POLITICAL

ESSAY
THE

ON

KINGDOM

OF

NEW

SPAIN.

CONTAINING

of
of

Division

into

Intendancies,
of

physicalAspect

the

Population,

the

Agriculture
and
the

BY

Cauals

the

precious
flowed

State

ihe

since

the

covery
Dis-

Defence

WITH

SECTIONS

ON

FOUNDED

AND

ASTRONOMICAL

MAPSj

OBSERVATIONS,

TRIGONOMETRICAL

AND

BAROMETRICAL

MEASUREMENTS.

FROM

TRANSLATED

ORIGINAL

THE

BY

BLACK.

JOHN

VOL.

JSTEWYORK.
Printed

and

published by
181!.

Riler.

have

Continent,

New

Military

the

rope
Eu-

HUMBOLDT.

DE

of

into

Spain.

New

ALEXANDER

Mexico

Asia,

of
the

and

projected be-

FKY"ICAL

At.
Ue-

"which

Metals

and

try,
Indus-

Quantity

from

turing
Manufac-

and

Commercial

and

Crown

the

the

Tenues,

try,
Coun-

the

Sea

tween
Ocean,

lantic

political

its

and

South

the

Extent

the

Mexico,

its Surface

of

graphy
Geo-

relative to the

Researches

FRENCH,

AND

of

PREFACE

It
de

is observed

St.

Pierre,

travellers.

far

to

remote

of

not

are

in

us

Europe,
Terra

del

The

this

to

has

his

means

of

we

do

We

the

in
not

inhabitants
of

the

sess
poswhich
human
the

from
of

the

finement
re-

of

west

Holland,

New

most

now

of

set

civilization,

savage

the

is

It

be

to

insipid

the

or

of

the
late

our

access

his
to

proper

sources

however,

be

that
ed
devour-

tions
producadding

for

his

previous
of

any

individual

island, hesitates

His

return.

not

without

qualifications necessary
at

contributed

numerous

No

own

ceived
re-

indiscriminate

it will

information.
of

always

regretted,
so

that

Hence

travels.

have

naturally

has

frequently

very

of

public

travellers

too

bounds

public
of

the

appeared

stock

left the

the

so

have

our

about

before

is

shape

which

who

is

eagerness

the

thing

nook

there

even

inhabitants

the

the

which

of

accounts

nothing

in

of

stupid

multiplication.

almost

which

of

stage

with

eagerness

their

of

and

hardly

ed
extend-

ancients

them,

by

up

Fuego.

the

that

the

the

acquainted.

less

every

to

of

with

and

enterprise

down

is

world

or

and

to

there

filled

department

around

circle

the

more

before

race

small

is the

ing
entertain-

and

valuable

most

Bernardin

writer,

French

knowledge

description,

some

we

the

accurate,

corner

the

literature

from

inr

by

While

merely
was

that

TRANSLATOR.

popular

b)' a

of modern

part

THE

BY

now

ment
mo-

appearance

education,

information,

and

PREFACE.

iv

his leisure to
has

He

M.

Humboldt
the

whom

to

We
a

travelled,and

de

Chardin,

countries

which

of

him

country,

the

obstacles

but

most

in the

of

with

and

rank

all in

his fortune

; and

thing

every

which

that appearance

make

to

stranger

authority necessarj'
of

way

traveller

under

country

be

to

science

himself

will

works

respecting the

seems

pursuits,and

of

persons

among
remove

his

advance

most

He

learning or

provide

to

his

authorities

as

describes.

departments

enabled
could

he

Pallas, a Bruce,

and

travellers,

littleaccustomed.

very

Volney

consulted

long

concern.

of

higher order

Nieubuhr,

and

Barrow,

be

few

beside

inferior

enough.

of late been

publichave

probably

to

that is

belongs to

place him

must

objects of

acquire it, are

to

in every

arbitrary

an

government.
The

of

work

submitted

publicwas
it

which

It may

tendency

to

friends

truth,but
must

be

all the
whom

among

seldom

are

we

case

he

is

There
from

is

the mode

to

one

say

to

say

to

occur

have

his Scotch

hesitated

M.

has

measure

never

nothing
the

Dr.
to

talk

to

but

the

truth.

cates
communithe

people

Johnson,
read

of

their

whole

v/ho

him,

by

behind

as

with

his Tour

to

landlords.

disadvantage indeed
in which

ment.
govern-

the accuracy

"We

may

of

Spain,

counterbalanced

travelling. Even

all his bluntness, would

Hebrides

traveller indeed

which

remarks

such

faces

disposed

honest

very

Spanish

their

we

the

to

New

whether

disadvantages.

former

of

the

be

not

candidly before

the

of

which

might

procure

so

In

the natives

to

information

offered

trial : the sketch

severe

very

doubted, however,

unavoidable

seemingly

backs.

be
of

fulness

and

the

examination

the

underwent

and

He

to

is here

translation

freelycommunicated

was

our

dc

Humboldt

almost

inseparable

appears

to

have

PREFAttE.

in the

treated

been

in

his stay

find

him

of

exceedingly

He

mention.

to

nothing ever

of

shade

conceive, therefore, that he

M.

information

regarding

knew

of

celebrated

our

weighed,

and

specificinformation

regrettedthat
into

rapidity

condensation

apt

have

but

is

by

This

faculty

of

of

an

which

could

any

of

his

him
own

selectingthe

not

with

can

specious

throw

to

is

possess.

tively
atten-

little
The

precise data
Yet

to

somewhat

his
be

the

rather
with

attention

M.

important

It

be

more,

told, but

and

and

which
of

the

Humboldt,

de

Germany.

rarest

on

to

accounts

authors,

many

it is

sometimes

swell

peculiar to

country,

graphs
para-

more
occasionally

give

fatigue

too

be

we

find how

to

with

us

object is, perhaps, the

writer

the

of

mass

really contain.

He

more

probation
disap-

of which

Robertson

not

to

easily

may

great

country

essential

means

failingis
to

those

forward

important subjects.

tendency

common

met

astonished

materials.

no

necessary

reader.

his

descriptions,and

his

to

circumstances

with

seen

Let

indulge in repetition,and

to

in individuals

they sometimes

the author
his

good qualities,and

countryman

great variet}'of

very

to

both

hov/ever, furnishes

present work,

compliments

in his

have

Spain,

shall be

we

has

he

We

little indeed.

very

whom

counts
ac-

communicate.

to

New

ingly
accord-

favourable

country

that

brought

has

playing
dis-

picture.

more

chosen

Humboldt

de

before

has

he

must

much

institutions
than

the

ring
du-

avoid
We

give

profuse

tention
at-

individuals

hardly

their other

and

to

appears

is

that

much

so

return.

to

prone

individuals

all the

and

private

IVIexico, that he could

learning, science,

their

and

public men

received

portion of gratitude in

some

occasion

He

world.

new

from

both

and

cularly
parti-

Indeed

the

leading
most

is this which

tures
fea-

valuable
commu-

vi

PREFACE.

nicates

such

charm

attention

stronglyour

so

But

whatever

this

on

subject,it is

for

not

public naturallywish
and

manner,
were

well

with

which

be

if

sit

we

but

by

of

graces

the

translation

the

the

the

closet

the
of

original into
like

work

few

have

notes

translator,which
great
much

he

importance ;
and

room,

of the work,

to

produce.
established

an

transfuse

the

ties
beau-

language ;

own

inferior

very

he

been

degree

has
but

hopes

the

not

they

as

served

they

as

if

of

one

them,

vanity to
do

to

they do

in vol.

misunderstood
the

not

unusual
The
value

with

the

used
our

in

which

has been

different

by

observes

occupy

in the

the

course

reader's

indulgence.

that he has

pletely
com-

circumstance
it is

any

by

tainly
cer-

means

no

at

pains in ascertainingthe

at some

foreignmeasures,

I'he

weights,and

converting

omission

translations,though

aims

general

his

with

author,

the author, and

country.

own

the

of

with

meet

not

suppose

him

amuse

the

by

commentators.

translator
of

i. he

in

not

because
justifiable,

more

in

occasionallythrown

approbation,they will, at least,meet

of

of

merit.
A

In

rapidity

necessarily

might

our

It

this,impatientlyexpected

lay claim

public,must

the

correctness

of

to

own

possible.

must

and

translation

The

in his

; but

present

his

alter

to

as

that flow

translator

perfection.

terms

patientlyendeavour

may

and

of

the

information

the

of

to

of

own

like

leisure

down

model

tolerablydone

admit

not

the

classic,
we

of

will

endeavour

his

his

was

translations

which

When

this

even

executed,

style

nearly in

as

have

to

of

to

him

arrests

Volney.

sentiments

he conceives

what

originalto

the

of

travels

in the

be

may

and

historyof Hume,

the

to

it is

being g-nerally

of

them

into

this is but

essential

understood.

to

too

any
These

neys,
mo-

those

quent
frework
con-

vii

PREFACE.

versions, however,

having undergone
The

translation

of

names

the qiics has

in

our

tecchiy "c.

might

advisable

in whose

by Volney,

to

for instance, could

various

The

same

sounds

on

occasion

perplexity peculiar to

and

indiscriminate

Spaniard, for example,

the^, the^,

word

sometimes

with

another.

reader, who,

with

he

were

place,and yuan

confounds
the

and

of

one

de

to

these
to

Grijaha

deal

perplexit}'.

of

certain

in

they

in the

Another
and

mans
Ger-

letters.

The

the

Xuan

the ^

u,-

write

and
lettei-s,

give

ferent
dif-

the

by

Spaniards

and

x;

''

letters

the ^ and

with

meet

Who,

us.

traveller.

the
of

use

is necessary

It

good

English

an

with

distinct appearance

quite a

of

French

to

the

same

sometimes

this caution

to

de Grixalba

in

another, might

not

the
one

first

at

perceive the identity.

M.

Pinkerton, who

himself

his

orthography, observes, that

not

little

Spanish, French,
the

English

must

follow

Why

the

these

nations

on

alone

the

English
it is

Italian

and

Spanish, French,
are

not

bound
so

easv

follow

to
to

he

and
and

the

to

seems

writers, write

Montezuma

it

in Ouochinnetone

same

source

z;

Tol-

can

we

familiar

the

to

the

Aztecchi^

America

of

and

same

North

Washington

given

assumes

the

the

uses

length recommended

works

is

mination
corresponding ter-

Clavigero

most

out

nations

name

lew

all the

names

find

European

go

work

difficulty
recognise the

The

in

though
libertyis perhaps justifiable,

This
be

not

the

Italian,writing these words

in the

freedom

of

names

but

touched,

c*,

language.

own

Spanish

the

Azteqiies^Tolteques^"c.

as

into

converted

been

The

been

never

nations, such

Indian

original

preserved in

has been

names

exceptions.

places have

and

persons

of the

few

with

the

notes,

alteration.

no

orthography

in the

only

appear

plume

Motezuma
of

Italian

course

writers.

orthography

conceive,

any

the

more

of

than

viii

PREFACE.

that

they

neither

bemg

de

it

considerable

not

will

time

portion

the

lost

be

The

in

the

part

and

physical

been

executed

known

sections

the

imitate

present
the

by

an

ostentatious

of

of

but

book

and

Mr.

foolish

been

original

spare

they
intended

injudicious

no

has

the

they

have

public

attempt

to

it will

be

been

omitted.

general

splendour.

maps

well

the

to

averse

for

present

whose

necessary

were

the

to

but

ception.
re-

drawings

that

him

entitle

if

public,

Of

Lowry,

importance
to

in

sa}'^,

arrive,

and

maps

to

has

favourable

scale.

of

the

does

the

to

appear

justly

essential

the

sufficient

have

publication;
price

of

care

so

wished

publishers

The

the

of

is

the

magnificence

nothing

that

with

meet

received

it

would

It

and

Spain
it

it

economical

skill

and

confidence.

shall

more

under

taste

when

communicating

have

on

Mo-

the

New

on

but,

important
we

but

but

inserts

Essay

the

country
in

most

which

publication,

sometimes

presented

now

Montezuma,

nor

of

this

in

phy
orthogra-

proper

out.

part

arrived

yet

the

English,

Humboldt

leaves

sometimes

the

Motezuma

M.

teuczoma.

no

follow

should

found

expense
from

ing
increas-

circulation

in

TO

CATHOLIC

HIS

MAJESTY

IV.

CHARLES
SPMJ\r

OF

Ji'lA'-G

IjYDIES.

T'HE

JijXD

SIRE,

HAVING
to

enjoyed

distant
and

the protection

sceptre

your

in the

regions subject
officesof your

kijid

during a long successio?i of years, I fuljii

sacred
duty in laying at the foot of your
the homage
respectful
profound and
of my

Majesty
only a
throne

gratitude.
I

had

Majesty
the

of

science

good fortune to be
1779
at
Aranjuez.

the
in

zeal

of

private

conducted

the summits

of

the

to

introduced
You

deigned

i?idividual,whom
banks

the

of

through the confidence which

that I
favours have inspired in me
august
the

which

of

None
Castilian

name

the head

at

descriptionof
is dear

of

the

throne

your
to

plaud
ap-

the

love

Oriiioco

and

Andes.

the

It is

your

to

to

your

monarchs
have

of

your
venture

this work.

kingdom,

vast

the

Majesty"*
s
to

place
It

tains
con-

prosperity

heart.

who

contributed

have
more

occupied the
than
liberally

Majesty to the obtaining accurate

information
of that valuable
regarding the state
portion of the
in both
to
hemispheres yieldsobedience
globe, which
have
been
the
The
coasts
of America
Spanish laxvs.
with
surveyed by able astronomei's
munijicence
a
worthy of so great a sovei'eign. Accurate
of
maps
these
tary
minute
even
plans of several milicoasts, and
positions, hnvp bren published at the expense of
your

it

DEDICATION.

Majesty

your
be

There

which

the

honour.

carefully
to

to

digested^

noble

traveller,

and

but

good

interest,
and

of

natiojis

the
is

am,

myself

and

form^

more

being presented

of

the

who

government

loyal
as

ivhen

king,

the

eternal

principles

which

of

social
the

the

the

greatest

Your

Catholic
And

THE
Sfh

March.

very

BARON
1808.

obedient
BE

very

humble

servant,

HUMBOLDT.

as

please
distional
na-

prosperity

respect.

Majesty''

to

tions,
institu-

founded
rvith

on

him

of

improvement

we

can

to

and
not

me,

How

speak

we

me,

received

fellow-citizen.

of

protected

xvho

nation

which

of gratitude

sentimeiits

Sire,

Furls

his

to

fiatter

unworthy

not

are

roy
vice-

redounded

new

the

of

Majesty.

your

the

under

ber
num-

work^

of

could

the

on

great

into

attention

if I

Imppy

efforts^

breathe

They

the

be

Lima^

at

essay

the

which

manner

should

feeble

my

owe

in

the

should

population.

digested

possessed

drew

sketch

first

Mexico

of

xvhich

materials

and

statistical

Spain.

there

journal

finances^

wanting

New

of

of

still

Peruvian

commerce^

was

kingdom

that

the

of

state

in

that

orders

gave

you

published

annualhj

arid

CONTENTS,

Vol.

introduction.

GeographicaJ

i. p. i.

BOOK
considerations

General

%oiL

of

the

on

the

Influence

agriculture^

climate^

of the

of

the

Spanish

these

possessions

part

of

of

the

military defence

of

with

the

colonies,

English

of

Boundary

the

of

Comparison

and

with

Denominations

empire.

Anahuac.

America.

in

possessions

Russian

the

the

of

New

of the

empire

Asiatic

Spain,

Aztec

kings

i. p. 5.

Configuration
distant

of

from
of

Peace

the

Isthmus

Sea

Isthmus

of

Panama.

of

Vol.

of

aspect
of

Europe

Influence

of

military

GencTal

defence

of

inequalities

these

of the

fiopidation

of

following

in

BOOK

II.

which

Small-po.^,
Famine.

natural

Health

and

of

NicaraguaRio-

compared

with

13.

of

the

soil.

climate, cultivation,
of the

of

Progress
of births

Vol.

coasts.

of

the

and

i. p. 35.

inhabitants

to

the

population
V^ol.

burials.

in the
i, p. 67

\.
arrest

inoculated.

miners.

and

IV.

1793.

periodically

of

casts-

CHAPTER
Maladies

bility
possi-

Choco.

of

Division

Sjiain.

Proportion

years.

of

Spain

the

on

CHAPTER

enumeration

the

Rivers

Inequalities

State

into

General

New

country.

A'av

least

Rio-Bravo

the

Canal

America.

South

and

are

III.

kingdom

the

on

Lake

i. p.

CHAPTER

Physical

of

Cupica.

George.

St.

seas

Ocean.

Tehuantepec

Bay
of

Gulf

Guallaga.

Atlantic

Sources
of

two

considerations

and

Tacoutche-Tesse.

and

the

where

General

South

the

uniting

n.

Points

coast.

another.

one

Rio-Colorado.

ten

the

I.

CHAPTER

that

a7id

of

country.

Extent

Vol.

inequalities

commerce^

CHAPTER

and

fifnjsical asfiect

and

extent

Spain.

JWw

of

kingdom

the

on

I.

Vol.

the

progress

Cow-pox.
5. p. 83.

of

population

INIatlazahuatl.

xU

CONTENTS,
CHAPTER
of casts.

Diversity

Indians

their

and

number

Their
indigenous Americans.
Diversity of languages. Degree

or

migrations.

of the

of civilization

VI.

Indians.

Vol.

Whites, Creoles, and

i. p. 97.
VII.

CHAPTER

Negroes. Mixed
Longevity according

of their fortunes.
the

sexes.

Sociability,Vol.

kingdom

statistical

of

JVew

of

account

intendancies

the

Their

is comjiosedS/iai?i

politicaldivision

the

races^

of

'which

territorial

the

extent

VIII.

of the

population

of the

Mexican

of the

VOLUME

intendancies

of

the

JVew

cultivation
Plants

of

which

the

their territorial

Sfiain. Metallic

the

soil.

mines
.

CHAPTER
of

portion
pro-

IV.

agricultureof

Vegetable productions

to

the

SECOND.

BOOK
State

territory,and

i. p. 199.

Principal cities. Vol.

extent.

Vol.

of

III.

CHAPTER

the

difference

the

between

population!.

and

Of

to

Inequality

Proportion

casts.

i.p. 153.

BOOK
Particular

civilization.

Their

Europeans.

IX.

Mexican
Influence

contribute

to

territory. Progress
of the

the

mines

nourishment

on

of

tion.
cultivaof

man"

ii-

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

IN

publishing

which

more

from

sources

what

is scattered

simple
for

serve

founded

the

of

is

and

plans
buried

or

and

in

when

draws
collects
maps,
may
is

map

ments
measure-

has

had

course
re-

in

preserved

notes

In

a
or

he

when

convents.

makes

engraved
employed

or

observations

manuscript

count
ac-

materials

merely

articles

himself;

some

he

when

been

author

an

is otherwise

astronomical
author

an

to

which

It

analysis.
on

archives

of the

nomenclature

give
of the

naturaUsts

generally known,
in printed works

not

hitherto

to

me

When
employed.
than
a
compilation

have

nothing

have

on

and

astronomers

to

Spain, differingin

which

any

it is incumbent

pubHshed,

IVom

respects

many

New

of

maps

the

latter

case,

geographer has a right to demand

a
satisfactoryexposition of the means
employed for
verifying the position of the most
important points.
In offeringthis exposition to the public, I shall carefully
distinguish the results of simple combinations,
from
what
been
from
has
tronomical
asimmediately deduced
trical
observations, and geodaEesicalor baromemine,

the

made

measurements

give

to

which

I had

purely

astronomical

at

and
with
the
of

different

Mexico,
VOL.

I.

the

on

analysis of

succinct

for

details

the

historical

the

collection

In

work,

materials

of

the

servations
ob-

jointly
published confollowing this course,

the

relation
A

deavour
en-

which

Oltmanns.

parts of my

the

reserving, however,

command,

measurements

M.

I shall

spot.

statistical
of

my

account

journey

in

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTRODUCTIOK.

the

tropics,and the astronomical

volume,
that a desire
serve, I flattermyself, to prove
and

the

during the
labours
which
of

love

contribute
so

MAP

1. REDUCED

have

been

racy
accu-

guides

my

expedition. May my feeble

something to dispelthe darkness

many
of the finest

one

truth

of

all

of my

course

for

of

will

has

ages

regions of

OF

THE

this map
Sembiario
de

the

covered
the

geography

earth I

KINGDOM

OF

NEW

SPAIN

the

ing
Royal School of MinMineria) in the year 1803, a
{Beul
the cityof Mexico.
short time after my d'eparturefrom
M. d'Elhuyar, director of this school, had long been
collectingfacts regarding the positionof the mines of
New
Spain,and the thirty-sevendistricts into which
of Deputathey are divided, under the denomination
desirous of having a detailHe
ed
c'lones de Minas.
was
which
the most
mines
on
were
interesting
map,
I

DREW

up

the

None
the

fact very necessary,

of the country, and

both

for

for those

the

who

ministrati
adwish

its national

inhabitants; or for that of the celebrated

Bolanos,

which
maps
positionof the Real

Potosi,

drawn
which

appears

mines

Batopilas,and Zimapan.
have hitherto appeared show
de Catorce in the intendancy

Sombrerete,

of the

of Sayi Luis

and

college,
supreme
labour
of this

industry. In vain do we seek in

of maps
published in Europe for
greater number
which
of the city of Guanaxuato,
contains
name

70,000
of

in

was

to know

the

of the

use

de Mineria.

Tribunal

called
nature

for the

constructed

marked,

at

mine

nearly20

from

its

already

to

from

millions

which

there

of francs*

of
del

is

nually
an-

silver

JS'orte,
proximity to the Bio
have
tempted the cupidity of

833j400/.

sterling.Trans.

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

several

colonists

Having

begun

fixed

some

in Louisiana.

recently established
calculate

to

the

points on
having at

which

that

others

of

number

greater

observations,

astronomical

m}

iii

might

could

be

have
blished,
esta-

ber
numdisposala considerable
I conceived
of materials
and manuscript maps,
I had
the idea of extending the plan which
at first
the
Instead of merely insertingin my
formed.
map

and

my

of three hundred

places knovvii
mining undertakings, I proposed to

names

all the materials which

for considerable
unite

1 could

procure,
which
these
the differences of position

together

and

to

discuss

heterogeneous
materials
presented. We
ought not
ever}^ instant
to be surprisedat the uncertaintywhich
prevailsin
the

only

have

when
especially
enjoyed by these countries
the

with

we

consider

the

arrested

and

of

when

the progress of civilization,

in the colonies,but also in the mother
try;
coun-

fetters which
not

Mexico,

of

geography

sixteenth

century.

Hyder Ally

consider

we

since
In

the

long peace

the commencement

Hindostan,

the

wars

Tippoo Sultan, the continual

of armies, and the necessityof seeking the
marches
have
shortest communication,
singularlycontributed
And
to
geographical information.
augment
yet
with
accurate
Hindostan, a countryan
acquaintance
active
visited by the most
nations
of Europe, does
farther back than thirtyor forty
extend
I
not
years.
ought to have foreseen, that,notwithstandingthe most
assiduous
labour during three or four months, I could
only give a very imperfectmap of Mexico, compared
with

the

Europe.
When
my

maps
This

and

of

the

most

idea,however,

civilized
did

countries

of

discourageme.
I considered
the advantages afforded me
by
individual situation,I had to flatter myself that
not

the importantfaults which

notwithstanding
might disfigureit, viould still be preferableto what
offered to the public on
has yet been
the geography
of NewSpain,

my

work,

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

iv

It will

draw

to

Soon

which

exact

reason

we

of

and

interior

also,

reason,

should

parts of

many

Poland,
1,600

countries

in

places the
certainty to
degree.
the

the

within

in the

and

to

of

The

routes.

to

means

of

connect
vast

little better

Durango,

the
not

Africa.

and

between

The

of

of

at

were

be found

drawing

nomical
by astrosince, in

fixed

determined

with

eighth part

of

Cohahuila,

of

from
a

the

journals

great distance

from

countries, he has

no

in

standing
desert, notwith-

There
are
maps.
than
Major Rennel

of
of the interior
maps
up
in the part of Mexico
tained
con-

the ports of Acapulco and Vera

Cruz,
of
the capitalof Mexico
and the Real*

March,

woi;d

found

be

manuscript

to

In this

Guanaxuato.
month

it

as

It is otherwise
between

than

more

terior
together places situated in the inthe coast
continent, with points on
known.
Hence, beyond the city of

show

for

possessed

or

Biscay.) the geographer

New

part ol" these

resources

more

example,
of

government

being

sea

wander

we

an

combinations

form

inhabited

most

was
or

of

hardly twenty

were

which

same

maps

to

been

there

the

intendancy of

is reduced

the

in

Mexico,

same

Spain situated to the north of

the provinces called Internas,

part of New

parallelof 24^^, in

(in New

is not

sixth

the

yet fifteen years

not

Germany,
longitude of

for

surfaces

on

there

of

centre

for the

For

Spain,

positionhas
It is

for

kingdom

construct

yet

of

which,

leagues,

square

means.

In

not

Europe,

single place whose

the

America.

continental
we

too

yet

exception of the province

of
States,publish no
map

the

United

the

of

it is

that

doubt,

of a vast
general maps
are
wanting. But,

up
data

should, with

Quito

the

said, without

be

Real

region, traversed

1803,
indicates

to

the month

place

where

by

of

mines

from

me

the

February,
arc

\vorkcd.

GEOGRAPHICAL

vi

of

the

Bravo,

Internas.

Provincias
the

del Norte,

traveller
the

to

would

In

pass
New

capitalof

this

following the Rio

along by the Passo
Mexico,

the

villageof Taos,
province.

to the

thence
of

INTRODUCTION.

from

and

northern

most

point

of all,and
severe
journey, the most
is exposed to a burning cliin which
the
observer
mate,
would
supply fixed points in the new
dom
kingof Leon, in the province of Cohahuila, in NewThe
Biscay, and in Sonera.
operations should be
The

second

directed

the

from

through

the

Indians,

to

mouth

of the

Rio

Bravo

Norte,

del

Monterey, to the presidio

of Moncloya.
the
which
route
Pursuing
by
arrived in
the Chevalier
de Croix, viceroyof Mexico,
reach
huahua
Chi1778, in the province of Texas, he would
the second
to connect
journey with the first ;
he would
from
Chihuahua
blishment
pass by the military estaof S. Buena
Ventura, to the city
(presidio)
of x\rispe,and from
thence, either by the presidioof
alta, or
Tubac, or by the missions of the Primeria
the savannahs
inhabited
across
by the Apachestontos

ihe

the

third

The

from

lan, would

be

Sombrerete

Catorce,

Alta

connected
it would
the

fix

to

moudiofthe

excursion,

kingdom

north,

of

episcopal seat

Rio
in

which

Mira

he
the

to

widi
serve,

position of

Guarisnmey,

of

Gila.

the

Potosi,
and

cities,such

famous

as

Monterey, Durango,

Santa

Fe

of

Ne^v

Mexico,

possess
I

very

city of

and
the

to

the

mines

of

Copala.

named.

Only

Zaciitecas,S.

the

Luis

Arispe,

Chihuahua,
would

latitude and

occasion

The
astronomical
means
stay of a few weeks.
indicated, easilyafford,akhough the observer
not

Mazat-

winding

the

Rosario

the

by

suffice to determine
days would
longitude of every place we have
considerable

first

traverse

of

port

by

few

most

would

here

should

extraordinaryabilitv,a certaintyof

of

latitude, and

for the

seconds*

20

vil

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

for the

third of

nute
mi-

longitude. How
manycities are there in Spain, and in the most
considerable
and northern
eastern
parts of Europe, which are still
far from
this accuracy
of geographical
position!
of the
The
of
execution
exi)ense
very trifling
these
three journeys,above
all of the first, would
face to the geography of New
give a new
Spain. The
and
positionsof Acapulco, of Vera Cruz
Mexico,
have
been
repeatedlyverified by the operations of
Galiano, of Espinosa and
and
Cevallos, of Gama
officers of the royal
The
Ferrer, and by my
own.
in time

marines

the port of San

Bias, could
fix the important positions of

stationed

mines

Bolanos

of

The

intrusted

surveying
determine
the

able

the

of

of

the

of

mouth

One

of

truth,

that

our

most

even

at

circles, there
of
the
of
25

which

latitude
the

father

ivith

and

In

Henry,
by a

Christian

8 feet

1795,

96.)

ignorant
The

with

minute

and

Before
the

true

true

serve

good

to

21

latitude of

1770,

false

that

vith

of

journal

of M.

place

an

exact

an

to

Paris
de

exercised

and

158.

Monnier,

Le
for

p.

yet

of Bird

quadrant

Berlin, 1784,
of

that

Manheim

of latitude, and

seconds

latitude

and

sextant

In

secoJid.

observatory of

observations

prove

latitude

the

observed

the

ing
repeat-

the

the

Mayer
de
(E/}/ie?ncrides

of

earth

of

till 1806, for nearly

observations
of Messrs.

positionof

the

with

uncertain

was

before

astronomical

which

find the

Berlin

perb
su-

river, to

this

minutes

three

nearly

was

1790,

of

for

observes

of the

places

to

easy
with

introduction

the

certainty

had

radius.

p.

the

Dresden

observatory of

false

uas

were

of

seconds.

Barry

of

is known

three

not

are

be

astronomers

since

day,

Huasacualco

ascend

to

celebrated

this

Herera, for
Mexico, will

provided

are

English instruments,

government

It would

who

astronomers,

of

Ko

Cruz.

Vera

and

gulf

the

Guadalaxara.

of
the

Cevallos

de
.

south-east

these

MM.
coast

the

city

expedition which

to

the

of the

and

astronomical

has

in

at

singleexcursion

absolute

nearly

we

15

conds.
se-

offers

Zach

observer,

amples
ex-

vided
pro-

artificial horizon, may

witlun

seven

or

eight

conds.
se-

GEOGRAPHICAL

viii

the

projectof

the

Atlantic

which

cekbnty

mouth
The

South

Seas

has

tween
besuch

given

the breadth

determine

and

the

at

the Rio

of

of

bar

of this

Francisco

S.

at

Chimalapa.

I propose
into execution

which

means

easilycarried

be

and

communication

of

isthmus, in fixing the positionof the port

Tehuantepec

the

canal

wowld

they

"Mexican
of

INTRODUCTION.

in this memoir
at

not

exist

the

levt:l of the ocean,

could

small

expense.

the

globe a country affording

operations.
greater advantages for trigonometrical
The
great valleyof Mexico, the vast plains of Zeters
laya and Salamanca, level as the surface of the watheir soil for a long
covered
which
to have
appear
succession
of ages ; these plains,elevated
tres*
1,700 meThere

does

above

visible

mountains

the

and

of the

limits

in

of
Potosi, triangles
be

bare

traced
of wood

but

to

torrid

tude
lati-

zone.

part of that of

with

covered

grasses,

trigonometrical
Spain, to wish

undertake

the

of the kingdom of New

survey
delicate operationsover
surface
extend
a

te"

nomer
astro-

extraordinaryextent

an

surface

over

by

degrees of

several

intendancy of Durango,

S. Luis

might

of

the northern

towards

bounded

and

great distances,invite the

at

the measurement

to

In

on

five times

largerthan France, ii to prevent the government from

ever
possessinga generalmap of its rich dominions,
and to engage
of Spain in a brilliant unthe court
dertaking,
but an
undertakingof too great extent to
The
be ever
earned into complete execution.
pulous
scruthe officers of the
with which
nish
Spaaccuracy
marine

of South

coast

About

feet.

Bot

Bel.

that the

anchoratjes

exist

anything

on

sinuosities

censured.

of

the

This

Trans.
learned

most

Rcnncl, observes
of the

has been

America

5,570
of the

f One

the smallest

examined

t'ne

like

geographers
English possess
of Bengal,
coast

tolerable

chart

QDescri/tUonof Jfindostafi,
vol.

1.

of the

age,
exact

very

while

of the

there

English

Preface.)

Majov
charts
does
chan-

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGKAPHICAL

work

undoubtedly both

was

it appears

to

i/.

and

laborious

expensive;

however, that it is unreasonable

me,

to

presentedto his catholic majestyso

A
admirable
a
projectof hydrographicul survey.
The
minute.
chart can
be too
marine
safety
never
of navigation, the facility
of recognisinglanding
of defence
against an
means
places,the necessary
who
threatens disembarkation, all depend on
enemy
the most
intimate acquaintancewith the coast, and
those

blame

the

with

bottom

of

the

positionof
of latitude

but

importance to
with

them
;

others

when

be

the

the

know

positionof

serve

may
and

there

as

is

none

determined

point

of

for every

departure or
is not

which

nute
mi-

it is of the

coast

that

small

consequence
down
laid
to
exactly

on

equallywell

of

interior

the

all the accuracy

which
astronomical
means
In a
of.
hydrographicalchart all the

should

most
ut-

cape,
mit
ad-

points
of

one

tion
observawith

connected

which
the contrary, the maps
present
rethe interior of a country possess great merit,
of places whose
they offer a certain number

while, on

positionhas

astronomicallyfixed.
desirable
that the Spanish possessionsin

If it is
the

of

citybe

In

sea.

it is sometimes

country
the

who

been

interior of America

surveyed

with

the

same

should

not

minute

been

be

for

accuracy
if in the

time

some

which

has

actual state
displayedon the coast;
of things it would
be more
useful merely to execute
the use
of sexa
on
provisoryundertaking,founded

chronometers, on lunar distances, on

of satellites,
it would
and eclipses,
be

and

tants

less

importanceto
such

means

of the

other

unite
means

country, and

summits.

When

of altitudes and

azimuths

the

these

to

are

as

the

vations
obserof

no

purely astronomical
furnished by the nature

sulated
great elevation of its inknow

lute
exactlythe absoof
height of these summits, whether by means
barometer, or by geometricaloperations,angles

VOL.

I.

we

taken with the

B

risingor

set-

GEOGRAPHICAL

ting blm may

points whose

to

serve

in

and

these

connect

latitude

verified.
bases

INTRODUCTION.

mountains

with

ciently
longitudehave been suffifurnishes perpendicular
method
and

This

much

estimatinghow

be deceived
may
in the measurement
of each
base, it is easy
conclude
by false suppositionswhat influence this

to

have on the astronomical

may
the mountain
itself,or of the other
error

it.

on

of

An

the

This

of

measurement

positioneither of
pend
pointswhich de-

of the inferior limit

afford the

will often

perpetualsnow
as

knowledge

exact

we

tages
advan-

same

insulated

an

summit.

is the method

ference
employed by me to verifythe difthe capitalof Mexico
longitude between

of

Two
great volcanoes,
port of Vera Cruz.
ihat of la Puebla, called Popocatepetl,and the peak
the platform of the anof Orizava, both visible from
cient
to connect
two
pyramid of Cholula, serve
places
the

and

distant from

another

one

The

union

of

two

Vera

Cruz

6^

1 1' 32"

from

purely astronomical

than

more

toises.

16,000*

of the
geometricalmeasurements
and angles of altitudes
mountains, of the azimuths
calculated
by M. Oltmanns, have given the port of

of meridians

difference

result

the

former

the

pyramid
that in

so

of

this

degrees, the

the

to

Mexico,

observations
of 0

by
Cholula,

while

there results

47".

11'

In

modifying
secondary operationsat

several

find

we

particular
case,

method

of

west

0** 11' 41,

even

on

of azimuths

was

distance

only

3';

of three

7" false in

time.t
These
midst

of

seconds,
About

t Memoire
Mcrjco
ontic

102,400

458.)

feet

Vera

method

stillsurer
of

situated

time,

to

the

of determining

within
of

great number

in

few

neigh-

Eirglish. Trans.

a"tronoim([iic
et

summits,

short

space
the longitudeof

(Zac/i,Monathliche
454.

plain,ofter

Aast

in

insulated

same

Cruz,

sur

par

la
MM.

Corrcspoudenz,

clifTerence
Oltmanns
Novemb.

meridiens

des
ct

Humboldt.

1806,

p.

445.

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTRODUCTION.

xi

Luminous

signals,produced by the
of a small
quantityof gunpowder, may
deflagration
be observed
at
by persons provided
great distances
for findingand preservingthe true
with proper means
time.
Cassini
the fii'st
de Thury and Lacaille
were
of luminous
who
successfullyemployed this method
signals. M. de Zach has recentlyproved by his operations
circumstances
in Thuringia, that in favourable
in a few minutes
it will furnish
positionscomparable
bouring places.

of
to the results
accuracy
of satellites or solar

for

New

of

Spain

Iztaccihuatl, or
rock

of

volcano
1803

and

from

three

of the
The

the

kingdom
given at

be

thousand

Coffre

the

on

whose

summitb
than

more

above

metres*

the

nary
having with extraordiimportant sacrifices for

Spanish government
the most
made
liberality

of
perfection

for

nautical

mathematics

of

which

instruments,
The

over

level

sea.

and

astronomy,

for

accurate

of the coast, we
expect that its next
may
surveys
will be the geography of its vast
American

both

the

of

September,

all elevated

are

the

on

29th

mountains

servations
ob-

In the

summit

Tlascalar

near

of

Mexico

I reached

\\'hich

to four

of

insulated

an

other

on

accessible,and

are

Nevada

which

la Malriche

on

Perotte

de

the

Siera

Toluca,

great number

eclipses.
signals might

Monk,

The

called

the

surface
men

and

loyal

studied

in

this

vast

of

animated

capable of using the

might be intrusted.

marine

of

empire

with

the

instruments
It is

English East- India Company

surface equals that
territorywhose
From

9,840

to

13J20

feet

in

with

have

English.

vations.
obser-

in which

spreads

great number

noblest

of

minions,
do-

furnish

manner,

zeal, and
which

by analogous

the

Mexico,

solid

would
skilled

astronomers

for mines

school
are

young

the

cern
con-

means

they
that

surveyed

England
Travis.

and

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

xii

France

We

united.*
dread

governments

territorialwealth

live

to

expose

times

longer in

no

to

in the Indies.

when

foreignnations their
The
present king of

of the
orders
to publish at the expense
gave
of the coasts
and
state, the survey
ports ; without
minute
plans of the Havannah,
fearingthat the most

Spain

of

Vera

Cruz,

and

the

fall into the hands

mouth

of

Rio

the

Plata,

foreignnations whom
enemies
of Spain. One
have
made
of the
events
finest maps,
drawn
up by the Deposito Hydrografico
of Madrid, contains the most
valuable details regarding
the
the interior of Paraguay ; details founded
on
operationsof the officers of the royalmarine employed
the Portuguese and
between
to settle the boundaries
Spaniards. With the exceptionof the maps of Egypt
should

and

of

parts of the

some

out
possession

of

Indies, the

most

rate
accu-

exists

Quito, drawn

proves,

} ,ast

of any European continental

of Europe, is the map
of the kingdom

which

work

of the

up
that for these

by

Everv^ thing

Maldonado.

fifteen

years

past the Spanish

dreading the progress of geography,

the
materials
has
interesting
published all
in the two
it possessed on the colonies
Indies.
which
Having indicated the means,
apparently the most
for speedily
completing the maps of the kingdom
proper,
of New
Spain, I shall give a succinct analysis
of the materials employed by me
in the geograpliical
I oft'erto the public.
which
work
The
of the kingdom of New
generalmap
Spain
is drawn
drawn
up, as all the other maps
up by me
in the course
of my
expeditionare, according to the
with
projectionof Mercator
increasinglatitudes.
This
has the advantageof showing at once
projection
the true
distance of one
place from another ; it is at
the most
time
the same
agreeableto the navigators
tvho visit the colonies,and who, in fixing
the position
far from

government,

RcnnePs

Hvidoslav.^ vol, i. p.

17

GEOGRAPHICAL

y.iv

the

rshoiild embrace
within

and

89o

immense

countries

within

To

avoid

I wished

compress

all the

Mexico,

but

wish

which
examine

to

Tlic

the

form,

smaller

which

extended

to

to tlic mouth

different communications

Atlantic

the

motives

be

to

even

narrower

only exhibits in a coup d'oeil

depend on the viceroyaltyof
also be
consulted
by those
may

projectedbetween
map

within

much

rest,
inte-

same

not
map, which
territories which

second

Sea,

in

up,

labour

my

in

which,

I drew

bounds.

who

to

the

inconvenience

the

large scale countries

the
view, possess by no means
political
representingon

included

longitude,and

of

125"

SS'' of latitude.

and

15"

of

the

INTRODUCTION.

Ocean

have
the

and

the

South

this latter

occasioned

port of Philadelphia,and

of the Rio

San

Juan

at

Choco,

explainedin tlie sequel of this work.

Although, according to the principlesoften
down
measures
by me, I persistin preferringthe new

will

be

the

to

old, I have

not

scale of centesimal

hovvcver

degrees.

added

The

to

laid

the
maps
of Longitudes

my

Bureau

ledge
having constantly followed, both in the Knowof Times (Connoissance des Temps,) and in the
Astronomical
Tables
latelypublished, the old
of computing the latitudes, a singleindividual
^

new
manner

in vain

would
latitudes

expressed

hoped, however,

that

the

by

the

fixed

system,

the torrent, in publishing

oppose
in centesimal
parts. It is to be

introduction
of the

arrete

of

the

cal
metri-

13

Brumaire,

grees
degraduallygeneral. The
I indicate
of longitude which
are
computed to
of tiie ImperialObservatory
the west
of the meridian
If the great body of the public were
Paris.
not
at

year

averse

have

IX, \vill become

to

most

age,*

Exfiusition

innovations, I should

useful

meridian
to the
preferred,
meridian
proposed by one
of the

the

even

founded

clu St;fi(t:neilu

on

of

Paris, the

of die
the

MojuU;

first

cians
geometri-

movement

par

sal
univer-

Laphcc,

of the

p.

1^

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

great axis of

the

12"

46'

of

ellipsis.This

solar

30'

is ISS*^

the

the

to

xv

ancient

Paris, which

of

east

universal

the

introduction

of

nature

itself,which

vanity

of

we

in

most

use

Nobles
M.

of

Antillon

island
be

of

other

of

riffe and

island

of the

of Fer and

Cape

meridians,

I have

followed,

wash

the coasts

Fleurieu

M.

on

maps.

Cadiz,

beautiful

five meridians

the

Fer.

of

maps

la Galera

at

meridian
The

West.

ber
num-

Tene-

of

latter occasions

in

that there

are

reckoning Toledo,

king
the

in

So

of

of

the
seven

in

the

Spain.

denomination

Mexico,

his

*the

might
Spanish

through the
adopted by a great

mean

the

collegeof

pass

without

of the

sole dominions

which

the

be
the

confusion, d'iVnville placing it between

inevitable
town

the

by

these

been

geographers:

on

to

more

five

point de

which

have

and
possessions,

The

augmented

see

isle of Leon

To

two

pelago
archi-

national

traced
arbitrarily

the

Trinidad.

added

first

day

east

navigators; Carthagena;

the

and

the

much

so

introduced

Madrid,

at

the

the

back, reckons

years
with

observatoryat

new

is

cs^ery

Spain, for several

the

to

founded

shock

not

of first meridians

number

the

would

Europeans,
that

desired,

meridian,

universal

It

(du Saint Esprit).

Ghost

Holy

is 166'^

division.

sexagesimal

South
Sea, 12'
passes, consequently,by the
of the isle of Erromanga, which
belongs to
of

ridian
me-

the

of
ideas

observations

the

seas

proposed

the

on
by
hydrographical division of the globe ; a work in which
the most
torical
enlargedviews are united to a profound hisThe
have
erudition.
often
Spanish names

been

added

to

facilitate the

reading of

travels

written

in

Spanish.
In drawing up the map
of Mexico, I began by
cal
assembling together all the points fixed by astronomiobservations,from
for the
which

better

which

I formed

appreciatingthe degree

the results deserve,

indicates

the

view, which,
of

confidence

nature

of the

GEOGRAPHICAL

tvi

observation
number

in the
there

latter class
arrival

in

useful

be

may

which

and
50'

and

12'

103"

discuss

to

20"

of

of

this

before

my
It

April,1803.

of

thirty-three

the

determined

by

servations,
ob-

own
my
all comprised between

latitude,and

longitude.

50

Of

country.

some

are

0' of

74, of which

fifteen known

month

the

positionis

points whose
16"

only

vt-ere

The

observer.

to

of the

interior

Mexico

at

the

of

name

pohits amounts

these

situated

are

the

and

of

INTRODUCTION.

While

the

29'

the

98o

are

fixing these

we

and

historical details

positions,we shall enter into some

errors
respectingthe extraordinary
propagated to this day in the most

which

have
and

recent

been

current

maps.

MEXICO.

meridian

Several
me

gave
of

St.

altitudes

for the latitude

from

meridians
is

the

all the

12'
St.

The

careful

very

astronomical

in

f^reat

1804.

gate

farthei- north, and

Auguslin,

near

of

the

10"

which

made

The

longitude

I made

east,
my

than

the

observauons.

by

me

return
my
of Mexico

of

church

Olt-

ted
calcula-

who

to

serve
ob-

which

of M.

in 1798,

farther

shall

numbers

Paris

of

Vera

of

calculations

cathedral

nometrica
trigo-

difference

30".

the

ference
transa

port

observations

departurefrom

Bordeaux

to

25'

101"

or

the

distinguishedgeometrician,

my

and

all,that I rely on

for

from

manns,

42"

6^45'

once

since

stars

from
from

Acapulco, and
estimating the

Mexico

between

the sun,

to

moon

operation for

result

and

sun

of the

of the

of the time

Cruz,

the

capitalat the convent

The
duced
Augustin,* 9" 25' 45".
longitude defrom
the eclipsesof the satellites of Jupiter,

the distance

from

of

Mexico
convent

is
of

fcsTKODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

(6^ 45' 28") indicated in

publishedby the Bureau
on

first class of the

XIII,
not

in which

been

to

the

Three

of M.

fixed

the

printedat

on

the

of

medium

of

the

Delambre,

year

observations
5".

20

first satellite of

give for middle

me

year
had

still nearer

was

of my
101"

was

moon

Biirg. A

which

result

Havannah

emersions

by

Pluviose,

the tables of M.

by

longitude; the

true

observed

calculations

the

tables

Longitudes is founded
which
1 presentedto the

institute,the fourth

corrected

I had

before

astronomical

new

des

memoir

astronomical

an

the

xvii

Jupiter

the tables

term,
by
the longitudeof 6'' 45' 30".

the sun,
to
Thirty-two distances from the moon
calculated
lunar
by M. Oltmanns, from the newest
tables,give for longitude6^^ 45' 54".
The
of time from Acapulco gives for
transference
the difference

capital of

of

meridians

Mexico,

2' 54"
'

supposing Acapulco
Mexico

would

in

the

Mexico,

6'"45'
The

of

2d

the

consequently,
longitude of

48' 24", the

other

at

the emersion

longitudeof

the

one

at

ter
Lancas-

Havannah,

which

both

I observed

at

1803, give in longitude,the

May,

331-2",the

distances, and

in time

the
satellites,

Pennsylvania,the

correspondingto
"ne

the port and

6'' 45' 29".

be

observations

Two

between

6'" 45'

other

determined

Guanaxuato

connected

by

26".

my

by

chronometer

lunar
with

capital6^ 45' 56".

the trigonometrical
From
operation,or rather from
with
the port of
the ci\pital
attempt to connect
my
and anglesof
Vera Cruz, by means
of the azimuths

that of

Mexico, givesfor

altitudes,taken

on

that

the volcanoes

of Orizaba

and

Po-

manns,
(accordingto the calculations of M. OltCruz 6^ 53' 55",)there
.'.nd supposing Vera
results a longitudefor Mexico
of 6''45' 36".
Ail these results, obtained
by ways so various and
the longitude
independent of one another, confirm
tha" *ve assignto
which
the capitalof Mexico,
is

pot.ulcrpec,

VOL.

I.

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

xviii

degree and a half different from what

has
hitherto
been
adopted ; for the Knowledge of
1' 0", andagain
Times placesMexico
in 1772, at 106"
in 1804, at
25' 45".
chart
of the
The
102"
gulf
of Mexico,
published by the Deposito Hydrograjico
1' 27
of Madrid
in 1799, gives 103"
to the capital
;
I
the
at Mexico,
hoAvever, before
began to observe
true
longitude was
accurately enough known
by
than

more

'

three

whose

astronomers

known,

of

two

Velasquez

and

of

This

so

far back

me)

for

curious

than

more

result

old tables

is contained

in

small

of War-

themselves

of

quarter

duced
de-

longitude
servations
corresponding ob-

(as they

uncertain

had

satellites the

of

but

remained

MM.

1778,

as

having no
after the
calculating

and

gentin,they

born

observation

be better

to

in Mexico.

were

Gama,
30'

101''

assured

whom

their

from

deserve

labours

degree.
pamphlet

in Europe.
little known
very
tribunal of mines,
Velasquez,director of the supreme
iixed the longitude of the capitalat 101" 44' 0", as is

printed at Mexico,*

proved by

manuscripts preserved by M. CosIn a map

of New
Cruz.
ed
Spain sketch9' of
278"
Velasquez gave to Mexico

valuable

at Vera

tanzo

in

1772,

longitude, reckoning from

He

in

says
to

voyage
in the

true

Rosa

by

of the

mers

that

Galeano,

of

one

royalmarine,

positionof Mexico,

dia

when

de
de

p. IV.

Junio

Leon,

de

por

had
he

Descripcion onhographica
24

placed

was

at

M.

uato."

his

before

his map
is the first which
fied
positionof the capital,and that he veri-

Sea;

of observations
gi-eat number
in California, at Temascaltepec, and

it

this

to

51'.

isle of Fer=10P

"
that
map,
in 1768, all Mexico

note

California

South

offers the

the

the
also

1778,

dedicada

Don

Antonio

able

most

found

traversed

universal

out

the

Guanaxastrono-

the

true

kingdom

eclipsede sol del

lasquez
Don
Joacquin Ve-

del

al Sr.
de

at

Santa

Leon

Gama,

1778,

GEOGRAPHICAL

1791

;n

to

that M.

true

52' 0

that

which

error

With

the

observations

still differs from

suspect
the
I

was

have

may

of

mine

Galcano,

1' 48'

in time

arises from

this difference

into

crept

101"

result

but

some

the

It is

trivial

calculation.

ano,
operationsof Gama, Velasquez, and GalcI began
totallyunacquainted when
my

operations at

Mexico.

observations

of

communicated
winter

xix

join the expeditionof Malaspina.

Antillon deduced
the longitudecf

from

which

INTRODUCTION,

of 1804,

Don
to

me

after

Moreover,
Dionisio

by

the

detail of

Galcano

IVI.

was

the
onlv

Espinosa durinti;the

Europe. These
observations give a longitudeapparentlymuch
more
than the one
accurate
I
published by M. Antillon.
was
ignorant,(the learned director of the Deposito
writes me,) during your
of Madrid
sidence
reHydrograjico
in Spain in 1799, of the observations
of our
friend M. de Galcano.
common
They consist of two
emersions
of satellitesand the end of a lunar eclipse
:
30"."
22' 34"=6'M5'
But
M.
lOP
they give me
Oltmannsfound
of the three obon
takingthe medium
sen^ations,and comparing the eclipseof the moon
at
five different placesin Europe, 6'' 45' 49 '. The
ence
differbetween
and those of the Spanish
my observations
a
supposed diflference of nearly half
astronomer,
to less than an
ai"c
"i degree, is consequently reduced
of two
It is satisfactory
to find so great a
mmutes.
to
one
observers, who, unknown
harmony among
In the
another, emplojed such different methods.
of Thomas
Jeffereys,
publishedin
very minute
maps
my

return

to

"

102"

his

20"^ 2' of

latitude,and
52' 47" of longitude; while M. Arrowsmith, in
beautiful
Indies in four sheets,
of tlie.West
map

1794,

makes

Mexico

the

is situated

longitudeof

in

Mexico

102'^ 8' 0

', and

tlie

latitude 19'' 57', false 32 minutes.

of the seventeenth
geometricians
century guessed pretty nearly the true longitude of
the capital.Father Diego Rodriguez, of the aider o^
Several

Mexican

GEOGRAPHICAL

XX

N.

Senora

Merced,

la

de

INTRODUCTION-

mathematics

professor of

nomer
imperialuniversityof Mexico, and the astroGabriel
Lopez de Bonilla, adopted 7^* 25' for
between
difference of meridians
Uranienburg and
there results the longitude
capita],from whence

the

at

the
the

10P37'

45"^

Seguenza,*

the

of

observations
He
the
of
the

celebrated

academical

in the

29".

6*^46

of

ignorantin

Bonilla

w^hich

Carlos

Don

successor

chair, was

on

But

founded

de

Rodriguez
of

1681

this

the

result-

published a small treatise on the longitude of

He
cites in it an
observation
city of Mexico.t
the
20th
lunar eclipseon
December, 1619, by
a
engineerHenry Martinez, at Huehuetoca, to the
of

north-west

will

Ic

the

is the

bold

enterpriseof

gineer
en-

the

of which

observation

The

hereafter.

Dutch

same

de Huehuetoca^

Desague

said

be

This

undertook

who
called

Mexico.

of

nal
ca-

more-

nez,
Marti-

comparing it with that of Ingolstadt,without

applying any modification, would
give 6'* 32' 16",
bon,
for the longitude of Mexico.
Compared with LisBut
the same
as
eclipse gives 6^' 22' 31".
of no
Martinez
made
use
telescope,Seguenza supposes
that by an
efi'ectof the penumbra, the end of
There
the eclipsewas
results from
15' sooner.
this
arbitrarysupposition,Mexico
compared with
very
Ingolstadt,6'' 46' 40", and Mexico
compared with
M.
Oltmanns
Lisbon, 6^ 37' 31".
justlyobserves,
of the corresponding observations
that one
be
must
9' false

Lisbon

and

Libra

Carlos
de
en

for the true

Ingolstadtis only

astronomica

de

Seguenza

la Universidad

1690,
t See

"
the

was

of the

de

y
y

filosofica

16",

l'" 22'

escrita

impresso

cu

between

while

1681,

en

Catedratico

Gongora,

Mexico,

of meridians

de

por

the

Don

Matematicas

la misma

Ciudad

386.

work
with

who

difference

kind
Mexican

above

cited, "

this very

enough

to

astronomers.

rare

book

recalculate

382.

385.

of

Seguenza
several

old

owe

to

my
M.

quaintance
ac-

Oteiza,

observations

GEOGRAPHICAL

2xii

ted

him,

to

of

not

were

acquisitions
lasquez and Gama,
His

has

merit

his

Antonio

Mexico

at

104'' 9' 0"=6''

36".

56'

in

and

in 1770,

memoir

New

of

in

by

1769,

by

deduces

publishedby Alzate
Spain,* he asserts that

founded

Mexico,

43".

6^' 49'

the

from

old
two

9".

10P25'=6'"45'
In

by

1759

observed by Alzate
Jupiter'ssatellites,
dium,
compared with the old tables by a me-

of

emersions

Cassini

7".

Lalande

de

M.

observed
eclips^ of the moon
only the end
Alzate, gives, calculating

in

Paris, place

at

An

tables, 6^^ 37'

in Europe.

Ramirez

Alzate, and

observed
finds, by the transit of Venus
Pingre finds
Alzate, 6'^ 50' 1": M.

lunar

whose

countrymen,

Spain, published

of New

map

of Ve-

those

to

known
sufficiently

been

never

Josef

Don

many
his

pondents,
corres-

searches:
solidityin his rethings at once.

inferior

very
of
two

were

true

too

their

of

one

zeal than

embraced

he

problem
whom
ecclesiastic,

Mexican

displayedmore

the

resolve

to

Paris named

of

academy

nature

question. This

in

the

INTRODUCTION.

on

observations

on

the

the

longitudeof

phy
geogra-

of satellites,
is 6'^

46' 30".
But

1786, in

which

accompaniesthe plan
of the environs of Mexico, drawn
up by Seguenza,
and engraved at Mexico, Alzate fixes the longitude
42' O", adding that this last re100^' 30' 0"=6^'
at
sult,
in

the
five

from

more

than
to

ty.
twen-

the

demy
aca-

Paris. t
there is

consequently a

difference

of

more

degreesbetween the different observations of

Alzate, without
includingthe result deduced
the eclipse
of the moon
of the 12th December,
two

*Gazetta

t Piano

de

de

Mexico,

les

Arcanias

reimpveso
Josef

on

satellites communicated

eclipsesof

Hence

M.

note

of a/I, is founded

surest

of

than

Alzate

(en

la

en

1772, No.
de

1786,

imprenta

95, p. 56.

Mexico
con

de

por

Don

algunas
Don

Carlos

adicioncs

Francisco

de
de

Rangel.)

guenza,
SeDon

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

It is

1769.
exact

not

to

as

be

to

that the observer

presumed

was

longitudeestablished

The

the time.

xxiii

by the satellites may be also too eastern, because the

eclipsesof the first satellite have not been separated
fourth.

of the third and

those

from

positionso long attributed to the capital

effect at the
of New
Spain produced a remarkable
The
sun's
of the
time
eclipse,21st Feb. 1803.
tion,
eclipsewas total,and threw the publicinto consternaThe

false

the almanacs

because

Mexico,

of

calculated

on

nounced
suppositionof 6^ 49' 43'' of longitude,had anThe
it as scarcelyvisible.
learned astronomer

the

Kavannah,

of the

Antonio

Don

Robercdo,

calculated
re-

eclipseaccordingto my observations
that the eclipsewould
found
of longitude.* He
not
ther
farof Mexico
have been total if the lonsjitude
were
this

than

west

35","4=101"38'

6*^46'

49".

of Mexico
for
remained
capital
a long period as
problematicalas its longitude. In
the time of Cortez the Spanish pilots
fixed it at 20*^
of California, drawn
is proved by the map
0
as
up
de
Castillo
in
and
in
the
1541,
published
by Domingo
Cortez's
This
edition of
Mexican
latitude
letters.f
was
preserved by d'Anville and other geographers.
Jean Covens, who increased the longitudeof Mexico
seven
degrees,givesit also a positiontoo northern by
The
of Chappe's journey adopts
1" 43'.
account

latitude of the

The

from

Alzate

known

19"

for his observations

quadrant 19"
and

quez

54' of latitude.

21' 2"

Gama

No.

Aurora,
219.

p.

renzana.

Doz,

California,found
the year

1778,

by

the

true

cathedral

politicoeconomico

orCorreo

19"
de

25' 25"

Velas-

position. Don
February, 1790, by a sextant

fixed

Jose
of

of lati-

la Havana,

1804,

13.

t Histoi'ia de Nueva
mentada

in

;% but

Espinosa found in
eightinches radius,the
*

in

Vincente

Don

por

el lUustr.

Mexico,

tGazettade

Espana
Senor

1770, p.

escrita por HeriTian Cortes, aiiDon

Francisco Antonio dc Lo-

328.

Mexico, 1772,

p. 56.

zixiv

GEOGRAPHICAL

M.

tude.

INTRODUCTION.

Galeano

obtained

in

struments,
1791, by largerin-

26' 00".

19"

CRUZ.

VERA

Longitude, 6''33' 56"=^

This longitudeis deduced
from a stellar
98" 29' 0".
observed
by M. Ferrer,and calculated by M.
eclipse,
of the first satellite,
and
Oltmanns, from three eclipses
observations
from
the
assign
longitudewhich
my
has been
the Havannah, and which
connected
to
by
Latitude,

11'

19"

the transference

of time

that
obser\'^ed,

Vera

to

indicate the

Cruz.

It is

positionof

of Don

house

being the
is 30"

the

to

Jose
of

west

Ignaciode

the

the

fort of

la

be

to

most

part of the city,the observatory of M.

northern

which

52''.

rer
Fer-

Torre,

St. Juan

d'Ulua.
with what was
longitudeis almost the same
Mariana
found by Don
cers
and by other offiIsasvirivil,
It is only five minutes
of the Spanish mai'ine.
This

en

arc

farther

what

than

west

is indicated

on

the map
the hy-

gulfof Mexico, publishedin 1799 by

M.
Antillon
board of Madrid.
fixes it
drographical
for the year
at 98" 23' 5"; the Knowledge of Times
Don
Thomas
modore
1808, at 98" 21' 45".
Ugarte, com(Chefd'Escadre) in the service of the king of
of time
Vera
by the transference
Spain, connected
He
with Porto Rico.
Cruz
assignsto the first port
of the

98"

39'. 45".

the

longitudeof
from
as

Ferrer

M.

the

Vera

middle

from

Cruz
to

moon

deduced

term,

the
98"

in 1791

and

sixtyseries
and

stars

18' 15".

But

sun

1792

of
he

tances
distained
ob-

it would

to publisha detail of these

exceedingly interesting
ing
observations, that they might be recalculated accord-

be

to

the

applies to
^'ovasrc.

tables
the

of

Burg. The same

results
published in

observation
Vancouver's

GEOGRAPHICAL

with

Mexico

They

have

farther
Jean

Vera

cityof

The

has

beHeved

distant from

in his map
astronomical

of the

than

observations

discussion

he

at

104"

45'

but

Arrowsmith

1803)

of Hamilton

it' 98"

makes

Thomas

(map

reality.

0"; Alzate,
Bonne*

M.

30'.

the
among
After
Cruz.
a
This

37'.

longitude which d' Anville

Neptune adopted, and it is that to
have
astronomers
long given
tables

in

are

is

nearly

French

the

and

same

The

leagues

140

they

Vera

99"

on

continent.

agreement

at

fixes

fate

same

new

even

101"

of

want

the

the

60, nay

Europe

x;{v

shared

of

placed Vera Cruz

of New
Spain, at

justlycomplains

the

Cruz
the whole

and
been

Covens^

long

INTRODUCTION.

the

which

glish
En-

preference.

the

49' 47";

Moore

indicate

of

Spanish possessions,

ihe

40', and

nine

Jeffreys,
geographer to

99"

before, Mr.

years

the

king

of

England,

23' 47".

100"

the assigning
was
formerly the prevailingerror
too
ports,
longitudesto the American
great western
he
the Abbe
:
Chappc fell into the contrary extreme
from
his chronometer
the longitude 97" IS'
deduced
zeal
15"t. If this observer, who possessed more
If

than
the

could

accuracy,
of

error

induced

more

by

an

of

excess

distances

the

St. Juan

had

he

observation

Ulua)

from

perceived the
in

confidence

astronomical

oldest

The

taken

the sun,
he would
have
than a degree, into which

to

moon

have

his

at

been

meter.
chrono-

Vera

Cruz

undoubtedly that
the moon's
Comparing the end
eclipsein 1577.
that eclipsewith a correspondingobservation
at

(at the
of
of

chateau

Madrid,

M.

of

6'^

Vera

Atlas

pour

t Voyage

en

X Mcmoivesde
VOL.

I.

Oltmanns

26',

of 102"

Cruz

de

and

found

is

diiference

of

dians
meri-

consequentlythe longitudefor

30'. J

I'ouvrage de

I'Abbe

Californie, p.
i'Academie

Raynal,

p.

1 1.

102.

pour
D

I'anoee

1726.

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

sxvi

38",*

examined

by

am

instrument, his observations

an

Cruz

20'
of

Spain

far

too

were

Alzate

The

south.

the

to

indicates

even

mains
re;

perfect
im-

so

curate.
inac-

so

geographers formerly placed

Other

Pichardo

astonished, that, with

means

no

of Father

hands

in the

Mexico,

at

and

9'

the
liititude 19"
Chappe found
positiontoo southern by tlvee minutes.
tlie small
quadrant of Chappe which

Abbe

The

Vera

of New

map

latitude

of

18*^

0".

50

ACAPULCO.

This
the

great

(at the

taken

by
by

tables

28th

29"

from

Biirg, gave 6^'

March
6'^ 48^'21".
diiference

of

of time.

Now,

48'

to

Mexico

of

observations
my
Alvarez
Baltasar
6^

24"

48'

duced
de-

position was
the

to

my

Those

sun.

';and

between

those

Mexico

chronometer,

of
the

according to

32

meridians

Acapulco is, according

coast

twenty-eightdistances

moon

of

The

This

1803, calculated

March,

the

on

latitude, and

of

from

the

to

Don

longitude.

Oltmanns

M.
me

according

contador

50'

0" of

27th

the

of the

in 16"
6'

102'

lies

ocean,

house

Ordono)
=

finest of all those

port, the

of

the

and

2' 54"

found

by the
of my
medium
lunar distances
of longi6'' 45' 42
tude,
there
would
result for Acapulco, -excluding
An
every other species of observation, 6^' 48' 48".
for the
uncertainty of 19" of time is very trifling
from
deduced
comparison of two
simple
longitudes,
having

been

"

distances

from

the

in 1803,

by

to

moon

the

lunar

9".

8'

Voyage

en

Californic, p.

lOS.

tlie

I found

sun.

tables

of

Mason,

pulco
Aca102"

GEOGRAPHICAL

This

INTRODUCTION.

position differs

xxVii

by the atlas which

accompanies
the Spanish navigators to the
Straits
which
is 102" 0
30" of longitude,and
eated

This

latitude.
the
in

atlas is founded

excellent

deduced

memoir

the

from

third

above
same

voyage

of

Fuca,

16'

However

expeditionof Malaspina.
an

the

the

on

is indi-

.what

little from

very

of
and

0" of

50

operations of
M.
Amillon,

cited, gives a

result,

operations, which

differs

degree. He asserts, that the

in 1791, by the astronomers
observations
who
cmDescuherta
barked
in the corvettes
and
la
la Atrevida,
fixed Acapulco at 102" 21' 0
of longitude; a result
which
less exact, though more
formable
conappears to me
the manuscripts left by these navigators
to
in Mexico.
deduced, from eight
They themselves
than

more

of

"

series

of

distances, 102** 26'

lunar

of the

satellite,102^^ 20' 40"

first

transference

of

of

account

on

Besides,

the

an

and

sion
immerfrom

the

Guajaquil,102" 22' 0.";

perhaps merely apparent, harmony,

time*

admirable, but

an

from

the

from

errors

of

the

old
in

longitude, deduced

lunar

tables.
from

1794

the

Activo, was equalbrigantine

ly
This expedition examined
the coasts
of
western.
and
Sonzonatc
Soconusco, and fixed the longitude
of Acapulco at
25' 30" ; though I am
102"
pletely
comof the observations
on
ignorant of the nature
which
this longitudeis founded.
of the astronoA note
mers
in the hand- writingof one
oftlie expeditionof Malaspina, left at Mexico,
warranted
to debears, that they thought themselves

operationson

This

in the

board

the

chronometrical

minute

plan

of the

longitude of

102o

port of Acapulco,

22'

is also

drawn

up

found

by

the

of the
expedition of Malaspina, and copied at the audience
of
in fact,that the astronomers
It appears,
pilotage of Lima.
western
tions
posimore
this expedition had at first adopted much
the
afterwards
Hydrothose
Deposito
adopted by
than

grafico

of Madrid.

Guayaquil 16', for

The

Panama

diflFerence

and

Realexo

for

Acapulco

18',era

arc.

is 20', for

duce, from
the

INTRODUCTIOK.

GEOGRAPHICAL

xxviii

time,

same

at

the

new

Acapulco

the

of

In

placing,
Deposito Hydrogra^co,
find Mexico

about

the medium

101^

toises, the

700

of all my

of the

however,

doubt,

time.

in

should

within

is, to

longitude given by
I should

21"

0',,we

102"

at

2'

of

maps

45", which

24'

eclipsesof satellites observed, at

the capitaland
ence
Acapulco, a differ-

meridians

of
with

some

operations.
with

accuracy

which
,

the

It is

perhaps
my
and

the

from

distance

capitalto Acapulco
less than

somewhat

also

chronometer,

Guchilaque
G6** to

is

that

Corneille

106"

Mortier,

old

it 104o

0'.

0'

The

eastern.

annexed

Arrowsmith,

from

travelling,
region from

the

to
a

frosts of
of

temperature

centigrade

ter.
thermome-

placed four degrees

ther
fur-

Jean

and

Sea.

their map

of

Covens

the

Mexican

the

The

more

South

in

make

10' 0".
make

memoir

in the

west

archipelago,

was

21", though
54" given by

five years

coksts,

to

Formerly Acapulco
to the

the

say,
5"* of the

of

another

2'

mountainous

so

of

heats

extreme

2'

the

with

out

worn

passingrapidlyin

the

than

probably greater

duced.
de-

was

to

the

longitude of Acapulco
of the depot of the marine
maps
This
longitude became
dually
grathe
in
Bonne,
geographical
work

of

in L803, makes

Knowledge of

the

Times

Raynal,gives 103"
it 102"

44'.

(Connoissancedes
Acapulco very well
30",) but assigns it

Temps) for the year 1808, fixes

in point of longitude,
(102" 19'
is so much
southern
a latitude too
by 10'. This error
the more
the expeditionofMalasstriking,
as, before
placed at 17o 20', or Vl" 30', as is
pina,this port was
of the
of d'Anville
and those
proved by the maps
the latitude
marine
depot. However, Covens makes
de Castillo
in 1540
the pilotDomingo
16" 7', while
Cortcz,
gives it at 17" 25'. In the time of Herman
the capitalof Mexico
be three debelieved
to
grees
was
of Acapulco, almost north to south
to the west

GEOGRAPHICAL

XXX

INTRODUCTION.

Village of Tehuilotepec.Longitude, 6*^ 47'

12".

"

Double

altitudes

of the

18"* 35' 0"; but

gave me
unfavourable
under
circumstances,

sun

this latitude,determined
is uncertain

The
of

six

from

to

minutes.

seven

account
on
positionof this place is interesting,
the proximity of the great mines
of Tasco.

Pont

found

d^Ist/a,in the great plainsof S, Gabriel.

41"

it 18'' 37

latitude,and

of

19" of

6^ 46'

longitude.
San

Villageof

6'' 45' 46 ".

terminates

Cuesas.

Augustin

de las

Latitude,

19'^ 18' 37".

the

on

the

Avest

tude,
Longi-

"

This

lage
vil-

valley of

great

Mexico.
It will be
the

useful, for

country,

add

to

minute

the distances
who

particularlythe muleteers,
to

caravans

capital to

which
travel

natives,

the
as

it

were

great fair of Acapulco, reckon

the

The

another.
e to
villas.

one

acquaintance with

true

distance

port being known,

the

in
from

from

the

and

supposing a
third more
for windings in a road both straightand of
of the leagues in
shall find the value
easy access, we
is interesting
for
in these countries.
This datum
use
avail themselves
regionsmust
geographers,who in remote
It is evident
that the
of simple itineraries.
more
people shorten the leagues as the road becomes
difficult. However, under equalcircumstances
we
may
t\vc
have
in
confidence
formed
some
judgments
by
the muleteers
of comparative distances
; they may
not

know

three thousand

they

learn

third

or

The

their

whether

metres*

from

fourth

the

Mexican

in the

space

double

or

of

one

of

go
an

the
three

two

or

hour, but

distance

be

the

another.
the road

from

leagues. They reckon

Passo
d'Aguacatillo,four
leagues; los dos Aroyos,

110

at

9842

if

burden

estimate

muleteers

Acapulco to Mexico
from
Acapulco to
leagues; el Limon,
*6561

of

habit

long
or

beasts

feet

English.-

Trans.

GEOGRAPHICAL

five

Camuron, four ;
three; la Moxonera,

Alto

de

Caminos,

and

quilapa,two
four

lan

INTRODUCTION.

Venta

tola, five

Palula, one

Pueblo
pa,

and

one

four

nucvo,

Puente

ft\'e ;

de

Xuchitepcque,

Masat-

three ;
iS'awzj"CM^-o,

luid

half

one-half; Quaxini-

Vieja,four

nexo,

ioux

go

four
pilote,
;

cle los dos

hi Guarita

half; Acaguisotla, four;

Chip ansin

xaxi

two

Mescaia^

half

la

four

EsCo-

del

tranca

CuagolotiU, one

Sa-

Tuspa, or
los Amates,
three ; TepetlalaIstla^ four ; Alpuyeco, six ;
;

Cuernavaca,

two

S.

Maria,

Guchihque, two and a half ; Sacapisdel

Marques, two ; el Guarda,
; la Cruz
ca, two
San
two;
Axusco,
two;
Augiistinde las Cuevasj
In this itinerary
the numbers
three ; Mexico., four.
indicate
how
leagues one place is distant from
many
raries,
which
the one
immediately precedes it. Other itine-

three-fourths

which

by

the
106

vor

South

or

travellers

to

according

Now,

who

come

total distance

the

Sea, estimate

leagues.

to

at

104

tions
observa-

my

straightline 151,766 toises. Adding

shall have 18i",708 toises,
quarter for windings, we
1,725 toises* for the league of. the countrv'-.
it is in

distributed

are

FROM

JOURNEY

I determined

on

MEXICO

TO

this road

Oltmanns
of the

deduced
Venta

great valley of
Pu

bla de los

of

the

from

my

Chalco, on
Tenochtitlan,

19^

Sotto,

100^' 22'
19"

26' 30'

the fortress of the

Perote,near

'he eastern

bank

1,040 feet.

