THE TREATIES OF FRIENDSHIP, &C. 317 



follow rather than to direct, to be guided rather 

 than to be obliged all at once, without any pre- 

 vious instruction, to think for themselves. Still, 

 although a government which is established on 

 principles of democracy is not suited to Brazil, 

 that country would bear many degrees of ad- 

 vancement towards a state of freedom, — in 

 religion, in personal security, and in legislative 

 authority ; this last might certainly be granted 

 to a certain degree. * 



However to return ; I shall attempt to prove 

 that the Treaties in question have been fairly 

 drawn out, and that they exist for the benefit 

 of both nations ; that each has conceded in some 

 points much to the well-being of both. Neither 

 party should desire to have every thing, from 

 whence, says a Brazilian writer, " arise conflicts, 

 hatreds, and the pretences upon which com- 

 plaints and wars are founded." t 



The Portuguese canvass the Treaties as if 

 they were jealous of what had been granted to 

 British subjects, without considering whether 

 the advantages which had been conceded were 

 or were not for the benefit of Brazil. They 

 should consider what is for their own good, 

 and not what Great Britain grants to them, or 

 what their government grants to Great Britain. 



* If the camara or municipality of each township held the 

 rank which it ought, this alone would produce much zeal in 

 the higher ranks of people. 



f Observapoens sobre o commercio franco no Brazil, p. 80. 



