intersected. The converts inhabiting the two towns there founded by the Franciscan monks, would, it is presumable, lend their aid in collecting them, if a commerce, or traffic of exchange, were to be once established.
Which of the ancient provinces of the kingdom, it may be asked, affords conveniences, productions, and an abundance, tantamount to those of this uncultivated space? The passage leading to it having been cleared, the means are afforded to people this mountainous territory, and to establish a communication between the new settlers, throughout an extent of nearly sixty leagues in length, at which the frontier of Guamalies is computed, and of twenty-two in breadth. If it be certain, that the population is in all places augmented in proportion to the productions, how much may that of the kingdom be increased, by promoting the re-establishment of the decayed towns, which have no longer any thing to dread from the barbarians, and in which the Spaniard, however tenderly he may have been nurtured, may find a comfortable and agreeable abode. With the help of a few piastres, to begin his speculations, he may speedily realize a capital which will enrich himself and his posterity. If, in imitation of Don Juan de Bezares, any enterprising individual should undertake to facilitate the entrances by the provinces of Cusco, Guamanga, Jauja, Tarma, Ambo, and Pataz, may not the viceroyalty of Lima, in that case, promise to itself an equivalent to what it lost, in the dismemberment which took place to erect that of Buenos Ayres? The entrance into the mountainous territory illustrated above, is not the only one this valuable member of the community has engaged to clear. Two others may be enumerated, namely, the one he has begun, and submitted to the viceregal approbation, from Paucaco to Patairrhondos and Huanuco; and that which he has arranged with the Indians, from Old Chancaran to the town of Xican, likewise bordering on the province of Guamalies.
Urged by his example, the missionaries have already begun to open tracks of communication; but in undertakings of this nature the apostolical poverty of their profession cannot keep pace with their zeal, however effectually they may be aided by their converts. It is therefore necessary that the good subjects of the king, who possess the means, should engage in these enterprises, which will certainly be productive of greater advantages than can result from the sedentary commerce of the capitals, distributed in so many hands. They should, in the furtherance of their views, constantly bear in mind this most important maxim, neither to oppress any one in the traffic or labours, nor to bestow on the Indian the value of a needle, unless he contributes something, if it be nothing more than a flint he will afterwards have to throw away. They ought more especially, among the individuals of
