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years. It is doubtful whether the offers of conciliation conta:ined iu 

 this proclamation will produce in any degree the desired' effect; 

 for the Bootocoodies have an unconquerable aversion to a settled 

 way of life, and a rooted antipathy to every other nation ; nor have 

 they intelligence enough to appreciate the benefits of civilized so- 

 ciety ; so that there appears no hope of reducing them but by the 

 dreadful alternative proposed in the latter part of the decree. One 

 reason for having recourse to this summary mode of dealing with 

 them, which will probably outweigh any arguments in favour of 

 gentler proceedings, is, that the country they inhabit contains gold, 

 and the settlers and adventurers are desirous to obtain speedy pos- 

 session of it. Some officers, well acquainted with the locality of 

 the territory, and skilled in the art of conducting an Indian war, 

 are already employed in this difficult enterprize. About tvvo leagues 

 from this village is another called Piranga, situated near the margin 

 of a river of that name, which at a distance of four leagues joins the 

 San Jos6, and with it forms the Rio Doce. This river runs through 

 a fine country, in a northerly and afterwards an easterly direction, 

 discharging itself into the sea in lat. 19*^ 30' south. There are three 

 islands at its mouth, called Os Tres Irmanos, (the Three Brothers). 



Were this river rendered navigable, what benefits might accrue to 

 the fine country through which it flows ! Large quantities of sugar, 

 cotton, and other produce, which the soil is capable of growing, be- 

 sides excellent timber for exportation, would then form the basis of 

 an extensive commerce, by stimulating the industry of the planters, 

 who are at present averse from cultivating beyond the extent of their 

 own consumption, on account of the heavy expence attendant on a 

 land-carriage of above five hundred miles to the nearest sea-port. 



Piranga is perhaps more exposed to the attacks of the Indians 

 than the village of San Jose, but there are some gold-washings in its 

 neighbourhood which tempt the inhabitants to brave that danger, 

 A small band of horse-soldiers is stationed here to parade the con- 

 fines, enter the woods, and go in quest of the savages whenever in- 



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