The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-11
DOM PEDRO's EMPIRE.
Obstacles 90 the Execution OF Extensive Rail-
way Projects In Brazil


Brazil. about seven years. between 1858 and 1865,
engaged in the construction of the Dom Pedro
H. railway, the most important public improve
ment which Brazil has built A portion Of the
tmo was devoted to visiting the Argentine Con-
federation and OVERWHELMINGLY being at
the period Of my visit not conveniently ap-
preached on account OF the war just then break
ing out between Paraguay and Brazil and the
Argentine Confederation. / went up the Pa
rama river at that time rs far as Rosario. af-
forward visited Northern Brazil. but only near
the sea coast in the vicinity of Maranham. about
4O' south of the equator. For six years my
home was in the province OF Rio Janeiro. a
short distance in the interior. though made
frequent visits TO the city. Tor year or two
prior to the establishment OF the first steamship
line between New York and Brazil. OCCASION
ally wrote articles urging the importance Of
such line to the commerce OF the United States.
which were translated into Portuguese and pub
lishcd in the leading Rio Janciro daily news
pIMhs S cnoc, in addressing Won. after having
rcad various articles that have recently APP
pcared in THE sun. Ia not for the purpose of
pointing out the importance OF this particular
trade but TO give you some opinions, based on
experience and much study OF tho subjects re-
frrrcd To. which may be 81 service 10 intending
investors in interior South American railways.
or intending immigrants looking ~ the interior
Of Brazil for future homes.
In the latter part Of 1864. or early in 1865 after
j had resided nearly seven years ~ South
America, received letter from my old friend.
james Harrison ESD of St Louis lsnce de-
ccascdl, containing 4 great number q impor-
was written because one Of the citizens of that
state. who WINS then in Brazil had within IA few
days after his arrival begun series OF glowing
descriptions of the country. urging Mssournns
10 follow his lead His first or second letter was
Jnneiro. before he had been ten DAYS in the
country. | began writing q truthful and care
iully-prrpared account Of Brazil as an answer
o. Mr.. Harrison queries. which showed and
explained to my visitor. begging him not to
send home such letters rs lac was writing. His
remark was that he could only write from his
standpoint and ~ things appeared 10 him.
On my return To- the United States in the fall
Of lsG1, learn that my letter had been print;
ed and circulated in Missouri, and that II had
prevented many families from leaving. Would
that II had prevented more. for. without single
exception. every family that went from Missouri
T. Brazil suffered miscrabiy aud had 10 rcIna n
there i'll poverty or WAS brought back
through the assistance Of the few Ameri-
cans III the cities OF Brazil or OF their friends at
home. Allow me 10 emphasize "a few points.
Brazil tout~ide of the sedcuaSt cities II not fit
place for our people t. settle in unless thoy are
wealthy love u warm climate. and desire to
dwell among persons whose language tPoriu-
gu'srl they do not understand. and whose
habits ana customs are radically different from
| ours. BrallIau- are. aS "A rule. intelligent and
| ho-pitahi". hut away from the cities nothing Is
nt' WIN put plahMlloli mo Planters. anu slaves.
| a poor white man or family cmigrMlng 10 the
| interior Of Brazil IL entirely out Of place. and
| viii inevitably starvc unless aided by friends.
f'r nltinin., i,,... na ,b.r. il in ,,ir An"r
| can cities. with the disadvantage OF Americans
| not understanding the language.
Mess an American has some special matter,
| certain or good, in prospect, or some actual
contract IN Brazil, with means 10 carry It out, he
! D,,.r r,tnr,,a IA ,.i..r MI "A ,i,,,r'r mn, ~,
,b no. " "'svi "iiu iil',i'
| me d,iifhtfui on1 me MN ,,nrs,pei r"c,ii,..,
tions nt H., ,.,,,,,rv ~ nj ,h ,i, ma .l,,,r,
inr ''N '''0 - '''' -
You ,,,i,.ht ne VOL ol,,oa. ROTOR ., to cii-,o.o
offhe i;nd S,,tes ~ ,bc i,,,eof Rr,',,i :,
ur.,, '.,,,,,. 49,, ,,,,,i,. H. I'M, -, 80 - ~ A,
.Ntrn,lin,. q, 80, - ,,,,-i, ID, ~ .,ab Ia H. -.
lvin l,ls n", Ca, ir, ~. go, j. ',s
climate: Int II, is NOR. elevated narf- vni.h
I.,,', -. ,. Ia ~ III al ~, " ~ -" g. w.
- 90, TO- ,u','''9'u ms i.ui"nS' W ~ n,
/ e.r..i.r n,.rt,,,p ~ H.. ,,,,trxi an ,l,ii,'.
| wilIrrn,r- 81 i.n-. f,r,st nN,.,ln',iv AIM ''It
and costly to clear. the CIVILIZED population hc-
ing confined r. "A river rrn.hin,, ,.,'n.r.llv l.ss
| thnn Two hundred miles l,rk frrn tl,, cons,
| Only hy gradual slow progress has this wilder
| ness been in pnrt claimed and that only with
| the lnbor OF slaves; after which il has been
| made to do duty in the shape Of coffee and
SUGAR. and sometimes cotton plantations. No
| agriculture proper such as We have all over the
| United States. existed in Brazil though now
| there Is some slight movement thnt way
| In the main. tho country t. rs virgin as was
| the United States when oilr population WAS only
three or four millions Of whites. At thal time.
| IL il tru. railroads were mot thought of: hut
raj road Ir1loci.d i'm the United STAT. AT that
early day. from NV YORK to the Gull ~ Cali
| inrnia. would hay" been a. sensible AN UNDER
|
| through Brazil; and the projectors know about
~ much uf the real character 81 the country rs
our people know Of our interior IN those
| early DAYS. There IL this distinctive difference.
| however. Railroads have become "A prime
means oi developing rs well ~ Of areowmo-
| dating settlements and population; so that.
wherever capital can be- cntieed with reasun-
ahle promise ~ future fair interest. IL II almost
| sur" 90 70. Brazil has been enabled 10 con-
! -irut costly railroads among her coast mare ms
! OF population, through a very simple process
/ namely. hy Tho Government guHrante" of seven
/ per cont. on the stock. So long. therefore, rs
! skiifu projectors can get concessions and "A
/ 60, ernmeni guarantee 81 interest. London cap-
/ lial VIII bee forthcoming. Ii Will only crase 10
! now 90 brnzil when II is found TINT her in 'ome
| VIII be- absorbed III paying interest on guarau-
tics.
| Tho Idea that any ~ those great lines pro-
! lcctrd across the brazilian territory would eyer
! pay the cost OF running them during the next
! my v"lrs Or more. II prepo-teruus. The Dom
! Pedro III. Railway. ana others extending not FAR
into the interior, DO not pay as many or n Toast
! some of our railroads pay. 10y having receipts
largely ahoVe their expenses they only pay by
! rendering available additional plantations, and
u,.r'r v,i.~ ,.,,..''i,',.t ,b"- ir,n,i l,,t !,
Oh.