A VOYAGE TO 



into the Banda Oriental, and robbing the estancias; to 

 repress this practice, is said to have been one of the 

 purposes for which the Spanish government establish- 

 ed the provincial corps spoken of. It is generally ad- 

 mitted, that the number of cattle is at present diminish- 

 ing. There is every reason to believe, that the estan- 

 cias have been entirely neglected, if not ruined. The 

 peons have had other employments; vast numbers of 

 cattle have no doubt been slaughtered, in the general 

 anarchy and disorganization. The Portuguese would 

 succeed more effectually in their plan of conquest, by 

 destroying the herds, than by making war upon the 

 gauchos; but the country is of too great extent for this. 



CHAPTER III. 



\ 



PASSAGE FROM MONTE VIDEO TO BUENOS AYRES DESCRIPTION OF 



BUENOS AYRES INTERVIEW WITH THE SUPREME DIRECTOR. 



Considerable difficulties were experienced in pro- 

 curing a vessel at Monte Video to carry the mission 

 to its place of destination. Several small vessels were 

 examined, and found unsuited to the purpose; the idea 

 of chartering a vessel at this place was therefore given 

 up, and it was perceived too late, that an error ha^ 

 been committed in not stopping for this purpose at St. 

 Catherines. Some trade is carried on with Buenos 

 Ayres, but of very little moment; two or three small 

 sloops suffice for the purpose. Both American and 

 English ships coming to this river^ at present, are ex- 



