CHAPTER XXXII.

INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.
1800-1887.

EARLY AGRICULTURE PROTECTION OF THE INDUSTRY GREAT PROGRESS

ATTAINED COMMUNAL LANDS AGRICULTURAL WEALTH DECAY OF
COCHINEAL DEVELOPMENT OF OTHER STAPLES INDIGO, COFFEE, SUGAR,
CACAO, AND TOBACCO FOOD AND OTHER PRODUCTS PRECIOUS WOODS
AND MEDICINAL PLANTS LIVE-STOCK VALUE OF ANNUAL PRODUCTION
IN EACH STATE NATURAL PRODUCTS OF PANAMA NEGLECT OF AGRICUL
TURE MINERAL WEALTH YIELD OF PRECIOUS METALS MINING IN
HONDURAS, SALVADOR, AND NICARAGUA DEPOSITS OF GUATEMALA AND
COSTA RICA MINTS FORMER YIELD OF PANAMA MINING NEGLECTED
ON THE ISTHMUS INCIPIENCY OF MANUFACTURES PRODUCTS FOR DO
MESTIC USE.

IN the early part of the present century cattle were

the mainstay of the large estates in Central America;
but the great staple was indigo. 1 Sugar and raspadura
were also important crops, but the most valuable was
that of Indian corn. Some tobacco was also grown.
The cacao plantations had ceased to exist. The cul
tivation of jiquilite, cochineal, and vanilla had also
2
declined.
Guatemala passed, from time to time, laws for the
3
protection and development of agriculture, and yet it
made no notable progress down to the end of the
4
seventh decade. But with the establishment of a
1
Humboldt estimated the production at the value of $4,500,000. Essai,
Polit., 446; Guat., Apunt., 17-20; Gnat., Gaceta, vi.
ii. 70-1, 293-337, passim.
2
The yearly products of Cent. Am. were estimated in 1826 at $52, 529, 450.
Otios Esp. Emigr., v. 3-11.
3
Guat., Recop. Ley., i. 658-89, 744-60.
4
Though land was free to all, agriculture was so low that even on the
richest soil staples were scarcely produced in sufficient quantities for the con
sumption. Berendt, in Smithsonian Rept, 1807, 424.
(650)
 GUATEMALA PLANTATIONS. 651

more system, a great change soon became

liberal
manifest. The
cultivation of cochineal having become
5
unproductive, the government turned its attention to
the development of coffee, 6 until it became the first
source of wealth of the country. In Antigua Guate
mala coffee, and in Amatitlan sugar, have taken the
7
place of cochineal. Every possible encouragement
has been given to other products, such as sugar,
wheat, tobacco, cinchona, jiquilite, spices, and grapes,
with good results in some of them, and prospects of
8
the same in others. I give in note statistical data
on the country s productions. 9
Honduras produces all the great staples of the trop
ics. The land on both coasts is adapted for cotton. 10
A soft, slender, and juicy sugar-cane is indigenous;
two and even three crops are taken annually. This
cane requires replanting only once in ten or twelve
years. Excellent coffee may be had in abundance if
cultivated. Cochineal and grapes were obtained in
former years. 11 The nopal is indigenous and abun
dant in Comayagua. The tobacco of Honduras has
a well-deserved reputation. Indigo is produced in
5
The annual export was estimated at nearly $1,100,000, but chemical sub
stances having been discovered to take its place for coloring, the decadence of
the industry soon followed. Cochineal could not fetch over 2 to 3 francs per
kilogr. in France. Lafe.rrit-re, De Paris a Guatem., 247.
(i
It had young trees planted in every department, and for the further in
crease of the staple, exempts the product from interior taxation and export
dues. Pan. Star and Herald, May 29, 1886.
7
Prcxid. Barrios, Mcnsaje, Sept. 11, 1876.
6
Guat., Mem. Sec. Gohern. y Just., 1880; Id., Mem. Sec. Fomento, 1880-2;
Id., Sec. Hac., 1882-3; Pan. Star and Herald, March 2, May 29, 1886.
9
Cochineal, reduced from 67,709 qls in 1860^ to 2,845 in 1879-83.
Coffee, 1860^4, none; crop of 1883-4 was 495,385 qls; next year s estimated
520,000, valued at 5,291,074. Sugar, 1860-4, 115,486 qls; the production of
1883 of sugar, panela, muscovado, and molasses valued at 976,902; 1884,
81.058,551; 1885, $915,789. Rubber, 1879-83, 9,074 qls. Sundries, 1879-
83, 115,999 qls. Flour, 1884, probable production 931,144 qls. Tobacco
cult, progressing. Live-stock, 1884, horses, 107,187; mules and asses, 41,386;
neat cattle, 441,307; sheep, 417,577; goats, 27,618; swine, 177,118. lotal
value, $15,112,233. Guat., Mem. Sec. Fomento, 1885-5; El Guatemalteco, Jan.
1, Sept. 15, 1884; Pan. Evg Teleyram, May 26, 1886.
10
As early as 1800 there were 9,600 trees of China cotton. Quintet Junta-
Pub., 14-15; Juarros, Guat., i. 38-46.
11
Viag. Univ., xxvii. 172-4. The Sp. gov. had all the vines destroyed for
fear of injury to the wine industry of the mother country. Squier s Cent*
Am., 273; W. Ind., Descr. Sp. Settlers, 45.
652 INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.

