164 



A VOYAGE TO 



cept in the United States, I entertain no doubt; and 

 in sijite of all we may say of the tendency of climate 

 on the human faculties and energies, wisdom should 

 teach us, that man is no where to be despised. His- 

 tory tells us, that his powers may be equally exerted 

 in the torrid zone, as in the most invigorating climates, 

 provided there be a sufficient excitement to call them 

 into action. 



The trade of Brazil has been thrown open, foreign- 

 ers have been encouraged to settle, the savage tribes 

 of the forest will vanish before the approach of civili- 

 zation, and before a century goes round^ this empire 

 will develope itself on a scale of which few at present 

 dream. 1 rejoice that we are separated by so great 

 a distance by sea and land, as it will secure to us re- 

 lations of friendship and mutual interest, unless either 

 of us happens to be led astray by pride, prejudice, or 

 folly, for what object could there be held forth, to 

 tempt even our ambition? The only place where we 

 can possibly meet as enemies, is on the ocean, and 

 here it becomes us to be friends. Brazil is destine^ 

 to become a great naval power, and England will find>' 

 sooner than she expects it, that her nursling will 

 throw aside her leading strings. 1 have said and 

 still repeat, that it is proper and wise in us to cherish 

 good will with this rising empire. With their mon- 

 archal government let them do as they please, we are 

 not in search of proselytes to republicanism; it is 

 enough for us to know that our own institutions are 

 the best; others have the same right to their opinions, 

 and to the enjoyment of the kind of government most 

 suited to them. At the same time 1 am not insensi- 

 ble to the feelings awakened by seeing a monarchy 



