228 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



vessels proceed fifteen miles up from its mouth, and from its bold shores 

 bring down great quantities of wheat. — The Jacuy, often called the Rio 

 Pardo, is a river of greater value, rising in the Province of St. Paul 

 at the Eastern border of the great Table-Land, collecting near its rise 

 several other streams, bringing them down the Southern declivity, and 

 then turning Eastward ; afterwards joined by a number of smaller rivers, 

 many of which are navigable for a short course ; and entering the Lake 

 near its Northern extremity. It is a fine, broad, and deep river, with 

 lofty and diversified banks, and full of little islands. I was told by a 

 Gentleman, with whom I once sailed on the Lake, that he had advanced 

 up the Rio Pardo several hundred miles. Its various tributary streams 

 retain, in general, their significant Indian appellations. 



The extent of the Lake is estimated at a hundred and thirty miles 

 in length, from Cangazu, and about forty or forty-five in breadth, from 

 the mouth of the Camapuam. It is every where shallow ; and its water 

 continues fresh as far as the Island dos Marinheiros, near the port of St. 

 Pedro. From a manuscript chart which I once saw, it appears to be 

 much encumbered with sand banks ; but though subject to violent gusts 

 of wind, may be navigated without anxiety. I never -heard of more 

 than one vessel being lost upon it. 



On the Northern bank of the Jacuy, and twenty-five miles from its 

 mouth, stands the pleasant town of Porto Alegro. It is situated on a 

 declivity, and commands a fine view of the river and the surrounding 

 country. The houses are well built, whitened on the outside, and formed 

 into streets, most of them broad and paved. Since 1773, it has been 

 the Capital of the Province ; the Government House and Public Offices 

 are on the summit of the hill. Here reside the Governor of the Province, 

 a Vicar General, an Ouvidor or Sheriff, a Judge, and a sort of Deputy 

 Chancellor, who is the Guardian of Orphans. It has a dock yard, which 

 is plentifully supplied with timber, growing on the banks of those streams, 

 which convey it to its destination. As a Capital, its influence is wide ; 

 as a Seat of Commerce, it commands a large tract of country, and many 

 navigable rivers. Several Englishmen have long been settled around this 



