STATE OF PARA, BRAZIL 
 
 I^WS FOR THE 
 Protection of the Rubber Industry 
 
 AND FOR 
 
 Encouraging the Cultivation of other Plants 
 of Industrial or Economical Utility, and 
 for the Establishment of Mills for 
 Purifying Crude Rubber 
 
 DECREES OF THE STATE OF PARA 
 
 No. 1 1 09, Dated November 6th, 1 909 
 No. 1179, Dated May 17th, 1911 
 No. 1214, Dated November 4th, 1911 
 No. 1219, Dated November 4th, 1911 
 No. 1238, Dated November 6th, 1911 
 
 AND 
 
 DECREE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERN- 
 MENT OF BRAZIL 
 No. 2543 A, Dated January 5th, 1912 
 
 ISSUED BY 
 
 THE COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION OF PARA 
 
 
 New York, September 23, f912 
 
STATE OF PARA, BRAZIL 
 
 LAWS FOR THE 
 Protection of the Rubber Industry 
 
 AND FOR 
 
 Encouraging the Cultivation of other Plants 
 of Industrial or Economical Utility, and 
 for the Establishment of Mills for 
 Purifying Crude Rubber 
 
 DECREES OF THE STATE OF PARA 
 
 No. 1 1 09, Dated November 6th, 1 909 
 No. 1179, Dated May 17th, 1911 
 No. 1214, Dated November 4th, 1911 
 No. 1219, Dated November 4th, 1911 
 No. 1 238, Dated November 6th, 1911 
 
 AND 
 
 DECREE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERN- 
 MENT OF BRAZIL 
 No. 2543 A, Dated January 5th, 1912 
 
 ISSUED BY 
 
 THE COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION OF PARA 
 
 New York, September 23, 1912 
 
 
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 in 2017 with funding from 
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 https://archive.org/details/lawsforprotectioOOpara 
 
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3 
 
 Resume of Legislation for the protection of Policulture 
 of rubber, and other plants of economical utility of the State 
 of Para. 
 
 The Legislative Congress of the State, under the adminis- 
 tration of his Excellency Dr. Joao Antonio Luiz Coelho, has 
 decreed the following laws for the protection of the cultivation 
 of the rubber tree (Hevea Br-aziliensis) and other plants of 
 economical utility ; 
 
 Law No. 1,109 dated 6th November, 1909, grants prizes 
 and concessions to growers in the State, who, either them- 
 selves, or companies they might organize, grow rubber and 
 cocoa trees. This law has brought about the actual initiative 
 of cultivators, there being already inscribed 80 candidates for 
 the prizes, and other concessions granted by it, with the object 
 to plant eight million three hundred and sixty thousand rubber 
 trees, and two million five hundred and thirty-two thousand 
 nine hundred cocoa trees. 
 
 Law No. 1,214 dated 4th November, 1911, authorizes the 
 Governor of the State to contract with one, or more companies, 
 whether National or Foreign, the plantation of rubber trees 
 (Hevea Braziliensis), by means of several concessions, notably 
 the concession of State lands up to two hundred thousand 
 hectares, and the reduction on the export duties. 
 
 The Companies Societe Agricole du Para, and the Syndi- 
 cate Franc-Bresilien have already contracted the culture of the 
 Hevea Braziliensis, and are beginning their work. 
 
 The Companies which hold the concessions under this 
 law, according to Article No. 2, principally are obliged to plant 
 not less than fifty thousand rubber trees, during the first five 
 years, to count from the date of the signing of the Contract, 
 and twenty thousand each year after this lapse of time, as far 
 as the land granted allow them to do so. 
 
 Law No. 1,219 dated 4th November, 1911, grants conces- 
 sions to each one of the six establishments which are main- 
 tained in the agricultural centres of the State, for the mechan- 
 ical preparation and treatment of rice, corn, beans, cotton, and 
 other products of the agricultural industry. 
 
4 
 
 Law No. 1.238 dated 6th November, 1911, authorizes the 
 Governor of the State to grant concessions of State lands, in 
 the zone of the Brazilian Guyana, belonging to the State of 
 Para, granting the advantage of free acquisition to those who 
 undertake to divide the land into lots proper for the Pastoral 
 and Agricultural Industry, without cost to the State, up to one 
 hundred thousand hectares. 
 
 Federal Law No. 2543A dated 5th January, 1912, estab- 
 lishes measures with the object to facilitate and disenvolve the 
 cultivation of rubber, Caucho, Manitoba, and Mangabeira, and 
 the gathering and preparation of the rubber extracted from 
 these trees, and authorizes the Executive Power not only to 
 open the necessary credits for the execution of such measures, 
 but also to execute such operations of credits which might be 
 necessary. 
 
5 
 
 Decree No. 1109, dated 6th November 1909 
 
 Granting premiums and advantages to agriculturalists 
 
 OF THE State. 
 
