^j8 ULLOA's voyage to south AMERICA. 



to the trade of Peru. This regulation was firft executed in 1730, on the arrival of the 

 fquadron commanded by Don Manuel Lopez Pintado, who had orders, from the King, 

 to place commerce on this footing, provided it bid fair to anfwer the intentions of both 

 parties, and that no better expedient could be found. Accordingly this was carried into 

 execution ; being not only well adapted to the principal end, but alfo, during the flay 

 of the galleons at Carthagena, procured bufmefs for the Cargadores *, in the fale of 

 their goods ; and thus made them ample amends for their expences. 



During the prohibition, the merchants of Carthagena were obliged to have recourfe 

 to the flotilla of Peru, in their courfe from Guayaquil to Panama ; or to wait the return 

 of the galleons to Carthagena, and, confequently, purchafe only the refufe of Porto 

 Bello fair ; both which were, doubtlefs, confiderable grievances to them. If they pur- 

 fued the firft, they were obliged to travel acrofs the whole jurifdidion of Santa Fe to Gua- 

 yaquil, which was a journey of above four hundred leagues, with confiderable fums of 

 money, which having difpofed of in merchandifes, the charges of their return were ftill 

 greater. In fine, the loiTes inevitable in fuch a long journey, where rapid rivers, moun- 

 tains, and bridges, were to be crofTed, and their merchandifes expofed to a thoufand 

 accidents, rendered this method utterly impracticable ; fo that they were obliged to 

 content themfelves with the remains of the fair ; though it was very uncertain whether 

 thefe would be fufHcient to anfwer J:he demand. Befides, the inland merchants ran the 

 hazard of not meeting at Carthagena with goods fufficient, in quality and quantity, to 

 anfwer their charges ; and were fometimes adlually obliged to retura with the money, 

 and the vexation of a fruitlefs, though expenfive, journey. Thefe inconveniences pro- 

 duced a repeal of the prohibition, and commerce was placed on the prefent equitable 

 footing. 



This Uttle fair at Carthagena, for fo it may be called, occafions a great quantity of 

 fliops to be opened, and filled with all kinds of merchandife ; the profit partly refulting 

 to Spaniards who come in the galleons, and are either recommended to, or are in part- 

 nerfhip with, the Cargadores ; and partly to thofe already fettled in that city. The 

 Cargadores furnifh the former with goods, though to no great value, in order to gain 

 their cuftom ; and the latter, as perfons whom they have already experienced to be 

 good men ; and both in proportion to the quicknefs of their fale. This is a time of 

 univerfal profit ; to fome by letting lodgings and fhops, to fome by the increafe of their 

 refpe£tive trades, and to others by the labour of their Negro flaves, whofe pay alfo is 

 proportionally increafed, as they do more work in this bufy time. By this brilk circu- 

 lation through all the l^veral ranks, they frequently get a furplus of money beyond what 

 is fufEcient for providing themfelves with neceffaries. And it is not uncommon for 

 flaves, out of their favings, and after paying their mafters the daily tribute, to pur- 

 chafe their freedoms. 



This affluence extends to the neighbouring villages, eftancias, and the moft wretched 

 chacaras, of this jurifdiftion ; for, by the increafe of ftrangers to a fourth, third, and 

 fometimes one-half, of the ufual number of people, the confumption, and confequently 

 the price of provifions, advances, which is, of courfe, no fmall advantage to thofe 

 who bring them to market. 



This commercial tumult lafts while the galleons continue in the bay ; for they are no 

 fooner gone, than filence and tranquillity refume their former place. This the inha- 

 bitants of Carthagena call Tiempo muerto, the dead time ; for, with regard to the trade 

 carried on with the other governments, it is not worth notice. The greater part of it 



* persons who bring European goods for fale, 



confifl? 



