CHAP. XVII. 



1492 TO 1546. 41 



CHAPTER XVII. 



On the acquisition of the precious metals from the discovery 

 of America in 1492, to the opening of the mines of Potosi 

 in 1546. 



THE first discovery of America tended rather 

 to increase than to gratify the eager desire for the 

 acquisition of the precious metals. Columbus 

 observed among the first natives he met in Hispa- 

 niola some ornaments of gold about their persons ; 

 and with the excited feelings which prevailed 

 among his followers, and the erroneous idea he 

 had formed of his having arrived in Asia, the sup- 

 posed country of gold and silver, it is not won- 

 derful that the slight specimens of those metals 

 which were visible should be considered as indi- 

 cations of immense treasures, which by persevering 

 efforts must soon become the property of the 

 daring adventurers. 



The aborigines of America were in that state 

 of rude life, which induced them to carry about 

 their persons the few ornaments they possessed ; 

 and as the gold was merely an ornament, they 

 were eager to exchange it for any other, which by 

 its novelty had a greater effect on their imagina- 

 tions, We find in the narrations of the first dis- 