 The Legislative Congress of the State of Para decreed 
 and I ratify the following law : 
 
 Article 1. — To agriculturalists of the State who alone, 
 or by associations which they may organize, complying with 
 the conditions of the present law, the following premiums will 
 be allowed, to be paid by the Financial Secretary of the State : 
 (1) Of five hundred milreis*, for each lot of five hundred 
 rubber trees, well planted; (2) Of one hundred and fifty mil- 
 reis, for each lot of five hundred well planted cocoa trees. 
 
 Art. 2. — In order to enjoy the rights to the premiums 
 established by the present law, the agriculturalists or associa- 
 tions must, in their plantations, follow and execute the rules 
 prescribed by the Agricultural Department of the State, to 
 whom they will have to communicate when they commence 
 planting. 
 
 Art. 3. — The premiums will be paid by instalments as 
 follows : 
 
 o) For plantations of rubber trees, the premium will be 
 divided into four equal contributions which will be paid, as 
 follows : The 1st at the end of the first year after the con- 
 clusion of the planting ; the 2d at the end of the second year ; 
 the 3d at the end of the third year; the 4th at the end of the 
 fourth year. 
 
 Art. 4. — ■ Before the payment of each instalment of the 
 preceding premiums an employee of the Agricultural Depart- 
 ment, duly appointed by the Government, will verify the num- 
 ber of plants and their age and he will draw up a bond which 
 must be signed by him, by the owner of the plantations and 
 two witnesses who should be, whenever possible, two neigh- 
 bouring agriculturalists. 
 
 * Milreis = about 16 pence, say 32c. 
 
6 
 
 § unique. If, at the time of verification of one of the lots 
 of plants to be awarded, they verify at request of the planter 
 that there are further new plantations, forming new lots, same 
 will be noted separately by another bond, for the concession 
 of a new premium, which will only be conceded on the stated 
 periods established by this law. 
 
 Art. 5. — If the verified plantations should not have Deen 
 made according to the instructions given by the Agricultural 
 Department of the State, or if they are not in a healthy condi- 
 tion, under protest of the examiner or others the Government 
 may refuse to pay the premium. 
 
 § unique. In this case the planter claiming the premium, 
 will have the right to ask the Government to nominate a com- 
 mission of three professional men to judge the justice or injus- 
 tice of the protest. 
 
 Art. 6. — If at the time of any subsequent verificatioti 
 made after the payment of the first instalment of a premium, 
 they note that the number of plants formerly verified do not 
 exist, the payment of the other contributions of the premium 
 will be suspended until the number of plants be completed. 
 
 Art. 7. — To every agriculturalist or association which 
 will inform the Agricultural Department of the State that 
 they are prepared to start planting, according to this decree, 
 the following advantages will be conceded : 
 
 a) A gratuitous annual distribution of five hundred kilos 
 of chemical manure during four consecutive years; 
 
 b) A gratuitous delivery of seeds, plants, instructions 
 and pamphlets ; 
 
 c) Gratuitous instructions about tilling, planting, &c. ; 
 
 d) Gratuitous transportation by the Estrada de Ferro de 
 Braganga (Braganga railway, — belonging to the State) and 
 all navigation lines subventioned by the State, for all ma- 
 chinery, material, plants, seeds, fertilizing manure, animals for 
 transport work as well as for breeding purposes. 
 
7 
 
 Art. 8. — • The owner of plantations, made according to 
 this law, will furthermore enjoy the following advantages: 
 
 a) For rubber: the reduction of export duties on the 
 rubber produced, viz. : of 50% for the first ten years of pro- 
 duction, and, of 30% for the following twenty years, and a 
 reduction of 30% on the tariff of freights by the Estrada de 
 Ferro de Braganga and all navigation lines that are subven- 
 tioned by the State. 
 
 b) For cocoa; a reduction of 30% on the export duties 
 for 20 years to count from date of first crop and a similar 
 reduction on the freight tariff of the Estrada de Ferro de 
 Braganga and all navigation lines that are subventioned by the 
 State. 
 
 Art. 9. — In order to enjoy the privileges conceded by the 
 preceding article, the producers must use on the bags, cases 
 and other packages in which they may pack their produce, a 
 distinct mark which must be duly registered in the Chamber 
 of Commerce (Junta Commercial). 
 
 Art. 10. — To agriculturalists or associations who request 
 it, (to be utilized as plantations as indicated in this law), lots 
 of land, not exceeding 100 hectares in all, will be sold at a 
 reduction of 50% from usual legal prices. 
 
 § 1. — The sale will be made good by means of a defini- 
 tive deed when it is proved that in the same lands there exist 
 plantations that have a right to premiums superior to the cost 
 price of the lands. 
 
 § 2. — If after three years, it be proved that the clause of 
 the preceding paragraph is not complied with the sale will be 
 considered void, all the lands reverting to the State’s dominion 
 with the improvements existing thereon, without the right of 
 indemnisation or restitution of the amount paid for them. 
 
