CHAP. XI. PROVINCE OF GOYAZ.

First Discovery of Gold—Attempts of Bueno to find the Goya Territory—Settlements—Boundaries—Extent—Mineralogy—Zoology—Phytology—Cattle and Gold its Exports—Principal Rivers—Comarcas—Julgados.—District of Cayaponia—Limits—Indians—Rivers.—District of Goyaz—Limits—Mountains—Capital—Povoaçōes.—District of Nova Beira—Limits—Indians—Rivers—Povoaçōes—Indians reduced to Peace—Aldeias established for them.—District of Tucantines—Limits—Rivers—Indians—Povoaçōes.—District of Parannan—Limits—Rivers—Povoaçōes.—District of Rio das Velhas—Limits—Rivers—Indians—Povoaçōes.

This province had its origin in the year 1749, being until that time a comarca or ouvidoria of St. Paulo, so created in 1737, and colonized by adventuring miners.

The first intelligence of this territory possessing gold was given by Manuel Correa, a native of the town of St. Paulo de Piratininga, who found ten oitavas of this metal, which he gave as a diadem to crown the sacred image of the Lady of Penha, at the town of Sorocaba. Though the date of this circumstance is not known, it appears, by a journal found at Correa’s death, that he collected the said gold with a pewter plate in the river Aracis.

Bartholomew Bueno, who succeeded Correa in the same undertaking about the year 1670, was accompanied by his son of the same name, then only twelve years old. They dwelt some time in the vicinity of the situation where the capital of this province now stands, and observed that the women of the Goya tribe, masters of the district, ornamented themselves with gold.

The discovery of the mines of Cuiaba, in 1719, directed the attention of B. Bueno, the son, (the father being then dead,) to the territory of the Goyaz; and imparting his knowledge of the gold discovered by his father in the possession of this tribe, to Rodrigo Cezar de Menezes, that governor despatched him, with a numerous party, and one hundred muskets, in the year 1722, in order that he might go in search of and establish himself in the country.

Bueno, having lost all recollection of such signals as might have pointed out the way to the Goya district, proceeded too far to the south, and having arrived at the banks of a river, they remained there for some days, and gave it the name of Rio dos Piloes: they found there a considerable quantity of gold, which produced some dissension amongst the party, many wishing to remain in order to take advantage of it. Bueno, however, was determined upon the accomplishment of his object; and thinking that the rich treasure he was in pursuit of lay still further to the west, he proceeded in that direction for some days, when they reached a river, which they denominated the river of Perdition, in consequence of then considering themselves entirely out of the route to Goyaz. Continuing without embarrassment the same march, they encountered a larger river, and beyond this a third, which they called the Rio das Areas, in consequence of the sandy nature of its bed. Journeying onwards to the west, they found another, which received the appellation of Rio Rico, (Rich River,) from the gold which they discovered in it.

Having lost all hopes of finding the wished-for district in this direction, Bueno retraced his steps, and deviating in the way, after a prolonged and tedious journey, arrived at the river Parannan, where he considered himself still further from his object, in consequence of perceiving certain signs of cattle, which he afterwards found had strayed from the margins of the river St. Francisco in search of better pasturage.

After three years of ineffectual perseverance and disappointed labour, in quest of the enchanting land, this certanista arrived at St. Paulo with a part of his bandeira; the remainder having died from diseases and disasters inseparable from such an undertaking.

The tender age of Bueno when he accompanied his father to the district in question, and fifty years of interval, exculpated him from all blame in the unfortunate result of this enterprise; and, as he was a man of known probity, the same governor despatched him again, with every necessary succour, in the confident expectation of a more successful issue. Bueno proceeded for three months through unknown districts, without any track or road, encountering various torrents, and other obstacles of a worse nature, replete with difficulties and delay: at last he arrived at a place about eight miles distant from the present situation of the capital, where he perceived some indications of Portuguese having been there at some former period, which induced him to halt upon the spot with his companions. Two old Indians were caught, who proved to be of the Goya nation; and on being interrogated if they knew the place where some white men had been established many years ago; they replied, that it was not far distant. The caravan now moved forward again, accompanied by the two Indians, who led the way to a situation, at the present time occupied by the arraial of Ferreiro, and which Bueno immediately recognised to be the much desired spot where he had been with his father. He immediately proceeded to make the requisite arrangements for forming an establishment, and to carry into execution the objects of this enterprise.

The fortunate Bueno now returned to his country, with the intelligence of having discovered the long sought-for district, which was traversed by five streams, all having abundance of gold; a pretty considerable portion of which he presented at the same time, in confirmation of those glad tidings. He soon received the commission of Captain Mor Regente, and proceeded to rejoin his colony in the year 1726.

Having arrived at the new arraial, his first care was to adopt the best mode of living in harmony with the Goyaz, the only tribe in the district, and from whom the name of this province was derived. The Indians were, however, suspicious of their new visitors, and posted themselves with their arms in the situation where the arraial of Barra is now seen; but Bueno adopting the artifice of seizing some women, the Goyaz desisted, at the same time offering to point out those places which afforded the largest quantity of gold, and which were at and near the situation now called Ponte do Meio, and where a piece was soon found, which, when purified, produced half a pound of gold. The whole colony laboured in contentment, and without envying the miners of Cuiaba.

The fortunate circumstances of their situation soon becoming known, and the dangers to which persons were exposed who directed their course to Cuiaba, attracted so great a number of miners to Goyaz in the course of two years, that the necessaries which daily arrived with the numerous caravans and troops from St. Paulo, (to which city alone there was any track or road,) were inadequate to their subsistence. Every thing sold at an exorbitant price; of gold there was enough, but it could not supply sustenance. An alqueire of Indian corn cost six or seven oitavas of gold; and the same measure of the flour of mandioca ten oitavas. A milch cow, which appeared there, was bought for two pounds weight of the same metal, and a hog for twenty-eight. Two oitavas of gold were demanded for a pound of sugar; and every article of subsistence was procured only by payment in the same proportion. The dealers who conveyed the necessaries of life by a tedious journey were enriched; but the mines were still more lucrative at this period. Many were at length induced to devote a portion of their time to the cultivation of the necessaries of life, that the gold which they collected might not be consumed in payment for them.

This province, in the centre of Brazil, and ranking amongst the largest in the state, is confined on the north by the provinces of Para and Maranham; on the west by Cuiaba, from which it is separated by the river Araguaya; on the south by Camapuania and the province of St. Paulo; and on the east by the provinces of Minas Geraes, and Pernambuco, which are divided from it by a cordillera, stretching north and south, stony and barren, and which alone affords passage at the largest openings, denominated boqueiroes; each portion taking its particular name, and the northern being the most elevated. The length of this province is about seven hundred miles, computing from the confluence of the Araguaya with the Tucantines to that of the Pardo with the Parannan, and its width proportionable. It lies between 6° and 18° of south latitude; the rains only prevail during the thunder peculiar to these climates, which commences in October and terminates in April.

The aspect of this province is almost universally uneven, although in few parts mountainous, having many portions called catingas, not favourable to cultivation.

