All the territory lying between the rivers Itapicuru and the Parnahyba has been for many years evacuated by the Indians, as well as the northern part of that to the west of the first river, and is more or less inhabited by whites, and Christianized Indians, mainly occupied in the cultivation of mandioca, Indian corn, and legumes, and above all in the two vegetable articles of exportation, rice and cotton, almost all the labour being performed by the hands of negroes, who exceed by many times the number of the others. Families live for the most part dispersed. A certain proportion of land, where each cultivator dwells, generally with all his family and slaves, is of itself considered an aldeia. There are few aldeias compared with the extent of the province, having any considerable number of families, with the exception of those which have been created parishes, many comprising sixty miles or more of district. Excellent nets used for sleeping, and some coarse cottons, made into dresses, generally for slaves, are manufactured here.

The southern portion of the western district of this province is still in the possession of the Indians, as well as a great extent of the central part. The most northern tribe, bordering upon the Portuguese, are called by them the Gamellas, in consequence of their prevailing custom of perforating and distending the under lip, with a sort of calabash, or round piece of wood, which produces some resemblance to a small gamella, or wooden bowl. They cultivate various necessaries of life, and live in cabanas, when they are not out upon their hunting excursions, or gathering wild fruits. Their arms are the bow and arrow, and a club of hard wood, denominated a mataranna, cornered at the thicker end and pointed at the other.

The Timbyras occupy the country to the south of them, and are divided into two hordes, one denominated Timbyras da Matta, (of the wood,) from living in the interior of forests; the other, Timbyras de Canella Fina, from the delicate form of their legs. They rove in the desert plains, and are of such amazing velocity, that they equal the swiftness of the horse. All use a bow made of a species of small club, and another large one of violet wood, and flat. Those of the woods have in their territory a large lake, and mines of salt, which they use, and cultivate mandioca and other necessaries, also some cotton, of which they make their hammocks. They distil various beverages, more or less inebriating, which last only for a short time, arising as much from the quality as the excess with which they use them. From the period they begin to drink them, till they are finished, are days of folly, dedicated to tumultuous dancing and dissension.

Proceeding southward, the Manajos are met with, who are of a white complexion, and occupy a country to the west of Balsas, extending themselves to the margin of the Tucantins, where they receive the name of Temembos. In their vicinity dwell the Bus and Cupinharos. The territory bounding this province and Para is inhabited by the Gê Indians, who are divided into five tribes, distinguished by the appellations of Auge, Crange, Cannacatage, Poncatage, and Paycoge, and almost without any difference of language or customs.

The towns of this province are—

Alcantara, about ten miles north-west of the capital is a large town, with good houses, and agreeably situated upon elevated ground, having four hermitages, a convent of slippered Carmalites, another of Mercenaries, and a fort, seated upon the site where a Jesuitical hospicio existed. It was for some time the capital of the capitania of Cuma, which terminated in the bay of Turyvassu, and its port is capable of receiving sumacas. The cotton raised in its district is esteemed the best of the province. This article and rice constitute the principal productions of the inhabitants. The salterns, three miles north of it, are capable of furnishing excellent salt to many provinces, if they were administered, as in the time of the Jesuits, to whom they belonged.

Guimarens is a flourishing town, situated upon the northern side of the bay of Cuma, thirty miles north-north-west of Alcantara, with a church of St. Joze. From its port are exported cotton, rice, and a considerable quantity of farinha.

St. Joam de Cortes is a small and insignificant town, eighteen miles south of Guimarens, on the southern margin of the bay of Cuma, producing farinha, with some cotton and rice.

Vianna is a middling town, and well situated upon the margin of the Maracu, a branch of the Pinnare, in the vicinity of a large lake, about one hundred miles from the capital. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Conceiçao; and its inhabitants raise cotton, mandioca, and other necessaries of life common to the country. They breed cattle and collect timber. In its district there is one of the best sugar works of the province, and formerly belonging to the Jesuits.