Excerpt from Collection of Curious Observations on the Manners, Customs, Usages, Different Languages, Government, Mythology, Chronology, Ancient and Modern Geography, Ceremonies, Religion, Mechanics, Astronomy, Medicine, Physics, Natural History, Commerce, Arts, and S, Vol. 2

They gradually fell into such disrepute on account of their profligate manners, that the adjacent towns thought they should lose their character if they continued to have any communication with the town of St. Paul; and though its inhabitants were originally Portuguese, they judged them unworthy to bear a name which they dishonoured, and called them Mamalukes.

Their town became the asylum and rendezvous of a number of robbers, both Italian, Dutch, and Spaniards, who in Europe had made their escape from the punishment due to their crimes, or who wanted to lead a licentious life without dread of punishment. The mildness of the climate, and the fertility of the foil, which produces all the commodities of life, served to augment their propensity to all manner of vices.

Besides, it is no easy task to reduce them; their town is situated about thirteen leagues from the sea, on a steep rock surrounded with precipices. We can only climb up to it by a narrow foot-path, where a handful of men could stop the progress of a numerous army. At the foot of the mountain are some small towns full of merchants, by whose assistance they carry on their commerce. This happy situation supports them in the love of independency; so that they only obey the laws and ordinances of the crown of Portugal, when they agree with their interests; and 'tis only in cafes of pressing necessity, that they have recourse to the protection of the king.

These robbers, without honesty and law, and who could be restrained by no authority, spread like a torrent over all the territories of the Indians, who having only arrows to oppose their guns, could make but little resistance.

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