CONTENTS.

Title[1]
Introduction[3]
Hunting a Home in Brazil[5]
Temperature approaching Rio[6]
Harbor Defences[7]
Examination of Passports[8]
Entrance into the City[9]
The Streets of Rio[10]
Mules and Equipages[11]
Omnibuses—Negroes—Ferry Boats[12]
Post-Office Regulations[13]
American Acquaintances[14]
City Improvement Company[15]
Gas-Lights of City[16]
Custom-House Business[17]
Negro Carriers[18]
Dinner at a Restaurant[19]
Brazilian and other Ladies[20]
Amusements[21]
Inducements for Immigration[22]
Representations as to Southern People[23]
Information from American Residents[24]
Bay of Paranagua[25]
Visit to Museum[26]
Curiosities[27]
Visit to Museum[28]
Curiosities[29]
Trip to the Suburbs[30]
English Church Service[31]
Disregard of the Sabbath[32]
Audience with Minister of State[33]
Call upon Mr. Crenshaw[34]
Stroll in Fashionable Street[35]
Dress—Umbrellas[36]
The Ferry[37]
Signal Telegraph[38]
Public Buildings[39]
Statue of Dom Pedro I[40]
Interview with Minister of Agriculture[41]
Facilities for Prospecting[42]
Necessary Arrangements[43]
Large Slaughter-House[44]
Departure for Santos[45]
Custom at Meals[46]
Instruction in Portuguese[47]
Use of Cigarettes[48]
Fort and City of Santos[49]
Visit to Mr. Wright’s Family[50]
A Country Ride[51]
Coffee Plantation[52]
Advantages of Santos[53]
Ride in Diligence[54]
An Enchanting View[55]
Railroad Wanted[56]
Ant-Hills[57]
Ancient Carriage[58]
Letter to Mr. Sampson[59]
Brazilian Newspaper Article[60]
An Offer of Land[61]
President of Province[62]
Friendly Assistance[63]
Rev. Mr. Blackford[64]
Our Interpreter[65]
Hospitality of Friends[66]
Family Worship[67]
Elegant Bath-house[68]
Visit to Law School[69]
Outfit for our Trip[70]
Preparations Completed[71]
Catholic and Protestant Cemeteries[72]
Brick-Yards[73]
Presbyterian Service in Portuguese[74]
Religious Toleration Anticipated[75]
Set out with Interpreter[76]
Tunnel at Cachoeira[77]
Railroad to Jundiahi[78]
Surroundings of Jundiahi[79]
Lint of Pina Tree[80]
Coffee Culture near Campinas[81]
Simple Mode of Cleaning Coffee[82]
The “Monjolo”[83]
Visit to an Elegant Establishment[84]
Dining-Room[85]
Ride to Fazenda—Remarks[86]
Management of Coffee and Corn[87]
Varieties of Timber[88]
Machinery of “Settequéda”[89]
Despolpidor for Coffee[90]
Fanning Machinery[91]
Process Similar to Rice Cleaning[92]
Meeting with a Brazilian Physician[93]
No Introduction between Strangers[94]
The “Chigre”[95]
Specimens of Carving[96]
Female Apparel[97]
Outfit of Camarada[98]
Pleasant Weather[99]
Plateau Land[100]
A Magnificent Fazenda[101]
European Colony[102]
Coffee-Cleaning Establishment[103]
Steam Saw-Mill[104]
Extensive Coffee Plantation[105]
Cotton Culture[106]
Advantages of Brazil[107]
Large Trees—Rich Soil[108]
Cotton of a Fine Quality[109]
Early Marriages[110]
Reception at Rio Claro[111]
Long Mill-Race[112]
Senor Vergueiro’s Fazenda[113]
Land of Inferior Quality[114]
Seclusion of Women[115]
Medium Coffee and Cotton[116]
Barren Campo—Sterile Region[117]
Numerous Coffee Trees[118]
Early Ride to River Rock[119]
Proposal of Sale of Lands[120]
Elegant Hospitality[121]
Saint-Poles—Negro Ceremonies[122]
Use of Shackles for Slaves[123]
Burning off Lands[124]
Contracts with Negro Agents[125]
The Contract System[126]
How it Operates[127]
Extensive Lands for Sale[128]
Advantageous Site for a Village[129]
Parting from Friends[130]
Scarcity of Corn[131]
Recently-Opened Fazenda[132]
Varieties of Fruit[133]
Clothing of Negroes[134]
Fertile Lands—Water-Fall[135]
Lands in Market[136]
Villa of Araraquara[137]
Reception at São Lorenço[138]
