Hunting a home in Brazil

by James McFadden Gaston

There are several large establishments for theatrical performances, and also opera houses, suited to the different classes of people. The Emperor considers it a matter of sufficient interest to sustain and patronize these places of recreation, and I am informed that he frequently attends in person accompanied by his family. His object is doubtless to promote what he esteems the happiness of his people, and not from any idea that they will be thus diverted, so as to prevent their minds from being directed into mischievous channels.

The pacific character of this people, and their great proneness to adhere to an existing state of things in all the departments of life, with their general admiration for the noble traits of the Emperor, affords a guarantee for the stability of this empire, independent of its constitution and laws.

Friday, September 15, 1865.

I called this morning, with Mr. Mallory, at the office of Major Pedro Latão da Cunha, Secretary in the Naval Bureau, to whom he presented his testimonials of qualification for service in the Ordnance Department. This gentleman speaks the English language, and seems to take considerable interest in promoting his wishes. He advised him to draw up an application to the government, setting forth his former services, and what duty he desired to enter upon here, and proposed to present it with his recommendation to the Minister of State.

Upon making an inquiry as to the practicability of being employed in the Hospital Department as a surgeon, after completing my investigations in the country, he expressed a favorable opinion; and stated that it would be desirable that I should draw up a paper indicating the nature of the public service in which I had been engaged, and the position I would like to occupy here.

He proposed to take this likewise in his special charge, and to use his influence to advance my wishes. It had not been my intention to make an application for any position under the Brazilian government at this time; but since this gentleman manifests such an accommodating spirit, I may find it convenient to undertake for a time some duty connected with military hospitals, near the seat of war, and thus see something more of the country towards the south.

After closing this interview, I repaired to the store of Mr. G. N. Davis, and he accompanied me to the office of Senor Don J. C. Galvão, No. 23 Rua Dos Ciganos. This gentleman also speaks English very well, and received me with great respect.

He heard my statement of the projected move of myself and my friends to Brazil with evident interest; and exhibited to me maps of the country, with records of lands owned by the government, and also descriptions of improved farms of private parties, which were offered for sale.

The price of public lands ranges from twenty-two cents to eighty-eight cents per acre, to those making an independent purchase. To those without the means of buying land, or of supporting themselves separately, one hundred and fifty acres of land will be provided, under the regulations of the government, in one of their colonies—to be paid for at the rate of one dollar and thirty-three cents per acre, one-third at the end of two years, one-third at the end of four years, and the last third at the end of six years.

The family are to be furnished with agricultural implements free of charge, and to be allowed one dollar a day for six months for each adult, with transportation from Rio to the colony free of cost. As yet there has been no advance of funds by the government of Brazil to bring emigrants from the United States to this country; though a small proportion of the outlay for transportation of emigrants from Europe has been borne, with a view to assist those who would not otherwise have the means of getting to Brazil. There is already, in Rio, an establishment to which those without means are sent to be lodged and boarded free of expense, until they can be forwarded to a colony. In these government colonies roads are opened, houses of small size are built, and churches, schools, priests, and a director are provided; but if it is the desire of the colonists to furnish their own schools and churches, it is not here prohibited; yet, if the churches are other than those of the Roman Catholic religion, they cannot be built with a steeple or other ostensible indication of a house of worship. Mirabile dictu!