[(smuggler) is mentioned in conversation, they shudder with horror, and distort their features, calling on the Virgin to witness their abhorrence of a crime to which government has attached the greatest disgraces and punishments. But, notwithstanding all this show of honesty, diamonds are bartered for every thing, and are actually much more current than specie. In Tejuco there are about nine or ten principal shopkeepers, to whom the establishment itself, and the officers belonging to it, are frequently indebted; indeed, these men receive the greater part of the money due to the various persons employed in the works, in exchange chiefly for English commodities of one description or other. The establishment is paid once a year, and for this purpose a sum not less than 300,000 crusades is sent from Villa Rica, to which may be added 60,000 or 100,000 more, found in the gold mines of the district. The greater part of this money flowing into the hands of the shopkeepers, as above stated, is immediately employed in a way injurious to the interests of government; nor can worse policy be imagined, than that of allowing so large an expenditure in a place which offers such temptations. Some years ago many gold-mines were washed in this district; but as information was given that diamonds were found in them, they were ordered to be abandoned. At present more equitable measures are adopted, and the proprietors are commencing to work some of them again, under an agreement to give up what diamonds they find. There is a general order to work all the goldmines which were formerly confiscated, and this measure will, it is hoped, increase the quantity of gold, and have a good effect in every respect. If government are obliged to hire Negroes wherever they can obtain them, (which appears to be the case,) it would be at least expedient to have a store to supply them, in order that the money paid in wages to them might return into the funds of the establishment. The hiring of Negroes to the diamond-works is the favourite occupation of all ranks in Tejuco; rich and poor endeavour to engage in it to as great an extent as their property will allow. The pay of the slaves is trifling compared with the risk, their labour being heavy, their maintenance poor, and their treatment harsh; there must, therefore, be some temptation not openly seen, yet as well known as light from darkness. Numbers of persons are thus induced to reside in Tejuco under various pretexts, but with no other real view than to get their Negroes into the service, and to live idly on their wages, and on what they conceal or pick up. Thus all fatten upon the pasture, except those in the extreme of indigence, and others who, from neglect of economy, are always poor. There are a numerous class, from the age of seven years to upwards of twenty, who are without any visible means of earning their subsistence, and would remain idle even if manufactories were established; for though they are brought up from their infancy with Negro-children, yet in the working department they would abandon their former play-fellows. The people in general are rendered more averse from habits of regular industry, by the continual hopes which they indulge of becoming opulent by some fortunate discovery of mines; these fallacious ideas, which they instil into the minds of their children, strongly prejudice them against labour, though they all exist miserably, and not unfrequently depend upon donations. Their education is extremely limited: they are in general total strangers to the sciences, and are very scantily informed on any useful subject. The great demand for the precious stones, and the facility of secreting them, have caused them to be searched for and carried away in violation of the existing laws of the country. Of the numbers who have engaged in this illict traffic, from an eager desire to become rich at once, many have eluded the vigilance of the guards, and have finished their career with credit and opulence; others, less fortunate, have been detected, and have incurred the punishment annexed to the offence, namely, the surrender of their illegally acquired treasure, the confiscation of their whole property, and exile to Africa, or confinement, perhaps for life, in a loathsome prison. This policy may, doubtlessly, be considered too severe; for, if we should inquire who were the discoverers of perhaps all the diamond-mines which have enriched the caskets of the royal family of Portugal beyond comparison with those of any other state, and which have not only augmented the revenues of the government, but have proved the source from which many respectable and enterprising individuals have derived their opulence, we should find that they were adventurers, who, at great risk, and with indefatigable toil, had penetrated unknown forests, and explored deep ravines among the haunts of the savage Anthropophagi, in search