The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-03-31
Entered at the Post-O Office at Richmond, Va, as
second-class NATTER
For the Central Presbyterian.
Santarem on the Amazon and
the American Colony.

Southerners will be interested to know
something of their countrymen who emf.
grated to Brazil at the close of the war,
twenty years ago. A great many of them
went to Rio de Janeiro and settled in the
province of Sac Paulo, south of Rio.
Some stopped at the Amazon, and settled
near the town of Santarem, situated FIVE
hundred miles up the river, at the mouth
OF Tapajos, which flows into the Amazon
from the south
The Rev. R. S Clough, who was sent
out in 1872 by the South American Mis-
sionary Society to visit the Amazon river
country, writes as follows about Santarem
and the Americans settled tn ere:
"Santarem stands upon a bank about
thirty feet above high water. 1t is built
in blocks, Of three avenues a quarter of
mile long, running parallel with the
river, the streets branching off at right
angles. All the thoroughiares are COW
cred with close grass, which herd of
obliging cattle, owned by the household
ers, keeps well cropped. / did not see a
vehicle of any kind in the place or the
traces Of one. Population, including sub
urbs, three thousand, but varies consid-
erably according to the seasons of the
year. Santarem has the air OF a busy
place, notwithstanding its grass grown
streets. It's chief trade is salsa, or sasa-
parllla, that growing upon the upper Ia
pajos being considered of superior quality.
Rubber ranks next in importance, but the
quantity diminishes annually; and then
again rum, sugar, farinha, coffee, tobacco,
cacao, cattle, and copaiba. The climate
is generally considered healthy, owing to
the cool breezes of the northeast trade
winds which blow with regularity during
SIX months of the year, but towards the
middle and end of the dry season and be-
ginning of the rainy, swamp fever is not
uncommon.
Near Santarem is a small colony of
Americans who took part in the late un.
happy struggle upon the orthern Cont
nent. But of the one hundred and fifty
odd who came out, hundred soon left,
partly through being unable to stand the
climate, and because attractions of civil
lied life in the States were irresistible {;
others thought they might as well work
hard In their own country, where labor
Is better appreciated, the soil more pro-
ductive, and opportunities for social ad-
vancement infinitely superior. 1t has
been said over and over again by rabid
Northerners that the majority of the col
ony were compelled to leave this country
through It's rowdy misconduct; but the
increased testimony of several respecta-
bic inhabitants of Santarem seemed to
demonstrate that the motives have sta
ted we're the real cause of the departure
of the most. We must think gently of
the band OF Southerners who found them
selves among an alien race, with very
few sympathies in common, of a different
language, religion, and social and polti-
cal views, shut out almost entirely from
the outer world, and be careful how we
receive statements which brlm with invec-
tives and disparagements. ] had the
pleasure of conversing with two Southern
gentlemen who own estates in this neigh
borhood, and was much gratiGed to OBJ
serve the respect shown them by inAuen-
tlal Brazllians, who spoke in the highest
terms OF their unimpeachable honor, So
clal relationships, and commercial trans
actions. In the midst of many difficulties
they have succeeded in all their under
takings and won The esteem of all around
them whose good opinion is worth hav-
ing. There is talk of constructing a steam
or horse-tram to the American colony.
All the produce of the Tapaios flows into
Santarem the place is thriving fast. the
commercial habits Of the American colo
ny having told iavorably upon the com