[203] I refer the reader to Edwards’ History of the West Indies, vol. ii.
[204] “Era, porem ja nam he.”
[205] “Pois Senhor Capitam-mor pode ser mulatto?”
[206] To this statement some explanation is necessary, owing to the regulations of the Portugueze military service. Privates are sometimes raised to commissions by the intermediate steps of corporals, quarter-masters, and sergeants; these men gain their ensigncies without any relation to their birth; and though a decidedly dark coloured mulatto might not be so raised, a European of low birth would. It is to enable a man to become a cadet and then an officer without serving in the ranks, that requires nobility of birth.
[207] The son of this man is a priest.
[208] “Negro sim, porem direito.”
[209] Manumitted creole blacks are, I am nearly certain, admitted into these regiments.
[210] There was a rumour of the appointment of a white man as colonel of this regiment, and also of a white colonel for the Recife mulatto regiment; and I was asked by several individuals of these casts whether there was any truth in the report. I cannot believe any thing of this kind; the liberal policy which seems to pervade the Council of Rio de Janeiro forbids that such a report should be believed; but if this should be true, most pernicious will be the consequences, which from such a determination may be expected to proceed.
[211] The priests of the island of St. Thomé, upon the coast of Africa, are negroes. I have seen some of these men at Recife, who have come over for a short time. I have heard that they are prohibited from saying Mass any where excepting upon the island for which they are ordained; but I can scarcely think that this can be correct. In the Voyage du Chevalier des Marchais en Guinée, isles voisines et a Cayenne, I find that men of mixed blood were ordained in the islands of St. Thomé and Principe, and the editor of the work says, “presque tout le clergé de la cathedrale (of St. Thome) étoit de cette couleur.” Vol. iii. p. 4. “L’Eglise de S. Antoine qui est la Paroisse (of Prince’s Island) est déservie par des prêtres noirs ou presque noirs, c’est à dire mulâtres.” p. 30.
I have, as is stated in the text, heard from good authority, that the law forbids the ordination of mulattos; what the practice is I am quite certain, and I hope the law may be favourable also.