m 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



dark night, during the time of their present meeting, a severe fray took 

 place, and lives were lost on both sides. It became necessary to sepa- 

 rate the antagonists, and the Paulistas were sent to encamp on the 

 frontiers. 



At this period the Commerce of Rio Grande was undergoing a 

 considerable change, of the nature and extent of which the inhabitants 

 were not aware. Their imports had before consisted of Woollens from 

 Portugal, of Brazil coarse Cottons, and a variety of Hardware, Earthen- 

 ware, Salt, Tobacco, Sugar, Rum, and Slaves. Several of these articles 

 were beginning to be superseded by British Manufactures, furnished at a 

 cheaper rate, and better adapted to an increasing taste for show, the 

 consequence of wealth flowing in through different channels. Upon this 

 part of Brazil many towns along the coast mainly depended for a supply 

 of food ; while an increase of inhabitants, from the advance of trade, 

 and from the preference which Portuguese Emigrants gave to this part of 

 the country, as better suited to their constitutions than the warmer 

 parts of the colony, increased the consumption and the cost of provisions. 

 The demand for Hides and Tallow had found its chief supply here and 

 Bttenos Ayres, and the admission of British shipping into the latter 

 plfece had produced a great and immediate effect on these articles. Monte 

 Vid^o, its rival, was in distress, and Spain could no longer supply the 

 Wknts nor take the produce of the country. Hence the inland trade, 

 beyond the frontiers, the most profitable which St. Pedro enjoyed, was 

 ittt^reasiiig. 



The neighbourhood of the town afforded a sphere for the consump- 

 tion of some of its imports ; more of them proceeded up the Lagoa dos 

 Patos to Porto Alegro, and the rivers which faU into it ; up the Lake 

 Mirim, and through the Ygaroon to the fine country lying at the back of 

 Monte Video and Maldonado. From these extensive waters the exports 

 are collected. Consisting chiefly of Hides, Tallow, Wheat, Onions, Cheese, 

 aild eharqued or jerked Beef; all these articles are sent to Rio de 

 JaheirO, only that Bahia shares with it the last mentioned. The vessels 

 sailing ftx)m Rio Grande, in 1808, amounted to one hundred and fifty, 



