221 



the subject of this chapter. I shall begin by 

 the nation of the Chaymas, of whom more than 

 fifteen thousand inhabit the Missions that 

 have just been described. This nation, little 

 warlike, which father Francisco of Pamplona * 

 began to reduce to subjection in the middle of 

 the seventeenth century, has the Cumanago- 

 toes toward the west, the Guaraounoes toward 

 the east, and the Caribbees toward the south. 

 It occupies a space along the elevated moun- 

 tains of the Cocollar and the Guacharo, the 

 banks of the Guarapiche, of the Rio Colorado, 

 of the Areo, and of the Cano of Caripe. Ac- 

 cording to a statistical survey made with great 

 care by the father Prefect ~}~, there were in the 

 Missions of the Arragonese Capuchins of Cu- 

 inana — 



Nineteen villages of Missions, of which the 

 oldest was established in 1728; containing 

 one thousand four hundred and sixty-five fami- 

 lies, and six thousand four hundred and thirty- 

 three persons : sixteen villages de doclrina, of 

 which the oldest dates in 1660 ; containing 

 one thousand seven hundred and sixty-six fami- 



* The name of tbis monk, celebrated for his active intre- 

 pidity, is still reTered hi the province. He sowed the first 

 seeds of civilization among these mountains. He had long 

 been captain of a ship ; and before he became a monk 

 bore the name of Tiburtio Redin. 



t Fray Francisco de Chiprana (manuscript memoir). 



