Chap. II. 
BRAZILIAN MONEY. 
75 
generally more liberal. At one period, when I was 
obliged to wait for remittances from England,* I some- 
times ran short of money ; but I had only to say a word 
to one of these generous and considerate men, and the 
assistance was given without interest to the extent I 
required. The current money on the Amazons varied 
much during the eleven years of my stay. At first, 
nothing but copper coins and Brazilian treasury notes, 
the smallest representing 1000 reis {2s. Sd.), were seen ; 
afterwards (1852 — 1856), with the increase of the India- 
rubber trade, a large amount of specie was imported, — 
American gold coins, Spanish and Mexican dollars, and 
English sovereigns. These were the commonest medium 
of exchange in Para and on the Lower Amazons, until 
India-rubber fell suddenly in price, in 1855, when the 
gold again quickly disappeared. About the year 1857, 
new silver coin, issued by the Brazilian Government, 
was introduced ; elegant pieces of money of convenient 
values, answering nearly to our sixpenny, shilling, and 
two shilling pieces. Neither gold, silver, nor paper, 
however, was of much use on a journey like the one I 
had now undertaken. All travellers on the branch 
rivers have to carry cloth, casha9a, and small wares, to 
exchange for produce or food with the Indians ; a small 
quantity of copper money, the only coin whose value is 
understood amongst the remote settlers, being never- 
theless necessary to balance exchanges. When I had to 
* I take this opportunity of mentioning my obligations to Mr. George 
Brocklehurst, of the Par^ firm, by whom, during the latter years of my 
travels in the interior, my wants were attended to in the promptest 
and kindest manner. 