The soil is only fertile where there are woods, with which it does not abound, if we except the districts of the capital, Meia Ponte, Pilar, and St. Luzia, by the margins of the Corumba. Admiration is excited by the wood called Matto Grosso, (Large Wood,) upwards of thirty miles in width, upon the road of Meia Ponte to the capital, about the centre of that interval, and its length extending from the river Almas to the centre of Cayaponia.

Mineralogy.—Gold, diamonds, crystals, granite, calcareous stone, minerals of iron, mineral salt, a diversity of argils, &c. The largest fifth on gold here was of one hundred and sixty-nine thousand and eighty oitavas, in 1753, and the smallest of eleven thousand eight hundred and ninety-three, in 1807. This diminution arises from not working into the mountains, which, no doubt, abound with this metal.

Zoology.—This province abounds in cattle. Goats are few in number, and almost of no utility. Sheep are somewhat more numerous; little advantage is, however, derived from their wool, which might be easily rendered subservient to some branches of industry. Very few more hogs are bred than what are for the consumption of the country. Horses are also bred; those of Parannan are esteemed the best. Deer are every where numerous, and their skins furnish a branch of commerce. The ounce, anta, the wild hog, wolf, monkey, hare, tamandua, cotia, quati, paca, with many other species of quadrupeds, common in the adjacent provinces, are here well known and much pursued by the hunter. Some are esteemed for the flesh, some for the skin, and others for both. Partridges and the emu ostrich are met with upon the plains. The mutun bird inhabits the wood, and by its song invites the fatal attacks of the hunter. The tucano, the torquaze pigeon, the aracuan, the araponga, and the jacu, are numerous. A great part of those creatures are devoured in a raw state by the Indians, without salt or any kind of seasoning.

Phytology.—There are a variety of medicinal plants, divers sorts of palm trees; the large jatuba affords gum copal. The Brazil wood, and similar valuable timber, is here of no utility, in consequence of the great distance of any maritime town. The tobacco plant is cultivated with great advantage where the soil is substantial. From the fruit of the mamona tree is extracted oil for lights. The cotton tree prospers in many parts, and its wool constitutes a branch of commerce, which is beginning to be advantageous to the population. The sugar cane is cultivated in many districts, and employs various engenhos; the greater part of its juice is converted into spirit, and some sugar, called rapaduras. The flour of mandioca, Indian corn, and legumes, are the most abundant productions of agriculture. The fruit of the araca, the pine-apple, the mangaba, the goyaba, the banana, jabuticaba, the ambuo, are common, and of various qualities. Oranges and water-melons are excellent. Quinces are small and insipid; but a large quantity of doce, or preserves, is here made of them. The vine trees grow to a remarkable size in some districts, and produce fruit abundantly twice a year. Wine is made of the grapes in the dry season, which is yet very indifferent; such as are produced in the winter season serve for vinegar, and afford a good substitute for that of Europe.

The cochineal plant is very common, but, hitherto, not appropriated to the production of that insect. Many parts are well adapted to the produce of indigo, the culture of which receives here no attention. The productions of those two vegetables, from their great value, are the only ones which the agriculturist of these districts could convey to the maritime ports with any considerable profit and security. The trees of incense, senna, and manna, are not unknown. Campeche and a species of rhubarb are also met with.

Gold and cattle are the only objects of exportation, which introduce into the country what little may be found of luxury, and the necessaries of life required from without. If a little cotton wool, or coarse cotton cloth, with some hides, are conveyed to the eastern ports, it is only that the troops of animals may not proceed unladen on their journeys to bring back the necessary dry goods, salt, iron, &c.; these articles would not otherwise pay one-half of the expense of conveyance. At present, the breeders of cattle and senhors d’engenhos are the only individuals who live constantly independent; the same may be said of miners and traders, when they are favoured by fortune in their operations. None, however, experience want; and agriculture is proportioned to the population. The present king has been solicitous to increase both in this fine and fertile province; and, when Prince Regent, he afforded his countenance and support, in September, 1812, to a plan for establishing a commercial company between this province and Para, the funds of which were not to be less than one hundred thousand crusades. The establishment of warehouses and prezidios, in situations best adapted to promote the navigation of the Maranham, and Tucantines, from Arroios to Porto Real, where almost all the obstacles terminate which impede the navigation upwards, cannot fail with the requisite attention and wisdom to effect this desirable project. All members who entered this society with ten thousand crusades, besides other favours, were to obtain what is termed a sesmaria of land, extending five miles in front and five miles in depth, upon the margin of the Maranham, the Tucantines, and the Araguaya; and those who established themselves either upon the margins or in the certams of those rivers, were to be exempt from the payment of tenths upon their productions, and to be free from the duties of entrance upon the articles of commerce navigated by the said rivers.

Rivers.—The Tucantines, the Araguaya, the Corumba, the Parannan, and the Parannahiba, are the principal rivers, and receive all the others which to a considerable number water this province.

The principal head of the Tucantines is the river Urubu, which originates in the southern skirt of the serra Doirada, a short distance southward from the capital, and after seventy miles of course towards the north-east, loses the name, confounding itself with the river Almas, which is not inferior to it; and from its origin, near the base of the Montes Pyreneos, flows north-west, about an equal number of miles. After ninety miles of further extent to the north-east, it loses also the name, uniting itself with the Maranham, which is little inferior to it in volume and in length of course. The principal head of the Maranham is the lake Formosa, which is fifteen miles in extent, and two in width. It flows to the north-west, and three miles previous to uniting with the Almas, at the passage to the arraial of Aguaquentes, is one hundred and sixty fathoms in width; a little above, it runs through a bed of rock so contracted that its width is only fifty feet. At this confluence, where it becomes very considerable, it flows northward, describing gentle windings, and augmenting by the many streams which unite themselves with it, especially by the eastern side.

A little below the confluence of the Almas with the Maranham, when the latter traverses a range of small hills, is the cataract of Facao, which prevents the progress of canoes in either direction.

One hundred and forty miles below the said confluence the large river Paranatinga falls into it on the right margin, which takes this name nearly thirty miles above its embouchure, at the junction of the Parannan and the Palma, the latter flowing westward, and the other, which is much larger, north-west from its origin in the General Serra; traversing an unwholesome country, abounding with pasturage, where a prodigious number of cattle and mules are bred.

At the confluence of the Paranatinga, which is said to be in 12° 20′ latitude, the Maranham takes the name of Tucantines, which it preserves until its large volume of water is mingled with the ocean below the city of Para. Nearly seventy miles north of the last confluence the large river Cannabrava discharges itself into the Tucantines by the left margin, and a little lower by the right the considerable river Manuel Alvez, which issues from the Duro Serra, a portion of the cordillera which bounds the province, bringing the waters of many small streams that unite themselves with it on both sides in the space of one hundred and fifty miles, the extent of its course.

A little further to the north, the abundant river Tabocas disembogues by the left, having its heads near the serra of Estrondo. One hundred and forty miles to the north of the said river Manuel Alvez, also by the eastern margin, the Somno (Sleep) adds its abundant waters; and, after a little farther distance, the other Manuel Alvez discharges itself, being larger than the first, and serves, up to the present period, as the northern limit of the eastern portion of the province. Both those rivers flow from the boundary, traversing a territory inhabited by malevolent Indians. A party proceeded up the first, with the intention of exploring its margins and extent, under the influence of such an unpropitious star that they were never more heard of; from which circumstance the river received the name by which it is designated.

