The government of Rio Janeiro includes also the an cient captaincies of Spiritu Santo on the north, and St Vincent on the south. The former has been boasted of as the most fertile province of all Brasil. The water and the land are equally productive ; and the woods are filled with innumerable wild animals for hunting. The Indians are very numerous in this district, great numbers having been converted by the Jesuits. The harbour of Spiritu Santo is composed of a bay, the entrance into which is attended with some risk, on account of dangerous rocks which run along the northern side, and of a bank of sand which obstructs the narrowest part. A rock, which rises in the form of a sugar-loaf, and afterwards a white tower within the bay, form the beacons by which mariners are to be guided. The harbour, when entered, is commodious and secure.
To the north of Rio Janeiro is the captaincy of St Vincent, the least fertile and cultivated of all the rest. It has derived some importance, however, from its vicinity to the mines on one side, and, on the other, to the Spanish settlement of Buenos Ayres. In the interior lies the territory of St Paul, the residence of the Paulists, of whom we have formerly given some account, and in which some gold mines have recently been discovered. The principal cities are Santos and St Vincent, situated within a few leagues of each other. The former has an excellent harbour, the latter an indifferent one. But the place in this district which it is most important for us to be acquainted with, is the island of St Catherine, which, by the late treaty, was declared a free port to our trade, and in which British merchants may settle and practise their religion without molestation. Less, how ever, is known of this island than its importance deserves.
It serves as a staple place to the products of the rich pro vince of Rio Grande, not only on account of its vicinity, but from its excellent harbour, which is the best in Brasil, ex cept that of Rio Janeiro. The person to whom it was granted, in 1554, by the Portuguese government, was dis possessed by English corsairs, and the island, then neglected by its original possessors, became a common resort of all nations. It remained thus in a state of independence till about the year 1738, when the Por tuguese government, now at peace, recollected that this island formed part of its dominion, and sent an adminis tration to take possession of it. They fortified the road, and established a garrison. In 1778, it was invaded by the Spaniards, but restored, at the peace, to its ancient masters. It is nine leagues in length, and two in breadth,
enjoys the utmost felicity of soil and climate, and one of the best harbours in all America. From its situation near the mouth of the river La Plata on one side, and the opulent capital of Rio Janeiro on the other, it is admira bly calculated for becoming the emporium of an exten sive commerce.
The governments now described extend all along the coast, and the cultivated land, as is usual in newly settled colonies, does not reach to any considerable dis tance inland. There is, however, in the interior, a large mountain plain, enjoying a very fine climate, which, though long neglected in comparison of the rest, was raised, by an unexpected circumstance, into distin guished importance. This circumstance was the dis covery, in the beginning of last century, of the gold and diamond mines, which were all in this central dis trict. When found thus productive in the most coveted objects of American wealth, it soon attracted the atten tion of the Portuguese court. It was divided into three governments, called Minas Gcraes, or the General Alines ; Goyaz ; and Matto Grosso. Minas Geraes is by far the most productive. Its annual produce in gold is estimated at nearly 800,0001. sterling ; its inhabitants are reckoned at 35,000 whites, 26,000 Indians, 108,000 slaves. The capital is Villa Rica. The province of Goyaz pro duces annually in gold about 200,0001. Its population is 9000 whites ; 30,000 Indians ; and 34,000 negroes. The capital is Villa Boa. The only town in Matto Grosso is Villa Bella, and its population does not exceed 2000 whites, 4300 Indians, 7300 negrocs. It produces gold to the value of about 62,5001.
Mr Lindley, the most recent traveller in Brasil, has given the following table of latitudes and longitudes, which he states himself to have obtained from Portu guese manuscript charts made after a new survey.
The port charges for every vessel not belonging to government, are at Pernambuco and Bahia, 41. 18s. 4d.; and the daily expense of continuing in port 21. 9s. 31d. In Rio Janeiro the first expense is 71. 4s. the daily expense 11. 2s. Id. The two former places af ford the best materials for the repair of vessels ; but it is more difficult to obtain permission to touch at them ; and from being less accustomed to the visit of foreign ers, they are more apt to treat them with rudeness. Alasters of vessels ought as much as possible to transact business themselves, and trust little to the natives. Caulk ing is performed in Brasil in a manner not excelled by any place in the world.