To the Minister for External Affairs, Luigi Amedeo Melegari

E VI, 2314

A memo on the advantages of an Italian colony in Patagonia

Rome, 16 April 1876

To His Excellency the Minister for External Affairs

Should Your Excellency ever decide to examine the advisability of an Italian colony in Patagonia, I would take the liberty of summarising the points I had the honour of presenting verbally. It should:

1. Not consider the Pampas, because, being bordered to the east and west by established governments, it would quickly encounter complaints and opposition.

2. Not even to the west of Patagonia, because the Republic of Chile lays claim to the southern ocean coastline as far as Puntarenas on the Strait of Magellan, where a small European colony with a governor has been established.

3. There would be a totally safe area from the Rio Negro to the Strait of Magellan, i.e. the Patagonian coast towards the Atlantic from 40 to 50 degrees. Here there is no habitation, no port, nor government that has any rights.

4. The area around 45 degrees would be preferable, as it corresponds somewhat to the Italian climate.

5. If the government does not offend the sensibilities of the Argentine Rep., it has nothing to fear from the savages who live in the interior of the continent, as they do not venture out against rifles and cannons.

6. The government would not incur any serious expense, and this would soon be offset by livestock, timber, fruit and the fertility of the soil.

7. It should not be a prison colony, but rather a place to gather the countless Italians who currently lead a meagre existence in Chile, Argentine Rep., Uruguay, Paraguay, etc.

I am convinced that upon hearing news of a colony where they would have the Italian language, customs and government, they would gather there very willingly, both to cultivate the land and to engage in appropriate trade.

8. The Salesians would continue their efforts for the Patagonians, ensure schools, open hospices, provide religious worship for all the inhabitants of the colony, and with the utmost caution and prudence, would spread among the tribes of savages.

Perhaps these thoughts of mine are nothing more than a bit poetic, but Your Excellency will kindly forgive me and appreciate my good intentions to help poor humanity.

Fr John Bosco