There is a judge for each district, and two terms of court each year. In trial by jury, the decision is by plurality, and grade of punishment according to majority.
Courts of appeal at Bahia, Maranhão, and other places, while there is a supreme court for higher offences. There is no grand jury, but process formed by delegado or sub-delegado of police, (corresponding to sheriff and deputy,) and if there is reason found for trial, indictment is sent to the municipal judge, (corresponding to magistrate,) and if approved he sends it to the district judge; and when approved by him, the case is ordered for trial before the jury. Magistrates elected by the people.
In addition to delegado and sub-delegado appointed by the President of the province for each district, there is a chief of police for each province appointed by the Emperor. Each province has its own legislature, chosen by the people. The President has veto power, which may be set aside by a two-thirds vote.
One archbishop residing at Bahia is the chief see, and there is also a bishop for each province, and a vicar in each district.
One mint at Rio de Janeiro, and the Bank of Brazil, with sundry others, is also located there; while there are branch banks in various provinces for issue, and private banks for deposit and discount.
Schools and colleges are numerous. A law academy in São Paulo, and also in Bahia. A medical college in Rio de Janeiro.
January 27, 1866.
Senor Street and myself came aboard of the fine steamship Galileo at 10 o’clock A. M., but the vessel was detained a considerable time by a hawser becoming entangled in her screw.
A man was brought from the city by her agent, Mr. W. T. Wright, who dived down under the wheel, and remaining over a minute under the water, succeeded in disentangling the cable.
This vessel is the second English steamer that has recently taken loading from this port, under an arrangement effected by Mr. Wright for the permission of coastwise freight by foreign bottoms, in consideration of the large proportion of Brazilian vessels now chartered by the government in connection with the belligerent operations against Paraguay. The troops of Lopez have now been withdrawn from Brazilian territory, and yet hold a defiant attitude upon the soil of Paraguay. It is now the purpose of the Emperor to conquer a peace with these troublesome neighbors, and it is generally thought that hostilities will soon be successfully ended.