Rhode Island American And Providence Gazette

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROVINCES APPERTAINING TO THE BISHOPRICK OF SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA, IN SOUTH AMERICA.

The Bishoprick of Santa Cruz, erected in 1605, comprehends four provinces, viz: that of the same name, that of Mizque, that of Chiquitos, and that of Moxos. The province of Santa Cruz is bounded on the north by that of Moxos; on the east by that of Chiquitos; on the south by regions inhabited by heathen Indians of the Chirihuano and Chané tribes; on the south east by the district of Tomina, and on the west by the province of Mizque. The capital of this province, and of all the bishoprick, is the city of San Lorenzo el Real de la Frontera.

This city was founded by Lorenzo Suarez de Figueroa. The name of Santa Cruz was taken from that of another city, founded by Nuflo de Chaves, 100 leagues to the south east, about the year 1557—having sailed up the river Paraguay for the purpose of discovering a communication with the interior of Peru. But as the settlers could not exist there, by reason of being surrounded with barbarous Indians, who prevented them from effecting the desired communication, they found themselves compelled to remove the settlement; and a difference of opinion arising among them respecting the place where they should remove to, they divided, some settling at and founding the city of Santiago del Puerto, distant 60 leagues from San Lorenzo, which lasted but a short time, while sixty others established themselves at this latter place, in 17 degrees 25 minutes of south latitude, on the 21st of May, 1594. To these were added, in a short time, the residents in the other settlements. It is situated in an extensive plain, running 12 leagues towards the east, covered with plantations and pasture grounds, as far as the river called the Rio Grande, or Huapay.

To the south it extends 28 leagues to the same river. On the west 18 leagues, to the foot of the Cordilleras; and on the north 24 leagues, also occupied by plantations and cultivated estates. As the whole of this district is beyond the Cordillera, its situation is low, and consequently free from the inclemency and aridity of the mountain tract, common to the other provinces of this bishoprick, being situated in that region. The climate of Santa Cruz is therefore pure, warm, and humid, and the country consequently woody. Fine building timber is found on its plains; amongst other kinds, a species of palm, which, divided longitudinally in the middle, and the pith or heart taken out, serves for tiles, with which to cover the churches and dwelling houses. These tiles are usually eleven feet in length. There is another kind of palm called Motacú, the leaves of which are made use of by the poorer classes for the covering of their houses; and the top shoot of which affords a very savoury salad. The pith, or heart, is reduced to flour, of which sweet cakes are made, of good taste, and which serve for bread; as in this province, no wheat is sown, the climate not being favourable to its production. Neither is any wine made. Many classes of flexible plants or vines are here found, which serve to tie together and secure the timbers with which the houses are constructed: amongst the rest, is one called huembe, with which the bells in their churches are suspended, even when of great weight. There is also a great variety of fruits, many birds of prey, and likewise tigers, bears, wild boars, deer, and other animals. Amongst the fruits of indigenous, uncultivated trees, are some which are not produced on the branches, but attached to the trunk itself. That which is here called huar-puru, is like a large cherry in size, colour, and taste. This, as well as others of good flavour, are for the most part food for birds, of which there is a great abundance.

These fruits are found in the mountainous districts of all these provinces. The neighbouring rivers abound in fish. Rice, maize, sugar-cane, yucas, sweet potatoes, &c. are cultivated by the inhabitants. Some wax is found in the hollow trunks of trees, deposited there by various species of bees. The population of the city of San Lorenzo amounts to full 6000 souls: the labouring Indians to 1500; descendants of barbarous tribes, made captive in the woods by the founders of the city, in remote times, in their incursions for this purpose amongst the neighbouring nations. These incursions were made twice each year, it being one of the conditions stipulated by the first governor; which were granted with the obligation of maintaining themselves here, and guarding and defending the territory at their own expense. They were prohibited, at the instance of the Jesuits, in consequence of the serious inconvenience arising from the practice of making slaves of the Indians, and treating them as such; the Spaniards rendering themselves thereby odious to the natives, and thus retarding the spiritual conquest of these different nations. A novel and singular circumstance is observed in this city: there is no professional citizen whatever, necessity having compelled the inhabitants to become carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, curriers, &c. which arts each one practices as far as his own necessities require. The churches in this city are—the Cathedral, very poor and small. Its chapter being composed of two dignitaries, viz: a Dean and an Archdeacon. It has also a principal Sexton, a Master of the Chapel, and two Lay Brothers for the service of the Church.

This comes from the poverty of the country, and the smallness of the bishoprick. The residence of the actual bishop, and his great zeal in religious matters, as well as in the reformation of abuses before introduced, have produced already a great improvement in the affairs of this church. He is the first bishop who has resided in the diocese since its formation. All have fled from the bad climate of San Lorenzo. Many have resided in Mizque, which is less unhealthy.

