Communication with a market, by water, is convenient for sections first and fourth. The former affords no inducement for any large settlement, while the latter presents a wide extent of territory, lying between the Ribeira de Ignape and Cananea, and extending towards Parana. If it should meet the views of our people to concentrate upon this territory, a large wagon-road is desirable to connect Xiririca and the port of Cananea, so as to afford them access to either of these ports.
The route indicated is pronounced by an engineer to be very favorable for the location of a good road, and if it is authorized, it will constitute an important item in the advantages of this section, for the settlement of emigrants from the southern portion of the United States of America.
Thursday, February 1, 1866.
In an interview with his Excellency Conselheiro Paulo Sonsa, Minister of Agriculture, &c., I have received his assurance that a wagon-road should be opened from the port of Cananea to Xiririca; and that the requisite order would be issued forthwith for setting apart the funds for this work. He has likewise given me a promise that an amount of public land, sufficient for the accommodation of my friends, would be reserved in a specified locality, until I should communicate to him some definite intimation as to their decision. I am farther informed that authority will be given me to hire a vessel at the expense of the Brazilian government, for the use of the needy, provided two other vessels are loaded by emigrants on their own account; and that the vessels would be permitted to land their passengers and cargoes free of duty, at Cananea or Ignape, if this is desired.
With this understanding, I feel that my mission in Brazil has terminated satisfactorily, and I am now ready to submit the result for the consideration of those who await this report.
The physical aspects of Brazil present great encouragement to those desiring to engage in agricultural operations.
The great variety and superior quality of the products present advantages not to be realized in the United States, and the facility of cultivation, with the prospect of improvement under the more thorough treatment of the soil to which our people are accustomed, renders this branch of business particularly attractive.
The manufacturing resources afforded by the water-power which is in almost every section of the country, afford the opportunity for working up much of the material grown upon the soil, and enterprise may speedily put to work spindles and looms even at points remote from the great lines of transportation. To our Southern people the empire of Brazil embodies the character and sentiment among the better class of citizens, very much in keeping with our standard of taste and politeness. It has grown out of the consciousness that worth makes the man, and doubtless connected with the same relative status of races that was formerly a line of distinction between the black and white population with us. Though slavery may be destined to cease in Brazil at some future day, by gradual emancipation, yet the elements of society which have resulted from the mastery of the white man will never be erased entirely from the people. There is a dignity and a hospitality among these people that correspond in many respects to the lofty and generous bearing which characterized the Southern gentleman in former times. We find people in Brazil capable of appreciating the Southern character, and ready to extend a cordial greeting to all who come.
I have sought and found them a home.