A few miles below the Manuel Alvez (the northern) the Tucantines describes a considerable winding towards the east, almost circular, again approximating very near to the place where it had on a sudden changed its direction, and immediately describing another contrary winding to the west, forming two peninsulas, the first of a circular figure, and the other in the form of an oval.

About one hundred miles further, in the latitude of six degrees, the Araguaya incorporates itself with the Tucantines on the left, rendering it exceedingly voluminous and grand, still continuing to flow northward, describing fewer windings and becoming gradually larger. When it passes the town of Cameta, in about 3° latitude, its width is already more than ten miles. The tide flows up this river more than two hundred miles, nearly to the situation denominated Itaboca, which literally means “perforated stone,” where the river is precipitated, in a short space, over three falls, which compel the navigator to unload his canoes. One hundred miles is computed between the mouths of the Araguaya and Itaboca, and from thence to Cameta one hundred and twenty. The paratinga, not less than eight feet in length, with proportionate circumference, and the jahu, are the largest fish of the High Tucantines, which is not considered to abound in any species of fish.

The Araguaya, almost as extensive as the province, forms its western boundary from its embouchure to the origin of its principal head, which is in the vicinity of that of the Hipiaughuhi, there flows under the name of the Bonito, which, after gathering by the western bank the river Barreiros and by the eastern the Caiapo, takes the name of Rio Grande, by which it is designated when it traverses the road of Cuiaba. The first considerable river that unites itself with it after passing this road is the Rio Claro, which comes from the south-east, and brings with it the Fartura, that originates in the proximity of the Uruhu. One hundred miles to the north it receives by the same margin the Vermelho, which is inconsiderable when it passes the capital; a few leagues lower it gathers the Tizoiras, of little less volume and extent than the preceding; and nearly thirty miles further it is united by the Crixa, which is something larger than the others. All three flow from the south-east, and none of them with less than two hundred miles of course. Navigation has been conducted, by the central one, up to this day, from the capital to the city of Para.

Thirty miles north of the mouth of the Crixa, which is also navigable, and has some salt pits in its vicinity, the Araguaya divides itself in the latitude of 12° 30′ into two branches nearly equal, which re-unite themselves in the parallel of 9° 36′, having formed the island of St. Anna, otherwise Bannanal, of one hundred and eighty miles in length, and of good width: there is a vast lake in the island which has an outlet into an arm of this river. The western arm preserves the name of Araguaya, and the eastern takes that of Furo, by which latter navigators commonly proceed. Both have falls, and a great number of islands, generally small, flat, and for the most part inundated during the periodical rains. The margins of the Furo are lower than those of the other arm, which latter receives by the western side various rivers, with which it is greatly augmented. The principal is the Mortes, which flows from the centre of Bororonia with near three hundred miles of course, and empties itself about forty miles north of the southern point of the island of St. Anna. At the northern extremity of this island the margins of the Araguaya are elevated a little to the confluence of that river with the Tucantines. The first navigators placed this confluence in 6°, the geographers of Para in 5°, and others in 3° 30′; the medium is evidently nearest the truth.

The river Corumba has its origin in the proximity of that of the river Almas, not far distant from the Montes Pyreneos. Its course for a vast space describes a large semicircle to the east (where it receives, amongst others, the river St. Bartholomew) as far as the parallel of its source, where the river Peixe is incorporated with it by the right. Thirty miles lower the river Verissimo unites itself with it on the left, after an extensive course, bringing the waters of another called Braco do Verissimo. From hence it flows for a considerable extent, and loses its name on falling into the Parannahiba, which constitutes a boundary for some miles to the province of Minas Geraes as far as the mouth of the river St. Marcos, its northern head, and which makes a similar divisionary line in the opposite direction.

Below the embouchure of the Corumba, the Parannahiba is joined by the large river Velhas, the principal head of which is near that of the Andayha, on the borders of Minas Geraes. Many leagues below the mouth of the river Velhas is the confluence of the Parannahiba with the Rio Grande, the limit of the province. In the vicinity of the embouchure of the Velhas, the Parannahiba receives on the right the Annicuns, the most considerable amongst those which unite themselves with it on that side, and has its source in the large wood of Matto Grosso previously mentioned.

Almost all the povoaçoes or inhabited places of this province already existed when it was so created and delivered to the government of the viceroy, Conde d’Arcos; and all of them, excepting those in the southern districts, owe their foundation to the gold sought after upon their sites and surrounding lands.

The jurisdiction of the ouvidor extended over the whole province, until the present King, when Prince Regent, by a decree of the 18th of March, 1809, divided it into two comarcas, the new one taking the name of St. Joam das Duas Barras, the other retaining that of the capital. Each of them comprehends eight julgados, or divisions, including the district of the capital, the only povoaçao yet enjoying the title of a town.

The comarca of Villaboa comprises the following julgados:—

Villaboa

Crixa

Pilar

Meia Ponte

St. Luzia

St. Cruz

Desemboque

Araxa.

The comarca of St. Joam das Duas Barras the following:—

Porto Real

Natividade

Conceiçao

Arrayas

St. Feliz

Cavalcante

Flores

Trahyras.

The above division of the province points out the jurisdiction of each comarca, but does not assist to form a correct idea of the country, in consequence of the great inequality which prevails in their extent and population; for instance, the julgado of the capital is upwards of five hundred miles long from north to south, and of proportionable width, and the julgado of Conceiçao extends east and west from one boundary of the province to the other; whilst that of Pilar is not more than one hundred miles long, and those of Desemboque and Araxa are much smaller.

It will be therefore preferable, in the delineation of this province, to follow nature, which has divided it into six cantos, not varying essentially in extent, and marked by visible boundaries. A line drawn from the mouth of the Parannahiba by its bed to the confluence of the river Annicuns, by this upwards, then by the river Boys to its origin, crossing to that of the river Pedras, by it down to the Almas, which continues it to the Maranham and Tucantines, divides the province into two parts, eastern and western, which latter is the larger portion, each of which is subdivided into three grand districts; namely,—

Cayaponia in the western portion.

Goyaz

Nova Beira

Tucantines in the eastern.

Parannan

Rio das Velhas

District of Cayaponia.

Cayaponia derives its name from the Cayapo nation, who have occupied it from time immemorial.

It is bounded on the north by the district of Goyaz; on the west by Bororonia, from which it is separated by the river Araguaya; on the south by Camapuania, from which it is divided by the river Pardo; and on the east by the rivers Paranna, Parannahiba, and Annicuns, which separate it, the first from the province of St. Paulo, the others from the district of Rio das Velhas. The northern limit is distinctly marked by a range of mountains, running in the same parallel of latitude as the lake of Pasmados, situated near the river of its name, in 17° 20′. It is upwards of two hundred and fifty miles in length from north to south, and one hundred and seventy at its medium width.

