WHOLE VOL. THE WEST INDIES — VAZQUEZ DE ESPINOSA 4O3 



or confirmations ; and if there were a Bishop in Chachapoyas, he 

 would bring the Province of Los Tabalosos over to the Faith ; it 

 lias over 18,000 Indians and they beg for priests ; and there are many 

 other adjoining provinces which could easily be converted. 



(Marg. note : Chapter 7 should be inserted here from the following 

 page.) 



1189. The jurisdiction of the Provinces of the city of Chachapoyas 

 begins at the Rio de Los Balsas, which is 32 leagues inland, over 

 rough but very fertile country with many rivers. From the village 

 of Las Balsas which is on the banks of this river, there is a 6-league 

 climb to the village of Cochabamba, which in times past was very 

 extensive and had very sumptuous buildings made of well-trimmed 

 cut stone ; these were built at the command of the Inca kings. It has 

 a cool climate and is very fertile. Proceeding on this route one comes 

 to Leimebamba and a number of other villages, which however are 

 small ; near Leimebamba on the way to Chachapoyas is the Province 

 of Cajamarquilla del CoUay, for whose administration the Viceroy 

 of Peru appoints a Corregidor ; the country is very fertile and 

 prolific, and they get out much gold over all its jurisdiction. They 

 raise much corn, wheat, and potatoes here, and many other products, 

 although the country contains few Indians at present, many having 

 died ofif and others gone over to the hostile region which they call 

 Los Aucaes. The whole province is heavily wooded and very cool ; 

 there are a few cattle and llama ranches. 



Chapter VII 



Of the City of Chachapoyas, and Features of Its District. 



1190. The city of Chachapoyas is over 90 leagues inland from 

 Trujillo, to the E., and 32 from the Rio de Las Balsas. It was 

 founded by Marshal Alonso de Alvarado at the command of Marques 

 Don Francisco Pizarro in the year 1536, where the village of Levanto 

 stands today, on a high and sightly spot. Later it was moved to 

 where it is today, in the Province of Los Huancas, after Alonso de 

 Alvarado had subdued those provinces, in which enterprise he was 

 greatly aided by Capt. Juan Perez de Guevara. The city has an 

 excellent site and is attractive, with healthful and peaceful skies ; 

 it has a springlike climate and is plentifully supplied with cheap and 

 excellent provisions. In its district they raise much corn, wheat, 

 potatoes, and other Spanish and native cereals ; and since the climate 

 is favorable, they have not merely indigenous fruit in abundance but 

 also all the Spanish varieties, like almonds, figs, lai^ge and small 



