1^2 A VOYAGE TO Book VIL 



All thefe miffions, though fo numerous and difperfed, 

 are formed as it were into one coilege, of which the 

 fuperior may be confidered as the mafter or head ; and 

 every town is like a family governed by a wife and 

 aiFedionate parent, in the perfon of the prieft. 



In the rniffions of the Guaranies, the king pays 

 the flipends of the pricils, which, including that 

 dt the aililrant, is three hundred dollars per annum. 

 This fum is lodged in the hands of the fuperior, 

 who every m/onth fupplies them Vv'ith neceiiary food 

 ^nd apparel, and on any extraordinaiy demand, they 

 apply to him, from whom they are fure of meeting 

 with a gracious reception. 



The mifTions of the Chiquito Indians have a 

 diflind fuperior ; but with the fame fun6lions as he 

 who prefides over the Guaranies ; and the priefts alfo 

 are on the fame footing, but have lefs anxiety and la-? 

 hour ; the induflry and adlivity of thefe Indians, 

 faving them the trouble of coming among them to 

 exhort them to follow their employmients, or of being 

 the ftorekeepers and agents in difpofing of the fruits 

 of their labours ; they themfelves vending them for 

 their own advantage. 



All thefe Indians are very fubjecft to feveral con- 

 tagious diiiempers as the fmall-pox, malignant fe- 

 vers, and others, to which, on account of the dreads 

 fui havock attending them, they give the name of 

 peiHlence. And to liich difeafes it is owing, that 

 thefe fettlements have not increafed in a manner pro-^ 

 portional to their numbers, the time fmce their efta- 

 biiO:iment, and the quietnefs and plenty in which thefe 

 people live. 



The miiTionary fathers will not allow any of the 

 inhabitants of Peru, whether Spaniards, or others, 

 meftizos, or even Indians, to come within their 

 miffions in Paraguay. Notv/ith a view of concealing, 

 their tranfidions from the world or that they are 

 ifraid left others ftiould fupplaiit them of part of the 



produft^ 



