TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



217 



from the rain which poured down in torrents. A 

 thick fog still covered the high trees of the forests, 

 when we set out on the following morning, for the 

 Presidio de S. Joao Baptista, the intended ter- 

 mination of our journey, which we reached at 

 noon. This little spot, consisting of about thirty 

 houses, entirely surrounded by thick forests, or, 

 where these were cut down, by fruitful plantations, 

 was the head- quarters of Mr. Marlier, at that time 

 director-general of the Indians ; we found here two 

 soldiers, who had already received directions to ac- 

 company and protect us in our excursions through 

 the woods, and on our visits to the Indians. 

 Under the director-general there are several direc- 

 tors, who are considerable landowners, each having 

 respectively the superintendence of the settlements 

 {aldeas) nearest to him. 



The principles upon which these directors and 

 the cabos subordinate to them are to promote the 

 civilisation of the Indians, do honour to the go- 

 vernment. In general, the directors are to be in 

 the character of guardians to the Indians collected 

 in villages {Indios aldeados). Their chief duty is 

 to settle the Indians who submit, in villages ; to 

 induce them, by prudent measures, to cultivate 

 the land assigned to them as their property ; and, 

 in general, to afford them advice and assistance in 

 the state of society which is new to them. To 

 preserve these new vassals, to overcome their in- 

 nate love of a wandering life, and to accustom 



