ACCOUNT OF BOOKS. 



10(37 



the natural wealth, prodnflions and 

 capabilities of (hose provinces of 

 Brasil, which ?»Ir. Lindley Jiad tho 

 opportunity of becomiiig acquainted 

 With. — Gold^ silver, and the less va- 

 luable minerals — diamonds and 

 every variety of precious stones — 

 the most precious balsams and 

 drugs — dye sfutfs — cotton, to- 

 bacco, and sugar — with numberless 

 other sources of coin;nerce and 

 wealth abound in every direftion. — 

 A vast extent of coast, tine harbours, 

 and bays, with tlic noblest rivers in 

 the world (the whole abounding with 

 fish) add to those advantages an in- 

 estimable value ; whilst the finest 

 climate and soil render these happy 

 climes the most desirable portion 

 of the globe for every earthly pur- 

 pose : nor can we think (notwith- 

 standing Mr. Lindley's assertions) 

 that the inhabitants are so totally 

 unworthy of these blessings as he 

 represents them — The following 

 sketch of the commerce of the inha- 

 bitants of Bahia, one of the smallest 

 divisions of LJrasil, shew tiiem to be 

 active, enterprising, and industri- 

 ous, -r' 



" The revenues of government 

 are partly derived from the iiigh du- 

 ties laid on every sort of merchan- 

 dise, both at importation and expor- 

 tation. .The import duties amount 

 to full thirty per cent. ; and the ex- 

 port ones are heavy, particularly as 

 to the article of tobacco, which is in 

 reality a royal monopoly. But the 

 principal source of the government 

 income is the prod uce of the diamond 

 and gold mines, and Brasil wood, 



which pass solely through its hands, 

 and are astonishingly profitable ; so 

 carefully however is tliis subject se- 

 cluded from enquiry, that it is im- 

 possible to calculate the extent of 

 profit, or form a true estimate of the 

 value of this rich colony to the 

 crown.* 



" Baliia carries on a very consi- 

 derable commerce, from its superior 

 local advantages, rather than the in- 

 dustry of the inhabitants. The chief 

 trade is directly with Lisbon and 

 Oporto, in which about fifty large 

 vessels are employed, that perform 

 their voyages with great dispatch. 

 These vessels supply the colony with 

 European and Indian manufactures, 

 as well as wine, flour, bacalhao, but- 

 ter, Dutch cheese, salt, and other 

 commodities ; and receive in return 

 cotton, sugar, aqua ardent, + cof- 

 fee, tobacco, lignum-vitiE, maho- 

 gany, satin and talip woods, a va- 

 riety of gums, balsams, and medi- 

 cinal roots ; giving a considerable 

 balance of profit in favour of Lis- 

 bon. The Bahians have permission 

 to import their own slaves, and to 

 bring in the same vessels different 

 African articles, such as wax and 

 gold dust, which they obtain in ex- 

 change for coarse printed cottons, J 

 aqua ardent, and tobacco. The 

 price of a slave in Bahia is about 

 thirty pounds sterling. 



" The distant colonial or home 

 trade of the Bahians is likewise con- 

 siderable and extensive ; and that to 

 the southern, Rio Grande in parti- 

 cular, very lucrative, considering 

 the indolent and desultory manner 



in 



* Tho mnny iniblic taxes imposed with us are unknown to the inhabitants of 

 Brasil ; except that the church severely pillages its uicmbers, under various preteii« 

 cas, Hiid in almost every shape. 



t A bpirituous distillation from cane juice and molasses, but different in flavour 

 from rum. 



I Chiefly of Lisbon manufacture. . 



