There was the richest market in the world at this hill of Potosi, at the
time when these mines were prosperous.
In all parts of this kingdom of Peru we who have travelled over it know
that there are great fairs or markets, where the natives make their
bargains. Among these the greatest and richest was formerly in the city
of Cuzco, for even in the time of the Spaniards its greatness was caused
by the gold which was bought and sold there, and by the other things of
all kinds that were sent into the city. But this market or fair at Cuzco
did not equal the superb one at Potosi where the traffic was so great
that, among the Indians alone, without including Christians, twenty-five
or thirty thousand golden _pesos_ exchanged hands daily. This is
wonderful, and I believe that no fair in the world can be compared to
it. I saw this fair several times, and it is held in a plain near the
town. In one place there were _cestos_ (bags) of coca, the most valuable
product in these parts. In another place there were bales of cloth and
fine rich shirtings. Here were heaps of maize, dried potatoes, and other
provisions, there great quantities of the best meat in the country. This
fair continued from early morning until dusk; and as these Indians got
silver every day, and are fond of eating and treating, especially those
who have intercourse with Spaniards, they all spent what they got, so
that people assembled from all parts with provisions and other
necessaries for their support. Many Spaniards became rich in this
settlement of Potosi by merely employing two or three Indian women to
traffic in this fair. Great numbers of _Yana-cuna_,[516] who are free
Indians with the right of serving whom they please, flocked to the
fair, and the prettiest girls from Cuzco and all parts of the kingdom,
were to be met with at the fair.
I observed that many frauds were committed, and that there was little
truth spoken. The value of articles was not great, and cloths, linens,
and Hollands were sold almost as cheap as in Spain. Indeed, I saw things
sold for so small a price, that they would have been considered cheap in
Seville. Many men, possessed of great wealth, owing to their insatiable
avarice, lost it by this traffic of buying and selling, some of whom
fled to Chile, Tucuman, and other parts, from fear of their debts. There
were also many disputes and lawsuits among the traffickers.
The climate of Potosi is healthy, especially for the Indians, for few or
none fall ill there. The silver is conveyed by the royal road to Cuzco,
or to the city of Arequipa, which is near the port of Quilca. Most of it
is carried by sheep, without which it would be very difficult to travel
in this kingdom, owing to the great distance between the cities, and the
want of other beasts.