A narrative of travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro, : $b with an account of the native tribes, and observations on the climate, geology, and natural history of the Amazon valleyWallace, Alfred Russel
History
A narrative of travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro, : $b with an account of the native tribes, and observations on the climate, geology, and natural history of the Amazon valley
Wallace, Alfred Russel
Amazon River Valley; Brazil -- Description and travel; Indians of South America -- Amazon River Valley; Indians of South America -- Amazon River Valley -- Languages; Natural history -- Amazon River Valley
We were to call at Jambouassú, a sitio about fifteen miles below Baião,
where Senhor Seixus, to whom we had a letter, sometimes resided. The
house is situated up a narrow igaripé, the entrance to which even our
Indians had much difficulty in discovering, as it was night when we
reached the place. Mr. Leavens and myself then went in the montaria up
the narrow stream, which the tall trees, almost meeting overhead, made
intensely dark and gloomy. It was but a few hundred yards to the house,
where we found Senhor Seixus, and delivered the letter from his partner
in Pará; and as it is a very good specimen of Portuguese composition
and politeness, I will here give a literal translation of it.
“_Senhor Jozé Antonio Correio Seixus & Co., Baião._
“FRIENDS AND GENTLEMEN,—
“Knowing that it is always agreeable for you to have an opportunity
of showing your hospitable and generous feelings towards strangers
in general, and more particularly to those who visit our country
for the purpose of making discoveries and extending the sphere
of their knowledge; I do not hesitate to take advantage of the
opportunity which the journey of Mr. Charles Leavens and his two
worthy companions presents, to recommend them to your friendship
and protection in the scientific enterprise which they have
undertaken, in order to obtain those natural productions which
render our province a classic land in the history of animals and
plants.
“In this laborious enterprise, which the illustrious (_elites_)
travellers have undertaken, I much wish that they may find in you
all that the limited resources of the place allows, not only that
whatever difficulties they encounter may be removed, but that
you may render less irksome the labours and privations they must
necessarily endure; and for men like them, devoted to science,
and whose very aliment is Natural History, in a country like ours
abounding in the most exquisite productions, it is easy to find
means to gratify them.
“I therefore hope, and above all pray you to fulfil my wishes in
the attentions you pay to Senhor Leavens and his companions, and
thus give me another proof of your esteem and friendship.
“Your friend and obedient servant,
“JOÃO AUGUSTO CORREIO.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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