332 A VOYAGE TO Book IX. 



nearer to, or farther from the ihore according to the 

 rapidity of the river. 



From the above confiderations I thought it prafli- 

 cable to open a pafiage for large veflrls up the river 

 Real, and propofed it to the inhabitants. JVIy fcheme 

 was to have ftopped up the three füuthernmoft chan- 

 nels, and have thrown the whole current of the river 

 down the northernmoft, which would have removed 

 the bar farther out to fea into very deep water, and 

 in all probability have opened a pafiage for the largeil 

 lliips into the fíneíl harbour in the world. From the 

 bcft eftimation 1 could make, it wouid not have coil 

 loool. But through indolence, or fome fecret caufe, 

 it was rejeifted. 



About twelve leagues to the fouthward of Rio Real 

 is a fmall harbour, called Torre Garcia de Avilia, 

 which is defended by four pieces of cannon : the town 

 lies about a mile above the port, on the higheft land 

 on this coail, and is the beft for a fliip to make, that 

 is bound to Bahia while the N.E. wind blows; as the 

 coail is bold as far as Punto de Tapoas, which is the 

 eaflernmofl: land before you bear away for Bahia Todos 

 OS Santos, and may be known by a number of cocoa- 

 nut-trees, which grow upon it. Give this point a good 

 birth, and approach not within a league of the Ihore 

 till the caftle of St. Anthony, at the entrance of the 

 bay, bears N. by Vn''. then there is no danger till you 

 are near the round fort, which before you come to, you 

 may find anchoring ground enough in what depth you 

 pleafe. 



The city of Bahia Todos os Santos dedicated to 

 St. Salvador, by which name it is iometimes known, 

 lies up the bay about two leagues from Point St. An- 

 thony on which the fort ftands. The mouth of the 

 bay, which is about three leagues wide, is formed by 

 the main land on the (larboard fide and by the iiland 

 Taporico on tiic larboard. A fliip may keep over on 

 the larboard fide within three quarters of a league of 



the 



