338 



TOPOGRAPHY. 



possibility of forming vast plantations of cacao and other va- 

 luable produ6lions, insomuch that, by the subsequent reduc- 

 tion of the Pampa (plain) del Sacramento, the emporium of 

 the greatest prodigies of Nature, the monarch would possess 

 a new kingdom, and Peru the interests she had sought for the 

 space of two centuries, but had not obtained, in consequence 

 of the injudicious mode pursued in subjugating the savage 

 tribes. He spake with the confidence of one who had been 

 many years an eye witness of the fa6ls, and with an energy 

 which the sincerity, piety, and generous feelings of Bezares 

 could not resist. 



Although the latter was not possessed of sufficient testimonies 

 respedling the accuracy of this information, he devoted two 

 thousand piastres of his capital to an attempt which should 

 enable him to come at the truth; and fix his determination* 

 He was not backward in following the traces of his informer, 

 carrying with him the implements and commodities best adapt- 

 ed to promote the views of the little colony named Chico- 

 playa. He was also provided with the necessary sacred orna- 

 ments and vessels, images, and two portable bells, with which 

 to commence divine worship without any delay. He made 

 his entry by Guamalies in the year 1785, and with much diffi- 

 culty penetrated, by the banks of the river Monzon, to Chi- 

 coplaya, where he was not a little gratified to find the esta- 

 blishment his companion had announced, although in a very 

 deplorable condition. Observing the distress under which the 

 colony laboured for want of a priest, he appointed a friar of 

 the Order of Mercy, by whom he was accompanied, to fill 

 that function, to which he annexed a salary of six hundred 

 piastres. This a6l of benevolence was followed by a general 



oflfer, 



