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at which the former are obtained. But the embarrassed state of the 

 estabhshment is such, that the managers cannot lessen their ex- 

 pences, being obHged to take credit for every article, and to liire 

 almost any negroes that are offered. These evils have taken too 

 deep root to be eradicated, even by the abilities of the present In- 

 tendant : had such a man been placed here forty years ago, em- 

 powered to act without controul, and to govern the district as private 

 property, on the principles above stated, he might have rendered it 

 rich and independent. 



As all the diamonds found in these works belong to the crown, the 

 royal family have been accustomed to select from the quantity annually 

 remitted whatever stones they considered worthy their notice, which 

 were generally those exceeding seventeen carats. They were for- 

 merly sent to Holland to be cut, the Dutch being the contractors of 

 the diamonds, from the first discovery of the mines ; but since the 

 emigration of the court to Rio de Janeiro, that trade has been trans- 

 ferred to England, where these precious stones annually arrive, and 

 are sold by private contract. 



The collection of diamonds now in the possession of the Prince 

 Hegent is unequalled in number, size, and quality, by that of any 

 potentate in the world ; and I am credibly informed that it exceeds 

 iti value three milhons steriing. 



This district has a direct communication with Bahia, and a few 

 troops of mules are continually employed in going from one place 

 to the other. The journey is much longer than to Rio de Janeiro, 

 but the country is less mountainous ; there are fewer ranchos or 

 hovels on the road, and in two parts it is requisite to carry fresh 

 water for two days' consumption. The commodities sent from Te- 

 juco and Minas Novas are very trivial, consisting of topazes, ame- 

 thysts, and other stones ; in return for which are brought Enghsh 

 fine manufactured goods, particularly hats,- printed cottons, stock-, 

 ings, and saddles, which have been much cheaper in Bahia than in 



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