CHAP. XXVI. OF GOLD AND SILVER. 275 



supplied to this inquiry the real quantity of 

 gold, which, on the average of the last years, 

 they had refined. This was done under an 

 assurance of secrecy as to each individual, but 

 with full permission to state the collective result 

 in any manner that might be deemed advisable. 

 A small number of these houses refine more than 

 thirteen thousand ounces yearly, most of the re- 

 mainder from six to eight thousand five hundred ; 

 and the produce of the whole eleven amounts to 

 one hundred and eight thousand five hundred 

 ounces. There are twelve or thirteen others, of 

 which three may be calculated to refine about 

 four thousand five hundred ounces each, four 

 about three thousand five hundred each, and the 

 remaining four about two thousand five hundred 

 each. The whole may be brought under one 

 view, thus: 



* Ounces. 



Product of pure gold from eleven houses 108,500 

 three houses 13,500 



four houses 14,000 



four houses 10,000 



146,000 



From the time that has been spent in this branch 

 of the inquiry, from the number of persons from 

 whom communications have been received, and 

 from the consideration which has been since paid 



T 2 



