The New York herald., 1879-09-22
THE AMERICAN COLONY" AT.SANTAREM.

CONDITION OF THE SOUTHERN PLANTERS WHO
EMIGRATED TO BRAZIL-A GLOOMY RECORD
AND NO FUTURE.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Soon after the close Of the a number of South
ern planters emigrated Brazil. where. slave labor
being permitted, they hoped to continue in the way
which was ended by the abolition Of slavery in the
Southern States. The emigrants largely roughs
from Southern cities. who were induced to 20 by
the generous offers Of the Brazilian government and
desire for adventures; with the rest q goodly
sprinkling OF those who had to fear the
toration OF law and order. After the aid extended
by the brazilian government had ceased far the
greater part returned the United States, many at
the expense and by the aid OF the government. A
few who had taken some property and their fam
lilies with them took up land and began farm.
ing. Few found 1t for their interest to buy
slaves. Indian labor is quite cheap. and the
laws OF Brazil place many restrictions upon slave
owners in regard to their treatment and sale. 1t
OF the Latter class OF colonists that purpose to
speak. An unusual interest has been felt IN Brazil
since the steamship line has been started, and
many are going to endeavor to start in some busi-
ness there. Ispent year IN the vicinity Of the
colony OF Santarem. aud few facts in regard to it
may be of interest at this time.
THE SITUATION OF THE COLONY.
between
500 aud GOO miles from the sea- Some OF the
fnest land in the Empire lies within few miles OF
that little city. 1t here that large portion OF
the emigrants settled. the others going one of
southern provinces. Tho Brazilian government fur.
nished them houses until they could select planta
tons and build. and also paid them $40 month
apiece for the first six mouths by OF nducement
for emigrants to go to that country. This pre-
MUM was ample. and as the terms OF taking land
easy, at the end of six months such intended
to remain and were willing to work had taken from
500 to 5000 of the best land and cleared
enough for crops. and built comfortable but rude
houses. About the Same time several English
families settled in the infant colony, and
their reception projects were similar
to the Americans l have included them the
Following statistics, which are the result OF
careful Inquiry, and q personal acquaintance with
all the remaining colonists. giving these ng
ures 1t may be well 20 say few words aDout these
coonists, their habits anu pursuits. They very
hospItaule aud though rather sensitive on the sub
jcct of the war; and disposed to criticise Yankee
rule, any American traveller will be OF warm
welcome ana generous hospitality. Perhaps this
fact may have something to do with the glowing
colors travellers bestow upon this senexiled com
lmunisy. Professor james Ortan ('"The Andes and
Anazons, p. 1861 describes 1t Us most highly
prosperous one. aud AS possessing resources rare.y
met. Professor Oran's book Is the most full and
trustworthy have seon in regard most matters,
and but few pages may not be read with profit
pleasure upon spot described; buL 1t is only Iur
say OF mat perseverng traveller that regard to
Sautarem aud the American colonsts he spoke rroiu
hearsay aud not observation. did not mud IN 1873
colohist who lad seen him ut the time his last
scrIption written, could learn that he had
spent any time among them.
THE REAL STATE OF AFFAIRS
The truth IL they disposed to make the best of
Their POSITIONS and only personal acquaintance and
observation Will discover their real condition. When
they nrst settled they tried many experiments ana
almost any thing be raised there state
ment OF the soils productions syesa false idea of
their value. ihere is but one industry tnat has
prospereu sufficiently to the OF
Ire. ana that is the manufacture of cachaca kind
OF rum distilled from terinented cane juice Corn.
sweet potatoes and garden vegetables of interior
quality raised for home use. Mandioca also by
few but sugar cane is the styple. Even coffee,
sugar and cotton are usually bought. With few
exceptions their food and clothing of
kina Many live tor months with no otner food'
than dried fish and mandoca meal and perhaps
irult and Vegetables aud occasionally little
game sat beet dried in tho sun. The poorest
laUorer IN the United States buy with his
earnings more iuxuries i'll month for his family
than one secs in u year III any homo, save two
three in the colony. Even white bread aud butter
expensive TOR most families. No comment,
however, Will 50 correctly give the coionists estimate
of their own success as the following statement OF
their numbers Could those now there get tho
means to return know from their admis-
sions that the number remaining would be far less
than IT ~ now. The number who have actually set
tied at Santarem Ia 40; have left died since 15l
there are IN the colony now Go; of whom are chill
dren born there Id OF the 40 original settlers there
remain A.
cannot do better than to close this letter with
quotation IRON letter received by the steamer
colonists While the States he neld high social
position. being ut one time an Alderman one of
our large cities. man OF wealth and fine education.
lie writes:--
iucrcy those who In this insane excitement about
Brazil contemplate coming here put the matter fairly be-
Tore the people so that no more may be fooled aud suffer
have DO all you can TO represent condition
N II. been years. N
that time thytwo have left the country and have
died 1t Is only question Of time and that short
for this colony to end its unfortunate existence.
DEAIEY A. COBB.
CUxMsoroS. Mass, Sept. 49, 1879.
RAILROAD ACCIDENT.