Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/91

Rh casualty, in the way of Navincopa, a domestic belonging to Amador Cabrera. It is certain that in the month of September, 1570, Philip II. of Spain, purchased this mine of the above-mentioned Amador Cabrera, and that the different processes employed in working it, were immediately undertaken by the superintendant, Don Pedro De Los Rios. The first governor was Don Francisco De Angulo, during whose administration, which lasted five years, from 1571 to 1576, upwards of nine thousand quintals of mercury were extracted. The mine of Huancavelica has continued to be the exclusive property of the crown.

In the year 1735, the political system of its government was changed. It had before been confided to one of the members of the Royal Audience of Lima; but was at length invested in a particular governor, who had nothing in common with his predecessors, except the title of superintendant. About the middle of the year 1790, the superintendency was taken from the then governor, and united to the titles and domination of the viceroyalty of Lima. From the epoch of the discovery of this very valuable mine, up to the date of 1792, there were sixty-six governors, comprehending Don Manuel Ruiz De Castilla, who then held that employment.

In the course of the two hundred and nineteen years, from the earliest fusion of the ores contained in this mine, to the close of the year 1789, one million forty thousand four dred