58 
years about half. a million of dollars from it. The ore looks extremely 
rich; 1 it is a remarkably pure oxyde of copper, accompanied sometimes with» 
the native metal, and said to contain some gold. Mr. Coursier soon monop- 
olized the Ww hole copper trade in Chihuahua: and as the State at that time — 
coined a great deal of this metal, he made.a very profitable business of ‘it: 
but at last the mine, which seems to be inexhaustible, had to be abandgned 
on account of hostile Indians, who killed some of the workmen, and at- 
tacked the trains. , These ore mines are claimed by the sas, $ of Chi: 
of Chihuahua 1 had b well decennial by the Mexicans 
astronomical observ stiont may perhaps prove that they fall within ee “a 
rite i of New Mexico is question may nate e of importance, because 
but Pe aitive is known in relation to 
Coal has been found at present only on ex places in the State, near the 
mines of Carmen and near the mines of Sierra Rica; but it wilt ene 34 
oceur in other localities. 
After this short review of the mines in the State of Gikiaalitens the 
question of course will arise, hae is the annual production of these 
mines? he only data to which I ¢ n refer, are the following: _In the 
24 years. from 1738 to Pi jdet the ninbitit of silver. produced i in the State of 
Chihuahua was 3,428,278 mares, or $28,283,293; and in the 17 years 
i 
from 1777 to 1793, 1 394, 16L Beet or B12, Sel 828. The J flowing is the - 
estimated amount for later years 
In 1824... - - - : 69, 816 ee, or ae 982 dollars. 
1826 cms - I '¢ 138,015 i. 1] (623 _ oe 
‘ 1827 . . ~ 129,402 ~ os ;p66 — 
1828 c= - & << LASS SDE bg eae 
SASIO ng ctw nes : - 128,747 | _ 1,062,163 
~1851 - * - 138,916 1,146,057 : 
» 1832. - . Hee - 117484. 969,24 
PAB de: “ - > 116,802 * 963,616 
1884. z . - 109,419 902,707 
More recent sri I was unable to get, though I understood from ¢ com:: 
tent persons that the amount of silver had in the last 12 years considera- 
bly increased. he computator of the above tables estimates that the annual 
average amount of the production of silver and gold in the State of Chi- 
huahua is 125, 000 marcs, or $1,031,251; but he supposes that but 100,000. 
hat sum pass through the mint, and that 25 000 mares are pared 
Bim, Das: nt 
ou ty. 
4 Sale mint (ater le dHiotedays in n Chihoabvs , coining 
a Te 3 Potts and brother are the present proprie- 
contain at least 16. grains 
: é ies be said at present. A a 
