar. The exports of sugar from Brazil were formerly much
more extensive than now, but its culture is more and more
abandoned for the culture of coffee, owing, in a great measure, to
the facility and comparatively small expense attending its pro
duction, while the culture of sugar and cotton depends on con
tingencies, both temporary and permanent, which must materially
affect the quantities annually produced. These contingencies
may be briefly stated. The culture of sugar depends as much on
the science of the manufacturer as on the capital and labor of the
planter. Before it can reach the market of Eio, or of any of the
other parts of the empire, it requires a vast expenditure of labor,
the most assiduous attention, and an outlay of capital that absorb
fully one half, if not more, of the gross yield. Besides, the aboli
tion of the slave trade, and the severity with which the present
laws of Brazil punish those detected in that traffic, must produce
decided effects upon the production of those staples in the culture
of which slave labor is indispensable. The amount of sugar pro
duced since 1864 in the provinces above home consumption is
inconsiderable. Tea. Late experiments with the Chinese tea-plant have led to
the most encouraging results. Most of the tea now consumed

36 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
here is of home growth ; a species of tea indigenous to the
country is exported in considerable quantities to the Western
coast of South America. In tbe course of years tea will become
an important article of exportation.
Tapioca, a species of starch or white coarse powder, derived
from the roots of a plant. These roots, being peeled, are sub
jected to a pressure in a kind of bag made of rushes ; the juice
which is forced out by this process being a deadly poison, and
employed by the Indians to poison their arrows. But the resi
duum, or farinaceous matter remaining after the expulsion of the
juice, is perfectly wholesome, and makes excellent bread. Ta
pioca, as stated above, is prepared from this residuum, and being
nutritious and easy of digestion, is extensively used in the mak
ing of puddings. When dressed it is not easily distinguished
from sago.
Eice is grown, above the consumption, in insignificant quan
tities. Part of it is distilled into rum, of which about 4,000
pipes are exported per annum.
Indian Corn, or Maize, is a very extensive article of culture,
it being the food of the mules and horses in these provinces. It
is, however, not used there as an article of food for man. Corn,
in some places of the interior may be bought for 15 cents per
bushel. As in tbe Amazon valley, it may be planted at any
time of the year, but I have not heard that more than two crops
are made annually.
Wheat can be grown to great advantage on the hill-sides of
the higher regions ; but owing to the scarcity of mills, and be
cause the culture of tropical productions is more profitable,
nearly all flour consumed is exported from the United States.
All European vegetables grow most luxuriantly in these prov
inces, and the city markets are at all seasons well supplied with
peas, beans, asparagus, caulifiower, cabbage and sweet potatoes.
The forests supply the very best timber for ship-building, and
almost every variety of wood for cabinet work and dyeing pur
poses, among the latter Brazilwood and rosewood. Travelers,
who have minutely explored the interior, describe no less than
219 varieties, and many of them largely enter into the commer
cial resources and domestic wealth of the empire.
No country produces such a variety of tropical, and at the
same time European fruits. The most important of these is the
plantain, or banana. This fruit is not, like most other iruits,
used merely as an occasional luxury, but is rather an established
article of subsistence. Being long and extensively cultivated, it
has diverged into numerous varieties, the fruit of which differs
materially in size, flavor and color. That of some is not above
two or three inches long, while that of others is not much short

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 37
a foot ; some sorts are sweet and of a flavor not unlike nor in
ner to that of a good mellow pear ; but the larger kind are, for
the most part, coarse and farinaceous. The latter are either
used fresh or dried in the sun, in which latter state they are oc
casionally ground into meal and made into bread. The sweeter
sorts are frequently pressed and dried, as figs are in Europe;
and while they are not inferior to the last mentioned fruit, they
are infinitely cheaper. "I doubt," says Baron Humboldt,
" whether there be anj'- other plant that produces so great a
quantity ot nutritive substance in so small a space. Eight or
nine months after the sucker is planted it begins to develop its
cluster. The fruit may be gathered in the tenth or eleventh
month. When the stalk is cut, there is always found, among
the numerous shoots that have taken root, a sprout, which,
being two-thirds of the height of the parent plant, bears fruit
three months later. Thus a plantation of bananas perpetuates it
self, without requiring any care on the part of man, further than
to cut the stalks when the fruit has ripened, and to stir the earth
gently once or twice a year about the roots. A piece of land
of 100 square yards of surface will contain from 30 to 40 plants.
During the course of a year this same piece of ground, reckon
ing the weight of a cluster from 30 to 40 pounds only, will
yield more than 4,000 pounds of nutritive substance. What a
difference between this product and that of the cereal grasses in
most parts of Europe. The same extent of land planted with
wheat would not produce above 30 pounds, and not more than
90 pounds of potatoes. Hence the product of the banana is to
that of wheat as 133 to 1, and to that of potatoes as 44 to 1."
The Pine Apple attains the size of a man's head, and is,
perhaps, the most luscious fruit produced there.
Of Oranges there are different species. They are not of
that degenerate kind generally sold and peddled out in the
United States, but have a rich sweet juice, which, when the
fruit is fully ripe, resembles honey more than anything else.
The Grape comes to the highest perfection, in the cultivated
as well as in the wild state. There are localities in Santo Paulo
where the wild grape is extremely abundant. The vines will
climb up the forest trees, and running from trunk to trunk,
form graceful festoons, and often bend the saplings under the
weight of their clusters. I have seen vines nine inches in
diameter. These wild grapes, I have no doubt, would make
excellent wine, as they have a sweet juice, thin skin, and a small
pulp. Out of the great variety of fruit I shall besides mention
the fig and the almond.
Apples are not grown in the country, but are sometimes im
ported from Europe. The Brazilians esteem them as great a
rarity as we do the pine apples.

38 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
The Peach-tree flourishes well, still is its fruit inferior to the
North American peach.
In a country of so sparse a population, so densely covered with
virgin forests, game must be abundant. These provinces have
not those extensive grassy plains called " pampas," where hun
dred thousands of wild cattle roam undisturbed ; but there
abounds in the forests an animal of the deer species, called "an-
ta," of the size of a large mule, and which has a very savory
meat. The common deer are so frequent that I have killed them
two or three miles from the city of Santos. The people of the
interior eat monkeys, and esteem the monkey pie a great luxury ;
but I suppose an American would hardly make an attempt to
conquer his prejudice against the Brazilian diet,- so long as there
could be procured plenty of other good meat more familiar to his
palate. Yet is there another dish peculiar to Brazil, which the
foreigner would consider still more outlandish and disgusting,
but to which, upon trial, the greatest epicure could not object.
This is furnished by the lagarto, an animal two or three feet
long, from 15 to 25 pounds in weight, and of the shape of our
common lizard. The meat is of a pure white, well flavored and
tender. There are five or six varieties of pheasants, the largest
weighing as much as 18 pounds, all excellent game birds. Our
turkey is also common. The ostrich is met with in great num
bers in the pampas, but strays off, occasionally, to these regions.
The bird is eagerly hunted for his valuable feathers. Before I
dismiss the subject I must also mention the parrot and the coli-
bri, though they be not birds of game. The sea along the coast
furnishes an abundance of fish and oysters, and the coves and in
lets any amount of crawfish (camaroa). The oysters are smaller
than the North American oyster. The Brazilians call the larger
fish pescado and the smaller ones peisce. I always preferred the
peisce. Of the domestic animals the most useful is the mule. This
animal not alone supplies there the want of railroads and wag
ons in bringing most of the produce to market, but is more
generally used asa saddle animal than the horse. Mules in this
country are remarkably large, and are worth from 25 to 150
dollars. There are small bats in Brazil which now and then
kill a mule. These bats are smaller than our bats, but may be
come formidable by numbers, to cattle, at least. They will, at
night, fly in great flocks into the stable, and clinging to the
mules' sides and belly like leeches, fill themselves with blood.
The mule then is found dead in the morning. In some places it
is necessary to spread nets before the stable windows to prevent
the ingress of these disgusting animals. They never become
fatal to men. In regard to the vampirebat, which is said to kill

