Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/350

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334
MEXICO IN 1827

masters. I am, however, in possession of a sketch of the principal mines, by which it appears that several of them have produced considerable Bonanzas in earlier times. For instance, Pămplōnă yielded 140,000 dollars in three years; La Iglesia took its name from the church that was built out of its proceeds; and from Cerro Colorado the family of Bustamante derived its fortune. There are many others which it is unnecessary to enumerate.

The only mine regularly worked at the time of my visit was that of Santa Rita, belonging to the German Company. They were driving a level upon the vein, which they had just cut, and were only waiting for the completion of the Hacienda de los Tŏlĭmānĕs, situated in a ravine below the mine, in order to reduce seventy cargas of rich ore, which had already been extracted.

This Hacienda was formerly an old convent: it is built upon the banks of a river, in a deep Barranca, about two leagues from Zĭmăpān. The situation is beautiful, the command of water great; and there is attached to it a garden and patio, containing some of the finest orange, Ăguăcātĕ, and fig-trees, that I almost ever saw. The climate, from the peculiarity of the situation, is warm.

The repairs necessary at this Hacienda constitute almost the only expence incurred by the Germans at Zĭmăpān.

The mine of Santa Rita cost them nothing, and