NOTES ON BRAZIL, 



585 



Port of Rio, and clearing out, are arranged in classes of 50, 100, 150, 

 and 200 tons each, under the names of Launches, Smacks, Brigs, and 

 Ships ; which, though not applied with great accuracy, may serve 

 us for the sake of distinction. The Tables, which will be found in the 

 Appendix, likewise show the whole amount of Tonnage, the number of 

 Seamen employed ; and the Cargoes with which the vessels are laden. 

 There is added to them a statement of the average voyages which the 

 vessels perform, or rather the time which they occupy in going from one 

 Port to anotherj in different seasons of the year. 



It is not pretended that these Tables are absolutely correct, nor, 

 owing to the very careless manner in which all public duties are performed 

 in Rio, is it possible that they should be so: nevertheless they are as 

 correct as any which are ever delivered to the Brazilian Government, 

 and have the same basis as those which are regularly forwarded to the 

 British Board of Trade. They relate to the time included between 

 the 1st of April, 1813 and 1817, and this period was selected because 

 the trade had become steady, and its fluctuations bore a less proportion 

 to the whole than in previous years. Before 1808, indeed, the Coasting 

 Trade of Rio was almost nothing, and, in 1816, it was secured entirely 

 to Brazilian or Portuguese vessels. The Decree for this purpose is dated 

 the 2nd of June, but it was not acted upon, I believe, until the 21st of 

 August. 



The earlier periods will afford us no objects of valuable inquiry, 

 except those which relate to the forming and collecting a body of Seamen, 

 and the procuring for merchant-vessels a better outfit. Previous to the 

 arrival of the Royal Family, Coasting-vessels had all their running 

 rigging, and many parts of the rest, of twisted hide ; their cables were 

 bass, their sails of light cotton-cloth, and, instead of a top-gallant sail, 

 they used two triangular ones, which were handed on deck. In general 

 they went to sea without a quadrant, and frequently without a compass ; 

 hence they always crept along shore, often went into ports, staid there 

 until the wind was again fair for them, and thus made long voyages. 

 Now, in this respect, they are greatly improved ; they are better found, 



