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lattoes. In it resides a lieutenant of the corregidor of Queretaro; and it has a convent of religious of St. Domingo; another of St. Juan de Dios, and a convent for a sisterhood of the third order of S. Francisco. In its district are 38 estates, which produce sufficient wheat, maize, and barley, which are the principal articles of its commerce: 20 miles s. e. of its capital, on the road to Mexico.

Rio, another, with the same dedicatory title; in the alcaldía mayor of Orizava and district of Ixtazoquitlan in the same kingdom. It contains 213 families of Indians.

Rio, another, in the province and corregimiento of Lamas in Peru; thus called as being on the shore of the river which runs down from Moyobamba, and which is passed in this part by

canoes.

Rio, another, called Del Valle; of Santa Maria del Rio, in the alcaldía mayor of S. Luis de Potosi and kingdom of Nueva España. It is divided into two wards or congregations, which are distinguished by the names of Alto and Baxo; and is inhabited by different nations of Indians, some Mexicans, and others Otomies, independent one of the other. It is of a benign temperature, and covered with gardens, which yield abundance of grapes and all sorts of fruit, flowers, and vegetables. It has a sumptuous church, a convent of the religious of S. Francisco, and 471 families of Indians of the two nations aforesaid, with the Indians of another settlement close by: also in the ranchos of its district dwell 157 Spaniards, Mustees, and Mulattoes.

RIO, another, of the province and government of Cumaná; on the coast and near its capital, on the s. side.

RIO ANDRADE, a settlement of the province and government of Tucumán in Peru, of the district and jurisdiction of the city of Córdoba; on the shore and at the source of a river.

RIOBAMBA, a province and corregimiento of the kingdom of Quito; bounded n. by the province of Tacunga; s. by that of Cuenca; w. by the asiento of Chimbo, and e. by the government of Quixos and Macas. It is in extent 30 leagues from e. to w. and 16 in width from n. to s. It is of a cold temperature, as well from the loftiness of its territory, as because it is in the vicinity of the mountain or páramo Chimborzu; although it does not want some settlements enjoying a moderate climate.

This jurisdiction is divided into two parts; and in the second is a lieutenant of the corregidor

who resides at Ambato, the capital. It is very abundant in cattle; of the wools of which the natives fabricate annually upwards of 1000 pieces of cloth, as also stockings and other manufactures, by which they maintain a good trade; and the wool they collect annually is reckoned at 14,000 arrobas. It also yields much sugar-cane, of which a considerable portion of sugar is made, as also brandy; wheat of the best quality ever known, maize, barley, and all kinds of fruit. Some few years since have been discovered some silver mines, which promise great riches, although they are not worked for want of proper energy. It may be said, in a few words, that nothing in this province is wanting that can conduce either to the comfort or necessaries of life. It is of an extremely fertile and delightful territory. It was well peopled by the Curuayes Indians, a very valorous race, and who fought a battle in the plain of Trocajas with Sebastian de Belalcazar, to defend the entrance into their territory against him: and it was a long time before the dispute was finished. But after they were reduced to the dominion of the Spaniards they became a diligent and laborious people. The population consists of 18 settlements in the district of Riobamba, and six in that of Ambato; which are as follow : In the former.

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tions; has many workshops, wherein they make cloths, baizes, and other woollen articles, and particularly stockings, which are of great estimation throughout the kingdom.

