CHAPTER IX._Brazil, the River Plate, and the Falkland Islands With the Cape Horn route to Australia. Including notices of Lisbon, Madeira, the Canaries, and Cape Verde.

RIO JANEIRO, CAPITAL OF BRAZIL.

Night upon the watery, and daybreak on the land.—Beauty

of the approaches.—Apprehended retrogression, but real

progression, in the City.—The stag mania in the tropics,

and some of its consequences.—Notes on carriages, operas,

snuff-taking, polking-washerwomen, blacks, whites, odds and

ends, and things in general, original and imported.—Social,

sanitary, and governmental matters of divers kinds.—Composition

of the Brazilian chambers, and business therein.—State

of parties.—Abolition of the Slave Trade.—Sittings of

the Senate.—No necessity for Mr. Brotherton in the

Brazils.—Character of the present Emperor.—Wreck of the

Pernambucano.—Heroism of a black sailor.—Rigorous regulations

of the Rio custom-house.—Suggestions for the extension of

Brazilian commerce, and the prevention of smuggling.—Revisal of

the Brazilian tariff.—Educational progress since 1808.—French

literature and fashion.—Provisions in the Rio market.—Monkeys

and lizards articles of food.—Oranges, bananas, chirimoyas,

and granadillas.—Difficulties of the Labour Question since

the suppression of the Slave Trade.—Character of the

Indians.—State of feeling as regards the coloured people.—Negro

emancipation ‘looming in the future.’—An experimental trip

on the Rio and Petropolis railway.—Facts and figures on the

commercial and monetary connexion between the Empire and

Great Britain.—Comparative humanity of the Brazilians and

Uruguayans.—The Slave Trade Question, and European intervention

in South American politics.—Prospective glance at the

advantages of steam communication between Brazil and the United

States.—Authorities of all kinds on these heads; also on the

territorial pretensions of Brazil, especially in reference to

the disputes in the River Plate.—Portrait and Memoir of Admiral

Grenfell.

NOTE TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS.—As in the case of Bahia, the

illustrations in this chapter are from Sir W. Gore Ouseley’s

‘Sketches in South America,’ the original, however, containing

no less than thirteen beautiful views of Rio Janeiro and its

vicinity. In the ‘Key,’ accompanying the drawings, Sir William

has embodied, in a very graphic manner, the result of his

experiences in search of the picturesque in the neighbourhood

of the capital to which he was accredited for several years as

the representative of England. Describing some of the spots

he has so faithfully delineated by his pencil, he says:—The

Sugar-loaf Hills at the entrance of the magnificent harbour of

Rio de Janeiro, (or simply Rio), literally ‘January River,’ are

far off discernible, with the lofty Peak of the Corcovado, or

‘Hunchback,’ in the back-ground. On entering, the hill to the

left, called par excellence, the Sugar-loaf, is a prominent

object; then follows the wooded peninsular hill, on which is

the Fort St. Juan, united to the base of the Sugar-loaf by the

Isthmus of the Praya Vermelho, or ‘Red Beach;’ opposite this

hill lies Fort Santa Cruz, commanding the narrow entrance of

the harbour. Its formidable batteries of heavy guns are perhaps

nearer the level of the sea than necessary caution, inspired by

proximity of the vast Atlantic, would dictate. For, sometimes,

even placed as they are, twenty or thirty feet above the water,

the heavy gales from the south-west or south have caused the

sea to break over these batteries, with sufficient force to

dismount the cannon, as if they were reeds.

The harbour is among the finest in the world; no pilots

required by night or by day, entering or leaving; no dangers

not visible, or avoidable with prudence; of course a sailing

vessel, venturing in or out in very light winds, or if it falls

suddenly calm, may, by the enormous Atlantic swell, be cast on

the rocks, when little or no steerage way is imparted by the

wind.

More than one vessel has thus been lost, in the finest weather

in mid-day; but from attempting to pass the narrow entrance

of the harbour, without a steady breeze. Steam tugs would

obviate such danger, and sea and land breezes, excepting at

some seasons, afford a regular means of entrance or exit to

those who await their commencement. There are boats with cables

and anchors in readiness, sometimes inconveniently so, as the

Argentina experienced at Fort Santa Cruz and Fort St. Juan, on

the opposite shore, to be sent to vessels in danger. The bay is

17 miles in length, and 11 in extreme width, and contains many

small islands, the largest, Ilha do Gobernador, or ‘Governor’s

Island,’ six miles in length.

The city, whose original name was San Sebastian, now altogether

lost, was founded not long after the discovery of Brazil

by Cabral in the sixteenth century. It is of oblong shape,

situated on an elevated tongue of land, the most easterly

point of which is Punta do Calabouço, (‘Dungeon Point’), and

the most northerly, opposite to which is the little Ilha das

Cobras (‘Snake Island’), that of the Armazem do Sal (‘Salt

Store’). The more ancient north-east part is traversed by eight

straight, narrow, and parallel, streets, crossed by many others

at right angles. In these the houses are high, though not quite

so lofty as those in the metropolis of the mother country; but

in the new town, built for the most part since the arrival of

the royal family from Portugal in 1808, they are handsomer,

being generally of granite. The two towns are separated by the

Campo de Santa Anna, one of many large squares, agreeable to

the eye, in consequence of the somewhat fatiguing regularity

of the streets. Rio, the most important commercial city of

South America, is naturally, from its position, the great

mart of Brazil, and its advantages are such as to fit it for

concentrating the commerce of the globe; but, as we have said

above, comparatively little has been done to assist nature, so

far as regards the convenience of the considerable quantity of

shipping which frequents the port. Lighters are employed in

loading and discharging all vessels as they lie at anchor in

the harbour; but Government is now carrying out a plan, by an

English engineer, for a quay or wharf, to extend between the

Military and Naval Arsenals, at which sixteen vessels will be

enabled to unload at once, as well as lighters. This is a step

in the right direction, and, although even such accommodation

will not be sufficient to meet the future requirements of Rio,

there is no doubt that the enlightened spirit which at present

animates the Brazilian government and nation will induce them

to execute fresh improvements as their provincial resources

increase.

[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO THE PORT OF RIO JANEIRO.]

This is the second time I have entered Rio at night and missed the

proverbially fine view of the approaches to the bay.[41] Morning broke

amidst drizzling showers, everything looking very gloomy. We were visited

about breakfast time, and steamed to our regular anchorage, near the

island where our coal depôt is. I will not indulge in any lengthened

disquisition upon the merits of the city of Rio Janeiro, so often

described, but content myself with noticing the changes or improvements

that have taken place since I last visited the place four years back;

or, on the other hand, allude to what many consider as its want of

progress and the local difficulties which impede its onward march of

events. As the capital of so large and important an empire, Rio Janeiro

is certainly deserving of a closer analysis than has hitherto been

attempted in any public work with which I am acquainted.[42] The fatal

barrier to improvement, during the last few years, has been the yellow

fever, which has carried off large numbers of the population, especially

the industrial and foreign portion, on whom so much depended; whilst

during the same period the import of slaves from the coast of Africa has

been almost entirely suppressed. In this comparatively short space of

time the spirit of joint-stock enterprise has made considerable advance

here, resulting in the establishment of a bank, a railway over the flat

ground going to Petropolis (nearly completed); other extensive railways

and public roads to the interior, for which contracts are now about

being completed; a gas company, to light the city, very far advanced

towards actual completion, pipes being already laid, lamps erected to

about one-half of the city, and works building for making the gas, &c.;

a company to navigate the River Amazon, which has already commenced

operations with a liberal grant from the government; besides a number

of minor enterprises, all conducive to the comfort and well-being of

the country. The origin of this movement was no doubt owing to the

joint-stock mania prevailing at home, aided by a superabundance of

capital from cessation of the slave-trade; and the opportunity was

seized by some patriotic individuals to give a right direction to the

public mind in the undertakings adverted to. But, as might be expected,

things got a little wild; shares of every kind were driven up to a very

high premium, and a change has followed, detrimental, for the time being,

to practical advancement. Money, so very abundant last year at from 4 to

5 per cent., is now difficult to get at 8 or 10. Many people are locked

up in share transactions, which must take them some time to realize.

It has been, in fact, a repetition, on a comparatively small scale, of

those scenes of monetary derangement to which our own country is so often

subjected, and by the result of which the Brazilians have not taken

warning. No doubt the effect will soon pass over, there having been no

real abstraction of capital from the place.

The city of Rio Janeiro extends some three miles along the south-west

side of the bay, and being much intersected by hills, it is difficult

to get a good view of the whole range, unless from the top of one of

the mountains near the city, such as the celebrated ‘Corcovado,’ which

stands out like a pulpit on the plain below, and is some 2,500 feet

perpendicular. The view from this pulpit on a clear day is superb,

and I should say almost unequalled in the world: the city, with its

numerous divisions and suburbs below you—the bay, extending as far as

the eye can reach until lost in the plain below the Organ Mountain—the

sea, studded with numerous picturesque islands, with vessels looking

like white specks upon it, and seen to a great distance—all together

form a most enchanting picture, and amply repay the toil of an ascent.

The mountain is of granite rock, like all others in this country, but

thickly wooded almost to the summit, and you come out quite suddenly

on the bare point before alluded to, so much resembling a pulpit. In

consequence of the tortuous formation of the streets, constructed round

the base of the hills, it is difficult to get more than a bird’s-eye view

of the city, on ground made by encroachment on the sea; consequently,

the streets are low, without drainage, and in several of the back ones

the water collects and stagnates, to the great detriment of health and

comfort. Rio itself is a bad copy of Lisbon—streets at right angles, a

large square facing the sea, and the suburbs extending up the hills,

which everywhere meet your eye. In Lisbon the streets are tolerably

wide, but here they have built them so miserably narrow, that scarcely

even one carriage can pass through, much less pass each other; and it

is evident that such vehicles were never contemplated in the original

formation of these streets. The only way of getting over the difficulty

is for carriages coming into the city to take one line of streets, and

those leaving it another, which they do, excluding omnibuses altogether

from the principal thoroughfares. Improvements in this way were what

I found most backward; indeed there was a marked falling-off in such

respect since I was last here, and there seems a great want of municipal

government.[43] In many places the pavement is execrable, and generally

very bad, the difficulty having probably been increased by laying down

mains for water and gas, the latter now in process of execution, and also

to heavy rains having washed away many parts of the road, and otherwise

caused much damage. Once this troublesome job is got through, it is to

be hoped some effective measures will be taken to put the streets and

branch-roads in order; otherwise they will soon be rendered impassable.

Coach and coach spring making must be thriving trades here, especially

with the immense increase that has taken place in the number of carriages

and omnibuses; and it is really wonderful how they stand the continual

shocks they have to endure.[44] Government seems at last alive to the

absolute necessity of doing something to improve the sanitary condition

of the city, and also its internal organization, as they have lately

got out some good practical English engineers, who I have no doubt

will suggest an effective mode of dealing with present difficulties.

