hundred cargas of very rich ore were already in the magazines; and it was the opinion of the miners, that, as soon as the Hacienda was completed, seven hundred cargas more might be raised weekly from the Socabon of San Pedro alone. The principal vein is nearly four varas in width, and presents every indication of being both abundant, and durable in its produce. The richest ores however, containing massive crystallizations of lead and silver, (some fine specimens of which I saw at Real del Monte,) were raised from a little side vein, which was abandoned after a short trial, being found to continue such a mere thread, (hilito,) that the ores, though exceedingly valuable, would not pay the costs of extraction.
Workmen are easily procured at Ozūmătlān; provisions are abundant, and, from its vicinity both to Valladolid and to the Tierra Caliente to the South and West, supplies of all kinds may be obtained with facility. But as a residence, the place is dreary beyond description, being completely shut out from the world. The result of the speculation to the Company does not appear to be doubtful; for the ore already on hand in 1827, was thought to be sufficient very nearly to cover the outlay, as soon as the completion of the Hacienda should afford the means of converting it into bars.
Jan. 17.—From Ozūmătlān, I proceeded across the mountains to Sĭnăpēcuărŏ. The road, after emerging from the Barranca, is good for about three