It is the least known amongst the districts of this province, not yet possessing a single Christianized establishment. The Cayapos, divided into various tribes, under whose dominion it hitherto remains, have from time to time made destructive sallies upon the caravans of Cuiaba, and invaded the northern part of the province of St. Paulo, where they have occasioned the flight of many colonies. They wander about almost in a state of nudity. Besides the bow and arrow, arms common to all the other Indian nations, they use also a club about one yard in length, of choice wood, round at the end which they lay hold of, and flat in the form of an oar at the other, the whole ornamented or dressed with the barks of shrubs of various colours, and woven in imitation of a mat. A blow from this weapon is fatal. Honey, fish, wild fruits, and game are their aliment. Their principal dwelling places are in the vicinity of the river Cururuhy, and not far removed from the cataract of Urubu Punga, whither they are in the habit of proceeding in large parties, for the purpose of fishing. There are times that the Portuguese do not experience any hostility from these Indians, and amongst other instances, one occurred in the year 1810, when Dr. Joam Ferreyra, treasurer-mor of the cathedral of St. Paulo, in order to gratify his curiosity, proceeded to visit and examine this famous cataract, where he arrived at the same time that a tribe of Cayapos appeared there, who conducted themselves as ancient allies, and with every appearance of friendship; they received graciously the presents which the traveller liberally offered to them, and allowed various persons of both sexes and different ages to remain in his company.

The ancient certanistas met with various rivers in the interior of this district, flowing southward, and their diaries enumerate, amongst others, the Perdiçao, which is nearest to the Annicuns, and most probably one of its tributaries; the Turvo, the Doirados, the Gallera, and the Pasmados, which is the most westerly, receives some of the preceding, and falls into the Parannan, near the cascade of Urubu Punga, under the name of Cururuhy. They also mention the Appary, which discharges itself into the said Parannan, many leagues above the fall, and two Cayapos, both tributaries like the preceding river, and little distant, one to the south and the other to the north of it.

The Sucuriu is considerable, disembogues a little below the Tiete, and is navigable nearly to its origin, which is north of Camapuan, upon the border of Bororonia. A certanista proceeded by it with his canoes to the Piquery, which conducted them to the river St. Lourenço.

The river Verde, which is also considerable, and of crystalline and excellent water, affords navigation to the interior of a peninsula, formed by the preceding river and the Pardo, the southern limit of the province, with the Parannan, which receives them. The water of this river, before being drawn from its bed, resembles green ink. Its margins abound with most beautiful woods, consisting of the finest timber.

District of Goyaz.

This district, which is larger than the preceding one, and is bounded by it on the south, has on the west the same limits as the province; on the east the districts of Rio das Velhas and Parannan; and on the north the district of Nova Beira, from which it is separated in part by the Estrondo serra and the river Tabocas.

The nation from which the province borrowed its name was not the only one that ruled here; to the north of it there lived a tribe called Crixas, whose name was given to the river that traverses their territory.

Amongst other mountains, generally of moderate elevation, may be enumerated the serra Doirada, not far distant from the capital, to the southward, which extends itself for a considerable space to the west. The serra Escalvada, lying further to the south, and running in the same direction as the preceding one; the serra Santa Martha, to the south-west of the last; and the Sentinilla, which prolongs itself for a great distance with the river Claro.

The said river Claro, the Vermelho, the Tizoiras, and the Crixa, are the principal streams of this district. The second is small on passing the capital, but soon afterwards becomes more considerable by the addition of various small rivers, which render it navigable. Amongst those which join it by the left margin are the Indios, the Tacoaral, the Tigres, and the Cachoeira, all issuing from the Doirada serra. The Bugres is the first abundant stream which unites itself with it by the right bank, and the Ferreiro the second. The Peixe is an arm of the Tizoiras, and navigable.

In the northern part of the district is to be noted the river Caldas, which is of short extent; it issues from a lake of the same name, and discharges itself into the Maranham, fifty miles above the Paratininga.

The Santa Thereza, and the Cannabrava, enter the Tucantines by one common embouchure, under the name of the first, which is the most voluminous.

The principal povoaçoes are, Villa Boa, Crixa, and Pilar.

Villa Boa, at its commencement denominated the arraial of St. Anna, was raised into a town in the year 1739, and is large, populous, and flourishing. It is the residence of the governor, at present Senhor Fernando Delgado, of the prelate, who is a bishop in partibus, and also of the ouvidor of the comarca, who fills other situations as well as that of crown judge. The senate is presided by a Juiz de Fora, who besides holds the appointment of attorney-general.

This town occupies a flat situation upon the margins of the Vermelho, which divides it into two unequal portions, communicating by three bridges. It is in the centre of the Brazil. Its edifices are neither large, elegant, nor substantial: the principal are the mother church, dedicated to St. Anna, five chapels to the Lady of Boa Morte, Rozario, Carmo, Abbadia, and Lapa; another of St. Francisco; the palace of the governor; the Caza da Camara, (or town house); the Caza da Contadoria, (exchequer); and the Caza da Fundicao do Oiro, (smelting house.) It has a fort, with two pieces of artillery to fire salutations upon occasions of solemnities, a fountain, and a public walk. The heat is intense during the dry season; night breezes, however, are usual, and exceedingly grateful.

This town has a tribunal which decides upon the affairs of the province, denominated the Junta de Real Fazenda, a council consisting of five deputies, including the governor, who is the president, the judge, the attorney-general, a treasurer, and an escrivao. It is situated in 16° 20′ of southern latitude.

The municipal body of this town, whose revenue amounts to one thousand oitavas of gold, are said to have a sesmaria of land, in a circle around the town of five leagues in diameter.

Half a mile distant from the town, there is a hermitage of St. Barbara. Five leagues to the north-west of it is situated the small arraial of Barra, with a hermitage of the Lady of Rozario, at the embouchure of the Bugres. Its territory is auriferous.

Eight leagues in the same direction as the preceding is the arraial of Anta and parish of Bom Jesus, with two chapels of the Lady of Rozario and Boa Morte, situated between two small streams, which unite themselves previously to entering the Vermelho, and was founded in the year 1729. The gold which caused its origin is not yet exhausted; but, whether from indolence or any other cause, no one is at present occupied in its extraction.

Ten miles to the north of the latter place, near the river Peixe, in a plain, is the arraial of St. Rita, ornamented with a hermitage of the same name. It is actually the port of navigation from the capital to the city of Para. The river discharges itself into the Tizoiras by the left margin, and is only navigable during the rainy season.

Thirty-five miles to the north of the arraial of St. Rita, near the river Tizoiras, was founded, in the year 1755, the arraial of the same name, which was the parish of St. Miguel, and flourished whilst cultivation was profitable; but with the apparent exhaustion of gold it began to decay, and from the sterility of the land, and the want of water, it was ultimately forsaken. Cattle are, however, now bred in its district. A species of bird, which the discoverers of the country called tizoiras, (or scissors,) in consequence of having a tail similar to a pair of opened scissors, was the origin of its name.

