Part 29

Having resumed my voyage upon the Dom Affonso, Senor Street and myself were reduced to the necessity of sleeping upon the table in the small cabin, with all the apertures closed on account of a fall of rain. In addition to the crowded condition of the berths by whites, and others slightly tinged, there were several negro women of the real ebony stamp sleeping upon the floor, and with the confined air, charged with emanations from various accumulations during the night, our situation was little short of the Black Hole of Calcutta. I will say, however, for the general management aboard of the small and antiquated steamboat, that it was very satisfactory; and though the table does not compare with that of the Santa Maria, every thing is well prepared and clean. The large number of persons aboard indicates that a better boat with larger accommodations is needed upon this line, which makes a trip monthly, touching at the points upon the coast as far south as Santa Catharina.

Upon entering Santos we found the English steamer Galileo loading for Rio de Janeiro; and as the passage is likely to be more expeditious as well as more comfortable, Senor Street and myself with two or three other passengers have arranged to go in this vessel to-morrow morning. She is consigned to Mr. W. T. Wright.

Since my former visit, Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been favored with a daughter, which is now a month old; and she is again doing the duties of her household with her customary grace and kindness.

I am indebted to my friend, Mr. Wright, for collecting the following valuable data pertaining to this city and province, as well as the whole empire of Brazil.

_Mean temperature of city of Santos, by R. J. de Balbi, Inspector of Port; transferred from Centigrade to Fahrenheit scale._

Month. 1863 1864 1865 January 83.62 80.67 No record February 82.40 78.67 „ March 78.83 80.38 „ April 77.03 74.28 „ May 69.92 72.59 „ June 68.11 68.89 „ July 67.17 67.98 „ August 66.32 66.23 „ September 68.39 No record „ October 71.65 „ „ November 74.78 „ 75.49 December 78.22 „ 78.45

The only practical distinction here is, into cooler and warmer season, but the classification is made and the months will be thus arranged into seasons:

Summer.—December, January, and February.

Autumn.—March, April, and May.

Winter.—June, July, and August.

Spring.—September, October, and November.

The highest temperature is about 90°, and the lowest is about 60° Fahrenheit.

The summer months constitute the rainy season, and the winter months the driest part of the year in most of the territory of Brazil.

The government of Brazil consists of the Emperor and his Council, the Senate, and House of Deputies, acting under the constitution.

The cabinet is formed as that of Great Britain; one man being commissioned by the Emperor, selects his portfolio and colleagues, he becoming president or premier of the council. The members are ministers of the empire, of foreign affairs, of finance, of war, of the navy, of justice; and under one head, of commerce, agriculture, with public works; making seven departments.

Senators are balloted for by electors, the three highest being forwarded to the Emperor, who selects one to fill the office, which is held for life. It is not requisite that he shall be a resident of the province for which he is chosen. Deputies are chosen every four years by electors. The Emperor can dissolve any congress and call for a new election as in Great Britain.

There is a judge for each district, and two terms of court each year. In trial by jury, the decision is by plurality, and grade of punishment according to majority.

Courts of appeal at Bahia, Maranhão, and other places, while there is a supreme court for higher offences. There is no grand jury, but process formed by delegado or sub-delegado of police, (corresponding to sheriff and deputy,) and if there is reason found for trial, indictment is sent to the municipal judge, (corresponding to magistrate,) and if approved he sends it to the district judge; and when approved by him, the case is ordered for trial before the jury. Magistrates elected by the people.

In addition to delegado and sub-delegado appointed by the President of the province for each district, there is a chief of police for each province appointed by the Emperor. Each province has its own legislature, chosen by the people. The President has veto power, which may be set aside by a two-thirds vote.

One archbishop residing at Bahia is the chief see, and there is also a bishop for each province, and a vicar in each district.

One mint at Rio de Janeiro, and the Bank of Brazil, with sundry others, is also located there; while there are branch banks in various provinces for issue, and private banks for deposit and discount.

Schools and colleges are numerous. A law academy in São Paulo, and also in Bahia. A medical college in Rio de Janeiro.

_January 27, 1866._

Senor Street and myself came aboard of the fine steamship Galileo at 10 o’clock A. M., but the vessel was detained a considerable time by a hawser becoming entangled in her screw.

A man was brought from the city by her agent, Mr. W. T. Wright, who dived down under the wheel, and remaining over a minute under the water, succeeded in disentangling the cable.

