The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-21
]. HOUGHTON.

SANTA Fr, May 4tl, 1871.
In reply to your inquiries regards the mineral wealth
OF this territory the situation of the mineral regions, Nc,
will cheeruly give you all the information have been
able incidentally to obtain during residence OF some twen-
New Msses j. Of the c aesp Nsw Mn saea by
sequence of the reports of Spanish Adventures
who visited il before the conquest and described the abort
gnal inhabitants and the mineral wealth OF The country TO
be similar to those OF Mexico.
The first conquerors discovered mines the precious
metals in nearly all the mountains of the country and
wrought them industriousy and profably. The indca
tons OF their abors yet be in many places The
first settlers been expelled or destroyed by the In
dams, the country conquered settled second
by the gaoan and poorer classes of people from Zacate
enterprise capital knowledge carry the business
Of mining consequently in the course OF few generations
the knowledge OF working the mines, aud even the situation
of the mines themselves, were lost.
Since isss gold dust has been found, in large quantities,
from Santa Fe, and the Real del Tueso, twelve
miles further south The quantities of the gold dust OBJ
number of persons employed in the search for it, During
of the past years it has exceeded, io year, $780,
600 at these two places and, from examinations made
abundance of the precious metal in the dust grain
be obtained at points everywhere south of Santa
Fe on the side of the Sandia mountains far the
Gran Cluivra, distance of about hundred miles, and
north for about hundred and twenty miles, to
the river "Sangrs de Crse carried the United States,
in 1892 800 gold dust from the last named place. The
Arroya Honda in the valley of Taos, Ell Quemado, and
Las Iampas, have yielded considerable amounts OF gold
That these gold regions have produced the precious
metals in quantities. because the gold finders
and dggers always of the class who only labor
when necessity compes and work they
obtain supply for present wants and vices.
Neither capital industry, nor knowledge has ever been
brought to bear the enterprise consequence OF the
heretofore entire want protection by the Mexican
ment either to their individual rights against the at
tacks of the Indians.
Since 1923 several good mines have been wrought with
less profit, according the enterprise and know
ledge of the operator Those only have yielded well which
were wrought by foreigners who always restrained
from investing capital any amount, by the jealousy and
oppression OF the officers of the Mexican government
The three four gold mines which wrought by
either foreigners natives in the vicinity Of the Old Pi
cer and Real del IHestO" managed upon the most
imaginable, which, Notwithstanding yield handsome
ly according to the means employed
Several mines of silver, wrought in ancient times
known in the territory
One Apo, wrought by single man, simply for his
support, is the only one wrought.
ore, of great traditional fame, in the Nambe mountans.
Nearly all the mountains OF the territory abound in rich
iron have many specimens rich that OF the
Iron mountain of Missouri.
Copper also abounds everywhere, but particularly
Sas There's, Jemas Abi9uiu Gudaopa dc Nora and be-
the Seuga de Taos, and the river Poue
entire hill of fine copper
Lead is found at Cerrias and AYroya Honda of Taos
Coal is found in abundance and of good quality between
the Placer in the Raons mountains, and in many other
places.
The above hasty sketch viii give you general idea of
nexion with your own actual knowledge on the subject
You that the territory has been explored by
practical and scientific What have stated above,
derived from my observations Any further norina
ton that may be able impart will always be entirely
your disposition.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MANUEL ALVAREZ
To Hon ]. HoUGHroN.