In 1807 the Portuguese royal family and government were forced to flee to their colony of Brazil following Napoleon's invasion of their country. In response, the Portuguese regent Dom João opened Brazilian ports to trade with the British, both subverting Napoleon's Continental System and freeing Brazil from one of its major colonial shackles. Prior to the change in law all Brazilian trade had to pass through Portuguese ports, forcing direct taxation, whereas after 1808 the freeing of direct Brazilian trade saw a surge in growth in the region's economy. With burgeoning wealth and industry also came a growth in the slave trade for use in the sugar and coffee plantations.

This account of Brazil was published for the use of British merchants in South America. It describes each of the country's provinces, main cities, resources, trade goods and industry as well as an appendix containing advice for Europeans wishing to emigrate. In his advertisement for the work, the author, Andrew Grant, declared he hoped his work would prove to be 'highly interesting to every one engaged in commercial speculations' in Brazil.

Thomas Ashe (1770–1835) was an Irish novelist and miscellaneous writer. His smaller and more cursory work seems to have been added with Grant's by dint of the title suggesting further economic insights: in reality it is a generic account of Brazil's regions containing more of the author's opinion about street design than genuine commercial information

First editions; two works in one, 8vo (22 x 14 cm); armorial bookplate to pastedown, discreet previous ownership inscription to title, otherwise internally fine; 19th century half calf, marbled boards, gilt lettering piece to spine, all edges speckled red, a little wear to extremities otherwise a very good copy; [8], 304; [2], 160pp.

BdM, I, 374; Sabin 28291.