Shetch of the Mine of Pasco. 61 



sand accidents, both on account of the numberless disputes among 

 die miners, and the errors made in the excavation of it. The com- 

 panies of speculators have greatly contributed to paralyze it. The 

 work was begun in Quinlachoca, in the month of September, 1825, 

 but the perforation had reached only about forty yards, in the month 

 of January, 1827, and the expenses amounted to from thirty five to 

 forty thousand dollars, and probably the latter sura is not beyond the 

 truth. 



The general directors of the mine being informed of the suspen- 

 sion of the working of the excavation ; they attempted to prosecute 

 it farther ; soliciting at the same time, aid of the government, and in- 

 viting the return of the miners. In fact, they obtained from the gov- 

 ernment two thousand dollars every month, and from the miners their 

 consent. I removed to the chain and set to work in the excavation on 

 the 1st of June, 1827. We have now three Jiout ones, and shall soon 

 have two more, unless they drain the waters of the thirteenth vent 

 hole, perforated in the cascajo of Ayapoto, which is very near the 

 plains of the excavation. The machine will then have no effect, be- 

 cause the plains being lower than the vent hole in which the machine 

 is, its waters must tend towards the general drain. Two other ex- 

 cavations are begun ; that of Rumillana begins in the break of the 

 same name. That of Avellafuerte having its origin in the lake of 

 St. Judas, inclines towards the church of Yanacancha ; it was begun 

 but not continued, because the capital failed. By this the rich mines 

 in the pampa of St. Andres and Matajente might be drained. The 

 two excavations worked by the company, received an assignment of 

 twelve thousand dollars and two reals from the bribunae. At first, 

 twenty four thousand dollars were given by the court ; afterwards 

 abated to twelve thousand. In the excavation of Quinlacocha alone, 

 until the year 1820, they expended two hundred and forty seven 

 thousand dollars. The drain by means of the steam engine, is very 

 defective, because it is not permanent. The workmen have endeav- 

 ored to remedy this evil, by placing a box upon the piston, but to no 

 purpose. The cylinder is twenty five inches in diameter ; the play 

 of the piston is five feet, and it makes three strokes a minute. The 

 caldron is seven yards, twenty three inches long, and two yards, six- 

 teen inches in diameter. This machine is on the high pressure prin- 

 ciple, and constructed after the invention of the engineer Trevithick ; 

 at present, it raises the water from thirty six to thirty eight feet above 

 the plains of the lurabrera to the excavation of St. Judas. The wa- 



