CHAP. XVIII. 



1546 TO 1599. 57 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



On the acquisition of the precious metals from the opening 

 the mines of Potosi, in 1546, to the end of the year 1599. 



IN the latter end of the year 1545 the mines 

 of the Cerro de Potosi were accidentally discovered. 

 According to the account of Herrera, the dis- 

 covery was owing to an Indian hunter, Diego 

 Hualca, who in pulling up a shrub observed 

 filaments of pure silver about the roots. On 

 examination the mass was found to be enormous, 

 and a very great part of the population was there- 

 by drawn to the spot and employed in extracting 

 the metal. A city soon sprung up, though in a 

 district of unusual sterility. The mountain was 

 perforated on all sides, and the produce in a few 

 of the first years exceeded whatever has been re- 

 corded of the richest mines in the world. 



There are great doubts of what was the real 

 quantity of treasure actually brought into exist- 

 ence from Potosi in the first ten years after the 

 discovery. Humboldt, who examined the matter 

 with his usual diligence and acuteness, says, " the 

 books of accounts preserved in the archives of the 

 provincial treasury of Potosi go back no farther 



