The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-02-26
Our New Minister to Brazil.

The Hon. Richard kidder Meade Oh VIZ
vinia. who was appointed Envoy Extraordi- |
nary and Minister Plsnipotentiary OF the
United States To the Empire OF Brszil, We
are inclined To think has already run his
diplonutic career. II there is any country
ON the globe with which we ought to be on
a good footing commercially speaking, that
country is Brazil. We have no commerce
treaty with her, and the plumbers and In
competence OF some former American Min
ister 20 the Court Of RIO de Janeiro. have
prevented any reciprocal business relations
with the Empire. Last year We sod Brasil
Eve milton dollars worth OF products and
manufactures, but she sold Us more than
hrs fv-ons miLisns rorth' We were the
great Users, while England made more than
fen millions Of dollars out OF Brazil. IL
was hoped that Hon. X. X Meade would do
something to make better opening Tor
American trade, hut the very first time he
makes his appearance at eourt-the very
irst time that he addresses the Intelligent
and liberal Emperor, and that, TOO, IN Tue
prrs. nee OF the cabinet ministers ana suites
men of Brazil-with an imperunence never
eoualled. he brings up the subject OF slavery,
and thinks thus 10 advance himself IN the
esteem of the powers that be. Alter dwell
I'M, with pruIer emphasis upon the ties oil
corntlercial interest and the sympathies OF
political organ iration which should draw
closer the bonds oi intercourse and alliance
between the Southern Empire and Northern
Republic, Mr.. Meade prOcerded to dilate
upon the cohesive value of great domestic
institution, Common 10 both countries, liked
and deeply rooted in their soil (wi'h many
hostile preiudices to encounter IRON with
outl which now establishes an affinity be-
tween them, and will insure, for mutual de.
fense. unity Of action and feeling that Will
prove inylncible to the future
But how mistaken was MIR Meade. The
Emperor is opposed in toto 10 slavery -
and deep was the rebuke OF his silence on
this subject IN reply to the American min
i,,er. The Chief Of the Brazilian Cabinet
declared n few months since 10 the Hon
MIR. Scarlet. English Minister to Rio d. ia
neiro. that the entire extinction uf slavery
WAS the determination OF the Government
The Brazilian people are with 'he Emperor
and bis Cabinet. The true state OF the
slavery question is set forth IN tie following
extracts IRON the new work entitled BRA.
zil and the Brazlnns," irUm which IL will
b. seen that there are Causes ut work TO
nroIuee a termination Of bondage in the
empire:
THE subject Of slavery in Brazil is one oil
great interest and hopetulnesss. The Bn.-
lillian Constitution recognizes, neither d.
reetIy nor indirectly, color Us u basis OF civil
r,yhis hence. once free, the black man or
the mulatto, n he posses energy ana TALENT
can rise TO social position iron whic. ms
race in North America Is deharred. Unui
1850, when the trade was ehecluaiiy put
down, It was considered cheaper, ON the
country-p l nations, to use up slave IN
Eve or seven years and purchase another,
than 10 take care OF him. This had, In
tho interior, from intelligent native Brazil.
ians, and INV own observation has confirmed
IL. But since the inhuman traffic with AT
rica has ceased, the price Of slaves las been
enhanced, and the selfish motives Tor taxing
greater care of them have been increased
In Brazil everything is in favor OF free
dom and such are the facilities Tor the slave
10 enaneIpate himself, and, when emanei-
rated, il nc possess the proper qualifications,
70 ascend 10 higher Gmlnences than those Oi
n mere free black, that fiat viii be written
against slavery IN this Empire before anoth-
or half century rolls around. Some OF the
most intelligent men that l met with IN
Br,zil-men educated nj Paris and COlmOia
were of African descent, whose ancestors
,ycr, slaves. Thus, IL n IN IN have freedom,
nancy. and merit, no matter how black
may h. his SKIN. no place in society Is re-
fused hun IL l. surprising also TO observe
the ambition and the advancement oil some
nr ,h.sc men with negro blood IN their veins.
The National Library furnishes not only
ou,s, rooms. large tables, aud plenty vi
hooks 20 the seekers alter kLowIedge' OUT
pens and paper are supplied to such us de-
sir, these aid. 20 their studies. Sumo Oi the
closest students thus occupied are mulatios'
The largest and must successful printing
establishment in Rlo-that OF Sr, +. Paulo
Br,to-is owned and directed by mulatto.
La the colleges, the medical, law, and thee.
logical schools, there is no distinction Of
coI,r. it must, however, DO admitted that
there is a cerIain-though 10y no means
strung-prriudice existing all over the land,
i'm favor OF men of pure white descent.
By the Brazilian Laws, u slave can 70 be.
fore a magistrate, have his price liked and
can nurchase himself. and | was informed
that "A man OF mental endOwments, even II
he had been "A slave, would be deharred from
no Official sIatiOn, however high, unless It
might be that Of imperial Senator
III il be asked, who will 30 the laborers
in Brazil when slavery is no more v the re-
DIV (gIyeu more at length IN the account OF
n visit 10 the colony Oh SENATOR NergueIrO)
is that the supply will come irom Germany,
Portugal, the AIores and Madeira, and otn-
or countries.
IL Is a striking fact that emigrants did
not begin 10 arrive from EirOpe by thou
sand. until 1852. la 1880 and 81 the Az
ri,,,n slave trade was annihilaled, and in
the suOcNs.l.ng year ,mn.n...d the comPsr-
at,y,ly vigorous colonization. Each year
the number of cOlonists il increasing, and
the statesmen oi the empire are now dryot-
ing mach attention to discover the best
means Tor thus promoting the advancement
OF the country
We wish, before leaving this subject, to
call attention to the iact that the silent 10
buke OF the Emperor Is most slgnihcint.-
Every address vi a foreign minister when be
prrscnls his credeutiai, To the Emperor Is
s.n, beforehand to the Brazilian Department
of s,atr,aud Is pcrusod by his MAJESTY before
h, forms his own reply. Don Pedro III.
therefore bad ample opportunity TO express
SYMPATHY with Mr.. Muade's sentiments, and
b,. silence under the circumstances Is u sub
lime exhibition vi the scOrn which he must
have ielt ut this allusion 10 an constitution
which 10 degrading to both countries.
We are glad ~ see that senator Wilson
has ufi,rcd in the Ssnats n resolution calling
. upon the President Ut the instructions which
were given To Mr.. Meade The public shoe
know how far the President Is q purity to
this unwarantrd assumption that slavery is
n national institution. Was the address OF
Al. NIa.da snhInitted 10 the President for