 Art. 11. — The Government will decree, as a fixed rule 
 to this law, all necessary steps it may think fit, for its good 
 execution and will open the necessary credits for the payment 
 of the premiums instituted. 
 
8 
 
 Art. 12. — All legal dispositions in opposition to this law 
 are hereby revoked. 
 
 The State’s Secretary of Public Works, Lands and Roads 
 will see to the execution of the present law. 
 
 Government Palace, of the State of Para, 
 the 6th November, 1909, twenty-first 
 year of the Republic. 
 
 Signed : 
 
 JoAo Antonio Luiz Coelho. 
 Innocencio Hollanda de Lima. 
 
9 
 
 Decree No. 1179, dated 17th May 1911 
 
 Authorizing the concession of advantages for a time not 
 
 EXCEEDING 15 YEARS, TO PERSONS OR COMPANIES THAT MAY 
 
 TAKE UPON THEMSELVES THE ONUS OF ESTABLISHING IN 
 
 THIS CAPITAL MANUFACTORIES FOR THE PURIFYING OF 
 
 INDIA-RUBBER ; AND PROVIDING FOR , OTHER NECESSARY 
 
 RULES RELATING THERTO. 
 
 The Legislative Congress of the State of Para has decreed 
 and I ratify the following law : 
 
 Article 1. — The Executive Power is hereby authorized 
 to grant the advantages which they may consider necessary, 
 including the exemption of taxes or duties (except those of 
 exportation), for a time not exceeding fifteen years, to all per- 
 sons or companies which may assume the compromise of estab- 
 lishing, in this capital, manufactories for the purification of 
 rubber, in order to permit the exportation of a single uniform 
 type of first quality. 
 
 Art. 2. — The chemical procesess employed in the purifica- 
 tion and in the antiseptic preservation of the produce must in 
 no manner damage it chemically or physically, and must not in 
 the least prejudice its industrial value. 
 
 Art. 3. — The Executive Power when making the conces- 
 sions, will determine the conditions of same, the terms, rights 
 and liabilities of the concessionaires and will fix the amount 
 they will have to pay for fiscalizing on the part of the Gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 Art. 4. — As soon as the purification factories will be in 
 operation, the Executive. Power will make uniform the rates 
 that are now collected on rubber exported, so that the inter- 
 mediate and lower grades may disappear for the benefit of the 
 collecting of duties. 
 
 Art. 5. — If the amount of the duties on rubber thus 
 uniformed exceeds in an appreciable manner, during the first 
 six months, the amount collected during the same period of the 
 
10 
 
 past year, the Executive Power will send to Congress at its 
 first meeting the necessary information which will allow them 
 to reduce the rates of taxes. 
 
 Art. 6. — Every legal disposition in opposition to this law 
 is hereby revoked. 
 
 The State’s Secretary of the Department of Public Works, 
 Lands and Roads, will provide that said law be carried out. 
 
 Government Palace of the State of Para, 
 the 17th May of 1911, twenty-third year 
 of the Republic. 
 
 Signed ; 
 
 JoAO Antonio Luiz Coelho. 
 
 Innocencio Hollanda de Lima. 
 
11 
 
 Decree No. 1214, dated 4th November 1911 
 
 Authorizing to contract with one or more national or 
 
 FOREIGN COMPANIES, THE PLANTATION AND THE EXPLORA- 
 TION OF THE RUBBER TREE. 
 
 The Legislative Congress of the State of Para has decreed 
 and I ratify the following law: 
 
 Article 1. — The State Governor is hereby authorized to 
 contract with one or several national or foreign companies the 
 planting and exploration of rubber trees {Hevea hraziliensis) 
 by conceding the following advantages : 
 
 a) The concession of vacant lands up to 200,000 hec- 
 tares* duly marked out, in due legal form, in conformity with 
 the public land-laws, for the planting and exploration service 
 of the company; 
 
 b) Reduction of State’s export duties on cultivated rub- 
 ber produced, viz. : 
 
 ( 1 ) — 50% during the first ten years to count from the 
 date of the first exportation, 
 
 (2) — 40% during the next ten other years, 
 
 (3) — 30% between the 20th and the 30th year of ex- 
 portation, 
 
 (4) — 20% from the 30th to the 40th year, 
 
 (5) — 10% from the 40th to the 50th year. 
 
 c) Reduction of tariff on the State’s railways and on 
 the freight tariff of steamers which are subventioned or enjoy 
 other Government favors, for all cultivated rubber produced 
 by the company viz : 
 
 (1) Of 30% during the first 20 years. 
 
 (2) Of 20% up to the 30th year. 
 
 (3) Of 15% from the 30th to the 40th year. 
 
 (4) Of 10% from the 40th to the 50th year. 
 