of goldmines, and who have by chance found in them] [diamonds. When a place of this description has been once discovered by these men, it seldom remains long secret; the agents of government take possession of it, and either work it immediately, or guard it until a future occasion. The discoverer of course flies from the place; and if he have picked up a few stones, or robbed the earth of some of its more brilliant rarities, he will seek the best and safest means of procuring value for them. If he be a man of sufficient property, he will hire a few mules, load them with cotton, bacon, and other commodities, and proceed to Rio de Janeiro in regular form. On his arrival there, he enters some good house in which he has confidence, and disposes of his concealed treasure. His mind is then relieved from apprehension, and he begins to make preparations for his return. His first care is to lay out his money to the best advantage: Negroes are his chief object, and these pay a duty to the state on their leaving Angola, and another of 10 milreis each on entering the mining country. If they be employed in mining, government obtains a fifth of the gold found; and if in agriculture, a tenth of the produce is exacted. The next object of the adventurer is to lay in a stock of woollens, and other English manufactures, which pay a duty of 15 per cent. on being landed, and are subject to another, according to their weight, on entering the territory of the mines. Thus it really appears that most of the contraband property is divided between the state and the smuggler: but this is not all; the diamonds are sent out of the country, and real effects of value are received in return, leaving a balance much in favour of Brazil. This illicit trade has been carried on to a very considerable extent: there is strong presumptive authority for stating that, since the first discovery of the mines, diamonds to the amount of two millions sterling have thus found their way to Europe, exclusive of what the contractors accounted for. This has been owing to the ill management of the whole establishment, and to the total want of necessary regulations, which have prevailed so long, that it will not be easy to apply a remedy. Let us suppose for a moment the system to be changed; the 2000 Negroes employed in the establishment to be the property of the crown (whom two years' profit of the diamond mines would be adequate to purchase); these Negroes to be supplied with every article for their support from a general store, and to be treated as mildly as possible: they would then form a society, and, knowing no other mas ters than their officers, would have only one common interest to serve. The contraband trade, by this means, though perhaps not totally destroyed, would receive an irrecoverable blow, and would be reduced almost to nothing. Should such a change take place, the shopkeepers, and those persons who subsist by hiring Negroes to the works, would find the source of their emoluments dried up, and, rather than remain at Tejuco, would migrate to situations more congenial to their interests: thus the district would be freed from that bane which has so long overrun it, and government would reap the advantage of having the mines worked by their own Negroes, whom it would be difficult for others to seduce. Another evil which such a change of system would be calculated to remove, is the following: -Every article of sustenance required for the establishment is purchased of farmers who reside a few leagues from Tejuco, or who have farms at a greater distance; and this absurd practice is the cause of much unnecessary intercourse. There are thousands of acres of excellent land in the vicinity of the diamond works, having choice of situation, and fit for the growth of every species of produce. How well might a part of the military force of the place be occasionally spared for a few days only, to be employed in the first operations of husbandry, which would be, to enclose a sufficient quantity of ground in various parts, for the maintenance of the establishment. A certain number of Negroes would be allotted, in proportion to the land under cultivation, and on particular occasions, as in harvest, an auxiliary force would be always at hand. This would be farming with double advantage; the plough would work instead of the hoe; after-crops would be sown to be eaten off the ground, which would thus be enriched and kept in good condition. Numbers of acres would be planted with artificial grass, subject to irrigation where that was practicable, and thus, contrary to the general practice, the cattle would be provided with subsistence in the dry season. Indian corn, wheat, mandioca, feijones, potatoes, &c. would be cultivated, and, under proper management, would yield crops equal to the most sanguine expectation. Storehouses, with requisite conveniences, would soon be erected, in which the