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The indigo made here is so far inferior to that, imported from India 

 as scarcely to be worth mentioning. It neither repays the planter 

 for his trouble in growing and manufacturing it, nor the merchant 

 who sells it. There is a general opinion among all who make indigo, 

 that some part of the process is very prejudicial to the health of the 

 negroes, who frequently become sick, and often die while employed 

 in it. This effect cannot be produced by the labour, which is very 

 light and trivial, therefore it is more probably owing to the gas which 

 escapes from the leaves in fermentation. 



The above are the principal articles of commerce produced in the 

 district. Bahia has a considerable trade with St. Catherine's, and 

 other ports on the coast, from whence are exported various articles 

 that may suit the market, which is continually fluctuating. A great 

 number of fine brigs and small vessels are employed in this trade. 



Produce to a considerable amount was exported to the River Plata, 

 from whence a great quantity of hides and tallow were returned ; 

 but the trade has never been so favourable as it appeared, on account 

 of the great difficulty attending the payments. It is considered 

 that the Spaniards in the River Plata are much indebted to the 

 Portugueze. 



- The imports to Bahia from Europe consist in general of the same 

 articles with those specified in the description of Rio de Janeiro. 



Respecting the mineralogy of this capitania, I can say but little. It 

 is well known to have produced the largest piece of native copper 

 that has ever appeared, being in weight upwards of 2,000lbs. The 

 piece was discovered several years ago by some persons who were 

 preparing to wash for gold, but, contrary to the general laws of na- 

 ture, it was found perfectly insulated, and not a vestige nor the 

 slightest appearance of a vein of that metal was to be traced. 



To the north of Bahia are the capitanias of Pernambuco, Seara, 

 and Maranham, the interior of which is very little known, though 

 some parts of the coast are tolerably populous. Pernambuco, though 

 situated nearly in the latitude of eight degrees, is considered healthy. 



