barbarians having been first civilized, might be afterwards made to conform to the good example of the missionaries and other devout persons, and thus become Christians;—that having already found that those who are dispersed in these forests, where they lead an erratic life, are all of them well disposed to any industrious pursuit which may yield them a little profit, and enable them to follow up their religious duties; and that, in the progress of time, and with their aid, it would be easy to entice the inhabitants of the mountains, to the great advantage of religion, and of the state: on these considerations he proposed to open, at his own expence, a wide and commodious road, from the town of Tantamayo to the bridge of Chinchima, the most rugged part of the frontier, forming grazing grounds and plantations, introducing herds and flocks, re-constructing some of the towns which have been destroyed, and continuing the route in this way, by the banks of the river Monzon, to the haven of Chicoplaya, thus securing the navigation of the river Huallaga to the Maranon[1], and, consequently, the trade which may be carried on with Lamas, Mainas, and Quixos. And that, the better to carry his project into effect, in case it should be adopted, the political ju-
- ↑ Although the inhabitants of Lamas had frequently made this voyage in their canoes, not a Spaniard could be found to venture on it until the year 1776, when it was undertaken by the governor of that place, Don Nicholas Renxifo, who proceeded to Huanuco, whence he returned to Lamas by the same river. Among those who have since performed this voyage, may be cited friar Manuel de Sobreviela, guardian of the college of Ocopa, who has recently proceeded to the lake, as will be seen hereafter in his very interesting travels. His companion entered the Maranon, and descended to the outlet of the Uxayale, in front of the Omaguas. The Pastaza is likewise navigable to the vicinity of Quito.
