TOPOGRAPHY. 



343 



barbarians having been first civilized, might be afterwards made 

 to conform to the good example of the missionaries and other 

 devout persons, and thus become Christians; — that having 

 already found that those who are dispersed in these forests, 

 where they lead an erratic life, are all of them well disposed 

 to any industrious pursuit which may yield them a little profit, 

 and enable them to follow up their religious duties; and that, 

 in the progress of time, and with their aid, it would be easy 

 to entice the inhabitants of the mountains, to the great ad- 

 vantage of religion, and of the state : on these conside- 

 rations he proposed to open, at his own expence, a wide and 

 commodious road, from the town of Tantamayo to the bridge of 

 Chinchima, the most rugged part of the frontier, forming 

 grazing grounds and plantations, introducing herds and flocks, 

 re-constru6ling some of the towns which have been destroyed, 

 and continuing the route in this way, by the banks of the 

 river Monzon, to the haven of Chicoplaya, thus securing the 

 navigation of the river Huallaga to the Maranon*, and, con- 

 sequently, the trade which may be carried on with Lamas, 

 Mainas, and Quixos. And that, the better to carry his pro- 

 jedt into efFe6l, in case it should be adopted, the political ju- 



* Although the inhabitants of Lamas had frequently made this voyage in their 

 caiioes, not a Spaniard could be found to venture on it until the year 1776, when it 

 w^as undertaken by the governor of that place, Don Nicholas Renxifo, who pro- 

 ceeded to Huanuco, whence he returned to Lamas by the same river. Among 

 those who have since performed this voyage, may be cited friar JVIanuel de Sobre- 

 viela, guardian of the college of Ocopa, who has recently proceeded to the lake, as 

 will be seen hereafter in his very interesting travels. His companion entered the 

 Maranon, and descended to the outlet of the Uxayale, in front of the Omaguas. 

 The Pastaza is likewise navigable to the vicinity of Quito. 



risdi6tion 



