Diario De La Navegacion Empredida En 1781: Desde El Rio Negro, Para Reconocer La Bahia De Todos Los Santos, Las Islas Del Buen Suceso, Y El Desague Del Rio Colorado

A historical account written in the early 19th century. The text serves as a detailed record of Villarino's journey as a pilot tasked with exploring the Rio Colorado and its surroundings, providing insights into early navigation, colonization efforts, and interactions with indigenous peoples in Patagonia. The opening of the work introduces the context of Villarino's expedition, which took place amidst Spain's colonial ambitions in South America. It outlines the preparations for the journey, the challenges faced by the expedition due to poor conditions of the vessels, and conflicts among its leaders. Villarino reflects on his previous journeys and discoveries, setting the stage for the details of the navigation he undertook starting on April 12, 1781. As he begins his exploration, he notes the difficulties in navigating the river's waters and the natural environment, hinting at the interactions he had with both the landscape and the indigenous communities he encountered.