Ch. XII. SOUTH AMERICA. 12T 



bitants use them in building bouses, and other 

 works. The quicksilver mines wrought here^, sup- 

 ply with that necessary mineral all the silver mines 

 of Peru ; and notwithstanding the prodigious quan- 

 tities already extracted, no diminution is perceived. 

 Some attribute the discovery of these mines to a 

 Portuguese, called Henrique G arces, in the year 1566, 

 who accidentally met an Indian with some pieces of 

 cinnaber, called by the Indians, Him pi, and used in 

 painting iheir ñices. But others, among whom are 

 Acosia, Laett, and Escalona, say that the mines of 

 Guanea Bélica, were discovered by a Navincopa, or 

 Indian, and servant to Amador Cabrera ; and that 

 before the year Í564, Pedro Contreras and íícnrique 

 Oarces had discovered another mine of the same 

 kind at Paias. But liowever it be, the mines of 

 Cuanea Bélica are the only ones now worked; and 

 tlie use of quicksilver for aggregating the particles 

 of silver began in the year 1571, under the direc- 

 tion of Pttro Fernandes Vclasco. The mines of 

 Guanea Bélica immediately on the discovery were 

 claimed in the king's name^, and alternately govern- 

 ed by one of the meinl>€rs of the audienza of Lima, 

 with the title of superintendant^ whose oíüce expired 

 at the end of five years, till in the year 1735, when 

 Philip V. appointed a particular governor of these 

 mines, v. ith the same title of superintendant, but 

 thoroughly acquainted with the nature of extracting 

 this mineral, having been employed in those of the 

 same nature in Spain; and by his osconomy the mines 

 are worked v. ith less charge, and will not be so soon 

 exhausted. Part of the quicksilver found here is 

 sold on the spot to miners, and the remiinder sent 

 to all the royal offices in the kingdom of Peru, for 

 the more commodious supply of those whose mines 

 are at a great distance. 



VT The jurisdiction of Angaracs depends on 



the 



