Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/84

60 Ayres, although these domains may be considered as constituting a part of the Peruvian territory, are not comprehended.

During a space of ten years, from the commencement of 1780 to the end of 1789, the above mines yielded thirty-five thousand three hundred and fifty-nine marks of gold, twenty-two carats fine; and three millions seven hundred and thirty-nine thousand seven hundred and sixty-three marks of silver. In the year 1790, the silver mines yielded four hundred and twelve thousand one hundred and seventeen marks of that metal; being an excess of thirty-eight thousand one hundred and forty-seven marks over the average produce of the ten antecedent years.

It would appear that the mines of Mexico are much more productive than those of Peru, since in the above year of 1790, which was far from being reckoned one of the best, five thousand and twenty-four marks of gold, and two millions one hundred and seventy-nine thousand four hundred and fifty-five marks of silver, the produce of the mines, were coined in the Royal Mint of Mexico. The proportion of silver was consequently in the ratio of more than five to one greater than that afforded by the Peruvian mines. HISTORICAL