48 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[October, 
dentally the very means vi^hich enabled Brazil to assume the 
standing which, at this early period of her political existence, she 
now^ holds among the nations of the earth, was the removal of the 
royal family and court from the capital of Portugal to the shores 
of America, The people, delighted at any change which might 
improve the condition of their country, and especially- one that 
raised them from a colony to a kingdom, received the royal emi* 
grants with a respect bordering on adoration. This event took 
place in the year 1803, and the city of Rio Janeiro was determined 
on as the seat of government and the location of the royal court.- 
From this period, Brazil improved with almost unparalleled 
rapidity ; for with the court came numerous wealthy and respect- 
able families, together with numberless merchants and artisans 
of all descriptions. The face of the whole country changed, and 
Rio began to assume the appearance of a city ; Portugal gradu- 
ally becoming the colony, and Brazil assuming the functions of a 
mother country. 
Indeed, the necessary consequence of the removal of the court 
from Portugal, was that of the whole importance of the country 
going with it ; while the disturbances of Europe also contributed 
to advance this new state of things in Brazil, whose ports were 
open to receive emigrants and imports from every part of the 
world. Rio was made a free port, and the whole coast was 
opened to foreign commerce. Vessels of all nations flocked to 
her ports ; mercantile houses were established ; trade went on" 
briskly ; and a few more years of such a wise and liberal policy 
must have made the country rich indeed. 
But disturbances broke out. The Brazilians, dissatisfied, be- 
came jealous of the strangers, as they now regarded the royal 
family. Quarrels ensued, difficulties were created, and the old 
and weak monarch, Don John, who had left Europe to seek 
quiet in his colonies, was now compelled reluctantly to return.- 
And thus, in the year 1823, the king embarked for Lisbon with 
all his family, except Don Pedro, his son, who was left as regent. 
The latter, however, Was soon recalled by his father, which deter- 
mined the Brazilians to shake off the yoke of Portugal altogether. 
To the wishes of his father, Don Pedro had promised implicit 
obedience. On several occasions, however, he had been sus- 
pected of creating disturbances,- although he always had the 
