Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/498

458 MEXICO. With such attractions as these, natural difficulties are easily overcome ; and I have little doubt that, as soon as their existence in a particular part of this country is gene- rally known, the tide of population will set in that direction ; and that establishments will be formed, there, which, in the course of a few years, will become of immense importance. Every day is adding to our knowledge of regions formerly considered as inaccessible. The Sierra Madre has been tra^- versed seven times, between Oaxaca and Chihuahiia, by one very spirited and intelligent English traveller, Mr. Glennie, whose opinion of its riches confirms all that had been surmised in earher days ; and his conviction of the advantages to be derived from mining speculations in that direction, has in- duced the directors of the United Mexican Company to en- trust him with the formation of an establishment at Jesus Maria, (one hundred leagues West of Chihuahua, upon the slope of the Sierra Madre,) which I consider as a first step towards that revolution in the Mining affairs of Mexico, the probability of which, in the course of twenty or thirty years, I cannot but look forward to. Some Americans have endeavoured to establish a Company for BatopTlas, but have not, I believe, as yet, succeeded in raising a sufficient capital. A Mexican Company for working some of the mines of Sonora was likewise proposed in the capital very lately, but failed ; I believe, in consequence of a want of confidence in the persons who wished to promote its formation. Hence, the only standard of the value of the ores at Catorce, is the price which they fetch at the weekly sales, which take place at the mouth of the mine. A similar system is pursued occasionally at Guanajuato, where, from the immense mass of ores raised, it was difficult for any in- dividual to establish works.sufficiently extensive to reduce them all. The Foreign Companies wish to adopt a diiferent system, and to unite the profits of the Amalgamator with those of the Miner ; but in some mines and districts, sales are still resorted to, from the difficulty of abolishing so old a custom.