( m ) 



built. A code of laws was enacted for the regulation of the mines ; 

 all gold-dust found was ordered to he delivered to officers appointed 

 for that purpose ; a fifth in weight was taken for the King, and the 

 remaining four parts were purified, melted into ingots at the expence 

 of Government, then assayed, marked according to their value, and 

 delivered to the owners, with a certificate to render them current. 

 For the greater convenience of trade, gold-dust was likewise permit- 

 ted to circulate for small payments. Notwithstanding these strict 

 regulations, a considerable quantity of the precious metal in its ori- 

 ginal state found its way to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and other ports, 

 clandestinely, without paying the royal fifth, until Government, ap- 

 prized of this illicit traflSc, established registers in various parts for 

 the examination of all passengers, and stationed soldiers to patrole 

 the roads. By these means, gold in immense quantities was seized 

 and confiscated ; the persons on whom any was found forfeited all 

 their property, and, unless they had friends of great influence, were 

 sent as convicts to Africa for life. The greatest disgrace was at- 

 tached to the name of smuggler ; and such was the rigour of the law 

 against offenders of this description, that every person quitting the 

 district was obliged to take a certificate stating whither he was going, 

 and what he carried with him. This regulation is still in force, and 

 is rigorously observed. 



Villa Rica soon enjoyed a considerable trade with Rio de Janeiro; 

 the returns were negroes, iron, woollens, salt, provisions of various 

 kinds, and wine, all which at that time bore amazingly high profits. 



About the year 1713, when Dr. Bras de Silvia was appointed 

 governor, the quantity of gold produced was so considerable that 

 the royal fifth amounted to half a million sterling annually. The 

 mountain became pierced like a honey-comb, as the miners worked 

 every §oft part they could find, and penetrated as far as they could, 

 conveying the cascalhao which they dug out to a convenient place for 

 washing. In rainy weather the torrents of water running down the 

 sides of the mountain, carried away, much earthy matter containing 



