_First Discovery of Gold--Attempts of Bueno to find the Goya
Territory--Settlements--Boundaries--Extent--Mineralogy--
Zoology--Phytology--Cattle and Gold its Exports--Principal
Rivers--Comarcas--Julgados.--District of Cayaponia--Limits
--Indians--Rivers.--District of Goyaz--Limits--Mountains--
Capital--Povoaçōes.--District of Nova Beira--Limits--Indians
--Rivers--Povoaçōes--Indians reduced to Peace--Aldeias
established for them.--District of Tucantines--Limits--Rivers
--Indians--Povoaçōes.--District of Parannan--Limits--Rivers
--Povoaçōes.--District of Rio das Velhas--Limits--Rivers--
Indians--Povoaçōes._
This province had its origin in the year 1749, being until that time a
comarca or ouvidoria of St. Paulo, so created in 1737, and colonized by
adventuring miners.
The first intelligence of this territory possessing gold was given by
Manuel Correa, a native of the town of St. Paulo de Piratininga, who
found ten oitavas of this metal, which he gave as a diadem to crown the
sacred image of the Lady of Penha, at the town of Sorocaba. Though the
date of this circumstance is not known, it appears, by a journal found
at Correa’s death, that he collected the said gold with a pewter plate
in the river Aracis.
Bartholomew Bueno, who succeeded Correa in the same undertaking about
the year 1670, was accompanied by his son of the same name, then only
twelve years old. They dwelt some time in the vicinity of the situation
where the capital of this province now stands, and observed that the
women of the Goya tribe, masters of the district, ornamented themselves
with gold.
The discovery of the mines of Cuiaba, in 1719, directed the attention
of B. Bueno, the son, (the father being then dead,) to the territory of
the Goyaz; and imparting his knowledge of the gold discovered by his
father in the possession of this tribe, to Rodrigo Cezar de Menezes,
that governor despatched him, with a numerous party, and one hundred
muskets, in the year 1722, in order that he might go in search of and
establish himself in the country.
Bueno, having lost all recollection of such signals as might have
pointed out the way to the Goya district, proceeded too far to the
south, and having arrived at the banks of a river, they remained there
for some days, and gave it the name of Rio dos Piloes: they found
there a considerable quantity of gold, which produced some dissension
amongst the party, many wishing to remain in order to take advantage
of it. Bueno, however, was determined upon the accomplishment of his
object; and thinking that the rich treasure he was in pursuit of lay
still further to the west, he proceeded in that direction for some
days, when they reached a river, which they denominated the river of
Perdition, in consequence of then considering themselves entirely out
of the route to Goyaz. Continuing without embarrassment the same march,
they encountered a larger river, and beyond this a third, which they
called the Rio das Areas, in consequence of the sandy nature of its
bed. Journeying onwards to the west, they found another, which received
the appellation of Rio Rico, (Rich River,) from the gold which they
discovered in it.
Having lost all hopes of finding the wished-for district in this
direction, Bueno retraced his steps, and deviating in the way, after
a prolonged and tedious journey, arrived at the river Parannan, where
he considered himself still further from his object, in consequence
of perceiving certain signs of cattle, which he afterwards found had
strayed from the margins of the river St. Francisco in search of better
pasturage.
After three years of ineffectual perseverance and disappointed labour,
in quest of the enchanting land, this certanista arrived at St. Paulo
with a part of his bandeira; the remainder having died from diseases
and disasters inseparable from such an undertaking.
The tender age of Bueno when he accompanied his father to the district
in question, and fifty years of interval, exculpated him from all blame
in the unfortunate result of this enterprise; and, as he was a man
of known probity, the same governor despatched him again, with every
necessary succour, in the confident expectation of a more successful
issue. Bueno proceeded for three months through unknown districts,
without any track or road, encountering various torrents, and other
obstacles of a worse nature, replete with difficulties and delay: at
last he arrived at a place about eight miles distant from the present
situation of the capital, where he perceived some indications of
Portuguese having been there at some former period, which induced him
to halt upon the spot with his companions. Two old Indians were caught,
who proved to be of the Goya nation; and on being interrogated if they
knew the place where some white men had been established many years
ago; they replied, that it was not far distant. The caravan now moved
forward again, accompanied by the two Indians, who led the way to a
situation, at the present time occupied by the arraial of Ferreiro,
and which Bueno immediately recognised to be the much desired spot
where he had been with his father. He immediately proceeded to make the
requisite arrangements for forming an establishment, and to carry into
execution the objects of this enterprise.
