^H. II. SOUTH AMERICA. 331 



of the inhabitants of Cuenqa ; and besiuc- their af- 

 finity in customs and tempers to the other vÜlio^es, 

 they cannot be branded with the character of being 

 slofhfal. In thrs jurisdiction, such numerous droves 

 of horned cattle and mnlesare bred, that it supplier 

 the others of this province, and that of Piura in 

 Valles. The carpets also manufactured here are of 

 such remarkable fineness, that they find a ready sale 

 wherever they are sent. 



The corregidor of Loja is also governor of Yngn- 

 arsongo, and principal alcalde of the mines ofZaruma; 

 and, as such, a chair of state is placed for hifn at all 

 public solemnities of the church, where he is present; 

 a distinguishing honour allowed only to the presidents 

 or governors of those provinces. The post of go- 

 vernor of Yaguarsongo is at present a mere title witb- 

 outany jurisdiction ; part of the villages which formed 

 it being lost by the revolt of the Indians, and the 

 others added to the government of Jaen j so that the 

 corregidor of Loja enjoys only those honours in- 

 tended to continue the remembrance of that govern- 

 ment. 



The town ofZeruma, in the jurisdiction of which 

 are those mines of gold I shall mention in another 

 part, has presented the corregidor of Loja with tiie 

 title of its alcalde major. It was one of the first 

 towns founded in this province, and at the sar.ie time 

 one of the most opulent j but is at present in a mecin 

 condition, owing chiefly to the decay of its mines, .m 

 which account most of the Spanish families have re- 

 tired, some to Cuenq^, and others to Loja ; so that 

 at present its inhabitants are said not to exceed six 

 thousand. The declension of these mines, v/hich is 

 not so much to be imputed to a scarcity of metal, as 

 to the negligence of those concerned in working 

 them, has been disadv^antageous to the whole depart- 

 ment of Loja; and consequently diminished tlie num- 

 ber of its inhabitants. 



Having 



