MINES OF .MEXICO. 337 



pounds of silver, annually exported to Europe and CHAP.XXVI. 

 Asia from Vera Cruz and Aciipulco, are drawn from a Annuiir 

 very small number. Guanaxuato, Zacatecas, and Ca- exportation, 

 torce, supply more than the half; and the vein of 

 Guanaxuato alone yields more than a fourth part of the 

 whole silver of Mexico, and a sixth of the produce of 

 all America. The following is the order in which the 

 richest mines of New Spain are placed, with reference to 

 the quantity obtained from them : — 



Guanaxuato, in the intendancy of" the same name. 

 Catorce, in the intendancy of San Luis PotosL 

 Zacatecas, in the intendancy of the same name. 

 Real del Monte, in the intendancy of Mexico. 

 Bolanos, in the intendancy of Guadalaxara. 

 Guarisamey, in the intendancy of Durani^o. 

 Sorabrerete, in tlie intendancy of Zacatecas. 

 Ta.sco, in the intendancy of Mexico. 

 Batopilas, in the intendancy of Durango. 

 Zimapan, in the intendancy of Mexico. 

 Fresnillo, in the intendancy of Zacatecas. 

 Ramos, in tlie intendancy of San Luis Potosi. 

 Parral, in tlie intendancy of Durango. 



The veins of Tasco, Sultepec, Tlapujahua, and Pa- Earliest 

 chuca, were first wrought by the Spaniards. Those of mines. 

 Zacatecas were next commenced, and that of San 

 Barnabe was begun in 1548. The principal one in 

 Guanaxuato was discovered in 1558. As the total pro- 

 duce of all in Mexico, until the beginning of the 

 eighteenth century, never exceeded 369,844 troy pounds 

 of gold and silver yearly, it must be concluded, that 

 during the sixteenth little energy was employed in 

 drawing forth their stores. 



The silver extracted in the thirty-seven districts was Silver. 

 deposited in the provincial treasuries established in the 

 chief places of the intendancies ; and from the reports 

 of these offices the quantity furnished by the different 

 parts of the country may be determined. The following 

 is an account of the receipts of eleven of these boards 

 from the year 1785 to 1789 : — 



