1826.] Dhcovery of the Province of Minus Geraes. 259 



course in a right line through almost impassable ways and deep rivers, 

 till they arrived at St. Vicente victorious over all their fatigues ; having 

 had the precaution to notch the trees on their route, to serve them as 

 guides whenever they should tliink jiroper to revisit t!ie Batatas. 



The sensation created at St. Vicente on the return of those who 

 produced the goklen fruits of tlieir discoveries may be easily conceived ; 

 the rumour resounded to Lisbon and spread over all Portugal, and, as 

 niiglit be expected, its results were numerous emigrations of Portuguese 

 adventurers, greedy to become rich in a short time. 



It was in the month of March 1G63 — a month when the rains cease 

 in that part of Brazil — tliat three Bandeiras* of Portuguese and Bra- 

 zilians penetrated through the forests, all of them directing their steps 

 towards the Batatas : here, in a friendly and fraternal manner, they sub- 

 divided themselves into miners, and fellers of wood for agricultural 

 purposes and building of cottages. Every thing was in common, and 

 the great abundance of gold was a sufficient guarantee for their mutual 

 good faith. 



The relations with St. Vicente were increased by means of the Ban- 

 deiras, who were continually entering the forest and returnijig to the 

 town v,fith gold. Such was the origin of the Pova(,ao of Minas, and of 

 the opening of the road of St. Vicente through tliat province. 



Not much time elapsed ere the investigating genius of the Paulistasj- 

 discovered other Lavras.X Tlie second was that of Ribciras do Carmo, 

 in the following manner. 



A Bandeira, which entered the forest on its way to the Batatas, pur- 

 suing a herd of wild boars, lost their way, which led to the discovery of 

 a village of savages called Carijo.% (an Indian nation they were hitherto 

 ignorant of, being only acquainted with that named Lingoa grralj; as 

 the Bandeira was composed of but few men, they did not venture to 

 pursue those Indians, and turning round the mountain of Ititayo, they 

 arrived at the foot of that termed Villa Rica, on the spot known by the 

 name of Antonio Dias, where the captain of the Bandeira, Antonio Dias 

 Camargo, falling extremely ill, it was divided into two parties, ore of 

 which proceeded to Batatas to give an account of what had happened, 

 the other remaining to watch over the valuable life of the sick chief. 

 The restless Paulistas' spirit did not permit the men of this latter party to 

 remain inactive ; they made researches all around them, and soon dis- 

 covered gold in the valley on the edge of which they were, which is 

 still called the valley of Antonio Dias ; they likewise discovered the vale 

 of Ribeirao do Carmo, where they met with a great quantity of gold, as 

 well as in the quarter of Oiro preto, <SL'C. Their good fortune was soon 

 known at St. Vicente, and fresh Bandeiras proceeded to the newly found 

 places, which they preferred to that of Batatas, where the increasing 

 numbers had begun to cause some confusion. The locality of Ribeiras 

 do Carmo was more inviting from its richness, its climate, and fronl 



* When several men, under the coraraand of a chief selected by themselves, set out 

 on some investigating expedition, the party is called a Bandeira ; thus they say a Ban- 

 deira of forty or fifty men. 



f Paulistas, a name given to those daring adventurers who sought after gold. The 

 pro\-ince of St. Vicente is now called the province of St. Paulo, liaving changed its name 

 when the governor-general removed to the town of St. Paulo. 



{ Places where gold is extracted are called Lavras. 



2 L 2 



