246 



PROVINCE OF GOYAZ. 



considerably fallen off, in consequence, it is said, of the repugnancy of the 

 whites to ally themselves with the Indians. 



Within this district is the new arraial of Annicuns, situated near the right 

 margin of the Boys, which here has only the appearance of a small stream. 

 It is forty miles to the south-east of the capital, and has a church dedicated to 

 St. Francisco d' Assis. Its inhabitants are miners and agriculturists. The first 

 have formed a company for mining. The land is appropriated to various pro- 

 ductions. 



District of Nova Beira. 

 The district of Nova Beira is to the north of that of Goyaz, and extends 

 northward, between the rivers Araguaya and Tucantines, to its termination at 

 the angle of their confluence. It is upwards of four hundred miles in length 

 from north to south, and one hundred and thirty in width. The island of St. 

 Anna belongs to it. 



Almost the whole yet belongs to various savage nations. The Chavante tribe, 

 which appears to be the most numerous, possesses the major part towards the 

 north. Their neighbours are the Pochetis, the Noroguages, the Appynages, the 

 Carajas, the Cortys, and the Xerentes. The Chavante Indians after being 

 estabhshed, and many baptized, in the aldeia of Pedro Terceiro, (in the situation 

 of Carretao, district of Pilar,) built expressly for them, in consequence of the 

 vassalage which they voluntarily offered, deserted all at one time, and returned 

 to their natural mode of life. They are at present the most formidable enemies 

 of the Portuguese. 



The river Crixa, (the northern,) the St. Antonio, and the Taboca, are the 

 most considerable amongst those which enter the Tucantines. The large river 

 Chavante, formed by many others which irrigate the territory of the tribe from 

 whom it takes the name, flows into the Araguaya a little above the reunion 

 of its two arms which form the island of St. Anna. 



The povoa^oes are Pontal and Matanca. 



Four hundred miles to the north of Villa Boa, and nearly fifteen from the 

 margin of the Tucantines, is situated the arraial of Pontal, so called in con- 

 sequence of a point or elbow which the river forms in its vicinity. It was 

 founded in 1738, and has a parochial church dedicated to Senhor Bom Jesus, 

 of Boa Morte. Its inhabitants breed cattle, and cultivate mandioca, Indian 

 corn, legumes, and some cotton. All the different species of fruit are known 

 here. 



