Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/513

Rh All our labours and exertions will, however, be of little avail, if we do not succeed in obtaining possession of the mountain of salt. In the case of accomplishing this necessary aim, a fort should be constructed near the confluence of the river Chanchamayo with the Marancocha, and another on the above mountain, conformably to the ordonnance contained in the royal schedule dated in the month of March 1751. This very necessary project may be accomplished, at the present time, at a small expence. Thanks to the Divine Providence, there is no longer any dread, by the route leading to Vitoc, of a surprize on the part of the infidels, whose hostility, in the entrance by Palca, was greatly exaggerated by those who were determined to throw obstacles in the way of the enterprise. In the above-mentioned valley we are already in possession of two towns, protected by a fort, which, in case of invasion, may receive prompt succours, not only from the inhabitants of the department of Tarma, but likewise from that of Jauga. To the end that this might be the more readily accomplished, I caused to be opened, in the year 1789, a route of communication from Monabamba to the valley of Vitoc. It now only remains to lay open the five leagues of road from this valley to the rivers Chanchamayo and Marancocha; and that, at their confluence, which is at this time the boundary line between the Chunchos Indians and those converted to christianity, a fort should be constructed, by those who are interested in the success of the enterprise, with timbers hewn from the large trees with which their banks are covered.

This fort having been established, and a settlement made, on the site which has been pointed out, of Indians inhabiting the frontiers, the troops may be removed to a convenient station on the opposite bank of the river; and the towns which may be deemed necessary, may be founded at such a distance from each other, as to enable them to afford a reciprocal aid, as well by land as by water. In this way we may enter without risk or danger by the valley of Quimiri and Nixandaris, and may advance towards the mountain of salt, where the respectable fortification which has been ordered by our sovereign, ought to be constructed. We may follow the reduction and subjection of the nations of infidels and apostates who either reside in the two small towns above cited, or have retired to the interior of the mountainous territory. The new populations may be formed, not only of the idolatrous Indians whom we shall be able to entice by the means of presents and commerce, but likewise of those who will voluntarily seek an establishment in those very fertile tracks of land, and of the many poor and lazy Indians on the frontiers, who scarcely possess what is absolutely necessary to the maintenance of their wretched families. But to the end that the latter may enter at a seasonable time,