A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

under cultivation. We here met a number of mules laden with sugar, destined for Villa Rica, or, if not sold there, for Rio de Janeiro. We arrived and refreshed at a little village called Camargo, and passed an excellent house, situated near a rivulet of that name, where there is a gold-washing, which employs about two hundred negroes, and is said to be very productive. About a league farther we passed a poor little place called Bento Rodriguez, and about six in the evening arrived at a very

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

whom His Royal Highness protected, and they ever found in the Conde de Linhares a firm and powerful friend. In the Plata, the monied men bought very largely of the cargoes which first arrived, and were afterwards considerable losers by the overflow which took place, when men of less capital bought for ten thousand dollars, what a few weeks before sold for fifteen or twenty. In Rio de Janeiro the case was somewhat different; for the monied men thought the English manufactures inexhaustible, and

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

healthy, is the residence of all the people of consequence. Its population is said to be nearly equal to that of Rio de Janeiro, and is stated at not less than seventy thousand souls. The houses are built [page] 39

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

here is shipped to all the ports on the coast where bread is used. Farming, however, is carried on in so slovenly a manner, that the grain is always rough, bad skinned, and extremely foul. It is packed in raw hides, which are sewed up like sacks: it swells, and heats frequently on the passage from Rio Grande to the more northerly ports; and often, after landing in Rio de Janeiro, it is left on the quay exposed for days to the rain. The vicinity of Rio Grande is extremely populous; in a circuit

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

this man remained I was to be considered as serving the Prince's servant and not the Prince. A condition so degrading must ever deter any Englishman from undertaking to execute the excellent and enlightened plans which His Royal Highness? ministers have projected, for improving the agriculture of Santa Cruz; for who would submit to the dictates of an underling, whose arrogance and obstinacy are continually interrupting and frustrating those plans? On my return to Rio de Janeiro, the Prince sent for

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

beef; the two former of these articles are exported to Europe, and the latter is sent to the West Indies, especially to the Havannah. Coarse copper from Chili, in square cakes, is sometimes shipped here, as well as an herb called Mate from Paraguay, the infusion of which is as common a beverage in these parts as tea is in England. Sugar, coffee, and sweetmeats, are supplied from Rio de Janeiro and other parts of the Brazilian [page] 1

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

CHAP. IV. Voyage to St. Catherine's. Description of that Island, and of the Coast in its Vicinity. Arrival at Santos, and Journey thence to S. Paulo. ON my return to Monte Video, I lost no time in putting in execution my purposed voyage to Rio de Janeiro; and as advices had arrived, stating that considerable difficulty might attend the entrance of an English ship into that port, I bottomried a Portuguese vessel, called the Vencedor, and was joined by a party of gentlemen, whose business

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

gentle acclivities; but the greater number of them is situated almost in contact with the ocean, which often flows to their very doors. The bay is from two to three leagues across, and extends about the same distance inland; it is well-sheltered, and affords good anchorage, and fine situations for loading timber, with which the mountainous country around is thickly clothed, and large quantities of which are felled and embarked for Rio de Janeiro and the Plata. Canoes are made here, at a

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

effected. At this place we observed a large plantation, belonging to a religious society at Santos, who hence derive a great part of their maintenance. After waiting till two in the morning for a change either of wind or current, we got out of port and proceeded on our voyage to Rio de Janeiro. We rowed against the wind till daylight, and then found ourselves near a bluff headland with steep rocks, forming a good harbour for boats, called Toque Toque, where we arrived about nine o'clock, having passed

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

anxious enquiries after our friends, we accidentally met one of them, who, with unspeakable joy, conducted us to the rest; and the evening was passed most agreeably in relating our several encounters, and in asking and answering innumerable questions. Returning to our inn at midnight, we remained with our luggage until morning, when we carted it up to the house of our friends in Rua dos Pescadores. During our journey from Sapitiva to Rio de Janeiro, we had not much leisure for geological

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

alternation of land and sea breeze, the former blowing until about noon, and the latter from that hour until sun-set. Ships find here every conveniency for repairing, heaving down, c. but it is to be hoped that docks will soon be formed, which will render the latter troublesome and dangerous operation unnecessary. There is an anchorage-duty paid, which forms an item in the bill of port charges. Of the state of society in Rio de Janeiro, what I have to observe differs little from the

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

subsequently given to it. They introduced themselves as smugglers, who wished to belong to the fraternity, and after living there some time, found means to give information to government, at Rio de Janeiro, who issued proclamations, offering pardon if the whole body would surrender. This measure was ineffectual; the grimpeiros were well provided with fire-arms, and determined to defend themselves as long as any gold could be found. In a year or two afterwards, the washings began to fail, and thus

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

Royal Highness had permitted strangers to travel the country, and treated us with a constrained civility, which shewed us that he thought we were come about no good. His conversation ran continually against the operations of Government in laying taxes upon rum and other commodities; and though he tasted the sweets of office, being part-renter of the lucrative ferry of Paraiba, which post he obtained through the interest of a very worthy gentleman in Rio de Janeiro, yet he had all the acerbity

