It is undoubtedly of great importance to become acquainted with the features of a country which has undergone any remarkable change in its political, religious, or literary career, before that change took place; and it is equally important to know the cause of and the means by which the change was effected. I have therefore given a succinct history of the state of the colonies before their fortunate struggle began to germinate, by describing their political and ecclesiastical institutions; the character, genius, and education of the different classes of inhabitants; their peculiar customs and habits; their historical remains and antiquities; and lastly, the produce and manufactures of the country.
My opportunities for obtaining materials for the formation of this work were such as few individuals even among the natives or Spaniards could possess, and such as no foreigner could possibly enjoy at the period of my residence.
Dr. Robertson's celebrated history renders any account of the discovery and conquest of America unnecessary; but as the Spanish authors from whom his work was collected always kept in view the necessity of lulling the anxiety of general curiosity with respect to the subsequent state of the countries under the Spanish crown, that work cannot be supposed to be better than the materials from which it is formed would allow; to which I may add, that the different books published by the philosophic Humboldt are too scientific, and enter into too few details, to become fit for general perusal.
I am induced to believe, that my descriptions of tribunals, corporate bodies, the laws, and administration, the taxes and duties, will not be considered unimportant, because the newly-formed governments will follow in great measure the establishments of Spain, modified by a few alterations, perhaps more nominal than real. Indeed, the present authorities have already determined, that so far as the Spanish codes do not interfere with the independence of the country, they are to be considered as the fundamental laws of the different tribunals.
The Plates are from original Drawings taken by Don Jose Carrillo, a native of Quito, now in England.
Should the following pages merit the approbation of the British public, the author will feel highly gratified by having fulfilled his duty in both hemispheres; nor will this reward in the old world be accounted less honourable than that which he has already obtained in the new.
CONTENTS OF VOL. I.
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| Chap. I.—Arrival at Mocha....Some Account of Mayo, oneof the Cape de Verd Islands touched at on our Passage....Description of Mocha, its Productions, &c....Leave Mochaand land at Tucapel Viejo....Description of the Indians,their Dress, &c....Indians take me to their Home....Description of the House, Family, Food, Diversions....Appearance of the Country....What Trade might be introduced | [1] |
| Chap. II.—Leave Tucapel Viejo, and arrive at Tubul....Descriptionof our Breakfast on the road....Stay at the Houseof the Cacique of Tubul....Some Appearances of Civilization....Game of Peuca, Wrestling, &c....Anchorage,Trade, &c....Face of the Country....Arrival at Arauco....Taken to the Commandant, Interview described....Townof Arauco....Indians who come to barter....Weaving offine ponchos....Excursion to the Water-mills on theCarampangue River....Entertainments, Mate, &c....Visit Nacimiento, Santa Juana, and return to Arauco....Ordered to Conception | [20] |
| Chap. III.—Account of Cultivation of Farms, &c. in Araucania....Thrashing,&c....Produce....Cattle....Locality....TopographicalDivisions....Government (Indian)....Laws and Penalties....Military System....Arms, Standards,&c....Division of Spoil....Treaty of Peace....Religion....Marriages....Funerals....Spanish Citiesfounded in Araucania....Ideas on New Colonies....Commerce | [40] |
| Chap. IV.—Valdivia....Port....Fortifications....River....City-foundation....Revolutions....Inhabitants....Garrison....Government....Rentsand Resources....Churches....Exiles....Missions in the Province of Valdivia....Warwith the Indians, and Possession of Osorno....Extractfrom a Letter in the Araucanian Tongue, and Translation | [67] |
| Chap. V.—City of Conception de Mocha....Foundation....Situation....Government....Tribunals....Bishop....Military....Churches....Houses....Inhabitants and Dress....Provincial Jurisdiction....Produce....Throwing the Laso....Fruit....TimberTrees....Shrubs....Mines....Birds....Wild Animals....Lion Hunt....Shepherd Dogs....Breeding Capons....Return to Conception | [82] |