The town is large and handsome, the streets wide and straight, the buildings of stone and mortar, though the greater part low, for fear of earthquakes. It has, besides a parish church, which is magnificent, another parish, with the name of San Sebastian, four convents of religious of the orders of San Francisco, S.Domingo, San Agustin, and La Merced, and a college which belonged to the Jesuits; also two monasteries of nuns; the one of Carmelites, with the dedicatory title of Santa Teresa, and the other of La Concepcion, and an hospital of San Juan de Dios, now nearly abandoned. This town has been almost ruined twice by the irruptions of the volcano of Cotopaxi in the years 1698 and 1746. It is watered by a rivulet which rises from a lake called Colta, which is in a llanura in the s. part, of a league long and wide, and where waterfowl is found; moreover, its shores are covered with large estates, amongst which there is one very large, called Sisapongo. The population is composed of nearly 20,000 souls, with many families of distinction; and, indeed, the greater part of those established in Quito derive their origin from this town, or are related with one another; inasmuch as, from the times of the conquest, the most noble families of Spain settled at Quito, and still remain there as it were in one general stock, taking the most rigid precautions not to stain their nobility. And thus it is that the intermarriages are confined amongst the illustrious titles of Villarvel, Velasco, Zambrano, Villagomez, Flores, Vallejo, Davalos, Villavicensio, &c. [By the census of 1802, the population was found to amount to exactly 20,000.] The natives are of a docile and acute genius, courteous and affable.

This town was the native place of Fr. Gaspar de Villaroel, of the order of S. Agustin, archbishop of Chuquisaca, and a celebrated writer; and of Don Gaspar de Escalona y Aguero, oidor of the audience of Chile, and author of the work entitled "Gazophylacio Regio Peruvico." In lat. 1° 42' s.

RIOBAMBA, an abundant river of the same province and kingdom, which rises from the paramo or mountain desert of Sisapongo, and at the distance of one league from the settlement of Puni, enters the Cevados.

RIOBARA, a river of the province and captainship of Seara in Brazil, which runs n. and

VOL. IV.

enters the sea, between the Bay of Ubarana and the Cape of Corso.

RIO BLANCO, a province and alcaldía mayor of the Nuevo Reyno de Leon in N. America: bounded s. by the real of mines of Charcas in Nueva Galicia, and e. by the Infidel Indians. Its jurisdiction comprehends the province of the Valle de San Antonio de los Llanos; which was formerly separate from, and afterwards added to this. In each is a religious of the order for the spiritual culture of the Indians. This province produces some seeds, and great quantities of large cattle, from the abundance of its pastures. For its security has been built a garrison, called De Santa Engracia. Fifty-seven miles s. s. e. of Monterrey, its capital.

RIO BLANCO, SAN ANTONIO DE, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of Chichas and Tarija in Peru; of the district and jurisdiction of the former, and annexed to the curacy of the capital.

TRIO BUENO, in the island of Jamaica, lies 14 miles e. of Martha Brae, where a ship may lie, bringing the point n. n. w. in eight or nine fathoms water. The bank is steep. Eastward of this, four or five miles, is Dry Harbour.]

RIO DAS CARAVELAS, SAN ANTONIO DEL, a town of the province and captainship of Portoseguro in Brazil.

[RIO DA VALHAS. See VELHAS.]

RIO CARNERO, a settlement of the province and government of Tucumán, in the district and jurisdiction of the city of Cordoba, to the n. of the same, and on the shore of the river.

RIO CHICO, a settlement and real of silvermines; the capital of the province and alcaldía mayor of Ostimuri in Nueva España, on the shore of a moderately sized river. Its population is reduced and poor, through the failing of the working of the mines.

RIO DE CORDOBA, a settlement of the province and government of Tucumán in the district and jurisdiction of the city of Cordoba.

RIO GRANDE, a province and captainship of the kingdom of Brazil, taking its name from the river Grande, by which it is irrigated: bounded by the Brasilian sea, n. by the province and captainship of Seara, . by the country of the Patagueyes and Tobaxares Indians, and s. by the province and captainship of Paraiba; and not by that of Itamaraca, as is erroneously asserted by M. la Martiniere.

It was conquered by the Portuguese, at the expense of infinite combats and labours, from the Tapuyas Indians, the natives; and was erected

UU

by the King of Portugal into a county, for Don Lope Hurtado, in the possession of whose house it at present remains. Its natives retired to the w. from whence they have not failed to make constant incursions; so that the population of the province has been much lessened, and many of the sugar-engines destroyed. Nicolas Rosende, who was shipwrecked on its coast, and was saved, with 30 other Portuguese, penetrated the interior of this province; searching for a rout by land to the other provinces. In his travels he came to the borders of a lake, so large, that, after many days successive travelling along its shore, he could not arrive at the end of it. From some Indians on the side of this lake he procured some extraordinary fine pearls, which they told him they found in the lake; and he afterwards printed at Lisbon an account of his travels. Besides the above lake, known only by his relation, is another, from which rises the river Grande, and which is 20 leagues in circumference; from which also most beautiful pearls are extracted.

