mense open plains below them would otherwise be subject; while at the same time the parts exposed to the ocean are continually fanned by the unceasing current of the trades.*

Brazil contains upwards of two millions of square miles, and when we consider the small proportion to be deducted for lakes and marshes, or for excessive rigor of climate as in the case of Russia, we may form some idea of its greatness. It is washed on the north for three thousand miles by the mighty course of the Amazon, and it has a sea coast of nearly twice the extent of that of the United States. From the capital to its northern extremity at the mouth of the Javari, it is in a straight line, between three and four thousand miles. From the Rio Janeiro to Cuyaba, in the province of Mato Grosso, the distance is upwards of a thousand miles by land. No country is better supplied with ports and harbors, those of Rio Janeiro, and St. Salvador, are not surpassed, if equalled, by any in the world; and those of Para, Maranham, Olenda, Paraiba, Seguro, Espiritu, Santo, St. Catherine, Rio Grande, and many others. The position of Brazil in relation to Europe, Asia, and Africa, amongst those advantages usually pointed out by those who seem to be of opinion that this country is

* On the Paraguay, even as high as latitude twenty-five, the south-west wind is at times cold and piercing, and in the Amazon directly under the equator, a fact is related in the voyage of Texeir down this river, which appears more singular than the occurrence related by sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander, at the southern extremity of the continent; while descending the Amazon, it suddenly grew so cold, that the men were compelled to change their clothing, and even then found it unpleasant.

destined to hold the highest rank among commercial nations. The possessions of Portugal may be said to Occupy both shores of the Atlantic. The distance from Cape St. Roque to the nearest point on the African continent, is estimated at five hundred leagues.

To give an idea of the interior is not easy, when we consider how little of it has been described with accuracy. Some of the bolder features we may venture to delineate. It has already been said, that its surface is in general mountainous, with the exception of the vast plains, of what width is not accurately known, stretching along the right bank of the Amazon. The great ridges of mountains have generally been ascertained with some accuracy. From what I have seen and heard, these mountains bear a greater resemblance to those of the West Indies than to the Alleghanies. Their summits are generally covered with lofty forest trees, and their sides in most places with a fertile soil. In fact the prevailing character of Brazil, is that of a perennial forest, where nature multiplies her productions with a most lavish profusion. The most remarkable mountains are those of Borborema, to the north; of Mantequera, in the province Minas; those of Aymores, and those of Mangabeira. The first great range commences at the northern extremity of the province of Bahia, and stretches along the coast as far as St. Catherines, generally about the distance of one hundred and fifty miles. The length is about the same with our Alleghanies, but they leave a greater extent of territory than is occupied by our Atlantic states from Maine to Georgia. Many fine rivers flow over this inclined plain,

such as the Paraiba, Rio Doce, Higitonhonha, Rio Real, and others that may be compared to the Delaware, Susquehana, or Potomac. This range of mountains is brought nearer to the sea, as the coast trends more to the west in the province of Rio Janeiro; it also sends out a spur called the Organ mountains, which renders the country on the south side of Paraiba, extremely rugged and mountainous. The next range commences between the provinces of Pernambuco and Maranham; it is longer and more considerable than the former, and forms with it the valley of the river San Francisco,* which appears to contain almost as much territory, as the country which lies to the east of the mountains along the sea coast. This range afterwards rises into broken alps, connected with the great Cordillera of Brazil. Here are probably some of the most elevated mountains in South America east of the Andes; it is here that some of the principal rivers of Brazil take their rise; such as the Parana, the Tocantins, and San Francisco. Beyond the last mentioned range of mountains, there is a tract of unexplored country watered by the Tocantine and its branches, particularly the Araguaya, which when united with the former, flows into the gulf of Para. The two great branches, the Tocantine and Araguaya, are separated by a range of the Cordillera, and therefore form distinct vallies, the valley of the Tocantines equal to that of the San Francisco, the other considerably larger. A chain of mountains runs along the east side of the Tocantine for several hundred miles,

* The same ridges, like the Alleghanies, are known by different names in their course.

narrows its valley considerably, and separates its waters from those of the Parnaiba and other large rivers, which discharge themselves into the ocean, north of Pernambuco in the province of Maranham.

A great proportion of the valley of the Araguaya, consists of plains and steppes, and is even represented as forming an exception to the general fertility of Brazil.* West of this valley, there is another assemblage of mountains, about the sixtieth degree of west longitude, in which the most considerable rivers of South America take their sources; such as the Paraguay, the Madiera, the Chingu, and the Topajos. The district of Mato Grosso embraces the heads of these rivers, compared with which the greatest of Europe are but rills. The south side of the valley of the Amazon, is the least known in South America, having been visited only by occasional missionaries. All that is known with certainty, is, that it is covered with deep forests, and traversed by a great number of large rivers.

When I reflect on the myriads of human beings which will swarm along its banks, and on the banks of its southern tributaries, the Jaty, the Jurua, the Tefe, the Carori, the Paros, the Madiera, the Tapajos, and Chingu, I am lost in wonder and amazement. That the germ already planted in this empire will expand in magnitude, in a manner never witnessed ex

* On the upper part of the Araguaya are situated the Campos Pareixis, so called from a nation of Indians inhabiting them. They are said to be extensive sand plains, with little or no vegetation, except on the borders of the streams, which are said to be numer-ous, notwithstanding the moving sands through which they flow.

cept in the United States, I entertain no doubt; and in spite of all we may say of the tendency of climate on the human faculties and energies, wisdom should teach us, that man is no where to be despised. History tells us, that his powers may be equally exerted in the torrid zone, as in the most invigorating climates, provided there be a sufficient excitement to call them into action.

The trade of Brazil has been thrown open, foreigners have been encouraged to settle, the savage tribes of the forest will vanish before the approach of civilization, and before a century goes round, this empire will develope itself on a scale of which few at present dream. I rejoice that we are separated by so great a distance by sea and land, as it will secure to us relations of friendship and mutual interest, unless either of us happens to be led astray by pride, prejudice, or folly, for what object could there be held forth, to tempt even our ambition? The only place where we can possibly meet as enemies, is on the ocean, and here it becomes us to be friends. Brazil is destined to become a great naval power, and England will find, sooner than she expects it, that her nursling will throw aside her leading strings. I have said and still repeat, that it is proper and wise in us to cherish good will with this rising empire. With their monarchial government let them do as they please, we are not in search of proselytes to republicanism; it is enough for us to know that our own institutions are the best; others have the same right to their opinions, and to the enjoyment of the kind of government most suited to them. At the same time I am not insensible to the feelings awakened by seeing a monarchy