[ *474 ] 



within any convenient diftanee are nearly exhaufted, whilft trie- 

 charge of bringing quickfilver from La Vera Cruz is therebjr 

 greatly augmented. Venegas therefore informs us, that it is, 

 not worth while to work the mose abundant mines of Sonora 

 to the Northward, from this increale of expence. The filver in- 

 deed, at fo diftant a period as 1 5oyears ago, was chiefly brought from 

 St. Lewis de Sacatecas, which is nearly ioq leagues N. of Mexico f . 

 This objection does not hold with regard to the continuing to> 

 work the filver mkies of Peru, as the famous one of quickfilver^ 

 called Guanacabeficd, is fituated in the fame province. It is be- 

 lieved alio, that the gold mines in America, as they are im- 

 properly called, anfwer as little to the Spaniards. At leaft I have 

 been informed, by a perfon who refided two or three years in> 

 Brafil, which furnifhes the greater} quantity of this precious 

 metal, that thole who go itt fearch of it are not. paid above a 

 fhilling per day for their labours. Gold is never found in the 

 ftate of ore, or by digging deep into the bowels of the earth ; the 

 adventurers therefore go in companies of five or fix fo explore, 

 thofe parts where they conceive themfelves to have the belt 

 chance of finding it hear the furface, but often return after being 

 out months.,, with a very fmall portion, by which the fatigues-, 

 and dangers they have incurred are poorly compensated. 



As little would it aniwer to take poffeffion of Acapulco, for 

 the fake of an annual fhip which would prefently change its- 

 rendefvouz for another port, or of Panama, in order to inter- 



f To this- it mny be added,, that the fituation of Mexico is very un- 

 healthy, Gate comparing the many canals to thofe of Venice, which 

 are often highly often fn e. [See Gage's Survey of the W. Indies.] It is. 

 alio fubjedt to great inundations ; and Don Alzate informs the Academy 

 of Sciences at Paris, that during the years 1736 and 1768 more than, 

 one-third of the inhabitants died of. the black vomit. 



cepfc 



