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504 the engine again began to work. In November, the mine was almost entirely drained; but the working was not carried on with activity on account of the want of funds.

It is hardly to be expected that the Aviadores, or "Habilitators," will ever derive much advantage from the speculation, as they have no confidential agent upon the spot, and have not attempted to interfere personally in the management. All the absurd charges established in the infancy of Catorce in order to attract workmen, have been renewed at Concepcion. Besides a "Partido," varying from one-half to one-fourth, (the quantity diminishing as the ores increase in value,) the "Cuchara," or share, of the Administrador swallows up one-tenth of the whole produce of the mine, whether the ores raised prove sufficient to cover the weekly expences or not. This lucrative situation is held by a Mr. Medina, whom the Habilitators selected as their confidential agent; and who, after making over one-third of his profits to Don Isidoro Ŏbrĕgōn, as an inducement to undertake the whole management of the concern, lives in comfort and idleness upon the remainder at San Luis Potosi. His profits during the year 1825, when the mine lost, are said to have been 20,000 dollars. The produce of 1825 was, however, considerable; a clavo rico having been discovered in the upper levels, overlooked in former times, which produced, when worked, 80,000 dollars. Out of this the castings for the steam-engine, and a part of the