district
is an exceedingly rough plateau at an elevation of about 4,000 feet
above sea level, cut up by gorges and deep valleys, enclosed by abrupt,
mountainous walls. Throughout, numerous streams rise, joining later to
form tributaries of the Jequetinhonha flowing to the north and east, of
the Sao Francisco going north, and of the Doce, running south and east.
The mountains divide the drainage of the Sao Francisco on the west, and
the Jequetinhonha and Doce on the east. The Diamantina district lies
between the Rio das Valhas on the west, and the headwaters of the
Jequetinhonha and Doce on the east.
When
it became known that diamonds were to be picked up thereabouts, people
flocked to the neighborhood and found them in all directions, in and
near the streams. A few were found also between the headwaters of two
tributaries of the Rio Doce, about half way between Diamantina and Rio
de Janeiro, near the town of Cocaes.
Brazil
was at this time a Portuguese dependency, and when the home government
learned that diamonds were being found in the colony, it laid claim to
all diamond-bearing lands and streams, but in the beginning gave
permission to anyone to mine on payment of toll for each slave
employed, the number of them being prescribed by contract. This tax
was constantly raised until it became so onerous that nobody would
mine under the conditions. But the diamondiferous gravels lay scattered
in every direction, and the hills held also many natives and escaped
slaves who were expert miners. These smugglers, or " Garimpeiros " as
they were called, undoubtedly continued to wash the sands
surreptitiously for diamonds, adding many to the world's stock of pre-
