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BANDA ORIENTAL. 



Spain, respecting the sovereignty. There are 

 no Indians in it except those in the mis- 

 sions, who are reduced to a state of compa- 

 rative civilization. This territory, which is as 

 large as France, is very thinly peopled, and is 

 chiefly laid out in vast estancias or cattle-farms, 

 for which it is particularly suited, from the 

 abundance of pasturage, and the never-failing 

 supply of water from the countless streams 

 and streamlets which intersect it in every di- 

 rection. With every advantage nature can give 

 it, an industrious European colony would soon 

 render this a flourishing state. It is, however, 

 more particularly of the Pampas over which 

 I have just accomplished my rapid gallop, as 

 well as of the gaucho and Indian who have 

 so long disputed the possession of it, that 

 I am desirous of speaking. 



The Andes run north and south through 



