The Galileo has taken aboard here nineteen hundred and fifty-two (1952) bales of cotton of the small size, weighing one hundred and twelve (112) pounds, some of which stop at Rio de Janeiro, while another portion is for shipment to Liverpool. She brought from Montevideo a partial cargo, consisting of two hundred sheep, and all the appurtenances of the slaughtering of cattle, hides, horns, and bones, amounting to some five hundred tons.
The sheep and a portion of the cargo are shipped for Rio, while the remainder goes to England.
This vessel has excellent passenger accommodations, and the table is served differently from that of the Brazilian steamers, the waiters supplying promptly all the wants of the guests in the former, while in the latter passengers are expected to look after their own wants during the meals. In the fare of Brazilian steamers, table wine is included, while on the English vessel all wines, beer, or liquors are a separate item of charge, and there is a margin of two (2.00) dollars difference in the rates between the Santa Maria and the Galileo, the passage on the former being eighteen (18.00) dollars, while that of the latter is sixteen (16.00) dollars.
We find on board Captain Markam, the master of the unfortunate Herschel, that was wrecked below a short time since. His vessel first struck upon a rock not indicated in the charts, and was so badly damaged that all preparatory steps were taken for the safety of the passengers and crew in the boats. But he still had a hope of getting her into the port of Marlausdo, and placing her under the direction of a pilot she was run upon a rock a second time and was lost, all on board being saved.
An English gentleman named Stickney, who was aboard of the Herschel, is now a passenger with us, and has been examining some of the territory of Brazil, with reference to farming and sheep-raising. He is much pleased with some of the country, but has not yet made any selection. I infer from his own statements, that he has been conducting quite an extensive business in this department in England, and it would be very desirable to see some of those experienced farmers entering into that neat and systematic style of business in this country.
Sunday, January 28, 1866.
The harbor of Rio de Janeiro was entered to-day at 1 o’clock P. M. Being hailed at the fort and boarded by three different officials of the Brazilian government, our vessel proceeded to her anchorage, and I reached the wharf at 3 o’clock P. M. My quarters are taken again at the Exchange Hotel, and having a small bed-room, with an open hall in front that is well ventilated, I am likely to have a quiet time for preparing my report to the Minister of Agriculture pertaining to my tour of observation.
Making a hurried inquiry at the office and other places for letters, none were found, and I proceeded in a boat to a bark that had recently arrived from New York, thinking it might bring some tidings of my family or friends. I was not permitted by the custom-house officers to go aboard, as the vessel had not yet been passed with her cargo; but upon speaking with the Captain from the row-boat, he informed me that any letters brought had gone to the post-office, under the existing regulations, two days ago. I knew, therefore, that nothing had come for me.
Monday, January 29, 1866.
The entire forenoon was occupied with my report for the minister, and it was only suspended when the announcement was made that the United States packet Havana had arrived in the harbor. Being informed that no one was permitted to go aboard while she was still in charge of the custom-house officers, I awaited the arrival of passengers and learned that there were no people aboard from the Southern States, so that there was no prospect of hearing through anyone from my friends.