APPENDIX. REGULATIONS REGARDING IMMIGRATION AND COLONIZATION IN BRAZIL. DECREE No. 6455 OF APRIL 19, 1907, APPROVING REGULATIONS FOR THE PEOPLING OF THE SOIL. The President of the Republic of the United States of Brazil in accordance with the authorization conferred in section b of No. XIII of article 35 of Law No. 1617 of December 30, 1906, decrees: Sole article. The appended regulations for the peopling of the soil, signed by the minister of industry, railways, and public works, are hereby approved. Rio de Janeiro, April 19, 1907, nineteenth year of the Republic. AFFONSO AUGUSTO MOREIRA PENNA. REGULATIONS FOR THE PEOPLING OF THE SOIL REFERRED TO IN DECREE No. 6455 OF APRIL 19, 1907. DIVISION I. CHAPTER I.-Preliminary dispositions. ARTICLE 1. The peopling of the soil will be promoted by the union in agreement with State governments, railway and river navigation companies, other companies or associations, and with private individuals provided that the sureties and rules hereby guaranteed and laid down are duly observed. ART. 2. There shall be counted as immigrants all foreigners of less than 60 years of age who are not suffering from contagious diseases nor plying illicit trades and who are not criminals, rogues, beggars, vagabonds, lunatics, or invalids who arrive at Brazilian ports traveling third class at the cost of the union, States, or third parties, as well as those who (ceteris paribus) have paid their own passages and desire to enjoy the same privileges as other new arrivals. Persons over 60 years of age or unfitted for work will only be admitted when accompanied by their families or when coming to join them, provided that there is in the family at least one able-bodied member against the invalid and one or two against the member over 60 years of age. ART. 3. To immigrants who establish themselves in any part of the country and devote themselves to any branch of agriculture, industry, or trade, or to any useful craft or profession, the following guaranties will be granted: Complete liberty of action and freedom to engage in any trade, provided that the same does not endanger public safety, health, or morals; complete liberty of religious belief; and, finally, civic rights, as enjoyed under the constitution and laws by Brazilians themselves. ART. 4. The union, without interfering with the liberty of similar action on the part of the States, will enter into an accord with them to direct and facilitate the placing of immigrants who desire to settle as owners of their own land and will protect and advise such spontaneous immigrants as need material aid for their first installment, while only in special cases will it bring in at its own expense such immigrants as desire only to work without acquiring the land on which they settle. DIVISION II.-CONCERNING COLONIZATION. CHAPTER I.-Concerning nucleus colonies and their foundation. ART. 5. By a "nucleus colony" for the operation of this decree, is understood a group of lots, duly measured and marked out, on land chosen as fertile and fitted for agriculture or cattle breeding, where the conditions are healthy, and there is abundance of drinking water to supply all the needs of the population. The colonies shall also be of sufficient extent to admit of their development, while they shall have easy and convenient means of transport, shall be possessed of favorable economic factors, and shall be prepared for the settling of immigrants as holders of their own land. ART. 6. The foundation of nucleus colonies shall be undertaken : I. By the union with help from the States. II. By the States with or without the help of the union. III. By railway or river navigation companies, other companies or associations, or by private individuals with or without the help of the union and the States. The union may interfere in the foundation of nucleus colonies by railway or river navigation companies, other companies, associations, or private individuals when the founders are not in the receipt of official aid and necessary rules and regulations have to be made or abuses remedied. CHAPTER II.-Concerning nucleus colonies founded by the union. ART. 7. The foundation of nucleus colonies under the direct administration of the union and with the aid of the interested State shall be effected in accordance with this decree whilst the following rules must be observed: I. The union will choose the site and will undertake to form the nucleus. II. If the land is fallow or is the property of the State, the Federal Government will enter into an accord with the State government for the cession of the area required for the foundation of the nucleus. In this case the State will aid in the marking out, if necessary, according to its land laws, and will permit the following work of preparation: Preliminary surveys for the best division of the lots and for the establishment of lines of communication both internal and external; measuring and marking out of rural lots; sanitary works, when necessary; building of houses, roads, and paths; preparation of the areas set apart for the first cultivation in each rural lot; establishment of the headquarters of the nucleus, if convenient, together with the urban lots, and, finally, the settling of the immigrants. III. So soon as the lots have been measured and marked out in accordance with the foregoing clause, they will be definitely handed over to the union on the distinct understanding that they will be sold to immigrants or otherwise used for the good of the nucleus. IV. Lands belonging to private individuals will be acquired by amicable arrangement, i. e., by purchase or agreement, or will be disappropriated by the State, while the union will undertake the work of preparation according to Clause II above. V. The State will provide the immigrants with tools and seeds free of charge for their assistance on first being installed, while the union may grant them these and other favors for the same purpose. VI. Should the State desire to establish, at the headquarters of the nucleus, farms for experiments and instruction, a suitable area will be reserved for this purpose and pecuniary aid granted, as established by law, in accordance with plans and estimates previously approved. ART. 8. The State may give any assistance to the immigrants independent of that given by the union, and may offer prizes to promote healthy emulation. ART. 9. Provisional and definite titles to the lots will be indorsed by Federal officials appointed for this purpose. ART. 10. The product of the sale of the lots will belong to the union, except in case of arrangement with private owners of land, who by contract will be obliged to allow the colony to be founded and the sale of lots at stipulated prices for the transfer of lands and improvements thereon. ART. 11. The collection of immigrant's debts arising from the sale of lots and houses and from aid not granted free will be made by the union. |