CONTENTS. Kingdom of Mexico-situation-territorial division-fa- City of Mexico-situation-population-buildings-sur- Climate--variety under the same latitude-rains-gene- ral salubrity-fertility of the soil-corn, fruits-cattle Intendancy of Vera Cruz-situation-physical aspect- Geological constitution of mines-position and extent of mineral veins-elevation of mines-comparative wealth Numbe of mines-laws respecting mines-quantity of sil- CONTENTS. Intendancy of Mexico-extent-climate-physical aspect -roads-principal towns-mines-Real del Monte, The marginal references of the original to the various works and documents by which the author confirms his statements, are omitted in this little work. It is presumed that any one who wishes to verify a fact which appears to him suspicious, will not think it too much trouble to consult the original, or Mr. Black's translation. SELECTIONS RELATIVE TO MEXICO. CHAPTER I. Kingdom of Mexico-situation-territorial divisionfavourable position of mining districts—rivers—lakes— roads. AMONG the colonies subject to the king of Spain, Mexico occupies the first rank, both on account of its territorial wealth, and on account of its favourable position with Europe and Asia. We speak here merely of the political value of the country, considering it in its actual state of civilization, which is very superior to that of the other Spanish possessions. Many branches of agriculture have undoubtedly attained a higher degree of perfection in the province of Caraccas than in New Spain. The fewer mines a colony has, the more is the industry of the inhabitants turned towards the productions of the vegetable kingdom. The fertility of the soil is greater in the provinces of Cumana, of New Barcelona, and Venezuela, on the banks of the lower Orinoco, and in the northern parts of New Grenada, than in the king B |