If they do not adopt decisive measures, the rate of mortality may be

expected to augment fearfully in a dense population of 300,000 to 400,000

inhabitants, huddled together in some 15,000 houses, surrounded by

impurities of every kind, not the least being the stagnant water in the

streets. No exact census has ever been taken of the population of Rio

Janeiro, which is generally believed to be between the two figures above

given. There is a migratory population, but the accumulation of humanity

of every race and colour, contained in some of the large dwelling-houses,

is something extraordinary. As before observed, nature has done much for

this country, and if the natural facilities of Rio Janeiro were properly

availed of, and local improvements carried out with energy and spirit, it

might be rendered one of the finest and most luxurious places within the

tropics.[45] The opportunity is now open to them; the government possess

ample means, and it is just a question whether measures of progress are

to be effectively achieved, or the city to be abandoned to its fate. The

great evil attending all improvement in Brazil is an undue appreciation

of native capability, and a disparagement or distrust of those whose

practical experience would enable them to grapple with the difficulties

that surround them—a kind of little jealousy and mistrust that prevents

their availing themselves of opportunities thrown in their way to carry

out undertakings necessary to the well-being of the country; nor can

they understand the principle on which such things are regulated in

England, still less the magnitude of operations carried on there and in

many other parts of Europe. Yet the time seems to be coming when these

principles will be better understood here, and when the application of

English capital towards the improvement of the country may be safely and

legitimately brought to bear.

[Illustration: SERRA DOS ORGAOS—CABECA DO FRAILE, RIO JANEIRO.]

The political and social position of this great empire, whose influence

and example are of such incalculable importance to the present, and

still more to the future, of the whole continent of South America, must

necessarily be a subject of anxiety to all who wish to see it prosper,

and who are at the same time practically acquainted with the difficulties

that have to be overcome in the maintenance of its present system of a

representative government. Without attempting anything in the shape of

a history of that government, or of the circumstances which led to its

formation and have ensured its consolidation, a few particulars may not

be unacceptable to such readers as have not had their attention directed

to the subject. After the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1822, Don Pedro

was declared Emperor, and, in 1824, the constitution, which is a very

close imitation of our own, was proclaimed. The government is confided

to ministers chosen by the Emperor; there is a chamber of deputies, 548

in number, elected by the towns and 18 provinces, and a senate or upper

chamber, consisting of 54 members, titled and untitled, the numbers in

both being limited, and titles are not hereditary. Hence, though there

are, we believe, upwards of 20 marquises, 7 counts, 29 viscounts, and 32

barons, the sons of these do not succeed to the titular distinction of

their fathers, notwithstanding the honours emanating from a crown that

is hereditary. The business of the country passes under the same sort of

discussion, and just with as much freedom of debate, but not more, than

with us; and according to the support given or withheld by the chambers

is the government strong or weak. The revenue of the empire is accounted

for, and finds its way into the national treasury at Rio de Janeiro;

and hence the difficulty encountered in dealing with its distribution,

as each representative of a province naturally wishes to favour his own

constituency, and is opposed to what he may think an undue proportion

of expenditure lavished, and of interest taken, in the province already

favoured with the establishment of the capital and the residence of the

court, and where the largest population centres. This is one of their

great legislative difficulties, which gives rise to long and violent

discussions. Another is the existence of two factions in the state, the

old Portuguese and the purely Brazilian party. Some years back the former

held the reins, and were the supposed abettors of the slave-trade; but

since 1848 the present ministry, mostly composed of pure Brazilians, have

retained office, and been enabled to carry out most stringent measures

for putting down that abominable traffic, which is for the present not

only suppressed, but its restoration is impossible,[46] owing, first,

to the complete revulsion that has taken place in public opinion, and,

secondly, to the new direction that has been given to the employment

of capital, as explained in our chapters on Pernambuco and Bahia. To

such lengths have an honest and energetic administration, supported by

a high-minded sovereign, jealous of the honour of his country, and,

above all, of its credit for integrity in adhering to its engagements,

been able to act upon this truly national sentiment, that many of the

influential Portuguese, known to be actively engaged in the traffic, and

some of whom had sunk vast sums in its prosecution, have been banished

the country. Five years is a long time for a ministry to retain office

in any country; for even in our own that period far exceeds the average

duration of a British cabinet, at least during the last three reigns;

consequently, the greater the wonder at the stability of one in a country

such as Brazil, and under many trying circumstances. Not the least

embarrassing of these was the perpetual interference of England to put

down the external symptoms of the slave-trade, though Brazilian ministers

were doing it in a manner so rapid and effectual as to constitute one of

the most startling and complete social revolutions ever recorded in the

history of any nation in the world as the work of half-a-dozen ages, much

less of half-a-dozen years.[47] This speaks well indeed for the personal

ability as well as for the representative system under which the existing

ministry govern, as without a decided majority in the chambers they could

not possibly endure a single session. Brazilian policy and Brazilian

views seem to be now much more firmly established in the legislature, and

the native party greatly preponderates. Still this clashing of interests

tends to impede the regular march of business, by giving rise to endless

personal discussion and personal invective. The chamber of deputies and

the senate are a long way apart from each other, which must occasion

inconvenience, and destroy that prompt action and unity of purpose so

necessary in a legislative assembly. The locality ought always to be the

same, with the monarch as the head, opening and closing the sessions

under the same building. Considering their late elevation to political

distinction, some of the deputies and senators of Brazil display no

small amount of oratorical, and, what is still more valuable, debating,

ability; whilst many of the former must make a great sacrifice of time

and personal convenience in spending so many months away from their

families and estates, which are difficult to be reached in a country

where the means of travelling are comparatively so primitive, and the

distance to be traversed generally very great. The hours of discussion

in the chambers are as much too brief as ours are too long, being only

from 11 a.m. to 2 or 2.30 p.m., during which one orator will often occupy

the time for speaking sake only, and the business of the day has to be

adjourned; whereas if ministers, with no Mr. Brotherton to be afraid

of, could keep them at it occasionally until midnight, or 2 or 3 in the

morning, it would tire out declaimers, who seek only to pander to the

appetite for fervid or piquant rhetorical popularity, and would insure

quicker despatch of the business in hand.

[Illustration: AQUEDUCT AND CONVENT OF SAINT TERESA. RIO JANEIRO.]

The present Emperor is in every respect admirably fitted for his high

station. Born in the country, without the advantage of a knowledge of

European life, and that finished tone of education it affords, but

possessed of natural endowments of an exalted order, and having turned

to the utmost advantage the opportunities of a studious and virtuous

youth, he carries with him the full national sympathies of the native

Brazilians, the respect of the old Portuguese party, and the esteem

of the whole foreign diplomatic body, to whom he dispenses the honours

and hospitality of a prudently managed court. As the sovereign of a

constitutional country, content to abide within the strict limits imposed

by his coronation oath, his reign has been prosperous and happy. In his

private capacity he is kind and attentive to all around him, as well as

a close observer of passing events. Possessed of a benevolent heart,

and actuated by a noble singleness of purpose, he knows how to direct

the reins of government, without undue interference or an injudicious

exercise of his prerogative. It has often been emphatically said that

the Emperor is not only the highest, but the best man in the country,

both from his public conduct and his private virtues. The value of such a

compliment is not enhanced, or probably we should say is not impaired, by

any universal laxity and corruption around him, as in the case of another

empire nearer home, wherein it is said that the principal personage is

not only the most honest, but the only honest, man in his own dominions.

Probity[48] and high-mindedness of every kind in public life are as

general in Brazil as in any part of Europe, England itself certainly not

excepted; consequently the standard the Emperor is measured by is one by

no means conventional or equivocal, but is such as any sovereign in the

western world might feel proud of having applied to himself. Certainly,

in the matter of truthfulness, the rarest of all monarchic virtues,

he has set an example to the royal brotherhood of kings that might be

followed with infinite profit to the reputation of the regal race, and

with corresponding advantage to their subjects in numerous instances. His

Brazilian Majesty is admirably supported by an excellent and high-minded

partner, who, like her husband, is beloved by all classes in the empire.

The imperial couple frequently attend public balls, and mix in social

parties with citizens and foreigners, taking also the warmest interest in

all local improvements, or measures calculated to benefit the country,

and to raise the character of their subjects. When the kind of life they

are compelled to lead is fairly considered, and the extent of court

intrigue necessarily prevailing where parties are so much divided and

respectively so potent, too much merit cannot be ascribed to the Emperor

and Empress for the manner in which they conduct themselves, and the

controlling influence they exercise over others. Every one who has been

in Rio well knows how exceedingly popular he is, and how strong is the

conviction that that popularity is most just and most deserved, though

he never goes out of his way to obtain it by any _ad captandum_ arts, or

any conduct whatever that is not the result of sound judgment guiding

an estimable nature. M. Reybaud, a Frenchman, in a biographical memoir,

which appeared also in English in one of our illustrated journals at the

close of the year before last, says:

‘But the great work of Don Pedro the 2nd, a work at once of

humanity and policy, and which will be his indelible title of

glory in the eyes of Europe, is, that of having openly attacked

the national prejudice of the necessity of black slaves, and

having overcome it. Thanks to him, thanks to his Ministers and

the Legislative Chambers of Rio, the traffic is henceforth

definitively suppressed in Brazil, for the people have

understood and accepted the Imperial policy, which has for its

motto, “No more traffic in slaves; European colonization.” Such

is at this moment the cry of all Brazil. The agriculturists

themselves, until lately insensible to the anathemas of

philanthropy, have opened their eyes, and joined the Government

and the Chambers in demanding the deliverance of the country

from the living leprosy of the slave traffic. It was imperative

that it should. It was indispensable that the country should

associate itself with the measures of the Government, for up

to this time the laws that were made were not carried out, and

the people who thought them prejudicial to their interests did

not scruple to infringe them. The policy of the Emperor and

the Brazilian Chambers was very simple and sensible. It was

not sufficient to decree the suppression of the traffic, but

it was necessary to open up to the agriculturists new ways and

means by which they should, within a longer or shorter delay,

dispense with black labourers. The Legislature, to provide

for this necessity, took proper means to attract European

colonization. Several attempts tried on this new basis have

been attended with the happiest results. Little colonies have

sprung up, especially in the south of the empire, and are in

a flourishing condition. The planters and landed proprietors

throughout the empire give a decided preference to free over

slave labour, as experience teaches them that it is infinitely

to their advantage.’