Trans.

same

of the

16' 8'' ; that of

19"
Angeles (nearthecatliedral)

de

Venta

or

de

6'^ 41' 31'

latitude,and

points,either by
by geod vesical operations,
cjid anglesof altitudes.
observations the position

thirteen

purely astronomical means,

particularly
by azimuths
M.

CRUZ.

VERA

45"
;

of

name,

0'

la

15" of

of

longitude;
the villageof
19"

33' 37"-!"

sxxii

of

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTRODUCTION.

6*^ 38' 15"

and
latitude,

longitude; of the vil.

the posi10"; and finally,
of

Vigas, 19" 37'

tion of the city of Xalapa, 19" 30' 8" of latitude,and
6^ 37' 0'=99"
0" of longitude. Don
Jose Joac15
quin Ferrer,who, long before me, determined several
of Vera
Cruz
and Xalappa,
points in the environs
for the last city 19'^ 31' 10" of latitude, and
found
of us
99" 15' 5" of longitude. Both
observed
near
lage de

the

las

In

of St. Francis.

convent

with

attention.

to

serves

their

vated
culti-

are

the

deserve

snow,

petually
per-

greatest

position
interestingpoints. The

of

knowledge
several

connect

of ^vhich

three

region,four mountains,
covered

this fertile and

exact

of Puebla
by the names
distinguished
Mexico
and Iztaccihuatll have been
or
(Popocatepetl
with the capitaland the pyramid of Choconnected
lula, I found the latitude of Popocatepetl18" 59' 47",
and 6'" 43' 33"
the lati53' 15" of longitude
tude
100"
;
volcanoes

two

of Sierra

Nevada,

6'^ 43' 40"

deduced

from

55' 0"

100"

11' 43"

19"

for

or

the

series

Iztaccihuatl,19" 10' 0", and

of

M.

longitude.

of

Costanzo

geodaesicaloperations,

latitude of

Iztaccihuad, and

19"

1' 54" for that of

Popocatepetl. The operations of

this engineer having been made
of a compass,
by means
and
the magnetic declension
depending on a
of small
local causes,
we
ought to be
great number
astonished

the

the

accuracy
These
two

obtained.

been
as

at

the Pic

of the
colossal

d'Orizaba, being visible

pyramid
determine

of

results

mountains,
from

Cholula, I endeavoured

have

which

the
very

as

well

of

level

carefully

positionof this ancient monument.

I found
the
the latitude of the chapel which
crowns
extremity of the pyramid, 19" 2 6", and 6''42' 14"
100" 33' 30" of longitude.
Ferrer
do
M.
deduced
the positionof the Cofre
I'EnPerote from the geodoesical
between
operations
to

the

==

cero

and

able,

in

Xalappa, and found 19" 29' 14". I was

spiteof the rigour of the season, to carry in-

GEOGRAPHICAL
strumcnts

the

on

INTRODUCTION.

seventh

than

the

Peak

meridian
de

Caxones

los

summit
The

the

the
'

Pic

The

higher

from

that

metres*

there

which

for TAlto

gave
north

29' 40"

19"

by

M.

by

me

6'' 37'

fixed

the

I observed

fardier

arc

Cofre)

del

d'Orizaba,

in time

is 384

sun,

found
longitude was
the angles taken

and
26

of

(43''en

Pena

or

to

Teneriffe.

of

altitude

February,1804,

of

top of this mountain, which

xxxiii

than

who

ployed
em-

Cofre

the

between

the

latitude.

of

Oltmanns,

differs but

55", which

Ferrer.

M.

by

the

knowledge of the positionof the Pic

is of great importance for navigatorson
d'Orizaba
The
co,
chart of the gulfof Mexilandingat Vera Cruz.
at
publishedin 1799, by the DepositoHy drogi'afico
Madrid,
far to the
a degree too
placesthis mountain
east, at 100" 29' 45'' of longitude. Jnglesof altitudes
and

exact

azimuths
2' 17"

19"

by

taken

of latitude, and

me,

99

longitude.But

long before

knew

position

the

true

'

M.
gave
35' 15"=6'^

the

that the error

of the map
appear
Mexicano^ which passed in the French
attributed

to

part of the engraver^

of M.

Bausa

placed at

99"

mountain,
99"

I had
him

occasion
at Lima

It appears

1,260 feet.

t Carte

des

-servations
VOL.

J.

des

Pic

the

it, and

is proved

as

by
to

and

M.

19"

at

The

d'Orizaba

same

'

is

fixes

my

of

session,
poslatitude

result

was

great accuracy

know, having observed

Callao

Ferrer

2' 1

whose
Isasvirivil,

edition

capitalof

by manuscripts in

in 1793,
up
of longitude.

35' 35"

obtamed

also

in

the

on

of the

name

47' 30" of longitude. M.

drawn
and

The

Seno

map,t should
in the

It is corrected

1803.

is effaced

Mexico

the

in

It

the

of

mistake

accidental

some

of

d'Orizaba.

Pic

"would

be

38' 21"

the Spanish mariners

me

of

Oltmanns

along with

in 1802.

that
astonishing

the

most

recent

map

Trans.
cotes

du

golfe du

Espagnols,

An.

9.
E

Mexique,

d'apres

les

ob

GEOGRAPHICAL

xxxiv

which

we

we

of

the

the

Arroxvsmith^

by

From

Mexico
be

Pic

scattered

d'Orizaba

might

is

dangerous

prove
table

such

as

in

gives

the

this

very

map,

them.

have

beautiful
added

observations.
to

this

the

east

comparison

of

of

position

The

Vera
the

Cruz,
absolute

in

avoid

position

which
ing
follow-

principal
other

points,
dicates
in-

respects,
of

result

the

of

manner

my

longitudes
to

appear

The

the
in

the

1803.

names

navigators.

to

North

June,

position

it

Chart

title,

in

The

indicated

speak

in

the

random.

at

Dominions

Cruz

justly

all.

for

published

Vera

to

of

has

Spanish

and

of

name

falsest

which

map,

Indies

West

America^

to

English

large

the

be

which

Spain

the

bears

should

author,

New

of

part

which

and

analysing,

are

that

of

possess

esteemed
of

INTRODUCTION.

are

nomical
astro-

reckoned
into

introducing
of

this

port.

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTRODUCTION.

XXXV

GEOGRAPHICAL

xx":vi

The

Volcano

and

while

the

know

visible

"

zaba,
Ori-

They

Cruz,

Vera

of

port

cated
all indi-

are

(and the Mexicans

laltepetl)
Azteque language Cit-

in the

south-xvest

Cos-

Oriz

False

the

ba

leagues distance."
w^hich
navigators
of New
sequently
Spain ; con-

45

at

eye

San

St. Jean

and

to

tween
be-

Cruz,

of
villages

the

Huatusco,

the

Vera

of

and

is added
to

Arrowsmith

of

Orizaba, False

the

Cordoba

There

comatepec.

what

d'Orizaba

Antonio,

San

note

the

to

cityof

the

of

more

conceive

map

Tlascala.

called

one,

lies

Andres,

of

Pic

true

but

in the

named

north-xvest

the

to

the

It is difficult to

mountains

three

the

consequeritlyof

are

designed

be

to

meant

by

latitude

half a degree.

than
is

of

errors

INTRODUCTION.^

is the summit
Citlaltepetl
first see in approaching the coast
glish
Enit might be inferred
that the learned
But
in
it False
Orizaba.
geographer named
this case,
the
latitude of this problematical mountain
would
would
be
be a degree false, and Orizaba
marine
seven
leagues to the north of the city of Xalappa,while in realityit is only twelve to the south-

Now

Or

south-west.
be
lies also
of

the
of

the

to

should

the

of

name

atlas of Thomas

d'Orizaba

Perotte

Perotte.

villageof

London,

de

Pic

south-east,and

the

the

Cofre

the

This

Orizaba

to

the

fable

of

not

is

to

Jcfiereys,
(The

1794,)

where

be

south-west
two

tains
moun-

also

found

West

made

minute
information
from
to the road
as
convey
Cruz to Mexico.
The
latitudes are there
36'
The

difierence

capitalis

marked

of

the

longitude between
2o 29'

instead

of

to

Vera
false.

port and

38'

3"

as

in

las^
At-

Indian
is

attempt

an

Cofre

the

But

rowsmith
Ar-

of

in

the
the

of Arrowsmith,
the
and instead of 2" 56' 30"
map
result of
It is also
astronomical
observations.
my
ted
of Tlascala, indicavery improbablethat the Volcano
in this

new

English map,

eaia, called in the country

is neither
very remarkable

is the

Malinche
for its

Sierra
;

de

Tlas-

for ihis Sierra

elevation,nor

verj

GEOGRAPHICAL

xxxviii

la Puebla

engraved at

map,

50'

at 22"

axuato

48'

city1"

45'

0" of latitude, as

map

of New

much

the

more

Latitude

19"

is

the

of Nevado
position
Patequero,a citysituated
of

name,

same

There

are

manuscript

within

an

in

1',

of

arc

observations.
19"

the

24", by

16'

much

as

stars

same

as

to

minish
di-

nation.
decli-

the

de

latitude of

the

Toluca,
the

on

of the lake of

banks

St. Juan

del

imperfect

on

in which

circumstances

so

difference

the

la Grue

Salamanca,

founded

Tisayuca, are

20^

at

uncertaintyof

The

the

found

latitude is

of

my

observe

from

his

gitude,
lon-

ved
obser-

but

I endeavoured

16' 3".

error

to

from
de

by

possibleconstantlyto
any

Mexico,

proved by

results

Toluca

of

Fomachant,

is

it indicates

what

with

same

of

east

Spain. This error

as
extraordinary,

longitudewhich
the

to

Guan.

.30' of

112'^

Velasquez, who
Jupiterat Guanaxuato,

the

this

placed

1755,

M.

9" !

satellites of

the

in

of latitude,and
of

error

an

INTRODUCTION.

Rio, and

observations.

the method

of Dou-

gives very inaccurate results ; but in a country

tented
presentingso few fixed pointswe must often be conwith a simple approximation. I think
I can
venture
to assert, that the longitudesof Queretaro,
wes

San

Salamanca, and
relied

Even

Juan

Rio, may

del

be

on.

in the

valleyof

Mexico

there

several

are

points,the

important
positionof which was
by Velasquez, the celebrated Mexican
metrican

of

gable man
with

the

This

cia:hteenthcenturv.

executed

in 1773

an

extensive

ti'igonometrical
operation,to
of the lake

waters

dently
confi-

of

mio-ht

Tezcuco

mined
detergeo-

indefati-

survey

along

that

prove
be

very

the

conducted

to

the canal

enough
of
went

which
over

of

Huehuetoca.

to calculate

I possess
the

positionsof
1

same

the

for
the

me

M.

Otiza

was

kind

of Velasquez,
triangles
manuscripts. M. Oltmanns
the

calculations.

signalsto

He

the latitude

subjectedthe
and longitude

INTRODUCTION

GEOGRAPHICAL

which

Augustin in

the

Oltmanns

M.

adopted for
capitalof Mexico.
here

have

we

positions.
distances

No

but

doubt
the

the

of

phical
geogra-

to

as

the oblique
muths
of azi-

of observations

want

St.

results of

table

remain

can

of

convent

These

in the

contained

are

xxxiu

of
gives a little uncertaintyto the reduction
gitude.
perpendicularsor differences in latitude and lonWe
shall return
to this subjectin the analysis

the

of the
The

of Mexico.

environs

fixed by M. Ferrer in the

positions
Vera
Cruz
depend on the longitudeof
That
longitudehaving been supposed by
farther west
than the Spanish astronomer

seventeen

environs

of

that

port.

me

10'' 45'

indicates, I have
the

the

of

map

reduced

from

the

Cadiz

Knowledge of Times^
believed

was

Paris.

I have

for the

Pic

the

placesthe
Cadiz,
Cruz

while

at

from

the

OLD

north-west

California,and
contain

many
geodsesicaland

better
from

and

Cortez,

lute
abso-

de

Perotte,

for

instance,

he

fixes

Vera

VI NCI

CALIFORNIA.
INTERNAS.

AS

of
Spain, the coast
of what the English call New
Albion,
exact
points determined by the most

part of New

astronomical

Vancouver.

established

Cape

the

longitude from

meridian

same

NEW

AND
PRO

Galeano,

when
epoqua
of
to the west

Cofre

west

8" 47'

distances,

lunar

Ferrer,
of

Paris

41' 45".

at 98"

The

the

M.

48' 23"

90"

an

adding

changed

reason

same

d'Orizaba.

latter

at

lie 8" 36' 30"

to

longitudes of Xalappa,
and

the

calculated

of

meridian

Ferrer

M.

longitudespublished by

15"; for that observer

the

to

than

Mendocino
after

those
to

settingon

in J 532, under

operationsof Quadra,
Few
European charts are
of

AVestern

Queen Charlotte's

Straits.

of discovery
voyages
de Mendoza,
Hurtado

foot

Diego

America,

two

GEOGRAPHICAL

xl

Diego Becerra,
himself

in

since

Cobrillo
the

north-west
that

of the

life,the

were

of America

under

regions had

same

navigators.

But

often the

very

by

Juan
the

this part

made

him

cost

visited

been

guez
Rodri-

30' of latitude ;

57"

which

known,

be

the

discovered

intrepidCook

the

before

Gali

of

of latitude

44"

as

discovered

Francisco

in 1582

ocean^o

great

far north

as

Islands

coast

long

justlyborne the name

the intrepidJuan
1542

pushed

and

deGriscalva, examined
of California, and the gulf

coast

very
In

Sandwich

Gaetan

so

the

Cortez.*

of

sea

Hernaiido

and

1533

has

which

INTRODUCTION.

his

by Spanish

rapidpromulgation of

who
makes
depend upon him
Yet
the merit of a private citizen is indethem.
pendent
which
of the false policy of a government,
from
interest would
an
ignorance of its own
prevent a
it has earned.
nation from
enjoyingthe glory which
But this subject,equallydelicate and interesting,
has

discoveries

been

does

not

with

treated

in the historical

great discernment,

introduction

to

the

introduction

to

the

undertaken

of

account

for

the

tions
Spanish expedi-

discovery of

tiie

in the

and

Marchand,

of

voyage

the

Straits

of

Fuca.
The

of the transit of

observation

occasioned

the

Velasquez,

three

Frenchman,

voyage

astronomers,

however,
tlie true

second

of whom

the first

the arrival of these

in 1769,

Chappe, Doz,

MM.

Spaniard,and
the pupil of
Mexican, and, what is more,
Indian in the villageof Xaltocan.

the

of

Venus

astronomers

in

the
a

and
was

third
very

telligent
in-

Before,
California,

Cape San Lucas and the mission

of St. Rose
found
had already been
Miguel
by Don
Costanzo, at present general of brigade and head of
the corps of engineers. This
who
respectableofficer,
displaysthe gi'catcstzeal for die geography of the
and English octants
of a
country found by gnomons
latitudes

of

"

Gojnara

Hist.

cap.

12.

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

xli

perfectconstruction, San Jose

Cape San Lucas, 22" 48' 10
believed, as is proved by the chart
San Jose layin 22" 0' of latitude.
very
and

of

detail

with

by Antares,
of the

through

and

who

have

more

useful

three

feet

the

to

very

of

the Abbe

Doz

The

the

of

result

by

longitudeof

differ from
calls them

I cite these

his

than

to

at

from

tude.
lati-

villagein

the

the transit of

Jupiter'ssatellites,

by Chappe, and compared with

Wargentin. M. Cassini fixed it bv a

37' 57

2' 30".

1 12"

for San

the

one

adopted

in 1768

too, the Mexican

observatory in the

small

he

observed

by
the

Voyage

en

t Nouvelle
1'Academic
toine
VOL.

de

Royale
I.

result

Californie,p.
Carte

Alzate

himself

et

de
des

map

of

at

adopted

7^

the transit of
his

of

results
east

than

Alzate.-j- M.

astronomer,
of St.
village

constructed

Anne,
Venus,

observation

where

to

municating
com-

M.

106.

rAmerique
Sciences

Kamiret,

medium

is 3" 12' farther

in the

Velasquez

Hell

tables

longitude which

Chappe's observations

the

Father

The

Jose.

verify.

to

observed

"

prove
been

5' 15'

23"

this celebrated

of astronomy
deduced
was
Venus, and from the eclipsesof

10", or

amples,
ex-

quadrant of

place and

Jose

to

have

would

radius

San

but

esteem,

our

annals

1^ 28'

There

astronomers
discrediting

Chappe

placed

I'';
steL

ges
passa-

1".

which

accordant."*

sake

4'

23"

Cassini,however,

radius, difficult both

Vicente

from

Abb6

the

of all the

meridian

titles to
many
of five inches

so

sextant

the

M.

for the

not

medium

observations

solar

1' 19".

exact

very

of

Arcturus

by

The

differs from

sun

another

"

Alzate, that

of

observations

12 '.

23"

of the

some

of

was

not

lar observations

that

the

the latitude of Siin Jose

found

Don

it

Till then

';

Provided
inspiremuch confidence.
large quadriuitof three feet radius, Chappe
does

Chappe

one

2'

23^

The

are

be

to

de

1768.
F

Septentrionalc, dediee a
Paris par Don
Joseph An^

GEOGRAPHICAL

slii

Chappc and
lished by M.

INTRODUCTION.

Vicente

Don

Cassini,agrees

de

which

observations

might

Moreover,
Abbe

M.

knew

the

of California
satellites

Rosa;*

the

he

in

he

and

the

longitudeof

before

Velasquez,

Chappe,

the

well with

very

nuscript
ma-

I procured atMexico,

determine

to

serve

result,pub-

This

Doz.

had

communicated

gitude
lon-

eclipsesof
of

mission

the

at

in the

error

observed

1768,

St. Anne,

arrival of the

the

enormous

and

Santa

European
they had time

the

to

piter's
Ju-

tronomers
as-

to
longitude before
the slightest
make
observations.
The
tex's
position of Cape San Lucas, called in Cortime
Santa de San Jagof has been determined
in manuscripts:|:
by the Spanish navigators. I found
of the viceroyalty of
preserved in the archives
and
Mexico,
compiled by order of the Chevalier

that

d'Aranza,
Estado

Mapa

M.

lieutenant

la

the

atlas

pina ; 2d,

by

in

Florez,
valuable
cion

del

Madrid

Castillo,1541.

de

with

California,under

the

M.

Casasola,

unite

in four

navigationsperformed
Bucaviceroys
consist, 1st,

works

from

the

tions
observa-

MalasPerez, Canisarez, Galeano, Anadra,

a large folio
entitled, Com/iendio histovolume,

JVavegaeione.'isohre
to

1799

en

the

en

north-west

Francisco

de

ciudad

la

of

4th, in

Russos

expedition executed
described
by Don Antonio

Viage de
in 1803,

has
las

been

Galctas

Princesa,

given
Sutil

Riconociemiento

JVorte

al

to

commanding

Quadra,

Aranzasa,

curious

materials

aefitentrionales de
de Mexico
3d, in
;
America,
performed

castas

Bodega

la

and,

las

coast

Gertrudis,

Eatablecimientos

and

the

Revillagigedo. These
drawn
twenty-six maps
up

goellctte Activa, 1793

1788,

Domingo

and

frigatesSta.

(juatros

55.)

p.

connected

was

ordenado

voyage
Don
Juan

the

7.

de

(Periodico

Alzate

de

modo

and

las

California
the

Espana

Nueva

Antonio

Jose

por

of

north

of

of MM.

de

la

1772, No.

whatever

relli, Florez,

rico

Don

de

St. Lucas

Cape

Aranza, viceroy of Mexico,

employed
de fregate of the
royal marine, to
to

an

Geografia

por

found

Quadra

California

de

manuscripts

in

M.

Diciembre

Mexico,
t

la

de

perfeccionar
de

true

by

de

order

Bonilla.

and
de

California

la

of

the

Part

the
las
en

viceroy
of these

pubJic in the Relapublished at

Mexicana,
the

GEOGRAPHICAL

52' of latitude,
and

22"

of

in

na

40'

4"

placing S. Bias

2-^'' 52' of

at

This

15"

17'

the

16' 47"

112"

of

positionwas also
accompanies the voyage

Straits of

western

more

authority

for the

chronometrical

to

I know

that

than
in

not)

Fuca

most

Ma-

cas
S. Lu-

longitude.
ed
adoptof

the

it

is, however,
published (on what
;

Knowledge of

the

port

Malaspi-

Antillon) Cape

latitude,and

in the atlas which

Spaniards

the

expeditionof

The

cape of California.
laspinafixed (accordingto M.

with

30"

21'

southern

of

the west

to

Bias, which,
107" 41' 30'',gives 112"
in

S.

xliii

INTRODUCTION.

Tunes

adopted a difference of meridian

San Jose and the Cape of 14' 17
between
; but it is
to be
observed, that these two
pointshaving never
pendent
been
connected
together, but fixed singlyby indeI have

for 1808.

"

observations, there
From

an

error

in

the

gathered from those

who
have visited these arid desert
regions,it would
that the difference
of longitude is somewhat
appear
In the time of Cortez, Cape S. Lucas
was
greater.
distance.

believed
of

be

to

what

of

22"

meridian

the

be

may

have

and
latitude,

10"

50'

to

the

west

of

Acapulco, a relative longitude

which
is correct
to within
nearlyhalf a degree.
of New
The
California has been
coast
explored
with the greatest minuteness
tion
by the Spanish expediof the galleysSutil and Mcxicana in 1792, and
the

from

country

of

30"

of

latitude,or

the mission

from

S.

Domingo, by the expedition of Vancouver.

La Pcyrouse had also
Malaspina and the unfortunate
obserA'ations at Monterey.
made
Though it may be
ferences
and the difsupposed that the direction of the coasts
of longitudesof several pointsare
perfectly
determined, it is difficult to fix their absolute longitudes
for

the

Vancouver
28'
to

to

it
"

place

the

by

observations

east

Cook

Voyage

de

the

of

north-west

lunar

distances

coast

of

America

of the
and

by

positionin longitudeassigned
Malaspina'sexpedition.* It would

Vancouver

aufour

du

monde^

T.

II. p. 46,

xUv

GEOGRAPHICAL

be

curious

very

llsTRODUCTION.

of the

the influence

to examine

new

Burg on these observations of the

English navigator. I have given the preferenceto
the absolute
from
longitude of Monterey, deduced
the operationsof Malaspina, not
it is
only because
but parfounded
on
eclipsesof stars and satellites,
ticularly
because
the Spanish observations
connect
it were,
nia
Califoras
by transference of the time, New
lunar

tables of

with

the

old.

The

la Discubrerta

corvettes

and

I'Atrevida, commanded

na,
Malaspiby Don Alexandro
determined
chronometrically the difference o"
longitudebetween
Acapulco, S. Bias, Cape S. Lucas,
and Monterey.
In adoptingthe more
eastern
tion
posiof the latter port, that is to say, what
is given
by Vancouver, the geographeris uncertain as to the
situation

of the southern

I have

35' 45"

36"

at

followed

coast.

To

Malaspina

in

placing

latitude,and

of

this difficulty,

avoid

rey
Monte-

23'

124"

45"

of

La

Peyrousef found the longitudeby

lunar distances
123" 34' 0", by the chronometer
124"^
3' 0".| Vancouver
deduced
a
longitude of 123'*

longitude.*

54'

30'

from

As

sun.

of

I have

of S.

the latter had

the

by

Diego,

relyon

to

him

between

S.

to

should

have

Cape

S. Lucas

Analysis

Voyage,

T.

scrupulous accuracy,
longitude
Monterey and the missions

In

this

the

manner

tempted

more

to

positionsof

the

T.

with

that

of

west
all the north-

Vancouver,

of
the

of
longitude

It is sufficient to have

eastern.

la Carta

render

tie Antillon, 1803, p. 50.

III. p, 304.

^ M. Tricsneckcr, in corrcctinp^the
of the lunar
Ppyrouse, found by means
Corr.

tion
situa-

the difference of

the sole observations

been

de

the

most

pointshave been connected

Monterey. Had
I, however, traced
from

the

survey

all these

coast

from

moon

Juan, S. Buenaventura, S. Barbara,

S. Francisco.

and

of the

leisure

with the

coast

ventured

indicated

distances

1,200

longitude

1230

I. p. 173.)

42'

12"

in

result

obtained

observations

place of

123'"

by

La

of Greenwich

3l' "d" {Zach

GEOGRAPHICAL

xlvi

his

in

Niza

de

Fray Marcos
doubtedly on

INTRODUCTION.

these

in

observations

recent

than

southern

1774, Father

with

agree
that
prove

to

seem

more

Diaz, and

which

observations

has

there, in
that from

44'.

that is

by him,
and

distances,

be

The

of the accuracy
not

of his
the

copy

found

also,

asserts

of the road

followed

positionswhich

pilots. Besides,

of

differ but
and

Malas-

in
testify

to

seem

Father

Monterey,

the result of Vancouver

pina'sobservations, would
did

Gila,

of the rhombs
say, a consideration
it is impossiblethat the junctionscan

from

minutes

Font

former

assignedin 1777 to the missions

Diego, and S. Francisco, and which

few

In

of the

Font
S.

much

to

latitude.

of

35"

at

The

which

believed.

Father

of

Font

junctionsare

simple consideration

Pedro

been

an

fathers

the mouth

at

47'.

32"

1775,

34"

of

means

another, and

hitherto

days successively,32"

two

by

Fray

one

the

obtained

Diaz

un.

adopted

instructed

well

two

was

printed at Mexico,*

cited, made

are

ring by
Francis, Fray Juan

would

work

astronomical
St.

that Delisle

grounds

but

maps

It

it 34'' 30'.

made

favour

labours, provided these fathers

furnished

data

it is certain

them

to

that

zealous

their

by

observer

with

often veiy
very imperfectmeans,
procure
results.
The
latitudes obtained
satisfactory
by Bou-

may,

in

Magdalena, with a gnomon

to eight feet in height,and employing for
seven
scale pieces of reeds, differ only from
four to five

ger
from

minutes

by

the

Rio

from

what

Father

However,
fortunate

with
the

de

Obispo

with

the

at

35"

of

S.

los Roblcs

17'.

dr

have

to

appears
Gabriel
at

36"

Comparing

Oufreraro, p.

11.

37',

32"

at

2', and
tliese

that
"

1792,

less

been

ring in fixingthe

Vancouver,' I find
-\- 1" 11', sometimes

Sern/ira

afterwards

vears

English sextants.

atlas of

sometimes
C^'^uca

fiftv-nine

Font

mission

Luis

I found

his astronomical

of S. Antonio

are

la

of excellent

means

of

de

tude
latithat

that

of

positions

the
23'.

errors

It is

Prolo^o.

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTRODUCTION.

Englishnavigatordid

true, the

situation

coast, the
From

hence

be

may

the

with

them

of which

how

seen

visitthese

himself

not

missions, but he connected

three

z\\n

much

he

bouring
neigh-

examined.

ought

we

be

to

with
nomical
astroguard againstobservations made
Font
visited also the
rings. Fray Pedro
site of the iTiins called las Casas grandes; and he
This
found
them
it exact,
33** 30'.
position,were
be very important; for it is the site of an anwould
cient
of tlie human
cultivation
must
species. We

on

our

this

confound

however,

not,

abode

second

of

the

which

they passed from Tarahumara

the Casas
to Colhuacan,* with
grandes,or the third
abode
of the Azteques, situated to the south of the
of Yanos, in the intendancyof New
presidio
Biscay.
I could
the observations
of the Jesuit
wish to know
Father Juan Hugarte,who
discovered, according to
from

Azteques

Antillon, the

M.
He

is

said

even

country

was

1 reckon
those

the
were

they made

northern
Mexico

the

to

small

New

of

frontiers

this

tury
cenwas

ful,
doubtoperationssomewhat
executed
by several Spanish
frequentand laborious visits

engineer officers in the

which

sixteenth

fact,which
in Europe.f

doubted

among
which

California.

that this vast

in the

denied

in Mexico

afterwards

long

have

to

of

maps
firstdiscovered

peninsula;but

nobody

in the

errors

the itineraries of

forts

situated

on

the

Spain. I procured
Pedro
brigadierDon

at

de

Nicholas
Rivera, drawn
up in 1724 ; those of Don
in
Lafora, who accompanied the Mai'quis de Rubi
his researches,in 1765, as to a line of defence for
the

ra

the

manuscript travels

In the

quelle ila fiatserent

de
original,

Colhuacan.

t In
at the

the

and

internas
provincias

1539, Francisco
expense
of

mouth

being

la

an

island

de la

Tarahuma'

Translator.

of
the
has

{Antillon,,
Analysis,

de

Ulloa, in

expeditionundertaken
Cortez, explored the gulf of California
Rio

Colorado.

its date
p.

47.

only in
55.)

No.

an

The
the

idea

to

of California's

'^pventeenth

century.

engineer Don

of the
to

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

xlviii

Chihuahua

and

assure

us,

Mexico

from

These
vellers
Arispe.*
respectabletrathat they made
observations
of the

altitude

meridian

Mascaro

Manuel

of the

I know

sun.

what

not

struments
in-

of ; and
it is to be feared
they made use
into my
that the manuscripts which came
hands
are
I
not
a
exactly copied ; for having taken the
ways
the latitudes by the rhombs
trouble
and
to calculate

indicated, I found

distances

ill with
very
and Antillon

I regret that

the

observed.

latitudes

Madrid

at

made

the

engineer officers are connected

positionhas been determined by M.
Mascaro

differ 10

being

indeed

in the latitude

founded

is doubtful

spoken

to

on

nearlythe

We

the

Mexico

hizo

Espana

1724.

en

la Nueva

Presidio
Don
en

del

"

de

Chihuahua
7. Derotero

de

Mexico.

We
result

my

Douwes',

ing
Notwithstandof which

I have

2.

del

he

it

believes

Brigadier

Don

Presidios

de

Itinerario

hasta

mismo

del

del

Paso

Sonora."

Don

Derotero
The
in the

mismo

Mexico
en

autor

of the

de

hua
Chihua-

de

originals of
archives

el

Internas

la villa de

Chihuahua
del

la

desde

Mascaro

Manuel

desde

en

4. Diaria

Derotero

6.

of

Nueva

Provincias

dc

10'

Zacatecas

autor

Janos."

las

autor

de

de

autor

mismo

de

el

Norte

por el Yngeniero
del mismo
autor

Rivera

de

las Fronteras

del

S. Fe

de

lie in 38"

to

Pedro

Viage

su

en

Virginia,

on

Presidio

mismo

del

Itinerario

Norte

Lafora

del

his classical work

3.

with

importantpoints.
the

los

ourselves

content

most

1785.
en
Arispe a Mexico
manuscripts arc
preserved

of

of 2'.

position of

Derotero

"

Mission

"

Paso

al Presidio
a

de

Biscaya."

Nicolas
1766.

del

Derotero

visita que

city; but
analogous to

shall

Jefferson, in

discussed

1.

Queretaro.

at

extent

of the

discussing some

placeswhose
Ferrer or myself.

draw
great use to those who would
up
part of the w^orld so littlevisited by people

of a
maps
of information.

in New

with

that

method

of

of

are

Mr.

of

of latitude

uncertainties,the materials

these

has

observed

Bauza

observation.

same

the

M.

MM.

observations

of the

none

coincided

results which

these

1778.

Arispe
desde

eight

viceroyaltv

GEOGRAPHICAL

latitude

but

Nueva

S. Fe

with

the

Mexico

4"

the

of the

of these

I fixed

the

observed
the

and

I'Altar,and
Fe

S.

de

of
capitiil

the

grees
gives five deledge
possessing any knowSpanish geographers, I
at

still greater

result.

longitude of Durango by a lunar eclipse

by Doctor
Oteyza ; this position agrees
adopted by

latitude

Chihuahua,
Mascaro

and

Antiilon

different way,

one

the

de

of

west

M.

of

Without

Bauza

Sonora, found

map
difference.
of

arrived, by

and

Velez

MM.

Presidio

of

21' to

labours

Fathers

12'.

the

coast

The

Mexico.*

with

ol

with

tlie direct

ingeniouscombinations,

union

xlix

between

and

shall lind 36"

wc

by connecting
again

Lafora

M.

of

Antiilon, by
this

medium

strikinga

observations

Escalante,

INTRODUCTION.

M.

Antiilon

supposing
that of

now,

of

Durango 24" 30', and

Biscay, where
capitalof New
1 have
for a long time, 28
45

the

observed

M.
thus

'

been

able

estimate

to

of

the value

the

leagues

ted
indica-

distances
The
of BrigadierRivera.
itinerary
the
and rhombs
me
by graphical construction
gave
difference
huahua
Chiof the
of Durango
and
meridians
in the

from

53

whence

there

results

difference

of

Mexico

lon";itude between
It is natural

enough

greater than
Antiilon,

and

Santa

and

that

this

difference

what

is indicated

these

estimable

for

Fe

of

48'.

should

appear
Bauza

by MM.
geographers place

far to the west.

37' e?? arc
too
capitaloi Mexico
The
positionassignedby them to Santa Fe depends,
Acathe longitudesof S. Bias and
however, more
oa

the

pulco
107'

than
1 "
at

5*^ 28
in

ih

on

of absolute
107'

2 ;

west

The

'

I.

Santa

Fe

at

tiilon
and AnBauza
longitude,MM.
longitude extremely probable, but

Louisiana
same

Aiiuhjsia de

is

what

than

eastern

more

the map
of
in 180j.

VOL.

I found

oi Mexico.

at

published at

map

is

be

found

phia
Philadel-

nearly four degrees

Carta, p.

la

to

44.

GEOGRAPHICAL

observations

the

On

Spaniards.
from
and

Chihuahua

the

west

of Mexico.

the

since

Durango
of the

4**

were

Parral and

is

three

placed

ded
conclu-

Arispe

of Chihuahua.
to

9^

manuscript
those

S' to

maps
structed
con-

fornia,
Velasquez from Calidegrees to the east
Velasquez reduced

of M.

graphicalmethod,

57' and

particularlyin

this difference of meridians

but

Costanzo

In all the old

return

the

and

combinations, that Santa

of

consulted,

I have

which

hand, M.

the other

Fe

Vancouver

of

great number

standing
notwith-

positionof Cape Mendocmo,

in the

false

mTRODUCTION.

founded

minutes;

of three

arc

an

itineraries,
gives

on

50'.

me

was

point of

equally well pleased to see that

of New
the gcograjiihy
Spain, my

conducted
obtained
map
M.

the

by

constructed

the

to

me

learned
at

result

same

Mexico,

the

same

tions
combina-

that had

been

Madrid.

My

of

astronomers

another

on

in

year

which

inpublished his Analytical Memoir,*

co,
dicates,as is proved by the copiesdeposited in Mexithe difference of meridians
of Tampico and Mazatlan
of the
kingdom
(that is to say, the breadth
Anlillon

from

the

O;.

MM.

the

have

Ocean

Bauza

Iiidies

by

the

to

Antillon

and

Lcifora

of

map

West

Atlantic

gives

17"

Arrowsmith,

Sea)

South

be

8'^

it 8" 20' whflc

found

45', and
9"

to

1'

that

In
.

of

the

I
my
map
Santander.

Tampico with the Bar de

of wliich the longitude was
observed
by M. Ferrer,
of the marine
supposing, agreeably to the maps
pot
deof Madrid,
We
Tampico 10' east of the Bar.
shall return
in the sequel to the positionof this
port.
The
latitude of tlie c ity of Zacatecas, celebrated
connected

for the
the

great wealth

Count

de

Aiuilvhis

dc

scptcntiioiial.

its mines,

Santiago de

rings, or
*

of

by

la

determined

as

Laguna,
but

gnomons,

lus fundamenios

clc la

by

Carta

by

not
means

de

la

b}'
nomical
astro-

of

se-

America

GEOGUAPHICAL

quadrants of

\trdl

in the

constructed
Don

0'.

These

almost

unknown

Zacatecas

was

is

as

published

at

use

of

the

After

Count

this

but

and

of

de

and

to

found

was

23"

be

to

be found

in

22"

work

Chronicle, published

the
of

la

Queretaro

at

Mexico.

result

meridians

of

2*^

probably very
Guanaxuata
by the

nometer,
chro-

32'.

calculations

The

from

difference

itineraiydistances, a

estimated

false.

is

distances, I deduced

lunar

by

asserts, that he
the west
4'' 3' to

Laguna

Zacatecas

fixingthe positionof

rhombs

radius,

formerly believed half a degree farther

Table
of Latitude,
proved by a small
Mexico,
by Don
Diego Guadalaxara.
desirous
of those
of constructing gnomons.

longitudeof

Mexico

feet

the latitude

are

S. Francis

of

four

to

Zarria concluded, from

de

Europe,

in

The
found

Xavier

itself ; it

countiy

observations

the fathers

for the

three

gnomical obscnations,

5' 6".

north,

from

Francisco

various

by

INTRODUCTION.

]VI.

of

absolute
As
to the
give 3" 45'.
itinerary
fixes it in a manner
roneous.
equally erlongitude,the count
from
He
a
pretends to have concluded
corresponding observation of an eclipseat Bologna,
of that city,
that Zacatecas
is 7'' 13' 50" to the west
catecas,
which
would
give Tt^ 13' 59" of longitude for Zaand consequently 7^ 3' 39" (in place of 6'^
have
Can
4fS' 42") for Mexico.
error
an
glided into
is T'^
the figures? Perhaps the difterence of meridians
30' in place of 7'' 50'.
The
longitudeof Durango should be very nearly

Mascaro's

105"

have

55',

Don

Juan

geometrician,the
often experienced
there

observed
the

Jose

east

of

of

the

of

Mayer,

moon,

indicated.

The

the

of

course

del

result
even

M.

my

Ojo,

termination

of

with

the

compared

author

completely accurate.

in

the

which,
the

of

benefit

can
Mexiyoung
abilities I
whose
a

(at I'Hacienda

Durango)
gave

Oteyza,

which
did
Fricsen

we

not

an

old

have

consider
concluded

tion,
opera-

38'

to

eclipse
tables

already
it

as-

from

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

lii

rhombs

the

5*^ 5' to

was

60'.

106"

Francisco

it,by meridian

Durango

but

of.

use
engineersmade
which
the Count
de la Laguna,
assign to the
engineer Mascaro

these

that

exact,

distances, should

and

There
New

of

cited

several

are

what

ments
instru-

If the

latitude
the

Zarria, and
city of Zacatecas
from

the

is

rhombs

nearly 24" 25'.

places in the northern

provinces
the
engineers already
stance
successively; this circumthree

observations

made

Lafora^

be

wliere

Spain,

38'

found

M.

deduced

Durango,

of

Don

companion
pretend to have

24"
of the sun,
know
do
not

we

suffi-

appears

his

and

Bareiro

altitudes

9',

24"

of

Rivera

Alvarez

in 1766,

east

latitude

The

doubtful.

ciendy

the

itineraries

gitude
Mascaro, that this lonof Mexico,
consequently

M.

and

BrigadierRivera

of

in the

indicated

distances

and

gives somewhat

in

confidence

more

the

dium
me-

result.

Chihuahua.
45'

2b"

from
west

of

by

Fe.

Latitude,

"

the meridian

to

Janos.

de

36"

the

to

of

west

of

28'

vera,
Ri-

5" 25'

to

the

by Rivera,

36"

5"

10'

48' in

Mexico.
30'

by Rivera,

Longitude, somewhat

doubtful,

Latitude,

"

50' by Mascaro.

7" 40'

distances,

and

to

duced
Longitude de-

Mascaro.

Longitude by approximation,

Presidio
30"

according

xico.

Latbra.

relation

rhombs

11'

29"

according to

the

Mt

Santa

Latitude,

"

31"

Mexico.

Arispe. Latitude, 30" 30' by Rivera, 30" Z^' by

Mascaro.
Longitude by approximation, 9" 53' (from
"

Mexico).
founded
itineraries
on
Geographicalcombinations
give an additional probabilityto the following positions,
of

which

the latitude.
agree with
Antillon.
the

absolute

what
We

Mascaro

MM.
These
was

results

obtained

differ,however,

and

Rivera

in my
map,
Baiiza
and

adopted
MM.

by

nearly

longitude of Arispe,

ned
determi-

city

degree

in

situated

in

GEOGRAPHICAL

li'V

Tehiian
the

INTRODUCTION.

tepee, partlynear

the

Proceeding

country.

in the interior of

coast

from

west

to

east

we

find

In la Misteca

alta the

positionhas

ed
determin-

been

of
S. Antonio

delas

Teposcolula
Nochistlan
We

may

dancy
caat

54',

the

add

of

isthmus

of

IS'' 3' of
17"

18'.

17"

16'.

villageof
at

latitude.

Panama,

latitude.

in

Acatian

58', and

17"

they have any degree of

more
precious,that from
to the

at

of la Puebla

16"

Cues

the

city of

intenOaxa-

determinations, if

These

accuracy,
la Puebla
there

the

was

are

much

so

de
not

los

the

Angeles

hitherto

tude
singlepoint in the interior of the country whose latiWhat
determined.
w^as
givesus
astronomically
is the
a certain
degree of reliance on these positions,
the latitudes assignbetween
harmony which prevails
ed
in the map
Pedro
of Don
Laguna and in those
of M.
Antillon,to the cityof Tehuantepec and to
Puerto
Escondido.
Hence
the Spanish navigators
at present place the former
port at 16" 22', and the
of
which is in the neighbourhood of the village
latter,
Manialtepec,at 15" 50' of latitude.

GEOGRAPHICAL

Hitherto

have

we

ustronomical

INTKOUUCTIOX.

discussed

observations,

confidence
geographer's
the maps,

positionsfounded
less worthy of
or

more

tliere remains

ahnost

Iv

for

employed for the different ports

of New
Spain.
map
the bearings and sinuosities
As
to
A\

ashed

Acapulco

to

the

of

the voyage
This
Fuca.

corvettes

the

to

was

ground

for
the

Norte

is founded

has

been

the

eastern

mouths

of

Africa

Rio

of the
almost

as

between

is

There

with

north

the

surveyed.

Mississippi is
coast

to

the

imperfectly
by M.

inaccuracy

Mexico

hitherto

the

between

of

of

stretches

America
of North
map
consulted
in its construction.

coast

of

the marine

operationsof

the

on

by

1802

The

eastern

and

the

port of

Rio

the

complaint against the

Cruz

contained

as

the

Malaspina,but the coast which

of Acapulco, is still very
south-east

Avhich

general
western

of

Antillon

Vera

of

of the

from

ocean,

published in

map,

known.

'

mouth

Madrid,

at

great

the

wc

which
accompanies the account
map
of the Spanish navigators to the Straits

the

depot

dicate
in-

to

us

Colorado, and to
of the Virgins in California, I have lowed
fol-

t^ie volcanoes

'

the

by

the

wlioUy manuscript,which

have

coast

on

of

The

part

Bravo

del

little known

Orange

River

Fish

and

Cevallos
Bay. The expedition of MM.
struments
inarid Hercra, provided with superb astronomical
is engaged in taking exact
plans of those
desert and arid regions. Meanwhile
I have followed,
for

the

gulf

of

Spain
liowever

detail of

the

Mexico,
in

1799,

eastern

coast,

published by
and

retouched

the

order
in

the

map*

of

of the

king

1803.

of

have

points from the excellent

observations
of M.
Ferrer,already cited. This able
observer
Cruz
having placed the port of Vera
9' 45" less to the west
I have rethan is done by me,
*

cano,

Carta

corrected

esfeiica

constn!i"la

que
enel

several

Mexilas costas
del Seno
comprehendc
Dfposito Hidrografico de INIadrid, 1799-

the

the

of

error

while

the

of

map

observations

and

the

naxuata,
the

the

and

either

me

Sierra
of

great number

with

is founded

on

the

goodness
collected
by

Having

marked

and

distances

the

his

mules,
Juan

him

merits

me,

journey
from

imdoubtedly

the

Duran-

M.

Oteyza

from

rials
mate-

to

exactness

between

Durango.

the

rhombs

pace

ot

the

confidence,

some

the

de

ascertain
The

journals of
which

we

for the /JroL"r. cm

from
Diu'ang)
Fe

However,
after

great

estimated

easy to
the value

Santa

his

for

the

or

and
positions of Guanaxuata
Rio were
corrected
by direct observations
independent of one another.
By this means

own,
my
it became

caro,

in

with

plan

as
particularly

construct

to

Tolo-

de

sextant

tween
be-

geodaesical

manuscript plan which

Gua-

Valladolid,

the

and
these

time

convert

of the

into

leagues of

distance, and
the

of

ports

The
graphometer of Adams.
part contained
and
Mexico, ZacatecaSjFresnillo,Sombrerete
go,
had

the

Mexico,

between

of JoruLo

by

ference
of dif-

longitude

the

between

Cruz,

from

taken

surveys,

Cruz,

1" 23'

admits

valley of Santiago and

is constructed

Vera

of

west

of Santander.

Vera

volcano

The

Oitmanns.

constantly followed

1 have

territory comprised

Acapulco

co,

the

to

Deposito

that

on

M.

Ferrer, in reducing

M.

of

Tanuagua
The

the

longitude.

of

of

15'

45

i"

the

gitude
especiallyin the lonSantander, which, according to

maps
bar of

Ferrer, is

M.

of

to

consisted

old

the

of

Cruz,

calculations

the

from

suhhig

Vera

of

envuons

by him
longitude re-

places determined

the

positionsof

the

duced
in

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

Ivi

S.
of

to

country.

Rivera, Lalbra, and' Mas-

MM.

have

of assistance
already cited, were
for the routes
intenias, particularly

to

Chihuahua,

Arispe

in

materials

and

from

thence

to

province of Sonora.
could
only be employed

the

long discussions and comparisons with the

collected
by M. ^^elasquezin his expedition to

data

Cali-

GEOGRAPHICAL

The

fomia.

good

deal

INTRODUCTION.

of

routes

from

Rivera

embarrassed
particularly
Mexico

between

Fe

Santa

occasion

have

M.

Costanzo.

is

profound,

of

of

geography

The

as

afterwards

shall

lias been

philosopher,as

rectified
modest

by
he

as

addicted

himself

discussions

to

the

on

longitude of the mos| distant points

has himself
formed
resting
the capital. He
very intefar ingenious
we
perceive how
plans,in which
may
certain point,
combinations
to a
may,
ply
sup-

from

the
this

in

of

want

seen

of which

Mexico,

Costanzo

M.

have

observations.

astronomical

justiceto

as

with

scales

the

of

an

accidental

an

enumeration

existed

jnanuscrite

Carte

par' ordre

du

the

between
from

Cape

It

of the

on

Moqui,

this

for the

to

appears
\\'hich has

of New
Manuscript map
Viceroy Buccarclli, by

of the

I.

of

tance
impor-

Rio

drestanzo
Cos-

immense

latitude,and
the
to

mouth
have

served

of
been

me

tends
ex-

the
stowed
be-

for the

Nabajoa, and

Spain, cpnstructed by
MM.

Trans.
VOL.

of

42"

care

environs

map

MM.

the

comprehends

Mendocino

work,

and

maps

Espagne^

Buccarelli^ par

39'^ and

Mississippi..Much

latitude

ornament.

Nouvelle

la

vice-roi

Mascaro.-^

et

space

de

in

maps

1804.

to

up

der
ren-

sure,
plea-

more

for the detail of my

by me
plans consulted
I have
think
brought together every thing

which

manuscript
longitudeand

many

the

appeared merely as
The
following is

the

between

or

for

has

has

difference

are

we

ever
thirt}^
collectingwhatyears been
the
with
is connected
geographical knowledge
He
is the only engineer officer
this vast kingdom.
Avho

see

dians
difl'erence of meri-

we

Sonora

This

and

Zacatecas,

and

Chihuahua,
to explain.

and

the

to

as

differ

often

very
Mascaro

of M.

those

Ivii

Costanzo

and

order
Mascaro.

for

of

lyUi

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

the

Chihuahua

revised

and

far

so

Aha

least

at

Several

Texas.

and

the

by

I have

as

from

in 1778,

la Croix

Azobispadode Mexico^ por

c,* a manuscript map

del

de

1768,

Cohahuila

to

Mapa

Chevalier

the

of

route

author

Jose

Don
drawn

tonio
Anin

up

which,

in 1772, and

examined

it, is very bad.

be found
in it, which

places are to
for the mineralogist.
interesting

arc

mining

I have

made

published at
of Governor
of the

map

14^

the

of

name

looked

Alzate, and

Spain,

manuscript

with

the

coast

stretches

has

as

out

from

the

Costanzo.
up by M.
for an acquaintance

is valuable
map
of Sonora.
I consulted

This

which

the best map of Mexico.

la Nouvelle
Espagne\ from

on

latitude,drawn

of

27"

part which

of New
map
M.
de Fer^ nor

in 1765,

generale de

the

to

the

of that
by
Pownall, published in 1777, nor
even
of Siguenza, which
the academy of Paris

hitherto

Carte

of

use

Paris

under

engraved
been

no

it also for the

Acapulco

Tehuan-

to

tepec.
Carte

des

manuscrite

Sonzonate,X

depuis Acapulcojiisqiia
by the brigantine Active, in
cotes

executed

1794.

Carte
dressee

manuscrite

par

situated
the

latitude, between
exhibit

between
mouth

Cholula.

of
de

t General

the

map

\ Manuscript

of

Rio

destined

w^as

of

of

34"

Colorado,

remarkable

most

archbishopric

Alzate.

comprises

1 9"^ and

the
It

Espagne,

It

the
of

of the

Nouvelle

\"12.\

those
Spain, particularly

Map

Antonio

of

situation

the

New

of

meridian

thp

and

la

toute

Velasquez,en

M.

countries

the

de

to

mines

Sonora.

Mexico,

by

Don

Joseph

Trans.
of

map

New

Spain.

of the

coast

from

Acapulco

to

Sonzonate.

Trans.

" Manuscript map

by M. Velasquez in

of the
1772,

whole
JVans.

of New

Spain,

drawn

up

CFCCP/PF^CAI

Carte

INTPOrUCriON.

lis

(Pane

Espartie de la Noiwelle
pagne,"^ from the parallelof Tehuaiitepec to that of
Durango, drawn up by order of the viceroyRevillagiCarlos
de Uriitta.
is the only
This
gcdo, by Don
manuscrite

of the

map

whi

country

intendancics,iind

exhibits

it has been

the

division

useful

very

to

into

in this

me

respect.
de

Mapa
jXueva

by

la Provincia

"spana,-\ engraved
accident

mere

that

placesMexico
the

de la

this
at

capital is fixed

same

which

at

Compania
Mexico

map,

278"

z6^
270o

at

so

of
of

de

Jesiis de
Is it

in 1765.
bad

in other

spects,
re-

longitude, while

longitude,in

the

title

the

Mapa de distancias de los

lugares prmcipales de JViieva Espana^X engraved by
the Jesuits at la Pueblade
?
los Angeles, in 1755
I found
Mexicana
Provincia
at
Rome,
apiid Indos ordinis Carmelitaruni
[erecta 1588) tiomcs^ 17.8.
Mexico
is there placed in ^:0" 28' of latitude !
Father
Pichardo
de San
Felipe Neri, a very well
m.'p

informed

bears

ecclesiastic,who

of the

possesses

the

small

drant
qua-

"%

Abbe

kind as to furnish
so
Chappe, was
with
of New
two
me
manuscript maps
Spain, the
and
other
the
one
by Velasquez^
by Alzate.
They
the
the
both
differ from
engraved by
academy
map
exhibit
the
of Paris, and are
situation
curious, as ihey
of several remarkable
mining places.
of Siguenza, repubMexico
Environs
de
a
lished
;
map
Another
in
of
the
1786.
ley
valby Alzate
map
in
found
the
is to be
of Mexico
nac,
almaannually
entitled la Gu a de Foresteros
; (the Stranger^s
Neither
these
Guide
;) it is by M. Mascaro.
twx)
hibit
published by Lopez in 1785, explans, nor the one
the

lakes

Manuscript
Map

\ Map
Trans,

of the

in their actual

map

of

Jesuits'

of distances

of

situations.

part of New

pro\-ince of
the

Spain.
New

In the

Trans.

Spain.

principal places

map

Trans.

of New

Spain.

GEOGRAPHICAL

Ix

of

longitudeare marked
for a geographer
strange mistake

the

Lopez,

meridian,

INTRODUCTION.

of

degrees

on

the

to

the

king !
detaillee des

Carte

Moc-

du Rio

dii Doctor

environs

of

tepec

to

are

constructed
Carte

de

Espagna^-dcpuis le
to

16"

be

constructed.

ably

et

the

Those

who

opinion

of

celui

de

Vera

Cruz^

cntre

le meridien

dressee

par Don

Conde,X lieutenant-colonel

manuscript

observations

of M.

It is

of

series

and

ter

great

from
Carte

nord

des

et

Minute

Manuscript

by Don
\ Map
Mexico
Conde.

" Map
and

and

south

Antonia
of the
and

Vera

and

work

of
of

the

Zimapan, by

the

la

constructed

by

Puebla^

drawn

of

au

up

by

the

Rio

Trans.

of

Spain,

New

Trans.

1787.

between

dillera
Cor-

Cruz.

Doctor,

kingdom

comprised

Cruz,

with

of the

Vera

Mascara.

whole
of the
map
Forcada
y la Plaza,

country

to

Nevada,)
of

graphome-

slope

de Mexico

M.

Conde.

ness
all,a great minute-

Orizaba

environs

the

the

highways.
joint

executed

was

includes

of

on

the

by

cia
Gar-

Diego

Garcia

M.

exhil^its, above

Xalappa and
routes
qui vont

map

Moctezuma,
t

This

sud de la Sierra

au

up

de Mexico

is founded

map

Costanzo

part which

in the

script
manu-

drawn

director

and

trianglesmeasured

compass.
it
and
;

care

the

appears
the

in 1790.

dupays compris

Don

map
know

of Guadalaxara,

Carte

This

This

1787.t

same

of the audience

Forcada

M.

Plaza^

la

la Noicvelle

de

latitude, par

de

40"

au

entertain
localities,

by

le royaume

tout

Forcada

map

of

canal

de

et

manuscrite

Antonio

the

of

waters

The
Zimapan, par M. Mascaro.^
Durango^ oi Toluca, and of Temascalbe found
carefullyrepresented in plans
by M. Juan Jose Oteyza.

Huehuetoca,)
environs

the

receives

(which

tezuma,

tlie meridians
Don

Diego

of

Garcia

Trans.
of

the

of the

roads

Sierra

from

Mexico

Nevada.

to

la

Trans.

Puebla,

to

the

north

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

Ixii

for the environs of Sotto la Marina

exact

marge.
The

of the rivers contained

course

del Norte

Rio

copiedfrom

and

the mouth

communicated

Mapa

General

which

was

kinson
Wilhis

Washington,on

at

me

the

between

Louisiana.

from

return

to

of Ca"

oi the Kio Sabina

manuscriptmap

and

de la Nueva

Gallizia;* a manuscriptmap
in 1794, by M.
Fagaza, from his own
observations and the map of M. Forcada.
Carte de la Province de Soiiora et de la Nouvelle
constructed

Bucaye-\dedicated to M. d'Azanza, and constructed

Don Juan de Pagaza. This
at Cadiz, by the engineer
is very minute
manuscriptmap, four feet in length,
as

the mountainous

to

conceal

dians
the savage Infor excursions and attacks

places,where

themselves

travellers.

It is also very minute as to the environs

of the Paso del Norte, and particularly
to the
as

on

desert

called
territory

Carte

manuscrite

the 36^ of
de

Tienda
have

to

the Bolson de
de la

Sonora^X from

latitude,dedicated
Cuervo.

been

the Pimeria

The

German

Mapimi.
the 27o
Don

Colonel

to

to

Jose

of this map appears

Jesuit,who had resided in
author

alta,that is to say, in the

northern

most

of Sonora.
part of the province
Carte

Rio

the

to

manuscrite

Gila.

alta.\ It extends

de la Pimeria
The

ruins

famous

of the

Casas

an
placedthere at 36*^ 20' of latitude,
of three degrees!
error
of Fathers
a manuscript
Mapa de la California^
map

grandesare

Garces

Francisco
has also been
of

of Nueva

of three minutes

Gallizia.

S Manuscript map

It

1777.

but with

an

error

for all the latitudes.

Trans.

Map of the provinceof Sonora

of Sonora.
\ Manuscript map

Font,

Pedro

engravedat Mexico,

diminution

Map

and

and of New
Trans.

of the Pimeria

alta.

Biscay. Trans.

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

It is

la

for
interesting

Ixii

the Rio

Pimeria

alta and

la Costa

occidental

Co,

lorado.

geograjicade

Carta

de la California

los anos
1769
y
que se disciibrio en
Don
de
Francisco
Bodega ij Qiiadra y

Don

nizares, desde
small
cio

engraved

map

at

It

interest

must

of discoveries
The

in the

gulf of

the map
cia de la

great

who

the

This

Villavicen-

study

of S.

the

much

very

history

detailed in
the Koti-

accompanies
Fr.

del Padre

positionof

true

grados.'^

ocean.

Cortez

Calfornia

Ca-

the meridian

on

up
those

Jose

Manuel

by

appears
of California,which

but

1757;

los 58

in 1788

is drawn

Mexico,

Bias.

hasta

los 17

1775, par

Miguel Fenegas^
actually

the missions

existingin this peninsula is indicated in the map

subjoined to the life of the Father Fray Junipero
in 1787.
Serra^ printedat Mexico
Carte
de la province de la JK'oiwelle
manuscrite
drawn
Biscaye,-\from the 23" to the 37" of latitude,
in 1792
Juari de Pagaza
by the engineer Don
up
information

Urtundua^ from
curious

This

work

obtained

executed

was

at

by

Chihuahua,

order

of M.

de

of the provincias infernos.

Nava, captain-general
served

me

for

whole

the

of the

the environs

though

appear very accurate.

Carte manuscrite
des

It

intendancy of Durango ;
of Durango do not
town

de la
fi'ontieres
septentrionales
the 23" to the 37" of latitude,

Espagne^Xfrom
by the engineer Do7i A'icolas Lafora, It develops
the plan of defence
of the Marquis de Rubi, and
for verifying
the situation of the small forts
served me
nouvelle

Geographical

discovered

Quadra

and

in

map
and
1769

Don

Jose

of

the

coast

western

1775, by Don

Canizares,

of

Francisco

from

the

California,

de
17^

Bodaga
to

the

58".

Trans.

Manuscript

map

of the

province of

Manuscript map

of the

northern

New

frontiers

Biscay.

Trans.

of New

SpaiD.

Travs.

-%

Ixiv

GEOGRAPHICAL

named

copy of this same

in length,in the archives
of the
del

Mapa
with

This

the

Rio

Carte

du

the

and

del

made

defective

those

the

des

Rio

Colorado

en

17 9 5,par

the

It appears
of the Rio

it.

sources

situated

Missouri

gravee

of

the

to

as

of Louisiana

Map

the

of

use

no

countries

of

nute
mi-

the lake

to

as

the

to

map

details

Mexique^

nouveau

The

29"

is very
situated under

countries

sources

viceroyalty.

Norte.

I have

Lopez.X

and

the

three

map,

the

from

manuscript

It contains

41".

Timpanngos^

Mexico,\

regard to

of
parallel

Norte.

saw

Nuevo

latitude.

of

and

Presidios.

metres*

42"

INTRODUCTION,

between

these

published

del

sources

detailed

better

are

ceedingly
ex-

in

Philadelphia

at

in

1803.

fections,
myself that, notwithstandinggreat impersential
general map of New
Spain has two esmy
have
all those which
hitlierto
advantages over
appeared. It exhibits the situation of three hundred
I flatter

and

twelve

into

mines, and the

intendancies

worked

are

mines

those

indicated

there

of the country
ha\^e been
which

division

new

from

catalogue

which

be
tribunal of mines
caused
drawn
to
supreme
of that vast
the spots, through the whole
extent
upon
empire. I have distinguishedby particularsigns the

the

places which
and

nas,

The

the

are

the sites of die mines

cataloguewith

marked

of the

seats

tlie rhomb

considerable
what

I found

which

those

These

of

the

old

Velasquez
This

labour

troublesome.

When

any

Nine

feet

Map

of New

\ Map

of New

ten

inches
Mexico.

depend

furnished

was

from
I

notes

were
was

map

English.

of die

on

very
some

combined

manuscript

me.

to

which

the distance

and

town.

in

which

Deputacionesde

not

them.
often
more

with

among
ance
greatest assistmaps,

equally minute
did

Mi-

bear

the

and
name

TraJis.

Trans.

Mexico, engraved

in 1795,

by Lopez.

Trans.

GEOGRAPHICAL

of the

tion
placed it simply accordingto the situadistances
catalogue,reducing the itinerary
the country
furnished

leagues of

combinations

interior

that

the

with

names.

there

are

map

It

must

however

not

be

entirelyuninhabited, Avherever the

hamlet.
neither villagenor
I wished
the

enter

several

part of

most

American

the

filled with

Europe, are

names

in the country itself.

and it often becomes

conjecturetheir origin.
\^cant

that

supposed

placeswhose positionwas
manuscript maps from which I

only to
the

distances,from

districts

indicates

map

into absolute

The
by analogous tascs.
New
the
on
Spain being concentrated
plain of the central chain, it follows
of Mexico
is covered
very unequally

populationof
great

Ixv

mine,

in the
or

INTRODUCTION.

space

in my

laboured

These

errors

for

executed
maps,
whose
existence
is

in
known
un-

are

petuated,
perdifficult
to
extremely
rather

chose

than

map

in

same

to

draw

leave

to

from

suspicious

sources.

The

indication

of the chains

difficulties which
have

been

themselves
I

maps.

only
employed

can

of mountains
felt

be

by

ed
presentthose

who

in

constructinggeographical
preferredhatchings(hachures)in

the method
of repreto
orthographicalprojection,
senting
mountains
in profile. This
last, the oldest
and
of
a mixture
most, imperfect of all, occasions
of very
two
sorts
heterogeneous projections.Yet
I will

dissemble

not

balanced

by

real

signs which
is
a

that
hilly,

advantage. The old method

announce
vaguely that the
this

more

the less it exposes

is vague
of hatching,on the contrary,
than

more

to know

he

of the

of

knows,

to

such

or

The

error.

forces
than

more

try
coun-

hieroglyphical
language
method

the drawer

it is

even
a

to

say

possible
vast

extent

the last maps

of Asia Minor
believe that learned geologists
at

'

I.

in such

constitutionof
geological

territory.To look
and Persia,one
would
VOL.

nishes
fur-

"

there exists mountains

prcH^ince."The

is almost

that this inconvenience

-I

GEOGRAPHICAL

Ixvi

ascertained

have

INTRODUCTION.

direction of the mountains.

wind

which

and

people

like

out

and

Alps

who

have

Pyrenees

assert, that the

differs entirelyfrom

Minor
there

rowsmith,
The

so

undoubtedly in

waters

of the

informed

well

mountains

the

of

Asia

and

Persia

in which

form

they

the

but

country;

of

give the

sort

some

indicate the difference

merely
in the

the

less known

are

However,

tempted

are

large map of Asia, published by Armany.

Gerand
often copied both in France

in the

appear

rivers;we

through
grouping

gone

their chains

discover

We

distant countries.

these

than

branch

that the

to believe

height,the limits,and

tlie relative

rivers

of

courses

exists

which

level

lineation
de-

of

territorj^
through which they run.
A knowledge of the great valleysor of the basins; an
of the points where
rivers take their rise,
examination
to a hydrographiare
certainlyextremely interesting
cal engineer ; but it is a false application
of the principles
of hydrography, when
geographers attempt to
extent

determine
which

chains

the

They
only

the

they know

they suppose

in countries

mountains

of

of the rivers.

course

that
two
great basins of water
suppose
be separatedby great elevations, or that a
river

of mountains

its course.
oppose
that frequently,either on
of
account
group

the

rocks,

strata, the
while

the

distant
the

of

sources

the

physical
been

very
of the earth

numlDcr
die

levels

the

high

most

chains

have

been

from
maps
successful.
is

the

so

the

much

the

rise

to

For
the

river,

no

the
more

true

arc

Hence

made

theoretical

the

of

mountains.

hitherto

of

nature

rivers

considerable
of

They forget

inclination

give

siderable
con-

td*con-

ideas

have

tion
configura-

difficult

to

be

pelagick currents, and the greater

of the rivers which
h;!ve changed the surface
globe, have totallydisappeiired. The most

discovered, as
of

elevated

most

from

of

account

on

atten.pts which

struct
never

or

can

when

its direction

only change

can

of

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTRODUCTION.

Ixvlj

perfectacquaintance with those which have existed,

which
and those
actuallyexist in our days, might
instruct us as to the slopeof the valleys,but by no
to the absolute
as
means
heightof the mountains, or
the positionof their chains.
I have traced on my
tion
of New
Spain the direcmap
of the Cordilleras,not
from
suppositions
vague
or
hypotheticalcombinations, but from a great variety
of data furnished
mines.
tains is
under

by

The

the

19''

of

and

It

to

use

the

over

em

branch

cas

and

and

the

who

The

visited

Chihuahua

the

mines

of

have
I

also

owe

furnished

much

Mexico;

also

M.

Valladolid;
at

Catorce

me

to

Chovell
M.
and

Anza
a

the
at
at

M.

de

velled
tra-

Spain ; and
lUready cited

Anahuac^

the

he
the

east-

Zimapan lowaids Charsmall

kingdom of Leon,
extends

of
and

Bolanos

from

Guana

xuato,

the

labours

Zacatecas,
of

celebrated

Villalpando
;

great number

M.

Mexico,

of

del

and

Zacatecas,
information.

useful

very

Tasco

to

manuscript memoirs
Saxon
mineralogist,

for mines

with

of

maps

Valencia, residing at

Vincente

Don

my

Mineria,

de

have

learned

Rio, professorin the school

for

Pagaza, were
provinces. M.

New

The

Catorce,

and

more

and

northern

which

de Fronteras.

Sonnenschmidt,

the

of

results served

Tribunal

in the

branch

western

breadth

Costanzo

from

runs

myself

between

manuscript

of the

Monterey,

the Presidio
of M.

the

greater part of

which

capital,

regionthat I made
barometrical
and geodfesical

which
we
map
of the Sierra Madre

branches

Anahuac,

in this

the

on

moun

examined

O', for

for the

me

Velasquez, director
traced

was

of which

geological sections.
Velasquez, and of MM.
great

of

21"

of

greatest number

measurements,

latitude.

of 16^' 50'
parallels
than 140 leagues.
the

of
group
environs
of the

the

in

part of the Cordilleras

the

of

elevated

most

found

be

to

ican
visited the Mex-

ho had

persons

D'Elhuyar
M.

Colonel
of rich

Abad

at

at

Obregon

proprietors

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

Ixviii

of mines

good

religiousmissionaries, who

and

all the

direction

interest

an

of the

regardingthis part of
these

hazardous

tains

on

extent

an

the

to

as

far from

am

perfect. Occupied

as

mountains

examining

lecting
col-

and

geologicalatlas, I well
undertakingit is to trace the
of
of territory
118,000

for
an

informed

mountains,

work

my

in

twenty years
materials

how

of

chains

so

standing
Notwith-

work.

in my
painsI took to be

take

to

as

were

know

moun-

square

leagues.
I could

ha.ve

wished

large scale
physical,the other

draw

to

up

Spain, the one

purely geographical; but I was
two

of New

maps

the

work

designatethe slope
afford

the

at

time

same

with

shade

These

names.

of

rendering
hatchings which

undulation

and

afraid

The

voluminous.

too

on

to

of

the

the

maps
become

names

ground,
charged
over-

not

when
an
unfrequentlyillegible,
attempts to
engraver
produce a grand effect by the distribution of chiaro
Hence
cussed
dishas carefully
the geographer who
scuro.
the astronomical
comes
positionof the places betinctness
dishe ought to preserve
uncertain
whether
of character, or render more
perceptiblethe
relative height of mountains.
tiful
beauOne of the most
which
ever
was
published in France,* the
maps
drawn
one
depot in 1804, sufficiently
up in the war
how
difficult it is to reconcile
two
opposite
proves
t
he
interest
and
that
of
the
of the
interests,
geologist
The
fear of giving too
astronomer.
tent
exgreat an
to
work, and the difficulties attendingthe
my
publicationof an atlas of which no government
defrays
the expense,
I
abandon
made
a
me
projectwhich
*

We

have

discussed

regularity
am

uncertain

"which
error

in the

has
has

i)een

crept

this Pic is

sure

to

as

twice
in

at

in the

eighth chapter

position
the

copying
to

from
the

within

the

Mexican

the

longitude

surveyed

enough

of

of the
a

de

but

the

Tancitaro^
I fear

distance.

angles;
about

Pic

ry
extraordinavolcanoes.

some

latitude

eight minutes.

of

GEOGRAPHICAL

Ixjt

large map,

added

Avas

Mexico,

New

M.

the

las observaciones

fundamento

las

publicadaspor
When

contained

of

and

del

trubajoshidrograjicos.
from

those

viage a Fuca, they were

solid

more

on

servido de

JV, O. de ^'imerica,

diiferent results

gave

founded

han

que

costa

de

la direccion

atlas

entitled,Memoria

1806,

de la

the

of the
voyage
from
of
a memoir

astronomicas

in the Relacion

preferredas
work

in

from
the

of

account

cartas

this memoir

map
taken

was

Mexicajia,

Sutil and

analysis. The
of the gulf of

an

DepositoHydrograficoof

the

Espinosa, printed

sobre

the

California

accompanies

corvettes

given

from

published by

Madrid.
which

I have

which

of

Yucatan,

INTRODUCTION.

The

bases.*

Espinosa served me also for the small

of islands, named
CoUnett
tlie archipelago
by M.
group
of a Mexican
of Revillagigedo,
in honour
viceroy.
The
islands of San
Benedicto, Socorro, Rocca
the IS** and
partidaand Santa Rosa, situated between
20*^ of latitude,were
discovered
vigators
by the Spanish naM.

in the

Hernando

tury.

Ruy Lopez

1542,

island,
He

Tomas,

which

to

indicated

island

of

I have

33",

This

Tomas.

12'

23",

and

Cape

S.

36o

in

Lucas

the

Socorro.

on

small

Nublada.

la

distance
Nublada

cen-

in 1533

landed
of

in latitude

placed Monterey

1240

"which

very

Santa

Villalobos

the name
gave
its true
well

he

sixteenth

Isle del

named

now

de

the

discovered

Grixalva

de

island of Santo
In

of

commencement

from

the

of Villalo-

35' 45", and

latitude

22o

gitude
lon-

52'

14' 30".
The
longitude of Monterey
longitude 112o
M.
with
1 have
Espinosa, differs
definitively
adopted

less

from

that

the

published by M.
Antillon.
The
difference
the opinion of the
between
Spanish
navigator and that of the English navigatoris only an arc of
IS' as
already stated.
(Here it is of importance to observe,
from

that

of Vancouver

of

commencement

p. i. to

of

September,

the

spring of

p. xxxiii.

1807,
1809\

than

was

and

this

the

geographical introduction,

composed
tiiat the

result

at

Berlin

remainder

was

in

the

month

published

in

INTRODFCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

is

bos

that the
island

the

phers, for
positionof

the

last island

This
as

shallow

is marked

found

in

the

Mexico.

Castillo

dc

archives

of

that

time

Since

from

Bias

San

the

Alonzo

Bias

San

to

group
thrice seen

in 1793.

The

Collnett

has

the

Isle del

Socorro,

the

of

fixed

As

have

*Ramusio,

I. p.

T.

at

of

islands

of

the

20'

15''.

minutes

false ! The

is fixed

by
and

M.

94.)

called, in

placed (afterM.
loneitude.

from

the

It

Cape

San

This

latitude

at

25"

is

Lucas

of

22"

of

ces
distan-

is from

these
that
far

too

New

the
east.

Spain,

observations

not

San

in 24o

M.

45', and
to

of

1613).

107.

p.

appears
San

15' of

undoubtedly
1539,
Cape of

Espinosa)

position of

tables

the

Sea,

South

mountain

Collnett

ihat

appear

fine map
of the engineer
United
States, the map

the

the

Collnettf
navigators

three

Mason's

from

voyage

(edition of Venice,

375.
to

voyage
latitude of

112o

"o"

Cortez

and

the

rectified

tCollnett's

Ulloa

of

series

sun.

by

for

and

Arrowsmith,

92

the

for Louisiana

used

the

1541,

it would

several

calculated

Lafond

(p.

exactly enough
from

latitude,

in

of islands has been

thrown
group
with
conterminous
to the countries

whole

tinds

of

in

these

Yet

from

moon

distances

same

of

discordant.

