mmmfci^m 



200 



FREE POPULATION. 



were fitted out for Brazil, were unaccompanied 

 by females, and therefore, naturally, on their 

 arrival in that country, they married, or irregu- 

 larly connected themselves with Indian women, 

 and subsequently with those of Africa. It is 

 true that orphan girls were sent out by the go- 

 vernment of Portugal*, but these were neces- 

 sarily few in number. In the course of another 

 generation, the colonists married the women of 

 mixed casts, owing to the impossibility of obtain- 

 ing those of their own colour ; and the frequency 

 of the custom, and the silence of the laws upon 

 the subject, removed all idea of degradation, in 

 thus connecting themselves. Still the European 

 notions of superiority were not entirely laid 

 aside, and these caused the passing of some re- 

 gulations, by which white persons were to enjoy 

 certain privileges. Thus, although the form of 

 trial for all casts is the same, in certain places 

 only can capital punishments be inflicted upon 

 the favoured race ; the people of colour are not 

 eligible to some of the chief offices of govern- 

 ment, nor can they become members of the 

 priesthood. 



From the mildness of the laws, however, the 

 mixed casts have gained ground considerably ; 

 the regulations which exist against them are 

 evaded, or rather they have become obsolete. 



* History of Brazil, vol.i. p. 216. 



