CHAP. xvil. IN AMERICA. 53 



of 52,000, would amount to 1,308,000 



The amount for the twenty-five years 



from the capture of Mexico to the 



discovery of Potosi, at the annual 



rate as estimated by Humboldt of 



630,000 . . . 15,750,000 



Total addition in sixty-three years 17,058,000 

 By a calculation before made in chapter x. of 

 this inquiry, the quantity of the precious metals in 

 existence in the ancient world has been estimated 

 to have been reduced down to thirty-three or 

 thirty-four millions. It has been also calculated 

 that the mines of Europe yielded at the time of 

 the discovery of America a portion of gold and 

 silver equal to that which was annually consumed 

 by wear. If these various calculations approximate 

 to truth, it would appear that an addition had 

 been made to the gold and silver in existence at 

 the rate of fifty per cent., or one half of the pre- 

 vious quantity. 



The process of consumption would, however, 

 be going on contemporaneously with the produc- 

 tion. In this period the largest quantity would be 

 produced in the earliest and the latest years. That 

 which had been accumulated in prior ages by the 

 aborigines would be acquired by the conquerors, 

 and it would require some arrangements before 

 the labour of the subdued inhabitants could be 

 directed and excited in such a manner as to bring 



