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page 295 ---indian migration---reservations---

The chief abode of the Coroados, is at present on the Paraiba; and as the Indians generally make their migrations along the rivers, it seems that they originally spread from the interior to the sea. Those who live together in the Aldea de Valenca, not far from the road of Rio to Vila Rica, between the rivers Paraiba and Rio Preto, are remains of the same nation. This place was but a few years ago, the only one in the province of Rio de Janeiro, in which a considerable number, both of converted and unconverted Indians resided.

The situation of the establishment, favoured the inclination of these children of nature, to return from time to time to the great primeval forests on the Paraiba, and farther northward, towards Minas Gerais, whence they, however, always returned to the ecclesiastics of the mission. The introduction of a Swiss colony into Rio de Janeiro, which took place soon after we left that city, and the command of the government that those Indians should clear the forests for the newcomers, is stated to be the cause that a great part of them have lately forever abandoned the village.

The capitão môr in Areas, delighted at the appearance of several strangers of the nation of his crown-princess, and from such a remote country, offered us, in a very friendly manner, when we passed through, his services in forwarding our effects; because his experienced eye soon discovered the bad condition of our mules, which, by the neglect of our unskillful Arieiro, had become almost unserviceable; but as the latter assured us that we did not want the assistance of strangers; and that the mules, though a little galled by the saddles, were in perfectly good condition, we continued our journey.

page 296 ---south from Areas---geology---topography---Serra da Paraiba ---Tacasava---

The road leads constantly southward, through several narrow valleys, thickly covered with wood, which are intersected by some rivulets, flowing southward to the Paraiba. The mountain consists of a gneiss, in part much decomposed, upon which there are beds of slaty clay iron-stone, which is in strata, and the direction of which is in hours 3 and 4 of the miner's compass.

Serra da Paraiba and the valley of the Rio da Paraiba

From the highest point of the mountain, we saw behind us three parallel chains, piled up in immense steps, but before us only the lower Serra do Paraiba. At sunset we had descended from the high mountain, and reached some poor huts in the deep bottom of the valley of Tacasava, near a rapid stream, which runs into the Paraiba.

Several caravans had already encamped here, who were conveying fowls to Rio for sale. The disproportion of the wants of a great city, and the scanty produce of the environs, which are for the most part still uncultivated, makes it necessary to bring supplies from very remote districts. The industrious Paulista, therefore, carry their live stock from a distance of about a hundred leagues, to the market at Rio, where they dispose of them to great advantage. The neighbourhood of these feathered travellers, caused us this time a sleepless night.