PROVINCE OF MARANHAM. 



447 



and our merchants labour under the same disadvantage here as at Bahia and 

 Pemambuco, in having no alternative but taking produce for the whole of their 

 importaiions, vi'hich necessarily keeps up the price much above the proportion- 

 able par of the British market. There is a singular coincidence in the commer- 

 cial intercourse of the two countries, relative to cotton. Nearly the amount of 

 the annual Brazilian exports to England of this article is returned to that coun- 

 try in a manufactured state in the course of the following year; and, notwith- 

 standing all the ingenuity of machinery, talent, and superior intelligence brought 

 into the scale on the part of the British manufacturer and merchant, the Bra- 

 zihans have decidedly the advantage over them in the progression of continued 

 gain and enrichment. The illiterate and uncultivated planter derives his wealth 

 from the refined state of British manufactures and commerce, while their vota- 

 ries have for sometime, and are yet sustaining serious injury by this portion at 

 least of their transatlantic intercourse. 



It is probable that the exports from this city, as well as Pernambuco, may be 

 lessened so far as regards the Fora cottons, or those coming from the adjoining 

 provinces, which are acquiring by degrees a direct intercourse with Europe, 

 and not as hitherto through the medium of those ports. In the provinces 

 where establishments are forming, the governors are desirous of concentrating 

 the whole of its productions through the medium of the head town, in order to 

 increase the revenues of their jurisdictions. It may be observed again, that it 

 is English establishments branching from this city and Pernambuco principally 

 that afford these advantages to the rising provinces of Para, Parahiba, Rio 

 Grande de Norte, and Siara. 



This city is well supplied with fish, water, meat, and fine fruits. Three 

 fortifications defend its port, which is diminishing in depth of water. The 

 tide rises here twenty-eight palms, but there is considerable intricacy, attended 

 with danger, in vessels approaching the anchorage place. Amongst the English 

 merchants established here, the Consul ranks as one. There is an English 

 hospital amply provided with means from the contribution fund. The gover- 

 nors of the provinces are usually changed every three years. General Silveira 

 is here the present governor. 



A provisional constitutional government was formed here in April, 1821, to 

 continue in force till the basis of the Portuguese constitution Should be fixed. 

 Tlje popular feeling was in favour of a government to consist of five or six 

 members ; but, after some contention, the first was adopted, General Silveira 

 declining to remain at the head of the council upon any other condition. 