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 39
men, and about which I have often been questioned, I can only
say I never saw any of them.
No fine horses are raised in Brazil. Some fine animals are
imported from the Cape of Good Hope and other parts. The
dog, I am sure, loses many of his good qualities. We im
ported several fine Newfoundland dogs, but discovered after
we had kept them a year or so, that they became more and more
worthless. The cow is much the same size as in other countries. How
much milk they give in relation to our cows I cannot say, but
to judge by the fine pastures, the yield must be considerable;
still all the butter consumed in the country is imported from
Portugal and England. Butter is subject to an importation tax
of 13c. per pound, and is retailed at from 60c. to 75c. per
pound in Rio de Janeiro. It is often so rancid that I was fain
to substitute cheese for it. A sufficient supply of fresh butter,
and there is no reason why any amount of good butter could
not be made in Brazil, must inevitably drive the imported butter
out of the market. Beef of good quality is sold in the cities at
from 3c. to 6c. per pound. Turkeys and chickens are raised in
great numbers ; they form an important item of Brazilian diet.
Of snakes, bugs, insects, etc., the country also furnishes its
share. Poisonous snakes I never saw ; ihere are, however,
several varieties. The largest snake I ever met with there, was a
black snake, about 15 feet long, but perfectly harmless. A real
plague of the country is the barata, a species of cockroach.
They are very destructive to the timber of houses, and where
the houses are old and neglected they will soon reduce the
posts and rafters to mere shells, eating all the wood inside.
Bushels of this bug might be collected out of such old houses.
Phosphorus, when soon enough employed, will cause them to
desert their haunts, and put a stop to their depredations. There
are also mosquitoes and sandflies, but they are confined to the
coast, and are only troublesome during two or three months of
the year.
The yellow fever visits, every two or three years, the cities on
the sea coast, when it makes considerable havoc among the whites
and blacks. It, however, never spreads over the first mountain
rano-es, 15 miles from the coast. Several years ago, when the
Asiastic cholera visited Europe and America, Brazil was also
made tributary to this terrible epidemic. It raged, however,
more particularlv among the slaves, of whom many thousands
were swept away in an incredible short time. Since then^ no
more symptoms of that disease have shown themselves. The
interior of the two provinces is extremely healthy. The country
doctors are few and far between, and these few have little em-

40 brazil: its inhabitants,
ployment. In the rare cases of sickness there is always some
old woman near, who, with the aid of herbs and roots, considers
herself equal to the emergency. If all fail — roots, herbs and
old women — they resort to crosses and holy water ; and if they
also prove unavailing, it is manifest that God wills the patient
should die. Even in the cities the more ignorant people will
cause the priests to make crosses over their doors, to keep the
yellow fever out of their houses. I have known several ex
tremely old people in the country, among others a lady 130
years old, and who had married at the age of twelve. As the
diet and the habits of living of the Brazilians are by no means
conducive to longevity, it must be produced by the salubrious
climate. The principal beverage is coffee, which by some process I am
unacquainted with, is made almost as thick as syrup. Of this
quaint essence of coffee, as it may be called, one fourth is added
to three parts of boiling cream, and when this is well sugared
you have a rich beverage, that will certainly gratify your palate.
When I partook of it for the first time, I believed it to be some
delicious drink peculiar to the country, and unknown to me ;
and I always liked it so much aa to drink it at all times of
the day. The inordinate use of coffee made me so nervous
that I often could not wield the pen. In the public coffee houses
coffee is taken in very small cups, without cream, and well sugared;
in which state the beverage suits my taste but little. In spite of
the warm climate, port wine and otber heavy wines are preferred
to claret, aud the quantities consumed of the former much ex
ceeds that of the latter. This arises from the fact that so long
as Brazil belonged to Portugal, only heavy Portuguese wines were
introduced into the country, and now, although the Brazilians
can buy where they choose, long habit has formed their tastes.
Wine is not manufactured in the country. Some of the fruits
furnish good drink, among others the orange. Porter and ale
are imported from England, but suffer by the passage over
tropical seas ; a much cheaper and better article of beer can be
had at the German brewery of Eio de Janeiro. Eice and sugar
are manufacturered into excellent rum, of which Eio exports
about 4,000 pipes annually, and corn gives them whisky, called
there cachasso, aud almost exclusively used by the negroes.
Drunkenness is not a vice of this country. I never saw a
Brazilian drunk in the streets.
The meal hours in Brazil are not the same as ours. At sun
rise the servants will bring to your bed, on a tray, a bowl of
chocolate, coffee with cream, or some dish made of milk, eggs,
sugar and spices. This refreshment the Brazilian takes in bed,
perhaps an hour before he dresses. The breakfast is served up

climate .A.ND PRODUCTIONS. 41
at ten o'clock A.M., and dinner at four o'clock P.M. ; and at
eight o'clock P.M. tea is taken, with perhaps a slice of cake. In
the cities the table is well supplied with fish, oysters, and craw
fish, besides beef and fowl. Rice is a never-failing dish on the
dinner as well as breakfast table. Only the best brands of
American flour will satisfy the Brazilian. The city people do
not bake their own bread, but procure their day supply of bread
from the baker. Emigrants who do not bring with them a sup
ply of provisions of their own must in the beginning, and before
they are arranged in their homes, content themselves with pro
visions they little fancy. An Irishman, to whom carne secca
(jerked beef) and farina (mandioca meal) was served out, com
plained that the wretches intended to feed him on sole-leather
and sawdust. This mandioca meal resembles, indeed, sawdust
very much ; and although a dish which is never wanting on the
tables of the rich and poor, I never learned to like it. Other
cheap provisions are beans and pork. On this diet, well known
in this country, I need not enlarge.

CHAPTER IV.
Eio DE Janeiro,* the capital of Brazil, on the Atlantic, in
lat. 22 deg. 54 min. 15 sec. S., long. 43 deg. 15 min. 50 sec. W.
Population 200,000. The harbor of Rio is one of the finest in
the world, both as respects capaciousness and security for all
sorts of vessels. In coming from the northeast it is usual to
make Cape Frio, in lat. 23 deg. 1 min. 18 sec. S., long. 42 deg.
3 min. 19 sec. W., being about four leagues east of Rio. _ The
entrance to the harbor is marked by a remarkable hill in the
form o'f a sugar-loaf, nine hundred feet high, close to its west
side ; while on the east or opposite side of the bay, at the dis
tance of about one and a half miles, is the fort of Santa Cruz.
Harbor.— Vessels bound for Eio, coming from the north,
should, after rounding Cape Frio, steer due west, keeping about
three leagues from the coast, until they come withm five or six
miles of the Ilha Rasa, or flat island, lying almost due south
from the mouth of the harbor at the distance of about three
leagues A lighthouse, the lantern of which is said to be
elevated nearly three hundred feet above the level of the sea,
was erected on this island in 1829. The light is a revolvmg one,
finishing its revolution in three minutes, and exhibiting alter-
* The statistics and observations on the commerce of Rio de Janeiro
contained in this chapter are taken from Hornan's Cyclopedia of Commerce,
published in 1859.

