Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-06-05
BRAZIL AND THE AMAZON.

Taking Its rise nthe higher regions Of Bolivia under
the name Of the Apurmac and flowing north into Ecua-
DOR until it is joined by bodies of water drained from
the slopes of the Andes the great river Amazon flows
eastward to the and falls into the Atlantic by
let OF two hundred miles in width Its branches
vgable streams of length varying from few hundreds
to two thousand miles, passing like the parent river
through tracks of country loaded with the verdure of the
tropics Receiving these tributaries in greater abund-
ance than Mississippi-not less than two
hundred smaller streams being reckoned the number
the Amazon has, by means Of Of them, nayigable
communication with the Orinoco- The Madeira has
rent OF 300 and the Negro of 1000 miles The Casa
quire branch of the Negro also arm of the Orino
co.. one great river thus contributing swell the bulk
the larger facilitating intercourse and placing the pos
session of man great highway ready formed by
The area Of valuable lands which is drained by these
teracng water be less than two millions
of square miles Of necessity much Of ii lies unpro-
ducve yet not barren because of the natural wealth
profusely showered upon the climate of the equator
new field Of commerce is open TO enterprise
mencement has already been made to this end Thinking
men have matured projects looking forward great
Suits in view Of the advantages that may be derived
from unrestricted mercantile intercourse between the
richest Province Of South America and the Atlantic ports
of the United States.
The investigations Of Lieut. MAuRY Superintendent of
the National Observatory at Washington have been di
rected subjects of the Winds and Currents Of the
Ocean his results are remarkable He finds by COMPARE
of the logs Of sailing vessels to and from Atlantic
ports that the true outlet Of the Amazon is not at the
Line but above it. toward the Florida Pass vessel
sailing from the mouth Of the Amazon does sail di
recy into the ocean, but meeting the Southeast Trade
Winds is borne away toward the region of the Northeast
Trades which compel her to pass around to the north
ward and westward until the parallel Of 25o 800 is
gained. By this time the outwardbound Amazonan is
off the American coast There is other way in which
he steer The land south Of the mouth of the Amazon
prevents his proceeding Immediately southwark
he pursue directly eastward course because Of the
Of the winds and currents conspng oppose him. No
chance offers but norheaserly route which necessarily
throws up it surf of commercial enterprise at
very doors Years Of mercantile speculation have al
lowed this tempting opportunity to pass unimproved
The time has come when new order Of things is
promised.
Lieut.. MAURY proposes in memorial to Congress,
which we publish entire in another column that line of
steam communication be opened between southern
Atlantic port and the port Of Para in Brazil. Para is
port Of considerable Importance now and situated
the outlet Of the Amazon, would command ucra
tive trade direct communication between il and some
central port like Norfolk already in close connexon with
New York, would save merchants the labor and
pense Of transmission by way Of England to Rio Janeiro
practice too commonly adopted because Of the length
Of time consumed in sailing voyage hence to Rio Our
commerce with Brazil is already greater than with any
other country except England and France Her imports
from the United States in 1885 amounted to So
and since that period they have annually increased Our
exports thther in 1850 and 1851 9l6 and the
imports hther $11 304 II is needless argue
the Importance Of keeping up steady increase in this
cproca system Of exports and imports Brazil produces
sugar coffee chocolate SALT nitrate Of potash gold da-
mond topaz bery tourmaline, amethysts and precious
commodities almost innumerabe. Her agriculture is not
perfect 1t needs the indictments Of and in
ternal facilities with open line Of communication from
the Amazon TO the coast emigration must pour in, and
the resources Of the country be developed in all their rich
ness The cattle trade Of the region is peculiar feature
Of natural advantages Ores Of iron and "copper" laid
idle for years. must into circulation and employ the
minds and hands Of working, energetic The spice
trade the traffic in fruits expectation of animals all prof
fer opportunities Of profit waiting the turn of the tide to
become productive Viewing the question in these lights
the Importance Of the contemplated enterprise
plainly manifest that II scarcely fail take the atten
ton and invite the scrutiny Of the commercial public
Nsw York Tines.