 * hectare = 2.47 acres. 
 
12 
 
 d) If the company also cultivates cocoa, nuts and other 
 products of economical value, the company will enjoy the same 
 advantages mentioned under b and c. 
 
 e) Exemption of State’s business taxation for ten years 
 for the factories of mechanical improving of goods of its pro- 
 duction. 
 
 § unique. The Governor will provide equal advantages 
 to the different municipalities. 
 
 Art. 2. — In exchange for these advantages the company 
 engages itself to : 
 
 ( 1 ) Plant at least 50,000 rubber trees during the first five 
 years of the concession, to count from the date of the signing 
 of the contract and, 20,000 every year after this term, so long 
 as the expansion of land will allow. 
 
 (2) To register its firm in the Agricultural Department 
 of the State, where a copy of the contract must be deposited. 
 
 (3) To carry out in its planting the instructions laid 
 down by the board of Agriculture. 
 
 (4) To furnish a statistical note of number of trees 
 
 planted, their state and the production in general of rubber 
 and other products. 
 
 (5) To employ on the bags, cases and other packages of 
 goods of its production a mark which must be duly registered 
 m the Chamber of Commerce (Junta Commercial) according 
 to law. 
 
 (6) To allow the Government to fiscalize over all the 
 company’s services. 
 
 Art. 3. — The concession of vacant lands will be made by 
 provisory right title delivered at the time of demarcation, and 
 which will be substituted by a definitive title as soon as the 
 company will have made the plantations according to clause 
 No. 1 of Art. 2. 
 
13 
 
 Art. 4. — The concessions made according to this decree 
 will be considered as falling of itself, for all effects, reverting 
 to the State all lands, improvements made thereon, without any 
 indemnisation on the part of the State if, after five years from 
 the date of signing of the contract the company has not planted 
 at least 50,000 rubber trees in a healthy state and complied with 
 all the conditions of this decree unless under unforseen circum- 
 stances as the Government may think fit. 
 
 Art. 5. — The State Government will endeavor to obtain 
 from the Federal Government, for the concessionaires, the ex- 
 emption of custom house import duties for all machinery, etc., 
 and other things that will be necessary for the preparing and 
 culture of the ground. 
 
 Art. 6. — 'The advantages under Art. 1 (b and c) will 
 also be granted to agriculturalists to which the decree N° 1,109 
 of the 6th of November refers to, being in consequence annulled 
 Art. 8, letters a and b of same decree. 
 
 Art. 7 . — The concessions made to the following are ap- 
 proved, to the — Societe Agricole du Para — and — Sindicat 
 Franc-Brezilien — represented by the Baron Ferdinand Pas- 
 quier, and Carlos MIeisel, according to the contacts of the 6th 
 of May and 16th of August of the current year, registered in 
 the State’s Financial Offices. 
 
 Art. 8. — ■ The decree N® 1,100 of 5th November of 1909 is 
 herewith cancelled as well as all legal dispositions in opposition 
 to this decree. 
 
 The State’s Secretary of the Department of Public Works, 
 Lands and Roads will see to the execution of this law. 
 
 Government Palace of the State of Para, 
 the Ath of November of 1911, twenty- 
 third year of the Republic. 
 
 Signed : 
 
 Jo.\o Antonio Luiz Coelho, 
 Innocencio Hollanda de Lima. 
 
14 
 
 Decree No. 1219, dated 4th November 1911 
 
 Granting advantages to each of the six establishments 
 
 THAT MAY BE MAINTAINED IN THE AGRICULTURAL CENTRES 
 
 OF THE STATE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF RICE, MAZE, 
 
 BEANS AND COTTON. 
 
 The Legislative Congress of the State of Para has decreed 
 and I ratify the following law: 
 
 Article 1. — To each of the six establishments that may 
 after the date of the present law organize in the agricultural 
 centres of the State, wherever the Government may choose, for 
 mechanical bettering of rice, maze, beans or cotton, the follow- 
 ing advantages will be granted : 
 
 a) An annual subvention of two contos de reis* for four 
 years, counting from the definite inauguration of same. 
 
 b) Exemption of all State taxes for ten years. 
 
 c) Gratuitous transport by the Estrada de Ferro de 
 Braganca (railway to Braganga) or any other State railway or 
 by vessels or steamers which receive benefits from the State, 
 for all machinery, materials, plants, seeds, manure and first 
 class breeding animals of any description. 
 
 d) A reduction of 20% on freights on the tariff of the 
 Extrada, de Ferro de Braganga and other lines of the State or 
 steamers subventioned or assisted by the State Government 
 for the cultivated produce. 
 
 c) Exemption of the State export duties on the produce 
 of the factories for ten years. 
 
 f) A gratuitous distribution of seeds, plants, instructions 
 and pamphlets. 
 
