Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/94

80 proper inquiry or precaution; and large sums were often paid down for mere pits, which, upon investigation, it was found impossible to work. In some cases, operations were actually commenced, and all the preliminary parts of a Mining Establishment formed, without sufficient data to afford a probability of repayment. In many of the Districts immediately about the Capital, (as Zimapàn, El Doctor, Capula, Chico, Temascaltepec, &c.) this has been the case; and although these desultory experiments have been subsequently abandoned, still, they have been a drain upon the Companies, which is the more to be regretted, because it never could have been productive of any great result.

In general, the selection of Mines, amongst the first Adventurers, was determined by a reference to Humboldt. Any Mine not mentioned in his