474 NOTES OF A BOTANIST 
the Indians and defend their frontiers still exist, 
though decayed and untenanted, as for example 
one by the Rio Negro opposite San Carlos. 
There is also the natural docility (or if you will, 
apathy) of the Indian. He allows himself to be 
ill-treated and thinks not of revenge. He is 
overwhelmed with kindnesses and caresses and 
deserts his benefactor without scruple. Such is 
the character of all the Indians I have seen in 
South America. . . . 
To the causes above cited for the submission of 
the Indians to their governors and oppressors may 
be added that the captains and lieutenants have a 
sort of pride in their office and in the maintenance 
of order. They owe their elevation to that rank to 
their good conduct and the influence they possess 
over their brethren. Very often they are descend- 
ants of ancient chiefs of tribes. Notwithstanding 
these reasons for the maintenance of order, the fabric 
of society stands here but on slippery ground, and 
is perhaps daily becoming less secure. Nowhere 
is this more apparent than at San Carlos. The 
memory of the rigours of Spanish sway is becoming 
indistinct. The so-called Indians have in many 
cases no small proportion of " white" blood in their 
veins, and with the mixture they have become 
proud and revengeful ; and the captains are often 
appointed so arbitrarily and changed so frequently 
by the comisarios that the Indians hold them in 
little account. At San Carlos there is another 
cause for disquiet — nowhere else have I seen 
Indians so demoralised by the immoderate use of 
ardent spirits. Without rum no work of any kind 
can be done. A good many boats are built at San 
