Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/563

Rh In the time of the Făgŏāgăs, thirty malacates (horse-whims) were employed upon the two veins, but under Mr. Anitua's superintendence a much smaller number had proved sufficient; twelve malacates having been erected at the shafts of La Cruz and José, upon the vein of the Pavellon (six at each shaft), and twelve more at the shafts of Guădălūpĕ and San Antōnĭŏ upon the Vĕtă Nēgră; by which, as already stated, the mines in one year have been entirely cleared of water.

The object of the Company is to examine the Cerro (or hill) which the vein of the Pavellon traverses, at a point immediately below those from which the two great bonanzas of 1675 and 1792 were raised, in the hope of finding a third "clavo rico," or "bunch" of rich ores, which it seems to be the character of the vein to produce after an interval of barrenness. For this purpose the shaft of La Cruz is to be carried down a hundred varas below its present depth, and cross cuts driven from it, at intervals, in such a direction as to explore the whole course of the vein in the parts where it has hitherto been unworked. The expence incurred is fully warranted by the importance of the object, and by the certainty that if any portion of the vein be found productive, such is the richness of the ores, that a very small quantity will be sufficient to repay the whole outlay; while should a third great mineral deposit be discovered, instances of which have not unfrequently occurred in other mines, (as Rāyăs, La