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are partners, have conducted their concerns in a hberal way, and are 

 said to be very wealthy. It was my wish to have staid a day or two 

 for the purpose of inspecting the extensive works which they have 

 opened ; but I forbore to make any request of this nature, as I per- 

 ceived, or supposed, some httle jealousy or suspicion respecting my 

 views. It seemed to be the opinion here, as well as in other places, 

 that I had a mission from Government, authorizing me to enquire 

 into the state^f the mines, and give a report concerning them. 



In riding past the works, after having taken leave of the captain, 

 I did not perceive any machinery used for facilitating manual 

 labour. The tedious process of washing by hand was most generally 

 practised ; in some instances inclined canoes were used, which, if 

 carried to the degree of improvement of which they are susceptible, 

 might much more effectually answer the purpose. 



Between the mountain on Captain Felicia's estate and the village 

 of Sabara is a rich mining district, which extends also to Bromare, 

 over a continuation of hilly country. It is occupied by several opu- 

 lent miners, who possess many fine grounds still un worked. A tract 

 of land a few miles in extent is appropriated to agricultural purposes, 

 being reputed to be destitute of gold. 



I proceeded four leagues, over a well-watered and finely-wooded 

 country, to a hamlet called Vas, a name which had become familiar 

 to my ear through the frequent mention which my soldiers made of 

 " the good old man of Vas." Tliis person, whose reception of me 

 fully justified the appellation with which he had been distinguished, 

 was a farmer from Oporto, who had been resident here about forty 

 years. He bought the estate with twenty negroes upon it, and paid 

 for it by yearly instalments in twenty years afterwards. This mode 

 of disposing of estates is much practised, being at once easy to the 

 purchaser, and advantageous to the seller, as it ensures to the latter 

 a better price than he could obtain on the condition of immediate 

 payment. The house, which is well-built and convenient, has a 

 sugar-mill and distillery attached to it. The sugar is generally sent 



