360 FUTURE SUPPLIES CHAP. XXIX. 



culture or from the ill-managed manufactories 

 which supply the greater part of the wants of the 

 inhabitants of that country. If, however, capital 

 could be beneficially employed, it would take a 

 long period before that which twenty years ago ex- 

 isted in Spanish America could be again collected in 

 the several countries where the mines are situated. 

 The commotions which have unceasingly prevailed 

 since they renounced their connexion with Spain 

 have had the effect of expelling whatever capital was 

 moveable. Silver and gold were the chief produce, 

 and from their compendious nature could, either 

 by law or against law, be easily carried away. We 

 know that from Peru, in seven years, more than 

 double as much silver was sent to Europe by 

 British ships of war alone as all the mines afforded. 

 The author was assured by Iturbide that during 

 the space of little more than one year, when he 

 filled the office of emperor in Mexico, there was 

 exported from that country to Europe, to the 

 United States, to Cuba, and the other West India 

 Islands, in coined money and bullion to the amount 

 of more than one hundred and twenty million 

 dollars. Ever since that period, each ship of war 

 and packet that has arrived has brought large 

 sums to our merchants on account of persons who 

 have removed to Spain or the south-west of France, 

 or other countries where bills on London could be 

 negotiated, and the property be thus easily and 

 safely conveyed to its real owners. 



