Item 2 - Diary titled "Four Days at Bahia", 4th-12th June 1834

In 1834 Broughton and his family made a trip to England. During the voyage they stopped at Bahia, Brazil about which Broughton wrote a detailed account. In it he describes in great depth his impressions of the town and its people. Broughton dedicated the account to his mother. On 14 June, 1834 it is recorded that the ship is near the island of Trinidad. On the thirteenth week after leaving Port Jackson the coast of Brazil is sighted. It is noted that during those thirteen weeks the only land sighted was the desolate islands of the Antipodes. Records the sighting of buildings and plantations as they sail past islands. Sights a vessel rigged off what he believes to be Cape Antonio ("which forms the western enclosure of the Port of Bahia and on which the city of Saint Salvadore is built"). As they sail into the harbour Brazilian Men-of-war and English, Dutch, French and American vessels are sighted. On their left the island of [Toporica] which forms the western side of the bay and on the right the city of Bahia. Describes the harbour and procedure for landing at Bahia, including the examination by the commanding officer of a Brazilian man-of-war. Describes the view of the city as seen from the ship. Records visit by health boat and comments on the inefficiency of regulations and precautions taken against smuggling and "contagion". Gives an account of the Divine Service which he performed on deck. Describes a trip made in the late afternoon to the public gardens. The next morning he and his family set off in the ship's boat towards the "public landing place" and he gives a detailed description of the activity in the harbour and town. He particularly notes one busy street which he found interesting and describes the sedan chairs called "caderas" which are the only means of transport in the town. He and his family travel in caderas to see the upper part of the city which is residential and he describes the Festival of Saint Antonio and the interior of a church he visited. Gives an account of a journey to the outskirts of town and describes a convent which he visits. On the way back from the convent he and his family stop to view a public library and opera house. Describes the village and church of Bom Fim which was reached by boat. On Thursday, 12 June, 1834 they weighed anchor and made their way to England.