The large river Uruguay rises in this capitania, and empties itself into the river Plata, a little above Buenos Ayres; there are numerous others of less consequence, the banks of which are well stored with wood. Some attempts were lately made, by miners sent from Villa Rica, to work gold-washings. In the neighbourhood of the capital they have coal, a specimen of which I have seen. From the same district, a gentleman shewed me a substance which he could not define; on seeing it, I asked him if he was certain that it came from thence; he assured me that he was: I then told him that it was wolfram; and stated that this metal strongly indicated tin, of which it is frequently an attendant in Europe, though probably it may not be so in America. It was a rude lump, not rounded by friction, and weighed at least a pound. Of the geology and general features of the rocks of this capitania very little is known.
In various parts jaguars, and other beasts of prey, are very common. Among the graniverous animals are capivaras of great size, deer in vast herds, and armadillos, which afford excellent eating when roasted. Of birds, there are ostriches of the dark-colored species, which go about in flocks of great numbers. There are eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey, particularly a species of crow of the vulture kind. Cranes, storks, wild turkeys, ducks, partridges, horned plovers, goat-suckers, horned owls, small parrots, cardinals, humming birds, &c. are found in great numbers.
The inhabitants are, generally speaking, athletic and robust, and so extremely fond of riding, as not to go the smallest distance on foot. They are esteemed excellent horsemen, and greatly surpass their neighbours in dexterity and agility, particularly in catching cattle with the balls and the lazo. But it ought to be understood that the Spaniards have Peons on their farms, who are more nearly allied to the Indians than to them, whereas the Portuguese have Creolians, bred up to the business, or expert negroes, who are inferior to none in this labor.
It is singular to Europeans, that in this fine climate, where the thermometer is frequently below 40° Fahrenheit, and where are bred as fine cows as any in the world, and every convenience is at hand for dairies, neither butter nor cheese is made, except on particular occasions; nor is milk even for coffee to be procured at all times. It may probably be urged that the production of these articles would not answer the purpose of the farmers: but certainly it might be made to do so; and I hesitate not to say, that a hundred cows, kept for dairy purposes, would yield to any man capable of rearing, training, and managing them, a greater profit than any other part of husbandry. This colony might easily be made to supply the neighbouring districts, and even the whole of Brazil, with these articles.
A number of years ago some hemp was grown here by order of Government: it proved excellent, but was abandoned because it was troublesome to dress, and probably did not yield sufficient profit, owing to the high price of labor.
In some places grapes are very good, and probably wine will soon be made from them, as the restraint laid by the mother-country upon her colonies is now removed.
Troops have been for a considerable time pouring into Rio Grande, the result was, Monte Video taken possession of by the Portuguese. This so enraged Artigas, a Spanish officer and great land owner, that he rallied the inhabitants of the country, and, being joined by the Peons and negroes, made war against the new possessors, (from whom he had probably received indignities and injury), issuing orders for reprisals at sea, and carrying on a desolating warfare. But this was not all—his people, under no discipline, plundered the good Fazendistas, and robbed and murdered private individuals; thus changing the scene from peace, happiness, and contentment, to anarchy, confusion, rapine, plunder, and murder.
A great many rivers run into Rio Grande, which has more the appearance of a vast lake or inland sea than a river. On the banks of these rivers we find many settlers enjoying most beautiful situations, and lands to a great extent. Here may be said to be the finest situations for growing wheat; falls of water for mills, and excellent water conveyance to ships wanting cargoes, who might with the greatest facility load and transport it all over Brazil, the Cape, Isle of France, &c. An active people would soon enjoy a trade of their own instead of importing flour from the United States, which is even now the case.
