CHAP. XXV. 



COLUMBIA. 245 



that any great alteration has taken place in the 

 four years after that date, and we may safely 

 admit the presumption, that the average of those 

 four years has been the same as the average of the 

 four years that immediately preceded them. 



The portion of silver produced in Columbia, as 

 appears by the mint returns, is very inconsiderable, 

 though sanguine adventurers have represented it 

 as a most abundant substance. What is, however, 

 afforded, is chiefly found impregnated with a large 

 proportion of gold. In the mine of Momarto, 

 which yielded the most, the metal is said to have 

 consisted of three parts silver, and one part gold. 

 This metal was then ground to powder, and in 

 that mixed state conveyed to the mint and sold, 

 where the two metals were separated and then 

 coined. 



An account of the gold and silver coined at 

 the mint of Bogota from the year 1810 to 1825, 

 and calculated to the end of 1829 



Year. Dollars in gold. Dollars in silver. Total. 



Carried forward 6,377,503 