 Art. 2. — To all other factories for the bettering of rice, 
 maize, beans and cotton and those of dairy products already 
 established or to be established in the future the advantages 
 under Art. 1, letters b, c, d, e and /, will be granted. 
 
 * 1 conto de reis = say $332. 
 
15 
 
 Art. 3. — To the factories for bettering, by mechanical 
 process, tobacco, cocoa, mandioca, textile plants the extraction 
 of animal and vegetable oils, flesh, fruits, preserved fish and 
 preparing of leather, the advantages under Art. 1, letters b, c, 
 d, e and f, will be granted, as also the reduction of 30% of the 
 State’s export duties. 
 
 Art. 4. — To the refrigerating concerns that may be or- 
 ganized in the State for providing the population and export 
 fresh meat, fresh fish, fruits, dairy products, vegetables, eggs, 
 game and flowers of national production, it will be granted for 
 twenty years the exemption of State’s duties. 
 
 § unique. The Governor of the State will make an 
 agreement with the municipal districts of the State in order 
 that they grant exemption of duties to the said factories, ac- 
 cording to Art. 1, 2, 3 and 4. 
 
 Art. 5. — The factories which Art. 1, 2, 3 and 4 refer 
 to, if they want to enjoy the advantages of the present decree,, 
 must comply with the following conditions : 
 
 (1) Have their firm or name registered in the State’s. 
 Agricultural Department. 
 
 (2) Employ for cases, bags, baskets in which they may 
 pack their produce, a mark that must be duly registered in 
 the Chamber of Commerce (Junta Commercial). 
 
 (3) Help the State in the distribution of seeds from 
 their establishments to the agriculturalists in their neighbor- 
 hood. 
 
 (4) Admit at their expenses in the service of the fac- 
 tories at least five young boys, orphans or poor, in order to 
 give them a professional education. 
 
 (5) Observe and follow the instructions or orders of 
 the Agricultural Department of the State. 
 
 (6) Deliver to the Agricultural Department of the State 
 an exact annual statistical note showing the production of the 
 establishment, the number of workmen employed and their 
 respective salaries. 
 
16 
 
 (7) Give to the Agricultural Department of the State 
 any useful information which they may require. 
 
 Art. 6. — The State Governor is hereby authorized to 
 make an agreement with all owners of steamers in the State 
 who have navigation lines in the rivers of its territory, whether 
 they receive a government subsidy or not, to obtain a reduction 
 or exemption of freight for agricultural products in general, 
 machinery, plants, seeds, manure and the products of the fac- 
 tories included in this law. 
 
 The Governor will concede for an indefinite time a reduc- 
 tion or exemption of State’s duties and other advantages he 
 may consider convenient by means of a contract to all owners 
 or charterers of steamers which consent to make the conces- 
 sion mentioned in this article. 
 
 Art. 7. — All legal dispositions in opposition to this 
 decree are hereby revoked. 
 
 The State’s Secretary of the Department of Public Works, 
 Lands and Roads will see to the execution of this law. 
 
 Government Palace of the State of Para, 
 the 4th November of 1911, twenty- 
 third year of the Republic. 
 
 Signed : 
 
 JoAo Antonio Luiz Coelho, 
 Innocencio Hollanda de Lima. 
 
17 
 
 Decree No. 1238, dated 6th November 1911 
 
 Authorizing the concession of vacant lands in the zone 
 
 OF THE BRAZILIAN GUYANA AND ORDERING OTHER DISPO- 
 SITIONS. 
 
 The Legislative Congress of the State has decreed and I 
 ratify the following law : 
 
 Article 1. — The State Governor is hereby authorized to 
 make concessions of vacant lands in the zone of the Brazilian 
 Guyana, belonging to the State of Para, granting advantages 
 of gratuitous acquisition to all those who take upon themselves, 
 without onus for the State, to divide the same lands into appro- 
 priated lots for agricultural and pastoral industry up to 100,- 
 000 hectares. 
 
 Art. 2. — The land concessions will always be effected 
 with the obligation of improvement, which must begin within 
 the second year of the Government’s act granting the con- 
 cession. 
 
 Art. 3. — The Government by special act for every case 
 will determine the limits of each concession in regard to its ex- 
 tension as well as to its division. 
 
 Art. 4. — The concessionaries of vacant lands, under iden- 
 tical conditions, will have preference for the opening up of 
 communications, such as roads, highways, economical railways 
 and river navigation for the improvement of the conceded zone. 
 
 Art. 5. — The concessions for the roadways, etc., will be 
 made without guarantee of interest and the Government will 
 have the privilege of establishing on each side of the line one 
 or more lots of land not exceeding one kilometer* in width by 
 twenty kilometers in length and keeping same for the dominion 
 of the State. 
 
 All legal dispositions in opposition to this decree are 
 hereby revoked. 
 
 * 1 kilometer — say .62 miles. 
 
18 
 
 The State’s Secretary of the Department of Public Works, 
 Lands and Roads will see to the execution of this law. 
 
