TITLE 1
INTRODUCTION 3
Hunting a Home in Brazil 5
Temperature approaching Rio 6
Harbor Defences 7
Examination of Passports 8
Entrance into the City 9
The Streets of Rio 10
Mules and Equipages 11
Omnibuses—Negroes—Ferry Boats 12
Post-Office Regulations 13
American Acquaintances 14
City Improvement Company 15
Gas-Lights of City 16
Custom-House Business 17
Negro Carriers 18
Dinner at a Restaurant 19
Brazilian and other Ladies 20
Amusements 21
Inducements for Immigration 22
Representations as to Southern People 23
Information from American Residents 24
Bay of Paranagua 25
Visit to Museum 26
Curiosities 27
Visit to Museum 28
Curiosities 29
Trip to the Suburbs 30
English Church Service 31
Disregard of the Sabbath 32
Audience with Minister of State 33
Call upon Mr. Crenshaw 34
Stroll in Fashionable Street 35
Dress—Umbrellas 36
The Ferry 37
Signal Telegraph 38
Public Buildings 39
Statue of Dom Pedro I 40
Interview with Minister of Agriculture 41
Facilities for Prospecting 42
Necessary Arrangements 43
Large Slaughter-House 44
Departure for Santos 45
Custom at Meals 46
Instruction in Portuguese 47
Use of Cigarettes 48
Fort and City of Santos 49
Visit to Mr. Wright’s Family 50
A Country Ride 51
Coffee Plantation 52
Advantages of Santos 53
Ride in Diligence 54
An Enchanting View 55
Railroad Wanted 56
Ant-Hills 57
Ancient Carriage 58
Letter to Mr. Sampson 59
Brazilian Newspaper Article 60
An Offer of Land 61
President of Province 62
Friendly Assistance 63
Rev. Mr. Blackford 64
Our Interpreter 65
Hospitality of Friends 66
Family Worship 67
Elegant Bath-house 68
Visit to Law School 69
Outfit for our Trip 70
Preparations Completed 71
Catholic and Protestant Cemeteries 72
Brick-Yards 73
Presbyterian Service in Portuguese 74
Religious Toleration Anticipated 75
Set out with Interpreter 76
Tunnel at Cachoeira 77
Railroad to Jundiahi 78
Surroundings of Jundiahi 79
Lint of Pina Tree 80
Coffee Culture near Campinas 81
Simple Mode of Cleaning Coffee 82
The “Monjolo” 83
Visit to an Elegant Establishment 84
Dining-Room 85
Ride to Fazenda—Remarks 86
Management of Coffee and Corn 87
Varieties of Timber 88
Machinery of “Settequéda” 89
Despolpidor for Coffee 90
Fanning Machinery 91
Process Similar to Rice Cleaning 92
Meeting with a Brazilian Physician 93
No Introduction between Strangers 94
The “Chigre” 95
Specimens of Carving 96
Female Apparel 97
Outfit of Camarada 98
Pleasant Weather 99
Plateau Land 100
A Magnificent Fazenda 101
European Colony 102
Coffee-Cleaning Establishment 103
Steam Saw-Mill 104
Extensive Coffee Plantation 105
Cotton Culture 106
Advantages of Brazil 107
Large Trees—Rich Soil 108
Cotton of a Fine Quality 109
Early Marriages 110
Reception at Rio Claro 111
Long Mill-Race 112
Senor Vergueiro’s Fazenda 113
Land of Inferior Quality 114
Seclusion of Women 115
Medium Coffee and Cotton 116
Barren Campo—Sterile Region 117
Numerous Coffee Trees 118
Early Ride to River Rock 119
Proposal of Sale of Lands 120
Elegant Hospitality 121
Saint-Poles—Negro Ceremonies 122
Use of Shackles for Slaves 123
Burning off Lands 124
Contracts with Negro Agents 125
The Contract System 126
How it Operates 127
Extensive Lands for Sale 128
Advantageous Site for a Village 129
Parting from Friends 130
Scarcity of Corn 131
Recently-Opened Fazenda 132
Varieties of Fruit 133
Clothing of Negroes 134
Fertile Lands—Water-Fall 135
Lands in Market 136
Villa of Araraquara 137
Reception at São Lorenço 138
Clarifying Sugar 139
Large Profits from Sugar 140
Medicine—Apothecary 141
Hunt on Sunday 142
A Friend in Need 143
