DEPARTMENT OF ORURO. 



123 



tained a population of 38,000, without counting Indians. This decrease 

 is accounted for by the state of the mines. 



There are twelve hundred and fifteen abandoned silver mines near the 

 town, and not less than two hundred gold mines, most of which contain 

 water. Eleven silver mines are still worked. 



In the province of Poopo fifteen silver mines are worked, and three hun- 

 dred and sixteen stand idle ; besides which there are four silver mines 

 worked in the province of Carangas, and two hundred and eighty-five 

 abandoned. On the discovery of a mine, it is reported and registered to 

 be taxed. The miners of silver ores are required by law to sell their metal 

 to the government at a certain price. As merchants are willing to pay 

 higher, the silver of Bolivia often passes out of the country in bars. 

 Gold may be exported by paying a duty of three per cent. 



Lead, iron, antimony, sulphur, copper, and tin abound in this depart- 

 ment ; the tin is found on the surface of the plain. 



The climate of Oruro is cold, and the soil very unproductive. Potatoes, 

 quinua, with a little barley, are raised in some places. Llamas, alpacas, 

 vicunas, guanacos, and the skins of the chinchillos, are used as exchanges 

 on the coast of Peru for rum and wine. 



From shallow lakes salt four inches thick is gathered, and exchanged 

 for grains and flower. The pasture is so scarce that few cattle are 

 raised. Jackasses being more economical than horses, pick up a living 

 on the plain as they carry salt to the cattle districts, or journey over 

 the mountains with silver and gold, a distance of one hundred and 

 eighty-three leagues, to the seaport of Cobija, where they meet ships 

 from the United States loaded with flour. 



Cobija is a free port of entry, and merchants send this distance for 

 many articles of trade, in preference to paying duty from Arica through 

 the territory of Peru. As the jackass travels very slowly, and the 

 Indian driver generally accommodates his pace to the loaded animal's, 

 the cargo from Cobija requires thirty-five days. It is difficult to find 

 men willing to make the trip over that barren country. 



The inhabitants of Corocoro were generally intoxicated on our arri- 

 val; neither the postman nor the governor appeared. Two persons^ 

 incorrectly supposing they were sober, called for our passports, saying 

 the governor was absent, and they were the authorities next in power, 

 One of them encountered some difficulty in reading the document. 



He inquired of Jose the reason it was not presented at the governor's 

 house 1 Jose answered, " It was usual for the authorities to call upon 

 strangers." The man became very angry, and abused Jose. Being 

 requested to read our papers and take his departure, he said " he did not 



