ISS A VOYAGE TO Book: VIL 



being uncommon for a word nearly alike in found to 

 have a very different fignification in each idiom. This 

 province was firft conquered by Mayta-Capac, the 

 fourth Ynca and the Spaniards having afterwards 

 taken poffeffion of it, and quelled all difturbances, 

 this city was founded by Pedro de la Gafca, that in 

 the vafb diftance of an hundred and feventy leagues 

 between Arequipa and Plata, there might be a fettle- 

 ment of Spaniards^ for the improvement of commerce, 

 and the fafety and conveniency of the traders. The 

 prefident Gafca, committed the care of building it to 

 Alonzo de Mendoza, with orders that it fhould be 

 ereded on a fpot, midway between Cufco and Char- 

 » casj which are one hundred and fixty leagues from 

 each other; and that it Ihould be called Nueftra 

 Senora de la Paz, in memory of the public tran- 

 quility recently fettled by the defeat and execution of 

 Gonzalo Pizarro, and his adherents. With regard to 

 its fituation, a valley in the countr}^ called las Pacaias,.. 

 was pitched upon, on the 8th of October, 1 548, as a 

 place abounding in grain, and cattle, and full of In- 

 dians. • 



Along the valley de la Paz, flows a pretty large 

 river, but fometimes greatly increafed by torrents 

 for the Cordillera, about twelve leagues diftant from 

 the city ; but from its vicinity, great part of the 

 country is expofed to fo cold an air, as hard frofts, 

 fnow, and hail arc not uncommon ; but the ciry itfeif 

 is fecured from them by its happy fituation. Other 

 parts are alfo lb well fheltered, that they produce all 

 the vegetables of a hot climate, as fugar canes, coca, 

 maize, and the like. In the mountainous parts are 

 large woods of valuable timber, but infefted with 

 bears, tigers, and leopards ; they have alio a few 

 deer : While on the heaths are found Guanacos, Vi- 

 cunas, and Llamas, with great numbers of cattle 

 of the European ipecies, as will be feen in the ac- 

 count of each rdpcdive province. 



2' The 



