Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-09-10
BRAZIL.

is a question discussed at length in the
number Of De Bows Rerie,o. Two
gentlemen from the Edgefeld District re-
port practically on the subject in that
while Professor Agassiz reports
theoretically on it in other journals. His
explorations were made along the Amazon
under the Equator. The examinations of
the Edge6eld Committee were made
chiefly on lands lying % and rs degrees
south latitude, about the "frost line"
where there is just q slight touch of frost
in the coolest weather, and the climate is
on the whole delightful, being a little to
the south of Rio Janeiro.
The committee stopped at Pernambuco,
eight degrees south latitude. on the coast,
where cotton, they say, is raised which
rates "from Id. to I'D. higher than any
other in the great cotton matt Of the
world" The sugar and tobacco also were
perfect, but "the climate would. not suit.
So. Everlasting heat must enervate
the system and break the constitution"
Yet, strange to say, Professor Agassiz
says, "no country in the world is richer,
more attractive, more fertile, more salubri-
Gus, more fit to be the focus Of a numerous
population than this magnificent valley Of
the Amazonas." The committee also
found plenty of land near tho river Tiete
called "terra roccha," which means /" land
of inexpressible richness and fertility"
and varying in price from S. to $50, and
even 800 per acre, when planted with
coffee. Fifty bushels Of corn to the acre,
and two or three thousand pounds of cot
ton can be raised, and sugar and coffee in
perfection.
But then the committee "deem it their
duty to state that the price of negroes
declined one-half during their stay in the
Empire. 1t is said that outside sentiment
is the cause. At any rate, all classes
agree that the day is not distant when
emancipation must come. We have heard
of some gangs of negroes being offered by
the year at $50 each, though the usual
price is from $50 to $780,"
Professor Agassiz says that "while the
opening of the Amazon will no doubt
bring TO its borders a number Of industri-
Gus, enterprising men, a great emigration
such as rapidly augmcnts a population,
will never gather there as long as the
order Of things which l have observed
in the provinces of Para and Amazonas
exists" This is very plain language to
be written under the eye and while
enjoying patronage Of the Emperor Of
Brazil. but the Emperor is q most improv-
ing man, and the " serious obstacles" to
which the Professor alludes are certain
administrative customs, connected espe-
cially with the transfer Of land titles, de-
lays and formalities and other forms Of
petty tyranny. After being born in Eu-
rope, breathing the free air Of the United
States, and refusing Office under the En-
peror Of the French, such language is not,
perhaps, to be wondered at.
And yet the Edgefeld Committee, after
conversing with the immigration Commit
tee of the Brazilian Empire, declares that
"the foreigner, on entering Brazil, finds
no prejudices to combat, no antipathies to
avoid, but a liberal Minister ready to well
come, and a population to greet him, and
a Sovereign to offer him the powerful
protection Of his government" The Con.
stitution is modelled after the British,
abating some Of the most Objectionable
features, such as the rights Of p%rimogeni-
ture and a hereditary nobility. The work.
ing of the government Is harmonious,
steady, just and powerful. There is a land
tax OF six per cent. when land changes
hands afterwards none, they say. The
principal objections are the language,
which is Portuguese, the mixed class Of its
population, and the want Of proper facili-
ties for education and transportation. The
State religion is Roman Catholic, though
all other religions are tolerated. A for
eigner cannot reach some of the higher
offices Of the State, yet the Emperor is
enlightened and the Administration lib
eral. When it comes to the question of
Sousherners emigrating, the editor Of the
Reriep thinks there Is o enough
and enterprise enough for the Southern
people at home, and prospect enough Of
success Of their struggle with radicalism
and bureauism." Mr.. De Bow advises
them to make the effort and wait the re-
suit"
There can be no doubt that the liberal
and enlightened counsels Of the Emperor,
and the immense fertility of the soil, will
rapidly build up an important and most
friendly nation in South America.