Ninety miles to the north of the capital is the considerable arraial and parish of Crixa, the head of the julgado of that name, which was founded in the year 1734, near a small river, and about ten miles distant from the left margin of the river that affords it the name. Its church has for a titular saint the Lady of Conceiçao. There is also a chapel of St. Efigenia, two of Nossa Senhora of Rozario and Abbadia. The population forms four companies of militia, one of which is cavalry, and another free blacks.

Thirty-five miles to the east-north-east of Crixa, near a small river which runs into the Almas, is the large, flourishing, and well situated arraial and parish of Pilar, head of the julgado, founded in 1741, with the name of Pappuan, a herb abundant in this part. It is ornamented by a church, whose titular saint affords its name to the establishment, a chapel of St. Gonçalo, two of the Lady of Rozario and Merces, a fountain, and good streets. The environs are mountainous. In front of it there is a morro, which, it is calculated, has afforded more than one hundred arrobas (thirty-two pounds each) of gold, and from whence a much greater quantity might be extracted with water and proper management. There is a curious operation of nature in its vicinity, near the road of Carretao, representing human visages. It is worthy of notice.

Twenty miles to the east of Pilar is situated the aldeia of Lavrinhas, near the source of a small stream, which, after a course of ten miles, enters the river Almas.

Ten miles to the south-west of Pilar, near the river Moquem, a branch of the Crixa, is the arraial of Gorinos, with a hermitage. It was fully inhabited whilst its mines of gold were productive.

Three miles to the east of Villa Boa is situated the arraial of Ferreiro, (Blacksmith) with a chapel of St. Joam Baptista. It is the most ancient establishment of the province. It derived its name from a blacksmith, who remained there exercising his trade, after the miners had deserted it, for the purpose of mining in other places. About eight miles to the east of the preceding place, near a small river, a branch of the river Uruhu, is the considerable arraial of Oiro Fino, (Fine Gold) which took this name from the superior quality of that metal found here. It has a chapel dedicated to the Lady of Pilar.

Eighteen miles to the south-west of the capital is the arraial and parish of St. Joze de Mossamedes, founded in the year 1774, for the habitation of a numerous colony of Indians, consisting of three different nations, the Carajas and Javahes, brought from the district of Nova Beira, and the Accroas, who lived to the east of the serra Parannan, in the territory where the Correntes has its heads.

Twenty-eight miles to the south-west of St. Joze, and forty-five from the capital, is situated Aldeia Maria, near the margin of the river Fartura, in a plain constantly refreshed by breezes. It was founded in 1781, for the establishment of almost three hundred Cayapo Indians, who were augmented in the following year by more than two hundred of the same nation, invited thither by the report of the good treatment which their comrades experienced. Afterwards came various mallocas, or parties, amongst whom arrived some caciques, or captains, one of whom had hair resembling that of a mulatto. One cripple and some blind, amongst so many, prove that this nation are not greatly subjected to natural bodily defects. At the beginning they showed themselves grateful for the benefits conferred upon them, faithful to their promises, and without any remarkable propensity to thieving: some learned trades the most wanted in the colony. The women, after a short time, learned to spin, weave, and sew. This establishment, which was expected to have become flourishing by this time, is considerably fallen off, in consequence, it is said, of the repugnancy of the whites to ally themselves with the Indians.

Within this district is the new arraial of Annicuns, situated near the right margin of the Boys, which here has only the appearance of a small stream. It is forty miles to the south-east of the capital, and has a church dedicated to St. Francisco d’Assis. Its inhabitants are miners and agriculturists. The first have formed a company for mining. The land is appropriated to various productions.

District of Nova Beira.

The district of Nova Beira is to the north of that of Goyaz, and extends northward, between the rivers Araguaya and Tucantines, to its termination at the angle of their confluence. It is upwards of four hundred miles in length from north to south, and one hundred and thirty in width. The island of St. Anna belongs to it.

Almost the whole yet belongs to various savage nations. The Chavante tribe, which appears to be the most numerous, possesses the major part towards the north. Their neighbours are the Pochetis, the Noroguages, the Appynages, the Carajas, the Cortys, and the Xerentes. The Chavante Indians after being established, and many baptized, in the aldeia of Pedro Terceiro, (in the situation of Carretao, district of Pilar,) built expressly for them, in consequence of the vassalage which they voluntarily offered, deserted all at one time, and returned to their natural mode of life. They are at present the most formidable enemies of the Portuguese.

The river Crixa, (the northern,) the St. Antonio, and the Taboca, are the most considerable amongst those which enter the Tucantines. The large river Chavante, formed by many others which irrigate the territory of the tribe from whom it takes the name, flows into the Araguaya a little above the re-union of its two arms which form the island of St. Anna.

The povoaçoes are Pontal and Matanca.

Four hundred miles to the north of Villa Boa, and nearly fifteen from the margin of the Tucantines, is situated the arraial of Pontal, so called in consequence of a point or elbow which the river forms in its vicinity. It was founded in 1738, and has a parochial church dedicated to Senhor Bom Jesus, of Boa Morte. Its inhabitants breed cattle, and cultivate mandioca, Indian corn, legumes, and some cotton. All the different species of fruit are known here.

The width of the Tucantines, at the passage from this arraial to that of Carmo, which is distant thirty-five miles to the east, is three hundred and seventy-four fathoms at the period of its greatest diminution, and more than five hundred when its bed is full. Porto Real is the name of this passage.

The aldeia of Mantanca is ten miles to the north of Pontal, near the origin of a small river, which after a course of twelve miles enters the Tucantines. It is yet insignificant, in consequence of the invasions of the Indians, but it abounds with fish, game, and fruits. The salubrity of the climate, the fertility of the soil, the abundance of water, the extensive neighbouring woods, and the gold which is known to exist in the district, ought long ago to have produced an accumulating population, a great augmentation of the existing villages, and many other improvements; in which case its inhabitants would, ere this, have reduced or put to flight the hostile Indians, and, besides, would have been carrying on a great commercial intercourse with the merchants of Gram Para. None of the comarcas of this province hold so advantageous a situation for commerce.

In the angle of the confluence of the Araguaya with the Tucantines, there is a prezidìo, or military detachment, to register the canoes which navigate by both rivers to the city of Para. This is the place where the before-mentioned decree of 1809 ordered the town of St. Joam das Duas Barras to be founded, for the head of the comarca of that name. It is said, however, that this project, so well conceived, was not effected, in consequence of the reefs with which this situation is encompassed, and which impeded the access of canoes. This probably was the reason of two places being founded, one upon each river, higher up.

In the year 1775 were reduced the two savage nations of Carajas and Javahes, who possessed the island of St. Anna, or Bannanal. The first were established in six aldeias, and the other in three, nearly the whole with names of places in Portugal; namely, Angeja and Seabra, both for the Carajas, near the southern extremity of the island; the first near the eastern arm, and the other near the western; Cunha, for the Javahes, thirty-five miles to the north of Angeja, and some distance from the river; Annadia, for the Carajas, twenty-eight miles to the north of Seabra, and near the river; St. Pedro, for the same, and eighteen miles to the north-east of Cunha, near the margin of the river; Ponte de Lima, for the Javahes, in the centre of the island; Lavradio, fifty miles to the north of Annadia; Lamacaes, forty to the north; both for the Carajas, in the vicinity of the river; and Mello, for the Javahes, some distance from the eastern arm. At this period the name of Nova Beira was given to the neighbouring territory.