quantities for commercial purposes. Food staples are

varied and abundant. The country has also a wealth
of precious woods, and indeed, of every variety com
mon to the tropics. Of fruit-trees, there are many
indigenous. Sarsaparilla, of which there is none supe
rior, is found in abundance, particularly on the north
ern and eastern coasts. Vanilla grows in the same
12
districts. Agriculture is
progressing. The cultiva
tion of fruit-trees on the northern coast has drawn the
attention of capitalists. Coffee, indigo, sugar-cane, and
tobacco are the chief staples. Neat cattle were the
most obvious source of wealth, the interior country
13
being favorable for their increase.
Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Kica enjoy the
the same advantages as the other two states already
described, and have within the last thirty years de
veloped agriculture in a remarkable degree. The
great products of the first named are indigo, coffee,
maize, sugar, and rice. A
variety of other articles
14
contribute to increase the country s wealth. The old
system of communal lands prevails throughout Cen
tral America.
The chief staples of Nicaragua are cacao, sugar,
indigo, tobacco, cotton, coffee, wheat, and other
1

cereals, and plantains and fruits in great profusion.

/SV/zwV/rf Cent. Am., 192-204; Laferricre, DC Paris a Guatem., 97
12

They do not yield a high income, however, the consumption at home be

13

ing comparatively small, and the demand of the neighboring states limited.
Id., 209-11, 272. Gov. is endeavoring to improve the breed.
14
Comparative values: Indigo as early as 1030 the yield was 10,000
quintals a year; the production from 1791 to 1800 was 8,752,502 Ibs. at $2 a
It).; 1804, $1,129,105; 1877, $2,140,423. Coffee 1864, about $80,000; 1877,
2, 11 5, 009.
.Maize 1877, $2,780,433. Sugar and muscovado 1877, $334,-
361. Rice 1877, $154,728. Hides and deer-skins 1870, $444,805. Cattle
1870, $072,948. Aggregate values for 1870-7 including rum made from
molasses, and set down at $925,457 were $15,448,794. These figures are
from official sources, but may not be altogether reliable. Salr., Diano Ojic.,
Oct. 21, 1875; III., Feb. 7, 24, 1877; Feb. 19, 1878.
GacetaOfic.,
10
The cotton is of superior quality, and grown in considerable quantities;
the cacao is second only to Soconusco; the sugar-cane is indigenous, and
yields beautiful sugar; the indigo has a high reputation; the coffee is fully as
good as Costa Rica s, and flourishes well in the higher grounds. The same
may be said of tobacco. Maize and rice grow in perfection and abundance.
Stout s Nif., 73-85, 345-53; Dunlop s Cent. Am., 205-7; Bailifs Cent. Am.,
120-4; SquiersCent. Am., 303-4, 377-8, 003; Id., Trav., i. 34-9, 158-03; Id.,
Nic., 020-2; Levy, Nic., 458-81; Wells Hond., 141-3; hi, Walkers
 COSTA RICA AND PANAMA". 653