Clarifying Sugar[139]
Large Profits from Sugar[140]
Medicine—Apothecary[141]
Hunt on Sunday[142]
A Friend in Need[143]
Studying Portuguese[144]
Richest Lands not Best for Cotton[145]
Large Stock-Farm[146]
Native Cows not Good for Milking[147]
Lands on Rio Jacaré[148]
Lightning-Bugs[149]
Large Yield of Cotton[150]
Join General Wood’s Party[151]
Address of Welcome[152]
Reply by Dr. Gaston[153]
Extensive Fazendas for Sale[154]
Lands of Serra of Good Quality[155]
The Macucu—Droves of Cattle[156]
Map of Lands near Araraquara[157]
Sumptuous Entertainment[158]
Oranges for Wine[159]
Absence of Requisites for a City[160]
Woodlands of Lageado[161]
The Ant-Eater[162]
Embarrassing Situation[163]
Reception at Brotas[164]
Hospitality of its Citizens[165]
Singular Road-Guide[166]
A Hungry Party[167]
Latin Terms in Medicine[168]
Anniversary of Marriage[169]
Thoughts of Home[170]
Apprehension for Welfare of Family[171]
Assistance to Guest in Mounting[172]
Dwelling and Kitchen Together[173]
The Ligarto[174]
Quality of Land on Rio Jahu[175]
Neat Fencing[176]
Navigation of River Tieté[177]
Accommodations for Sleeping[178]
Lands between Rio Jacaré and Tieté[179]
Climbing a Tree under Difficulties[180]
Valuation of Land in Different Sections[181]
Brood Mares and Colts[182]
Healthfulness of Country[183]
Preparation for Feast of Holy Ghost[184]
Correspondence with a Warm Friend[185]
Personal Appreciation of Col. Lorenço[186]
Parting with our Best Friend[187]
Unpleasant Travelling[188]
Arrival at Rio Claro[189]
A Day with Dr. Gattiker[190]
Trouble from Loss of Mule-Shoe[191]
Value of Horses and Mules[192]
Value of Different Articles[193]
Varieties of Useful Timber[194]
Specimens of Native Grass[195]
Large Dinner Party[196]
Addresses—Toasts[197]
Water of Streams for Drinking[198]
Return to Campinas[199]
Dinner Party at Campinas[200]
Complimentary Addresses[201]
Awkward Blunder[202]
Music and Refreshments[203]
German Colony[204]
House of Entertainment[205]
Arrival at Cachoeira[206]
Difficulties of Railroad Construction[207]
The Lost Trunk[208]
Audience with President[209]
Emigration Society Organized[210]
Cross on the Roadside[211]
Fazenda Bananal[212]
Comfortable Dwelling[213]
Romantically-Situated Lake[214]
Rare Combination of Beauties[215]
Courtesy by a Stranger[216]
Arrival at Santos[217]
Attend Theatre with Friends[218]
Soldiers—Sea-Sickness[219]
Return to Rio Janeiro[220]
Dinner at Botafogo[221]
Arrival of a New Southern Delegation[222]
Handbook for Emigrants[223]
Hospitality at Caju[224]
Report to Minister of Agriculture[225]
Introduction of Friends[226]
Arrangement for Further Investigation[227]
Antagonism to Slavery Increasing[228]
Tannery in São Christovão[229]
Butchering Establishment[230]
No General Market in Rio[231]
Botanical Garden[232]
Collection of Rare Specimens[233]
Government Agent to Accompany us[234]
Shopping in Rio[235]
Cheap Ferriage[236]
Examination of Site on the Beach[237]
Ascent of Monteserrate[238]
Arrangements Complete for Conceicão[239]
Oldest Settlement in Brazil[240]
A Novel Turnout[241]
An Original Idea for Progression[242]
Pedestrian Performances[243]
Dreary Abode at Conceicão[244]
Visit to an Old Convent[245]
Ascent of River in a Canoe[246]
Vagabondism has Few Cares[247]
A New Remedy for Debility[248]
Sample of Lands and Products[249]
Trade for Otter Skins[250]
Cargoes for Approaching Festival[251]
“Paying the Piper”[252]
A Brazilian Gentleman[253]
High-Pressure Postilions[254]
Almost a Disaster[255]
Reconnoissance of City Lots[256]
Lime-Factory—Tannery[257]
Tanning not Neat, but Profitable[258]
