22 BRAZILIAN COTTON 



his South American kingdom. He left Lisbon under the escort of 

 an English squadron. He arrived at Rio de Janeiro on March 8, 

 1808, with all his family and court. Dom Joao established schools 

 and in general promoted the interests of his colony by declaring the 

 Brazilian ports open to trade and abolishing the Royal Portuguese 

 monopolies hitherto in force. His arrival was the great turning 

 point in Brazil's history. When, in the year 1821, he returned to 

 Portugal, he appointed his eldest son, Dom Pedro, regent of Brazil. 

 Dom Pedro was in sympathy with the movement for independence 

 from Portugal, and on September 7, 1822, he formally proclaimed 

 Brazil to be independent, and was, on October 12, 1822, solemnly 

 crowned as Emperor. Under his wise rule and that of his able prime 

 minister, Jose Bonifacio de Andrade, Brazil prospered. Dom Pedro I. 

 reigned for nine years* and on April 7, 1831, abdicated the throne in 

 favour of his infant son, Dom Pedro II. A regency was appointed, 

 which continued until the year 1840, when the young Emperor became 

 of age and was crowned. Dom Pedro II. reigned until the year 1889. 

 when the people of Brazil resolved to change their form of government 

 from a monarchy to a republic. This was accomplished without 

 bloodshed on November 15, 1889, when the Republic was proclaimed. 



CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT 



Under the constitution adopted February 24, 1891, the Republic 

 is a federal union of States. The Government is divided into legis- 

 lative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative power is 

 vested in the National Congress which consists of the Senate and the 

 Chamber of Deputies. The Senate has 63 members, three for each State 

 and three for the Federal District, elected by direct vote for a term of 

 nine years, but is renewed by thirds every three years. The Chamber 

 of Deputies has its members elected for a term of three years in the 

 same manner as the senators and in the proportion of one for every 

 70,000 inhabitants. No State, however, is represented by fewer 

 than four deputies. Congress meets regularly every year on May 3 for 

 four months but may be prorogued or called in extra session by the 

 President. All male citizens able to write and over Qi- years of age 

 are entitled to vote. 1'?' 



The executive power is vested in a President, who receives a 

 salary of 120,000 milreis gold per annum. He is assisted by a cabinet 

 of seven ministers whom he appoints and who are responsible to him 

 only. The President and Vice-President are elected for a term of 

 four years by direct vote, and may not be re-elected for the term im- 

 mediately following their own. The present President is Dr. Epitacio 

 Pessoa. The ministries are : 



1. The Department of Justice and Interior (Ministerio da 

 Justi9a e Negocios Interiores) maintains relations with the various 

 States, has charge of the administration of the National Territories 

 and of the Federal District, the public health, sanitation of ports, the 

 Federal Courts, and such schools and institutes as are maintained 

 by the Federal Government, such as the Polytechnical School, 

 National School of Medicine, National Institute of Music, National 

 School of Fine Arts. National Librarv, the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, etc. 



