*7<>5- bears a fimilar proportion to that of the wheat. I was much furprized
*— v— ' to find that neither barley nor oats were cultivated; on inquiry I was
given to underhand, that as the fuperior kinds of grain could be plentifully
obtained with the fame labour that the inferior ones would
require, they had fome time ago declined the cultivation of them. The
labours of the field are performed under the immediate infpeftion o f the
fathers, by the natives who are inllrudled in the Roman Catholic faith,
and taught the art of hulbandry. The annual produce is taken under
the care of thefe worthy pallors, who diftribute it in fuch quantities to
the feveral perfons as completely anfwers all the ufeful and neceffary
purpofes.
Befides a few acres of arable land, which we faw under cultivation
near the million, was a fmall fpot of garden ground, producing feveral
forts of vegetables in great perfection and abundance. The extent o f it,
however, like the garden at St. Francifco, appeared unequal to the
confumption o f the European refidents; the priefts, and their guard,
confilling of a corporal and fix foldiers. Here were planted peaches,
apricots, apples, pears, figs, and'vines, all of which excepting the latter
promifed to fucceed very well. The failure of the -vines here, as well
as at St. Francifco, is afcribed to a want of knowledge in their culture;
the foil and climate being well adapted to moll forts: o f fruit. O f this
we had many evidences in the excellence of its natural unaffilled productions.
In this country the oak, as timber, appears to take the lead,
A tree of this defcription near the eftablilhment meafured fifteen feet in
girth, and Was high in proportion, but was not confidered by the fathers
as of extraordinary fize; and I am convinced, that on our journey we
palled feveral oaks of greater magnitude,- The timber of thefe trees is
reputed to be equal in quality to any produced 'in Europe. The elm,
afh, beech, birch, and fome variety o f pines, grew in the interior and
more elevated parts of the country in the greatell luxuriance and abundance.
Our attention was next called to the village of the Indians near the
miffion. The habitations were not fo regularly difpofed, nor did it contain
tain fo many, as the village at St: Francifco ; yet the fame horrid Hate of No3 ;er
uncleanlinefs and lazinefs feemed to pervade the whole. A fentiment i_— ,— j
of cömpalfion involuntarily obtruded on the mind in contemplating the
natural or habitual apathy to all kind of exertion in this humble race.
There was fcarcely any fign in their general deportment of their being
at all benefited, or o f having added one Angle ray of comfort to their
Own wretched condition, by the precepts and laborious exertions of
their religious inltruClors; whofe lives are facrificed to their welfare, and
feem intirely devoted to the benevolent office o f rendering them a better
and a happier people. They appeared totally infenfible to the benefits
with which they were provided, excepting in the article of food; this
they now find ready at hand, without the labour of procuring it, or being
firli reduced by cold and hunger nearly to a Hate of famine, and then
being obliged to expofe themfelves to great inconvenience in quell of a
precarious, and often fcanty means of fubfiltence. Not only grain, but
the domeftic animals have been introduced with fuccefs amongll them;
many of the natives have, by the unremitted labour of the fathers, been
taught to manufacture very ufeful and comfortable garments from the
Wool of their ffieep; for the .introduction o f this animal they ought
to be highly grateful, fince by the mildnefs o f the climate; and the fertility.
of the foil, they are eafily propagated and reared ; and whillt they
provide them with comfortable clothing, afford them alfo nourilhing and
delicate food. Thefe advantages however feemed to have operated as
yet to little purpofe on the minds o f thefe untaught children of nature,
who appeared to bq'a compound of ftupidity and innocence; their paf-
fions are calm; and, regardlefs of reputation as men, or renown as a
people, they are ftimulated neither to the obtaining- of confequence
amongll themfelves by any peaceful arts, nor fuperiority over their
neighbours by warlike achievements, fo common amongll the generality
of the Indian tribes. All the operations and functions both of body
and mind, appeared to be carried on with a mechanical, lifelefs, earelefs
indifference; and as the Spaniards affert they found them in the fame
Hate of inactivity and ignorance on their earliell vifits, this difpofition is
probably inherited from their forefathers.
Further