The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-04-20 00:00:00

MEXICAN MINES.

At the present moment, every thing that relates to the
rising countries of South America becomes of peculiar in-
terest. We therefore copy the following remarks from the
number of the Quarterly Review just publishes! :
it is not surprising that in a climate tending to produce indo-
lence, and with a people of imaginations peculiarly ardent, the few
instances of unmeasured success in mining should have more power
to encourage, than the numerous but unnoticed instances of failure
to deter from, such desperate adventures. The calamities that
have recently fallen with their heaviest weight on mining, could
never hive been contemplated by any who had embarked in those
concerns. The most penetrating eye could nut have foreseen either
the revolutionary storm, or its extent, fury and rapidity. With-
out, however, anticipating the narrative of the revolutionary
events, we may quote the words of the minister Alaman, whom
we before noticed.

" Unfortunately the revolution of the year 1810 began in the
districts in which the richest mines are situated, and their pro-
prietors were its first victims. By the massacre of some, by the
ruin of others from the war and the excessive requisitions, by the
scarcity of money, and the consequent want of utensils and neces-
saries to continue the works, they ceased as it were almost in •
moment. The celebrated vein of Buantutuato, without its ores
being impoverished, only gave out, in 1818, 180,000 mares of
silver and 400 of gold, whereas its product before the year 1810,
was greater than all the mines of Pent together, amounting to
6110,0110 mares of silver and 2,000 of gold. In the mint at Mexico,
in 1021, there was coined only six million dollars, whereas, pre-
viously to 1010, from twenty-five to twenty-eight millions had
been annually coined. The inundation of the mines has beat the
inevitable consequence of their abandonment daring the war. The
working of them cannot be resumed until the water has been dis-
charged ; and to effect that, the miners of Mexico, poor in the
midst of riches, have neither the machines required to accomplish
it, nor the capitals to procure them,"
The country is indebted for the Introduction of the improved
processes, by which the precious metals have been chiefly separated
front the ores in which they are contained, tot aerearation Gelled
Tribunal General de la Nigeria t which selected the ablest of stu-
dents to visit ilia misting slissmiani and impala lir Inseirledge of new
facts and scientific improvements. There INK two mode's of ope-
rating fur this purpose; the first, for a long time, was by the
co ninon method of smelting. As firewood grew scarce in the
mining districts, as the process of amalgamation became known,
the ancient practices regularly declined, and the new method of
separating the metals hum the ores advanced; this separation is
effected by the adhesive property of mercury, attested by the aid of
lime. sulphates, and other chemical ingredients, which increase the
intensity of its action.

As the quantity of silver that can be procured in this way de-
pends mainly on the supply of quicksilver ; as in times of war
that supply was necessarily uncertain bo:h in quantity and Mig-
hty ; and as from us being a royal monopoly, the power of dis-
pensing it rested solely with the viceroy ; it became a subject of
frequent intrigue in his court, and was generally distributed from
favouritism or bribery. The mercury from the mine* of Istria was
esteemed lets pure than that extracted from the mine of Almaden
in Spain. By some of the viceroys this has been made a source
of great wealth, as those who bribed him or his officers the highest
could obtain the best mercury. The quantity of quicksilver de-
livered to the mitten bore such a proportion to the quantity or
silver produced by them as was conceived to be a check on frauds
in paying the duties. The products of thyme mines had gone on
constantly increasing to the year 1010. Without giving the pro.
duce of each year, the following table will chew with what degree
of regularity the augmentation had proceeded. This account
only shows the quantities which actually paid the duties ; but it is
generally believed that, besides what was legally circulated, some
portions were extracted by contraband means. The amount is
given in dollars.
IfyS - . 4.000,000 17811 - 20.000.0110
1728 - - 8,000,000 1795 . - 21.000.000
1747 - - 12.0410,r00 1802 - 28,000,000
1776 - 18,1100,0041 11109 - - 28,0110.000
We have no precise data for the several years of confusion that
have since followed. In a report from the city of Mexico, in 1813,
it is stated that the amount of silver brought to the mint in the
year 11111 was but three millions and a half ; and by another, that
of the following year, that it amounted to two millions, which was
partly from the requisitions made of all the plate of individuals
and co tttttttt oath*. Front the opinion of those Mexicans, who are
likely to be best informed of the state of their country, we have
stone reason to conclude that the average annual product of the
several years front 1813 to 11120, was nut more than from four to
four and a half millions. In 1821, the duty on silver having been
reduced from 17 to 3 per cent. in that year, partly owing to such
reduction and partly to the appearance of security to property being
restored, the amount of the precious metals increased to more than
tire millions and a half, and in the next year, 1822, after I turbitle
had been proclaimed Emperor, to seven millio is The future
condition of this branch of industry, now that an abundant supply
of quicksilver can be obtained and the duties are lowered, must be
prospe a, when the government shall be no established as to al.-
ford the necessary security to persons and property.

