Spanish America, Vol. 2 (of 2)Bonnycastle, Richard Henry, Sir
History
Spanish America, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Bonnycastle, Richard Henry, Sir
Latin America -- Description and travel; Latin America -- History
The commerce of Cuyo is of little importance, consisting chiefly in
wines, brandy, and dried fruits, which it sends to Buenos Ayres,
Cordova, &c. Its European fruits, grapes, figs, pears and apples, are
much sought after, and the wool of the vicuna is sent for exportation
to Buenos Ayres; its beautiful fawn colour, gloss and softness,
rendering it of great value in Spain.
Whatever commercial relation is established between the viceroyalty
of Buenos Ayres and the kingdom of Chili, the goods must pass through
Cuyo; the passage over the Andes being in this government, which,
although exceedingly difficult, will one day render it an important
district, especially should the trade of China or the east embrace the
southern and western shores of America.
The capital of Cujo is the city of _Mendoza_, in 33° 25' south
latitude, and 69° 47' west longitude, in a plain at the foot of the
Andes, the environs being adorned with plantations, which are watered
by means of canals.
It contains four convents, a college, formerly established by the
Jesuits, and a church.
A silver mine having been opened in its vicinity, named _Uspallata_,
the number of inhabitants of Mendoza is constantly increasing; at
present, they amount to about six thousand, who are employed in these
works, or in carrying on a productive trade with Buenos Ayres, in
fruits, wool, and wine. The river Mendoza flows by this town, which
is fifty leagues from Santiago in Chili, and the district around it
contains two silver, one copper, and one lead mines.
The next town of note in Cujo, is _San Juan de la Frontera_, forty-five
leagues north of Mendoza, in 33° 25' south latitude, and 68° 55' west
longitude near the Andes, from which circumstance it is also called
_San Juan de la Cordillera_. The neighbourhood of this city, which is
washed by the river San Juan, has some gold mines; but its principal
trade consists in sending wine, brandy, fruits, and vicuña-wool to
Buenos Ayres; the pomegranates of San Juan being greatly esteemed for
their size and flavour.
Its population is nearly the same as that of the capital, which it
resembles in regard to the number of its public edifices.
Besides these two cities, Cuyo contains the towns of _San Luis de
Loyola_, or _De la Punta_, Jachal, Vallofertil, Mogua, Concorto,
Leonsito, Calingarta, and Pismanta.
_San Luis de Loyola_ is the great thoroughfare for the commerce between
Chili, Cujo, and Buenos Ayres; it is situated sixty-two leagues east of
Mendoza, and has a church, convent, and college, of the late order of
Jesuits. The inhabitants amounting to about 200.
The other towns are of little note or importance, and are at present
mere villages.
The fifth and last division of the viceroyalty of La Plata, is--
_THE GOVERNMENT OF BUENOS AYRES_,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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