The fortunate Bueno now returned to his country, with the intelligence
of having discovered the long sought-for district, which was traversed
by five streams, all having abundance of gold; a pretty considerable
portion of which he presented at the same time, in confirmation of
those glad tidings. He soon received the commission of Captain Mor
Regente, and proceeded to rejoin his colony in the year 1726.
Having arrived at the new arraial, his first care was to adopt the
best mode of living in harmony with the Goyaz, the only tribe in the
district, and from whom the name of this province was derived. The
Indians were, however, suspicious of their new visitors, and posted
themselves with their arms in the situation where the arraial of Barra
is now seen; but Bueno adopting the artifice of seizing some women, the
Goyaz desisted, at the same time offering to point out those places
which afforded the largest quantity of gold, and which were at and
near the situation now called Ponte do Meio, and where a piece was
soon found, which, when purified, produced half a pound of gold. The
whole colony laboured in contentment, and without envying the miners of
Cuiaba.
The fortunate circumstances of their situation soon becoming known, and
the dangers to which persons were exposed who directed their course to
Cuiaba, attracted so great a number of miners to Goyaz in the course of
two years, that the necessaries which daily arrived with the numerous
caravans and troops from St. Paulo, (to which city alone there was any
track or road,) were inadequate to their subsistence. Every thing sold
at an exorbitant price; of gold there was enough, but it could not
supply sustenance. An alqueire of Indian corn cost six or seven oitavas
of gold; and the same measure of the flour of mandioca ten oitavas.
A milch cow, which appeared there, was bought for two pounds weight
of the same metal, and a hog for twenty-eight. Two oitavas of gold
were demanded for a pound of sugar; and every article of subsistence
was procured only by payment in the same proportion. The dealers who
conveyed the necessaries of life by a tedious journey were enriched;
but the mines were still more lucrative at this period. Many were at
length induced to devote a portion of their time to the cultivation of
the necessaries of life, that the gold which they collected might not
be consumed in payment for them.
This province, in the centre of Brazil, and ranking amongst the
largest in the state, is confined on the north by the provinces of
Para and Maranham; on the west by Cuiaba, from which it is separated
by the river Araguaya; on the south by Camapuania and the province
of St. Paulo; and on the east by the provinces of Minas Geraes, and
Pernambuco, which are divided from it by a cordillera, stretching north
and south, stony and barren, and which alone affords passage at the
largest openings, denominated _boqueiroes_; each portion taking
its particular name, and the northern being the most elevated. The
length of this province is about seven hundred miles, computing from
the confluence of the Araguaya with the Tucantines to that of the Pardo
with the Parannan, and its width proportionable. It lies between 6°
and 18° of south latitude; the rains only prevail during the thunder
peculiar to these climates, which commences in October and terminates
in April.
The aspect of this province is almost universally uneven, although in
few parts mountainous, having many portions called _catingas_, not
favourable to cultivation.
The soil is only fertile where there are woods, with which it does not
abound, if we except the districts of the capital, Meia Ponte, Pilar,
and St. Luzia, by the margins of the Corumba. Admiration is excited by
the wood called Matto Grosso, (Large Wood,) upwards of thirty miles in
width, upon the road of Meia Ponte to the capital, about the centre of
that interval, and its length extending from the river Almas to the
centre of Cayaponia.
MINERALOGY.--Gold, diamonds, crystals, granite, calcareous stone,
minerals of iron, mineral salt, a diversity of argils, &c. The largest
fifth on gold here was of one hundred and sixty-nine thousand and
eighty oitavas, in 1753, and the smallest of eleven thousand eight
hundred and ninety-three, in 1807. This diminution arises from not
working into the mountains, which, no doubt, abound with this metal.
