>>211802391 (OP)That's just Rio.
The French naturalist Auguste de Saint-Hilaire was in Brazil in 1816 and he called the people of São Paulo 'a race of giants' and 'audacious adventurers' and also said that 'nothing stop these intrepid men' after learning about the Bandeirantes.
The German travelers Spix and Martius wrote in 1817:
>"Many white settlers have also established themselves here. In the past, the captaincy of São Paulo, then called São Vicente, was sought after by many Spaniards. Many Paulistas have remained without mixing with the indigenous people and are as white—even fairer—than the pure European colonists in the northern provinces of Brazil. The mestiços, depending on the degree of mixing, have skin the color of coffee, light yellow, or nearly white. Otherwise, the main traits of the Paulista are tall stature, a broad chest, and strongly marked features that indicate frankness and ease. Their eyes are brown, rarely blue, full of vivacity and energy; their hair is thick, black, and straight; their musculature is firm; and their movements are agile and assured.">“The São Paulo inhabitants have, throughout Brazil, a reputation of great honesty, courage and a romantic taste for adventure. The foreigner sees in their proud behavior only seriousness and character; they believe that their cordial frankness and hospitality are endearing traits. The pride of the Paulistas can only be excused because the deeds of their ancestors grant them rights over the new continent that the European colonist does not possess.” Also >“The São Paulo people are rightly considered to be the strongest, healthiest and most energetic inhabitant of Brazil. The muscular vigor with which they tame wild horses and wild cattle by lassoes is as wonderful as the ease with which they endure continuous work, hunger and thirst, cold and heat, hard weather and deprivations of all sorts.”
