It is but fair to add, that the disinclination of the Mexicans to co-operate in many of the plans suggested, has been not a little increased by the discovery that some of our boasted improvements[1] have not been productive of any solid advantage, while others have proved complete failures; and where this is the case, it is next to impossible, in any Country, to substitute new methods, merely because they are new, for a practice, which time has already rendered familiar.
Experience has now induced most of the Companies to retrace their steps, and to reduce their Establishments in such a manner as to make the Management strictly European, while the operative part is confided to Natives; but this experience has been dearly bought. The Anglo-Mexican Company alone had expended, in September 1826, nearly 30,000l. in salaries to men, almost all of whom have now been dismissed; and full 100,000l. in Machinery (including duties and carriage from the Coast,) not one twentieth part of which either has been, or ever can be, made use of; the machi-
- ↑ I allude not to the use of Machinery where that of the country has proved insufficient, as at Real del Monte; but to the attempt to substitute the Cornish system of washing and dressing Ores, for that of New Spain. In this, as in many supposed improvements in the process of Amalgamation and Smelting, innovation has, hitherto, only led to loss; and I believe that, in every instance, the works for reducing Ores are now confided to Natives.
