Mr. Fox has lived in Brazil for forty years, and conducted a large and successful mercantile business, by which he has realized a handsome competency, and has now retired. He is an Englishman, and has retained his nationality, raising his British flag on important occasions upon a flag-staff which stands in his yard. His views are expressed unfavorably to domesticating in Brazil, and yet his example of spending most of his life here, with a prospect of continuing here for the present, seems contradictory to his opinion.
He has not married, and yet has a senhora in his house, who stands in that relation which induces many in this country to dispense with a wife.
He is now perhaps over sixty years old, and this buxom-looking, dark-skinned woman is probably something over thirty-five, officiating at his table and discharging the other duties of housekeeper.
Wednesday, November 29, 1865.
Being awakened at daylight, I accompanied Mr. Bennaton in a row-boat to the city. He had business which required his presence at his store very early, and as I wished to confer with the other gentlemen at the hotel in regard to matters for the attention of the Minister of Agriculture, it was very desirable to both that this early move be made.
Major Meriwether, Dr. Shaw, Dr. Davidson, and Mr. Brooks went with me at 10 o’clock A. M. to the residence of the minister, and after presenting these gentlemen I explained through the secretary, acting as interpreter, the nature of their mission. The papers embodying the authority under which they acted were submitted to the consideration of the minister by Major Meriwether and Dr. Shaw.
Upon learning that these latter two gentlemen desired to visit the province of São Paulo, the minister stated that they would be afforded the same facilities which had been received by others, and that they could likewise visit other provinces if they were not satisfied after examining this.
When it was intimated to the minister that I had not seen all the parts of the province of São Paulo which I desired to examine, and that it would be mutually agreeable to visit such sections of country with these gentlemen, he said this arrangement would be entirely satisfactory.
It was understood that Senor Ernesto D. Street would take charge of the voyage to Conceicão and Cananea, while arrangements would be made for Mr. Bennaton to proceed with us to other points in the interior.
Dr. Davidson, wishing to go to the Bay of Paranagua, had similar facilities afforded for his passage and subsequent examination of the adjacent country.