In the year 1784, the missionaries of Ocopa penetrated, by the low grounds of Tamboconga and Sana, to the plain of St. Augustine. They found, on the banks of the river Apurimac, several Indians who received them with tokens of pleasure; and in consequence, in the year 1785, a convent and chapel were built, at the distance of half a league from that river, with the title of the Assumption of Simariba. This spot was resorted to by the savages, who came thither, some with a view to their instruction in the christian doctrine, and others to procure working tools. In the year 1788, I set out on a visit to this mission, and perceiving that not any progress had been made, in consequence of the inconsiderable numbers of the Indians, and of their residing on the opposite bank of the river, I proceeded to the spot where their huts were erected, and built in its vicinity a house and chapel, on which I bestowed the name of St. Antonio of Intate. This establishment no longer subsists, in consequence of the greater number of the infidels having passed over to the side of Simariba. At the same time I gave instructions to three of the fathers converters, to ascend and descend the Apurimac in balsas, and to register the Indians who dwelt on its banks. From their excursion, and the journal of observations they kept, it resulted, that six small settlements, each provided with its chapel, might be made at proportionate distances, from the junction of the river of Pampas with the Apurimac, to that of the Jauxa, or Mantaro, with the same river. To carry this project into effect, friar Mateo Mendez, with the help of the succours graciously afforded him by the intendant of Huamanga, ascended in the year 1789, by the Apurimac, a distance of five leagues, and succeeded in the conversion of a considerable number of Indians, whom he established in a town denominated by him St. Louis of Maniroato, on a site so named by the barbarians. A house and chapel were there erected, by the converted Indians, and others belonging to the frontier. In the course of the following year, 1790, a new conversion, distant, in descending the river, four leagues from Simariba, was founded, with the title of San Buenaventura of Quiempiric; and at the same time, the house and chapel of Simariba were rebuilt. All these proceedings, with the requisite documents and journals, I have communicated to the supreme authorities of Lima, and to the sovereign. Simariba is distant from Huarta twenty-eight leagues, which may be performed with ease by mules in five days, proceeding by Tambo, Pulperia, Tamboconga, and Sana.
