Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

300 INDIANS — HARSH TIIEATMENT. Dec. Prior to the conclusion of the war between Brazil and Bue- nos Ayres (1828), the settlers at Carmen lived tranquilly undisturbed by Indian aggression (retaliation ?) but since that time, they have been kept in continual alarm. Prisoners are often brought to Carmen to be ransomed, whom the Indians have taken from other places. They are generally women or children ; and as the Indians often find out who their prisoners are, the ransoms asked are proportionably exorbitant. Men are usually put to death, if they do not die of their wounds. There is a tribe of friendly Indians living near Carmen, at the out- skirts of the town, who do much hard work for the inhabitants for very trifling remuneration ; but they are shamefully abused, cheated in every way by shopkeepers and liquor -venders, and harshly treated by other persons, who seem to consider them inferior beings — unworthy of any kind or humane considera- tion. Should one of these poor creatures fall by the knife of a passionate white man, no notice is taken of it by the authorities ; the murderer boasts of his deed, and the poor relations suffer patiently the loss and the insult, which they dare not avenge. Having quitted the free tribes, seduced by promises never fulfilled, they would not be received among them again ; and their own numbers, originally small, are reduced daily by disease and abominable drugs, which the publicans sell them in what is said to be spirituous liquor (agua ardiente). Mr. Wickham saw a poor Indian woman, between forty and fifty years of age, almost killed by a blow on the head from an ox's skull (with the horns), given by a wretch, who had drawn his knife upon her husband for preventing his kissing a pretty girl, their daughter, who was walking with her. This scoundrel was seen by Mr. Wickham, a few days after- wards, betting at the race-course with the principal people of the place. Thanks to the influence of Harris and Roberts, and their connections (both being married to daughters of Spanish settlers), our officers and men were exceedingly well treated. Every door was open to them ; and the fruit in every garden was freely, as well as sincerely offered. Letters had been for-