Studying Portuguese 144
Richest Lands not Best for Cotton 145
Large Stock-Farm 146
Native Cows not Good for Milking 147
Lands on Rio Jacaré 148
Lightning-Bugs 149
Large Yield of Cotton 150
Join General Wood’s Party 151
Address of Welcome 152
Reply by Dr. Gaston 153
Extensive Fazendas for Sale 154
Lands of Serra of Good Quality 155
The Macucu—Droves of Cattle 156
Map of Lands near Araraquara 157
Sumptuous Entertainment 158
Oranges for Wine 159
Absence of Requisites for a City 160
Woodlands of Lageado 161
The Ant-Eater 162
Embarrassing Situation 163
Reception at Brotas 164
Hospitality of its Citizens 165
Singular Road-Guide 166
A Hungry Party 167
Latin Terms in Medicine 168
Anniversary of Marriage 169
Thoughts of Home 170
Apprehension for Welfare of Family 171
Assistance to Guest in Mounting 172
Dwelling and Kitchen Together 173
The Ligarto 174
Quality of Land on Rio Jahu 175
Neat Fencing 176
Navigation of River Tieté 177
Accommodations for Sleeping 178
Lands between Rio Jacaré and Tieté 179
Climbing a Tree under Difficulties 180
Valuation of Land in Different Sections 181
Brood Mares and Colts 182
Healthfulness of Country 183
Preparation for Feast of Holy Ghost 184
Correspondence with a Warm Friend 185
Personal Appreciation of Col. Lorenço 186
Parting with our Best Friend 187
Unpleasant Travelling 188
Arrival at Rio Claro 189
A Day with Dr. Gattiker 190
Trouble from Loss of Mule-Shoe 191
Value of Horses and Mules 192
Value of Different Articles 193
Varieties of Useful Timber 194
Specimens of Native Grass 195
Large Dinner Party 196
Addresses—Toasts 197
Water of Streams for Drinking 198
Return to Campinas 199
Dinner Party at Campinas 200
Complimentary Addresses 201
Awkward Blunder 202
Music and Refreshments 203
German Colony 204
House of Entertainment 205
Arrival at Cachoeira 206
Difficulties of Railroad Construction 207
The Lost Trunk 208
Audience with President 209
Emigration Society Organized 210
Cross on the Roadside 211
Fazenda Bananal 212
Comfortable Dwelling 213
Romantically-Situated Lake 214
Rare Combination of Beauties 215
Courtesy by a Stranger 216
Arrival at Santos 217
Attend Theatre with Friends 218
Soldiers—Sea-Sickness 219
Return to Rio Janeiro 220
Dinner at Botafogo 221
Arrival of a New Southern Delegation 222
Handbook for Emigrants 223
Hospitality at Caju 224
Report to Minister of Agriculture 225
Introduction of Friends 226
Arrangement for Further Investigation 227
Antagonism to Slavery Increasing 228
Tannery in São Christovão 229
Butchering Establishment 230
No General Market in Rio 231
Botanical Garden 232
Collection of Rare Specimens 233
Government Agent to Accompany us 234
Shopping in Rio 235
Cheap Ferriage 236
Examination of Site on the Beach 237
Ascent of Monteserrate 238
Arrangements Complete for Conceicão 239
Oldest Settlement in Brazil 240
A Novel Turnout 241
An Original Idea for Progression 242
Pedestrian Performances 243
Dreary Abode at Conceicão 244
Visit to an Old Convent 245
Ascent of River in a Canoe 246
Vagabondism has Few Cares 247
A New Remedy for Debility 248
Sample of Lands and Products 249
Trade for Otter Skins 250
Cargoes for Approaching Festival 251
“Paying the Piper” 252
A Brazilian Gentleman 253
High-Pressure Postilions 254
Almost a Disaster 255
Reconnoissance of City Lots 256
Lime-Factory—Tannery 257
Tanning not Neat, but Profitable 258
Examination of a Coast Farm 259
Attractive Site on Beach 260
Collision Growing out of Slave-Trade 261
Brick and Tile Factory 262
Favorable Report of Cananea 263
Free Travel—Sporting Students 264
Ascent of Inclined Plane 265