District of Tucantines.

It is the most northern of the eastern districts, and borrows its name from the river which bounds it on the west, separating it from Nova Beira. On the east it is bounded by the cordillera which constitutes the limit between this province and that of Pernambuco. The two rivers of Manuel Alvez did bound it, one on the north, and the other on the south; but, as it has increased towards the north, the limit on that side is not at present quite determinable. This district is computed to be two hundred and eighty miles long from north to south, and one hundred and forty of medium width.

The two rivers Manuel Alvez and Somno are the principal of those which water this comarca. The latter, it is said, rises in the serra of Figuras, a continuation of the cordillera before alluded to, from whose sides others issue that augment its waters at the commencement. All three are navigable, and afford the same fish as the Tucantines.

It is a country mountainous in great part, and yet occupied at its northern extremity by various barbarous nations, who follow hunting, damage the farms of cattle breeders, and advance occasionally in squadrons of canoes by the rivers that approximate to the Portuguese establishments. They are of the Xerente, Chavante, and Tapacoa tribes. Woods exist almost only upon the margins of the rivers, the principal portion consisting of sandy sterile lands, in part appropriated for breeding cattle. Calcareous stone abounds in some places. Gold gave origin to its establishments, and, while obtained without much ingenuity and labour, rendered many persons rich.

The principal povoaçoes are, Natividade, Chapada, and Carmo.

Six miles distant from the right margin of the southern river of Manuel Alvez, and little less than thirty-five from the Tucantines, in the proximity of the morro of Olhos d’Agua, (so called from various rills thence emanating,) where there is gold, and near the small river St. Antonio, is the arraial of Natividade. It is the head of the julgado, with the condition of a town, and the residence at present of the ouvidor of the comarca. It was founded in 1739, and has a church, where the festival of the Nativity of our Lord is held with much solemnity. It has also two chapels dedicated to Rozario and Terco, and another of St. Benedicto. The culture of the cane, the cotton tree, tobacco, Indian corn, mandioca, and legumes, occupy the greater part of the population. Miners are few; as the produce (from not adopting a new mode) of the mines affords them no encouragement. Cattle are bred. Oranges and citrons are excellent.

Near seven miles to the north of Natividade is the small and agreeably situated arraial of Chapada, with a chapel of St. Anna. The people who inhabit it cultivate the same productions as those of the former place, and are miners.

Fifty miles to the north-north-west of the preceding, and twenty from the Tucantines, at the angle of the confluence of the small river Sucuriu and the Matança, is the pleasant arraial of Carmo. It was founded in 1741, in the proximity of a serra, ornamented with a mother church dedicated to St. Manuel, and a chapel of the Lady of Rozario. The houses are built of adobe, a sort of brick dried in the sun. Its inhabitants drink the waters of the Sucuriu, which are excellent. They are miners and agriculturists, and cultivate Indian corn, tobacco, cotton, sugar, mandioca, and legumes, with various hortulans and fruits.

Seventy miles to the east of Natividade is the arraial of Almas, a little distance from the river Manuel Alvez and near the road of Duro. Its inhabitants cultivate the necessaries of life and cotton.

Forty miles to the east of the preceding, is the aldeia of Duro, upon the boundary of the province, with a register for preventing the embezzlement of gold. The major part of its dwellers are Christianized Indians, poor and content with their condition, cultivating and collecting only what is absolutely necessary to preserve life.

A few leagues to the north of the aldeia of Duro is that of Formiga, also peopled with Christianized Indians, who are equally indolent, are hunters, and more contented with gathering fruits from the wild trees, than planting others of greater utility.

Between the mouth of the northern river Manuel Alvez and the first peninsula, is the new arraial of St. Pedro d’Alcantara, upon the margin of the Tucantines.

District of Parannan.

This district derives its name from the river which traverses it diagonally. It is bounded on the north by the comarca of Tucantines, on the west by that of Goyaz, on the south by the Rio das Velhas, and on the east by the limits of the province. It is watered by a great number of rivers, interspersed with mountains, and better peopled than the others, although still infested by the barbarians, who advance up the principal rivers. In some districts there are many persons subject from their infancy to a disease in the throat, called bronchocele.

Rivers.—Besides the Parannan and the Maranham, its western and southern limits, we may remark the river Trahiras of the south, the Preto, (both crossed by bridges), the Bagagem, the small Tucantines, the Palma, the St. Feliz, (with a large bridge,) the Trahiras of the north, and the small river Custodio, both of difficult passage even in dry weather; the Gamelleiro, near whose mouth there is a rock of remarkable form and height, and the Bacalhau of considerable width. The whole discharge into the Maranham, except the last, which unites itself with the Bagagem by the left margin, and the Palma which joins the Parannan.

The river Palma is formed by the Palmeiro, Mosquito, and Sobrado. The latter, which is the most northerly, rises in a plain upon the summit of the wide serra of Mangabeira, and a few fathoms it is said, from the origin of the river Ondas, (which runs to the St. Francisco) and seven miles below its source receives the Torno, a considerable stream which issues from among the roots of an over-spreading gamelleira or gamella tree, and has not a mile of course, being as voluminous at the commencement as at the embouchure.

The river Correntes, which is one of the first branches of the Parannan, flows from the serra of St. Domingos, and after some leagues conceals itself for three miles by a subterraneous passage through a mountain, where its waters lose their colour and good quality. The river Galheiro, which descends from the serra St. Domingos to the Parannan, receives a small river, (called the St. Domingos) which runs for a considerable space under ground, being only discoverable in some places through apertures. Amongst other serras may be noted the Viadeiros, which runs parallel with the river Parannan at the distance of eighteen miles. It is bare of vegetation or woods, and is the most elevated of the central ones. From it issues the river Tucantines and the Preto.

The principal povoaçoes of this district are—

Aguaquente

Trahiras

St. Joze

St. Feliz

Cavalcante

Conceiçao

Arrayas

St. Domingos

Flores.

Two miles distant from the confluence of the river Almas with the Maranham, and seventy miles to the north-east of Pilar, is the arraial of Aguaquente, (Warm Water) situated near a large and deep lake of brackish, fetid, and warm water, from which it derived the name. A church of St Sebastiao and a chapel of our Lady of Merces are its only places of worship. It was commenced about the year 1732, in the frontier situation, where some vestiges remain. An epidemical disease, produced by standing and putrid pools of water, occasioned by the floods of the Maranham, led those who wished to escape with life to the place where this arraial is now situated. It was not unusual for fifty to die in one day. A numerous herd of oxen arriving from St. Paulo, for the supply of this arraial, where they were collected at night, and pastured in its environs during the day, was the cause, it is stated, of this contagion ceasing. The gold, which was so abundant at first, induced an assemblage here of twelve thousand persons. Amongst other pieces of considerable size, one was found of forty-three pounds weight, which was transmitted to the court, in the same form that nature presented it. This rarity was placed in the Royal Museum of Lisbon; and became the booty of the French army when in that city. There are some frightful caverns upon the margins of this lake, the outlet from which is a small perennial stream, not experiencing any diminution during the droughts.

