88

new rich mines, gave a fresh impulse to the mining industry, so much so that the increase in production after 1778 amounted to more than twenty-five per cent. The total annual yield of Mexico in gold and silver has been estimated at $1,500,000 for the epoch 1521-48, at $2,000,000 from 1548 till 1600, and at $3,000,000 for the following nine decades, aggregating $414,500,000. Since that time the statistics of the mint of Mexico show a considerable increase of the amount yearly coined; from $5,285,581 produced in 1690, it advanced with slight fluctuation till in 1805 it reached the maximum of $27,165,888. In the following years it declined to $21,886,500 for 1808, the total amount till then, from 1690, being $1,496,832,112.89 To this must be added the value of all metal wrought into jewelry, and of that which was illegally exported without being coined or taxed. The amount, frequently overrated, in all probability did not exceed one million pesos yearly; and adding this, the average

88 The total value of gold and silver coined in Mexico during the years 1766 till 1778 amounted to $191,589, 179, against $252,525,412 for the period 1779-91. Humboldt, Essai Pol., ii. 577.

89 Zamora, Bib. Leg. Ult., i. 25-8, followed by Alaman, Hist. Méj., i. app. 13-17. Their statements for the period of 1690 to 1803 give the total coinage of gold and silver at $1,373,939,000, whilst Humboldt places it at $1,353,452,020. Essaí Pol., ii. 578. The aggregate yield of silver from 1690 till 1800, was of 149,350,721 marks, whereas the annual average at the close of the eighteenth century was 7,000 marks gold and 2,500,000 marks silver, worth about $22,000,000. Id., 576-9. The following table shows the production from 1690 till 1808, by decades:

The statistics given by Zamora, Bib. Leg. Ult., i. 25-8, which have served as a base, contain evidently information from official sources, some of which have not been seen by Humboldt.

annual produce in the beginning of the century may be placed at 23,000,000 pesos.

90

The revenue derived by the crown from this flood of wealth amounted to about sixteen per cent on silver, and nineteen on gold admixtures. During a term of twenty-five years, comprising part of the most flourishing mining period, from 1765 to 1789, the total revenue, according to official statements, amounted to $43,641,469. The district of Guanajuato alone paid from 1760 till 1780, more than $13,000,000, and during the whole eighteenth century about $41,000,000. There is no doubt, however, that a wiser policy on the part of the crown, especially if initiated at an earlier period, would have produced a still better result. Before reformations were firmly established, political convulsions came to neutralize their influence, and reluctant admission had to be given to foreign capital to effect that for which Mexico felt herself unequal, as I shall have occasion to explain in a later volume.

90 Revilla Gigedo asserts that but a small amount of metal failed to pass through the mint, but he would hardly have cared to disclose a high figure had it been known to him. Instruc., 118.

91 Besides the tenth, one per cent was charged, and the derecho de monedage y señoreage, of 3 2-5 reales for every mark of silver. The duty on pure gold was reduced to 3 per cent by royal cédula of March 1, 1777. Fonseca and Urrutia, Hist. Real Hac., i. 39.

92 In 1777 alone it was $1,636,577. Vireyes, Instruc., MS., série i. pt. iv.

Numerous as are the authorities consulted by me for this chapter, not one among them affords a complete view of the development of the mining industry, although the voluminous matter in Humboldt and other writers might lead one to expect a more thorough result. Here, as in many other places, I have had literally to grope my way in search of long-hidden material ere I could apply the refining process. One of the most valuable aids for the task which covers not only a special subject, but between lines gives many items of mining history, is the compilation of laws, published in 1783, and repeatedly quoted, the Reales Ordenanzas...de la Minería, Madrid, 1783, pp. 214, of which I possess an official copy with the rúbrica of the minister Josef de Galvez, besides such modern editions as that of Paris, 1870, pp. 335, xlviii. It is indeed remarkable not only for contents, but for style, differing as it does from the verboseness so common to Spanish writings. The language in the petition of the mining body has a clear business ring, and conveys the impression of men animated by stanch energy, patriotism, and

