“This very day came to my hands your note of the 18th of September of the present year; and having carefully perused it, I have to inform your honour, (Vuesa Señoria,) with the greatest sincerity, that the project adopted by the Supreme Government, of penetrating to the river of Pachitea by the port of Mayro, is the best and safest plan, because of the advantages that would accrue to the republic from opening the navigation of that river; for, from its junction with the Ucayali, up the stream to Mayro, is only a passage of seven or eight days; and from the latter place to Pozuzo, by land, is but an intermediate distance of fourteen leagues.[20] But there is one obstacle which, as long as it exists, will almost certainly interfere with the enjoyment of a safe traffic on the river Pachitea; namely, that on its banks are situated the pagan Cashivos, cruel cannibals who live on human flesh,—sometimes availing themselves of much cunning and artifice to deceive passengers; and at other times, with all the fierceness of the wild beasts of the forest, fearlessly attacking them, as was proved in two expeditions undertaken from this place by Father Girbal, who the first time only advanced to the nearest huts, when he was compelled to return on account of the scarcity of arms, and the small escort given him by the government. He afterwards advanced to their last encampments (_rancherias_), whence he returned without having realized his purpose of striking the Mayro, where people waited his arrival with provisions and whatever else was required: and since this last expedition, which was made in the year 1797, no further active measures have been attempted.