Chapter VII

HISTORY OF THE SPANISH SETTLEMENTS ON THE COAST OF
PATAGONIA.

Little known of Patagonia till the appearance of Falkner's
work in 1774. It stimulates the Spanish Government to send
out an expedition under Piedra in 1778, to form settlements
upon the coast. He discovers the Bay of San Joseph's.
Francisco Viedma forms a settlement on the River Negro.
Antonio, his brother, explores the southern part of the
coast, and forms another at San Julian's. His account of
the Indians he found there. The New Settlements abandoned
in 1783, with the exception of that on the River Negro.
Villariño ascends that river, as far as the Cordillera
opposite Valdivia. A dispute with the Araucanian Indians
prevents his communication with the Spaniards of Chile,
and obliges him to return. Piedra succeeds Viedma, attacks
the Pampa Tribes, and is defeated. Don Ortiz de Rosas,
father of the present Governor of Buenos Ayres, is taken
prisoner by them, and succeeds in bringing about a general
pacification. Subsequent neglect of the settlement on the
Rio Negro. Its population in 1825, and coasting-trade with
Buenos Ayres Page 58

CHAPTER VIII.

SURVEYS AND DISCOVERIES IN THE INTERIOR.

Malaspina. Surveys the Shores of the Rio de la Plata in
1789. Bauza maps the Road to Mendoza: De Souillac that
to Cordova. Azara, and other Officers, in 1796, fix the
positions of all the Forts and Towns in the Province of
Buenos Ayres. Don Luis de la Cruz crosses the Pampas, from
the frontiers of Conception in Chile to Buenos Ayres,
in 1806. Attempt at a mew delineation of the Rivers of
the Pampas from his Journal. His account of the Volcanic
appearances along the Eastern Andes. Sulphur, Coal, and
Salt found there, also Fossil Marine Remains. The Indians
of Araucanian origin: Habits and Customs of the Pehuenches Page 96

CHAPTER IX.

PROGRESS OF INLAND DISCOVERY.

Ignorance of the Buenos Ayreans respecting the lands
south of the Salado previously to their Independence.
Colonel Garcia's expedition to the Salt Lakes in 1810.
The Government of Buenos Ayres endeavours to bring about
an arrangement with the Indians for a new boundary. Their
warlike demonstrations render futile this attempt. March of
an army to the Tandil, and erection of a Fort there. Some
account of that part of the country. The coast as far as
Bahia Blanca examined, and extension of the frontier-line
as far as that point. The hostility of the Indians makes
it necessary to carry the war into the heart of their
Territories. General Rosas rescues from them 1500 Christian
captives. Detachments of his army occupy the Choleechel,
and follow the courses of the River Negro and of the
Colorado till in sight of the Cordillera Page 117

CHAPTER X.

GEOLOGY OF THE PAMPAS.

Geological Features of the Southern compared with those
of the Northern Shore of the Plata. The Pampa Formation,
probably derived from the Alluvial Process now going on, as
exhibited in the Beds of the Plata itself and other Rivers.
Fossil remains of land Animals found in it, above Marine
Shells. Such Shells where met with, and of what Species.
Mr. Bland's Theory of the Upheaval of the Pampas from the
Sea, founded on the Deposits of Salt in them:--The presence
of such Salt may be otherwise accounted for. Account of the
Discovery of the Gigantic Fossil remains sent to England by
the Author.-- Page 163

Additional Note on the Glyptodon, another fossil monster
recently discovered in the Pampa formation Page 178_b_

CHAPTER XI.

OF THE RIVERS PARAGUAY, PARANA, AND URUGUAY.

Importance of the rivers of the United Provinces. The
Paraguay and its tributaries. The Pilcomayo. The Vermejo.
Soria's expedition down it from Oran, proving it navigable
thence to Assumption. Periodical inundations of the
Paranã, similar to those of the Nile. The Uruguay and
its affluents. Surveys by the Commissioners appointed to
determine the Boundaries laid down by the Treaty between
Spain and Portugal of 1777. Original Maps obtained Page 179

CHAPTER XII.

THE LITTORINE PROVINCES.

SANTA FÉ--ENTRE RIOS--CORRIENTES--THE OLD JESUIT
MISSIONS--PARAGUAY UNDER DR. FRANCIA.

De Garay founds _Santa Fé_, and meets with Spaniards from
Peru. His subsequent Deeds and Death. The Government of the
Rio de la Plata separated from that of Paraguay, and Santa
Fé annexed to Buenos Ayres. Its former prosperity, and
great capabilities, especially for Steam Navigation. _The
Entre Rios_--constituted a Province in 1814, its Extent,
Government, and Population--chiefly a grazing Country.
_Corrientes_--its valuable natural Productions--mistaken
ideas of the people as to Foreign Trade. The Lake
Ybera--Pigmies, Ants, Ant-Eaters, Locusts, and Beetles.
_The Missions_ now depopulated--their happy and flourishing
state under the Jesuits. _Paraguay_--some Account of its
former Prosperity and Trade, and the establishment of the
tyrannical rule of Dr. Francia Page 195