The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-03-05
TIE BRAz111AN BuBBLE8uRsr.
IMPOsITIONs AND sUFFERINGS ENDURED B,
AMERICANS.
Return Of vietlmlzed co1onists.

Return OF vietImized Colonists.
The British steamer Rakalca, Captain VII
ton, arrived at New York last week from Rio
'Janiero, having on board about one hundred
and twenty of the emigrants who, three years
ago, left this country for Brazil, with the in
tention of founding colonies at different places
in that Empire. These poor people presented
wretched appearance. The majority of them
were totally unprovided with winter clothing,
and, in consequence, suffered severely from
the cold. The men in the party were dressed
In various kinds of uncouth garments, but, on
the whole, locked strong and healthy. The
women and children, on the other hand, ap-
peared haggard and distressed, and their faces
bore marks of terrible suffering. Most Of these
emigrants say that when they left the city for
Brazil they were each possessed of anew hum
dred dollars. Now, however, they are utterly
penniless. At the close Of the war many
schemes of colonization abroad were started
among the working classes, both In the North
eru and Southern States. Companies were
formed, principally in the Gulf States, whose
object was to found settlements in Mexico and
other places where the government authorities
held out any inducements to immigrants.
Brazil was preferred by most of these soele-
ties; and certain parties throughout the coun-
try added to the excitement by picturing to
those who desired to emigrate the llberality OF
the Imperial Government Of Brazil, and the
facilities offered them for raising cotton, coffee,
&c. In this manner numbers Of families were
persuaded to abandon comfortable homes here,
for the prospect of becoming suddenly rich.
They now complain bitterly Of the way In
which they were deceived, and announce them
selves entirely cured Of colonization ideas.
The greater part of these people were honest
mechanics; but numbers Of young men OF bad
character managed to join them, not only rob-
bing, but also bringing suspicion on the rest.
COLONIES OF FOREIGNERS IN BRAZIL.
There are ut the present time several colo
nies of foreigners in Brazil. One is stationed
at Port Cachinerio, on the Santa Maria River
Victoria, the capital Of the province, is about
two hundred miles from Rio Janeiro. Another
body of emigrants settled at St. Catharine, on
the Tigihey River. This is called the American
colony of Principe Don Pedro, and before the
withdrawal of the members now In this city
numbered about seven hundred persons. An.
other colony Is situated near Para; and there
are some other smaller ones scattered through
the provinces The colony at Port Cachinerio
is called St. Leopold Denla. At present there
Is but one American living there, of the origi,
nal one hundred and fifty settled there.
ACCOUNT By ONE OF TIE VICTIMS.
The following account of the hardships en-
dured by these people, and the various ways in
which they were deceived, is given by one ofthe
returned colonlsts:
SIN the summer of 1867 we were prevailed
upon to sign contracts to leave the United
States for Brazil. We got our tickets from
Quntin Bulkara, the agent of the colony, and
sailed from New York City in the steamer Mer-
rimack August H. 1867. On the fth OF April,
were given to us before we started which
promisedto give each settler l25, 900 brazos OF
land, and to provide suits of blouse for every
family: these printed documents also stated
that one thousand brazos of land should be
cleared, and that seed should be given for the
first planting. The price of the passage was
fifty dollars, gold, to Rio Janeiro, and from
thence to the colony free This sum was TO
be paid back in instalments to the settlers
within six years; but no such payments have
ever been made, and the entire amount Is con-
sidered forfeited by the colonists who have
since left Port Cachinerio. The colonists were
TO receive six months provisions when they
arrived at their destination; but were com.
PEELED to remain for so long q time at hlo
Janciro waiting for transportation inland, that
most of the supplies were consumed before
thew reached Port Cachinerio. When the set
tiers finally reached the place reserved for
them by The government, it was found that in
stead Of the specified space Of ground cleared,
the timber had only been cut, and the colonlsts
were forced to remove the Instructions them-
selves. No houses were built for them, as
promised, and the men had to labor lInmedl-
atcly to provide houses for their families. Each
colonist at first cleared about ten acres and
planted seed; but during the first year no
crops were raised, rank weeds springing up
and spoilinr the grain. These were finally
burned and the land replanted-this time gen.
orally with coffee. The colonists were more
successful with this crop; but when it was
gathered they were compelled to sell 1t to
middle men, and thus obtained little or no
nroit thereon. The climate at Port Cachine-
rio is healthy, and pluhty of good water can
be obtained.
"The colony was governed by director ap-
pointed by the Brazilian Government, who was
supposed TO act under orders from the presi-
dent of this society. The director of the st.
Leopold Denia Colony was German, DR.. Ru-
dow. He proved to be drunkard and bad
man. The English and American settlers were
treated in disgraceiul manner. He under.
stood but little Of the English language, and
the protests of any but the German colonists
passed unheeded. Under bis harsh govern
ment the society gradually decreased in num-
Der. until there are Of present but very few
persons left.''
UNPRoDUcTIvHNRss OF BRAZIL.
The general opinion of the emigrants who
have returned from Port Cachinerio is that the
land will not produce sufficient crops to pay
for the labor; while, 1t is said, that the ordi-
nary fare Of the settler, consisting of farina,
jerked beef and black beans, caused great