MINING IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



289 



Memorandum (B). 



Comparing the past and the present Value of the 

 Mines in South America. 



On the discovery of the different countries of South 

 America, the attention of the Spaniards was imme- 

 diately directed towards the acquisition of those 

 metals which all men are so desirous to obtain. 

 Careless of the beauty of these interesting countries, 

 their sole object was to reach the mines ; and hence 

 it is that the history of the American mines has 

 always been considered the best history of the 

 country. As soon as information was obtained 

 from the Indians of the situation of the mines, how- 

 ever remote, small settlements were formed there ; 

 and with no other resources or supplies than those 

 which nature had bestowed upon the country, they 

 commenced their labours : they obtained their re- 

 ward, and the arrival of the precious metals in 

 Europe was hailed as the produce of intrepidity, 

 industry, and science 



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