The departments of Rivas, Granada, Leon, and Chi-

nandega supply trade with the most valuable staples.
The government has endeavored to promote agricul
16
ture, particularly the cultivation of coffee and tobacco.
Among other productions mention must be made of
the inexhaustible quantities of medicinal plants, and
17
valuable cabinet and dye woods. Cattle are another
18
source of wealth, but cattle-raising has its drawbacks.
Costa Rica produces indigo and sugar of excellent
quality, and some of the best cacao in the Matina Val
19
ley. Wheat, potatoes, and other vegetables, apples,
and other fruits of the temperate zone are also found;
but the republic s chief staple and source of wealth is
20
coffee. The plantations are small and looked to with
the utmost care. The largest one of Costa Rica
116; Laferriere, De Paris a Guatem., 77-80; U. 8. Gov. Doc., H. Ex. Doc., 75,
210-12, 216, vol. x. Cong. 31, Sess. 1; Pan. Star and Herald, March 13, 1SGG.
16
Exempting them from taxation and otherwise. Rochet, Cod. Nic., i. 191
4, 206-11; ii. 106-11; NIC., Reg. Ofic., 328-9; Id., Dec. y Acuerdos, vol. for
1851-61, passim; Ley de Af/ric., Feb. 18, 1862; NIC., Boletin Ofic., Feb. 15,
1862; Id., Gaceta, years 1865-74, passim.
17
Mahogany abounds, especially on the margins of the branches of the
large rivers. The cutters are mostly Mosquitos and Caribs, who hire them
selves for the season at $10 to $15 a month and fed. In 18J2-9 the govt
adopted the plan of farming out the privilege of cutting mahogany. The
caoutchouc trees were by law declared in 1860 govt property. Nic., Mem.
Min. Hac., 1862; Id., Gaceta, Apr. 1, 1865; El National, Nov. 10, 1SGO.
18
Nutritious grasses and water are scarce in the summer. On the other
hand, an immense quantity of vermin constantly torment the animals, and
disease takes hold of them, killing many. Cows yield only a small quantity
of milk. A dairy possessing 150 to 200 milch cows is said to do well if they
yield 50 Ibs. of cheese per day. Levy, Nic., 478.
19
Said to be as good as that of Soconusco; but the country is generally too
high and cold for cacao culture; nor is the climate favorable for cochineal,
cotton, or grape, owing to excessive rains. Molina, Boxq. Co$ta R., 30-1;
Astaburuaga, Cent. Am., 37. Spec, laws have been passed for the promotion
of cacao and indigo culture. Costa R., Col. Ley., xi, 299-301; xii. 216-17; Id.,
Col. Ley., 1866, 161-2; Id., xix. 184-6.
20
As late as 1829 her sole article of export was Brazil wood. The miser
able condition of the country made its name ridiculous. But in a few years
the situation become changed. An act was passed Sept. 7, 1831, to promote
coffee culture, and in 1835 the first export of the article took place. Another
decree for the same purpose was issued in 1843. Id., iii. 94-6; El Nicaraga-
c.nse, Jan. 9, 1856. In 1845 no less than 45,000 quintals were produced; in.
1848 double that quantity; and in 1850, 140,000 qls; from 1854 to 1856 there
was no increase, owing to cholera, locusts, and the Walker war in Nic.
However, the crop of 1856 was about 55,200 qls. Costa R., Gaceta, Jan. 26,
1850; July 1 to Sept. 23, 1854; Id., Boletin Ofic., June 29, 1854; Id., Mem.
Sac. Rel, 1856, 10-12; Guat., Gaceta, Oct. 7, 1853; Wagner, Costa R., 41,307-
21; Squier sCent.Am., 454-72; Laferriere, De Pans a Guatem , 48-9; Belly,
A trav. I Amer. Cent., i. 397-400,
654 INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.

would be considered small in Guatemala; but on the

other hand, men and women find occupation, and there
is no actual
poverty. The production of coffee has
steadily increased, except when rains have been
scanty or excessive, or locusts have caused devastation
21
in the fields.
Fiscal monopolies have kept back, in a great meas
ure, the development of the cultivation of sugar and
22
tobacco. The country is well supplied with live
stock of all kinds, and is also rich in valuable cabinet
and dye woods as well as in medicinal plants.
The soil of the Isthmus of Panamd is well adapted
The country only needs
for all tropical productions.
an industrious population and peace to develop its
immense natural wealth. The chief productions are
Indian corn, su^ar-cane,
O rice, a oreat variety of fruits.
<!""> /