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

Government business. We were introduced to the General of the Forces, and to Dr. Lucas Antonio Monteiro deBarras, Judge of the Supreme Court; the latter held the principal authority in the absence of the Viceroy, who was gone to Rio de Janeiro, another from Goyazes being expected shortly to succeed him. We were honored with a most handsome reception, and various houses were put in our choice, with a kind invitation to make use of any of them during our stay, but we preferred taking lodgings in

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

, melted into ingots at the expense of Government, then assayed, marked according to their value, and delivered to the owners, with a certificate to render them current. For the greater convenience of trade, gold-dust was likewise permitted to circulate for small payments. Notwithstanding these strict regulations, a considerable quantity of the precious metal in its original state found its way to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and other ports, clandestinely, without paying the royal fifth, until [page] 24

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

the mother-country, loaded with riches, which tempted fresh adventurers, and many to Rio de Janeiro and other sea-ports, where they employed their large capitals in commerce. Villa Rica, at the present day, scarcely retains a shadow of its former splendor. Its inhabitants, with the exception of the shopkeepers, are void of employment; they totally neglect the fine country around them, which, by proper cultivation, [page] 25

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

of a singular variety, being in one part blue, and in the other clear and pellucid. This neighbourhood is also noted for producing the beautiful Chrysoberyl, which is much esteemed by the higher orders of society in Brazil, and in great request among the jewellers of Rio de Janeiro. These gems rarely occur * On the road there arc numerous farm houses, which afford sufficient accommodation for a traveller. They in general belong to persons resident in Tejuco, where their produce is sold. [page

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

1806 inclusive, the expenses were 1204,000; and the diamonds sent to the treasury at Rio de Janeiro weighed 115,675 carats. The value of gold found in the same period amounted to 17,300. sterling, from which it appears that the diamonds actually cost Government thirty-three shillings and nine-pence per carat. These years were esteemed singularly productive; the mines do not in general yield to Government more than 20,000 carats annually*. The town is under the absolute government of the Intendant

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

both rich and independent. As all the diamonds found in these works belong to the crown, the royal family have been accustomed to select from the quantity annually remitted whatever stones they considered worthy their notice, which were generally those exceeding seventeen carats. They were formerly sent to Holland to be cut, the Dutch being the contractors of the diamonds, from the first discovery of the mines; but since the emigration of the court to Rio de Janeiro, that trade has been

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

smallest doubt that the generosity of the Prince would have amply repaid me for the fatigues I had encountered. CHAP. XVI General View of Mims Geraes. THE capitania of Minas Geraes extends from 600 to 700 miles from north to south, and about the same distance from east to west. It is bounded on the north by the capitania of Bahia; on the west by that of Goyaz; on the south by the river Paraibuna, which divides it from the capitania of Rio de Janeiro. It is separated from the capitania of

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

specified in the description of Rio de Janeiro. In this capitania was found the largest piece of native copper that has ever appeared, being in weight upwards of 2,000lbs. It was discovered several years ago by some persons who were preparing to wash for gold. To the north of Bahia are the capitanias of Pernambuco, Sear , and Maranham, the interior of which is very little known, though some parts of the D D [page] 40

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

depredation. The inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro, and more particularly some of the Creolians and strangers from the interior, thought that these goods were placed there for their benefit, and extolled the goodness and generosity of the English, who strewed the beach to a great extent with articles for which their own countrymen had heretofore charged them such high prices! It is true that the gentlemen entrusted with these valuable consignments did apply for centinels to be placed to guard the

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

trade of shipping the dye-wood, which generally proved very disadvantageous, as the wood of that species grown in the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro is very inferior in quality to that of Pernambuco, from whence that trade is carried on for account of the Crown. The folly of speculation did not stop here: precious stones appeared to offer the most abundant source of riches; the general calculation was made upon the price at which they sold in London: but every trader bought them, more or less, at

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

It is situated near the Rio das Mortes, which runs northerly, and empties itself into the Rio das Velhas. The country around it is very fertile, and produces excellent fruits, both exotic and indigenous; also Indian corn, and beans in great quanties: a little wheat, c. This comarco being more cultivated than any other part, is called the granary of the district; cheese is made here in tolerable quantity, and bacon very indifferently cured, both which are sent to Rio de Janeiro, and form a

A808    Beagle Library:     Mawe, John. 1812. Travels in the interior of Brazil, particularly in the gold and diamond districts of that country. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green.   Text   PDF

de Santa Ana, on which stood many small neat houses, surrounded by coffee-plantations and orangeries; its base was watered by a corvinha or rivulet, the banks of which contain much gold, and are worked by the inhabitants of the mount. Passing onward, the road became very confined; and the land, though now covered wilh wood, appeared to have been formerly under cultivation. We here met a number of mules laden with sugar, destined for Villa Rica, or if not sold there, for Rio de Janeiro. We