268 



A VISIT TO THE PROVINCES 

 Mines abandoned and re-denounced in 1850. 



Want of knowledge not only in scientific mining, but even of the simple processes of survey- 

 ing, soon led to disappointments, losses, altercations, and lawsuits, as numberless, almost, as the 

 mines at Chanarcillo, and many a lawyer came in for the lion's share of the profits. By law 

 pach mine is divided into twenty-four shares, or parts, called "varas," one or all of which may be 

 assigned or transferred by its proprietor, like any. other stock. Probably the earliest suit dates 

 from the "Colorado," (red) mine, whose discoverer, one Peralta, generously went on distributing 

 shares until apparent sterility brought thoughtless prodigality to a stop ; though it is said that 

 before the mine was abandoned he had actually given away many more shares than it repre- 

 sented. Shortly afterwards other claimants denounced the Colorada ; and with the opening of 

 a valuable vein, up sprung the recipients of Peralta's generosity, each of whom filed a suit for 

 his share, endeavoring to show that the legal period had not transpired between the abandon- 

 ment and re-denunciation, so that "La Colorada" has become celebrated in the legal annals of 

 Copiapo. But this is not the only one on the docket. Nearly a hundred others were similarly 

 locked up ; and so universal had suits become, that the proprietor of a modern discovery finding 

 his title unquestioned, named the mine "Sinpleito" without a law-suit. If those now pend- 

 ing can be permanently adjusted, the numbers will undoubtedly diminish with the increase of 

 intelligence necessarily to result from the school for special education in mining operations. 

 The Mining Board, who direct all matters appertaining to the mining interest, could not have 

 made a more useful or wiser application of a portion of their funds than in this establishment. 



This board (Junta de Mineria) is chosen by the miners to represent them with the Intendente 

 and general government, as well as to prescribe rules for their common welfare. For the 

 purpose of perfecting such propositions as are assented to by the local or general government, a 

 share of all metals confiscated for violations of law, and a tax of half a real on every mark of 

 silver exported through the custom-house, are assigned them as revenue. With this they pay 

 for the police of the several mining districts ; the repairs of roads ; a chaplain at El Bolaco ; and 

 a contribution to the city hospital. About $50,000 were thus received and expended in 1850; 

 part of it being for the expenses of laborers from the southern provinces. Want of operatives 

 in the mining districts made it necessary to offer a free passage and a bonus to every family 

 that would come to Atacama for labor in the mines ; and when it is remembered how indolent 

 are the lower orders, how little they care for the morrow, and how impossible it is with their 

 habits to save sufficient for such a journey, it will be justly inferred that this was the only mode 

 to obtain them. The inducements held out by the Junta tempted no less than 1,500 to emigrate 

 within twelve or fourteen months after their offer was generally made known. 



For the reasons already stated, numerous as are the mines, and rich as are many of the 

 copper ores in the province, very little had been done with them prior to 1851. That the rail- 



