2i}8 Mexican Mines. 



vailed to the same extent. However, causes of a different 

 kind are at work in this country now, which, it is to be hoped, 

 will tend every day towards its advancement in civilization. 

 The principal of these, and the one which now engages most 

 of the public attention, is the working of the mines. You have 

 little idea in England of the benefit which the mining districts 

 of Mexico are already feeling from the putting their industry 

 in motion. All the people are employed. There is a demand 

 every where for horses, provisions, iron, paper, and every 

 thing that the miners want for their operations. The three 

 principal English Companies have apparently taken different 

 courses of proceeding, each and all of which are the subject of 

 conversation and criticism here. The Real del Monte Com- 

 pany, who have got the immense mines of Count Regia, go 

 upon the plan of employing steam-engines. Their engines are 

 arrived on the coast, I hear, and it is said they expect to get 

 them conveyed to the mines, and to have them erected and 

 be ready for work by next spring. The question that is pro- 

 pounded among the learned in tliese matters is, whether, after 

 the engines have got to work and done their business by 

 draining the mines, the same result could not have been ob- 

 tained by the means of the country, and at less expense and 

 with less delay than by steam-engines? The expense of 

 conveying the steam-engines, and repairing the roads for that 

 purpose, is very great. 



The Anglo-Mexican Company, which has its mines princi- 

 pally in Guanaxuato, has followed a different plan. They 

 have adopted the Mexican system of malacates, making some 

 improvements in them ; and by means of these they are drain- 

 ing the great mine of Valenciana at the rate of 10,000 tons of 

 water per week. I was perfectly astonished to find the power 

 of these things. Eight of them, I understand, are now esta- 

 blished on the great shaft of Valenciana, and are at work night 

 and day. Each malacate takes twelve horses, which are re- 

 lieved every six hours. The expense must be great, but the 

 mine is yielding ore every week. Both this Company and 

 the Real del Monte have had out a good many Cornish 

 miners. 



The next great Company is the United Mexican. It seems 

 to be the policy of this Company, as far as I can learn, to 

 work entirely with the means of the country, capital and ma- 

 nagement being the great articles they supply. They have got 

 some very valuable mines in Guanaxuato, Zacatecas, and bther 

 districts. — The whole of these Companies are under excellent 

 management. The one last mentioned, the United, is under 

 the direction of Don Lucas Alaman, minister for foreign 



affairs. 



