A VOYAGE TO 



Their crops are, notwithstanding, superior to ours, 

 and are rarely known to fail. In the uncultivated 

 waste which spreads around these specks of civi- 

 lization, are what are called the estancias, or grazing 

 farms, which constitute the principal fortunes of the 

 rich, and are of various dimensions, some as large as 

 our townships, or even counties. They have from 

 twenty to sixty thousand head of cattle, on one of 

 these estates. Before the revolution, they were 

 valued at about one dollar for every head of cattle; 

 for the land was scarcely taken into the account. 

 Since that period, the value of both has more than 

 doubled. From this, it will be seen, that a graz- 

 ing farm in the Opeloussa. of ten or fifteen thousand 

 head, valued at ten dollars each, is worth as much 

 as an estancia here, of fifty Ihousand. The care 

 of these is consigned to those half horse half men, of 

 whom I have already spoken, under the appellation 

 of gauchos. 



Since the revolution there has been a much greater 

 disposition to settle in the country than formerly; ari- 

 sing, no doubt, from the enhanced price of the pro- 

 duce of the soil; and also, from the greater safety 

 from Indian depredations. Whether the people con- 

 sider themselves more secure in their titles, I shall not 

 take upon me to say; but I am assured that no un- 

 easiness, or fear, prevails as to their safety from Spa- 

 nish invasion. La Rocca, and his friends, inquired 

 with considerable eagerness about the European emi- 

 gration to the United States, which they looked upon 

 as an increase of wealth and strength, the acquisition 

 of which, they appeared to envy us. They said that 

 every inducement was held out by the government and ! 



