6^6 ulloa's voyage to south America. 



The Portuguefe, then only intent on the improvement of their colonies, in violation of 

 the moft facred laws, did not, even after the converfion of thefe people, ceafe from 

 making incurfions, in order to carry oiF the young inhabitants as flaves for their planta- 

 tions ; fo that it became abfolutely neceflary, in order to preferve thefe converts, to re- 

 move into Paraguay, about twelve thoufand of all ages, and both fexes ; a like num- 

 ber of emigrants was alfo brought from Tappe and formed into communities, living 

 here in peace and fafety ; and, at the fame time, in a decency becoming their new 

 profeflion. 



But the number of fucceeding converts was fo great, that continual additions were 

 neceflary to thefe towns, fo that I was at Quito informed by a perfon of undoubted ve- 

 •racity, and thoroughly acquainted with fuch matters, that the number of towns of the 

 Guaranies Indians in the year 1734, amounted to thirty-two, and fuppofed to contain 

 between thirty and forty thoufand families : that from the increafmg profperity of the 

 Chriflian religion, they were then deliberating on the manner of building three other 

 towns, thefe thirty-two being in the diocefes of Buenos Ayres and Paraguay. Befides 

 the Indios Chiquitos belonging to the diocefe of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, there were at 

 that time feven very populous towns ; and, by reafon of the great refort of converted 

 Indians, preparations were making for building others. 



The Paraguay miffions are on all fides terminated by nations of idolatrous Indians ; 

 fome of which, however, live in perfect harmony with them, but others do all in their 

 power to exterminate them by frequent incurfions ; and it is with the latter that the 

 fathers chiefly employ their zeal, in order to reclaim them from their inhumanity, by 

 preaching to them the glad tidings of the Gofpel. Nor is this fortitude deftitute of 

 fruit, the moft rational receiving with joy the knowledge of the true God, and, quitting 

 their country, are conducted to the Chriftian towns, where, after proper inftrudions, 

 they are admitted to baptifm. 



About a hundred leagues from the miilion is a nation of idolaters, called Guanoas. 

 It is with great difficulty any of thefe are brought to embrace the light of the Gofpel, 

 as they are extremely addided to a licentious life ; and a great number of Meftizos, 

 and even fome Spaniards, whom crimes have obliged to take fhelter among them, by 

 their ill example harden the Indians in their contempt of inftrutlion. Befides they are 

 fo indolent and flothful, that they will not take the pains to cultivate the lands, choof- 

 ing to live by the more expeditious way of hunting ; and, being convinced, that if they 

 embrace the Chriftian religion, and fubmit to the miflionaries, they muft labour, they 

 cannot bear to think of a change which will inevitably deprive them of their favourite 

 indolence. Many, however, of thofe who come to the Chriftian towns to vilit their 

 relations, cannot withftand the order and decency in which they fee them live, and ac- 

 cordingly embrace the Chriftian religion. 



It is nearly the fame with the Charuas, a people inhabiting the country between the 

 rivers Parana and Uruguay. Thofe dwelling on the banks of the river Parana, from 

 the town of Corpus upwards, and called Guananas, are more tradable, and their in- 

 duftry in agriculture, and other rural arts, render them more fufceptible of liftening to 

 the preaching of the miffionaries ; befides, no fuch thing as a fugitive is to be found 

 among them. Near Cordova is another nation of idolaters, called Pampas, who, not- 

 withftanding they frequently come to the city to fell different produdions of the earth, 

 are very obftinate in their opinions, and, confequently, are not reclaimed without the 

 greateft difficulty. Thefe four nations of idolatrous Indians live, however, in peace 

 with the Chriftians. 



In 



