244 Mr. P. Taylor on a HorizoJital Pumping Engine. 



marid, as well as to procure mules and make arrangements 

 for moving up the country on the return of the dry season. 

 In the January following the great bulk of the machinery was 

 forwarded by different convoys to a depot on the table-land 

 near Jalapa ; and on March 31st, a train of 52 waggons, car- 

 rying the engine above described, with the various other 

 articles, proceeded to the Real del Monte, and reached the 

 Mine of Moran, on the 1st of May 1826. It has been already 

 stated that this engine was in action on the 12th of August, 

 an instance of dispatch which does great credit to Mr. Black- 

 aller who had the charge of erecting it, under the orders of 

 Captain Vetch, the first commissioner of the Real del Monte 

 company. 



The following particulars are from the letters of a gentle- 

 man who was present when the engine went to work. 



" The engine went off in great style with 20 pounds steam, 

 and very soon brought the water up to the launders to the 

 surprise of the native spectators of all classes, who were greatly 

 astonished at this visible proof of her power. In 40 minutes 

 she lowered the water in the shaft 10 inches. Before con- 

 necting with the bobs, we had tried her friction as the boilers 

 heated; she began to move with 2\ pounds steam." 



" From the 12th of August to the 7th of September the en- 

 gine continued to work regularly, as far as the repairs of the 

 shaft would permit; it being necessary to remove decayed 

 timber, and replace it with new, clear obstructions, and drop 

 the pumps from time to time as the water lowered. The 

 average time of the engine working amounted to about six 

 hours per day — the steam in the boiler being at 25 pounds 

 pressure — worked expansively — the steam valve closing at 

 about half stroke. At the above date the water was drawn 

 out to the depth of 18 vai-as (the vara being nearly a yard)." 



A later account mentions that on the 24th of September 

 the water was lowered to 45 varas, which is one half the depth 

 of the mine. 



There is every reason to think from these statements that 

 when this mine is once di'ained, it will be easily kept clear of 

 water. 



The fuel employed under the steam boilers is small oak 

 with a little pine, which is so abundant that its cost will not 

 exceed that for coals in Cornwall. 



I am, gentlemen, yours very truly, 



Jan. 22, 1827. Philip Taylor. 



P. S. The following is an extract from a letter addressed to 



Messrs. 



