Danbury Times

Drought And Famine In Northern Brazil.

A letter received by a gentleman in this city, dated Aracaty, Feb. 20, gives a heart-rending description of the sufferings of the inhabitants of portions of Northern Brazil. At Aracaty, in consequence of the protracted drought, the trees were withering, and the people were famishing for want of food. The writer says—'Should the drought continue until May or June we shall have few persons left here. They have already begun to flock to Pernambuco, the capital: and if opportunity offers all that remain will immediately follow.' The writer was at Ico on the 9th of February, and he there saw families who a short time since enjoyed abundance begging from door to door. They appeared, he remarks, 'more like skeletons than any thing else. Many were dying in the streets from want, daily; and the deaths were so numerous that the amount of mortality could not be estimated.' Articles of first necessity had risen to an exorbitant price. A quarter of Flour (half a bushel) could not be obtained for less than 24 milreis, or $12; and biscuits, weighing half an ounce, sold for 30 reis each. Salt, which a short time previous was selling at 8 milreis, was held at 16 milreis. In the districts of Inhamum, Croto, the province of Parahyba, and the neighboring country, excepting the sea coast, the distress was great beyond description, and the inhabitants were perishing of hunger in all directions.—Baltimore American.