Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/521

Rh profits, the whole establishment would probably be broken up.

The socabon has been continued about 100 varas in the direction of the Purisima, beyond the point where the vein of La Luz was cut; but the work is now suspended. Five hundred varas more are required in order to reach the Veta Madre, the whole distance being calculated at 1,300 varas, of which 814 are already driven. The other great adit (that of La Purisima) is 700 varas longer, and consequently will be attended with more expence; but it has the advantage of intersecting the Veta Madre at a much lower point, and of thus rendering tributary several mines in lieu of one.

Dec. 1.—We visited La Purisima, and Concepcion, Guadalupe de Veta Grande, and the other mines upon the mother vein.

The two first belong to the family of the Obregones; and the brothers, Don Lorenzo and Don Isadoro Obregon, reside at Catorce, in order to superintend the works. The Purisima was discovered in 1780 by some wood-cutters, who denounced the spot, in consequence of having found some lumps of silver attached to the roots of a tree there, but sold their title for 300 dollars to Don José Antonio Dāvălŏs, who again made over a half share in the mine to the father of the Ŏbrĕgōnĕs, on condition that he should be at the expence of sinking a shaft, of which the mine was in want. The first great