Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-08-31
Silver Mines in South America.

A correspondent of the Newark Advertiser,
writing from the San Antonia Mines, $50 miles
from Caldera, FEBRUARY 25, 1852, gives the fol-
lowing account of the silver mines there, which
he visited in company with Don Bernado Cadc-
cedo, the owner Of them:--
The mines are vastly different from anything
had conceived. For three hours | was led by
one of the Captains of the miners through hor-
zontal shafts, around vast chambers, along win
ding galleries, down steep drifts up crooked stair
cases, cut in the rock, backwards, forwards, to
the right to the left, and in every direction, until
became completely bewdered, and should nev-
er have been able to find my way out again,
had been left to my own guidance. :. When
ever we came to large chamber, there we were
told had been great wealth in silver. In one
chamber they told me million and quarter
Of dollars of silver ore had been taken out. They
gave me slcdsc and told ME to crack off
piece to carry home. ''ne of these days | will
send YOU the result of my knowledge OF the use
of big hammer. The loud reports of blast
ing going on in different parts Of the mines
were terrific, and the appearance of the miners,
half naked, driving away at the solid stone, was
sight The natives carrying out the ores and
refuse in hide bags on their back, and up steep
crooked shafts three hundred feet deep, gives one
an idea of labor only to he found in a place
like this After spending three hours in this
great mine, which has been worked for twenty
two years came out at the top of the mountain
having gone in at the base. Taking a moments
to breathe, we commenced the descent of anoth-
er mine, belonging to Don Bernadon which is
close to the first, and from which they are now
getting much rich ore; and when we came out
we were tired enough assure YOU. When we
arrived we found the cook and steward OF the es-
tablishmcnt drunk and in bed This being Car
niva week, most of the natives are enjoying it.
You can imagine the wealth OF this mine
which is also located il a narrow steep a,ne-
about one mile from the river valley, when tell
you there is village of some size at the mouth
of the ravinc, occupied by Poems, and the ma
tives of the country, which has been built up
and entirely supported for years, by the steaings
of persons employed in the mine. suppose
that one-tenth of rich ore is stolen; there is not
a native miner in Chill who will not steal if he
has chance, and boast of it afterwards. When
the mines are rich, the owners cmp ploy fore
man for each MINER to overlook him while min
ing, but am told that the forcmen are as bad
as the men, there is no dependence to be placed
in any of them The owners seldom go near
the mines, and when they do they rarely go into
them.
Don Bernado has owned the mine for eight
years, having gwen for it 100000, but has nev-
er been into it, except just few feet at the low
cr entrance. He owns large shares in many
other mines at Chanorcello and Tres Puntas one
to the north and the other to the south OF this
place, both of which | have promised him to SO
and see. lie wishes me to become an owner IN
the mines and offers to give me shares in his
mines if will only stay in the country; but |
tell him cannot stay, and have no fancy Tor
mining lie gives me fine specimen of silver
ore every time | see him. His family live IN
great style in Lima, and his possessions are I'M
mcnsc. Besides his Peruvian mines and estates,
he has also two large handsome houses, in Cop-
apo, one large silver ore mill in Copiapo two es-
tatcs in the valley above Copiapo, on each OF
which there arc extensive silver ore mills, and
how many mines lie OWLS in this region | cannot
tell; every day hear of a new mine which he
has an interest in. lie is a tall, handsome, gen
tlcmanly person, with an unmistakablc air OF re-
fincment about him, and is strongly impressed
with the idea that no one but himself knows
how to make coffee or chocolate, or to boil eggs;
he certainly makes the best ever drank. Some
time since he sent me bag of the celebrated
Unca coffee grown in the interior of Peru he
tells me he will get another sack Of better coffee,