

A'GUIAR. 



309 



that aJl their own immediate relations are rich, 

 and not at all in need of assistance ; and that 

 therefore independent of other reasons con- 

 nected generally with the system of slavery, 

 these their children had no right to work for 

 any one else. Of the slaves in question, only a 

 few are Africans, the major part being mulattos 

 arid creole negroes. 



We returned to the cottage of the priest to 

 dinner, and in the afternoon proceeded to the 

 sugar-plantation of Aguiar, belonging to the 

 Capltam-mor, which is distant from Paulistas 

 five leagues, where we arrived about ten o'clock 

 at night, much fatigued. Immediately beyond 

 Paulistas is the narrow but rapid stream of Pa- 

 ratibi, which near to its mouth changes this 

 name for that of Doce. In the rainy season it 

 overflows its banks, and becomes unfordable. 

 The width of it, when it is in the usual state, 

 near to Paulistas, is not above twenty yards. 

 In its course to the sea, it runs through much 

 marshy ground. We passed by four sugar- 

 mills this afternoon ; that which bears the name 

 of Utinga de ba/To, is situated in an amphi- 

 theatre, being surrounded by high hills, covered 

 with large trees. These woods have not been 

 much disturbed, and therefore give refuge 

 to enormous quantities of game, among which 

 the porco do mato, or pig of the woods, is com- 

 mon. 1 never saw this animal, and therefore 



x 3 



