Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/648

628 from the copper-mines at the Asientos de Ibārră, two short days journey from Zăcătēcăs.

The costs of reduction in the Hacienda amount to twelve ounces of silver per ton, which may be taken as equivalent to the monton of twenty quintals. In very favourable times, when agricultural produce is abundant and cheap, ores may be worked as low as twenty-four ounces per ton; but they ought to reach forty ounces to cover all contingent expences, and yield a reasonable profit.

The richest ores known in Zacatecas have never exceeded forty-five or fifty marcs per monton.

The Hacienda is situated beyond the ridge of mountains traversed by the veins of Veta Grande and Malanoche, upon the verge of an immense plain, very productive in maize, but presenting as arid and melancholy an appearance as if it were entirely destitute of vegetation. There are neither trees nor water to diversify the scene, which wears, throughout, the same reddish-brown colouring; while even the mountains in the back-ground have not the beauty of outline that distinguishes those of Mexico in general, but are monotonous and uninteresting.

The whole of the machinery is put in motion by mules; and the stabling for these animals forms a very considerable addition to the size of the establishment. In 1826, the Hacienda was under the superintendence of Mr. James, who resided at La Sauceda, as Dr. Coulter did at the Tiro General of Veta Grande. To both these gentlemen we were