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The markets are well stored with fish and meat, the latter very in- 

 different in its kind. Poultry, vegetables, and fruits are in great 

 abundance. 



■ St. Louis, the capital, is built upon an island, and is esteemed 

 healthy, though so near the equator. Several rivers run into the 

 bay, which afford an eligible conveyance for the produce of the 

 vicinity. The island is said to contain 20,000 inhabitants, and the 

 population in the rivers is by no means inconsiderable. 



The capitania of Para is considered the largest in Brazil ; its ex- 

 tent is imperfectly known. The principal town is called Belem, where 

 the governor resides, and, its government being superior, it may be 

 said to preside over several of the neighbouring districts. The land 

 is low and unhealthy ; the great river, or port, is much interrupted 

 by shoals and currents. It is a dangerous coast, and exposed to a 

 continual swell, so as to render it hazardous for ships to anchor upon 

 it, as they roll so much that they not only endanger their masts, but 

 are subject to strain. 



The town of Para is situated on the river Tocantins, the naviga- 

 tion of which is difficult, and is seldom attempted, except by small 

 craft : the Confiance sloop of war with great care sailed up it, and 

 anchored near the town, several days previous to the expedition 

 against Cayenne. The town may contain ten thousand inhabitants, 

 who are in general very poor, probably from want of commerce ; for 

 although the great rivers Tocantins and Amazons have their source, 

 the latter in Peru, and the former in the capitania of Goiaz, — though 

 they receive almost millions of inferior streams in their course through 

 immense tracts of territory, yet they are not productive of any com- 

 merce of consequence. The few exports from Para consist of a little 

 rice and cocoa, a few drugs, &c. to Maranham, from whence they 

 are embarked for Europe. A few small brigs were sent hither from 

 Barbadoes, after the taking of Cayenne : but the trade must be a 

 bad one, as the inhabitants are in general too poor to purchase 

 English manufactures, except those of necessity ; nor could the pro- 



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