140 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



The Wind no longer served for that day, but ttie next morning it 

 was fair, as, indeed, it always is about sunrise ; taking advantage of it, 

 we soon passed the Forts, and congratulated ourselves on being beyond 

 the annoyance of blundering ignorance. Previously an officer had come 

 on board, and re-examined the Passports, and finding them correct, was 

 pleased to do for us another piece of service. Having expressed to us 

 in the cabin his regret that we were proceeding to sea with a set of well- 

 known and marked villains, having desired us to be continually on our 

 guard, and to give the earliest information to the Minister of Police, 

 should any thing unpleasant occur amongst them ; he called the sailors 

 about him on deck, told them that he was well acquainted with their 

 characters, and that they would not fail to be severely punished for their 

 misbehaviour, if a complaint were lodged against them in any port, where 

 we might touch, as the Government felt peculiar anxiety for the safety 

 and comfort of Englishmen. While we thought that there might be 

 some reason for such representations as these, we considered the greater 

 part of :what he said as calculated for Stage-effect. This may appear 

 uncandid ; but strangers are generally ready to suspect the want of a 

 simple generous principle, where men are very forward with their atten- 

 tions; and such suspicions can hardly any where be more warrantable 

 than among the people of Brazil. 



Our vessel was under the Colours of Portugal ; the Captain, with 

 the greater part of the sailors, were subjects of that kingdom ; yet, 

 besides the proportion of Foreigners, who Avere allowed to be mustered 

 among the ship's company, all of whom were Englishmen, we were three 

 British owners of the cargo, and had contrived to add to our number 

 three more of our countrymen, who were sailors, under the character of 

 passengers. Two of these had been accustomed to the East India trade, 

 and were qualified to take charge of a ship. Thus manned, we thought 

 there was little reason to be apprehensive of the Brazilians, though they 

 might fully ai;^wer to the representation which we had heard. The 

 British were forfiated into one watch, under the command of one of their 

 own number. For two days, things went on well ; but on the succeeding 



