We arrived at Zăcătēcăs on the 21st of December, and employed ourselves till the 26th, in visiting the establishments of the two Companies, who have made this district the scene of a part of their operations.
These are the Bolaños and the United Mexican Associations, between which the principal mines of Zacatecas are very equally divided.
As a mining district, Zacatecas differs materially from Guănăjūātŏ, for in lieu of one great mother vein, it contains three lodes nearly equal in importance, (those of La Qŭĕbrădīllă, San Bĕrnăbē, or Mălănōchĕ, and Veta Grande,) with a number of inferior Vetas and Vetillas, which may be considered as ramifications of the principal lodes. Upon these nearly 3000 pits or shafts have been opened: (mostly "catas" of very inconsiderable depth.) The course of the veins is distinctly designated upon the surface, by the elevation of the crests, and may be traced even by the most unpractised eye. The works of the Companies, now that the mine of Quebradilla has been abandoned, are confined entirely to the veins North of the town, Quebradilla, which lies to the South of Zacatecas, has yielded three successive "bonanzas," (each more remarkable for the immense quantity of ores produced than for their richness:) the first soon after the Conquest; the second when worked by La Borde, (who, after Tlalpujahua and Tasco, came to make his last fortune at Zacatecas;) and the third as recently as
