THE BRAZILS. 135 
" which they abound ; and the fruits and vegetables of all 
" climates thrive here almost without culture, and are to be 
" procured in great plenty." The water he represents as ex- 
cellent, both on the island and the opposite continent. It 
has a good harbour ; and the province of Rio Grande, which 
is fertile in products of grain and fruit, and abundant in 
cattle, has a direct and immediate communication with it. 
Rio de Janeiro must, however, be considered as the grand 
central point on the coast of the Brazils, from which every 
other part of it may at any time be overawed. And as little 
seems to have been published of its military strength and de- 
fences, and every piece of intelligence, however scanty, may 
in the course of the present contest be found of some use, I 
have annexed to this chapter a military sketch of that part 
of the harbour which is fortified, with references to a cor- 
responding plate of views of the coast and town, with the 
various forts, lines, and works by which they are defended. 
The exact strength of these we had not the means of ascer- 
taining accurately ; but we observed that, on the anniversary 
of the Queen of Portugal's birth-day, seven different forts, 
betweerl the passage into the harbour and the town, fired each 
a royal salute from very heavy metal. Captain Parish was 
informed by some of the ofiScers of the garrison that the re- 
gular force consisted of two squadrons of cavalry, two regi- 
ments of artillery, six regiments of infantry, two battalions of 
disciplined militia, and two hundred disciplined free negroes, 
making, in the whole, a body exceeding ten thousand men, 
I have no doubt, however, of this account being greatly ex- 
7 