It is impossible too highly to eulogise the conduct of his Imperial

Majesty in reference to the slave trade; but as one evidence, which

may be useful by way of example in a certain portion of the world that

regards itself as far more advanced than Brazil, I transcribe the

following extract from a letter dated Rio, November 14th, 1853, and which

appeared in some of the English papers in January last:—

‘The “Pernambucana,” one of the vessels of the Brazilian Steam

Packet Company, was wrecked near St. Catherine’s, and upwards

of 40 passengers drowned. This disaster afforded an opportunity

for a display of heroism and bravery rarely equalled. A black

sailor, belonging to the vessel, succeeded with many others

in reaching the shore; numbers had perished in the attempt,

and but few of the passengers remained upon the wreck. All of

these, including a mother and six children, did Simon save. It

is pleasing to add that the Brazilians were by no means slow

in marking their appreciation of, and rewarding, this heroic

action. A subscription was opened in the Praça do Commercio,

and the amount subscribed in two days exceeded seven contos

of reis, or about £800. The Emperor and Empress, whose hands

are always open for the succour of the needy, or the reward

of the meritorious, contributed 900 milreis, and the total

amount already received approaches to £1,000. In addition to

this, a statue of the black is to be placed in the exchange. An

unfortunate circumstance, peculiarly annoying to our English

community in Rio, may be noticed in connection with this

affair. The promoters of the subscription, persons of great

influence and respectability, brought the black to the Praça

do Commercio, not merely to gratify the curiosity of those who

were anxious to see one become so celebrated, but to afford

any information which parties connected with the victims or

survivors might require. The director of the month, who was

unfortunately an Englishman, objected to the presence of a

black in the _sala_, and in spite of the remonstrances of all

present, insisted upon his immediate removal. This arbitrary

proceeding has called forth some severe articles in the public

papers, and it is provoking that one of us who pretend to

so much philanthropy for the race should have shown so much

prejudice against the colour. This heroic fellow, with whom the

Emperor of the Brazils expressed himself proud to shake hands,

was driven from the exchange because he was an African! And by

an Englishman!’

I cannot learn that this conduct has called for any reprobation in

England; that there have been any encomiums passed by our abolitionist

press or declaimers on the monarch of that country wherein partiality

for the slave trade was declared by the highest authority amongst us

to be ineradicable, except by violent measures on the part of England.

Nor, indeed, can I find that there has been the least desire to make the

_amende_ in any way to Brazil for all the calumnies so long heaped upon

her; for even that portion of the Slave Trade Treaties Report quoted,

which relates to Brazil (and which has been circulated throughout the

Brazilian press), has been passed over with indifference by our purists

and censors. Nay, more, within a very short period preceding the date

of these remarks, a tale of horrors was tricked out for the regalement

of our _gobemouche_ public in this country by a pair of travelling

philanthropic malevolents concerning a certain planter in Pernambuco

inviting his brother planters of the province to a grand spectacle of

boiling a slave alive; and the name of her Britannic Majesty’s consul

was actually adduced as that of a witness to the act. The absurdity was,

of course, scouted in Brazil as the conjuration of a diseased fancy; but

the journals here that gave currency to the figment have evinced small

alacrity in recording the contradiction elicited on the spot. So in the

case of the imperial conduct towards Simon. Had the President of the

United States acted as the Emperor did in this instance, or had a North

American Uncle Tom performed any portion of what the Brazilian black

achieved, dramas and novels by the score would have appeared, and, in

fact, we should never have heard the last of it.[49]

Though she has made wonderful strides in the right direction—advances

positively marvellous, considering the locality, and even as contrasted

with what would have been the case in England at this present day, had

a large section of otherwise enlightened men amongst us had had their

way—still, commercially speaking, Brazil has yet much to do in the shape

of reform. A great deal of the old leaven of Portuguese exclusiveness and

exaction remain to this day, although it is not carried to such an absurd

extent as at Lisbon, where is placed in the hands of every shipmaster

visiting the port a document,[50] which, considering that its provisions

are enforced by a civilised mercantile nation of Europe in the second

half of the nineteenth century, and in a great port whence once sailed

some of the mightiest maritime enterprises in history, deserves to be

regarded as a curiosity of commercial literature, and is preserved as

such in a note. No wonder the trade of Lisbon should dwindle down to

a mere cypher, and the finances of the country be in so deplorable a

state. Any nation issuing such a document as this places itself on a

par with, if not on a lower footing than, China or Japan. In Brazilian

ports you have the same ordeal of health visits, police, and custom-house

searchers, before you can even leave the ship; and if a vessel arrives

after dusk, no matter where from, coasting or otherwise, she must remain

till morning for the visit, after which she is a kind of custom-house

prey, watched and pounced upon in every possible manner, if all is not

found to be strictly in accordance with the long string of regulations,

numbered like a criminal code; and woe betide the unfortunate shipmaster

or merchant, importing goods, who innocently falls into the trap laid

for him. It is a case of heavy fines, damages, and often confiscation

of ship or property; although it can be clearly and satisfactorily

proved that no one is to blame in the matter, and that there has been

no fraudulent intention whatever. The stipulations of the custom-house

code are being continually infringed, and yet, like the laws of the Medes

and Persians, it altereth not! All this is very sad, and unworthy of a

country that looks to commerce for its intercourse with Europe, and as a

main source of revenue and social progress. The only excuse lies in the

force of habit, founded on inveterate prejudice, bequeathed by the old

superannuated mother country.[51]

It is true that our own fiscal system twenty years ago contained much of

the objectionable matter alluded to, although it was never distinguished

by those absurd forms and regulations that are not only a check to

personal liberty, but involve the loss of much valuable time. If some

public-spirited minister, who took a right and far-seeing view of the

true interests of Brazil, were to grapple fairly with this subject, and

had the moral courage to bring forward liberal measures, I firmly believe

that he would carry them. For instance, let him abolish the farce of

visiting vessels, both inwards and outwards, for sanitary or other state

purposes; and as regards customs’ revenue, once let the duties be reduced

to a scale that would render smuggling unprofitable, and there would be

no need of a commercial code or of fines and restrictions. All experience

proves that where duties have to be levied for the absolute necessities

of the state, the more moderate the scale the less chance there is for

smuggling, and the greater the increase and encouragement to consumption

of the articles imported, which can then be sold at cheaper rates. It is

notorious that for many years after the trade with Brazil was opened,

not half, probably not a quarter, of the duties entitled to be levied

found their way into the public treasury; and although a good deal of

this iniquity has been done away with by the firmness of a few public

servants,[52] yet the temptation remains, and some parties still profit

by illegal importation at the expense of legitimate traders. I repeat my

strong conviction that Brazil might derive a much larger revenue under

a moderate scale of duties, and she could then afford to wipe away all

the existing restrictions on commerce and shipping. It is true that she

has done something, both in reduction of her tariff as well as of her

anchorage dues, a step in the right direction, which, for her own sake,

it is devoutly to be hoped she will soon follow up vigorously.

As regards the social condition of the Brazilian empire, there is

doubtless still much room for improvement. Where is there not? But when

we recollect that until 1808 there was not a printing-press in the whole

country—and now behold no large town without its journal, generally very

admirably managed, and when we see educational establishments, many on a

very large and highly efficient scale, in nearly every province of the

empire—certainly we cannot say her progress has been slow. Previously to

that time the only instruction imparted was through the convents, and

consequently it was tinctured with all the old monastic and narrow-minded

leaven attached to those institutions, whose downfall in Spain and

Portugal was soon followed by similar measures in Brazil. Secular

education became extended; seminaries and schools were established,

both under the patronage of government and by private individuals;

newspapers increased, and are now multiplied to the number of upwards of

50, including scientific and literary; and the whole course of things

was changed; but without so far resulting in any general plan by which

instruction is communicated to the masses of the people. French being the

principal medium of intercommunication between the better classes and

all foreigners, and being very generally spoken, publications in that

language are necessarily most in request; and an assortment of French

reading of the latest Parisian stamp may be had in Rio equal to what is

procurable in any second-rate town in the country it comes from. It is

needless to say that French fashions, in other than strictly intellectual

items, prevail among all the educated classes in the Brazilian capital;

and by ministering to such tastes a large number of native French derive

considerable profit. In addition to the educational advantages already

enumerated, and the list might be greatly extended were we to include

the libraries, &c., some excellent institutions of a charitable nature

abound, as well as hospitals; the one last founded of this class at Rio

is on a most magnificent scale, in a small bay near the entrance of the

port, where an admirably executed marble statue of the Emperor has also

been most fittingly placed.[53] As it is under his auspices it has been

commenced, and by his munificence and example, and that of his estimable

consort, it has become one of the noblest edifices of the kind in

existence on either side of the Atlantic.

Another of the social evils of Brazil is the difficulty of obtaining a

labouring population, a necessity consequent on the importation of slaves

having ceased. It is one which, unless seriously and promptly dealt

with, must entail very momentous consequences: a continuous immigration

of free labourers appears to be the only solution of the question. But

whence are they to come in anything like the required numbers? It is

quite clear that European labourers cannot work with slaves, nor will

the hardy islanders of the Atlantic consent to do so; people, moreover,

are needed who can bear the climate, and will put up with hardships

which only those acclimated can be expected to endure—that is, the

climate of the more torrid parts of the Brazils; for there are vast

regions, larger than the whole United Kingdom, where out-door labour is

perfectly practicable to natives of Great Britain, and where some of such

natives have settled and prospered as agriculturists, as we shall have

occasion to refer to in speaking of the Banda Oriental, in respect to the

adjoining Brazilian province of Rio Grande do Sul. The only alternative

seems to be coolies from China; and with the present propensities of

that class, no doubt numbers would flock to Brazil, if the needful

encouragement and facilities were given. At all events the experiment

might easily be tried, and the sooner it is done the better.[54] Some

parties are sanguine enough to believe that the aborigines of the

country, the remnants of the Indian tribes, might be brought under

civilized rule, and instructed so as eventually to be rendered capable

of replacing slaves; but this plan seems very problematical, unless in

those districts where they have already been accustomed to mingle and

work with the other inhabitants, as in the northern provinces of Bahia

and Pernambuco. In the latter province especially, there is a very fine

race of men called Sertanejos, who make good labourers, and are very

useful in bringing produce to market by means of horses. The number of

men so employed may be imagined when, by the law of Pernambuco, one man

must accompany every horse; and in the busy season 2,000 horses have been

known to pass the toll-bar inwards, and the same number outwards, making

altogether 4,000, although the edict alluded to is not very strictly

enforced, the distance travelled by these horses being from 50 to 300

miles. It is literally impossible to form a proximate conjecture as to

the number of Indians in Brazil, the estimates of various authorities

ranging from one-fourth of a million to a million and a half, divided

into Indios, Mansos, and Tapirios; the former partially civilized and

speaking some Portuguese, the latter still savage. Nearly all the

tribes are of large stature; and though exceedingly low in the scale of

civilization, possess many of the virtues of the barbarian, especially

when uncontaminated by the vices of the white man, or proximity to him.

For the most part they are warlike, the climate by no means enervating

their bodies or subduing their spirit; and though in some respects

ferocious when excited, the practice of cannibalism towards prisoners

taken in battle is quite extinct, if indeed it ever really existed.

