Ch.XV. south AMERICA. 179 



to clothe the orphans, the aged, and the difabled 

 pcrlbns. By this benevolent plan all diftrefs is pre- 

 cluded, and the inhabitants provided with every ne- 

 cefTary of life. The royal revenues are pun6lualiy 

 paid ; and by the union of the inhabitants, the unin- 

 terrupted peace they enjoy, and the wifdom of their 

 policy, which is preferved inviolable, thefe places, if 

 there arc any fuch on earth, are the habitations of 

 true religion and felicity. 



The jefuits, who are the priefts of thefe miflions, 

 take upon them the fole care of difpofing of the ma- 

 nufadures and produds of the Giiaranies Indians, de- 

 figned for commerce; thefe people being naturally 

 carelefs and indolent, and doubtlefs without the dili- 

 gent infpedion and pathetic exhortations of the fa- 

 thers, would be buried in floth and indigence. The 

 cafe is very different in the millions of the Chiquitos, 

 who are induftrious, careful, and frugal; and their 

 genius fo happily adapted to commmerce, as not to 

 ftand in need of any fadors. The prieils in the vil- 

 lages of this nation are of no expence to the crown^ 

 the Indians themfelves rejoicing in maintaining them ; 

 and join in cultivating a plantation filled with all kinds 

 of grain and fruits for the pried 5 the remainder, 

 after this decent fupport, being applied to purchafe 

 ornaments for the churches. 



That the Indians may never be in any want of 

 necefiaries, it is one part of the minifter's care 

 to have always in readinefs a (lock of diffcrenc 

 kinds of tools, fluffs, and other goods fo that all 

 who are in want repair to him, bringing by way of 

 exchange wax, of which there are her? great quan- 

 tities, and other produds. And this barter is made 

 with the firidefl integrity, that the Indians may have 

 no reafbn to complain of opprclTion and that tlie 

 high charader of the prielts for juftice and fanc- 

 tity may be Itudioufly preferved. The goods re- 

 ceived in exchange are by the priefts fent to the fu- 



N 2 perior 



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