Mr. Price, the respectable manager of the principal
theatres in America, is now in London, engaging recruits
for the entertainment of that flourishing country. lle is
said to have engaged Kean, whom the Yank es arc most
anxious to see once more amongst them. Liston has not
yet been prevailed upon to accept an invitation, although
very liberal offers have been made to him by th„. manager.
Morton, th.• dramatic author, whose Children in the
Wipud, Speed the Plough, Cure fa the Heart Aehe, Irny to
get Married, &c. &c. were in their (lay more popular than
any other modern theatrical productions, has retired to his
villa, on the banks of the Thames, near Reading, in Berk-
shire, determined to write no more.

NUPICALM KXTR•ONDIN A Bishop. who has
been composer to Covent-garden for the last I years, at
the end of this season removes to Drurv-lane, with a salary
of rod. pt.r annum for three years.—ln looking over some
new music at a foreign music warehouse, in SAG-square,
we perceived some selections from Scott's bolt, of rhe
Lake, translated into French, and set to music by the ce-
ebrated Balochi. This is a compliment seldom paid us
y our contineatalneighbours._ _ _ _

1:111.ENWICII Fara.—Tlie fineness of the day on Sunday
attracted a great number of persons to that scene of mirth
and jollity. They seemed to feel much pleasure at the
preparations made for visitors for the two succeeding days,
via. a number of capacious booths, throws, &c. which no'
doubt will prove attractive. Yesterday the weather being
extremely tine, a large company of all sorts assembled,
which perhaps was more than usually numerous, from the
suppression of Stepney fair.
Err' xa.—The fineness of yesterday morning induced a
great number of persons to quit town at an early hour, in
order to be present at the Easter hunt, on Epping Forest.
Whitechapel-road was a moving panorama. Vehicles of
every description were in a state of requisition, from that
of Dusty Bob, in a dogcart, to the first-rate Corinthians,
in curftcles.

CAPT.IIN PARRY'S .4ikeoNb VOYAGE
rot THE DISCOVERY or ♦ NORTII-WEST PASSAGE.

l'he circumstances attending the death and burial of an
Esquitnaux woman and her child ate extremely interest-
ing, as affinding an insight into the character of this ex-
traordinary ',tilde, as well as into some of their customs on
this solemn occasion. They are thus Mite,' by Captain
Lyon :

The mother Pno.too-alook was about thirtysfive years of age,
the child about three years—yet not weaned, and a female; there
was also another daughter Shega, about twelve or thirteen years of
age, who all well as her lather was a most attemive nurse. My
hopes were but small as far as concerned the mother, but the child
was so patient that I hoped front its iluelity sum to accustom it to
soups and nourishing food, 24 its only complaint was actual starves
tion. I screened off a portion of my cabin, and arranged some
bedding for them, in the same manner a. the Esquimau* do their
own. IVarni broth, dry bedding, and d cornfottable uibin did
wonders before evening, and our medical men gave me great hopes.
As an introduction to a system or cleanliness, and preparatory to
washing the sick who were in • most filthy state, I scrubbed
Shega and her father front head to foot and tireiSfd them in new
clothes. During the night I persuaded both mother and child,
who were very restless and constantly moaning, to tape a few
spoonfuls of soup. On the 'mooing of the 24th the woman ap-
pealed considerably improved, and she both spoke and ate a little.
As she was covered with so thick a coating of dirt theft it could be
taken off in scales, I obtained her assent to wash her face and hands
a little before noon. The man and his daughter now came to my
table to look at some things Iliad laid out to amuse them ; and
after a few minutes Shega lifted the curtain to look at her me.
ther, when she again let it fall, and tremblingly told us she wai
dead.

