A history of the Brazil

by James Henderson

Sixty-five miles east of Macappa is Robordello, reduced to little note by the desertion of the Indians who inhabited it. It is situated upon the southern margin of the island of Cavianna, which is thirty-five miles in length and twenty in width; the land is flat and fertile, with a fine farm or fazenda of cattle, belonging to the Hospital da Santa Caza, (Holy House,) of Mizericordia, at Para. It produces the macaco wood, and the whole of its circuit abounds with fish.

Villanova is situated on the eastern bank, and twenty-five miles above the embouchure of the considerable river Anauirapucu, which originates in the territory of the Armabutos. It was founded for the establishment of white people, but is going into a state of decay in consequence of its desertion by them; those who remain are cultivators of mandioca, Indian corn, and rice; and fish in the channels of the island of Croa. It possesses fine campinhas for breeding cattle; and in its environs the macaco wood grows, which is heavy,—those growing in dry lands are entirely red, and others in a different soil are shaded with black.

Mazagao originated on an island at the mouth of the Matapy, experienced several changes of situation, and was ultimately fixed five miles above the bar of the Matuaca, where it runs into the Amazons, and nearly fifteen miles west of the Anauirapucu. St. Anna was its primitive name, which it lost on the establishment in it of the people of the Praca de Mazagao, from the kingdom of Marrocos, who were afterwards augmented by various families from the Azore islands. Cotton and rice are the riches of its dwellers, who are diminishing in consequence of the prevalence of fevers. In its districts there are various excellent earths for potteries, but their productions are very indifferent.

Forty miles to the south-west of Mazagao, and near twenty-five from the Amazons, is the parish of Fragozo, on the right margin of the Jary, with a church of St. Antonio. Its inhabitants collect cloves, cocoa, cotton, sarsaparilla, &c. and advance up the Amazons in search of the tortoise. Between Fragozo and Mazagao is the parish of St. Anna, on the margin of the fine river Cajary: rice, cotton, and some cocoa, are its productions.

Arrayollos is a small town, agreeably situated upon a small hill near the eastern margin, and fifteen miles above the mouth of the Aramucu. It has two large open spaces, with some semblance to squares, a church dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Rozario, and inhabitants who are agriculturists and fishermen.

Espozende a Villota, or Small Town, in an elevated situation upon the Tubare, commanding fine views of the surrounding Campinhas, has a church of Our Lady do Rozario, and is ten miles north-west of Arrayollos. Fishing, hunting, the cultivation of cotton, Indian corn, rice, and mandioca, is the occupation of its inhabitants.

Almeyrim is a middling town, occupying an advantageous site at the mouth of the Paru, of which it first took the name, and originating in a Dutch fort, which is yet preserved. There is a diversity of excellent timber in its environs, and the inhabitants are fishermen, and cultivate mandioca, Indian corn, rice, legumes, and cotton. Twenty miles above Almeyrim is the parish of Our Lady of Desterro, at the mouth of the considerable Vaccarapy. Fishing, hunting, and the culture of cotton and common necessaries, occupy its inhabitants.

Outeyro, a middling town, well supplied with fish, is situated upon a small hill on the eastern side of the lake Urubuquara, formed by the river of the same name; it is fifteen miles from the Amazons, and sixty-five west of Almeyrim. The church is dedicated to Nossa Senhora of Graca, and its productions are similar to those of the preceding place.

Montalegre, a considerable town, also abounding with fish, is situated on the highest portion of a small island, near the eastern margin of the Gurupatuba, which forms it. It is thirty-five miles above Outeyro, and seven from the Amazons, and was one of the principal missions of the Jesuits, whose Hospicio is now the residence of the vicar. Mandioca, feijao, cotton, cocoa, and coffee, are its productions. In its district the clove-tree prospers, and it has a saw-pit, on account of the treasury, for sawing the trunks of the cedars that the floods of the Amazons deposit upon a neighbouring island.

Prado is yet a small place, upon the eastern branch of the river Surubui, twenty miles from the Amazons, and fifty west of Montalegre. Its inhabitants are Indians, and live by some agriculture, hunting, and fishing.