Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/102

88 adit, which follows the direction of the two veins, branching off from the Santa Brigida Vein at the point where it intersects that of the Biscaina, and from which the wealth of the Regla family was principally derived, were delivered over to the Company, in July 1824, in a state of absolute ruin. Many of the shafts had fallen in, (though cut, at intervals, in the solid porphyritic rock;) in others, the timbers had given way, and in all, as the adit was completely choked up, the water had risen to an enormous height. In July 1826, when I visited Real del Monte, the adit was cleared, and retimbered, from the mouth, (near the mine of Mŏrān,) to the shaft of Dolores, (a distance of 2,807 yards;) seven of the great shafts on the Biscaina Vein, and two on that of Santa Brigida, were repaired down to the adit level, (213 varas,) forming in all a space of 12,439 feet, that had been retimbered, and 5,921 feet that had been actually dug out anew, in order to free it from rubbish, in the course of two years. 45,400 yards of road were likewise made during the same time, by which a communication for waggons was opened from the different shafts to the farms in the mountains, as well as to the great Hacienda of Regla, between which and the mines, six hundred mules were formerly employed daily in the conveyance of Ores. At all the principal shafts buildings were erected, with magazines, and workshops for carpenters and smiths, inclosed by lofty stone walls. At Regla, a thirty-six feet water-wheel had been