•
The husband sighed heavily. the daughter burst Into tears, and
the poor little infant made the moment more distreeing by calling
in a plaintive tone on mother, by whose side it was lying. II
determined on burying the woman on shore, and the husband was
much pleased at my promising that the body should he drawn on a
sledge by men in►tead of dogs; fur to our horror Takkelikkeeta
had told me that dogs had eaten part of Keimooseuk, and that
when he left the huts with his wife one was devouring the body all
he passed it.

Takkeelikkeeta now prepared to drew the dead body. and in the
Rest place sttilmed 'his nose with dear's hair and put on his gloves,
scenting unwilling chit his naked hand should come in contact
with the corpse. I observed in this occupation his care that every
article of dress should be as carefully placed as when his wife was
living, and having drawn the boots on the wrong legs, he pulled
them oltagain and put them properly ; this ceremony finished, dos
deceased was sewed up in a hammock, and at the husband's urgent
request her face was left uncovered. An officer who wax present at
the time agreed with me in fancying that the man, from his words
and actions, intimated a wish that the living child might be en-
closed with its mother. We may have been mistaken, but there
in an equal probability that we were right in Our conjecture;
for, according to Crania and Egeile, the Greenlanders were in the
habit of burying their motherless intents from a persuasion that
they must otherwise starve to death, and also from being unable
to bear the erica of the little ones while lingering for several days
without sustenance; for no woman will give them any share of
their milk which they consider as the exclusive property of their
own offspring. Illy dogs being carefully tied up at the titan's re.
quest, a party of our people accompanied by me drew the body to
the shore, where we nettles grave about a foot deep, being unable
to get lower on account of the frozen earth. The body was placed
on its bark at the husband's request. and he then stepped into the
grave and cut all the stitches of the hamtnock, although without
throwing it open, seeming to imply that the dead should he left
unconfined. I laid a woman's knife by the side of the body and
we tilled up the grave, over which we also piled a quantity of heavy
stones which no animal could remove. When all was done and we
returned to the ship, the man lingered • few minutes behind us
and repeated two or three sentences, as if addressing himself to his
departed wife; he then silently followed. We found Shega quite
composed and attending her little sister, between whose eye-brows
she had made a spot with soot, which I learned was because being
unweaned it must certainly die. During the night lily little charge
called on its mother without intermission, yet the father slept as
soundly until morning as if nothing had happened.

All who saw my patient on the morning of the 25th gave me
great hopes ; she could swallow easily, and was even strong enough
to turn or sit upright without assistance, and in the forenoon slept
very soundly. At DOOR the aster of the deceased, t Yotumtuak,
with her husband and son, came to visit me. She had first gone to
the Fury, and was laughing on deck, and at her own request was,
taken below, not caring to hurry herself to come to the house of
mourning. Even when she came to the Heck, she was in high
spirits, laughing and capering on deck as if nothing hail happened.
but on being shown to my cabin, where Shega, having heard of her
arrival, was sitting crying in readiness, she began with her niece
to howl most wolully. I however hut a stop to this ceremony, for
such it certainly was, under the plea of its disturbing the child.
The arrival of • pot of smobing walrus-flesh soon brough smiles
on all faces but distal Takkeelikkeeta, who refused food and sat
sighing deeply ; the others ate, chatted, and laughed, as if nothing
but eating was worth thinking of. Dinner being over, I received
thanks for haying the woman in such • way that " neither wolves,
dogs, nortorta could dig her up and eat her," for all woe full of
the story of Keintooseuk, and sago begged iota' of owe officers to,
go 40 lONIA sad shoot the offending (Mgt A yoffitg woman
named A bilk, sister to Ooyarra, was induced, idler much entreat
and a very large present of beads, to offer her breast to the sick
child, but the poor little creature pushed it angrily away. Another
woman was asked to do the same, but, although her child was half
weaned, she flatly refused.
The aunt of my little one seeming anxious to remain, and She-
ga being now slime, I invited her to slop the night. In the even-
ing the child took meat and jell, and sat up to help itself, but it
soon after resumed its melancholy cry for its moth-v. At night
my party had retired to sleep, yet I heard loud sighing occasion-
ally, and on lifting the curtain !saw Takkeelikkeeta standing and
looking mournfully at his child. I endeavoured to compose him.
and hr promised to go to bed, but hearing him again sighing in a
few minutes, I went and tOund the poor infant was dead, and that
its father had been some time aware of it. He now told me it had
seen its number the last time it called on her. and that she had
beckoned it to Khil-la (Heaven), on which it instantly died. Ile
said it was" good" that the child was gone, that no children out-
lived their mothers, and that the black spot which Shega had
frequently renewed was quite auflicient to ensure the death of the
infant.