Examination of a Coast Farm[259]
Attractive Site on Beach[260]
Collision Growing out of Slave-Trade[261]
Brick and Tile Factory[262]
Favorable Report of Cananea[263]
Free Travel—Sporting Students[264]
Ascent of Inclined Plane[265]
Difficulties of Railroading[266]
Religious Tolerance Conditional[267]
Wet and Dry Seasons[268]
Free Land to Emigrants[269]
Missionary Operations[270]
A Catholic Priest Converted[271]
Ordination by Presbytery[272]
Prospective Extension of Railroad[273]
Pack-Mules Laden with Cotton[274]
Arrival at Itu[275]
Fine Collection of Fruits[276]
Good Site for Machinery[277]
Extensive Quarry[278]
General Use of Tooth-Picks[279]
Cheap Rents at Porto Feliz[280]
An Intelligent Mulatto Priest[281]
The Negro Taint[282]
Iron-Works at Epanema[283]
An Opening for Capitalists[284]
Good Quarters at Sorocaba[285]
Non-observance of Christmas[286]
Pleasant Evening-Party[287]
Whips and Riding Outfit[288]
Campos and Cultivated Slopes[289]
Goitre and Leprosy[290]
Town of Itapetininga[291]
Cotton-Gin by Leg-Power[292]
Corn, Cotton, Potatoes[293]
Manure Advantageous[294]
Stock-Farm Enclosure[295]
Report from Major Meriwether[296]
Land on the Road to Lençoes[297]
Festivities of New Year’s Eve[298]
Sad Thoughts[299]
Kindness of a Catholic Vicar[300]
Procession of Our Lady of Conception[301]
The Priest’s Family[302]
Females Riding Astride[303]
Leaving Paranapanema[304]
Aspect of the Country[305]
Bedbugs Rare—Fleas Plenty[306]
Dodging the Recruiting Officer[307]
Backwoodsman’s Dwelling[308]
Table Arrangements[309]
Sleeping Accommodations[310]
Peculiar Custom after Eating[311]
Leather Breeches Don’t Tear[312]
Hunting Stray Mules[313]
A Night in the Forest[314]
A Sliding Scale of Travel[315]
Most Excruciating Roads[316]
Limestone, Lead and Iron Ore[317]
Killing Cobras[318]
Plan for Descent of River[319]
Deficient Cotton Culture[320]
Coffee Trees—Rice-Mill[321]
Salubrity of Climate[322]
Fish—Scenery[323]
Regular Dug-Out Canoe[324]
Speaking Portuguese[325]
Rolling Scaffolds—Saw-Mill[326]
Cost of Travel by Water[327]
Cotton of Four Years Growth[328]
Ponto-Grosso—Cotton and Corn[329]
Successful Transplanting of Cotton[330]
Change of Rice Seed[331]
Mandioca of Two Kinds[332]
Cotton Grown without Ploughing[333]
Rice and Fish for Food[334]
Nest of Mahogany-Backs[335]
Fishing with Gill-Net[336]
Special Examination of Lands[337]
Healthfulness of Locality[338]
Beautiful Country[339]
Fine Water-Power[340]
Coffee Trees Heavily Laden[341]
Forest Lands—Mosquitoes[342]
Mountainous Aspect of Country[343]
Hedges—Timber Abundant[344]
Braço de Gado River[345]
Wood-Rats—Troublesome Fly[346]
Original Forest—Secondary Growth[347]
Absence of Rain for Five Days[348]
Land for Depot Tendered[349]
Favorable-Looking Crops[350]
Terms of Sale for Private Lands[351]
Noble Hospitality at Caiacauga[352]
Large Production of Corn[353]
Location for Growing Coffee[354]
Artificial Channel near River[355]
Interview with Mr. Dunn[356]
Epidemic at Ignape[357]
Southern Families at Cananea[358]
One of the Oldest Settlements[359]
Very Fatal Bloody Flux[360]
Temperance of City of Santos[361]
Government of Brazil[362]
Mints, Banks, Schools[363]
On Board a Steamship[364]
Again in Rio Janeiro[365]
Preparing Report of Observations[366]
Boarding-House by Southern Family[367]
Warehouse for Agricultural Implements[368]
Generosity of Mr. C. Nathan[369]
Measures to Promote Immigration[370]
Divisions of Soil and Territory[371]
Transportation—Communication[372]
Agricultural and other Resources[373]
Character of Brazilians[374]
Contents[375]

