Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/592

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572
MEXICO IN 1827

diately opposite to the mines of Cinco Señores and Bolaños, there being about three hours of difficult ascent from Guarisamey to these mines, and nearly the same from San Dimas to the Candelaria. On the San Dimas side, the mountains are very precipitous, and thus the mine of Candelaria has been worked to the depth of nearly 600 varas, by adits driven one below the other upon the lode, the whole expence being defrayed by the value of the ores produced. The last, a most magnificent work, is driven nearly 500 varas into the mountain, with such amplitude that a stage-coach might pass through it into the very heart of the mine, which may be worked 600 varas lower by pursuing a similar plan. The rich ores of the lode have been found, from the surface to the present depth, in separate beds, perpendicular to the horizon, (commonly called "clavos à pique,") and divided by intermediate masses of rock. The beds of ore have been constant from the surface downwards, and in that part of the lode hitherto examined, (which comprises a horizontal distance of near 500 varas,) there are four deposits of ore, with an equal number of intermediate "cavallos," or layers of rock. The lowest levels of the Candelaria are now 100 varas below the last adit, and the owners, who do not possess the means of either draining them by machinery, or of driving another adit, cannot work the mine as it requires, and yet have insisted upon such onerous terms, that they have hitherto deterred foreigners