Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/373

Rh time that the new Adit reaches the Santa Brigida vein, it will not only cover its own expences, but will become a most lucrative speculation. Indeed, were it not for this expectation, no Company could undertake a work, upon such a scale, in such unfavourable ground, as part of the Adit must be driven through the porphyry rock, where the expence of each vara will amount to twenty-five dollars.

It is in consideration of this circumstance that the prosecution of this enterprise has been suspended, until the mines themselves furnish the means of carrying it on, without increasing the outlay of the Adventurers, which already amounts to the whole of the capital originally subscribed. Many are of opinion, however, that had the resources of the Company been devoted to this undertaking, in the first instance, the result, at the end of the term of twenty-five years, to which their contracts entitle them to look forward, would have been more advantageous than the partial drainage which the steam-engines will more immediately effect.

This is a question which it is now unnecessary to discuss, as the opposite system has been preferred, and is likely to succeed, in which case the Adit of Sānchĕz, or Ŏmĭtlān, may be resorted to when the goodness of the mines is demonstrated to some extent below the deepest levels which the Mexican proprietors were enabled to reach. These now extend from forty to seventy varas below the old Adit, so that the new one would render accessible