It is Govern'd by a Governor appointed by the King.

The present Governor is Don Anto Mendoyaz Fastada, who is no Friend to the English.

It likewise is the Residence of the Vice-Roy and Captain General of the States of Brazil, who is as absolute as any Monarch on Earth, and the people to all appearance as much Slaves.

This City and Adjacent parts about the Bay are said to contain 100,000 Souls; but not above a twentieth part are Whites.
The rest are blacks, many of whom are free, and seem to live in tolerable Circumstances.
The city of Rio de Janeiro is supplied with Water from 2 Different parts of the Adjacent Mountains.

That which comes from the Southward is Convey'd a Cross a Deep Valley by an Acquiduct, which Consists of a great Number of Arches placed in 2 Rows, one upon the other; from thence in pipes to a fountain which stands in the Middle of the Square before the Vice-Roy's Palace.