grain might be kept without spoiling. Thus would the first principles of husbandry be introduced into the district, and prove a source of more lasting benefit to the state than mines either of gold or dia-] [monds; for when the latter were exhausted, there would remain an active and industrious population. It seems, indeed, to have been the purpose of nature, in distributing these precious substances in these remote and almost unknown parts, to allure civilized men to settle upon them. From the circumstances which have been already explained, it will appear that, under the present system, the government pay for all the diamonds that are found here, and probably receive little more than one-half; therefore it is evident, that those conveyed through other channels can be sold to the public at a lower price than that at which the former are obtained. But the em barrassed state of the establishment is such, that the managers cannot lessen their expenses, being obliged to take credit for every article, and to hire almost any Negroes that are offered. These evils have taken too deep root to be eradicated, even by the abilities of the present intendant : had such a man been placed here 40 years ago, empowered to act without controul, and to govern the district as private property, on the principles above stated, he might have rendered it rich and independent. As all the diamonds found in these works belong to the crown, the royal family have been accustomed to select from the quantity annually remitted whatever stones they considered worthy their notice, which were generally those exceed ing 17 carats. They were formerly sent to Holland to be cut, the Dutch being the contractors of the diamonds from the first discovery of the mines; but since the emigration of the court to Rio de Janeiro, that trade has been transferred to England, where these precious stones annually arrive, and are sold by private con tract. The collection of diamonds now in the possession of the Prince Regent is unequalled in number, size, and quality, by that of any potentate in the world; and is supposed to exceed in value three millions sterling. The district of Tejuco has a direct communication with Bahia, and a few troops of mules are continually employed in going from one place to the other. The journey is much longer than to Rio de Janeiro, but the country is less mountainous; there are fewer ranchos or hovels on the road, and in two parts it is requisite to carry fresh water for two days' consumption. The commodities sent from Tejuco and Minas Novas are very trivial, consisting of topazes, amethysts, and other stones; in return for which are brought English fine-manufactured goods, particularly hats, printed cottons, stockings, and saddles, which have been much cheaper in Bahia than in England. Coarser articles are generally sent from Rio de Janeiro, the distance being, as before observed, much shorter. Of navigable rivers we can say but little. The many small streams that rise in various parts join and form the Jigitonhonda, which may be navigated to sea, without any impediment, in at most ten days' time. How much would the country be benefited if a port were established at the entrance of this river, and vessels were allowed to load and unload; canoes would find their way from thence into the interior in the short space of 20 days, loaded with every article necessary for the consumption of the district. How superior would this mode of conveyance be to that of making roads through impervious woods, and over almost impassable mountains. How many thousands of crusades, annually expended on mules, would be thus saved to the public; and what numbers of men would thus be trained for the service of the marine, instead of those now employed as muleteers. With the advantage of such a communication, Minas Novas and Cerro do Frio would more than double their population, and it might be anticipated, that the banks of these fine rivers, now lying deserted and useless, would bloom with every variety of vegetation which this genial climate is capable of producing. Under the present system Tejuco ought to maintain itself, and have the least possible intercourse with other places: its commerce ought to be confined wholly to gold and precious stones; but should government determine to make diamonds a free trade, then a contrary policy would be requisite. The quadrupeds of this district are common to other parts of Brazil: mules are the principal beasts of burden, and are much dearer than in the districts more to the s.; horses are not so numerous, but cheaper, being in very little request, and used only on journeys of pleasure. Horned cattle are bred at a considerable distance, and brought for the consumption of the place. Sheep are almost unknown; hogs and goats are more plentiful; of dogs there are but few, and the race is very indifferent. Ounces are very seldom seen; there are