SALDANEA. 



315 



the established and improper custom of 

 paying this class of men beforehand, there 

 is no possibility of checking their ill con- 

 duct, of punishing them, or enforcing the 

 due performance of their engagement ; for, 

 with the money in hand, they laugh at all 

 remonstrance, and in no case complete their 

 undertaking according to stipulation. Until 

 this system is taken up, and amended by 

 the Legislature, these people will continue 

 to impose and plunder. 



On the morning of the 1 8th, proceeded to 

 Saldanea; found the roads nearly impass- 

 able, from the quantity of rain that had 

 fallen during the night. Breakfasted with 

 Senor Caycedo, whom I interrogated con- 

 cerning the reported richness of the rivers 

 Saldanea and Coyama, in gold. On this sub- 

 ject he knew but little; but sent for three 

 of the gold-washers, who came furnished 

 with bateasy a species of wooden bowl, of 