[1]. The adoption of a British flag by this ship-owner during the progress of the war enabled him to continue sailing upon the high seas, and his sentiments being known to the confederate cruisers, secured one of his vessels from destruction, that fell into their hands.

As vessels of Great Britain and the United States are more largely occupied in navigating the high seas than those of other nationalities, it is the custom of those meeting upon the ocean to hail in English, and there is scarcely a captain in charge of a vessel of any nation that is not sufficiently acquainted with the English language to communicate in this way with another.

The code of signals used by the English have been adopted by all nations navigating the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific; and thus vessels communicate with each other upon any matter desired, without being in speaking distance.

[2]. This discount upon United States money is practised very often upon strangers by those occupying other positions than hucksters, but a dollar in gold or silver coin of the United States will command two millreas of Brazilian money in most respectable business establishments of Rio de Janeiro, and is generally valued at this rate by exchange brokers. Upon this standard one dump is worth two cents, and I should have received twelve dumps and a half for my quarter instead of the ten which were given. It will save the reader who may go to Rio more than the price of this book, to keep in mind what is stated in this note.

[3]. Captain Lee informs me that in August, 1864, there sailed from Bahia a vessel containing over one hundred of these liberated negroes in families, men, and women, and children, who were bound for Africa, with the expectation of remaining in that country. They expressed a hope of being able to exert a favorable influence upon the natives, and it would be a very interesting part of their history to know whether they have lapsed into barbarism or have improved those with whom their lot is cast in Africa.

[4]. This gentleman has since ceased to be the chief engineer of the railroad, and his brother now occupies the position.

[5]. This admirable disinfecting establishment was subsequently visited. The materials are pumped from the reservoir, which is below the level of the water, and subjected to the action of various articles, among which I recognized alum, lime and charcoal, after which a deposit of the solid portions is formed in receptacles of immense proportions.

The fluid being acted upon by these agents, and then filtered, is rendered so entirely free from impurities that we were informed the superintendent drank some of it on the occasion of a visit by the Emperor, to illustrate the perfection of the process of disinfection. Delicious draught, no doubt!

There is no unpleasant smell about the place, and the remaining solid matter is employed as a fertilizer, without any of the disagreeable concomitants of poudrette.

The building is an elegant stone structure, and the operations are conducted by steam, under the immediate control of the English contractors, who are known as the city improvement company.

The gentleman in charge stated that this was an entirely new process, and that it has not been introduced elsewhere.

