WHOLE VOL. THE WEST INDIES VAZQUEZ DE ESPINOSA 249 



especially in the Province of Chontales. The city enjoys lively trade 

 and commerce, having two ports; that of the Laguna Grande (Lake 

 of Nicaragua) to the N. and its outlet is the route hy which they 

 export native products such as indigo, cochineal, tobacco, cordage, 

 brazilwood, hides, poultry, corn, and other commodities to Cartagena 

 and Puerto Bello ; in return, merchandise and wines are brought to 

 the city, which is well supplied with them. 



715. The other port it possesses is that of Realejo, which is 30 

 leagues away, on the Pacific coast. Many ships come there from Peru, 

 to load such native products as are mentioned above, and other 

 things, like pitch, which they export in quantities, canvas, of which 

 an excellent quality is manufactured from cotton in this province, 

 bateas (painted trays; the word also means a flat-bottomed punt), 

 honey, wax, etc., which are all highly esteemed and valued in Peru. 



716. This Diocese is 150 leagues long, approximately E. and W., 

 and over 70 leagues across at its widest point. In its district it con- 

 tains four cities with Spanish residents and two towns, viz, the cities 

 of Granada, Leon, Nueva Segovia (which is over 30 leagues to the 

 N. ; here they manufacture pitch), and the city of Cartago in Costa 

 Rica ; and the town and port of Realejo and the town of Esparza 

 on the Costa Rica highway. There are also many provinces and 

 villages of Indians. There are two Governorships and one Alcaldia 

 Mayor, filled by His Majesty in consultation with the Supreme 

 Council of the Indies ; these are the posts of Governor of Nicaragua, 

 Governor of Costa Rica, and Alcalde Mayor of the village and port 

 of Nicoya, where there are wonderfully hard varieties of timber for 

 shipbuilding, and yards in which they construct them. This Province 

 and Diocese has other ports on the Pacific coast besides those men- 

 tioned above ; such are those of San Juan, Zapoapa, and others. 



717. In the district of this Diocese and State of Nicaragua, the 

 President of Guatemala appoints to four Corregimientos, viz, that 

 of the town and port of Realejo and the Province of El Viejo ; that 

 of Quezalguaque and Sutiaba ; that of Monimbo, Masaya and 

 Managua ; and that of Chontales, whose capital is Sebaco. These are 

 all rich and very profitable, because the country is rich and fertile, 

 and there is a lively trade and exportation of native products. 



Chapter XXVI 



Continuing the Description of the Diocese of Nicaragua and of 

 Its Provinces and Corregimientos. 



718. The town and port of Realejo lies 30 leagues S. of the city 

 of Granada. It is a famous port, and every year many ships come 



