LIFE OF JAMES DWIGHT DANA 



exist in every state of society. The consequence is that 

 all the blacks, even the slaves, have more self-respect, and 

 without losing in their respect to their superiors, or sub- 

 serviency to their employers, they seem to feel them- 

 selves to be men. The slaves have a certain proportion 

 of their wages allowed them, and thus they are fre- 

 quently enabled (always if they have the disposition) to 

 purchase their own freedom. This distinction between 

 the blacks of Brazil and those of our own free country 

 struck me forcibly at first sight ; and further observation 

 has only strengthened these opinions. It has equally 

 astonished all of us. There is a great variety in the 

 character of the negroes, depending on the different 

 nations to which they belong. Some are remarkable for 

 their intelligence, and craniologically approach the Euro- 

 peans, or are quite equal to them ; while others have the 

 usual features of the blacks of our own country. Even 

 these, however, as I have before remarked, are superior 

 to those with us." 



The squadron remained in Rio Janeiro about six weeks, 

 stopped a few days at Rio Negro, on the northern con- 

 fines of Patagonia, and thence proceeded to double the 

 Cape. Orange Harbor is on the west side of Nassau 

 Bay, a little to the north of the island which has long 

 borne the name of terror, Cape Horn. Wilkes had been 

 directed to this safe retreat by the advice of Captain 

 King, R. N., who sent him maps that proved to be 

 trustworthy. After a short delay, arrangements were 

 made to dispatch a portion of the squadron on a recon- 

 noitring excursion into the polar regions. There was 

 consequently a readjustment of the personnel. The 

 Porpoise, with Captain Wilkes on board, and one of the 

 schooners, started on a southern cruise along Weddell's 

 track, while the Peacock and the other schooner stood 

 out for the south in a more western longitude. In due 

 time Wilkes returned, but without important results, and 

 determined to renew his efforts in a subsequent year. 



To spend the interval advantageously, several of the 



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