Some of the tribes exhibit an extraordinary antipathy to the negroes,

which is the more remarkable as the marriages of people of colour

with whites are very common, and degrees of black that would throw a

citizen of the United States into a fever of indignation are looked

upon with philosophic indifference, both by Brazilians and natives of

Portugal in Brazil. Probably this is one reason why slaves in Brazil

are treated with a kindness and humanity altogether unexampled in any

other part of the world, a fact upon which all authorities are agreed,

notwithstanding some shocking exceptions that were wont to be practised

towards newly-imported unfortunates from the coast of Africa, a custom

now fortunately at an end. No doubt a wise and conciliatory policy

exercised towards those Indian tribes who still occupy large districts of

Brazil would be attended with beneficial results; but this is a work of

time. What the country now wants is immediate labour, and for a supply

of this, emigration of some kind is the only available source. The towns

are already beginning to feel the effects of the diminution, and wages

have consequently risen considerably; whilst in the interior the value

of slaves has greatly increased, a preliminary perhaps to their future

emancipation.

Before quitting the subject of Rio improvements, I may note an

interesting excursion made over a short line of railway, and the first

ever attempted in this country, which is to connect the city with

Petropolis (the mountain and summer residence of the court and upper

classes), and which was recorded as below in the ‘Journal do Commercio’

of the 6th September, 1853, the day on which we left Rio for the River

Plate.[55]

Respecting the mercantile position of Brazil generally, I turned with

some considerable curiosity to the edition published in the course of

the present year, 1854, of ‘M’Culloch’s Commercial Dictionary,’ a work

of deserved authority and influence, as every business man is aware,

though, I regret to be obliged to add, the article on the country I

am now treating of does not sustain the character to which the volume

is in so many other respects entitled. I had expected, as the result

of recent events in Brazil, some marked modification in the writer’s

opinions as expressed under this head in former editions, but could find

none; and indeed the whole of his remarks, which I annex, would appear,

from internal evidence, to be as emphatic as in previous editions,

notwithstanding the date on his title-page, and his assertion in the

preface that the latest information had been brought to bear on every

point. He says:—

‘The imports into Brazil, which are chiefly from Great Britain,

consist principally of our cottons, woollens, linen, iron and

steel, hardware, butter, and other articles, amounting in all,

in ordinary years, to about £2,500,000. It is frequently,

no doubt, said that our exports to Brazil amount to double

that sum, or to more than £5,000,000. But there is no room

or ground for any such statement. The return is not derived

from Brazil, but from our own Custom-house; and there is no

reason why the merchants should undervalue the exports to

Brazil more than to any other country. The commercial policy of

Brazil has, on the whole, been characterised by considerable

liberality. The duties on imports and exports have been

mostly moderate, and have been imposed more for the sake of

revenue than of protection. In October, 1847, the legislature

of Brazil issued a decree, imposing 33⅓ per cent. higher

duties on the ships and produce of those nations which did

not admit the ships and produce of Brazil into their ports

on a fair footing of reciprocity. This decree was, in part,

provoked by our policy in regard to the slave trade, and was

in avowed retaliation of the high discriminating duties we

had imposed on Brazilian and other slave-grown sugar. But the

modified views of the Brazilian government in regard to the

slave-trade, and the admission of slave-grown sugars into our

markets under reasonable duties, which are to be equalised

with those on British colonial sugars in 1854, occasioned, in

1849, the revocation of the discriminating duties referred

to. A provincial duty of 15 per cent., imposed in some of

the provinces on hides and other articles, has also been

repealed. Great Britain enjoys the largest share of the trade

of Brazil; and that share will, it is probable, be a good deal

increased, when the duties on foreign and colonial sugars are

equalised in 1854. The abolition of the discriminating duty on

foreign coffee in the course of the year 1851 has occasioned

a considerable increase in the imports of Brazilian coffee.

The commerce of Brazil has sustained great injury from the

wretched state of the currency and of the finances; the value

of the former, which consists almost wholly of paper, being

excessively depreciated and liable to extreme fluctuations,

and the revenue being inadequate to meet the expenditure.

Latterly, however, vigorous efforts have been made to increase

the revenue; and it is hoped that, in the event of the finances

being placed on a better footing, measures may also be taken to

improve the currency.’

The concluding passage, as to the inadequacy of the income to the

expenditure, is altogether questionable; and the admission of such an

assertion into a work of the character just quoted from, betrays a

determination altogether inexplicable, for of course it is impossible

to put it down to the score of ignorance. The rapid and progressive

liquidation of the national debt, and the unfailing punctuality of the

dividends, added to the price Brazilian stocks command in the British

market, sufficiently bespeak the healthiness of Brazilian finance. I have

not been able to discover upon what data it is that Mr. M’Culloch fixes

the annual imports of British produce into Brazil at so low a figure as

he mentions in the foregoing extract, and which figure has appeared in

successive editions of his work for many years back. But it is quite

incorrect; and, at least, as much below the actual amount as the one

he condemns as too high. A witness before the committee on Slave Trade

Treaties last year, a gentleman officially connected with the Brazilian

embassy, and having the best means of knowing the accuracy of what he

said, declared the amount of trade during the year 1852 between Great

Britain and the Brazils to be about three millions and a half sterling

per annum of imports, entirely from England. Those imports[56] are sold

there on one year’s credit; so that every year there are £7,000,000 of

English goods in Brazil. There is always a deposit of British goods equal

to one year’s consumption, and one year’s consumption due. Besides that,

there is a national debt to England of £6,000,000 sterling; Brazil has to

pay interest for that. Then there is the internal debt, where £600,000 of

bonds belong to Englishmen; which makes a total of £13,600,000 of British

property engaged in Brazil.

Hence, then, the magnitude of the interests in this country as affected

by our relations with Brazil. Nor are the interests of humanity at large

on a less extensive scale. The witness last adverted to—and I can state

of my own knowledge that the authority he adduces is a most competent

one—an Englishman long resident in Brazil, in the public service of that

country, says:—

‘Allow me to cite from the writings of an Englishman who

appears to be very well acquainted with the affairs of the

Brazils: it is an article about a book published by Sir

Woodbine Parish, from the British Quarterly Review for

February, 1853. The book is about the River Plate, but there

are in the article of the Review two or three little passages

to which I will beg the attention of the Committee; beginning

about the attack of Caseros, where Rosas had been put down.

He says, “On this occasion, however, the Brazilian alliance

introduced a regular, well disciplined, and properly commanded

army into the contest, and in the hour of Buenos Ayrean defeat,

it was to its humanity, order, discipline, and obedience that

the troops of Rosas appealed; Surrender to the blue pants

(so the Brazilian infantry was termed), they do not kill!

was their cry.” This is to prove that Brazilians are not so

blackened in civilization as they generally think in Europe,

and not so inhuman; “and thus a body not exceeding 3,000 men

had upwards of 5,000 prisoners, not one of whom was injured; on

the contrary, a contingent of Rosas’ army refused to surrender

to the Oriental forces of Urquiza; but on the appearance of

a Brazilian officer (Captain Petra) at once laid down their

arms; nor was this example of humanity lost on the Argentines

themselves, in the subsequent occurrences at Buenos Ayres.”

I have read that to show that the Brazilian people are ill

judged of, and that they are more desirous to put an end to

slavery than they have had credit for, on account of the point

of civilization they have come to, and on account of the

circumstance of its being to their interest. The article of the

Review contains still the following observations: “Nor ought

the events we have narrated to be uninstructive to Europe; for

they teach the impolicy of England and France attempting to

precipitate, either by diplomatic or military agency, events in

distant countries, whose circumstances they are so imperfectly

acquainted with; and the shortsightedness of prohibiting the

intervention of a nation materially and geographically, as well

as politically, concerned. They teach us also the dignity and

office of the Empire of Brazil in the political system of the

world; and how much more that state may be made to contribute

its share to the great mass of human happiness, by promoting

its welfare, than, as has been done, by wounding its pride.”

Thus by promoting its welfare, and coming to an amicable

understanding with it, there would have been a much fairer

result, perhaps much quicker, than by wounding its pride, and

by much stronger measures.’

[Illustration: CHURCH OF THE NOSSA SENOR A DA GLORIA, AND AQUEDUCT, RIO

DE JANEIRO.]

This is most just and true; and though the cause of irritation to Brazil,

indirectly glanced at in the concluding sentence, has happily passed

away, it is no less necessary to remember with what forbearance that

country endured the slights and indignities put upon her, and with what

magnanimity she forbore from soliciting the aid of a neighbouring nation

that might have required small inducement to vindicate the honour and

inviolability of the Brazilian flag; for there cannot be a question

that the government of Washington would very gladly avail itself of any

opportunity that might contribute to strengthen the connection between

the States and Brazil, though it is remarkable that some attempt of the

kind has not been made, in the mode of which the establishment of such a

steam company as the one I represent is an example.[57]

COMMERCE OF BRAZIL.

(STATISTICS LATELY ISSUED SHOW THE FOLLOWING COMPARATIVE RESULTS IN ROUND

NUMBERS.)

1839 and 1844.—Average annual value of imports and exports, 13 millions

sterling.

1845 and 1849.—Average annual value was 16 millions sterling, or an

increase of 3 millions.

In this latter period the average yearly number of vessels employed was

10,694; tonnage, 1,937,944;

------ ---------

of which 5,464 ” 953,654 inw.

5,230 ” 914,290 outw.

------ ---------

vessels, 10,694 tons, 1,937,944

------ ---------

showing an average increase over the former period of 1839 to 1844 of

vessels, 34 per cent.

tonnage, 42 ”

Of the above figures, the imports averaged

in value, 49 per cent,

exports, 51 ”

---

100

---

During the same period, the proportions of foreign and coasting trade

were:

foreign imports and exports, 76 per cent.

coasting ” ” 24 ”

---

100

---

Of the aforesaid total imports and exports,

Great Britain figures for 36 per cent.

United States ” 16 ”

other parts of the world 58 ”

---

100

---

And in the total value of imports,

Great Britain figures for 50 per cent.

France ” 10 ”

United States ” 11 ”

other parts ” 29 ”

---

100

---

Ditto in exports:

Great Britain ” 24 ”

United States ” 23 ”

other parts ” 53 ”

---

100

---

The percentage of this commerce divided amongst the ports of Brazil, is

as follows:

Rio Janeiro, 53 per cent.

Bahia, 17 ”

Pernambuco, 13 ”

Other ports, 17 ”

---

100

---

The value of imports and exports bearing about a relative proportion to

these figures.

COFFEE, SUGAR, AND HIDES, EXPORTED FROM RIO JANEIRO, IN 1847, 1848, 1849,

1850, 1851, 1852, 1853.

The total number of bags and barrels of coffee exported from Rio Janeiro

in 1847 was 1,650,300; in 1848, 1,706,544; in 1849, 1,451,715; in

1850, 1,392,361; in 1851, 1,993,255; in 1852, 1,899,861; and in 1853,

1,657,520. The total number of cases of sugar was, in 1847, 3,136; in

1848, 2,371; in 1849, 3,212; in 1850, 6,465; in 1851, 4,752; in 1852,

9,012; in 1853, 2,667. The total number of hides imported in 1847

amounted to 268,492; in 1848 to 348,947; in 1849 to 299,262; in 1850 to

195,706; in 1851 to 173,746; in 1852 to 210,223; and in 1853 to 75,852.

