C lOB ) 



The system of management, however, is so bad, that they are half- 

 starved, almost destitute of clothing, and most miserably lodged; 

 their average earnings do not amount to a penny per day each. A 

 reform in the establishment might have been easily effected on the 

 arrival of the Prince Regent, but it will now be very difficult, as 

 the abuses have been tacitly sanctioned by the indifference of those 

 whose duty and interest it was to correct them. In this extent of 

 fine ground scarcely an inclosure is made ; the cultivated lands are 

 full of weeds, and the coffee-plantations are little better than a mere 

 coppice- wood, in which the wild shrubs grow higher than the coffee- 

 trees. The cattle are most deplorably neglected, and there is not 

 upon the whole premises a horse fit for the meanest beggar to ride. 

 Such was the state in which I found this rich and extensive district, 

 which seems to have been destined by nature for the introduction of 

 improvements that might produce, through the influence of high 

 example, an entire change in the agricultural system of Brazil. 



A short time after I had taken up my residence at Santa Cruz the 

 Prince came down, and on the day succeeding his arrival honoured 

 me with a visit, after which I frequently rode out with His Royal 

 Highness. He one day did me the honour to express a wish that I 

 would undertake to govern the farm ; this proposal I begged leave 

 to decline on the ground of my inability to render such an employ 

 compatible with my other concerns, suggesting at the same time the 

 superior service I could render by working the iron mine. Notwith- 

 standing this, the Prince, on the day following, gave me a paper, 

 containing an offer of the whole direction of the estate and stating 

 the terms. The repetition of the proposal not a little embarrassed 

 me ; I was aware that, by refusing, I might probably debar myself 

 from the prospect of any future favour, yet I anticipated enough or 

 difficulty in the undertaking to make me decline it at all events. 

 This dilemma occasioned me much uneasiness, and in order to re- 

 move it I applied to Sir Sidney Smith, who was then on a visit to 

 Santa Cruz, requesting him to explain to His Royal Highness the 



