The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-17
HARD LUCK OF A COLONY.

Misfortunes OF the ConfederateI Who
Went t" Brazil ct the Wars Close.
During the early part Of 1867, directly
after the war, "A scheme was proposed to es-
tablsh a colony in Brazil The scheme orig
mated i'll Texas, and was under the charge
OF a Rev Ballard s Dunn, who, backed by
considerable influence and capital, secured
the steamer Marnion, Capt Berry, which
had been fitted ont for the purpose,
was given permission to dispose of it upon
arriving at their place of destination. The
majority of the people to form the new col
ony were drawn from the states of Alabama,
Mississippi, and Texas, and, after landing,
the settlement was known as the Confeder-
ate colony. The new scheme was unsuccess-
full, and the recent arrival of Mr.. Irving l..
Miller, together with his wife and grand
child, on the bark Gamaliel from Rio, re-
calls some of the experiences and failures of
those who CHANGED their future in the new
country. Mr.. Miller, while stopping in Bal
tlmore, was seen by reporter, to whom he
furnished some interesting information of
the results of the colony.
MIR. Miller stated that he was native of
South Carolina, and previous to the break
ing out of the war settled in Barbour county,
Alabama When the war broke out he en-
listed as private, and went through the en-
tire service. He for awhile resided in Texas,
and when the proposed scheme to colonize
was first spoken of he expressed his willing
ness to be one of the party, and together
with his family and in company with
several hundred others embarked on the
steamer Marmion at New Orleans and went
to Brazil The party started for the port
of Rio, and upon their arrival in Brazil di-
vided, The majority of the emigrants were
well provided for, and had good prospects
for the future The first efforts of the many
were directed toward the raising of cotton.
| In two of the provinces the labor proved I'M
successful, and experience showed that the
land in that section would not produce. In
| some sections rain was seldom seen, while in
other portions, especially in Eguipe, they re-
ceived too much, which was ruinous to
| crops.
| On the other hand, those who tried their
luck in Piricacaba district, in Santo Bar.
| bara, were moderately successful. A few
| made progress rapidly, but, as rule, the
Soioliy was Hot SucteSSIui allu TIE HlH1oflEy
of the party lost nearly everything. The
| party gradually learned the customs and
| business pursuits of the natives, and in the
| Course Ola few years managed toueke out
| OH existence, but never accumulated what
might be termed wealth. The principal bust
ness in Brazil, Mr.. Miller stated, when h,
left, was the packing of cotton, coffee and
cane growing. In the latter industry he was
in late years engaged, and very successful
The southern people, he says, were induced
to emigrate, owing to the condition of thu
country, but he thinks they made great
mistake in going too far into the interior Of
Brazil. Had they remained near Rio, their
prospects would have been much brighter
While few of the colony resided only
temporarily in Brazil number were so re
dussd, that to secure passage to the United
States was difficult A number of families
still remain in San Paulo, numbering about
sixty; but whenever an opportunity pre-
sents itself they return home They appear
eontented but, naturally, like to return
Baltimore American.