442 



PROVINCE OF MARANHAM. 



seated upon the site where a Jesuitical hospicio existed. It was for some time 

 the capital of the capitania of Curaa, which terminated in the bay of Turyvassu, 

 and its port is capable of receiving sumacas. The cotton raised in its district 

 is esteemed the best of the province. This article and rice constitute the prin- 

 cipal productions of the inhabitants. The salterns, three miles north of it, are 

 capable of furnishing excellent salt to many provinces, if they were, adminis- 

 tered, as in the time of the Jesuits, to whom they belonged. 



Guimarens is a flourishing town, situated upon the northern side of the bay of 

 Cuma, thirty miles north-north-west of Alcantara, with a church of St. Joze. 

 From its port are exported cotton, rice, and a considerable quantity of farinha. 



St. Joam de Cortes is a small and insignificant town, eighteen miles south of 

 Guimarens, on the southern margin of the bay of Cuma, producing farinha, with 

 some cotton and rice. 



Vianna is a middling town, and well situated upon the margin of the Maracu, 

 a branch of the Pinnare, in the vicinity of a large lake, about one hundred miles 

 from the capital. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Concei^ao ; and its 

 inhabitants raise cotton, mandioca, and other necessaries of life common to the 

 country. They breed cattle and collect timber. In its district there is one of 

 the best sugar works of the province, and formerly belonging to the Jesuits. 



Moncao, eighteen miles south of Vianna, is a small Indian town, with a 

 church, upon the banks of the Pinnare. Its inhabitants raise the provisions of 

 life, some cotton, and follow fishing and hunting. 



Hycatu, (good water,) an ancient town, and formerly considerable and 

 flourishing, is situated near the confluence of the Hyguara with the Mony, and 

 has a church of Our Lady of Concei^ao. It was the first residence of the 

 governors of the province, and conceded many privileges to its senate. An ex- 

 cellent quality of cotton constitutes the chief production of its inhabitants. 



Cachias, a considerable and flourishing town upon the eastern margin of the 

 Itapicuru, is two hundred miles south-east of the capital, and nearly the same 

 distance north-north-west of Oeyras. It has a church of Our Lady of Con- 

 cei^ao, and a hermitage of Razario ; Aldeias Altas was its primitive name. A 

 Juiz de Fora has presided over its senate since the year 1809. The propensity 

 to gambling amongst its inhabitants has occasioned the ruin of many merchants 

 of the capital. Within its extensive district a very great quantity of cotton and 

 rice is grown, for whose transmission to the parish of Rozario barks of consider- 

 able burden are constructed for navigating in shoal water. 



