470 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



besides the trade in Gold, enjoys a considerable share in the commerce 

 of the country. The Imports consist chiefly of British Manufactures, 

 and not only is the value of them at present great, but the demand must 

 increase with the population, the culture, and the wealth of the district, 

 which requires substantial clothing, and is learning to relish domestic 

 comforts. These Imports are paid for entirely by the productions of the 

 country, such as Oxen, Horses, and Mules ; Bacon, Cheese, and Fowls ; 

 Cotton, Sugar, and Coffee ; with some few Manufactured Articles, as 

 Cotton-Cloth, Hats, and Leather; to the list must also be added Gold and 

 Precious Stones. Formerly, the trade with Rio produced a balance 

 against the town and Comarca, and the debt was estimated at forty 

 thousand Crusadoes. Since the arrival of the Court, the value of pro- 

 duce is so much increased, that, not only is the debt liquidated, but the 

 country has become a creditor of the city to a large amount. This 

 commerce is carried on chiefly by four regular troops, each consisting 

 of about fifty mules, which commonly make eight journeys in a year. 



A prevailing notion has been mentioned, that the quantity of Gold 

 found here is greatly diminished. It is probably true, yet at the depar- 

 ture of one of these troops, I was astonished to see the number of 

 bars brought in. The burdens were frequently as large as a female slave 

 could conveniently carry in her arms, they were generally loosely tied 

 up in cotton bags, and carried about with little care or suspicion, although 

 the slave herself, and every one she met were perfectly aware of their 

 value. When property like this can thus move about with such security, 

 is it not an evidence that slavery itself cannot be felt as a very heavy 

 burden ? 



Owing to the system which is adopted by the Government respecting 

 Gold, and particularly the transmission of it directly to the Treasury, 

 the scarcity of metallic currency is here very great, and the value of 

 produce, notwithstanding its advance from what it formerly was, is 

 relatively low. In consequence, the expenses of living are very reason- 

 able ; all the elegancies of life which the country can afford may be 

 obtained for one hundred and fifty pounds a-year ; and those who live 