Difficulties of Railroading 266
Religious Tolerance Conditional 267
Wet and Dry Seasons 268
Free Land to Emigrants 269
Missionary Operations 270
A Catholic Priest Converted 271
Ordination by Presbytery 272
Prospective Extension of Railroad 273
Pack-Mules Laden with Cotton 274
Arrival at Itu 275
Fine Collection of Fruits 276
Good Site for Machinery 277
Extensive Quarry 278
General Use of Tooth-Picks 279
Cheap Rents at Porto Feliz 280
An Intelligent Mulatto Priest 281
The Negro Taint 282
Iron-Works at Epanema 283
An Opening for Capitalists 284
Good Quarters at Sorocaba 285
Non-observance of Christmas 286
Pleasant Evening-Party 287
Whips and Riding Outfit 288
Campos and Cultivated Slopes 289
Goitre and Leprosy 290
Town of Itapetininga 291
Cotton-Gin by Leg-Power 292
Corn, Cotton, Potatoes 293
Manure Advantageous 294
Stock-Farm Enclosure 295
Report from Major Meriwether 296
Land on the Road to Lençoes 297
Festivities of New Year’s Eve 298
Sad Thoughts 299
Kindness of a Catholic Vicar 300
Procession of Our Lady of Conception 301
The Priest’s Family 302
Females Riding Astride 303
Leaving Paranapanema 304
Aspect of the Country 305
Bedbugs Rare—Fleas Plenty 306
Dodging the Recruiting Officer 307
Backwoodsman’s Dwelling 308
Table Arrangements 309
Sleeping Accommodations 310
Peculiar Custom after Eating 311
Leather Breeches Don’t Tear 312
Hunting Stray Mules 313
A Night in the Forest 314
A Sliding Scale of Travel 315
Most Excruciating Roads 316
Limestone, Lead and Iron Ore 317
Killing Cobras 318
Plan for Descent of River 319
Deficient Cotton Culture 320
Coffee Trees—Rice-Mill 321
Salubrity of Climate 322
Fish—Scenery 323
Regular Dug-Out Canoe 324
Speaking Portuguese 325
Rolling Scaffolds—Saw-Mill 326
Cost of Travel by Water 327
Cotton of Four Years Growth 328
Ponto-Grosso—Cotton and Corn 329
Successful Transplanting of Cotton 330
Change of Rice Seed 331
Mandioca of Two Kinds 332
Cotton Grown without Ploughing 333
Rice and Fish for Food 334
Nest of Mahogany-Backs 335
Fishing with Gill-Net 336
Special Examination of Lands 337
Healthfulness of Locality 338
Beautiful Country 339
Fine Water-Power 340
Coffee Trees Heavily Laden 341
Forest Lands—Mosquitoes 342
Mountainous Aspect of Country 343
Hedges—Timber Abundant 344
Braço de Gado River 345
Wood-Rats—Troublesome Fly 346
Original Forest—Secondary Growth 347
Absence of Rain for Five Days 348
Land for Depot Tendered 349
Favorable-Looking Crops 350
Terms of Sale for Private Lands 351
Noble Hospitality at Caiacauga 352
Large Production of Corn 353
Location for Growing Coffee 354
Artificial Channel near River 355
Interview with Mr. Dunn 356
Epidemic at Ignape 357
Southern Families at Cananea 358
One of the Oldest Settlements 359
Very Fatal Bloody Flux 360
Temperance of City of Santos 361
Government of Brazil 362
Mints, Banks, Schools 363
On Board a Steamship 364
Again in Rio Janeiro 365
Preparing Report of Observations 366
Boarding-House by Southern Family 367
Warehouse for Agricultural Implements 368
Generosity of Mr. C. Nathan 369
Measures to Promote Immigration 370
Divisions of Soil and Territory 371
Transportation—Communication 372
Agricultural and other Resources 373
Character of Brazilians 374
Contents 375
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Footnote 1:
The adoption of a British flag by this ship-owner during the progress
of the war enabled him to continue sailing upon the high seas, and his
sentiments being known to the confederate cruisers, secured one of his
vessels from destruction, that fell into their hands.
