270 



mais. The Spaniards call it the stone of St. Thomas, from aH 

 account which they pretend the first settlers received from the 

 Indians, that a white man, with a long beard formerly preached 

 to their ancestors a new religion from that stone, and as a proof 

 of its sanctity, left upon it the impression of his feet, and the figures 

 of the animals that came to hear him. Thi^î man, they suppose to 

 have been St. Thomas, from a tradition of his having preached in 

 America. 



The aboriginal inhabitants of Cujo, of whom there are at present 

 but a few remaining, are called Guarpes, they are thin, brown and 

 of a lofty stature, and speak a different language from the Chilians. 

 The Peruvians were the first who conquered these people, after 

 having possessed themselves of the northern provinces of Chili. 

 On the road, over the Andes, from Cujo to Chili, are still to be seen 

 some small stone edifices, erected for the accommodation of the offi- 

 cers and messengers of that empire. The first Spaniards who 

 entered this province were commanded by Francis Aguirre, who 

 was sent from Chili by Valdivia, and who quitted it on learning 

 the death of that general. In the year 1560, Don Garcia di Men- 

 doza, sent thither Pedro Castillo, who subdued the Guarpes, and 

 founded the cities of St. Juan and Mendoza. 



Mendoza, the capital, is situated on a plain at the foot of the 

 Andes, in 33 degrees 19 minutes south latitude, and in 308. 31. west 

 longitude. The number of its inhabitants is estimated at six 

 thousand. Besides the parish church, it contains a college, which 

 belonged to the Jesuits, convents of the orders of St. Francis, St. 

 Dominic, St. Augustine and the Mercedarii. This city carries 

 on a considerable commerce, in wine and fruits, with Buenos 

 Ayres; and its population is continually increased, from its vicinity 

 to the famous silver mine of Uspallata,' which the inhabitants 

 work to great profit. 



St. Juan, which is forty-five leagues from Mendoza, is also situa- 

 ted near the Andes, in 31. 4, degrees of latitude, and 308.31. of lon- 

 gitude. It has the same number of inhabitants, churches and con- 

 vents as Mendoza ; and trades with Buenos Ayres, in brandy, fruits 

 and Vicugna skins. The pomegranates of its vicinity are greatly 

 «steemed in Chili, for their size and sweetness. This city is go- 

 verned by a Cabildo, and a Lieutenant of the Prefect, or Corregi- 

 dor of Mendoza. 



In the year 1596, the small city of La Punta, or St. Lodovico of 

 Loyola, was founded in the eastern part of Cujo ; it received its 

 name from Don Martin Loyola, at that time governor of Chili, 



