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374 depth, the difficulty of draining them augmented so much, that they were gradually abandoned; and, for some time before the Revolution, their produce was very inconsiderable.

By a sort of fatality, Temascaltepec, although it could never rank higher than a sixth-rate district, appears to have possessed peculiar attractions for the foreigners, whom mining speculations have brought to Mexico. The beauty of the climate, and the advantages of the vicinity to the Capital, have probably tended more to influence their choice, than the character of the mines themselves, which, I fear, will be found to present very uncertain prospects. But whatever be the cause, in 1826 five Companies were established there, two English, two American, and one German: not a single mine was worked by a Mexican, although Mr. Seption, (of the Tribunal of Mineria,) is the proprietor of one, San Francisco de Paula, for which he is still seeking an Aviador.

The two English Companies, are the United Mexican, and that formed by Mr. Bullock.

The United Mexican Company possesses three mines, Los Santos Reyes de la Sierra, La Magdalena, and La Guitarra.

They have likewise two Haciendas de beneficio, Guădălūpĕ and San José, Of the mines, the Magdalena alone was producing ore at the period of my visit. It is situated to the East of the town, upon a hill, the lower part and centre of which is occupied by the mines of the North American Companies;