342 



PRODUCE OF SILVER. 



and disagreeable atmosphere of the Peruvian dis- 

 tricts. 



The produce of the Mexican mines is very 

 unequally apportioned. The 2,500,000 marks, or 

 1,541,015 troy pounds of silver annually exported 

 to Europe and Asia from Vera Cruz and Acapulco, 

 are drawn from a very small number. Guanaxuato, 

 Zacatecas, and Catorce supply more than the half; 

 and the vein of Guanaxuato alone yields more than 

 a fourth part of the whole silver of Mexico, and a 

 sixth of the produce of all America. The following 

 is the order in which the richest mines of New-Spain 

 are placed, with reference to the quantity obtained 

 from them : — 



Guanaxuato, in the intendancy of the same name. 

 Catorce, in the intendancy of San Luis Potosi. 

 Zacatecas, in the intendancy of the same name. 

 Real del Monte, in the intendancy of Mexico. 

 Bolanos, in the intendancy of Guadalaxara. 

 Guarisamey, in the intendancy of Durango. 

 Sombrerete, in the intendancy of Zacatecas. 

 Tasco, in the intendancy of Mexico. 

 Batopilas, in the intendancy of Durango. 

 Zuriapan, in the intendancy of Mexico. 

 Fresnillo, in the intendancy of Zacatecas. 

 Ramos, in the intendancy of San Luis Potosi. 

 Parral, in the intendancy of Durango. 



The veins of Tasco, Sultepec, Tlapujahua, and 

 Pachuca were first wrought by the Spaniards. 

 Those of Zacatecas were next commenced, and that 

 of San Barnabe was begun in 1548. The principal 

 one in Guanaxuato was discovered in 1558. As the 

 total produce of all in Mexico, until the beginning of 

 the eighteenth century, never exceeded 369,844 troy 

 pounds of gold and silver yearly, it must be con- 

 cluded that during the sixteenth little energy was 

 employed in drawing forth their stores. 



The silver extracted in the thirty-seven districts 

 was deposited in the provincial treasuries established 

 in the chief places of the intendancies ; and from 

 the reports of these offices the quantity furnished 