ZOOLOGY.--This province abounds in cattle. Goats are few in number,
and almost of no utility. Sheep are somewhat more numerous; little
advantage is, however, derived from their wool, which might be easily
rendered subservient to some branches of industry. Very few more hogs
are bred than what are for the consumption of the country. Horses are
also bred; those of Parannan are esteemed the best. Deer are every
where numerous, and their skins furnish a branch of commerce. The
ounce, anta, the wild hog, wolf, monkey, hare, _tamandua_, _cotia_,
_quati_, _paca_, with many other species of quadrupeds, common in the
adjacent provinces, are here well known and much pursued by the hunter.
Some are esteemed for the flesh, some for the skin, and others for
both. Partridges and the emu ostrich are met with upon the plains.
The _mutun_ bird inhabits the wood, and by its song invites the
fatal attacks of the hunter. The _tucano_, the torquaze pigeon, the
_aracuan_, the _araponga_, and the _jacu_, are numerous. A great part
of those creatures are devoured in a raw state by the Indians, without
salt or any kind of seasoning.
PHYTOLOGY.--There are a variety of medicinal plants, divers sorts of
palm trees; the large _jatuba_ affords gum copal. The Brazil wood, and
similar valuable timber, is here of no utility, in consequence of the
great distance of any maritime town. The tobacco plant is cultivated
with great advantage where the soil is substantial. From the fruit of
the _mamona_ tree is extracted oil for lights. The cotton tree prospers
in many parts, and its wool constitutes a branch of commerce, which
is beginning to be advantageous to the population. The sugar cane is
cultivated in many districts, and employs various engenhos; the greater
part of its juice is converted into spirit, and some sugar, called
_rapaduras_. The flour of mandioca, Indian corn, and legumes, are the
most abundant productions of agriculture. The fruit of the _araca_, the
pine-apple, the _mangaba_, the _goyaba_, the banana, _jabuticaba_, the
_ambuo_, are common, and of various qualities. Oranges and water-melons
are excellent. Quinces are small and insipid; but a large quantity of
_doce_, or preserves, is here made of them. The vine trees grow to a
remarkable size in some districts, and produce fruit abundantly twice
a year. Wine is made of the grapes in the dry season, which is yet
very indifferent; such as are produced in the winter season serve for
vinegar, and afford a good substitute for that of Europe.
The cochineal plant is very common, but, hitherto, not appropriated
to the production of that insect. Many parts are well adapted to the
produce of indigo, the culture of which receives here no attention. The
productions of those two vegetables, from their great value, are the
only ones which the agriculturist of these districts could convey to
the maritime ports with any considerable profit and security. The trees
of incense, senna, and manna, are not unknown. Campeche and a species
of rhubarb are also met with.
Gold and cattle are the only objects of exportation, which introduce
into the country what little may be found of luxury, and the
necessaries of life required from without. If a little cotton wool,
or coarse cotton cloth, with some hides, are conveyed to the eastern
ports, it is only that the troops of animals may not proceed unladen
on their journeys to bring back the necessary dry goods, salt, iron,
&c.; these articles would not otherwise pay one-half of the expense of
conveyance. At present, the breeders of cattle and senhors d’engenhos
are the only individuals who live constantly independent; the same may
be said of miners and traders, when they are favoured by fortune in
their operations. None, however, experience want; and agriculture is
proportioned to the population. The present king has been solicitous
to increase both in this fine and fertile province; and, when Prince
Regent, he afforded his countenance and support, in September, 1812, to
a plan for establishing a commercial company between this province and
Para, the funds of which were not to be less than one hundred thousand
crusades. The establishment of warehouses and prezidios, in situations
best adapted to promote the navigation of the Maranham, and Tucantines,
from Arroios to Porto Real, where almost all the obstacles terminate
which impede the navigation upwards, cannot fail with the requisite
attention and wisdom to effect this desirable project. All members who
entered this society with ten thousand crusades, besides other favours,
were to obtain what is termed a _sesmaria_ of land, extending
five miles in front and five miles in depth, upon the margin of the
Maranham, the Tucantines, and the Araguaya; and those who established
themselves either upon the margins or in the certams of those rivers,
were to be exempt from the payment of tenths upon their productions,
and to be free from the duties of entrance upon the articles of
commerce navigated by the said rivers.