far-seeing prudence; and the same spirit seems to pervade the laws annexed, which savor of mature deliberation. It is to be regretted that this important collection has met with so little attention from Humboldt. In his Essai Politique, nearly 200 pages are devoted to the description of the mines in New Spain, chiefly of sections, and to statistical material, while the history of mining receives comparatively little attention. The view taken by this scientist refers rather to its condition at the time of his visit, and even the recently established code of laws did not elicit from him any special comments. This leaves another void in the mass of information furnished by him, yet its value is undoubted. Subsequent writers have nearly all followed his steps, and it would be impossible to write the mining history of New Spain without consulting the statistics which form the chief fruit of his researches.

The want of a commentary on the mining ordinances was early recognized by the able Mexican mineralogist, Joaquin Velazquez de Leon, and supplied by him in the Comentarios de las Ordenanzas de Minería, MS., pp. 62. They by no means exhaust the subject, and cover only special points, but they have an additional interest in coming from the pen of a man who took active part in the compilation of the code, and whose ability gave him a right to interpret not only the letter but the spirit thereof. Among other authors who have thrown some light on the mining industry of New Spain are Fonseca and Urrutia, who in their Historia General de Real Hacienda, i. 5-44, 297– 387, iii. 6–140, iv. 521–636, v. 43-57, give much information, together with copies of official documents which in many cases are unattainable to foreigners. The value of the work is, however, much impaired by a deficient arrangement and their method of handling the bulky material at their disposal. Of modern writers, Alaman ranks prominent, less on account of the extent of his information, than for the reliable statements which he presents in different parts of his Disertaciones and Historia de Mejico. His ability has been acknowledged by Ward, who, in his Mexico in 1827, several times confesses his indebtedness to Alaman in no stinted terms. Ward admits also to have largely drawn from Humboldt, but his work dwells chiefly on the condition of Mexican mines after the Independence, and belongs therefore more properly to that period. This applies also to Burkart, Aufenthalt und Reisen in Mexico, Stuttgart, 1836, 2 vols, pp. 392, 286, with maps and cuts. This author was at different times manager of the mines of Tlalpujagua and Bolaños, and the ample opportunity thus offered him to make investigations, united with his professional knowledge, has been freely exercised with good result. I shall have occasion to speak of him again as well as of Duport, whose Métaux Précieux, Paris, 1843, pp. xiii. 429, with cuts and maps, corresponds with about the same period.

In addition to these a number of treatises exist, bearing on special subjects, one of the oldest being the Providencias sobre Azogues, 44 folios, a manuscript coetaneous copy on stamped paper of the regulations and orders issued from 1670 till 1673 by Viceroy Mancera, for the distribution of quicksilver to the miners. The influence of that metal on the mining industry of New Spain and the opportunies for raising or lowering its price gave repeatedly occasion for troublesome questions. Instances of these disputes are found in Compendiosa Demostracion, Mexico, 1743, pp. 178, and Segunda Demostra

FABRI, GARCÉS, AND BERGHES.

601

cion, MS., the same place and year, pp. 616, by Joseph Antonio Fabri, general mining attorney. Both works aim at a reduction of the prices for quicksilver, and give a description of the methods employed for the extraction of ores, and are essentially directed against the Respuesta of Joseph Antonio de Villa-Señor y Sanchez, Mexico, 1742, pp. 136. The latter writer, so well known through his voluminous Theatro of New Spain, opposes as one of the chief officials of the quicksilver department any reduction in the price, and adduces in support the judgments rendered by several of the district tribunals. Of a later date is Joseph Garcés y Eguia's Nueva Teórica y Práctica, Mexico, 1802, pp. 168, a work written by order of the crown to diffuse a knowledge of amalgamation and smelting processes. A specimen of another class of material is the Descripcion de la Serrania de Zacatecas, Mexico, 1834, pp. 39, by C. de Berghes, which gives a detailed description of the mining region of Zacatecas, containing many historical and statistical items, part of which belongs to the period after the Independence.

