218 HISTOllICAL SKETCH. 



Otomacs, and some other tribes or. na- 

 tions, which together form a numerous 

 population. 



Of the Indians, a considerable number are 

 entirely independent; and amongst some 

 of these, from their careless and improvident 

 habits, there is little or no tendency to an 

 increase of population ; while, on the con- 

 trary, the Indian population, in the mis- 

 sions, is constantly augmenting. 



These missions owe their origin to a 

 scheme of conquest, which succeeded that 

 cruel system commenced, and for a long 

 time persevered in, by the first conquerors 

 and settlers of South America, especially 

 of that extensive region which is now the 

 Republic of Colombia. Having destroyed, 

 by means of the hard and unaccustomed 

 labour to which they were doomed, the In- 

 dians upon the coast, the Spaniards found 