RIVERS.--The Tucantines, the Araguaya, the Corumba, the Parannan, and
the Parannahiba, are the principal rivers, and receive all the others
which to a considerable number water this province.
The principal head of the Tucantines is the river Urubu, which
originates in the southern skirt of the serra Doirada, a short distance
southward from the capital, and after seventy miles of course towards
the north-east, loses the name, confounding itself with the river
Almas, which is not inferior to it; and from its origin, near the
base of the Montes Pyreneos, flows north-west, about an equal number
of miles. After ninety miles of further extent to the north-east, it
loses also the name, uniting itself with the Maranham, which is little
inferior to it in volume and in length of course. The principal head of
the Maranham is the lake Formosa, which is fifteen miles in extent, and
two in width. It flows to the north-west, and three miles previous to
uniting with the Almas, at the passage to the arraial of Aguaquentes,
is one hundred and sixty fathoms in width; a little above, it runs
through a bed of rock so contracted that its width is only fifty feet.
At this confluence, where it becomes very considerable, it flows
northward, describing gentle windings, and augmenting by the many
streams which unite themselves with it, especially by the eastern side.
A little below the confluence of the Almas with the Maranham, when the
latter traverses a range of small hills, is the cataract of Facao,
which prevents the progress of canoes in either direction.
One hundred and forty miles below the said confluence the large river
Paranatinga falls into it on the right margin, which takes this name
nearly thirty miles above its embouchure, at the junction of the
Parannan and the Palma, the latter flowing westward, and the other,
which is much larger, north-west from its origin in the General Serra;
traversing an unwholesome country, abounding with pasturage, where a
prodigious number of cattle and mules are bred.
At the confluence of the Paranatinga, which is said to be in 12° 20′
latitude, the Maranham takes the name of Tucantines, which it preserves
until its large volume of water is mingled with the ocean below the
city of Para. Nearly seventy miles north of the last confluence the
large river Cannabrava discharges itself into the Tucantines by the
left margin, and a little lower by the right the considerable river
Manuel Alvez, which issues from the Duro Serra, a portion of the
cordillera which bounds the province, bringing the waters of many small
streams that unite themselves with it on both sides in the space of one
hundred and fifty miles, the extent of its course.
A little further to the north, the abundant river Tabocas disembogues
by the left, having its heads near the serra of Estrondo. One hundred
and forty miles to the north of the said river Manuel Alvez, also by
the eastern margin, the Somno (Sleep) adds its abundant waters; and,
after a little farther distance, the other Manuel Alvez discharges
itself, being larger than the first, and serves, up to the present
period, as the northern limit of the eastern portion of the province.
Both those rivers flow from the boundary, traversing a territory
inhabited by malevolent Indians. A party proceeded up the first, with
the intention of exploring its margins and extent, under the influence
of such an unpropitious star that they were never more heard of;
from which circumstance the river received the name by which it is
designated.
A few miles below the Manuel Alvez (the northern) the Tucantines
describes a considerable winding towards the east, almost circular,
again approximating very near to the place where it had on a sudden
changed its direction, and immediately describing another contrary
winding to the west, forming two peninsulas, the first of a circular
figure, and the other in the form of an oval.
About one hundred miles further, in the latitude of six degrees,
the Araguaya incorporates itself with the Tucantines on the left,
rendering it exceedingly voluminous and grand, still continuing to flow
northward, describing fewer windings and becoming gradually larger.
When it passes the town of Cameta, in about 3° latitude, its width is
already more than ten miles. The tide flows up this river more than
two hundred miles, nearly to the situation denominated Itaboca, which
literally means “perforated stone,” where the river is precipitated,
in a short space, over three falls, which compel the navigator to
unload his canoes. One hundred miles is computed between the mouths
of the Araguaya and Itaboca, and from thence to Cameta one hundred
and twenty. The _paratinga_, not less than eight feet in length,
with proportionate circumference, and the _jahu_, are the largest
fish of the High Tucantines, which is not considered to abound in any
species of fish.
