( 354 ) 



large quantities of it might be sent to Rio de Janeiro. The brick-yard and tan- 

 nery, if well conducted, would yield considerable profit. 



At Santa Cruz, where it might be expected that superior management would 

 be found, there is hardly a single department which would not be better conduct- 

 ed if left to the care of the negroes themselves. No provision is made in the time 

 of abundance to meet the season of scarcity. Every thing is done without fore- 

 sight ; and so great is the neglect, that when His Royal Highness pays a visit to 

 the farm, two or three hundred negroes are employed in cutting grass for the 

 twenty or thirty mules of His Royal Highness's equipage. This calls aloud for 

 some mode of culture to prevent so grievous a misapplication of useful labour. 



I may here touch upon another point of no less importance than the manage- 

 ment of the whole concern. It is difficult to conceive, why whatever relates to 

 His Royal Highness, should be conducted without profit, and with the most mi- 

 serable meanness. The goodness of the Prince is acknowledged by all his sub- 

 jects, and his desire to promote human happiness is equalled only by his greatness 

 of mind. Yet among those who manage his private concerns, there is an inaction 

 and a tyrannical narrowness without example. This establishment, which ought 

 to be governed as private property, supports a train of intendants, majors, admi- 

 nistrators, alms-sheriffs, secretaries, clerks, Serjeants, corporals, soldiers, and mes- 

 sengers without number, who give it more the appearance of one of the old Ger- 

 man principalities, than of a rural farm. With all this ostentation, there is not 

 even a shadow of that liberality which should attend it. The good tenant who 

 comes leagues to pay his rent, wet and fatigued, is never invited to take any re- 

 freshment ; to the weary traveller no door is open ; neither for love nor money 

 can he procure a hospitable shed, and he is obliged to seek some cottage or vend 

 that will administer to his necessities. In fact, through the conduct of His Ma- 

 jesty's servants, the misery of Santa Cruz has become proverbial, and, like a 

 haunted house, it is detested and avoided by all who know it. 



Such is the present state of the royal farm, and such the conduct of those who 

 are appointed to manage it ; and, although an Englishman of talents, as I am in- 

 formed, has been placed there, yet I venture to predict that he will leave it in 

 disgust, and will prefer to live in any remote part, rather than submit to the 

 vexations to which he will there be exposed. 



