It must be a source of painful reflection to every Brazilian, in looking upon this statue, to think that the original could not be sustained by the people who had placed him in authority, and though, like Washington, he may live in the hearts of his countrymen, his grave rests not upon his own soil, as that of the great North American.
Wednesday, September 20, 1865.
A communication was received quite unexpectedly, yesterday evening, from Dom Antonio Paula Sonsa, Minister of Agriculture, inviting me to meet him this morning, at ten o’clock, at his house, number nine, Rua da Joanna.
Taking a hack, I proceeded to his residence at the time specified, and, upon entering, quite an awkward scene ensued, as neither understood the language of the other, and there was no interpreter present. Making an attempt to converse in French did not relieve our embarrassment, as my stock of the language was too limited to understand or to make myself understood in that tongue. At length, he wrote, at my suggestion, in French, that a gentleman who spoke English would arrive shortly to act as interpreter. Understanding this, I took a seat, and remained quietly until the interpreter came. Our intercourse being now made easy, he desired to know my views and wishes in regard to the measures that might promote the emigration of my friends to Brazil. I told him that the object of visit was to look for a home for my own family, and to make an examination of the country, with a view to report the result for the information of other families, whose unfortunate situation in the South induced them to desire a change of residence, and, in like manner with myself, hoped that a desirable location might be found in this country. He expressed a great desire to encourage the class of people to whom I referred, and said that he would take the matter at once into consideration, and devise a plan for assisting those who were desirous of coming to Brazil from the Southern States.
In the mean time, he proposed to render me all the aid in his power for a thorough examination of the country; and, as I had already concluded to visit the province of São Paulo, he informed me that a ticket would be furnished me to go by the steamer to-morrow to Santos, and that he would supply me with letters to the President of the province, and to other influential persons in different parts of the country. He told me that passage would be furnished likewise to an interpreter, if one could be secured, and that he would provide in like manner for any friend I might desire to accompany me on the expedition. He further stated, that under his direction to the President of the province, all the requisite facilities would be afforded to me by him, for my exploration of the lands lying in the interior of the province, and expressed a wish that I might find there a suitable location for myself and my friends.
I learned in the course of the conversation that the minister comes from the province of São Paulo; and, therefore, perhaps he feels more interest in giving encouragement to an investigation of that region, than if my examination was directed to some other quarter. My predilection for this locality being entirely independent of any partiality on the part of the minister, I will yet gladly avail myself of the advantages which may accrue from this fact, and with the offer of assistance in making a thorough exploration, I will, for the present, suspend all further action in regard to an appointment in the Hospital Department, and devote myself to this examination of the lands and resources of this fertile province.
The gentleman who acted as interpreter is the secretary of the Minister of Agriculture, and it was understood that he would bring to-morrow morning, to my quarters, the letters and other papers with which I am to be provided for making this tour of examination.
The ticket for passage upon the steamer was given to me to-day; and all the necessary indorsements and stamps put upon my passport at the treasury and police offices. I can now proceed with my personal preparations for getting off to-morrow, and will notify Major da Cunha of my leaving, so that he may take such steps as he may think proper, in regard to the paper which was to be prepared for the other mission. No calculation can be made as to the length of time I may be engaged in the examination of these lands, and my intention is to make a full report of all my observations, as a guide to my friends and others who may be interested in the resources of this country.
The residence of Senor Dom Antonio Paula Sonsa, Minister of Agriculture, is in the precinct of São Christovão, and near the palace of the Emperor, where his family reside. But my pressing duties did not admit of any delay to visit the royal abode, and I must reserve the privilege of paying my respects to his majesty for a future occasion. I feel, however, no special inclination to wait upon the Emperor, unless business should require me to see him, and his time and patience are doubtless sufficiently taxed here with visits of mere formality. As he is absent at the seat of war just now, all the matters of business that would have taken me to see him will probably be disposed of by his ministers, and there will be no need to see him.[[9]]
On the way to São Christovão, I passed the grand butcher pen of the city, which monopolizes the slaughtering of the cattle for the market. It is a large establishment, with spacious grounds, and a high cast-iron fence, having a gate of huge proportions with portals of hewn stone.