464 



PROVINCE OF PARA. 



cupaJiyha or capiviy tapioca, gum, the urucu die, molasses, Indian rubber, cas- 

 tanhas, or chestnuts of Maranham, timber, &c. These articles were formerly 

 sent to Maranham, and the trade with this place was carried on through the 

 medium of coasting vessels ; but the honourable ambition and activity of the 

 English merchant, which lead him to every corner of the globe for the purposes 

 of commerce, did not allow this place long to escape his observation, and 

 one or two establishments were formed here soon after the arrival of the Royal 

 Family, which have increased to five or six. The Confiance British sloop of 

 war first navigated up to the town, demonstrating that vessels, not drawing more 

 water, might accomplish the same object; and a house at Glasgow subsequently 

 employed two vessels of much larger burthen in the trade of this city, for whose 

 present commerce, however, vessels of a smaller class are better adapted. The 

 spontaneous productions, abundant fertility, and extent of the province, fully 

 justify the expectation of its becoming a very considerable place ; and more parti- 

 cularly so from the probability of its being, at no distant period, the only mart 

 for the increasing productions of the provinces of Goyaz and Matto-grosso. 



Its cottons have some time held a rank in the British market and obtained 

 a price not far short of the Bahia cottons ; the communication is principally 

 with Liverpool, and from ten to fifteen small brigs proceed from thence to Para 

 annually with English manufactures, and return with produce. One or two 

 vessels also from London have recently maintained with it a regular intercourse. 



The great extent of country comprising the province of Para, as well as the 

 tributary provinces of Solimoes and Guianna, coming mainly under the jurisdic- 

 tion of its governors, have induced the government generally to appoint in- 

 dividuals of distinguished families and noble birth to this situation. The present 

 governor of this very important district, extending almost to the Oronocos, is 

 the Conde de Villa Flora. Two miles to the north-east is situated a chapel of 

 Our Lady of Nazareth, frequently visited by the inhabitants of this city. 



Para was the first town in the Brazil that adopted the new constitution of 

 Portugal, which event, highly to its honour, was brought about without any blood- 

 ahed, in the beginning of January, 1821. 



Braganca, formerly Cayte, and the capital of a small capitania so called, is one 

 of the best and most ancient towns of the province, and is ornamented with some 

 hermitages. It is well situated on the left margin of the river from which it 

 derived its primitive name, and is about twenty miles from the ocean, and near 

 one hundred to the east-north-east of the capital, and seventy to the east-south- 

 east of Point Tigioca. An extensive bridge traverses a swamp, or marsh, and 



