Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-12-19
[BY REQUEST
LETTER FROM BRAZIL.

BY REQUEST.
LETTER FROM BRAZIL. -.
The following letter was written to Rev. A A.
Porter and afterwards published in the Southern
Presbyterian. 1t is given to the readers Of the
ENQUIRER at the request of gentleman of York
District:
RIO DE JANERo, Aug. 23d, 1867.
"Dear Sir As am under obligations to you
for information concerning Brazil, I deem it my
duty to write to you occasionally, from this far a.
way land. We have been here five months, have
seen good deal, and experienced much. We
have all had excellent health, lived well, and hope
for good in the future.
"We are oil satisfied, and when we receive let
ters or see old acquaintances from the United
States, we feel doubly so. have sent you by Mr..
R. some copies of the "BrazI Emigration Re
porter," which will explain many things about this
country, which cannot put in q short letter. Mr..
R. has examined Brazil extensively, and declares
that portions Of it surpass all belief: He says the
Province Of Minas in vast regions, produces eighty
bushels Of corn to the acre, and that well nigh eV-
erything on earth grows to perfection. He is gone
to the United States after his family. Hundreds
Of Southern men are here going to and fro. The
country is so large that it is difficult to select
place and make choice
"a large part of the eastern coast is very noun
tainous and hence roads are difficult to make
Many of us are fully satisfied that railroads ore
not desirable in such country. Pack mules are
used everywhere and are cheaper than railroads.
The natives will not farm if they can help it, and
[ do not wonder, for they are accustomed to the
hoe, as the only agricultural implement. The A
mericans are introducing the plough with much
success.
every profession here is full to overaowing,
except that of farming. If slavery were abolished
here, the condition Of this country would be bad,
indeed. 1t is sustained by large plantations. 1t
is our opinion that slavery will not pass away from
this Empire in many years. Yet the English and
Yankees are at work on that subject here.
There are more immigrants in Brazil from New
York than from the South. They come here to
get employment in the Government works and are
disappointed. and hence great destituton and dis
satisfaction exist among them. The Southerners
come to farm, and with few exceptions they are
satisfied and contented. They buy large farms and
several slaves on credit, and 60 to work as in
former years in the southwestern part Of the Uni
ted States. They get credit for three and five
years for land, and one and twoyears for provisions
at wholesale prices. I am thus furnished myself
'You cannot imagine the confidence existing
here in Confederate Southerner. They cherish
us as valuable acquisition to their country.
ssRio de Janeiro is a commercial depot to which
all nations send their best articles to procure the
gold which is here paid for them No where, on
earth, can greater variety and abundance be seen
than in this city.
"We are free to worship, educate, publish, ETC.,
here as in any place. 1t is true, some of the laws
are not so much in our favor as we desire; but if
they are violated, no notice is taken of it The
rising generation and legislators all favor progress
in religious freedom, and it is astonishing what
strides they have made since they threw off the
power of Portugal. ..
1T is amazing how cheaply man can live in
Brazil, if he desires to do so. Fruits grow all a.
round us, on almost every tree, and nothing seems
to be poisonous on land or in the sea. We work
and plant all the year round, need but little cloth
ing feed no stock in the country, the cattle are al
ways fat and chicken nerer dies, at least with few
exceptions. When our people learn to live here,
great changes will take place, for we cannot remain
stagnant ...... .
eve have Presbyterian Church in this city Of
about eighty members, and two excellent preach
ers who preach in Portuguese and English. We
have four services each week. This church is a
slaveholding church, and the only Presbyterian
slaveholding church now in the world. We will
not connect ourselves with for we fear them. "
'The "Braz7 Emigration Reporter" " to which
my friend refers, is monthly journal, published
| in Rio de Janiero, in the English language, and
edited by the Rev. W. G. Emerson, native Of
South Carolina and for many years q resident Of
Mississippi, from whence he emigrated last winter
to Brazil 1t is intended to supply the demand III
the South for reliable information in regard to that
country, of every kind desired by those who are
thinking of emigration. 1t is published at Jfre
dollars year. All communications should be ad,
dressed to the "Rev. W. G. Emerson, Caixa 254,
Rio de Janiero.'' Respectfully yours,
| A. A. P.
| A vrDcJNIA xUEnnINC