128 
THE BRAZILS. 
a colonist or a foreigner. The bulk of the people are at- 
tached to the name of their country, their religion, and their 
language ; and I am persuaded that if the Court of Portugal 
had sufficient energy and activity to transplant itself to the 
Brazils, as was once intended when the Spaniards invaded 
them, a mighty and brilliant empire might speedily be created 
in South America, to counterpoise the growing power of the 
United States in the northern part of that continent. The 
former possesses many advantages over the latter ; in fertility 
of soil, in the value of its productions, in climate, and in geo- 
graphical position, eminently favourable for communication 
and commerce with every nation of the civilized world. 
A change in the government of the Brazils, Avhether ef- 
fected by themselves or by a foreign power, necessarily implies 
a change in the present condition of Portugal, against which, 
indeed, she has little security, whenever it may suit the 
caprice or the convenience of that despotic power which has 
so long been suffered to overawe the petty states of Europe. 
Such an event, it cannot be denied, would be attended with 
a temporary check to certain branches of the commerce and 
manufactures of England, but not perhaps with that serious 
injury which mercantile men seem to apprehend. There is a 
prejudice in favour of the trade with Portugal. The treaty 
between this country and England has stood the test of seve- 
ral reigns, and is so far entitled to respect ; but, in these days 
of superior knowledge and improvement, I have- heard its 
wisdom and its policy strongly called in question. By the 
terms of the treaty we are to admit the wines of Portugal to 
an entry in our ports at two-thirds of the duties levied on the 