| Chap. VI.—Sent to Talcahuano....Description of the Bayand Anchorage....Plain between Conception and Talcahuano....Prospectus of a SoapManufactory here....Coal Mine....Town, Custom-house, Inhabitants, &c....Fish, &c. caught in the Bay....ColonialCommerce....Prospectus of a Sawing Mill | [118] |
| Chap. VII.—Leave Talcahuano in the Dolores....Passageto Callao....Arrival....Taken to the Castle....Leave Callao....Road to Lima....Conveyed to Prison | [130] |
| Chap. VIII.—Lima, Origin of itsName....Pachacamac....Foundation of Lima....Pizarro's Palace....Situation ofthe City....Form of the Valley Rimac....River....Climate....Temperature....Mists and Rain....Soil....Earthquakes....Produce | [143] |
| Chap. IX.—Viceroys and Archbishop of Lima....Viceroyalty,Extent....Viceroy's Titles and Privileges....Royal Audience....Cabildo....Forms of Law....Military....Religion....Inquisition....Sessionsand Processes....Archbishop....Royal Patronage....Ecclesiastical Tribunals....Chapter, Cabildo Ecclesiastical....Curates....Asylumof Immunity....Minor Tribunals....Consulado....Crusade....Treasury....Accompts....Temporalidades,Protomedicato | [172] |
| Chap. X.—Taxes, Alcavala....Indian Tribute....Fifths ofthe Mines....Lances....Stamped Paper....Tobacco....Media Anata....Aprovechamientos....Composicion andConfirmacion of Lands....Royal Ninths....Venal Offices....Estrays....Confiscations....Fines....VacantSuccessions....Almoxarifasgo....Corso....Armada....Consulate....Cirquito....Vacant Benefices....MesadaEcclesiastica....Media Anata Ecclesiastica....Restitutions....Bulls | [195] |
| Chap. XI.—City of Lima....Figure and Division....Walls....Bridge....Houses....Churches....Manner of BuildingParishes....Convents....Nunneries....Hospitals....Colleges....Plasa Mayor....Market....Interior of theViceroy's Palace....Ditto Archbishop's Ditto....Ditto Sagrario....Ditto Cathedral....Ditto Cavildo | [210] |
| Chap. XII.—Particular Descriptionof Parish Churches....Of Santo Domingo....Altar of the Rosary....St. Rosaand other Altars....Cloisters....Sanctuary of SaintRosa....Church of San Francisco....Chapels Del Milagro,De Dolores, De los Terceros....Pantheon....Cloisters,San Diego....San Agustin....La Merced....Professionof a Nun, or taking the Veil....Hospitals of San Andres,of San Bartolome and others....Colleges of Santo Toribio,San Carlos, Del Principe....University....Inquisition....Taken to it in 1806....Visit to it in 1812, after theAbolition....Inquisitorial Punishments....Foundling Hospital....Lottery....Mint....Pantheon | [237] |
| Chap. XIII.—The Population of Lima....Remarks....Tableof Castes....The Qualifications of Creoles....Populationand Division....Spaniards....Creoles, White....Costume....Indians....African Negroes....Their Cofradias,and Royal Personages....Queen Rosa....Creole Negroes....Mestisos....Mulattos....Zambos....Chinos....Quarterones and Quinterones....Theatre....BullCircus....Royal Cockpit....Alamedas....Bathing Places....Piazzas....Amancaes....Elevation and Oration Bells....Processions of Corpus Christi, Santa Rosa, SanFrancisco and Santo Domingo....Publication of Bulls....Ceremonies on the Arrival of a Viceroy | [283] |
| Chap. XIV.—Fruits in the Gardens of Lima....Flowers....Particular Dishes, or Cookery....Chuno, dried Potatoes....Chochoca,dried Maize....Sweetmeats....Meals....Diseases....Medical Observations....On the Commerceof Lima....Profitable Speculations | [330] |
| Chap. XV.—Visit to Pisco....Town of Pisco....Bay ofPisco....Curious Production of Salt....Huano....Huanaes....Vineyards, Brandy....Vineyard de lasHoyas....Fruits....Chilca, Village of Indians....Leave Lima,Road to Chancay....Pasamayo House....Niña de laHuaca....Maize, Cultivation....Use of Huano....Hogs....On the Produceof Maize....Different kinds of....Time of Harvesting....Uses of....Chicha of....Sugarof....Town of Chancay....Colcas....Town of Huacho....Chacras of the Indians....On the Character of the NativeIndians....Refutation of what some Authors have said of....Manners and Customs of....Tradition of MancoCapac....Ditto Camaruru....Ditto Bochica....DittoQuitzalcoatl....These Traditions favourable to the Spaniards....Government of Manco Capac....Representationof the Death of the Inca....Feast of Corpus Christi at Huacho....Indian Dances....Salinas | [355] |
| Chap. XVI.—Villa of Huara....Description....Village ofSupe....Ruins of an Indian Town....Huacas, BuryingPlaces....Bodies preserved entire....Village of Barranca....Earthquake in 1806....Barranca River....Bridge ofRopes....Village of Pativilca....Sugar Plantation....Produce and Profit....Canecultivated....Mills....Sugar-house....Management of Slaves....Regulations &c. of Slaves | [410] |