190 



PROVINCE OF MATTO GROSSO. 



during the interval from its discovery to the year 1718, when Antonio Pires de 

 Campos, also a Paulista, proceeded up the river Cuiaba in search of the 

 Cuchipo Indians, who had an aldeia, where at this day is situated the hermitage of 

 St. Gon^alo. In the following year Pascoal Moreira Cabral advanced up the river 

 Cuchipo Mirim, and very soon discovered granites of gold. He left here a 

 portion of his company to accumulate as much as possible of it, and proceeded 

 higher up the river, with the greater part of the bandeirantes, as far as the 

 situation at present called Forquilha, where they caught some young Indians 

 ornamented with pieces of gold, which proved that the country abounded with 

 that metal ; they were most diligent in their searches after it, and collected a 

 considerable portion. Returning to the party left behind, they descended with 

 them the river below, to the aldeia which Antonio Pires had visited the pre- 

 ceding year, where each one exhibited the quantity of gold he had collected. 

 Some found themselves possessed of one hundred oitavas, (2dwt. 7f gr. each,) 

 others of half a pound weight, and many more of smaller portions, but they 

 were generally well satisfied ; those who accompanied Captain Moreira Cabral 

 had exceeded the rest in good fortune. He had for his own share one pound 

 and a half of gold. The whole party greatly lamented the want of mining 

 instruments, as they were compelled to use their hands in removing the earth 

 or sand. They soon began to construct cabanas, or dwelling places upon the 

 margins of the rivers, determined to persist as long as the precious ore lasted. 

 A few weeks had only elapsed, when another bandeira arrived at the new 

 establishment, having been upon the margins of the river St. Louren^o, where 

 they received intelligence of this discovery, and determined to augment the 

 party. 



The whole now consulted upon the circumstances attending their situation, 

 and resolved to despatch Joze Gabriel Antunes to the city of St. Paulo, with 

 samples of gold, and tidings of their success; also to announce to the governor 

 their solicitude to receive the necessary instructions for the common weal and 

 service of his Majesty. On the same day, the 8th of April, 1719, on which 

 this resolution was formed, the party unanimously elected Captain Pascoal 

 Moreira Cabral for their guarda mor regente until the arrival of orders from the 



themselves with arms, ammunition, and every thing requisite for their subsistence, with the project 

 of entering the territories of the Indians, for the purpose of discovering mines, exploring the country, 

 or chastising the savages; the individuals who compose those companies, call themselves bandeirantes > 

 and their chiefs, certanistas. 



