Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/526

506 was carried on, however, after a fashion, by men of the lower classes, generally called buscones, gambusinos, or searchers, who to the injury of the mines worked the upper levels or spots abandoned in better times, and sold the metal at low prices to wealthy men, who put it away until better times when they could carry it to the mint.

I have spoken elsewhere of the mining laws enacted by the Spanish crown in 1783 and subsequently. The government of the regency in 1821, after Mexico became independent, passed on the 8th of February, 1822, a law reducing the taxes on silver and gold, and the coinage dues; quicksilver, both native and foreign, was exempted from imposts, and blasting-powder for mining purposes was to be supplied by the government at cost and charges. These measures could not at once restore confidence, or bring back the capital which the wholesale emigration of Spaniards had removed from the country. In order to remedy the difficulties, it was decided to abandon the old Spanish policy of excluding foreigners. A law was accordingly passed repealing the Spanish restrictive laws, and granting to foreigners the privilege of becoming share-holders in mines, for the working of which they furnished the requisite means; but it was not permitted them to file claims either for new or old abandoned mines. No sooner had this law become known in Europe than several associations were formed, especially in England, to take advantage of the privilege thus conceded. But in the majority of cases, from ignorance of the country, the parties exhibited a lack of judgment in their eagerness to possess themselves of mines, which in former years had been profitably worked, regardless of their actual condition at