M,

of

even

island

of

lastly,by M.

observations

extremely

we

it

namely, by
in 1779, in a navigation
California; by captain

and

up

family

in 1792,

Torres,

de

Acapulco
are

the

to

length, on

the

New

to

in

drawn

Revillagigedo has only been

Josef
the pilotDon
Camacho,
Don

the

45'

19"

at

thirty-sixmiles

of

Domingo

of

map

of

west

is

Tomas.

iSanta

and

the

to

tain
cer-

hydrogra-

prevails as
Ga'etan*
places

Juan

this rock.

leagues

modern

confusion

greatest

hundred

two

so

navigator

same

the

of

Rosa

Santa

It is not

the

partidaof

Rocca

of

Bencdicto.

San

called

now

Ixxi

be

Collnett
the

tude
longi-

nearly

seven

Lazaro, whose
position
40' 15"
1 14"
latitude, and
the

Abad,

same

as

and

which

47' latitude, and

which

that
I

11 40

have

42'

GEOGRAPHICAL

Ixxii

INTRODUCTION.

Rittenhouse, Ferrer,and
New-

York

Lancaster

and

Oltmanns

in

Ellicott.

scientific

volume

inserted

memoir

The

p. 92.
which
have

positionsof
discussed
by M.

were

collection

of my

The

same

served

of

Astronomical

work

contains
island

for the

and

Cuba,

on

ports of Batabano

southern

and

Trinidad,

observations

astronomical
before

1801,

the

of Cuba.

It

III. MAP

VALLEY

THE

countries

valleyof

the

by

the

there, in

made

OF

MEXICO,

THE

OR,

TENOCHTITLAN.

ANCIENT

Few

this map.
the island

fixed

were

on

departure for Carthagena.

my

OF

details

between

coast,

which

servations,
Obterials
ma-

superfluousto enter into greater

is merely an
of
a
part which
accessory
Several
points situated in the interior of
of

cond
se-

the

be

would

the

in

varied

inspireso

Tenochtitlan.

It is the

interest

an

site of

the

as

ancient

an

civilization of American
are
affecting,

most

of

people. Recollections, the

associated, not only with the city

Mexico,

but
of

pyramids

with

ancient

more

Teotihuacan, dedicated

moon,

of

which

third

book

of

descriptionwill

this work.

Those

the

monuments,
the

to

given

be

have

who

and

sun

in

the

studied

tary
historyof the conquest, delightto trace the milipositionsof Cortez, and of the Tlascaltec army.
The
naturalist contemplateswith interest the immense
elevation
of the Mexican
soil,and the extraordinary
form
of a chain of porphyritic
and basaltic mountains,
which
the valley like a circular ^v'all. He
surround
of
perceives that the wliole valley is at the bottom
the

dried

which
marshes

up lake.
fill the
of

The
centre

basins
of

Zumpango,

Xochimilco, and

Chalco,

of fresh and

the
San
are

plain;

salt

and

the

water

five

Christobal, Tezcuco,
to

the

eye

of the

geo-

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGUAPHICAL

legistthe

of

remains

small

Iicxiii

i^cat

of

mass

water,

\yholcvalleyof TenochThe
undertaken
for the preservation
works
titlan.
of the capitalfrom
the danger of inundations, if they
do
offer to the engineer or
not
hydraulic architect
least objectsworthy of
for imitation, are
models
at
fixing his attention.*
this country
Notwithstanding the interest which
offers in the triplerelation
of history,geology, and
from
hydraulic architecture, there exists no
map
which

the

inspectionof

of the

form

of

Mexico,

in the
do

an

on

merit

neither
the

The

Guia

old

seventeenth

nor

Foresteros

de

of

plan

the

plan

of the lakes

of

Siguenza,
sixteen,!

by

is

See

the

what

of the

chap.
t

the

two

of

zuma.
of Monte-

only twenty-one

is entitled

en

Mapa de
legunsvienen

Don

Carlos

Mexico

the

on

the

on

than

more

afterwards

lakes;

valley
in

ray

de

las
la

Si-

algimas

con

by

six.

Cholula
map

and

of

I.

Trans.
K

position of
;

the

three

the

on

(Desague) by
the gulf of

off into

drawn

are

of

arc

an

of Teotihuacan

artificial canal

VIII.

inches

the

on

say

pyramids
the

plainsof

comprised

Eight

VOL.

tal,
capi-

Don

por

extent

of

waters

1786,

city of Mexico

on

for

The
Joseph Alzate.
of latitudes and longitudes attached
zate
by M. Alin constructo this plan of Siguenza is defective
tion
en

to

is also

up
ly
certain-

of tlie

time

in the

which

Gongora, reimpreso

giienza y
adiciones

drawn

sketches

situation

represent the actual

que per el circulo de noventa

lagwia de Tezcuco^ delineado por

the

de Mexico

topographicalmaps

of

name

aguas

conceived

Siguenza,

These

century.

state

centimetres

scale

be

can

not

they

idea

any

virons
valley. The plan of the enpublished at Madrid
by Lopez in

that of the

founded

are

which
of the

true

1785, and

the

covered

formerly

Toluca,

valley

of which
of

old

the

sition
powhich

co;
Mexia

part

Tenochtitlan,

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

Ixxiv

The

minutes.
the

by

longitudeof

absolute
Mexican

learned

the

ed
city,assert-

be the result of

to

twenty-

of satellites of

and believed
Jupiter,
by the
by him to have been approved of and verified
Academy of Sciences at Paris, is a degree false. This
copied by all the
plan of M. t\lzate has been servilely
geographers who have attempted to publish maps
It gives the direct disof the valley of Mexico.

observations

one

tiince

From

the

summit

of the volcano

villageof Tesayuca,
extremity of the valley,an
(True distance 0" 53'.)

situated

the

to

b From

the

huetoca,
lakes
c

where

O'^

f/From

0"

32'.

(True

in distances

los Banos

de

distance

hundred

which

had

the

by Don Luis
constructingthe

map

I made

himself

I did

so

at

greater than
*

About

t About

does

Zum-

to

21'.)

0^

San

to

Christobal,
Tezcuco

of 20,000*
in

with

0'^

yet M.

metres,

geodaesical

great accuracy,

remain

not

which

Alzate

doubt

of

might

have

miles

is inserted in this work.

observations
de

Moran,

that of Pachuca.

yards.

Banos

of Velasquez,as was
triangles
Martin, M. Oltmanns, and myself,

tlie Real

twelve
109

even

measured

astronomical

no

(True

21'.)

And

metres.f

los

Velasquez,

there

done
in

0^ 20'.

Tehuiloyuca to

M.

of

availed

Hue-

to

8'.)

0"

of 16,000,

to which

as

1'.

the

(Penol) de
(True distance

operationin 1773,
and

1"

discharge of the
(True distance 0" 23'.)

for

rock

errors

are

of

Mexico

Chiconautla,

the village
of
/ From
29'.
(True distance 0"
Here

northern

15'.)

I^rom the Penol

13'.

city of

O'' 32'.

the

0"

pango,

the

to

the

at

equatorialarc

canal

Mexico

distance

the

commences,

From

of

centre

Popocatepetl

of

and
Trans.

half.

Pachuca,

at

whose

I found

Trans.

latitude

but

is

the latitude of

GEOGRAPHICAL

Moran
20"

14'.

too

far

4", and

10'

20"

INTRODUCTION.

yet M.

lx"v

Pachuca

makes

Alzate

city of Tula is placed in his

north
by nearly a quarter of a degree.
plan of M. Mascaro, published in the

The

The

de Mexico

old

[Aiapadel

fourteen

centimetres

twelve

times

work.

It may

than

smaller

the

considered

be

Siguenza and Alzate.

valleyhas, however, been

is

Mexico)

only

as

one

annexed

to

of

the

copy
northern

The

somewhat

this

plan

part of

the
The

straitened.

Popocatepetl is distant
from Huehuetoca, according to Father Alzate, 1'' 14';
The
tance
disand according to M.
Mascaro
I'' 11'.
true
is 1" 1
which
results from
connecting,by the
of Velasquez, Huehuetoca
with the rock de
triangles
los Banos, and this rock, by my
astronomical
vations,
obserof

the

Guia

by ten,* consequentlyit is about

of

summit

de

cercanias

as

map

volcano

of

and

by

azimuths, with

several

pjramid of Cholula.
There
exist maps,
according to which
of the lakes adjoiningthe city of Mexico
the gulf of Mexico, as
north-east
towards

Popocatepetland

case,

but

of

the volcano

the

north-west

to

the

Sea.

South

the
do
is

waters
not

run

reallythe

This

error

others in the map

of
along with many
North
America, published at London
by M. Bower,
geographer to the king.
in the springof the year
arrival at Mexico
On
my
the projectof drawing up a map
1800, I conceived
I proposed to fix, by
of the valley of Tenochtitlan.
astronomical
observations, the limits of this valley,
I took beof a lengthenedoval.
sides
which has the form
from
the
of angles of positions,
a
great number
is

to

be

tower

found

of the

cathedral

porphryry hills
the

Banos,
mountain

of

position of
*

About

of

of

Mexico,

Chapoltepec, and

Venta

de

the

Chalco,

Chicle, Huehuetoca
the

two

five

the

volcanoes

inches

and

and

summit

the

Penol

summit

by

the

de

los

of

the

Tissayuca.

of la Puebla

half

of

four.

and

Trans.

The
the

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

ixxvi

was
peak of Axusco
hypsometricalmethod,

and
bestow

that is to

azimuths.

by a particular
titudes
say, by anglesof allittle time
to
very
flatter myself with

Having

this work,

on

determined

I could

not

the great number

of
bringing together in my map
small
Indian villages,
with which
the banks
of the
lakes are
covered.
My principalaim was
carefully
ascertain

to

physicalmap
a

of the

the form
of

valley,and
in which

country

great number

of elevations

Circumstances

of

by

favourable

draw

to

the

up

measured

1 had

of the

means

enabled

have

nature

rometer.
ba-

from
accurate
publish a topographicalmap
materials.
A respectable
character, who, by a union
rarelyto be found in any country, possesses with a
to

me

largefortune
Jose

Maria

memorial
from
On

his

drew

up
the
of

M.

at the

excursions

joinedto
to

materials

him

by

the astronomical

extremities
which

truth, the form

which

these
to

of

him

and

the

had

he

geology, enabled

tin,
Mar-

to

and

veys
sur-

in

the
subjecting
observations
made
by
The
numerous
valley.
me,

from

undertaken

express,

the relative

with

zeal for

great deal of

height of

the

from

tains
moun-

those

of

Cuernavaca.

I owe
which
map,
de Fagoaga, is not,

inserted in this work.

carefully,both

Zumpango.

part of the

separate the plainof Mexico

Tula, Puebla,

it

Luis

Christobal, and

San

Tczcuco,

delineation

of M.

friends,Don

mineralogistas he is an able engineer,

from
the geodsesicaloperationscara
ried
map
between
the city of Mexico
at different times
of the caaccount
on
nals
villageof Huehuetoca

Martin

This

giving me at
of a plan of

precious
ture
deparmy
the valley.

me

communicated

me

of my

Don

sciences, M.

leave

to

of his country, in
Mexico
the sketch

good

on

and

wished

Fagoaga,

invitation,one

as

for the

strong love

with

On
the

to

the

obligingfriendship

however,

the

one

which

is

examining and comparing

of M. Velas*
triangulation

Ixxviti-

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTRODUCTION.

O
a,
3

""eqo

c/5

'""0

"f=5o

C/3

""0

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTRODUCTION.

Ixxix

Ixxx

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

measured

Velasquez

iVl.

3,702*-^ Mexican
and

the

varas

on

base

was

successively the

series

of

of San

the

other

from

the

twice.

4,474

capitalto
The

Guadalupe.

cond
se-

In

distance

Christobal

14,099

the

from
the

to

Chiconautla.

de

of

resolving
trianglesaccording to these

this distance

for

One

cross

(Cres-

crest

of the bases

another

varas,

gives

triangleand the three last have

obtuse
angle, but in these same
trianglesan
in the sharpest angle would
minute
but
a
third

The

14,101.
an

of

error

de

measured

Loma

of the

each

Miguel

even

of the mountain

gives

leads

shall find the direct

"values,we

ton)

and

which

causey
the sanctuary
of S.

of

one

dated,
plain,frequentlyinunvillageof San Christobal,

Chiconautla

the

the

in the

varas

hill of

bases,

two

separates the

which

Ixxri

INTRODUCTION.

difference

produce a
length of

three

four

or

Hence

sides.

the

"

of

this

the

on

varas

operation is

ver^-

for the

topogi-aphy of Tenochtitlan.
Particular
signs indicate on my map the positions
founded
the triangulationof M.
which
Velas
are
on

valuable

and
quez,
^Ve
have
with

the

those

which

added

the

of

results
calculated

barometer,
of M.

I determined

Ramond.

astronomically.

my

measufements

according

who

to
map
I have

placed the

names

at

study
ancient

the

"*

Mexir-

^"ery

only

in

exact

the

use,

'''f'^^^

^" ^"^
'Z^ ^^^T'"''^'^
^rsTd W^''^^^''^^l^T""
*

Az*-'

Mexican

autV

p^T
Ra-nal1nd
,..'"'^1
,

of

names

VOL.

^^

^^^
"T'"
the
conquest,
'^^^ide the

Robertson,

kings

^^^

historv
-^''"

present in

efficient
co-

facilitate*"'

To

,^

those

the

to

of

'

ana

c.t.es

Anahuae.

and

l^auw,

provinces,

"^ ^"^^^'
V^^'a^I
who
disfieure the
those^
like
of
he

GEOGRAPHICAL

Jxxxii

iV.

INTRODUCTION

EXHIBITING

MAP,
MUNICATIONS

HAVE

BEEN

ATLANTIC

THE

WHERE

POJNTS

THE

COM

PROJECTED
OCEAN

TWEEN
BE-

AND

SOUTH-

SEA.

This

inap
of
eye

the
which
two

was

drawn

the

reader

present

It will

oceans.

in the

second

chapter

in nine

to

serve

the

che-Tesse, and those

the Rio
del Norte;

sketches

Ounigigah
the

between
the

the

I have

said

first book.

assembled

separationbetween

between

explainwhat

the

of

to
offering
nine points

the

view

one

of

communication

of

means

for the sake

up
in

the

and

Rio
of

isthmuses

I have

presented
re-

pointsof

the Tacout-

Colorado

and

Tehuantepec,

Nicaragua, Panama, and Cupica ; the river of Gualthe raand the gulfof S. George ; and, lastly,
vin
lagii,
from
the Raspadura to the Choco, by which, since
lantic
1788, boats have
passed from the Pacific to the AtOcean.
The
most
interestingsketches are
of

those

the
and

traced

the

the

isthmus

of

of the

rivers

Chimalapa

from

from

the
I

Tehuantepec.
Huasacualco

materials

padura
Rashave

(Guasa-

which

I found

viceroyaltyof Mexico, and

the plansof the engineersDon
from
guel
Miparticularly
del Coral and Don
the
Augustin Cramer, whom
tances
disviceroy Revillagigedo sent to the spot. The
rectified by itineraries very recently
drawn
were
to
came
up since the indigoof Guatimala
pass through
the forest of Tarifa, which
is a nc^v'
road opened to
the

archives

derivation

of

canal

course

cualco) and
in the

small

of

commerce

V.

This
:'" it did

of

PLAN

work
not

the

Vera

OF

would
contain

THE

Cruz.

PORT

Ol'

VERA

CRUZ.

undoubtedly appear incomplete,

the plan of the port from
which

GEOGRAPHICAL

ail the Mexican

clayVera

Criiz

exact

flows

wealth

vessels
an

INTRODUCTION.

copy

is the

only port
The

of

war.

of

the

Orta, captainof

into

To

Europe.

which

up in
Cruz.

the

port of Vera
the scale by one
half, and

this

ropean
Eu-

receive

can

which

plan

drawn

one

Ixxxiii

publish is
1798
by M.
I

I have

added

few

minished
di-

notes

longitude, winds, atmospheric tides, and on

the quantityof rain which
falls annually. The
mere
tary
of every milisight of this plan proves the difficulty
attack
its eastern
on
againsta country, which
on

the

offers

coast

other

no

shelter

the

ought

of

follow.

of

Vera

the

of

tower

cathedral.

salient

angle of

to

the

Cruz,

bastion

He

St.

of

should

take

Francis

of

S.

St. Peter.

larboard, placing the

the

tower

Crispin appear
then

should
towards

the

till the

this route

He

prow

that

care

cover

will continue

bastion

the

the

on

he

of

church

the

the

drawn

direction

to

edifices

dicate
plan of the port inwhich
vessels intendingto anchor
V^^henever
the
the pilotdiscovers

lines

double

gerous
dan-

shallows.

anchorage among
The

than

vessels

to

hind
betack

Isle of

the

Sacrifices.

Buoys {palosde marca) have been placed

the
shallow
of la Gallega near
the point of the
on
the two
Soldado, to avoid
dangerous rocks, called
Laxa

Fuera

de

de

and

Dentro,
,

PHYSICAL

VI.

OF

VIEW
THE

OF

THE
LAND

TABLE

ORIENTAL
OF

VITY
DECLI-

ANAHUAC.

known
by the name
projections
geographicalmaps, give but a very imperfect idea
Uie
of surfiice and
physiognomy of
inequalities

horizont-il

The

The

country.
mens

dii

relative

only

be

undulations

terrain,)the

form

of
of

the
the

surface

of
of
a

[mouve-

moimtains,

their

height,and the rapidityof the declivities, can

completely represented in vertical sections.

GEOGRAPHICAL

ixxxiv

dra-wn

map

suppliesto

ingeniousplan of M.
degree the place of a
plane which has but two

on

Clerc^

the

up on
certain

lines drawn

and

INTRODUCTION.

relievo

effect as a model
produce the same
may
if the extent
of ground represented is
But

difficulties

the

the

horizontal

in
not

lievo,
re-

too

thoroughly known

if it is

great, and

sions
dimen-

in all its parts.

when
insurmountable

almost

are

projectionembraces

hillycountry of
surface of several thousand
a
square leagues.
In the most
inhabited regionof Europe, for example,
in France, Germany,
or
England, the plains
which
the seat of cultivation
are
are
only elevated, in
general, a hundred,! or two hundred metres^ above
another.
absolute
Their
siderable
one
heights are too inconhave

to

Hence

^
the

naturalist

Europe,
This

the

in

which

the
of

the

interior

The

the

not

possesses

in
of

figure
has

he

form

and
of

sera

an

try.
coun-

done

surface,

over

nent
emi-

an

on
a

maps,
in the

the
work
and

tory
his-

of

memoir

of
the

on

CLvi.

des

It is
up

presents

in the

absolute

the

M.

be

of

to

M.

Laborde.

in

that

T.

memoir,

I. p.
the

interestingRafifiortsur

Poyferc

regretted, however,

in all its parts

Madrid

de

contained
the

being six
(about I960 feet.)See
ed
the soil of Spain, insert-

Alexandre
data

attached

map

strikingexception

very

environs

elevation

Merinos., par
to

configuration of

From

geological

elevation.

Spain

itinerary of

the

up.
drawn

Trans.

Castiles

metres

I'imfiortalion
drawn

presides

construction

relievos^ will

of
maps
the most

Trans.

feet.

656

soil of

cxLvii.

small

feet.

328

About

in

of

of

than

who

than

vations
ele-

cultivator

the

mate.
cli-

topography.

hundred
my

representing

these

of

indicate

Polytechnique,
of

talent

construction

t About

"

Ecole

reflected
ever
more
Nobody
of
undulations
expressing
he means
to
publish on the

means

the

the

on

in the

also,

geographical engineer,

the

manner

hence

and

the

to
interesting

geographers merely

learned

topography

on

less

influence

knowledge

accurate

an

is much
to

sensible

any

according

to

de
that
the

Cer^., 1809,
this
same

was

was
map
scale of

INTRODUCTION.

"EOGRAPHICAL

)xxxvi

considerably from
In

sections

canals, the

the

whole

of

If

scale of elevations.
same

magnitude

either

to

adopt

to

or

make

insensible.

city

We

the

of

space

J
of

the

extent

Vera

and

scales,

my
and

of canals

the sections

the

do

exhibit

not

500

drawing more
in employing

than

Cruz

feet.

1640

of

an

About

885

"

.59371

of

i) About

55

See

my

for

exhibited

is

nearly 270
be requisite

! Hence

physical

the

inch.
feet.

an

inch.

feet.
Essai

from

maps,

up

to

of the

the

more

nature

rapid

This

Trans.
Trans.
T'rans.
Trans.

laGeographit

dcs

F/antes, p.

in

incon-

Trans.

.mr

as

by engi-

declinations

true

this

well

as

roads, drawn

projectionsemployed, appear
designs than they are in nature.T[

t .03937

of

declinations,according

these

About

the

physical view

the

of

two

and

elevation

which

viii.

vii,

plate by

elevations

of

scale

become

sions.
in all its dimen-

an

But

centimetre,^

Mexico

inequality of

soil,but

case

most

plate would
than
15 metres
||in length, to represent
of country
the meridians
comprised between

more

neers,

the

the

if die

in the

occupy
millimetre.

the

to

of

in this

that the

would

standard

same

not

itinerarydistances
in the
plates vi,
metres

the

that

see

would

metres*

to

length,

Chimborazo

have,

forced

be

should

on

the

would

subjected

equal to the
the
attempt to give

soil

indicated

have

Mexico

of

were

the

of

be

small

so

jection.
pro-

sections

immoderate

an

of elevation

heights which

the

arrows

of

inequalitiesof

remarkable

to

of

plane
in

as

scales, we

drawings

scale

cannot

were

we

these

to

the
a

countries,

of distances

scale

of the

direction

33.

GEOGRAPHICAL

INTUODUCTION.

is increased

vcnience

of veiy
deep and

narro\v

which

scaler

small

are

the

if the

extent,

plainsof a gaat clevaiion

if they are
separated by

or

It is ("i
om

valleys.
of distance

effect

and

another

that

country

principallydepends.

into

method

me

subject
the

rules

nothing

circles of tlie

Physical
constructed

the

the

to

section

not

one

of

here

enter

it

and

peared
ap-

point
necessary
in this place, as the imitations
to

more

recentlypublished
planes abounding with

indicates

bear

rules,

to

proporlion

principlesfollowed
Every graphiciil

map.

iews

on

vaiion

I shall

of the

of

much

so

of these

some

of my

kind
be

should
to

out

this

in

me

ek

the

produced by

discussion

minute

by

the

lyxxvii

direction

arbitraryprojections

are

of

curves,

in relation

to

which

the great

sphere.
in

maps

vertical

projectionscan only be
the pointsthrough \vhich

knowing, for
the plan of projectionpasses, the three
coordinates
of longitude,latitude, and
elevation
above
the level
of the ocean
it is only in uniting barometrical
; and
on

with

measurements

that the

This

kind

of

the
section

of

results

of

projectionwill

astronomical

country

be drawn.

can

become

servations
ob-

frequent

more

themselves
proportion as travellers shall addict
observations.
But
more
assiduously to barometrical
few provinces of Europe
this day offer the necesat
sary
materials
for constructing views
analogous to
those published by me
of equinoxial America.
The
construction
of the sections, plates vi,
vii,
in

VIII.

in

same
itfe

The

absolutely

are

to

those

three

compose

all the
of

three

The

uniform.

views;

height nearly

scales

the
as

indicate the nature

maps
of the soil.
the surface

scales

to

one

of

are

distance

twenty. four.

of the rocks
This

the

^vhich

knowledge

it is also
and
interestingto agriculturists
;
in constructing roads
to engineers employed

is

useful
or

nals.
ca-

GEOGRAPHICAL

Ixxxviii

I have

INTRODUCTION.

for

blamed

been

these

exhibitingin

not

situation of the secondary

or
superposition
tion.
or
primitivestrata, their inclination or their direcfor not indicating
I had particular
these
reasons
itineraries all the nein my
I possess
cessary
phenomena.
geologicalmaterials for forming what arc
A
ber
great numusually called mineralogicalmaps.
in
materials
of these
were
published by me
my

bections the

work

recent

Andes

the

but

examination

mature

on

Cordillera

of the

the measurement

on

of

adopted the
tions
geologicalsec-

separatingentirelythe
of rocks
which
from
displaythe superposition
of surface.
physicalviews which indicate inequalities

resolution

the

of

country, if this
A

elevation.

of

thick is often
enormous

mass

existence

of

of

of
these

of

slender

very

they lie,throw

be

shall

Papagayo,

geologistthan

How

strata, and

lighton
the

to exhibit

as

indicate

we

for

the

shall

then

provinces, if

such

metre*

one

amygdaloid or porphyry ;

formations.

How

?
that

to

of

gypsum

to
interesting

section of entire

scale is

of

stratum

more

in which

ble,
impossi-

geologicalsection of an extensive
section must
be subjected to a scale

construct

to

said

I had almost
difficult,

It is very

in

the

so

ner
man-

trace

magnitude

masses

for the

relative
we

an

tiquity
an-

the

of the

able
inconsider-

valley,in

naiTow

example, (Plate vii.)

in

millimetres
of breadth, which
space of onef or two
the valleyoccupies in the drawing, the different forwhich

mations

reflected

repose

on

one

another

Those

who

ed
graphicalmethods, and endeavourto improve them, will feel,like myself, that these
unite every
methods
nevejcan
advantage. A map,
for instance, overcharged with
fused,
consigns,becomes
and loses its principal
advantage,the power of
of relations. The.
a
conveying at once
great number

have

39.371

t A

on

inches.

millimetre

Trans.

contains

.03937

of

an

inch.

Trans.

GEOGRAPHICAL

of

nature

elevation

rocks

the

interest the

of formations

than

more

thickness

and

superposition
absolute

the

of

strata.

It is

geologicalsection

aspect of
scales

Ixxxir

their mutual

and

geologistmuch

sufficient if

from

INTRODUCTION.

the

country, and

the general
expresses
it is only in freeingit

of

dicate
inheight and distance that it can
luminously the phenomena of stratification,
it is of importance for geologists
to know.

which
The

of New
physical view of the eastern
declivit}'
Spain is composed of three sections, which I have
The
cities of
distinguishedby different colours.
Mexico, and la Puebla de los Angeles, and the small
hamlet
of Cruz
Pcrote
and
Blanca, situated between
las

Vigas,are the points in which the intersection of

the three planes of projection
is made.
I have added
the longitudeand latitude of these points,
the medium
direction of each
section, and its length in French
leagues of twenty- five to the degree.
The
the east of the valley
two
on
great volcanoes
of

Tenochtitlan, the

Pic

d'Orizaba, and

the

Cofre

placed in the drawing according to

tlieir true
have represented them
longitudes. We
their base,
as
they appear when a thick fog covers

de

Perote, were

their summits

when

and

Notwithstanding
colossal

the

mountains,

their whole

are

contours,

have

we
on

many

slender
to

I had

almost

the clouds.

breadth

enormous

not

dared
of the

account

of
to

these

represent

lity
great inequa-

These
canoes
volheight and
have
disfiguredthe view, risinglike so
columns
the plain. I have enabove
deavoured
represent very exactlythe strange form,
said the particular
physiognomy, of the

of the scales of
would

above

seen

distance.

four great mountains

of Anahuac
of the Cordillera
travelled
from
and I flatter myself that those
who
Vera

Cruz

with

the wonderful

to

Mexico,

and

aspect

will

w^ith
VOL.

who
of these

have

struck

tains,
majesticmoun-

perceive that the contours

precisionin this plate,and in No.
I.

been

are
ix.

exhibited
and

x,

INTRODUCTION*

GEOGRAPHICAL

xc

the reader

That

physicalgeography,

facts of

the

the

height

the

of

the

of

mountains

views,

of the

sides

two

fix in his mind

may

and

Alps

under

of

perpetualsnows
parallelof Quito, and

limit
the

middle

45"

the

and

foot

plantsbegin

the

on

to

be

at
or

seen,

part of the

vegetate in the mountainous

to

the

of

that

equator, under
of latitude; the

the

at

the elevations
and, lastly,

certain Mexican

which
cease

Cordilleras

the

the

of the air

temperature

slope of

Pyrenees

several

of

and

Chimborazo,

on

tion,
of eleva-

scales

the

near

marked

have

we

tant
impor-

some

try.
coun-

repeated
phenomena are even
what
all
in all the maps
; a repetitionanalogous to
scales
the thermometer
formerly exhibited, which
indicated, though very inaccurately,the maximum
of

minimum

and

such

or

have

of
the

VIEW

PHYSICAL
OF

the
up
me

sections, which

the

OF

THE

TABLE-LAND

THE

and

WESTERN
OF

VITY
DECLI-

NEW

SPAIN.

the

Cordilleras.

platesVII.
pleasure
Atlantic

of
It

and
into

may
unite

the

the

have
that

viii.

which

one,

Ocean
to

two

such

preceding view, and the section of

valley of Tenochtitlan, (plate viii.) are drawn
all three accordingto the principles
laid down
by
in discussingthe section of the easterw
slope of

the

to

with

that these

under

graphy
large view in my GeoPlants, might perhaps contribute to propagate
study of the natural historyof the globe.

analogy

This

observed

temperature
I believed

zone.

some

VII.

these

of

Several

framed

the

may
will then

extend

Sea, and

scale

same

all be

they

the South

to

on

which

united
from

at

the

will develop

tion
geologistthe extraordinary conforma-

whole

country.

be

necessary
the sections

vertical scales

on

to

observe

vii.

which

and

the

to

those
in

M'ho

wish

cutting the
heights of Puy-de-

viii.

GEOGRAPHICAL

Dome

INTRODUCTION.

Vesuvius

and

that the

marked,

are

xci

projectionof these sections intersect

at rig;ht
angles, in the centic
Mexico.

The

which
east

to

the

road
N.

to

N.

would
the

from
W.

extend

Villa

de

the west

to

direction

the

city

of

planes,is
of

the

from

second,

to

terminate

the shores

on

Cape Corrientes,
New
Spain swells

As

of

most
al-

Acapulco, is from S. S. VV.

The
prolongationof the first section
and
nearly by Pascuaro
Zapotlan, to
la Purificacion.
This
plane prolonged

would

Sea,betvreen
vidad.

medium

Mexico

different

of

composed

the

west;

eacli other

direction of the first section,

medium

is itself

planes of

the

and

of the South

port de

la Nathis

singularlyin

out

follow that the descent

of
direction, it would
the valleyof Tenochtitlan
the Cordillera, from
to the
western

be
intendancy of Guadulaxara, would
from
Mexico
the length of the road
pulco,
Acato
The
in platevii.
barometrical
sketched
surements
mea-

plainsof
twice

the

which

Ario,

cuaio,

great elevation

the

never

Tenochtitlan
Yet

2,000*

to

the west

of the

No.

the

to

sufficient

Oaxaca

of the

tracing
parallels

plain would

preserve
for more
than

metres

from

of

and

VII.

to

the

the

what
prove
mountains

to that

of

viii.

of

the

to

I
runs

6,560 feet.

from

west,

Navidad, is

la

reunion

of

two
my
simpleconsideration

tions.
sec-

of Anahuac

advance.

from
from

far

tion
geologicalconstitu-

Cordillera

Durango,
*

east

port de

small

direction

true

chain

in

S. S. W.

directed

section

the

giving a justeridea of
of New
Spain than the

from

the

central

of

towards

Cruz

Vera

that

prove,

cityof Mexico, while,

the plane
direction
ot the section. No.
vii.
reaches this elevation,after leavingthe valleyof

sixtyleagues
in the

Valladolid, Pas-

between

in the direction

section

degrees,the

20

or

made

Ocambaro,

and

this transversal
of 19

The
the

of

is

central

province

of

the S. E. to the N.

Trans

GEOGRAPHICAL

xcii

INTRODUCTION.

to
be
consequently, the plane of projection,
lera,
perpendicularto the longitudinalaxis of the Cordilshould not be placed parallel
to the equator, but
the N. E. to the S. W.
drawn
from
on
By reflecting
limits of the group
the particularstructure
and
of
mountains, in the neighbourhood of the capitalof

W.

Mexico,

we

shall

find

vii.

and

sections, No.
than

should

be

reunion

conformation

of

believe

two

imperfect

the

country

from

purely
In this mountainous
theoretical
ideas.
tween
region be20"*
of
19"
the
and
latitude, nothing announces
There
of
are
none
a
longitudinalcrest.
which
those parallelchains
geologistsalways admit
which
and
in their works,
geographers represent in
in their maps
of the two
the most
arbitrary
manner,
we

tempted

of the

less

gives a

viii.

the

representationof

the

that

continents, like ranges

of

the inclined

western

declivities

N.

and

while
the

S.

along

it is S. E.

Great

the

plane

same

VIII.

the

of

PHYSICAL

Hence

world,

was

M.

OF

of the

THE

NEW

drawn

as

well

Parral, in the

as

north, from
and

eastern

another

in

is almost

CENTRAL

be
be

perpendicular
in the

TABLE-LAND

SPAIN.

under

up

dillera
Cor-

gulf of Mexico,
declivityopposite
cannot

Guanaxuato,

Davalos,

one

declivity,
projection.

Raphael Davalos,*

M.

the

sections,to

lines of

VIEW

of

the

in the

the

section of the road

the mines

of

!^. W.

OF

The

tlie

The

direction

This

coast

and

Ocean.
to

towards

planes formed
by
not
are
parallelto

direction.

middle

dikes.

elevated

increases

Anahuac

whence

their

of

to

leading from
the richest

Mexico

of the

to

known

by
eye at Mexico,
pupil of the school of mines,

M.

my

Juan

Jose

firovincias internas,

Rodriguez,
and

well

native

informed

in

GEOGRAPHICAL

xciv

INTRODUCTION-

Switzerland, and

of

the

Though
is

the

objectof
to

more

the Andes

Mexico

of

and

which

work

now

Peru.

lish
pub-

describe the territorial riches than the

of New

geologicalconstitution

Spain,I

have

thought
atlas the picturesque
proper to add to the Mexican
No
views
and x. to serve
as
a
IX.
supplement to the
of the valley,(plateiii.) and
to
give a more
map
livelyidea of the beauty of the situation of the city
of Mexico.
These
summits, the Popocatepetl
same
and the Citlaltepetl,
the first of which
is visible at
Mexico
Vera

Cholula,

and

Cruz,
of

ence

Cruz

served

the

by

Nevados

Milan

is

than

tht- central

chain

great proximity contributes

and

of

of

of their summits,

covered

much

the

the

eye

snow

the

Vera

the
and

This
awful

eternal snow,
the air through

with

the

is

rays

most

to

The

volcanoes.

as

is of

Alps.

give an

to

marked,

more

receives

The

transparent.

to

half

one

cities of Bern

much

Mexican

so

appear
which

the

the

majesticaspect

contours

by

nearer

de la Pitebla
to

are

port

advantageous, but hitherto

very
that of perpendicularbases, azimuths

angles of altitude.*
The
cityof Mexico

two

dift'er-

meridian

the

and

and

method

littlefollowed
and

Mexico

Cholula

at

verifythe

to

me

city of

second

arrd the

more

rare

and

extraordinary
from
a
sky

it descends
particularlywhen
brilliancy,
is always deeper than
that of the
the blue
of which
from
our
see
sky which we
plainsof the temperate
observer
finds
The
himself, in the city of
z' ne.

Mi-xico,

in

pressure

is

only

conceive, that
in an
trifli;:g

the summit

See

above,

nomiques,
f

stratum

585

of

atmosphere so

is easy to
be very
of lightmust

little condensed,

Chimborazo,

p. xxiii. and

barometrical

millimetres.! It

extinction

the

of the

air, whose

my

or

Recueil

vol. I. p. 373.

Nearly twenty-three inches.

2"ans.

the

and

that

Popocatepetl,

d' Observations

jlstro-

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

tlie

from

seen

exhibit
at the

Iztacci/iuatl
the

has

latter

in the

these

they

incha, vomited
the

appliesto

forth

fire.

JK'evado

de

in the

been

have

Lorenzana

or

but

the

volcano

of Pich-

conquest, of naming every

observation

same

the

Indian

no

mountain,

Tallica.

habit, from

Zihual-

this

when

The

that the Izcalls

volcano

resembles

in its contours

which

nately
indiscrimi-

la Puebla

of

doubt

no

the time

to

ocean.

called

are

I have

Cardinal

back

tradition goes

seen

equally well distinguished

extinguished

an

were

of the

volcanoes

are

cities.

two

taccihuatl, which
tepec, is

shores

they

the

the

country

if

must

of which
Popocatepetl,
form
peculiar to the Co-

and

conical

because

Mexico,

the

Pic d'Orizaba,

the

topaxiand

from

from

Mexico,

or

than

contours

distance

same

The
the

distinct

more

Riobambu

plainsof

.:cv

The

Spaniards

first times

insulated

of

summit

the

volcan,

The
regionof perpetualsnow.
nevado
words
and volcan
are
:
frequentlyconfounded
I have even
heard at Quito, the strange expressionsvolcan
de nieve and volcan defuego.* The
Cotopaxi, for
because
its peexample, is reputed a jire-volcano,
riodical
while
the
Corazon
and
eruptions are known,

which

into the

enters

Chimborazo

the

natives

the

called

are

snow-volcanoes,

that the fire is concealed

suppose

because
in them.

kingdom of Guatimala,t and in the Philippine

Iskmds, they call water-volcanoes
[volcanesde ugua)
those
which
inundate
the
surrounding country.
In the

From

these

examples,

w-e

volcan, in Spanish maps,

quitediiferent
the

other
M.
as

nations

of

Don

Luis

they

appeal' in

Snow-volcano
En

Goalemala

frequentlyused
is understood
what
by
Europe.

Martin

and

is

drew
clear

the volcanoes

day

fire-volcano.

hay dos
agiia." (I-orenzana, in a

t"
de

from

that the

see

may

from

it

sense

among

of la Puebla

Terrace

oi

Trar.s.

volcanos,
note

the

in

word

to

the

uno

de

Letter?

fuej^o y otrc
of Ccrtez..;

INTRODUCTION^.

GEOGRAPHICAL

xcvi

School

the

Mineria). A

[SeminarioRealde

Mines;

of

with

justlycelebrated artist,who honours me

ot Rome,
M. Gmelin
friendship,
enough to retoucii the dniwing of M.
sketch

my

of

hand

of

the

great

altered, and

nowise

were

shade,

well

as

contours

that

doubt

no

the

perceived

easily be

will

master

of

distribution

have

and

Martin,
The

d'Orizaba.

Pic

tiie

was

particular
obliging
a

in

in the effect of

as

the chiaro-scuro.
It may

Puebla

la
a

useful

be

almost

the

Tenerifie, or

of

elevation.*
immense
volcanoes

The

snow

maximumf

in the month

nearly 4,560
The

of

of the

the summit

absolute

of

band

one

of

snow.

of the
of

region of snow,
November, 1803, v/as

metres.:]:

Nevada,

Sierra

than

higher

metres

January, in
perpetual snow

metres

by

elevation

of

I found

which

united

almost

were

of

such
stay at Mexico, I saw
my
in the mountains,
that the two

During
falls of

3,800

to

volcanoes
of

month

height of

the

to

that the

limit

inferior

descended

Peak

in the

drawn

were

when

season

observe,

to

Iztaccihuatl,is only

or

Blanc

Mount

Mount
Blanc
625
surpasses
extends
Besides, the plain which
the

Mexico

to

elevated

than

foot
the

famous

passages

Cenis,

Simplon,

of

the

of

the

the

and

St.

ports

the

is itself

volcanoes

lesser

few

Popocatepetl
metrest' in height.
from
the city of
but

of Mount

summit

d'Or,

and

Bernard,
of

Gavarnie

more

the

Mount
and

Cavarere.

It
that

between

was

Cortez

7\bout

t See

i.

X 14,956 feet.
^ 2,050

his first

12,460

book

feet.

with

passed

Tlascaltecs,on
*

these

feet.

chap.

two

volcanoes

of

la Puebla

his

troop and

six

thousand

expeditionagainstthe city of

Trans.
ii.

Trans.
r,'VT- "^^

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

Mexico.

Ordaz,

Diego

natives

did

succeed

not

in his

the summit

reach

V.

Charles

the emperor
volcano
a

enter

the

the

march,

severe

give

to

attempted to
Though he

courage,

to

this

During

xcvii

gave
of

coat

valorous

proof

of

his

of the

catepetl.
Popo-

king,*
in his underta-

him

permission
I will

arms.

not

agitatethe questionwhich is so often the subject

of dispute at Mexico,
Francisco
namely, whether
Montano, after the taking of the capital,in 1552,
now

drew

the

sulphur employed

from

the

Popocatepetl, or

of

crater

in the fabrication of
from

der
powsome

lateral crevice.

X.

Pic

The

d'Orizaba,

Arrowsmith

on

other

and

THE

PIC

D'ORIZABA.

the

positionof
geographers have

which

navigatorsas
the

raccas,

is as celebrated
in their maps,
the Pic of Teneriffe, the Silla

have

Barro

or

the

Pic

S.

it appears
in the road from
villageof Oatepec (Huatepeque)
it

drawn
the

Mountain,

Table
as

Santiago.

de

but

the

this station

From

part which

is covered

Mr.

thrown

confusion

much

to

OF

VIEW

PICTURESQUE

so

among
of Ca-

Elie.

Xalappa
the

near

covered
nothing is diswith perpetual

plane of my drawing is a thick forest

of
strawbermelastomes,
liquid-amber styraciflua,
that the
ly trees, and pipers. It is very remarkable
two
volcanoes, the Popocatepetland
largestMexican
inclined to the
have
both
the crater
Citlaltepetl,
We
south-east.
find in general, that in the equidecline
noxial
region of New
Spain the mountains
the gulf of Mexico, and that
most
rapidly towards
The

snow.

the

and

ridgesof
Cartas

de

first

rocks

Cortez^

are

and

p. 318.

162.
VOL.

I.

directed
frequently

most

380.

from

Clavigero, III. p.

68

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

srcviu

W.

the N.

add

to

small

thoLigh I never
lappa or Mexico,
of ashes

mass

and

observed

I have

and

dense

very

drawings

the

to

red
ventu-

of Pueblathe great volcano

Xaeither from
any smoke

myself saw

and

Bompland

M.

distinction

better

of smoke

cohimn

d'Orizaba

of the Pic

the

For

extinguished volcanoes,

from

of active

E.

tlie S.

to

from

issue

vapours
the 24th

the

January, 1804,
Popocatepetlon
de los
in the plain of Tetimpa, near
San Nicholas
of the
Ranchos, where we made a geodaesical
survey
mouth

of the

volcanoc

Indians

Pic

The

1545

Eight

before

years
measured

of altitude
the

its

had
Pojauhtecatlor Zeuctepetl,

eruptions between
Ferrer

also

called

d'Orizaba,

at

volcano,

summit

of

He

it 155

makes

in

taken

was

".

M.

taking angles
the

from

strongest

Mexico

at

the

moir
gives it, in a methe transactions of the society of
My
height of 5,450 metres.*

Philadelphia,the

angle of

the

arrival

I'Encero.

in

inserted

pa, where
3" 43' 48

my

great distance

near

measurement

1566.

Cidalteped, in

ihc

measurement

and

by

plainnear

small

elevation

This

lower.

metresf

Xalap-

of the summit

is

only

dinary
notwithstandingthe extraorin the
tropics,and
constancy of refractions
I took during the
all the care
which
notwithstanding
whole
of the expedition, I do not entertain
course
the belief that I have been able to ascertain the height
of a singleAmerican
mountain, as accuratelyas the
of Europe were
tained
ascerheight of several mountains
Tralles,
by the geodaesicaloperationsof MM.
It is with these
deliand Oriani.
Delambre, Zach
"ate

However,

operations, as

minerals

but

they
when

die leisure which

never

are

executed

with

great precision,

and
enjoy complete tranquillity,

we
a

analysisof

chemical

^^'ith the

traveller

can

seldom

find in distant

climates,

17,876 feet.

Trans.

f 508

feet.

Trans.

GEOGRAPHICAL

XI.

The

former

THE

the

is

Jamaica.

has

Havannah,

It would
exhibit

so

North

of

great

the

United

from

point
It

the
and

ceives
re-

Philippine
the

west
north-

America.
find

to

harbours

two

The

contrast.

Europe,

commerce.

come

difficult

be

openings,
By the

latter is the central

Islands, Peru, Guayaquil, Panama,

coast

two

with

on

Asiatic

which

but

Acapulco.

cairied

the

and

vessels

the

and

Tlie

Sea

South

ACAPULCO.

Spain

Cruz

Caraccas,

of

OF

New

of

commerce

States, and
the

POUT

ports of Vera

coast

of

OF

I'LAN

commerce

the

the

INTRODUCTION.

of

port

which

Acapulco

l^asin,dug by the hand of man,

an
appears
Cruz
"while the port of Vera
does
deserve
not
even
It is a disagreeable anchorage
of road.
the name
immense

shallows.

among
The

which

plan
was

never

This

Madrid.

plan of
length, W'hich
there

ficers
1791, by the ofin

the

I suppose

the

corvettes

that the draw,

Deposito Hydrograjico

drawing agrees very well with

than a metre*
Malaspina, of more
I examined
I
while
at Acapulco

of

other
an-

in
was

in 1803.

la

longitude which

The

But

in

in

Malaspina,

Atrevida.

executed

was

taken

was

with

and

Descubierta

now

It

embarked

of

pulco
give of the port of Acapublished,though many copies of it

in America.

exist

ing

is greater than what

Mexicana
Sutil and

according to

almanack

of

Madrid

Straits

39.371

of

inserted
of

Fuca.
in the

the

Dcposito
pulco
adopt a positionfor Aca-

astronomers
now

western

more

the

to

posteriormemoir

Cadiz, the

Ilydrograficoof
much

pulco
assign to the port of Acais adopted in tlie Voyage

than

inches.

mine.

Tram;.

It is the

same

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

with

what

pulco

chronometer

my

observed

the 27th

on

17' 21"; by

102^

from

the

1803,

Paris, bySan
Bias,*

from

west

of
port
of Jupiter, observed

satellites

two

Aca-

distances

lunar

March,

of

Acapulco

time

of

transference

28th

and

found

Espinosa

M.

neglectingthe

and

Mexico,

to

reducing

on

gave,

and Paris, 102" 24' 15";

simultaneously at Greenwich
with the corrected
and by eight satellites compared

15' 47"; the

tables, 102"

8",

19'

the

analysisof

M.

longitudeadopted by
the

of

map

of which

term

mean

is 102"

Antillon
There

America.

in the
served
ob-

were

during the stay of Malaspina'sexpedition

in
stellar eclipses,for
at Acapulco,
1791, two
however
which
there were
vations
no
corresponding obserin Europe.
lated
Captain Don Juan Tiscar calcuthe tables of Biirg. He
found Acathem
from
pulco,
by the eclipse of the 19th February, 102" 9'
45'',and by the eclipseof the 15th April,102" 35' 45".
besides

Distances

the

of

calculated

February, but

situation

the
of

to

passage
Here
are

different

the

All

be

with

tables, and

two

two

observations

Espinosa

affords

an

observation

of

servations,
obown
my
I had
any know-

use

longitude of

observations,

eclipse.

an

arc

instructive
the

give a longitudesomewhat
result

the

lunar

differ in

requisitein
nometrical

the

that

celestial

on

the

recting
cor-

very

of them

adopted before

remarked,

founded

by

moon

12th

without

and

groups,

the

24' 37".
102"
gave
of determinations
by

than

western

must

the

of the

taken

sun,

meridian,

which

It

the

by

great number

means

more

from

moon

The

example

of the

Bias

satellite

of 5' 45".

San

onlycompared
of

results
The

of the

chronometer,

memoir
extreme

if

is

the

these

of M.
dence
pruchro-

longitudes be not verified by other observations

oi Arnold's
In Malaspina's expedition, four
purely
chronometers
gitude
longave to port Mulgrave,to within 9',the same
of 1420
38' 57"; and
proved by lunar
yet it has been
distances
27".
that the
is
O'
The
four
true
142"
longitude
chronometers
had all changed their diurnal motion at the same
celestial

time.

cii

GEOGRAPHICAL

silver,*while

INTRODUCTION.

in the whole

European states,
annual
produce of

of the

includingAsiatic Russia, the total

the mines
dred
of three hunscarcelyexcccds-|- the sum
thousand
A long stay in Spanish America
marcs-l
enabled
with

to

me

respect to
Grenada, and

New

is

than

entered

tion

of

into

thi:

constitute

subjectof

the

thought proper

researches, in

small

might naturally
east
south-

and

importantas this may

memoir.
I have
particular
results of
here the principal

exhibit

to

Ayres,

bertson,
Smith, Ro-

in the south

problem

Buenos

Peru,

investisiation of the accumula-

an

but

Mexico,

of Adam

thence

preciousmetals

of Asia

of

of
viceroyalty

From

Raynal.

have

wealth

in the works

be found

to

or

my

the

information

exact

more

procure
the metallic

so

sketched

map

in 1804,

at sea

from
This
Philadelphiato France.
passage
my
indicates the flux and reflux of the preciousmetals.
map
in general that they move
from
We
observe

on

west

east

to

PROGRESS

OF

RELATIVE

TO

THE

TWO

The
what

is afterwards

2,370,046

tabic
ral

of the
nur

1809,

Irs
Chez

on

the

extent

of

mines

the

Mines,
Fr.

" Chapter

said)

of

of mines

Europe,
annexed

Schoetl.)

and

chapter

colonies

the

mother

and

the

countries.

Tran.s.

/tar JVI, Heron

pounds Troy.
i.

to explain
plateserve
extraordinarydisproportion

European

of the

produce

X 203,130

this

Troy pounds.
to

as

IN

COLONIES

in
figurt-s
the

{area)

t See,

THE

INDIES.

between

"

OF

OBJECTS

OTHER

EUROPEAN

THE

colkxted

surface

AND

the

species!

our

INTENDANCIES,

ITS

MINING,

of

SURFACE

THE

OF

AND

SPAIN,

of that

reverse

REPRESENTING

FIGURES

NEW

the

the civilization of

atmosphere,and

ocean,

XIII.

motion

Trana.
viii.

de

the
to

excellent
the

statistical

iMemoire

Vic/ f fosse, p. 240.

Gene-

(Paris,

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

The

intendaneies
This

first

of

these

trifles

brings

by

similar

of

to

of

prosperity
but

l3y
which

mind,
on

nations,

great

to

speak

to

the

number

of

important

map
gland
En-

of
of

Tene-

indicated

be

and

ridiculous

ideas,

their

the

literature;
be

may

statistical

and

jections
pro-

without
of

as

the

quantity

senses

advantage

them

barometer

of

figures
the

long

moral

and

extent

Pic

would

curves,

decay

or

geometrical

possess
a

It

by

the

the

of

months.

true

portance
im-

debt

have

state

express

relates

whatever

represented

the

the

temperature
endeavour

of

philosophers

figures

is

cal
statisti-

much

national

section

in

his

regard
It

the

of

the

in

cannot

Play-

manner,

and

science.

mind

natural

but

mean

to

to

gives

M.

attaching

sketches,
to

what

ingenious
atlas,

the

another.

one

to

Without

fair

Play

above

"ery

New

of

representing

analogous

political

foreign

M.

rifle;

in

Europe.

to

which

is

and

maps

mere

inseribed

employed,

commercial

in

squares
method

graphical

fair
his

by

division

sensible

rendered

been

has

Spain

territorial

the

of

inequality

ciii

fixing
facts.

fatiguing
the

tion
atten-

GEOGRAPHICAL

CIV

c
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u
en

CIS

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INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

VOL,

INTRODUCTION.

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POLITICAL

between

comparisons
States

that

and

Thus

to

results

in

flattered

Pern

of

the

historical

New

Spain, might

the

title of

the

attention

received

be

continent

new

Europeans.

first sketch

of

this

ish, exist

Mexico,

that

it

might

administration

manuscript
these

be

they

to

the

in

up

peninsula.
called

the
with

long

those
my

From

it.

portant
im-

many

and

commerce

official

for several

publish is

now

first book

the extent

on

the

the

to

Spanish government
attention
particular

materials
of

Spa-

facturing
manu-

the colonies.

The

sections.

considerations

I received

Even

interests

study

the

ing
Believ-

often, after

to

communications

which

work

grand

desired

all who

industryof
The

of

copies

those

to

attracts

ever

I drew

in the

useful

researches
my
have furnished

on

papers

Several

colonies, who

corrections.

and

than

more

at

no

reiterated

honoured

and

interest

preciseidea of the state of

extensive
regions,I communicated,

and

travels.

my

with

work, which

of the

residence, have
beautiful

enteringtheir

of
of

account

of

in

admit

to

work,
hope that a particular
Political Essay on
of
the Kingdom

the

when

materials

statistical

and

Avith the

myself

under

time

bulk

great

United

of the

INIexico.

and

too

THE

ON

actiiaTstate

the

geographical

my

swelled

ESSAY

divided

consists

and

of

into six

general

physical aspect

of

New

Spain. Without
entering into any detail of
natural history,
descriptive
(a detail reserved for other
the influence
of
partsofmy work,) I have examined
the

of
inequalities

and

book

of the

treats

the

statistical view
area,

from

my
the fourth

metallic

of the

calculated

book
mines

the
;

and

third

The

coasts.

the maps

sion
divi-

drawn

observations.
state

of

in the

discuss

and
agriculture,

fifth,the

cond
se-

particular
population,
up by me

presents

intendancies, their

from

astronomical

of the

climate, agriculture,

general population and

The

casts.

the

on

defence

commerce,

of

and

soil

the

in

of the

progress

of

KINGDOM

manufactures

OF

and

researches

military

the

into

defence

the

of

the
the

verifying

committed

pointed

in

out

inhabitants

of
I

country.
who
and
which
of

know

who

the

have

annually

Eiurope.

rely,

extreme

care

have

serious

and

state,

of

compared

the

the

of

th"*

the

most

this

statistical

civilized

of
of

indulgence

the

having
be

excite

state

of

ed
bestow-

will

shall

researches

together
in

doubt
which

stuc^

on

difficulties

work

my
to

however,

no

Avhich

errors,

as

Spain

appear

the

tains
con-

country.

proportion
New

book

sixth

of

revenues

results,
very

many

The

commerce.

Notwithstanding
in

SPAIN.

NKW

the
their
those

nature,
tables

countries

BOOK

GENERAL-

CONSIDERATIONS

AND

PHYSICAL

IJEW

SPAIN.

OF

THE

ON

ASPECT

OF

INFLUENCE

SOIL

ON

COMMERCE,

THE

AND

THE

OF

EXTENT

THE

OF

KINGDOM

THE

INEQUALITIES

CLIMATE.

AGRICULTURE,

MILITARY

DEFENCE

THE

OF

COUNTRY.

CHAPTER

Extent

of

the

possessions

part

of

with

the

Comfiariso7i

America.

colonies^ and

English

Boundarij

of

empire

the

nvith

of

Denominations

empire.

Russian

Anahuac.

of

and

in

S/iams/i /lossessions

these

the

I.

of

the

of

Asiatic

the

J\''ew

Spaing

Aztec

kings.

entering on a politicalview of the kingdom

stow
beof Nerv
be of importance
to
Spain^ it may
and
a
rapid glance on the extent
population of
Americas.
We
Spanish possessions in the two
each
generalize our ideas, and consider
colony in

Before

the
must

itsrelations
mother

the

and
which
The

neighbouring
if

country,

assign

Spanish
immense

the

VOL.

the

the

to

it is entitled

the

north

with

41"

latitude.
T.

country

from

of

extent

This

of

south
space

the

new

with

and
accurate

described

its territorial

possessions
43' of

obtain

would

we

colonies

the

sults,
re-

place

wealth.
continent

cupy
oc-

territoiycomprised

latitude, and
of
Q

to

the

37"

48'

tween
beof

seventy-nine degrees

POLITICAL

ESSAY

ON

equals not only the length of

much

the

surpasses
includes

which

of

breadth

about

longitude,under
not

are

The

southern

most

the

which

degrees of

the

even

empire,
grees
sixty-seven de-

parallelof

point of

it

i.

Russian

and

half the

than

more

the

hundred

[book

Africa, but

all
of

THE

the

tor.
equa-

continent

new

grees
de-

habited
in-

the
by the Spaniardsis Fort Mau/lin, near
small
village of Carelmapu,* on the coast of Chili,
opposite the northern
extremity of the island of
A road is opening from
Valdivia to this fort of
Chiloe.
but useful undertaking, as
Maullin;
a
a bold
stormy
sea
prevents navigators for a great part of the year
from
the
On
so
dangerous a coast.
landing on
of
Fort
Maullin
in the gulfs
south
south-east
and
reach
of
the
Ancud
and
Reloncavi, by which
we

great

lakes

there

are

with
of

Todos
Nahuelhapi and
Spanish establishments;

los

of

no

in

them

islands

the

in 43'* 34'

Chiloe, even

the

near

of south

but

Santos^
meet

we

eastern

coast

latitude, where

the

island

of the CorCaylm (oppositethe lofty summit

cobado) is inhabited
by several families of Spanish
origin.
The
northern
most
point of the Spanish colonies
is the

mission

California,
Cruz.
an

the
a

of

from

Indians

administration

communication

Paraguay

America;

and
can

to

the

north-

of New

coast

of

v^est

Santa

Spanish language is thus spread

than 1,900 leagues in length.
more

wise

regular

the

Fra?7cisco,on

leagues

seven

The

extent

of San

the

to

Florida

of

was

posts

north-west

of the

coiTespondence

der
Un-

Blanca,

established

coast

in the mission

monk

maintain

of Count

over

with

of

North

Guarains
another

New
Mexico, or the countries
missionaryinhabiting
in the neighbourhood of Cape Mendocirt, without
"

See

note

A,

at

the

end

of

the

work.

KINGDOiVI

i]

CHAP,

OF

SPAIN.

NEW

passing at any great distance from

of Spanish Americd.
the continent
dominions
of the king of Spain in America
The
in extent
the vast
exceed
regions possessed by the
Russian
empire, or Great Britain,in Asia, I thought,

their letters

therefore,

ever

that

view

of

differences

these

the

strikingdisproportionbetween
mother

of the

of

the

To

make

fail

pulation
pothose

be

interesting.
still more
ble,
palpa-

to

disproportionappear
formed, according to exact
scales, the
the last plate.A red parallelogram
which

I have
in

for the

serves

hardly

this

drawings

with

country, compared

colonies, could

the

and

area

of the

and

base, represents the surface of the

ther
mo-

which
parallelogi'am
ses
repoof the Spanish
the area
the base, indicates
on
and
and
Asia.
English possessions in America
These
views, similar to those of M. Playfair,have
something fearful in them, particularlywhen we fix
the grand catastropherepresentedin the
our
eyes on
countries

and

fourth

figure, of

among

us.

This

blue

which

the

platealone

considerations

to

those

of
prosperityand tranquillity

of
no

future

for

The

the

it is

is still recent

important
superintend the
suggest

colonies.
in

itself

powerful

The
a

great governments,

independent of

one

America

which

another.

dread

motive

motive

for great political

liodies
activity

simple individuals.
Spanish possessions in

into nine
as

who

undoubtedly

great dignity; but

and

as

evil is

memory
should

are

of
as

of

gilance
viwell

divided

be regarded
may
Of
these nine
go-

of Peru
and
viceroyalties
of New
Grenada^ the capitanias
generalesof Guafiof
Caraccas, are
mala, of Fortorico, and
wholly
t/^rrid
the
the
four
sions,
other divizone
comprised in
;
viz. the viceroyalties
of Mexico
and
Buenos
Ai/res,the capitanias
generatesof Chili and Havannah,
includingthe Moridas, are composed of countries of
A'ernments,

which

five,viz. the

great part is situated

without

the

tropics,

ESSAY

POLITICAL

that is to

say, in the
that this
see

the

union

The
as

the

masses,
two

the

of

number
three

to

wheat

of

We

zone.

to

shall

latitude

fruit trees

has

small

where,

the

on

the

Among

part of the

of

than

more

the level

gions
equinoxialre-

of the

cultivation

The

union

of every
subjectto the

Mexico

occupies at present

account

of

its territorial

Asia.

the

to

Europe.

colonies

its favourable

terwards
af-

geographical
influence
the fertility
of a country,
on
tains,
ridge and declivityof the moun-

exhibits

nature

i.

enormous

above

metres*

adapted

temperature

and

plains,elevated

thousand

give

ocean,
a

and

[book

great height of the Cordilleras,their

the

from

temperate

THE

mine
position alone does not deterthe productions of these fine regions.
of several physical causes,
such

of

nature

ON

the

climate.

king of Spain,

first

wealth, and

position for

rank, both
on

account

with

commerce

on

of

Europe
political

We

speak here merely of the

value of the country, consideringit in its actual state
of civilization,
which
is very
superiorto that of the
other Spanish possessions. Many
branches
of agriculture
have
undoubtedly attained a higher degree of
in New
than
perfectionin the province of Caraccas
fewer
mines
a
Spain. The
colony has, the more
the industryof the inhabitants is turned
towards
the
productions of the vegetablekingdom. The fertilit}
of the soil is greater in the provinces of Cumana^ of
Barcelona^

New
the

banks

of

part of New
of

water,

and
the

one

the lower

Grenada,

v/hich

the number

Orinoco,
than

in the

it is greater on
in the northern

and
and

kingdom

co,
of Mexi-

several

regions are barren, destitute of

incapable of vegetation. But
on
sidering
congreatness of the population of Mexico,
of considerable
cities in the proximity of

another,

produce,

Fcnezuela

and

and

*From

the

value

enormous

its

influence

6.561

feet

to

of

on

the

9.842

feet.

the
commerce

Tra7ii^.

metallic
ot

POLITICAL

IQ

of New
This

Spain for
empire, if we

Panama

of

diligentresearches

Clavigero^*that
titlan had

smaller

his dominion.

His

the

by

coast

eastern

the

Tenoch-

of

towards

bounded

was

plainsof
looking

On

Zacatula.

Tus-

and

the

by

coast

under

country

the rivers of Gimsacualco

the western
pan^ and towards
Soconusco, and the port of

into my

of

extent

kingdom

from

learn from

the sultan

Montezuma

much

Montezuma,

of

we

i.

historian,the Abbe

Mexican

[book

Solis^extended

believe

California.But

New

to

empire

the whole
may

THE

ON

ESSAY

Spain,divided into infound, that according to these

included
Montezuma
only the

of New

generalmap

tendancies, it will be
limits, the empire of
co,
of Fera Cruz^ Oaxaca, la Puebla^ Mexiintendancies
Valladolid.

and
at

15,000

Towards
river of

I think

its

area

square leagues.
the beginning of the

16th

the

century,

nations
Santiago separated the agricultural

of Mexico

Mechoacan

and

from

barbarous

the

hordes
called Otomites and Cicimecs.
pastoral
frequently carried their incursions
savages
situated
Tuhj a town
valley of Tenochtitlan.

the

near

and
These
for

as

bank

of

the

occupied

as

the

plains

for their line

admired

now

the multitude

cultivation,and

northern

They

Salamanca,

and

Zelaya

of

ted
estima-

be

may

of farms

scattered

over

their surface.
Neither

should

confounded

with

conquest,

all the

the
that

country

degrees of

latitude

Anahuac.

Besides

the

denomination

was

of

Nexv

Spain.

between

included

the Aztec

of

be

Before

the

14th

the
under

empire

Anahuac

of

the

and

21st

of

name

Montezuma,

small

republics of Tlaxcallan and Cholollan, the

kingdoms of Tezcuco (or Acolhoacan) and Mechua-

can,

tica

which

ladolid,
Val-

comprised part of the intendancy of

belonged to the ancient Anahuac.

Dissert
del

azione

Messico.

sofira i conjini di
T.
IV,
p. 265.

jijiuhuac.

See

Scoria
,

an-

KINGDOM

I]

CHAP.

the

Even

Mexico

name

in the Aztec
si,8:nifies

had

who

Cortez*

language of
corruption,

the

which

tieats

siv'e

who

this

of the

than

Mexico.

etymological
minute

too

the

kingdom

servations
ob-

work

of Mexico.

the

Aztec

narchy
mo-

extensufficiently

unite

to

in

kingdom

overturned

V.

Charles

advisef

to

found

exclusively of
man

habitation

It

It
Huitzilopoclitli.
tlic year i5oO
the city

These

be

considered

the

origin.

little progress
in the
very
called the capital,
through

Temixtitan.

audacious

The

made

not

Indian

Tenochtitlan

country,

will

of

or

before

called

commonly

more

was

is

Mexitli

that

however,

appears,

SPAIN.

language

called

War,

of

God

NEW

OF

the

tide

of emperor

Spain to that of Roman

emperor.
\Ve
are
together the extent
tempted to compare
that of two
and population of Mexico, and
empires
with which
this fine colony is in relations of union
than Mexiand rivalry. Spain is five times smaller
co.
of New

Should

misfortunes

unforeseen

no

occur,

we

that in less than a century the population

reckon
may
of New
Spain will equal that of the mother country.

The

United

States

of

North

since

America

the

sion
ces-

Louisiana, and since they recogniseno other

del A/'orte, contain
boundary than the Rio Bravo
240,000 square
population is not
leagues. Their
of

much

greater than
see

the

area

If the

de

la

we

as

shall afterwards

examining carefullythe populationand

of New
Spain.
force of two
states
political
depended solely

says,

Frontera,

terra

que

Mexico,

Espana,

por

(Mexico, 1770,

Lorenzana,

1.)
t Cortez

de

of

on

Historia de Nueva

p.

that

son

the

de

30th

Alemana,

Magestad possee."

de
que

from

first letter, dated

his

y tales

Emperador

nuevo

el

tantas

in

October,

que

1520:

Vuestra

Alteza

"

Las
se

cUa, y con titulo y non

Dios.
por la gracia de

(Lorenzana,

p.

38.}

Villa

Scgura

cosas

de

puede
menos

Vuestra

esta

entitular

merito,
Sacra

oi

the

on

the number

the

space which

degree

of

they

THE

of the

of

nature

if the

and

above

nation, and

i.

globe, and

if the

thecoast

configurationof
energy

[book

the

on

occupy

of their inhabitants

soil, the

climate, the

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

12

all the

its social

perfectionof

not
institutions,
were
lation,
grand dynamical calcu-

the

of this
elements
principal
the kingdom of New
Spain might, at present,
be placed in oppositionto the confederation
of the
American
venience
republics. Both labour under the inconof an
unequally distril^uted population;
but that of the United
States, though in a soil and
climate

less

favoured

by

nature,

with

augments

an

does it compreinfinitely
greater rapidity.Neither
hend,
like the Mexican
lions
population,nearlytwo miland
half of aborigines. These
graded
Indians, dea
reigns,
by the despotism of the ancient Aztec soveand by the vexations
of the first conquerors,
mane
though protectedby the Spanish laws, wise and huin general,enjoy
however, of this
very little,

protection, from

the

great distance

authority.
kingdom
decided
advantage over
The

number

of slaves
is

of
the

the

of

New

Spain

supreme
has
one

States.

United

there, either Africans

or

The

of mixed

the
advantage which
European colonists have only begun rightlyto appreciate
since the tragical
of the revolution
of
events
St. Domingo.
So true it is,that the fear of physical
evils acts more
powerfully than moral considerations
the true interests of society,or
of
the principles
on
race,

nothing;

almost

an

philanthropyand of justice,so
the
parliament, the constituent
works
of the philosophers.
The
aiT'Ounts

number
to

of
more

slaves in the

than

million, and

the

states, whose

influence

annual

whole

population.
is increased

Louisiana, very

importation of

the

assembly,

African

sixth part of
of

often

theme

United

States

constitute
The

since

negroes.

the

and

the

southern

tion
acquisi-

increase
inconsiderately
these

of

It is

not

the

yet

KINGDOM

I.]

.;hap.

OF

NEW

SPAIN.

iS

federation,
Congress,nor the chief of the conis dear to the
(a magistrate* whose name
friends of humanity,) to oppose
this augmentatrue
tion,
and to spare by that means
much
distress to the
generationsto come.

in the power

of

CHAPTER

Configuratiotiof
distant

and

Rio

rag-ua-

Choco.

the

^outh

Sea

Tacoutche-Tesoe.

and

the

where

General

another.

from
sibilityof uniting
of Peace

Points

the count-

one

ir.

fn'o

ncas

considerations
and

.Atlantic

Sources

of

Jiio

Lake
of Tehuante/iec
Isthmus
of Panama.
Bay
of Cufiica.
G id f of St. GeorgeRio
Guallaga.
Isth?nus

Colorado.

the fios^
River.-,

Ocean.
the

/cat'

arc

on

Jiravo

of JVicaCanal
of

northern
Spain, the most
kingdom of New
part of all Spanish America, extends from the 16th to
The
the 38th degree of latitude.
length of this vast
is
region in the direction of S. S. E. to N. N. W.
270
leagues;)
neai'ly
myriametres ; (or 610 common
its greatest breadth
the parallel
is under
of the 30th
River
of the province of
the Red
degree. From
Texas
(Rio Colorado) to the Isle of Tiburon.,on the
of the intendancy of Sonora., the breadth
from
coast
is 160
east to west
myriametres (or 364 leagues.)

The

The

part of Mexico

the Atlantic
to

the two

contains

the

the

capitalof

two

Sea, approach the

South

that
and

ports of Acapulco
There

Mexico.

are,

oceans,
nearest

part which
Vera

Cruz,

according to

observations, from
Acapulco to
obliquedistance of 2" 40' 19"; (or 155,885

astronomical

my

Mexico

an

toiscs;t)from
*

'he

the

which

another, is unfortunatelynot

one

and

and

in

The

Vera

to

president,Mr. Thomas
Essay on
Virginia.

present

excellent
"\ 997,664
VOL.

Mexico

I.

feet.

Trans.
R

Cruz

2^ 57' 9"

.TefTcrson,

author

(or
of

POLITICAL

24

;*)

toises

158,572

port of Vera

the

is in these
the

From
in the

ESSAY

and

observations

Mexico

these
the

that

of

breadth

port
which

old maps

Vera

to

of

Cruz

In

isthmus

the South

to

betwixt

two

Sea

S. E.

distance

the
is 45

the

of the

Spain

From

the

ports

the truth.

leagues beyond

narrowest.

of

Acapulco

in 1784, the

Tehuantepec, to the
Cruz, is the point of New
is

for Vera

adopting

of

continent

faulty.

most

are

5" 10' of
appears
real distance
be-

57', the

2"

leagues, 75

175

It

line, 4'' 10' 1".

the

the

Ocean

to

of the Mexican

Fera

of

Acapulco

for

isthmus

The

i,

longitudegiven by Chappe, and

of the Depot drawn
the map
up

be

would

direct

great cities.

two

port of

[book

published by M. de Cassiniy
of Chappe, the distance
voyage

the

of

longitude, instead
Cruz

in

THE

the

that the

distances

from

tv/een

from

Cruz,

account

ON

in

tic
Atlan-

leagues.

rivers
sources
approximation
and
favour
to
the
Huasacualco
Chiinalapa seems
projectof a canal for interior navigation;a project
the Count
of Revillagigedo,
of the
which
with
one
zealous viceroys for the public good, has been
most
When
to speak
we
come
for a longtime occupied.
shall return
to this
of the intendancy of Oaxaca, we
object,so important to all civilized Europe. We
here
the problem of the
ourselves
to
confine
must
The

between

communication
view

one

nine

known
sufficiently
or

two

the

all the

We
of

in

all offer

Europe,

At

of
time

and

canals

which

or

not

are

greater
river

interior

nent,
Conti-

the New

when

rality
gene-

shall present

susceptible.
points, several

either
less probability

communications.

in

seas,

it is

of which
in

the

of

and
sensions
by the misfortunes
perpetualdisprofiting
zation
civiliof Europe, advances
rapidly towards
;

and

nordi-west
2;rcater

when
coast

the

of

importance,
*

of

commerce

America,
the

1,014,860

Trans.

the

yearly

becomes

subjectwhich
feet.

China, and

we

here

sum-

of

KINGDOM

11]

cHAi-.

is

discuss

marily
balance

OF

of

NEW

the

the

15
for

interest

greatest

and

of commerce,*

SPAIN.

the

poHticalpreponderancy

nations.

of

These
fixed

nine

points, which

attention

the

of

different

at

and

statesmen

shall range

them

New

with

Continent, and
all the

examined

We

decide

two

of

the isthmuses

the

Under

1.

Queen

of

river of Peace,

rivers

the

for

the

enters

M.

