Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/603

Rh The metals produce at the rate of fourteen marcs per monton, of ten cargas, of three hundred pounds each.

Dolores, one league from Babiacora, produces silver in the same proportion, with a mixture of gold. With respect to population, provisions, wood, water, horses, mules, &c., these mines are very advantageously situated; the distance to Guaymas, by the nearest route, being only seventy leagues, and the road very good.

Eighteen leagues to the west of Babiacora is the town of Oposura, the capital of the Opata nation, and the residence of many of the principal inhabitants of this part of the State. It is a large town, containing upwards of four thousand inhabitants, and situated upon the southern extremity of a fine plain, on the banks of a river of the same name, which falls into the river Yaqui, above Onabas.

Oposura, though little known in Mexico, is one of the oldest establishments in the province, and the residence of many of the most respectable families, descendants of those who first settled in this State; amongst which, are the names of Morenos, Peralta, Mazo, Bustamante, Vasquez, Mallen, and Teran. As early as the beginning of the last century, the Jesuits had erected a famous convent and church there: the former is now in a ruinous state, but the church is entirely built of red brick and stone, decorated with many pictures of an image of the Virgin, which possesses diamonds, pearls, gold, silver, and precious stones, to a very considerable value. The square is very spacious, and surrounded by the houses of the principal families; besides which, there are several very good and regular streets, which render Oposura by far the prettiest and gayest town in the State.

The Whites are in greater proportion to the Indians than in any other place, and the Indians themselves seem in a more thriving condition, having better land, and more live stock. Below the town, for a considerable distance, the lands are divided amongst the inhabitants, and water from the river is carried through each lot by canals, so that here they can produce vegetables all the year round. Each family grows corn, wheat, frijoles, sugar, &c. for the annual provision: most of them