42 BRAZIL : ITS inhabitants,
nately a red and white light. There is also a lighthouse in the
fort of Santa Cruz, the light of which is fixed, and elevated about
fifty feet above the level of the sea. Having got within five or
six miles of the Ilha Rasa, ships may enter l3y day or by night.
There are no pilots to be met with ; and as there are no hidden
dangers of any kind, their services are not wanted. On entering,
vessels must pass within hail of Fort Santa Cruz, to be ready to
answer any questions that may be put to them. They then
proceed to Fort Vilganhon, below or opposite to which they
must bring to, or come to anchor, allowing no boats to come
alongside but those of the Government until they have received
pratique, when they will be permitted to proceed to the usual
place of anchorage for the merchant shipping. The sea-breeze
generally sets in about 11 A.M., and lasts till about sunset. It
is strong enough to enable ships to overcome the ebb high
water at full, and changes at two in the afternoon.
Anchorage Dues. — 1. From and after 1st July, 1852, the
anchorage duty upon vessels trading between foreign ports and
the ports of Brazil will be reduced to 300 reis the ton, and the
same class of duty now levied upon coasting vessels shall be
abolished. 2. That part of the provisions of April 26, July 20,
and November 15, 1844, which has not been altered by this
decree will continue in force.
Trade. — The trade of Rio is extensive, and has increased
rapidly of late years. It is now by far the greatest mart for the
export of coff'ee. The shipments of this important article, which
in 1830 amounted to 396,785 bags, have increased with such
unexampled rapidity that in 1848 they amounted to 1,710,707
bags — that is (taking the bag at 160 lbs.), to 273,713,120 pounds,
or 122,193 tons ; being about equal to all the exports of coffee
from all the other ports in the world. It has not, however, been
so large since. Sugar was formerly an important article of
export from Rio, but latterly it has rapidly decreased, and only
amounted to 5,979 fcases (13 cwt. each) in 184 S. It is probable,
however, that here, as in Cuba and other places, the late low
prices of coffee may have produced a reaction in favor of sugar,
the exports of the latter having risen in 1850 to 13,047 cases.
The other great articles of export from Rio are hides, rice,
tobacco, rum, tapioca, ipecachuanha, manioc or manihot, flour,
and other articles. Tbe export of cotton has entirely ceased ;
and that of gold, diamonds, &c., is nearly clandestine. Diamonds
are principally exported from Bahia.

climate and productions. 43

Accounts of the Exports of Native Produce from Eio
DE Janeiro dueing each of the Six Years ending
WITH 1852:

Years. Coffee. Sugar. Hides. Horns. Rosewood, Leather. Rice. Rum.
Bag<. Cases. No. No. Logs i Planks. Sides. Bags. Pipes.
1847 1,339,234 8,426 367,238 450,783 9,437 5,562 16,741 3,933
1848 1,710,599 5,713 331,583 269,191 16,364 10,254 9,713 2,863
1849 1,460,410 5,865 301,983 378,707 23,257 10,746 20,707 4,380
1850 1,359,058 13,047 200,033 368,560 26,382 17,617 24,242 8,216
1851 1,846,398 7,824 147,296 256,949 86,547 13,774 8,229 8,892
1853 1,907,130 12,516 125,739 176,098 25,369 3,955 8,449 1,953
The principle article of import consists of cotton goods, the
value of which amounts to full one-third of the total value of
the imports. Next to cottons are woolen, linen, and silk manu
factures ; wines, jewelry, and ironmongery ; flour, meat, fish,
butter, and other articles of provisions ; spirits, salt, earthenware,
paper, and a host of other articles. The importation of ready-
made furniture from the United States is also extensive.
About fifty per cent, of the entire commerce of Brazil passes
through the port of Rio de Janeiro. Hither is conveyed from
all ports on the coast — -from Bahia almost to the frontiers of the
Argentine Republic — all the produce intended for exportation
or home consumption. Farina, beans, bacon, dried and salt
meat, hides, horns, tallow, rice, tobacco, sugar, coffee, cotton — in
a word, all the produce and manufactures of the different pro
vinces are made tributary, either by land or water conveyance,
to the wealth and commercial greatness of the Brazilian metro
polis. A numerous fleet of vessels is employed in the coasting
trade, in supplying the different ports along the coast with the
various productions of the soil and industry of America and
Europe. The chief foreign exports from Eio de Janeiro are
coffee (more than half of the whole going to the United States),
sugar, cotton, hides, tobacco, otter skins, etc.
Tonnage employed in the trade of 1841 : Total vessels, 1,705,
of 416,000 tons— of which, from and to the United States there
were 289 vessels, of 77,000 tons.
Tonnage, etc., of 1841, compared with that of 1840 :
1841  1,705 vessels  416,000 tonnage.
1840 ... 1,640 " .... 399,200
Excess over 1840 ... 65 " .... 16,800 "

44

brazil: its inhabitants.

The leading articles imported in 1851 were as follows : Cot
tons, 42,560; woolens, 5,488 ; linens, 5,695 ; silks, 1,088; and
mixed goods, 1,263 packages ; codfish, 54,602 quintals ; coal,
42,007 tons; ale and porter, 23,704 barrels; flour, 283,893
barrels; candles, sperm 90, composition 6,052, and tallow 25,561
boxes; wines, Portugal 14,033, Mediterranean 7,644, and Bor
deaux 4,421 pipes ; butter, 25,561 firkins ; cordage, 3,480 coils,
etc. The produce of the country exported in the same year
consisted of: Coffee, 2,033,743 bags; hides, 147,296; sugar,
7,824 cases ; rum, 3,892 pipes ; rice, 8,229 bags ; horns, 256,949 ;
tobacco, 28,755 rolls (of 96 lbs. each) ; rosewood, 36,547 pieces ;
half-tanned hides, 12,744; tapioca, 17,737 barrels, etc. The
arrivals coastwise in 1851 were 1,935 sail vessels, and 359
steamers, with an aggregate of 221,647 tons ; and the departures
were 1,863 sail vessels, and 380 steamers, with an aggregate of
226,002 tons. The total imports and exports of the empire in
1851 exhibit an increase of 33 per cent, over the average of the
four preceding years. Could Brazil be induced to abolish the
heavy export duties which she levies on her staple productions,
the increase would largely exceed this figure. The article of
coffee alone would in a short period fully make up for any
deficiency in her revenue, caused by the abolition of these duties,
in the increased demand for that article for foreign markets.
Besides, the stimulus which would in consequence be imparted
to that branch of agricultural labor would present an incidental
benefit, which could hardly escape the observation of a sagacious
legislator. Statements Illustrative of the Trade op Rio in 1850.
LEADING AKTICLK8 IMPORTED.

Quantities .

Quantities

Cotton Manufactures,

pkgs., . 36,134

Candles, Sperm, boxes,

. 1,872

Woolen "

" . 2,958

" Composition,

boxes, 5,369

Linen "

" . 1,170

Tallow, .

" . 2,222

Silk

" . 770

Wines, Portugal, pipes

. 14,525

Mixed "

" . 1,141

" Mediterranean,

pipes, 6,761

Codfish, quintals, .

. 35,050

" Bordeaux,

" . 2,483

Coal, tons, .

. 33,404

Butter, firkins.

. 38,980

Ale and Porter, bbls.

. 15,961

Cordage, coils.

. 10,670

Flour, bbls..

205,578

EXPORTS OF PHODU
:e of the countet.
Quantities.
Quantities.
Coffee, bags.
. 1,859,058
Other woods, deals.
. 15,186
Hides,
. 200,033
Half-tanned Hides,
. 17,617
Sugar, cases.
. 13,047
Tapioca, lbs..
. 16,053
Rum, pipes.
3,216
Tea, boxes, .
34
CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS.

45

EXPORTS

Rice, bags.
Horns, . \
Tobacco, rolls, .
Ipecacuanha, seroons,
Rosewood, pieces, .

OF PRODUCE.— (continued.)
Quantities.

24,242
268,550 28,440 127
26,333

Cigars,
Hair (Horse), bales,
Flour (Manihot), bags.
Soap, boxes.
Candles, Tallow, boxes,

656
857
10,673
. 3,565 304

^Tr ii2r.o°wirs""i?°" ^'° ^' ^"™;"- -^ >-

Tears. Bags.
1821  105,886
1822  152,048
1823  184,994
-1824  234,000
1825  182,510
1826  260,000
1837  850,900
1828  369,147
1839  375,107
1830  391,785

lusive, in bags of 160 lbs. :
Tears. Bags.
1831  448,249
1833  478,950
1833  563,195
1884  339,117
1835  637,165
1836  704,385
1887  629,734
1838  781,651
1889  871,785
1840  1,068,801

Tears. Bags.
1841  1,613,915
1842  1,179,731
1843  1,189,525
1844... . 1,660,431
1845  1,208,063
1846  1,511,069
1847  1,639,334
1848  1,710,579
1849....  1,460,410
1850  1,359,058

Comparative statement showing the inward navigation of Eio de
Janeiro in the years 1851 and 1852 :

Foreign Flags.