The Araguaya, almost as extensive as the province, forms its western
boundary from its embouchure to the origin of its principal head,
which is in the vicinity of that of the Hipiaughuhi, there flows under
the name of the Bonito, which, after gathering by the western bank
the river Barreiros and by the eastern the Caiapo, takes the name of
Rio Grande, by which it is designated when it traverses the road of
Cuiaba. The first considerable river that unites itself with it after
passing this road is the Rio Claro, which comes from the south-east,
and brings with it the Fartura, that originates in the proximity of the
Uruhu. One hundred miles to the north it receives by the same margin
the Vermelho, which is inconsiderable when it passes the capital; a few
leagues lower it gathers the Tizoiras, of little less volume and extent
than the preceding; and nearly thirty miles further it is united by the
Crixa, which is something larger than the others. All three flow from
the south-east, and none of them with less than two hundred miles of
course. Navigation has been conducted, by the central one, up to this
day, from the capital to the city of Para.
Thirty miles north of the mouth of the Crixa, which is also navigable,
and has some salt pits in its vicinity, the Araguaya divides itself
in the latitude of 12° 30′ into two branches nearly equal, which
re-unite themselves in the parallel of 9° 36′, having formed the island
of St. Anna, otherwise Bannanal, of one hundred and eighty miles in
length, and of good width: there is a vast lake in the island which
has an outlet into an arm of this river. The western arm preserves
the name of Araguaya, and the eastern takes that of Furo, by which
latter navigators commonly proceed. Both have falls, and a great number
of islands, generally small, flat, and for the most part inundated
during the periodical rains. The margins of the Furo are lower than
those of the other arm, which latter receives by the western side
various rivers, with which it is greatly augmented. The principal is
the Mortes, which flows from the centre of Bororonia with near three
hundred miles of course, and empties itself about forty miles north of
the southern point of the island of St. Anna. At the northern extremity
of this island the margins of the Araguaya are elevated a little to
the confluence of that river with the Tucantines. The first navigators
placed this confluence in 6°, the geographers of Para in 5°, and others
in 3° 30′; the medium is evidently nearest the truth.
The river Corumba has its origin in the proximity of that of the river
Almas, not far distant from the Montes Pyreneos. Its course for a vast
space describes a large semicircle to the east (where it receives,
amongst others, the river St. Bartholomew) as far as the parallel of
its source, where the river Peixe is incorporated with it by the right.
Thirty miles lower the river Verissimo unites itself with it on the
left, after an extensive course, bringing the waters of another called
Braco do Verissimo. From hence it flows for a considerable extent, and
loses its name on falling into the Parannahiba, which constitutes a
boundary for some miles to the province of Minas Geraes as far as the
mouth of the river St. Marcos, its northern head, and which makes a
similar divisionary line in the opposite direction.
Below the embouchure of the Corumba, the Parannahiba is joined by the
large river Velhas, the principal head of which is near that of the
Andayha, on the borders of Minas Geraes. Many leagues below the mouth
of the river Velhas is the confluence of the Parannahiba with the Rio
Grande, the limit of the province. In the vicinity of the embouchure
of the Velhas, the Parannahiba receives on the right the Annicuns, the
most considerable amongst those which unite themselves with it on that
side, and has its source in the large wood of Matto Grosso previously
mentioned.
Almost all the povoaçoes or inhabited places of this province already
existed when it was so created and delivered to the government of
the viceroy, Conde d’Arcos; and all of them, excepting those in the
southern districts, owe their foundation to the gold sought after upon
their sites and surrounding lands.
The jurisdiction of the ouvidor extended over the whole province, until
the present King, when Prince Regent, by a decree of the 18th of
March, 1809, divided it into two comarcas, the new one taking the name
of St. Joam das Duas Barras, the other retaining that of the capital.
Each of them comprehends eight _julgados_, or divisions, including
the district of the capital, the only povoaçao yet enjoying the title
of a town.