PROVINCE OF PARANNA. 



137 



cent and richly ornamented, some being entirely gilded. A vicar and a curate, 

 both Jesuits, were the only ecclesiastics exercising the parochial functions, 

 being, at the same time, inspectors of all civil economy ; under whose direc- 

 tion there were magistrates, ( corregedores,) elected annually ; a cacique, or 

 chief, elected for life; and other officers, each with his jurisdiction. With the 

 exception of these, every individual of both sexes wore a shirt reaching to the 

 ancles, usually of white cotton. They cultivated matte, the cotton tree, and 

 such provisions as prospered best in the country. The whole was deposited in 

 warehouses, from whence it was distributed daily to the people. Each family 

 received an ounce of matte, four pounds of meat, and a certain measure of 

 Indian corn, and more if it was judged necessary. All passed under the review 

 of the magistrates or of other subordinate persons. The curates lived com- 

 modiously, near to their churches, and contiguous to their dwellings were two 

 spacious houses ; one destined for schools of reading, painting, architecture, 

 music, and having shops for different manual occupations ; the other was a recol- 

 himento, or receptacle for a great number of young girls, who were engaged in 

 different works, under the inspection of matronly women, already instructed. 

 The women received on Monday a certain portion of cotton, which they were 

 to return in the spun state on Saturday. The curate, accompanied by certain 

 officers and masters, went daily at eight o'clock to visit the schools and shops. 

 The signal of the last Avi 3Ianas was also that of the rosario, or counting of 

 beads, at which all assisted. 



All superfluities were exported, with a large quantity of tallow, hides, and 

 matte, and with the proceeds they paid the capitations, and obtained in return 

 requisite European articles. 



It is calculated that the Indians possessed near two million head of cattle. 



Such was the condition of the redugdes, or missions, which constituted the 

 pretended Guaranitic state, in 1768, when the Jesuits were expelled and their 

 people delivered over to the direction of the Dominicans, Franciscans, and 

 Mercenarians. The last is an order of friars instituted in Arragon by King 

 James for the redemption of captives. 



The Marquis of Bucarelli, governor of Buenos Ayres, wishing to go per- 

 sonally, accompanied by the best troops of Europe which he could collect in 

 that capital, to execute the orders of his sovereign relative to the missions, 

 which were repugnant to the feelings of the Indians, wrote, before he com- 

 menced his march, to all the vicars to send to him the c\\\ei (cacique) and head 

 magistrate of each mission, in order that he might communicate to them 



T 



