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England. Coarser articles are generally sent from Rio de Janeiro, 

 the distance being, as before observed, much shorter. 

 * Of navigable rivers we can say but little. The many small streams 

 that rise in various parts join, and form the Jigitonhonda, which, as 

 before observed, may be navigated to sea, without any impediment, 

 in at most ten days time. How much would the country be benefited 

 if a port were established at the entrance of this river, and vessels 

 were allowed to load and unload ; canoes would find their way from 

 thence into the interior in the short space of twenty days, loaded 

 with every article necessary for the consumption of the district. 

 How superior would this mode of conveyance be to that of making 

 roads through impervious woods, and over almost impassable moun-i 

 tains. How many thousands of crusades annually expended on 

 mules would be thus saved to the public, and what numbers of men 

 would thus be trained for the service of the marine, instead of those 

 now employed as muleteers. With the advantage of such a com- 

 munication, Minas Novas and Cerro do Frio would soon more than 

 double their population, and it might be anticipated that the banks 

 of these fine rivers, now lying deserted and useless, would bloom with 

 every variety of vegetation which this genial climate is capable of 

 producing. 



Under the present system Tejuco ought to maintain itself, and 

 have the least possible intercourse with other places. Its commerce 

 ought to be confined wholly to gold and precious stones ; but should 

 Government determine to make diamonds a free trade, then a con- 

 trary policy would be requisite. On this subject I shall, in the se- 

 quel, have some observations to make. 



The quadrupeds of Cerro do Frio are common to other parts of 

 Brazil. Mules are the principal beasts of burthen, and are much 

 dearer than in the districts more to the southward. Horses are not 

 so numerous, but cheaper, being in very little request, and used only 

 on journeys of pleasure. Horned cattle are bred at a considerable dis- 

 tance, and brought for the consumption of the place. Sheep are 



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