As vessels of Great Britain and the United States are more largely
occupied in navigating the high seas than those of other
nationalities, it is the custom of those meeting upon the ocean to
hail in English, and there is scarcely a captain in charge of a vessel
of any nation that is not sufficiently acquainted with the English
language to communicate in this way with another.
The code of signals used by the English have been adopted by all
nations navigating the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific; and thus
vessels communicate with each other upon any matter desired, without
being in speaking distance.
Footnote 2:
This discount upon United States money is practised very often upon
strangers by those occupying other positions than hucksters, but a
dollar in gold or silver coin of the United States will command two
millreas of Brazilian money in most respectable business
establishments of Rio de Janeiro, and is generally valued at this rate
by exchange brokers. Upon this standard one dump is worth two cents,
and I should have received twelve dumps and a half for my quarter
instead of the ten which were given. It will save the reader who may
go to Rio more than the price of this book, to keep in mind what is
stated in this note.
Footnote 3:
Captain Lee informs me that in August, 1864, there sailed from Bahia a
vessel containing over one hundred of these liberated negroes in
families, men, and women, and children, who were bound for Africa,
with the expectation of remaining in that country. They expressed a
hope of being able to exert a favorable influence upon the natives,
and it would be a very interesting part of their history to know
whether they have lapsed into barbarism or have improved those with
whom their lot is cast in Africa.
Footnote 4:
This gentleman has since ceased to be the chief engineer of the
railroad, and his brother now occupies the position.
Footnote 5:
This admirable disinfecting establishment was subsequently visited.
The materials are pumped from the reservoir, which is below the level
of the water, and subjected to the action of various articles, among
which I recognized alum, lime and charcoal, after which a deposit of
the solid portions is formed in receptacles of immense proportions.
The fluid being acted upon by these agents, and then filtered, is
rendered so entirely free from impurities that we were informed the
superintendent drank some of it on the occasion of a visit by the
Emperor, to illustrate the perfection of the process of disinfection.
Delicious draught, no doubt!
There is no unpleasant smell about the place, and the remaining solid
matter is employed as a fertilizer, without any of the disagreeable
concomitants of poudrette.
The building is an elegant stone structure, and the operations are
conducted by steam, under the immediate control of the English
contractors, who are known as the city improvement company.
The gentleman in charge stated that this was an entirely new process,
and that it has not been introduced elsewhere.
Footnote 6:
A sack of coffee weighing one hundred and sixty pounds is carried in
this way without any apparent inconvenience, and most of the loading
of vessels from the warehouses near the wharf is performed after this
manner. The negroes usually move under such a burden in a brisk walk,
or more frequently in a trot; and a number being employed, the work
progresses very rapidly in putting a cargo of coffee aboard a ship.
Footnote 7:
I am indebted to Captain E. A. Lie, the intelligent master of the
vessel in which my return passage was made, for some interesting
particulars in regard to Pompeii, which he visited in 1857. His
statement is as follows:
“The mass of volcanic matter which overlies the site of the former
city of Pompeii is principally ashes, and on the borders has undergone
such changes, that fields are in cultivation upon the spot.
“The explorations are entirely under the directions of the Imperial
Government, and a guard is kept constantly over the place, so as to
prevent any one from appropriating articles that may be discovered by
those engaged in the work.
