The question of an emigration association being presented by General Wood to Dom Pinto, he said that he would confer with his friends in regard to such an organization. He made out a list of names that would probably be favorably disposed in this matter, and that would be requested to meet here to-morrow at 12 o’clock, in regard to the plan of proceeding.
It was found this afternoon that one of General Wood’s trunks, containing specimens of coffee, wood, and grass, was missing; and as it was supposed that the camarada Manoel, or the servant Fortunatus, should be held responsible for its return, the police were advised of the facts and arrested the former, committing him to jail for further investigation.
This trunk had been taken first to the quarters of Senor Street, under the impression that it contained articles belonging to him; but on finding that it was to go to the hotel, the camarada intrusted it to a negro that was not personally known to him, and nothing has been heard of it since.
Monday, November 20, 1865.
With a view to dispose of the matter referred to last in my previous record, I may state that General Wood had the camarada Manoel released from confinement this morning. He then set about investigating the locality of the negro man to whom he had given the trunk, and while we were at dinner, Manoel came in with the trunk, exciting the sympathy of all present by his manner, and the known fact of his innocence as to the miscarriage of the trunk. It seems, according to the statement, that the negro brought the trunk to the hotel, but not knowing the name of the person for whom it was intended, he remained for a time, and then, with a view to secure his fee when it was delivered, took it to his own quarters.
In compliance with the request of General Wood, I wrote out to-day for him a report of the recent tour and examination of the lands of Araraquara and Jahu, with a proposition to adopt this region as a location, if proper facilities can be afforded by the government of Brazil. He expects to submit this to the President of the province of São Paulo during an audience to-morrow, and it is supposed that this official will recommend measures for accomplishing the object in view to the Minister of Agriculture at Rio de Janeiro.
I was asked by the General to go to his room for an introduction to the gentlemen assembled there, for conference as to an association to promote emigration, and found the following persons present: Senor Dom Joaquim Antonio Pinto, Junr., Senor Dom Bernardo d’Avelino Gavião, Senor Dom Fidelis Nepormecino Prates, Senor João Ribeiro de Santos Carmargo, Commendador Vicente de Sonsa Queiroz, and Senor Dom Martinho da Silva Prado.
Tuesday, November 21, 1865.
I accompanied General Wood to-day to call upon the President of the province at 12 o’clock, and the General handed him his report, with the map of the country traversed, as made out by Mr. Street, the engineer, who accompanied him throughout the tour. The General made some remark in regard to my co-operation with him, which being interpreted to the President, he desired to know if I concurred with General Wood in considering these lands desirable for my friends, and whether he would be authorized to state this fact to the Minister of Agriculture. I replied, that of the lands which had been examined I was most pleased with those included in the limits indicated; though it might then have been further stated that I had not seen all that was desirable to enable me to make a proper selection.
At 4½ o’clock P. M. we met the gentleman who called yesterday at General Wood’s room, at the palace of the President, where this official was present, with the following other persons of distinction, viz.: Barão de Itapetininga, Barão de Ignape, Barão de Rio Claro, Dom Luiz Antonio de Sonsa Barros, Dom Silveirio Rodriquez Jordão.