This period of almost constant rain is now upon us, and lasts usually two or three months in this latitude. During the other nine months of the year, rain falls but seldom in any considerable quantity, and during June, July, and August, is regarded the dry season of the year. These being the coolest months, the relations of the wet and dry season to temperature differs from what is observed in the United States. The winter with us is usually the period of most rain; but there is not so marked a difference, as is remarked in Brazil, between the rainy and dry seasons of the year. I anticipate less inconvenience in travelling from the rain than would be experienced from the continuous hot sun during the day; and learning that the mornings are for the most part free from rain, we can do most of our riding early in the day.
A most important item to the traveller is to have along with him, at all times, a change of under-clothing, and for this object, a water-proof valise or satchel is very convenient. In this, his comb, tooth-brush, and a pair of slippers can also be kept at hand, though he may be temporarily separated from his baggage.
Friday, December 15, 1865.
Mr. Bennaton now thinks that matters will be arranged so that we can leave day after to-morrow, but while we do not wish to retard any of the preparations, it is not expected that we will leave until Monday. None of us approve of travelling on the Sabbath, when it can be avoided.
Mr. Blackford called to see us this evening, and remonstrated warmly against Sunday travelling, but more especially against setting out on a business tour upon the Sabbath, when we could so easily wait for another day. He insisted that no good would come of business done on the Sabbath, and said if we did not expect to observe the sanctity of the Sabbath in this country, we had better return at once to our families, as he felt assured they would not prosper here, without keeping the Sabbath day holy to the Lord, and observing it as a day of rest from labor.
Meeting Dom Prates upon the street this afternoon, he informed me that he has a body of land on the Ribeira de Ignape, of which every alternate lot will be given to families who will locate on them.
Saturday, December 16, 1865.
Having arranged to meet Dom Bernardo Gavião this morning, we proceeded to his office, with Mr. Bennaton as interpreter. Upon inquiring the terms upon which he would dispose of the whole, or a part of the extensive territory of Cambuy, he stated that he would take one hundred and twenty-five thousand ($125,000) dollars for the entire property. Estimating it at twelve square leagues, the cost will be something over one ($1) dollar per acre, and believing that there is not over four square leagues which is well adapted to cultivation, it puts the price over three dollars an acre for the productive land. He couples the proposition with an offer to hire two hundred and forty negroes for a series of years, at the annual rate of twelve thousand five hundred ($12,500) dollars; the first payment to be made at the end of the second year, and without interest, but subsequent payments at the close of each year. He informs us that there are one hundred and twenty men, ninety women, and thirty children. It will be noted that the proportion of men is large to that of the women, and the proportion of children very small, which is to be observed in most gangs of negroes in Brazil; the former owing to larger importations of males from Africa, and the latter from want of proper care of women and their offspring. These negroes are to be fed, clothed, and receive medical treatment, at the expense of the party employing them; while the owner loses the time of disability for labor, by running away, or, in the event of death, a pro rata reduction being made.
Sunday, December 17, 1865.
Desiring some definite information in regard to the missionary operations of the Presbyterian church in Brazil, the following was handed to me, for such use as I might think proper.