Page:Guatimala or the United Provinces of Central America in 1827-8.pdf/232

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
227

tago, from whence since the year 1822, when it was discovered, have been received 1200 marks of gold; estimating that twice as much more has been exported to foreign countries. Mr. Gourmez a mining engineer, who has visited most of the mines of Honduras, assures me, that it is easier to find mines than men to work them, so that facilitating the meanS of clearing them, and finding labourers, there is reason to believe, that within a short time, our mineral productions may rival those of the republics of Mexico and Peru.”

This document is signed by the Master of the Mint.

A more useless or deceptious appendix it was scarcely possible to have added; for although it be true, that a considerable portion of metal has been employed in works of ornament, and a still greater quantity clandestinely exported, it should be remembered, that very considerable importations have been made from Mexico, Peru, and Chile, and that a great proportion of the specie which is clandestinely sent out of the country, is not in bars but in current coin.

To quote from an old newspaper an erroneous statement, and to assert that two steam-engines are at work when it is well known that as yet only one of them has been put up, is unworthy of any person officially employed; while the story of