Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/366

350 The Germans have another Mine, between Actopan and Chico, called Santa Rosa, which, although the works are in a very dilapidated state, is free from water, (a circumstance to which they have always paid great attention,) and is producing ore even richer than that of Arevalo.

In their Hacienda they can command a water power to almost any extent; their smelting furnaces are completed; the country about them abounds in wood, and provisions are not particularly dear.

To set against these advantages, there is the smallness of their capital, which prevents them from acquiring a proper influence over the natives, and obliges them to introduce their improvements with the utmost caution; and the difficulty of obtaining workmen, except on the unreasonable terms which Revilla was compelled to grant during the Revolution, when one Third of the Pepena, or rich smelting ore, raised by each barretero, (common miner,) was allotted to him to be sold upon his own account. But these are drawbacks which time and perseverance will enable the Company to surmount; and they have displayed throughout such a thorough knowledge of the business which they have undertaken, so much assiduity, and such extraordinary economy, that I entertain not the slightest doubt as to their success.

Some of the English Companies have Mines in the vicinity of Chico, from which, however, but little is to be expected. At Căpŭlă, the United