In this point of view, it is evident that our friend Dom Queiroz and others who make this arrangement with the negro contractors are paying very exorbitant rates of hire. I have purposely placed the rate of day-labor far above the rate usually paid in this country; and it is not usual to pay a caipira or Portuguese more than five dollars a month, and furnish him lodging and provisions, which in cash outlay will not exceed one-half of the sum specified in my calculations.
It behooves our people to consider all these things in making their arrangements, and not fall into any plan of operations because others are doing it.
In estimating the increased value of lands, with a full stand of coffee trees bearing fruit, the calculation may with more propriety be based upon the estimate of twenty cents per tree, because you receive an immediate return for the investment, of from three to six pounds of coffee per tree, annually, which will be worth, free of all expense, twenty cents the first year for each tree, and thus repay the entire outlay.
One of the incidents of travel in this country has been encountered to-night, by finding a bicho or chigre embedded in one of my toes. A little darkey was called to identify the parasite; and a “tropeiro” extracted it, with the nidus complete, making a very nice operation.
Tuesday, October 17, 1865.
Leaving our pleasant associations at Nova Fazenda this morning, we came in company with Dom Queiroz and Captain Feliciana to the residence of Senor João Franco da Morars. He had a most sumptuous breakfast in readiness for us, which was enjoyed very much after our ride of six miles across the country.
Setting out after 10 o’clock, we rode over the land which this gentleman proposes to sell. The extensive tract of Babylonia is connected at one point with the land upon which he resides. The former consists of ten thousand and two hundred (10,200) acres, and the latter of three thousand (3,000) acres, making together thirteen thousand two hundred (13,200) acres of land.
The body of land known as Babylonia consists of the possessions of a number of persons, as follows:
João Franco da Morars, 3,540 acres; José da Lacerda Guimarans, 3,600 acres; Aranjo Lima, 420 acres; José Goncalves, 840 acres; José Estivão, 780 acres; Prudenta, 540 acres; José Ignacio, 252 acres; Bento Ribeiro, 252 acres; and the residence of João Franco da Morars, 3,000 acres.
Price of lands in Babylonia, $4.50 per acre.