49© ULLOA*S VOYAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA. 



obtained their approbation, he returned to Spain, to folicit the confirmation of his 

 employment as governor, and the rewards fpecified in the contract. On the favourable 

 report of the fupreme council of the Indies, His Majefty, in 1 746, confirmed him as 

 governor of that country, which, in 1747, was formally ereded into a government, 

 by the commiflion then given to the above gentleman, who by his fkill and refolution 

 had fo well deferved it. 



The towns within the government of Atacames are at prefent but fmall and poor, 

 having hitherto lain out of the way of traffic, and the country but little culdvated. 

 However, this governor takes fuch meafures for the improvement of it, that already 

 the face of things begins to alter greatly for the better ; and the fertility of the foil will, 

 naturally invite fettlers, and the communication being opened through it betwixt the 

 kingdom of Terra Firma and the province of Quito, will caufe a circulation of money. 

 In the mean time this government contains twenty towns, five of which are on the fea- 

 coaft, and ftand the firft in the following lift : the others are inland places : 



I, Tumaco. XI. Tambillo. 



II. Tola. XII. Niguas. 



III. SanMatheodeEfmeraldas. XIII. Cachillada. 



IV. Atacames. XIV. Mindo. 

 V. La Canoa. XV. Yambe. 



VI. Lachas. XVI. Cocaniguas. 



VII. Cayapas. XVII. Canfa Goto. 



VIII. Inta. XVIII. Santa Domingo. 



IX. Gualea. XIX. San Miguel. 

 X. Nanegal. XX. Nono. 



The inhabitants of the five towns are Spaniards, Meftizos, Negroes, and Cafts, 

 which fprung from thefe three fpecies. Thofe of the other fifteen are in general Indians, 

 having few Spaniards, Mulattos, or Negroes, among them. With the fpiritual con- 

 cerns eleven priefts are inverted , who continually refide in the great towns, and occa- 

 fionally vifit the others, where are chapels of eafe. 



The temperature of Atacames is like that of Guayaquil, and accordingly produces 

 the fame kinds of vegetables, grains, and fruits, though fome of them to a much 

 greater perfedion ; for, by lying higher, it is not fubjeft to the inundations proceeding 

 from the fwelling of rivers : and thus the cacao, in its plantations and forefts, having, 

 all the moifture that plant delights in, without being drowned, is much fuperior to the 

 other in fize, oilinefs, and delicacy of flavour. It likevidfe produces in great abundance 

 vanillas, achote, farfaparilla, and indigo ; alfo a great deal of wax is made here : and 

 the forefts are fo thick fet with trees of a furprifing bulk and loftinefs, as to be impene- 

 trable ; and thefe trees, as in the forefts of Guayaquil, are of an infinite variety j fome 

 fitter for land works, others for naval ufes, and Ibme excellent for both. 



CHAP. IV. — Defcription of the Governments of Quixos and Macas ; with an Account 

 of Jean de Bracamoros^ the Difcovery and Conqueji of it, 



NEXT to the government of Popayan, which has been treated of in the foregoing, 

 chapter, follow thofe of Quixos and Macas, on the eaft fide of the Cordillera of the 

 Andes j it is divided into two diftrids, Quixos being the nortli part of the government,. 



andi 