“The streets are so contracted that even the narrow vehicles of that
period were unable to pass each other, and hence some of the
thoroughfares are supposed to have afforded passage in one direction,
while others were passed in the opposite direction. The deep cuts in
the stone paving of the streets indicate that there was much passing
of carriages or carts for a long period.
“Connecting with the side-walks there are stones elevated above the
general level of the streets, upon which persons might step and avoid
water that was flowing in the street. There are no signs of drains or
sewers to be seen, nor of aqueducts.
“Those bodies remaining in the houses at the time of this wholesale
burial are completely petrified, and black as ebony, a number of which
are preserved in all their perfection of form. There are also
petrified specimens of fruits, of bread, even with the baker’s name
imprinted on it; of beef, of pork, and of various viands that were
ready for eating.
“A large number of precious stones have been recovered, and among them
an immense convex emerald, of great value, which was discovered in a
tomb, supposed to contain the body of some very important dignitary.
Many rich treasures have been found in the cemetery, evidently lodged
with the dead in their last resting-place.
“There are evidences of much taste in the architectural department,
and specimens of very elaborate workmanship have been discovered. The
amphitheatre was evidently a grand structure, and with the base below
the general surface of the earth, it is arranged with ascending rows
of stone seats for the accommodation of a large assemblage. All the
buildings are of stone.
“There is an extensive museum at Naples, which contains all the
varieties from this reservoir of antiquarian relics; and to make the
tour of this establishment, with a proper examination of these
articles, and others of interest collected there, requires two weeks
of unremitting observation.”
Footnote 8:
Captain Buhlaw received an appointment similar in rank to that held in
the confederate service, and has been charged with the survey and
mapping of the public lands near Cananea. In this service Mr. Mallory
is associated with him under appointment of the government.
In regard to the tender of an appointment to the writer, the length of
time occupied in the examination of the country precluded any other
duty.
Footnote 9:
After the return of the Emperor from the seat of war, he and the
Empress were seen in their coach, with six horses and a number of
outriders. She endeavored to return the courtesies of those on the
street by an almost incessant series of motions of the head from side
to side, while he maintained an attitude of dignified complacence.
The horses are managed by men seated upon the saddle-horse of each
pair, and they dash through the street at a rapid gait, a bugle being
sounded frequently by a man riding in advance, so as to have the way
cleared for the passage of the royal cortege.
Footnote 10:
Though this ant is so troublesome in the culture of the cotton grown
from American seed, it does not attack the Brazilian cotton, which
seems to be a variety of the sea island plant, that has been grown to
a limited extent for a considerable period in Brazil. The stalk of
this latter becomes very large, and really assumes the proportions of
a small tree after growing three or four successive years. The lint is
fine and the seed black and clean, but the yield is much less than the
cotton from our ordinary short staple seed. The exemption from injury
by the ant would constitute a very important recommendation if it
produced as well as the other variety, but it is entirely abandoned
since the introduction of the seed from the United States.
Footnote 11:
At his suggestion, an article appeared in the _Diario De São Paulo_,
of September 26th, 1865, from which the following extracts are
translated:
“This commission of Dr. Gaston arouses serious considerations. Under
existing circumstances, our attention ought to be fixed, by
preference, upon the States of the South of the American Union. A
large portion of the party vanquished in the recent struggle will seek
a new country. They cannot submit to the new order of things and live
on a footing of equality with their slaves. Accumulated trouble, and
various other reasons, concur to induce them to emigrate. If our
government lose this favorable opportunity to draw them to our country
it will not find another.
“If these families come, many others will come after them, and thus
spontaneous emigration will be developed for our country. In the
disposition with which they are now proposing to emigrate, it is
natural that they should flow into the same place, and the country
which has the happiness to receive well the first emigrants will
receive all.
