1'KKU. 253 



paid. This short digression you will excuse, as it points 

 to the causes of my separation from a property of so much 

 value, as I consider the mine of * * * *. Thirty years ago 

 the neighbourhood of * * * * was famous for its silver mines,, 

 At the foot of the copper hill, on a fine stream, are two sets of 

 works on a most extensive scale, which were carried on on account 

 of the Spanish Government. The silver was found in lead 

 veins, which are very large and numerous all around. The 

 soil is very rich, and the climate as good as any in the world, 

 wheat and Indian corn both growing round the mountain. 

 Provisions and wages are low, the latter Is. per day, and there 

 are about 20,000 inhabitants within three miles. Wood for 

 smelting and other purposes is abundant on the spot. 



' is * * leagues from Lima; the port of * * * * 

 where the ores are to be shipped, is 37 leagues north from 

 Lima; and * * * * copper mine * * leagues back in the 

 country east from this port, a good road for mules and plenty of 

 them. The miners contracted with me to break the ores and 

 deliver them at the surface for 41. per ton, which was double 

 what I ought to have paid them; the farmers likewise con- 

 tracted to carry the ores to the port at the same rate, which 

 comes to sixpence a league for each mule cargo. But even 

 at present wheel-carriages might travel over a large proportion 

 of the road, and a small outlay would make it a carriage-road 

 the whole distance, and then the expense of carriage would be 

 diminished more than one-half. Taking it, however, at what it 

 cost me, the whole expense on the ores delivered on board 

 would not amount to 91. a ton, and as I conceive the freight 

 to England would not exceed 42. a ton, the total cost would be 

 13?., but say 15?. a ton. Its value in England would be above 

 80?. a ton. At the time I worked I intended to have sent 

 300 tons of ore to England, for in the then disturbed state of 

 the country it would not have been prudent to risk myself on 

 smelting works. I think it will ultimately be found preferable 

 to smelt on the spot, but the course I should recommend in the 

 meantime would be to send out two practical miners to direct 

 and superintend the natives, who ought to be employed by 

 mi tract to break and raise the ores and deliver them on board. 



