Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/530

510 all quitted the vicinity of Catorce, and purchased property in more fertile districts, their estates still bear evidence to the richness of the mineral deposits from which they proceeded. The Dāvălŏs purchased large Haciendas near Aguas Calientes. The Obregones at Leon. The Aguirres established themselves at Mătĕhūālă, and are proprietors of the great Hacienda of Vĕnēgăs. The Padre Flores acquired large estates in Zăcătēcăs. The Licenciado Gordoa, (proprietor of La Luz,) has done the same: and in addition to these a number of small fortunes were made, varying from sixty to one hundred thousand dollars, by Spaniards, all of whom have removed to Europe since 1810, with their capitals.

The present produce of the district, in which there was not, in December 1826, a single mine in Bonanza, varies from fifty to seventy bar's of Silver monthly. There being no mint at San Luis, the greatest part of these bars are transmitted to Zacatecas, and coined in the mint there; but many are sent direct to Refugio, at the mouth of the river Bravo, where they are exchanged for contraband goods from New Orleans and the Havana, with which Catorce is better supplied than any other place in the Federation. Almost every house in the town is a shop, and you may find in them French and Spanish wines, Virginia and Havana tobacco, Catalan paper in abundance, (all articles most strictly