Mr. G. N. Davis kindly accompanied me to the post-office, and personally examined the letters received by the packet, but nothing was found for me. This inscrutable interruption of all communication with my friends in the South leaves no other alternative than to return and confer with them in person respecting my impressions of the territory, climate, productions and government of Brazil.
Senor E. D. Street has arranged for a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture at 11 o’clock A. M. to-morrow.
Tuesday, January 30, 1866.
The abstract of my observations upon the soil and industrial resources of the country, examined during the past four months, was embodied in a report of thirty-two pages of large letter paper, and presented to his Excellency, Conselheiro Paulo Sonsa, Minister of Agriculture, Commerce, &c., to-day. My interview was very brief, as he had an appointment elsewhere, which prevented him from giving audience to numerous persons in attendance, and he appointed day after to-morrow for another meeting. In the mean time he can examine my paper and be prepared to make a response to the propositions therein submitted.
On my return I called at the office of Dom Galvão, where he was found with his secretary, Mr. Mello. These gentlemen renewed their offers of assistance in any way they could serve my objects. But no satisfactory information has been received in regard to the terms upon which negroes may be hired from the province of Minas, and I will direct my efforts to procuring another class of laborers.
I am informed by Mr. William Scully, the editor of the Anglo-Brazilian Times, that he has had frequent applications from parties in England, Scotland, and Ireland, in regard to securing employment for laborers from those countries; and that so soon as we can give him any assurance of the number that will be required for business operations among our people who propose to settle in Brazil, he can certainly secure them for the service.
Being constantly occupied during the entire morning, I did not have an opportunity to get my breakfast, and, when it was nearly one o’clock, I went into the Café Americano for a lunch that could be most promptly served. Cold ham, shrimps and salad, with bread and butter, stayed my stomach; and yet it proved to be a very costly repast, as a fine silk umbrella was left in the establishment which could not be found upon returning to look for it some two hours afterwards.
In compliance with previous invitation, I dined to-day with Mr. Malone and his family, who are keeping house in the precinct of São Domingos. Mr. J. A. Roussel, from Louisiana, went over with me on the ferry-boat, and I met at the house Dr. D. Dansereau, also from Louisiana, and Mr. P. B. Hockaday, an old gentleman from Missouri, all of whom are here to select locations for their future residence. The latter two are accommodated with boarding by Mr. and Mrs. Malone, and seem to be pleasantly situated. This lady looks rather delicate, and yet she is doing the cooking and housework for the family with her own hands, and says that she is too busy to think of troubles or cares, feeling quite cheerful and contented with her situation. They have two very interesting little daughters, one about nine years old, and the other about seven. Their health has improved since coming here, and they are now quite hearty and sprightly. This family reached Brazil some six months ago, and found many trials at the outset from the want of associations with any of their own people, and the failure to find any field of business in which they could be employed to advantage. But now they are in good spirits, and expect ere long to identify themselves with others who are expected to arrive from the Southern States, and form a settlement in some part of the country. In their present sphere of duty, they render essential service to those stopping in Rio.
When I sat down with Southern friends, at the table of a Southern family, and partook of the food prepared by the hands of a Southern lady in a foreign land, the change which has come over our people was fully realized; yet this presented a type of the independence to which every Southern heart aspired, and which can only be enjoyed now by a separation from those who hold us in subjection.
On returning upon the ferry-boat, I was introduced to Mr. Franklin and Colonel Parsons, of Texas, who are here for the purpose of locating in the country. The latter gentleman is just recovering from a slight attack of varioloid, contracted from some Brazilian soldiers on board of the vessel coming from Bahia to Rio. The former has also been indisposed for a few days. But both are again ready for business, and they are now making arrangements to open a mercantile house in this city for furnishing machinery and agricultural implements. They expect to be provided with every thing that is likely to be wanted in opening plantations; yet it will be desirable for planters to bring with them all they may need.