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SILVER MINES. 157 
bearing quartz are of course to be met with, and there are 
many insignificant localities not named in the above catalogue; 
for almost every ranche has some favourite mine near it, the 
boundless wealth of which forms part of the belief of the 
inhabitants, who, however, seldom show energy enough to put 
their belief to the test. 
The above districts are subject, according to their position, 
either to the mint at Hermosillo, or that at Alamos, in the 
southern part of the State. The average amount coined at 
these establishments during the five years preceding the 
Maximilian war was about 60,000 dollars per month at each 
mint. During the war, that is for nearly three years, both 
mints were stopped, and since that time Hermosillo has been 
coining about 30,000 per month, Alamos, 60,000, with every 
probability of an increase to 70,000 or 80,000 dollars in a few 
-months’ time, on account of the productiveness of some mines 
recently taken up in the vicinity.* 
Ist. The district tributary to Hermosillo. 
The Bronces and Trinidad mines, besides the Nahuila 
worked with the Bronces, are owned by a Mexican, Matias 
Alzua by name. The former, from January to November of 
1867, furnished 83,000 dollars to the mint ; the latter, 15,500. 
In both, all the rich ores were sent to Europe for reduction. 
The Bronces and Nahuila supply a mill of twenty stamps, 
but they could keep twenty-five stamps always employed. 
The Trinidad supplies a fifteen-stamp mill, which ought to be 
increased to twenty. The El Taste Mine (Tecoripa district), 
worked by an American company, sent, up to November, 
1867, 38,000 dollars to the mint. A ten-stamp mill is equal 
* The particulars here stated were gathered from persons on the spot in 
December, 1867; I have especially to thank Mr. Johnson of San Marcial, and 
Mr. Simons, part owner of the mint at faa for rendering me so much 
assistance in obtaining reliable mining information 
