[54] So soon as the rebuilding of the city of Mexico was accomplished, in 1524, Cortes applied to the Emperor to send him godly men who should instruct the natives in the truths of religion. He makes it a special request that sumptuous ecclesiastics, who wasted the substance of the Church in riotous living, should not be inflicted on him. Twelve Dominican and twelve Franciscan friars were sent, and Cortes was able to convene a synod of thirty-one persons to take counsel regarding the spiritual welfare of his subjects.
[55] Peter reported of his pupils that “they learn quickly, fast precisely, and pray fervently.”
[56] It is the same with the great mass of the coloured population of Hayti. While avowedly Catholic, they are in reality faithful to the superstitions which their forefathers brought from Africa. They worship the great serpent without poison, and withdraw secretly into the forest to celebrate religious festivals at which human victims are sacrificed and eaten.
[57] There were in all fifteen thousand persons; and it was said that they carried with them one-half the coinage then in circulation in Portugal.
[58] He also ordered a printing-press to be purchased in England at a cost of £100. No such apparatus had heretofore existed within Brazilian territory.
[59] The area of Europe is 3,848,000 square miles; that of Brazil is 3,287,000 square miles, although some estimates place it much higher.
[60] Of these, it is officially estimated that one million are untamed Indians without any fixed place of abode.
[61] The imports of Brazil are £19,000,000; her exports, £21,000,000.
[62] This is the statement made by Government. The Abolitionists, however, accuse the Government of acting in bad faith regarding emancipation, and assert that the number of slaves has not diminished.
[63] The Paraguayan War cost Brazil £50,000,000.