At this period the important step was taken of transferring the capital of _Brazil_ to _Rio de Janeiro_, the chief reasons of this decision being its vicinity to the mines and likewise to the _Plata_, the importance of which latter region was daily becoming more manifest. _Rio de Janeiro_ likewise presented greater facilities for being fortified than did _Bahia_. The vigour which Pombal had infused into the administration at Lisbon was extended to the colonies; and _Brazil_ felt the benefit of his enlarged views. One of his prudent measures in regard to this country was to put a stop to the highly unsuitable institution of nunneries. It had not been possible for ministers entirely to put down silly prejudices which were the growth of centuries; and we are told of a wealthy inhabitant of _Bahia_ who, there being no more nunneries in _Brazil_, thought fit to send over his six daughters, each with a portion of six thousand _cruzados_, to be incarcerated for life in the convent of _Esperanza_, where none but persons of the first condition were admitted. Under Pombal the Brazilians were prohibited from sending their children to Portugal for such a purpose without the special permission of the King,--a measure so evidently beneficial that it won for the minister the approbation even of his enemies. Another measure of the same statesman was even more to be commended. Happily for _Brazil_, that country never boasted an establishment of the Inquisition. Nevertheless, some of the agents of the Holy Office had found a field for their energies on the other side of the Atlantic. These agents had arrested and sent to Lisbon a large number of new Christians,--persons fulfilling every duty of citizenship, but whose crime it was to be wealthy. These unfortunate people, having confessed to being Jews, escaped with their lives at the expense of all their property, which of course went to the informers. In consequence of this profitable practice many _engenhos_ had to be stopped, and widespread ruin ensued. Even Pombal did not venture to proclaim toleration for the Jewish faith, but he made it penal for any person to reproach another for his Jewish origin, whilst he removed all disabilities attaching to Jewish blood, even if their ancestors had suffered at the hands of the Inquisition. He likewise published an edict decreeing severe chastisement against such persons as should retain lists of persons of Jewish origin. [Sidenote: 1765.]