PERU. 281 
In 1840 several new attempts were about to be made in mining 
speculations. 
The great difficulty to secure success seems to be in providing for 
the proper drainage, which the present adit will not accomplish alone, 
and great advantages might be derived from steam power properly 
employed to free the mines of water. The owners of the mines are 
always desirous of inserting in the contracts, that they shall not have 
any water to raise themselves, as this is the most expensive part of 
the process, for the ore is very rapidly mined the moment the water 
is drained off. The remuneration given to the proprietors of the 
steam engines is one-fifth of the ore raised ; this was the sum paid to 
the old company, and the same was stipulated to be paid to the parties 
who undertook the same work in 1829. 
Mines are to be bought at all times on reasonable terms, for the 
miners often desire to retire from business, or wish to sell for the sake 
of profit, or are not able to carry them on from a want of capital. 
There is, however, one difficulty a purchaser has to contend with, 
for the mines are almost always held in small shares among a number 
of relatives, many of whom refuse to sell their small interest, This 
makes the mines less desirable property, as difficulties almost 
invariably occur with these small proprietors. Mines are constantly 
in the market, and offered at reasonable rates. 
No miner who has worked with reasonable prudence, steadiness, 
and a sufficient capital, has failed to do well since the year 1833. 
The produce of the mines of the Cerro from that time, has not 
varied much from one year to another, as will be seen by the table 
heretofore given. The undertakings which have been carried on 
upon an extensive scale, are those which have prospered most. 
There were many difficulties that the first mining companies had to 
encounter, that others need not again apprehend ; the local interests 
are better understood and would be more respected ; a better know- 
ledge of the people prevails, and of the modes of mining; and 
the people themselves have lost some of their prejudices against 
foreigners. Persons may now be obtained to assist in the direction 
as well as to afford advice to the agents, who may be entrusted 
with the affairs of the company, so that the prospects of success in 
the operations are decidedly more favourable than they were fifteen 
years previously. But although the actual operation of mining may 
be more advantageous, yet the country in its political and commercial 
VOL. I. 7 1 
