( 244 ) 



The governor ordered a guard on the river, which was soon after- 

 wards worked under the direction of the intendant of Cerro do Frio, 

 who sent thither an administrator and two hundred negroes. It has 

 since been worked at different periods with various success ; some- 

 times large stones have been found, but of an indifferent quahtj. 

 The work is now abandoned by Government, and gives occupation 

 to numbers of adventurers. Its neighbourhood has many interest- 

 ing places, hitherto but little explored. 



A few leagues from this river is a very strong vein of lead ore 

 (lead glance) in a calcareous matrix. I have seen pieces of it of the 

 weight of twenty pounds, and it is said to be so abundant that any 

 quantity may be obtained. Some of the specimens presented to me 

 were covered with carbonate of lead. It has the appearance of a 

 potter s ore, and is said to be poor in silver. No one has undertaken 

 to work it, as the difficulty and expence of conveying the metal to 

 Rio de Janeiro would exceed the price at which it would sell in that 

 market*. When the neighbourhood becomes more populous, and 

 the value of this useful metal is better known, the mine will probably 

 be a source of riches, for lead ore is certainly scarce in Brazil, nor 

 did I hear of any other place which produces it. 



The river St. Francisco is very considerable, and is said to contain 

 great quantities of fish'f, which is a sufficient proof that there are 

 but few gold-washings in it. On the banks, and in the country to 

 the eastward, great numbers of cattle are bred, which are sold in all 

 the populous towns of the captaincy, and large herds are sent to Rio 

 de Janeiro, a distance of above six hundred miles. A considerable 

 commerce is carried on with them, and some families who raise large 

 quantities are reported to have acquired great fortunes by it. The 



* It may become useful at Villa Rica : but the quantity required there at present is so 

 trivial as scarcely to merit attention. 



f If salt were cheaper they might be cured, and would become an article of commerce, 

 particularly during Lent. 