[6]. A sack of coffee weighing one hundred and sixty pounds is carried in this way without any apparent inconvenience, and most of the loading of vessels from the warehouses near the wharf is performed after this manner. The negroes usually move under such a burden in a brisk walk, or more frequently in a trot; and a number being employed, the work progresses very rapidly in putting a cargo of coffee aboard a ship.

[7]. I am indebted to Captain E. A. Lie, the intelligent master of the vessel in which my return passage was made, for some interesting particulars in regard to Pompeii, which he visited in 1857. His statement is as follows:

“The mass of volcanic matter which overlies the site of the former city of Pompeii is principally ashes, and on the borders has undergone such changes, that fields are in cultivation upon the spot.

“The explorations are entirely under the directions of the Imperial Government, and a guard is kept constantly over the place, so as to prevent any one from appropriating articles that may be discovered by those engaged in the work.

“The streets are so contracted that even the narrow vehicles of that period were unable to pass each other, and hence some of the thoroughfares are supposed to have afforded passage in one direction, while others were passed in the opposite direction. The deep cuts in the stone paving of the streets indicate that there was much passing of carriages or carts for a long period.

“Connecting with the side-walks there are stones elevated above the general level of the streets, upon which persons might step and avoid water that was flowing in the street. There are no signs of drains or sewers to be seen, nor of aqueducts.

“Those bodies remaining in the houses at the time of this wholesale burial are completely petrified, and black as ebony, a number of which are preserved in all their perfection of form. There are also petrified specimens of fruits, of bread, even with the baker’s name imprinted on it; of beef, of pork, and of various viands that were ready for eating.

“A large number of precious stones have been recovered, and among them an immense convex emerald, of great value, which was discovered in a tomb, supposed to contain the body of some very important dignitary. Many rich treasures have been found in the cemetery, evidently lodged with the dead in their last resting-place.

“There are evidences of much taste in the architectural department, and specimens of very elaborate workmanship have been discovered. The amphitheatre was evidently a grand structure, and with the base below the general surface of the earth, it is arranged with ascending rows of stone seats for the accommodation of a large assemblage. All the buildings are of stone.

“There is an extensive museum at Naples, which contains all the varieties from this reservoir of antiquarian relics; and to make the tour of this establishment, with a proper examination of these articles, and others of interest collected there, requires two weeks of unremitting observation.”

[8]. Captain Buhlaw received an appointment similar in rank to that held in the confederate service, and has been charged with the survey and mapping of the public lands near Cananea. In this service Mr. Mallory is associated with him under appointment of the government.

In regard to the tender of an appointment to the writer, the length of time occupied in the examination of the country precluded any other duty.

[9]. After the return of the Emperor from the seat of war, he and the Empress were seen in their coach, with six horses and a number of outriders. She endeavored to return the courtesies of those on the street by an almost incessant series of motions of the head from side to side, while he maintained an attitude of dignified complacence.

The horses are managed by men seated upon the saddle-horse of each pair, and they dash through the street at a rapid gait, a bugle being sounded frequently by a man riding in advance, so as to have the way cleared for the passage of the royal cortege.

[10]. Though this ant is so troublesome in the culture of the cotton grown from American seed, it does not attack the Brazilian cotton, which seems to be a variety of the sea island plant, that has been grown to a limited extent for a considerable period in Brazil. The stalk of this latter becomes very large, and really assumes the proportions of a small tree after growing three or four successive years. The lint is fine and the seed black and clean, but the yield is much less than the cotton from our ordinary short staple seed. The exemption from injury by the ant would constitute a very important recommendation if it produced as well as the other variety, but it is entirely abandoned since the introduction of the seed from the United States.

