any correct calculation of the annual produce of the country, is much increased.
The returns of the Mint of Mexico are of no avail, as, during the years 1810, 1811 and 1812, Mints were established at Guănăjūātŏ, Zăcătēcăs, Guădălajāră and Dŭrāngŏ, with which the Mint of the Capital had no connexion, and over which it exercised no control.
Nor do the returns of all these establishments combined, lead to a more satisfactory result; for there are many obvious reasons why they cannot be regarded as affording a correct estimate of the Produce:
1st. Because a large proportion of the Silver sent to the Mints was not Silver then extracted from the mines, but Plate belonging to Churches and private families, the whole of which was melted down during the Revolution, in order to supply the rapid decrease of the circulating medium.
2ndly. Because the Coinage in the Provincial Mints was so bad,[1] and the quantity of base metal used as alloy so great, that even a correct account of the number of dollars struck off, would not be found to give a just idea of the quantity of Silver, which they contained.
3rdly. Because, of the large sums which passed through the hands of the Revolutionary Chiefs,
- ↑ The dollars which have survived this period of disorder, are now only taken at a discount of from fifteen to twenty per cent.
