WHOLE VOL. THE WEST INDIES ^VAZQUEZ DE ESPINOSA I9I 



and Spanish fruit and grapes, and much cattle, sheep, swine, mules, 

 and horses. 



537. Twenty-five leagues beyond the mines of Los Plateros lies the 

 city of Guadiana, capital of New Vizcaya. It is built on a plain beside 

 a river with lovely views and pleasant for excursions. The city will 

 contain 400 Spanish residents ; there is a Cathedral with Bishop and 

 Prebendaries residing there to serve it ; it has Franciscan, Augustinian, 

 and Jesuit convents, a hospital where they care for the indigent sick, 

 and other churches and shrines. 



538. This city is the residence of the Governor of New Vizcaya, 

 who is a Captain General with the title of Lordship. In his admin- 

 istrative district, which is extensive, with many mining towns and 

 other provinces and settlements, he appoints 27 judicial officers — 

 Alcaldes Mayores and Corregidores — in the mines of Cuencame, in 

 Sombrerete, in Fresnillo, in Saltillo, in Mapimi, and in many other 

 mining towns which it is impossible to enumerate. 



539. In this city of Guadiana there are Officials of the Royal Patri- 

 mony, and they have representatives at many points, for it is a large 

 district. They raise great numbers of cattle and supply all of New 

 Spain. The city is abundantly supplied with wheat, corn, and other 

 cereals, both native and Spanish, with abundance of fruit ; there are 

 sugar mills and many vineyards in the neighborhood. The city has 

 a marvelous springlike climate. 



540. Twelve leagues from the city of Guadiana, to one side toward 

 the N., lies the famous mining town of Cuencame, which contains 

 over 300 Spanish residents ; many of them possess large establish- 

 ments and foundries in which to smelt the ore. This town has a 

 parish church, Franciscan and Jesuit convents, a hospital, and other 

 churches and shrines. For these mines the Governor appoints an 

 Alcalde Mayor, for its good administration and the dispensing of 

 justice. 



541. On this same northerly course, returning to the mines of 

 Pedregoso : 12 leagues beyond them lie the mines of Saltillo. These 

 will contain over 100 Spanish residents ; the Governor of New Viz- 

 caya appoints an Alcalde Mayor for their good administration. The 

 region has a springlike climate and is a delightful spot. It contains 

 a parish church and a Franciscan convent where they teach Arts 

 and Theology. There are large farms of wheat, corn, and other 

 cereals, many vineyards, and abundance of fruit, both Spanish and 

 native. Twelve leagues farther on is the New Kingdom of Santa 

 Lucia which is at present being explored and settled ; it contains 

 a town with 30 Spanish residents and a Franciscan convent. The 



