67 



defended by the patriotism of a robust and 

 warlike population, the present state of the llanos 

 would render the effects of a foreign invasion 

 on the western coasts doubly dangerous. The 

 defence of the plains is intimately connected 

 with that of Spanish Guyana ; and, in speaking 

 above * of the strategic importance of the 

 mouths of the Oroonoko, I have shown, that 

 the numerous fortresses and batteries, which 

 have been raised along the northern coast from 

 Cumana to Carthagena, are not the real ram- 

 parts of the United Provinces of Venezuela. To 

 this important political view may be added 

 another of not less consequence, and still more 

 permanent. An enlightened government can- 

 not see without regret, that the habits of a 

 pastoral life, which cherish idleness and a vaga- 

 bond spirit, prevail in more than two thirds 

 of it's territory. That part of the population 

 of the coast, which flows annually toward the 

 llanos, to fix itself in the hatos de ganado^f, 

 and take care of the herds, makes a retrogade 

 step in civilization. How can it be doubted 9 

 that the progress of agriculture, and the multi- 

 plication of villages where there is running wa- 



* Vol. v, p. 709—15. 

 t A sort of farm composed of sheds, that serve as a dwell- 

 ing for men (hateras, or pcones para el rodeo), who take care of 

 the half-wild herds of cattle and horses, or rather inspect 

 them. 



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