BOOK IV.
THE MINES OF MEXICO. — GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. — SUBJECT, HOW DIVIDED.
The large capitals invested by British subjects during the last four years, in the Mines of Mexico, and the differences of opinion that have prevailed, upon this side of the Atlantic, with regard to these speculations, induced me, at a very early period of my residence in New Spain, to devote a good deal of attention to this subject, and to endeavour to turn my stay in the country to account, by collecting all the information respecting it, that it was possible for me to obtain. I had not, however, prosecuted my enquiries long, when the investigation, which private curiosity had prompted me to undertake, became a public duty, circular orders having been transmitted to his Majesty's Agents in the New World to endeavour to ascertain the exact amount of Silver raised, and exported, in the countries in which they severally resided, during a term of thirty years; an account of which was to be forwarded to Government, together with an estimate of the probable future produce.
In the execution of these orders, I was obliged to embrace the question of Mining, (in as far as Mexico is concerned,) in
