Sept.] 



RIO NEGRO. 



39 



River, the coast is gemmed with islands, and abounds with shoals, ex- 

 tending one league to the eastward. Among these islands and shoals 

 there are many good and safe harbours for vessels under three hundred 

 tons burthen. 



September 2\st. — About twelve leagues south and west of these 

 islands is Rio Negro, in which we cast anchor on Saturday the 21st; 

 our vessel being the first from the United States that ever entered this 

 river. Previous to this visit of the Wasp, Rio Negro had been of 

 very little note ; but it is now much frequented, especially by whalers, 

 who touch here for refreshments. We found here bullocks, sheep, 

 hogs, and poultry in abundance ; and in the autumn or winter (say 

 from March to June) any quantity of vegetables and many different 

 kinds of fruit may be had at this place, on a brief notice, and at a 

 very low rate. Good water can be drawn alongside at the last of the 

 ebb, and wood in any quantity may be cut by the ship's crew, close to 

 the banks of the river ; notwithstanding the reports of those navigators 

 on whose authority it is recorded that " south of Rio de la Plata there 

 is not to be seen a single tree or shrub fit for any mechanical pur- 

 pose." 



The inhabitants of this place are principally Spaniards, who are 

 very friendly to strangers, particularly to citizens of the United States, 

 with whom they are very anxious to open a trade. The ladies 

 are generally handsome brunettes, of elegant persons and accom- 

 plished manners. There is nothing that savours of vulgarity, even in 

 females of the lowest classes. Both sexes, when their pecuniary cir- 

 cumstances permit it, dress much in the English and American style. 

 They evince excellent natural capacities, but have little benefited by 

 education, for the want of schools and liberal establishments. In 

 spite of every obstacle, however, many Creoles may be found among 

 them who have improved themselves astonishingly. 



Since this country has become independent of Old Spain, and been 

 governed by republican institutions, the barbarous custom of the slave- 

 trade has been done away with, and no more slaves are permitted to 

 be brought into the country ; while all persons born after the 25th of 

 May, 1818, are free. Under this form of government, also, the mo- 

 nastic establishments are declining, and the tithing system is totally 

 abolished. 



The following directions may prove acceptable to whalers and others 

 who frequent this part of the coast : — In coming from the eastward to Rio 

 Negro, the navigator should endeavour to make the land in about the par- 

 allel of 40° 52' S., and long. 62° 15' W., when he will first see Point 

 Raza, which will be readily known by three remarkable hummocks. 

 After approaching to within about one league of this point he may 

 steer south-west towards Rio Negro, taking care not to come into less 

 than six or eight fathoms of water, with a sandy bottom. The shore 

 s a continuation of low sandhills, interspersed with heath and brush- 

 wood, until you approach the river, — where the hillocks oecome more 

 elevated, and are composed of clear white sand, lying in ridges or 

 undulations, like the waves of the ocean. 



About four or five miles south of Point Raza is a singular hillock 