The French gained possession of this province in 1601; but, in the following year, it was retaken by the Portuguese. Besides the river Grande, it is watered by the Cunhau, which is navigable. The settlements of consideration in it are reduced to the city of Natal, which is the capital, and the towns of Parandibe and Cunhau.

RIO GRANDE, SAN JUAN BAPTISTA DE, a settlement and garrison of the province and government of Coaguila in Nueva España; on the w. shore of the river Grande del Morte, from whence it takes its title. It was founded to restrain the repeated insults offered by the Infidel Indians; contains 55 families of Spaniards, including 33 soldiers and corporals, and at a small distance from it are the missions of the religious of S. Francisco. Twenty-three miles e. of S. Fernando, and 180 n. of Monastery.

[The latest accounts respecting this captainship are to be found in the work of Mr. Mawe, from which we shall subjoin the following extracts. The best port (he observes) of this captainship, is situated about 32° s.; it is dangerous to enter, first, from its being shoal water; and next, from a violent sea always running, and from the shifting of the sands. Notwithstanding these inconveniences, there is a great trade carried on from this place to all the ports of Brazil, in brigs and small vessels, that do not draw above 10 feet water. After passing the bar, which is long, they enter into an inland sea or lagoon, of deep water,

and navigate to the n. and w. to its head, where the principal river runs into it. To the s. is the lagoon Meni and the neutral ground, a little to the s. of which is the Spanish fortress of Santa Teresa, lately put in repair.

The principal town is defended by many forts, some of which are upon islets. Since it was taken from the Spaniards by General Coimbra, the Portugueze have much strengthened it, and now there is a very considerable force of cavalry, horse-artillery, and foot soldiers; so that at a short notice, with the addition of the militia, a body of five or 7000 men might be calculated upon.

The climate is considered very fine, and the soil so productive, that this district may be called the granary of Brazil: the wheat grown here is shipped to all the ports on the coast where bread is used. Farming, however, is carried on in so slovenly a manner, that the grain is always rough, bad skinned, and extremely foul. It is packed in raw hides, which are sewed up like sacks: it swells, and heats frequently on the passage from Rio Grande to the more northerly ports; and often, after landing in Rio de Janeiro, it is left on the quay exposed for days to the rain.

The vicinity of Rio Grande is extremely populous: in a circuit of 20 leagues, the inhabitants, including the troops, are estimated at 100,000. Their principal occupations are, the breeding of cattle, for which the immense tract of pasture land is so well calculated; the drying and preparing of hides, and the making of charque, or what is called, in the river Plata, jug-beef. It is prepared in the following manner :-After the ox is skinned, the flesh is stripped from the bones in as large flakes as possible, in some degree resembling sides of bacon; it is put into hot brine, where it remains from 12 to 40 hours, according to the thickness. It is then taken out, drained, and dried in the sun, afterwards made up into packages that weigh about 150lbs. and shipped from this port to all parts of Brazil. It is a general article of consumption among the lower classes and Negroes, and is not unfrequently seen at respectable tables, being in taste somewhat similar to hung beef. It constitutes the general food for the sailors, and forms part of almost every cargo sent out from this port. It has found its way to the W. Indies, where it is in great request, and has been frequently sold, during the war, at 9d. or a 1s. per pound. The charque prepared at Rio Grande is much superior to that brought from the river Plata. During the time that the English troops were in possession of]

[Monte Video, in consequence of an apprehension that the cattle might be driven away, and they be in want of supplies, large quantities were contracted for at St. Pedro, which arrived at Monte Video, though not wanted. They were afterwards shipped for the W. India market.

The quantity of hides exported from hence is almost incredible; they furnish many vessels with entire cargoes, which are carried to the northern ports, and from thence embarked for Europe. The annual average may be estimated at not less than 300,000.