[11]. At his suggestion, an article appeared in the Diario De São Paulo, of September 26th, 1865, from which the following extracts are translated:

“This commission of Dr. Gaston arouses serious considerations. Under existing circumstances, our attention ought to be fixed, by preference, upon the States of the South of the American Union. A large portion of the party vanquished in the recent struggle will seek a new country. They cannot submit to the new order of things and live on a footing of equality with their slaves. Accumulated trouble, and various other reasons, concur to induce them to emigrate. If our government lose this favorable opportunity to draw them to our country it will not find another.

“If these families come, many others will come after them, and thus spontaneous emigration will be developed for our country. In the disposition with which they are now proposing to emigrate, it is natural that they should flow into the same place, and the country which has the happiness to receive well the first emigrants will receive all.

“The emigration from the States of the South of the Union is exactly that which suits us best. We do not want adventurers, who come into our country to gain fortunes, and that return to their domicils when they are secured. We want men who will establish themselves diligently in our country, and who will make common cause with us. The American emigrants that come will remain with us, and will never return to their country. The motives which induce the emigration afford us, in this respect, a complete guarantee. They procure a new country. They take as theirs the country which receives them. This consideration is important.

“The Anglo-American race has no rival in the world. The grand struggle through which they have passed leaves their prominence well established. It is the race which is most appropriate for us. Eminently industrious, enterprising and persevering, it will impart a notable impulse to our country. It is not possible to calculate the rapid progress which the country may have if this race comes, to turn to advantage its natural resources.

“Our political institutions cannot be repugnant to those inhabitants of the Union. In our country they will find all the liberty which can reasonably be desired. Our form of government, though it is not federative, approximates this system. The separate action of the provinces gives them, to a certain extent, an independent existence.

“The spectacle of slavery, which so much impresses strangers, will be viewed with indifference by those emigrants from the Southern States of the Union, that until very recently held slaves, and for this object sustained the greatest struggle which the world has seen.

“This subject deserves the special attention of the Government, whose lights and practical knowledge should guide the emissary of the emigrants in the selection of a locality that may be proper to receive them, giving him every means of enlightenment and information. The stranger, however qualified he may be, can easily be deceived in this respect.

“All depends upon the success of the first emigrants, and for the accomplishment of this every care should be taken in this matter.

“Our countrymen should not expect to sell their lands to these new emigrants for fabulous prices. If they bring some means they cannot nevertheless employ large capitals, because they have not got them. They once had fortunes, but the war has wasted them. The devastation which passed over the States of the South is well known.”

[12]. A notice has since appeared in the public prints of the falling down of this building, and the killing of several workmen. It is attributed to some excavation made in the vicinity of the wall, but the construction was such as might favor its downfall, and the use of the term ruin in the description implies such a condition.

[13]. It is not usual to find pepper, vinegar, catsup, mustard, or any thing of this kind upon the tables of the common people in the country, and hence the presence of these articles becomes a fact worthy of notice.

[14]. This expression, and the same placing of the hands with the palms together in front of the breast are observed also by children in approaching a parent for the first time after rising in the morning, or after being absent for a time. It is a common practice among the better class of people, and even after the children are grown.

[15]. The valuation placed by the owner upon this portion of the land is ten thousand ($10,000) dollars, and taking the amount of productive land as only three thousand (3,000) acres, having in all one hundred thousand coffee trees, the calculation per acre of three and a third ($3.33⅓) dollars is certainly very much more favorable than most improved land can be bought elsewhere in this region of country.

[16]. The owner of the land proposes to take seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) for the lands lying adjacent to the river Roque, which are supposed to include two thousand acres of good land, but estimated as containing more than double that amount by the proprietor.

The body of land described as of superior quality, in a southwest course from the buildings, with the site of the fazenda, are not offered for sale.

A few families might be accommodated with these lands, but they are not adapted for a large settlement of people.

At one point the Roque tract is said to connect with Angelica, and if that territory can be bought upon similar terms, it would permit extension of the population; but, as was stated, Senor Vergueiro declined to name the price fixed upon that property.

[17]. A very fine specimen of brown sandstone was found in large quantity upon this land, and the fact is mentioned to illustrate the resources of the country.

