Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

1832. SLAVERY IN BRAZIL. 61 cotton : but who will embark much capital upon so insecure a foundation as is there offered .'' The immense extent and increase of the slave population is an evil long foreseen and now severely felt. Humanely as the Brazilians in general treat their slaves, no one can suppose that any benevolence will eradicate feelings excited by the situation of those human beings. Hitherto the obstacles to combinations and general revolt among the negroes, have been ignorance, mutual distrust, and the fact of their being natives of various countries, speaking different languages, and in many cases hostile to each other, to a degree that hardly their hatred of white men can cause them to conquer, even for their imme- diate advantage. The slave trade has already entailed some of its lamentable consequences upon the Brazilians, in demoralizing them by ex- treme indolence, and its sure accompaniment, gross sensuality; but there are in store afflictions hitherto unfelt, occasioned by the growing hordes of enemies who are yearly causing more perplexity and dread in the territories of Brazil. Could the Brazilians see clearly their own position, unani- mously condemn and prevent the selfish conduct of individuals, emancipate the slaves now in their country, and decidedly prevent the introduction of more, Brazil would commence a career of prosperity, and her population would increase in an unlimited degree. In that immense and most fertile country, distress cannot be caused by numerous inhabitants ; food is abundant, and the slight clothing required in so warm a climate is easily procured. The chief, if not the only cause of the slave trade in Brazil, is want of population — want of an industrious population, able as well as willing to clear away primeval forests, and render the soil fit for culture — able to work in the open fields under a hot sun, to cultivate the sugar cane, cotton plants, mandioca, and other productions of tropical climates. While this extensive and most powerful cause exists, selfish, unprincipled owners of immense territories in Brazil, and else- where, will not refrain from importing hundreds, even thou-