“To the Sub-prefect of Huanuco.
“On the 20th of November last, I replied to the prefect, D. Francisco Quiros, regarding the project of the Supreme Government, which was sent to me by you, 24th September of this present year; and I answered, with the least possible delay, by the Moyobamba post. But, lest that letter should have been in any way mislaid or lost, I think it advisable, as it related to an affair of so much importance, to forward a duplicate of the same, which is as follows:—
“RESPECTED SIR,
“This very day came to my hands your note of the 18th of September of the present year; and having carefully perused it, I have to inform your honour, (Vuesa Señoria,) with the greatest sincerity, that the project adopted by the Supreme Government, of penetrating to the river of Pachitea by the port of Mayro, is the best and safest plan, because of the advantages that would accrue to the republic from opening the navigation of that river; for, from its junction with the Ucayali, up the stream to Mayro, is only a passage of seven or eight days; and from the latter place to Pozuzo, by land, is but an intermediate distance of fourteen leagues.[20] But there is one obstacle which, as long as it exists, will almost certainly interfere with the enjoyment of a safe traffic on the river Pachitea; namely, that on its banks are situated the pagan Cashivos, cruel cannibals who live on human flesh,—sometimes availing themselves of much cunning and artifice to deceive passengers; and at other times, with all the fierceness of the wild beasts of the forest, fearlessly attacking them, as was proved in two expeditions undertaken from this place by Father Girbal, who the first time only advanced to the nearest huts, when he was compelled to return on account of the scarcity of arms, and the small escort given him by the government. He afterwards advanced to their last encampments (rancherias), whence he returned without having realized his purpose of striking the Mayro, where people waited his arrival with provisions and whatever else was required: and since this last expedition, which was made in the year 1797, no further active measures have been attempted.
“The neighbouring nations of Conivos and Sipivos, who reside by the inland streams of the Ucayali, though they constantly endeavour to drive away these cruel enemies, have never succeeded; for so far is it otherwise, that they suddenly break into the houses, and, not satisfied with putting their inmates to death, carry off the dead bodies to celebrate their banquets with, for the Cashivos have an innate appetite for human flesh.[21] The project of entering by the Mayro is the most attainable of any other, because, in descending the water, the vessels keep the centre of the river, so that they cannot be reached by the arrows from the banks at point-blank shot: besides, by merely discharging a few fire-arms, they disperse; and as, happily, they do not use canoes, they cannot intercept the passage, or do us material injury. And further, the descent to this point is accomplished in two days only; for which reason it is very necessary that I should have seasonable advice, the time being as nearly as possible fixed, to prevent any disappointment as to our meeting; when, according to the plan proposed by the commissioners, an expedition may be made with every precaution from this point, for the purpose of clearing the passage of so destructive and indomitable a people; and in this way the frontier towns may be able to proceed in extracting from the Montaña its precious productions.
“Actuated by this desire, and that of rendering happy the inhabitants of the Ucayali, I have now, for the space of thirty-four years, felt it my duty to live in these missions; and God grant that my eyes may yet see the prosperity of these regions, since my expedition to the Pangoa failed of producing the advantages expected from it.[22]
“This expedition I undertook merely to please the fathers of Ocopa; but that the intercourse thus commenced would be of short duration, it was easy to conjecture from the great distance which separated the mission from the college; the difficult and dangerous navigation of the head-streams—cabezeras—of the Ucayali; and lastly, the discordant opinions of the European fathers.
“But the day has now arrived when my wishes will be verified through the skilful arrangements of the Supreme Government; and to the best of my power I will contribute to the success of the enterprise, not only by assisting the commissioners, but also by accompanying them on the expedition, old as I am.
“All the above considerations I submit to your notice for your information and government.—God protect your Honour!