 Government Palace of the State of Para, 
 the 6th November of 1911, twenty- 
 third year of the Republic. 
 
 Signed : 
 
 JoAO Antonio Luiz Coelho, 
 Innocencio Hollanda de Lima. 
 
19 
 
 Decree No. 2543 A, dated 5th January 1912 
 
 Determining measures with a view of facilitating and 
 
 DEVELOPING THE CULTURE OF RUBBER, CAUCHO, MANICOBA, 
 AND MANGABEIRA TREES, AS WELL AS GATHERING AND IM- 
 PROVING THE RUBBER EXTRACTED FROM THESE TREES AND 
 AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE POWER, NOT ONLY TO OPEN 
 THE NECESSARY CREDITS REQUIRED FOR THE EXECUTION OF 
 THE ABOVE MEASURES, BUT ALSO TO MAKE THE NECESSARY 
 FINANCIAL OPERATIONS THAT SAME MAY CALL FOR. 
 
 The President of the Republic of the United States of 
 
 Brazil makes it known that the National Congress has decreed 
 and he has ratified the following resolution ; 
 
 Article 1. — That all utensils and materials for the culti- 
 vation of the Seringueira (Para Rubber Tree) of the Caucho, 
 of the Manicoba, and of the Mangabeira, and for the collec- 
 tion and manufacture of the rubber extracted from these trees, 
 are declared free of any import duties whatever, whether to 
 be used solely in the extractive industry or for the purpose of 
 cultivation. 
 
 This exemption of duties will be requested of the Custom 
 Inspectors, who will give the necessary exemption, after duly 
 verifying, with the utmost speed, the qualifications and re- 
 sponsibility of the petitioners. 
 
 Art. 2. — That premiums be instituted in favor of those 
 who make proper and entirely new plantations of the 
 Seringueira, Caucho, Manicoba or Mangabeira, or to those 
 who replant the Seringaes (wild rubber lands), Cauchaes 
 (wild Caucho lands), Manicobaes (wild Manicoba lands), or 
 Mangabaes (wild Manbageira lands), provided the land be 
 properly utilized. The premiums to be paid under the follow- 
 ing conditions ; 
 
 o) Per group of 12 hectares of new cultivation 2,500 
 milreis as to the Seringueira; 1,500 milreis as to Caucho or 
 Manicoba, and 900 milreis as to Mangabeira. 
 
20 
 
 h) Per group of 25 hectares of replanted Seringaes 
 (wild rubber lands), Cauchaes (wild Caucho lands), Manico- 
 baes (wild Manicoba lands), or Mangabaes (wild Mangabeira 
 lands), 2,000 milreis for the first, 1,000 milreis for the second 
 and third, and 720 milreis for the fourth. 
 
 1) These premiums will be payable one year before the 
 first crop, after it having been verified that the land has been 
 entirely cultivated and the trees properly treated. 
 
 (2) An increase of 5% annually on the value of the 
 premiums instituted for the benefit of the planters of Para 
 rubber will be conceded to those who prove having cultivated 
 parallelly, in all the cultivated land of their property, alimentary 
 plants, or plants of industrial utility. 
 
 Art. 3. — The Government will establish at a convenient 
 point an experimental station, or demonstrating farm, for the 
 cultivation of the Seringueira in the Acre Territory, in each 
 one of the States of Mattogrosso, Amazonas, Para, Maranhao, 
 Piauhy, and Bahia, and for the cultivation of the Manicoba, 
 together with the Mlangabeira, in the States of Piauhy, Ceara, 
 Rio Grande do Norte or Pernambuco, Bahia, Minas Geraes, 
 Sao Paulo, Goyaz, Parana and Matto Grosso. 
 
 These stations will furnish gratuitously to all those in- 
 terested who may ask selected seed, instructions as to the most 
 practical and economic method of planting, and information as 
 to the general results achieved and verified at the end of each 
 year. 
 
 Art. 4. — In addition to the indirect favors treated in 
 Article 1, and of those which further may seem to the Gov- 
 ernment reasonable and necessary, the Government will con- 
 cede competitive premiums up to the sum of 400 contos to the 
 first factory for the refining of Para rubber, which will reduce 
 the various cpalities to one uniform and superior type for ex- 
 portation, and which will establish itself in each one of the 
 cities of Para and Manaos ; and up to the sum of 100 contos 
 to the first factory for the refining of Manicoba and Manga- 
 beira rubber, for the same purpose, and which will establish 
 
21 
 
 itself in each one of the States of Piauhy, Ceara, Rio Grande 
 do Norte, Pernambuco, Bahia, Minas Geraes and Sao Paulo ; 
 and up to the sum of 500 contos for the first factory for the 
 manufacture of rubber goods, which will establish itself in 
 Manaos, in Para, in Recife, in Bahia and in Rio de Janeiro. 
 