Fiedler

It

be

may

for
from

the

may
to the

t If it be
of

toises

550

term,

proscription

idea

still haunt
author
true

perpetual

in

elevated

to

necessary

this

in

and
that
snow,

at

present

of

of

wise

not

to

me.

this chain

those
The

of
cond
se-

Ocean, near
Nootka
Sound,
under

chain

iDy
glish
En-

places 3,520

some

the

the

neighbouring
that

reader,

heads

of

sort

some

of

of

found

coal, was

politicaleconomists,
the

with

Vancouver,

in

in

The

Pacific

above

inform

ven
se-

the Northern

Cordillera, or

The

Stony Mountains, abounding

be

within

to

Mackenzie.

river

the

or

canals

cut

of Colombia.

the river

latitude.

to

not

are

Tacoutche-Tesse,

the

to the south
Cape Disappoijitment,
according to the celebrated voyager,

to

can

Panama,

or

of

the

and

river,Colombia,

feetjf

which

dischargesitself into
having mingled its waters

of

munication
com-

Before

preference.

imprudent

sources

with

Lake,

19'

for the

Ounigigah, approach

or

first of these

the 46o

having

latitude, in the parallel

Charlotte''s Island^ the sources
of the

same

after

after

south

37' of north

54"

of

the Slave

the

Guasacualco

leagues
supposed the
Ocean,

be

be

formed

materials

yet collected, it would

the

to

that the government

merits

exact

part of the

coasts

only

can

seas,

of them

which

examination,

this

followingthe
It

geographical position,

northern

most

projectshitherto

the

of

the

Cliiloe.

of

the island

of

their

according to

beginning

men,

in

merchants

colonies, present very different advantages.

the

the

ha^'e

times

however

he

is indebted

disrepute
much

commercial

our

Trana.

of mountains

''Mackcnziej

vol. III.

enters

p.

the

gion
re-

331.) their

ESSAY

POLiriCAL

15

plains.It

separates the

THE

[book

r.

of the rivers of Peace

sources

According

Colombia.

ON

Mackenzie's, account,
who
passed this Cordillera in the month of August,
1793, it is practicableenough for carriages,and the

and

mountains

of

appear

no

great winding
stillshorter
communication
avoid

the

of which

mouth

the

Royal Islands^ in
rightlyobserves,

is

the 5i"
that

iorming

the

the

and

the

at

the

between

part of the
its

of

(bourse

Canada^

.mouth

found

to

Colombia

It

fine

but

of North

very
and
like the Severn

Mr.

in

Colombia

ahfiolute

l^from6,400
either
was

from

to

be

with

stationed
450

the

summits,

iiot

the

mc'S*

as

will be

from

at

these

ieast

from

to

establish

550

toises

of which
elevated

astonished

above

of

the

which,

portionate
dispro-

E\'er\

that the

Stony MouTitains.
1,000

1,100 toises;

to

which

measurements,
level of the
the
indicates

ch;iin crossed

low,
fol-

it would

whence

his

this traveller

still

Mackenzie's

neighbouring plains, on

to

superb

Colombia,

of
appears
it leaves the coast.

7,040 Eni^lish feet ;) from

the

ropeans
Eu-

for its banks

Thames

the

descending

that

The

invite

to

carefully compares

height should

internal

Broughton, we
of

part

Vancouver's,

with

maps

and

Siberia.

covered

by

small

contraction
^vho

rica,
Ame-

the multitude

geographer

the

pole, excepting
long included in

colony there

the examination
know

of

standing
allowed, however, that notwith-

be

must

by

oceans,

rivers, would

the

seems

in abundance

afford fertile land

timber.

interior

of Oriental

ihose

to

the river

of

the

been
from

should

rivers, presents facilities for

similar

commerce

has

Mackenzie

two

the

to

P?'incess

the

which

fur trade

the

river,

the

of

latitude

which

coast

America.

Russian

in

extremities

48'^ of

of

east

government

get possessionof the whole

from

Salmon

of latitude.

26'

from

opened

to the

regularestablishments

country,

be

might

to

this communication

open

To
great elevation.
very
of the Colombia, another

Tacoiitche- Tesse

the

of

sources

to

by

the

ler
Fied-

M.
are

sea,

ted
elevaor

that

height,ar(-

Mackenzie.

POLITICAL

la

ESSAY

with

Zaguananos, which,
Colorado

the Rio
of

rock

salt, were

internal

Spain,

to

in 1777

this

of

by

travellers

two

of

the

order

Father

and

northern

the

easy

of

Antonio

that

to

will

New

of

part

carriagemay

communication

no

comparable

it

in

tiie Rio Zagiumajias

interesting
Norte
for the
one
day become
may

however

mountains,

from

in the

regions, abounding

Escatante

commerce

and

i.

Nabajoa^ forms

monks
intrepidity,

del

Rio

the

and

[book

however

But

Velez.

the

These

Francis, Father

St.

the Bio de

examined

and

zeal

full of

THE

the latter has its embouchure

California.

gulf

OX

Idc

across

result

ever

opened directlyfrom

sea

sea.

the

isthmus

The

3.

is

alco, which
the

and

here

near

the

de

last river

mix

with

the Barra

de

del Passo

S.

the

Huasacu-

Rio

gulf of

those

of

which

arms,

I consider

Francisco.

the

Rio

Fabrica,

after

Passo.

takes

its

of

its

one

de los Mexes,

the mountains

del

of the

shall

We

examine

of cuttinga canal of from

possibility
leagues in the forests of Tarifa. We

the

afterwards
to

from

comes

with

unites

la

ters
wa-

the Pacific

the

as

de

Fasso

the

at

Mexico,
The

Chimalapa.

principalsource
Hicasacualco^ although the latter only

name

shall

into

Rio

Rio

the

river

six

of

sources

discharged
of the

sources

of this

Ocean

Tehuantepec comprises, under

latitude, the

of

16"

of

seven

merely

here, that since, in 1798,

observe

road

opened which leads by land from the port

de la Cruz^ (a
of Tehuantepec^to the Embarcadero
road completed in 1800,) the Rio Huasacualco
forms,
in reality,
communication
commeroial
the
between
a
of the war
with the
two
During the course
oceans.
precious
English,the indigo of Guatimala^ the most
of this
of all known
indigoes, came
by the way
has been

isthmus
to

to

the

port of Vera

Cruz^

and

from

thence

Europe.
4.

only

The

great lake of

with

the lake

of

Nicaraguacommunicates

Leon^

but also

on

the

east,

not

by

CHAP.

II.

river

the
The

of

KINCtDOM

of

San

with

Juan,

with

communication
eftected

be

which

in

this

strait

isolated
of

of

The

lake

as

Partido, which
Ocean,

the other

this divided

but

gulf

be

found

of

Papagayo.
tlie volcanic

of

its branches

to

the

lake

not

what
some-

Rio

of

name

to

of

50'

from

maps,

the

under

does

stream

tude,)
lati-

7' of

isthmus

the

Other

river

gives one

and

the

Ocean.
a

isthmus

the

across

existing across

represent

newer,

would

Papagayo, (at10"
cation
point out a communi-

maps

Great

the

to

Ocean

the

of

old

Antilles.

the

Bombacfio, (at 11"

and

Grenada,

latitude.)
by water

the

of

Pacilic

to

are

19

of

sea

canal

I'rom

isthmus

summits

the
the

separates tlie lake

On
and

cutting

SPAIN.

new

the

cific
Pa-

Nicaragua

the
on
appear
and
English.

published by the Spaniards

maps
of Madrid
There
in the archives
are

several

last

French

of the juncEnglish memoirs,* on the possibility

tion
of the lake of Nicaragua with the Pacific Ocean.
carried
The
on
commerce
by the English on the
oi Mosquitoshas greatlycontributed
co?iSX
to give celebrity
the
JDetween
to this projectof communication

and

two

In

seas.

to

none

of

the

memoirs

which

have

come

knowledge is the principalpoint,the height of

cleared
ground in the isthmus, sufficiently
up.

my

the

rons
enviGrenada
to the
kingdom of New
of the capital of Mexico,
there is not
a
single
we
mountain, a singlelevel, a singlecity, of which
the

From

know

the

elevation

above

the level of the

Does

sea.

in the
uninterruptedchain of mountains
this
provinces of Veragua and Nicaragua ? Has
is supposed to unite the Andes
of
Cordillera, which
there

exist

Peru

to

the

tlie west

to

Memoire

M.
par
i.
vol.
p. 505.
de
Juan
y

Nord,

an

mountains
the

or

le

sur

la

Mapa

de

passage

Bastide,
del

the

of

east

en

Golfo

la (2ru7., 1755.

its central

Mexico,

of

lake

la Mer

1791.

de

of

du

Voyage

chain

Nicaragua

Sud

de

INIexico, por

la Mer

du

Marchand,
Thomas

pez
Lo-

ESSAY

POLiTiCAL

20

Would

isthmus

the

not

hillytract than
problems whose

There

is

no

this part of
do
; but

as

solution

{.uaOK

rather

Papagayo

continued

THE

present

These

cordillcra

conical

these

not

the

from

America,

11**

form

summits

the

isthmus

Perhaps

the communication

with the Pacific

by

road

from

the

volcano

means

Leon

leads

Dainpier

the

to

Realexo,

chain

South

the

and

mountains

of

Sea.

country

city of

The

trees."

is

There

lake of

Nicaragua

on

from

suppose
between
the lake

Leon

small

of

covered
w^e

Nicaragua

Nicoya,"

of

coast

flat and

must

covered

at

river

which,

and
la

call

ground

seven

to

Caldera.
between

hilly,but

for

the

in

communication

bottom

of

the

vanna.
sa-

between
the

west

four

only

gayo^
Papa-

of

gulf

that of

Nicoya^ which navigators

Dampier says expressly that the

la Caldera
the

mangle

passing near

From
latter port and that of Leon.*
bank
of Nicaragua there
of the lake
are
to

twenty

go
with

the

leagues

says
full tide.

itself is situated

Realexo, might facilitatethe

marine

there

of
voyage
that there exists

to

The

the

of the

account

this great navigator, is low, and

To aiTive from
Realexo
to Leon,
across

which

descends

"

miles

shall

we

fact,the ground appears

"

we

by the lake
Tosta, which, on

river

The
even

that

yet known.

not

carried

be

of

In

us

is

of the

could

little elevated.

very

no

Ocean

Telica.

of

Panama

of

tude
lati-

groups
from the

one
another,
separatelyfrom
ought not to be astonished
plan itself? We
are
ignorant of these very im]:"ortantfacts ;
that even
the height of the mountains
soon
see

traverse

of

13"

or

rise

Leon^

arc

is

which,

of

i.

to the
equally interestinf^
the geographicalnaturalist !
spot on the globe so full of volcanoe?;

and

statesman

of

OK

and

the

lake

is

greatest part level and

like

litdc
a

sa-

^'a^na.

H3.

Collection
119.218.

of

Dampicr's

;iml ^Va^e^"'s

voyai^cs,

vol. i.

KINGDOM

11]

CHAP.

OF

SPAIN.

NEW

21

Nicaragua is almost inaccessible in

of August, September and October, on
the months
of the terrible storms
and rains ; in January
account
and
north-east
of the furious
February, on account
and east-north-east
winds, called Papagayos. This
is exceedingly inconvenient
circumstance
tor navigation.
The
of
port of Tehuantepec,on the isthmus
favoured
GuasacualcOy is not more
by nature ; it gives
The

its name

5.

the hurricanes

to

and
small

of

coast

which

which

frightenvessels

ports of Sabinas

and

The

Pana?na

first time

isth?nus of

by

Fasco

this memorable

from

blow

from

the northwest,

landing at

the

Fentosa,

Nur.ez

de

for

crossed

was

Balboa, in

1513.

th6

Since

historyof geographical
discoveries,the projectof a canal has occupied every
mind
; and
yet at this day, after the lapseof 300 years,
there neither exists a survey
of the ground, nor
an
and
dctennination
of the positionsof Pafiama
exact
Portobello.
The
longitudeof the first of these two
ports has been found with relation to Carthagena ; the
longitudeof the second has been fixed from Guayaquil.
The
operationsof Fidalgo and Malaspina are
undoubtedly deservingof very great confidence ; but
cn-ors
are
multiplied,when by chronomcinsensibly
tfical

epocha

operationsfrom
and

from

the

isle of

to

Panama,

Lima

dependent on

in the

another.

Trinidad
one

It would

to

bello,
Porto-

comes
positionbebe important

bello,
to Portodirectlyfrom Panama
in the South
thus to connect
the operations
Sea
has
with those
which
the Spanish government
carried on
in the Atlantic
Ocean.
Perhaps MM.
Fidalgo,Tiscar,and Noguera, may one day advance

to

the

carry
and

with

time

their instruments

isthmus,

while

Quartara,shall
*

These

carry their

I.

northern

the

southern

coast

of

the

Colmenares, Isasviraviil,and

MM.

officers of the

surveying the
VOL.

to

and

to
operations*

Spanish
western
S

marine
coasts

were

the northern

charged

of South

v/ith

Ameiica.

ESSAY

POLITICAL

22

form

To

coast.

idea of the

an

the

form

prevailsas to
(forexample

towards

the

of

maps
with the

and

flows

JVata,)

of

those

recent

ones

of

The

of

for
rapids, great facility
its

is 120

toises

where

it begins

five

days

the

current

If the

Cruces.

to

waters

the

of Ulloa*

travels

exists

Rio

in the
the

to

lead

Embarcadero,

of level of from
a

the

of

very
the Rio

water

the

near

of the river

sources,

that is

to

Cruces.

above

Ulloa

of

survey
river of

above

the

Cruces

on

the contrary, very

the

Colvienares
raleda

and

for

heights related

de

Cruces,
This

those

who

isle

coast

Quartara

the

in

ence
differ-

must

pear
ap-

have

cended
as-

that made

far from

for

and

Observations

descent
the

Rie

trical
barome-

by myself

in

the elevation

The

for

fall of the

the

coast

situated

expedition of
expedition of Mo-

Por'tobcllo, the

Chili, and
the

of

being small, is,

considerable.

destined

of
the

comparing

ocean,

of

general

perceive that

we

of Trinidad

for the

on

part

the

between

Mealexo.
*

are

of five

space

of the descent

say,
On

expedition of Fidalgo was

between

to

as

with

Magdelen,

of

The

twelve

or

Chagre ; they forgetthat the force

on
a
depends as much
great accumulation

current

the

high,

very
ten

toises.

40

to

for

from

merchandises

Venta

difference

small

Chagre

35

Chagre

or

that there
suppose
the sea
of the Antilles

from

or

CruceSy

near

to

me

Chagre,

its breadth

are

Panama
Cruces
to
days. From
transportedon the backs of mules
barometrical
small leagues. The

and

requiresfour

Rio

struggled with

be

must

the

ascend

to

sinuosities

toises
It

of For-

west

navigable.

be

to

pare
com-

Dej osito HyChagre, which

to

20

to

Arrowsmith,

commerce

and

mouth,

present

at

its mouth
the

at

still

the

river

Antilles

i.

isthmus,

only

tobel/o,presents, notwithstandingits
its

the

have

we

with

of the

sea

[book

uncertaintywhich

breadth

and

Madrid.

the

into

THE

Lopez

more

drograjicoof

ON

Astronomiqucs d'UUoa,

p. 97.

Guayaquil

and

de la Madelnm

Rio

hates,

SPAIN.

Honda

from

is

nevertheless

not

as

suppose four
that of Cruces at

might

we

Cliagre.
engineersin proposingto

that the

river

We

have

know

rapid, and
hours

towards

we

are

Cruces, the

is then

the South

Don

George Juan
their

observe

is the

what
route

height of

savans

stay has added

to

beyond

and

to

doubt

that

we

the
from

thence
at

absolute

an

the

JVafercomplains that
the

hills which

from
for

one

of

1,088 feet.

Eng

oceans

are

the

their

which

we

it appears

He
the

could

assures

to

It is
be

cernible
dis-

only require
nel
However, Lio-

enjoy this

not

us,

central

rivers.^If

said

metres.

he

Panama.

would

which

by valleyswhich

another

passage

t 947

form

but

Grenada, towards
and

height of 290

spectacle.

in that interesting

However,

Cruces

time,

same

lustrious
il-

principalCordillera^
be regarded as a
may

the two

that

These

find the

between

Sea,

of

world

Wafer.

South

to
curiosity
informingus
point on the

months

range of hills that

prolongationof the Andes of New
rather

or

Condamine

observations

little to the old

Dampier

astonishing

Panama.

commercial

the

for several

elevated

most

of

region tor
owe

the

first

at

the

had

Chagre at
sojournedthree

the castle

to

Ulloa

is

ascent

It is very
neither ha

lor the sake

arometer,

jected
pro-

Panama,

to

descent

Sea.

and

have

oceans,

through a hillytract
completely ignorant.

that, in crossingthe isthmus,

nor

a
establishing

de Cruces

pass

that,from

tiiat there

for

two

to

which

height of

onh'

the

of Madrid

the court

serve

the Venta

from

would

canal

the

between

canal

should

Chagre

communication

of

this

of

theyor^

This

of Ma-

dyke

toises ;* and

times, but eighttimes, greater, than

The

35

the

to

Barrancas, is nearly 170

near

distance

NEW

OF

KINGDOM

n]

CHAP,

moreover,

chain

are

allow

teresting
inthat

separated
free course

this last assertion

be

Trans.

ish fee'.

^Description of

the

Trans.

isthmus

of

America,

1729, p.

297.

ESSAY

POLITICAL

24

founded,
canal

Cruces

from

|:i,on
would
There

other

are

drawn

the

rivers called Caimito

Rio

Trinidad.

isthmus

exarnple in

to be cut, for

The

and

has

ground appears
is

which

the

by

goes

the

one

the

other.

has

found

the

among
his time the

He
to

is of

where

the

Sea

isthmus

is

lieved
be-

was

of Cenchreae.

sea

be

be

relates, that in

portage.

2i

than

very

to

In

America,

the

be

higher at

the

Ocean.

Atlantic

the

days againstthe current

naturallybelieve the ascent to

several

Nothing
the estimates

in

on

are

we

is 101

Cruces

near

to

easy

little

to

form

of

descent.

the north

(646

feet)in

of

the Rio

be

greater

to

the

ma,
Panathan

ence
differ-

I could

of the

port, is

to
geometrical
height. Ulloa, vol.

which, according

toises

After

treacherous

more

apt

and

long

of VAncon,

measurement,

be

fact, can

of Panamj^,

town

hills

the

from

which

of level

the

the

than
to

are

Lcchaemn

near

generallysupposed

than the descent

mountain

re-

is full of

elevated

more

it would

established

Chagre, we

the

been

by the courier
days journey,

Strabo

the level of

of Panama

struggleof

Near

has

vulgar opinion

Corinth

of

is

dangerous
of the Peloponnesus in the place
isthmus
of particularmaCorinthians, by means
chines,

had

South

above

as

ancients.

opinion* that

the

cut

gulf

be

to

of this

Traces

the

neighbouringseas,

two

considered

been

with

villageof Pequeniy and

the greatest difficulties.

In every age and climate, of

proposed
of

be also most

to

road travelled
jTiarked in the frightful
from Portobello
to
Panama, a two

moirs
me-

isthmus

the

least what

at

to

sources

Grande^

part of

locks.

been

joiningthe

Rio

eastern

but the
the narrowest,
This
elieyated there.

of a
possibility
which the naviga-

of

the

in 1528,

up

[fqgk

interrupted
by a very few
points where, according

be

only

Panama^

to

Tllf:

in the

believe

wight

we

ON

1. p. 101.
*

42.

Strabo, lib.
cap. 16.

1. cd.

Siebenkees,

v.

I. p.

146.

Livius,

lib.

ESSAY

POLITICAL

26

the

trouble

may

exist

to

winds, (as in

and

rents

between

Panama

and

at

the

two

to

four

far
inequalities,

were

burst

once

which

rotation

with

vary
But

these

isthmus

if the
similar

some

of

the columns

opened

to

the

trivial

for sluices.

favourable
that

by

ought

seas

obstructinghydraulicaloperations,

doubt

cannot

the

third part of a metre,*

five metres,t the levels of

of the ports.

be

even

As

ocean.

or

from

i.

Bahelmandcl^
ought necessarily

"bello

to

[book

of

parts of the

different estahluhments

We

straits

all the

neighbouring

would

THE

equilibriumwhich

rise at Port

tides

the

ON

Panama

of

catastropheto

Hercules,J

the

that

current

in

place of ascending towards the gulf of

Mexico, and issuingthrough the canal of Bahama,
from the coast
would
follow the same
of Paparallel
The
effect of this
ria to the Philippineislands.
ing,
openextend
much
strait,would
or
new
beyond the
would
Ijanks of Newfoundland^ and
either occasion
the celerityof the
the
disappearance or diminish
of Gulf Stream ^\
Hotwater
river, known
by the name
of

leavingFlorida

which

latitude

of

43"

towards

effects of
the

an

memory
inches.

13

Diodorus
:j:

the

coast

inundation
has

north-east,flows

east, and
of Africa.

the

to

the

on

been

Such

analogous
preservedin

Trans.

f 13

Siculus, lib.

especiallythe

16

or

iv. p. 226.

would
that

to

the

feet.

lib.

in the
east
southbe the

of

which

traditions of
Trans.

xvii.

533.

p.

edit.

Rhodom.

"

The

Gulf

Williajns, have
the

Stream,
left

us

tropical waters

which

on

such
to

the

and

Fran/din^

valuable

observations,caries

northern

latitudes.

of rotation -which strikes

I)y the current
of Veraffua and
coasts
Hoiiduras, and
ascending
and
gulf of Mexico, between
Cape Catoche
Cape

through the canal of Bahama.

that the vegetable productions of
Norway, Ireland, and the Canaries.
to the tropics,
chap. i.
voyage
my

issues

to

of

afterwards

It is
the
Sec

owing

Antilles
the

It is

pidly
racasioned
oc-

against the
towards
St.
to
are

second

the

Jutoinr,
this

tion
mo-

carried
volume

KINGDOM

II.]

CHAP.

the

Samothracians.

the

works
pitiful

OF

But
of

shall

man

27

dare

wc

with

straits like the

herself, with

SPAIN.

NEW

canals

to

compare

by

cut

Hellespont

nature

the

and

danelles
Dar-

Strabo*

day

one

be

can

unless

inclined

appears
the
open

isthmus

in the

of

volcanic

actual

extraordinary
from
land lengthened out
almost
parallelto that of

the

Jiian^ if

San

lay
The

navigation of
of

by

current^

bongos^and
and

the

old

arrive

From

all

relatingto
and

genu

of

22

the

this

3.28

feet

1 1

Siebenkees,
to

6.56

inches.

T.

feet.
Trans.

small

be

Sea

to

which

I. p.

Trans.

per

me,

in

156.

cond,
se-

called

with

up,

the

counter

be

to

oars,

cut,

this advantage

cult
diffiinfinitely

Cruces.
I could

I remained
to

tinent
con-

vessels

dried

it would

metres|

seven

metres

sinuosities

while

new

afford

be

the

of

celerityof

these
to

tween
be-

both
difficult,

river, either

information

of

canal

is

the

if it

latitude.

of

the

North

isthmus,

mus
isth-

mouth

11"

two

the

river

the

the

to

Guayaquil^it appears

Strabo, ed.
tFrom

from

capes,
es-

situated

the

however

and

cease,

rotation
The

was

and

which

the

direction

waves.

Chagre

one

Were
of

bed

would
to

and

10"

chatas^ ascend

poles, or towing.

in

part of the

the river

of

of

tongue

of

and

narrowest

sinuosities

means

west

of the

its sinuosities

These

Panama^

seriouslythreatened,

frequently from

current,

trophe
catas-

improbable
planet,should

current

Carthago
the

of

our

north, and

to

the

between

account

"n

of

port

to

the

be

south

from

extended

east

shock

would

Panama

of

Rio

the

it were,

such

isthmus

of
repose
revolutions.

occasion

as

No

will

sea

convulsions, very

of

state

that the

Suez.

the

in

expected

enormous

believe

to

procure

at

Cartha-

that the expectation

depth,

and

from

POLITICAL

28

ESSAY

THE

ON

[BOeK

1.

metres*
which,
ii^breadth,
twenty-two to twentj^-eight
like a pass or a strait,
should go from sea to s .;, uud

admit

tlie vessels

East

which

Indies,
oughtto

elevation

have

be

of sluices

and

the

merchandises

of Panama

pass the isthmus

to

could

in flat-bottomed
transported

keep

the

bello

would

to

trade

fore
only there-

boats unab'e

to

and
toEntrepotsat Panama
nation
ed
wishwhich
requisite.Every
this way would
be dependent on the

sea.

be
in

isthmus^ and

greatinconvenience

canal j and this would be

for the vessels dcsjxitchcd
that this canal

Europe. Supposingthen

cut, the

ned
desti-

of the

masters

th^

to

The
completelyabandoned.
woivld
force
the
-.eer
to
ground
engi
either to subterraneous
or Id
galleries,

recourse

be

Europe

of the

the system

a very
from

sail from

of these vessels would

greatestnumber

continue their voyage

Cape Horn"

round

were

probably
We

that the passage of the sound

is still frequented,
of
the
the Eyder canal,
existence
notwithstanding
see

which
It

the

connects

would

with

ocean

otherwise

the Baltic

mule -back

on

the uncultivated
isthmus

or

to

state

From

t A

Portobello

costs

16*.

from

%d.) But

the government allows

is such, that the carriageof

in which

remain

of

by Guayaquil,across
*

to

Chili,the quinquinaof Peru, and the

70,000 vanegas of cacaof annuallyexported

the copper
60

Panama

from

the

(from 12^. 6r/.to

piasters,

three to four
the

with

sea.

productionsof
western
America, or the goods sent from Europe to
These
the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
goods would
the isthmus at less expense, and with less danger,
cross
in time of war,
than in doubling the
particularly
In the
continent.
southern
extremityof the new
t
he
of
three
of
things, carriage
quintals
present state
be

72

vanega

feet 2

this neck

inches,to

weighs

1 10

91

feet 10

Castilian

of

land, requires

inches.

pounds.

Tram'.

KINGDOM

ri.]

CHAP,

OF

SPAIN.

NEW

29

beasts of burthen
than can
be procured,
more
many
that the slow and expensive navigationround
so
Cape
Horn

is

prefeired.

In 1802

and

the

Spanish commerce
where
harassed
was
by the English cruizers,
every
the kingcarried across
a
was
dom
great part of the cacao
of New
Cruz
embarked
Vera
{of
and
at
Spain,
Cadiz.
They preferredthe passage from Guayaquil
to Acapulco,and a land journey of a hundred
leagues
1803,

when

from

Acapulcoto Vera Cruz, to the danger of a long

of gling
navigationby Cape Horn, and the difficulty
strugwith

Chili.
of

the

This

canal

example

proves,
the isthmus

across

Guasacualco,
from

along

cuiTcnt

multiplicityof
America
would
gain the most
from
carried
good causeys
Embarcadero

Portobello.

so

of

Panama,

fertile

forests,or

soil

la Cruz,

that of

or

importantadvantages
from

Tehuaiitepecto
from

and

that in the

true

to

and

too

form

cultivate

Panama

to

isthmus, the pasturage*

day is very unfavourable

of cattle ; but
multiplication

and

of Peru

that,if the construction

this

to

in

de

It is

coasts

difficulties
many
of
sluices,the commerce

with

abounds

the

the

the

to

it would

by

savannas,

the nourishment
be easy
cuttingdown

the
paspalum purpureum^
the medicago sativa,
miliuvi nigricans
and particularly
which grows
tricts.
disabundantly in Peru in the warmest
to

The

the

of camels

introduction

would

be

still a

of carriage.
diminishing the expense
These
land ships,
as
they are called by the orientals,
hitherto exist only in the provinceof Caraccas, and
were
brought there from the Canary islands by the
surer

of

means

Marquis

de

Moreover,
the

The

Toro.
no

progress

assertion

consideration
should
political
pose
opof population,
agriculture,com-

of

Raynal, (T.

IV.

p.

150.) that

animals

lose their

be

of truth.

transported to Poilobtllo
considered
as
totallySestitnie

VOL.

I..

donicslic

fecundity,should

ESSAY

POLITICx\L

30

and

nierce

The

civilization,in
this neck

more

resistance

more

ON

the

land

of

THE

[book

isthmus

will it oppose

cultivated, the

the

to

Panama.

of

shall be

i.

of the

enemies

The
took place
which
events
Spanish government.
at Buenos
ted
Ayres prove the advantages of a concentraof an
invasion.
If any
population in the case
nation wished
become
to
enterprising
possessed of
the

isthmus,

it could

present, when
destitute

of

of the

ness

Charles

Peru

de

Chiloe, and

cachalot

and

Knsflish vessels

Sound,

sooner

pointof
face

of

to

or

The

in the

destined

From
soil

by

kingdom

of

this

bay

New

Zitara

pilot,M.
merit

of

of Nootka

They

the

five

Gogueneche,

was

change

to

the two

the

flows

to

below

seas.

leagues,
would

Rio

Naipi,
lage
vil-

the

itself

Biscayan
intelligent
first who

had

of government
be

of

account

on

canal, which
of

of

bay

brity
acquired cele-

six marine

or

very
the

attention

ought

to

ocean

great llioAtrato, which

Sea.

turningthe
Cupica, which

of

has

between

and

into the

the Atlantic

enters

60

port and

Grenada,

navigable,and

of

drew

followingthe
Cape S. Miguel to

small

last river is

at

the

of nations.

from

the

terminate

But

nature.

of

five

to

Panama,

of

proper for
Emharcadero

quite level

that

facilities

the

nature

system

find the
of

1803

furs

plan of communication
Cupica,we cross, for

new

the

and

commercial

name

three

and

Sea,

Pacific Ocean,

the

Cupica.

South

south-cast

It is from

Panama,

in

very seductive
later,the masters

we
Cape CoriejiteSy

bay

obstacles

Lima.

to

fishery,which

globe

the

of

coast

the

of the

To

6.

This

at

requiresfrom

commerce

baits

are

will draw,

diminished

from

not

Panama

the

to

Chinese

the

It

from

ascend

to

whale

much

now

are

unhealthi-

alone

be attacked.

can

months

the

The

them.

climate, though

at

ease

fortifications

great
oppose
miiitar}^
undertakingin the isthmus.

any
St,

the greatest

numerous

defend

to

arms

with

so

and

good

Portobelio, would

for

do

for the

new

to

the

tlie

conti-

KINGDOM

n]

CHAP,

what

nent

nechc

Suez

OF

to

the

transport

31

M.

for Asia.

formerly

was

proposed

SPAIN.

NEW

GogueGuayaquU,

of

cacao

Eio

same
Naipi to Carthagena. The
way
offers the advantage of a very quick communication
Cadiz
Instead
between
of despatching
and Lima,
couriers
by Carthagena^ Santa Fe, and Quito, or by
Buenos
Mendoza,
j4ijresand
good quick sailing
be
from
sent
Cupica to Peru.
packet-boats should
carried
If this plan were
into execution, the viceroy
have
of Lima
would
no
longer to wait five or six

the

by

for the

months

the

of
timber

the

say that
of

the

is the
the

of

In the

7.

Andes

is

of

interior

Bio

San

Bio d\4trato

Sea.
of

Novita,
in

canal

the

monk

de

the

the

has

Kurope.

The

the

of

distant
8.

from

In

journey

his
de

ravine

rains

pass from

coa"ts

the
from

in

Bio de

of

in which

Choco,

JVoa?iama,

river

small

Juan

the
the

called
The

Quito.

abundant,

are

sea

to

small

one

10"

two

into

South

the

of the

village
small

of

canal
oceans,

of
loaded

canoes

interior

munication
com-

unknown

1788,

in

Raspadura unites, on
two
points 75 leagues

another.
of

Lima,

Brazil.

This

sea.

since

existed

the

flows

parishionersto dig a
la Baspadura, by means

south
we

latitude, two
reach

Gunllaga, (or Hnallaga,) by

doubling Cape Horn, arrive
Para

mouth

Baspadura, unites

great activity,cure

employed

cacao

la

the

San

Bio

of

which, when
with

the

Andageda and the Bio Zitai'a,form the

which
discharges itself into the Atlantic

while

Ocean,

almost

might

of all America

province

the

Juan, and

latter, the Bio

excellent

virons
en-

entirelybroken.

the

(Quebrada)
of
neighbouring sources

also

with

Cupica and

only part

ravine

small

the

We

Lima.

to

between

ground

Atrato

chain

the

carried

be

Besides

of Cupica abounds

Bay

fit to

his court.

of

orders

The

the

which
at

sources

three

or

banks

of

the

days
Bio

without
may,
the banks
of i\\Q grand
we

even

of

the

Rio

32

POLiriCAL

Huanuco,*

which

four

five

or

ESSAY

ON

into

runs

the

distant

leagues

THE

[book

only

Guallaga^are

from

the

i.

of the

source

which
flows
into the Pacific Ocean.
Huaura^
form
Hio
contributes
to
also, which
XauxOy

Rio
The

Ucayale^ has its rise near the

The
of the Itio Rlmac.
source
height of the Corof the ground, render the exedillera,and the nature
cution
the construction
of a canal impossible
; but
of a commodious
to
road, from the capitalof Peru
the

yipuremac

the

Rio

Huanaco^

would

Europe.

The

de

goods

to

the

and

facilitate the

in five
carry
Peru
to the mouth

Gualiaga would
of

six

or

of

the

weeks

the

and

Ucayale

rivers

great

transport of

ductions
pro-

and

Amazons,

the

neighbouring coasts of Europe, while a passage

the same
of four months
is recjuisite
to convey
The
point,in doubling Cape Horn.
goods to the same
cultivation
of the fine regionssituated ou
the eastern
declivityof the Andes, and the prosperityand wealth
of their inhabitants,depend on
2. free navigationof
the river of the Amazons.
This liberty,denied
by
have
the court
of Portugal to the Spaniards,might
which pre
been
acquired in the sequel to the events
to

ceded

the

peace of 1801.
Before the coast
of the

9.

known,
(^iently
the 45"
to
to

as

the
and

enter

suffiPatagonians was
situated between
Gulf nf St. Geoi'ge,

the

47*^ of south

interior

far into the

so

communicate

with

was
latitude,

the

of the

of the

arms

posed
sup-

country,
which,

sea

interruptthe continuityof the western

coast, that is
the coast
to
oppositeto the archipelago of
say, with
solid*
tliis suppositionfounded
on
Hhayamapiu Were
See

the

of

volume

under
uer,

the

volumes,
iheir

an

title

Peru,

on

way

in
Sobreviola^
given hy Father
excellent
literaryjournal published

maps

of

is

an

Alcrcurio
extract

unfortunatelynot
to

London.

king's library,

at

Uerlin.

Perinnano.

from

this

tlie most

deposited

The

work

journal,of

the
at

whole

which

work

Lima,

of Skin-

interesting,have
the

tliird

some

found
in

the

ed
a

ESSAY

POLlTiCAL

34

comiTiunication

in

between

Europe

53') and

the

I have

the

in

afford

where
are

considered

by

in
^vhich

suspected
50"
(latitude

manner,

of St. Jidien

platethe

one

of

pointswhich

nine

communication

between

to

in several
it is the

and

one;

the

I wished

but

seeking

of

same

1746

junction of neighbouring
the
between
by canals or carriage-roads
the rivers become
navigable. These
of equal accuracy,
not
astronomically

rivers,either
bketchcs

bay

means

oceans,

places

In the year

i.

Ocean.

Great

sketched
to

appear
the two

in the

was,

[book

THE

expeditionof Malaspina.

the

by

ON

the

possesses

reader

the

save

what

maps

of

duty

finest and

be

may

the

the labour
tained
con-

government

fertile part of
merely hinted at in

most

perfectv/hat I have
ihis discussion.
Two
Le
Spanish engineers,MM.
Maii}\ drew up superb plansof the canal de los Guines,
projected for traversing the whole island of Cuba,
the

globe

from
of

to

Batabano
isthmus

the

the Hcwannali.

to

of the country

of

it is
be

at

Mexico

executed

Cruces

between

in his

the

Rio

choice, and

or

similar

survey

Guasacualco^ the lake Nicaragua,

Ciipicaand
statesman

Darien

and

Panama,

direct

JVaipi,would
enable

that this

him

tween
be-

and

to

the

decide

if

undertaking should

lize
undertaking calculated to immortaa
occupied with the true interests
government
of humanity.
Tlie long circumnavigation
of South America
would
then
be less frequent;and a communication
would
;

an

be

for the

opened
Ocean

to

goods

the South

vdiich

Sea.

The

the
pass from
time is past*

tic
Atlan"

when

Spain,throagh a jealous policy,refused to other nations

a thoroughfare
through the possessionsof which
she so
in ignorance." Those
long kept the world
who

M.

at

are

de

Fku}-ieu,\n
T.

rfiancl.

present

I. p. 566

at

the

hi*; learned

head

notes

of

on

the

the

government
Vovaere

df

Mar-

KINGDOM

n.]

CHAP,

OF

tlic liberal

to

of
for the

ideas

is

stranger

to

them

the

and

longer regarded

no

reception

as

sence
pre-

danger

countrv.

Should

two

communication

of

canal

the
and

2,0()0

leagues

States.

Then

China

of

nearer

only

can

of Eastern
state
political
land, the barrier
against the
been

independence of

for

many
C/iina and

tween
be-

opened

productions of
will
be
brought more
the
to
Europe and
any great changes lie

A'ootka
than

United

eftected

.isia, for this neck

in the

has

be

the

oceans,

Sound

Ocean,

3",

favourable

give a
proposed to

cnlif^htcncdenough

arc

Sl'AIN.

NFAV

of

waves

the

Atlantic

the biihvark

ages

of

of

the

Japan.

CHAPTER

III.

Physical aaficct of the kiJigdom of .'^Vw S/;ain coinfmrcd with

ylmerica.
that
of Euro/ie and South
Inccjualiticsof the soil.
Influence of these inequalities on the climate^ cultivation^ and
State of the coasts.
military defence of the country.

the

hitherto

have

We

boundaries

We

of

examined

have

considered
the

the

between

its coasts

Atlantic

kingdom

its relations

Spanish possessions,and
of
configuration

the

and

the

with

Spain.
other

the

advantages

afford
the

New

of

and

extent

vast

which

the

for communications

South

Seas.

Let

us

sider
physicalview of the country; and confor a while
the inequalities
the
of its soil,and
influence of that inequality
the climate, cultivation,
on
shall merely
and
We
military defence of Mexico.
tory
hisexhibit
details of natural
The
general results.
form
are
foreignto statistics ; but we cannot
now

an

give

exact

idea of the territorial wealth

of

state, with-

POLirrcAL

36

the

knowing

out

height of

the

for

proper

When

the

regions, in
by strata,

take

Mexico,

leagues,

teniasy

both

and

administration

of

kingdom

Santander,)

and

the

belongs
60,000
in-

immediate
ple,
(for exam-

province of
goveined by a particular

The

over

under

provincias
the

under

Leon,

those

commandant-general.
extends

the

viceroy of Mexico,

of the

new

other

contains

latter

are

face
sur-

is situated

the

comprehends
which

those

ceed,
suc-

whole

the

of

half

The

chmates

aiiother.

tropics,and

zone.

square

New

the temperature

above

one

i.

the

mountains,

the

\vhich

one

that

see

of the

temperate

the

its

general vievv?

we

burning sky
the

to

those

we

of

of

stiiiciure

[book

rni:.

un

great interior plains,and

it were,

as

i:ssa\

the

and

this

of

influence

of

inlendancies

mandant
com-

Durango

provinces of Coliahuila, Texas,

New
and
Mexico,
regions thinly inhabited, whicli
de
the designation of provincias intenias
go all under
from
la comjuendancia
general, to distinguish them
the provincias intenias
del vireijnato.
On
the one
of the nortlicrn
hand, small
]:)ortions
Sonora,

and

and

the

provinces of Sonora
tropic of Cancer
; and
tendancies

of

Gua-dalaxara, Zacatecas,

We
of

its distance
the

above

the

There
fact

Sonora
part
and

level

is
is

and

of

the

S.

Luis

Trans.

from

an

the
c'

the

literallytho

de

sea,

Potosi,

S. Luis

the

celebrated

also

of this

The
stretch

its elevation

on

ori;j;lnalin

in the

lie soutli

north

de

the

proximity

intendancies

in-

mate
physical clialtogetherdepend on

but

reverse.

Santander

southern

that

tjie

pass
southern

and

little to the

not

pole,

oversight

New

does

country

of

environs:

however,

know,

other, the

the

on

Potosi, (particularlythe
mines
of Catorce,) extend
limit.*

Santander

New

and

this

northern
as

far

the

to

Ll.e

place

; for

provinces

north

of Guadalaxara,
of

ocean,

tropic

as

of

3Si", and

Zacutecas,
of

Cancer.

KINGDOM

in

GKAP.

and
configuration

OF

cold

whole

interior

especiallythe

than

the

interior

of

climate.

burning

viceroyaltyof Mexico,
the countiies
comprised

denominations

ancient

the

imder

of

local cir.

tuated
square leaguessithan three-fifths enjoy

more

temperate

or

37

of other

in the torrid zone,

The

SPAIN.

great number
Hence, of the 50,000

cumstances.

rather

NEW

of

Anahuac

and

all New
Biscay, form an
probably even
immense
above
plainelevated 2,000 or 2,500 metres*
the level of the neighbouring seas.
the
There
is scarcely a point on
the globe where
exhibit
mountains
so
extraordinarya construction as
in New
Spain. In Europe, Switzerland, Savoy, and
the Tyrol, are
countries
considered
;
veiy elevated
of
but this opinion is merely founded
the
on
aspect
the groups
of a great number
of summits
perpetually
chains to
with snow,
covered
and disposed in parallel

Mechoacan,

the

chain.

great central
rise to

Alps

Thus

and

3,900

neighbouring plains in
than

more

former

from

of these

400

the

to

New

Piliza.

In

than

more

the

Silesia,near

Spain,
580

level in France

the

feet

600J

in

extent
sources

very

the

in

not

The
vation,
ele-

part of

most

Suabia, Bavaria,

of the

"

are

moderate

Castiles

two

while

height.

that of the

as

the

of Berne

Wartha

and

elevated

are

(300 toises).
Auvergne, on which

metres,
is

metres,t

canton

(400,) a

numbers,

be considered
may
plains of any considerable
and

4,700

even

of

summits

the

The

highest

the

Mont

The
d'Or, the Cantal,and the Puy de Dome
repose.
elevation of this level, according to the observations
of M.

Buch,

de

6,561 and

11,312
!l 2,360
VOL.

8,201 feet.

and

t 12,794

and

15,419

feet.

1,968 feet.

feet.
I.

is 720

metres, ||(370

toises.) These

Trans.
Trans.

Trans.

"1,902

Trar.^.
U

feet,

Trane.

ESSAY

POLITICAL

38

examples

of

surfaces

in

there

the

Asia, under

34"

plainsanalogous to

are

who

travellers

visited

have

the

of

ignorant

ocean.

of

the

sources

and

37"

of Mexico

Asia

have

latitude

south

2,000

it is

as

latitude
;

left

but

us

the

pletely
com-

of Thibet.

elevation

Gordon
metres.:}: Colonel
the Cape of
lardiere, that from

to

north

those

The

Hope

Africa

the soil of

has

ly
gradual-

fact

confirmed

been

not

the

to

rose

of elevation. || This

metres^

curious,

Good

Labil-

M.

assured

1,400

of

of

Nilef

great desert of Gobi to the north-west

exceeds,
Duhalde,
according to Father

China,

21"

(200

metres*

level of the

the

plains,

of the

elevation
of

the

800

to

i.

elevated

the aspect of

400

toises)higher
Africa, perhaps, near

In
and

from

than

more

exhibit

than

400

to

which

[book

general the

in

that

prove

Europe

seldom

are

to

serve

THE

ON

as

new

by

other

vast

plain

naturalists.
The

chain

of Mexico
the

is the

Andes,

through all

runs

construction, I may
this chain
In

varies
the

everywhere
furrows
there

not

with

same

the

what, under

the

SouthAmerica

of

name

but

the

of
say the skeleton, (Charpente,)
the south
and north of the equator.

to

southern
and

torn

form

which

of mountains

hemisphere,
interruptedby

filled with

the

Cordillera

is

crevices

heterogeneous

like open
substances.
If

plainselevated from 2,?00 to 3,000 metres,T[

in the kingdom
of Quito,
as
(1,400 to 1,500 toises,)
and farther north
in the province of los Pastes, they
are

From

According

1,312

of

sources

the

to

to

2,624 feet.
Bruce

Nile,

(10,500 feet) higher

^5,511

in

feet.

than

From

10,629

to

iii. p.

Cvol.

Gogam,
the

Trans.

IILabillardiere,t. i. p

Trans.

"

are

642.
more

level

of

6,561

feet.

89.

11,811 feet.

Trans.

the

652.

than

and

712.)

3,200

metres

Mediterranean.
Trana.

the

KINGDOM

in.]

hHAP.

be

to

not

are

compared

Spain, and are

valleysbounded
of

ridge

the

by

Andes

of the

that

eltvated

the

of

summits

is true,

the

these

and

horseback,

on

Peru

the

of the

crest

less

it

most

Andes

colossal

it
in

metres*

5,400

to

toises,)are

either

in lines which

bear

no

the

Cordillera.

direction

the

relation

contain

perpendicular depth
existence

The
from

carried

dispersed

Granada

the

the inhabitants

afoot, or

of

New

1,400 metres.f

valleys prevents

designates,as

summits,
4,900

the

very
and
it
plain,

the

In

the

of
kingdom
valleys,of which

is sometimes

it is

which

chain.

same

lera
great Cordil-

of the

forms

plain

of New

longitudinal

as

in Mexico

the

transversal

39
those

considered

hich

whole

parallelism with

Peru

with

\\

height, (2,500 to 2,770

the plain,or ranged
on
of

extent

while

still from

but

in

constitute

in Mexico

but

SPAIN.

branches

two
:

of

NEW

be

to

mountains

direction

is the
were,

rather

OF

of these

travellingexcept
the

on

shoulders

of

(calledcargadores ;) but in the kingdom of

Spain, carriages roll on to Santa Fe in the province
of New
for
of
than
Mexico,
more
a
length

Indians,
New

1,000 kilometres,
this

road

there

or

few

w^re

difficulties

is

interrupted by valleys,and
far as
that as
the city of
140
Mexico,
leagues from

the

elevated
of

level
the

the

height

Great

*From

of

table-land

from

16,075

to

Trans.

for

of

whole
to

art

mount.
sur-

That

17,715

feet;

\ From

in

metres

This

ocean.

is

surface

2,700

to

Cenis,

Mount

St. Bernard.

t 4,854 feet.

1,700

neighbouring
of

the

general so little
its declivityis so
gentle,
Biscay,
Durango, in New

Mexico

The

On

leagues.

500

J above
is

might

examine

the

equal

Gothard,

St.

nually
conti-

or

to

the

this geo-

Trans.

5,576

to

8,856

feet.

Trans.

POLITICAL

40

firstwas
South

Sea

Mexico,

five barometrical

the

across

and

Mexican

from

Mexico

Salamanca

which

it deserves,
The

surveys.

Cruz.

Vera

to

Mexico

The

cond
se-

by Tula, Quethird

The

Guanaxuato.

to

comprehended

the

intendancy of Valladolid, from

Guanaxuato

the

volcano

The

to

fourth

from

extended

thence

the

environs

of

of

Moran

which

points,of

JoruUo

I determined

Pascuaro.

at

Toluca,

to

Lastly, the
and Actopan-

Mexico.

to

of

Valladolid

from

the

and
from

The

number

height, either

8' and

102"

and

of

that

28' of

98"

hended
comprenorth
0' of
tude,
lati-

longitude

west

Beyond these limits I know but of one

which
the lengthwas
accuratelyascertained,
is the city of Durango, elevated, according

deduction

2,000

of

much
These

from
above

metres*

table-land

the

altitude,

barometrical

mean

level of the

Thus

sea.

its extraordinary
vation
elepreserves
farther north than the tropicof Cancer.
of

measurements

have

which
enabled

heights,with

I made

on

the

the
same

mical
astronoextent

construct

the

which
this work.
maps
accompany
vertical sections.
I have
a series of

They

ground,

the

Mexico

observations
of

21"

to 208

Paris.

place
to

the

16" 50' and

the

and

fifth included

amounts
or
barometrically
trigonometrically,
and they are
surface
all distributed
over
a

between

i.

Spain,from the
Gulf, from Acapulco to

from

extended

survey
retaro, and

[book

of New

kingdom

the

to

THE

the attention

with

logicalphenomenon
I executed

ON

ESSAY

me

to

sical
phytain
con-

ed
endeavour-

which
regions by a method
has hitherto been only employed for mines, or small
portionsof ground through which canals ai'e intended
In the statistics of the kingdom of New
to pass.
confine ourselves
to
Spain, we must
plans likelyto
interest from
The
views
of political
attract
economy.
physiognomy of a country, grouping of mountains,
to

represent whole

6,561 feet.

Trans.

POUTICAL

42

insulated

ing

summits,

in the middle
these
dread
a

less

uniform,

that

they

ridge of
from
is

are

but

the

to

which

Cancer,

soil

but

such

is the

40^^ of north

from

the

No

north.

of

to

one

different

surface

the

lengthened
runs

Its

the

to

no

another,

plainwhich

Lyons

the

traverses

latitude.

length
tropic of

great African
to decline

extraordinaryplainappears

towards

bit
inha-

there, and

assumes

approximated
singleplainon

so

the distance

equal to

who

concentrated

great extent,

Cordillera;

the 18"

This

of

form

the

islets

were

Those

ocean.

the

however,

Plains

aspect.

it

as

i.

neighbouringregions,where
to the primitive
prevailsprejudicial
higherAndes.

of the

Mexico,

[book

into the

heat
suffocating
In

THE

form

plainsremain

frozen

inhabitants

ON

they

of the aerial

descend

to

ESSAY

measurement,

desert.

insensibly
as

have

we

in New
made
yond
ever
already remarked, was
Spain bethe city of Durango ; but
travellers observe
that the ground lowers
co,
Mexivisiblytowards New
and
Three

accompany
south
directed from

ridge

of

the

Rio

the

the

of Mexico.

Gulf

which
difficulty

the

The
coast

All

Rio

this essay,
to

north

in their

mountains

Bravo.

sections from
the

of the

sources

sections
and

the

the

towards

of

one
:

the

dinal
longitu-

it represents

wards
prolongationto-

others

two

Colorado.

are

Pacific

sal
transver-

Ocean

to

glance the
of the
extraordinaryconfiguration
three show

at

from
to the transport of productions
opposes
the interior to the commercial
cities of the coast.

country
In

travellingfrom

great mines

the

capitalof

Mexico

to

the

Guanaxuato, we remain at first for ten

leagues in the valleyof Tenochtitlan, elevated 2,277t
above

metres

of

the level of the

sea.

The

level of this

valley is so uniforrri,that the villageof

of
Gueguetoque, situated at the foot of the mountain
Sincoque,is only ten mctresj higher than Mexico.

beautiful

1 7,468
1

feet.

Trans.

\ 32.8

feet.

Trans.

KINGDOM

CHAP.

Ill]

The

hill of

Barientos

into the

stretches

is

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

merely

43

which

promontory

valley. From

cend
Gueguetoque we asBotas
de los Reyes, and
from
to Puerto
near
into the valleyof Tula, which
is 1 15
tlience descend
the valley of Tethan
metres*
(222 toises) lower

Bochtitlan, and
of

the

the

to

passes
Mexico.

which

across

San

lakes
Rio

To

Christoval

the

at

and

the

Tula, in the great plain of Queretaro,

valley of
must

we

of

Gulf

the

of

cuation
eva-

Zumpango

and

bottom

of

canal

great

Moctezuma

de

arrive

the

pass

is only 1,379
Calpulalpan, which
metresf (2,686 toises J) above the level of the sea, and
is consequently less elevated
than the city of Quito,
though it appears the highest point of the whole road
the

mountain

from

Mexico

of

Chihucihua.

to

mountainous

of

north

the

this

plains of S. Juan del

Zelaya begin, plains covered

the

country

Queretaro,

Rio,

To

and

vast

cities.
Their
mean
villagesand considerable
in Auvergne, and
height equals Puy de Dome
they
ai'C
near
thirtyleagues in length, extending to the

with

foot of

the

Those

metaliferous

who

that the

have
of

rest

travelled
the

of

mountains
New

into

Mexico
what

resembles

way

Guanaxuato.
assert

I have

scribed
demense
Im-

section.
representedin a particular
basins
plains,appearinglike so many
and

of

old

dried

another, and are only separated

up lakes, follow one
at
by hills which hardly rise 200 or 250" metres
above

most

the bottom

in another
of my
*

Here

of

the

to

feet.

\ This

number

"

656

toises
1 ,420

820

; the

feet.

to

the

of the four

mistake, for
value

of the

115

bit
exhi-

shall

historical

count
ac-

plains,which
do

metres

first is

376

not

feet,

Trans.

Trans.

which

evidentlybe
or

Atlas

section

evidently

222

latter

14,522

should

is

the

(in

the
travels)

there

correspond
and

work

basins.

of these

feet.

does

686.

Trans.

not

Trans.

correspond

with

the

metres,

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

44

THE

[book

i.

The
first,which
capitalof Mexico.
the
comprehends
valley of Toluca, 2,600 metres*
{1,340 toises ;) the second, or the valley of Tenochthe

surround

;) the third, or the

valleyof Actopan, 1,966 metres| (1,009 toises ;)and
the
metres^
fourth, the valley of Istla, 981
(504
differ as
basins
These
four
toises) of elevation.
titlan,2,274

in their

much

level of

the

the

of

sugar

European
the

Aztec

The

of
the

the

construction

of

sections

the

the

an

the

show

the

the

and

Mexico

more

to

rapid

difficulties

coast.

to

They
of

New

Vera

Cruz,

from

the

the
same

in

the

to

third,

from
the

the

figuration
con-

Spain

the

the

versal
trans-

South

and

Sea.

by

ture
na-

interior

everywhere

level

for

even

opposed

between

Mexico

than

in New

Atlantic

difference

from

much

It is different

canals.

an
equal elevation, and
preserves
rather cold than temperate.

of

the

plantations,
vineyards

goods, navigation,and

enormous

while

the

executed

how

proves

communication

kingdom

which

survey

from

sections
to

the

as

soil is favourable

of

transport

These

for

fourth, for agava

the

considered

Guanaxuato

to

tion
cultiva-

adapted

cotton

the

Indians.

barometrical

Mexico

is

second,

and

be

may

different

elevated,

the

grain ;

which
of

exhibits

least

above

elevation

in their

as

each

first,and

cultivation
for

climate

sea;

toises

(1,168

metresf

of
hibit
ex-

ture,
tempera-

Biscay the plain

mate
consequently a cliFrom
the
capital

descent

is shorter

point

to

and

Acapulco.

We

might almost say, that the country has a better

from
nature
military defence
against the people of
Europe than againstthe attack of an Asiatic enemy
;
*

8,529

\ 6,447

feet.
feet.

Trans.
Trans.

f 7,459

feet.

Trans.

" 3,247

feet.

Trans.

KINGDOM

in]

CHAP,

OF

NEW

SPAIN.

but tlipconstancy of the trade

of

current

tropics,almost
which

which

rotation

might

ages
continent.

Taking

toxyards the
advance

never

wish

sixty

exercise

from

marine

the

the bottom

in less than
of the

the descent

continue
The

the

tillwe

the

towards

temperate

gions
re-

clivity
de-

eastern

when

rapid,that

so

In

grow.

same

in

and

sea,

Mexico

metres*

once

great central plain,we

arrive at the eastern

coast.

is furrowed

markable
by four very relongitudinal
valleys,so regularlydisposed,
which
the ocean
nearest
are
are
even
deeper

those

the

on

from

coast

western

that those
than

1,000

leagues.The

is

Cordillera

from

the

at

seventeen

descend

begin to

we

arrive

we

to

cease

must

we

arrivingat

the level of the

Acapulco road, descending

Sea,

Cruz,

is less than

which, consequently,oaks

new

Mexico

capitalof

Vera

to

the

over

leagues before

toises)higherthan

the South

the

between

ceases

to

in the road

east

of which
valley,

(500

great

politicalinfluence
every
Asiatic Russia in the succession

direction

our

the

winds, and

annihilate

China, Japan, or
of

45

section drawn
shall

we

by

up

Casting our

from

me

observe, that from

exact

eyes

ments,
measure-

the

plain of Teinto the valley

first descends

the traveller

nochtitlan

it.

from

remote

more

Istla,then into tliatof Mascala^ then into that of

Papagallo,and, lastly,into the valley of Peregrino.

of

The

bottom

and

158

of these

four

basins

rise 981, 514,

metres! (504, 265, 98, and

the level of the

A

The

ocean.

curve

drawn

deepest are

over

the

separate these valleys,over

82

3,280

feet.

Pic

of the

Trans.

t 3,217, 1,685, 557, and

VOL.

I.

feet.

518
X

also the

mountains

of Cortez,) the
(the old camp
Chilpansingo, and Posquelitos would
equallyregularprogress. We might even
*

toises)above

the

summits

Tranf.

170,
rowest.
nar-

which

Marquis,
of

Tasco,

an
preserve
be tempted

to

ESSAY

POLITICAL

45

type generallyfollowed
mountains

of

America

will

trivial

sometimes
Thus

Asiatic

the

in

the

instant

from

climate

cold

from

much

the

leagues, the

72.5

Mexico

tance
dis-

Acapulco,

to

arrive

descend, and

and

continuallyascend

we

centre^

the Cordilleras.

of
space
line from
straight
For

European.

the

towards

differs very

road

at

very
of matter

accumulation

edges of

the

on

that

us,

apparently

sometimes

summits,

to

prove

causes

the

determined

have

in colossal
and

systematicdelusions.

these

mountains,

of

formation

the

of South

Andes

the

geological considerations

Many
the

destroy

soon

to

i,

construction

in the

nature

the aspect of

but

by

[book

conformable

regularityis

that this

believe

THE

ON

every

regions excessively

in

fit for
be made
may
carriages. On the contrary, of the 84.5 leagues from
the
belong
capitalto the port of Vera Cruz, 140*

hot.

Yet

road

is

from

the

laborious

small
from

and

pa,

of

Acapulco

great plain of

the

to

road

the

continued

and

site,one

rest

of

the

descent, particularly

of Perote

fortress
this

The

Anabuac.

to

of the

cityof Xalap-

the

beautiful

most

and

world, to la Rinconada.
picturesque in the known
which
It is the
raises the
of this descent
difficulty
Vera
Mexico
to
Cruz, and
carriage of flour from
competing in Europe
prevents it to this day from
with the flour of Philadelphia. There
is actuallyat
constructing a superb causey
present
along this
descent

eastern

the

to

and

great
of Vera

the

on

whole

kingdom
of

transport

Here

will

Cruz,

have

prosperity of
of New
will

be

from

it

the

is

work,

were,

evidently

the
the

the

chants
mer-

decided

most

inhabitants

due

fluence
in-

of the

sands
Spain. The places of thousupplied by carriagesfit to

merchandises
as

This

praiseworthy activityof

mules

connect,

Cordillera.

of the

mistake,

sea

to

Asiatic

140

cannot

which

sea,

commerce

be

part of

will
of

84.5

KINGDOM

irr]

CHAP,

with

Acapulco

OF

NEW

SPAIN.

European

the

47
of

commerce

Vera

Cruz.
We

have

that in

already stated

situated in the torrid

zone,

colossal

Cordillera

the

by

which

mountains

prolongationof
their lowncss

in

rien, the

Andes

recover

considerable

timala.

their

other

times

Mexico,

Peru.

23,000

rate
tempe-

country

is

chain

of

as

ing
Notwithstand-

the

province of
of Panama,

isthmus
the

kingdom

approaches

crest

vinces
pro-

of

considered

be

height in

Sometimes

Ocean,

of

and

the

of

extent

of

Choco,

traverse

may

Andes

the

Mexican

space
rather than

leagues enjoys a cold,

square
climate.
All
this great
traversed

the

Daand

of Gua-

the Pacific

it

of the
occupies the centre
it approaches the gulf of
country, and sometimes
Ln the kingdom of Guatimala, for examMexico.
ple,
this crest, jagged with volcanic
runs
along
cones,
the

at

western

\vards the

bay

of

between

Oaxaca,

Mexican

Tehuantepec
the

it

Misteca

stretches

to

It is

are

total

to

group
elevated
a

enough

to

Excepting the Cofre

all geometrical; but
elevated

height
of M.

above
was

to

of la Puebla

the

and

white,

and

the

and
cina

plain of Anahuac,

of

21"

Mexico,

de

cities of

of mountains

appears
the new

summits

the

of

these

sea,

these

four

being

bases

of the

Xalapwhich
nent.
conti-

Colossi

and

*^

ineasurements

from

11

to

1200

this first part of the

according to the barometrical

word
Popocatepetl is derived

/^//c//mountain
1 1 woxadn.

of

four

Perote,

level

The

between

small

the

name

calculated

Laplace.

fiofiocani smoke,
iztac

-2"

coast.

pa and Cordoba,
rivals the most

toises

18'

of the

centre

of

In this part of the great

the capitalof Mexico, and

the

occupies

Chima-

Zimapan, the Cordillera

north, and approaches the

the mines
south

from

Nicaragua toin the province

of the rivers

the

the intendancies

of

but

sources

From

isthmus.

in
latitude,

eastern

of

lake

the

Guasacualco,

lapa and

from

from

coast

Iztaccihuall

Citlaltepetlsignifiesa

mula
forfrom

from
moun-

heightswere
Popocatepetl,5,400

woman,

the
or
toises;)Citlaltepetl,
metres,
(or 2,717 toises;)and

Cofre

de

toises.*)

This

the

If the

height attributed

that it is
admit
may
of latitude that mountains

we

reach
the

the

level

of the

Farther
celebrated

the

of

name

the

towards

cities
To

of

becomes

immediately

tain brilliant
for

the

it emits

Pic

of

Doctor,

ted
situa-

Cordillera

takes

the
the

last

and

loses

star, from

Sierra

the

It

itself in

the

citlaltine
at

appears
It alludes

to

like
from

form

the

most

Real
of

tejietlmountain

star, and
distance

the

divides

kingdom

new

is derived

Madre

the

and

Charcas

of

Nauhcampatepetl

square.

sidered
city, con-

branches, of which

direction

and

Grande

el

this

Mexico,

north-west

the

to

Miguel
of

leaving the

then

and

San

the

of 19^,,near
parallel

north

into three

above

metres

extraordinary breadth.

an

d'Orizaba

fire.

thing

any

as

of
the

in the

runs

Catorce,

de

Madre

Potosi

the

as

eastern

of the

of

Sierra

Guanaxuato.

60"

hemisphere

of 5,400

part of the kingdom it runs

eastern

be exact,

19'^ and

the

in the northern

Zimapan and
intendancy of Mexico,
mines

in the

Quito.

ocean.

the north

to

bears

of

Elief

St.
under

only

elevation

enormous

mountains

kingdom

Mount

to

or

(or 2,089

metres,

that of the

strong analogy with

5,295

Nauhcampatepetl,

volcanic

of

group

expedition;

my

d'Orizaba,

Pic

4,089

Perote,

i.

(or 2,771 toises ;)Iztac4,786 metres, (or 2,455

metres,

the white

cihuatl, or

before

unknown

whose

tadoK

THE

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

48

of

star

when

Nauhcamfia^

the

small

por-

of the mountain
of Perote, which
phyriticalrock at the summit
the Spaniards
to a coffer.
(See the Vocabulary of the
compare
Aztec
de
Language, by Fatlier Alonzo
Molina, published at
Mexico
in 1671, p. 63.)
*

17,716,

15,700,

17,371, and

t The
its

Spanish navigatorsfound,
height above the level of the sea

English feet,)while
La

13,414 feci.

Perousc

to

be

it is said

in
to

in the

1791.

be

Trans.

by precise means,
toises, (17,875

2,793

account

of the

only 1,980 toises, (12,672 feet.)

voyage

of

POLITICAL

50

ESSAY

Valladolid, Mexico,

of

intersected

grounds
The

least situated within

is from
is

that

25"
to

Puebla,

and
tropics,
does

sea

climate,

the

to

elevation
300*

tres,
me-

ter
centigradethermome-

8"

9"| greater than

But

bananas.

and

cotton,

low

of the

from

say,

whose
exceed

not

to

Naples.
the
fertileregions,which
These
calientesjproduce in abundance

ras

are

i.

the

of

heat

mean

[book

inconsiderable hills.
very
of these plains,of those
at

26"t

to

La

and

the

the level of the

above

THE

with

temperature

mean

ON

when

natives call Tier-

indigo,

sugar,

Europeans,not

remain

in

these

soned
sea-

countries

for

in populous cities,
time, particularly
they become
of the yellow fever, known
abode
of
by the name

any
the

vomiting, or vomito prieto. The port of Acapulco, and the valleysof Papagayo and Peregrino,are
the hottest and unhealthyplaces of the earth.
among
of New
On the eastern
coast
Spain,the great heats are
occasionallyinterrupted
by strata of cold air,brought
Bay towards the paralby the winds from Hudson's
lels
Cruz.
and Vera
These
of the Havannah
tuous
impeblack

October

from

blow

winds

to

March;

the}-

the

in which
manner
extraordinary
of the small atmospherical
they -disturb the regularrecurrence
tides,^ or horary variations of the barometer
gree
they frequentlycool the air to such a de; and
the centigradethermometer
that at Havannah
Cruz
at Vera
descends
to Oo,||and
to 16" ;1 a prodigious

announced

are

by

in the torrid

fall for countries

On

of 12

declivityof

the

984

feet.

^Yrovn.

1500**

or

14o

\(fi of

Cordillera,at

the

there

metres,

Fahrenheit.

my

**

in the

have

II32o

of

Fahrenheit.

3,936

From

to

Trans.

4,920 feet.

Trans.

Trans.

explained this phenomenon

Travels, {Physique i^encralc,)
p.

"I

tion
the eleva-

reignsperpetually

t "''" of Fahrenheit.

Trans.
to

zone.

92.

If 60o
Traris.

first volume

94.

of Fahrenheit.

Trans

ol

KINGDOM

in.]

ciiAP.

four

five

or

The

of

extremes

The

Tierras

of

name

heat of the

whole

the fine climate

the

and

fruit

of

their

for

this

region

the

mean

Such

21*^.*

is

Chilpansingo,
great salubrity,and
and

which

trees

to

there

are

which

20** to

more

heit.)
of Fahren-

cold

give

Xalappa, Tasco,

of

varies

nine

or

natives

is from

year

abundance

heat

51

never

templadas^ in

cities celebrated

three

which

degrees, (seven

equally unknown.
the

SPAIN.

NEW

springtemperature,

soft

than

OF

in

grow

their

Unfortunately,this mean
height of
the clouds
cend
as1,300 metrest is the height to which
the
above
plains adjoining to the sea ; from
these temperate regions,situated
which
circumstance
the declivity,
on
(forexample, the environs of the
city of Xalappa,) are frequentlyenveloped in thick
fogs.
It remains
for us to speak of the third zone,
known
neighbourhood.

the

by

the

Tierras

of

denomination

plainselevated

It comprehends

frias.
than

more

2,200

metres:!:

the level of the ocean,

of which
the mean
is under
of Mexico,
17". (" In the capital

above

perature
tem-

the

has been
known
to fall several
centigrade thermometer
degrees below the freezingpoint; but this is a
phenomenon ; and the winters are usually
very rare
mild
there
In the coldest season,
at Naples.
as
as
of the day is from
the mean
heat
13" to 14". || In
the

summer

above

The

24".^

table-land

equal to
table

thermometer

of

the temperature

of

-land, according to the

From

680

t 4,264

is in

62"

!lFrom
": 75"

as

^.o 70"

feet.

to

70"

of Fahrenheit.

17o**^

Rome.

Yet

:t7,2

17

whole

which
this

classification of

have

shade

the

general

already stated,

of Fahrenheit.

Trans.

of Fahrenheit.
55"

we

the

in
of

temperature

mean

Mexico

belongs,

rises

never

is

same

the
to

tives,
na-

the

Trans.

feet.

Trans.

Trans.

of Fahrenheit.
Trans.

**

Trans,
62"

of Fahrenheit.

Trans.

ESSAY

POLITICAL

52

which

from
Tierrasfrias;
hot

cold, have

or

under

of the

But

no

sinks

day

exceeds

[book

i.

that the expressions,

see

value.

At

quil,
Guaya-

plain
people of colour comthe centigradethermometer

it remains

the

30^t

at

elevated

plains more
for example,

those

metres, j

2,500

the

THE

24",* while

to

the

Mexico,

may
absolute

cold, when

of excessive

rest

we

burning sky,

suddenly

ON

than

whose

the

absolute

within

possess,

valleyof

the

height
tropics,

disagreeableclimate, even to an inhabitant

the plainsof Toluca, and the
of the north.
Such
are
heightsof Guchilaque, where, during a great part of
the day, the air never
heats to more
than 6" or 8",^
and the olive tree bears no
ted
fruit,though it is cultivain the
lower
metres
successfullya few hundred
valleyof Mexico.
All these
perature
temregions called cold enjoy a mean
of from
11" to 13'^,1[[
equal to that of France
Yet the vegetationis less vigorous,
and Lombardy.
with the same
and the European plantsdo not
grow
a

rude

and

rapidityas
elevation
but

the

of

their natal

in

2,500
has

sun

the rarefied air of

of

metres,

not

The

soil.
are

not

winters,

extremely

sufficient povv^er in

these

plainsto

flowers, and

summer

accelerate

at

an

rude

over

the development

bring fruits to perfect

of a
this want
constant
maturit}-. This
equalit}',
strong ephemeral heat, imprints a peculiarcharacter
of the higher equinoxial regions.
the climate
on
Thus
tlic cultivation of several vegetablessucceeds
the ridge of the Mexican
Cordilleras than
worse
on
in plains situated to the north
of the tiopic,though
heat of these plains is less than
the mean
frequently
that of the plains between
tude.
the 19^ and
22'' of lati-

75^

of

Fahrenheit..

\ 8,201 feet.
1

From

51"

Trans.
to

55"

Trans.

"

43*^

to

^ ^^^
or

of Fahrenheit.

46=^

oi Yj\\vc\i\\g.K.

of Falirenheit.
Trans.

Trans.
Trans^

KINGDOM

in]

COAP.

These

OF

SPAIN.

NEW

general considerations

53

the

sion
physicaldiviof New
in a poSpain are extremely interesting
litical
view.
In France, even
in the greatest part of
Europe, the employment of the soil depends almost
on
geographical latitude ; but in the equientirely
noxial regions of Peru, New
Granada, and Mexico,
the climate, productions,aspect, I may
nomy,
say physiogof the country, are
vation
solelymodified
by the ele-

of the soil above

influence of

the

on

level

geographicalpositionis

effect of this elevation.

Lines

the

of

The

sea.

absorbed

in the

of cultivation

similar

Young and M. Decanthe horizontal projections

dolle on
of France
only
can
be indicated on
sections of New
Spain. Under the
22*^ of latitude,sugar,
19" and
cotton, particularly
and indigo,
eacao
are
only produced abundantlyat an
those

to

drawn

elevation

from

of

Arthur

by

to 800*

600

wheat

The

metres.

the declivityof the

on
Europe occupies a zone
at
1,400
mountains, which
generally comm.cnces
of

and

metres,

ends

at

3,000

the fruit
[musa paradisiaca,)

of Mexico

the oaks

II and

metres;

of

coast

From

Vera

1,968

no

grow

the

pines

fruit

of

the

the

1,550 metres;^
800

descend

never

tree,

constitutes

only between

feet.

2,624

banana

inhabitimts

above

farther down

Cruz

to

which

of

all the

of

principal nourishment
tropics,bears almost

The

metres.

than

and

3,000
the

towards

1,850,^1

nor

Trans.

of the
speak here merely of the general distribution
afterwards
specify places
vegetable productions. I shall
and
cotton
favoured
where,
by a particularexposure,
sugar
the
above
be cultivated
ocean.
(5,576 feet)
1,700 metres
may
t I

feet.

\ 4,592 and

9,842

\\ Between

2,624 and

Z 6,068

VOL,

feet.

T.

" 5,084

Trans.

9,842

feet.

Trans.

Trans-

feet,

Tranf.

