TOPOGRAPHY. 



317 



in so flourishing a condition, that a procurator was appointed, 

 and sent to the court of Madrid, to solicit of his Cathohc Ma- 

 jesty various indulgences, and, among others, that of erecting 

 the city of Tarija into a bishopric, annexing to the province 

 the jurisdi6tions of Pilaya, Lipes, and Chichas, together with 

 the towns of Cochinoca, Casavinda, and Huamahuaca. This 

 grant was refused, notwithstanding it was exposed by the pe- 

 titioners, that the inhabitants had remained without the sacra- 

 ment of confirmation, in consequence of the episcopal visit 

 not having been made for upwards of fifty years. 



The' population of Tarija, at the commencement, besides 

 being on a very reduced scale, was but of an indifferent qua- 

 lity, on account of the privilege granted by the cabinet of 

 Spain, to all those who should enter the province, to combat 

 and settle, that they should not be prosecuted for any debts. 

 It thus became the san6tuary of fraudulent bankrupts and un- 

 principled debtors. That it gradually improved both in num- 

 bers and condition, waS equally owing to the resources of the 

 country, and to the misfortunes which befel those in its vici- 

 nity. A plague of devouring inse6ls, similar to that which, 

 as a special punishment, was made to inundate the houses and 

 plains of ancient Egypt, put to flight all the inhabitants of 

 the city of Pilaya*, many of whom took up their abode in 

 Tarija, and within the boundaries of the province. The 



* The MS. which speaks of this plague, likewise ascribes it to the wrath of God, 

 kindled against the Pilayans on account of their having treacherously murdered their 

 priest. The misfortune which attended the mines of Lipes is accounted for in the 

 same way ; although it may, perhaps, as well as the other event, have been the 

 cfFeil of a very natural cause. 



same 