This vessel is the second English steamer that has recently taken loading from this port, under an arrangement effected by Mr. Wright for the permission of coastwise freight by foreign bottoms, in consideration of the large proportion of Brazilian vessels now chartered by the government in connection with the belligerent operations against Paraguay. The troops of Lopez have now been withdrawn from Brazilian territory, and yet hold a defiant attitude upon the soil of Paraguay. It is now the purpose of the Emperor to conquer a peace with these troublesome neighbors, and it is generally thought that hostilities will soon be successfully ended.

The Galileo has taken aboard here nineteen hundred and fifty-two (1952) bales of cotton of the small size, weighing one hundred and twelve (112) pounds, some of which stop at Rio de Janeiro, while another portion is for shipment to Liverpool. She brought from Montevideo a partial cargo, consisting of two hundred sheep, and all the appurtenances of the slaughtering of cattle, hides, horns, and bones, amounting to some five hundred tons.

The sheep and a portion of the cargo are shipped for Rio, while the remainder goes to England.

This vessel has excellent passenger accommodations, and the table is served differently from that of the Brazilian steamers, the waiters supplying promptly all the wants of the guests in the former, while in the latter passengers are expected to look after their own wants during the meals. In the fare of Brazilian steamers, table wine is included, while on the English vessel all wines, beer, or liquors are a separate item of charge, and there is a margin of two (2.00) dollars difference in the rates between the Santa Maria and the Galileo, the passage on the former being eighteen (18.00) dollars, while that of the latter is sixteen (16.00) dollars.

We find on board Captain Markam, the master of the unfortunate Herschel, that was wrecked below a short time since. His vessel first struck upon a rock not indicated in the charts, and was so badly damaged that all preparatory steps were taken for the safety of the passengers and crew in the boats. But he still had a hope of getting her into the port of Marlausdo, and placing her under the direction of a pilot she was run upon a rock a second time and was lost, all on board being saved.

An English gentleman named Stickney, who was aboard of the Herschel, is now a passenger with us, and has been examining some of the territory of Brazil, with reference to farming and sheep-raising. He is much pleased with some of the country, but has not yet made any selection. I infer from his own statements, that he has been conducting quite an extensive business in this department in England, and it would be very desirable to see some of those experienced farmers entering into that neat and systematic style of business in this country.

SUNDAY, _January 28, 1866_.

The harbor of Rio de Janeiro was entered to-day at 1 o’clock P. M. Being hailed at the fort and boarded by three different officials of the Brazilian government, our vessel proceeded to her anchorage, and I reached the wharf at 3 o’clock P. M. My quarters are taken again at the Exchange Hotel, and having a small bed-room, with an open hall in front that is well ventilated, I am likely to have a quiet time for preparing my report to the Minister of Agriculture pertaining to my tour of observation.

Making a hurried inquiry at the office and other places for letters, none were found, and I proceeded in a boat to a bark that had recently arrived from New York, thinking it might bring some tidings of my family or friends. I was not permitted by the custom-house officers to go aboard, as the vessel had not yet been passed with her cargo; but upon speaking with the Captain from the row-boat, he informed me that any letters brought had gone to the post-office, under the existing regulations, two days ago. I knew, therefore, that nothing had come for me.

MONDAY, _January 29, 1866_.

The entire forenoon was occupied with my report for the minister, and it was only suspended when the announcement was made that the United States packet Havana had arrived in the harbor. Being informed that no one was permitted to go aboard while she was still in charge of the custom-house officers, I awaited the arrival of passengers and learned that there were no people aboard from the Southern States, so that there was no prospect of hearing through anyone from my friends.

Mr. G. N. Davis kindly accompanied me to the post-office, and personally examined the letters received by the packet, but nothing was found for me. This inscrutable interruption of all communication with my friends in the South leaves no other alternative than to return and confer with them in person respecting my impressions of the territory, climate, productions and government of Brazil.

Senor E. D. Street has arranged for a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture at 11 o’clock A. M. to-morrow.

TUESDAY, _January 30, 1866_.

The abstract of my observations upon the soil and industrial resources of the country, examined during the past four months, was embodied in a report of thirty-two pages of large letter paper, and presented to his Excellency, Conselheiro Paulo Sonsa, Minister of Agriculture, Commerce, &c., to-day. My interview was very brief, as he had an appointment elsewhere, which prevented him from giving audience to numerous persons in attendance, and he appointed day after to-morrow for another meeting. In the mean time he can examine my paper and be prepared to make a response to the propositions therein submitted.

On my return I called at the office of Dom Galvão, where he was found with his secretary, Mr. Mello. These gentlemen renewed their offers of assistance in any way they could serve my objects. But no satisfactory information has been received in regard to the terms upon which negroes may be hired from the province of Minas, and I will direct my efforts to procuring another class of laborers.