 To have right to this favor, it is necessary that the factory 
 have an employed capital equal to four times the value of the 
 premium. 
 
 Art. 5. — The Government will order constructed three 
 Immigrant Stations of sufficient capacity and of identical or- 
 ganization and object on the Island of Flores, in Para, in 
 Manaos, and at an appropriate point in the Acre, and at places 
 which may be considered most necessary in the Amazon Val- 
 ley, interior hospitals, surrounded with small agricultural 
 colonies, and in which may be received the sick for treatment, 
 with free vacination and rriedicines of the first quality offered 
 for sale, as well as the broadcast distribution of printed pamph- 
 lets containing hygienic advice for the prevention of the dis- 
 eases of the region, and the practical treatment to apply in the 
 absence of a physician. 
 
 The direction and cost of the stations will belong to the 
 Federal Government ; the hospitals, however, will be confided 
 to professionals of recognized ability with a subsidy and other 
 favors which the Government may judge reasonable, and obli- 
 gations which will determine proper regulations. 
 
 Art. 6. — For the purpose of facilitating transportation, 
 and diminishing its cost in the Amazon Valley, the Govern- 
 ment will order executed, with the least possible delay, the 
 following improvements and complementary measures : 
 
 (1) The construction of small standard roads along the 
 rivers Xingu, Tapajos and others in Para and Matto Grosso, 
 and of the rivers Negro and Branco and others in Amazonas, 
 or roads penetrating the valleys of these rivers. Bids for con- 
 struction will be by public competition, according to Law No. 
 1,126 of December 13, 1903, or for a price per kilometer, at 
 the Government’s discretion, according to the difficulties of the 
 
22 
 
 region. In case the States of Para, Matto Grosso and 
 Amazonas have contracted for the construction of any of 
 these roads, the Government will concede a premium of 15 
 Contos per kilometer for the purpose of facilitating the road’s 
 completion. 
 
 (2) The construction of a railroad from a convenient 
 point on the Madeira-Mamore Railroad, in the neighborhood 
 of the mouth of the river Abunan, passing through the Villa 
 Rio Branco, and at a point between Senna Madureira and 
 Catay, and terminating at the Villa Thaumaturgo with a' 
 branch to the Peruvian Frontier by way of the valley of the 
 river Purus. 
 
 The construction of this railway will be made according 
 to the dispositions of Decree No. 1,126 of December 13, 1903. 
 
 As soon as the first section of the station of the crossing 
 point at Villa Rio Branco be inaugurated the Government will 
 establish a Custom House at Porto Velho, on the Madeira 
 River, and will declare that port opened commercially to all 
 friendly nations. 
 
 (3) The construction of a railroad from the port of 
 Para and uniting itself with the railroads centering at Pira- 
 pora. State of Minas Geraes, and at Coroata, State of 
 Maranhao, with the necessary branches to connect the initial or 
 terminating points of navigation of the rivers Araguaya, 
 Tocantins, Parnahyba and Sao Francisco. 
 
 The railway will be constructed according to the dispo- 
 sition of the Decree No. 1,126 of December 13, 1903, and will 
 be rented by means of public competition. 
 
 (4) The execution of the work necessary to make navi- 
 gation effective, at any season of the year, for steamers draw- 
 ing three feet of water, of the river Negro between Santa 
 Isabel and Cucuhy; of the river Branco from its mouth to 
 the fort of Sao Joaquim ; of the river Purus from Hyatananhan 
 to Senna Medureira, and of the river Acre from its mouth to 
 Riosinho de Pedras. 
 
23 
 
 The Government may contract for the execution of these 
 works, by means of, or without, public competition, with one 
 or more sufficiently capable syndicates under the dispositions 
 of Decree No. 6,368 of the 14th February, 1907, or other, 
 which do not incur more expenses and which the Government 
 may think fit and more advantageous in each case. 
 
 Art. 7. — For the purpose provided in the foregoing arti- 
 cle, all boats of any description to be admitted free of duties, 
 and the revision of the law of Cabotagem (coast and river 
 navigation law) for the purpose of simplifying and reducing 
 the burdens of this law. 
 
 Art. 8. — • The Government will concede identical exemp- 
 tion, in addition to other indirect favors they may judge neces- 
 sary, to those who will establish (against public competition) 
 coal deposits at an appointed place in the Amazon Valley for 
 the purpose of supplying ships and launches, at prices ap- 
 proved by the Government. 
 
 Art. 9. — The Government will promote and help in the 
 establishment of producing centers, of alimentary foods, in 
 the Amazon Valley under the following conditions, or others 
 that the Government may deem necessary : 
 
 (1) The renting of two of the national farms on the 
 Rio Branco (by private or public bid) to a competent com- 
 pany, who will agree to develop and practice on a large scale 
 the breeding of cattle, the cultivation of cereals, and to estab- 
 lish a factory for the making of dried beef (Jerked Beef) a 
 packing house, dairies, machines for the cleaning of rice and 
 other cereals, and factories for making farina. 
 
