Intendancy of Vera Cruz-situation-physical aspect― Geological constitution of mines-position and extent of mineral veins-elevation of mines-comparative wealth Number of mines--laws respecting mines-quantity of sil- 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. 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 dom of Mexico, of which several regions are barren, destitute of water, and incapable of vegetation. But when we consider the greatness of the population of Mexico, the number and proximity of its considerable cities, the enormous value of its metallic produce, and its influence on the commerce of Europe and Asia;-when we examine the imperfect state of cultivation observable in the rest of Spanish America, we are tempted to justify the preference which the court of Madrid has long manifested for Mexico above its other colonies. The denomination of New Spain designates, in general, the vast extent of country over which the viceroy of Mexico exercises his power. Using the word in this sense, we are to consider as northern and southern limits the parallels of the 38th and 10th degrees of latitude. The advantages afforded by this vast empire, from the wealth of its natural productions, the fertility of its soil, the facility which a man possesses there of choosing, with thermometer in hand, in a space of a few square leagues, the temperature or climate which he believes the most favourable to his age, his physical constitution, or to the species of cultivation to which he is most attached, appear to be unrivalled. Nothing can exceed the beauty of those delicious countries, situated half way up the ascent, in the region of oaks and pines, between 3,000 and 5,000 feet above the level of the sea; where a perpetual spring reigns, where the |