NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



137 



thought it proceeded from hardness, rather than innocence, and hinted at far- 

 ther torture. Shocked at the idea, we begged that no such measure might 

 be resorted to, and assured him that, if by his Excellency's good offices 

 the papers could be recovered, we should be quite satisfied. He smiled at 

 our tenderness, which he evidently thought misplaced, and requested us 

 to call again the next week. At this third interview, he told us that the 

 theft had been tacitly acknowledged, but that the papers were UTecover- 

 able, as they had all been burned ; a circumstance, which he regretted on 

 the prisoner's account, as well as our's. We left the man, therefore, to 

 be disposed of as the law might direct. What became of him, I know 

 not, nor what means were employed to procure his confession ; but hope 

 that no torture was used. He continued under confinement; for some 

 time afterward his wife called at our house, and implored us, by the 

 love of God and of all the Saints, that we would interfere to obtain his 

 release; which, all circumstances considered, Ave thought it proper to 

 decline. 



At that time, several things occurred to point out the propriety of 

 increasing the power, the vigilance, and the severity of the police. The 

 laws were so imperfect, or so imperfectly executed, that white people 

 seemed to have been gradually confirmed in the persuasion, that they 

 were above their influence. Few of that class had, I believe, been 

 recently apprehended for crimes, except those committed against the 

 State; and Mulattoes enjoyed like exemptions, in proportion as their 

 colour approached the dingy or the fair. 



