372 MEXICO. means of converting it into the ordinary circulating medium of the country ; and, with the exception of the Bars exported, direct, from the Eastern and Western Coasts, their Registers undoubtedly afford the fairest estimate of the real produce. The average amount of these, on the whole fifteen years, being, as we have seen, 10,270,731 dollars, it becomes neces- sary to add no less a sum than 5,571,069 dollars to the returns of produce from the principal Districts, as given above, in order to make them equal in amount to the annual coinage. In any country but Mexico it would be absurd to suppose that so large a mass of silver could be raised, annually, from sources comparatively unknown ; but, in New Spain, there is nothing either impossible, or improbable, in the supposition. It is a fact universally admitted, that, in almost all the Mining Districts, although the towns have been ruined by the emigration of the wealthy inhabitants, whose capitals were formerly invested in Mimng operations, the lower classes have, throughout the Revolution, found means to draw their subsistence from the Mines. Under the denomination of Buscdnes, (Searchers) they have never ceased to work ; and although, from the want of method in their operations, they have done the most serious injury to the Mines themselves, they have, in general, contrived to ex- tract from the upper levels, or from the old workings, neg- lected in better times for others of greater promise, a very considerable quantity of silver. This desultory system is still pursued in many parts of the country ; and, at Zimapan, Zacualpan, el D6ct5r, and many of the Northern Districts, a large population is even now main- tained by it. The silver thus obtained was sold in each Real de minas, at from four to six, eight, and twelve reals per marc below the Mint price, to those of the inhabitants who could afford, on such terms, to wait for an opportunity of forwarding it, under convoy, to the nearest Mint, where it was exchanged for dol-