In 1853 were also exported 21,808 boxes and barrels of coffee; 17,556

bags of sugar; 5,049 half-tanned hides; 222,577 ox and cow-horns; 1,050

pipes of rum; 25,825 rolls of tobacco; 9,935 bags of rice; 32,610 planks

of jacaranda; 7,085 barrels of tapioca; and 71,680 lbs. of ipecacuanha.

The shipments of coffee to the United States in 1853 were 853,023 bags

against 960,850 in 1852, 996,552 in 1851, 638,801 in 1850, 634,565 in

1849, 806,907 in 1848, 729,742 in 1847, 727,263 in 1846, 551,276 in

1845, 534,689 in 1844, 543,239 in 1843, 357,278 in 1842, 427,096 in 1841,

296,705 in 1840, 344,833 in 1839, 265,656 in 1838, 127,032 in 1837,

313,934 in 1836, 264,721 in 1835, 171,737 in 1834, and 236,708 in 1833.

These statements are made up from the vessels’ manifests, excepting

coffee, which, from the beginning of 1834, is from the daily shipments

at the Consulado. The yearly exportation of coffee was, in 1820, 97,500

bags; in 1821, 105,386; in 1822, 152,048; in 1823, 185,000; in 1824,

224,000; in 1825, 183,136; in 1826, 260,000; in 1827, 350,900; in 1828,

369,117; in 1829, 375,107; in 1830, 391,785; in 1831, 448,249; in 1832,

478,950; in 1833, 561,692; in 1834, 560,759; in 1835, 647,438; in 1836,

715,893; in 1837, 657,005; in 1838, 765,696; in 1839, 889,324; in 1840,

1,068,418; in 1841, 1,028,368; in 1842, 1,174,659; in 1843, 1,183,646; in

1844, 1,269,381; in 1845, 1,187,591; and in 1846, 1,522,434 bags.

BRITISH PRODUCE AND MANUFACTURES EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO

BRAZIL, IN THE YEARS 1849, 1850, 1851, AND 1852.

1849. 1850. 1851. 1852.

£ £ £ £

Alkali 8,369 10,591 13,213 11,752

Apothecary wares 6,994 8,858 7,272 10,667

Apparel and slops 21,189 28,475 45,891 49,290

Arms and ammunition 27,747 39,707 37,786 23,441

Bacon and hams 950 865 7,756 869

Beef and pork 402 70 353 12

Beer and ale 14,770 17,155 25,407 14,971

Blacking 1,889 1,510 1,532 966

Books 3,625 996 750 538

Brass and copper

manufactures 32,596 36,324 45,346 47,212

Butter 82,889 65,279 88,857 96,861

Cabinet and upholstery

wares 482 648 799 876

Carriages 821 386 300 388

Coals, cinders, and

culm 23,036 20,320 26,118 24,248

Cordage 3,972 1,294 1,428 424

Cotton manufactures 1,516,137 1,546,570 2,016,086 1,891,374

Cotton yarn 2,025 1,041 173 191

Earthenware 35,278 41,268 54,588 90,359

Glass 10,432 11,277 15,320 10,866

Hardware and cutlery 80,389 80,973 108,406 104,129

Hats 463 325 1,326 1,376

Iron and steel 94,792 78,105 84,488 109,876

Lead and shot 11,457 18,967 11,793 11,703

Leather 10,016 11,002 11,716 18,332

Linen manufactures 131,412 157,054 295,925 250,243

Machinery and

mill-work 14,817 29,001 23,715 18,816

Musical instruments 6,612 5,776 12,725 11,018

Oil, linseed,

rapeseed, and

hempseed 10,085 5,906 10,810 12,091

Painters’ colours 13,230 8,249 7,776 9,604

Plate, jewellery, and

watches 8,948 7,966 15,115 22,016

Saddlery and harness 2,566 3,133 4,188 7,333

Saltpetre 9,518 5,446 5,860 4,326

Silk manufactures 14,554 14,295 23,624 24,709

Soap and candles 3,429 5,648 2,404 3,115

Stationery 3,532 4,248 7,085 6,293

Tin and pewter 16,049 12,552 21,084 12,310

Umbrellas and parasols 8,507 7,754 5,290 8,184

Woollen manufactures 180,599 223,002 446,062 511,690

Miscellaneous 30,137 33,001 37,323 41,915

--------- --------- --------- ---------

Total 2,444,715 2,544,837 3,518,684 3,464,394

RIO STATISTICS.—EXTRACTED FROM RIO MERCANTILE JOURNAL, JANUARY, 1854.

IMPORT.

Shipping, 1852.—793 vessels 198,053 tons }

” 1853.—750 ” 186,984 ” } Conveying cargo.

Besides a large number of vessels calling in, &c.

EXPORT.

Shipping, 1852.—1173 vessels 448,851 tons.

” 1853.—1004 ” 387,470 ”

Of which 560 vessels with produce, 68 with foreign merchandise, and

139 with their inward cargoes; 15 in ballast had foreign destinations,

15 with their inward cargoes, 2 in port laden with produce, and 205 in

ballast, proceeded to other parts of the empire.

COASTING TRADE FOR 1853.

Import (exclusive of 341 steamboats) 2094 vessels 207,872 tons

Export (exclusive of 330 ditto) 2036 ” 202,994 ”

JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES.

The amount of paid-up capital is £2,300,000 sterling.

CUSTOMS REVENUE FOR 1853.

12,479,437 reis, or about a million and a half sterling. The revenue in

1852 exceeded that of 1853 by about £250,000, owing to discouragements

of trade by disputes amongst sellers and buyers; and the total revenue

of 1852 exceeded that of 1847 and 1848 about 50 per cent. The Consulado

revenue for 1853 was 2,208,059 reis, or about £250,000 sterling.

RETURN OF TRADE BETWEEN LIVERPOOL AND BRAZIL FOR THE YEAR 1853.

Number of

Ports. Vessels. Tonnage.

Pará 11 2,058

Maranham 17 5,260

Pernambuco 40 10,506

Bahia 32 10,320

Rio Janeiro 84 25,502

--- ------

184 53,646

QUANTITIES OF THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM

FROM BRAZIL IN THE SAME YEARS.

1849. 1850. 1851. 1852.

Annatto cwts. 462 648 596 1,188

Capivi ” 363 344 574 955

Cocoa lbs. 1,391,162 1,204,572 1,949,666 2,244,713

Coffee ” 6,376,651 1,779,799 7,888,638 3,053,202

Hides cwts. 207,199 157,003 150,585 94,733

Horns ” 8,288 5,247 6,843 2,856

India rubber ” 4,605 5,967 11,053 12,813

Isinglass ” 515 610 547 352

Ipecacuanha lbs. 5,126 1,638 13,554 14,703

Rum gallons 1,139 33,952 20,712 1

Sarsaparilla lbs. 6,220 12,247 17,810 16,517

Sugar cwts. 561,660 362,686 720,424 289,999

Tallow ” 23,925 4,559 5,246 ——

Tapioca ” 6,960 10,989 11,442 6,288

Wood, Brazil tons 329 12 57 135

—— Fustic ” 589 669 438 382

—— Rosewood ” 3,649 3,022 3,200 3,676

—— Zebra ” 85 60 89 187

Wool, cotton lbs. 30,738,133 30,299,982 19,339,104 26,506,144

BRAZIL COFFEE IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES FOR THE YEAR 1853.

Bags.

New York 225,985

Boston 3,293

Philadelphia 123,007

Baltimore 199,314

New Orleans 311,350

-------

Total 862,949

-------

Each bag consists of 5 arrobas, or 160lbs. English weight each, the gross

value being upwards of £2,000,000.

Since the foregoing data were published, they have been summarised and

annotated by a very competent authority in London, and the results issued

for private circulation among Anglo Brazilians. The document so published

presents, in a very succinct and comprehensive form, the financial

status of the empire; and a further condensation of it, to suit these

pages, cannot but be acceptable to such readers as the previous _chevaux

de frize_ of figures may repel from the perusal of what is really most

interesting fiscal and instructive political facts.

The National Debt of Brazil dates from 1824, when the imperial government

contracted a loan of 1,000,000_l._, 5 per cents, at the price of 75, in

order to defray the expenses of the war of independence. In the following

year, the government contracted a second loan of 2,000,000_l._, also 5

per cents, at the price of 85, with the further advantage of a year’s

dividend, to provide for the expenses attendant on the suppression of the

revolt in the northern provinces; and in consideration of the recognition

of Brazilian independence by Portugal, they undertook the liability of

the loan of 1,500,000_l._ 5 per cents., which the mother country had

contracted at 87 in 1823. The expenditure was seriously increased by

the subsequent war with Buenos Ayres, and scarcely was this brought to

a conclusion when the government was led into fresh liabilities by the

assistance which Dom Pedro I. gave the constitutional party in Portugal,

on the usurpation of the crown of that country by his brother, Dom

Miguel. In 1829, two 5 per cent. loans, 392,584_l._, were contracted

at 54; and the Regency, ten years later, were compelled to contract

another 5 per cent. loan of 312,512_l._ at 78, in order to meet the

deficit in the revenue, which then embarrassed the government. During the

usurpations of Dom Miguel, the payment of the dividends on the Portuguese

loan of 1823 was suspended; but as soon as the authority of Donna Maria

was established, her government provided for the arrears, and in 1842 a

financial treaty was concluded between Brazil and Portugal, under which

the former delivered to the Portuguese agents stock to the amount of

732,600_l._, which at 85, the price at which it was issued, was equal to

622,702_l._, the sum agreed to be paid by Brazil, in liquidation of this

and all other claims.

The National Debt of Brazil, therefore, amounted in 1853 to

6,999,200_l._, the interest on which, throughout all the difficulties

and embarrassments of the government, has been punctually paid, though,

at times, the measures necessary to provide for its payment have been

severely felt by the people. The several loans specified were contracted

on the terms of a sinking fund, which were fully carried out until 1828,

when the increased expenditure compelled the government to put a period

to its operations. But as soon as the expiration of the commercial treaty

with England in 1844 allowed the government of Dom Pedro II. to revise

the tariff of customs duties, and by that means to obviate the pressure

of a deficiency in the revenue, the provisions of the sinking fund were

revived. The Portuguese loan was thus reduced to 954,250_l._, and in 1852

it was paid off by a new 4½ per cent. loan of that amount, contracted at

95. Reductions of the other loans have been effected in the same way,

and the foreign debt of Brazil now stands at only 5,900,000_l._ Further

reductions are being gradually effected, and if the provisions of the

Sinking Fund continue to be carried out, as doubtless they will be, the

time cannot be far distant when the foreign debt of the empire will be

entirely liquidated.