POLiriCAL

54

rise

the

near

of

ESSx\Y

of

region

ON

THE

[book

perpetual snow

to

tion
eleva-

an

than

4,000* metres.]provincescalled i?irernas,situated in the

more

The

i.-

perate
tem-

the
those included
between
(particularly
30" and
38" of latitude)
enjoy,like the rest of North
that of
different from
America, a climate essentially
A remarkable
the same
in the old continent.
parallels
of
the temperature
inequalityprevails between
zone

the different

Neapolitan and Sicilian

to assign here
than

its

the

other

the

on

all the

observe

which

care

continent, and

the

of

it deserves.

United

States,

I shall

merely

observable
of temperature
latitudes of Europe and America,

is much

less remarkable

continent
eastern

same

borderingon

and
agriculture
tliat the
the

the

parts of the

has

new

than

Pacific Ocean

the

proved, from

in the

the

state

distribution

natural

Atlantic

provinces are
plains situated to the

extensive

Alleghany

in those

Barton

M.

parts.

menon
pheno-

that the difference

the

than

perfluous
su-

north

the

climate

soil and

between

of

of the

great breadth

be

this

for

causes

to

ject
pole. This subbeen
discussed
sophers,
by enlightenednatural philoparticularly
by M. Volney, in his excellent

has

with

It would

summers.

towards
prolongation

work

succeed

winters

German

seasons.

of bles,
vegetamuch
colder
west

of

the

of

tional
na-

mountains.

remarkable

for

advantage

the progi"ess

in New

industryarises from the heightat which nature,

Spain, has depositedthe preciousmetals. In

Peru

the

Potosi, Pasco,
very

men,

t The

iji my

Chota,

immensely

are

essay

Vera
on

all be

those

of

elevated

working
brought

Tra}is.

reader
to

In

region of perpetualsnow.
and cattle must
provisions,

13,123 feet.

Mexico

and

mines,

the

near

them,

silver

considerable

most

may

Cruz,
the

consult

tlie

section

(plate vi,)and

geography

of

the

plants, p.

of

the

road

from

agriculturiilscale
139.

CHAP.

Ill]

from

KINGDOM

distance.

water

freezes

never

vegetate,

Cities
whole

the

Nothing

can

delicious

climate

situated

determine

richest

of

amassing
of

seams

Guanaxuato,
Zacatccas, Tasco,
elevations
of
Monte, are in moderate
The

metres.*

fields,towns

mines

the
on

wealth.

silver,those

and

Real

from

1,700

del

with

surrounded

are

abode.

himself

insulate

valleysto
but the hope

trees

abandon

to

of

2,000

where

attractive

man

of the

tlie top of the Andes

But
in Mexico, the

plains,where

in

an

free

55

round, and

year

hardly be

can

SPAIN-

NEW

OF

to

tivated
cul-

the neighbouring
villages.;
summits
crowned
with forests ; and every
are
thing
facilitates the acquisition
of this subteiTaneous
wealth.
In the midst
of so
by
advantages bestowed
many
the
it
suffers
in
nature
on
kingdom of New
Spain,
of water
and
general,like Old Spain, from the want
navigablerivers. The great river of the north, (Rio
del Norte) and the Rio Colorado, are
Bravo
the only
rivers
worthy of fixing the attention of travellers,
for

either

the

lengthof
they pour

which

water

Norte,

from
of

the lake

east

the

province of

leagues. The

commerce,

New

these

fertile and

were

families

in 1797
could

leagues,while
"

From

t Voyage
115.

temperate

perhaps very

even

in the

5,576
de

hardly

to

be

habitations

feet.

6,561

Michaux

are

512

But

order, and

colonization
These

banks

in

found

in

uncultivated

now

changes
that

space
so

into

Ohio

of the

thinlyinhabited,!

so

the

The

of

is 250.

social

regions.

distant.

(to

interestingfor

be

the

del

Rio

Verde

course

n^^st

introduce

events,

of

mass

its mouth

to

Colorado

Rio

of the

the
The

Timpanogos)

never
kingdom, can
tillgreat changes in

favourable

or

SieiTa

the

Santander, has

course

other

not

of

of

rivers, situated

two

part of the

are

their course,
into the ocean.

the mountains

the

these

and

thirty
of

130

multiplied,

Trans.

I'oue^t

dcs

Mont

JUeg/ianya,

p,

EaSAY

POLITICAL

55

that

they are

tant

from

never

than

more

In the whole

size.

The

state

near

to

of

the

of

great

mass

the

Rio

Cruz,

in time

the

with

is in

properly
the

approach so
aridity of the
number

small

the

of

Spain, the only

rior
for inteinteresting

The

1.

are,

of

south-east

the

to

and

Guasacualco,

Rio

Vera

the commmiication
adapted for facilitating
Rio
The
kmg'dom of Guatimala
; 2.
which

and

'I'enochtitlan

to the

that
by which, forgetting

Mexico

valleyof
above

carries

projectedbetween

coast

3.

The

the

Rio

Rio

the

de

is 2,277

and

metres*

navigationhas

the

v/estern

great river

The

4.

de

lakes

Panuco,

de

capitaland

Zacatula

the

of

waters

level of the sea,

the

been

of

Andes
the

Moctezuma,

elevated

more

Mexico

become

Alvarado, both

and

abounds

the

vents
preThe

water.

part of New

southern

commerce

arc

derable
consi-

of

arc

of

occasion

to

as

there

of the continent

rivers.

where

Peru,

may

which

form

than

coast

in the

which

ones

i.

leaguesdi$-

of Mexico

neighbouring plains. Among

rivers

[book

two

or

the Cordillera

torrents

with

mouths

narrow

collection

rapid declivityof
same

one

equinoxialpart

only small rivers, the

with

THE

another.

one

the

ON

junction of the rivers

Lerma
and las Laxas, which
might carry the flour of
and perhaps the whole intendanSalamanca, ZeU^^Ara,
cy of Guadaiaxara, to die port of San Bias, t"r the
Santiago,formed

of the

coast

The
which

the

merely

are

which
and

Pacific

lakes

mention

which

Mexico

part appear

the

appear
extensive

Ocean.

with

most

the

by

remains
to

have

plainsof

in this

Chapala in New
leagues,double

of immense

basins

formerlyexisted

on

size

of

7,464 feet.

of
the

the

Trans.

decline,
of

water,
the high

great lake

nearly
lake

of

I sliallmerely

the Cordillera.

physical view

the

the

annually on

Gallicia,

and

abounds,

of

160

of

square

Constance

ESSAY

POLITICAL

58

THE

ON

[book

i.

But in the month

4,500 metres.*
of January they fall as low as 3,700 metres
:\ this is
iel of Mexico

below

oscillation of
The
period of their maximum.
limits of perpetualsnow
is, consequently, under
the

latitude of 19", from

;X while
70

or

nal

We

with

the

fall in

much

equator it

lower

the

Mexico,

been

even

Mexico
in the
In

cityof

is

tally
acciden-

this

observed

never

of

3,000

in

monly
com-

Snow

"[[

the

of

and

it is

22"

metres.

streets

der
un-

;||but

metres

and

of 18"

the

eter-

capitalof
lower

400metrestt

Valladolid.

general,in

the

equinoxialregionsof New Spain,

soil,climate, physiognomy of vegetables,all assume

the

the

character

of

the

temperate

proximity of Canada,

the

continent

north,

which

these

towards

it is

the

by no
frigorifications
regions.

winter,

higher in

of

mine

Andes

in the

14,763 feet.

(I From

19,842

feet.

12,466
feet.

ft 6,156 feet.

is,on

than what

summer

observations

1 2,624

in the

of

to

12,794

Trans.
IVans.

"
feet.

196

or

phere
atmos-

by
La

feet.
229

the

7,468 feet.

ther-

Conda-

of the

mass

Tram.

feet.

Tratts.

Trans.
**

in

hand, much

great

12,138

with

snows

cold
singularly

found

The

Trans.

is

new

expected

Bouguerand

of Peru.

Trans.,

be

the other

was

the

Mexican

to

Spain

of
of

mass

means

New

its temperature

mometrical

*'

the

The

zones.

great breadth

covered, occasion

If the table-land
in

Even

3,900

or

metres,^^*

2,277

at

in

seen

these

60

phenomena,
mutable
subject to imnature,
of philosophers.
investigation

3,800

elevation

at an

tres
me-

is

snow

the latitude

under

seen

has

below

equator

the

exceeds

never

regions.

ephemeral

800

in winter

which

snows

other

confound

not

must

like every
in
other
laws worthy of the

This

the

to

season

the

under

metres.^

snows

one

the

Trans.

KINGDOM

111.]

CHAV.

of

Cordillera

Mexico,

plains,produce
in

observed

the

To

these

the north

of its

extent

reverberation

of the solar rays, never

quality.
of greater inecountries

other

heat, and

aridityof

59

the immense

and

mountainous

This

SPAIN-

NEW

OF

of

line

local

produce

causes,

regions.
the

20", from

22"

the

to

of

30"

of
latitude,the rains which only fall in the months
unfreJune, July,August and September, are
very
in the

quent

interior of
that

observed
the

and

small

the

plainsprevents
to

v/ater

of

evaporation. The

clouds

which

and

only

It forms

which

issues forth

great number

the

the

water,
These

in the

have

rivers

short

on

opened,

on

the

coast,

of the

account

oi

figuration
con-

country.

aridityof

plain,the want
by
good measure

of trees

the central

occasioned, perhaps,in
of time

tion.
vegeta-

the Cordillera.

of

bottom
of

is very

course

of
The

at the

rain

composed
fendilated {Jhii'
in place of collecting

revolutions

volcanic

the

mountains

basins, is lost

subterraneous
old

of

destitute

springsare rare
of porous
principally
amygdaloid, and
dille)porphyry. The filtrated water,
crevices

ascending

in
precipitating

from

in

fied
rare-

rises from

air which

warm

The

in small

of the

pressure

land, dry, saline,and

ready
al-

have

land,
great height of this table-

the

the

column

or

We

country.

barometrical

air, accelerate
current

the

the

length

widi
the great valleyshave
covered
remained
obstruct
the working of the mines.
very much

have augmented since the arrival

disadvantages
of Europeans in Mexico, who
have not only destroyed
without
of
planting,but in draining great extents
ground have occasioned another more
important evil.
Muriate
of soda and lime, nitrate of potash,and other

saline substances,

spread

with

Through

this

the

abundance
to

surface

of

salt,and

the
cultivation,

great resemblcince

of

explained-

these

table-land

in many

soil, and

the

difficult to be

rapidityvery

hostile
bears

cover

cences,
effloresof Mexico

places to Thibet

POLITICAL

60

and

the

saline

ESSAY

ON

THE

[book

steppes of central Asia.

In the

i.

valley

of Tenochtitlan

the sterility
and want
of
particularly,
vigorous vegetationhave been sensibly augmenting
since the Spanishconquest ; for this valleywas
ed
adornwith

beautiful

when

verdure

the

ground, and the clayey soil

frequent inundations.

more
more

lake
was

occupied
washed
by

Happily,however, this aridityof soil,of which we

been
have
is
indicatingthe principalphysicalcauses,
only to be found in the most elevated plains. A great
Spain belongs to
part of the vast kingdom of New
fertile regions of the earth.
The
the most
declivity
of the Cordillera is exposed to humid
winds and frequent
fogs; and the vegetationnourished with these
exhibits
an
uncommon
beauty and
vapours
aqueous
strength. The humidity of the coasts, assistingthe
of organic substances,
of a great mass
putrefaction
gives rise to maladies, to which Europeans and others
the climate
seasoned
alone exposed ; for
to
not
are
of the tropicsthe unhealthiunder the burning sun
of the air almost
ness
always indicates extraordinary
Cruz
the quantity
Thus
of soil.
of
at Vera
fertility
rain
it

in

year

amounts

scarcelyamounts
of

to

to

be

of

as

Mexico

with the exception

deep valleys,where

the

fevers, New

intermittent

considered

inhabitants

The

Yet

0'", 80. f

in France

while

1", 62,*

sea-ports and

suffer from

natives

ought

few

to

Spain
brious.
remarkablysalu-

country

less disturbed

are

by

ants
explosionsthan the inhabitand
of Quito, and the provinces of Guatimala
in
There
Cumana.
are
only five burning volcanoes
all New
tains
Spain,Orizaba, Popocatepetl,and the mounColima.
of Tustla, JoruUo, and
Earthquakes,
of the
die coast
on
rare
means
however, are by no

earthquakesand

Pacific

Ocean,

63.780

inches.

volcanic

"ind

in the environs

Trans.

of the

f 37.496

capital
; but

inches.

Tranf.

KINGDOM

Ill]

cSAf.

they

horrible

noises, so

Subterraneous

followed

they were

the

from
The

crust
sea

place:

of

have

as

Riobamba,

September,

14th

the volcano
with

surrounded

seen

small

much

the

smoking

cones.

alarmingas

more

heard at
phenomenon, were
All
of January, 1784.

no

tween
piove, that the country beactive
13" and 22" contains
an
to

pierces, from
the globe,even

fire, which

through the

the

of

month

phenomena seem
of
the parallels

internal

time

time,

to

ces
great distan-

at

shore.

physicalsituation of the city of Mexico

sesses
posif
consider
it
inestimable
in
the
^ve
advantages,

civilized world.
Sea

South

destined

with

its communication

relation of

the

by

in the

Guanaxuato
these

was

multitude

innumerable

an

61

Lima,

catastrophetook

burst, and

JoruUo

of

of

On

Cumana.

Guatimala, and
1759,

cities

the

in

witnessed

been

SPAIN.

desolatingeffects

such

produce

never

NEW

OF

to

Placed
and

on

Atlantic

the

isthmus,

an

washed

Mexico

Ocean,

of the

rest

influence

by

appears
the

powerful
continents.
agitatethe two
Spain resident in the capitalol" Mexico,

possess
which
events
political

over

king of
ninsula
might transmit his order$ in five weeks to the Pein Europe, and in six weeks
to the Philippine
The
islands in Asia.
vast
kingdom of New
Spain
careful cultivation,would
alone produce all
under
a
collects togetherfrom the rest of the
ihat commerce
globe, sugar, cochineal, cacao, cotton, coffee,wheat,
It would
furnish
hemp, flax,silk,oils,and wine.
the exception of
even
every metal without
mercury.
timber
and
of
iron
abundance
and
an
Superb
copper
favour
the progress
of Mexican
would
navigation;
A

but

the

the

mouth

the

Rio

would

state

VOL.

of

be

and

coasts

the

Rio

Bravo, oppose

These
coast

of the

difficult to

the

Alvarado
obstacles

to

I.

of ports from
the mouth
of

in this respect which

overcome.

obstacles, it is true, do

of the Pacific

want

Ocean.

San
z

not

exist

Francisco

on

the

in Neu'

ESSAY

POLITICAL

^2

Caliibniia,San Bias in
the
mouth
laxara, near

especiallyAcapulco, are
last,probably formed
by
of

the

In the

iind

which

be

can

GUada-

Santiago,and
magnificent ports. The
is one
violent earthquake,

is

of

in

the

whole

only Coquimbo
compared with

world.
the coast

on

Acapulco

Farther

comes
be-

sea

south

we

kingdom of Guatilike Guayaquil,by a large and

tiful
beauis very much
Sonzonate
ring
frequenteddu-

river.
the

i.

river

the

basins

there

[book

intendancy

very rough in Acapulco.

the port of Rialexo, in the

mala, formed

like

of

THE

the
winter, during great hurricanes,,

in

yet

Sea

South

of Chili

the

admirable

most

ON

fine season,

but
is

and

Tehuantepec,

it is

merely

an

road

open

consequently very dangerous

in winter.

When

examine

the

of New

Spain,
that ^t does
the same
not
sec
we
advantages
possess
the
We
have already observed
western
coast.
as
that, properly speaking, it possesses
no
port; for
we

Cruz,

Vera

by

which

eastern

coast

annual

an

of

commerce

fiftv

sixty millions of piastersis carried on, is merel}

the shallows
bad
of la Caleta,
a
anchorage between
The
la Gallega, and la Lavandera.
of
physicalcause
this disadvantage is easily discovered.
The
coast
of Mexico,
dered
along the Mexican
gulf,may be considike against \\ hich the trade whids, and
a
as
of the waves
from
east
to
perpetual motion
west,
which
the agitatedocean
throw
carries
up the sands

or

This

along.

fron^t Cuniana

America
it ascends
a

long

'^anal of

towards

time

in the

rotation
to

the

The

the

from

waters,

of the

Rio

contract

Geological facts

runs

isthmus

along
of

South

Darien

Cape Catochc, and after whirling

Mexican
gulf,issues through the

Florida, and iiows towards

ibundland.

mouths

of

current

sands
the
del
the

the banks

of New-

heajicdiip by the vortices of

the
to
peninsula of Yucatan
sensibly
Norte
and the Mississippi,inMexican
basin
of the
gulf.

oi' ix \cry

remarkable

nature

prove

OF

KINGDOM

"JIA?. Ill]

the

of

this increase

NEW

SPAIN.

continent

FeiTer

everywhere retiring. M.

see

the

found

near

we

53
oct

an

Sotto

of New
SanMarina, to the east oi" the small town
ving
tander, ten leaguesin the interior of the country, mola

filled with

sands
the

the environs

thing in

same

Vera

Cruz.

The

Sierra

Madre

and

small

no

It

banks.
of

coasts

Old

the

bars

New

the

to

which

vessels

of water,
without

cannot

of

danger

the

eastern

Spain
with

abound;^
than

more

metres*
centi-

32

any of these bars,

Yet
like
obstacles

over

pass

simd

the

of New

coast

draw

in

have

tageous
equallydisadvan-

are

latitude,

of

26"

that

observe

to

Ocean

increase

to

the

from

descend

Atlantic

Spain
navigation. The

18"

and

of

contributed

and

myself observed
Antigua and New^

which

the

enter

is curious

for
from

rivers

degree

sea-ahells.

grounding.

the
would
for commerce,
at
time facilitate the defence of the country against
same
the ambitious
projectsof a European conqueror.

these,

so

The
the

unfavourable

inhabitants

port of

of port

the

of

with

commerce

the mother

the mouths

name

cualco

city the

of Sotto
These

four

government
in other

Rio
la

of all

Cruz

Tampico,

but

1 shall

Marina,

near

and

respects, the

sand

and
to

merely
Guasa-

the north

the
especially

the

bar

banks

of the

advantageous
the entry
require to be

prevent

of

These
largevessels.
ports would
corrected ; but itbecomes
in
artificially
necessary
first place to inquire if the localities are
such
as
belief
this
that
warrant
a
expensive remedy v/ould
durable
that

we

in its effects.
stillknow

12.598,

It is to be

too

f-av

little of

12

] -2

lage
vil-

of Santandcr.

the attention

there, however

even

for the

and

pointshave long fixed

;

channels

surer

country.

of Vera

name

tertain
anchorages,en-

the rivers Alvarado

of

the south

to

of that

dangerous
finding out

most

hope

with

di.-contented
Mexico^
Cruz, if we
give the
may

Vera

the

to

of

the
to

be

observed, however,
the

inches.

coasts

of

Ne\T

ESSAY

POLITICAL

64

Santander

Texas,

of the Lake

north
able

and

to

[book

of this

extent

i.

the

to

Carbonera,

or

t^e whole

in

THE

that part
particularly

of S. Bernard

that

assert

ON-

be

to

nature

obstacles and the same

Two
bars.
presents the same
cal
Spanish officers of distinguishedzeal and astronomiCevallos
knowledge, MM.
and
engaged in this interesting
At

is in

Mexico

present

the Havannah,

Herrera, have

and
useful

investigation.

military
dependence

on

is the

which

only neighbouring port

receivingsquadrons,and the most
tant
impor-

capable of
of New
coast
point for the defence of the eastern
Spain. Accordingly,the government, since the last
taking of the Havannah
by the English, has been
in increasingthe fortifications
at enormous
expenses
of the place. Sensible of its true
interests,the court
of Madrid
has wiselylaid it down
that
as
a principle,
the

dominion

the

of
preservation

serious

very

coast, and

eastern

New

to

is essential for

Spain.
the

is

Pacific

for several

by

Ocean.

all

which
are
{losnortes,)
from
winds, blow in the gulf of Mexico
These
winds
to the spring equinox.
The

north

winds,

in the months

moderate

of

the Great

They are
by violent
navigation.

months

effectually
prevent

north-west
the

nal
autum-

are

rally
geneOctober:

September and

their greatest fury is in the month

last to April. Those
they sometimes

the

to

common

washed

coast

the

inaccessible

tempests, which

Cuba

of

inconvenience

called
Ocean, falsely
rendered

island

of the

of March

and

navigatorswho

Cruz
know
long frequentedthe port of Vera
the symptoms
of the coming tempest
as
a physician
of an iicute malady.
knows
the symptoms
ing
Accordhave

to

the excellent

observations

in the

barometer,
change
the regularrecurrence
of
histrumenl,
It is

are

the

north-west

land
;

wind

the

sudden

Orta,

great

iit
interruption

horary variations

of that

of the tempest.
At
the followingphenomena.

sure

accompanied by

first a small

and

of M.

forerunners

blows
{terral)

and to this ^d-nvz/succeeds

from

the

west.

brecT-.e,first

|
'

ESSAY,

POLITICAL

^5
The

western

navigationduring

rous

when

terrible

At

that

October,

the

is of

of Mexico

coast

time, and

in

even

Bias

and

very

July

from

blow

hurricanes

ports of San

of

months

the

[book

"c.

dange^
gust,
Au-

and

the

west.
southand

September
Acapidco are

of

in the fine season, from

Even
"very difficult access.
de
of May, [veraiio
the month
the month
of^Octoberto
of the Pacific Ocean
Sur,) the tranquillity

la

mar

del

is

on
interrupted

the

north-east

the

names

this

coast

from

winds

north-north-east, known

the

and

by impetuous

o'i papagallo and

by

tehuantepec.

Having myself experiencedone of these tempests,

whether
I shall in another
placeproceed to examine
these purely local winds
the effect of the neighare
bouring
volcanoes,
whether

or

as

navigatorsseem

some

they proceed

from

the

narrowness

to

think,
of

the

might be led to believe that

the equilibrium of the atmosphere being disturbed
in the months
of Januaryand February on the coast
of
the Atlantic, the agitated air flows back
petuosity
with imthe
towards
According to
great ocean.
this supposition, the
tehuantepec is merely the
Mexican

isthmus.

effect,or

rather the continuation

the Mexican
renders

gulf and

the

coast

inaccessible

as

where

violent

months

of
of

name

These
thunder

and
and
the

We

as

of
that

and

Solinas and

la Ventosa

of

It

almost

Nicaragua and Guatimala,

winds
prevailduring the
September, known
by the

of

tapayagiias.
south-west
and

excessive

winds

are

accompanied

with

rains, wh ile the tehuantepec

papagallos^exert their violence during the clear

azure
sky. Thus at certain periodsalmost all
of New
coasts
tors.
Spain are dangerous for naviga-

The

papagallos

blow

Nicoya (latitude 90 30') to

100

north wind

the brisottes of St. Martha.

south-west

August

of the

45'.)

particularly from Cape Blanc de

I'Ensenadadc
S. Catlianna,riatitudr-.

II.

BOOK

OF

POPULATION

GENERAL
OF

SIGN

CHAPTER

enu7neration

(i-eneral
tke

in

following

ten

The

sketching
has

unable

men,

which

neglect
Collected

the

they
and
fertility,

small

kingdom,
have
the

the

on

the

to

nearest

of

ridge
regions of

very

the

allowed

their

to

coast,

reach.

territory,in

of

extent

But

of this distribution,

within

are

ture
na-

benefits.

wisdom

which

rapidly

elsewhere,

her

in

burials.

to

been

as

distributed

riches
on

have

Mexico,

in

jiopulation

the

of births

we

appreciatethe

together

of the

centre

that

unequally
to

of

Progress
Proportion

years.

proves,

very

IV.

1793.

physical view

CASTS

INTO

INHABITANTS

THE

DIVJ

SPAIN.

NEW

dillera,
Cor-

the

the

the

greatest

remain

waste

uninhabited.

and

The

population of the United

Atlantic
division, that is

in the

district

narrow

niountains.
the

In

only
of

those

and
the

The
the

trod

Aztecs,
Rio

Gila,

in

the

say,

the

and

are

banished
the

originallyfrom
perhaps even

the
a

Caraccas,

districts

in Mexico
into

Spanish

steps of

long and
Alleghany

of

cultivated

regions

this

the

sea

well

and

civilization
In

to

is concentrated

capitania general

maritime

country.

merely

the

inhabited
the

the

between

States

ment
improve-

the

interior

conquered

emigrants

to

the

from

of

have

conquerors

countr)-

are

nations..
north

the

most

ol

POLITICAL

68

ON

THE

[book

parts of Asia, in their progress

northern
south

ESSAY

never

these

iv

the

towards

quittedthe ridge of the Cordillera, preferring

the
the
of
cold regionsto
excessive heat

coast.

Montezuma

of

equal in

arrival of Cortez

great cities of tlie Aztecs,

territories

of

This

nochtitlan.

induce
their

the

and

fruit

there

loved

could

very
preciousmetals

to

of

of

to

inhabit

their

West-

own

w'heat

cotton,
the

of

centre

cultivate the

tlie conquerors
inferior interest ;

Te-

reason

the

also
that

to

capital

valley of

Indigo,
great objects of

four

the

sufficient

resembled

Europe.

of

century

they

of

were

commerce,

not

vated
culti-

best

of

fine

establish

they

coffee,the

und

the
a

where

trees

the

and

environs

was

climate

])lainswhose
and

alone

Spaniards to
empire; but

new

country,

in the

were

particularlyin

Mexico,

did

the

and

Tlacopan,

the

on

dom
king-

the

composed

eighth part of the present kingdom

Spain. The
kings of Acolhuacan,
Michuacan, were
independentprinces.

surface

of New

The

which

part of Anahuac

That

sugar

Indian

sixteenth

they sought

after

avidity,and the search

them
the ridge of the cenfixed
for these metals
on
tral
of New
mountains
Spain.
It is equally difficult to estimate
with any degree
the number
of inhabitants of the
of certainty
dom
kingthe

of

Montezuma,

extensive

This

to

as

ascertain

the ancient

population
The

that the

18o

20^* of

and

former

to

Diaz, and

But

ments.*

See

Charles

the

the

populationof

Fifth,the'

great number
when

we

of
rcHect

observaUons
jtidiiioiis

in

edly
latitude,undoubtthat part of
the present.

much
kingdom was
greater than
fact is confirmed
interesting
by tlie letters

Cortez

the

under
prove

the

with

Egypt, Persia, Greece, or Latium.

ruins
of towns
and
villagesobserved

of

Mexico

only

memoirs

other
how

of the

of

historical

Bernal
monu

difficult it is

AWh'

from

even

CJuvigero

oii

KINGDOM

IV.]

CHAP.

in

days

our
we

which

Peru,

are

left

by

Mexico.

small

the

with

noble

men,

on

ardour, the

arms

in

equallyinterested
of

state

The

of

three

the

fathers

St. Francis

of

the

the

of

of

one

and

other, employing,

eloquence
All

discovered

boasted

Indies,

Chapa

exaggeratingthe

newly

tury,
cen-

of the fruit

crueltyof the first colonists.

againstthe
were

the most

Bishop

of benevolent

number

ignorance in

of the sixteenth

make

to

eager
exploits; and

their

the

at

populationof the West

in history,on
We
see

hand, conquerors
of

69

statistical information,

the authors

the ancient

and

SPAIN.

astonished

be

not

to

as

NEW

acquire accurate

to

need
we

OF

parties

ing
flourishcountries.

having

alone

baptized from

the year 1524

to 1540
than six
more
what
is more,
millions
of Indians, and
of Indians
who
adjacentto the
merely inhabited the parts most

capital.

strikingexample may
circumspect we ought to be
A

show

to

serve

how

us

in

yieldingimplicitfaith
in the old descriptions
in the numbers
found
of America.
It has recentlybeen
printed,*that in the enumeration
of the inhabitants
of Peru, made
by the
de Loaysa, in
archbishop of Lima, Fray Geronimo
1551,

found

were

fact
afflicting

Indians.

8,285,000

know

who

for those

This

is

that in 1793,

an

on

by Gil-Lcmos, the
viceroy,the Indians of the present Peru (sincethe
Ayres) did not exceed
separationof Chili and Buenos
Here
we
000,000 individuals.
might be tempted to
had
believe that 7,600,000 Indians
disappearedfrom
the face of the globe. Luckily,however, the assertion
enumeration

exact

very

of the

Peruvian

careful

most

the

ancient

and

Pauw.
*

1763, p.
VOL.

author

is

entirelyfalse
the

of
investigation

populationof Mexico,
Stoi-ia

Relacion

ordered

de

la

an/ica

ciudad

cli
de

Truxillo

29.
I.

t.

for

archives

directed

Alcssico,

IV.
por

against

of

on

the

Lima

Robertson,

p. 282.
el

Doctor

Fcyjoo,

POLITICAL

70
Father

bv

ON

ESSAY

Cisneros, it has been

THE

[book

discovered

that

in 1551
eightmiUions
document.
M.
Feyjoo, the
of

existence

Truxillo, has

of

account

that this bold

assertion

ruined

since

towns,

ruins

the

him

appeared to

of the

founded

on

of the

demonstrative

tistical
sta-

declared
a

posititious
supof so

enumeration

epoch

the
torical
his-

no

since

even

the

on

author

merely

was

calculation, from
many
These

rests

u,

conquest.
of

an

mense
im-

quently
period. It frepopulationin Peru at a remote
of
happens, however, that the examination
erroneous
an
important truth.
opinionleads to some
Father
Cisneros, on rummaging in the archives of
that the viceroy
the sixteenth
century, discovered
Toledo, very justlyregarded as the Spanish legislator

Peru,

of
the

of

in person
from
Tumbez
is nearly the present extent

he made

which

kingdom

in 1575, in the examination

reckoned

Chuquisagua, (which
Peru,) only about a million and a half of Indians.
than the judgNothing in general is more
ment
vague
of
the
which
form
we
population of a newly

to

of

discovered
the

number

celebrated

The

country.

Otaheite

of

inhabitants

of

Cook
at

estimated

100,000

of Great Britain suppose

protestant missionaries
duces
repopulation of 49,000 souls ; Captain Wilson

the
a

it to

16,000

and

TurnbuU

M.

has

attempted

of inhabitants does not

prove that the real number
I cannot
allow myself to believe that
exceed
5,000.
to

these

differences

maladies

The

doubt, have

these

no

could

never

years

nineteen- twentieth parts

of
not

have

Captain Cook
inhabitants

as

island, drawn

may

have

estimate

from
to

so

having
the

coast

but

it

we

consider

tlic number
that

he

did

stances
conjecturalcircumwhole
population of the

from
the

by

but

to

exaggerated

when

much
seen

tions
na-

carry off in forty

of the inhabitants.*

somewhat
;

depopulation;

rapidas

so

of Otaheite

his

form

been

the civilized

happy countries,

once

caused

must,

progressivedepopulation.

which

with

infected

Europe

of

effect of

the

are

the

novel

appearance

of the

KINGDOM

IV.]

CHAP.

NEW

OF

SPAIN.

71

of the
that the environs
alreadymentioned
capitalof Mexico, and perhaps all the countries under
of Montezuma,
the domination
were
probably much
more
populous formerly than at present ;* but this
concentrated
in a very
small
great population was
\Vc

have

space.

We

been

general

the

by

inhabited
the

of the

whole

that the

of the

by the state
gi\e,and the

New

strangers,

perhaps

rather

shall

the

be

soldiers

of

numbers

inclined

more

of

masses

men,

That

certain

Vancouver,

beauty of

the

former,
island
*

the

shall be

we

estimate.

We

how

near

prodigiously is
whatever

inhabitants

the

in

that

in

small

duced
pro-

related

degree

most
al-

by
the

Cook,
accompanied
inhabitants, particularly the females, was

the

is well

had

who

Clavigero,

agreed
they

and
was

not

Storia

did

amirn

as

the
not

deformed
f''

twice

known,

in which

last voyage,

been,
that

all

no

he

when

in the

but

who

those

they

wards
to-

visited

totallychanged,
the

no

first voyage

remarked

of

him,
consider

we

certain,

less

navigator,as

the

vation
culti-

the

This
In

rivers

to

must

decline.

the

advanced

this

declined

has

contributed

have

pied
occu-

of the
rapid estimates
often approach to the truth.
sides,
Beand
sober
derate
mogeneral extremely

physical alteration

the

island.

is

it

and

century,

form

to

in
was
Captain
in his judgments.
the
population, then,
Cook

of

have

this when

to

deration.
consi-

improved

an

in

of

proved

people,

before

acquiesce

to

is

provincias internas,

in review

induced

arrival

sixteenth

north

since

better

simple

very

the

to

the

and

sailors, accustomed

or

of the

but

it were,

as

pass,

we

civilization

Biscay

of

shall afterwards

barbarous

situated

of the soil and

the

assertions

on

other

Santiago ;

and

number

is much

before

was

beginning

countries

Panuco

it

last is founded

Otomites,

soling
con-

last century, but

which
we
designate

first of these

and

is

for the

capitationwhich

In the

the

of

The

the

region
New
Spain

present than

at

obser^'ation

only has

not

vast

name

Europeans.

the

that

increase

the

on

the

(and

humanity)

for
Indians

observe

well

as

Vancouver,

appearance
discover
and

were

ugly.

of the
a

Trarts.

I^TePsicOs t. I. p.

36.

veral
se-

of

people

single woman

versally
uni-

the
was

in

POLITICAL

72

remarked

ON

THE

there with

increased

populationhas
where

ESSAY

where

nation

[book

ii-

rapidity
every
placed
shepherds is re-

the

of

colonists.*
by agricultural
Politico-economical
investigations,
grounded on
in Spain even
fore
benumbers, were
exact
very unusual
Florida
Campomanes, and the minister Count
We

Blanca.

before

gedo,

of

one

wisest

and

astonished

Mexico

when

1794,

the

be

to

of
viceroyalty

of the

archives

then

not

are

contain

the Count
most

de

active

that the
no

meration
enu-

Revillagi-

tors,
administra-

it. In the
enough to undertake
operationsregardingthe population of Mexico, by
Count
Cebrian
de Fuenorder of the viceroy Pedro
of families only was
mated
esticlara, in 1742, the number
what
has been
preserved to us by Villa
; and
Senor, is both incompleteand inaccurate. Those who

resolution

had

the difficulties of

know

Europe, who know

assigned only eighteenmillions

economists

all

to

France,

disputed if the
500,000
who

are

true

be

to

are

gigedo

was

it appears
in the two

Cruz,

and

unable
that

to

the

in

terminate
enumeration

intendancies
in the small

of

the

of inhabitants
even

cently
re-

country, where

littleskilled

Hence

statistical researches.

of

been

that

population|ofParisf were
easilyimagine what powti;'-

overcome

employed

are

that it has

and

will

800,000,

or

ful obstacles
those

in the most

of

countries

cultivated

enumeration

an

Gu

in such

kind

viceroyRevillahis undertaking; and

not
was
completed
the

dalaxara

provinceof

and

Vera

Cohahuila.

probably in the right; yet it is

indifferent proof that the population of the whole
but an
dom
kinghas increased, because, in those
places where
shepherds
the population has been
have
pidly
ragiven place to agriculturists,
it may
of I'easoning,
be
increasing. By a similar mode
is
that the population of Britain
the decline, beconcluded
cause
on
of
converted
the population of the
Scotland,
highlands
Trans:
from
agricultureto sheep farming, is on the decline.
*

Tlie

t La
^tre

do

author

may

be

very

population habituelle
547,000

habitans.

de

cette

Peuchet,

grande capitaleparoit
France, p. 93

Stat, dc la

POLITICAL

74

ESSAY

result exhibits

This

the

at

ON

THE

the minimum

of

The

period.

continent,

new

spread

they had

well

as

government,

perceived

soon

which

the end

from

were

country,

in the

as

n.

missible
populationad-

central

the administrations
particularly
of the

[book

rior
inte-

the

over

how

they

far

in view.

old, every

In the
ration
enume-

by the people as a sinister presage

financial operation. In the fear of an
of some
augmentation of imposts, every head of a family
is considered

endeavoured

house, of which

his

of

diminish

to

of

truth

capitalof Mexico,

the

gedo,

contain

to

be

might

of

but

of births

these

Europe,

of

Mexico

individuals
a

example,

the

list. The

and

all tended

exceeded

estimate

of tion,
consumpthe comand
parison
burials,
of the

least

ties
great ci-

that the

to prove
at

This

lieved
be-

was

tables

with those

numbers

of

for

inhabitants.

200,000

exaggerated;

the number

furnish

to

was

of

is very easilydemonstrable.
of the Count
de Revillagi-

enumeration

the

Before

he

assertion

this

the number

tion
popula-

135,000 souls

and

yet the table printedby order of the viceroyin 1790,

In smaller cities,
easier to be
exhibits
only 1 12,926.

controlled, the
also who

Those

witlidrawn

enumeration

by
it.

who,

those,

had

domicil,

fixed
It

at least

ought
population of

to

that

be added

all New

by

no

sixth

to

Spain

the
was

of

in-

from

the general

means

be

about

without

or

sated
compenany
in

included

seventh

part
the

total, and

sum

mated
accordingly esti-

5,200,000 souls.

viceroyswho succeeded
renewed
villagigedohave never
since

of

times

several
a

dissection
number

themselves

The

and

the

that the

wandering

been

supposed

was

at

could

considerable.

more

in detail

judged

1793,

had

Iiabitants who

still

was

followed

of
registers

the

error

drawn

to

up
1

Count

the

enumeration

statistical researches.

bv

intendants

on

Re-

the

time, the government

that

little attention

to

has

de

paid
Several

the actual

very
moirs
me-

state

of

KINGDOM

IV.]

GHAP.

OF

country confided

the

number

same

remained

the

exactly the
if the population

as

ten

It is certain,

years.

populationhas

that this

however,

for

same

75

contain

care

of 1793,

the table

as

have

could

their

to

SPAIN.

NEW

the most

made

The
augmentation of tithes
extraordinary
progress.
and of all the duties on
and of the Indian
capitation,
zation,
consumption, the progress of agricultureand civilithe aspect of a country
with newly
covered
constructed
houses, announce
a
rapid increase in
How
to conceive
we
are
eveiy part of the kingdom.
that social institutions

then
a

defective,and

so

to pervert the order

as
iniquitous,
prevent the progressivemultiplication

government

of nature,

be

can

so

and

speciesin a fertile soil and temperate climate ?

Happy the portionof the globe where a peace of three

of

our

centuries

has

crimes

the

effaced the

almost

produced by

avarice of the first conquerors

In

order

1803, and

to
to

possible,it

the

wished

to

was

of

excess

rather

to

than

to

With

above

the

inhabitants

of

place

of

burials.

I
pulation,
po-

might

lowered

sixth

habitants
in2.

omitted

of

and,

the actual

therefore

as

result

suppositionswhich
have

in

the truth

to

the

below

number

and

population in

that part of
in the lists ;

the births

hazard

insatiable

the

augment

entered

adopt a

extravagant.
appear
number
estimated

general census,

be

to

of

up a table of the
exhibit numbers
near
as

omitted
With

and

draw

necessary
last enumeration
1.
:

the

recollection

very
the fanaticism

in

the
the

adopted

tenth.
As

the

augmentation of the popuprogressive

lation since 1793
to the epoch of my
journey,I have
fixed it from sufficient data.
Through the particular
with which
I was
kindness
honoured
by a respectable
prelate,the present Archbishop of Mexico,* I was
*

very
the

Don

to

Francisco

Xavier

important documents
archbishopric. See

de
to
note

Lizana.

Don

Pedro

H,

the

at

am

do
end

also

indebted

for

Fonte, provisorof
of the

work.

POLITICAL

75
enabled

to

ESSAY

into minute

enter

the

rtiatioit between

ON

births and

the difference of climates

THE

fbook

ii.

the
on
investigations
deaths, according to

of the central table-land and

the

Several parish
regions adjacentto the coast.
interested in the solution of so impor{cures,)
priests,
tant
the
diminution
of
a problem as
augmentation or
our
species,engaged in a very laborious undertaking.
the number
of baptisms
to me
They communicated
and burials,yearly, from
1802
from
1752
to
; and
the

whole

of

these

minute

which
registers,
the proportionof

preserved,it appears that

is nearlyas 170
to the deaths
here adduce
few
a
examples
they are so much
; and
have

we

deaths

yet

births under

In the Indian
north

the

from

all,1,950 deaths, and

of

deaths

the relation

the torrid

of the

zone.

4,560 births

inde, excess

of Axapuzco,
village

thirteen

leagues

Mexico, there were, from the period when

villagewas
separated from the parish of Otfrom

i.

umba,
and

as
interesting

more

on

tion
asser-

2,610.

In the Indian

this

merely

this

of SinguiluccUi,
eleven leagues
village
from 1750
there were,
to 1801,
capital,

in

north

the

statisticaldata

no

the

to

to

confirm

have

the births

I shall

100.

e.

from

1767

births

5,528

to

1797,

in

all, 3,511 deaths,

of the

consequentlyexcess

births,

2,017.
In the Indian

of Malacatepec,twenty-eight
village
from
the valleyof Tenochtitlan, there

leagues west
between

were,

and

10,529
In the
in

were,

1752

deaths.

and

1802, in all,13,734
of births

Excess

of Dolores,
village

from

1 756

of 37,135
excess
extraordinary
In the cityof Guanaxuato, there

to

1802, 12,666
of 6,372
In

were

the

to

1801, there

or

same

an

hence

births.
from

were,

births,and 6,294 deaths

or

1797
an

cess
ex-

births.

of Marfil,
village

in the

deaths

3,205.

all,24,123 deaths,and 61,258 births

the

births,

space
excess

near

of time

Guanaxuato,

and
3,702 births,

of 1,798 births.

there

1,904

KINGDOM

IV.]

CHAP,

in five

were

SPAIN.

NEW

77

Anne, near
Guanaxuato, there
3,629 births, and
1,857 deaths,

of
village

In the

OF

St.

years

of 1,772 births.
consequentlyan excess
At Yguala, a village
situated in a very
near
Chilpansingo,there were, during ten

births, and 2,395 deaths,

Indian

In the

plain,there

and

2,602 deaths,

or

an

These

excess

an

the

examples

births.

of 2,673

excess

5,064 births

of 2,386

excess

an

or

of
jurisdiction

in 1793,

were,

years, 3,373
of 978 births.

Colimaya, situated on a very

village
during ten years, 5,475 births,
were,

cold

In the

or

cityof Queretaro, there

in all,and 2,678 deaths,

births.
that the relation of the deaths

prove

births is very different

of the air.
It
salubrity

to the

according to

and

is,

At

valley

warm

the climate

Dolores

Singuilucan
Calimaya
Guanaxuato

Sta. Ana
Marfil

Queretaro

Axapuzco
Yguala
Malacatepec
Panuco

The
100

to

to be

it is

183

suitable

as

100
as

100

or

in the

eleven

United

the

States

that

on

the

high plainof

I.

the

America,

warm

the climate
B

is
b

as

hot

as

Cordillera,
the

greater than towards

regions. What
th^ villagesof Calimaya and
where

of

201.

very

between

VOL,

In

170.

of births is

excess

Panuco,

these

be
places would
which
be regardbut the proportion
ed
may
for the whole
populationappears to me

It appears
the

of

term

mean

Yguala
at

coast,

difference

Vera

At

Cruz,

ESSAY

POLITICAL

78

the

although

yet been

from

1793

1802

deaths, 988

have

\ve

here

n.

vomiting has

and

1,224,

was

that

; so

[boo"

there, the number

known

to

THE

of black

disease

mortal

never

ON

of

births

the number

the

of

unfavourable

rica,
proportionof 100 to 123. Hindostan and South Amethe coast
the provinceof Cumana,
particularly
of Caraccas, sufficiently
of Coro
and the plains[llanos)
is

alone

that heat

prove

the

not

of this great

cause

and
at the same
mortality.In climates very warm,
time very dry, the human
speciesenjoys a longevity
perhaps greater than what we observe in the temperate
the
is
whenever
This
case
zones.
especially
the temperature
and climate are
excessivelyvariable.
The
at an
Europeans who transport themselves
age
somewhat
into the equinoxialpart of the
advanced
Spanish colonies attain there for the most part to a
At
Vera
Cruz, in the
great and happy old age.
tlie natives
midst of the epidemical black vomitings,
and

strangers seasoned

for several

enjoy the most perfecthealth.

In general,the coasts
and
America

come

to

old

which

arid

plainsof equatorial

be

looked

little to fear from

age, have
the unhealthiness
has been

young

regions, of

unjustifiably
gerated.
exag-

chief

is at

Intermittent
Alvarado

once

very

warm

fevers

to

plainsof

these

the children
mortalityis among
in those parts where
people, particularly

the chmate

New

the Cordillera

Santa nder.
of

fertile and

part of the

and

very humid.
the coast
from

prevailall along
Tamiagua, Tampico, and
Mexico,

The
and

even

the

of the South

of Colima
may

to

of
declivity

western

the shores

Sea, from Acapulco to the ports

Bias, are equallyunhealthy. We
humid-

to the climate

standing
as
healthy,notwithupon
the excessive heat of the sun, whose
dicular
perpenthe
soil.
reflected
Individuals
are
b}''
rays
those w^ho approach
to
maturity, particularly
should

The
and

years

and

San

this
compare
the maritime

to
unhealthyterritory
provinceof Caraccas,from New

Barcelona

KINGDOM

CHA".iv.]

fevers

countries, adorned

by

and
vigorous vegetation,

rich

these

scourge
in
abandon

natives

those who

the

nature

of
scourge
with the most
the

all
shocking manner
fall
children especially

most

The

affected.

are

are

79

in every useful production.

the more
much
cruel,as the

is so

This

SPAIN.

NEW

Tertian

Cabello.

Porto

to

OF

In these hot
neglectof the Indians.
and humid
regions,the mortalityis so great that the
sensible progress ; while in the
no
population makes
cold regionsof New
pose
Spain (and these regions comvictims

to

the

the births
200

as

The

to

is

to

where
the
the

from

the

number

births

of

excess

the

which

the

by 5,064

and2,011

than

the population
the

even

In

tries
coun-

religion,and

one

his

revenues

know

exactly

the

above

deaths

the relations of the

dies.

the births
much

or

deaths
less

species.
to

In

to

At

of St.
there

ding
Guanaxuato, incluAnne
and Marfil, in

one

communibm

are

of five

For every

twenty- nine

fifteen,
then, one
dies.

the whole

The

France,

example,

preciseresult

the

deaths

deduced

births
is

born,

relation

populationis in

to

for

annis

years) 3,998

favourable

283-10,and

shall find

and that for

is bom,

one

this

divide

we

2,678 deaths, we

persons

one

If

70,600.

at

fourteen

deaths.

every

is the

only

births

births and

twenty- six

one

or

whole

adjacentmines
a
populationof 60,100,
term
(assuming the mean

as

100,

to

deaths.

and

expresses

the

the

tions
propor-

to

deaths

and

priest[cure)draws a part of
baptisms and burials,we may

that for every

and

as

estimate

to

tolerate

is reckoned

every

190

populationis effected by a part

self.
uncertaintywhich envelopes the populationitIn the town
and territoiy
of Queretaro, the population
to

of the

the

the laws

the number

deaths

births

difficult

more

the

enough

is

the

100.

proportionbetween

but

the deaths

proportionof

where

kingdom)

greatest part of the

of
even

this

the

as

of

rope
Eu-

augmentation

one

by M.

the
to

births

SO9-10,

Peuchet

of

are

This
from

ESSAY

POLITICAL

go

THE

["oo"

births,marriages,and deaths,drawn
year nine, in 98 departments, by order of

tables of

the

in the

of the

minister

the

births

But

32.

in

Sweden,

and

births

are

that

extensive

in 30, and

one

were

the

deaths

the

by

Nicander, the
drawn

ever

deaths

in

one

favoured

less

country

deaths

282,109

and

the tables of M.

accordingto
exact

in 20

one

are

up
the

millions

for nine

births, and

inhabitants,436,616

hence

in 1802,

were,

ii.

sian
north, in the Prus-

Farther

interior.

monarchy, there
of

ON

ture,
na-

most

up,

the

in 39.

one

It appears, in general,that in the kingdom of New

Spain the proportionof the births to the populationis
one

in

of

17, and

estimate

the

the

deaths

of

number

present

in

one

We

30.

births

nearly

at

This

350,000, and the deaths at 200,000.

births in favourable
circumstances,

may

that

excess

is

to

withoutfamine, epidemicalsmall-pox,or

in years

lazahuatU the

disease

mortal

most

of the

of
say,
mat-

Indians,is
everywhere

In general,
observe
we
nearly 150,000,
the globe that the populationaugments with a
on
digious
proin
still
countries
rapidity
thinlyinhabited,
with an
eminently fertile soil,a soft and equal temperature,
where
and particularly
there is a robust
race
of men
incited by nature
to marriage at a very
early-

age.
The

parts of

in the

commenced

of

Prussia

numbers

deaths

36

with

central
in

in

were

give
20,

to

favourable
in the

this

only

past century afford

of births.

excess

1784, in

In

populationof

inhabitants,27,134 births,andl5,669 deaths.

560,000
These

there

cultivation

which

last half of the

strikingexamples

very
West

the

in

Europe

the

180

or

that of

plainof

proportion of births to
100, a proportionequally

the

Indian

Mexico.

In the Russian

1806, the births amounted

deaths

to

produce
of

The

818,433.
the

same

country is,

to

much

1,361,134,
causes

same

effects. The
so

situated
villages

newer

pire,
em-

and

everywhere
tivation
cul-

the

easier is sub-

POLITICAL

32

ON

ESSAY

THE

[book

ii,

The
curious
twenty-threeyears.
tistical
tables published by Mr,
Samuel
Blodget in his StaManuel
for the United States of America^
this happy cycle is
states
(1806,)show that in some
the popuIn France
only thirteen or fourteen years.
lation

twenty

every

annual

of the births.

excedent

countries

between

have

which
The

sign of
populationis an

of

crease

true

This

subsistence.
the

produce

and

appears
of
the

which

we

In
as

are,

judge

tenths, as

these

24

at

number,

of

not

of

means

augmentation of
in Mexico

rapid progress
in
cing
dedusupposed,
the imperfectenumeration
more

siastical
country, the eccle-

it were,
the thermometer
by
of the state of agriculture
; and

state, have

bled
dou-

years.

suffice

to

that in admitting

prove

for

the

kingdom

of

of

below

1793.

from

in-

the year 1803, I have taken

a
far from
being exaggerated, is probably

which,

calamityhas

been

inhabitants

the end

jniwh

much

the

evident

catholic

considerations

5,800,000
Mexico

those

permanent

in

shall afterwards

we

in less than
All these

is the difference

increase

indicate

1793.

may

Such

real and

populationthan has
populationof 1803
tenths

to

increase, this

to

even

of

were

is
agriculture,

of

years, if no
the
diminish

already very populous, and

a nascent
industry.

yet but

only

of 214

space

contagiousdisease

no

or

in the

double

would
war

or

the

existing
population.No public

afflicted the country

If

we

included

since the

tion
enumera-

viduals
add, 1st, a tenth for the indiin the enumeration, and, 2d, two

for the progress

of population in ten years, we
of births which
is less by one
half
an
excess
suppose
than the result of the parish registers.According

tenths

to

this

double

the

every

who

36

or

number

40

of

years.

inhabitants

Yet

have

well

observed
attentively
increase of villagesand
agriculture,

persons
of

suppositionthe

augmentation

of all the

revenues

the

would

informed
progress

cities,and
of the

cro^vn

KINGDOM

IV.]

cHAr.

OF

SPAIN.

KEVV

93

depending on the consumption of commodities, are

has
tempted to believe that the population of Mexico
I am
far from
much
made
more
rapid progress.
a
delicate a matter
it is enough
so
on
:
pronouncing
for

exhibited

have

to

me

collected, which

hitherto

it

1 consider

moral
to

the

country

we

population from
rapidthan what

the

1763

made

in 1783

oppose
northern

the

to

what

1805

of

parts of Europe and

with

the
the

most

the torrid zone,

tlvm half the

vear

vjhich

Small-/tox,

Asia

huatl.

It remains

buried

causes

natural

which

of Mexican
the

! And

ice and

under

to

result

of that

the

and

total

estimated
not

nature

the

what

at

most
a

trast
con-

us

arrest

of

to

snow.

V.

the

inoculated.

and

Health

for

more

of the Mexican
soil, enriched
fertility
precious vegetableproductions
of plainsfor more
and the sterility

fieriodie ally

Famine.

does

of

enumeration

populationin

CHAPTER

Maladies

the

was

obstacles

progress

between

of

in

increase

is much

The

souls.

analogy

strong

According

Hermann^

M.

Russia
Yet

40,000,000.

nearly25,677,000;

was

of

population

and
political

for Mexico.

14,726,000

gave

the

births

of

the

6,500,000,

which

excess

of

sults.
re-

exceeds

describing,the

admit

we

materials

accurate

to

respects,

are

the statisticalwork
of

in 1808

bears, in many

state

lead

may

empire, of

Russian

the

of the

detail

extremely probable, that

as

Mexico

population of
In

firoj^ress cf pofiulation.

Cow'^iox.

Mctlaza-

miners.

examine

into the

physical

the progress
arrest
periodically
pox,
the smallare
population. These causes
cruel milady called by the Indians Matlaalmost

POLITICAL

84

ON

ESSAY

zahuatU and especially

famine,

long time.
small-pox, introduced

feit for

are

The

only
eighteen

of

[book

effects

the

which

n-

exercise

to

THE

1520,

appears

its ravages
seventeen
ev^ry
In the equinoxial regions it

like the

years.
black vomiting and

its fixed

periods,to

which

We

say

might

for
disposition

since

certain

it is very
that in these

miasmata

has,
diseases,

other

several

or

jected.
regularlysub-

countries

the

renewed

in

is

only
though

the vessels
long intervals ; for
of the
from
Europe frequentlyintroduce the germ
becomes
small-pox, it never
epidemical but after
marked
intervals ; a
singularcircumstance,
very
the natives

at

the

renders

which

for adults.

year

alone

it

titan

more

tumbrels

evening

much

so

the

gerous
dan-

more

rible
tersmall-pox committed
in 1763,
and
especiallyin 1779, in
carried oif in the capital of Mexico

ravages

which

disease
The

nine

thousand

passed through

Every

persons.
the streets

to

during the
corpses, as at Philadelphia
A great part of the Mexican
fever.
youth
the

down

"ut

The

owing

that year.
epidemic of 1797
to

the

zeal

which

with

in the environs
of Mechoachan.
the

less

was

of

In

cityof Valladolid,
only 170, or 2 1-2

inoculation

infected

at

in the

time when
natural

they

was

were

this

and

ted,
inoculamust

we

perishedwere
probably already

Fifteen

manner.

pagated
pro-

bishopric
bishopric

individuals

per cent, died;

also observe, that several of those who
inoculated

was

in the

and

of
capital

of 6,800

low
yel-

destructive,chiefly

Mexico,

the

ceive
re-

in the

dred
hun-

without
of all ages, who
ing
bevictims of the natural small-pox.

died of individuals
inoculated
Several

were

the

clergy,
ism,
praiseworthypatriotlation.
the disease by inocu-

individuals,particularlyamong

displayedat that period a very

in arresting
the progress
of
I shall merely mention
enlightenedmen, M. dc Reano,

the

of

names

intendant

of

two

Gua-

SPAIN.

NFAV

OF

KINGDOM

v.]

CHAP,

^'5

Manuel
canon
Abad, penitentiary
iiaxuato, and Don
and
of the cathedral of Valladolid, \\ hose
generous

disinterested views

There

the

publicgood.
kingdom between
But

in the

inoculation

50

month

was

constantlydirected

were

60,000 individuals.

and
of

through

Mexico

at

activityof a respectable citizen, Don

Murphy, who brought several times the

Thomas

the

America.

North

virus from

found

introduction

few

stacles
ob-

appeared under the aspect of

malady; and the small-pox inoculation

the

This

vaccine

the

January, 1804,

introduced

even

in the

inoculated

then

were

towards

cow-pox

very trivial
had alreadyaccustomed
a

idea that it

the

to

evil for the

might

be

sake

lation,
evading a greater evil. If the vaccine inocuthe ordinar}-inoculation, had been
or
even

of

useful

Indians

the

known

in the

several

millions

victims

fatal.

shortlyafter

centur}-,

have

perished

not

to

be

ascribed.

to

Asia

and

is

of the

carry the vaccine

arrived at Vera Cruz

commissioned

war

my

California

in

into America

matter

would

sixteenth

the fearful diminution

this disease

shipsof

temporary

in the

of Indians

of Indians

number
Tke

To

surd
to the absmall-pox,and particularly
rendered
the disease was
by which

tixatment
so

to

world

new

the

to

to submit

arrival.

Falniis,physiciangeneral of this expedition,

visited Portorico, Cuba, Mexico, and the
Philippine islands; and his stay at Mexico, where
Don

Antonio

nevertheless

the cow-pox
was
contributed
to
] ivill,
singularly
tion

of

before

facilitate the

salutary preservative.In the

of this

cities

known

the

vaccine

kingdom

his

ar-

propag-a-

principal

committees

were

formed, {Juntas centrales,)composed of the most

enlightenedindividuals,who, by vaccinating
monthly,
preserve the miasma
ihf less liable to be
M.

Valmis discovered

iind in the
VOL.

I.

being lost.

from

lost, as

it exists

it in the environs

villageof Atlisco,near
c

It is
in the
of

so

much

country.

Valladolid,
la Puebla, in the

POLITICAL

S5

of

udders

ESSAY

Mexican

the

having fulfilled
of Spain,we
may

the

ON

THE

[book

The

cows.

beneficent

commission

views

indulgea hope

ij,

of

the

king

that

fluence
throughthe inof the clergy,and especially
of the religous
missionaries,vaccination will be graduallyintroduced
M.

the very interior of the country.

Valmis
will thus remain
for ever

the

annals

mto

time

those

only

wdth

of

history.

The

vessels, which
instruments

Indies

The

formerly freighted

were

of

and
destruction,
carnage
of relief and consolation
to

the germ

distressed and

suffering
humanity.
of the armed
frigatesin

arrival

X'^almis made

the circuit of the

rise

Oceans

gave
simple, and

therefore

which

Atlantic

several coasts

on

in

for the first

saw

bearingabout
The

of

voyage
memorable

M.

Pacific

and

of the most

to one

ceremonies.
affecting,

most

and
of
bishops, militarygovernors,
persons
they
greatest distinctiqn,repairedto the shore, where
The

took

their

in

the

the children

arms

cow-pox
Malays of the

to

the

who

to

were

IndigenousAmericans

islands,and,
Philippine

and

followed

carry
the
with

public acclamations, they laid at the foot of the altar

those preciouspreservative
deposits,
returningthanks
the witnesses
to the Supreme Being for having been
We
have some
ledge
knowof so
must
happy an event.
occasioned
of tlie ravages
by the small-pox in
of men
the torrid zone, and especially
race
a
among
adverse
constitution seems
to cutaneous
phj'sical
eruptions,in order to feci all the importance
of M.
Jenner's
discoveiy. It is a much
greater
continent
for
the
of
the
new
cquinoxialpart
blessing
whose

than

for the temperate

It may
be useful to
for those
of

gress
the month

relate here

who

vaccination.
of

November,

small-pox prevailedon
A

merchant
6

of the

climate

vessel,Santo

take

It

an

was

old.

fact of

iiiterest in the

unknown

1802.

the coast

some

At

at

that

Lima

fa

pror
till

period the

of the South

Domi?i^ode

portance
im-

Sea.

Calzada, put

OF

KINGDOM

Y.]

LHAP.

into Lima

SPAIN.

NEW

from

in the passage
had the
had

Spain

87

Manilla.

to

An

by this
vessel vaccine
to the Philippineislands.
matter
They
availed themselves
of this opportunity at Lima
; and
M.
Unanue, professorof anatomy, and author of aji
excellent
of
the climate
physiologicaltreatise on
several
individuals by means
of
Peru,* vaccinated
the matter
No pusvessel.
brought by the merchant
tule
individual

appeared
weak.

too

or

that

virus

the

and

good

However,
the

all

Unanue

very

matter

to

ordinary inoculation, the

thus perceived in an
indirect
vaccination
supposed to have

He

effects of

the
way
failed.

ed
observ-

had

this variolous

small -pox,
employed
render, if possible,by the

altered

having

individuals

vaccinated

less fatal.

either

appeared

M.

mild

disease

send

to

sense

of the
accidentlydiscovered in the course
same
epidemic in 1802, that the beneficent effect of
been
had
the country
vaccination
to
long known
the Peruvian
A negro
Andes.
slave
people among
inoculated
for the small-pox in the house
had been
of tlie Marquis de Valleumbroso
who
showed
no
of the disease.
They were
going to repeat
symptom
It

the
he

was

inoculation,when
certain

was

in
he had
the

take
the

the

having

the

said, by the
found

had

this

of the Andes

udders

eruption,said

of
the

Africans,
small-pox.
Indians, displaygreat sagacity in

and

sobre

whicli

orgaiiizados
Unanue.
Lim^,

intimate

English literature, bears

el clima

en

displays an
de

Lima

ij sua

esfiecial el hombre^
1806,

cows.

negro,

and

The

diseases

of the

fior

ing
observanimals

Dr.

with

title of Obsev'

influencias
el

cially
espe-

acquaintance
the

as

of certain

contact

the

on

the

work,

French

cause
small-pox, be-

eruptions,caused,

character,habits, and

This

-aaciones

have

man

of cutaneous

herdsmen

who

die

sort

that

told them

young

in the Cordillera

sometimes

tubercles

Indian

never

never

milking cows

had

Those

of

the

en

B.

los

seres

HifioHto

^8

ESSAY

POLITICAL

with

which

live.

they

America,

those

once

It

seldom

raged

1736.

As

the

whether
The

the

the

disease

the

that

to the

than

more

disease

in

once

is

the

peculiarto

considered

not

have

demical.
epi-

Indian

century.

science, even

data

exact

no

the

the matlazahiiatl.

to

as

in

some
analogy to the yellow fever or
certainly
attacks white
vomiting ; but it never
people,
from
the natives.
Europeans or descendants

of the
this

subject to
the

hand,

seldom

attacks

site of

the

which
but

cattle

individuals

other

when

epochs

appears

was

capital,we
black

be

in 1545, 1576, and

particularmanner
It is called a plague by the Spanish authors.
latest epidemic took place at a time
when
in

medicine

It bears

of horned

communicated

cows

n,

therefore

not

remarked

people

of

matlazahuati, a

race,

need

[book

species of benignant small-pox, and that

infected are secure
from
the general contagion

during
The

the lower

the udders

pustules on
herdsmen

We

THE

the introduction

astonished, that, on
into

ON

mortal

the

vomito

typhus, while,

fever

not
on

pear
apthe

black

or

carries

niatlazaliuatl

the

do

vomiting ver\Indians.
Mexican
The
principal
region, of
prieto is the maritime
is excessivelywarm
and humid
;

yellow

climate

the

of Caucasus*

race

and

terror

destruction

the country,
the central
to
very interior of
arid regions of
table-land, and the coldest and most
into the

the

kingdom.
Torribio, a Franciscan, better known
of Motolinia, asserts
that the
name

Father

Mexican

.*.Who

are

So

Europeans.

iiulividuals

the
at

least

they are opposed to the

theory of the mountains
old
to

continent.
understand

"tempts
"cin

never

to

Indians.

of

being

enough

the
be

will

however,

by

style,

this
at

reprobated.

context

not

expense
Tnnis.

where

involves

This
the

nursery

of

easily be

so

denomination.

the

The
.

the

Mexican
Asia

his

small-

Caucasus?

of

race

from

learn

we

Every one,
Europeans

elevate

ot" the

by

of

Such

the
the
able
at-

perspicuity.

ESSAY

POLITICAL

90

THE

is true, has

Agriculture,it

mines.

ON

[book

made

ii.

great progress

the last twenty years ; but the consumption

in an
also increased
extraordinarymanner

within
has

cessive
augmentation of population, and an exto the mixed
luxury formerly unknown
casts,
the
of new
from
and
working of a great number
which
horses, and
require additional
men,
seams,
Few
mules.
hands, no doubt, are employed in manufactures
in New
are
Spain ; but a great number
from
the necessity of
withdrawn
agriculture from
mules
on
goods and the produce of the
transporting
the coast
from
mines, iron, powder, and
mercury
from
thence
the mines
to the capital,and
to
along

the

from

ridgesof

the

Thousands
the

of

the

Oaxaca

established

in arid

class of

This

in their

in

to the

uncultivated

by

the

gions.
renomists
eco-

dustry
manufacturing inThe

of

cultivation

famine,

and

non-productive,is
than might
America

where

progress

from

othei: local

of

want

portion
pro-

population and

ing
the afflict-

renews

whenever

the

great drought

has

damaged the crop of

Scarcity of provisionshas always been accompanied
in all times
and
all parts of the
globe
epidemical diseases fatal to population.* The

any
maize.

the

of

spectacle

and

little advanced.

food

carried

inhabitants, called

country

Durango,

provisionsare

numerous

is yet so
between
of

and

system, sterile and

consequently more
be
expected in

with

pass their lives on

Cruz
and
Mexico,

Acapulco,
roads
by which

habitations

increase

animals

Vera

and

cross

or

and

men

between

roads

great

Mexico

Cordilleras.

the

This

position requires

believe,

well

perhaps,

fewer

diseases

one

position

of

will

the

and

of

has,

in

scarcity there are,

yeai'S of
minished
deatlis
the dithan
usual, from

spirituous liquors by

productive sources
hold
undoubtedly, however,
most

Smith

qualification.Dr.

that

remarked,

consumption
people,

cause

of

the

common

disease.

with

regard

The
to

KINf.DOM

v.]

cHAi-.

of

want

nourishment

diseases

These
number

mines

adults,

and

of

it

and

rise to astheincal

gave

still

the

ple.
peo-

oft' a

cut

great

number

greater

than

more

of

that in the

computed

was

yj

calamities

Guanaxuato

perished.

SPAIN.

indigentclass

most

accumulated

of

children

In 1784

the

among

KEVV

or

of
and

town

individuals

8,000

remarkable

meteorologicalphenomenon
the
principallyto
scarcity; the
maize, after an
extraordinarydrought, was nipt by
frost on the night of the 28th August, and, what
is
more
The
singular,at an elevation of 1,800 metres.*
number
of inhabitants
carried oflf by this fatal union
of famine
and disease
throughout the whole surface
of the kingdom, was
estimated
than 300,000.
at more
very

contributed

This

number

when

we

will appear
the less astonishingto us
in Europe the populaconsider, that even
tion

is sometimes

diminished

it is

augmented

deaths

for four

in

of

excess

the

from

annis^

the

perished
bitants,
inha-

66,000

near

births

than

above

There

years.
of

excess

not, commiinibus

births

in 1772,

example,

while
was

the

consecutive

for

Saxony,

by

by scarcitymore

the

above

1764

deaths,

1784,

to

more

^han 17,000.t
Hindoo

or

than

more

t The

exceeded

it is

famine

the

years

is afraid

fatal.

of

will

as
country,
occasioned

in

Saxony
of
from

fall to
state

this

that

diminution

impossibleto

in any
of diseases

life,and

alv/ays proves

augmentation

the

consecutive

supports

deaths

whole
that

statement

animal

of
to

plenty

have

no

fore,
there-

whom,

Trans.

Trans.

translator
the

that

merely

5,904 feet.

in years

population,who

reduction

any
*

Indian

the

of

number

1772,

in which

population from
the

excess

the

literallyfew

Every

number
or

case

none

the

for four

one

of deaths

die

cludes
in-

famine

the

of births

ground.

exactly

66,000

knows

from

of famine,

can
never
by a defective diet,which
diseases
be separated in any bill of mortality from
owing to
is to be
The
other
however,
nearest
approximation,
causes.
found
mortality from the increased
by deducting the average
mortality in any given year of scarcity. I think it extremely
Humboldt
has
de
not
adopted this meprobable, that M.

but

effects of fammc

The

in

Andakisia,

inhabitants

whose

time

from

themselves

subsistence

time

to

in the

to

deserts

plants. In

the wild

hom

villages
disperse
to
pick

seen

famine

by

all

of New

province

I have

forced

were

almost

to

the

America,

South

[bdokii-

Tim

common

are

eqiiinoxiali-egions.In

the

iip

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

vain

the

employ their authorityto prevent this

dispersion.In the province de los Fastos, the Indians
missionaries

potatoes fail, which

nourishment, repairsometimes
the

"when

ridge of the Cordillera to

a plantrelated
achupalk'is,
Otomacks

Uruana,

at

their

are

the

to

subsist

principal
elevated

most

juiceof the
pitcarnia.l^ie

the

on

the genus
of the
the banks

to

on

Orinoco,

swiihow, during several months, potter'searth,to

the

this load

by

gastricjuice,and
which

sort, the hunger

islands of the South

some

the

lavished

has

r.atinc

all her

frequentlydriven

are

the

Under
hand

torrid

everywhere

seems

the

want
a
periodically
civilized
industryof more
sterile regions of the
most

as

of the

America.

tliod.

He

elsewhere

Prussia

had, in 1802,
If

dtaths.

we

on

population,2,104,000,
rnortililyfor
of
liiortality

deuths

1772,

by famine

in

likely number

more

Humboldt
'

See

my

th:vt the

but

the

Tableaux

62,869.

and

than

fact

would
the
can

that
question,

and

adjacent
nine

in the

even

country

of

11111110118,282,109

estimate

of

the

and
2,000,000,
that,of Prassia, we

If, suppisinc?then

S-ixon

assume

sliall find

66,000

the

crease
mortality, the inaverage
be
is
This
a much
3,31 1.
only

the

62,869

1772

from

rejrarded

however,

it proportionate to
of

number

the

banishes

depopulationof

of the

Pinkerton's

say,

which

has Ions: been

population of

Mr.

take

germ

north.

conquest,

states,

the

nourishment

difficult to call in

It will be

other.
an-

periences
phlegmatic,ex-

nations

principalcauses

the first epoch of the

at

of

one

beneficent

scattered
and

careless

workina; of the mines

one

where

have

to

abundance.", man,

The

inhabitants

devour

to

zone,

of

the

soil,where

blessings,the
famine

by

In

them.*

fertile

in
satisfy,

to

torments

Sea, in

sorb
ab-

enoruious

easilybe

d'i la A^i-ure.

1.

one

given

ascertained.
1, p. 62.

191.

bv

M.

Truris.
and

209.

dc

KINGDOM

v.]

CHAP,

seventeenth

OF

SPAIN.

NEW

93

Indians

perishedfrom the
excessive labour to which
they "were
compelled in the
mines.
sands
They perished without
posterity,as thouof African
slaves annually perish in the WestIndian
ment,
nourishplantationsfrom
fatigue,defective
and
of sleep. In Peru, at least, in the
\vant
southern
most
part, the country is depopulated by
the

century',many

mines, because

the barbarous

la\v

of

the

is

mita

yet in existence, which

compels the Indians to remove

homes
into distant provinces,where
hands
for extracting the
wealth.
subterraneous

their

from

wanted

are

But

it is not
of

change

so

climate, which
the

to

has

the

much

health

of

labour

the mita

renders

sudden

cious
perni-

so

This

Indians.

the

the

as

of

race

for which
of organization
flexibility
the Europeans are
so
eminently distinguished. The
health of copper-colouredman
when
suffers infinitely
men

he

is

the

not

transported from
when

of

the

he

is forced

Cordillera

to

warm

cold

those

climate, particularly
the elevation

from

descend

to

into

humid

and

narrow

of the neighbouring
valleys,where all the miasmata
regions appear to be deposited.
In the kingdom of New
Spain, at least within tlie
is
of the mines
last thirtyor fortyyears,
the labour
free ; and there remains
of the mita, though
trace
no
a

justlycelebrated
No

where

author*
does

has
the

advanced

lower

of

choose

this

to

another
of

Mexico

the

mine, he
who

The

"Robertson,
I.

the

forces

law

may

may

pay
facts
unquestionable

Europe.