There is a Convent of Mercedarians, and a College which belonged to the Jesuits.

At the distance of 20 leagues to the south of this city, are found four settlements of the Chirihuanos, called Piray, Guapay, Abapó, and Trinchera, governed by their captains, subject, in some measure, to the command of the city authorities: being friends, and having a trade in wax, cotton, and maize, with their neighbours.

As yet, they have not chosen to become Christians. In the incursions which the savages have been in the habit of making, and in the expeditions of the settlers against them, they have been always faithful allies, and serve as a safeguard on that side. There are in the four settlements 500 men, armed with bow and lance.

These tribes are separated from the remaining people of the same nation by the Rio Grande, or Huapay, which runs from Chancas towards the east, on one side of the province of Tomina, and taking a sweep in the form of a half moon, on the eastern side of that of Santa Cruz, enters the Mamore; receiving, previously, another river of the same figure, but more distant, called the Parapiti; which, rising in the mountains, passes through the territories of the Chirihuanos, entering the plains of Huaracajes, amongst the sands of which it extends itself, forming ponds; afterwards, flowing on towards the province of Chiquitos, it is known by the name of San Miguel de Alfaro, and by the Indians by those of Apere and Sara. Towards the south east, on the other side of the Parapiti, there are settlements of Chané Indians.

Their territory is called Isoso. To the south and south west, as far as the borders of Tarija, and even beyond, are found many establishments of heathen Indians of the Chirihuano nation. In that direction, in the valley of Ivirgarzama alone, which is about 8 leagues long, there are twenty settlements. In some of these there are missionary establishments, of the order of St. Francis, from the College of Tarija; but as yet they have met with but little success.

These Indians are the most warlike, valiant, inconstant, and perfidious people to be found amongst all these nations. They migrated from the regions which bound the river Paraguay on the east. Four thousand of them fled, through fear of punishment for having traitorously killed the Portuguese captain, Alexis Garcia, in the reign of King John the third. They were Anthropophagi, or eaters of human flesh; and fattened their prisoners to banquet upon them.

The communication and trade with the Spaniards, whom they have permitted occasionally to enter their territories, have caused them to desist from this inhuman practice; but have failed to soften their innate cruelty, which is wreaked upon the neighbouring tribes; upon whom they look with the utmost contempt. They have increased very much, forming at present one of the most numerous nations of this part of South America. They are very cleanly in their habits, so that they rise at midnight and go down to the river and wash, even in the coldest weather. The women, immediately after childbirth, bathe in the river, and upon their return roll themselves in a heap of sand, kept for this purpose in their houses. The husband throws himself into a hammock, puts on his shoes, and takes no other food than water gruel made of maize, persuaded that by so doing his children will be strong and warlike. They live by hunting and fishing, and eat every species of reptile and insect, except spiders. Such is their valor, that in the incursions which the Spaniards have made into their territory, they advance with the utmost intrepidity up to the mouths of the fire arms, so that it has become necessary to place a spearman between every two musketeers:—and they are so quick and active, that to employ a ball usefully, it is necessary to take them off their guard.

At the distance of four leagues from San Lorenzo there is a settlement of these Chirihuanos, converted to Christianity; called San Juan Baptista de Porongo. It was the work of the Friars of the order of La Merced. At present, the curate is a secular priest. The establishment is in a flourishing state, in consequence of the efforts and abilities of the curate. It contains more than 1200 souls, and serves to restrain the attacks of the Yuracaré Indians.

In the direction of W. S. W. from San Lorenzo, in a fertile valley, there is a settlement of Spaniards, called Samaypata, of more than 600 souls. At the distance of a league, upon a high hill, is seen a stone edifice, much injured by time, but with the appearance of a palace, which is said to have belonged to the Incas. There is a tradition, that a vast treasure has been there hidden since the time of the ancient Peruvians.

Twelve leagues from Samaypata, towards the south, is the city of Caballeros Pardos, or otherwise Vallegrande, with a population of 3500 souls. This city is on the border of the province of Tomina. Twenty-eight leagues from Samaypata is the settlement of Chilon, in a valley in which some wheat is produced; and to the northwest of San Lorenzo is situated the town of St. Joseph de Buenavista. This was founded by a number of Chiquito Indians, and was under the care of the Jesuits of Peru, as well as another of the name of Santa Rosa, more recently founded. All these establishments are in the province of Moxos. The inhabitants of the province of Santa Cruz amount to about 16,000, and it contains seven curacies.

(To be continued.)