Authorities of more or less value, consulted in the preceding chapter: Puga, Cedulario, 11-12, 21, 43, 79; Ordenes de la Coróna, MS., iii. 96-8; iv. 163; Reales Cédulas, MS., i. 32, 38-9; ii. 51; Cedulario, MS., iii. 61-2; iv. 42; Azanza, Ynstruccion, MS., 70-1, 82-7, 122-6; Leyes Varias Anot., MS., 123-7; Providencias sobre Azogues, MS., passim; Recop. de Ind., i. 218; ii. 68-87, 94, 446-8, 493-4, 577; iii. 131-2; Revilla Gigedo, Banco, passim; Bandos, nos 45, 51; Instruccion, MS., i. 365–552; ii. 1–391; Lassaga, Representacion, passim; Ordenanzas de Minería (ed. Madrid, 1783), passim; Id. (ed. Paris, 1870), passim; Velazquez, Comentarios, MS., passim; Cuevas, Informe, passim; Gamboa's Commentaries, i. ii., passim; Fabri, Compend., passim; Id., Segunda Demostracion, MS., i. et seq.; Garces y Eguia, Nueva Teórica, passim; Berghes, Decrip., i. et seq.; Lombardt, Informe, passim; Humboldt Essai Pol., i. 73-4, 127, 202, 237, 288; ii. 488 et seq.; Id., Life and Travels, 275-88; Id., New Spain, iii. 104–454; iv. 279–81, 356-72; Id., Tabla Estad., MS., 54-65; Id., Versuch, iv., passim; Alaman, Disert., i. 177-8; ii. 73-8; Id., Hist. Méj., i. 23-4, 43-4, 60-4, 99-102, 144; iii. 39-48; v. 32-4; Burkart, Reisen, i. ii., passim; Monumentos Domin. Esp., MS., 112; Vireyes de Méx., MS., 2; Montemayor, Svmarios, 55-8, 205-7; Torquemada, i. 336-7; Vetancvrt, Teatro Mex., 8-24; Villa Señor y Sanchez, Respuesta, passim; Id., i. 23-6, 38-41; ii. 267-8; Disposiciones Varias, 28-31; Burgoa, Geog. Descrip. Oajaca, ii. 226; Medina Chrón. S. Diego, 250-3; Calle, Mem. y Not., 49; Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., ii. 209; iii. 487-8, 530-3; vi. 487-8; xiii. 218-19, 259; Concilios Prov., MS., 227; Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., i. 502-3; Col. Doc. Inéd., xxi. 532-4; Morfi, Col. Doc., MS., 1-7; Cartas de Indias, 340, 876; Beaumont, Crón. Mich., iii. 299, 544-6; iv. 475-82; v. 71-98; Beleña, Recop., i. 106-9, 311-12; ii. 212-96; Pinart, Doc. Sonora, MS., 16-22; Fonseca and Urrutia, Real Hac., i. 5-44, 297-387; iii. 6-140, 521-636; v. 433–57; Doc. Hist. Mex., série i. tom. i. 34-5, 427, 499; Id., série ii. tom. iv. 196, 210-12, 272-4, 301-3, 343-5; Galvez, Informe, 63-77; Arlegui, Hist. Chron. Zac., 132 et seq.; Ward's Mex., ii. 12-58, 145–8, 160-2, 320–9, 373–97, 464–548, 612-18; Arévalo, Compend., 71–9, 95–6, 110, 119-20; Castelazo, Manifiesto, 1-63; Guijo, Diario, 34-5, 427, 499; Ternaux-Compans, Voy., série ii. tom. v. 178-9, 223, 327; Laet, Am. Descript., 288; Galvan, Ordenanzas, 43-7; Michoacan, Prov. S. Nicolas, 95, 107; Peralta, Not. Hist., 177-8; Gonzales, Col. N. Leon, 72-8; Rivera, Diario, 4; Mina de S. Nicolas, 27-35; Soc. Mex. Geog., Boletin, ii. 18-22, 32-3, 40-1; vii. 307, 313; ix. 89, 94, 101; xi. 267; Id., 2da ép. iii. 25; iv. 389; Romero, Mich., 158, 165; Cavo, Tres Siglos, i. 68, 105; ii. 138-9, 145, 164, 171; iii. 22-3; Prescott's Mex., iii. 332; Arroniz, Biog. Mex., 309-11; Id., Hist. y Cron., 139-40, 153; Estalla, xxvii. 15, 212-14, 221-4, 232-3; Berlandier, Diar. Viaj., 45-50; Castillo, Mem. Azogue, 29, 78-84; Busta

