OF SANTO DOMINGO. 



189 



and at Monte Mateo there is a good-sized vein, which five or six years ago was opened 

 quite extensively as compared with any other mining operations ever undertaken in 

 the country. The mineral shows itself on the face of a high bluff on the margin of 

 the rivei- where the slates are discolored by oxide of iron for a width of 120 feet. 

 Throughout this surface considerable quantities of iron pyrites are found, and in one 

 place some copper stains can be detected. An excavation of about fifty feet was 

 made in the most promising spot, which had afterwards closed up by the rotting of 

 the timbers and the fall of debris. Mr. Speare, who was employed at the mine, informs 

 us that towards the surface the streaks of ore, a yellow pyrites, were comparatively 

 small, but as the works increased in depth these streaks converged and promised to 

 unite. He considers that there was a fair prospect of eventually finding a compact 

 vein. His experience in copper mining elsewhere entitles his opinion to respect. 

 Unfortunately, before the character of the deposit could be thoroughly proven, failure 

 of funds and the bankruptcy of the company put a stop to the operations, which have 

 never since been resumed. JsTumerous assays of the ore were made, and General 

 Cazneau, in whose possession they were, exhibited to us the certificates of the 

 chemists. Some of them are here given. The names of Secor, Swan & Co., of 

 Baltimore, and Adelberg, Raymond* & Co., of jNTew York, are sufficient guarantees 

 for the accuracy of the analj^ses, which were however made doubtless from the choicest 

 specimens found in the mine. Adelberg, Raymond & Co. give — :j.r.. .... 



1st. 2d. 3d. average of five others. 



Copper : 26.73 26.03 15.5 21.17 ; f 



Gold trace $23.60 per ton. , 



Silver trace 



Sulphur 33.10 



Secor, Swan & Co. found — 



1st. 2d(1001bs.) 3d. 4th (9 tons). •^>' 



Copper 20.5 10.0 20.50 12.5 per cent. ' ' 



Gold i?12.80 $10 00 $5.00 1 



Silver $10.40 $13.03 $1.23 i 



Sulphur 25.00 per cent. 



An examination of the abovS results show that while the hand specimens and even the 

 100 lbs. lot gave usually very good results, the fairer working test of nine tons brings 

 the character of the ore down to a doubtfully pi'ofitable grade. So nuich for the mine 

 in the abstract. Its position is very unfavorable for successful working, even if the 

 vein and the ore should eventuall>^ prove good. It is nine miles up the i^igua above 

 San Ci'istobal, following the ordinary horse-trail, or six miles to the nearest ])oint 



* Dr. K. Raymond, now Ignited States Coniniissioner of ^Mining Stiitistics. 

 A. V. S. VOL. XV. 2 v. 