Vessels.

Foreign Flags.

Vessels.

1851.

1852.

1851. 1852.

United States,

. 300

255

Belgium,

. 30 30

Great Britain,

. 213

228

Austria,

. 34 25

Portugal,

. 104

90

Holland,

. 11 17

Hanse Towns,

. 90

73

Prussia,

.. 16 16

Sweden and Norway,

. 114

73

Kussia,

. 20 11

France,

. 78

68

Other countries.

. 46 90

Denmark,

. 72

67

Spain,
30
14
Total,
. 1,210 1,099
Sardinia,
48
44
The total value of the commercial movements at the port of
Rio de Janeiro in 1852 was 353,000,000 francs — equal to
$67,070,000; showing a large increase over the trade of the
preceding year. Of the above total, there was for imports
180,000,000 francs, and for exports 173,000,000 francs.
The following condensed summary shows the trades of the
principal commercial countries with Rio during this year.
Great Britain and possessions, 74,000,000 francs. Imports con
sisted chiefly of cottons, woolens, provisions, hardware, coal, etc.
France 34,000,000 francs. Imports— liquors, tissues, cutlery,
articles of fashion, etc. United States, 23,000,000 francs. Im
ports— provisions, etc. Portugal, 14,500,000 francs. Imports—
P° ' . provision;, etc. Iltnse Towns, 11,000,000 trancs.
£" j;,ts_general cargoes. Buenos Ayres aud Montevideo,
46

brazil: its INHABITANTS,

5,000,000 francs. Imports — provisions, skins, etc. The exports
of Eio de Janeiro this year were in value :

Colfee,Diamonds and Pearls,
Sugar,
Tobacco and Cigars,
Hides and Skins,
Cabinet Woods,

140,000,000 francs.
15,000,000 "
5,000,000 "
3,500,000 '=
2,500,000 "
1,800,000 "

According to the official report of the Custom-house of Rio
de Janeiro, there was exported from that port to the United
States, up to the 30th of June of the year 1852, 952,489 bags of
coffee, of 160 pounds each. The total quantity of coffee ex
ported the same year is stated to have been 1,896,609 bags.
The quantity sent to the United States was thus distributed :

New Orleans,
New York,
Baltimore, Philadelphia, Charleston,
Boston, Mobile,
Savannah, San Francisco,

Total,

346,262 bags.
260,179 "
207,792 "
81,125 "
25,733 "
11,758 "
11,261 "
4,369 "
4,011 "

953,489

The following statement shows how the navigation of Rio de
Janeiro wfc distributed in 1853 and 1854 : —
Nationality.
United States,
England, .
Portugal,Prance, Hanse Towns,
Spain,
Sweden and Norway,
Montevideo,
Buenos Ayres,
Belgium,
Denmark, Sardinia,
For many years the United States occupied the first rank in
the navigation of Rio de Janeiro. It will be perceived from the
preceding table that England claims the precedence in 1854, a
fact which is attributed to the falling ofi' in that year in the im
portation of flour from the United States. The new line of

^ninber of Vessels

1853.

1854.

379

231

. 364

360

123

133

. 54

63

72

63

. 43

64

72

44

. 22

87

18

43

. 36

33

61

83

. 12

10

climate and productions. 47
steamers, established in 1853, between Liverpool and Rio de
Janeiro, touching at the same places as the Southampton line,
— namely, Lisbon, Madeira, Teneriffe, St. Vincent, Pernambuco,
and Bahia — notwithstanding the fears as to its success, continued
in 1854 its monthly service with activity and profit. Besides
these two lines of steamers, a company, composed of Brazilian
and Portuguese merchants, has established a line between Lisbon
and Rio, touching at the same points. But this line had in 1854
but one steamer in service, the voyages of which, however,
proved very successful.
The port of Rio de Janeiro is becoming yearly more important
as the center of South Atlantic commerce. The number and ton
nage of vessels which entered in 1855 were augmented a third
when compared with 1845, and more than a half over the number
and tonnage of vessels in 1835. From 1850 to 1854 the average
increase during the five years was nearl}^ a fifth. The following
statement exhibits the progressive movement:
Tears ' ' , : 1 'a Vessels. Tons.
1835, . . . ¦ ¦ -¦ ' 572 134,913

1845,

878 158,940
1,385 380,873

1855,
These figures exhibit the results of foreign navigation only.
The coasting trade is shown as follows :

^essels.

Tons.

1,930

115,117

3,603

1168,872

3,068

318,290

Tears. 1835, . . . •
1845, . . . •
1855, . . • •
The employment of steamboats in the navigation of Rio de
Janeiro is yearly extending. In 1845 the number ot steam^
boats engaged in the trade of the port of Rio was239._ In 1855
the number reached 431. Fourteen companies, owning thirty-
nine steamboats, with an aggregate of 2,428 horse-po%ver, keep
up the communication between Rio de Janeiro and the other
maritime towns of the empire. There are also four towboats
with an aggregate of 187 horse-power. _ The followmg tabulai
statement exhibits the value of leading importations into Rio de
Janeiro in 1854: I. — MEECHA2<fDISB. 17,000,000 francs.
Liquors, Wines, Tea,, etc., • • 34 000,000 "
Provisions, Flour, Butter, etc., ¦ • / qoo 000 "
Lamp Oil, Fat, Tallow, Soap, etc., • • ' '
Hatters' Wares, Drygoods, Laces, iancy „ qqq qqq ..
Goods, etc., ..•¦•''

48 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
MERCHANDISE.  (CONTINUED.)
Tissues of Cotton,  31,000,000 francs.
" " Wool,  7,000,000 "
" " Linen,  8,000,000 "
Paper, Books, etc.,  4,000,000 "
Skins and Leather, Shoes, etc., . . 4,000,000 "
Broom Wares, Willow Wares, Woods,
Furniture, etc., .... 8,000,000 "
Pottery Wares, Porcelain, etc., . . 3,000,000 "
Watches, Jewelry, Hardware, etc., . . 10,000,000 "
Coal, Metals, Manufactured and Wrought, 11,000,000 "
As regards the export trade of Rio de Janeiro in 1854, the
returns at hand are not so minute. Of coffee, however, the chief
article of export from the Brazilian market, there were exported
this year 1,987,632 bags, of which 899,900 bags were sent to the
United States. The quantity of sugar exported was less than
that of 1853— namely, 5,905 hhds. and 1,739 barrels.
The following resume exhibits the total results of 1854 :
IMPORTS. EXPORTS.
Value in 1854, . . 171,000,000 francs. 167,000,000 francs.
Value in 1853, . . 164,000,000 „ 161,000,000 „

Increase in 1854, . . 7,000,000 „ 6,000,000 „
The total flour imports at Rio, for 1856, were 317,404 barrels,
of which 301,729 barrels were from the United States. Of this
amount 151,716 barrels were shipped coastwise or re-exported
after reaching Rio.
Total imports, 1857, .... 317,404
Stock in all hands, Jan. 1, 1856, . . 80,000 — 397,404
Shipped coastwise, 1856, . . . 151,7161
Stock on hand, Jan. 1, 1857, . . . 60,000 —211,7164

Consumption of 1856,  185,687i barrels.
The imports of flour from all sources last year exceed those of
the preceding year 16,636 barrels, while the imports from the
United States show an increase for the same period of 74,423
barrels. In fact the tables for ten years show a somewhat irre
gular, but decisive transfer of the flour trade almost entirely to
the hands of the United States.
The ports of BrazU open - to direct foreign trade are Para,
Maranham, Paranahiba, Fortaleza, Aracaty, Rio Grande, North
Parahiba, Pernambuco, Maceio, Lanangeiras, Bahia, Espirito
Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Paranagua, St. Catherine, Rio
(3-rande, Santo Barga, Portq Allegro.
Anchorage Dues. — 300 reas (about 16| cents) per ton of
Brazilian measurement. Yessels arriving and departing in bal-

