Francisco Gabino Arias

Biography

In 1774, when a colonel in the army, he explored the desert Gran Chaco. On June 3, 1780, he undertook an expedition having for its object the pacification of the Indians, which lasted until January 31, 1781. In 1782 he explored the Bermejo River, and proved that it flowed into the Paraguay River and not into the Paraná River, as had formerly been supposed. He also gave valuable information about the navigability of the river and the character of the tribes living near it. His narrative of this expedition was published by his son, José Antonio Arias, by order of the government.