40 COOK*S FIRST VOYAGE DEC. 



pretence, before the next year, is immediately put 

 to death. 



The jewels found here are diamonds, topazes of 

 several kinds, and amethysts. We did not see any 

 of the diamonds, but were informed that the Viceroy 

 had a large quantity by him, which he would sell on 

 the King of Portugal's account, but not at a less 

 price than they are sold for in Europe. Mr. Banks 

 bought a few topazes and amethysts as specimens : 

 of the topazes there are three sorts, of very different 

 value, which are distinguished here by the names of 

 Pinga d'agua qualidade primeiro, Pinga d'agua 

 qualidade secundo, and Chrystallos armerillos : they 

 are sold, large and small, good and bad together, by 

 octavos, or the eighth part of an ounce ; the best 

 at 4s. 9d. All dealing, however, in these stones is 

 prohibited to the subject under the severest penalties: 

 there were jewellers here formerly, who purchased 

 and worked them on their own account ; but about 

 fourteen months before our arrival, orders came from 

 the court of Portugal, that no more stones should 

 be wrought here, except on the King's account : the 

 jewellers were ordered to bring all their tools to the 

 Viceroy, and left without any means of subsistence. 

 The persons employed here to work stones for the 

 King are slaves. 



The coin that is current here, is either that of 

 Portugal, consisting chiefly of thirty-six shillings 

 pieces j or pieces, both of gold and silver, which 

 are struck at this place : the pieces of silver, which 

 are very much debased, are called Petacks, and are 

 of different value, and easily distinguished by the 

 number of rees that is marked on the outside. Here 

 is also a copper coin, like that in Portugal, of five 

 and ten ree pieces. A ree is a nominal coin of 

 Portugal, ten of which are equal in value to about 

 three farthings sterling. 



The harbour of Rio de Janeiro is situated W. by 

 N. 18 leagues from Cape Frio, and may be known by 



