Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/340

324 months had produced in all these respects. In May 1826, Tlălpŭjāhuă presented one of the busiest scenes that it is possible to imagine: the population had increased from one to five thousand; above eighty houses had been repaired, or rebuilt; shops for the sale of English manufactures were opened in the Plaza; there was a market most abundantly supplied with all the necessaries of life four days in the week; and twelve hundred labourers found constant employment in the mines. Twenty-seven of the principal shafts had been already put into a thorough state of repair, and surrounded with the necessary buildings. In the Mines of Săn Ĕstēvăn, Cŏlŏrădīllă, Los Olīvos, Căpŭlīn, Concepciōn, Săntos Mārtĭrĕs, and Ŏcōtes, the works had already reached the Vein, and ore was raised in considerable quantities. In the others, Malacates had been fitted up upon the most improved plan, and the drainage was conducted with the utmost activity.

Of the extent to which the works of the Company are carried, some account has been given in the Second Section of the preceding Book: it is, however, necessary to add, that their contracts are mostly for the terms of thirty and thirty-five years; that in all their mines they have a full half share, or twelve Barras; that the Alimentos (or allowance made by the Company to the proprietors) are small, and are in every instance to be discontinued if a mine does not become productive within three years; and that although amongst the many contracts held