( 219 ) 



CHAP. XIII. 



Visit to the Diamond Works on the River Jigitonhonha. — General 

 Description of the Works. — Mode of Washing. — Return to Te- 

 juco. — Visit to the Treasury.-^ Excursion to Rio Par do. — Mis- 

 cellaneous Remarks. 



T^HE continual fatigues, and want of accommodation on the 

 journey, had rendered me very unwell, and I was therefore de- 

 sirous of resting a week at Tejuco before I proceeded to the diamond 

 mines ; but, learning that I had been expected for the last two or 

 three days, I sent one of my soldiers up to the house of Mr. Fernan- 

 do de Camara, the governor, to announce my arrival, and to state 

 that I was prevented by indisposition from personally paying my 

 respects to him. He immediately came with a few friends to visit 

 me, gave me a most hearty welcome to Tejuco, and staid with me 

 at least three hours. I delivered to him my public and private letters, 

 passports, and other credentials, which he perused with great satis- 

 faction, observing to the Ouvidor and his friends, that I possessed 

 the same privileges which they did, having permission from the 

 court to see every place I wished, which they were directed to 

 shew me. He then told me that, in expectation of my arrival, 

 he had delayed a journey to the greatest of the diamond works, called 

 Mandanga, situated on the river Jigitonhonha, which employs about 

 a thousand negroes, and on particular occasions double that num- 

 ber. He was desirous that I should see this great work with all 

 the machinery in operation, which would be very speedily re- 

 moved, the late rains having swoln the river so much as to ren- 

 der working more, impracticable. He therefore kindly invited 

 me to breakfast at his house on the following morning, when he 

 would have all in readiness for a journey of about thirty miles to 

 the place above-mentioned. " ' _ 



r F 2 