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 49
last pay only half anchorage ; and those calling merely for sup
plies are exempt from anchorage duty. Vessels which make
more than two voyages to ports of Brazil during a twelvemonth
are exempt from the payment of anchorage dues on all voyages
over that number within the same year. Vessels, therefore, pay
no more than 600 reas annually, be the number of voyages
what it may. For passports to leave, from two to four dollars ;
for pilotage inward, 17 dollars, but no obligation to take pilots
inward ; for pilotage outward 39 dollars. No vessel is allowed
to leave port without a pilot, nor to get under weigh after sun
set, or before sunrise. Hospital money, two dollars on the ves
sel, and about 36 cents for each of the crew. The charge for
stamps varies, being no less than $1. A consular return from
Pernambuco, under date of January, 1855, gives each specific
item of charge upon an American bark of 200 tons burden,
which entered that port, laden with flour, and leaving with a
cargo of sugar. The total, inward and outward, including the
charges for lighterage, labor, craneage, etc., which are not on
government account, amounted to $570. Of this there was paid
on government account $192 — the remainder belonging to the
otber class of charges.
Tariff. — The market prices in Brazil are taken as the basis
for the duties imposed by the present tariff. The dispatch by
invoice will take place when the goods imported have no fixed
duties in the tariff, or when they are subject only to a tax for
warehousing and clearing out. For the dispatch of goods sub-
iect to ad valorem duties, the merchant or consignee is obliged
to show a declaration stating the prices of his goods, and the
original invoice duly certified. In want of the original invoice
may be presented two certificates by two brokers ; or, in the
absence of brokers, of two merchants of the place, showing the
current prices of the goods. .„ , ,
The value of goods subject to ad valorem duties will be that ot
the Brazilian market, as before said ; deduction made of the res
pective duties, or the value of the original invoice with the
addition of ten per cent ,. -p ., r^,.
Remarks on the Trade ot Brazd. — ihis vast empire
comprehends the great eastern section of South America. Its
Ipns-th from North to South is computed at about 2,600 miles,
and its greatest breadth at 2,540 miles. The entire area com-
s about 2 973 400 square miles, or over ten times the area of
Ks and about seventy times that of Portugal. The climate
,= cr;nerallv favorable to agricultural pursuits, the soil being
f vL and in many parts of the empire, particularly in the
teiuie, <! „Komjding with valuable mineral resources. The
provinces, .^^^ ^^- g,.azil are such as must necessarily attract
4

50 BRAZIL: ITS INHABITANTS,
an extensive foreign trade ; though it is stated that anterior to
1809 she had no direct intercourse with foreign nations ; the
mother country, under the policy which dictated her colonial
system, excluding from the ports of her extensive colony all fo
reign flags. The dangers which menaced, and the domestic
troubles which agitated Portugal at this period, resulted in the
flight of the royal family to Brazil. The ports of Brazil were
at once opened to foreign commerce, and since that period the
culture of the staple productions has kept pace with the increas
ed demands of foreign markets. The great staple of Brazil is
coffee, though vegetables, fruits, wheat, barley, rice, maize and
tobacco are extensively produced in the southern or temperate
provinces ; while within the tropics the chief productions are
mandioca, rice, bananas, plantains, beans, sweet potatoes, coffee,
sugar, cotton and cocoa — the last four for exportation.
Since the acknowledgment of its independence, the commer
cial regulations of Brazil have been marked by a spirit of liber
ality and of freedom from unnecessary aud exclusive' restrictions.
The duties on imports and exports are based upon the valuation
principle, and are designed solely with a view to supply the ne
cessary revenue for the support of the government ; and the
port, pilot and other navigation charges seldom exceed the ac
tual requirements of a just and liberal intercourse with foreign
nations. Indeed, the commercial policy of Brazil seems emi
nently adapted to a country of such boundless extent and so
sparely populated, as labor is sure to find a remunerative re
ward, in whatever mode it may seek to develop the exhaustless
resources of the empire, in the free competition to which it
invites the enterprise and exchanges of foreign nations. The
commercial treaties negotiated by the Government of Brazil
with foreign countries are generally based upon the principle of
reciprocity. That with the United States was concluded Dec
ember 12, 1828, and established between the two countries
freedom of commerce and entire reciprocity of trade and navi
gation — certain special favors being reserved to Portugal,
owing to the former relations between that country and Brazil.
This treaty contained the usual stipulation requiring twelve
months' notice to be given by either party desiring to terminate
the same ; and such notice having been given by the Govern
ment of Brazil, and the twelve months having expired, the treaty
is no longer in force. The commercial relations of the two
countries were, however, placed upon a footing of similar reci
procity to that guaranteed by the treaty, by virtue of the pro
clamation of the President of the United States, bearing date
November 4, 1847, issued conformably to the provisions of an
. act of Congress, passed on the 24tli day of May, 1828.

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 51
As the trade between the two countries is placed much on
the same footing of reciprocity as that guaranteed by the treaty,
it IS deemed not irrelevant to present a synopsis of the provi
sions of that treaty, so far as they relate to commerce :
" The contracting parties are placed on the footing of the
most favored nations in respect to commerce and navigation,
the relation between Portugal and Brazil excepted. Free com
mercial intercourse, on the basis of perfect equality and reci
procity between the citizens and subjects of the two countries,
is established, the coasting trade being reserved by each govern
ment to its own flag. The vessels of both countries are placed
on the same footing- in the ports of eaclr as to the importation,
exportation, or rc-exportatiou of foreign goods, from or to any
foreign country ; the United States agreeing to consider a ves
sel as Brazilian when the proprietor and captain are subjects of
Brazil and the papers are in legal form. The contracting par
ties agree that no higher or other duties shall be imposed on the
importation of any article, the produce or manufacture of either
country into the ports of the other, than are or shall be payable
on the like articles, being the produce or manufacture of any
other foreign country ; and export duties shall be the same in
each to the ports of the other as when the articles are exported
to any other foreign country. It is agreed that it shall be wholly
free for all merchants, commanders of ships, and other citizens
or subjects of both countries, to manage themselves their own
business in all the ports and places subject to the jurisdiction
of each other, as well with respect -to the consignment and sale
of their goods and merchandize by wholesale or retail, as with
respect to the loading, unloading, and sending off their ships ;
they being in all these cases to be treated as citizens or sub
jects of the country in which they reside, or, at least, to be
placed on a footing with the subjects or citizens of the most
favored nations. Vessels in distress, pursued by pirates or ene
mies, etc., belonging to either of the contracting parties, to be
received and protected in the ports, rivers, bays, etc., of the
other. " Foreign Commerce of Brazil. — From ofiicial documents,^ it
appears, that of the whole commerce of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
holds 58 per cent ; Bahia 12 per cent ; Pernambuco 12 per
cent ; Alagoas, Santos, and Santo Pedro do Sol 8 per cent ;
Para, Maranham and Santa Catarina, each 4 per cent. The
species of merchandize which constitutes the leading imports
into Brazil are cottons ; of which Rio de Janeiro, Bahia and
Pernambuco usually receive in value about $47,000,000;
woolens about $10,000,000 ; silks, $800,000. After these rank
next in commercial importance provisions, flour (the great