I am informed by Mr. William Scully, the editor of the _Anglo-Brazilian Times_, that he has had frequent applications from parties in England, Scotland, and Ireland, in regard to securing employment for laborers from those countries; and that so soon as we can give him any assurance of the number that will be required for business operations among our people who propose to settle in Brazil, he can certainly secure them for the service.

Being constantly occupied during the entire morning, I did not have an opportunity to get my breakfast, and, when it was nearly one o’clock, I went into the Café Americano for a lunch that could be most promptly served. Cold ham, shrimps and salad, with bread and butter, stayed my stomach; and yet it proved to be a very costly repast, as a fine silk umbrella was left in the establishment which could not be found upon returning to look for it some two hours afterwards.

In compliance with previous invitation, I dined to-day with Mr. Malone and his family, who are keeping house in the precinct of São Domingos. Mr. J. A. Roussel, from Louisiana, went over with me on the ferry-boat, and I met at the house Dr. D. Dansereau, also from Louisiana, and Mr. P. B. Hockaday, an old gentleman from Missouri, all of whom are here to select locations for their future residence. The latter two are accommodated with boarding by Mr. and Mrs. Malone, and seem to be pleasantly situated. This lady looks rather delicate, and yet she is doing the cooking and housework for the family with her own hands, and says that she is too busy to think of troubles or cares, feeling quite cheerful and contented with her situation. They have two very interesting little daughters, one about nine years old, and the other about seven. Their health has improved since coming here, and they are now quite hearty and sprightly. This family reached Brazil some six months ago, and found many trials at the outset from the want of associations with any of their own people, and the failure to find any field of business in which they could be employed to advantage. But now they are in good spirits, and expect ere long to identify themselves with others who are expected to arrive from the Southern States, and form a settlement in some part of the country. In their present sphere of duty, they render essential service to those stopping in Rio.

When I sat down with Southern friends, at the table of a Southern family, and partook of the food prepared by the hands of a Southern lady in a foreign land, the change which has come over our people was fully realized; yet this presented a type of the independence to which every Southern heart aspired, and which can only be enjoyed now by a separation from those who hold us in subjection.

On returning upon the ferry-boat, I was introduced to Mr. Franklin and Colonel Parsons, of Texas, who are here for the purpose of locating in the country. The latter gentleman is just recovering from a slight attack of varioloid, contracted from some Brazilian soldiers on board of the vessel coming from Bahia to Rio. The former has also been indisposed for a few days. But both are again ready for business, and they are now making arrangements to open a mercantile house in this city for furnishing machinery and agricultural implements. They expect to be provided with every thing that is likely to be wanted in opening plantations; yet it will be desirable for planters to bring with them all they may need.

The family of Mr. Gunter, from Alabama, with that of his son-in-law, are located in Botafogo, and await his return from an exploration of the country to determine upon a location. They have been very kindly assisted and looked after by that noble-souled friend of Southerners, Mr. Carlos Nathan. His acts of kindness will relieve the embarrassments of many who have received favors at his hands, and among that number I shall always feel thankful for the gentlemanly courtesy and substantial aid which he has extended to me.

With a view to promote in a more enlarged sphere the emigration of our people, a proposition has been submitted to the Brazilian government by Mr. Nathan, in which arrangements will be made by him for the transportation of persons from the Southern States to Brazil, with the privilege to the emigrants of paying the passage-money in three instalments, at the end of the third, fourth, and fifth years, and without interest. He assumes the responsibility of guaranteeing to the government the payment of these passage bills which it is to receive, giving him bonds for the amount, with the allowance of a certain amount for each emigrant that is thus brought from the United States to Brazil.

No action has been taken as yet upon this practical business proposition, which would systematize the transportation across the ocean, and enable many to accomplish the removal to Brazil who otherwise will not be able to avail themselves of transportation.

A highly important meeting of citizens was held to-day at the hall of the Merchants’ Exchange, at which the Minister of Agriculture and other important officials co-operated with many of the most influential men of the city, for the consideration of measures most likely to promote emigration to Brazil.

Two meetings have been held prior to this, and propositions were submitted by Senor Dom Furquim d’Almeida, which have in view the recognition of all the civil and religious privileges which can be desired by our people in coming into this empire. This gentleman has great worth of character, and exercises much control in the affairs of the country, so that his prominent advocacy of these reforms has secured the concurrence of a large number of important persons, and through this influence it is expected that action of the government will be secured.

An organization has been formed to-day with the object of facilitating all the different steps towards settlement in this country; and with a view to reach more adequately those for whose benefit it is designed, foreigners are to be associated with Brazilians in a committee for carrying out the plans of this society.

