Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-02-13
RIO JANEIRO.
Ertract Of a letter from an Officer to his. friend
IL, this CttY dafed
u S. FRIGATE CONSTELLATION.
Rin IL Iaunirn 49,, x.,G LON

Rio d. Janeiro, Sept ,26 1920.
On the 10Th inst. land was deserted b, the
msn stationed at the masthead; but il was
no until late that day that it could be seen
from deck and evan then only by those who
were accustomed to distinguish the loom of
che land from the low clouds that skirt the
horzru. We found our reck oning to he with
IN eighteen miles of being correct, having been
set somewhat to the southwark by current,
which nssally sets with the wind, along the
coast
by observation we were in % @ S. lati-
tude, and by CHI onometeT in Al w. Longitude
Cape Frio was seen at the distance of IL or
20 nlles--its appearance is 80 remarkable, aud
easily recognised from the description OF ma
vi-aiors, that u IS impossible 10 mistake IT,.
IL seemed 10 be high prOfnoniory-its sum
init presenting a waving limo, with places
somewhat cODica', and when first seen has III
appearance oil two separate Islands, from "a
hollow in tue middle. Tte clouds rest on it's
summit. II appears TO he All immense naked
rock, incapable Of affording sustenance for
any living thns-and yet felt a pleasure in
contemplating this huge inhospiable mass
heiug weary of seeiug nothing for nearly 60
days besides sky and water.
Having ascertained where we were the
captain gave orders 10 stand along the land
under easy sail Ii was somewhat soudIly
during the night. as is r,ua' in the neighbours
hood of these high lands. AZ ten the next
morning, we discovered the sugar Loaf tho
entrance of this harbour, at the distance of 20
miles There appeared before as an irregular
line OF high rocky coast and a person not
accustomed to measure distance with the eye
would have supposed that we were not more
than few miles distant, and that The rock.
instead of mountains TO he no more than a
hundred feet high. The Sugar Loaf Ia leaning
Gomez was like watch tower at the ternina-
tlon OF an irregular rampant, forming The ives.
tern portal of The entrance of the barbour,
towards which il leaUs, as if row ing on ihose
who approach. Immediately on the ether
SIDE Is tue same KIND OF rock, Though not
quite. but mere broken and irregular
A light breeze spriugiug MP when we had
approached pretty near, with all sail set, the
lofty skip seemed to he drawn in by an inln-
ence similar TO that with which we inhaie The
morning zephyrs. We passed on the right Of
fort Santa Cruz, built upon The shelf of a
rock with several tier of guns. aud more for.
midable ia us appearance. Strong work. are
also erected on steep rock just behind it,
from Which IL is separated by a singular cliff
crossed by dtaw bridge.
" On the lett under The Sugar Loaf is ano-
sher tort, bnt comparatively OF no Importance
a the channel lies pretty close to Fort Saut,
Cruz Nessels generally pass directly under
tts guns. We passed another small tort jnsl
within the haibonr.
The place is said TO be very strongly for.
tined II certainly possesses extraordinary MA.
fnraI facilities for that purpose. IL was forced
about the beginning of the last century u,
the famous French mariner Dngui Tfnuiu VIII
took possession of the city aud laid il updet
contribution; but its Notifications in consc
qnence we're greatly improved.
"Aswe entered the barbour, a most upagpig
cent scene opened before us. The uobe Dast,
scarcely surpassed by any in the world rssem
Ding large lake, instead OF an harbour cx
banded majestcally, bordered by high, wood
mountains, Interspersed with high rocky marx
and precipices, their ridges or spnrs s..tin,
gradually 10 the waters edge, im some place,
terminating abruptly, having narrow vaIlies
and thousand beautiful coves or recesse
Suh ssnuy beaches. The ridges or broke
ground below the mountains are cnvcyed ,sii
converts, churches and beautiful garden,
While The hule ssudy bays ale occupied b