52 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
bulk of which comes from the United States), wines and other
liquors ; metals, crude and manufactured ; watches, jewelry,
arms, ammunition, etc. The principal exports are coffee
(which is shipped from Rio) and sugar (principally from Bahia
and Pernambuco). Full a moiety of the former goes to the
United States, and the latter chiefly to England, Trieste, and
the Hanse Towns. The precious metals next follow in the rank
of exports ; then diamonds, skins, hides, cotton and tobacco.
The two last, as well as sugar, are either stationary or declin
ing, as respects the quantities annually exported.
" The quantity of precious stones shipped is now very con
siderable. In most cases they are sent to a losing market,
being in fact more valuable in Brazil than in London or Paris.
Aquamarines of a very large size have been found. In January,
1811, one was found in the Eibeirao das Americanas, near the
diamond district, which weighed 15 pounds ; and in the same
place, in the October following, one was discovered weighing
4 pounds. Topazes of a fine quality, but seldom large, ame
thysts and crysolites, are also articles of exportation ; and at
times some fine specimens of these gems are to be met with in
the jewelers' shops. Correctly speaking, there are no trading
companies in Rio de Janeiro ; there is a society for effecting
maritime insurances, but no other. The Bank of Brazil has had
very extensive concessions made in its favor, aud ought to be in
a flourishing state. It has power of issuing notes, and all dis
puted moneys and property of the deceased and absent {mortes
e auzenies) must be placed in its hands, and 2 per cent, per
annum charged for the care and trouble. This, in addition to
the interest which might be obtained for the deposit, would
alone, in an active mercantile country, form no inconsiderable
revenue. Specie is prohibited from being carried coastwise ;
merchants who wish to deposit cash in one of the northern
ports, where the largest purchases are made, are therefore forced
to take hand bills, and pay a premium for them, varying from
3 to 5 per cent. Some enormous capitals have been amassed,
but generally the speculations of the native merchants are con
ducted on a very limited scale. The legal rate of interest is 6
per cent., but money can be seldom obtained under 12." — Cald-
¦cleugh's "Travels in South America," vol. 1, p. 53, 59.

CHAPTER V.
Few spots of the world unite so much sublimity of scenery
with softness of landscape and beauty of sea as the harbor of
Rio de Janeiro and its environs.

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 53
I arrived on these shores on a clear summer's morning, after
a voyage of 35 days, with that yearning for land which a tra
veler feels, whose eyes have gazed for five long weeks on nothing
but sea and sky.
The blue mountains at a distance, the swelling hills in their
gorgeous attire of tropical vegetation, the white villas, the
purple rocks, the deep blue sea glittering in the purest atmo
sphere under a serene sky, formed a picture of wondrous beauty
ou which my imagination has often dwelt in after years. The
chains of hills, first seen at a distance of 20 miles as a misty blue
streak, become more and more distinct as the vessel glides
rapidly through the waves, till tier above tier rises out of the
water, and you trace distinctly the outlines of each mountain.
While your eyes are fixed on the mysterious land, while you in
hale the perfume of its forests, the nearer shores gradually
change their bluish tints for richer colors. White dwellings
shine through the masses of green foliage, the palm tree waves
its graceful head in the breeze, and among dark leaves glows
the orange. Where the land gently slopes to the water's edge
the sea is blue and unruffled, but where rocks rise against the
ocean the waves rise high and fling up clouds of white spray.
These rocks are covered with shrubs and creepers, and relieve
the blue of the sky with hues of orange and purple. At the
entrance of the harbor of Rio de Janeiro the Pao d'Assucar,
sugar loaf, rises out of the ocean — a rock 900 feet high and re
sembling in form a sugar loaf The vessel on passing it is
hailed by an official of the fortress on the opposite side, and
after the customary reply is given, enters the spacious harbor.
Proceeding onward for two niiles it passes the men-of-war that
may happen to be in port, and anchors among the merchant
vessels, a quarter of a mile from tbe city. By this time
numbers of boats crowd around the ship. There are vendors
of'oranges and pine apples, boatmen who offer their services to
bring you ashore ; there is a boat with police officers, and another
one from the custom house.
The foreigner was formerly required to obtain a permit of
residence, which custom was abolished since 1855 ; a passport,
however, is still necessary at this time. The following are the
regulations about passports :
{Translation)
" Art. 1. Permits of residence are abolished, and foreigners
coming to the country are exempted from the same.
• " Art 2 At every police office a book shall be kept tor the
registration of foreigners entering or leaving the empire. .
'' Art. 3. On the occasion of the police visit foreigners shall

64 BRAZIL :
state their names, condition, the place of their nativity, pro
fession, the object of coming here, when ihey arrived, and where
they intend to reside. In those places Avhere no police visit is
made, the aforesaid declaration shall be made before the chief
of police, delegate or sub-delegate, within twenty-four hours
after landing, under penalty of from $10 to $15 fine, imposed by
the competent authority.
" Aet. 4. The declaration, alluded to in the foregoing article
does not exonerate captains and masters of merchant vessels
from the obligation imposed upon them by the twenty-fifth
article of regulation No. 120, of Jan. 21, 1842, to declare in a
statement signed by them, the number, name, employment, oc
cupation and place of nativity of the passengers they bring with
them, with or without passports.
" Aet. 5. The declaration of the foreigner and of the master
or captain of the vessel shall be immediately transmitted to
the bureau of police by the visiting officer, or the authority who
receives them.
" Aet. 6. The visiting officer, the chief of police, or the dele
gate or sub-delegate to whom the foreigner presents himself,
shall examine his passport, and the same being found in due
form, it shall be returned to him visaed, dated, and signed.
" Aet. 7. If there should be any doubt as to the legality of the
passport, or the foreigner come without one, the chief of police,
shall permit him to land if there is no reason for suspecting
him to be a criminal ; but if he should be supicious, and have
no certificate to present in his favor from his ministry, or, in
the absence thereof from his respective consul or vice-consul,
the chief of police, the delegate or sub-delegate shall compel
the vessel which brought him to take him back, reporting the
circumstance to the government at the capital, and to the
president in the provinces.
" Aet. 8. To enable a foreigner to travel from one province «to
another, or in the interior of the same, the passport with which
he arrived in the empire will be sufficient provided it bears the
visa of the competent authority with this clause. ' For the
province of  .' The visa "must be dated, signed, paid for
and renewed every time the foreigner leaves one province for
another. " Aet. 9. But, if the foreigner should happen to come without
a passport, or have lost the one he brought with him to the
empire, the passport of the minister, or in the absence thereof,
that of his respective consul or vice consul, with the visa of
the Brazilian authorities, as set forth in the preceding article,
shall answer the same purpose.
" Art. 10. A foreigner who has resided in the empire for two

CLIMATE AND PEODUCTIONS. 55
years, being in possession of an establishment, and conducted
faimselt well, or being married to a Brazilian, shall be at liberty
to travel freely like a Brazilian, after having obtained from
tlie chief of police a certificate of either of said conditions.
Ihis certificate is revocable in case of change of circumstances.
" Art. 11. In case of there being no diplomatic or consular
agent, or the foreigner be a refugee or emigrant, or not come
under the provisions of the preceding article, the passport
shall be issued by the chief of police, the delegate or sub-del-
gate, the same being always free of charge for the emigrant or
for the poor.
" Aet. 12. The ministers of state or the chief clerks of the
several departments at the seat of government, the presidents
and their secretaries in the capitals of the provinces, the chief
of police, the delegate and sub-delegate at the place of landing
or departure, shall be empowered to grant the passport or the
visa referred to in the preceding article. The powers con
ferred by this decree upon the chief of police, the delegate and
sub-delegate, aie not concurrent, but shall be exercised by the
delegate in places where no chief of police resides, or by the
sub-delegate where no chief of police or delegate exist.
" Art. 13. In consideration of the foregoing articles, the re
spective portions of the articles in regulations No. 120, of Jan
uary 31, which referred to permits of residence, and to pass
ports to foreigners travelling in the interior of the empire, are
hereby abolished."
I was never asked to exhibit my passport, neither on my first
landing nor during my travels over several provinces. You
may go on shore as soon as the vessel has come to anchor, but
you cannot land your baggage before a written permit from the
custom house is obtained. Supplied with this you have your
trunks conveyed to that building, where, after the officials have
rapidly examined them, the matter ends. A few articles of
clothing, for your own use — -say two or three suits — are not
subject to duty, nor is anything which has been used or worn.
A nearer inspection of Rio de Janeiro does not confirm the im
pression of beauty and tidiness which the white buildings and
green hills produce upon the stranger at a distance. At the
landing places scores of colored women selling sweetmeats,
lemonade, cigars and fruit, deafen you with their screams, and
crowds of eager boatmen harass you by their eager importuni
ties. Decaying fruit, and peelings of plantains and oranges are
scattered over the pavement, bringing occasionally a nose in
contact with the ground, and emitting a sweet but not pleasant
odor. Files of negroes intercept your path, who, trotting in
rows, like ants, from the warehouses to the wharves, carry cof-

