4- 



Mexlco. MEXICO, or J^EW SPAIN". 67 



fruitful and pleafant than rich. Its inhabitants made a very vigorous refinance, 

 and were not fubdued without coniiderable lofs; however feveral cities having 

 been buih among them, they have been fmce thoroughly bridled, which is 

 perhaps one reafon why fo many of them chole to retire into Florida, rather 

 than to remain flaves in their native country. Oii this account we find 

 the country north of ttiis province but indifferently peopled, and little notice 

 taken of it in feveral authors, notwithftanding it has a very extended fea- 

 ^Goaft along the gulph of Mcxkoy with feveral roads and creeks, though no 

 great ports. 



That part of this country next to Mexico is the beft and richeft, abound- 

 ing with provifions, and having fome veins of gold, and plenty of fait, but 

 turns out to little account for want of liands. The parts adjacent to Louijiana are 

 wretchedly poor and barren, and is, by Martiiiiere, called the kingdom of 



New Leon; this country extends from the Kio Bravo, or del Norte, to 

 Florida. It is mountainous, and has feveral mines, tho' very few towns; the 

 principal of which are Caouil in the north, and Guanahate in the fouth. 



Panuco city, the capital of this province, is a bifhop's fee, fituated about 

 17 leagues from the fea, on the river Panuco. It was built in the year 1520, 

 by order of Cortez, and called St. Fjievan del Puerto. It contains about 500 

 families ; the houfes being built of (lone, and neatly thatched with Pal- 

 metto leaves, arii thereby rendered ilrong and clean. It is faid to have an exten- 

 five harbour, but the bar prevents the entrance of large fliips, yet the river is 

 navigable within land by vcflcis of 500 tons, v/hich might, it is thought, reach 

 the lilver mines in the province of Zacatecas with little oppofition. 



San Luis de los Zacatecas is garrifoned by 1060 Spaniards and flaves, of 

 whom there are 500 families about the town and mines. Further up the 

 country are many fiiver mines, particularly the mines of Santa Barbara, St. 

 John, 2Lnd Ende, which Monf. de la Salle had in view when, under a pretence 

 of finding out the mou.h of the MiJJifipi, he examined moft of the harbours 

 on this coaft. 



FLO- 



