TO THE COPPER MINES. 229 
who accompanied the train a mule to carry him away. 
At the same time they sent word to the inhabitants at 
the Copper Mines, that they would allow no further 
supplies to reach them, and, furthermore, would de- 
stroy them whenever an opportunity offered. | Thus 
cut off from the means of support, and surrounded by 
large warlike tribes, the people determined to abandon 
the place. It had consequently remained unoccupied 
ever since, until taken possession of by the Boundary 
Commission in the present year, 1851. 
Several deep shafts were sunk by the Mexicans in 
the adjoining hills ; which, with the vast heaps and ex- 
tensive excavations about them, show that an immense 
deal of labor has been performed here. One of the largest 
Shafts has been filled up in consequence of the earth’s 
caving in; as I was told by a Mexican in the employ 
of the Commission, who said he had lived here when 
the mines were worked. Others are obstructed by 
water, which has accumulated near their entrances. 
Some of the excavations are still accessible, and have 
been explored by many. If it should again become 
an-object to work the mines, they might be cleared 
without much labor. The rock is mostly felspar, and 
the red oxide of copper, intermixed with native metal. 
ae quantities of ore are deposited near the smelting- 
ouse. 
On entering these excavations, one sees the bright 
veins of the sulphuret of copper penetrating the rock 
in all directions, with here and there small masses of 
native copper; and it is evident that all the hills in 
the vicinity are quite as rich as those which. have been 
“©pened, for the same indications appear on the surface. 