[18]. I am constantly reminded of my obligations to this gentleman in the use of a fine large blank-book, which was presented by him for my records, besides many other acts of kindness on his part.

[19]. Members of the same family very generally have different names in Brazil; and when a family name is recognized, it is not always placed last as with us, but is arranged with the other names as fancy may suggest.

[20]. I am informed that extensive hat-factories are in operation in Perecicaba, Rio Claro, Campinas and in the province of Minas, where they are made in several of the fazendas. They are prepared of good quality from both fur and wool, but the price of the latter should secure an excellent article.

[21]. There is no tax on lands except a small per cent. paid at the time of purchase, and that even is not required in the sale of government land to our people.

[22]. Captain Lie tells me this custom of shaking hands all round after dinner is very common with the families of Norway when there is company at their houses. It is not general in Brazil, but so far as observed, is confined to this family, and I supposed that all were taking leave to depart for their respective homes, but found that they repaired to the parlor for further social intercourse.

[23]. In the midst of all this poverty it is most remarkable that theft is very rare in this country, and throughout every class of people there seems to be no necessity for any special safeguards to property of any description.

Even in the towns and cities through which I have passed there are fewer precautions observed against larceny than is customary in all parts of the United States, and the general confidence manifested in the honesty of the people is a very commendable feature of society.

[24]. This amount, in common with other expenses of travel, was paid by the agent of the government, Senor G. D. Street, and while noting the want of generosity on the part of this representative man of Conceicão, I would not fail to acknowledge our obligations for the bounty of the Brazilian government in providing for all our wants while exploring the country.

[25]. On arrival at this place we found a portion of the men seated upon the dirt floor of a house playing cards for money, while the more religiously-inclined population were assembled in the church to pray for a cessation of the continuous rains which flooded the lands. So go the different elements of society.

[26]. As a matter of history, the following paragraph of a correspondent from this place, of September 18, 1865, to the Diario de São Paulo, is translated, though I hear of no other instance of the kind in this or any other part of the province.

Within little more than one month there has occurred in this section seven assassinations of Christian people, namely: those of Sonsa, his son and son-in-law, by the Indians of São Domingos, that of Filisbino, according to report, by his native slave Silverio, on the Rio Novo; those of Francisco Bernardo, and Leopoldina Cordoso Martines, in the same region, and that of Salvador José Leite, on the small river Das Pedras.

[27]. Major Meriwether writes me as follows:

“Botocatu, January 8, 1866.—I was not prepared to see lands so immensely rich as we see here. We have examined the country ten miles in one direction, and every foot of it is the very best quality. Immense bodies of the best land are here.

“January 13, 1866.—We have just returned this day from Lençoes, taking five days to make the trip there and back, forty or more miles, to avoid crossing a belt of country fifty miles wide, in which the chills prevail unusually severe. In going to and returning from Lençoes, not on the same road both ways, we were never off good land, and the most of it first quality terra rocha. Corn was certainly the best I ever saw, and not a plough in all the country. Coffee trees, none of which are over four years old, loaded down with fruit. Cotton, little planted, but that little very fine. Grasses in abundance; and stock, mules, horses, cattle and hogs as fine as any country can grow.

“I have visited the fine stockgrowing portions of Kentucky and Tennessee, but this beats all ever seen before.

“In addition to growing grain, coffee, sugar and cotton grow as finely here as in any other part of the province. Farms can be purchased in this and the adjoining district, with good improvements in the shape of dwellings, sugar-mills, grist-mills, &c., for $2.50 per acre and less, that being the highest price asked, and $1.50 per acre being the usual price asked for lands as good as lands can be.

“The best information as to depth of soil is, that it averages about thirteen (13) feet deep. From the best information we can get, the good land extends fifty or sixty miles in length and ten or twelve in breadth. It is not uncommon to see trees seven (7) feet in diameter here.

“The people here treat us with great hospitality, and are exceedingly anxious for our people to come amongst them, offering inducements the most substantial, provisions, &c. If this country is ever peopled by an industrious and progressive race it will soon be a paradise on earth.

