Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/28

8 protracted. Until about the year 1780, it was a source of vast riches to a commercial house to keep a vessel of its own employed in the coasting trade; but in proportion as mercantile speculations have been since multiplied, the price of freightage has been lowered, and the profits divided among a greater number of adventurers.

The fishery is a branch of industry exclusively belonging to the Indians situated on the coast; but they are destitute of skill, and, being at the same time unprovided with proper boats and fit instruments, keep constantly within sight of the coast, venturing but a very small distance to sea. Hence arise the scarcity and dearness of fish, so often experienced at Lima, and in all the places along the coast. A few years ago several boats of a particular construction were built, for the purpose of fishing throughout the whole extent of these seas; but this scheme was shortly afterwards abandoned. The lakes of Peru afford but few fishes. Were the Indian to resort to them, he would not estimate the fruit of his labours: content with his maize and his dried pease, he considers the multiplicity of foods as a voluntary surrender of health and life.

Agriculture might, generally speaking, be made to supply our wants, insomuch that our subsistence ought not to be so precarious as it is, nor so dependent on foreign aid. In the vallies adjacent to the capital, wheat may be cultivated with the greatest success. The bad, uneven roads, together with the delays and expence of carriage, almost entirely obstruct the internal circulation of this kingdom, and are so many obstacles in the way of agriculture. The valley of Jauja, affords many