Captaincy of Rios de Senna. 65 



■Captaincy 9 there is not even one solitary instance, either 

 public or private, of a proper course of instruction, by 

 which I would not be understood to mean that kind of edu- 

 cation which is essential to men who are destined to scientific 

 pursuits, but merely such a one as would enable them to 

 superintend their domestic concerns with intelligence and 

 advantage, such a one as would enable them, by expanding 

 their minds and imparting to their hearts proper feelings and 

 sentiments, to become good and industrious citizens, and 

 worthy fathers of families. Hopeless without this will be 

 our search for that physical education which is essentially 

 necessary to the formation of an energetic and active mind, 

 and to counteract the baneful influence of tropical climates, 

 bv preserving those who live in them from the indolence and 

 stupidity which they are too apt to induce. Nature has been 

 most liberal to the Captaincy of the Rios de Senna, let us 

 hope that it will receive the further assistance of a proper 

 legislation : at present there is not a single establishment for 

 the instruction of youth, nor are there any funds which are 

 so applied; hence it follows that the children of each family 

 are imperfectly instructed at home, no persons being found 

 who are capable of undertaking such a charge, however 

 willing parents might be to remunerate them. The domini- 

 can priests, who are called the Missionaries of Africa, ought 

 at least to teach evangelical morality to the whites, since 

 for that end were they appointed to their parishes. But 

 even if their profound ignorance, was not a sufficient har to 

 the performance of their duties, little or no benefit could be 

 derived from the instruction of people of depraved and infa- 

 mous habits, who make a commercial speculation of their 

 ministry, inasmuch as they never administer the sacraments 

 but to those who can pay for them. In 1805, the inhabitants 

 of Tette made choice of a poor unbenificed friar, as a fit 

 person to instruct their children in reading, writing, and the 

 christian doctrines. The other friars used all their power 

 and intrigues to get him removed to Senna, where he now is, 

 in utter idleness, and without any employment whatever ; — 

 this they did from pure malignity, proving themselves to be 

 bitter enemies to the public welfare. 



Article VI. 

 Of the Public Revenues. 



The public revenues of the Captaincy are of two kinds, the 

 first, arising from the custom-house dues, paid at Mozam- 

 bique on all articles imported into the Captaincy, the second 

 from certain fines and tenths paid by the holders of crown 

 lands. As there is no custom-house at Quillimane, all the 



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