PROVINCE OF GOYAZ. 



233 



some white men had been established many years ago ; they replied, that it 

 was not far distant. The caravan now moved forward again, accompanied by 

 the two Indians, who led the way to a situation, at the present time occupied 

 by the arraial of Ferreiro, and which Bueno immediately recognised to be the 

 much desired spot where he had been with his father. He immediately pro- 

 ceeded to make the requisite arrangements for forming an establishment, and to 

 carry into execution the objects of this enterprise. 



The fortunate Bueno now returned to his country, with the intelligence of 

 having discovered the long sought-for district, which was traversed by five 

 streams, all having abundance of gold ; a pretty considerable portion of which 

 he presented at the same time, in confirmation of those glad tidings. He soon 

 received the commission of Captain Mor Regente, and proceeded to rejoin 

 his colony in the year 1726. 



Having arrived at the new arraial, his first care was to adopt the best mode 

 of living in harmony with the Goyaz, the only tribe in the district, and from 

 whom the name of this province was derived. The Indians were, however, 

 suspicious of their new visitors, and posted themselves with their arms in the 

 situation where the arraial of Barra is now seen ; but Bueno adopting the 

 artifice of seizing some women, the Goyaz desisted, at the same time offering 

 to point out those places which afforded the largest quantity of gold, and which 

 were at and near the situation now called Ponte do Meio, and where a piece 

 was soon found, which, when purified, produced half a pound of gold. The 

 whole colony laboured in contentment, and without envying the miners of 

 Cuiaba. 



The fortunate circumstances of their situation soon becoming known, and the 

 dangers to which persons were exposed who directed their course to Cuiaba, at- 

 tracted so great a number of miners to Goyaz in the course of two years, that the 

 necessaries which daily arrived with the numerous caravans and troops from 

 St. Paulo, (to which city alone there was any track or road,) were inadequate 

 to their subsistence. Every thing sold at an exorbitant price ; of gold there was 

 enough, but it could not supply sustenance. An alqueire of Indian corn cost 

 six or seven oitavas of gold; and the same measure of the flour of mandioca 

 ten oitavas. A milch cow, which appeared there, was bought for two pounds 

 weight of the same metal, and a hog for twenty-eight. Two oitavas of gold 

 were demanded for a pound of sugar; and every article of subsistence was 

 procured only by payment in the same proportion. The dealers who conveyed the 

 necessaries of hfe by a tedious journey were enriched ; but the mines were still 



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