Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/560

540 8771 bars of silver registered at the Royal Provincial treasury. The ores were raised in about eight months, (at different intervals,) but their reduction lasted from the year 1792 until 1811, during the whole of which period the Fagoagas enjoyed an exemption from duties, granted them before the extent of their good fortune in the mine of the Pavellon was suspected, in consideration of their former losses.

Much time elapsed in the first instance before any advantage could be derived from Izmendi's successful labours; for, from the moment that the communication between the two veins was opened by the crucero of San Răfăēl, the water which had accumulated during a whole century in the old workings of the Păvĕllōn, rushed down into the Vĕtă Nēgră, where it became necessary to draw it off in order to render the new discoveries accessible. The shaft of Lă Crūz was afterwards sunk directly upon the cross cut, between the two veins, and through this a great part of the bonanza was raised. Another shaft, called San José, was subsequently added, and a Hacienda built in the centre of the town, with a magnificence well worthy of the ores for the reduction of which it was intended. The Patio, or court of amalgamation, is surrounded by eighty-four arches, under each of which an arrastre, or crushing mill, is placed; and in addition to these, there are fourteen large furnaces for smelting, with store-rooms for ores, stampers, and apartments without number for workmen, guards, and superintendents, all enclosed