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side next the river, on which four or five pieces 

 of cannon may be placed. The whole fortifica- 

 tion contains fourteen or fifteen cannons, the 

 greater part dismounted, and guarded by two 

 men. Three or four Indian huts surround the 

 fort. This is what is called by the name of the 

 village of San Felipe ; and, to make the minis- 

 try of Madrid believe how much these Christian 

 settlements increase, separate parochial registers 

 are kept for this pretended village. Every even- 

 ing after the Angelus a report was made to the 

 commander, announcing to him gravely, that 

 all appeared quiet around the fortress ; it re- 

 called to me what travellers relate of the small 

 forts raised on the coast of Guinea, to protect 

 the European factories, which have garrisons of 

 four or five men. The soldiers of San Carlos 

 are not happier than those of the African fac- 

 tories ; for at places so distant the same abuses 

 prevail in the military administration. According 

 to a custom very anciently tolerated, the chiefs 

 do not pay the troops in money, but deliver to 

 them clothing (ropa), salt, and provision, at a 

 high price. There exists such a dread at 

 Angostura of being detached, or rather exiled to 

 the missions of the Carony, the Caura, and the 

 Guainia, that it is difficult to find recruits. 

 Subsistence is excessively dear on the banks of 

 the Rio Negro, because very little cassava and 

 few plantains are cultivated, and the river (like 



