Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/87

Rh Pasco, distant two leagues from the mountain of Lauri-Cocha. Finally, in 1785, the royal chest which had been established at Atun-Jauja, was united to that of Pasco.

With what success the mines of Lauri-Cocha were wrought, after the abundant stores of wealth they yielded in the first instance, has not been ascertained; but it is certain, that this mineral territory was at length exposed to the calamity which has attended almost all the others: the greater part of the mines were overflowed, and rendered unserviceable.

Don Martin De Retuerto, proprietor of the mine particularly denominated Lauri-Cocha, caused an aperture to be made at the foot of the mountain, and was the first to ascertain the true direction of the metallic veins. He was extremely successful at the commencement; but was soon under the necessity of abandoning his enterprize. The irruption of the waters prevented almost entirely the working of the mine. The same fatality attended several other miners who engaged in the same task.

Colonel Don Joseph De Maiz y Areas, having purchased, in the year 1758, of the heirs of Retuerto, the above-mentioned mine of Lauri-Cocha, had another opening made near the same spot. To effect this was the work of two years; and it answered the intention so well, that this mine alone afforded annually from sixty to eighty thousand marks of silver. By the help of engines, the successive opposition of other inundations was overcome, until the decease of this very intelligent miner, when, through the neglect of his executors, the mine was, as well as those adjacent to it, completely filled with water.

As the mines of Santa Rosa and Caya were in the same state,