Tallow forms another considerable article of commerce, which in general is shipped in the crude state, and not refined, as in the river Plata. The greater part is consumed in Brazil, and the dealers find it preferable to refine the article on the spot, where they manufacture it into candles. It is packed in waste raw-hide packages. Some English settlers, disappointed in the river Plata, went to Rio Grande, to establish concerns for curing beef, refining tallow, &c. which they soon found it necessary to abandon.

Horns and horse-hair form an inferior branch of the commerce, and are shipped from this port in great quantities.

The above are the staple productions of Rio Grande, which give employment to perhaps 100 sail of coasters, some of which make two or three voyages in a year, carrying thither rum, sugar, tobacco, cotton, rice, mandioca, sweet-meats, &c. Almost every vessel brings a greater or smaller number of Negroes, it being the practice at Rio de Janeiro to ship off all those who are ill-disposed and troublesome for Rio Grande, whence, if they continue refractory, they are frequently sold into the neighbouring colony.

Of European merchandise, they bring wine, oil, olives, glass, and a great variety of English commodities, particularly iron (though they much prefer the Swedish), baizes, coatings, stout woollen cloths, Manchester velverets of various qualities and colours, printed cottons, calicoes, muslins, handkerchiefs, silk, cotton, and worsted hosiery, hats, flannels, &c.

Sail-cloth, cordage, anchors, tar, paints, fowling-pieces, ammunition of all sorts, hardware of every description, particularly slaughter-knives, some plated ware, and fancy articles. A great part of the goods are conveyed upon horses into the interior, where they are carried from house to house for sale or exchange.

During the old system, so lately as within these four years, a most lucrative trade was here carried on with the Spaniards, who came in num

bers, and most eagerly bought up the tobacco, and such of the English manufactures as could be transported on horseback, at great prices. Thus Rio Grande and its vicinity became very enviable situations, where considerable fortunes were made in a little time, as the goods bought were much in request, though contraband, and were paid for in specie. This trade, so advantageous to each party, is now entirely ruined through the eagerness of our speculators, in overstocking the markets, and selling for two what would have been eagerly bought for six.

The neighbourhood of the capital is an unpleasant place, being surrouuded with sand and sand-hills of no inconsiderable size, formed by the wind blowing the sand in heaps in various directions, which become half indurated, and appear stratified. The excessively high winds, which frequently prevail, blow the sand so as to be very disagreeable, as it enters every part of

the house.

The cattle bred in this captainship are very numerous, and large herds are brought hither from the Spanish frontiers.

The large river Uruguay rises in this captain ship, and empties itself into the river Plata, a little above Buenos Ayres: there are numerous others of less consquence, the banks of which are well stored with wood. Some attempts were lately made, by miners sent from Villa Rica, to work gold-washings. In the neighbourhood of the capital they have some coal. A substance from the same district was shown to Mr. Mawe, which he decided to be wolfram; and stated that this metal strongly indicated tin, of which it is frequently an attendant in Europe, though probably it may not be so in America or Asia. It was amorphous, not rounded by friction, and weighed at least a pound. Of the geology of this captainship very little is known.

In various parts jaguars, and other beasts of prey, are very common. Among the granivorous animals are capivaras of great size, deer in great numbers, and armadillos, which afford excellent eating when roasted. Of birds, there are ostriches of the dark coloured species, which go about in flocks in great numbers. There are eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey; particularly a species of crow of the vulture kind. Cranes, storks, wild turkeys, ducks, partridges, horned plovers, goat-suckers, horned owls, small parrots, cardinals, humming birds, &c. are found in great numbers.

The inhabitants are, generally speaking, athletic and robust, and so extremely fond of riding,]

[as not to go the smallest distance on foot. They are esteemed excellent horsemen, and greatly surpass their neighbours in dexterity and agility, particularly in catching cattle with the balls and the lazo. But it ought to be understood, that the Spaniards have Peons on their farms, who are more nearly allied to the Indians than to them; whereas the Portuguese have Creolians, bred up to the business, or expert Negroes, who are inferior to none in this labour.