3ly party made a hearty breakfast on the 26th, and I observed
they did not scruple to lay the vessel containing the meat on the
dead child, which I had wrapped In a blanket ; sod this unnatural
table excited neither disgust nor any other feeling amongst them
more than a block of wood could have done. We now tied up all
the dogs as Takkeelikkeeta desired, and took the child about a
quarter of a mile astern of the ships to bury it in the snow; for
the father assured me that her mother would cry in her grave if
sty weight of atones or earth pressed on her infant. She herself,
he feared, had already felt pain from the monument of stones
which we had laid upon her. The snow in which we dug the
child's grave was not above a foot deep, yet we were not allotted to
cut into the ice or even use any slabs of it in constructing the little
tomb. The body wrapped in a blanket, and having the face un-
covered, being placed, the father put the slings by which its de-
calmed mother had carried it, on the right side, and in compliance
with the Esquiniaux custom of burying toys and presents with
their dead, I threw in some beads. A few loose sighs of snow
were now placed io as to corer without touching the body, and'
with this sery slight sepulchre the father was contented, although
a fox could have dug through it In half a minute. We however
added more snow. and contented all by pouring about twenty buck-
ets of water, which were brought from the ship, on vvery part of
the mound. I remarked that before our task was completed the
man turned and walked quietly to the ships.

During the two last days, I obtained some information with re-
, 'meet to mourning ceremonies, or at all events such as related to
the loss of a mother of a family ; three days were to be passed by
the survivors without their walking out on the ice. performing any
kind of work, or even having arty thing made for them. Washing
is out of the question with Lsmitinaux at most times, hot now I
was not allowed to perform the necessary ablutions of their hands
and faces, however greasy or dirty they might be made by their
food; the girl's hair was no; to be put in pig.tasla, and every thing
was neglected; Takkeelikkeem was nut to go sealing until the
summer. iVith the exception of an occasional sigh from the man,
there were no more signs of grief; our mourners ate, drank, and
were merry, and no one would have supposed they ever had wife,
mother, or sister. 11'hen the three days, and it is singular that
such should be the time. were expired, the man was to visit
the grave; and having talked with his wife, all duties were to
be considered as over. The _'Nth was our third day, but
a heavy northerly gale and thick drift prevented our visiting
the grave. The •29th, although not tine, was more moderate
and I accompanied him at an early hour. Arriving at the
grave, he anti ly walked up to it and carefully %ought for
fisc.tracks on the snow, but finding none repeated to himself.
.• wolves, no dogs, no loxes, thank ye, than ye." Ile now
be;ran a conversation which he directed entirely to the grave, as
if addressing his wile. lie called her twice by name, and twice
told her how the wind was blowing, looking at the same time
in the direction front whence the drift was coming. lie next
broke forth into a low monotonous chaunt, and, keeping hi. eyes
fixed on the gave, walked slowly round it in the direction of
the sun four or five times, and at each circuit he stopped a few
moments at the head. Ilia song was, however, uninterrupted. At
, the expiration of about eight minutes he stoped. and. turning
suddenly mood tome, exclaimed, " Tst„e•ica" (that's enough) and
' began walking back to the ship. In the song he ehauneed I could
frequently distinguish the wont Aoyeana (thank you), and it was
occasionally coupled with the Kahlounas. Two other expressions,
both the names of the spirits or familiars of the A nnatko,
Toetle-
mak, were used a few times; but the whole of the other words
were perfectly unintelligible tome.

