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CHAP. XVII. 



Brief Notices on the Capitanias of Bahia^ Bernamhuco^ Seara, Maran- 



ham, Parttf and Goyaz. 



nPHE capitania of Bahia, to the northward of Minas Geraes, 

 comes next under consideration, respecting which, as I did not 

 visit it, I have only to present some observations from the best in- 

 formation I could procure. It extends a considerable distance along 

 the coast, being bounded on the north by the great river St. Fran- 

 cisco, which runs into the sea in lat. 11° south, and separated from 

 the district of Ilheos (formerly a capitania) by the river Das Contas 

 in lat. 14° south. It receives its name from the capacious bay on 

 which its capital is built, and which affords excellent anchorage for 

 ships of any burthen. St. Salvador, the capital, also called Cidade 

 de Bahia, was originally the seat of the supreme government of 

 Brazil : it consists of two parts, one built on low ground near the 

 shore, where the commerce is carried on, and the other on a 

 high hill, which being considered the most healthy, is the re- 

 sidence of all the people of consequence. Its population is said 

 to be nearly equal to that of Rio de Janeiro, and is stated at not 

 less than seventy thousand souls. The houses are built with lat^ 

 ticed windows and balconies, similar to those in Rio de Janeiro. 

 The churches are the public buildings most worthy of notice ; they 

 are said to be richly ornamented within. The government of the 

 city is vested in a viceroy, or governor, who is nominated by the 

 court for three years. Here all law proceedings, civil and criminal, 

 come before the respective magistrates, whose sentence is in general 

 fmal, though appeals in certain cases mqy be made to the court 

 Jlio de Janeiro, 



