Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 - No. 0165
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[Page 165]
Rio de Janeiro
which we had not one or more new species brought to us indeed the bay is the most convenient place for fishing I have ever seen for it abounds with Islands between which there is shallow water & proper beaches for drawing the Seine The sea also without the bay is full of Dolphins & large mackrell of several sorts who very readily bite at hooks which the inhabitants tow after their boats for that purpose in short the Countrey is Capable with a very little industry of producing infinite plenty both of nesscessaries & luxuries was it in the hands of Englishmen we should soon see its consequence as things are tolerably plentifull even under the direction of the Portugese who I take to be without exception the laziest as well as the most ignorant race in the whole world
The Climate here is I fancy very good the Countrey certainly is very wholesome