Between 1836 and 1840 the deficiency in the revenue increased from

476,825,000 reis to 3,639,608,000 reis, and in consequence of the

expenditure consequent on the rebellion in the province of Rio Grande

do Sul, this deficiency continued to increase until 1844, in which year

it amounted to 9,484,520,000. This deficit did not entirely disappear

during the next three or four years, but in 1849-50 there was a surplus

of 3,035,006,000 reis (341,438_l._), in 1850-1 of 3,552,404,000 reis

(399,645_l._), in 1851-2 of 4,010,220,000 reis (451,149_l._), in 1852-3

of 3,970,202,000 reis (446,647_l._), and in 1853-4 of 3,528,934,000 reis

(397,005_l._). Since 1836 the revenue has increased from 13,024,749,000

reis to 35,290,691,000 reis, at which sum it may reasonably be estimated

for some years. The expenditure has increased from 13,501,574,000 reis to

30,471,066,000, which increase has not only been at a slower rate than

that of the receipts, but exhibits a progression from a deficiency to a

surplus, and since 1844 it may be taken as representing an improvement

in the administration, the growth of an efficient steam navy, and those

numerous public works which have been referred to in preceding pages.

The surplus revenue of the last five years has been the natural result

of the fiscal reforms of 1844, which have extended commerce and promoted

internal prosperity, at the same time that their success has paved the

way for further and more extensive reforms in the same direction.

These accounts refer only to the imperial revenue, in addition to which

each of the twenty provinces into which the empire is divided has its

separate revenue, raised by its Provincial Assembly, and expended on

local objects, the aggregate amount of which is about one-third that of

the imperial revenue. This system causes the demands on the imperial

treasury to be much fewer than in countries where the administration

is centralised, and the entire expenditure is defrayed from the

general revenue. The entire debt of Brazil does not much exceed three

years’ revenue, and while the latter is yearly increasing, the former

exhibits an annual diminution. This proportion between income and

liabilities is such as few states can exhibit, and considering the almost

illimitable resources of the country, and the commercial prosperity

that is fast growing out of its adoption of a Free Trade policy, a debt

of 12,362,290_l._ cannot be deemed a serious or burdensome charge.

Indeed, when we look at the progress which has been made towards the

diminution of the debt, in years when the facilities of the government

for meeting its liabilities were much less than at present, there can be

no doubt that it will in the course of a few more years be extinguished

altogether, and thus enable the government to carry out farther

reductions, and promote many schemes of improvement.

In concluding this summary of the commercial and social status of Brazil,

I venture, before making any observations on the Plate, to solicit the

attention of the reader to some very admirable remarks which appeared in

an influential morning journal a few weeks ago, with the signature of

‘Braziliensis,’ explanatory of the precise relationship of the empire

to the Oriental del Uruguay and to the Argentine states generally. A

knowledge of this relationship is essential to an appreciation of what

is called, often erroneously, the ‘River Plate Question;’ and, with the

aid of the writer referred to, whose remarks I am about to epitomise,

and a few explanatory addenda incorporated with them, the matter may

be rendered transparent in a brief compass. First, as to the Uruguay,

touching which republic Brazil is assumed by ill-informed politicians

in England to have sinister designs. Now, Brazil, of all countries, has

most interest in the peace and progress of Uruguay as an independent

state. But it must not be overlooked that Brazil is a Platine state,

just as much as Uruguay, as the Argentine Confederation, as Bolivia, or

Paraguay. It is in Brazilian territories that the River Paraguay has its

main source, that the River Uruguay rises, that the Parana begins to

flow, and that these (with their tributaries) form the River Plate. All

three are navigable in Brazil; each forms the natural access to great and

rich provinces of that empire, which has, therefore, a deep interest in

the free navigation of the upper waters of the Plate; and that interest

is the key to her policy on the southern side of the empire. She has a

plethora of land. What she wants is an increase to her free population:

to European immigration all parties are directing earnest attention.

Civilians, not soldiers of fortune, govern Brazil. The Emperor is a

civilian; his ministers are civilians: there is nothing aggressive or

ambitious in Brazilian policy. Law, order, commerce, and peace—not the

sword—prevail. The army is small, not exceeding 65,000 men, of which

the regular troops number 22,540 officers and privates (including 3,127

cavalry, and 3,582 artillery); the remainder are militia, and the whole

are strictly obedient to the civil power. Like England, Brazil cultivates

a naval force, and that never sways the destinies of the state in any

country.

To save itself from the unlicensed soldiery of the Spanish provinces—from

the savage Artigas—Monte Video sought and found admission into the

Brazilian empire, and became its Cis-Platine province. The jealousies of

the Spanish and Portuguese races (and Buenos Ayrean intrigues) produced

revolt, and led to war between Brazil and Buenos Ayres for possession

of the Banda. But this war was most unpopular in Brazil. Her native

population did not regard the territory as worth fighting for, and the

obstinacy of Dom Pedro I., in persevering against public opinion, was

one cause of his downfall. Hostilities terminated by the creation of the

independent Republic of Uruguay. But Lord Ponsonby’s treaty, by which

it was accomplished, was one of preliminaries only. So little, however,

did Brazil then care to intrigue in Uruguay, that, notwithstanding her

material interests suffered from the want of definite arrangements, she

was content, so long as Uruguay preserved the shadow of independence, to

go on with provisional relations only. But Rosas first attacked and then

subdued the independence of Uruguay; and then Uruguay became a source of

danger, for it adjoins Rio Grande do Sul, in which serious disturbances

had with difficulty been suppressed. These Rosas tried to revive. Its

boundaries, too, were unsettled; and Oribe carried his incursions into

Brazilian territories, levied enormous contributions on Brazilian

subjects, and carried off 800,000 head of cattle. Nor was this all: the

navigation of the Uruguay, Parana, and Paraguay was closed to Brazil, and

commerce down the Plate, Brazil was allowed to have none. Still, whilst

there was a chance that British and French intervention would remedy

this state of things, she waited patiently. When those powers not only

retired, but wholly failed, Rosas openly assumed the protectorate of

Uruguay, and required Brazil to submit to the depredations of Oribe, his

lieutenant. Brazil expelled the power of Rosas from Uruguay, then drove

him from Buenos Ayres, but at once withdrew within its own frontiers,

and, in the succeeding troubles, refused to interfere further than to

give good and the same advice to all. Brazil had then the opportunity

of annexing the Oriental State, and of again advancing her frontier to

the Plate. In fixing the boundary line she has gained no territory; her

pecuniary claims she has postponed until those of other countries are

discharged; she has insisted on the free navigation of the rivers, not

for herself only, but for all the countries they water; and when the

government of Monte Video was lately oppressed by poverty, she consented

to lend it 60,000 dols. a month, in order that it might preserve its

independence. Brazil was no party to the recent change of presidents at

Monte Video; and just as Brazil supported Giro himself when in power, as

the head of the government _de facto_, so, in the interests of peace and

independence, she now lends moral support to the present government.[58]

She takes no part against Urquiza; she is neither his partisan nor that

of Buenos Ayres in Argentine disputes; she has, indeed, tried to throw

oil on their troubled waters; but, as that was not to be done, like

England and France, Brazil now waits for their natural solution. She

is the only South American state with a stable government, with a large

and increasing commerce, with a growing surplus, with an augmenting

population. She has secured the esteem of England by at last abandoning

the slave trade, and she will not risk either her prosperity or her

reputation by ambitious designs on Uruguay. [See chapter on the River

Plate.] We have seen that she is most favourable to the free navigation

of those rivers on her southern and eastern frontier, whose opening has

so long been the desideratum of European and South American commerce;

and we shall see presently that she is most wisely and energetically

coöperating with an affluent company, composed of English, Brazilian, and

Portuguese capitalists, for bringing the blessings of steam to bear upon

the Amazon, the results of which proceeding it is entirely impossible to

exaggerate.

Ten years ago the finances of Brazil were in very great embarrassment.

Under all circumstances of distress and difficulty, Brazil had, indeed,

paid, as she still continues regularly to pay, the interest on her debt,

thereby honourably distinguishing herself from other South American, and

not a few European states. But, at that time, her expenditure largely

exceeded her income. Gradually Brazil has reversed this state of things;

instead of a heavy deficit, she now has a steadily increasing surplus,

has been able to reduce the rate of interest on part of her foreign debt,

is slowly reducing its capital, and is in a position to compete in the

money market of London with the most favoured European governments. Ten

years ago Brazil was not a little embarrassed by the fiscal restrictions

she had imposed on herself by her commercial treaties with other

countries. Now she is free from all such embarrassments, has full powers

over her own trading and financial system, and has no treaties at all

with other states. Intermediately she raised for revenue purposes her

tariff of Custom duties; but now that she has a surplus to dispose of,

her Government is engaged in reducing those duties, to the enlargement,

of course, of her commerce. The total funded domestic debt of the empire

on the 31st of Dec. last amounted to 57,704,200,000 reis, and the funded

debt of the province of Rio Janeiro to 3,940,000,000 reis. The total

revenue for the present year, 1854, is estimated at about 32,353,000

milreis (£3,594,700), and the expenditure at about 29,633,706 milreis

(£3,292,630). The income is chiefly derived from the _ad valorem_ duty

charged on all articles imported into Brazil, amounting in 1851-2 to

£2,814,443; a low duty charged on the articles exported, amounting in the

same year to £503,070; and rents, royalties on mines, &c. The estimated

expenditure for 1853-4 is thus distributed: Ministry of the Interior,

£412,355; Justice, £250,020; Foreign Affairs, £60,000; Marine, £452,138;

War, £813,935; Finances, £1,304,162: total, £3,292,630.

Ten years ago the Brazilian navy was small: it is now rising into

importance; its courage and capacity were lately seen in the Plate; many

of its younger officers have been reared in the British service, and from

British yards it is yearly adding to its steam flotilla. It now consists

of 1 frigate of 50 guns, 5 corvettes, 5 brigs, and 9 schooners, carrying

together 188 guns; and 4 smaller vessels, carrying together 27 guns; 10

steamers, mounting 36 guns; with various unarmed ships and steamers,

and several others are building. The Brazilian army has established its

reputation at once for success, bravery, and humanity. Ten years ago

Brazil had little external influence; now Brazil is obviously at the head

of South American states, and has a distinct and separate part assigned

to her in the destinies of the human race. Then she had but slow and

dilatory intercourse with Europe; now she has two monthly steam services

from England—another is being established from Lisbon; and Rio Janeiro is

now only a month’s distance from London and Paris.

Whilst London, Liverpool, and Lisbon are thus sweeping its coasts with

steam, Manchester is lighting Brazilian cities with gas. Messrs. Peto

and Jackson, (the members for Norwich and Newcastle-under-Lyne,) whose

capital and connections are interlacing Canada and the British North

American provinces with a magnificent net-work of railways, are also with

other capitalists about to bring their vast resources and long practised

experience to bear in a like manner in several of the Brazilian

provinces, and doubtless with a like result within as brief a period as

the circumstances of the country and the obstacles to be overcome will

possibly permit. The Government is opening up new roads, clearing away

impediments in rivers, and is arranging the internal improvement of

the empire on a large and comprehensive system. A great and a happier

future is opening on Brazil—one calculated to advance and extend moral

improvement and political freedom, as well as to promote material comfort.

