( m ) 



roused to revenge, invariably shot, wherever they met them. 

 These examples of vengeance answered their desired end ; the 

 Indians, terrified as well by the noise as by the fatal effect of the 

 fire-arms, fled with precipitation, believing that the white men com- 

 manded lightning and thunder. 



It does not appear that in exploring this territory they received 

 any assistance whatever from the Aborigines ; they followed the 

 course of rivers, occasionally finding gold, of which they skimmed 

 the surface, and continued to proceed until they arrived at the 

 mountain which is our present subject. Its riches arrested their 

 course ; they immediately erected temporary houses and began their 

 operations. The principal men of the party that first settled here, 

 were Antonio Dias, Bartholomew Rocinho, Antonio de Ferrera (filho), 

 and Garcia Ruis. It appears that they took the most direct way 

 to the place, for the roads they then opened are the same which are 

 still used. The fame of their success soon reached the city of 

 St. Paul's ; fresh adventurers arrived in great numbers, bringing with 

 thern all the negroes they had means to purchase. Other adven- 

 turers went from St. Paul's to Rio de Janeiro to procure more ne- 

 groes, their own city being drained; and thus the news of the lately 

 discovered gold-mountain being made known in the Brazilian capital, 

 men of all descriptions went in crowds to this land of promise by the 

 way of St. Paul's, which was the only route then known. The first 

 settlers might have prevented the exposure of their good fortune, 

 had they been able to moderate their joy, and consented to act in 

 concert ; but as gold was in such great abundance, every individual 

 appropriated a lot of ground, and thus became a capitalist. Each 

 strove wtiich should make the most of his treasure in the shortest 

 time, and thus there was a continual demand for more negroes, more 

 iron, &c. and, in the general eagerness to obtain them, the secret 

 which all were interested in keeping was disclosed. The Paulistas, 

 independent in spirit, and proud of their wealth, were desirous of 

 giving laws to the new-comers ; but the latter determining to oppose 



