THE BA TOPILAS DISTRICT. 323 
populated it to such a degree that it 
counted but ten resident families in 1845. 
From this time the reaction which has 
made Batopilas the richest silver dis¬ 
trict in the world may be said to date. 
The old mines were again opened and 
new ones discovered. The measure of 
success did not compare with that attained 
in the time of the Spaniards, however, 
owing to the lesser energy displayed, but 
proved amply sufficient to repay the 
timid efforts of the native speculators. 
Not until the year 1862 did American 
enterprise direct its efforts in so promis¬ 
ing a direction. A purchase was effected 
by an American company, composed 
principally of gentlemen interested in 
Wells, Fargo & Co., whereby the prop¬ 
erty embracing the famous veins of San 
Antonio and El Carmen passed into 