mante, Cuadro Hist., iv. 68-76; Id., Voz de la Patria, v. 66-8; Pap. Var., xxxvi. 75-6; ci. 63, passim; cxiv. 27-35; Alzate, Diario, 18-21, 53-6, 118-23, 197-208; Id., Gacetas, i. 206–8; ii. 67-8, 177-9, 380-2; iii. 7-21, 311– 16, 319-21, 433-5; Beltrami, Mex., i. 260; Cortes, Diar. Ofic., x. 278; Gac. Mex., i. 9 et seq.; ii. 11, passim; iii. 125, 209, 245, 319, 383; iv. 9, 65, 218, 249, 345-6; v. 6, 57, 217-18, 271; vi. 317, 442-3, 534; viii. 51 et seq.; ix. 461; x. 76, 211-15; xi. 192; xii. 73–5; xv. 331-2, 543-5; Diario Mex., ii. 56, 84; iv. 175, passim; v. 117–18; vi. 69–71; vii. 226 et seq.; ix. 452, 486; x. 16; Campillo, Nuevo Sistema, 155–71; Rivera, Gobernantes, 234, 246, 249; Mayer's Mex. Aztec, i. 235, 238, 249; ii. 95-6; Willie, Not. Hac., 2-3, 19-23; Compañia de Minas, passim; Alegre, Poblana, 75-6; Wapp, Mex., 68-76; Album Mex., i. 354, 451; Calvo, Annales Hist., i. pp. xxix.-xxx.; Gallo, Hombres Ilustres, ii. 227-36; Alvarez, Estudios Hist., 374-83, 424-5, 447-86; Zamacois, Hist. Méj., iv. 560; v. 21-2, 245-6; 457, 479-83, 550 et seq.; vii. 20; viii. 504-7, 755-6; x. 1317-18; xi. 3-6; Almanac. Calend. Galvan, 1841, 3-10; Fossey's Mex., 301-2; Lafond, Voy., i. 163-4; Zamora, Bib. Leg., iv. 31348; v. 318-19; Dicc. Univ., ii. 370-4; iii. 177–8; v. 343-60, 409–10; vi. 829– 34; ix. 342, 393-4; x. 36, 105, 326-7, 781-4, 798-804, 1032-4; Campbell's Span. Amer., 114; Anderson's Commerce, ii. 139; Id., Silver Country, 29–78; Jacob's Hist. Enquiry, ii. 123-4, 145-54; Id., Precious Metals, ii. 48-9, 59, 152-3; Conder's Mex. and Guat., 32-3; 165; Andrew's Illus. of W. Ind., 63; Carey and Lea's Hist. Am., 338; Rockwell's Span. and Mex. Law, 1-110; 653-63; Blomfield's View, ii. 632-3; Arrillaga, Informe, 9; Stricker, Bibliothek, 85-7; Winterbotham's Hist. U. S., iv. 84-5.