Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

The Brazils. In a letter from a gentleman on the spot.

Rio Janeiro.—This city is situated but a few miles from the sea, in a most delightful harbour, or rather capacious bay, 45 miles round. The views from the islands and lands about are of the most magnificent and pleasing kind; indeed I know nothing that can be more pleasant. The city is very populous, containing perhaps 200,000 souls as some calculate; houses well built for the style of the country; and the inhabitants appear to be as friendly and well disposed to strangers as I have known. But in business there is a certain want of accuracy, and superabundance of mystery, that is really hard to get along with any degree of convenience. The climate since I have been here is delightful, and it is the winter season.

The country with proper cultivation and New England industry, would produce every thing that can be imagined. It now abounds in sugar, cattle, wheat, and the finest fruits; and two crops of coffee, Indian corn, and beans in a year.

Santos.—This place I find very different from Rio de Janeiro; by far inferior to it as to commercial advantages; and as to conveniences. The part of the city where business is transacted is directly on the water, at the bottom of a very steep hill, and is filthy, crowded, &c. but the upper part, after you get up by a very steep and tiresome ascent, is beautifully situated and well built with many elegant houses and a most superb Opera house. Slavery is here tolerated; 900 men slaves are annually imported into the city alone. The country, were it settled with an industrious, enterprising set of men, would be delightful, as nature has been lavish with her favors, which may perhaps lead to this remark, that the best part of the earth is inhabited by the worst set of people; this observation alone may convince us in some degree of the wisdom of Providence, for were the people of this country placed among the hard northern climates, where poor living is only to be obtained from hard labour, it appears to me that their natural indolence is such that they would almost inevitably starve.