I now sent :Mega and her father home, well clothed and in good
ease. The week they had pained on board was sufficient time to
have gained them theewte•nt of every one, for they were the most
quiet, inoffensive beings I ever met with, and, to their great cre-
dit, they never once begged. 'rile man was remarkable for his ea-
traorslinary fondness for treacle, sugar, salt, acids, and spruce_
beer, which the o.hers of the tribe could not even smell without
disgust ; and he walked about to the different messes in hopes of
being treated with these delicacies. Ethega was a timid, well-be.
hared girl, and generally remained eating in my cabin, few I am
conti.lunt of speakin:4 tar within bounds when I say she got
through eight pounds of :lulu's per diem. As far as grati•ude
could he chew❑ by Esquimau:, which is saying •• knyenna•• on
receiving a present, ins friends was Sir!Slble of the attet.twas I had
diem,

•
RICARDO LiTeTtlitES.
At WWII Reams Mr. M`Culloch has found much Luger ae-
eittunodatiass, end a wore numetous company of Leann. Thom
wit yeateMay rooming a greater proportion than mud of menelsent
of the Legislature and other distinguished characters.

ACCI! SI CLATIONOO CA PI TA Is.
In the lest lecture he had explained the advantaiel of the dia.
Bice of labour. Rut it must at once Appear manifest, that the ea-
tent and efficacy of the; divisive of labour must depcod upon Its
accumulation of eapi.al. In proportion as capital wog Imi-untwisted.
land its profits secured, would the raw material bi provided is
larger quantities, and the numbers and varieties of labourite, I.
increased. There its‘ In action and re-action he?ween Foal and
the division of Jaipur. The division of lahotir facilitited the aeonmuLttion of capital, and the accumulation of elpital extended
the division of labour, and at the same time increased its efficacy
The sidvantages of capital inereadng the pruduetivenew Of la.
boor were of three kinds f--

I. It enabled us to produce commodities which we could sot
otherwise produce.
_ _

2. It diiiiinished the labour required in the production of ar.
ticks.

3. It enabled us to produce superior articles, it the Unit anis
that it itruliend the producilol3 more expei.itious.
Each of these divi.ions Mr. Ill`Cullioch explainied and illustrated
by copious reference. to the various modes in which capital operated
in rendering the industry of the labourer constant and effective,
and in inventing and lying machinery. Without food and
clothing, or what was circulating capital, the laboeter Mudd
only work at what immediately produced the IleCeNSlliall of life.
Without tools, iminumenta, and machinery, or what said called
fixed capital, we could have no houses constructed, no ships built 4
and no clothes woven, le gime celebrated nations of antiquity,
and among aemi•civilized molten nations, as in Mexico and Peru
When discovered by the Spaniards, clothes were inantinatsured by
raising up every thread of the warp with the linger, Ired Intro;
ducing the wool. In this proem veers were spent in melaufac.:
luring a piece of cloth, which the Itiout enabled us to manidinuti
in as many days. It wan the accumulation of capital, and he se.
plication to facilitate and lin:reek production, which tointitoted
the distinction between the moat savage and the most ci.iliaed
lion, an.' which marked every stage of the progress of • nation AVM
barbarism to civibeation. The fine,t climate, the ticha, sea. the
inching river., the moat examtiodious harbour!, end the &hint
mines, were unavailhig without the advantages of !apical: 7*
proposition he folty end eneeeinfoUy illinenutd, by beetreettligH.
stated* Spain With that of the rioted Provinces.
I Ile next proceeded to advert to the causes which *meted the
, accumulation of capital. The love of saving, or the iseincipie Si
frugality, was the foundation of capital. This passion was strongly
implanted in our nature: it was the' first passion which awoke iit
the breast, and the last which etpired. There Cu a disposition
natural to evefy man to accumulate the surplus of his labour be.
pond his wants. On particular days he might be desirous to speud,
cat his general desire and habit weight Moline him to save. 'nib
passion too, like all our other passions, acquired strength fiton gra.
titication. The mote succee.fully a roan amassed capital, the mote
carefully and zealously would he persevere in increasing ft.
THE PROFITS OF BTOCK.
Capital or stock was the produce of lamer induntii. The
higher the ;matte derived from the applicition of this atutk to the,
further production of articles for the necessities, ionveniences
luxuries of life, the more the wealth of a nation wee
The capital of a country was its wealth ; the circulating inediind
was but a part of this capital. Upon the part lie would have oc.
canton to dwell at a future stage of hie course. The capital g this
country had nut, he thought, been over-rated at t#o thousand nel4.
lions; while the cireotivieg medium Was not dime than fifty mil.
lions. The average profit of the capital of a 000ntry was the limn.
meter by which its prosperity was ascertained. If any particular
' employment of capital was depressed, sail, if the average profits of
stock were high, the prosperity of the country was not affected.
' But if the average profits were low aid falling, althou no parti-
cular pressure should be felt by any branch, the prosperity of that
country *as declining, dad poverty was undenummg all its re.
source
EFFECTS OF TAXATION UPON THE ACCUMULA•
TION Or CAPITAL
It dm a mistake, opinion of Mr. Malthus, thin she expenditure
of the State promoted the wealth of individual'. As the passion of
economy was increased by meccas, like owe other pasicona, the
more of the profits of capital wereaccumulated, the bore the desire
of increasing that accumulation was encouraged and strengthened;
therefore, if the produce paid as taxes were left with the capitalist,
the greater his wealth. ft was not necessity, but the pleasure of
accumulating, which induced men to be economical_ Here Me.
311:1111°th pointed out and illustrated, with great feeling and
power, the effects of poverty in perpetuating habits of waste end
recklessness.