 (2) Colonization, under the auspices of the Government, 
 of the lands still owned by the Union, the Sao Marcos farm, 
 situated between the rivers Mahu, Takuku, Surumu, and 
 Cotingo, with national families of agriculturists and breeders, 
 having in view the development of the production of ali- 
 mentary foods and the breeding of cattle. 
 
 (3) Concession to companies who will establish large 
 farms on the preceding conditions, one in the Acre territory 
 
24 
 
 (between the Rio Branco and Xapury), one in the State of 
 Amazonas (in the region of the river Autaz), and one in the 
 State of Para (on the Island of Marajo, or other more con- 
 venient point in the Lower Amazon), of the following favors: 
 
 a) Exemption of import duties of all material necessary 
 for the complete equipment of the farm, including buildings, 
 corrals, etc., machines for the culture, collection and treat- 
 ment of cereals, and installation of dairies, and preserved beef 
 factories, as well as cattle and seed which may be imported 
 within the first five years after the installation of the farm. 
 
 b) Premiums of 30 contos per group of 1,000 hectares 
 of artificial pasture, planted and properly enclosed, and of 100 
 contos per group of 1,000 hectares prepared for cultivation 
 and actually under cultivation with rice, beans, maize and 
 mandioca (farina). 
 
 c) Premiums of 100 contos per group of 500 tons of 
 dairy products, and preserved meat of dried beef that may be 
 produced within five years. 
 
 (4) Exemption of import duties on vessels, instruments, 
 machines, drugs, and ingredients necessary to the installation, 
 during fifteen years, of a company for fishing, salting and pre- 
 serving fish, which may establish itself in the rivers of 
 Amazonas, and the concession of a premium of 10 contos dur- 
 ing five consecutive years, when the production of preserved 
 and salted fish is maintained annually at over 100 tons. 
 
 Art. 10. — The Government will order immediate steps 
 taken to have the lands in the Acre territory properly located 
 and surveyed, so that titles of possession may be issued. 
 
 (1) In the verification of these titles, as much as pos- 
 sible, they ought to be followed : 
 
 a) The titles given by the Governments of the State of 
 Amazonas, of Bolivia, and of the ex-independent State of 
 Acre before the treaty of Petropolis. 
 
 h) Those titles of peaceful possession acquired by orig- 
 inal occupation, or acquired from the original occupant, which 
 
25 
 
 land is found to be in effective exploitation, and the habitual 
 home of the possessor or a representative of his. 
 
 (2) The maximum area of each parcel of land will be 
 10 square kilometers. 
 
 (3) The Government will revise the dispositions of the 
 law No. 601 dated 18th September, 1850, and Decree No. 1318 
 of the 30th of January, 1854, publishing new law for lands, 
 with the modifications of the present decree and those which 
 more suitably fit the actual conditions of the Federal ter- 
 ritories. 
 
 Art. 11. — Every three years the Government will hold 
 in Rio de Janeiro an exposition embracing everything relating 
 to the rubber industry of this country, on which occasion com- 
 petitive premiums will be given in amounts authorized by the 
 laws in vigor for the best methods of cultivation and treat- 
 ment, and for the most perfectly manufactured products. 
 
 Art. 12. — The Executive Power is authorized to enter 
 into an agreement with the States of Para, Amazonas and 
 Mattogrosso for the purpose of obtaining an annual reduc- 
 tion of 10% until the maximum limit of 50% of the present 
 duties is reached, and the exemption of any duties whatever 
 for 25 years from the date of this law, on Plantation Para rub- 
 ber. Immediately this agreement is made, the Executive 
 Power will issue a decree making the reduction in duties 
 (which the above States make) as to the Acre territory and 
 conceding equal exemption on Plantation Para rubber from 
 the Acre. 
 
 Art. 13. — The Government is further authorized to 
 enter into an agreement with the above named States as re- 
 gards Acre rubber to cover the measures of protection and 
 defense which those named States adopt in regard to their 
 rubber, or to agree on others which may be deemed more con- 
 venient, the Government for this purpose being empowered to 
 issue the necessary decrees. 
 
 Art. 14. — Eor the entire execution of this law and the 
 realization of the decreed measures, the Executive Power will 
 
26 
 
 issue, promptly, the necessary ordinances, opening each year 
 the credits that may be necessary, account being given in the 
 following year of the sums expended, the work done, and the 
 results obtained, etc. 
 
 Art. 15. — All dispositions to the contrary are revoked. 
 
 Rio de Janeiro, the 5tli of January, 1912, 
 ninety-first year of the Independence, 
 and 24th year of the Republic. 
 
 Signed : 
 
 Hermes R. da Fonseca, 
 
 Pedro de Toledo. 
 
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