168 



A VOYAGE TO 



but regard merely our interests, the circumstance 

 would be remarked with satisfaction. It serves to 

 prove, however, that even injustice prospers, by con- 

 sulting as far as is compatible with its acts, the dic- 

 tates of humanity. The policy of the Brazilians, is, 

 therefore, utterly unsupported by experience, even on 

 their own principles. The idea of the necessity of 

 slavery at all in the torrid zone, any more than in the 

 frigid, is equally founded upon false reasoning. Lands 

 are better cultivated by freemen in all climates; and 



SLAVERY IS EVERY WHERE A CURSE. The COmmon 



plea is, that the Africans alone can withstand the heat 

 of the tropical sun; without denying the fact, it can be 

 easily proved that the freeman, who labors with alac- 

 rity, can do more in the mornings and evenings, than 

 the sinking, heartless slave, during the whole of the 

 day. There may not be as many idle and luxurious 

 nabobs, it is true; but there will be a thousand times 

 the number of happy and virtuous families. 



The British government has induced the king of 

 Portugal to agree to an abolition of the slave trade, 

 for the consideration of half a million sterling. But 

 the act will be very little relished by his subjects, and 

 it is thought by many, that it will be only nominal, on^ 

 account of the vicinity to Africa, and the facility of 

 smuggling the slaves, when it is presumed that no 

 great {iains will be taken to prevent it. 



The following is a statement of the population of 

 the different provinces of Brazil, and of the chief 

 towns.* It is derived from a source in which I place 

 the greatest reliance. 



*The political divisions are, I. provinces; 2. camarcas, or coun- 

 ties; 3. cities; 4. villas or towns; 9, povacoas; 6. aldeas, or villa- 

 ges. 



