The Present State of Peru/3b
HISTORICAL AND TOPOGRARHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRITORY OF LAURI-COCHA, VULGARLY DENOMINATED PASCO.
Nature, constantly admirable in her combinations, has counterpoised the value of her benefits with the difficulty of acquiring them. In conformity to this law, the oyster sinks into the abyss of the ocean, and clings to the sunken shelf, to hide the precious pearl it contains. The diamond is formed in the hard substance of the rock, or in the sandy beach, which the impetuous torrent laves. Gold and silver, those representatives of all human riches, independently of their stores being hidden in the bowels of the earth, are not in general produced unless in the most rigid temperatures, and in the most deserted soils. The richest mines are those which are comprehended in the rugged contexture of mountains seldom divested of snow, and surrounded by the dismal prospect of asteril and naturally uninhabitable country. Potosi, Cailloma, Piedra-Parada, Pasco, &:c. may be adduced in proof of this assertion. It is, however, best evinced by the latter, the description of which follows.
This mineral territory is properly entitled the mountain of St. Stephen of Lauri-Cocha. It is situated at the northern extremity of the plains of Bombon, and is surrounded by other small mountains which constitute a part of the great Cordillera. Its soil is unfertile, and the climate extremely rigid. The barley, the only grain that springs up, which is there sown, does not ripen in the blade. Rains and snows fall constantly during six months of the year; and the other six are marked by severe frosts, with storms of thunder at intervals. The discovery of these mines was accidental, and occurred, as appears by documents preserved in the archives of Lima, somewhere about the year 1630.
An Indian, named Huari-Capcha, led his flock to pasture on the heights, and being obliged to pass the night in that situation, sought shelter behind one of them. He kindled a large fire, and was greatly surprized, at break of day, when he perceived, among the ashes, several grains of melted silver. Contrary to the received usage of the Indians, he communicated this intelligence to Don Juan De Ugarte, a rich proprietor residing in the vale of Huariaca, who proceeded immediately to explore the heights. On and near the spot where the fire had melted the metallic substance, he found passages leading to several mines, which were afterwards wrought with the greatest success.
The fame of the mines of Ugarte drew thither a considerable number of persons, whose enthusiasm inspired them with the courageous resolution to establish themselves on those wild and dreary heaths, which seemed to be solely destined for the abode of wild beasts. In a little time, a Spanish settlement was formed, where before not a hut was to be seen to afford shelter to a solitary Indian.
At that time there were in the province of Conchucos, a royal chest and establishment, not only for the collection of the tributes, but likewise for the management and direction of a rich mine of silver, which was worked on the account of his Catholic Majesty. About the year 1600, the above mine became useless; on which account the royal chest was transferred to Huanuco; and, subsequently, in 1669, to the city of Pasco, distant two leagues from the mountain of Lauri-Cocha. Finally, in 1785, the royal chest which had been established at Atun-Jauja, was united to that of Pasco.
With what success the mines of Lauri-Cocha were wrought, after the abundant stores of wealth they yielded in the first instance, has not been ascertained; but it is certain, that this mineral territory was at length exposed to the calamity which has attended almost all the others: the greater part of the mines were overflowed, and rendered unserviceable.
Don Martin De Retuerto, proprietor of the mine particularly denominated Lauri-Cocha, caused an aperture to be made at the foot of the mountain, and was the first to ascertain the true direction of the metallic veins. He was extremely successful at the commencement; but was soon under the necessity of abandoning his enterprize. The irruption of the waters prevented almost entirely the working of the mine. The same fatality attended several other miners who engaged in the same task.
Colonel Don Joseph De Maiz y Areas, having purchased, in the year 1758, of the heirs of Retuerto, the above-mentioned mine of Lauri-Cocha, had another opening made near the same spot. To effect this was the work of two years; and it answered the intention so well, that this mine alone afforded annually from sixty to eighty thousand marks of silver. By the help of engines, the successive opposition of other inundations was overcome, until the decease of this very intelligent miner, when, through the neglect of his executors, the mine was, as well as those adjacent to it, completely filled with water.
As the mines of Santa Rosa and Caya were in the same State, it seemed as if this calamity was about to bury all the riches of the mountain. The miners were obliged to scrape together the little ore they could find at the orifices of the mines; but had the mortification to discover that it did not repay the trouble and expence of refining. Those who were interested now formed a jun6tion, and agreed to make an opening in the inferior part of the mineral rock of Santa Rosa. The execution of this plan was confided to Don Felix De Ijurra, a very skilful miner, whose zeal, probity, and experience had already been evinced by several undertakings of a similar nature in which he had been engaged. Amid the difficulties which Nature opposed at every step, and what was more, having to supply with his own private purse the deficiencies of many of the subscribers, Don Ijurra at length completed his undertaking, drained off the water which had found its way into the mines of Santa Rosa, and, in a manner, gave new life to the whole of the mineral territory. The prosecution of this scheme was aided by all the influence of Don Francisco Cuellar, then governor of Tarma. The wise provisions of Don Juan De Galvez, lieutenant-governor of those provinces[1], have perfecfed this task, as honourable to the co-operators, as it has been useful to the state.
With a view to drain off the water, a new aperture has been recently made, at a great expence, in the inferior part of the mine of Lauri-Cocha. The expectations of the pro- prietors are already in a great measure realized. The ores of this very productive mine are cineritious, and of a colour inclining to blue. They yield a greater proportion of silver than any others which have hitherto been discovered in Peru.
The mountainous and mineral territory which is under consideration, being taken in its whole extent, consists of the above-mentioned mines of Santa Rosa and Lauri-Cocha, together with those of Yanacancha, Caya, Cheupimarca, and Pariajilca. That of Cheupimarca, although replete with rich ores, has been but little worked, in consequence of the water having gained on it at the commencement. The ores extracted from these mines are of a yellow colour with reddish spots, and commonly yield from six to twelve marks per caxon[2]. A bank, commonly denominated the royal mantle, stretches over a territory of upwards of a league and a half in circumference; and it therefore happens that the mines are not limited to the direction of the veins. In the year 1789, from fifteen to sixteen thousand caxons of ore were extra6ted; and about a hundred and twenty thousand marks of silver refined in the royal foundery of Pasco.
To the west of the mineral territory, at the distance of two leagues and a half, lies the mountain of Raco, having the form of a cylinder truncated at the point. It is entirely composed of white granite, which, on being thrown into water, changes its colour to a dusky blue. It is of a very firm texture, is named ala-de-mosca, and is of great utility in the construction of buildings.
The river which runs through the above territory, and which extends from six to seven leagues, branches off into several smaller rivers, among which are those of Sullumarca, Quinua, &c. There are, besides, a variety of lakes, formed by the rains, which, as well as the rivers above cited, are highly conducive to the Operations of the miners. It ought, however, to be remarked, that the lakes have greatly contributed to the inundation of the mines.
