CHAPTER XII.

THE LITTORINE PROVINCES.

SANTA FÉ--ENTRE RIOS--CORRIENTES--THE OLD JESUIT MISSIONS--PARAGUAY UNDER DR. FRANCIA.

De Garay founds _Santa Fé_, and meets with Spaniards from Peru. His subsequent Deeds and Death. The Government of the Rio de la Plata separated from that of Paraguay, and Santa Fé annexed to Buenos Ayres. Its former prosperity, and great capabilities, especially for Steam Navigation. _The Entre Rios_--constituted a Province in 1814, its Extent, Government, and Population--chiefly a grazing Country. _Corrientes_--its valuable natural Productions--mistaken ideas of the people as to Foreign Trade. The Lake Ybera--Pigmies, Ants, Ant-Eaters, Locusts, and Beetles. _The Missions_ now depopulated--their happy and flourishing state under the Jesuits. _Paraguay_--some Account of its former Prosperity and Trade, and the establishment of the tyrannical rule of Dr. Francia Page 195