Fifteen miles to the east-north-east of Aguaquente is the arraial of Cocal, so called from its great number of cocoa trees, and situated near a small river which loses itself in the Maranham. Whilst gold was abundant this place flourished, but it is now very inconsiderable. The arraial of Trahiras, twenty miles to the north-east of Aguaquente, large and flourishing, is the head of the julgado; it was founded in 1735, upon the left margin, and twenty miles above the mouth of the river that gives it the name. It has a church of Nossa Senhora da Conceiçao, a hermitage of Bom Jesus, and another of Our Lady of Rozario. It is well supplied with meat, fish, and the agricultural productions of the country.

Five miles to the north-east of Trahiras, is the middling arraial of St. Joze de Tucantines, improperly so denominated, being nearly thirty miles distant from that river. It was founded in 1735, near the left margin of the river Bacalhau, and has two hermitages of Our Lady of Boa Morte and of Rozario, and another of St. Efigenia. Its church is the most magnificent temple in the province. There is a brotherhood of the Lord dos Passos[23] privileged by Pope Clement XIII.

About twelve miles to the east of the preceding is the small arraial of Cachoeira, to which a cataract furnished the name, Cachoeira being founded near it, upon the margin of the river, in the year 1736.

Ten miles to the north of Cachoeira is the small arraial of St. Ritta, founded in the same year as the preceding, and possessing a chapel. Twenty-eight miles to the east of St. Ritta is the small arraial of Moquem, near the river Peixe, which is a branch of the Bagagem, having a hermitage of the Lady of Abbadia.

St. Feliz, a well supplied arraial, in a state of mediocrity, and about seventy miles north of St. Joze, is situated near the right bank of the small river of the same name, and less than three miles from the Maranham. It was founded in the year 1736, and has a church called after the same saint, a hermida, or hermitage, of the Lady of Rozario, and one of St. Anna. It is the head of the julgado, and possessed for a considerable time a smelting house for gold. Some of its inhabitants are yet miners; the rest breeders of cattle and cultivators of the necessaries of life.

The Caldas of St. Feliz, (the hot baths or waters of St. Feliz,) otherwise called Frey Raynaldo, are thirty-five miles further to the south, consisting of four springs of tepid, and one of very hot water.

Seven miles to the north of St. Feliz, near the road, there is a mass of black stone, with so frightful and profound a cavern, that no one has yet dared to examine it. Three miles more to the north is situated an aldeia, with a hermida of Our Lady of Carmo, from which it takes the name.

Cavalcante, a flourishing arraial, founded in 1740, has a church of St. Anna, two hermidas of the Lady of Rozario and Boa Morte, and is seventy miles to the east of St. Feliz, near a small river which runs to the Parannan, under the name of Rio das Almas. It is the head of the julgado, well provided with water, and has a smelting house transferred from St. Feliz. Its inhabitants form five companies of militia. It has a rich quarry, but deep and difficult to work. It would become important in the hands of an opulent company, and directed by intelligent persons. Cattle are bred within its district. Mandioca, Indian corn, some wheat, and cotton, are the articles of cultivation.

Seventy miles to the north of St. Feliz, and not far removed from the mouth of the river Palma, is the arraial of Conceiçao, with a church of the same name. It is the head of the julgado: the people who inhabit it are miners, breeders of cattle, farmers of such necessaries of life as prosper best in the country, and form four companies of militia. It is very deficient in good water. Within its district is the small arraial of Principe, with a hermitage.

Arrayas is an arraial in a state of mediocrity, head of the julgado, has a church of Our Lady of Remedios, was founded in the year 1740, and is fifty miles to the north-east of Cavalcante, near the origin of the river from which it derives the name. Its environs are in great part mountainous, and abound with cattle, which constitute the wealth of the inhabitants, who are formed into four companies of militia.

Twenty-five miles to the south-east of Arrayas, near a small river which runs into the Parannan, is the small arraial of Morro do Chapeo, founded in 1779. A neighbouring mount, similar in appearance to a hat, (chapeo,) and from which gold is extracted, was the origin of its name. Cattle constitute the riches of the inhabitants.

Forty miles to the east of Morro do Chapeo, and in the skirts of the serra of its name, is the arraial and freguezia of St. Domingos, in the vicinity of which there is a rock of remarkable height and appearance. Its inhabitants breed cattle, and cultivate a variety of the necessaries of life.

A little to the east, upon the limits of the province, there is a detachment to prevent the embezzlement of gold.

Flores is a middling and well supplied arraial, and head of the julgado, has a church of Our Lady of Conceiçao, and a hermida of Rozario, with a brotherhood of blacks. It is seventy miles to the south-east of Cavalcante, near the right margin of the river Parannan, in a fertile situation. Cattle and horses are the principal riches of its inhabitants.

Within its extensive bounds is situated the aldeia of Matto Grosso, with a hermitage of the Lady of Piedade; and the small arraial of St. Roza, with another hermitage of that saint; and in whose district is a remarkable cavern, with many stalactites, or crystallizations of different forms.

Ninety miles to the south of Flores, and two miles from a lake denominated Lagoa Feia, is the arraial of Coiros, formerly the head of the julgado, which pre-eminence, in 1774, was transferred to Cavalcante. It has a church dedicated to St. Luzia, and a hermida, where the blacks celebrate the festival of Our Lady of Rozario. Within its extensive limits, large herds of cattle are bred.

A law emanated on the 25th February, 1814, for the foundation of a town to be called St. Joam da Palma, in a situation determined upon at the embouchure of the river of the same name, to become the head of the comarca of St. Joam das Duas Barras. In order to give it an immediate commencement, and to accelerate its augmentation, all individuals were exempted from payment of the dizimos for the space of ten years who erected a house for their own habitation in this town, or within the circle marked for its limits. By the same law, the town of St. Joam das Duas Barras, ordered to be founded by a decree in 1809, was to become subject to this town.

The major part of the cattle bred in this district are consumed in the reconcave of Bahia, and in the comarca of the Ilheos.

District of Rio das Velhas.

This district, to which one of the rivers that traverse it lends the name, is bounded on the north by the district of Parannan, on the south by the province of St. Paulo, on the east by that of Minas Geraes, and on the west by the districts of Goyaz and Cayaponia. It is three hundred and fifty miles from north to south, and one hundred and seventy of medium width.

Besides the river which affords it the name, and those which serve for its western and southern limits, it contains numerous others. Upon the road of Meia Ponte to St. Paulo, amongst other small ones, are the Capivary, which is forded with difficulty even in dry weather, the Pyracanjuba, the Peixe, (both with bridges,) all three discharging themselves into the Corumba by the right bank; the Braco do Verissimo; the Verissimo, which receives the former; the Parannahiba; and the small stream of Furnas, that flows through a plain, and on a sudden is precipitated twenty fathoms into a profound abyss. A variety of birds build their nests in the cavities of the rock, and rear their young, in sight, and amidst the murmuring sounds of this fine cataract. The Furnas discharges itself soon afterwards into the Rio das Velhas. The two Uberavas, verdadeiro, (the real one,) which runs into the preceding, and the falso, (or false,) that enters the Rio Grande. The small river Inferno which issues from the serra of Canastra, and enters the Rio das Velhas by the left; the river Quebra Anzoes, that originates on the confines of Minas Geraes, and also unites itself with the Rio das Velhas by the right margin; but none of them reach the road, near which the river Prata and the Tijuco rise, and, after uniting, enter the river Parannahiba a considerable distance below the confluence of the Rio das Velhas.

