The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-04-12
Letters from Brazil.

RIO DE JASEIRo, January, 1872.
The first day of the new year was a great court
ence chamber at one O'clock, and several fsreign-
trs Of distinction were graciously permitted 10 kiss
his imperial hand. Mr. Hunter was formerly pre-
sented as minister plenipotentiary and envoy extra.
ordinary from the United States, and Commodore
Morris as commander Of the United States forces
on the Brazilian station, and was received with
every demonstration of kindness and ceurtesy.-
The commander was supported by Commodore
Boerum, Of the Concord, and'severai other officers
Of the squadron, forming a very imposing com
pany.
/ was forcibly struck with the ~digni6ed and re.
publican appearance Of our officers, which strong
ly contrasted with the tinsel and lace with which
those who surrounded the court were bedecked.-
II might wen suit the parapharnalia Of the stage
the age OF Queen Elizabeth, or the court Of Eng
lands Merry Monarch to dress cut their attend.
ants in all " the foppery Of show - but here is
something repugnant to my ideas OF dignity OF char.
acter, and an unsuitableness to The intelligence Of
the nineteenth century in this attempt at trifling dis
play upon occasions of This kind. We should be
tempted to punish our child rem il they were guilty
Of one half the follies and absurdities which we in
our slavish devotion to fashion are daily perPe.
trating.
Yostcrday, the seventh OF January, every man.
otwar IN the harbor hoisted the British ensign in
addition to their respective national banners, while
their guns proclaimed to the good people Of Brazil
an addition to the royal family of England and an
air to the Briti.h throne. The great additional ex-
pense ENABLED upon the nation, BY the appearance
VI tulb yOunS btT1nheT, VIII, i nave NJ OOuOt, DC
overlooked amidst the immense fund already re-
quired for the support Of royalty, and though il
may require additional taxas, yet this inconveni-
ence will no doubt be counteracted by the honor
which the nation will acquire in training up its fu-
ture monarch at the public expense, and watching
royalty in its ex banding greatness. while we, poor
republicans, are compelled to receive our rulers
ready matured to our hand, and educated az best
they may. Surely it requires a. enthusiastic de-
votion TO the hereditary mosarchical system 10 re-
concile it, subjects to the extravagant burthens up
on the exehequer, particularly when q nation is
blessed as England is, with 4 young queen, and
that these two offerings are but the commencement
Of her presentation to The affections of her people.
God grant she may have fifty similar pledges to
tender to the British nation, a guarantee ola royal
succession to the throne.
Investigations have commenced ny the Commo-
dsre in relation 10 the abuses which have 80 long
existed here in the supplies re quired for the United
States squadron upon this station, and they will
eventuate in disclosures, some Of which will be A.
startling to the American people as the impositions
in the Custom House at New York, or the mis-
managemento fthe great monster " Some of these
l have referred to in my previous numbers, and
particularly adverted to the fact Of the merchants
who supPlies our national vessels with their re-
QUESTIONS, having been appointed navy agent by
thelate commander, in directeppositlon TO the very
spirit of our Institutions. Developments are daily
occurring which present instances OF gross impo.
sition having been practised IN this department and
under the c0nnivance OF those who wear the ma
tional livery Of our country, which have even sur
prised me, much a. / have been prepared for them.
1t has cost the American squadron thirty thousand
dollars per annum more, In this port, than the same
force Of any other power, and ! have been told by
an Intelligent English Officer that two Of their ves-
sells of war can be supplied with the necessaries fer
ships use here, fer the expense Of one Of ours. This
willnot be wondered al when il is understood that
they publish their re quisitions and invite proposals,
thus throwing the supply open to competition,
whilet the coure heretofore pursued by the Uaisd
States, commander has been TO direct the furnish
ing Of all articles bv q favored friend, to the exclu-
sion Of all competition. This parts an has some
times realized two and three thousand collars upon
one order Tor articles required, as in the instance
OF the exploring expedition which was fitted cat
here at an expense Of thirty per cent more than IL
would have cost the United States II conauctt d up.
on proper business, principles. An instance has
just occurred Of the repairs OF vessels OF the united
States being taken from an industrious mechanic,
because he refssed 10 allow the acting navy agent
q larger abatement of his account than usual, ior
his ewn private emolument, and given to one wno
is supposed to be a more passive and profitable sup-
iect te ouerate upon, not the former
was liberal enough to allow his employer, a,t'"es'
as mach 90 fifty per cent profit, when nc nAsa"-
dcd TO the account for the purpose
These are not idle tales; they are
| t.;red bv documentary proofs, ana ] y "sPPy
the belief that Commodore Morris =: y
...,;on evidence 20 susfaia them' ~ ~
voS;o.t;on is fairly entsrc INTO, there w"i Dc
mas of testimony brought TO pear upon !"Po'
sitions hs any la " in Venice change the whole
md introduce a mode OF conducting bust
-. on our national account, more in accordance
lin the genius of our Constitution and the prinet'
" If rccuitudc. CISc:SSArUs.
Bankrupt List.