VOL.

no

the

Indians

to

number

of

oft'erhis services

perhaps
are

persons

History of Anierico,
yd

very

vol.

more

in

in

than

species of labour, or to prefer one

the
and when
he is displeasedwith

master

These

trary.
con-

people enjoy

greater securitythe fruit of their labours

mines

the

to

to

mine
prietor
proother
an-

regularly.

little known

employed
ii. p. "'^7".

in

in sub-

94

POLITICAL

ESSAY

terraneous

operations,who

[book

THE

ON

into

divided

are

ii.

several

Facneros, TenateroSy Bareteros,)

classes, {Barenadoj'es
J

does
28

whole

is

not

Spain

of New

kingdom

there

Hence

30,000.

or

the

in the whole

exceed

not

than

more

of

1-200

in the

population immediately employed

mines.

much

We

classes.

examining
of

and

the

the

34"t

at

the

exposed

of

tem-

Jamaica

of Valenci-

mine

the

of

to

meter
centigrade thermo-

the

bottom

ner
mi-

the

as

temperatures

mean

I found

Pondicherry.*
at

is

mines

by

different rishes
paThis is a phenomenon

remarkable,

more

these

of

Zacatecas.

this

of

convinced
the

other

the

among

mortalityin
and

much

6" above

rature

of

Guanaxuato

in several

is observed

easily be

may
the bills

so

pe

what

greater than

is not

of Mexico

the miners

mortalityamong

The

losplanes,"]
\_e72
a perpendiculardepth of 513
of the pit in the open
tres,| while at the mouth

me-

ana,

the

thermometer

same

above

to

But

collected
local

of

into
and

the

of

of

which

30".

mine

Valenciana

is

owing

more

shall

we

||

lights

and

men

it is much

geologicalcauses

5"^

or

than

more

of

number

space

4"

to

posed
is,consequently,ex-

temperature

great

small

winter

miner

heat

enormous

effect of

the

to

change

this

not

Mexican

The

0.

sinks in

air,

wards
after-

examine.
It

is

Indians
who

curious

employed
by the name

go
loaded

observe

to

for six

in

how

the

carryingminerals
of

Mestizos
on

Tcnateros, remain

their

Nearly

930

of Fahrenheit.

"

390

or

If540

llo

41"

of

of

Fahrenheit.

Trana.

225

very
suc-

Trans.

:j:
1,681 feet.

Trans.

Fahrenheit.

of Fahrenheit.

with

back,

ally
continu-

weight of from
350
to
pounds, and
constantly exposed to a
high temperature, ascending eightor ten times
hours

and

Trans.

Trar.^.

CM

KINGDOM

v.]

p.

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

95

intermission, stairs of 1,800 steps.

cessively,without

of these robust
and
appearance
hiive operated a change in the
would

laborious

The

Raynals

torrid

in the

[enfans)of

into

These

of

stone

the mines.

Tenateros

of

But

who

the

have
of

been

our

species
dren
chil-

mines,

age*

able

are

to

pounds weight.

three

thy,
unheal-

times

which

labour

the

authors,

is accounted

than

more

week

ruins

most

pidly
ra-

constitutions, is that of the Ba-

robustest

renadores,

other

respects, who

years of
hundred
a

seventeen

occupation
if they enter
the

of

In the Mexican

zone.

of

masses

opinionsof

againstthe degeneracy

declaim

pleased to

number

in other

estimable

however

carry
This

and

Pauws,

and

men

blow

rock
the
with
up
the age of 35, if from
their
labour
severe

powder.

a thirst
rarelypass
of gain they continue
for the
week.
whole
than five
They generallypass no more
six years
selves
themat this occupation,and then betake
or
to other
employments less injuriousto health.
The
of mining is daily improving, and the puart
pils
Mexico
mines
of the school
of
fuse
at
gradually difnotions
of air
correct
respecting the circulation
in pits and galleries.Machines
are
beginning to be
of carrying
introduced
in place of the old method
men

minerals

and

water

In

ascent.
more

thai, and

Schemnitz,

to

I should

arts

for

evidence
of

17

to

eight
stair

de

with

of

could

tveight.

or

the

sefit

youth
ten

dix

17;

without

pounds,
strength of

it

350

the

carry
Trans.

little

if

more

race

than

to

could

say,

the

here

de

dix

se/it
with
could

man

1,800

not

that

fourth

less

applied

intermission,

certainly

this

be

full-grown

Spain

meant

enfans

hardly

can

and

pid
ra-

will be

author

of

instead

ans^

times,

the

that

believed,
of

health

miner's

think

to

of New

Freiberg, Claus-

of

those

more

inclined

enfant^ it is

propriety
ascend

of

be

enfans

say

and

stairs of

up
mines

the

proportionas

resemble

backs

men's

on

add

steps
to

man

young

part

the

of

that

POLITICAL

96

ESSAY

ON

THE

[book

ii.

'injuredby the influence of the Mofettes^* and the excessively

motion.
prolonged efforts of muscular
From
five to six thousand
are
employed
persons
in the amalgamation of the minerals, or the
tory
preparalabour.
their
pass
of brayed
of

soda,

the contact

great number

A
lives

in

of

these

individuals

barefooted

walking

heaps

over

and mixed
with muriate
metal, moistened
sulphateof iron, and oxyd of mercury,
by

atmospheric air and the solar rays.

It is a remarkable
joy
enphenomenon to see these men
The
the
most
physicianswho
perfecthealth.
practisein places where there are mines unanimously
tributed
affections,which might be atassert, that the nervous
the effect of an
to
absorpiion of oxyd of
At Guanaxuato
rarelyoccur.
part of
very
mercur}',
the

of the

inhabitants

the

drink

very

in

water

which

the

amalgamation has been purified {aqua de lavaderos)

fact has
without
feelingany injury from it. This
struck
often
Europeans not intimatelyacquainted
with
the principles
of chemistry. The
is at
water
contains in susfirst of a grayish-blue colour, and
pension
and small globulesof
black oxyd of mercury,
native

amalgamation of silver. This

and the water
graduallyprecipitates,
neither dissolve the oxyd
limpid. It can
and

mercury
metallic
mixture

becomes
of mercury
of the most
mules

the

muriate

insoluble

very fond
little muriate

are
a

In

nor

speakingof
and

I have

neither

which

mentioned

colonists, nor

the

the

We

the

sufficient

The

this v/ord.

translator

tains
con-

of the
retard
arrival

Mexican
that
of

new

lation,
popuprogress,
pean
Euro-

by the
mortalityoccasioned
shall discuss these subjectsin

black

vomiting.
sequel. It is

The
it

because

one

in dissolution.

progress

causes

is

know.

we

this water,

of soda

the

of the

which

salts
of

which

of mercury,

professes

his

to

observe

ignorance

here, tilat the

of the

meaning

of

5.

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

gg

THE

[book

ii.

Tfie Zambosj descendants of negroes and Indians

race
Indians, or copper- coloured indigenous
;
the subdivisions
Abstracting
and, 7. The African negroes.

6. The

there

four

are

under the

bended

easts

generalname

whites, compre-

the
of

the
Spaniards,

groes,
ne-

of mixed extraction,
Indians,and the men
Indians,and
Europeans,Africans, American
the

from

tween
beMalays ; for from the frequentcommunication
dividuals
inislands,
Acapulco and the Philippine
many
both Chinese and Malays,
of \siatic origin,
have settled in New
Spain.
A very generalprejudice
exists in Europe that an
of the copper-coloured
exceedingsmall number
race,
or

descendants

of the

ancient

Mexicans, remain

at

day. The crueltyof the Europeanshas entirely

extirpatedthe old inhabitants of the West Indies.

this

The
no

America, however,

continent of
such

New

The

horrible result.

Spainexceeds

two

those who

have

African blood.

What

number

millions and

mixture

of

has

witnessed
of Indians in

half,including

European or
and
consolatory,
we
repeat it, is,that the indigenouspopulation,
has been considerably
far from declining,
the increase
on
for the last fifty
gisters
years, as is proved by the retribute.
of capitation
or
the Indians appear to form two-fifths of
In general
of Mexico.
In the four intenthe whole
population

only

no

is stillmore

dancies of Guanaxuato, Valladolid,

Oaxaca, and la
amounts
to three- fifths.
Puebla, this population
even

The enumeration

of 1793

gave the

result.
following

Al

OF

KINGDOM

VI.]

':hap.

NEW

SPAIN.

this table it appears that

Oaxaca, of 100 individuals 88

in

From
of

99

intendancy

the

Indians.

were

So

edly
indigenous inliabitants undoubtof this
proves the antiquity of the cultivation
ing
remainAccordingly, we find near Oaxaca
country.

great

of

number

singularlyadvanced
The

be

to

prov^

of civilization.

state

race, are rarelyto

copper- coloured
in tlie north of New
Spain, and are hardly

Indians,

found

be

which
architecture,

of Mexican

monuments

with

met

or

in

the

gives us several causes

the Spaniards made
few

found

very
beyond the
the abode

the

parallelof

in the

they

Mexico,

situated

provinces were

Otomites,

and

thin

When

countries

These

20^.

of the Chichimecks
whom

of

conquest

inhabitants

nations,of

History

provinciasintemas.
for this phenomenon.

hordes

two

toral
pas-

scattered

were

as
territory.Agricultureand civilization,
have already observed, were
in the
concentrated
we
tween
beplainssouth of the river of Santiago, especially
the valley of Mexico
and
the
province of
over

vast

Oaxaca.

From
in

the 7th

general

Rio

have

to

From

south.
Gila

the 13th

to

the

continuallyflowed

regionssituated

forth those

issued

inundated
are

the

north-west
of

savannas

Gila.

The

transmitted
of the

coast

of

their

was

us

the memory

the
migrationsamong
migration bears some
analogy to
fifth century, plunged Europe in a
we

Mexico

at

left behind

However,
them

the

traces

or

the

traversed

the Rio
have

epochs
principal

Americans.
that
state

This

which, in the
of barbarism,

yet feel the fatal effects in many

social institutions.

Asia

of the Aztecs

of the

great

of which

We

try,
primitive coun-

arrive

to

cessively
suc-

Anahuac.

and

America,

of the

who

originallyfrom

Nabajoa and Moqui,

tables
hieroglyphical
to

nations

of

the

towards

to the north

warlike

country

that
ignorantwhether
whether
or
they came

the

century, populationseems

peoplewho

of

our

traversed

of cultivation and

ci-

POLITICAL

IQQ
vilization.

The

cities,made

in 1196.

of maize

roads, and

which

and

cotton

d those

constructs

ir.

the year

Toultecs

The

yet admired, and

are

[book

1170, the Nahualtecs

and Aztecs

the cultivation

THE

ON

appeared, first,in

Toultecs

648,theChichimecks
theAcolhues

ESSAY

1178^
duced
intro-

they built

great pyramids

of which

the

faces

They knew the use of

found
could
metals,
liieroglyphical
paintings
; they
solar year
and cut the hardest stones
a
; and they had
Romans*
and
more
perfectthan that of the Greeks
The
indicated that they
of their government
form
had
the descendants
of a people who
were
rienced
expeare

very

accurately laid

out.

in their social

great vicissitudes
where

is the

Tradition

which

But
is the

Mexicans

and

Toultecs

the

historical

and

where

of that cultivation ?

source

country from

state.

sued?
is-

Hue-

hieroglyphicsname

Tollan, and Aztlan, as the firstresidence

huetlapallan,
remains
There
of these wandering nations.
are
no
ancient
civilization of the human
at this day of any
ern
speciesto the north of the Rio Gila, or in the northregionstravelled through by Hearne, Fiedler, and
But

Mackenzie.
Nootka

on

Cook

and

the

north-west

under
river,especially

latitude,in Norfolk

north

coast,

and

Bay

between

the 57*^

of

Canal, the

Cox

hieroglyphical
of distinguished
paintings.* M. Fleurieu, a man
scendants
that these people might be the delearning,
supposes
of some
Mexican
colony, which, at the
period of the conquest, took refuge in those northern
regions. This
ingenious opinion will appear less
probableif we consider the great distance which these
natives

display a

colonists

would

Voyage
332.

p.
of the

de

decided

have

Marchand^

harp

inhabitants

object at least as remarkable

of the kings of Thebes.

for

travel, and

to

torn.

represented
of the

taste

I. p.

in the

north-west
as

the

258.

reflect that the

261.

Dixon^

375.

hieroglyphicalpaintings
coast

famous

of

America,

harp

on

the

is

an

tombs

KINGDOM

VI.]

CRAP.

Mexican

cultivation

did

rather

of

latitude.

on

the

migration of

south,

New

and

Alani,

Spain
these

how

but

people w

for
to

able

ere

when
epoqua
their first abodes

the

on

had

banks

how

that

of

ytco-

Ostrogoths

the Black

from

return

continued

rest

the

the
New

of

conceive

believe

hordes

other

the

from

20"

to

coasts

example,

we

to

Aztecs

the

can

pass

could

an

risthenes

We

masse,

able

were

and

on

the

believe, that,

to

Cornwall, while

en
ple,travelling

and

remained

JQI

beyond

inclined

Toultecs

southwards.

course

extend

not

the

tribes

some

Norfolk
their

am

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

west

Sea

into

portion
to

east,

of
at

already occupied
Don

the

the Bo-

or

place to discuss the great problem

of the Asiatic originof the Toultecs
Aztecs.
The
or
generalquestionof tlie first origin of the inhabitants
is

This

of

the

not

beyond the
not, perhaps,

is

continent

the

history; and is
question. There
in Mexico
there
to

Toultecs
all the

maintaining that
Thibet

or

to

America

visited

ingeniouswork
in

arrived

migration, and

therefore

an

Siberia.
Chinese

posteriorto
de

existed

Americans

the

the

new

philosophical
other people

458;

Asiatic

originally
tempted
Guignes atannals
that they
De

and

Horn,

and

world,

more

researches
recent

it appear
extremely probable that
Asia and America.
existed between
elsewhere

in

his

OriginibusAmericanis^ published

made

I have

is not

race

came

Scherer, in his historical

1699, M.

have

by

prove

to

Toultecs

are

oriental

prescribed

even

the

when

of their

course

that the

assert

from

time

the

at

in the

undoubtedly

limits

that

advanced*

the

specting
re-

writers,
old

Toultecs,

lations
re-

or

might be a part of those Hiongnoiix,who,

historians,
emigrated under
according to the Chinese
Aztecs,

their leader

Punon,

"Tableaux
VOL.

I,

and

de

lost in the north

were

la

Nature,
EC

vol. I. p. 53,

parts o^

nation

Siberia.

This

than

changed

once

under

the

THE

[book

shepherds has

warrior-

of

Huns,

of

name

lated,
deso-

parts of

finest

conjectureswill acquire

these

All

the

u.

more

Asia, and

face of oriental

the

Europe.

civilized

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

102

analogy shall be
the
betAveen
discovered
languages of Tartary and
continent
cording
of the new
those
analogy, which, ac; an

probabilitywhen

more

to

only

extends

to

cereal, seems

to

America,
of

cultivation

cultivated

We

see

milk

no

those

Aztlan,

tribes

descended

in the

old

as

the

of

use

pastoral
that the

milk,

of

cal
any historicontinent

have
the

passed

from

continent

we

of

name

new

maize,
gramina than
(Zea.)
species of milk, though the lamas,

in the

north
oxen,

These

Mexico

of

would
are

Canada

and

two

afforded

have

them

strikingcontrasts

tween
be-

race.
Mongol and American
losing ourselves in suppositionsas

of

first country
without

general

other

in abundance.

Without

have

tive
nutri-

all those

if Asiatic

inhabitants

indigenous

of

that

The

of words.

the

under

Smith,

Barton

number

far back

as

no

the

of

M.

gramina, and

cereal

The

They fed on
and
itlpacas,
kinds

prove,
must

introduced
records.

go

they

people.
were

small

very

which

gramina
into

of

latest researches

wheat, oats, barley,rye, and

of

want

the

marked

the

Toultecs

and

the

to

Aztecs,

the
and

attempting to fix the geographical position

ancient
kingdoms of Huehuetlapallanand
we

shall

confine

ourselves

to

the

accounts

of

Tlie
northern
Spanish historians.
provinces,
New
Biscay, Sonora, and New
Mexico, were
very
inhabited
in
the
16th
The
natives
thinly
century.
hunters
and shepherds ; and they withdrew
were
as
the

the

European

advanced
conquerors
alone
attaches
man

Agriculture
veiopes the love
the

southern

of

country.

towards
to

Thus

the

the north.

soil, and
we

see

de-

that in

parts of Anahuac, in the cultivated region

adjacent to Tenochtitlan, the Aztec colonists

OF

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

patientlyendured
them

the
their

by

rather
thinj^

than

cultivated.

But

SPAIN.

NEW

vexations

cruel

exercised

soil which

in the northern

wards
to-

sufl'ered every

and

conquerors,

quit the

jq^

their fathers had

provinces,the

natives

the conquerors
their uncultivated
savannas,
served
for pasturage to the buflaloes.
The

yieldedto
which

refuge beyond the Rio Gila, towards

Rio Zaguanas and the mountains
de las Grullas.
Indian tribes who
tory
formerly occupied the terri-

Indians
the
The

took

the

of

aftd

we

States

to

io

followed

withdraw,

then

Missouri,

the

lastlybehind

Canada

and

policy; and chose rather

the Alleghany mountains,

same

to

United

behind

avoid

the

behind
first,
the Ohio,

being forced

cause
P^uropeans. From the same
copper-colouredrace neither in the proin the cultivated
internes
of New
Spain, nor

live among
find the

vincias

the

parts of the United

The

States.
the American

migrations of

constantly carried
the

between

sixth

from

on

and

north

twelfth

tribtfshaving been

south, at least;
centuries, it is certain
to

be
population of New
Spain must
In procomposed of xery heterogeneous elements.
the populationflowed
the south,
towards
as
]-)ortion
tribes would
some
stop in their progress, and mingle

that the

Indian

with

tribes

the
of

Mexico
Tlie
which

^vhich

fourteen

them.

The

great

riety
va-

still

spoken in the kingdom of

and origin.
a
great varietyof races
of these languages exceeds
twenty, of

languages

proves
number

followed

have

grammars

and

dictionaries

tole-

the
:
followingare their n;imes
Mexican
TaAztec
or
language ; the. Otomite
; the
Mistec
tan
rasc
Maye or Yuca; the Zapotec ; the
; the
Totonac
Popolouc ; the Matlazing ;
; the
; the
Mixed
the Huastec
Caquiquel ; the Ta; the
; the
It appears
raumar
Tepehuan ; and the Cora.
; the
that the most
part of these languages,far from being
authors
have falsely
dialects of tlie same,
advanced,)
(as some

ral^lycomplete.

arc

at

The

least

as

different from

one

another

as

POLiriCAL

104

the Greek
This

is the

New

German,

the

and

ESSAY

The
new

the

th'e vocabularies.
the

people

continent, and which, without

the

least

stated

may

at

of

the

ration,
exaggeoffers a very

hundreds,

some

of

languages

spoken by

be

ii-

Pohsh.

and

seven

I possess

Spain, of which
varietyof idioms

[book

THE

the French

or

least with

at

case

ON

when
we
strikingphenomenon, particularly
compare
it with the few languages spoken in Asia and Europe.
The
Mexican
language, that of the Aztecs, is the
most
widely diffused,and extends at present from the
37"
the lake of Nicaragua, for a length of 400
to
Clavigero* has proved that the
leagues. The Abbe
tants
the inhabiChichiniecks, (from whom
of Tlascala
are
descended,) the Acolhues, and
the Nahuatlacs, all spoke the same
language as the

Touilecs, the

This

Mexicans.
almost

diffused

as

After

language
and

the M*. "s.ican

exists

eleven

language

cf

I could

Aztec

descriptionof
intellectual

fail

to

interest

the

manners,

the

the

the

Incas.

which

there

of

that

language, of
of

but

sonorous,!

so

as

printed grammars,
New
Spain is that

not

not

rich

as

or

is

general

most

Otomites.

the

reader

by

character, and

minute

physical

indigenous inhabitants
of
Avhicli the
Mexico,
Spanish laws designate by
the name
of Indians.
The
generalinterest displayed
in Europe for the remains
of the primitivepopulation
of the new
continent
has. its origin in a moral
cause,
which
dots honour
The
to humanity.
history of the
and

of

conquest

picture of
advanced

from

priest

word

whom

of

27

Hindostan

presents

unequal struggle between

an

the

Cluvigero, t.

jTlie

and

civilization;

escaped

word

America

in arts, and

of

of tlnose

state

others

in

the

lowest

The

unfortunate

race

carnage

appeared

destined

I. p.

far
gree
de-

of Aztecs
to

anni-

155.

JVotlazomahuizlculaxcuiaizin
I cherish

very

nations

the

as

I'.'Uers v.lien

my

father.

speaking

to

The
tlie

signifiesvenerable
Mexicans

use

this

priests,'^cures.^

ESSAY

POLITICAL

106

Over

the

globe.
leagues, from
on

ON

THE

million

Terra

and

II.

LBOOK

half

of

square

islands

to the
Fuego
and Baring'sStraits,we
struck
river St. Laurence
are
the generalresemblance
in the
at the lirst glance with
We
think
features of the inhabitants.
we
perceive
the same
from
standing
that they all descend
stock, notwiththe enormous
diversityof language which

the

del

another.

However, when
reflect more
seriouslyon this family likeness,after
we
the indigenous Americans, we
livinglonger among
separates them

from

one

discover

that

celebrated

observe

few

individuals

the

exaggerated

travellers, who
the

on

coasts,
of

analogy

could

have

form

only

larly
singu-

among

the

contributes

the

Americans.

most

to

there

is

or

than

when

the

different from

so

He

our

the

on

coloured

copperillusion.
particular

we

is

o^vn,

nations
the tribe
compare

inhabit

observation.

same

decides

he

the

among

peculiarto

When
any individual.
with
those
which
animals

make

we

In barbarous

to

domestic

forests

what

diversifythe features.
rather a physiognomy

horde

our

is

cultivation

Intellectual

But

our

ropean,
Eu-

great resemblance
is

subject to a
with a complexioil
struck
and the uniformity of this
him
the
long time from
races,

complexion conceals for a

The
colonist
new
diversityof individual features.
the
can
indigenous,because
hardlyat first distinguish
his eyes are
less fixed
the gentle melancholic
on
or
ferocious
than on
the
expression of the countenance
colour

red

coppery

and

glossy hair,

believe
In the

M.

it

to

be

faithful

and

glossy

so

in

dark

luminous
indeed

constant

which
portrait

state
an

and

that

we

coarse

should

of humecf?ition.
excellent

observer,
Indians, wc

Volney, has drawn of the' Canada

tmdoubtedly recognise the tribes scattered in the
meadows
of the Rio Apure and the Carony.
The
cas
same
styleof feature exists no doubt in both Ameribut those Europeans who
have
sailed on
the
:

great rivers

Orinoco

occasion

see

to

hierarchyin
differ

features

whose

had

missions,

the

tlie American

that

observed

have

have

and

of tribes assembled

great number

107

Amazons,

and

the monastical

under

SPAIN.

NEW

or

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

must

contains

race

tions
na-

essentially from

as

one

of
varieties
of the race
another, as the numerous
Caucasus, the Circassians, Moors, and Persians difter
from

again found

is

dwell

who

Caribs
Orinoco

the

to

of

Rio

the

Blanco.

of

of the

one

robust

most

nations

of form

difference
the

and

Caribs

of Mexico

The

Indians

which
the

people
who

nations
had

very^

The

having
part

equator
the

our

of colour

to

times

the

have

not

America,

Virgin
in the

English, Avere

extended

Islands.

mixture

much

Caucasus,
Arab

fair

conquered
few

mates
cli-

race,

skin

16th

as

Asiatic

century

however,
the white

Caraibs, who,

or

in the

The

so

of the
many
in the sixth

Caribs,

Cabres,

Caribbee

of

so

part

warmest

it appears,
observable
among

the

What

swarthy

more

fact is
race

the

of Tlascala

European

Though
inundated
Europe
dark
complexion,

nation
of
great
exterminated
the

of South

the

south

of the

in the

north.

shades

that the

have

This

also called
the

of

the

of

those

in

be

may

Spain

as

of

of the northern

inhabitants

remarkable,

more

in the

Indians

the

America.

South

of

the

the

than

complexion

New

of

Cumana

provinceof

between

the
with

squat bodies

Chichimecks

and

Lipans

the

and

of the

Indians

Chayma

on

be confounded

to

not

are

Vincent,

St.

What

figure,physiognomy, and physical

these Caribs,* who
ought to be

of the earth, and

island

nent,
conti-

new

as

us,

degenerate Zambos, formerlycalled

the

the

the

constitution

face

Patagonians,

it were,
the
among
the Delta of the
in the plainsfrom

by

sources

difference between
accounted

extremity of

the southern

inhabit

who

of the

tall form

The

another.

one

after

considerable

century
families who

from

the

existed

Islands, recently transported by

of

true

Caribs

and

negroes.

i'OI.rnCAL

103
lace

less

arc

the

and

owing
have

to

of

ON

THE

[book
mixture

originor

the

chmnte.

no

efiect

ahnost

These

negroes.

their

to

influence

locui

appears

EbSAV

than

This

to

influence

the Americans

on

in which

races,

ii,

there

is

dant
abun-

an

hydrogen in the corpus

of
rcticulatiim
mucosum
or
Malpighi, resist in a
the
air.
singularmanner
impressions of the ambient
The negroes
of the mountainsof.
Upper Guinea are not
depositionoi' carburctted

less black
are,

those

than

doubt, tribes of

no

the Indians

among
We

found

than

those

of the

the

people

tribes of

several

of the

Rio

and

the

whitish

swarthier

yet the banks

cooler
the

climate

forests

of

Orinoco,

of the

sources

com-

Moors.

or

Negro

enjoy a much
regions. In

northern

more

deep

means

no

Arabs

Orinoco,

"Guiaila, especially
near
are

the

rivers

first of these

the

of

Lower

of the

by

There

coast.

continent, whose

new

that

the

on

colour

of the

plexi(niapproaches to

than

live

who

the

complexion,

Guai-

several robust
Guajaribs,and Arigues, of whom
of the asthenicai
individuals, exhibitingno symptom
characterises
albines^have the appearmalady which
ance
cas,

of

with

mingled
other

Mestizoes,

true

tribes

the torrid

45"

of

dark
who

zone

of

these

FAiropeans,and

of the Cordillera
the

Yet

brown

of the

south

latitude

The

hue.

Andes,
live

have

never

with

surrounded

are

inhabit the

tribes

elevated

most

and

Indians

those

in

plains
lender

who

the

by fishingamong

islands of the

archipelagoof Chonos,have as coppery

those who
up.der
a complexion as
a
burning climate
cultivate bananas
in the narro"vest
and deepest valleys
of the equinoxialregion. We
must
add, that the
Indians

long

of

before

wander

over

the

mountains

sun.

individual
were

clothed, and

so

were

the aborigineswho
the conquest, while
the plainsgo quitenaked, and are
sequently
con-

always exposed
of the

are

I could

to

never

those parts of the

less dark than those

the

observe

body

perpendicularrays
that

which

in contact

in the

ed
cover-

were

with

same

warm

humid

and

local

air.

of

colour

as

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

OF

depends

the

Indians

Quito

of

are

The
more

New

and

little on

very

him.

positionin which we see

have alreadyobserved,

we

IQp

everywhere perceive that

We

American

the

SPAIN.

NEW

the
the

Mexicans,

swarthy

than

who

bit
inha-

Granada,

see
completely analogous ; and we even
that the tribes dispersedto the north
of the Rio Gila
those
than
in the neighbourhood of
less brown
are
the kingdom of Guatimala.
This
tinues
deep colour con-

cllmaie

the

to

54"

under

the

latitude,at Cloak-bay, in the midst

of north

10'

But

Asia.

to

nearest

coast

copper-coloured Indians with small long eyes,

there is a tribe with largeeyes, European features,and
of

skin

less dark' than

facts tend

of

races

that notwithstandingthe variety

prove
elevations
inhabited
and
by the different

My

she

Z/zV?/^

Anglo-Americans
who

communicated

M.

to

which

I have
the

asserted
bom

chief

juicesof

never

of the

of the

are

never

who

Volney,

VOL.

children

white

as

the

Miamis

born

dn

and

white, and
certain

Climat

the

by
with

in

du

the

Sol

ease

den

they
of the

is

always

nations

Mexico,

that

and

sun,

waist

of

coast

peans
Euro-

which

Canada

degree of
et

as

speaks;
the

on

435.
I.

that the

herbs

seen

Orinoco,

enjoya
Tablcmi

tion
informa-

darkened

are

affirm that in Peru, Quito,

the banks

"

valuable

that that part of the

is perpetually covered

which

white."*

much

were

adults

the grease and

the
rub their skin; and
females

He

Indians

that the

Ji. p.

years ago.
of the abori-

tile,)
Crook-back, (PetiteTor-

so

Volney.

the Canada

model

of

thousands

the innate colour

on

the

differ in part from the assertions of Michikinachief of the Miamis, called by

the celebrated

koua,

of

from

deviates

never

selection

made

observations

genes
the

nature

men,

of which

All these

peasantry.

our

to

climates

of

that of

but

of
can

Caraccas,
the children

Indian

ciques,
Ca-

in their cir-

Etafn-Uvis,

voL

1*0LITICAL

110

and

cumstances,

the

who

exception of
foot)

sole of their

clothed

hollow
the

of

[bock

their

of

hand

(with
the

and

brownish-red

same

it,

interior

the

parts of their body

all the

the

THE

ON

remain

houses, have

their

of

ESSAY

or

pery
cop-

colour.*

Otomite

have

race,

the

in

Indians

the

of
even

ever

and

are

all the

capital wear
mark

the

of

which

modern

much

so

in

saw

the inhabitants

among

America,

of

coast

Aztec

Almost

mustaches,

also found

travellers have
north-west

this is

These

tributarycast.

America.

and

of the

than

neighbourhood

mustaches

small

beard

more

of South

Indians

other

any

those
particularly

Mexicans,

The

of the

the

more

naturalists have
left the
curious, as celebrated
tion
questhe Americans
have
undetermined, whether
turally
na-

bodies,

that the Indians

this beard

which

of
the

have

we

the

individuals

This

Father
several
small

flc/a la

spot,
I

have
"

dias.

cnatura

Al

de

los

and

de

mcnos

brica.

la

examined

beaid

con

color

remain

of

spot,

mancha

una

obscuro,

Esta

sena

de

la

6 mancha

cierta, y

es

del

repetidas veces:
espacio que occupa

Gumilla,

Orinoco

iUustrado.

su
un

peso
Vol.

cosa

tamano

duro
i. p.

peatedly.
re-

entre

Ic

que
el

que
es

poco

de

nueva

82.

algupor
acia la parte

viso

con

he,

qual se va desyaneciendo, al passo

perdiendo el color bianco, y adquiriendo

va

of

obscure

an

says

blancos

son

byfor

white

exception

ciniura,

ninos

or

partly confirmed
the

that

vista, y exam.inada
6

with

born,

aquellos
de

But

masters.

Indians

the

Indiecillos

cintura,

la

their

of

sextons

entirelywithout

that

arc

themselves,

Indian

the

is

and

the missions

in

Crook-back

zone

beard

generallysome
when
they shave

fiarte fiosterior

nacer

pardo,

says

they

seen

Nacen

posterior

natural.

after

days

colour.

morado

who

Gumilla,

carefullyout.

inhabit the torrid

monks

of Little

account

who

bom

are

their

details,I
physiological

Caripe, where

of

of

rest

them

examples

seen

resemble

to

many

nos

increases

capuchins

wish

have

America

South

that

into

the

on

they pluck

entering here

affirm

of

hair

no

whether

or

Without
can

and

beard

no

suyo

tengo
mas,

lra?is.

fa-

Iiair
of

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

OF

their bodies.

on

M.

NEW

SPAIN.

Galeano,

de

Spanish expedition to

the last

informs

that

us,

there

the
are

in the account
Straits

of

gellan,*
Ma-

old

many

men

Patagonians with beards, though they are

and by no
means
bushy. On comparing this
assertion with the facts collected by Marchand, Mears,
M. Volney, in the northern
and especially
temperate
believe
that
Indians
the
have
to
we
are
tempted
zone,
beard
in proportion to their distance
and more
more
the

among
short

the

from

is

beard

by

no

means

hordes

for

many
several tribes
that

stature,
a

of

in the

that

prove

Mongol

littlebeard

so

deny entirely

to

look

to

upon

beardless

the

American

or

negroes.
Indians
The
the

especially

degenerationand physical
the human
species is a mere
gical
physioloall
We
which
has been
served
obforgetthat
Caucasian
does not equallyapply to
race

dream.

the

tempted

almost

sign of

sure

weakness

have

race,

of Congo and the Caribs,

negroes
and
robust
lossal
frequentlyof a coraces,

eminently
as

negroes,

and

of

^ant

The

its existence.

chin

African
be

Asia,

Eastern

of

of

should

we

two

this apparent
peculiarto the American

However,

equator.

race,

or

to

the

African

Spain,those at least subjectto

vanced
European domination, generallyattain a pretty adPeaceable
age.
six hundred
years

these

the

to

hunters

and
of

nourishment
that

would
their

of New

accidents
waiTiors

the

Rio

of

an

cultivators, and

collected

in

villages,
they are not
of the wandering life of
of the Mississippi and the
Accustomed

Gila.

to

posed
ex-

the
vannas
sa-

uniform

entirely vegetable nature,

almost

gramina,the Indians
undoubtedly attain a very great longevityif
weakened
ness.
constitutions
not
were
by drunkenmentation
ferTheir
a
intoxicatingliquors arc
rum,
of maize
and the root of the jatropha,and

of

their maize

Vinje

and

at Entre.cho

cereal

de

Magellane.-.^p.

"3 J,

112

POLITICAL

ESSAY

wine

of the country,

especiallythe

ON

THE

[book

of the

made

h.

juice

last
americana, called pulque. This
agave
liquor,of Avhich we shall have occasion to speak in
of

the

the

is

following book,
undecomposed

the

Indians

addicted

nutritive, on

even

which

sugar

little solid nourishment.

vice

Europeans

who

have

Guiana

Indians

showed

the

out

guard- house.
their
for

streets

fourth

the

as
men

in the

streets.

of

course

the

countries
It is

to

be

on

tht; health
the

hoped

civilization makes

to

to

on

sends
be found
are

the

clear

the

go on
of them

lower

which

principal
ring is put

of

of the

much

Tlascala,

the

several

progress
not

valley

Mexico

excess

coast

most

Indians, \vho

that this evil

more

is
bestiality

of the brutes.

find

The

week.

to
injurious

whose

cityof

carried

to

weak

the

morning an iron
made
to
ancles, and they are
On
three days.
letting them
sure

tribes,
is

and

the

are

which

cultivated

are

These
are

saw

too

inhabit

drunkards

the

bodies,

In

day, they

also very
the warm
cane.

collect

like dead

treated

round

to

we

Indian

of Puebla

or
agave
maguey
The
police in the

souri,
Mis-

brandy

several

who

the environs

great scale.
round
tumbrels,
stretched

Orinoco,

for the

are

Indians

leghany
Al-

the

and

beverages are
Spain drunkenness

New

the

common

among
of Mexico,
and

of the

fermented

In

intoxicate.

wherever

There

taste.

Those

that, in the forests

of the

aversion

an

general

less

east

Ohio

the

banks

the

on

them

the

to

between

sober, whose

very
to

who

made

we

and

with

generallybelieved.

believe
difficulty

will with

very
moderation

gastricsystem.

travelled

mountains,
of

taken

is,however,

is

than

time

long

Many

the stomach,
by fortifying

of drunkenness

the Indians

among

for

When

it is very salutary,
and
assists the functions
of the
The

it contains.

pulque take

to

of

account

in

liquorsis
people in

grow
sugar
^^"illdiminish,

among

cast

different from

of

that

ESSAY

POLITICAL

il4

of

age

from

130,

This

117.

became

three

blind

13

of

12

him

years of age.
The
copper-

four

their

thousands

are

They
to

extremely rare
lame

are

in the

inhabitants

the

of the

arm

subject to

see

suffer from

last class,

though erroneously

lines of Paris.*

2-3

married

who

When

tempted

because

but

the

Granada,

t Such
of Torneo,

Goathnala,
feet
t.

is

the

human
8

I. p.

real

ever

1800.

feet

feet

in

1735.

1 inch

of

^gosCo,

or

from

of

of the

the

Indian,
inches,

ten

son

hunters

they

tizo,
Mes-

of
village

or

warriors

all well

are

wc

made,

natural

Indians, those

then that the

0'", 757

inch

Paris
de

2m,

proportioned
the
giant

best

taller

than

Gazettes

American

'The

Gazctta

measure.

Madrid,

from
489.

absence

Trans.

giant,the
an

vary
to

inches.

Annales
to

of

who
can
agriculturists,
class of European peasantry.

1-2

is

He

speciesappears

inches,
27.)
5

"Azq of this

Paris

is the

doubt

no

seen.

at

seen

Salmeron

make

have

are

the

with

inches, or

I have

"whom

The

can

Martin

an

six feet

Peruvian

New

We

87.521

are

and

only be compared

any

Mexican

Quito and

the Indians,

deformity either
exposed by their parents ;

have

from fatigueor
perisli

affection

Chilpansingo.t

near

who

those

be

to

woman

savage
believe that

to

said

He

examine

we

where

giant,belongs to
or

Indian

an

Chilapa el Grande,
are

metres

and

squint,

among
Mestizoes.

the
among
famous
Mexican

the

and

who

observed

never

2,224

no

goitre^this

the

seldom

heightis

almost

In the countries

leg.

or

for

Indian

of tliem

any

Salmeron,
whose

77

lived

ancestors

hunchbacked

thyroidgland is
and

daughter, of

enjoy one great physical

undoubtedly owing to the

in which
great simplicity

it is

left behind

and

Indians
is

saw

death

h.

the age of
He
foot.

at

leaguesdailyon

coloured

of years.
deformity. I never

[book

went,

his
years before
but one
children

advantage,which

or

THE

Peruvian

old

to

ON

2 feet

t.

IV.

cle

No.

4 inches

12.
to

(Sc/:r?ber Mamm.

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

of

deformities

natural

their mode
their

of

Mongol
in
participate
negroes,
inclined

believe

effect

of

constitution

to
jxiculiar
swarthy complexion,
origin,and especially

very
American

and

115
is the

them

of

men

of

the

VVe

the

SPAIN.

NEW

among
of the

life,and

All

race.

those

OF

the

advantage.

same

that the

Arab-European
and
of organization,
race
a greater flexibility
possesses
that it is easier modified
of exterior
by a great number
such as varietyof aliments, climates, and
causes,
habits, and consequently has a greater tendency to
deviate
from
its originalmodel.
What
have been
we
statingas to the exterior form
are

of the

indigenousAmericans

of

other

the

Americans

is

to

travellers of

the

the

and

hair, in the

in the

defective

in the

direction

admit

that the

resembling

human

Mongols, Mantchcoux,
of
of

If the

race.

the

of
the
of

that all the Indians

origin.
cranium

of

and

In
the

not

and

skin

bones, and
refuse
contain

not

of

But

the

constitute

races

blance
resem-

ty
identi-

an

indicate that

spread from

we

must

of the

the

are

fact, osteology teaches

us

differs

American

wards
to-

conclude

continent

new

by

swarm

north-west

therefore

not

ditions
tra-

collected

Anahuac,
to

appear

to

Americans,

the

Malays.

does

inhabitants

south,

the

cannot

than

analogy

hieroglyphicalpaintingsand

first conquerors,
wandering tribes
the

We

more

features

some

of

species does

another

one

colour

eyes.

between

This

race.

beard, high cheek

of the

accounts

strikinganalogy

Mongol

evident
particularly

the

confirms

of Asiatic
that

the

essentiallyfrom

that of the
more

Mongol: the former exhibits a facial line,

than that of the negro
inclined,though straighter,
tal
there is no race
the globe in which the fron: and
on
bone is more
depressed backwards, or which has a

less

to

projectingforehead.*
This

whom

extraordinary flatne"?
the

means

of

The

is

producing

to

cheek-bones

be

found

artificial

among

of the

nations

deformity are

to-

POLITICAL

116

American

the

but

angles

than

almost

are

Mongol

ESSAY

the

not

ON

[book

prominent

as

contours

are

those

as

jaw

under

the negroes,
and its branches
are
the Mongols.
The
occipital bone

than

[bombe^)and

the

cerebellum^

the

which

the

the

under

mixture

of

Vienna,

\'eletri,and

larger
dispersed
curved,

correspond
Gall

of M.

system

to
taches
at-

haps
Per-

ed
comprehendIndians, is

aboriginesof
this vast
it is not
continent; and
unlikelyalso that
the figureswith enormous
observed
aquilinenoses,
in the
paintingspreserved
hieroglyphicalMexican
a

at

Asiatic

is

is less

of copper- coloured
men,
of American
general name

race

the

scarcelysensible.

great importance, are

this

less

protuberanceswhich

to

of

th

rounded, and

more

The

sharp.

sew

THE

fragments,indicated
extinct.

now

themselves

black

be

to

robes,^

As

the

to

cult

of

moral

of

some

races

allowing
contrary by the
sionaries.
they give to the misthe

Indians, it is diffi-

facilities of the
with

historical

without

sun,

which

appreciatethem

to

my
of

call themselves

savages

the

persuaded
name

in

as

physiognomy

Canadian
born

the

and

Rome,

the

The

Metoktheniakes,

tribes

if we
justice,

only

con-

Indians,
proved by the crania of Mexican
M.
Peruvians, and Atures,
Bonpland and
by
brought over
of
several
were
rayself, of which
deposited in the Museum

tallyunknown,

History

Natural
barbarous

the

origin

in

frontal

bone

idea

the

from
p.

6.)

the

to

100""

The

Calmucks

beyond

Aztecs,

nny

race

who

ever

"

have

such
a

and

the

facial

Anat.

among

Volney.

t.

head
the

much
Caribs,

II. p. 4"8.

prominent
the
line

Com/iaree,
their
more

t.

of their

heads

principal divinities,as
a

most

noses;

disfigurethe

with

manner.

and

raised

its

of the

form

decided

thickest

[Q\\\\cVf

never

prove,
seen

the

in

turned-up

heroes

nature.

their

manuscripts
I have

to

of

statues

children, represent
tiian

the

give the preference to

in the
850

consists

beauty

of

had

boards

two

in

the

that

hordes

several

among
between

children

believe

to

prevails

of
that

inclined

am

characterise

to

as

lips;

H.

which
heads'

negroes

Greeks

Paris.

at

custom

pressing

The

is

as

glyphical
hiero-

flattened

CHAP.

VI.]

sider

this

KINGDOM

OF

NEW

SPAIN-

II7

long oppressedcast in their present state

of degradation. The
better sort of Indians,among
whom
a certain
degree of intellectual culture might
be supposed,perishedin great
ment
part at the commenceof the Spanishconquest, tlie victims of European
ferocity.The Christian fanaticism broke out
in a particular
manner
againstthe Aztec priests
; and
the Teopixqui,or' ministers
of the divinity,and
all
those who

inhabited the

who

Teocalli,*or

might be considered as
historical,
mythological,and
ol

the

countr}',

observed

the

God,

of

depositoriesof the
astronomical
knowledge
exterminated
; for the priests

were

the

shade

the meridian

regulated

houses

in

The

calendar.

and

the

gnomons,
monks
burned

the

kind
of
hieroglyphical
paintings,by which
every
knowledge was transmitted from generationto generation.

people,deprived of these means

plunged in an ignorance so much

The
were

deeper
Mexican
ideas
who

the

as

in

had

missionaries

the conquerors
the Indians
were

in which
were
as

whom

were

of
How

few

the

the
new

vv^omen

chose

Tlie

rather

contempt

diers
Spanish sol-

for

eager

more

these

had
then

ances,
alli-

followed
consisted

sans,
artipoor cultivators,
of weavers,
great number

like beasts

dregs of
bore

the

witness

and
institutions,

oppression,and

all the
shall

we

From

of

burden,

the

time

great cities of

the

judge, then, from

Teotl, Ggd,
";

and

people,those crowds
the imperfection
to

the existence

fiU.d,in

who

I.

share

held.

used

were

of the social

VOL,

to

in

Indian

fortune

the

indigentrace,

of those
especially
of begg::rs,who

empire.

The

few
European women
very
The
remaining natives

among
porters, who

streets

than

the

much

so

the army.
only of the most

the

substitute

languages, and could

the place of the old.
preservedanv share of

allywith

to

unskilled

were

struction,
of in-

of
o;

feudal

Corttz,
Mexican
these

mi-

remains

serable

cultivation

of

sixteenth

the

French

of

and

twelfth

of
to

lopment
intellectual deve-

the

If all that

nation

German

or

u:

degree

the

from

susceptible?

it is

which

of the

risen

it had

century,

of

the

powerful people,of

which

to

[book

THE

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

113

mained
re-

few

were

in their features
read
could
we
agriculturists,
had
that
produced
they belonged to nations which
and
Descartes
Clairaut, a Kepler and a Leibnitz ?
a
in Europe the lower
that even
We
observe
ple,
peo-

poor

centuries, make

for whole

the

very
time

little at this
of

the

north

day from

what

Fourth

the

Henry

When

Cortez,

historians,as

CholoUan,

Tezcuco,

the

Montezuma

Second,

of the Indians of
portrait
same
nudity in the warm

the
the
of

in the

dress

difference

the

when

of

What

have

had

they

is here

asserted

mountainous

in
the

highlands.

the

statistical

character
a

of the

Of

account

observable
doubt.

Tran".

of

but

abundant

settle,

surmountab
in-

almost

ropeans,
Eu-

the

Scotland

ago.

might

barren

great obstacles
that

successfully overcome
proof might be

Scotland,

in the

ted
insula-

not

and

oppose
it is believed

more

this

bits
ha-

same

kept

highlands of

fifty years
ever

been

form

sam.e

dare

them

see

great change

are

whites

We

the

any

they

time

oppressed by magistrates

are

country
and
civilization
seldom

can

between

must

have

time.

own

co,
Mexi-

perceive

we

regions, the

the

foundation

more

think

our

when

of

in the

language places an

barrier
when

cotemporary

inhabitants

we

How

place in the Indians

in villagesin which

ten
Diaz, writ-

other

table-land, and

life.

domestic

in
lake

central

is related in the

Tlascala,

and

First.*

the

of Bernal

the

of

state

the

in

were

James

naivete, and

the

to

they

^nd

the memoirs

admirable

with

Scotland, differ

of

what
attentively

consider

we

letters of

of

of

inhabitant

and

in

progress

peasant of Brittany or Normandy,

The

civilization.

slow

very

did

not

the

highland regiments

and
to

these

provement
imstacles
obthan

found

high

establish

in

moral

it beyond

number,
monil

the end
I do

the

has

been

had

an

of

they

intercalated
with

lOI

years
Romans, and

that

but

they
with

communication

they immediately
country

some

drew

than

ed
tempt-

arc

Americans
for

12th'

selves,
them-

it

their

to

nations
New

of

Spain

century

and

geographicalmap

by them,

traversed

of their

the end

the effect of the

not

in the

that

duration

the

appeared in
the

mencement
com-

consider

cultivated

very

up

in the

accuracy

indebted

were

the Aztecs

7th, and

interesting

this

Egyptians,we

Toultecs

The

Asia.

in the

at

is
that this progress
development of the

intellectual

Mexicans

the

more

believe

central

own

only expect

can

what

Spanish conquest

that

cycle

to

their

from

already entered upon

of this chapter. When
we
almost
exact
knowledge of

Greeks,*

the

they

here

discuss

to

before

great

wiien

short,

mean

the year,

the

ng

civil

not

subject

of

SPAIN-

NEW

talks
who
improxement from a man
of mysteries, dogmas, and ceremonies, of
of whicli they arc ignorant.

them

were

in

and,

and

they

OF

through poHticalconsiderations

chosen

to

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

constructed

of

cities,

pyramids
highwa3's,dikes, canals, and immense
accurately designed, of a base of 438 metresf
veiy
feudal
litary
in length. Iheir
system, their civil and mialready so complicated, that
hierarchy,were
must
events
we
a
long succession of political
suppose
of the singular concatenabefore
the establishment
tion
of the nobilityand clergy, and
of authorities
before a small portionof the people, themselves
the
slaves of the Mexican
sultan,could ha\'e subjugated
*

M.

which

Laplace
of

duration

identical
For

discovered

1 furnished
the

him

tropical

duration

in the

materials

found

year

of

by

the

this observation, of such

origin

of the Aztecs,

troiaieTue

edition, p.

t 1,436 feet.

see

554.

Tra?is.

intercalation, for

Mexican

by Gama,

collected
the

Mexicans

importance

ExttoaitioJi

du

is almost
of

astronomers

in the

that

the

Almamon.

history of

Siji'tine

the

cfu

the

.\/cmh-i

12(5"
the

POLITICAL

great

ON

ESSAY

of the nation.

mass

THE

We

have

theocratical forms

in South

for such

of

of government
those of the Zac^

[book

ij.

examples

of

America

cient
Bogota, (the anCundinamarca,) and of the Inpa of P^ru, two
extensive empires, in which despotism was
ed
concealunder
the appearance
of a gentleand patriarchal

were

But

government.
of

Now

that these

free

existence

of

constitutions

republicsdoes

civilization. How
of the Mexican

is it

nation

cultivation,when

which

their

The

empire

mysterious

the

was

personage,
lived in the

Mozcas,

formed.

be

can

indicate

not

very recent
that a part

doubt

possible to

had

arrived

at

we

reflect

on

The

certain

the

degree
with

care

composed,

were

Zac, which

of the

Granada,

ried
wea-

republican consti"
long popular struggles

hieroglyphical
booksf

of New
a

only after

it is

small colonies,

themselves

tjTanny, gave

tutions.

of

Mexico,

in

dom
coiriprehended the kingfounded
Idaganzas
Bochica,
or
by
who, according to liie traditions of
ring
temple of the sun at Sogamozo du-

2,000 years.
t The
or

stag skins

on

(85
from

(French)

centimetres,

10

of surface.

in the form

semblance

to

our

made

ever

and

are

either

on

agave

frequentlyfrom

20

to

in

of

100

do

of them

150

No

are

boards

give

nation

of the

we

of

use

real

see

per,
patres
me-

page
inches
square
folded here
and

and

binding,

in quarto.
extensive

an

to

22

contains

each

thin wooden

and

their

form

books

and

manuscripts

rhomb,

such

none

from

or

These

extremities

the

to

they

written

are

English feet)in length ;

71

to

7 to

there

manuscripts

Aztec

ed
fasten-

them

are-

nent
old conti-

ting
hieroglyphicalwribound

books

in the

with
confound
must
not
describing. We
Aztec
other
paintings,composed of the same
of
signs, but in the form
tapestriesof 63 decimetres, or 60
in the arof them
chives
feet, (French.) I have seen
some
square

"way I have,
these
books

been

of the

viceroyalty

fragments
the picturesque atlas
of them,

of my

The
with
French
.9553

travels.

numbers
another.

one

which

1.3645

I have

and

caused

accompanies

I
to

the

myself possess
engraved in

be

historical

count
ac-

Author.

in the
A

above

note

centimetre

inch, consequently
and

Mexico

of

which

French

and

square

are

is
10

totally irreconcilable
of a
equal to .36941
centimetres
arc
only

inches, and

nothing

like

POLITICAL

122

THE

ON

which
cultivation,

in moral

vances

ESSAY

is the

[book

ii-

result

of

individual

libertyalone.
In the portrait
which we draw of the different races
of men
composing the population of New
Spain,
the Mexican
Indian in his
shall merely consider
we
We
lity
actual state.
perceivein him neither that mobisensation, gesture,

of
of
noxiai

for which

mind

regionsoi

There
than

contrast

the

their

own

Mexican

also

Indian

is grave,
is not
under

long as he
liquors.

so

in Indian

This

than
a

The

features

him

Indian

He

los

cipio, si
rar

con

cia,

el dia

reconcile
that

throw

to

the

les procurasse
presuncion," he
con

cortar."

continues,

que

la

vezes

"

lo que

En

las

as

the

JVoticias
"

largos

misma

cosa,

dixeron

al
de

tambien

"fundan

sobresalen

of

his

modo

este

state

account

in

Indians

savage

nada

to

repose

altogether this
given by UUoa

anadir

sin

no

la habilidad

loves

absolute

first describes

entero

of intoxicating

indifferent actions.

most

discursos, repitiendo muchas

durarian

silent,*

at

Mexican

the

from

once

taciturnitywith

Americanas.

influence

The

passions are never

paintedin his
is something frightful
in seeing

there

It is uiffiofcltto

cu

and
all at

pass

melancholic, and
the

of

men

Europeans.

the

to

Indian

the
the

to

negroes

The

over

violent

most

this contrast,

the age of four or

and maturity
intelli_^ence

more

air

marked

more

able
remarkgravityis particularly

-white childl'en.

mvsterious

impetuous vivacityof
apparent phlegm of the

children, v/ho,

five, display much

the

of

the

the

but

race,

vity
acti-

equitinguished.
advantageouslydis-

exist

feelingof
only preferthe

not

nations

so

cannot

and

negro,
From
a

women

are

that between

Congo

Indian.

several

Africa

that

feature, nor

or

otras

su

prinperocien-

personas

Euiopeas con
quienes tratan, persuadendose a que los indua
con
cen
su
franquearles lo que descan
grande cloqucncia."
Indians ; but
This
be thought only to apply to the savage
may
he

el

adds,

"

Lou

Indios

reducidos

son

largos, cansados, e importunos

lenguage no fuese distinto,podria

Peru

hablabaen
4

el Norte

lo mismo
hasta
creerse

al contrario."

en

sus

el cxtremo
que

un

(p. 33'1.)

sos,
discur;.

Indio
Trana.

y si
del

CHAP.

of

KINGDOM

VI

unrestrained

and

violent
Indian

more
possesses
ot" the Mexican

the energy
These

differences

the

different

religionsand

the

two

different

In

the

their

of

midst

of

is
energy
of Tlascala.

scendants
present degradation, the de-

guished
republicansare still to be distincertain
spired
haughtiness of character, in-

those

by

of their
by the memory
Americans, like the
have
who
long groaned

The

This

inhabitants

the

of

governments

times.

by
displayedparticularly

123

vian
Peruagitation.The
gentleness of manners
;
ness.
degenerates into harshhave
their originin
may

in former

countries

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

former

grandeur.

Hindoos

other

and

under

civil and

tions
na-

tary
mili-

their customs,
to
despotism, adhere
manners,
with
and
opinions,
extraordinaryobstinacy. I say
of Christianity
has proopinions, for the introduction
duced
almost
than
of

of

substitute

to

In the

continent, as well

new

hands

the

Indians

their

them

sentiments
believe
reverend

without
that

wearied

either

from

old

to

in the

and

huvs

been

wished

have

not

only

Spaniards- Such
in New
principal Indians

why

old
had

they

Indian

all

get

was

in its place ?
''

as

you

discontented

leaving

Cporque

le

them

hago

We

"

seem

with
in

did

not

act

imagine,
our
gods that
good earnest,
to

saber, que

estuvamos

to

com-

conlcntctl
rid

well

oi
tlie

were

Spain, it
their

up

least

at

chief

tlirown

them

such

at
to

tlu

divinities

new"

of tiie

an

from

gods appeared to

have

to

alone.

lized
old, half civi-

receive

to

to

of persuasion,

not

we

inay

by

asked

religion
adopted

ovni

or
proof, or investi;^ation,
dispute,and

replied,
and

symbols

ceremonies

and

strangers."* la

the

When

father

about
others"

the

Acosta.

of Christ
he

and

arrival
of

Indian

appear

gods,

the

at

nev/

conqueror

vanquished
the gods of

The

as

accustomed

were

of the

yieldto

with

the

ceremonies,

new

of Mexico

events
produced by political

was

nations

Indians

the

the effect of constraint

was

and

and

on

religion,to the
gentleand humane
sanguinary worship. This change
rites

new

effect

other

no

ly,"
inconsiderate-

so

for
wc

were

we

rated
delibe-

had
and
ya

so

adopting
tan

cansa-

POLITICAL

X24

ESSAY

plicatedmythology

ON

THE

that of the

as

[book

Mexicans,

u.

it was

between
the divinities of
affinity
the divinity
of the east.
and
Cortez
even,
artfullytook sfdvantageof a popular tradition,
very
according to which the Spaniards were
merely the
of king Quitzalcoati,who
left Mexico
descendants
find

easy to
Aztian

out

an

situated

for countries

civilization and

them

laws.
in

Indians

the

posed by

the

in

hieroglyphicsat

conquest, of

of the

east, to carry among

The
ritual books
comthe

ning
begin-

which

several
possess
that at that period chiis-

fragments, evidently shovv

with the Mexican
confounded
was
tianity
with the
is identifiecf
the Holy Ghost
the

they

favoured

even

of

do

ship
wor-

natives.*

sas

de

not

have

to

seem

from

nos

man-

otra

ley.)

which

possible, after

all

when

of

want

get

safe;

was

selves
them-

Indians

the

to

parting
a^drop of

concerned

which

great object was

Their

much
concerned
very
from
snatched
hell for

as

and

soul

tized
bap-

many

they

could

were

be

not

in the

water

came
be-

place

una
no
rancho, Gu(Ay
gota en
in
indefatigable scenting out dying
21.) They
An
old woman
(anciana)
people, para lograr sus almas.
the point of death,
who, from seeing baptism and death generally

critical

the

at

moment.

milla^ II.

on

so

of
she

reason,

father,

"

be

to

die,

the

as

to

baptize

for fear

her.

of death.

to

case,"

(Yo

says
however

cries

tambien
Father

the

motives

Gumilla,

of that
:

old

quiero

troublesome

stubbornness

itself v.ith such

sociated
very naturallyasinseparable,long resisted all the

baptizeyou to secure
vida
(Para assegurarle una

the

immediately."
praised God,"
likes

mind
father

had

another,

one

upon

said it was

I want

If that

holy

end."

never

close

in her

them

attempts

el

were

follow

"

the

among

que los y doles

dexarlos
y tomai'

co

motives

the

about

christians.
as

the christian

Trans.

357,

much

las

tratado

missionaries

The

of which

means

con

aviamos

davan, que

certain

easilyintroduced

y descontentos,

Acosta,.p.

to

ideas,by

more

was

dos

missionaries

The

Aztecs.

mythology :
sacred eagle of
not
only tolerated,
this amalgaextent,
mation

but

When
"

you
que

woman,

que
"

on

1"

asked

her

replies

the

life that

a
no
"

se

will

accabe.)

baptize

me

I
bautices.)
seeing that nobody
"

me

I admired
life may
be, and
still flatter
which
heart
could
I

immcdiritelv

bantizcd

her."'

KINGDOM

OMAf.vi.]

that

times,

with

the

ritual

Aztec

the

in

the learned, who

which

ardour

same

in

America

in

aheady preached

been

in very

gospel had,

the

its traces
they investigated

and

125

They persuaded them

remote

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

our

study of the Sanscrit, display in

the Greek
the analogy between
mythology
discussing
and that of the Ganges and the Barampooter.
days

in the

engage

vol. II. p. 25.

(^Luego la bautice.) Gumilla,

more
entcrtiiinin^than the
themselves

compelled
of

sons

Vices

of the
have

to

Adam,

obrar

hijos de

la

Father

Adan.

that
that

Not

nature.

kind

views

; but

their

females

above

the
"

drift

the

sidered
piously con-

very
It must

long

of human

and

acquisitionof

Presents

time.

obtain

to

have

every
be

great

to." This

to

was

where

battery

to

was

perceived
de

occulta

ser

Indian's

the

into his

entering

which

influence

the

the

be
all

least

prelude
serves,
ob-

them

capacity for piety,and

in the

ha

owned

be

them, vvcre
naturally possessed over
"
of
The
females," one
grand attack.

firiinera bateria

esta

religionfor

all, the

first attended

be

of

to

than

naivete

displayed great knowledge

word

means.

offices,and long endeavours

by anticipatinghis wants,

confidence

to

the
justified

end

missionaries

the

and

the

instructions

v.-ith more

open
but the father

were

aquellos infe"

de

his

in

Gumilla,

they

unfortunate

those

dicha

eterna

missionaries, lays them

young
prudence, as we might think ;

which

to

gain over

to

recourse

fmra

finesse

be

can

ries
missiona-

the

given by

uccounLs

and

arts

Nothing

must

concealed, for if
lost.
{Toda
was
Missionero;

de fiarte del

'

(Gumilla, vol. I. p. 355.)

fiorque .si se acla7'a,fiierdc elviage.')
of the labours
innumerable
After givinga summary
shifts
and
of these

indefatigable soul-hunters, {Cazadorcs de Almas,)

with
the
overpowered
retrospect, the missionary feelingly
exclaims.
tieneu
O ! quien podra explicar las ganas,
que

aquelfobCazadorcs
cosas,

centes

sin

se

legue

pclig

of the

One

placed,

were

which
al

de

Almas,

la

hora

was

Cacique

how

el

poder

bien

compongan

bautizar

reject the offer

them,
generally made
ya

los

aquellos

rostro,) and

the

of

las

inno-

(con

answered

-holy fathers

female

without

principalesgentiles.
la mayor
modestia
that all his love

it is

se

difficulties in which
to

modestly blushed,
ado

de

que

greatest
was

de

nion,
compa-

giving

When

the

bien
was

fence
of-

ther
fa-

sonrose-

in heaven,

it occaimpossible to tell the fright and consternation

sioned.
decir
(No sabre
causa
esta
quanta noveduti, y espauto
Trajif.-.
semejante respuesta.) Gumilla, vol. I. p. S56.
VOL.

I.

II

POLITICAL

126

These

ESSAY

THE

ON

circumstances, which

another

[book

will

be

detailed

explain why the Mexican

notwithstandingthe obstinacy with which
work,

is derived

whatever

to

from

ii-

their

in

Indians,

they

here
ad-

fathers,have

easilyforgotten their ancient rites. Dogma has

not
succeeded
to dogma, but ceremony
to ceremony.
The
natives know
but the exterior
nothing of religion
forms
of worship. Fond
of whatever
is connected
with a prescribedorder
of ceremonies, they
find in the christian religionparticular
enjoyments.
so

The

festivals of the church, the fireworks

they are
dances

of

source

these

for

amusement

assumed

have

been

of

the

transplanted. In

the

the

natives

them

with

themselves

to

the

shades

the

ridge of

and

this

From

the
plain!)"

impolicy

attempted
Had
and

they

sent

in

foicign

away

presbyterianswhich

of this

both
Germany,
parts
where,
an
equal number

in Ireland,
made

great

they

word

of God,

would

have

singing, and
economical
than

The

of

up

mor^

of

ling
tinkaltar,

the host.*

discover
have

more

to
hither-

been

in Sweden,
and

the

north

the
Lord

knows

catholic

of Otaheite

people

these

culiar
pe-

Pasto,

might already, perhaps,

give
more
as

well

This

fireworks.

keeping

distribution

the

volatile

give us no
probably just

and

around

may

island,

they

been

corporated
in-

missionary societies.
anabaptists, methodists,

missionaries

These
but

our

conversion

dancing,
method

the

of

progress.

exclaimed,
the

the

"

our

they picked

of

small

conversions

parts by
of the

riana
Ma-

I have

with

elevated

instead

are

Andes,

the

of

dances

which

they

province of

singular descriptionAve
with

rites

where

which

adorned

St. Francis

of

monk

in

country

in the

bells, perform savage

displayed

the christian

ceremonies

and

In

Philippineand
Malay race have

of the

Cordillera

Indians, masked

while

is

the
;

Indians.

lower

character

national

islands,the

seen

the

individuality.Everywhere

have

on

processionsmingled with
fertile
disguises,are a most

whimsical

festivals the

all its

the

accompanied,
and

which

with

people

hatchets.

The

very

still

us

contented
a

have

ingly
feel-

plenty

hatchets;"
is

thren
bre-

much

assembled

catholics

of

but
with
more

ther
togewent

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

Accustomed

OF

NEW

SPAIN.

i27

long slavery, as well under tlic

domination
of their own
bovcrcigns as under that of
the natives of Mexico
the first conquerors,
patiently
suffer the vexations to which
posed
they are frequentlyexfrom
the whites.
They oppose to them
only a
deceitful appearances
cunning, veiled under the most
of apathy and
stupidity. As the Indian can
very
himself
the Spaniards,he delights
on
rarely revenge
in making a common
with
them
for the opcause
pression
to

of

his

fellow-citizens.

own

Harassed

for

and

compelled to a blind obedience, he wishes

The
Indian villages
are
tyrannizein his turn.
verned
gorace
by magistratesof the copper- coloured
;

ages,
to

and

Indian

an

much

exercises

alcalde

his

with

power
is sure

the greater

so

of being
because
he
severity
supported by the priest,or the Spanish subdelegado.
effects,
Oppression produces everywhere the same
it every

better

corrupts the

where

They,

work.

to

morals.*

knew

too,

the

this

of

power

of

sort

vidrio,
bribery. Se deba llevar avaloi'ios,cuentas
Gentiles
los
cuchillos, anzuelos, y otras buxerias,que para
son
de mucho
that
aprecio." (Gumilla, I. 349.) But they knew
all
this source
set
must
soon
dry up ; and the holy fathers
the
who
their natural
to
gain over
women,
gallantry to work
whether
in
that
be
seem
to
equally susceptible
quarter,
savage
hatchet

civilized,

or

them.

said

of their

beauty

modo

su

women
ver

present

he

life of

the

life

becomes

not

in

worth

of

en

sus

state

then

the

of this
a

master

very

revenue

The
most

/as

! Trans.

of all

is synonymous
are
Gre-^ks, who

too

slave

masters;
there
with

much
are

of

results

West-Indian

Turkey,

sus

y haga
Inclias.
How

dog,

in

ther,
fa-

tas
fies-

different

cruel

ressed
caa

en

unfortunately affords

maxim.
is the

tome

of missionaries

world

negro's cat, or
having. The

collecting the

the

classes

two

of

at

arms

casas,

the

and

that, says

accaricie

aquellos parvulos,
esto
apprecian grandement

illustration

an

when

up

de

of these

The

Indios

los

women,

in their
fond

follow

soon

praised

the

very

are

to

them

le

endeavours

good
and

va

took

would

aware

were

things

children,

astonished

to

we

the

kind

be

are

Quando
alguno

they

men

The

them.

the

as

They

brazos

de

"

ployed
em-

infinitely

ESSAY

POLITICAL

128

As

Indians

the

class of

almost
and

peasantry
their

judge

of

life.

I know
of

certain

ON

THE

all of

them

of

race

the

When

appear
Indian

civilization,he

of

degree

an

not

to

ii.

the

easy to
embellish

so

which

arts

who

men

imagination.

belong

people, it is

low

aptitudefor
no

[book

titute
des-

more

attains

displays a great

of apprehension,a judiciousmind, a natural

facility
logic, and a particulardispositionto subtilize or
seize the finest differences in the comparison of objects.
He
manifests

that

sentiment, and
tribes

he

orderly, but

never

of imagination,that glow
versatility

that creative

the nations

characterize
several

cooily and

reasons

of

of

African

and
the

of

animatingart which
south of Europe, and
I deliver

negroes.*

this

We
opinion,however, with great reserve.
ought to
be infinitely
circumspect in pronouncing on the moral
of nations
intellectual dispositions
from -which
or
we
are
separatedby the multipliedobstacles which result
from
difference in language, and a difference
of
a
and
A
customs.
manners
philosophicalobserver
finds what has been printed in the centre
of Europe
the

on

national

Germans,
after
a

time

the

landingin
in

an

aistant

the

island,or
country,

rightof decidingon

persecutingthan

more

and
French, Italians,
then, should a traveller,

of

How,

inaccurate.

merely

short

character

the

Turks.

the

remaining only
arrogate

self
him-

to

dift'erent faculties of

And

the

Hindoo

has

his

grievous calamities to apprehend tVom his own

brethren,
armed
with
foreign authority. Everywhere
cunning and
from
Trans.
cruelty spring
tyranny and^oppression.

most

What

island,

must

who

and

have

our

brethren

attained

no

of
small

the

northern

reputation

part
for

of this

cal
pragmati-

who
posed
dismetaphysical
mucli
are
so
give metaphysical superiority a precedence over
all
the other
human
faculties, feel, when
they find that, most
their
future
rivals
to
not
probably,
are
spring up in any of the
rival college? of the south, or even
in anyofthp
great German
the
beardless
universities,but among
Mexican
tribes of the
the
banks
of the Orinoco.
mountains, and
Tram.
and
disposition,

to

POLITICAL

130

Without

cation.

ESSAY

the

purely

fail of

mechanical

becoming

manufactures
a

day

shall take their

Mexican

Indians

for flowers

taste

made

the

to

Cortez

most

valuable

ambassadors

Montezuma.

This

had

collected

gardens

of

be

to

created.

the

which

be

could

visited the
and

his

of

great number

predecessors
plantsin the

rare

hand-tree, the
Cervantes, of which

famous

IjyM.

long time only a singleindividual was

very high antiquity,
appears to indicate
Toluca

cultivated also

part of Mexico.
Charles

trees

known
that the
to that

strangers

in his letters

Cortez,

of

court

kings of

same

in his time.

treat

monarch

described

yet

preserved

who

the

country where

found

Istapalapan.The

of

cheirostemon,*
for

to
flight

which

the

was

nosegay

aptitudecannot

valuable, when

have

of

arts

greater stillfor

remains

regenerating
government
The

of the

This
very

ii.

track,they

beaten

much

arts.

some

[book

the exercise

theydisplaya

and

THE

leavingthe

ever

display great aptitudein

imitation

ON

the

to

ror
Empe-

the Fifth,

boasts of the industry

frequently
which the Mexicans
displayedin gardening; and
he complainsthat they did not send him
the seeds of
ornamental
useful
he deflowers and
manded
plants which

for his friends of Seville and

for flowers

taste

beautiful

undoubtedly indicates

Madrid.

The

relish for the

findingit in a
nation in which
quency
a
sanguinaryworship and the freof sacrifices appeared to have extinguished
of the soul, and
whatever
related to the sensibility
kindness
In the great market-placeof
of aftection.
*

M.

and

Equinoxiales,
roots

of the

Montpellier
for the
we

the

the

has

Bonpland

form

have

vol.

Arbol
and

celebrated

form

at

of

drawing

i. p. 75. pi. 24.

for some
de las manitas
have
been
The

of its corolla
into

Jacquin

of its fruits.

given

Paris.

introduced

astonished

are

we

as

the

could

cheirostemon
the

Mexican

European
not

it in

our

Plantcs

little time
in

is

the
as

gardens,and
the

of

rcmarluxble
which

gyrocarpus

discover

past,

gardens

of

which

flower, is for

KINGDOM

VI.]

"^HAP.

the

Mexico

OF

native

sells

NEW

SPAIN.

jgi

peaches, nor ananas, nor

juice of the agave,)
pulque, (the fermented
roots, nor
with
Avithout
flowers,
having his shop ornamented
The
which
Indian merchant
are
day renewed.
every
in

seated

appears

no

intrenchment

im

in height,
hedge of a metre*
particularlyof gramina with
like

the

The

of

smooth

by garlands of
Small

another.

one

between

the

of

with

strewn

fruits

which

nosegays
give this

festoons

carpet

flowers

herbs,
leaves, surrounds

delicate

of fresh

wall

bottom

verdure.

formed

semicircular

sale.

public

of

oflered

to

is divided

green,

parallelto
placed symmetrically
run

the

enclosure

flowers.

