The sum total gives an addition of thirteen millions of dollars to the present produce of the country in, or before, the year 1830.
It remains, therefore, to inquire into the Second part of the question now under review, viz.:—
"The probability of the general produce of the country being so increased by these returns, (or by any other causes,) as to equal, or ultimately to exceed, the annual average produce before the year 1810."
The Coinage of Mexico, although its average amount, from 1811 to 1825, was something more than Ten millions of dollars per annum, as stated in the first Section of this Book, rather decreased, than increased, towards the latter part of this period, and did not amount in the year 1826, to more than Seven millions and a half of dollars: (Vide table of Coinage marked No. 12, Section I.) The causes of this diminution I have endeavoured to develope in the preceding Section.
It does not arise from any deterioration of the mines themselves: they are what they were in 1810, and, consequently, are equally capable of producing what they then produced: but the capital which gave, at that time, so great an impulse to the Mining interests, has been withdrawn from the country, or diverted into other channels. The outlay of the Companies is not, by any means, an equivalent for that capital; and many years must elapse before that equivalent be found: I mean,
