[66] A lixivium of strong ashes is made, and a quantity of lime is put into it: or sometimes the ashes are mixed with a larger proportion of lime, and the clear fluid running from the mixture is added to the juice in various quantities, at the discretion of the negro who manages the process: respecting this temper various opinions prevail. Every negro has his peculiar mode of making, mixing, and applying it.
[67] In skimming, lading, and managing the syrup during the operation, the negroes display great dexterity.
[68] Large trees are cut into planks of these dimensions for making the cases, which are preferred to hogsheads.
[69] The West India sugars are not clayed, consequently much stronger and fit for refining and making loaves.
It is much to be desired that the very excellent work, written by Bryan Edwards, upon sugar making, and distilling rum, was introduced in Brazil.
[70] It is considered bad policy to subject the raw material, as cotton, to a heavy duty, and very discouraging to planters, who must have large capitals employed, and who are greatly exposed to loss if the crops fail. Too much stimulus cannot be given to the growers; and they ought to be encouraged by a premium, rather than to pay a tax on the unmanufactured article.
[71] During the past few years, the Governors of Matto Grosso have used every effort to shorten the distance from these remote provinces to the sea ports, by making roads, cutting down woods, and forming establishments to accommodate passengers, so that canoes, &c. may be transported over land, and make straight-forward communications from one river to another, which has shortened this journey at least two months.
[72] Sutaò. This is a place understood to be uninhabitable for Europeans, being the residence of uncivilized Indians, and covered with almost impenetrable woods.
[73] So called, because they abound with these animals.
[74] This river being the grand channel of communication from Rio de Janeiro, Santos, S. Paulo, and other places, to the interesting districts of Cuiaba, Matto Grosso, the whole of Paraguay, the river Plata, Potosi, Chiquisaca, and a great part of Peru, I have preserved the particular detail given in this paper, of its numerous falls, and the difficulties of its navigation, as it is now well known, and there is great reason to suppose, that it will soon be much more frequented.