Francisco Gavino de Arias
Diario de la expedicion reduccional del ano 1780, mandada practicar por orden del Virey de Buenos Aires
"Diario de la expedición reduccional del año 1780, mandada practicar por orden…" is a historical account likely written in the early 19th century. The text chronicles the expedition overseen by Colonel Francisco Gavino de Arias, as he embarks on a mission to establish new reductions in the Gran Chaco region, which was inhabited by various indigenous nations. The diary not only documents the challenges of the journey but also the interactions with indigenous peoples, highlighting the complexities of colonial administration and cultural engagements. The opening of the diary details the organization and logistics of the expedition, including the preparations made by Arias and his team, such as the recruitment of soldiers and the setting of routes. It also introduces key figures involved, such as religious missionaries tasked with engaging the indigenous populations and the various supplies necessary for the journey. Furthermore, it highlights the historical context of the time, illustrating the fraught relationships between Spanish colonizers and indigenous groups, and sets the stage for the expedition's subsequent challenges and encounters.