The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-11-11

subject his Majesty desires TO obtain the
proper information. To that end I address
you the present communication. May God
preserve your life many years.
.1SigDed) CASPER LOPEZ,
+, -, Col. Cong Coahuila and Texas"
'sBExAR, November l3, 1922.
acoI Casper Lopez, Commanding Provinces;
sin compliance with your instructions,
have made inquiry, concerning the mines at
Los Almagres, upon which Don Salvador
Carrasco has presented memorial to his
Imperial Majesty, and have ordered that
one of the persons who is acquainted with
that locality shall proceed TO explere the
same and bring specimens of the ore to
be found. As soon as this is accomplished
| will be able to make The proper report.
May God preserve your life many years.
's[ Signed JOSE FELIX TREsPALAcIos,
z93a a!'sGovernor of Texas"
81 ssSEoNcLoyA, January %, 1923
l"To His Imperial Majesty:
Sebastian Rodriguez BiedIna, captain
IN the regular army of the Eastern In
ternal Provinces, and director of the NIL.
itary academy established at Monclova for
the instruction of Spanish cadets, with
great respect says that upon the San Saba
nils. course NORTHWEST rom san 4 u. Is
de Bexar, and about forty-fve leagues from
said town, there are mines of unsurpassed
richness known aby the name of Los Al
magres. which, Judging from the outward
appearances, promise more wealth than that
produced by any of the most famous mines
of San Louis Potosi, Z1ccatecas and Guiana
juato. L do not hesitate to make this
statement, being convinced of that fact by
my own eyes and therefore l do not doubt
that the Information given on the subject
both by the deputado of the province
and the ayunramentio will correspond
with. the assertions made in this report.
Some other persons have seen the above
mentioned mines, and brought specimens of
the ore taken from viens on the surface,
which have been tried and found to yield
much silver. l believe it will not be neces-
sary to make any other expenses for the
work said mines than those for the
purchas Of utensils and the erection of
sSonn1 ms for the miners. / am satisfied
that esI9e immediate yield. of these mines
will be more than sufficient to defray the
expenses of the work.
'9i".I heard of the richness of these mines
since was stationed at Corpus Christi. i
saw some specimens at San An
tonic de Bexar, and l assayed them with
the best results. | was then in active ser
vice with no influence to promote the un-
dertakihg and of course did not take any
steps In the matter; but having recently,
under the accompanying commission (Which
| desire to be returned to mel proceeded to
the San Saba hills to make the proper ex-
pIoration, L have to report not only that said
mines exist, but that believe them to be of
great richness.
"Therefore your Imperial Majesty may
order a detachment of $50 cavalry be
stationed at the place called Los al
-magres, with the object of protect
ing the new settlement to be made. As
soon as this is ordered many inhabitants
of the provinces will congregate and build
up town. However great the cares of
government may be, under the present cir
cumstances the small number of three hun
dred and fifty men will not much diminish
the forces of the empire nor increase its
expenses. The latter are comparatively
small if we consider the great advantages
to be derived from the settlement of Los
Almagres, which will undoubtedly be fol-
lowed by the subsection of the Indians, the
increase of our population and the circula-
tion of silver. t
'sThe undersigned does not aspire to any
other glouy- than the one he will gain by
seeing his plan carried out.
pa (signed) s'SEBAsTlAN RoDRIeuEz.
fses sStoNcBovA, january %, 1823.''ast 9il
cold names have changed, but i think l
have been fortunate enoughsto ascertain the
exact locality of this silver mine, and
think can readily convince any one else
that am correct. Its value, however does
not rest entirely upon the evidence of the
above report. There are other traditions
equally conclusive, besides the strongest in
dIcations which the experienced miner could
ask for.
There is also very interesting old mine
near Honey Creek. in LIano county, on the
eastern slope of Riley Mountain, and the
remains of three old furnaces about half i
mile distant on the bank of the creek. TIC
these had giveR pretty careful examina-
ton before L knew any of the traditions at.
tached to them,i and had come TO the con
clusion that a large amount of good min
eral had once been obtained anu smelted
there. A-heavy body of mineral was appar
emily struck near the surface, at depth Of
not more than seven or eight feet, and was
| followed and taken out principally frou
driftipgs, one of. which is now nearly filled
up. There is also one shaft, or pit, sunk
at the end of one of the drifts to the depth
of about fifty feet. The mineral lay in &
| gangue of eaic-spaF- OF sslead blossom" and
red oxyde of iron. The smooth, natura
pockets" or hollows where the mineral
lay are still plainly to be seen, and unmis
taxable 10 the eye of the practical miner
The power of the vein, as Indicated by the
gangue, is very great. 1t has width Of
from twenty to thirty feet. and throws out
a large quantity of the sangue minerals fol
more than quarter Of mile along the
side of, the mountain. The ore must have
been obtained IN clean, solid masses, SINH
lar what is termed opening minera
snsRg lead miners II seems 10 have ECU
of, as often occurs in the exterior aro
superficial workings Of many mines,
aud none of il is nav in sight
But according TO all experience in othei
mines, and judging from all the indication,
In sight, The ore ought to be again struck
In much larger body than before, snd
| with more probability Of continuity. witt
comparatively small outlay Of money anc
labor. One Of the old furnaces on the banl
lpfthe creek was a coGIm0u Mexican blas
furnace blast produced by bellows
such as may still be seen in some of. the mil
ing districts ot Mexico. For q fiux tee
used the red oxide OF iron, found near bl
u abundAhces and particularly adapted 4
the smelling OF sulphurets and antimonia
suiphurets Of lead end silver. The old slags
stiH to be seen in considerable QUANTITY
about this furnace. contain some lead
with trace Of silver. Near this va
another furnace, resembling the commoI
revefbatory furnace in style of constrac
tion. that must have been used for rein
ing, or separating silver from lead, for tn
hearth OF sole" was composed Of washe.
ashes and bone dust. materials only used IA
such purpose, So there can be no qnestloi
batthas both silver and lead were obfainel
from the ore smelted tere. do rot thipl
y Vas an ordinary silver-lead, or gAlena Ors
bat am Inclined 10 believe that il was q
autimouial alver-lead, These furnaces b.
csme known 10 the early settlers abou
swenty tive CT twsnsy-six yenrs AGO, and q
tLAl time or .lnll .lLar r.rEl - ...s..In.al