“I have thus tried to describe this immensely fertile tract of country, but the description is poor in comparison to the reality. It is the most desirable I ever expected even to see.

“I have changed my mind in regard to the expense of settling in this country. When it was said by Mr. Street that we must not expect to use ploughs the first few years here, I laughed at him. But he is right.

“A single man can here clear and fence and plant ten acres of land in two months.

“Five acres will make him at least two hundred and fifty bushels of corn, the other five will make him as much cotton as he can pick, without other culture than the hoe. So that not only a support may be made the first year, but also money may be saved.”

In connection with this communication, it is proper to state that there are large numbers of uncivilized Indians near that region, and that “not long since the neighboring district of São João Baptista was the victim of an outbreak of these savages,” as is stated in the public prints. Facts are important guides to us.

[28]. This embrace consists in passing the arms round each other, much in the same manner that is observed when two boys are about to engage in wrestling, and is resorted to very generally among Brazilian gentlemen, to express a particular regard upon meeting or parting with each other.

[29]. In addition to the other remarkable things, two very large cobras were encountered and killed by one of my attendants. This is a most venomous serpent, and resembles very much the rattle-snake in its shape and color. These were found close together, and were supposed to be male and female. Each was lying quietly upon a separate stump of a large tree, and seemed to bask in the warm sun without any sense of danger.

“They are so unacquainted with man,

Their tameness is shocking to me.”

Upon seeing the first this man alighted and cut a stick, walking up deliberately, so as to strike a deadly blow, without any movement on the part of the snake.

He had remounted when the other was observed, and the same process was repeated with it as the first. Both were wide awake, and kept their sly wicked gaze fixed upon their slayer as he advanced, ready to destroy him if he had afforded the opportunity.

With the exception of a small specimen, about a foot and a half long, killed near the Jacaré river, these are the only cobras seen during the tour, and they are unusually large, being three feet long, with a thickness such as a rattle-snake of similar length would have. The bite of one of these serpents, without a prompt remedy on hand, is considered certainly fatal to man or beast, but fortunately they do not seem to be numerous in any part visited.

[30]. The only means of cleaning the cotton used at this place are sundry little hand-rollers, worked by little darkies, which cannot average over two pounds each to the day.

The spirit of enterprise is sadly deficient along this river, though the communication of the steamboat could place any thing at their doors that might be desired.

[31]. A considerable lot of cotton gathered from these stalks lies in the seed at the residence, and does not give evidence of nice handling, but the fibre is good. Even with the spirit of progress which Senor Miguel manifests in his appliances generally, the little hand-roller is his only reliance for picking cotton, and hence this seed cotton remains on hand.

He has attempted to use an English apparatus with a roughened roller, but apart from the insufficiency of size it is totally unfitted for accomplishing any satisfactory results. He is now impressed with the necessity of supplying himself with a good cotton-gin to meet the demands of his forthcoming crops here and at Ponto-Grosso.

The want of information as to the conditions for proper culture of cotton is shown in the planting of sugar-cane among the cotton, and yet I counted upon a single limb of one branch of a large stalk in that field twenty-two bolls, the entire stalk having certainly over two hundred bolls.

[32]. This troublesome fly is found to a greater or less extent in various parts of the country, and seems to attack some animals in a herd in preference to others. There may be something in the particular stock of cattle rendering them more liable than others, and it seems that those in the best condition are generally more exempt; but this may be an effect rather than a cause, as the presence of these festering points over a large portion of the surface must prevent the animal from thriving that is so affected.

One of these insects imbedded its germ in two points upon my person, and I subsequently extracted a rough ugly-looking sort of worm from one of the places, which was near my shoulder, and consequently under the clothing. It is a mystery as to how the fly could deposit the germ through a flannel shirt, which was worn at the time. This result is liable to occur with children in localities where the fly prevails, and I have no fancy for living amongst them.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

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