253 



înost commercial port of Chili, from whence all the trade to Spain 

 and Peru is carried on, is in 33. 2. of latitude, and 304. 11. of 

 longitude. The harbour is very capacious, and so deep that ships 

 of the largest size can lie close to the shore. Its convenience for 

 traffick, and the Scdubrity of its atmosphere, have rendered it a place 

 of considerable population. A governor from Spam resid/?s there, 

 who has the command in the civil and military departments, and 

 is amenable only to the President of Chili. Besides the college, 

 which formerly belonged to the Jesuits, Valparaiso contains a parish 

 church and several convents of monks. Upon the shore which 

 forms the harbour is a well peopled town, three miles distant 

 from Valparaiso, called l"* Almendral. 



4th. ACONCx\GUA. 



ACONCAGUA is enclosed between the provinces of Coquimbo, 

 Quillota, Santiago, and the Andes. It is of the same size as Qitil- 

 lota, and is watered by the same rivers. It produces great quan- 

 tities of grain and fruits, and much copper is procured from its 

 mountains. The famous silver mines of Uspallata are situated ia 

 that part of the Andes corresponding to it. Its capital is Aconcagua, 

 or St. Philip.^ upon the river of the same name in 32. 48. of latitude, 

 and 305. 50. of longitude. Besides a parochial church, it contains 

 several convents of various religious orders, and a house which 

 belonged to the Jesuits. Near the Andes is a village called Curimon, 

 where the strict Franciscans have a numerous convent. 



5th. MELÎP1LLA. 



MELIPILLA is bounded on the north by Quillota, on the east 

 by Santiago, on the south by the river Maypo, which divides it 

 from Rancagua, and on the west by the sea. This province is of 

 small extent upon the sea, but is aljout twenty-five leagues from 

 east to west. Its rivers are the Mapocho and Poangue, and 

 it abounds with wine and grahi. Meiipilla, or ^t, Joseph de Lo- 

 gronnù^ situated not far from che Maypo, in 32. 32. of latitude, 

 and 304. 5. of longitude, is the capital. Although the situation of 

 this place is beautiful, and the land near it very fertile, yet 

 from its vicinity to St. Jago, where the greater part of the proprie- 

 tors reside, it is but thinly peopled. Notwithstanding, besides a parish 

 church, the Augustines and the Mercedarii have establishments 

 there, and the Jesuits had also a college. Near the river Mapocho 

 is the town of St. Francis del Mente, so cí\íled from an ancient 