In thus recording the material prosperity and anticipating the

progressive greatness of this magnificent empire, it affords me

infinite gratification to be able to attribute to my distinguished

fellow-townsman, Admiral Grenfell, the Brazilian consul-general[59] for

England, a large and conspicuous share in consolidating the strength,

and enhancing the reputation of Brazil, as eminent among the nations

alike for the valour of its arms, the clemency of its counsels, and

the magnanimity it has evinced in eschewing territorial aggrandisement

which its bravery and sagacity might so readily have secured it. A more

befitting preliminary to the subsequent chapter on the Amazon there could

not be than a memoir of the gallant seaman to whose skill and bravery

the retention of the principal Amazonian province is due, and to whose

equally admirable conduct on a scarcely less trying occasion is also

due an acceleration of the settlement of the affairs of the Plate, to

a correct understanding of which, in their latter phases at least, a

perusal of the annexed biographical data, gleaned from the most reliable

sources, will greatly contribute.

[Illustration: WATERFALL OF ITAMARITY. DISTANT TWO DAYS’ JOURNEY FROM RIO

JANEIRO.]

NOTE TO THE ILLUSTRATION.

The cataract shown in the foregoing page consists, says Sir W.

G. Ouseley, from whose portfolio it is copied, of a succession

of three waterfalls, subsiding into rapids, and then continuing

its course as a turbulent rocky brook, working its way among

the hills of the Serra de Estrella. The falls of Itamarity

are not near any high road, and have been seldom visited by

Europeans. It is not possible to obtain a general view of all

the falls. That in the Plate is taken from an insulated rock,

standing opposite the second fall. The first fall has worked a

basin in the rock, as in other similar sites, and, as usual,

it is asserted by the natives to be of vast or fathomless

depth. Below the isolated rock is a third fall of considerable

size; but the rich and thick vegetation prevents much of it

from being seen. On the morning that this sketch was taken,

when a party visited the Falls, some negroes were sent on

beforehand to cut away the underwood and parasites, and to fell

trees in order to _improviser_ a bridge for the nonce. The

ligatures used in fastening the trees, and the sort of parapet

railing, were made of the lianes or parasitical plants from

the surrounding trees. They hang from the highest branches

like ropes of various sizes, some little larger than whipcord,

others of the circumference of a large cable; indeed, they are

often thicker than a man’s body, and frequently form spiral and

intricate knots, like the writhings of gigantic serpents, à la

Laocoon. The profuse variety of growth and rapid vegetation in

this part of Brazil is scarcely credible to Europeans. A very

few weeks, or rather days, after this path had been opened,

and the bridge constructed to enable the party to visit these

Falls, strangers might have passed close to them, only made

aware of their proximity by the loud roar of the falling

waters, the hoarse sound of which, deadened and rendered

deceptive by the close growth of the forest, would be but an

indifferent guide, and hardly enable them to find any approach

by which to obtain a view of the Falls. The negroes and country

people have alarming stories or traditions respecting vast

crocodiles, differing from the common sort in their nature

and habits, and unlike the alligators of the rivers emptying

themselves directly into the bay of Rio de Janeiro, at the

foot of these mountains. They are said to be infinitely larger

and more voracious than their relations near the salt water.

These monsters, they affirm, inhabit the deep pools formed

occasionally in the course of the mountain rivers. Poisonous

snakes are asserted to be often found in these waters. The

present existence of these crocodiles seems very apocryphal;

nor are serpents so often met with, even by naturalists anxious

to enrich their collections, as is generally supposed. The

name of these Falls, ‘Itamariti,’ or ‘Itamarity,’ signifies in

the Indian language (probably that of the Guarani tribe) ‘the

shining stones,’ or ‘the rock that shines,’ doubtless so called

from the glittering appearance of the large mass of rock, the

face of which is worn smooth by the water. ‘Ita’ means stone or

rock.

The old road over the Serra de Estrella, constructed when

Brazil was a colony of Portugal, was, although much too steep

according to modern ideas of engineering, infinitely better

than the track dignified with the name of road, formerly

leading to the Serra dos Orgaos. Being paved, it was at least

safe and practicable. But the road recently opened to these

heights is on vastly improved principles, and on a scale

thought even unnecessarily large. The foundation and progress,

however, of the new city of Petropolis, situated at the height

of about 3,000 feet above the level of the sea, on this route,

has doubtless called for the construction of a road wider and

more convenient than those hitherto made in this part of the

country. The Emperor has built a summer residence here, near

the highest part of the road, and the court and many of the

wealthier citizens of Rio Janeiro have followed the example,

encouraged by his Imperial Majesty’s liberal allotment of land

for dwelling-houses, hotels, &c. The idea of founding this

mountain city as a retreat during the great heats originated

with the late Emperor, Don Pedro I., who made grants of land,

absolutely or conditionally, to different noblemen of his

Court. He was not enabled, however, to carry into effect either

his plan for a city, or the construction of a new road to and

through the mountains. To the reigning Emperor belongs the

credit of practically calling into existence this thriving and

healthy settlement, of which the success is now beyond a doubt.

Petropolis may now be regarded as like the Royal Sitios in

Spain,—Aranjuez, La Granja, &c., to which the Court regularly

removes at certain seasons. The temperature and climate are

delightful, and the annual removal to this and the other Serras

is sufficient to restore to health those who have suffered

from the enervating heats of the summer in the low lands

around the capital. European invalids especially derive great

benefit during convalescence from a few weeks’ stay in these

picturesque mountains. Many foreigners, particularly Germans,

have settled at or near this city. To the naturalist, and

more particularly to the entomologist and botanist, a sojourn

in these Serras affords endless interest and employment. A

railroad is now opened from Rio Janeiro to the foot of the

hills, which promises great advantages to the new settlement.

ADMIRAL GRENFELL.

[Illustration: ADMIRAL GRENFELL, CONSUL GENERAL FOR BRAZIL]

Vice-Admiral John Pascol Grenfell, of the Imperial Brazilian Navy, is

son of the late Mr. J. Granville Grenfell, of the city of London, and

was born at Battersea, in 1800. At eleven years of age, he embarked in

the maritime service of the Honourable East India Company, and made

several voyages to India in the capacity of midshipman and mate in the

Company’s ships. In the year 1819, he left the Company’s service, and

joined the naval service of the Republic of Chili, with the rank of

lieutenant, under the command of the present Admiral Earl of Dundonald,

then Lord Cochrane, Admiral of the Chilian Naval Forces, engaged in

the contest with Spain for the independence of the Spanish colonies on

the coast of the Pacific Ocean. On the night of the 5th of Nov., 1820,

Lieutenant Grenfell commanded one of the boats of the Chilian squadron,

which, under the personal direction of Lord Cochrane, boarded and cut

out from under the Castles of Callao de Lima, and from the midst of a

squadron of armed vessels and gunboats, the Spanish Admiral’s ship, the

Esmeralda, a frigate of 40 guns, fully manned, and perfectly prepared for

the attack. This gallant exploit was performed by 240 volunteers, chiefly

Englishmen, embarked in 14 boats, five of which were gigs. About 50 of

the assailants fell killed or wounded in the attack, amongst the latter

Lieutenant Grenfell; and 200 Spaniards, stretched on the decks of the

frigate next morning, showed how sharply the contest had been maintained.

The following order, issued by Lord Cochrane previous to the attack, will

be interesting to naval men:—

_On Board the Chilian States’ Ship O’Higgins, Nov. 1.,

1820.—First Division: O’Higgins—1st launch, 2nd launch, barge,

cutter, green gig, black gig, small gig. Second Division:

Lautaro and Independencia—1st launch, 2nd launch, barge,

cutter, cutter, gig, gig. The boats will proceed, towing the

launches in two lines, parallel to each other, which lines

are to be at the distance of three boats’ lengths asunder.

The first line will be under the charge of Capt. Crosbie, the

second under the charge of Capt. Guise; each boat will be under

the charge of a volunteer commissioned officer, so far as

circumstances will permit, and the whole under the command of

the Admiral. The officers and men are to be dressed in white

jackets, frocks or skirts, and are to be armed with pistols,

sabres, knives, tomahawks or pikes. Two boat-keepers are to be

appointed to each boat, who, on no pretence, shall quit their

respective boats, but are to remain therein, and take care that

the boats do not get adrift. Each boat is to be provided with

one or more axes, or sharp hatchets, which are to be kept slung

to the girdles of the boat keepers. The frigate Esmeralda being

the chief object of the expedition, the whole force is first to

attack that ship, which, when carried, is not to be cut adrift,

but is to remain in possession of the Patriot Seamen to ensure

the capture of the rest. On securing the frigate, the Chilian

seamen and marines are not to cheer, as if they were Chilians,

but in order to deceive the enemy, and give time for completing

the work, are to cheer, ‘Viva el Rey.’ The two brigs of war are

to be fired on by musketry from the Esmeralda, and are to be

taken possession of by Lieutenants Esmond and Morgell, in the

boats they command, which being done they are to cut adrift,

and run out into the offing as soon as possible. The boats of

the Independencia are to busy themselves in turning adrift all

the outward Spanish merchantmen; and the boats of the Lautaro,

under Lieutenants Bell and Roberton, are to set fire to one or

more of the headmost hulks; but these are not to be cut adrift,

so as to fall down on the rest. The watchword, (or parole

and countersign,) should the white dress not be sufficient

distinction in the dark, is, ‘Gloria,’ to be answered by

‘Victoria.’—Signed, COCHRANE._

NOTE.—After the first attempt on the night of the 4th of Nov., it was

found inconvenient to tow the launches; and, on the night of the 5th,

orders were given by the Admiral, on shoving-off from his flagship, for

the boats to pull in two lines, and for all officers to report themselves

to him on the quarter-deck of the enemy’s frigate.

Lieutenant Grenfell continued to serve with Lord Cochrane till, by the

surrender of the remainder of the Spanish naval forces, the war in the

Pacific was concluded; and in the beginning of 1823 he left Chili, and

accompanied Lord Cochrane to Brazil, whose newly emancipated government

solicited the aid of that distinguished nobleman to expel the Portuguese

forces from its territory and shores. This was effected by Lord Cochrane

at the head of the Brazilian squadron, by a series of able manœuvres on

the coast of Brazil, extending from Bahia to Pará, during the latter part

of 1823, when upwards of one hundred of the enemy’s vessels, and three

thousand troops, were sent prisoners into the Brazilian ports; and the

Portuguese squadron, of superior force to the Brazilian, was driven with

loss and in confusion across the Atlantic.

Lieutenant Grenfell, now promoted to the rank of commander, had the

good fortune of terminating the naval campaign, by effecting alone, in

a captured brig of war, manned from the flagship, the surrender of the

Portuguese force in the city of Pará, and the adhesion of that immense

and rich province to the cause of the empire, and rejoined his admiral

at Rio de Janeiro in 1824, in a new frigate of 50 guns, which he found

in the Port of Pará. In the execution of this service, while quelling

an insurrection of the newly subjugated Portuguese, Commander Grenfell

received a dangerous wound with a poignard in the back. For these

services, Commander Grenfell was subsequently made an officer of the

Order of the Southern Cross.