not many deer; the danta, or tapir, is not uncommon. Of birds there are a few varieties, but in no great numbers: partridges are rather common : many are found in the neighbourhood of the mines,] and they prove good eating. Domestic fowls are in tolerable plenty, but by no means cheap, being eighteen-pence to two shillings each. Of serpents, the greater part are harmless; but the rattle-snake and the jararaca, both equally venomous, are common in this district. Lizards are very numerous, and the cayman, or alligator, is found in most of the rivers. Fish are extremely scarce in all the streams, owing to the quantity of matter with which their waters are impregnated from the numerous washings. This district is in general free from that troublesome plague, the mosquito, as that insect is peculiar to low and swampy places, and does not bite with such disagreeable effect in elevated and airy situations. Bees are but little attended to, and are scarcely known; were the management of them better understood and practised by the inhabitants, they might be much increased, and wax might even be exported. In closing our observations on this district, we shall add some particulars relative to the capital. The families appear to live in great sociability; they frequently form tea-parties. The dress of the ladies consists almost entirely of articles of English manufacture, cotton prints, straw hats, artificial flowers, jewelry, &c. Owing to the great distance of Tejuco from a sea-port, pianofortes have not been introduced here, or they would probably be in great demand; for the ladies in general have a taste for music, and touch the guitar with great spirit and elegance. Dancing is a favourite amusement, and all appear much pleased and animated with the English countrydance. The ladies seldom go abroad, except to mass, and then they are usually carried in a chair hung with curtains and a canopy, and suspended from a pole borne by two men. The sedentary habits of the females has been thought injurious to their health; but, since English saddles have been introduced, they begin to take airings on horseback. Warm baths are very generally used, being considered of great efficacy in removing recent colds, to which all persons here are liable, on account of the peculiar nature of the climate. They are invariably offered at night to travellers, as a means of relieving the pains occasioned by the fatigues of the day.] [TEJUCO, or TAJUCA, a small island situate on the coast in the vicinity of the island of St. Catharine's in lat. 27° 11's. long. 48° 50' w. It is about 200 miles from Tejuco, the capital of the Diamond District.] [TEKY Sound, on the coast of Georgia, to the s. of Savannah River, is a capacious road, where a large fleet may anchor in from 10 to 14 fathoms wate., and be land-locked, and have a safe entrance over the bar of the river. The flood tide is generally seven feet.] TELEMBI, SAN LUIS DE, a settlement of the province and government of Pasto, in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada, of the district of Barbacoas; situate on the shore of the river from whence it takes its name. This river rises in the vicinity of the city of Pasto, and enters the Patia a little before this runs into the S. Sea. [TELICA, a burning mountain on the z. coast of Nuevo Mexico, seen at n. n. e. over the ridge of Tosta. It is one of the range of volca noes which are seen along the coast from Fort St. John's to Tecaantepeck, and is 18 miles from Volcano del Vejo, or Old Man's Burning Mountain; and there are two others between them, but not so easily discerned, as they do not often emit smoke.] TELIPAN, a principal and head settlement of the district and alcaldía mayor of Izucar in Nueva España. It contains 87 families of Indians, who, from the fertility of the soil, gather abundant crops of wheat, seeds, and fruit, and is two leagues w. by n. of its capital. [TELLICO Block-house, in Tennessee, stands on the n. bank of Tennessee River, immediately opposite the remains of Fort London; and is computed to be 900 miles, according to the course of the river, from its mouth, and 29 miles s. of Knoxville in Tennessee. It was erected in 1794, and has proved a very advantageous military post. It has lately been established, by the United States, as a trading post with the Indians.] [TELLIGUO, Great, in the State of Tennessee, was situated on the e. side of the Chota Branch of Tennessee River, about 25 miles n.e. of the mouth of Holston River, and five s. of the line which marked Lord Granville's limits of Carolina. This was a British factory, established after the treaty of Westminster, in 1729. [TELLIGUO Mountains, lie s. of the above place, and seem to be a part of what are now called the Great Iron Mountains, in the latest maps.] TELOLOPAN, a settlement of the head settlement of the district of Escateopan, and alcaldía mayor of Zaqualpa in Nueva España. It