600 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



lege which excited some surprise, when the temper which Portugal then 

 displayed was taken into account, and which never would have been 

 granted but upon such powerful intercession, nor if the character of the 

 Duchess, for prudence and loyalty, had been less estabUshed, or that of 

 her son had been other than mild, unassuming, and tractable. 



An Ambassador from the United States of North America remained 

 in Rio, and, being the longest resident, enjoyed the honour of presenting 

 every new one — a distinction of which his countrymen were not a little 

 vain. The principal object which he had in view seemed to be the form- 

 ation of a rallying point for the Americans, who are scattered about all 

 over that part of the Continent, and the establishment and support of 

 communication between his own country and the Independent States 

 about the Plata. 



When the late war terminated, the influence of Britain, as might be 

 naturally expected, became less decided upon the Brazilian Continent. 

 It not only met with competition from other powers, but there was a 

 strong party in Rio who wished to see it abridged, or even annihilated. 

 The King, however, remained our steady friend, and was not only 

 sensible of the honourable treatment which he had received from the 

 British nation, but was thoroughly aware of its power to command 

 respect. He therefore checked, in a great degree, the prevailing temper 

 which reigned in some of the offices. Even at the Secretary of State's 

 our Charge was received with a want of ceremony, which was carried as 

 far as possible without giving direct umbrage ; and when such circum- 

 stances were mentioned, even to persons closely connected with that 

 department of the State, the reply was, " Well, it is a long way to 

 England, and such things are forgotten before the packet returns." An 

 Ambassador might have insisted and remonstrated with greater effect, 

 and why one should be so long appointed, and not sent out, I can account 

 for but on this ground,— the Charge, Henry Chamberlain, Esq. did his 

 duty to the complete satisfaction of the Court of London. 



Austria, within this period, formed a much closer connection with 

 Brazil than any other State ; not only had a commercial intercourse been 