The

ance
appear-

European

of the lower
delights in studying the customs
and
help being struck with the care
people, cannot
elegance the natives display in distributing the fruits
of
which
light wood.
they sell in small cages
very
The
sins,
rai(achras,)the mammea,
sapotilles,
pears, and
who

the bottom
occupy
odoriferous
flowers.

with
and

had

flowers

when,
rites, the
fruits of
These

its

the

This

art

the

of

entwining

Anahuac,

fruits

happy

riod
peof inhumtui

like

the

great spiritTeotl

the

oflfered up to
their harvest.

that

introduction
of

first inhabitants

scattered

top is ornamented

origin,perhaps, in

before

long

w^hile

features, characteristic

the

ruvians,
Pefirst

the

of

tives
na-

Mexico, belong to the Indian peasant, whose

have
civilization,as we
already stated, is somewhat
of

akin

to

only

to

that

of the

Chinese

and

Japanese.

am

able

of the

imperfectly the manners

the Spaniards include
pastoralIndians, whom

under

the denomination

portray

still

more

oi

IndiosBravoSy

I have

and

of whom

individuals, brought to
a few
merely seen
The
Mecos
capitalas prisoners of war.
(a tribe
*

1-4

feet.

the
of

ON

Chichimecks,)the Apaches,

the
of

Sonora,
those

mind

New

of

South

Indians.

civilization.

learning

character

Indian

observer, hold

missions

the

of the

Caribs

is

lower

proves

vimong

1-2,

All

he

volumes
Storia

dl

of

in

end

and

vowels,

none

of

But
though they
pronounce.
inarticialate
nothing of the
appearance
the

South

expressed
peccari

Sea.

regard
From

who

one

children

teni.

these

thou

eat

has

no
:

mother,

one

Macchivacaneteni.,

who

has

one
no

matuteni,

who

wife,

dians,
In-

seem

form

and

of

Mexico.
stantly
con-

says,

cult
diffi-

are

they have
languages

vowel

show

these

would

? is

thus

iti

fiare

JVunaimari
to

In

samples

to-morrow

The

1780-

the

the

languages

of the

in

to

in vowels,

end

Maipurese
language
will
serve
following
Maipurese
language :

of the

no

Rome,

Americans..

with

the

in

ufne

What

wilt

years
of their

masteu
at

Orinoco.

to

of

eighteen

became

of their

gives

natural

the
among
the language

of them
languages, some
be remarkably
expressive, as v/ell as sonorous,
the
latter
those
to
a
singular contrast
respect
words
of the
Orinochese
the
languages, he

which

in

and

resided

information

particularly those
to

their

which

and

octavo

Saggio

is much

there

break

when

volubilityof tongue

who

Orinoco,

three

entitled

he

volumes

ancient

an

for hours

to

of

missionary,

published

which

guages
lan-

even

sonorous.*

of the

nations

languages,

well

as

great

discourses

Oiinoco,

and

Italian

an

the

Biscay,

possess

Spanish Guiana,

of

singularlyrich

*GiUj,

most

nobilityof
the agricultural

than

of them

them
great interest excites
any
silence.
the same
We
observed
in

New

of

display more

experience

the

difficultyin
European idioms, while
they express
with
in their own
great facility.These
solemn
chiefs, whose
nishes
taciturnity asto-

our

the

for

n.

hordes

savages,

mechanism

the

They

themselves
very

Lipans, are

These

tribes

Some

which

of

of

force

the

frontiers

the

America,

more

[book

THE

incursions,

Mexico.

and

and

their

infest

nocturnal,

part

in

who,

hunters,

as

ESSAY

POLITICAL

i32

the
has

siveness
expres-

father,

no

one

maanitutcni,

who

has
maaiii-

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

After

OF

NEW

SPAIN.

133

examining the physicalconstitution

faculties

Indians, it

the

of

tellectual
in-

and

remains

for

us

The
give a rapid survey of their social state.
historyof the lower classes of a people is the relation
of the events
time a
which, in creatingat the same
to

of fortune, enjoyment,and
inequality
happiness,have gradually placeda part of

individual

great

under

the tutory and control

in vain
this relation

seek

They

transmit

Here

are

to

few

languages, with

the

us

of the other.

Tamanac

the

in

ones

shall

of

history.
great politi-

of the

memory

corresponding

the

We

in the annals

from

vocables

the nation

and

Maipurese
English.
Mai

p.

Peni
.

Eno
.

Veni

Nape

Chie
Catti

Ussi.

Gilijdescribes
which

sounds

gives a

very

the

into

sitten for

ma

che

I'amore

nuno.

delle

una

nazione

lingua

Orinochesi

siccome

(ilche

schielti

poco

I'innata loro
Father
the

tribes
VOL.

che

that

turning

and

tures
ges-

them

French

the

in cui

non

of the

tanto

tutti, ed

con

tion
na-

la
un

ad

chi

di

umore

appena

poco,

chi

parlano quasi tutti.

gran

pregio)sono

internamente

aglialtri.

Trans.
I

Quin-

conoscano.

og-

trovasi

in

qualche Maipure, La
imparare, e divenuta tragli

; e

compajono
speaks highly

Orinoco.

li

siavi

non

moda

bene,

i forestieri.

tratlono

gliEuropeitutti, che
piu si affaciano all

amicizie

toglieloro

civilta

Gumilla

I.

loro

facilissima

chi

mediocremente,

cui

con

lingua di

una

nondimeno

he

of

Indiani,

Fanno

Orinoco
loro

portan

forse

v' ha

Non

mimicry,
language and
of

the

raffabilita,e I'amorevolezza
di

and

ihe Maipurese.
following portrait
Orinochesidi
son
gli
genio
adunque parlando,
i Maipuri per
nazione
altra
ogni
spiccano
sopra

"GenerahDcntc

allegro;

of

purpose

think, almost,

would

One

ridicule.

libidinous,

as

Indians

to

powers
the

tliey counterfeit

missionaj'ies, for the

the

had

of their

account

in which

of

Orinoco

singularly applied,

amusing

manner

of the

nations

the

rather

of the

buoni,
Vol.
state

molto,
I

chi

Maipuri

inconstant!,
quanto

pe:

ii. p. 43.

of music

among

cal

ESSAY

POLITICAL

134

ON

THE

[book

conquests, and the other

revolutions, wars,

u,

ges
scour-

humanity; but they inform

less deplorablelot of the
us
or
nothing;of the more
class of society. The
most
numerous
poorest and
*;'Ailtivator
enjoys freely,only in a very small part of
Europe, the fruits of his lal"our ; and we are forced
is not so much
the result
that this civil libert}^
to own
which

of

violent crises

true

civilization,as

advanced

an

taken

inflicted

have

during

class

one

intellectual

and
of the

concatenation

such, that in

cultivation

springswhich

move

part of the nation

one

make
a
may
very remarkable
situation of the lower ordtrs

Almost

the

this

doubt

but

state

the
is

cultivation
the

ved.
impro-

becoming more
north
of Europe

whole

has
The

without

progress

those

state

one

or

advantage of the dissensions of the other.

of social institutions depends no
perfection

information

on

which

the effect of

to

confirms

countries
are
experience. There
there,
where, notwidistandingthe boasted civilization of
the peasant still lives in
the higher classesof
society,
the same
degradationunder which he groaned three
We
four centuries ago.
should
think
or
higher,
of
the Indians were
we
perhaps,of the situation
this

sad

that of the peasants of Courland,

the north of Germany.
a great part of
scattered
Indians
whom
we
see
throughout

lo

compare
Russia, and

The

it with

the

the plainsof
spread especiallyover
number
(withoutincludingthose of

cities,and
Mexico, whose
mixed

blood) amounts

to

two

millions

and

cither descendants
of

few

great

with
to

cultivate

of the old peasantry,

Indian
families, who,

the
with

formerly cultivated for

diversityhas a sensible

half,are

the remains

liance
disdaining alpreferredrather

Spanish
their

or

concjuerors,
the fields which
hands
them

by

influence

their vassals.
the

were

This

state
political
them
into tributary
of the natives, and divides
and
The
noble or caciqueIndians.
latter,by the Spanish
of the
laws, ought to participatein the privileges
Castilian nobility.But in their present situation this
on

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

OP

SPAIN.

NEW

J35

difficult
mertly an illusoryadvantage. It is now
their exterior,the caciquesfrom
from
distinguish,

is
to

those

Indians

whose

II.

constituted
The

nation.
dress

and

misery
with
the

the

the

lower

of

he

living,and

loves

can
Mexi-

simplicityof

from

the

his

aspect of

ed
exhibit, is easilyconfound-

to

tributaiyIndian.

former

of Montezuma

oi' the

cast

the

noble, from

mode

which

in the time

ancestors

The

latter shows

indicates

respect which

the

to

distance

prescribedby the ancient constitutions of the Aztec

hierarchy. The families who enjoy the hereditary
far from protecting
the tributarv
rightsof Cacicasgo,
of the natives,more
cast
frequentlyabuse their power
and their influence.
in
Exercising the m:igistracy
the Indian
tax
: the^
they levy the capitation
villages,
of the
not only delightin becoming the instruments
oppressionsof the whites ; but they also make us^
and authorityto extort
small sums
of their power
for
informed
their own
inteiKlants,
advantage. Well
have

who
to

attention

much

bestowed

on

the

them.

of the

members

vulgarityof

civilization

with

of native

following the
find

more

convent

Indian
young
the
When

state

same

Mexicans,

sword

appears

the

or

Indians

in that
particularly
the

Indians.

of

in

only

to

rabbins
confided

want

same

press
opto

the
of

They remain,

insulation

and

amples
ex-

enjoying the Cacicasgo,

law are
rare.
infinitely
ecclesiastical functions,

:
parishpriests

have

the solitude

attractions

of

for the

girls.

Spaniardsmade
they found the people in
6

of

in

stilldeprived

are

nobilitydisplay
the

me

lieavy

manner,

community
and

manners,
the lower

in the

long time
very

same

the Jews

Aztec

the

Moreover,

it were,

the

rightsof naturalization,the

the

We

In

tributary Indians.

of the

as

caciquesbore

parts of Europe where

many

same

the

oppressionsof

administration, assured

the detail df this Indian

that the

for

co,
the conquest of Mexithat state of abjectsub-

POLITICAL

136

mission

ESSAY

ON

THE

[book

ii.

poverty which

and

everywhere accompanies
bility,
despotism and feudality. The emperor, princes,noand clergy,(theteopixqui,)
alone possessedthe
fertile lands ; the governors
of provinces indulged
most
with impunity in the most
exactions
severe
;
and the cultivator
was
everywhere degraded. The
have
already observed, swarmed
highways, as we
of largequadrupeds
with mendicants
; and the want
of Indians to perform the functions
forced thousands
of

hides,

cotton,

other

and

capital. The
lower
people

commodities,
of

by

way
rendered

conquest
still

transport the

to

provincessent

remote

more

and

burden,

of

beasts

the

maize,

which

the

tribute
state

to

of

the
the

deplorable. The cultivator

the soil,and dragged to the mountains,
from
torn
was
the working of the mines
commenced
where
; and
a
of Indians
were
obliged to follow the
great number
armies, and

to

more

carry,

without

sufficient nourishment

burdens
woods,
through mountainous
repose,
their stiength. All Indian
exceeded
which
ty,
properin land or goods, was
whether
conceived
long
to beor

conqueror.
sanctioned
by

even

was

Indians

small

atrocious

principle
assigns to the
ground around the newly

law, which

portion of

churches.

constructed

continent
Spain seeing that the new
ficial
benedepopulatingvery rapidly,took measures,

The
was

This

the

to

court

of

but
in appearance,
of the conquerors

direct

against the
to

relieve.

the avarice

and

ning
cun-

contrived
[conquistadores)
people whom
they were

system

of

encomieiidas

to

tended
inwas

Indians, whose libertyhad in vain

till then
proclaimed by Queen Isabella, were

introduced.
been

very
The

which

of the

The

whites, who

selves
appropriatedthem to themof the
By the establishment
indiscriminately.
cncomiejidaSy slavery assumed
a
more
regularform.
To terminate
the quairels among
the conquistadores
the remains of the conquered people were
shared out ;
slaves

roLlTiCAL

138

have

bccQ

Charles

ON

THE

gnidually auj^menting.

the

It

the

annulled

encomiendas

of

the

he prohibited

and

ii.

King
ly
equal-

was

who, by measures
especially
the benefactor
energetic,became

He

Indians.

[book

Third

and

wise

ESSAV

the

the corregidors
by which
repartimientosy
constituted
themselves
the creditors, and
arbiti'arily
tives,
consequently the masters, of the industryof the nathem, at extravagant prices,with
by furnishing
and
establishclothes, {?'opa.)The
horses, mules
of intendancies, during the ministry of the
ment

Count

Galvez,

dc

was

prosperity.

memorable

The

minute

epoqua
vexations

for Indian

which

to

tern
incessantly
exposed from the subalSpanish and Indian magistracy,have singularly
under
the active sui:)erintendance
diminished
of the
the
Indians
tages
intendants
begin to enjoy advan; and
in general,
which
humane
laws, gentle and
aftbrded them, but of which
they were
deprived in
first choice
ages of barbarityand oppression. The
the cultivator

of

was

the persons

whom

to

the

places of intendant
extremely fortunate.

was

shared
there

not

was

or
nij^tion

iVIexico
there

does

or

of
the

whom

one

of

governor
the

Among

administration

the

confided

count

the

the

province

in

contains

cor-

of

want

is the
exist

integrity.
country of inequality.No

such

fearful dift'erence

population.
four

1804,
of

public accused

where

in the distribution

of fortune, civilization,cultivation

soil,and

who

twelve

country

portant
im-

The

cities,which

interior
not

are

of

more

the
than

of the

country
one

or

days journeydistant from one another, and possess

populationof 35,000, 67,000, 70,000, and 135,000.

two
a

The
and

central
from

with

parts
narrow
on

table-land

thence

to

from

Salamanca

la
and

Puebla

to

Mexico,

Zelaya, is covered

cultivated
like the
most
villagesand hamlets
of this
of Lombardy.
To
the east and west
of uncultivated
tracts
ground,
stripesucceed

which

cannot

be

found

ten

or

twelve

persons

to

the

square

cities have

SPAIN.

NEW

Ol-

KINGDOM

vi]

^HAP.

139

league.

The

several

scientific

establishments, which

capitaland

other

will bear

The
ture
architeccomparison with those of Europe.
of the public and
privateedifices,the elegance
of the furnivure, the equipages,the luxury and dress
of society,all announce
the tone
of the women,
a
the nakedness,
refinement
to which
ignorance, and
vulgarityof the lower people form the most striking
immense
This
contrast.
inequalityof fortune does
the cast of whites, (Europeans
not
only exist among
a

Creoles,)

or

Mexican

The
en

the

seek

from

only

any

of

of the

class

people.

in the environs
we

of
When

Indian

woman

the

of the
find

and

In

We

mouth.

ture,
na-

should

the

conceal

buried

was

francs.*

sole wealth

small

maguey
These

of the

the lowest

intendancies

Indians, who

Oaxaca

of
and

especially

Puebla

de

under

of

appearance
wealth.

Cholula,

there, who

left

to

los

an

considerable

city

we

the

much

so

appears
it among

valleyof Toluca,
great city of la

poverty

visited

independency,

expect

the

several

plantationsof
360,000

to

fortune

least

we

Valladolid,in

Angeles,

from

situation, the
political

comfortable

whose

colossal, as

more

and

families

few

indolent

who
them
for individuals
among
thing like a certain mediocrity of fortune.

Instead, however,
find

hand

Banished

in vain

almost

enjoy

their

still from

more

them

consider

misery.

extreme

dians.
In-

the

among

we

districts,and

barren

live

natives

pictureof

most

and

discoverable

even

Indians, when

offer

mas^e,

into

it is

an

her

old

dren
chil-

than
(agave)wortli more
the vineyards
are
plantations

country.

However,

there

are

caciques at Cholula ; and the Indians there are all

tributary,and distinguishedfor their great sobriety,
The
and their gentle and peaceablemanners.
ners
manexhibit
of the Cholulans
to
a
singularcontrast
no

15,0001.

sterlins:.

Trans.

POLITICAL

140

those

of

great

number

their

ESSAY

the

be

to

highesttitled nobility,and who

dispositionand
by a litigious
of mind.

turn

families
and

Cholula

at

Romeros

barefooted,

and

the

are

descendants

ii,

restless

of the

their

increase

the most

Among

[book

Tlascala, of whom

of

neighbours
pretend

THE

ON

and

poverty
lent
turbu-

wealthy Indian

Axcotlan,

Sarmientos

the

Guaxocingo, the Sochipiltecatl

;
and
especiallythe Tecuanouegues in the villagede
los Reyes.
of these families possesses
Each
a capital
of from
of livres.*
to 1,000,000
800,000
They enjoy, as we have already stated, great consideration
the tributaryIndians ; but they generally
among
go
covered
and

texture

coarse

black, in
dians

the

with

brown

same

as
way
usually dressed.

are

Indians

The

at

tunic

of

colour, approaching
the

lowest

very
from

exempted

are

Mexican

of

sort

every

the

to

In-

direct
in-

of

They pay no alcavala; and the law

full liberty
for the sale of their tions.
produc-

impost.
allows

them
The

called
voured
five

from

or

We

Junta

the

six years,

all times

has

they

tributos.

the

to

paid yearly

It

was

Fi-om

is

33,3361.

to

in

in

which

direct

the

it has

the

ages
in

same

some

of

of

ten

all the

diminished

been

years.

of

as

capitation
tax,

real

long
impost

so

In

1601, the

plataof tributo, and

real, in all nearly 23

servicio

last

the alcavala.

to

immunity

the

not

and

reals

32

these

Madrid,

between

hundred

two

graduallyreduced
"^

their

Spain ;

Indian

of

them

endea-

protect this unfortunate

to

tribute

the

reals

of

court

Indians

within

last

Indians

subject to
impost is

This

paid by the male

and
fifty. The
provinces of New

four

the

endeavoured

will preserve
shall continue

race,

Hacienda^

Real

subjectthe

to

Mexico,

within
time, especially

to

that

hope

must

superiorde

time

of

of finances

council

supreme

intendancies

41,6701. sterling.

Trans.

francs.
to

15

KINGDOM

VI.]

CHAP.

and

choacan,

in the

and

amounts
capitiition

the

Indians

In the

francs. f

five *

to

even

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

14J^

bishopric of

Mc-

the
Mexico,
francs.^ Besides,

greatest part of

at

to

present

11

parochialduty [derechosparrofor baptism,20 francs for ii certificate

marriage, and 20 francs for interment.

pay a
^uiales)of 10 francs
of

We

also

must

church
25

levies

as

and

impost

an

which

If the

misas

individual, from

In

if the

6d. and

of

names

para

animas.^

sacar

the

ror
Empewith

Indians

the

favour

de

cargos

deprived them, on the other

importantrights enjoyed by the

most

citizens.

tary,
called volun-

are

Isabella and

to

appears
imposts,it has

to

12s.

and

V.

hand, of the

the

of Queen
legislation

Charles

other

francs, ^vhich the

61

on

under

go

coj'radias,
responses

regard

these

to

every
which
francs for offerings

30

to

add

Indians

it

rational

were

cussed
formally dis-

was

beings, it

was

rrow*.

2d.

4s.

when

age

an

de J\''ueva
Colnpendio de la historia de la Real Hacienda
MsfianOf a manuscript work
Joacquin Mapresented by Don
niau, in 1793, to the Secretary of State Don
Diego de Gar-

doqui, of

which

is

there

copy

seem

to

in the

archives

of the

vice-

royalty.

to

9s. 2d.

"

The

Trans.

Spanish clergy

nidke

the

Indians

for

treasure

perfectlydisposed

been

beforehand

well

in

earthlv

heavenly felicity(eterna dicha) they

the

them.

to

pretty

pay

have

But

what

these

were

trifles

municated
com-

when

in the balance
the inrjmensityof the benefits
with
weighed
into these
imported by the catholic arms
El
provinces?
feliz tiempo," exclaims
"
Father
the reverend
Gumilla,
para
"

tantos
se

han

en

su

millones

Indios,

la Bondad
de
ya, pnr
infeliz
los
salvado, y sulvan (aui.que
para
que aun
resisten
o
la luz
ciega ignorancia, ciegamente
a

gelica)
session

de

empezo
de
las

imperios,

desdc

que

como

las

t.rnuis

angulos

'Sterna

dicha

de

del

Nuevo

aquellos

mundo

la

infelices

Trans.
I.

tomaron

estan
evan-

pov

principales provincias de aquellos dos vastos

ahora, creciendo
prosiegue hasta
siempre ea

todos

VOL.

catholicas

Dios,

luz

de

la Santa

hijosd'Adan,

Fe,

(vol.i.

para

p. 74.)

grantingthem

conceived

the

of

native

to

laws

they place
and

Indians

race,

beyond

the

of

casts, with

gation
every"obliof

value

in full

barriers

insurmountable

the other

like

signed by

act

and

maintained

are

them

to treat

null every

coloured

ii;

perpetualtutory

the

contracted

he

These

francs.

declare

copper-

which

and

under

them

minors, to put
the whites, and

benefit

[book

THE

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

142

15

vigour

the

between

all intercourse

whom

of inhabitants

can
ter
enprohibited.Thousands
which
is binding; [nopueden tratar
contract
to a perpetualminority,
;) and condemned
y contratar
themselves
and the state
in
a
charge to
they become
view
which
they live. I cannot better finish the political
of New
of the Indians
Spain than by laying befoi^
the reader
memoir
from
extract
an
a
presented by
of
Mechoacan*
the bishop and
to the king,
chapter
which
breathes
the wisest views, and
in 1799,
the

is almost

intono

liberal

most

This

respectable bishop,! whom

of knowing personally,and

his useful

Rey

cl

Americano.
inore

famous

the

This

report,\vhichI
10

the

The

with

the

They
has

always

constituted

polonies
t

Fray

Corvan,

classesof
themselves

considered

in

first

de

of the

the

San

the

surest

the

on

means

of the

de

prisons
struggle, the
putes
clergy. Discountries.

keenness,
of

casts,
of

mother

Miffuel,

Montanas

right,treated
same

this

greater
of

of the

enornies

in distant

discovery

disunion

the

side

common

much

the

dependence

Jntonio

native

very
so

authorities,

the

on

of

1795, which

into the
In

taining
con-

occasion

the

of their

people.

de

Clero

del

manuscript,

on

of

9ge

Valladolid

dc

delittos

them

cast

the

in
up

vantage
ad-

terminated

October,

try the

to

severity,and

pursued with
policy, from

European

25th

crimen-, persuaded

jurisdiction are

are

the

judge

del

who

the

Ymunidades

possess
drawn

secular

ranged

of

^i

real

was

had

advanced

Sala

lowest

aiidiencia

sheets,

eclesiastico

Jurisdiccion

than

priestswith

the

Cabildo

sobre

Cedula

permitted
clergy.

Obis/20

del

Mechoacan

life at the

laborious

and

Informe

ideas.

the

as

the

world,
of families, and
new

preserving

the

country.

monk
Sanlander.

of

St. Jerome

dc

KINGDOM

VI]

CHAP.

80, represents

NlilW

OF

monarch,

the

to

SPAIN.

tkit

143

in

the

actual

things the moral improyen'tentof the Indian

which
is impossible,if the obstacles
removed
not
arc
of national
the progress
industry. He conoppose
which
l"e lays down
fnius the principles
by several
of Montesquieu and Berfrom
the works
passages
TheL.e
nardin
citations
de
St. Pierre.
can
hardly
fail to surpriseus from
the pen of a prelatebelonging
to the regukr clergy, \yho
passed a part of his
filled an episcopalchair on
life in convents,
and who
Sea.
The
the shores of the South
populationof
New
Spain," says the bishop, towards the end of his
of three
classes
is composed
of men,
memoir,
whites
I suppose
or
Spaniards, Indians and castes.
the tenth part of the whole
the Spaniardsto compose
of

state

"

"

In their hands

mass.

the

wealth
and

the

of

service

W'ork

the

the

of

the

of

sort

their haluls.

Indians

and

people ;

hatred, which

those

who

dians
Inin tlie

live

results

by
tween
be-

opjwsitionoi"
universally

the

hand, the
discord, deception, theft,and

and

envy
inclination

all

all and those

possess
masters
and those who

nothing, between
possess
Thus
live in servitude.
we
see,
who

effects of

they arc
and they

that

and

The

there

whites

that mutual
between

place

soil

Hence

the

property

centered.

are

ciiltivate the

the better

and
iiiterests,
takes

kingdom

castes

of

all the

almost

on

one

prejudicethe interests of the rich ;

and on the other, arrogance,
severity,and the desire
of taking every
moment
advantage of the helplessness
of the Indian.
I am
not
ignorant that these
evils everywhere spring from
a
great inequalityof
But
in America
condition.
still
they are rendered
the

to

terrific,because

more

state

the

by

recho y
*'

In

we

rich

are

laws

or

the

or

there

exists

intermediate

no

miserable, noble
force

degraded,
opinion,{infame de de-

of

or

hecho.)
fact,the Indians and

are
[castas)

in

state

of

the

extreme

races

of mixed

hiinriliation.

blood
The

POLITICAL

144

ESSAY

colour

peculiarto the Indians,

especiallytheir povertj^, remove
distance
in

from

the

laws

the

small

Shut

New

of

them

in

up

concede

Indian

the

have

the
This

common

is

cultivation

them,

to

back

lost

fruit of

ail

perhaps they
of

have

they

as

of

hopes

The

ancient

law

said

to

special permission of
Mexico, [^untasuperiorde
property

the

of

has

the

able

years
enjoy the

to

receive

can

of

board

in-

no

sistance
as-

of

finances

Hacienda

farmed

of

without

communalty

la Real

been

portable
insup-

more

arrangement

new

communal

varas

for several

now

being

ever

funds

the

600

an

the

much

so

bears, that the natives

from

are

rather

are

be
may
bound

natives

load

theii' labour.

tendancies

Indians

vate
to cultipropert}-, and are
property, (bienesde communidad.)

individual

no

privileges

the

space

villages,the

first rank

The

(500 metres*) of radius, assignedby

to

n.

infinite

an

the

to

narrow

to

occupy

them,

to

[book

ignorance, and

Spain.

to

seem

advantage

hurtful.

their

whites, who

population

which
of

the

THE

QN

T^ (The
by

out

the

in-

tives
produce of the labour of the nais poured into the royal treasury, where
theo/^
reales\itt^an account, under specialheads, of
ficiules
what
they call the property of each village. I say
what
thing
they call the property, for this property is no-

tendants

and

than

more

The
of

Hacienda
ascsor

ot

the

wearied

are

communalty

demands
the

last twenty years.

dispose of it in favour

cannot

even

natives, who

the

Meal

fiction for these

intendant

.distance from

the

the

any

communidades

viceroy.

fixed

funds.

Whole

The

but

the

so

destination, that

the

1,640 feet.

intendant

Trans.

junta de

pass

Indians

of
money
habituallyconsidered

as-

\\\cfiscaland

years

The

answer.

is

demanding

injorinesfrom

documents,
without

of

the
as

of

in

cumulating
ac-

remain
caxas

having

de
no

Valladolid

ESSAY

POLITICAL

246

They

are

which

arms

of those
which

and

the

employ againstthe
deplorablecircumstances

destined

Indian
has

indolence

of

apathy in

which

nian

casts,

descendants

that

and

produced

state

defend,

to

cbiild

Such

race.

il.

for the protection

bth^r casts

of the

citizens

[go^it

served

they wet-e

which

mind,

THE

have

never

fail to
of

()N

hbt

unioh

in them

an

of indifferericfeand

is neither aflectfed

by hope

nor

fear.
"

The

branded

of

iiegro staves,afe

infamy by the law, and are subjectedto

them an
direct impost imprints on
This
stain ; they consider it as a riiark of i"lavery

with

tribute.
indelible

tiansmissiblc

the latest

^generations. Arhohet th^

mixed
the mestizoes
and
mulattoes,
race,
among
there are
families, who, from their colour,
many
their physiognomy, and
their cultivation,might be
to

confounded
them

with

in

slate

with
of

Then

colour

their resentment
tliem
"

the law

keeps

and
degradation

of

live

whites

but

Spaniards;

dowed
Encontempt.
ardent
character, these

energeticand

an

againstthe

the

in

and

does

constant
must

we

not

be

of

irritation

astonished

that

frequentlydispose

more

of vengeance.
Indians and the casts

state

acts

to

The

are

in the hands

of the

of districts [justicias
whose
territoriales)
tnagistrates
to their mi.
immoralityhas not a little contributed
subsisted irt
So long as the alcaldias mayores
sery.

Mexico,

the

who

buying
draw

30,000

to

1,000,000
space

of

francs,* and
live

certain number

From

themselves

as

chants
mer-

acquired an exclusive privilegeof

in their provinces,and who
could
selling
in some
this privilege,
sort or other,from
to
200,000
150,000
piastres,from

years.
Indians
the
compelled
a

considered

had

and

from

alcaldes

of

what

These

is more,
usurious

in the

short

magistrates
at arbitrary
to purchase,
prices,
the nacattle. By this means

6,2501. to 41,6701. stcrlinf^.Trans.

OF

KlNGDOlyi

vi]

^,HAP.

their

tiyes became

wretches

unfortunate
sacrifice

the

of

xt

happiness of these
certainlyincreased by

not

was

liberty,for

their

of

the pretc

the akalde
mayor
ubury,
the whole
round, as
year

individual

The

slaves.

147

Under

debtors.

recoveringthe capitaland
disposed of the Indians,
true

SPAIN.

NEW

horse

mule

or

profit. But yet in the

of this state of things,brought on
midst
by abuses,
increase.
to
seen
agricultureand industrywere

to

their

work

for

On

the

"

master's

intendancics, the government

of

establishment

the

oppressions
which
from
the repartimientos. In place of
arose
subaltern
alcaldes mayores,
they named
subdelegados^
bited.
prohimagistrates,to whom
every sort of trafficwas
As no salaries were
assignedto them, or any
wished

of

sort

The

fixed

to

The
other

tual

theii- own

but

employ

to

comfortable

oppressionsand

the poor
The

rich, and

intendants

choice

of

the

find

become

interests
the

illicitm^^i^s

and

hence

shameful

the

greatest

from
suhdelegados^

not

were

cerned.
con-

having

intendants

themselves

selves
prociure themHence
the peq^e-

of

the

partiality
im-

to

subsistence.
the abuses

worse.

justice with

casualties,believed

subject;

were

the

evil has

of
subdelegcites

revenues

iiuthorized

the

to

administered

ores

wlienever

end

an

emolument,

alcaldes may

no

put

authorityto which
the indulgence towards
traffic of justice.
difficulties in

whom,

in

the

the

actual

of

neither expect supthings,the Indians

can
port
nor
protection.That support and that protection
the
constant
they seek from the clergy; and hence
opposition in which4 the clergy and
subdelegates
dence
confithe natives place more
usually live. However
in the clergy and
magistrates of a superior
rank, the intendants and the oidor^s,(members of the
state

iidiencia.)Now,
have

as

he

hope

the government,
and
almost
Vtithout
to

is,
of

Sire, what

amelioratinghis

attachment

can

degraded

despised and
property

existence

He

and
is

dian
the In-

without

merely

ct-

POLITICAL

148

tached

to

social life

advantage.
of

dread

Let

by

not

ESSAY

ON

tie which

your

punishment

do

affords him

is

sufficient

there

must

it

no

the

to

preserve
be other motives,

If the
powerful motives.
Spain expects with impatience

which
legislation

new

:[book

majesty believe, that

alone

in this country
tranquillity
be more
there must

THE

itself with the situation of the Indians

occupy
gy
people of colour, the influence which the cler-

not

and

the hearts of these unfortunate

people,
possess over
however
be, will not be sufficient
great it may
submission
contain
in the
and
them
to
respect

due

their

sovereign.
Let the odious personalimpost of the tributo be
abolished; and let the infamy {injamia^ledereeho)
which
unjustlaws have attempted to stamp on the
people of colour be at an end; let them be declared
civil employment
which
capable of fillingevery
docs not requirea specialtitle of nobility
; let a portion
of the crown,
of the demesnes
[tierrasrealen~
guas,)which are generallyuncultivated, be granted
and the casts ; let an agrarian law be
to the Indians
similar to that of the Asturias and
passed for Mexico
Gallicia,by which the poor cultivator is permittedto
to

"

bring in under certain

have
great proprietors
to

the detriment

conditions
left

so

the land

many

of the national

ages

which

the

ted
uncultiva-

industry;

let full

be grantedto the Indians, the casts, and the

liberty
whites to settle in villageswhich
at present belong
only to one of these classes ; let salaries be appointed
of districts ; these.
judges and all magistrates
Sire, are the six principal
pointson which the felicity
of the Mexican
people depends.
It appears
strange, no doubt^that,in a juncture
tuation,
when
the finances of the state are in a deplorablesiwe
majesty the
presuroe to propose to your
A
abolition of the tribute.
simple calculation
very
will prove, however, that the
sures
adoption of the meaabove indicated,and the conceding to the Indian
itllthe rightsof denizens,
will increase considerably
for all

"

VI.]

CHAP

KINGDOM

diminishing

of

instead

OF

families

of

Indians
New

of

extent

the

The

(Real Hacienda.")

SPAIN-

NEW

149

of

revenues

the

state

bishop

and

810,000
supposes
colour in the whole

of

men

Several

Spain.

of

these

families,

clothed
blood, arc
and
especiallythose of mixed
enjoy some
They live nearly in
degree of comfort.
the manner
of the lower
people of the peninsula; and
is

their number

third

the

of

whole

The

mass.

be
mated
esticonsumption of this third part may
at 300
piastresper family.* Reckoning for
other thirds only 60t piastres,
J and supposing the

annual

the

Indians

to

whites,

the

alcavala

the

pay

annual

an

of

much
a
piastres,^
quadruple of the present

the
We

will

not

this calculation

which

on

suffice

sketch

may
equalityof

but

duties

would

create

accuracy
is founded

of

only

no

of

of

that

the

among
the abolition

would
comfort

tributes.
numbers
a

simple

establishing
an

on

deficit in the

of

than

the

but

raised

revenue

imposts

revenues

the increase

value

prove,

and

people,not

that these

with

to

of

classes

the

guaranty

be

greater

like

cent,

per

would

revenue

of

5,000,000

14

the
of

crown

different
the

tation
capi-

revenues,

necessarilyincrease
and
prosperityamong

the natives.
We

hoped that the administrations of

three enlightened
with
the most
viceroys,animated
noble zeal for the public good, the Marquis de Croix,
the Count
the
de
Chevalier
Revillagigedo,and
have
d'Asanza, would
produced some
happy changes
in the political
of the Indians; but these hopes
state
have

have

might

been

67/.

frustrated.

12.9. 6d.

and
less

"

that

in the

of

the

vicerovs

Trans.
f 13/. 2*. 6rf. sterling.

region of Mexico,

warm

day

and family, in nourishment

requires annually tor himself
The
is
clothes, 72 piastres.
nearly 20 piasluxury
tres

in the

1,093,750/.
VOL.

power

sterling.Traufi.

\ It is computed
labourer

The

I.

cold

region

of

the

country.

sterling.
L

POLITICAL

150
has

been

Hacienda^

justice,{Auduncia^)
mother

wishing

country,
in

LBook

late

the

the

by

also

they

only by
and

but

II.

tered
fet-

are

of

junta

high

court

the government
of
the mania
possesses

which
the

THE

of

not

measures,

finances, [de Real

in the

ON

singularlydiminished

in all their

of

ESSAY

by

detail

provinces
thousand
at
two
leagues,the physical
of which
moral
and
to
state
are
equally unknown
The
them.
affirm, that it is happy
philanthropists
cause
that they are
for the Indians
neglectedin Europe, besad experience has proved that the most
part of
the measures
adopted for their relief have produced
tions,
an
oppositeeffect. The lawyers, who detest innovawho
and the Creole
proprietors,
frequentlyfind
their interest in keeping the cultivator in degradation
that we
interfere with
must
and misery, maintain
not
the natives, because, on
granting them more
liberty,
to

govern
of
the distance

would

whites

the

vindictive
The

of

spiritand

the

allow

free

and

man

the

peasant
a

thing to

every

of

arrogance

is alwa\s

language
to

have

greatest

I have

citizen.

Peru, and

Granada, which,
Poland, Livonia, and Russia,

the abolition
Recent
it is

to

heard

in several

of New

Indian

the
race.

it is posed
proin the rights
participate

repeated in Mexico,

arguments

the

from

whenever

same

to

fear

the
the

same

dom
king-

many,
parts of Ger-

opposed

are

to

the peasants.
slaveryamong
examples ought to teach us how dangerous

allow

perpetuate

of

the
their

Indians

to

form

in statu^

status

insulation, barbarity of

to

manners,

of hatred
consequently motives
against
the other casts.
These
very stupid indolent Indians,
who
suffer themselves
patientlyto be lashed at the
church
doors, appear
cunning, active, impetuous,
and
cruel, whenever
they act in a body in popular
It may
distiirbances.
be useful to relate a proof of
ihis assertion.
The
great revolt in 1781 very nearly
deprived the king of Spain of all the mountainous

misery,

and

part of Peru,

at

the

pesiod

when

Great

Britain

lost

nearly

all her

colonies

SPAIN.

NEW

in the

151

the

before

army
of

son

the

province
wife

was

of

Tinta,

of

for it is certain

the

that his true

and

of

He

of

was

the

cique's
ca-

Inca

pretended

father

an

villageof

son

that the

of

name

head

the

Tongasuca,

rather

or

the

by
Cusco.

of

walls

cacique

Mestizo,

the

of America.

continent

Condorcanqiii, known
Tupac- Amaru, appeared at

Inca

Indian

the

OF

Gabriel

Jose
the

KINGDOM

vi]

vJBAP.

was

monk.

The

its origin up to the

Condorcanqui family traces
Inca
disappeared in the thick,
Sayri-Tupac, who
forests to the east
of Villcapampa, and
Inca
to the
Tupac- Amaru, who, contrary to the orders of Philip
the

Second,

decapitated in

was

Francisco

Don

de

under

1578

the

viceroy

Toledo.

carefullyeducated at Lima; and he

after having in vain solicitreturned
ed
to the mountains,
of Spain the title of Marquis d'Orofrom the court
belongs to the family of the Inca Sayripesa, which
of vengeance
drove
him
to excite
Tupac. His spirit
the highland Indians, irritated against the corregidor
The
Arriaga, to insurrection.
people acknowledged
of their true
him as a descendant
sovereigns,and as
Gabriel

Jose

one

children

of the

the

by

the

empire

forehead

of the

he

the

he

only

party

even

among

the

the

round
and

campaigns

he

of

his
art-

of

he

protected
all colours.
As

of

Mestizoes

had

memorials

against Europeans,

out

he

grandeur

Incas

with

Americans

and

broke

ideas

took

man

which

ancient

of the

of his

commencement

ecclesiastics

vouny;

frequentlybound

imperial fillet

fullymingled christian
the worship of the sun.
In

of the

symbols

of Cusco

the

The

sun.

pojiularenthusiasm

of the

advantage
excited

was

and

he

the

made

Creoles

[)ut the Indians, distrusting

the sincerityof their new
of extermination
allies,soon
began a war
against
every^

Amaru,

one

not

of their

of whom

own

I possess

race.

Jose

letters

in

Gabriel
which

Tupache stvles

POLITICAL

152

himself

Inca

of

ESSAY

Peru,

ON

not

was

THE

[book

cruel

so

II.

his brother

as

CondorDiego, and especiallyhis nephew Andres

canqui, who, at the age of 17, displayed great talents
but a sanguinary character.
This
insurrection,which
be
little known
in Europe, lasted
to
appears
very
I shall give more
minute
tion
informanearly two years.
with regard to it in the historical account
of my
himself
travels.
had
made
of
master
Tupac- Amaru
the provinces of Quispicanchi, Tinta, Lampa, Azanwhen
the Spaniards
gara, Caravajaand Chumbivilcas,
him
his family prisoners. They
made
and
were
all quartered in the city of Cusco.
The

inspiredthe
their

natives
of

fear

surrounded

were

which

with

respect

was

Spaniards, and
the

Inca

pretended

had

ing
great, that,notwithstand-

so

the

by

the

themselves
they prosli'ated
army,
of the
last of tfee children
sun,

the

of

soldiers

at

the
he

as

though they
victorious

sight of the
passed along

The
brother
place of execution.
of Jose Gabriel
oi
Condorcanqui, known
by the name
executed
Tupac- Amaru, was
Diego Christobal
long
of this revolutionarymovement
after the termination
the

to

streets

of the

the

Indians.

Peruvian

When

the

chief

fell into

self
himSpaniards, Diego surrendered
voluntarily,to profit by the pardon promised
of the king.
A formal
convention
in the name
him
him
and the Spanish general, on
was
signed between
26th
the
January, 1782, at the Indian village of
He
lived
Siquani, situated in the province of Tinta.
uanquilly in his family, till,through an insidious
arrested on
and distrustful policy,he was
pretext of a
new
conspiracy.
exercised
horrors
The
wards
by the natives of Peru tothe

hands

the

of the

of the

whites

Andes

after, in the
the

Dlain

in 1781

and

repeated
insurrections
trifling
were

of Riobamba.

1782
m

in

the

Cordillera

jKirt, twenty
which

It is therefore

took

years
place in

of the

errcat-

POLITICAL

154

ESSAY

ON

THE

[book

II.

For the most

alarming progress.
part it
and distrustful policy
was
a suspicious
by no means
;
interest
it was
alone
which
bestowed
all
pecuniary
Europeans. The result has been
employments on
the Chapea
jealous and perpetualhatred between
made

tons

an

Creoles.

the

and

The

education, and

without

cultivation,thinks himself
in the

continent.

new

miserable

most

without

knows

they are

to

which

the

those

of

them

talents,knowledge and moral

Since
since

the
"

words

the peace

year
I am

which

1789,

one

of
we

In

the

Spaniard ;

but

as

to

the

tives,
na-

distinguishedfor their
qualities.The natives
to

oles.
that of Cre-

Versailles,and, in particular,
clared,
frequentlyhear proudly de-

Spaniard,I am
betray the workings of
not

common

quired
rapidlyacday reach places

are

of Americans

denomination

preferthe

chances

interdicted

is almost

access

to

even

lost, he may

born

that, protected by

favoured
his countrymen,
and
by
enough in a country where fortunes
as

intellectual

the whites

superiorto

He

ropean,
Eu-

eye of law every

the abuse.of the

of the colonial government,

United
States of America, and

American

an

long

ment.
resent-

Creole

white

is

laws, the false

the
the

/"

sures
mea-

example

of the

influence

of the

opinionsof the age, have relaxed the ties which formcrly united more
closelythe Spanish Creoles to the
establish
European Spaniards. A wise administration may reharmony, calm their passions and resent,
the union
and
for a long time
ments,
yet preserve
among

the

members

of

one

and

the

same

Europe and America,

mily scattered over
Patagoniancoast to the north of California.
The

number

is

of individuals of whom

great "from

the white

the

race

composed (Casta de los bkmcos o de los Espanolcs)

amounts,
probably,in all New Spain,to 1,200,000, of
whom
nearly the fouith part inhabited the provincias
In New
intenias.
Biscay, or in the intendancy of
Durango, there is hardiv an individual subjectto the
6

KIKGDl

wi]

ctaAP.

In the

year

In the

intendanCy of

they

1793

pulation of

of these

reckoned

Puebla
....

Oaxaca
.

Spaniards.

'^''"'*-

Valladolid
.

extraction.

Gua-

nortliern

total pO-

on

155

European

of pure

be

regionspretend to

naXUatO

SPAIN

all the inhabitants

Almost

tributo.

KhAV

OF

398,000

103,000

290,000

80,000

638,000

63,000

411,000

26,000

king
simple result of the enumeration, mathe imperof the changes requisitefrom
none
fection
in the
of that operationwhich
discussed
we
fifth chapter. Consequently,in the four intendancies
find 272,000
whites, either
we
adjoiningthe capital,
of Europeans, in i total
Em-opeans or descendants
For every
hundred
population of 2,737,000 souls.

is the

Such

inhabitants, there

were

intendancy of Valladolid,

In the

Guanaxuato

whites.

27
25

Puebla

Oaxaca

.
.

considerable differences show

These

civilization
south
were

have

we

as

which

to

from

work,

Mexicans

capital. These

progress

there

It is curious

whites -in the

the

Indian

Agriculture

thinlysown.
any

the

ancient

degree
had

of

tained
at-

southern

gions
re-

In the north,
always the best inhabited.
already several times observed in the

of this

course

the

the

since the

to

West

compare

Lidies

population was

more

has

only begun to make

periodof the conquest.
of
togetherthe number
and

in Mexico.

contained
part of St. Domingo
1788, on a surface of 1,700 square

The

French

in its haj)piest

aera,

leagues(25

the

degree) a

smaller

populationthan

to

that of the inten-

POLITICAL

156

dancy

of la Puebla.

of St.

Domingo

there

ESSAY

Page*

THE

[book

estimates

the

population

at

Hence, in St. Domingo, in every

white, six free people of colour,

slaves.

and

452,000

100

souls, eightwere

eighty-six African
in

1787

have

to

whites, four people of

Jamaica

slaves.

one-third

by

puted
com-

was

in every
100 inhabitants,
ten
colour, and eighty-sixslaves ;

yet this English colony possesses

and

li.

whom
520,000 inhabitants,
among
40,000 whites, 28,000 people of colour,

were

and

ON

than

the

smaller

intendancyof

pulation
po-

Oaxaca.

the

the Europeans or
Hence,
disproportionbetween
their descendants, and the casts
of Indian
African
or
blood, is still greater in the southern part of New

this

at

English

sugar islands.
of Cuba,
the contrary, exhibits
even
on
in the
distribution
of the races
a very

island

The

French

in the

than

Spain

day

and

very consolatorydifference.
which
careful statistical researches

great and
most

make

to

and

1800

epochs

From

during
I

1804,

amounted

found

at

that

at

the
the

the

was

bled
ena-

in

Havannah,
last

island

of these
of

whom

souls, among

432,000

to

stay

population of

total

the

my

the

Cuba
there

were

Freemen,

A.

Whites

234,000

of colour

People
B.

324,000

Slaves

90,000
108,000

Total
in

or

St.

Vol.

only
what

within
tlie number

islrnds
80,000.

375,000

there

in the

were

inhabitants, whereof

domestics, artisans, and

labourers, 47,000
To

1302

In

ii. p. 5.

Domingo

soldiers.

Creole
inhabitants,fifty-four

100

every

the

degree must
last six years!

the

of whites
it amounts

432,000

is greater
to

16,000,

In the
than
on

whole

and

island of

290,000

sailors, and

were

37,000

populationhave

minished
di-

island of Barbadoes,
of the
other
in any
total

population

of

KINGDOM

VII.]

CHAP.

OF

NEW

SPAIN.

157

of colour,
men
European whites, twenty-one
The
proportion of freemen
twenty-five slaves.
slaves

is there

are

one

as

The

to

casts

while

one,

at

Jamaica

to

they

six.

to

followingtable

other

Out

the

exhibits

whites

the

to

continent.

new

three

as

and

the

the different parts of the

in

of

proportionof

inhabitants,we

100

every

reckon

In

capitalof Mexico,

the

according to

the

ration
enume-

in every 100
Revillagigedo,
inhabitants, 49 are
Spanish Creoles, two
Spaniards
born
in Europe, twenty-fourAztec
and Otomite
dians,
Inof the

Count

twenty-five people

and

knowledge

exact

importance
X)f the

who

those

to

difficult

be

Europeans
inhabit

itself,where

there

blood.

mixed

The

proportionsis of the utmost

have the superintendance

than

to

estimate

are

among
Spain. As

New

exactlyhow

the

many
whites

1,200,000

of Mexico
capital
brings together the
government
of Spaniards, in a population of

the

number

greatest
more

of these

of

colonies.

It would

who

de

135,000

souls, not

in the

more

than

2,500

viduals
indi-

than probable
Europe, it is more
that the whole
than
kingdom does not contain more
70 or
80,000.
They constitute,therefore, only the
70th
population, and the proporpart of the whole
tion
are

of

VOL.

born

in

Europeans
I.

to

white

Creoles

is

as

one

to

teen.
four-

ESSAY

POLITICAL

158

ON

[book

THE

ii.

rican
Spanish laws prohibitall entry into the Amepossessionsto every European not born in
peninsula. The words European and Spaniard

The

the

become

are

in Mexico

synonymous
of the

inhabitants

Peru.

and

provinces have

remote

The

therefore

be Europeans
in conceiving that there can
difficulty
do not speaktheir language ; and they consider
who
of low
extraction, because,
this ignorance as a mark
everywhere around them, all,except the very lowest
class of the people,speak Spanish. Better acquainted
with the historyof the sixteenth
century than with
that of

our

to

times, they imagine that Spain continues

own

decided

possess

the

preponderance over
the peninsulaappears

the
Europe. To them
It is otherwise
of European civilization.
very centre
of the capital. Those
of them
the Americans
with
tvho are acquaintedwith the French
ture
or
English literafall easilyinto a contrary extreme
have
; and
unfavourable
stilla more
try
opinion of the mother counof

rest

the French

than

had

at

time

when

tion
communica-

Spain and the rest of

frequentbetween
Europe. They preferstrangers from other countries
with
to the
Spaniards; and they flatter themselves
less

was

the

idea

in the

rapid progress
This

Lima,

Caraccas.

Of

the

colonies

is indeed

progress

Havannah,
bears

cultivation

intellectual

that

At

all these

influence

on

is

with

slowly in
colonial

the
a

country

produce

inhabitants.

oj Cuba

most

The

peninsula.
the

at

state

best

and

of

the

Havannah

of

Europe

the

which
^

of

tone

in
ciety.
so-

their

politicsand

understood.

efforts of the

notwithstandingthe
the island

those

to

luxury,

the

commerce

the

more

remarkable

cities

great

of

Havannah,

made

Fe, Quito, Popayan, and

Sante

refinements

in

very

greatest resemblance

customs,

of

than

has

ever,
How-

ciety
sopatriotic

encourages

the sciences

zeal, they prosper ver}'

generous
where
cultivation and the priceof

engross

study

the whole

of

the

attention

of

mathematics,

the
che-

CHAP,

KINGDOM

vn

mistry, mineralogy, and

Sante

Mexico,

Fe,

youth a

wonderful

science.

It is

to

Fe

in the studies

No

to which

the

speak

and

of

the
of

Mexico.

It

Mines,

lively

perseverance

addicted

once

directed

shall

we

mines

selves.
them-

the

when

Botanic

individuals, and

Galvez.

The

the

government

Elto

come

and

This

the

to

naming

we

Garden

to

capital

learned

de los Nobles

its existence

owes

wuth

the

by

return

the

as

Paintingand Sculpture.

Mexican

the minister

appear

more

the natives of

myself here

title of Academia

the

Lima

new

which

to

several

former

and

have

and

cojitinent,without
cepting
exeven
of the United
States, can
displaysuch

of

Academy
bears

they

I shall content

School

huyar,

The

solid scientific establishments

Mexico.

the

Fe.

reputationof greater

the

those

of

the

among

Quito

of

Mexicans

the

while

cityof

great and

at

everywhere

and
activity,

inhabitants
Santa

and

have

general

more

We

of mind
versatility

imagination;
Santa

Lima.

and

the

more

possess

is

^59

of seizing
the principles
of
facility
said that this facility
is still more
markable
re-

among
Mexico

at

SPAIN.

botany,

great intellectual

observe

than

NEW

OF

the

academy
de

Artes

patriotismof
protectionof
assigned it a

spaciousbuilding, in which there is a much finer and

more
complete collection of casts than is to be found
astonished on seein any part of Germany.
We
are
ing
of Laothat the Apollo of Belvidere, the group
still

and

coon,

conveyed through
as

those

colossal

more

roads

mountainous

of St. Gothard

have

statues,

and

at least

as

row
nar-

surprisedat

are

we

been

gether
finding these masterpiecesof antiquitycollected tothe torrid
in a table-land
under
higher
zone,

than

the convent
of

200,000

casts

of the

great St. Bernard.

The

Mexico

the

brought
The

francs.*"

to

remains

cost

of

8,334/,sterling.

the

lection
col-

king

Mexican

POLITICAL

160

sculpture,those
which
and

bear

some

be

to

of the
of

works

in

produced

under

revenues

Egyptian and
the

of

one

curious

to

of

phyry,
por-

Hindoo

the edifice of
which

courts

these

see

numents
mo-

species,the

our

people inhabitingthe

placed beside the beautiful forms

the sky of Greece
and Italy.
of the Academy
of Fine
Arts
at
francs,* of which

125,000

to

amount

and

II.

hieroglyphics,

together in

semibarbarous

Andes,

Mexico

the

be

basaltes

Aztec

first cultivation

Mexican

The

rather

[book

of

with

to

It would

THE

statues

collected

or

it.

to

ON

covered

relation

academy,

belong

colossal

are

style,ought
the

ESSAY

the

gives 60,000, the body of Mexican

miners
nearly 25,000, the consulado, or association
than 1,500.
It is
of the capital,
of merchants
more
blishment
impossible not to perceivethe influence of this estagovernment

the

on

is

is

This

of the nation.

taste

influence

of the buildvisible in the symmetry

ings,
particularly
the hewing of stone
with which
in the perfection
of the capitals
and
conducted, and in the ornaments
What

relievos.

stucco
are

be

to

towns

at

seen

Mexico

like Guanaxuato
which

of

number
!

in

even

nay,

andQueretaro

frequentlycost

beautiful

million

cial
provin-

! These

and

fices
edi-

numents,
mo-

million

to
francs,t would
advantage in
appear
of Paris, Berlin, and
the finest streets
Petersburg.

half

of

and

M.

Tolsa, professor of sculpture

the
the
and
way
at

the

alone

have

to

cast

an

equestrianstatue

Mexico,

was

of

King Charles
Fourth ; a work
which, with the exception of
Aurelius
in beauty
Marcus
at Rome,
surpasses
purity of styleevery thing which remains in this
Instruction
is communicated
in Europe,
gratis
able

even

at

It is not
confined
Academy of Fine Arts.
to the drawing of landscapes and
figures; they
for
had the good sense
to employ other
means
*

5,208/.

sterling.

t 41,670/. and

Trans.

62,505/.

Trans.

ESSAY

POLITICAL

162

regions of

most

fertile

only

enriched

science

the

ON

much

diffuse

to

inhabitants

also

have

for natural

taste

of the country.

n.

not

than four thousand

more

species of plants,but

new

[.hook

continent, have

new

with

THE

The

contributed

historyamong
cityof Mexico

the
hibits
ex-

botanical garden within the

interesting
precincts of the viceroy'spalace. Professor
very
Cervantes
there, which are very
givesannual courses
a

well

very

possesses, besides
rich collection of Mexican
minerals.

attended.

herbais,
Mocino,

This

whom

la

to

M.

Sesse, and

excursions

laborious

mentioned

justnow

we

coadjutorsof

savant

the north-west

from
coast

the

kingdom

island

or

has

who

one

as

M.

of the

pushed

his

of Guatima-

Vancouver

of

his

and

Quadra ; and M. Echeveria, a painterof plantsand

works
will bear
animals, whose
a
comparison with
the

most

are

both

them

of

attained

both

natives

of

New

distinguishedrank

in

kind

Europe,
Spain. Tliey had

of the

perfectproductions

among

and

savans

their country.*
quitting
is
principlesof the new
chemistry,which
in tlie Spanish colonies
by the equivocal appellation
of new
are
philosophy, [nucva Jiiosqfia,)

artists before
The

known

diffused in Mexico

more

peninsula.
but

be

country,

Scliooi

The

of
herbais

of

the

in

traveller

borders
very
who
on
reason

process
of Mmes

edly
undoubt-

cannot

in the

meet

parts of the

many

of

interior

of

the

California,with

decompositionof
amalgamation with free air.

of

the

chemical

possesses

labora-

ries
public is only yet put in possession of the discovethe botanical
expeditionof Peru and Chili. The great
of M.
collection of drawings
Sesse, and the immen'se

Mexican

in 1803.
and

the

on

in the

water

The

European
surprisedto
A

Mexicans

young

than

plants executed
The
publication

Flora
The

by
of the

of

Santa

latter
the

age.

Fc

is the

celebrated

under

eye, arrived at Madrid

of New
the
Flora
Spain

his

of both

de

Bogota,

fruit of

40

Mutis,

is

expected

years
one

with

researches
of the

tience.
impaand

greatest

servations
obtanists
bo-

KINGDOM

CHAP.vn.]

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

1^3

geologicalcollection,arranged according to
system of VVtrner ; a physicalcabinet, in which

tory
the

Le

models

also

valuable

find the

only
den, Adams,
not

we

in

executed

Louis

and

Noir,

the

but

with

the

in which

in the

best

the author

translation

Elements

of Lavater's

also

which
the

the

capitalof
the

is

America.
in the

union

taste, but

say
almost

or

be

is much
themselves

ancient literature.*

is rather

taste

at

low

ebb

similar

somewhat

to

by

every

say

A's

And

handsome

can

volume

every
in the cells of

less, in

and

philosophy

man

some

for

to

science.

of every

those

to

be

Should

? At

to

men

of

the

destitute

one

of
not

we

study, which

other

of

it cultivates
time

it

comparing manuscripts :

deposed

them

between
no

neglect

and

Humboldt

M.

is not

faculties

assimilate

its favourite

has

age

the

to

the

that

kind

of any

seminary

gradually

stated

are

thingbut

or

rash

America

another, the

classical

commenting

and

addict

is in

excellently adapted
that

"

at

in

studied

a
imagination
tion
and imaginationflourish, an admiraThe
is seen
observation
of
to prevail.

where

aborigines,who

world

with

ardour

be

to

facts

taste

It Avould

transplanted to

is all

that

say

of

extensive
more
perhaps receive a much
may
plication
apit may
peculiarlybe applied to the whole of
; and
I have
it asserted
that there are
whole
states
seen

found.

rather

to

as

Rio,

del

ardour

they

that

and

; for wherever
for the ancients

Humboldt

be

much

as

them,

among
state

which

study of languages and

This

This

Spain.

that with

greater than
to

New

begun

are

the

mean

M.

of the

measure

sciences

exact

nish
Spa-

insulated

I cite these

publishedat Mexico.
because
theygive us the

Freyberg,
The
first Spanish
of Chemistry was

formed.

was

in the

the finest wood

work
mineralogical
language was
printed at Mexico,
of Oryctognosy, composed by
Manual
of the school
accordingto the principles
The

country.

Rams-

Berthoud,

even
capital,

from

greatest precision,and

of

instruments

from

with

of Plato
that

and

of
the

sonnets

refuse

fat old

physical science.

of

and

is made

producing
in the

talent

seems
university,

Travs.

Aristotle divide

transition

great without

be

restored:"

pomp

an

to

the
etry,
po-

epic poem

present

age

most
al-

carefullypreserved
employed, more

Instruction

Mines.

farther into
and
and

in mathematics

ON

THE

is less

[book

On

differential calculi.

ed
carefullyattend-

the

Europe, when
(chronometers,sextants, and

instruments

of

shall

Borda)

will be found
men
young
the kingdom
capable of

become

in the

of peace
astronomical

return

with

free intercourse

circles

11

than in the School

universityof Mexico
The
pupils of this last establishment
go
instructed
in
gral
intethe
are
analysis; they

in the

to

of

ESSAY

POLITICAL

164

the

more

most

ing
repeat-

common,

parts of

remote

making observations,

and

after the most

them
methods.
I
recent
cultivating
have alreadyindicated in the analysisof my
the
maps
advantage which might be drawn by the government
from
this extraordinaryaptitude in constructing a

map
old

of the country.
The
Three
in Mexico.
and

Gama,
towards
made

the
a

end

Alzate,
of

the

great number
the

worst

the

of
as

did honour

last century.
of astronomical
the

informed

of

Academy

of Sciences

at

an

introduction

of

of

He

the merits

is entitled

to

the

Jupiter.

the

spondent
corre-

Paris.

accurate
In-

activityfrequently

himself
gave
up to too many
We
have already discussed
in

time.

labours.

observations,

was

of

quez,
Velas-

their country
All the three

satellites

impetuous,he
at

to

them,

observer, and

an

is very

astronomy

distinguishedmen,

especiallyof eclipses of
Alzate,

for

taste

objects
the geographical

of his astronomical
real

merit, however,

having excited his countrymen to the study of the

The
Gazetta
dcr Litteratura,
physical sciences.
which
he published for a long time
at
Mexico, contributed
and impulto giveencouragement
singularly
sion
the
to
Mexican
youth.
The
remarkable
most
geometricianproduced by
New
Don
time
of Siguenza was
Spain since the
All the astronomical
Joacquin Velasquez Cardinas y Leon.
and geodaesicallabours of this indefatigable
of the greatest precision.
bear the stamp
savant
He
the 21st
born
was
on
July, 1732, in the interior

KINGDOM

VII.]

CHAP.

of the country, at the farm

the Indian
village of

merit,

say, of
communicated

we

may

he

of four

died

who

tocan, took
the

under

of

care

SantiagoAccbedocla, near
Tizicapan ; and he had the
At the age
forming himself.
the small- pox

his

mind, and

well

; a

to

father,

his

uncle, parish priestof Xaland

education,

instruction

Asentzio

Manuel

le.**

of

An

of them.

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

of

Indian

an

him

placed

of the

of

name

of great natural strength of

in the knowledf^e of the Mexi-

man

versed

at
mythology.
Velasquez learned
of
several
Xaltocan
Indian
languages, and the use
It is to
the hieroglyphicalwritings of the Aztecs.
this very
be regrettedthat he published nothing on
Mexico
of antiquity. Placed
at
interestingbranch
in the Tridentine
College,he found neither professor,

historyand

can

book,

nor

which

in the

the

of

accident

While

the

poor

and

sistance
as-

himself

the

ancient

threw
He

into

from

the
of

his hands
from

drew

methods

unable

small

fortified
and

and

true

the

other

an

sing.
philosophi-

find any instrument

himself, with his friend M.

in

to

Mexico, he set
Guadalaxara, (now professor of

even

he

Bacon.

and

astronomy,

acquaintancewith

the

mathematics

the

lucky

for

taste

obtain,

could

of Newton

works

one

he

study

languages.

With

instruments.*

nor

mathematics

in the

Academy of Painting,)to construct

telescopes and
time
the proat the same
quadrants. He followed
fession
of advocate, an occupation which
at Mexico,
well

as

that

elsewhere,

as

is

much

looking at the stars.

professionallabours was laid
in

ments

What

of

From

England.
this

universityare
custom

may

discover

behind

those

we

not

After

of

VOL.

I.

gained by

his

in

that

considering

he

than

purchasinginstruprofessor
being named

out

of

Trans.

lucrative

more

some

their

professors of this
others
in the praiseworthy

the

chairs

as

sii^.rcurcs.

ESSAY

POLITICAL

166

ON

TllE

commission

of

enormous

continent

had

farther

than

bpurs,

arrived

for

renity
se-

great

1769,

the

Abbe
his

and

courage

of his la?

accuracy
the

there.

Mexican

Velasquez
planks an

Mimosa

in

degrees

Having already determined

Indian
the
village,he informed
the m.oon's
eclipse on the 18th

St. Anne.

positfonof

June,

for the

himself

for

pbservatoryat
Chappe

his

established

already

Abbe

When

California, he found

in

constructed

the

the

first observed

several

reallywas.
than

sciences

astronomer

had

it

celebrated

more

for the

zeal

marked

been

always

west

Chappe,

He

on

for centuries,through
that in all the maps,
of longitude,this part of the new
error

there
an

observations.

astronomical

of

number

Sent

profitedby
peninsula to make

in that

sky

the

Sonora.

Caliiornia, he

to

II.

visitador Don

the

university,he accompanied
in his journey to
Jose de Galvez*
in the

[book

this
that

would

visible

be

California.

in

The

the truth of this assertion

French

astronomer

till the

eclipse actually took place. Velasquez by

of the transit
made
a
very good observation

himself
of Venus

the

over

the

of

Don

The

Count

de

with

the

employed

title

by

of
the

of the colonies.
effect
cf

than

that

court

to

Their

journey

of

by
the

introduction

arrival

of the

they afterwards

(visita)has

of

for

of
au(Iie?icia.'},

projects,and

some

-vifiitadores

display for

with
their

the

to

and

to

generally
time

ob-.

ministry of
New
Spain
to

as

some

persons
the
no

the

state

other

power

of
receiving
infinity
of signalizingtheir stay
an

impost.

new

the

given

information

counterbalancing

viceroys and the

and
memoirs,
petitions,

is

name

procure

the

part of

northern

and

travelleE

between

obtaining

This

-visitador.

the

the

the

through

ing
morn-

Doz,

French

The

before

June,

very

Vicente

harmony

Galvez,

Indies, travelled

the

the

3d

Chappe,

Don

Medina.

de

surprised at

Abbe

the

astronomers

Salvador

the

on

sun

the result,the

transit, to

Spanish

was

of the

disk

Pie communicated

1769.

the

doubted

The

same

departare.

people expect

impatience

which

KINGDOM

va]

CHAP,

of

servation

astonished

doubt

ncf

Velasquez

without

and
able

was

In

of
undertaking,

which

Avith
emy,
acad-

any

New

Spain,

geodaesical

the great
have

we

was

academicians.

the

as

executed

Velasquez

1773

to

left

ever

well

as

He

California

belonging

having

^57

OAvn.

in

meet

to

observe

to

his

and

without

who,

Mexican,

SPAIN.

NFAV

OF

given

of

some

the

geographicalintroduction,and to which
again returit in speaking of the drain of the
The
essential
the valleyof Mexico.
most

results in the
shall

we

lakes

of

service which

country
the

Tribunal

the

He

court.

he

finished his laborious

and

ed
presentoil

career

first director-

Alineria, and

de

which

his

to

of the Tribunal

plans for

1786, while

March,

tlie 6th

the

Mines,

of

rendered

man
indefatigable

establishment

the

Was

the Schools
to

this

generalof

enjoyingthe

title of

Alcalde del Corte Honorario.

quez,
mentioning the labours of Alzate and Velasit would
be unjustto pass over
the name
of

After

friend

the

Gama,
Without

troublesome

labour, unknown
fellow-

death, Gama
and

several
satellites of

Spain ;

myself
merit
sake

his

The

him
of the

with

their

observed

it is

much

warmth

on

the

merely

example, that

along
to

of New

great precisionof

details

savam^

ed
publish-

If I have

navigator,Alexander

official letters of

viceroy.

with
the

his

the moon,
the
on
and chronology

observation.

Mexican

Mexico,

He

the climate

on

announce

proving from

at

and

by

efforts

unassisted

own

the almanack

into these

enter

celebrated

stay
the

to

of three
of

of

accuracy

life

after
eulogies

astronomer.

Mexicans,
Vvhich

his

eclipsesof

on

on
Jupiter,

all of

ideas and

by

well informed

the ancient

of

by

with

rous
nume-

mechanical

almost

him

loaded

became

memoirs

and

neglectedduring his

and

citizens,*who

able

an

of the latter.

fortune,and compelled to support

familyby

his

fellow-labourer

and

ed
allow-

literary
for the

the

igno-

Malaspina,during^
Gama.
court,

Maluspina, preBprved

He
as

mended
recom-

is

proved

in thearchive"v

POLITICAL

158

which

ranee

attach

Creoles

of

nor

ON

THE

[book

is.

European pride has thought proper

the

to

ESSAY

of

want

is neither

ignorance,where

moral

effect of

the
energy

but

it is still observable,

effect of the insulation, and

institutions of the

the

this

solelythe

in the

defects

mate
cli-

the

that

is

to

social

colonies.

If, in the present

of

state

things,the

of whites

cast

is the

in which
find almost
we
exclusively,
only one
it is also the
any thing like intellectual cultivation,
This wealth
only one which possesses great wealth.
is unfortunately stillmore
unequally distributed in
than
in the capitaniageneral of Caraccas,
Mexico
At
the Havannah,
and
Caraccas,
especiallyPeru.
the
of

heads

of

of

these

the

by
Lima

francs.^

130,000

who
to

amounts

Count

the

mine

in

has been
in

mines

the

in New

Peru.

millions

of

Valcnciana

S^oZAL

of

Spain

francs. 1|

there

family
are

whose
The

29,169/.

3,33."/.sterling. Trans.

sterling.

C;.:.0"/.

of

viduals
indi-

revenue

family of

the

alone,
worth

without
francs,*t[
including
which,
Guanaxuato,
near
net

This

sterling.

or

common.
un-

revenue

of

million

familv, of w^hich the

Trans.

25,002/,

i!41,670/.

of

livres.**

sterling.

At

revenue

sure

mines,

no

aimis, yieldsa

half

In

lated
accumu-

Peruvian

no

and

fixed

possess
million of

'^

than

of
reality

But

25

wminwiibus
and

francs.

Falenciana^ for example, possesses

ridge of the Cordillera, a property

than

more

find

we

la

de

the

on

revenue

of 80,000 francs, is very

possession of

the

of

revenue

I know

700,000

or

fortunes

working

annual

an

has founded
colonies, agriculture

considerable

more

in

than

more

possess
island of Cuba

In the

industrious

two

families

richest

livres.*

200,000

revenues

the

Trans.

^;terliI1^:.Trans.

Trans.

" 5,417/. sterling.

Trans.

^ 1,011,750/.sterling.Trans.

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

nc"

THE

[book

II,

below
tlte last twenty- five years' of his life,was
never
from two
to three millions of livres;* and
yet this
without any fortune to
who came
extraordinary
man,

America,

and

left

only behind

mine, which
in

continued

who

is the

him

richest

in the

property and capitahf

with

will not

on,

the

houses.

Money
working of

Tlie

of mines

engage

mines

lavish

them

provinces.

in
In

becomes

the

where

acquainted

in which

proprietors
quacks, who

the most

remote

works

extravagant scale, that

an

thejr

rich

on

undertakings in
country

as

sums

be

may

great Mexican
rapidlyspent;

game
passion. The

immense

new

such

on

is

his

millions

ten

are

of the

rapidlygained

with unbounded

embark

world,
who

those
surprise

interior management

death, besides

fact,which

This

'

relied

his

at

plicity,
great sim-

live with

to

are

ducted
con-

pit of

the

mine

millions
of francs to
frequentlyrequires two
of a rash projectmay
absorb
pierce,the bad success
in a few
all that was
gained in working the
years

richest

We

seams.

disorder

which

l^reathouses
of

of

familyis

add, that from

rnAist

prevailsin
both

Old

nal
inter-

greatest part of the

the

and

the

New

Spain, the

head

venue
unfrequentlystraitened with a reof half a million,:!:
thouglihe display no other
luxury than that of numerous
yokes of mules.
The
mines
have
the principal
undoubtedly been
of the
sources
Many
great fortunes of Mexico.
miners
have laid out their vi^ealth in purchasingland,
and have addicted
themselves
with great zeal to agria

But

culture.
of very

not

there

powerful

working

of any

FrorA

83,3401.

416,7001.

families

very

rich descendants

of

to

is also

considerable

v/ho

have

lucrative mines.
Gortez

125,0101.

sterlintj.TraT.s.

i':'J,3C5l.
.sterling.Z'/t/.v-.

or

the

Tianf,

never

Such

Marquis

number
had

the

are

the

del Falle.

KINGDOM

CHAP.

VII.

The

Duke

now

the

of

and

Montcleon

head

of the

in the

estates

actuallyno more
deprived the
valas and

the

550,000

duke

of the

duties

quesado

become

of

Mexico,

In

To

in the hands

which

The
to

of the

of

penses
ordinary ex-

than

more

exact

Mexican

125,000
the

of

governors

mar-

If the descendants

few

with

in New

individuals
any

wealth

immense

of the

thing in

Great

both

statements

of the

tered
cen-

Spain,
Britain,

I shall add

European possessionsin Hindostan,

several

alca-

half.J

view

compete

may

the

or

and

complete the

is

would
only live
conquistador
would
immediatelyrise to

revenue

million

of his rents

ly wealthy.
singulai

great

their

than

more

the

perb
su-

Toluca,

near

collection

amount

several

is

ving
francs,* the king ha-

tobacco.

on

who

Cortez, possesses

of

than

However,
have

171

Neapolitanlord,

house

of management

francs. t

SPAIN.

NEW

provinceof Oaxaca,
The
net
produce

Cuernavaca.

at

OF

of the

revenues

pecuniary sacrifices annually

made
by the body of miners
{cuerpo de mineria)for
the improvement of mining. This last body, formed
by a union of the proprietorsof mines, and represented
by deputies who sit in the Tribunal de Miclergy,and

nerittjadvanced
1787,

in three
of

sum

who

the

were

between

years,
millions

four
in want

of

1784

francs^

and
viduals
indi-

to

funds to
necessary
It is befieved in the country
of

the

great works.
carry on
that this money
has not
been very usefullyemployed ;
[para habilitar i) but its distribution proves the generosity

opulence of those who are able to make

considerable
largesses.A European reader will
and

such

still more

be

astonished

extraordinaryfact, that
*

22,9181.

-f5,2081.

"

sterling.

sterling.

166.6801.

the

the

respectablefamily of

Fa-

inform

him

Trans.

Trans.

sterling.

of

when

Tra7i3.

1^2,5051. sterling.

Trans.

ESSAY

POLITICAL

172

ON

b6ok

ir.

lent, a few

goagas
of more

years ago, without int erest, a

three millions and a half of francs*

than

friend,whose

fortune

they

in

were

by it in a solid manner
irrevocablylost in an unsuccessful
be

THE

made

architectural

The

the

this

works

sum

mining

new

to

belief would

and

sum

which

was

taking.
under-

carried

are

for the embellishment

of
capitalof Mexico
the
city are so expensive, that notwithstanding
the superb edifice constructed
rate of wages,
by

in the

on

the
low

order

Mines

will

which

Tribunal

the

of

cost

least three

at

millions

two

laid.

was

Mineria

de

millions

in readiness

were

To

francs,f of

of

before

the foundation

the sttidents immediately

to furnish
particularly
a
laboratoryfor metallic experiments on
proper
of

amalgamation

great

of

masses

of

construction, and

the

hasten

School

for the

with
the

minerals, {benejicio

miners
contributed
patio,)the body of Mexican
of 50,000
monthly, in the year 1803 alone, the sum
with which
vast
livres.l Such is the facility
jects
prode

are

surpass

those

of

The

than is believed

who

the

wear

whom

cuous
conspi-

more

number

suffer

which

revenues

of

half

If

whom

include

we

donados
(legos,

servants,
who

not

are

clergy at

13

or

are

regulars
lay brothers

y eriados de las

in orders,

we

may

individuals.^

14,000

145,8451.

t 125,0101.