contains 365 families of Indians, including those of the wards annexed to its curacy. TELTITLAN, SAN PEDRO DE, a principal and head settlement of the alcaldía mayor of Te huacán in Nueva España. It contains 100 families of Indians, and is 16 leagues e. one-quarter to n. e. of its capital. TEMACAPULIN, a settlement of the head settlement of the district, and alcaldía mayor of Lagos in Nueva España; situate on the shore of the river of Los Ojuelos, which incorporates itself with the Verde. Seven leagues n. of its capital. TEMALAC, a settlement of the head settlement of the district, and alcaldía mayor of Chilapa in Nueva España. It contains 16 families of Indians, and is three leagues n. of its capital. TEMALANZINCO, a settlement of the head settlement of the district of Olinalá, and alcaldía mayor of Tlapa in Nueva España. It contains 252 families of Indians, who occupy themselves in the cultivation and trade of cochineal, in manufacturing and painting cups, and sowing some seeds. In its vicinity is a mineral, but which is not worked through want of industry in the natives. Five leagues from its head settlement. TEMAMATLA, S. JUAN DE, a settlement of the alcaldía mayor of Chalco in Nueva España. It contains 200 families of Indians, and a convent of religious of San Francisco. Two leagues w.s. w. of its capital. TEMASCALTEPEC, a settlement and real of silver-mines, of the alcaldía mayor of Zultepec in Nueva España. It is reputed the capital on account of its being the residence of the alcalde mayor. It is of a benign and mild temperature, and its population is composed of 320 families of Spaniards, and 200 of Mustees and Mulattoes, exercised in the labour of the mines, which are named Santa Catalina, San Antonio de Padua, La Genovesa, La Capitana, La Magdalena, and La Muñoz; all of them having engines for working the silver metal, this being the only kind produced; and it therefore procures every other requisite metal from the other settlements. [Sixty-five miles w. by s. of Mexico.] TEMASCALZINČO, SAN MIGUEL DE, a principal and head settlement of the district of the alcaldía mayor of Metepeque in Nueva España. It contains 74 families of Indians, including those of the wards of its district, and is 14 leagues n. of its capital. TEMASTIAN, a settlement of the head settlement of Tlaltenango, and alcaldía mayor of Colotlan in Nueva España. It is eight leagues n. w. of its head settlement. TEMAXCALA, S. BALTASAR DE, a settlement of the head settlement of S. Martin de Texmelucán, and alcaldía mayor of Guejozinco in Nueva España. It contains 44 families of Indians, including those inhabiting a ward close to it. TEMAXCALAPA, a principal and head settlement of the district of the alcaldía mayor of Villalta in Nueva España. It is of a hot temperature, contains 190 families of Indians, employed in cultivating cochineal, and is three leagues n. of its capital. TEMAXCALAPA, another, with the dedicatory title of San Francisco, in the head settlement of the alcaldía mayor of Teotihuacán in Nueva España. Two leagues and a half w. of its capital. TEMBEY, a river of the province and government of Paraguay, which runs s. s. e. and enters the Paraná, between the Quirapuy and Pirapopo. TEMBIO, TAMBO, or TIMBIO, a country and territory of the province and government of Popayán, in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada, in the s. part. It was discovered by Sebastian de Belalcazar in 1536, is mountainous and rough, and watered by the river of the same name. This runs from e. to w. and receives the waters of the Quilcasé, Boxoles, Esmita, and Boticás, and afterwards enters the Patia, in lat. 2° 12′ n. TEMBLOR, a river of the province and government of Buenos Ayres; which rises near the coast, and enters the sea between the river La Plata and the Straits of Magellan, close to the river Tandil. TEMEACHI, a settlement of the missions. which was held by the Jesuits, in the province of Taraumara and kingdom of Nueva Vizcaya: 31 leagues s. w. one quarter s. of the town and real of mines of San Felipe de Chiguagua. At the distance of three leagues towards the n. it has a country estate, called Basuchil. TEMILOLOCAN, MAGDALENA DE, a settlement of the head settlement, and alcaldía mayor of Orizava in Nueva España. It contains 63 families of Indians, and is six leagues s. s. e. of its capital. TEMISCAMING, a lake of Canada, in the territory and country of the Indians of its name. It is formed from Lake Abitabis, and empties itself into the large stream of the Otaivas. TEMOAQUE, a settlement of the head settlement of the district of Tetelzinco, and alcaldía mayor of Coautla in Nueva España. It contains 115 families of Mexican Indians, and a convent of the religious of San Agustin. Five leagues s. e. one-quarter s. of its head settlement. TEMORIS, a settlement of the missions which were held by the Jesuits in the province and government of Cinaloa. |