Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/306

290 of the drainage, from 1607 to the beginning of the present century, including the various projects commenced, and abandoned when only partially executed, the dikes connected with the Desague, and the two canals, which communicate with the lakes of San Crĭstōvăl and Zŭmpāngŏ, is estimated at 6,247,670 dollars, or 1,249,534l. sterling. It is supposed that one-third of this sum would have proved sufficient to cover all the expences, had Martinez been furnished, in the first instance, with the means of executing his project upon the scale which he had judged necessary; for it is in the reduced dimensions of the gallery of Nŏchistōngŏ, which was never equal to the volume of the water, to which, at particular seasons, it afforded an outlet, that all the subsequent expenditure has originated.

The works are now in a very bad state, having been entirely neglected during the Revolution. In a report drawn up by Don Jose Maria Moro, in October 1823, the necessity of immediate repairs is forcibly demonstrated; but as the last few years have been remarkably dry, it is probable that the old Spanish system of procrastination will be adhered to, and that nothing will be done until the dread of an inundation compels the Government to turn its attention to the subject. A few thousand dollars would suffice to clear the Tajo of the accumulations of earth and rocks, by which the passage of the water is at present obstructed; but as these, if suffered to remain, form a sort of dam,