SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



225 



are possessed by any in Europe. The mine 

 of Valenciana, which may now be considered 

 as British property, (being one of those en- 

 gaged to be worked by our first mining 

 company), was discovered about sixty years 

 ago by an enterprising young Spaniard, of 

 the name of Obergon. He had no property, 

 but was assisted by a Mr. Otterro, a shop- 

 keeper in the neighbourhood ; in a short 

 time each partner annually shared profits to 

 the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand 

 pounds. During the revolution the machi- 

 nery was destroyed by fire, and the water ac- 

 cumulated to such a degree, that it could not 

 be extracted by the slender means they pos- 

 sessed, and the mine has remained unpro- 

 ductive ever since : but English mechanics and 

 steam-engines are now on their way to it, and 

 the most beneficial results may be expected, 

 not from this alone, but from hundreds of 

 other mines that are now lying dormant, 



VOL. II. Q 



