This is a wonderful read on the experiences and of Reverend Pakenham Despard in Patagonia, written to the effect of attracting attention to the region, the book is entitled The Patagonian Mission vindicated: being the Substance of two letters, addressed by… Missionary to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego to an enquiring friend; it was printed without a year but ca.1860 in Bristol, for the Patagonian Missionary Society. This was the first edition, exceptionally rare. The book describes the Patagonian and the indigenous population that inhabits it, only one example is known, at the British Library. Written by Reverend G. Pakenham Despard in the form of a letter, describing the mission and the region and it’s inhabitants “They are an exceedingly dirty race, but are said by those who have lived among them to be mild in their disposition. They live almost entirely on horseback” (p.7).
The reason and purpose of the little work is outlined by it’s author from the beginning:
“You have requested me to write you a latter about the Patagonian Missionary Society; its origin, principles, plans, and prospects…
Permit me now to present you with a brief description of the nations whom, in the first instance, it is our design to visit and evangelize.
The Patagonians are a race of men distinguished for their size, and for their roving propensities. They move in search of pasture for their numerous horses, and of game for themselves, from the river Negro on the North, to Magalhaens Straits on the South… Their food is the guanaco, the ostrich, the armadillo, and the flesh of mares. They do not at all cultivate the ground, nor practice any art beyond a rude preparation of the guanaco skin for their long mantles, and the skin of the leg of the horse for their boots…
And goes on to describe the flora and fauna “The climate has the ill reputation to be very bad; but, like many another thing condemned by prejudice rather than proof, it greatly improves upon acquaintance”; and the tribes in Tierra del Fuego: “has seven distinct tribes. The Oens men, a large race, occupyingng themselves in war, plunder and the chase, pursuing these employments on foot through the large Islands; the Yapoo, a small fishing people…; the Tekeenica, a superior tribe… the Alikhoolip…”
Finally, the author goes on to expose his thoughts on the necessity or not of the participation of the Society and the way to implement it. In all, a wonderful description, with copious details and information of an otherwise relatively unknown territory.
The book is bound with other titles:
-Tract VII… Identity of Popery & Tractarianism. 1843. London.
-The force of truth. 1821. London.
-Lectures to Young Men. 1849. London.
-Humbling recollections of my ministry. 1844. London.
Extremely rare, only one copy located in OCLC, at the British Library.
