FORT SAN RAMON. 



85 



Yanacoto is only twenty-eight miles from the ocean that washes the 

 base of the slope on which it is situated. Fort San Ramon, (at nearly 

 the same elevation as Yanacoto,) by the winding of the river, cannot be 

 much less than four thousand miles from its ocean, and in the direct 

 course of the river is at least two thousand five hundred miles. But I 

 am of opinion, from some observations made afterwards with a boiling- 

 point apparatus, that the indications of the barometer, at the eastern 

 foot of the Andes, are not to be depended upon ; and that San Ramon 

 has a greater elevation than is shown by the barometer. 



The fort is a stockade, embracing about six acres, armed with four 

 brass four-pounders, and garrisoned with forty-eight men. It is situated 

 at the junction of the rivers Chanchamayo and Tulumayo — the former 

 about thirty and the latter forty yards wide — both shallow and ob- 

 structed with rocks. The current seemed about five or six miles the 

 hour. A canoe, well managed, might shoot down the Tulumayo as 

 far as we saw it. 



The fort was constructed in 1847, under the direction of President 

 Castilla, for the purpose of affording protection to the cultivators of the 

 farms in its rear. It doubtless does this against the unwarlike Indians 

 of this country ; but I imagine that North American Indians, actuated 

 by the feelings of hostility which these people constantly evince, would 

 cross the rivers above the fort and sweep the plantations before the 

 soldiers could reach them. The Indians have abandoned all idea of 

 reconquering the territory they have lost, but are determined to dispute 

 the passage of the rivers and any attempt at further conquest. They 

 never show themselves now in person, but make their presence evident 

 by occasionally setting fire to the woods and grass on the hill- sides, and 

 discharging their arrows at any incautious person who may wander too 

 near the banks of the rivers. 



Noel told us that many attempts had been made to establish friendly 

 relations with them. In former times the Indians used to advance out 

 of the forest, to the further bank of the river, and hold conversations 

 and exchange presents with the officers of the post. They gave bows 

 and arrows, rare birds and animals, and received in return knives, beads, 

 and looking-glasses. But these parleys always ended with expressions 

 of defiance and insult towards the whites on the part of the Indians, 

 and frequently with a flight of arrows. 



He related to us, that a year or two ago a General Castillo, with some 

 officers, came to visit the fort, and wished to try their skill at negotia- 

 tion. Accordingly, whilst they were at dinner, the sentinel reported that 

 an Indian had made his appearance ; whereupon the party rose from 



