522 SPANISH AMERICA. 



virtues. The Indians, who, notwithstanding the devastations of the 

 first invaders, remain in great numbers, are become, by continual op^ 

 pressions and indignity, a dejected, timorous, and miserable race of 

 mortals. The negroes here, like those in other parts of the world, are 

 stubborn, hardy, and as well adapted for the slavery tbey endure as 

 any human creatures can be. Such is the general character of the 

 inhabitants, not only in Mexico, but the greatest part of Spanish 

 America. 



Cities, chief towns, edifices. ...The city of Mexico, the capital 

 of this part of Spanish America, is situate in the delightful vale of 

 Mexico, on several small islands in the lake Tetzuco. It is built with 

 admirable regularity, the streets being straight and crossing each 

 other at right angles. It is the see of an archbishop, and contains 29 

 churches and 22 monasteries and nunneries; there is also a tribunal 

 of the inquisition, a mint, and a university. All the public edifices, 

 especially the churches, are magnificent, and the most profuse dis- 

 play of wealth is seen in every part of the city. The number of in- 

 habitants, by a late accurate enumeration made by the magistrates 

 and priests, exceeds 200,000. 



Vera Cruz, situate on the Gtilph of Mexico, is the great commer- 

 cial port of New Spain. It is perhaps one of the most considerable 

 places for trade in the world ; being the centre of the American trea- 

 sure, and the magazine for all the merchandize sent from New Spain, 

 or that is ti'ansported thither from Europe. It is however, unhealthy, 

 from the marshy ground in which it stands ; most of the houses are 

 of wood ; and the inhabitants, it is said, do not exceed 3000. 



Acapuko is situate on a bay of the Pacific Ocean, and is the chief 

 port on this sea, the harbour being so spacious that several hundred 

 ships may ride in it without inconvenience opposite to the town ; on 

 the east side is a high and strong castle, with guns of a large size. It 

 is a place of great trade, in consequence of being the port from which 

 the galleon annually sails for Manilla. 



Commerce. ...The trade of this country is immense. From the port 

 of Vera Cruz, Mexico pours her wealth over the whole world ; 

 and receives in return the numberless luxuries and necessaries 

 which Europe affords to her, and which the indolence of her in- 

 habitants will never permit them to acquire for themselves. To 

 this port (before the galleons were laid aside, and the subsequent 

 new arrangements) the fleet from Cadiz, called the Flota, consisting 

 of three men of war as a convoy, and fourteen large merchant ships, 

 annually arrived about the beginning of November. Its cargo con- 

 sisted of every commodity and manufacture of Europe ; and there are 

 few nations but have more concern in it than the Spaniards, who send 

 out little more than wine and oil. The profit of these, with the freight 

 and commission to the merchants, and duty to the king, are almost 

 the only advantages which Spain derives from her American com- 

 merce. When all the goods wese landed and disposed of at La Vera 

 Cruz, the fleet took in the plate, precious stones, and other commo- 

 dities, for Europe. Some time in May they were ready to depart. 

 From La Vera Cruz they sailed to the Havanna, in the isle of Cuba ; 

 which was the rendezvous where they met the galleons, another fleet, 

 which carried on the trade of Terra Firma by Carthagena, and of 

 Peru by Panama and Porto Bello. When all were collected, and pro- 

 vided with a convoy necessary for their safety, they steered for Old 

 Spain. 