56 BEAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
fee bags on their shoulders, and are naked from the waist up
ward. Most of them are probably imported, and the wild
barbaric songs they chant while running, almost make you
fancy you were transported into Ethiopia. What you desire
now most, a cab, or an omnibus, cannot be procured here,
vehicles of that kind being only to be found in the fashionable
streets and places. Nor will the runner or agent of an hotel
persuade you to honor his excellent house with your patronage.
Rio has only one respectable hotel, whose proprietors are not
urged by competition to the usual practices of European and
American landlords. Leaving the noisy crowds of the quays,
you find, as you advance into the city, much that excites your
curiosity, and occasionally something that gives you pleasure.
The streets are straight,' but rather narrow ; the houses are
built in the same fashion, of granite, they are three stories high,
and have balconies with iron railings in front. One of the
fashionable streets is the Rua d'Ouvidor (street of the jewelers),
in which are situated the principal dry goods and jewelers
shops. The most costly productions of Europe and Asia shine
in the show windows, and a splendid exhibition of precious
stones often arrests your steps.
The streets, unlike those of other large cities, are hardly ever
crowded, but are free from noise of any kind. Now and then
a peculiar hissing sound strikes your ear. This is the customary
hail of the Brazilian, by which he gives intimation to some
acquaintance, that he wishes to speak to him. The ladies do
not promenade in day time. When their affairs, or pleasure
causes them to leave their houses, they are carried in closed
litters. ^Carriages, however, have come lately more and more
into use. A fine aqueduct supplies the principal streets and
the public places of Rio with fountains of cool freestone water.
To preserve it cold, for buckets aud glazed jugs porous jars
are substituted, in which it keeps as fresh as in the fountain
itself. The pride and glory of Rio de Janeiro are its suburbs.
Stately mansions of modern style arise out of green clusters of
palm and orange trees. Frost, the great corroding power, does
not corrugate, coal smoke does not sully their walls ; but the
white is as pure as on the day when the artizan finished his
work. The pure air, laden with fragrance, the delicious shades
and the blue sea attract there people of wealth, and most of the
foreign ministers reside there. From that part of the suburbs
called " a gloria," (the glory) a hill about 150 feet high, yon
have the most advantageous view of the city. The streets, the
public places, the bay, the rocks and the mountains lie all be
fore you in the clearest atmosphere; but it you are a lover of

CLIM.\TE AND PRODUCTIONS. 57
nature, stay till after night sets in, and the starlight is on the
valley. ^ Thousands of lights gleam then in the city, and a lum
inous mist envelops the white buildings with an immense halo.
The bay lies smooth and dark under the glittering heavens, and
sudden corruscations, disappearing as quickly as they flash up,
indicate the places where the shark gambols. Now and then
the chimes from some distant convent break the holy stillness of
the night.
From the fact that there is only one hotel in Rio it may be
inferred that strangers find generally accommodations in private
houses by means of letters of introduction and recommendation.
These, therefore all persons who go to Brazil should endeavor
to procure. By such a course they not only avoid paying heavy
hotel bills, but are saved from many annoyanc es and losses.
The laws of hospitality entail on the native, as well as on the
foreigner residing in Brazil, the duty to administer to the com
fort and watch over the interest of the stranger who comes to
him recommended by a friend. The bustle at the landing place
does not overwhelm you then ; the formalities of the custom
house are easily passed through ; the articles you want to procure
are bought at t^e cheapest rate ; what you have to sell is disposed
of on good terms, and if you wish to travel in the interior
mules are obtained on the best conditions. Traveling in the
interior is performed on muleback, but between the cities and
the coast ply a number of good and comfortable steamers.
Considerable bodies of emigrants, while waiting for transporta
tion into the interior, undergo but little expense by camping out,
or taking quarters in buildings rented for that purpose, and
buying supplies of cheap provisions. Corn on the coast sells at
50 cts. per bushel, peas 50 cts. per arroba (32 pot^pds), salt
80 cts. per arroba, bacon 12 cts. per pound, beef 5 cts. per
pound ; fruit of all kinds costs but a trifle.
It is not advisable to carry much baggage. Several articles
will prove nearly worthless, such as heavy clothing, for in
stance ; and many goods can be bought as cheap in that
country as in the United States. ¦, o i
The provinces of Santa Catarina and Santo .Pedro do bul,
extend from the 25th to the 33d deg. of latitude _S. Tliey have
an area of 150,000 square miles, with a population of 35^000
inhabitants. Their climate is much cooler than that ot Km de
Janeiro, and in Santo Pedro the winters are marked by slight
frosts snow however, is unknown. Cotton and sugar can be
giwn to ad;antage ; for the culture of coffee f climate is^ess
ruitable, except in" the northern P^'-f ?f, ^f]^"f ^Jo^^^^^^^^^ 1 JJo
mountain chains whielj rmi^ paralle wi^^^^^^^^^^
miles, fi-om Ceara to Poito Aiegre, Lenn

58 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS,
Sul. This province is bounded on the east by the Atlantic, on
the west by the Uruguay, a river navigable for 700 miles, and
possesses, therefore, great facilities of water transportation. The
greater part is a prairie country, level, very fertile, well watered,
and peculiarly adapted for grazing and agriculture. Besides
cotton and sugar, corn, wheat, barley and potatoes grow to
great perfection and give abundant yields. Horses and mules
form an important article of commerce, and among the valu
able native animals are the sheep and the hogs. Droves of wild
oxen roam over the plains, and vast herds are scattered through
out the extensive breeding estates of private individuals. Ani
mal products are the staple exports, and consist principally of
hides, dry and salted, of horned cattle and horses, tallow, grease,
bones, horns, horsehair, cow tails, sheep skins, and wool. The
province will, before long, possess many manufactures. Large
tanneries must give great profits, and the manufacture of soap
and tallow candles is as lucrative a pursuit as a man can en
gage in. The raw tallow is all exported, and candles, of which
Brazil consumes large quantities (gas and oil not being used),
are all imported from Europe. Candles are subject to an im
portation tax of 40 per cent, ad valorem. The winters and
springs are sufficiently cold for the manufacture of candles.
The principal seaports are Laguna and Porto Algere.

