The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-12-13
Letter from Brazil.
NEAR SANTA BARBARA, I
September Is, 1871. I

NEAR SANTA BARBARA, |
September Is, 1871. J
Editor Press and Banner: Your pa,
per of June 23rd was sent me by an un-
known friend, with the initials, A. J. d.
with communication marked, under
the heading, "Americans in Brazil.s
/ presume he wished to know the truth
ofthe assertion. Ifso, 1 take the RESPONSE
bilty to state, that it is positively untrue
in its general application, to the Amerl-
cans Southern } in Brazil. There may
be a few isolated cases, where parties
have suffered, but only where they were
misled in their locations and spent their
little means in trying to make tsem-
selves independent. For Instance 1t
was q mistake, when we were induced
to settle on the Rio Doce, in the Province
of Esp!rito Santo, and it was no less a
mistake, when the colonies settled in the
coast country of San Paulo, under the
auspices of the late Major McMullen, and
the Rev'd. Ballard S. Dunn.
After those sections of the country
were thoroughly tested, parties were in
duced to seek another and better Sec
ton, where labor was more rcmunera-
tive, and where the health and produc-
tions of the country were more congo
NAL to their comfort and happiness.
This country is now the receptacle of
all the Americans, who did not become
disgusted or sighed again for the once
prosperous South, and in every instance
they have done well, far better than
those who returned to their once loved
home. 1t is not my province to speak
against the United States, but I do say
that out of the many who went back to
escape the Horrors of poverty, but very
few, (where they have expressed them
selves) wish themselves back again in the
Land CT the Southern cross. .
The Southern people are hard to please.
They are restless and unsettled. Those
who cmigrated from the South generally
have been we'll off and in some instan-
ces rich, yet they do not seem to think
they have to wait, the slow process Of
time, to be again partially reinstated in
their former position, but think they
must control the Government and pick
up diamonds from every pebbled brook
they cross, and in failing, they damn
the country and not having means
enough to take them back, resort to
drinking and spend their last ''vintem'
in drowning trouble and losing their
self-respect, die in the gutter ofsomc Oh
scure street in the city of Rio; and thus
ends character too proud to work, un.
worthy of friends and of the family that
the good God has given them to love and
provide for. -,
The province of San Paulo, away from
tho coast-range is entirely all upland
country, generally gently undulat;ng
with numerous springs and rivulcts,
creeks and rivers and as healthy as
"Buncombe" North Carolina; italso COM
priscs all of the productions of the cotton
states in quality and quantity and much
in addition. ] have been in this section
of the country twGaGears, came here in
debt, being one of the unfortunates that
were carried to the Doce, and have no
reason to regret my move. made the
first year Is bales of cotton weighing
500 pounds, with corn, potatoes and veg
etables in abundance and last year l6
bales; the caterpillar having destroyed
my cotton, made little over half of q
crop. The above was made with two
hands besides myself, and I am SO years
old. Tlis is the country to move to.
You are not troubled with voting and
the everlasting shuf1ling Of politicians
and universal niger equality. tits true
there is no distinction of color in Brazil,
where the parties are born free. Educa-
zion, intellect and wealth cntitle any one
black or white to the social status of So
ciety, but it is left with the parties them
selves, to receive them or reject them, as
they wish.
Taxes are not burthensoue. Youpay
six (G) per cent, on all lands when first
purchased and fifteen (15) dollars OH
every negro bought, and a provisional
tax in shipping produce out of the
Province. Internal improvements are
beginning to command the attention of
the wealth of this country. Soon their
will be Railway within 25 miles of us,
and in year or so within 10 miles. All
the cotton, coffee, rice tobacco, corn,
beans, and sugar, are taken to the termi-
nus of the Railroad from Santos our sea
port, on rhe backs of mules. Two bales of
cotton are taken on one mule, each weigh
ing 1l2 pounds-that is the average
weight of what is required of one mule,
mt the cost of 25 to 80 cts for every SO
pounds, which is called an ''aroba."
could write you much more, but I
only wished to correct the mistake IN
your issue of the 23rd of June. I never
have written for publication, but you
may extract a portion of this letter to
show that the Americans are doing we'll,
Notwithstanding the disasters CT last
year, and the false step they made when
they first arrived in the country. With
much respect ana very truly your
obedient servant,
IRVING i. MILLER