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MEXICO IN 1827

profit, and subsequently abandoned. The adventurers who denounced it anew, and from whom the United Company has obtained a share as "Aviador," discovered almost at the surface a "clavo rico," or rich mass of ores, which had been overlooked by the former proprietors, but which proved sufficient to repay, at once, a great part of the advances made by the Company; as the best ores (Polvillos) sold for one hundred and eighty dollars the Quintal, or six hundred dollars the Carga of fourteen arrobas. This little Bonanza was interrupted by what is termed a Cavallo de Bronze, or mass of rock, of almost incredible hardness; which it required much time to cut through. This being effected, the vein was again found to produce excellent ores, and when I saw it, about two hundred Cargas were raised weekly from different "labores" which were bought up eagerly by the "Rescatadores," at thirty-five and thirty-seven dollars the carga, for the Azogues, or ordinary Ores, and forty-five dollars the quintal, for the Polvillos.

From all appearances, there is reason to expect that Sĕchō may prove a most valuable mine, for it is situated upon a part of the Veta Madre which, in every direction around, has produced immense wealth; but there is no certainty, in the opinion of the old miners, until the workings reach one hundred varas in depth, that being the line at which the great riches of the vein have been hitherto found to commence. In the mean time, the speculation