Air. Dif'CuLt.ocw again meet ed to the natural ambition &wren
to acquire fortune as the foundation of all prosperity. It had MX*
gest,d the lint use of the rudest insruments which facilitate la.
bour, and it influenced the accumulation of the largest capitals aril
the employment of the most ingenious machinery
" The hand of wan," says Colonel Tormns, " is not armed
with any efficient natural instruments such aa the beak of the bird,
or the claw of the quadruped, for operatim. directly upon the ma.
terials presented to him ; but it is admirably adapted for asiaing/
and applying artificial instruments, and Inc employing the powers
of one substance to produce the desired changes ix another. liens.
almost all the grand results pf gqiulukWltifialt tin ay AllkillPlUehi -
about b# Whams of capital. 'Throughout the world Uwe ors no
eery striking inequalities in the muttcular force by which dimet Igo
hour is performed • and it is mainly owing to the differences lithe
I quantity of capital, and in the skill with *hick' it is appliwk that
in one country man is found baked and destitute, and that
another all the rude productions of the earth, and alf the forces of
nature, are made to contribute to his comfort and to augment his
Por.er.", _ _

r Ile shortly adverted to the erect of credit. in giving the use tif
capital to those who could employ it to the best advantage. Every
facility ought therefore to be given to credit. But this subject hit
would investigate mute fully in another part of the course of kci
tures.
Dr...smith, and others, had laid it down as the principal advantage
of applying capital to labour, that it gave employment to inure la.
bourera, nut that it increased the quantity of production. In bls
next lecture he would inquire whether this opinion was or was net
weil.fqunded. lie would also inquire into another opinion of Dr.
Smith's, that agriculture was the most advantageous employment
of capital, because nature there cooperated with human industry,
and did not In any other production.
This lecture, which was more popularly eloquent than any of
the preceding, was very favourably received, and warmly applauded.

i~

•

CIRCULAR.

I,

)kl

BLOCKADE OF ALGIERS.

The following was posh(' at the New England Coffee-
house on Saturday :

Legation of the l'nited States, London, April 14.18:1
8111,-1 yesterday received an official note from Mr. Secretary
Otlikbg. , informing we of the blockade of the port of Alf,tiers, and
nt.l.vs the intention of this Government to maintain the same
trietest manner, adopting, and executing, with revoect to
*Oda attempting to violate it, all the measures authorized by the
of nation!, and the treaties between Great Britain and the
withal Powers.
T have to request that you will cause publicity to be given to this
ailletniation, in zilch mode as you may deem mist conducive
towards irs being known at an early day ton en-liants end other
sititens of the United States within your conxtilatc, Microns.d
in leartair.g it.
I have the honour to renialn respectfully,
1:011r obedient Servant,
• (Sia:l) RICHARD RUSH.
To Thew Aspinwall, Eat. ' ul of the United States, London.