ULLOA's voyage to south AMERICA. 56 1 



CHAP. 11. — Our Arrival at Truxillo ; a Defcription of that City, and the Continuance 



of our Journey to Lima. 



WITHOUT flaying any longer at Chocope than is ufual for refting the beafts, we 

 continued our journey, and arrived at the city of Truxillo, eleven leagues diftant, and, 

 according to our obfervations, in 8*^ 6' 3'' fouth latitude. This city was built in the 

 year 15;? 5, by Don Francifco Pizarro, in the valley of Chimo. Its fituation is pleafant, 

 notwithftanding the fandy foil, the univerfal defed of all the towns in Valles. It is fur- 

 rounded by a brick wall, and its circuit entitles it to be claffed among cities of the third 

 order. It (lands about half a league from the fea, and two leagues to the northward of 

 it is the port of Guanchaco, the channel of its maritime commerce. The houfes make 

 a creditable appearance. The generality are of bricks, decorated with (lately balconies, 

 and fuperb porticos ; but the other of baxareques. Both are however low, on account 

 of the frequent earthquakes ; few have fo much as one (lory. The corregidor of the 

 whole department refides in this city ; and alfo a bilhop (whofe diocefe begins at Tum- 

 bez) with a chapter confiding of three dignitaries, namely, the dean, arch-deacon, and 

 chanter ; four canons, and two prebendaries. Here is an office of revenue, conduced 

 by an accomptant and treafurer ; one of whom, as I have already obferved, refidi's at 

 Lambayeque. Convents of feveral orders are edablilhed here j a college of Jefuits, an 

 hofpital of our Lady of Bethlehem, and two nunneries, one of the order of St. Clare, 

 and the other of St. Terefa. 



The inhabitants confid of Spaniards, Indians, and all the other cads. Among the 

 former are feveral very rich and didinguifhed families. All in general are very civil 

 and friendly, and regular in their condu6l. The women in their drefs and cudoms 

 follow nearly thofe of Lima, an account of which will be given in the fequel. Great 

 number of chaifes are feen here, there not being a family of any credit without one ; as 

 the fandy foil is very troublefome in walking. 



In this climate, there is a fenfible difference between winter and fummer, the former 

 being attended with cold, and the latter with exceffive heat. The country of this whole 

 valley is extremely fruitful, abounding with fugar canes, maize, fruits and garden duff; 

 and with vineyards and olive yards. The parts of the country neared the mountains 

 produce wheat, barley, and other grain ; fo that the inhabitants enjoy not only a plenty 

 of all kinds of provisions, but alfo make confiderable exports to Panama, efpecially of 

 wheat and fugars. This remarkable fertility has been improved to the great embelhfh- 

 ment of the country ; fo that the city is furrounded by feveral groves, and delightful 

 walks of trees. The gardens alfo are well cultivated, and make a very beautiful 

 appearance j which with a continual ferene iky, prove not lefs agreeable to travellers 

 than to the inhabitants. 



About a league from the city is a river, whofe waters are conduced by various canals, 

 through this delightful country. We forded it on the 4th when we left Truxillo ; and 

 on the 5th, after pafling through Moche, we came to Biru, ten leagues from Trux- 

 illo. The pafs of the corregidor of Truxillo mud be produced to the alcalde of 

 Moche, for without this, as before at Sechura, no perfon would be admitted to con- 

 tinue his journey. 



Biru, which lies in 8° 24' 59'' fouth latitude, confids of fifty baxareque houfes, inha- 

 bited by feventy families, of Spaniards, Indians, Mulattoes, and Medizos. About half 

 a league to the northward of it is a rivulet, from' which are cut feveral trenches for 

 watering the grounds. Accordingly the lands are equally fertile with thofe of Truxillo, 



VOL. xrv. 4 c *fl^. 



