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rally take it to Rio de Janeiro, and lay out the proceeds chiefly in 

 the purchase of negroes, (they being at all times the first object,) 

 iron, salt, and other commodities. 



The population is very small in comparison to the extent of the 

 district, but is likely to be increased by new settlers ; although the in- 

 digent in Villa Rica, Tejuco, and other places in the mining country, 

 are little inclined to remove out of society, even for the chance of 

 riches : in fact, having no negroes fit to work, and being totally des- 

 titute of exertion themselves, all situations are to them indifferent. 

 These are by no means the class of people who can be styled adven- 

 turers. The poorer class of inhabitants who have obtained a small por- 

 tion of gold, sometimes make a journey to Paracatii or Villa Rica to 

 purchase what negroes they want. This capitania has been very little 

 explored, and scarcely any thing is known of its productions beyond 

 what is above stated, nor are any others sought after, though it can- 

 not be doubted that there are many substances in all departments of 

 natural history which might form the basis of a considerable com- 

 merce ; indeed, it is not unreasonable to presume that the soil con- 

 tains the same variety of metals as the district of Mihas Geraes." 

 Many persons from thence, with whom I have conversed, speak of 

 it with delight as being a fine country, having numerous rivers well 

 stored with fish, woods abounding with fine birds, which afford ex- 

 cellent diversion to the sportsman ; also a great variety of animals. 



This capitania communicates with Matto Grosso, St. Paul's, and 

 Para, by rivers which are navigable, though frequently interrupted 

 by falls. 



p p 2 



