have murmured at the expence, had they seen the ability with which the whole plan had been traced, and witnessed all that two years had enabled their agents to effect.
At Bolaños, (which, though a distinct company, was likewise under the direction of Captain Vetch,) the expences have been confined, almost entirely, to the preparations for the drainage, which consist of one great work, designed by Captain Vetch, and executed hitherto under his superintendence. The Company possesses there fourteen shafts, communicating with each other below ground, and occupying a space of 4,100 yards upon the vein.
The mines, though peculiarly rich, were abandoned in 1798, from the enormous expence of keeping down the water, in which, at that time, 5,000 mules were employed. As a substitute for these, a single water-wheel is now to be erected; it having been ascertained, by repeated measurements, that a sufficient fall may be obtained to work this wheel, by bringing a canal, or leat, from the river, which runs through the barranca, (ravine,) in which the mines are situated, at a considerable distance up its course.
The length of this canal is 6,176 yards, or three miles and a half, of which 3,034 yards, (or nearly one mile and three-quarters,) must necessarily be carried under ground, by excavating a tunnel.
In 1826, 1,943 yards of the open cutting, and 1,629 yards of the tunnel, were completed, (four feet deep and six wide;) in addition to which, ten
