TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



5 



racter of the Paulistas. The accounts of earlier 

 historians describe the Pauhstas as a lawless tribe, 

 resisting every legitimate constraint of custom and 

 moral feeling, who for that very reason had re- 

 nounced the dominion of Portugal, and formed a 

 separate republic. This opinion was caused also 

 by the reports of the Jesuits, who certainly had 

 good grounds at that time to be discontented with 

 the conduct of the Pauhstas. Subsequently to 

 the year 16^9*, the latter frequently made incur- 

 sions into the Indian colonies of the Jesuits in 

 Paraguay, and with incredible cruelty, carried off 

 all the natives as slaves. These plundering excur- 

 sions, as well as their enterprises in search of 

 gold to Minas, Goyaz, and Cujaba, gave to the 

 character of the Paulistas of that time, a selfish 

 rudeness and insensibility, and inspired them with 

 a disregard for all relations consecrated by law 

 and humanity, which naturally drew upon them 

 the severest reprobation of the fathers, who were 

 animated with enthusiastic zeal for the welfare of 

 mankind. 



This rude character is, however, now softened, 

 and the Paulista enjoys, throughout Brazil, the 

 reputation of great frankness, undaunted courage, 

 and a romantic love of adventures and dangers. 

 It is true, that in conjunction with these com- 

 mendable qualities, a propensity to anger and 



* Southey's History of Brazil, ii. p. 300, 

 B 3 