“The emigration from the States of the South of the Union is exactly
that which suits us best. We do not want adventurers, who come into
our country to gain fortunes, and that return to their domicils when
they are secured. We want men who will establish themselves diligently
in our country, and who will make common cause with us. The American
emigrants that come will remain with us, and will never return to
their country. The motives which induce the emigration afford us, in
this respect, a complete guarantee. They procure a new country. They
take as theirs the country which receives them. This consideration is
important.
“The Anglo-American race has no rival in the world. The grand struggle
through which they have passed leaves their prominence well
established. It is the race which is most appropriate for us.
Eminently industrious, enterprising and persevering, it will impart a
notable impulse to our country. It is not possible to calculate the
rapid progress which the country may have if this race comes, to turn
to advantage its natural resources.
“Our political institutions cannot be repugnant to those inhabitants
of the Union. In our country they will find all the liberty which can
reasonably be desired. Our form of government, though it is not
federative, approximates this system. The separate action of the
provinces gives them, to a certain extent, an independent existence.
“The spectacle of slavery, which so much impresses strangers, will be
viewed with indifference by those emigrants from the Southern States
of the Union, that until very recently held slaves, and for this
object sustained the greatest struggle which the world has seen.
“This subject deserves the special attention of the Government, whose
lights and practical knowledge should guide the emissary of the
emigrants in the selection of a locality that may be proper to receive
them, giving him every means of enlightenment and information. The
stranger, however qualified he may be, can easily be deceived in this
respect.
“All depends upon the success of the first emigrants, and for the
accomplishment of this every care should be taken in this matter.
“Our countrymen should not expect to sell their lands to these new
emigrants for fabulous prices. If they bring some means they cannot
nevertheless employ large capitals, because they have not got them.
They once had fortunes, but the war has wasted them. The devastation
which passed over the States of the South is well known.”
Footnote 12:
A notice has since appeared in the public prints of the falling down
of this building, and the killing of several workmen. It is attributed
to some excavation made in the vicinity of the wall, but the
construction was such as might favor its downfall, and the use of the
term ruin in the description implies such a condition.
Footnote 13:
It is not usual to find pepper, vinegar, catsup, mustard, or any thing
of this kind upon the tables of the common people in the country, and
hence the presence of these articles becomes a fact worthy of notice.
Footnote 14:
This expression, and the same placing of the hands with the palms
together in front of the breast are observed also by children in
approaching a parent for the first time after rising in the morning,
or after being absent for a time. It is a common practice among the
better class of people, and even after the children are grown.
Footnote 15:
The valuation placed by the owner upon this portion of the land is ten
thousand ($10,000) dollars, and taking the amount of productive land
as only three thousand (3,000) acres, having in all one hundred
thousand coffee trees, the calculation per acre of three and a third
($3.33⅓) dollars is certainly very much more favorable than most
improved land can be bought elsewhere in this region of country.
Footnote 16:
The owner of the land proposes to take seven thousand five hundred
dollars ($7,500) for the lands lying adjacent to the river Roque,
which are supposed to include two thousand acres of good land, but
estimated as containing more than double that amount by the
proprietor.
The body of land described as of superior quality, in a southwest
course from the buildings, with the site of the fazenda, are not
offered for sale.
A few families might be accommodated with these lands, but they are
not adapted for a large settlement of people.
At one point the Roque tract is said to connect with Angelica, and if
that territory can be bought upon similar terms, it would permit
extension of the population; but, as was stated, Senor Vergueiro
declined to name the price fixed upon that property.
Footnote 17:
A very fine specimen of brown sandstone was found in large quantity
upon this land, and the fact is mentioned to illustrate the resources
of the country.
Footnote 18:
I am constantly reminded of my obligations to this gentleman in the
use of a fine large blank-book, which was presented by him for my
records, besides many other acts of kindness on his part.
Footnote 19:
Members of the same family very generally have different names in
Brazil; and when a family name is recognized, it is not always placed
last as with us, but is arranged with the other names as fancy may
suggest.
