148 A VOYAGE TO Boor VÍI. 



On a report of these important discoveries people 

 from all parts retired to Fotosi, particularly from 

 the city of Plata, which is situated about twenty-five 

 lea2;ues from the mountains; so that at present, 

 besides its extraordinary riclies, having among its 

 its inhabitants many noble families, particularly those 

 concerned in the mines, the circuit ofthetownis 

 near two leagues. The air of the mountain being 

 extremely cold and dry,* renders the adjacent coun- 

 try remarkably barren, producing neither grain, 

 fruits, herbs, or other esculents. The town, how- 

 ever, is so plentifully provided as to enjoy an abun- 

 dance of every kind ; and the trade for provisions 

 is greater here than in any other place, that of Lima 

 alone excepted. Nor will this appear at all strange 

 if the great number of people employed in the mines 

 be considered. Some provinces send the best of 

 their grain and fruits; others their cattle; otherB 

 their manutactures; and those who trade in Eu- 

 ropean goods resort to Potosi, as to a market where 

 there is a great demand, and no want of silver to giv« 

 in exchange. 



Besides this commerce, here are a set of persons 

 called Aviadores, who find their account in ad- 

 vancing to the masters of the mines coined silver to 

 pay their necessary expences, receiving in exchange 

 silver in ingots and pinnas. Another article of great 

 consequence, is the trade of quicksilver for the use 

 of these mines ; but this branch the crown has re- 

 served to itself. The vast consumption of this mi- 

 neral may in some measure be conceived by the 

 great quantity of silver produced by these mines ; 

 for before the invention of extracting the silver with 

 less mercurvj, a mark of that mineral was consumed 

 in obtaining a mark of fine silver ; and often by the 



■* The extremest. cold in tliiá part seldom freezes the v.'ater$ 

 fhickin- thuii an half crown 



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