48 EARLY COLLECTION OF GOLD CHAP. XVII. 



adopt an estimation in the particular period some- 

 what below that of Humboldt in the latter years, 

 but not more varying than seems justified by the 

 accounts of Herrera and others respecting the 

 operations of various early adventurers. 



It is to be observed that, up to the invasion of 

 Mexico, gold alone had been found in America, 

 or, if any silver had been procured, it must have 

 been in such small portions as not to be thought 

 worthy of mention by any of the narrators of the 

 events of the period. 



Cortez commenced his invasion of Mexico in 

 1519, and a great portion of the precious metals 

 which had been collected in that country during 

 the period of the existing government fell into 

 his power. At his advance towards the capital, 

 the presents he received at Chalco are stated by 

 himself to have amounted to 2560 marcs of gold, 

 or nearly 70,000/. sterling. Montezuma, on taking 

 the oath of fidelity to the Emperor of Spain, was 

 prevailed upon to pay a tribute which, calculating 

 from the fifth part paid into the chest of the army, 

 must have amounted to near 65,000/. At the cap- 

 ture of Tenochtitlan, the plunder which fell into 

 the hands of the Spaniards is stated by Bernal 

 Diaz to have been equivalent to 80,000/. These 

 instances of mineral wealth found by Cortez and 

 his followers show that the Mexicans must have 

 made some progress in mining operations before 

 their country was visited by Europeans ; and though 



