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It is situated near the Rio das Mortes, which runs northerly, and 

 empties itself into the Rio das Velhas. The country around it 

 is very fertile, and produces excellent fruits, both exotic and indige- 

 nous ; also Indian corn, and beans in great quanties ; a little wheat, 

 &c. This comarco being more cultivated than any other part, is 

 called the granary of the district ; cheese is made here in tolerable 

 quantity, and bacon very indifferently cured, both which are sent to 

 Rio de Janeiro, and form a considerable trade. Great numbers of 

 fowls are also sent thither, and a little rum, sugar, and coffee. Pro- 

 visions of all kinds are much cheaper than at Villa Rica ; pork and 

 beef are about a penny per pound, poultry in proportion, and vege^ 

 tables equally cheap. 



About two leagues distant from the town is the rivulet of San Jose*, 

 formerly abounding in gold-washings, some of which continue good, 

 particularly those in the vicinity of a pretty village, called Campan- 

 ha. In the neighbourhood is a mountain that produces a great 

 quantity of iron pyrites, which many people believe to be gold, and 

 say that no method is 3^et known for extracting it. In this district 

 are a great number of pines of a very singular variety, from the bark 

 of which exudes much resinous gum. The wood is of a fine brown- 

 red colour, full of knots, and inconceivably hard. 



Some cotton, although not very considerable in quantity, is grown 

 in this district ; it is spun by hand, and woven into coarse clothing, 

 generally for the use of the negroes. Finer cloth is sometimes woven 

 for table-linen. The making of lace is a favourite occupation with 

 the ladies of St. Joao del Rey, who are reputed to be more attentive 

 to domestic concerns than those of other towns, many of them being 

 descendants of the Paulistas, so celebrated for industry and economy. 



The district of Sahara was discovered and settled by the Paulistas, 

 who took possession of it as early as the year I69O, or, according to 

 some accounts, twenty years earlier. They founded the town which 

 is now the capital of the district, and worked several gold-mines in 



* There are several rivulets in various parts that bear this name, 



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