Silver Mines of Mexico. 141 



mines which are engaged are principally in the Real of Gua- 

 naxuato, near the city of that name, about 200 miles N.W. of 

 the city of Mexico ; they include that of Valenciana, which 

 is stated to have been carried to the extraordinary depth 

 of 350 fathoms. This mine is spoken of at large by Baron 

 Humboldt in his interesting works upon New Spain, and is 

 reckoned by him to have alone produced one fourth of the 

 silver of Mexico. It was originally quite free from water, 

 but has been inundated by the influx from an adjoining mine, 

 Tepryac, and has been nearly filled in the last 12 years, owing 

 principally to the neglect caused by civil commotion. There 

 are other mines also situated upon the same vein (the veta 

 madre of Guanaxuato), some of which will be worked by the 

 company. 



Several steam engines, as well for pumping out the water, as 

 for drawing up the ores, and for stamping and reducing them 

 to a proper state for amalgamation and smelting, are already 

 constructing in this country, and a select body of miners from 

 Cornwall are engaged to go out and conduct the various 

 operations. The enterprize will be intrusted to Colonel 

 Robinson, an officer of distinguished activity and merit, who 

 will shortly leave England to commence operations. The 

 directors in London have been chosen from among gentlemen 

 of great respectability and influence ; and the establishment, 

 which will be of an extent commensurate with the magnitude 

 of the object, is arranging under the direction of John Taylor, 

 Esq., w r hose connexion with the largest mines in this country is 

 very well known. 



The second company consists principally of individuals 

 engaged in mining in England, who have undertaken to work 

 the mines in Real del Monte, about 60 miles N. of the city of 

 Mexico, belonging to the Conde de Regla, a distinguished 

 Mexican nobleman ; and also the mine of Moran, nearly ad- 

 joining, the property of Thomas Murphy, Esq., who was long 

 resident in the country, and of Don Fausto d' Elhuar, formerly 

 president of the mining college of Mexico. This company 

 has raised a capital of ^6200,000 in 500 shares of <^400 each. 

 Their arrangements here are also intrusted to Mr. Taylor; 

 but we have not heard whether their foreign appointments are 

 made, although it is understood that their [preparations are 

 in great forwardness. The mines of Real del Monte are not 

 represented as so rich as those of Guanaxuato, but they are 

 spoken of by Humboldt as having been very productive. 

 They are more troubled with water than the others, from 

 which they have from time to time been relieved by levels 

 driven through great distances and at enormous charges; the 



works 