On the road of Paracatu is met with (besides the afore-mentioned Corumba) the river Areas, the Montes Claros, the Pont’ Alta, (all with bridges,) and the St. Bartholomew. The whole are stored with a diversity of fish, and flow southward.

In the most northern part of the district is the river Almas, the Peixe, which unites with the first by the right, and the Patos, that flows along and to the east of the serra Negra, and afterwards joins the Maranham a few leagues above the arraial of Aguaquente. These rivers possess the same fish as the Tucantines.

The territory lying between the two Uberavas is a plain of thirty-five miles in width, without the least elevation above the horizon, and absolutely destitute of wood; but supplying the deer and the emu ostrich.

In the middle of the last century there lived, between the Parannahiba and the Rio Grande, a horde of Bororos, whose cacique was then a Paulista, called Antonio Pirez de Campos, a youth of much subtilty, and well adapted for the management of those savages amongst whom he sought refuge, being driven from civilized society by the extent of his crimes. He died, between the years 1750 and 1760, of a wound which he received in the arm, in an encounter with the Cayapos. His comrades applied medicinally, for many days, hot broiled bacon to the wound, until they conveyed him to a Christianized establishment in Minas Geraes, to try if he could be there cured. They lamented for a month over him as a common father.

Amongst other serras in the northern part is that of Caldas, four leagues square, and flat upon the summit, where there are some lakes and deer.

The principal povoaçoes are Meia Ponte, Santa Luzia, Santa Cruz, St. Domingos, and Desemboque.

Meia Ponte is the largest, most flourishing, and commercial povoaçao in the province, with the exception of the capital, from which it is ninety miles distant to the east, and is situated near the Almas, which there is only an inconsiderable stream. It has a church of Nossa Senhora of Rozario, four hermidas, three dedicated to Our Lady, with the titles of Carmo, Lapa, and Rozario, of the blacks, another of the Lord of Bom Fim, and an Hospicio d’Esmoleres (an alms-house for the entertainment of the travelling brotherhood) of Terra Santa. It was founded in the year 1731, is the head of the julgado, well supplied with meat and fish, and has a royal professor of Latin. Its inhabitants, and those of the environs, cultivate Indian corn, wheat, mandioca, tobacco, cotton, sugar, some coffee, and breed cattle; likewise many hogs. They manufacture certain descriptions of cloth, both of wool and cotton; and hence this place is considered the cradle and centre of the agriculture and industry of the province. The caravans from the capital and from Cuiaba, proceeding to the metropolis, to St. Paulo, or Bahia, pass this way.

About eighteen miles to the east-north-east is the cordillera called Montes Pyreneos, (the Pyrenees.) From its sides flow torrents to the four cardinal points.

Nearly fifty miles to the east of Meia Ponte, in the vicinity of some fine hills, denominated Montes Claros, there is a hermida of St. Luzia, which ornamented the decayed arraial of St. Antonio.

St. Luzia, a middling and well supplied arraial, which derives its name from the patroness of the church, is seven miles from the road of Paracatu, and almost at an equal distance from the rivers Pont’ Alta and St. Bartholomew, being eighteen miles, with little difference, from each, in a pleasant and wholesome situation, abounding with water. It is the head of the julgado, has a hermitage of Our Lady of Rozario, produces good cheese and marmalade, and is seventy miles east-south-east of Meia Ponte. In its environs cattle are exceedingly abundant, constituting the wealth of its inhabitants.

St. Cruz, a small arraial, with a church of the Lady of Conceiçao, is the most ancient of the province, and head of the julgado. It is one hundred miles to the south-south-east of Meia Ponte, upon the road of St. Paulo, a little removed from the left margin of the river Pary, and about one mile from the morro of Clemente, abounding with gold, which has not yet been worked for the want of water; because, according to the saying of the miners here, “a mountain of gold is worth nothing, if it has not water.” Its inhabitants are agriculturists and cattle breeders. In its district are the caldas, or hot springs of the same name, consisting of various fountains, differing in the degree of heat, and little distant from each other. Their waters, which have been efficacious in many diseases, form the small river Caldas.

Almost in the middle of the interval from St. Cruz to Meia Ponte, and also upon the road, is the small arraial of Bom Fim, with a hermitage of that name. The inhabitants are gold miners, breed cattle, and cultivate the necessaries of life.

One hundred and forty miles to the south of St. Cruz is the arraial of St. Anna, two miles distant from the northern margin of the river Velhas, in an agreeable situation, and is the parochial of all the Christianized Indians, who live in those parts, near the road of St. Paulo. It was founded in the year 1741, for the habitation of five hundred Bororo Indians, who came from Cuiaba to succour the Christians against the Cayapos, who carried devastation amongst the Portuguese establishments. They lived here till the year 1775, when they were removed to the arraial of Lanhozo, a horde of Chacriaba Indians remaining in their stead, who were brought from the margins of Rio Preto, in the province of Pernambuco, and who are at present the inhabitants of the place, with some of other nations. They cultivate mandioca, Indian corn, and legumes.

Twenty miles to the north of the parish of St. Anna, and also near the same road, upon the northern margin of the small river Pedras, is situated the aldeia of that name, formerly inhabited by Bororos, but now almost depopulated, in consequence of that horde being removed in 1811 to the new prezidios of Nova Beira. The arraial of Lanhozo above mentioned, founded near the Uberava Falso, no longer exists, its people having united themselves with those of the river Pedras.

The arraial of St. Domingos do Araxa, in a state of mediocrity, modernly erected into the head of the julgado, is situated in a plain traversed by a small stream, and is thirty miles distant from the boundary, and twenty from the river Quebr’ Anzoes, (Hook Breaker.) The wells of excellent water, which save the breeders from the expense of purchasing salt for the cattle, and the considerable portions of fertile land in which various branches of agriculture will flourish, have already invited many hundred families to remove their establishments here, and which will probably in a few years render this parish the most populous one in the province. They already manufacture cotton cloth, and are commencing upon woollens. Large quantities of hogs and cattle are bred.

The arraial of Desemboque, head of the julgado, has a church of Our Lady of Desterro, and is situated upon the left margin of the river Velhas, about thirty-five miles distant from the boundary of Minas Geraes. Its inhabitants breed cattle, and cultivate an abundance of the necessaries of life.

In the year 1812, the arraial of St. Antonio and St. Sebastiao were commenced, with a hermitage dedicated to those saints, near the channel of the Lage, two miles distant from the road of St. Paulo to the east, and one from the left margin of the Uberava Falso. The people who inhabit it cultivate feijao, Indian corn, rice, and cotton, with the fruits and hortulans of the country, and breed cattle.