CHAPTER VI.
INTEEIOE PROVINCES.
Matto Geosso, area 850,000, population 180,000 inhabitants.
This is the most inaccessible province of the empire ; and not
withstanding its fertility, and richness in precious stones and
metals, centuries may roll on before these regions attain a
flourishing condition. The climate is uninviting, the summers
being oppressively hot, and long droughts being of frequent
occurrence. The province, about seventeen times larger than
Alabama, has only one inhabitant to five square miles, and
wild Indians often commit depredations on the isolated farms.
There are two ways by which Matto Grosso brings its produce
to the sea coast, and receives its supply of European manufac
tures : one by land, over Rio de Janeiro, a distance of about
1,200 miles. The difficulties and expense of such a transporta
tion can easily be imagined. The other one by Buenos Ayres,
distant about 2,200 miles, is by the rivers La Plata and Para
guay, and presents nearly as great difficulties, on account of

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 59
the narrow and illiberal policy in regard to the navigation
01 tne river, which the Republic of Paraguay has heretofore
puisued. Paraguay has an area of 86.000 square miles, with a
population of 300,000 inhabitants, and the present war between
this state on one side, aud Brazil, La Plata, and Uruguay on
the other side, has arisen out of this selfish policy of Paraguay.
Paraguay contending against thirty-fold odds will soon be
crushed ; when it is to be hoped for the sake of the civilization
of the South American continent in particular, and for the
benefit of the commercial world at large, that its territory will
be incorporated into the Brazilian Empire, and the States' of La
Plata. ^
In an article of May 10, 1857, " The Noticeador Cuyabano,"
¦the only newspaper in the province, says, that agriculture there
is in a state of complete depression, and all but extinct ; that
the roads are impassable for want of bridges ; that property is
in danger from the incursions of wild Indians ; that commerce
is inactive, and commercial transactions entirely without secu
rity ; that the trade by the river is of little or no benefit, owing
to the distance of the custom-house from the capitol, the diffi
culties of navigation, and the exorbitant prices exacted for
canoe hire to transport goods to Cuyaba ; which added to the
high freights necessarily paid from Buenos Ayres, raise the
prices almost to a level with those of goods brought over land
from Rio de Janeiro.
The province of Goyaz lies east of Matto Grosso. Its area is
370,000 square miles; its population 185,000. It is the most
mountainous province of Brazil, and has a climate resembling
that of Matto Grosso.
Minas Oeraes lies west and northwest of Rio de Janeiro.
Its area is 216,500 square miles, with a population of 900,000
inhabitants. This province is destined to become one of the
most important, and one of the wealthiest of the empire, as it
is already one of the most populous, there being now about
four inhabitants to the square mile. The valleys of the Sa,n
Francisco, the Paranahyba, and the Rio Grande, which be in
Minas Geraes, are unsurpassed as to fertility, and the clirnate,
although rather warm, is very salubrious. The three rivers
mentioned are navigable. The San Francisco flows northward,
and after a course of 1,100 miles, empties into the Atlantic, in
latitude 12 south. The Paranahyba and Rio Grande are tribu
taries of the Paraguay. A railroad will soon be extended from
Rio de Janeiro into Minas Geraes.
Minas Geraes is well wooded aud has many trees valuable
in arts and manufactures. It also abounds in medicinal pro
ducts, as rhubarb, sarsaparilla, jalap, sassafras, dragons blood.

60 BRAZIL: ITS INHABITANTS,
copaiva, nux vomica, liquorice, ginger, etc., all of the finest
quality. Indigo, saffron, and cochineal are among its dye
stuffs. Some of its forest trees yield valuable gums, which
comprise some of the most delicious perfumes and incense that
can be imagined. Others, again, are like amber, hard and
brittle. The sweet flavored vanilla is also abundant. The
staple productions of the country are sugar, coffee, tobacco,
rice, mandioca and Indian corn.

CHAPTER VII.
By far the greater part of the commerce of Brazil goes'
through the hands of English, German, French, and North
American merchants. These foreigners, on account of their
superior energy and education, form the most respectable ele
ment of the society of Rio de Janeiro. The French more than
any other nation, have the disposition and talent to identify
themselves with foreigners among whom they may happen to
live, and to acquire their goodwill by adopting many of their
manners, and by conforming to their customs. While the
Frenchman, therefore, is universally popular, the Englishman
with his eccentricity, with his objections to anything whicli
is not English, with his haughtiness exhibited before all
whom he conceives to be his inferior, with his tenacity with
which he clings to the usages of his country, and which will
lead him to use hot shaving water, and warmed bedsheets in
the tropics, is not so much liked. But all are treated with a
deference by the natives that argues a consciousness of their
own inferiority, and nearly all become rich, commercial failures
being comparatively rare. They soon forget their native
country, and whatever may have been their original intentions,
generally marry native ladies and remain in the land. I know
several Europeans, who, after amassing considerable fortunes
obeyed the yearning to enjoy their wealth among the com
panions of their youth, and went to Europe But most of them
did not find in the old country the anticipated pleasures, and
returned after a short absence. The sunny land, so full of ease,
so free from restraint, had an attraction for them they were
unable to resist.
This makes me think those persons to be in the wrong, who
look upon the mental inferiority of the Brazibans as a disad
vantage to the settler. I grant that Brazil is inhabited, not
only by a race inferior in industrial pursuits, but also by large
numbers of Indians and mongrels; and that these beings

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS. 61
altogether unfamiliar with the crimes of theft, murder, robbery,
ana traud, are uneducated, and extremely inert, careless and
simple-minded. But these qualities, how strongly soever they
may deter the wealthy from Uving in their midst, should rather
form powers of attraction to the aspirants of fortune. These
classes cannot be serious competitors in intelligent and lucra
tive pursuits, but are always the exploited part of the commu
nity. '^ ^
As facts show, the industrious foreigner in Brazil seldom
fails to pave his road to wealth, nor is he, to achieve this com
pelled to over exercise faculties, which in more civilized
countries he must keep on the utmost stretch to procure a bare
subsistence. Suppose you emigrated to New England, and tried
to make a living among that civilized and highly intelligent
people. In all probability, before many months had elapsed
you would wish all your civilized, refined, and intelligent
friends a thousand miles off, and yourself surrounded with more
guileless, unsophisticated, less intelligent, and less educated
neighbors, although a sprinkle of yellow should occasionally
show itself among the white complexions. Nor is, as many
opine, the paucity of population, and the circumstance that so
few portions of the country are settled, an objection.
Experience shows that in this country most of those settlers
have made fortunes who obtained for very low prices the good
lands of new territories. Now, in the degree as the tide of emi
gration flowed into a district, as railroads were built, as river
navigation was opened, the lands became more valuable,
and presently the owner found himself rich without having
exerted himself. The same holds good of Brazil, where the
lands are, intrinsically, as valuable as any in the world, and
where increasing population, railroads, and river navigation,
must in the course ot twenty years fix upon millions of acres a
value that will shower wealth upon many a planter.
The government for the last twenty years has done much to
encourage emigration, but most of the emigrants who go as
agriculturists into the interior, belong to the lowest and most
ignorant classes of Europe, part of whose traveling expenses
are defrayed by the government. Bringing no means with
them, but being in debt at the very time of arriva^ they find
it most convenient to make crops on organized coflee planta
tions and receive part of the crop (generally one halt) as
wages In a couple of years they can earn money enough to
pav their debts, and to buy all things they need for estab-
Sshing a -farm of their own. Comparatively few avail them-
IZJ of • this opportunity. The condition of these classes is
Jo abject in their own countries, that lowly tastes and habits be-

62 BRAZIL : ITS INHABITANTS, &C.
come a second nature. A dependent condition which will en
sure their physical comfort suits them best. Occasionally,
foreigners of means and intelligence go into the interior as
agriculturists, and obtain land gratis, or for mere trifles.
About eight years ago, a case came to my cognizance where
a gentleman had bought of the government a cistercia of land
— a tract three leagues long and two leagues wide — for one
conto de reis, or about $650. In the year 1858, two Brazilians
traveled through the United States as agents of their govern
ment, by which they were commissionfed to engage a few hun
dred engineers, machinists, millwrights, etc. I made the ac
quaintance of these gentlemen in New Orleans, and spent seve
ral days in their society. One of them, Senr. Joaquim Antonio
de Silva, was known to me previously by character. This
gentleman was delighted with the Americans, and asserted that
Brazil would become wealthier than the whole world combined
if inhabited by such a people. He told me that of fifty square
leagues of land which he owned 100 miles distant. .from the
city of Maranham, he was willing to give forty square leagues
to a number, say 100, of industrious Americans, who would
agree to remain on the lands as planters.
With what eyes the Brazilian Government would- look upon
the influx of American emigration, is not easily determined.
While it would consider North American intelligence, industry,
and perseverance very beneficial to the country, and very need
ful to its development, the loftier aspirations of such emigrants
might, if they came in great numbers, also' excite its jealousy
and alarm.

THE END.

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