It is singular to Europeans, that in this fine climate, where the thermometer is frequently below 40° Fahrenheit, and where are bred as fine cows as any in the world, and every convenience is at hand for dairies, neither butter nor cheese is made, except on particular occasions; nor is milk even for coffee to be procured at all times. It may probably be urged, that the production of these articles would not answer the purpose of the farmers but certainly it might be made to do so; and Mr. Mawe hesitates not to say, that 100 cows, kept for dairy purposes, would yield to any man capable of rearing, training, and managing them, a greater profit than any other part of husbandry. This colony might easily be made to supply the neighbouring districts, and even the whole of Brazil, with these articles.

A number of years ago some hemp was grown here, by order of government: it proved excellent, but was abandoned because it was troublesome to dress, and probably did not yield sufficient profit.

In some places grapes are very good, and probably wine will soon be made from them, as the restraint laid by the mother-country upon her colonies is now removed.

For the last two or three years, troops have been continually sent to Rio Grande, where they soon become disciplined, "and are ready for any expedition, should hostilities commence with their neighbours. Perhaps in no place could an army be maintained at less expense; their cavalry stands in the highest reputation, and their flying-artilley is said to be equal to any in Europe; nor is this improbable, when we consider the excellence of their horses, and the increasing discipline with which they are governed.]

Rio GRANDE, a large and abundant river, from which the province and captainship thus called in the kingdom of Brazil, are named. It rises in the immense plain of Pernambuco, and has its mouth of difficult entrance for vessels; and on the s. side of the same is the castle of Tres Reyes, which was built by Feliciano Coello de Carvallo in 1601. The shores of this river

are delightful, and the soil fertile. Its mouth is in lat. 5° 31's.

[RIO GRANDE, another river, in the same kingdom as the former, also navigable: it rises near the city of Principe, and has a n. e. course, and enters the Brazilian sea. Lat. 15° 27′30′′ s.] [RIO DE PATAS, on the coast of Brazil, lies lõ leagues to the s. of St. Catherine.]

[RIO DE LA PLATA. See PLATA RIVER, PARAGUAY, and BUENOS AYRES.]

[RIO DE LA PLATA, a province in the s. division of Paraguay, in S. America. Its chief town is Buenos Ayres.]

[RIO DE PUERCOS, a harbour or anchorage ground on the n. side of the island of Cuba, s. w. of Bahia Honda.]

RIO JANEYRO. See JANEIRO.

[RIO PARDO, a very rich diamond work in the province and captainship of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil; visited by Mawe, the traveller, in 1809, from Tejuco.]

RIO QUARTO, a large river of the province and government of Tucumán in Peru. It has its origin in the serranias of the city of Cordoba, runs by the s. boundaries of the province to the w. and e. and, after a course of 60 leagues, enters a lake.

[RIO REAL, a large and abundant river in the captainship-general of Bahia and kingdom of Brazil. It flows down from the mountains of Mangvia, which divides the above captainship. Its source is about 18 miles from the grand river S. Francisco, from which place it has an e. s. e. course through the captainship of Sergipe, and enters the sea about 87 miles n. e. of S. Salvador or Bahia, in lat. 11° 57′ 30′′ s.]

[RIO REAL, a large village of the same captainship and kingdom, situate on the n. e. shore of the above river of the same name, about 25 miles from its mouth, and 89 miles n. with a slight inclination to the e. of S. Salvador Bahia.]

RIOJA, TODOS SANTOS DE LA NUEVA, a small city of the province and government of Tucumán in Peru: founded in 1591 by Don Juan Ramirez de Velasco on a llanura of great extent, but least so to the w. as here are the sierras, in which the natives breed some cattle. Its territory produces some cotton, seeds, and vines. It is of a very poor soil, but has, besides the parish church, some convents of the religious orders of St. Francisco, St. Domingo, La Merced, and a college, which belonged to the Jesuits. It had formerly some olive groves, and the natives, findthe great profit to be derived from the oil, economise the use of it amongst themselves, to such a degree, as even to use candles instead of lamps

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