Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-05-15
SOUTH AMERICA.

From the Uiinington UGtciImauJ
Extract OF letter f,om young gentleman OIL
board the Congress frsate, TO his friend in
this vicinity, dated
81 Rio Jaaeir0, jan 30
q On the morning Of tie 9Th, at day light,
we were of The entrance into The harhor OF
Rio, the Sugar Loaf distant 20 miles. he VI ind
was so light that, though we spread every
sail, we could only get within a mite of il be.
fore dark. when we came to anchor. The
scenery, when we came close enough to see it
distinctly, was tie most picture sque ever be.
held. We had III front OF us rampant of rock
so high that some vessels in sight, close under
il, seemed ike little toy boats. An opening
III this. of a milo wide, is the entrance into the
harbor OF Rio JaneirO.--TO the west of ii we
beheld the sugar Loaf, lofty rock shaped ex-
aCisy Ike a loaf OF sugar, and iHCIinng to the
west. On the east. miles further in, was
visible the for OF Santa Cruz. Between us and
the entrance were scattered a number of little
islands, or sOme of which were few scatter
ing dwarf trees, which, we were told were
cocoa.nut trees.--1 he rocks On each side OF the
entrance into the liarbar, were picturesque
beyond description. The fort Of Santa Cruz
is on Il rock, rising to the height OF seven or
eight hundred feet. shelving down towards the
water. There are number OF islands scatter
ed about, apparently ilue scitcS fOr lOTlifica-
tions. The harbOr could, think, at a small
expence, be rendered iGipreguable. This is a
noble barbOr the land marks at its entrance
enable vessels so steer for % when far at sea /:
the watei deep, the few shoals init being dis.
Ceruable, dud 20 not dangerous. To enter this
harbOr is So easy. indeed, that pilots are not
needed. \ lie Osficer sent to the fort was not
admitted into IL, being contrary 10 rule. He
waSreceiVed at the stairs, cut 10 the rock aud
informed that We might enter when we pleased,
anchor where We Vicsstd, and have any sup.
plies but no rcireshncnt was offered him.
How different ftu tie Ritter IespeCtJ from The
reception Que OF our Jlficers would give in Il
similar case. ihr Portuguese officer ask ed
bal te~ que ,tlop,. ihis being the first AmeTI-
can irlgate nat ever cEtCfCd Rio, would have
excited some CURIOSITY mary but q Portuguese.
- rs soon as we anchored, We were visited
by an officer from the custom house, one from,
tive health Office, aild All aid Co the king VINO
merelS asked oar name, ceuBtry. tic port from
winch We sailed, and the lengiii Of our voyage.
SOOt after came tWo llc't:enants from fNo
Austrian frlgates lying neaY us--their visit
merely cOmpimertary --1hey politely made
w.. the offer OF aiS service ~ their pOWer.
These fUgdics Arrived here last November,
with the Austrian ArchducbeSs LeOi Oldiua,
who j. ~ .ri,ed 10 the Prince at beria, eldest
son Of tie Lug; this young Udn iot Zi- the
princess rather older. His Fotal couple quar-
lele0 shortly after their mair.age. This
prince, Il seems, kept little French miilincr,
vhnm he turied oil OF lis marriage bat moi
finding his bride 10 his taste tDO. her bach
again directly aiioi tie weddine fills piece
OF scanda. Sc sot from two Americans, who
came of 90 rs srpn after we aifclDted. Ihev
told as also, that The King Wa 10 be crowned
the Oth Otnext mouth. THIS is tie person wh0
DC anxious 10 return to Portugal, but too timld