Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/127

Rh Of the two American Companies mentioned in the sketch, (those of Baltimore and New York,) I can say little, except that the first only has effected an establishment in Mexico. The mines to be worked by both are situated at Temascaltepec, (about thirty leagues from the Capital,) and the works are conducted with great economy and activity, by Mr. Keating, a distinguished mineralogist of the United States.

With regard to the result, I have been informed that, from the tables of former produce, during a long series of years, there is reason to hope that the mines may pay an interest of from nine-to fifteen per cent, upon the capital invested, which does not exceed 100,000 dollars. The completion of the works will, probably, be effected in the course of the year 1828.

The preceding pages contain the only data, upon which a calculation "of the returns likely to be made to the Adventurers by the Companies now established in Mexico," can, at present, be attempted. The result is by no means such as I could have wished, as it is founded upon conjectural evidence, and amounts, at best, to nothing more than probability; but I have no hesitation in adding that I regard this probability as strong, and that, after a very careful investigation, I see little reason to consider the expectations of the directors as exaggerated, or to suppose that, before three years have elapsed, these expectations may not be realised.