The acknowledgment of the independence of Brazil by Portugal the

following year terminated the services of Lord Cochrane, who retired to

England. At this period the aggressions of the Argentine Confederation on

the Southern frontier of Brazil called the naval forces of the empire to

the River Plate, where Captain Grenfell, now promoted to the post rank,

proceeded in command of a brig of 18 guns, under the Brazilian Admiral,

Baron do Rio da Prata.

The naval forces of Buenos Ayres, very inferior to those of Brazil, were

commanded by Admiral William Brown, an Irishman,—one of those singular

characters whose indomitable bravery, converting weakness into strength,

for a long time baffled all the efforts of the Brazilian Admiral. A

decisive action at last occurred off Buenos Ayres, in July 1826, in which

Admiral Brown’s ship, with two-thirds of her men killed and wounded, was

driven ashore a complete wreck, in front of that city. On this occasion

Captain Grenfell, whilst in close action with Admiral Brown, and

attacked by a fresh ship of the enemy, had his right arm shattered by a

grape-shot as he stood on the hammock-nettings of his brig, encouraging

his men to do their duty. Captain Grenfell’s wound was very severe,

requiring amputation of the right arm, at the shoulder-joint, which

was performed three weeks afterwards at Monte Video. On his partial

recovery, he came on leave to England, but returned to the River Plate

again in 1828, in command of a corvette, just in time to witness the

termination of the war. For his services therein, Captain Grenfell was

made a Dignitary of the Order of the Southern Cross, received a pension

for the loss of his arm, and other marks of friendship and consideration

from H.I.M. Don Pedro I. In 1829, Captain Grenfell married Donna Maria

Dolores, second daughter of the late Don Antonio Masini, of the city of

Monte Video, by whom he has had a family of six sons and four daughters.

In the same year, he was appointed one of the escort of H.I.M. the

Empress Amelia and H.M. the late Queen of Portugal, Donna Maria II., in

their voyage from Europe to Brazil; and afterwards, in the year 1830, he

conveyed the Duchess of Goyaz, a natural daughter of Don Pedro I., from

Brazil to Europe, in the Isabel, a frigate of 60 guns.

On the occasion of the Revolution of 1831, and the abdication of Don

Pedro I., Captain Grenfell was absent from Brazil, but was recalled

again to employment by the Regency in 1835. In 1835, he was sent to

the province of Rio Grande de Sul, in command of the naval force on

the lakes of that province, then in rebellion against the Imperial

Government. Success at first attended the Imperial arms; the rebels in

various encounters were driven from their positions on the lakes and

rivers; their flotilla captured, and their principal chiefs, with all

their artillery, a considerable force of infantry and cavalry, reduced

to surrender on the River Jacuhy, in a fruitless attempt to force its

passage. In all these operations, the naval force under Captain Grenfell

had a principal share, for which services, in 1833, he was promoted to

the rank of commodore. The scene, however, soon changed: the loyal forces

penetrating into the interior were, in 1837, completely routed by the

rebels at Rio Pardo, and Casapava, the president of the province, taken

prisoner, and the Imperial authority again restricted to the capital, the

port, and the lakes; and both the former were closely besieged, and in

great danger of falling into the hands of the rebels. At this critical

juncture, the Commodore, through his personal influence with the rebels,

originating simply from the humanity with which he had treated the

prisoners that on various occasions had fallen into his hands, effected

at great personal risk a suspension of arms with the rebel chiefs, with

reference to the Imperial Government at Rio de Janeiro, which gained

important time, checked the rebel career of success, and saved the

province to the empire.

The Imperial Government profited by the opportunity afforded for

remedying past errors: troops were poured into the province, a new army

was organized, the naval forces were augmented with several steamers,

and, at length, in 1842, under the able direction of General the Count

of Caxias, the army took the field, routed the rebels in various

engagements, and finally, in 1844, effected their complete submission to

the Imperial Government. In attention (as expressed in his commission)

to the distinguished services rendered with so much intelligence, zeal,

and activity in the Province of Rio Grande de San Pedro de Sul, towards

the pacification of the same province and integrity of the empire, the

Commodore was raised to the rank of Rear-Admiral, and made a Grand

Dignitary of the Imperial Order of the Rose; and shortly afterwards

received the permission of Her Britannic Majesty to hold his rank, and

continue in the service of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Brazil.

In the year 1844, Rear-Admiral Grenfell was appointed to command the

Imperial squadron in the River Plate, where the contest between Buenos

Ayres and Monte Video, affecting the commercial interests of neutral

states, called the naval forces of most of the maritime powers to the

spot, where he supported with firmness the rights of Brazilian subjects.

The following year the Rear Admiral received the most marked proof of

the estimation of the Imperial Government, in being appointed to command

the squadron that carried their Imperial Majesties to the southern

provinces of the empire, and hoisted his flag in the frigate Constitution

of 50 guns. With the Imperial squadron, were incorporated Her Britannic

Majesty’s ship Grecian, Her Most Faithful Majesty’s ship Don John, and

the United States’ ship Raritan. The Rear Admiral had the honour of

accompanying their Imperial Majesties during their tour, and in the

course thereof received many notable proofs of the estimation and regard

of the inhabitants of those provinces, who took this opportunity of

shewing their grateful sense of his conduct during the civil war. Shortly

after the return of the court to Rio Janeiro the Rear Admiral proceeded

in the Constitution to England, with his family, and resigning his naval

command at Plymouth, in Sept. 1846, assumed his civil appointment of

Consul General of Brazil, in the United Kingdom. In the spring following,

he was presented at St. James’s. During the years 1847-48, he built and

fitted out at Liverpool, for the Imperial Government, the steam frigate

‘Alfonso.’

In August, 1848, Rear Admiral Grenfell received the thanks of the town

of Liverpool, and the gold medal of the Liverpool Seamens Shipwreck

Society, for his exertions in saving the lives of the passengers and crew

of the emigrant ship Ocean Monarch,[60] burnt off that port, and which

was promptly succoured by the Alfonso under Captain Marques Lisboa, then

on her trial trip. The following letter from H.R. Highness the Prince de

Joinville, who was present, shews the sense H.R. Highness entertained of

the Rear-Admiral’s behaviour on that trying occasion.

_Claremont, 28 Aôut, 1848.—Monsieur,—J’ai reçu la lettre que

vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire au sujet du sauvetage

des passagers de l’Ocean Monarch. Je ne mérite point les

éloges que vous voulez bien m’addresser. Passager seulement

abord de l’Alfonzo je n’ai été malheureusement que le témoin

impuissant de la plus douloureuse des catastrophes, mais j’ai

vu tenter les plus noble efforts d’arracher à une mort horrible

des femmes et des enfans. Qu’il me soit permis de signaler

à la reconnaissance publique les Officiers et l’equipage de

l’Alfonzo, le matelot Jerome, et surtout Monsieur l’Admiral

Grenfell, dont le noble devouement m’a pénétré d’admiration. Ma

femme me charge de vous exprimer toute sa reconnaissance pour

les sentimens que vous avez bien voulu lui exprimer. Recevez,

Monsieur, l’assurance de ma haute considération.—(Signé) F.

d’Orleans.—His Worship the Mayor of Liverpool._

The serious misunderstanding which occurred in 1850 between the

governments of Brazil and Buenos Ayres, on the subject of the occupation

of the territory of Monte Video by the latter power, induced the Imperial

Government to augment its forces by sea and by land; and Rear-Admiral

Grenfell was selected to command the squadron in the River Plate; and,

leaving England in the beginning of 1851, he hoisted his flag at Rio

Janeiro again on board the frigate Constitution, and proceeded with

several corvettes and steamers to his destination. The Buenos Ayrean

army, under General Oribe, was found cantonned round the city of Monte

Video: the Buenos Ayrean flotilla, under Commodore Coe, lay in the inner

roads of Buenos Ayres.

The Rear-Admiral, after concerting measures with the Governor of Entre

Rios, General Don Justo Urquiza and the Count of Caxias, who again

was at the head of the Brazilian army on the frontier of Monte Video,

proceeded to occupy the rivers Uruguay and Parana, so as to impede the

communication of General Oribe with Buenos Ayres. This measure entirely

disconcerted the plans of the Governor of Buenos Ayres, Don Juan Manuel

Rosas, who, not confiding in his own resources, counted on the assistance

of Great Britain and France. These powers, however, preserved their

neutrality, and in November the simultaneous advance of the forces of

Entre Rios and Brazil, together with the position maintained by the

Brazilian squadron, compelled General Oribe to surrender himself and his

army to terms dictated by General Urquiza. Monte Video, thus freed from

its enemies, the Argentine troops lost to General Rosas, and incorporated

with the allies, nothing remained but to cross the river, and march

on Buenos Ayres, where General Rosas was doing his utmost to levy and

organize a new army. The vanguard of this army, under General Mansilla,

occupied a position on the River Parana, at the Pass of Tonelero,

which was fortified and armed with 16 pieces of cannon, provided with

furnaces for hot shot. This passage was forced on the 17th Dec, by the

Rear-Admiral, at the head of a division of steamers and corvettes, with

trifling loss; and on the following days the allied army, 24,000 strong,

under General Urquiza, crossed the Parana, and marched on Buenos Ayres.

The battle of Monte Caseros, on the 3rd of February, 1852, the flight

of General Rosas, and the conclusion of a treaty between Brazil, Buenos

Ayres, Monte Video, and Paraguay, guaranteeing their respective rights,

and opening the navigation of the Rivers Parana, Uruguay, and Paraguay,

put an end to this short and glorious campaign. Rewards and promotion

were liberally bestowed by the Brazilian Government on the victors. The

Count of Caxias was made a Marquis; the Imperial Plenipotentiary Honorio

Carnero Leon was created Viscount Parana, and Rear-Admiral Grenfell was

made a Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Rose, and promoted to the

rank of Vice-Admiral. In August, 1852, he resigned his command of the

imperial squadron, and returned to his civil appointment in England.

THE REGION OF THE AMAZON.

Westward the course of empire takes its way,

The four first acts already past;

A fifth shall close the drama with the day:

Time’s noblest offspring is the last.

Each year we open upon new prospects in an increasing ratio, and among

those which now present themselves as calculated to develope fresh fields

for adventure and for an extension of traffic, are the navigation, just

consummated, of 1,200 miles of the River Murray, and the expedition that

is commencing to explore the Amazon.—_Times’ Commercial Retrospect of

1853._

Wide o’er his isles the branching Orinoque

Rolls a brown deluge; and the native drives

To dwell aloft on life-sufficing trees;

At once his dome, his robe, his food, and arms.

Swell’d by a thousand streams, impetuous hurl’d

From all the roaring Andes, huge descends

The mighty Orellana.—THOMSON.

Brazil, the River Plate, and the Falkland Islands With the Cape Horn route to Australia. Including notices of Lisbon, Madeira, the Canaries, and Cape Verde. · 第 9 / 17 章