Three servants and two mule-tenders; four pack-mules.
Mr. Bennaton failed to meet the General’s party on the road, but returned and joined them at the villa this morning.
The entire cavalcade, accompanied by a number of gentlemen from the villa, repaired to São Lorenço, with the proprietor, and enjoyed a most bountiful and well prepared dinner at 4 o’clock P. M.
I had been introduced to General Wood in New Orleans early in the month of July, and understood from him then that he was delegated to come to Brazil as the representative of five hundred families in Mississippi, but as he was delayed in starting, it seemed to me best that my movements should not be retarded for the sake of his company, and I left the city for New York on the 12th of the month. As I sailed prior to his arrival, there was no further communication between us until our meeting here, and it is now found that his commission has been extended so as to include seven States.
One of his party, Mr. Kernan, brought a letter of introduction to me from Dr. R. P. Daniel, of Florida, in which he remarks: “I was myself, in connection with another gentleman from Florida, on my way to Brazil to locate a colony; circumstances have delayed us so much beyond the time we had proposed that, considering the difference in seasons and other matters, we have concluded to return home and wait until next spring before going on. I regret this delay very much; meantime, will you not let me hear from you at your convenience?”
In the multiplicity of my engagements, it may not be in my power to make such a communication to Dr. Daniel as would be desirable, and the publication of this record will give him and others who have desired information most of the facts in my possession connected with this country.
Sunday, October 29, 1865.
The large number of guests were all comfortably provided with bedding at São Lorenço, and rose this morning refreshed, and responded promptly to the call for breakfast, doing ample justice to the supplies.
It was intimated to me that Senor Francisco desired me to examine and prescribe for his wife, a daughter of our host; and Mr. Bennaton rode over with us and interpreted my questions and her answers, so that a full history of the case was received. It was a stomatitis of two months standing; and finding a Portuguese medical formulary at São Lorenço I was enabled to make out a regular recipe, which was sent to the druggist in the villa.
Shortly after our return a delegation arrived, representing the villa and county of Araraquara, who presented addresses in Portuguese to General Wood and myself. Our replies were, of course, written in English, but were rendered into Portuguese by Mr. Bennaton, and presented to the representatives, who were in attendance.