Washington telegraph., 1854-08-23
The Valley Of the Amazon.

now seems destined to occupy an important POSI-
ton in the commercial world. The number and
variety of its agricultural productions, and the
cheap rate at which they can be obtained, to-
gether with the new and profitable markets that
may there be found for the manufactured products
of our own country cannot fail to commend the
immense region watered by the Amazon and its
tributaries TO the attention of the enlightened
merchant as a profitable field for commercial
speculations 4 recent traveller Informs us that
the whole valley abounds in the elements of
wealth. Rubber can be produced in indefinite
quantities as large as may be demanded. Sugar
of the best quality, molasses, rum, cocoa or choc
oate, rice, and the finest quality of tobacco can
be grown IN great quantities and at small expense
Every fruit known to the tropics grows in abun-
dance; and the valley likewise produces lnnum-
cradle drugs. medicinal, plants gums, dye stutfs
and paints. The Campos produce cattle in I'M
mense numbers, while the rivers abound In good
fish. We find in abundance nearly every article
ofluxury use. The forests are unexcelled by
any in the world for the quality or quantity OF
their valuable woods. The best ship timber is
found in abundance. while the hills contain builC-
ing stone of good quality The climate is mild
and the country little subject to miasmatic dis
eases. The mercury ranges between - and 80
degrees. while the air is nearly every day fresh
ened and relieved by shower of rain. The pre-
sent population is lazy and icentous The Por-
tuguese are lazy and sluggish people, ard little
disposed to admit foreigners to the country. The
native Dra-ilians are far more active and spirited,
and are really the true friends of Brazil, without
the pecunary ability to do much for her. Many
OF the latter highly educated and intellectual
men.
II is little singular that public attention was
scarcely directed to any portion OF the Amazon
valley field for the operations of trade until
it was found that the river was closed to foreign
ers. The closing took place in 1851, when the
Emperor of Brazil contracted with one of his sub
iects, Don Iveneo Evan Gelista de Souza, for the
exclusive navigation OF the Amazon and all OF its
tributaries within the limits of the EnAire OF
Brazil for the space of thirty years giving to him
a large annual bonus for the monthly t1ansporta-
ton of the mails The Emperor had little tron-
bic in inducing Peru and other South American
nations to acquiesce in this scheme. though man
itestiy in opposition to their interests. The Uni
ted States and all foreigners We're thus efectualy
excluled.
This unwise restrictive policy was adopted by
Brazil through motives of jealousy and cup;dity
The AmlZonian trade had begun to excite some
interest in the United States Our Government
had sent Lieut.. Herndon to Peru, Bolivia Ecua-
dor and Brazil, to learn the physical condition,
wants and apttudes of these countries. Just at a
time when the Amazonian republics were casting
about for immigrants on their Amazonian lands.
and a commerce with the rest Of the world
through that river. 1t had become evident that
elements Y Z
large and profitable commerce, and was calcula-
ted to sustain an immense population. Injia-rub-
Der was becoming one OF the most important
ports of the United States Its wide application
to the arts and the great demand lor the raw ma
tera made the prize for it in Para the port at
the mouth OF the Amazon) SO high, that the In
terror population the producers. began to realize
the profits that would accrue from a few days Of
Weil-dIrected LABOR, and at once commenced pro-
ducing it largely. But its larger suppl only it,
creased the objects of its application in the United
States and Europe, until the price for the re W
material SO increased that its production became
a very profitable business. The United States
had proposed opening large trade with Para and
developing many other valuable articles produced
in that province. But just here Brazil interposed
Her avarice easily persuaded her Of the growing
wealth OF the province, while her tear of revolu-
ton and the eventual independence Of the pro-
vince caused her to make every effort to keep
foreigners away from the country. She had to
assist her ia this the natural jealousy Of the Por
fuence. all now determined to secure her
province and her river against contest, and ac-
cOTdln9ly the Emperor entered into the contract
we have spoken of above
1t being manilestly to the interest of all the
world that the navigation of the Amazon should
be free to the vessels of all nations, hope our
Government will relax efforts to induce Brazil
to change her restrictive policy. Our recent sue
cess with Japan inspires us with the belief that
Uncle Sam can accomplish ANYTHING, no matter
what, on which he sets his heart.
The immense region watered by the Amazon
may be defined as almost in a state Of nature
The traveller on its bosom would not be able to
discover, III voyage extending from its source
high up IN the Andes, to its mouth as much evil
dence OF the improving hand OF man, as he would
be likely to meet with in single DAYS rum on
our own Mississippi. TIE inhabitants o. the in
terror provinces are rude, seni-c;viliZei savares
hardly vet redeemed from the state OF barbarism
in which theT were found by the gold seeking
European. They are well disposed and peace
able hoWever5-not jealous and warlike. as are
tne indians OF cur own contlnent-and have al
ways exhibited perfect readiness to adapt them
selves to the forms and customs of higher civili-
Zatlon. The labors OF the missionary in that re-
glon would certainly meet with magnificent re-
ward The principal fault OF the people would
seem to be lazuess. Their natural wants are so
teW and from the rich fertility of the soil so easi
~ supplied: that there can be little Rducement
for energetic industry
The province has labored under feeling of in
security since the revolution in 1885 The Por-
tG9uese, who are the principal cultivators of the
soil, entertain great fear of outbreaks and
revelations, tnat they will not invest their money
Tor the Improvement of the soil, and endeavor 10
keep themselves in readiness to flee TO Portuoal
at the hrst breath of revolution Many of their
estates are sadly neglected. They are extreme
y jealous of 10 eigners, especially citizens Of the
United States We have shown that this char
acteristic jealousy was the prime incentive to
closing the r-ver to foreigners. Yet the demand
for rubber is producing great changes. The raw
material is applied ia the United States and Eu
rope to so great variety Of objects that the price
Is very high. and constantly increasing. The
whole population seems to have commenced the
business of collecting it. The people in the coun-
try districts, are beginning to learn that true in
dependence consists not in having 10 wants, but
IN knowing how to suppv those that are either
natural or artificial. They are beginning TO
learn what a few days of labor will enable them
to do. The production of rubber is, consequently.
Increasing with great rapidity, while the devo
ton of all the industrial interests of the country
to this one article necessitates large increase
OF imports Tor the snpnlY trade The husiness of