Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 2Jefferson, Thomas
History
Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 2
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
mines, being twenty-six millions, might be counted on for effecting
a revolution. Besides the arms in the hands of the people, there are
public magazines. They have abundance of horses, but only a part of
their country would admit the service of horses. They would want cannon,
ammunition, ships, sailors, soldiers, and officers, for which they are
disposed to look to the United States, it being always understood, that
every service and furniture will be well paid. Corn costs about
twenty livres the one hundred pounds. They have flesh in the greatest
abundance, insomuch, that in some parts, they kill beeves for the skin
only. The whale fishery is carried on by Brazilians altogether, and not
by Portuguese; but in very small vessels, so that the fishermen know
nothing of managing a large ship. They would want of us; at all times,
shipping, corn, and salt fish. The latter is a great article, and they
are at present supplied with it from Portugal. Portugal being without
either army or navy, could not attempt an invasion under a twelvemonth.
Considering of what it would be composed, it would not be much to be
feared, and if it failed, they would probably never attempt a second.
Indeed, this source of their wealth being intercepted, they are scarcely
capable of a first effort. The thinking part of the nation are so
sensible of this, that they consider an early separation inevitable.
There is an implacable hatred between the Brazilians and Portuguese;
to reconcile which, a former minister adopted the policy of letting
the Brazilians into a participation of public offices; but subsequent
administrations have reverted to the ancient policy of keeping the
administrations in the hands of native Portuguese. There is a mixture
of natives, of the old appointments, still remaining in office. If Spain
should invade them on their southern extremities, these are so distant
from the body of their settlements, that they could not penetrate
thence; and Spanish enterprise is not formidable. The _mines d’or_ are
among mountains, inaccessible to any army; and Rio Janeiro is considered
the strongest port in the world after Gibraltar. In case of a successful
revolution, a republican government in a single body would probably be
established.’
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