Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/433

Rh the mechanism of government, and all the religious intolerance. The inhabitants, with the exception of those of the capital, are mostly employed in agriculture. The district of Cădĕrēită, however, contains the mines of El Dŏctōr, Măcŏnī, and San Crĭstōvăl; and the Government entertains so high an opinion of their future importance, that a contract has been concluded with the Anglo-Mexican Company for the establishment of a Mint, on very favourable terms. The State abounds in Haciendas, both of cattle and sheep, (Gănādŏ Măyōr, y Mĕnōr,) and of wheat, (trigo,) maize, (maiz,) and beans, (frĭjōlĕs.) The population of the Capital, by the last census, appears to be 32,000; but the town is supposed to contain at least 40,000 inhabitants. During the Revolution, 90,000 souls were often assembled in it, the proprietors of the neighbouring Haciendas being frequently compelled to take refuge there with their families, and farming servants, while their property was laid waste by the contending parties.

Qŭerētărŏ is divided into five parishes, or Cŭrātŏs, four in the body of the town, and one, (San Sebastian,) in the suburbs, being separated from the rest by a little dirty stream, which is dignified with the title of El Rio, the river. Some of the Churches are fine, particularly that of Guădălūpĕ; as are the Convents of San Frăncīscŏ, and Săntă Clāră, the last of which contains a population of two hundred and fifty females, composed of seventy nuns