Ch.il S O U T H a M E R I C a. 331 



of the inhabitants of Cuen9a and be fides their af- 

 finity in cuftoms and tempers to the other villages, 

 they cannot be branded with the charadter of being 

 flothful. In this jurifdidlion, fuch numerous droves 

 of horned cattle and mules are bred, that it fupplies 

 the others of this province, and that of Piura in 

 Valks. The carpets alio manufactured here are of 

 fuch remarkable finenefs, that they find a ready fale 

 vvhere-ever they are fent. 



The corregidor of Loja is alfo governor of Yagu- 

 arfongo, and principal alcalde of the mines of Zaruma; 

 and, as fuch, a chair of flate is placed for him at all 

 public folemnities of the church, where he is prefent; 

 a diftinguifhing honour allowed only to the prefidents 

 or governors of thofe provinces. The poft of go- 

 vernor of Yaguarfongo is at prefent a mere title with- 

 out any jurifdidlion part of the villages which formed 

 it being loft by the revolt of the Indians, and the 

 others added to the government of Jaen ; fo that the 

 corregidor of Loja enjoys only thofe honours in- 

 tended to continue the remembrance of that govern- 

 rnent. 



The town of Zeruma, in the jurifdiClion of which 

 are thofe mines of gold I fnall mention in another 

 part, has prefented the corregidor of Loja with the 

 title of its alcalde major. It was one of the firft 

 towns founded in this province, and at the fame time 

 one of the mod opulent but is at prefent in a mean 

 condition, owing chiefly to the decay of its mines, on 

 which account mod of the Spanifli families have re- 

 tired, fome to Cuen^a, and others to Loja; fo that at 

 prefent its inhabitants are faid not to exceed fix thou- 

 fand. The declenfion of thefe mjnes, v^^hich is not fo 

 much to be imputed to a fcarcity of metal^ as to the 

 negligence of thofe concerned in working them, has 

 been difadvantageous to the whole department of Loja;, 

 and confequently diminifiied the nuipber of its inha- 

 bitants, 



Having 



