TOPOGRAPHY. 



355 



should tread in the same path, he will be entitled to the bene- 

 dictions of the community, the most solid recompense to 

 which a noble mind can aspire. 



By the means of the system of forming new settlements on 

 the side of the Andes mountains, the brilliant light of the gos- 

 pel may be diffused among the nations who dwell there sur- 

 rounded by the dark gloom of error and paganism, in a more 

 secure and efficacious manner than by fire and the sword. In 

 speaking of the advantages of Vitoc, the assembly of Tarma 

 makes the following energetic reflections on this head: "In 

 this projedl, the religion which our august monarch so ar- 

 dently desires to see established among the infidels, is inte- 

 rested, on this account, that the population of Vitoc, having 

 been augmented with the progress of time, may of itself be- 

 come the basis of a communication with the chunchos ; and 

 these Indians, on perceiving that they are neither persecuted, 

 nor molested in the lands they possess, may resort to a traffic 

 with us, for the agriCijltural implements of which they are 

 greatly in need, similar to that in which the Indians of the 

 back settlements of North America have engaged with the 

 British and French. By the means of this amicable and fre- 

 quent intercourse, the Catholic religion may not only be intro- 

 duced among them, but may become grateful to them, for 

 the very reason that they have not been urged to it by compul- 

 sory measures. It has been seen, that the most politic nations 

 have established their colonies, and advanced their conquests, 

 by regulations, the early introduction of w^hich has led to a 

 traffic, such as is now solicited. It is not easy to pass with 

 celerity from barbarism to the summit of perfection ; but time, 

 the frequency of intercourse, and the temptation of being able 



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