Few matters are initiated here by a public assemblage of the people, such as that now witnessed in regard to emigration, and it indicates a widespread and abiding conviction of the importance that is attached to the settlement of the Southern planters in the territory of Brazil.

The official authorities have manifested great readiness to receive favorably all of our people who have sought any position in connection with the government; and they have afforded all the facilities practicable for aiding those who desired to examine the resources of the country, while they hold out the encouragement of prospective assistance to such as may need aid in emigrating to this empire with their families.

The people everywhere exhibit likewise the most cordial disposition to favor this movement.

WEDNESDAY, _January 31, 1866_.

A brief summary of the report submitted to the Minister of Agriculture will give a general view of the field of observation.

For the purposes of description, the following division of soil is recognized: Volcanic earth, (terra rocha,) red land, (terra vermilha,) dark land, (terra preta,) and light land, (terra branca.)

A further distinction results from the predominance of clay, sand, shell, and decomposed vegetable matter. These are combined in various proportions with other elements, in different specimens of soil examined.

The territory is divided into original forest, (matto virgem,) secondary forest, (capoeira,) and open plain, (campo.)

The soil of the forest is superior to that of the plain, and yet has many grades.

Fruits and medicinal plants found to a large extent in some of the open plains.

None of the native trees of the United States are found growing in the forests examined.

The province of São Paulo may be divided into four different sections, as follows:

1st. Coast land, including the land lying between the sea and the neighboring serra adjacent to Santos, Conceicão, Ignape and Cananea.

In this the soil has rotten-shell combined with sand to a large extent. Rice is the chief product of this region.

2d. Table land, including the territory lying south of the Serra Nigro, and lying adjacent to Campinas, Lemeira, Rio Clara, Araraquara, Brotas, Jahu, and Botacatu.

The best purple soil (terra rocha) is here in close proximity to the poorest light sandy plains, and, while the latter are unproductive, the former are considered the most favorable for coffee and all the standard staples of the country.

3d. Mixed land, including the territory lying between the former and the Serra da Cubitão, and lying adjacent to Jundiahi, São Paulo, Itu, Porto Feliz, Sorocaba, Itapetininga, and Paranapanema.

Extensive grass plains are intermixed with forests of light land, and occasionally dark soil.

The former very suitable for grazing stock, and the latter are giving very favorable results in the culture of cotton and corn.

4th. River land, including the territory lying upon the upper waters of the Ribeira de Ignape, and its tributaries from each side, and being adjacent to Inquia, Iporanga and Xiririca.

Forest land prevails here exclusively, having for the most part a dark soil with a yellow clay base. Corn, rice and sugar-cane have been the principal products, yet this region is well adapted to the growth of tobacco, cotton and coffee.

In all of these sections, the different tropical fruits, oranges, bananas, pine-apples, &c., grow to great advantage.

The hoe is alone used in the culture of the land, and only three plows were seen in the entire province. The introduction of the plow is likely to improve the agricultural operations, and may serve to eradicate that great pest of the planter, the ant. It is especially needed in the preparation of the soil for cotton, and the increasing importance of that crop is apparent.

Pack-mules are the reliance for transportation of product to market, from section second and third, for the present. But a railroad line is expected to be in operation soon, which will be available for a portion of each of these sections. It runs from Santos to Jundiahi, eighty-five miles.

Communication with a market, by water, is convenient for sections first and fourth. The former affords no inducement for any large settlement, while the latter presents a wide extent of territory, lying between the Ribeira de Ignape and Cananea, and extending towards Parana. If it should meet the views of our people to concentrate upon this territory, a large wagon-road is desirable to connect Xiririca and the port of Cananea, so as to afford them access to either of these ports.

The route indicated is pronounced by an engineer to be very favorable for the location of a good road, and if it is authorized, it will constitute an important item in the advantages of this section, for the settlement of emigrants from the southern portion of the United States of America.

THURSDAY, _February 1, 1866_.

In an interview with his Excellency Conselheiro Paulo Sonsa, Minister of Agriculture, &c., I have received his assurance that a wagon-road should be opened from the port of Cananea to Xiririca; and that the requisite order would be issued forthwith for setting apart the funds for this work. He has likewise given me a promise that an amount of public land, sufficient for the accommodation of my friends, would be reserved in a specified locality, until I should communicate to him some definite intimation as to their decision. I am farther informed that authority will be given me to hire a vessel at the expense of the Brazilian government, for the use of the needy, provided two other vessels are loaded by emigrants on their own account; and that the vessels would be permitted to land their passengers and cargoes free of duty, at Cananea or Ignape, if this is desired.

With this understanding, I feel that my mission in Brazil has terminated satisfactorily, and I am now ready to submit the result for the consideration of those who await this report.