Footnote 20:
I am informed that extensive hat-factories are in operation in
Perecicaba, Rio Claro, Campinas and in the province of Minas, where
they are made in several of the fazendas. They are prepared of good
quality from both fur and wool, but the price of the latter should
secure an excellent article.
Footnote 21:
There is no tax on lands except a small per cent. paid at the time of
purchase, and that even is not required in the sale of government land
to our people.
Footnote 22:
Captain Lie tells me this custom of shaking hands all round after
dinner is very common with the families of Norway when there is
company at their houses. It is not general in Brazil, but so far as
observed, is confined to this family, and I supposed that all were
taking leave to depart for their respective homes, but found that they
repaired to the parlor for further social intercourse.
Footnote 23:
In the midst of all this poverty it is most remarkable that theft is
very rare in this country, and throughout every class of people there
seems to be no necessity for any special safeguards to property of any
description.
Even in the towns and cities through which I have passed there are
fewer precautions observed against larceny than is customary in all
parts of the United States, and the general confidence manifested in
the honesty of the people is a very commendable feature of society.
Footnote 24:
This amount, in common with other expenses of travel, was paid by the
agent of the government, Senor G. D. Street, and while noting the want
of generosity on the part of this representative man of Conceicão, I
would not fail to acknowledge our obligations for the bounty of the
Brazilian government in providing for all our wants while exploring
the country.
Footnote 25:
On arrival at this place we found a portion of the men seated upon the
dirt floor of a house playing cards for money, while the more
religiously-inclined population were assembled in the church to pray
for a cessation of the continuous rains which flooded the lands. So go
the different elements of society.
Footnote 26:
As a matter of history, the following paragraph of a correspondent
from this place, of September 18, 1865, to the Diario de São Paulo, is
translated, though I hear of no other instance of the kind in this or
any other part of the province.
Within little more than one month there has occurred in this section
seven assassinations of Christian people, namely: those of Sonsa, his
son and son-in-law, by the Indians of São Domingos, that of Filisbino,
according to report, by his native slave Silverio, on the Rio Novo;
those of Francisco Bernardo, and Leopoldina Cordoso Martines, in the
same region, and that of Salvador José Leite, on the small river Das
Pedras.
Footnote 27:
Major Meriwether writes me as follows:
“BOTOCATU, January 8, 1866.—I was not prepared to see lands so
immensely rich as we see here. We have examined the country ten miles
in one direction, and every foot of it is the very best quality.
Immense bodies of the best land are here.
“January 13, 1866.—We have just returned this day from Lençoes, taking
five days to make the trip there and back, forty or more miles, to
avoid crossing a belt of country fifty miles wide, in which the chills
prevail unusually severe. In going to and returning from Lençoes, not
on the same road both ways, we were never off good land, and the most
of it first quality terra rocha. Corn was certainly the best I ever
saw, and not a plough in all the country. Coffee trees, none of which
are over four years old, loaded down with fruit. Cotton, little
planted, but that little very fine. Grasses in abundance; and stock,
mules, horses, cattle and hogs as fine as any country can grow.
“I have visited the fine stockgrowing portions of Kentucky and
Tennessee, but this beats all ever seen before.
“In addition to growing grain, coffee, sugar and cotton grow as finely
here as in any other part of the province. Farms can be purchased in
this and the adjoining district, with good improvements in the shape
of dwellings, sugar-mills, grist-mills, &c., for $2.50 per acre and
less, that being the highest price asked, and $1.50 per acre being the
usual price asked for lands as good as lands can be.
“The best information as to depth of soil is, that it averages about
thirteen (13) feet deep. From the best information we can get, the
good land extends fifty or sixty miles in length and ten or twelve in
breadth. It is not uncommon to see trees seven (7) feet in diameter
here.
“The people here treat us with great hospitality, and are exceedingly
anxious for our people to come amongst them, offering inducements the
most substantial, provisions, &c. If this country is ever peopled by
an industrious and progressive race it will soon be a paradise on
earth.
“I have thus tried to describe this immensely fertile tract of
country, but the description is poor in comparison to the reality. It
is the most desirable I ever expected even to see.
