"We arrived here last Saturday in good health. The (our) Mint is at
work, and coined five millions last year, and in their way of working
does very well; but I trust to make it coin thirty millions per year.
"Two engines are drawing water, and two drawing ore, at the mines, but
in an imperfect state. If I had not arrived, it must have all fallen
to the ground, both in their mining and in their engines. I expect we
shall go to the mines in about ten days, from where I will write to
you every particular.
"There are still two engines to put up for lifting water, and two for
winding ore, and those at work to be put to rights. They are raising
ores from one mine which is immensely rich, and from what I can learn,
a much greater quantity will be got up, when the whole are at work,
than these people have any idea of. Several other mines will also be
set to work by engines that we shall make here. We have been received
with every mark of respect, and both Government and the public are in
high spirits on account of our arrival, from which they expect much
good to result.
"Mr. Vivian died the 19th of May. I believe that too much drink was
the cause of it. Uville, I think, wished him gone, and was in great
hope that I should not arrive. His conduct has thrown down his power
very much, which he never can again recover.
"They all say that the whole concern shall be put entirely under my
management, and every obstacle shall be removed out of my road. Unless
this is done, I shall soon be with you in England. I am very sorry
that I did not embark with the first cargo, which would have made a
million difference to the company. The first engine was put to work
about three months since, the other about two months; but they are as
much at a loss in their mining as in their engineering. The Mint is
the property of our company, and Government pays us for coining, which
gives us an immense income; the particulars of which, and the shares
in the mines, I have not yet gone into. I shall be short in this
letter, because I know but little as yet, and that little I expect Mr.
Page will inform you. A full account you shall have by the next ship,
which I expect will sail in three weeks. This letter goes by a Spanish
ship that will sail this afternoon for Cadiz. My respects, and good
wishes to your family and to Mr. Day, and hope this will find you all
as hearty as we are.
"Mr. Page would not depart this life under the line, as he promised
when at Penzance; but, on the contrary, has a nose as red as a cherry,
and his face very little short of it. His health and spirits far
exceed what they were in England. I am glad to have such a companion.
With ... think he will have no reason to repent.... He will get a
command at Pasco ... such as his ingenuity may find out, when on the
spot; whether as a miner or an engineer I cannot say, but time will
show.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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