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CHAP. X. 



Permission obtained to visit the Diamond Mines. — Account of a 

 pretended Diamond presented to the Pinnce Regent. — Journey to 

 Villa Rica. 



A ITER I had thoroughly recovered from the fatigues of my late 

 journey, I solicited His Royal Highness for permission to go 

 and explore the diamond mines of Serra do Frio. This favour had 

 never as yet been granted to a foreigner, nor had any Portuguese 

 been permitted to visit the district where the works are situated, 

 except on business relative to them, and even then, under restrict 

 tions which rendered it impossible to acquire the means of giving an 

 adequate description of them to the public. Through the kind 

 mediation of the Conde de Linhares, the permission was granted, 

 and my passports and letters of recommendation were speedily 

 made out. Lord Strangford used his influence to further my under- 

 taking, and it was through his goodness in recommending me that I 

 obtained admission to the archives, for the purpose of examining 

 all the manuscript maps, and of copying from any of them what- 

 ever might be necessary to guide me in my route. It may here be 

 proper to observe, that the most eligible mode of travelling in the 

 interior of Brazil, especially on such an excursion as I had under- 

 taken, is to procure orders from the government, and an escort of 

 soldiers, Avho have a right, under such orders, to require proper 

 relays of mules from all persons who reside on or near the road. 

 The Cond6 de Linhares intimated to me, that I might select any 

 two soldiers I thought proper, and while I was dehberating on 

 the choice, a singular occurrence took place, which was the means 

 pf furnishing me with two men of the corps of miners, who were 



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