“I have changed my mind in regard to the expense of settling in this
country. When it was said by Mr. Street that we must not expect to use
ploughs the first few years here, I laughed at him. But he is right.
“A single man can here clear and fence and plant ten acres of land in
two months.
“Five acres will make him at least two hundred and fifty bushels of
corn, the other five will make him as much cotton as he can pick,
without other culture than the hoe. So that not only a support may be
made the first year, but also money may be saved.”
In connection with this communication, it is proper to state that
there are large numbers of uncivilized Indians near that region, and
that “not long since the neighboring district of São João Baptista was
the victim of an outbreak of these savages,” as is stated in the
public prints. Facts are important guides to us.
Footnote 28:
This embrace consists in passing the arms round each other, much in
the same manner that is observed when two boys are about to engage in
wrestling, and is resorted to very generally among Brazilian
gentlemen, to express a particular regard upon meeting or parting with
each other.
Footnote 29:
In addition to the other remarkable things, two very large cobras were
encountered and killed by one of my attendants. This is a most
venomous serpent, and resembles very much the rattle-snake in its
shape and color. These were found close together, and were supposed to
be male and female. Each was lying quietly upon a separate stump of a
large tree, and seemed to bask in the warm sun without any sense of
danger.
“They are so unacquainted with man,
Their tameness is shocking to me.”
Upon seeing the first this man alighted and cut a stick, walking up
deliberately, so as to strike a deadly blow, without any movement on
the part of the snake.
He had remounted when the other was observed, and the same process was
repeated with it as the first. Both were wide awake, and kept their
sly wicked gaze fixed upon their slayer as he advanced, ready to
destroy him if he had afforded the opportunity.
With the exception of a small specimen, about a foot and a half long,
killed near the Jacaré river, these are the only cobras seen during
the tour, and they are unusually large, being three feet long, with a
thickness such as a rattle-snake of similar length would have. The
bite of one of these serpents, without a prompt remedy on hand, is
considered certainly fatal to man or beast, but fortunately they do
not seem to be numerous in any part visited.
Footnote 30:
The only means of cleaning the cotton used at this place are sundry
little hand-rollers, worked by little darkies, which cannot average
over two pounds each to the day.
The spirit of enterprise is sadly deficient along this river, though
the communication of the steamboat could place any thing at their
doors that might be desired.
Footnote 31:
A considerable lot of cotton gathered from these stalks lies in the
seed at the residence, and does not give evidence of nice handling,
but the fibre is good. Even with the spirit of progress which Senor
Miguel manifests in his appliances generally, the little hand-roller
is his only reliance for picking cotton, and hence this seed cotton
remains on hand.
He has attempted to use an English apparatus with a roughened roller,
but apart from the insufficiency of size it is totally unfitted for
accomplishing any satisfactory results. He is now impressed with the
necessity of supplying himself with a good cotton-gin to meet the
demands of his forthcoming crops here and at Ponto-Grosso.
The want of information as to the conditions for proper culture of
cotton is shown in the planting of sugar-cane among the cotton, and
yet I counted upon a single limb of one branch of a large stalk in
that field twenty-two bolls, the entire stalk having certainly over
two hundred bolls.
Footnote 32:
This troublesome fly is found to a greater or less extent in various
parts of the country, and seems to attack some animals in a herd in
preference to others. There may be something in the particular stock
of cattle rendering them more liable than others, and it seems that
those in the best condition are generally more exempt; but this may be
an effect rather than a cause, as the presence of these festering
points over a large portion of the surface must prevent the animal
from thriving that is so affected.
One of these insects imbedded its germ in two points upon my person,
and I subsequently extracted a rough ugly-looking sort of worm from
one of the places, which was near my shoulder, and consequently under
the clothing. It is a mystery as to how the fly could deposit the germ
through a flannel shirt, which was worn at the time. This result is
liable to occur with children in localities where the fly prevails,
and I have no fancy for living amongst them.
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