Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-08-01
From the Anglo American Times, Nay 24M.
Emigration to Brazil,
Letter from Prof. Asassiz.
Ac.. ohtlA N1nrnh 1CG6
AT SEA, Z7th NIarcn, IoUU
Orr THE IsLAND OF GAIvOTAS,

Orr THE ISLAND OF GA1yoTAs, :
Mn Dear Friend: At last find moment
to answer your inquiries regarding fora;gu
emigration to Brazil. Before entering rpoE
such details as deem necessary for The clear
explanation Of my views on the subject, allow
inc to raakc some reflections upon emigration
in general, and to point out certain distinc-
tions, essential, as it seems TO me, to u Just
appreciation Of the question. In this day
emigration is not what it vas twenty years
ago. Then tho emigrant was generally po'
lIical refugee, flying, him and his, from
more or less oppressive civil persecution.
What he sought was a safe asy lum and pro-
lection. His country was still the land where
he was born. To-day, emigration is more
voluntary and more deliberate. The emieraut
generally leaves his home in order to alneli-
crate his lot ard to associate himself with
the deslinies Of new world. What nc seeks
is new country Offering Linn advantages
superior to those he has hitherto known To
look upon the emigrant as mcrcenary is gen.
orally to do him an injustice. 1t is because
in the United States the value OF the indi-
vidual man is fully recognized, the tide OF
emigration has poured toward her shores.
With this order OF things, country winch
established distinctions unfavorable to the
new comcr may hope in vain to attract nu.
merous emigration; in my judgment Brazil
would deceive herself as to the future # She
INDUCES the hope of speedy progress in an
active and intelligent emigration, without
having previously abolished restrictions which
Weigh heavily upon the stranger who comes
70 sst,hlisb himself upon her soil. Let no
one delude himself iu this respect; that Yb.ch
the eminrant seeks is that which is least easl-
ly conceded; absolute equality apitht the inha6i-
taRts Of older date, and cuen 'elt@ Tie d'scen-
da,.is Of tie Oldest races.
would add further that have observed
in Brazil certain administrative customs,
principally touching the acquisition OF real
estate and the intervention OF authority IN
the affairs ut individuals. which until they
are Fundamentally modified must remain
an inviucible obstacle to emigration on
large scale. aliude especially to the delays
and formait;es attending the entrance into
possession or practical occupation OF land,
and which in III @y-s ef the stranger are
tantau.ount 70 rs c'pnplste exclusion. The
immicrnu, ou.I tn ae able TO take possession
of ti,e ..r3,,od between TO tav and tomorrow,
for re rarely has the means oi waiting, Iree
roI!ical wisdom Should rather stimulate him
10 establish himself upon any territory not
vet occupied, guaranteeing to him right to
any improvements he may make even upon
soil which does not yet belong to him. An
other great difficulty arises from the arbitrary
manner in which subordinate officers inter-
fere in the affairs of individuals. DO not
know how far the Brazilian, born in the coun.
try feels the necessity Of the support and
counses, direct or indirect, of the pu lie ad-
ministration in his private affairs; but do
know positively that in our days the eraigrant
fears nothing so much as all which may be
considered tutelage; still more when this
tuteace takes occasionally the form Of petty
tyranny. He generally leaves his own coun.
try to escape from this very thing, and will
certainly not choose as the land Of his adop'
tion one where it would pursue him even into
his private transactions. The opening OF
the Amazon, will no doubt bring to the Dor.
ders number Of industrious and enterprl-
prisiug men, but great emigration, such as
rapidly augments population, will never
gather there as long as the order Of things
exists which have observed in the Provinces
of Para and Amazonas. And vet have
pleasure in repeating that, whatever may oe
said to the contrary even in Brazil, kno"
no country in tho world richer. more attrac.
tive, more fertile, more salubrious, more III
to be the focus of numerous population,
than this magnificent valley of the Amazon.
am. &c.. LOUIS AaAssIz.