Having been informed that it would be agreeable to one of the ministers who comes from Minas to see us, Mr. Mello had undertaken to arrange for a meeting, but he returned with the statement that his excellency would be in conference with the other ministers and the Emperor to-day, so that he could not see us for the present. As we leave early to-morrow, our meeting with him must be deferred.
But Dr. Shaw has concluded to make a memorandum of matters desirable to be known respecting that province, and get Mr. Mello to communicate with this honorable gentleman from Minas, so that we may be informed at a future day. One of the points of most interest to me is the facilities for hiring negroes which are said to be afforded in some parts of Minas, and it is desirable to know upon what terms they will allow them to go to other sections of Brazil, for a term of years.
All the afternoon was spent in exploring the city of Rio with Dr. Shaw and Major Meriwether, for the purchase of travelling-trunks, spurs, and a thermometer; whereas, an application to some of our friends for the number and street in which these things could be found would have cost us but little trouble. Let others profit by this suggestion and save time and labor.
Though I had many personal matters of business to look after, these gentlemen desired my assistance, as they were totally unacquainted with the language, and there being no other person to whom I could refer them, it devolved upon me to accompany them. We spent a great deal of time unnecessarily, and walked ourselves completely down.
Being very tired when I returned to my room at night, I lay down upon a lounge to rest and did not awake until 11 o’clock. I then went down to search for a cup of coffee, but found every place in the vicinity was closed; and for once it occurred to me that coffee-houses might very appropriately keep late hours. Most of the eating and drinking establishments are shut up at 10 o’clock P. M. My fatigue and drowsy mood found refuge in my bed for the rest of the night.
Friday, December 1, 1865.
Having a reserved stock of clothing in a chest at No. 92 Rua Direita, I selected this morning such articles as would be requisite for the projected tour, and proceeded to pack my baggage at a late hour, so that it was done in great haste. Thus, some things of much importance were left in the room, but as Mr. Brown retains the same quarters, I trust he may find them and deliver them to Mr. Carlos Nathan. If a word of caution can avail to induce others to pack up all baggage on the night previous to an anticipated journey, it will save them of all confusion and enable them to employ the last moments before starting much more profitably.
Dr. Shaw, Major Meriwether, and myself being in readiness, negroes were employed to carry our trunks upon their heads to the wharf, and we then availed ourselves of a row-boat to proceed to the Santa Maria, which lay out some distance in the bay. The three persons, with all baggage, were taken for one dollar by previous contract, as I have found that to be the best mode of doing business with these boatmen.
Our friend Mr. Mello was found on the steamer, having accompanied some friends aboard. He introduced us to Dr. Fogg, an American dentist, who has resided in Rio for twenty years and realized a handsome income from his business.
He retains his citizenship in the United States, as do most of those who have come from there to this country, and none of them, so far as I have heard, encourage our people to remove with their families to Brazil. We place our own construction upon their statements, and prefer to think and act independent of their advice.