"
to

is still

the

cowl.

all those
conveiitos,)
the

is divided

sovereign princes of
Mexican
clergy, less numerous
in Europe, is only composed of ten
man}'

individuals,tiic

and sisters,or
estimate

of

wealth

of individuals.

number

poverty, while others possess

Germany.
thousand

v/hcre

country

inequalityof fortune
the clergy, of
among

extreme

"

small

among
This

in

executed

The

15,600.

Mexico.

stciTmg.

number
more

The

of
than

^ 2,0831. sterliiig.

Trans.

of St.

monks

all the

clergy in

the

Francis

ecclesiastics

in

Spain amcnnts
kinp;clom of

of the

peninsula exceed

228,000

indi-

KINGDOM

CHAP.

VII.

Now

the

annual

in the

OF

NEW

of

revenue

SPAIN,

the

francs:*

Revenues

of

the

to

total

of

Archbishop
Mexico

shops
bi-

of

sum

Double

piastKs.

130,000

la Puebla

Bishop of

Mexican

eight

amounts
followinglist,

2,'695,
000

173

110,000

Valladolid

100,000

Guadalaxara

90,000

539,000t
viduals.

inhabitants
thousand
every
while
in New
Spain there are

thousand.

The
of the

several

there

For

above

not

siastics,
eccle-

20

are

two

the

to

of the clergy
following is a specification
the
ejiumeration
to
intendancies, according

in
in

1793:

In

the

In the

intendancyof
Pucbla

667

Valladolid

293

Guanaxuato

225

Oaxaca

306

The

clergy of
whom

M.

\9ir

342

the

Donados,

lay brothers,

or

than

more

in

per

2,695,000,

peninsula,according to
Humboldt

duals.
indivi-

2,500

at

the

double

I.

Townsend,

sterling.

note

but

M.

followingpage,

piastre,does
2,829.750

LaBorde,

de

to

take

his

147,657 individuals

cites the

made

returns

Trans.

of conversion

rate

in the

to

who

M.

professes

elsewhere

regarding Spain, amounts

1 1 2,300/.

VOL.

-1646

capital contain

the
de

accordingto

t This,
down

298

enumeration

of the

information

or

regu'^^s-

4uthor.

"

sous

the

convents

and,

clerigosy and

550

Including in

from

881

city of
Mexico

the

ecclesiastics,"

la C secular

not

francs=
e

which

the

namely,
amount

five francs
to

17,915/.
"

author

Tram.

the

suni

lays
five
ef

POLITICAL

J74

does

the

bishop of Sonora,

The

tithes.

draw

not

ON

ESSAY

THE

[book

poorest of them

n.

ali"

paid hke the bishop of

king, [de Caxas reales.)

He

is

immediately by the
His income
amounts
only to the 20th part of that of
and Mechoacan
the bishops of Valladolid
; and, what
in the diocese
of an
is truly distressing
archbishop
Panama

whose

francs,* there

are

to

clergymen

of Indian

does

yearly income
The

the

amounts

revenue

exceed

not

of

sum

650,000

whose
villages

five

six hundred

or

chapter of Valladolid
different times, to the king as a volun*sent, at
during the last war
tary contribution, particularly
of
810,000
francs.f
against France, the sum
the
Mexican
of
lands
The
clergy [bienesraices)
francs.f

do

bishop

the

exceed

not

francs ;" but

the

hypothecated on

the

of

La

Borde

and

he
:

But

the

states

69

immense

clergy possess

capitals

individuals.

of

property

millions

15

or

The

Capellamasy

having

de

M.

from

that

population, is

the
M.

de

the

proportion

population in Madrid,

clergy and

the

to

truth.

Borde,

La

69.

not

corresponding proportion

1 in 30

or

the

beyond

much

way
fouiid

every

thousand,

in the

20

clergy, and

of 228,000

1-2, and

74

7"4.49 7, say

147,657

estimate

the

the

11,000,000

though

of

in

12

to
M. de
118,625.
they amount
of
population
Spain at 11,000,000,
of
the
to the population as
clergy
proportion

estimates

of

Spanish government,

the

to

value

capitals,
[capitalesde

of these

vphole

and

was

Humboldt

20

tween
be-

1,000,

all Spain.
proportion over
it as
states
a
Analysis,
Yet
he afterwards,
de La
in M.
Borde, that he had first proved
pccviiiav merit
of
Spanish clergy to the population was
the proportion
that
that of the French
clergy to the population before
less than
has

led

been

the

extend

to

in

the

revolution,

clergy

of

'J2

which

(and

4-10;

54

sav

revolution.
*

in
in

same

Statistical

460,078:

was

not

8, 000

numerous

more

the

52,

as

La

25,000,000=1
Borde

pnpulvtion'of

proportionthan

that

11,000,000,
of

From

France

Tranfi.

sterling. Trails.
^ 3.",7527. sterling. Tranfi.
500,040/. to 625.950/.sterling.
^, From

20/.

to

54.444,

calculates;)

Trana.

27,085/. sterling.

25/.

Trans.

but

would

be

before

the

obras

the

to

double

shall

we

amounts

NRW

the

dreaded
"where

of

detail

religiosas,)

in

millions

44

the

the

and

sequel,
half

the

conquest,

in

clergy

of

Cortez,

francs.t
of

commencement
very
the opulence of

ecclesiastical

175

de Communidudes

give

sum

SPAIN.

piastres,*or 233,625,000

from

*'

OF

piaSyJunclosMales

which

of

He

KINGDOM

vii]

9HAP.

country

disciplineis difficult to maintain.

says very frankly in

that he beseeches
his

letter

Charles

to

majesty

the

send

to

Fifth,
the

to

out

Indies

the latter
because
religieuxand not canons,
displayan extravagant luxury, leave great wealth to
their natural
children, and give great scandal to the
Indians."
This advice, dictated by
newly converted
the

frankness

Madrid.
from

of

We

for

to

us

accuse

for
Spain of predilection
the

towards
The

the

at

passage

nal.
years ago by a cardithe conqueror
of New

regular clergy,or

pathy
anti-

canons.

down

and

spread up

rumour

followed

not

this curious

several

published

It is not

soldier,was

transcribed

have

work

old

an

Europe
has given

of the

wealth
rise to
immensity of the Mexican
of
very exaggerated ideas relative to the abundance
niture,
gold and silver employed in New
Spain in plate,furkitchen

utensils, and

harness.

traveller,

whose

imaginationhas been heated by stories of keys,

locks, and hinges of massy
silver,will be very much
*

t I have
de

los

followed

vecinos

de

(dated

24th

value.

I compute
5

at

called

170
16
-or

quartos,

equal
510

must

with
duro.

jiezo

to

The
or

intrinsic

muravedis,
15

sous,

maravedis.

% Archbishop Lorenzana.

Senor

work

/zezo, which
fiastre,which

America,

while

contains

20

the

only

great

livres

is
te

reals

15

of

astre
pi8

1-3

is sometimes

or

Jiezo

Vireij,

doulilc

the
is 5

value

piastre contains

double

3 livres

the

piastre of

double

this

Its

comviercial

Rep.resentacion

memoir

manuscript

course

confound
or

680

in the

Kxcellentissimo

of

sous.

not

the

al

1805,)

in the

livres

contained

data

Valladotid

fiezo se?iciiio

money,

the

October,

We

sous.

Trans.

sterling.

13,485,453/.

of

fictitious

duro,

or

te

vellon,'or

sencilla, which
reals

of

vellon,

PdLlTlCAL

176

ESSAY

THE

ON

[book

ii-

his arrival at Mexico

at seeingno
more
surprise(^on
of the preciousmetals
uses
employed for domestic
in Spain, Portugal,and
the rest
of the
there than
of Europe; and he will be as much
astonished
south
Peru, or at Santa Fe, people of
at seeing in Mexico,
the

spurs

on,

more

common

barefooted

order

lowest

findingsilver

at

or

with

than

there

cups

in

silver

enormous

and

little

plates a

France

England.

and

he rewhen
flects
surpriseof the traveller will cease
that porcelainis very rare
in these newly civilized
of the roads
in the
regions; that the nature
the carriageof it extremely diffimountains
renders
cult
The

that in

and

it is

piastresbe

between

fortunes

the

believe

to

than

at

the

and

Peru
the

of

Mexico.

already observed,

to

however,
and

of

revenue

with

of

more

10

and

difference

of

Mexico, considering
merely

if it is very

rare,

60,000
number

is much

as

there

have

we

who

francs,*
of

Lima

at

fortunes

find individuals
or

inclined

am

comfort

true

of
inequality

great

withstanding
Not-

plate.

enormous

more

and

50

we

mulatto

sess
pos-

meet,
artisans

who, by their industryalone, procure

free negroes,
much

is

The
;

in

tivity,
ac-

hundred

few

I
great proprietors,

that there

less in the former

little commercial

equallyindifferent whether
possessed in specie or
however,

wealth

of

country

than

15,000

the

necessaries

are
piastresf

of
very

life.

pitals
Ca-

common

this class,while the streets

of Mexico
among
with from
twenty to thirtythousand wretches,

swarm

(Sara-

the greatest number

Guachinangos,)of whom
out" to
pass the night sub dio, and stretch themselves
the sun
during the day with nothing but a flannel
covering. These
dregs of the people bear much
analogy to the Lazaroni of Naples. Lazy, aireless,

gates,

3,083/,

t If

jing.

or

singleor
Traits,

2,500/.

sterling.

commercial

Traus.

pi;istres=:
1,560/. and

2,340/.

ster-

POLITICAL

178

years

from

1792

and

ESSAY

400,000
180

in Mexico

prosperityis nowise
It is

trade.

exports
the

in
than

more

of

progress
New

increase

by

twenty

Europe

II.

been
of

colonial
active

more

quintals;

120,000

troduced
in-

Mexi3-ears since can

Vera Cruz at
sent
pre-

cultivation

sugar

have

slaves

the

above

not

[boor

between
quintals,

occasioned

known

was

sugar

THE

1,000,000

to

nearly55,000*

But

slave

ON

which

and

has

yet

taken

of St. Domingo
Spain since the revolution
increased
the number
has not perceptibly
of
Of
slaves.
the 74,000
furnished
annually
negroes
Africa
the
and
to
by
equinoxialregions of Atnerica

place in

Asia, and

which

in the colonies

worth

francs,t

111,000,000
of

are

not

above

can

be

100

the

land

on

of

sum

the coast

Mexico.
there

By the laws
Spanish colonies
speciesof wars

very

to

much

like that

missionarymonks

of South

state

I'he

lime

by

to

very

time

and

in the

slaves

singularabuse, two
give rise

different in appearance

incursions

peaceabletribes of

yet by

Indian

no

into

ol' the

African

America
countries

the

slave.

make

from

possessed

Indians,whom

they call savages,

have
learned
not
to

[Indiosdf'avos,)because
they
like the equallynaked Indians
inake the signof the cross
of the missions {Indios reducidos.) In these
nocturnal
incursions, dictated by the most
culpable
can
prise,
surfanaticism,they lay hold of all whom
they
and
children, women,
especially
without
children
from
pity
They separate
lest they should concert
togetheras to

old

men.

their
die

thers,
mo-

means

who
is chief of this expediof escape.
The
monk
tion
the Indians
distributes the young
people among
who
have the most
contributed
of his mission
to the

According

of which
1799

to

to

I possess
1803

was

f 4,625,370/,

the
a

custom-house
copy,

the

34,500, of whom

sterling.

Trans

reports of the

introduction
7

per

Havannah,

from
of negroes,
die
cent,
annually.

KINGDOM

vii]

CHAP,

of

success

the

the

the

slaves

On

the

Portuguese

Rio

ers
Negro, these prisontreated
like
they are

of Foitos; and

name

till they are

haring Poitos

179

Entrados.

biuiks of the
bear

SPAIN.

NKW

OF

of

and

an

Orinoco, and

Tl^

to

marry.
work
them

age

making

on

desire of

for

eight or

the Indians of the missions

to
years induces
the
the monks
to these
incursions, which

ten

have
the

as

cite
ex-

shops
bi-

to blame,
generallyhad the good sense
of attachingodium
its
to religion and

means

In

ministers.

Mexico

the

prisonerstaken

is carried

petty warfare, which

in the

almost

on

without

the frontiers of iht provincias

on
intemaSj
interruption
more
experiencea much
unhappy fate than the Poitos.
They are generally of the nation of the Mecos
or
Apac^^es,and they are dragged to Mexico, where
they languish in the dungeons of a correction- house,
tude
ferocityis increased by soli(/a Cordada.) Their
and despair. Transported to Vera Cruz
and the
island of Cuba, they soon
perish, like every savage
the
from
removed
Indian
high table -land into the
cos
Melower, and consequently hotter regions. These
their dungeons^
break
from
prisonerssometimes

commit

and

the

atrocious

most

It is

countries.

itself in

interested
whose

the easier

at

that
were

*Teslumenio

el

II

very curious
exists
in the
del

that the

unfortunate

their situation

the

rounding
sur-

ment
governpersons,
much
so

quo

del

mes

this

on

the testament

Conquistador
de

document,

el

la

Octobre^
of which

in the

the slaves of the

as

subjecta

Excellcntissimo
de

Flaza

jVueva

very

I caused
del

Esfia'-a

Don
hecho

copy

to

be

an

Her
en

originalof

Estado,

Mayor

able
remark-

Coitez,*
Sencr

The

1547.

quest
con-

of
prisoners

of Hernan

arcliives of the house

Valle,)situated

of these

treated

were

otorc^o

of the

commencement

great number

who

in

passage

villa

at

I found

conquerors.

Cortez,

these

small, and

Mexico,

van

high time

in the

be ameliorated.

to

It appears
there
war

is

number

cruelties

Se-

this

taken,

(of the Marquis

of Mexico.

I found

ESSAY

POLITICAL

180

ON

THE

[book

ii.

of

being preserved from

This
oblivion.
who, during the course
great captain,
of his victories,
especiallyin his perfidiousconduct
historical

towards

the

the
the

his

of

the

the

Cruz

and

tributes

he

Cortez
As

"

been
Don

information

if

archives

Indians

slaves

till this

can

scientiously
con-

have

who

to

never

possible
every
be legally
ex-

take
may

shortly

by Cortez,

up

been

son
my
shall
who

descendants

drawn

memoir

memorable

point has
day, I order

rights which

ing
Speak-

this

as

of his

imposts

christian

of

articler af his

41st

following

after me,

the

to

as

in these

also

those

and

property

my

the

and

the

to the native.

and

it is doubtful

Martin,

possess

39th

adds

employ as
prisonersof war,
rightlycleared up

made

son

the value

above

name

be restored

in the

of the slaves

words

his

in

formerlypaid should

that

wishes

even

exacted

testament,

his

ordered

inquiriesinto the tributes

of
lords who
were
proprietors
the arrival of the Spaniardsat

by the Mexican
marquisate before

Vera

He

scruplesas
he possessed

careful

most

levied
his

which

by

in Mexico.

property

to make

entertain

to

career

the titles

legitimacyof

immense

Second, did
wards
conscience,* began to-

delicacyof

end

the

Montezuma

unfortunate

displaymuch

not

to

worthy

monument

siege of Tenochtitlan, containing instructions

of inus on
the
to
making of roads, establishment
other
roads, and
objects of general police.

lifter the

great
*

Cortez,

capital of

information

Lord

powerful

living or

dead

Certijique

.-"nbilico a
p.

39.)

while
hud

la

We

the
no

el

he

city

the

villa de

ricca

Tenochtitlan

of

Emperor

the

to

Vera

Mexican
Mtcza

Corona

are

Spanish

communication

to

de

observe

general
with

of

were

he

Montezuma,"
Vuestra

Real

la

speaking of the wonders

After
Dorado.
transmitting to him all
of
could
regarding the wealth*'
procure
if he

as

the

from

dated

letters

Fifth

the

Charles

"

his

describes

Cruz,
the

in

lative
re-

the

king
Vuestra

was

the

must

sovereign,

full

lo habr'ui

que

that

his

assures

MaM-estad."
this

project

the
on
yet
ambassadors

that

muerto

(Lorenzana,
conceived

was

coast,

of

the

his hands.

into

fircso

the

and

Montezuma.

had

KINGDOM

vn.]

GHAF.

ercised

towards

paying

me

prisoners.

service, ought
not

as

civilization of

on

even

in America

have

deatli-bed.

In

or

cided
de-

should

council?

We

must

the
later,notwithstanding
the

rich

not

the devotees

prietors
proconsciences

less timorous

days, it

our

who
philosophers

the

but

whom

enlightenedage,

more

it shall be

problematicalquestions

pope
centuries

three

that

own

yieldpersonal

to

From

such

on

after

personal services ought

demanded."

been

expect decisions
these, except from

we

forced

these

igl

natives, who

indemnified, if

be

to

SPAIN.

The

been

sequelthat

have

to

have

tribute

in the

NEW

OF

is

call in

question the

justiceof slavery! But the small influence which the

empire of philosophy has always had induces us to
have
been
better for suffering
believe that it would
humanity had this sort of scepticism still been preserved
believers.*

among

slaves, who
in Mexico,

the

However,
numbers

small

fortunatelyare
there,

are

somewhat
Spanishpossessions,

other

as

more

in very
in all the
under

the

of the laws than the negroes

of the other
protection
These
laws
preted
are
European colonics.
always interin favour of liberty. The
wishes
government
to

who

by

his

the moderate

of
triple

the

Had

of the

made

in

de

have

by

found

of

influence

VOL.

83/.

or

I.

that he

lucrative

some

slave,

this country
he

to

sterling.

employment.

abolish

cover

The

enemies

Trans.
P

with

the

the

slave

wei^

call devotees,

religious motives.

possesses

endeavours

these

would

pretext that he

acquainted

been

that

the

on

or

particular,and this ought to

were
always staunch
t 62/.

livres.f Liberty

2,000

or

negro

the sum,

in

whom

men

Humboldt

endeavours

would

he

the

M.

1,500

to

for

talent

of

sum

refused

be

cannot

increased.

industryhas procured a little money, may

master
to
on
give him his liberty
paying

his

compel

cost

of freemen

the number

see

who
sect

multitude
to

particular
A

history
trade,,

principally
acted

of

under

quakers

of their

slavery.

surdities,
ab-

Trunks.

POLITICAL

182

has

who

slave

been

to

cause

of

to

their

mistress,
all

them

wounded

the

lady was

slaves

may

be
quently
fre-

be

in

Mexico,

their

groes
ne-

the

because
liberty,

shocking process,
a key, knocked
they complained of

when

which

gums,
Roman

in their

tice
jus-

having,with

of the

The

w^orking.

do

of this

course

of

in the

fluxion

count
ac-

lady from the islands, had

the body with scissors, pins^

accused

teeth

the

out

over

In the

knives.

and

alcalde cle corte, gave

of

that

must

even

ii

July, 1803, an example of two

the magistrate,who
exercised

whom

functions

[book

law

however,

I saw,

eluded.

month

THE

that this beneficent

easilyconceived
in the

ON

cruellyused acquireson
by the law, if the judge
of the oppressed; but it

his freedom
the

ESSAY

prevented

matrons

not

were

them

from

more

nious
inge-

Barbarity is the

punishments.

same

when
all ages,
men
can
indulge their passions
without
tolerate an
restraint,and when
governments
order of thingscontrary to the laws of nature, and,
in

to the
consequentlj'^,

We

who,

On

glancingour

sections which

we

see

that the

least

at

summer

twice

part of North
the

Spaniards is
with

hordes
Iberia
between
the

when
the

elevation

of

over

our

the

clouds

heads,
from

men

are

the

sur-

which

in

assembled
north-west

Europeans, and a few

of Bonny, Calabar, and

America,
coasts

When

limbo.

Highlanders.

as

whose

that

coloured

togethercopperfrom

Anahuac,

of

suspended

are

men

up of this country,
nation of six millions

considered

be

may

the table-land

passes

drawn

of

races

population of New
the physicalviews

over

greater part of

of inhabitants
On

different

eyes

have

we

societj\

the

present, constitute

at

Spain.
or

the

enumerated

have

of

welfare

mixture

the

of

Alani

most

also

consider

part of the
the

Persic

what
and

ancient

Visigothsand

we

Sanscrit,and

that

consider

we

we

other

groes
ne-

Mecall

now

Tartar

inhabitants

of

strikinganalogy
European languages,
the

and, in short,when

we

KINGDOM

MI]

CHAP.

reflect
have

the Asiatic

on

been
we

wandering
it were,

same

tlie ridge of

pastoraltribes

Mexico

who

tlic seventh

since

long time, and

the globe, meet

of

tour

nations, who,

part of those

issued

for

about
the

the

IgS

tempted to believe, that from

cally
diametricentre, though by roads

opposite,have
as

into

SPAIN.

almost

are

the

and

NEW

originof

pouring

century,
one

OF

the Mexican

after

making,

once

more

on

Cordilleras.

of which
complete the table of the elements
for
the Mexican
population is composed, it remains
to point out
us
rapidlythe differences of cast which
with one
of the pure races
spring from the mixture
To

These

another.

the

as

the

constitute

casts

the

inhabitants

of

with
which
colour.

the

colonies

of

have

from

of

It may
be so much
these denommations,*

the

the

of

native

of

colour

is almost

have

white

pure

feet,and

and

blood
a

marry

The

been

than

white

the

to

man,

of the

the

hair.

second

is of

and
the

into

work

de

Lima., por

printedin Peru,

in

1806.

el Doctor

eyes,

Mestiza

very

Clima

small

of Indian

race.

el

generation differs

in any
the European
thing from
few
have
been
introduced
negroes

Sobre

His

hardly

those

and

mixture
If

founded
con-

sions.
posses-

obliquityof

of the

nature

beard

plain
ex-

confusion

his skin

and

small

certain

frequentindications

more

to

white

particulartransparency.
are

primitive

(Creoleor European)
copper-colour, is called Mestizo,

son

hands

colours

useful

more

travellers,and as this
by many
embarrassment
small
no
frequentlycauses
who
the American
read
Spanish works on
The

their language

of the

they

as

vanity,the

enriched

degeneration of

the

mate
estimay
blood
at

mixed

refinement

siderable
con-

as

We

for the finest shades

terms

result

individuals

From

nearly 2,400,000.

almost

mass

Indians.

Mexican

total of

As

New

UrMTtue, p. xlviii.

POLITICAL

184

Spain, the
whole

Mestizoes

mild

more

from

and

violence

Indian

Chinese.
from

On

the

laws,

zambos.

This

limited

or

prietos^who
From

mulatto

the
the

comes

the

bears

son

Avith

white

banishes

white

are

also.

European

such
of

The

a
a

casts

male
fe-

Creole, her
alliance

new

remains

degree the

white

with

When

or

female

female

and

of Indian

of

quinAfrican

or

peculiarto the cutaneous

The
of those two
ruvian
Peprimitiveraces.
transpiration
guish
Indians, who in the middle of the night distinthe different races
of smell,
by their quick sense
blood

the

and
negro
of a white
man

qumteron.

colour, that the children

tcron

female

quarterons.

to

and

negro

zamboes

of

of

are

they distinguishthe

mixture

name

appears
called

From

from

(juarteron marries

as

and

principally

now

Chinese

cast

is

groes
ne-

female.

and

descend

C/zmo,

of

name

Spain, they
of

zamboes,

of

Lima,

Caraccas, and,

in New

negro

of

scended
mulattoes, de-

Mexico,

at

strange

of

descendants

common

zamba.

the

coast

even

iu

of the

descendants

last denomination

the

to

mulatto,
these

the

the

The
bear

women

Havannah,

the

at

even

[book

who
distinguished
are
negresses,
of their passionsand
gular
a sin-

of tongue.
volubility
and

THE

than

character

whites

for the

ON

7-8
probably compose
are
generally accounted

They

casts.

much

ESSAY

preserve

odour

the odour
of the
express
European, the Indian American, and the negro : they
call the first pezuna^ the second
posco^*and the third
formed

have

three

grajo. Moreover,
of

children

the

mother,
In

blood

have
also

are

it is almost

to

mixtures, in which

deeper

than

the
that

colour
their

of

salta-atras.,
or
back-leaps.
governed by whites, the families

called

are

puted to

the

becomes

country

words

Old

the least mixture

naturallythe most
title of nobility
to
word

of the

of

negro
honoured.

descend

or

mulatto
In

neither

Oquichua language.

re-

Spain
from

POLITICAL

136

individuals

such

or

ESSAY

ON

THE

[bo"k

consider

may

n.

themselves

as

whites, {quese tengan por blancosy)

were
interesting

be

It would

influence

thoroughly the
the

proportionof

from

and

more

men

than

the

white

race

in all the

could

there

habit

In

same

souls, the

adopt

the

with

exhibit
I

men.*

of

the

never

to

eight.
proportionof 34

is very
in the

remarkable,

more

are

with

theory, embraced

so

in her

Wollstonecroft

offspringis detet-niined
"

there

females
have

consequently

here

we

that

in all conscience,
comes

in

and

than

to

way,
Trans.

t Statistiqueelementaire
5

whom
black

de

Rheinhold

that

Mary
of the

sex

the

rance
preponde-

Hence,

in the
that

east

says
for the

intercourse)

of ardour.

Yet

Indians, who

are

their

preferany thing

or

la

Forster's

the

which

males

and

far-famed

the

just share in
ordinary share

beardless

their

females."

by

born

in the towns

intercourse.

than

portion
pro-

males

more

of John

sexual

991,829

and, what

men,

than

ardour

of their

more

these

are

Rights of Women,
by the side on

being deprived
see

much

females

more

are

than

favour

lies in the

of ardour

the

^S.

in the south

in

men

in the

to
appears
It is certain that in

women

makes

in

Peuchetf

that there

country and
hardly

M.
:

that

care,

to

are

to

there

This

greatest

livingwomen

France

than

Oaxaca

men.

resolve the blem

proference
according to the dif-

of nine

that

than

and

excess

hidians

Spaniardsor

women

more

sufficient materials

procure
of the

made

she,

were

saw,

cityof Puthe

among
the
among

of Guanaxuato

the

casts

that in the

were

while

another.

one

in

casts

diversityof sexes
of races, or according to the heat of the cli.
elevation of the regions which
our
or
speciesinshall here, therefore, merely content
selves
our: we
with generalresults.
it has been
France
found by a partial
tion
enumera-

mate

there

women,

intendancies

The

to

discuss

to

diversityof

the

in 1793,

Valiadolid

at

of

sexes

enumeration

the

ebla

the

enabled

we

women

white, beget

France., p.

242.

cool

more

enough
males

CHAP.

KINGDOM

Til

degree
But

give

in

eight

between

these

Spain
totally

the

the

provinces,

arithmetical

different.
there

numerous

by

ig?

47th

and

latitude.

New

result

more

proved

of

SPAIN.

NEW

comprehended

departments
52d

OF

following
or

table,

population

The

calculations
males

than

the
drawn
of

in

are

neral
ge-

females,
up

by

1,352,000

as

me

is

from
bitants.
inha-

POLITICAL

188

c
o

ESSAY

ON

THE

[book

o
""-"

II.

oooooooooooooo
oooooooooooooo

s:

S2

1-1
s
VD

"

00

en

"

o
a

"

=2
"^3

"
(J

42
^

J^ 42

cJ

T3

It

might

of

north

be

Mexico

supposed that the

is partly owing to

posts called
But
do

we

not

shall

contain

afterwards
more

than

see,

that

three

the

which

fircsidios, in

of

excess

these

thousand

existence
there

are

in

males

of the
no

women.

presidiosill the
men.

the
litary
mi-

whole

KINGDOM

VII.]

CHAP.

made

that the males

in

100

Spain,in the

of

for

in the enumeration

we

made

95,

indicate the

appear

to

cannot

conceive

why,

of the Count

order

by

generalpopulation

proportionof

the

in

numbers

things;

in the

proportionof 100

empire

These

state

true

the females

to

French

the

103.

my

are

of New
and

^89

calculations, compared with

by the ministry of the interior at Paris,
from

It follows
those

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

de

have
the
Mexican
should
women
Revillagigedo,
the
interest in withdrawing themselves
than
more
This suspicionis so much
the more
men.
bable,
improthe
in the great cities the proportion
between
as

"

for

it is very common
wish
from
to
a

awaits her

to

that

and

he

him

one

gives,as

he

day by

one

child from
the misery which
vol.
U.
{Gunnila.,
up.
p. 71.) Guwith their inhumanity in this respect,
told
that
wished
him,
generally
they
been
deprived of life in childhood ;
to
a faithful report of a speech made
her

says,
of these

She

pages.

to

lead,

working during the day,

the

while

and

during the night while

this,she

however,

says,

obliged

become

to

feeling,and

is

small

no

be

takes
whom

she
The

credit

in

sleep.
but

young
and
her

country;
the

among

long

and

hidios

after the

this way

Indians;

the

gieat

what

cities where

better

from

fewer

female
exceed

VOL.

and

smaller

Indian

I.

the

influence

children

to

treatment

of

the

will be

that of the

might

of females

appears

favour

miles.

"^ q

than

whites,
Trang.

the
the

over

milder

kept

account

up
in

males

among
vieAv is, that in

this

of the

murdered,

in

is often

We

are

eloquence.

somewliat

custom

ceased.

number

the

grosses
en-

displays great

speech

perhaps,

now,

of it has

cause

for the

the

though

reducidos, yet

she

children

(Id. p. 75-6-7.) This is the fate of the Indian women

doubt, universal
Spanish missions ; it was
no
once,
"whole

aa

All

wife, who

female

to

amusing

was

with

borne
a

she

it for his breakfast

preparing

even

slaves.

the

husband

or

while

about

enjoyed himself

he

could

occupies two
hardship which

children

her

and

in years, the husband

his affections, and to

advances

life of

carryingher

grindinghis maize

himself, and

which

women,

enumerates

obliged

been

grown
the women

tax

who, for answer,

they had themselves

had

the Indians
tell us, that among
female
mother
to kill her
offspring,

preserve

when

used

three

country.*

Spanish missionaries

TJie

milla

that in the

differ from

to

appears

sexes

females
and

the

must

be

consequently
number

of

males
fe-

l^Q

rise

probably given

in all the

consequently

At

Panuco

the

male

and

male

as

100

there

are

As

to

law

the

births.^

In

births

97

somewhat

of

which

female

to

1802,

not

was

not

the

on

side

general, the proportion of

in New
Spain, to
appears to me,

which

excess

in

indicates

of

excess

an

males

for 100

boys

proportionof the deaths to the difference

it was
impossible for me to discover the
sexes,
At Panuco, in ten years,
established by nature.
479

there

were

in

five

allowed,
At

for 674

female

these

to

for 509

females.

parish,that

one

the

of the

of

Sagrario,during

deaths, and
in life

men

male.

1,951

insufficient it

data, very

excess

Mexico,

At

ought

must

be

be

still

to

1793
to
PanuQO, the parish registers give, from
births. At Yguala there
male
births, 550 female

1,738 boys

for

t I need
female

in

existence

just told

caution

births is

us,

100,

though

Trans.
.

the

one

another.

that

1802,
were

girls.

1,635

not

and

males

2,393

years,

According

"00,

were

the

died

103

there

and

1797

rish
pa-

trary
directlycon-

Mexico

greater than in France, where

born
96 girls,
t

there

gave

few

Yguala, two
places situated
very unhealthy climate, there was

registerin

one

The

born.

torrid

the

and

warm

very

climates, and

regionsof

lower

in five years, between

has

generallyprevailing

warm

more

born

be

in

girlsthan boys are

registerswhich I examined
In the capitalof
result.

zone,

ideas

false

colonies, that

in the

of

the

to

n.

great cities which

aspect of these

It is the

[book

THE

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

the
the

reader

that

thing, and
For

females
female

are

of

that

instance,
to

births

M.

the
are

proportion of

the

males
de

males
to

the

and

male

females

Humboldt
in
male

has

France
as

as

96

ejiAP.

than

greater
in

KINGDOM

vii.J

other

what

1330

the

latter, for

1272.

M.

that

observed,

deaths

there

females

are

gives

peasants
female

noxial

tranquillity,
the

the

sea,
to

The

with

who

and

come

want

slaves
travel

or

to

of

the

the

in

the
than

country
than

male
these

well

data
the

as

long

of

excess

we

equiof

state

if

males,

employments
incessantly

tend

not

and

their

the

contrast

population

to

culiar
pe-

nish
dimi-

to

as

in

places

Whatever

be

in

the

table

eight

which

Mexican

equilibrium

in

serve

of

[arrieros,]

The

gave

provinces

derable
consi-

are

of

cause

it is

them

leave

men

there

the

who

houses

this

following

of
:

proportion
dis-

certain

less

no

cities, exhibits
we

country

muleteers,

cities,

means

no

The

where

exists.

three

only

of

to

by

of

state

number

disproportion

the

sexes.

cities

country

sexes

includes

in

different

great

abode

of
such

is

cities

great

remain

the

into
;

the

the.

to

mines.

which

of
not

through

fix

males

as

dangerous

did

does

women

to

more

of

number.

respect

that

and

sex,

than

of

an

already

births

enjoyed
find

has

more

whole

have

1191

1204:

as

state

Europe

should

we

population

stable,

in

wars,

our

their

the

that

regions,

in the

the

Colimaya,

difference

nineteenth

one-

frequent

Pomelles
the

that

appears

more

years,

peaceful

From

conclude^

may

ten

even,

the

only

deaths.

and

seventeenth

one-

and

born,

Yguala

sensible

more

it

are

de

France

in

is much

sexes

At

191

But

deaths

male

deaths.

to

were

SPAIN.

NEW

found.

was

the

female

former
and

it

countries

the

than

OF

table,

striking

the

general

ON

ESSAY

POLITICAL

192

THE

[book

II.

CO
o

ctf

"U

-a

o
o
O

S5
"

rt

="

-a
M

(U

"

(5j

6
12:
"4

"

number

This

apparent
of

Spanish

disproportion
women

who

proceeds

quit Europe

from

the

for Mexico.

small

POLITICAL

194

number

individuals

of

the

same

end.

out

what

remains

shall be
which

THE

done,

be

to

placed

n.

accomplishing
to have
pointed

the

when

government

happy positionin

the

this

[book

in

It is sufficient here

has

nature

ON

interested

disposed to profitby

The
of

ESSAY

extraordinarycountry.

the population
operationsof 1793, respecting
offer results which
are
deservingof a..^
capital,

the

place at

the end

of

this part of the

were
age of fifty,
of

this

distinguishedaccording to

cast

and

it'was found

the

aboye

and

below

enumeration,

individuals in

The

chapter.

ference
the dif-

that this epoqua

passed :

was

By

white

4,128

Creoles

in

population of

total

50,371

By 539
By 1,789
By 1,278

Mulattoes
Indians
mixed

So that there

have

white

blood

past the age of 50

Creoles

in the

that

which

races

casts

they confirm

the admirable

reignsin all the laws

longevityis somewhat
best

are

4-5

of other mixed

while
calculations,

indicate

Individuals

to

uniformitywhich

(Spaniards)

Mulattces

seem

25,603
19,357

Indians

These

7,094

of

In 100

"^

of nature,

greater

fed, and in which

the epoqua

puberty is later. Of 2,335 Europeans who

in 1793, not
fewer than 442
livingin Mexico
attained
the age
which
of fifty,
by no means

of
were

had

the Americans

have

three

advanced
an
attaining
the Europeans seldom

age

that

proves

of
;

for

tillthey have
After

examining

the different
is
a

of

the

discussion

of

o'l

the

the

of

casts

composed,
races

to

come

mature

reader

what

will

well

less bability
propeans
the Euro-

to

America

age.
the
no

moral

Mexican

being

population

of

of

of

state

desire

doubt

is the influence

general

than

remove

physical and

which

times

to

have

this mixture

society?

and

KINGDOM

CHAP.vu.]
is the

what

happiness,which,
man

coUision
We

by

of

will

^95

enjoyment

in the actual
mind

cuhivated

of

of

degrcee

SPAIN.

NEW

OF

tht: country,

ot

state

amidst

can

procure
and
interests, prejudices
of

speak here

not

individual

and

such

feehngs?
advantages afforded

the

Spanish colonies from the

of
productions,the fertility

the

wealth

of their

their

soil, the

tural
na-

cility
fa-

there of choosing as he
possesses
in hand, in a
feels inclined, with thermometer
space
of a few square
leagues,the temperature or climate
which

man

he believes

which

the

the

physicalconstitution, or
which

view
up

is

he

the ascent,

in the

region

will

of

the

most

where

those

beside

cultivated

and

half

way
tween
pines, be-

perpetual

delicious

the

retrace

not

oaks

1,400 metres,*

spring reigns,where

age, his
cultivation
to

countries, situated

delicious

1,000 and
Indies

We

his

to

speciesof

attached.

most

those

of

favourable

most

fruits of

the

Europe, and
these enjoyments are
troubled
where
neither by the
the fear of the yellow fever,
of insects,nor
multitude
the frequency of earthquakes. We
will
nor
(vomito,)
discuss in this place if,without the tropics,
there
not
with
exist a region in which
less labour, can
man,
of a numerous
supply more
abundantly the wants
of the colonist does
family. The physicalprosperity
alone modify his intellectual and moral
existence.
not
When
a
European, who has enjoyed all that is
are

attractive in the

most

advanced
these

distant

oppressed
the
over

at

colonial
the minds

in

of

social life of countries

the

civilization,transports himself

regions of

the

step

every

government
of the

with
has

continent, he

new

the

influence

for centuries

inhabitants.

who

thest
far-

into
feels

which

exercised

well

informed

merely interests himself

development of the species,suffers

in the

the

The
sensibility.

man,

man

who

is endowed

t 3,280

and

with great
4,593 feet.

less

Trans.

intellectual

perhaps than

former

institutes

maritime

from

instruments

and

the

which
of

ESSAY

POLITICAL

i96

with

the

[book
mother

man

have

try;
coun-

books
he procures
witli ecstacy the progress

he

sees

America

have
and

in the great cities

ture
contemplation of na-

made

the

ali her

It is ia this
that insulation and
way
their attractions for him
if he wishes

alone.

ii.

grandeur, and the astonishingvariety

for the priproductions, indemnifies his mind
vations
which
his position condemns
But
him.
to
of sensibility
seek in the Spanish comust
lonies
ibr every thing agreeable in life within
himself

of her

the

THE

communication

sciences

exact

Spanish
in

comparison

OK

solitude

enjoy

to

advantages afforded by the excellence

of the climate, the aspect of a never-fadingverdure,
the political
I
While
of the new
and
calm
world.
ing
freelygive these ideas to the world, I am not censur-

peaceably

the
or

the

Peru

the

people

am

the Americans

are

are

inclined

have

endowed

rather

manners

Lima

of

rather

travellers

gentlenessof

of Mexico

inhabitants

that the

say

other

many

that

me,

with

ture

of

those of Cadiz.

believe, what
before

do

nor

than

worse

character

moral

to

observed

by na"
ing
approach-

of several
pean
Euroeffeminacy,as the energy
nations
easily degenerates into harshness.
in the Spanish
of sociability
want
universal
so

to

The

colonies, and

the

hatreds

the
fi^reatestaffinity,
over

to

which

effects

the life of

the

of

divide

the

which

shed

terness
bit-

solelydue
these
regions

politicalprinciplesby which
been
governed since the sixteenth century.

government,
will be

of

aware

able

to

the

true

diffuse information

'and

by extinguishinggraduallythe
inequality of rights and fortunes,will
augmenting the physicalprosperityof the
it will

find immense

rendering the

difficulties to

inhabitants

of

interests

and

but

colonists,are

the

have

of

casts

nity,
humation,
instruc-

monstrous

succeed

colonists

overcome

fore
be-

sociable, and teaching

them

OF

KINGDOM

VII.]

CHAP.

197

light

the

mntuall)'in

themsehes

consider

to

SPAW.

NEW

of" fellow-ciiizcns.
Let

forgetthat

not

us

very different manner

and the other continental

is formed

in

in Mexico

mountains, the
which

tribes of hunters

few

attaclitd

by

retired

tie

no

of the

approach

society
it is

what

from

regions of the
the Alleghany

Penetrating into
Europeans found immense

colonies.

Spanish

States

United

in the

towards

to

wandered

the

western

At

soil.

uncultivated

an

natives

colonists, the

new

forests,in
up and down,

gradually

in the

savannas

the

neio-ho

bouihood
this

of

the

free

manner

"'

In North

America,"

traveller who

the

social

of

sets

has

state

from

out

attained

to

great

the rude

of

and

where

town

and
in
of

formed

hut

unseemly

statesman,

perfection,travei'ses

all degrees of civilization

successively
which
keep diminishingtillhe arri\^es
at

same

people.

new

celebrated

says

the

and

race

same

the first elements

origin became
"

of the

men

In

Missouri.

the

Mississippiand

industry,
days

few

the

trunks

Such
a
journey is a sort
newly cut down.
of practical
analysisof the originof nations and states.
We
from
the most
set out
rive
complicated union to arthe
at
most
gression
simple elements; we travel in retrothe historyof the progress
of the human
mind
find in space w^hat is due
we
only to the
; and
trees

of time."*

buccession
In New

Spain and Peru,

the colonists

nowhere

Fixing themselves
themselves

who

except the missions,

we

returned

to

in the midst

of

lived

complicated and

if

under

despotic,the

the

state

of nature.

agricultural
nations,
governments
equally
took
adEuroi)eans

their
vantage of the preponderancy of their civilization,

cunning,

and

This

conquest.
of

VOL.

races

M.

de
I"

the

authoritythey derived
particularsituation,and

of which

Talleyrand

the interests

in

his
R

Essay

on

are

from

the

the mixture

diametrically

Colonization.^

POLITICAL

X98

became

opposite,
disunion.

the

iiuropeans

sent

became

divided

race

blood

canncjt

two

heal

the

from

the

According
been

for

distributed

in

not

too

in

of

and

rancour

which

disturbs

this
the

in

ants
inhabitcivil

sensions,
dis-

cation
compli-

political

casts

among

From

the

seeing

chine,
ma-

the

incessantly
the

hatred

terest
in-

public

in

great

foments

there

of

of

and

sidered
con-

is

dread

security

the

country

authorities.

the

power,

of

springs

mother

party

of

have

are

the

prosperity

Seekmg

balance

the

all

the

spirit

the

as

lony,
co-

adminisiration.

which

the

the

Authority

according
in

ad-,

take

to

regions

Europe.

dictate.

to

seems

distant

of

vernment
go-

unfortunately

manner

increase

rapid

of

the

but

requires,
a

to

ties

greater
the

which
these

ages,

tributary

as

The

ideas

the

to

adopted

policy

white

colonial

wished

of

those

the

The

suspicion

the

greater

which

oi

dissensions.

these

of

vantage

of

the

country,

resentments.

mistaken

hatred

than

mother

the

ii,

descendancs

numerous

parties,

into

the

as

more

by

of

source

proportion

directly

over

[book

inexhaustible

an

In

and

ko

ESSAY,

state

enjoyments

of

and

things
of

social

tuted
constiarises

life.

BOOK

III.

ACCOUNT

STATISTICAL

PARTICULAR

OF

INTENDANCIES
NEW

SPAIN

RIAL

EXTENT

THE

WHICH

COMPOSED.

IS

of

fiortion

the

Before

Spain,

Vnt.

and

stated

in

the

the

the

fire-

territoria'

of the

the

to

is

this
the

which

the

we

have

work,

that

only

sions
divi-

modern

most

graphers
geo-

already
our

neral
ge-

which

one

tains
con-

established

intendancies

Ne\V

These

what

repeat

ticular
par-

of

on

founded.
to

Spain

contains

principles

ai'e

here

New

limits

the

intendancies

of the

unknown

we

of

map

tkeir

to

which

table

introduction

the

and

territory^

intendandes

the

divisions

entirely

are

of

discuss

territorial

Mexican

the

account

shall

we

TERRITQ-

cities.

giving
statistical

new

of

population

Principal

extent.

OF

POPULATION.

AND

fiolitical division

he

THE

KINGDOM
THEIR

CHAPTER

Of

OF

since

1776.
Mr.

Pinkerton,

Geography,*
*

It

1808,
himself

is this
No.

in
has

of" my
with

that

M.

manuscripts
the

second

edition

endeavoured

Pinkertor
for

frankness

.,f

beasts

bis

work,

natural

on

to

ni",

of

give

to

(Bibliotheque

announced

moment

9.)

the

dem
Mo-

his
a

minute

Americaine,

h.:vii,g tivailed

Mexico.
several

municated,
com-

manij-

POLITIC.IL

200

the

descriptionof
America
notions

derived

most

Alcedo.

contrived

from

data

vague

This

ON

THE

[book

Spanish possessions

he has

and

ESSAY

the

furnished

mix

to

in

hi.

North

several

exact

Vlajero Universal^ with

by the dictionaryof
believes

author, who

himself

the
M.

to

sess
posterritorial divisions

singularknowledge
the provinces of
of New
Spain, considers
Sonora, Cinaloa, and la Pimeria, as parts of New
divides
what
calls the dominion
he
Biscay. He
into the districts of Nueva
Gal{(kmaine)of Mexico
licia,Panuco, Zacatula, "c. "c.
According to this
of

we
principle

of

Europe

should

El

de

Jose

La

; 4.

other

compiler

savans

in his

is

as

peculiar

is drawn

Cruz

U"w

other

no

the

by
if

we

age

believe

would
a

country
edition
new
diffuse

natural

he

most

history.

by
Not

that
the

but

his

does

lived

erroneous

for

not

even

four

he

years

the
The

in the

is

the
he

of
map
will al-

finds

of

pugnant
re-

lous,
ridicu-

"

sceptieisni so
autlior

us.

which

that

what

know

Europe,

to

between

Caulin,

the

and

in vhich

in his closet

of Father

and.

conimu-

never

Pinkerton,

M.

knowing

rivers

7.
de

Laborde,

finds/every thing

pushes
him, M. Depons,

of M.Pinkerton's

the

Provincia

retuiTi

my

him

5. La

Cohahuila;

manner

intimacy

an

He

Ttrre-Ferfnp^

la

in which

to

to

courfje

former.

him,

from

up

before

the

is arrogant,

he

absurd."

disgusting,and
La

to

and

Reyno

Mexico

Nuevo

de

formed

ideas

the

to

de

8. La

Biscaya ;

Geography,
to produce

inaccurate

style which

Nuevo

Santander;

Provincia

Pinkerton

M,

thing to

as

El

; 3.

Bourgoinj^, M. Alexander
of equal respectability.I

calculated

not

La

; 6.

Provincia

M.

to

notes

any
treated me

was

La

; 9.

nicaled
he

administration

new

Nuevo

de

de Nueva

Provincia

la Sonora

Gallicia

Colonia

de Texas

Provincia

several

the

de

de Nueva

Reyno

script

of

of the Indies,
Galvez, minister
Spain contained, 1. El Reyno de Mexico;
Don

Leon

La

the

Bordeaux.

and

introduction

the

New
2.

great divisions-

Spain, Languedoc,Catalonia,and

are

Count

by

true

that the three

say

territories of Cadiz
Before

the

cated
indi-

far, that
the

Foij-

name

of

the

notes

of

the

especiallycontriI)ute

Geography
ideas in physics and

descriptive

ESSAY

POLITICAL

202

B.

Region

the

of

Provincia

[book

ixv

in the vicinity

Ocean.

de

west
northor
Califormay
America possessed
by the

la Nueva

of North

coast

I'HE

north-west,

of the Great
3.

ON

Spaniards.
4"

Provincia

Antigua California.Its
extremityenters the torrid zone.

southern
5.

de

la

Intendencia de la Sonora.

The

the celebrated

parts of Cinaloa, in which

ern

mines

of

Copala

also passes the

C. Region

tropicof

are

situated,

Cancer.
the
adjoining

north-east,

the

of

Rosario

and

south--

most

gulf of Mexico.
6. Intendencia

Luis

Santander

Nuevo

Potosi.

provincesof Texas,

the
de

San

de

and

It

prehends
com-

la Colonia

Cohahuila,

El

Leon, and the districts of

Ramos.
Charcas, Altamira, Catorce, and

Nuevo

These
of San

Reyno

the intendancy
last districts compose
called.
The southern
so
Luis, properly

part,which
Barra

de

extends

de Santander

and

Central

the Real de

Catorce,

league.

region.

which

extends

the part
Zacatecas^excepting
to

the north

Fresnillo.

of the

TORRID

7. Intendencia de

8. Intendencia

d(^ Guadalaxara.

9. Intendencia

de Guanaxuato.

10.

Intendencia de V^alladolidi

11.

Intendencia de Mexico.

12.

Intendencia de la Puehla.

13.

Intendencia. de Vera
4

south

ZONE,
36,500
5,160,000 souls,or 141

THE

square leagues,with
iiihabitantsto the square
"D.

the

the torrid zone.

belongsto
II. UNDER

to

'

Cruz.

of the mines

of

KINGDOM

vni]

CBAP.

E.

Region

the

of

S1"AIN

"2()3

south-west.

14.

hitendenc'ia dc

15.

Intendencia

The

NEW

OF

Oaxaca,

de Merida.

divisions in this table

are

founded

on

the

tliat nearly
see
physicalstate of the country. We
of the inhabitants live under the torrid
seven-eighths
thinner as
The
vance
adzone.
we
populationbecomes
In thi^
towards
Durango and Chihuahua.
Spain beais a strikinganalogy to Hia
respect New
dostan^ which in its noith parts is bounded
gions
by realmost

uncultivated

millions who

Ot

uninhabited.

and

five

equinoxial
part of Mexico,
four- fifths live on the ridge of the Cordillera,
lands
tableor
whose
elevation above the level of the sea equals
inhabit

that of the
passage

New

the

of

Cenis.

Mount

Spain,consideringits provincesaccordingto

their commercial

relations,or

coasts, is divided

into three

\. PROVINCES

OF

do

extend

not

the

to

A^ievo

Mexico.

2.

JVueva

Biscaya,

3.

Zacatecas.

4.

Guanaxiiato.

1.

coast

Lids

San

6.

Vera

7.

Merida^

THE

which

ocean.

of

the

eastern

Cruz.
or

Yucatariy
PROVINCES

8.

oppositeto Asia.
JVew Calfornia.

9.

Old

Calforniay

10.

Sonora.

1 1

Guadalaxara

12.

Valladolid.

13.

Mexico,

14.

Piiebla.

"15.

INTERIOR,

Potosi.

III. MARITIME

of the

oppositeto Europe.

5.

coast

situation

regions:

PROVINCES

II. MARITIME

the

Oqxaca,

of the

western

ESSAY

POLITICAL

204

divisions will

These

the

interest,when
concentrated

the

The

populous.

central

Indies.

provinces of

the

industrious

nations

Ocean.
have

and

yet been

Sea
of

has had

from

have

North

coast
even

in

the

and

tree

happy influence
day be received

one

America,

without

within
with

which

on

made

the

the

the

sugarcane
cultivation

by

the

last

ten

West-

on

by

Caraccas,

and

them

and

no

forts
ef-

What

adjoining islands.

been

not

Great

the

Spain and Peru

geous
advantato profitby their
Hoi.
oppositeAsia and New
know
the productionsof the

more

to

New

bread-fruit

such

cious,
fero-

important stage

an

commerce

of

The

will

communication

but

able

Islands.

commerce,

longer

coast

on

Jamaica, the Havannah,

from

East

pean
Euro-

than

Otaheite, that precious reed, the

which

India

Mexican

afford

inhabitants

The

South

will

west

enterprising
people,appear

receive

carry

positionon
They do not

land.

of

who

never

the

of

more

to

likelydestined to
colonists.
They

more

ridge

or

Nootka, to China, and the

Sandwich
islands,inhabited
by a

The
but

shall be less

shall become

coasts

iii.

great political

table -land

the

maritime

their vessels

send

[bock

possess
of Mexico

cultivation

on

THE

day

one

Cordillera, and when

the

ON

United

of

States

western

to
open
years,
coast, with the same

Mexicans

possess the finest ports,

without
commerce.

activityand

According to the ancient division of the country,

Ae
than
Gallicia contained
more
Reyno de Nueva
of inhabitants
14,000 square leagues,and nearly a million
:

it included

Guadalaxara,*
Luis

Potosi.

as

The

the
well

intendancies
as

of Zacatecas

and

part of that of San

small

mination
by the denointendancies
of Guanaxuatq,
of the seven
Valladolid
or
Mechoacan,
Mexico, Puebla, Vera
Cruz, Oaxaca, and Merida, formed, along with a
*

With
the

the

regionsnow

exception

volcano

cfColima

of the
and

most

the

known

southern

villageof

part, which

tains
con-

Ayotitlan.

portionof

small

OF

KINGDOM

VIII.]

CHAP.

intendancy of

the

de Mexico^ properly
Iiei/1,0

tlie

SPAIN.

NEW

consequentlycontained

than

is that which

less vague,

and

and

Potosi,*

I'his

dom
king-

:^7,000 square
a

bitants.
inha-

half of

Spain, equally ancient

New
distinguishes
Spain,
To
prov'mciasinternas.

New

of

division

called.

more

leagues,and nearly four millions

Another

Luis

San

so

205

properlyso called,from the

and
the latter belongs all to the north
north-west of
the kingdom oi Nueva
Gallicia, with the exception
small
Californias ; consequently,1. The
of the two
kingdom of Leon ; 2. The colony of New Santander ;
4. New
3. Texas;
Biscay; 5. Sonora ; 6. Cohahuila;
The
Mexico.
and, 7. New
provinciasinternas del
which
contain
7,814- square leagues, are
Vireynato,
the
from
de la Codistinguished
provincias internas
7nandancia, (of Chihuahua,) erected into a capitania
which
contain
59,375
general in 1779,
square
.

Of

leagues.

in the

situated

Luis

San

and

the twelve

intendancies,three are
provinciasinternas,Durango, Sonora,

Potosi.

We

that the intendant

authorityof

direct

the districts

and

and

Cohahuila
of
to

the

San

of

the

comandancia

however,

get
for-

is only under

the

not,

Luis

San

viceroyfor Leon, Santander,

residence, those

Altamira.

Texas
Luis

must

his

near

Catorce, and

cas,

new

make

The
also

the

*The
nuco

ten

most

part of the

VOL.

number
I.

of

dancy
inten-

Potosi,but they belong directly

The
general de Chihuahua.
these

very

divide

all

Espana ;

leagues, with 54-7,7vO\ souls:

square
intendancies
of Mexico,
Puebla, Vera
southern

part throug-h which

the

runs.

t This

Char-

governments

tables will throw

some
fellowing
light on
complicated territorial divisions. Let us
New
Spain into
A. Provincias sujetasal Virey de Kiieva

59,103

of

ought

to

be

5,479,095,
S

Trana.

river

of

Pa-

ESSAY

POLITICAL

206

Zacatecas, Guanaxuato,

ra,

THE

[BOOKiii.

Merida, Valladolid, Guadalaxa-

Oaxaca,

Cruz,

ON

San

and

si, (without including Coliahuila

The

B.

at comandmite
siijetas

Provincias

internasy 59,375

The

two

The

province

intendancies

Cohahuila

of New

tables

to

of

the

of

surface

made

were

the

having since
greater perfection,M. Oltmanns
the

recalculate
this

whole

Mexico

at

the

in

the

myself. My
graphical
geothat period attained to
was

good

so

He

as

to

cuted
exe-

the

racterizes
precisionw^hich chaundertakes, having formed

he

whatever
which

this work.

territorial surfaces.

operation with

of

provinces
cording
degree, ac-

and

Oteyza

labours

squares

inhabitants.

exhibit

by

1803,

Spain, 118,478 square leagues,

first calculations

end

Mexico

Sonera

and

Durango

in square
leagues of 25 to the
the general map
accompanying

calculated

The

of

Texas.

5,837,100

These

generaldeproleagues, with

square

Nuevo

of

and

whole

with

Texas.)

inhabitants.

359,200

The

and

Poto-

Californias.

two

vincias

Luis

sides did

contain

not

than

more

minutes.

three

in
is what
tables
population indicated
my
I have
in 1803.
existed
jnay be supposed to have
4th
chapter, the
principles
explained in the
which
the
made
in the
bers
numon
changes were
I am
obtained
of 1 793.
by the enumeration
that modern
aware
geographers admit
only from
The

two

to

three

all times

the

and

that

lowered.

We

tile

millions

of

inhabitants

that

for2;etthat with

the worst
men

In

population of Asia has been exaggerated,

of the Spanish possessions in America

soil, population makes

countries

for Mexico.

over

line climate

rapid

administered

scattered

an

advances
and

immense

we

and
even

also

ferin
get
for-

sufterritory

KINGDOM

viii]

GAAP,

fer less
than

from

when

We

assignedto New
is not enough that
monk,
missionarj'
colonies

Spain

social

the north

to

country has been

that

or

it as

slate

It

by a
by a
nish
Spa-

over

been

seen

Cardinal

to

east.

belonging to

America.

of

and
run

has

coast

consider

to

war,

the

very concentrated.
the limits which
ought

to

as

be

vessel of

207

populationis

uncertain

are

SPAIN.

NEW

imperfectionsof

the

the

OF

the

Lorenzana

in 1770, that New

printed at Mexico, even
Spain,
through the bishopric of Durango, bordered
haps
per!* We
too
are
now
onTartary and Greenland
well instructed in geograpJiy
to yieldourselves
up to
such vague
suppositions. A viceroy of Mexico

colonies

the American

caused

peninsulaof Alaska,
The

attention

long

time

visited

of the Mexican

turned

from

San

government

was

north-west

the

to

since the establishment

Madrid

be

to

of the Russians

at

Nootka,

coast,
which

Bias.
for

the

the

graduallyapproach
which

the

fur

trade

the Great

invites them.

when, through

The

the

war

States

the Missouri.
of

coast

of

court

was

their civilization towards

carry

especially

to avoid
compelled to abandon
England. The inhabitants of the United

with

the

on

They

Ocean,

to

period

proaches
apof human

rapidprogress
of New
cultivation,the boundaries
Spain will join
those of the Russian
ration
empire, and the great confedeof American
republics. At present, however,
the Mexican
government extends no farther along the
western

south

New

coast

The

Potosi

Luis
are

not

Washington

mission

on

and

boundaries

of St.
the

Francis,

villageof

of the

the east, towards

very well determined

endeavour
to confine

aun

sc

to

the

Taos

in

intendancyof

the state

of Louisiana,

the congress
of
them
to the right
;

ignora si la J^fueva Esfiana fior lo mas

la Tarlaria
de la diocesis de Durango
corifinacon
y
la Tartarian
dia, fter las Californias con
y fior cl Xuevo
la Groelandia."
con
I^orenzana, p. 38.
"

the

Cape Alendocin,

of

Mexico.

San

than

remoto

GroclanMexico

POLITICAL

208

bank

of

the

of

Brave

Rio

comprehend

ESSAY

under
the

Texas,

Mexicano

del

Norte,

THE

to

extend
the

east

the

to

of

hi.

Spaniards

the
of

which

savannas

[book

while

denomination

the

Mermentas,

or

ON

the

province
the
Rio

Rio
Sa-

bina.
The

following
of

with

the

exhibits

table

political

greatest

and

Asia.

It

the

present

state

will
of

furnish

Mexico.

the

surface

associations
curious

and
of

comparisons

pulation
porope
Eu-

210

POLII

iCAL

ESSAY

ON

THE

[book

Hi

CHAP.

We

KINGDOM

VIII

from

see

curious

OF

this

considerations

larger than
which

points

of

States*

with

The

to

of

estimate

in

of

M.

towards

Hutchins,
of

author

Ohio,

640

millions
640

than

geographers

this

but

of

position of

his

estimation

half

of

by

the

to

which

exceed

believes
50,000

by
'that

am

in which
exclude

the

those

of

we
opiiiionthat
whites
have
already

which

territoryof

ought not,to

be

estimated

are

the

United

above

100

only

States
or

by

American
the

more

the

more

the

tions
observa-

the

error

uiclude

of
The

Indians,
ed
possessthe

gions
re-

establishments,

made

desert

either

square-

viilcs.

square

if

notes,

is less

leagues belongs to the

square
in the
considered
light of a country

be

allies.

the

not

Gallatin

rican
Ame-

900,000

Mississippi, determined

the

nished
fur-

was

lakes, and

of the

acres

degree.

the

number
leagues. This
generally adopted by the
difference
proceeds from

surface

of

territoryin

the

with

notes

25

156,240

only

Indians,

of

of

millions

Louisiana, contain

the

M.

does

these

can

the

Eliicot.

of M.

and

square
is

what

calculations

eastern

estimation

States, without

one-ninth

exact

square

the

manuscript

the

156,240

or

589
25)
leagues, of

Gallatin,
respectable statesman,
at
Washington.
According to these

United

miles^

and

159,000

the

beyond

surface

lakes) 589 millions.

cing
consequently (redu-

the

mile

square
144

situated

in 1795

to

the

and

congress,

countries

contained

veiy

According

of the

the

be

to

M.

treasurer

the

of

said

be

may
north-west.

(discounting

or

in

preceding table
by

States

proportion

followed

have

The

smaller.

of which

of

map

make

equivalent to

are

times

geographer

United

acres

four
Spain is almost
empire, with a population

and

west

old

of acres,

in the

very
ropean
Eu-

disproportionof

seven

limits

the

beautiful

the

suggest

may

comparison of the United

striking,especially
very

a
are

the

the

the

the

Now

in

211

ficult
difis very
States
territory of the United
sition
leagues, especially siiice the acquisquare

Louisiana,

uncertain

is

day

Mexico

extent

New

French

the

analogy

the

to

as

till this

SPAIN.

tabic, which

cultivation,that
times

NEW

or

inhabited

by

in place of 260,340

120,000

square

leagues.

Author.
The
he

author

assigns to

is

correct

enough

in the

of

number

in

acres

which

converting the
miles
into square
proportion by which
leagues. The
square
he
reduces
into leagues is 144
the square
miles
: 25, which
is equal to 5.76
This
I.
:
proportion corresponds exactly to
the

square

mile,

but

he

errs

if

ESSAY

POLITICAL

212

consider

we

Louisiana

I have
it

as

nas

described

of

great confederation

the

the

of

state

provinciasinterA

considerable

place in the militarygovernment

surface
the
which
of
vast
provinces,
that of the French
empire. In 1807
gadiers]
brigadier generals, [brigenerates^

of these
doubles

comandantes

two

m.

as
territory

western

I left Mexico.

when

was

[book

has since taken

change
almost

the

the

and

of

provinciasi7iternas
American
republics.

tlie

THE

ON

Nemesio

Don

is

now

longer

no

of Chihuahua

governor
Provincias

provinces.

division

present

alone

Internas

Pedro

Don

and

northern

these

governed
following is the
marest,

which
jnilitar^

Salcedo

of the

hands

in the

The

Gobierno

the

of

Gri-

Reyno

del

Nueva

del

ESPANA.
A,

Provincias
1.

Sonora.

2.

Durango

3. Nuevo

Cohahuila.

2.

Texas.

3.

Colonia

4.

Nuevo

the

mile

square
of the

but

to

del

Nuevo

Reyno

Santander.

Leon.

de

comandantes

new

mile

orientates.

internas

1.

geographical
a

Biscaya.

Mexico.

provinces,as

sqiiare

Nueva

Provincias

The

but

occidentals.

Californias.

4.

B.

internas

well

of
of

of

640
to

league

117,478

60

is

the
not

States
square

old, are
the

to

is

acres

69.2

United

the

as

miles

generates of

not

degree.
5.76:

therefore

leagues.

internal

considered

deforce.
a

the

square

docs
Trans;.

7.666
not

at

the

English
geographical mile,

Henoc

1, but

as

But

the
:

amount

the

proportion to
1.

The
to

tory
terri-

156,240

KINGDOM

VIII.]

v,H,Ar.

of

head

tendancics

of

of

Luis

San

4\nd

Cohahuila.

and

New

oiandant

"^OL.

and

JNlcxico,

As

I.

military

to

the

they

of

are

the
the

the

province

intcndancy
Texas

kingdom

only
of

subject

view.

in-

two

\:.omprchcnds
small

point

in

tliatpart

which

Potosi

Santander,
in

in

213

in

linances

Durango,

and

Sonora

SPAIN.

NEW

of

administration

the

ofNuevo

OF

to

of

Leon

the

com-

214

"
Oh

o
p
o
i4

H
Pu.

O
i/5
CO

":
u

I"

"!
i/5

POLITICAL

ESSAY

ON

THE

[book

iir.

CHAP,

vni]

KINGDOM

OF

NFAV

S1\AIN.

215

POLITIC/\L

215

This
the

ESSAY

statistical table

territorial

It

the

principlesanalogous

French

government

divide

to

ding
confi-

soil

Mexican

by the
kingdom

followed

the division

on

u%

policeand

of

the

tliose

to

in

that

appears
administration

finances,the objectwas
on

[book

imperfectionof

the

proves

division.

intendants

to

THE

OiSf

the

of

into

generalities.In New
Spain every intendanc}'
In the same
comprehends several sub -delegations.
the generalities
in France
manner
were
governed by
sub-deleccates, who
the
of

orders
the

of

ministers

of

indeed
the

of

the

or
territory

concentration

division

new

has

iiitendancies,little resrard

the extent
of

formation

in the

But

of

took

greater

or

been
less

population. This

the

place at

colonies, the

under

functions

their

intendant.

the

Mexican

paid to
degree

exercised

time

when

of the

counsel

the

Indies,

with the necessary

unfurnished
viceroys,were
is
How
materials
for so
important an undertakine.
it possibleto possess
the detail of the administration
the

and

of

of which

country

xhere

regarding Vf'hich the

and

poHticalarithmetic
Comparing the

extent

intendancics,

iind

we

times
tliirty

even

of San

cy

than

Luis
all

the

exact

the

been

never

of

attempted?

surface
of

several

largerthan

any map,
of
calculations
simple
of

them

does

not

ten,

others,

European Spain, while

exceed

Mexican

the

llie
is
the

twenty,

intendansive
exten-

more

intendancy

in size two

three

or

The
departments of France.
followingis an
tabic of the extraordinarydisproportionamong

several

extent;
extent

most

been

never

Fotosi, for example,

of Guanaxuato
of

have

has

we

Mexican
have

in their territorial

intendancies

arranged them

in the order

of

their

Intendancy of

San

Luis

Potosi,

27,821

leagues.
of

Sonora, 19,143

of

Durango,

of

Guadalaxara, 9,612

16,873

square-

PpLlTICAL

218

ESSAY

ON

Intendancy of Guanaxuato,

THE

[book

lu-

517,300

Valladolid, 476,400
Merida,

465,700

Potobi, 331,900

Luis

San

Durango, 159,700
Cruz,

Vera

156,000

Zacatecas, 153,000
Sonora,
It is in
of
their

of
with

121,400.

comparing togetherthe
the

tables of the lation

poputhe
and
intendancies,
extent

twelve

surface, that

struck
particularly

are

we

the

of the distribution of the Mexican

inequality
civilized part of the
in the most
population,even
kingdom. The intendancy of Puebla, which in the
table occupies one
of the first placesis almost
second
of the first table* Yet
at the end
no
principleought
those
who
territorial
chalk
divisions
to guide
out
more
of the populationto the extent
than the proportion
pressed
exin square leaguesor myriametres. It is only in
states like France, which
enjoy the inestimable felicity
of a populationalmost
their
uniformly spread over
surface,that divisions will admit any thinglike equality
of extent.

third

which
population,
at

numerical

the number

soil,we
the
are

called

be
may
results which

territoryof

the

the results of this

indicate the

the

intendancies.

state

of the

To

an'ive

between
proportion

extent

absolute

of inhabited

populationby
The

following

:
operation

Intendancyof Guanaxuato,

568

square

Puebla,

301

Valladolid, 273

Mexico, 255
Oaxaca, 120
Merida, 81
Guadalaxara,
4

relative.

of inhabitants and

divide

must

the

exhibits

table

66

inhabitants

league.

to

the

KINGDOM

VIII.]

CHAP.

SPA1"I.

NFAV

OF

219

Intcncliincvof Zacatccas,65
Vera

Cruz,

38

Potosi,12

San Luis

Durango, 10
Sonora,

6.

last table proves that in the intendancie^

least pro^vhere the cultivation of the soil has made
gress,

This

the

is from
relative population

50 to

90

times

less than in the old civilized

rej^ions
adjacentto the
difference in the distribution
extraordinar}'in the
is also to be found
population

capital.This
of

the

and

north

north-east

find
scarcely

of

inhabitant

one

In

Europe.

while
league,
Gothland, for example,

in other parts of Sweden, in

In the states
than 248.
there ai*e more

King

of

Denmark,

Lapland we

the square

to

the island of Zealand

inhabitants

to
subject

the

contains

944^

the square league.

Russia,the governments of Archangel,

Iceland eleven

and
In

to

European
Olonez, Kalouga,andMoscow,
relative population
to the extent
the

two

former

26, and the

league.

of these

two

These

is
province

one

In

last 842
enormous

160

1,094 inhabitants

of

the

governments
and

in their

that
territory,
contain

and

souls to the square

differences indicate that
974

times better inhabited than

the whole

France,where

differso much

of the

other.
an-

gives
population

the square league,

the best pled
peodepartments,those of L''Escaut^Le Nord and

Xa
and

Z^5, afiord a
The

to

of 3,869, 2,786,
relativepopulation

peopleddepartment,that of
the Hautes-Alpcsj
composed of a part of old Dauphiny,contains only 471 inhabitants to the square
in France in the relation
are
league. Hence the extremes
of 8 : 1 ; so that the intendancyof Mexico,
in which the populationis the most
concentrated,
2,274.

worst

i^OLITICAL

220
that
the
I

^BN

THE

[book

m.

scarcelyso well inhabited as

worst
peopled department of continental France.*^
I have
flatter myself that the three tables which
is

Guanaxuato,

of

drawn

will

ESSAY

lative
population,and reof New
Spain,
population of the intendancies
the great imperfectionof the
sufficiently
prove

of the

up

extent,

absolute

territorial division.

present

in which

country

the

extent
vast
a
requires
populationis dispersed over
tliat the provincialadministration
be
restricted
to
smaller
portionsof ground than those of the Mexican
Whenever
intendancies.
100
a population is under
of
inhabitants
to the
square league, the administration
extend
not
an
intendancy or a department should
We
than 100,000
inhabitants.
more
over
assign.
may
double
to
or
a
triplenumber
regions in w4iich the
concentrated.
populationis more

It is

this concentration

on

that the

de2:ree of

in-

and the number

of
dustry, the activity of commerce,
affairs consequently demanding
the attention
of government,
undoubtedly depend. In this pointof view
the small
intendancy of Guanaxuato
cupation
ocgives more
to

administrator

an

Texas, Cohahuila,
times
is it

possiblefor

know

to

the

leagues in

In these

w4th

comparisons

of le

containing only
department
relative

useless

to

order

pal place

is

of

277

the

of

the

population

explain the
of things, in
the
capital of

the

to

of 26,165
which

department
great

part
square

ever

the du-

to

the

ment
departCorsica,

of

league,

latter, in appearance

The

causes
a

southern

inhabitants.

produce
of which

empire.

how

square
he de-

while

included

neither

inhabitants

Seine.

Potosi

28,000

even

six

are

hand,

zeal
patriotic

have

we

w^hich

Luis

of

he,

can

provinces of

other

of San

most

formed

Liamone,

tlie

be

the

the

on

province

How

extent

and

But,

of

the

Mexico,

intendant

an

wants

himself

^'otes

New

and

extensive.

more

than

nor
hibits
ex-

It would
such
the

an

natural
un-

princi'

vni.]

CHAF.

KINGDOM

NEW

OF

SPAIN.

221

and
place, superintend the sub-delegates.,
ercised
exare
protect the Indian from the oppressions which
in the villages?
This
organization cannot
point of administrative
A
be
too
reforming governcarefully discussed.
ment
ought, before ever)^ other object, to set about
This
changing the present limits of the intendancies.
the exact
on
politicalchange ought to be founded
tivation
knowledge of the physical state, and the state of culthe kingof the provinces which
constitute
dom
ties of

his

Spain. France, in this point of view,

exhibits
an
example of perfectionworthy of imitation
in the new
The
world.
of which
enlightened men
the
constituent
assembly was
composed
proved at
their very outset
what
importance they attached to a
division
This
can
good territorial division.
only be
it rests
be conon
sidered
principles,which
good when
may
the more
much
wise as they are
as
so
simple
of New

and

natural.

END

VOL.

I.

OF

17

VO)-.

T.