Gonzalo de Doblas
Memoria histórica, geográfica, política y éconómica sobre la provincia de Misiones de indios guaranís
"Memoria histórica, geográfica, política y económica sobre la provincia de Misiones" by Gonzalo de Doblas is a historical account written in the early 19th century. The work aims to document the province of Misiones, focusing on the Guaraní Indians and exploring various aspects of their social, political, and economic life following the expulsion of the Jesuits. Through a combination of observations and detailed records, it seeks to shed light on the historical context and the current state of the indigenous populations in that region. The opening of the memoir introduces the author's motivations and the broader historical context in which he is writing. Gonzalo de Doblas begins by addressing the isolation experienced by the Jesuit priests in the Paraguayan missions and how it obscured the reality of their governance. He discusses how previous accounts, particularly one by Bernardo Ibáñez, misrepresented the Jesuit legacy, leading to public misconception. Doblas reflects on the consequences of the Jesuits' expulsion from Misiones, noting the decline of the indigenous populations and their communities. He emphasizes the need for reforms to improve the living conditions of the Guaraní people, laying the groundwork for a detailed examination of their environment, governance, and social issues in subsequent sections.