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96 for this trade, or, in other words, for the navigation of the south sea, including Goatemala, and Panama. The balance is invariably, in a greater or less degree, against the viceroyalty of Lima, a certain portion of the specie circulating in which, is absorbed by this intercourse.

It is principally maintained with the kingdom of Chile, by its three ports of Conception, Valparaiso, and Coquimbo. The articles exported from Lima, consist chiefly of cloths, either of the manufacture of the country, or of Quito; sugars; salt; and rice. In return, that viceroyalty receives an abundant supply of corn; together with tallow; copper; hides; cordage, &c. The exports amounted, in 1789, to four hundred and fifty-eight thousand three hundred and seventeen piastres; and the imports to six hundred and twenty-nine thousand eight hundred piastres; leaving a balance in favour of Quito, of a hundred and seventy- one thousand four hundred and eighty-three piastres.

The cause of so very considerable an advantage to that government, may be traced to the sterility produced in the vallies adjacent to Lima, by the dreadful earthquake which occurred towards the close of the seventeenth century. For several succeeding years the crops failed; and the plains having been rendered utterly unfit for the cultivation of wheat, its price