vegetables, and nutritious roots, such as yam, yucca,

etc. Agriculture has been limited to the supply oi
edibles, and of late years to the shipment of some fruit
to the United States. The cultivation of sugar and
cofree might be made profitable, though requiring a
large outlay, but for being dependent on an uncertain
supply of labor. In 18G2 and 18G3, cotton culture
was undertaken in the interior with fair success, and
23
in 18G4 had spread all over the country. The plant
is
perennial, and yet, with this and other advantages,
the natives have not become awake to the importance
al
lu 1832 there was a fair crop: 1873, 333,843 qls; 1874, about 300,000
valued in Puntarenas port at $15.50 per quintal of 10J llxs.; 1G70, a scanty
crop; 187(5, 180,000; 1877, 180,052; 1879, excessive rains caused heavy loss;
1884, about 375, 000 quintals; but 1885 only yielded 125,000 or loO,COO. Costa
./ .,
InformeScc. Interior, 1802, 10-11; Id., Sec. Ayn c., 1G74, 28; 1870, 20-1;
1878, 14; 1879,22; Lafcrriere, DeParisaGvattm., 31; Jidfs, DieSeehafen, 18;
Pan. Star and Herald, Apr. 9, 23, 1885.
n The manufacture of rum from
sugar-cane is a government monopoly.
The cultivation of tobacco has been for many years under the strictest regu
lations; its manufacture and sale was exclusively in the hands of govt agents.
In 1850 it was declared free from Jan. 1, 1852, but the law was repealed June
23, 1851. In 18J9 the monopoly was abolished, but restored again by law of
Feb. 4, 1884. Molina, Bosq. Costa R., 30; Costa R., Col. Ley., x. 132-40; xi.
331-3; Id., Col Ley., 1809, 15-17, 219-20; Id., Mem. Sec. Hoc., 1852-3; Id,,
Mem. Sec. Gohern. Hac., etc., 1884, 25-0.
23
The U. S. govt evinced in 1803 a disposition to promote its cultiv. See
correspond, of agric. dept. with U. S. consul in Pan. BidwelVs Isth. Pan.,
238-70
 VERAGUA AND CHIRIQUI. 655

of it. Cacao is another article that might be grown

to advantage. The government has tried to
promote
24
the culture of coffee and cacao.
Coffee and sugar are cultivated, but not in sufficient
quantity to meet even the home demand. I append
in a note an official account of agricultural production
25
for 1882, though not giving it much value.

Veragua and Chiriqui have good plains for raising

6
neat cattle, goats, pigs, horses, asses, and mules."

Poultry, and a great variety of wild animals exist in

abundance. The seas on the two coasts are well stocked
with fish.
The Isthmus has plenty of timber of the best kinds
and of enormous size, found in South Darien, and in
all the mountains on both coasts, and in the islands;
27
also cabinet and dye woods, and medicinal plants.

Of the five states of Central America, Honduras

appears to be the most plentifully supplied with min
eral wealth. Mount Merendon was long celebrated
for its silver and gold mines. Until about thirty or
forty years ago, mining was the most prominent inter
est in the state, but wars and political disturbances
caused the abandonment of the mines, and the works
fell into decay, after which there was neither enter
prise, capital, nor skill to restore them. The owners
of the property afterward became owners of immense
grazing estates. Some mines were continued in oper-
24
Exempting from and by other privileges. Pan. Ley., 187G-7,
taxation,
7; Id., Gaceta, Jan. 7, 1877; BidwelCs Isth. Pan., 234-72; U. S. Gov. Doc.,
H. Ex. Doc. 113, vol. vi. 1-2, 35-7, Cong. 41, Sess. 2.
"Tobacco, 2,770 quintals; grain, 197,320 qls; cacao, 261 qls; sugar, 155
qls; panela., 29,445 qls; molasses, .4,694 jugs; coffee, 2,853 qls; rubber, 80
qls; sundries, 354,285 qls; medicinal roots, 390 qls. Total value, $518,662.
Pan., Mem. Sec. Fomento, 1882, annex L.
26
No sheep are raised, and the goats, sometimes killed, are a poor substi
tute. The pork is excellent. Live-stock said to exist on the Isthmus in
1S82: neat cattle, 114,157; mules and asses, 470; horses, 9,942; goats, 24,-
732; hogs, 203,209. Total value, $1,270,945. Jb.
27
It would take too much space to enumerate them; but a list may be
found in the report on the physical and polit. geog. of the state of Pan.,
drawn up by a commission despatched thither for that purpose, by the govt
of New Granada, in 1859. See also report of Martin, New Granada -minister
in London, May 1858, in Bidweli s Jsth. Pan., 322-4-0.
 056 INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS

2^
ation, however, on a small scale, and in a rude manner.
In 18GO and for some preceding years the bullion
export of Honduras amounted to about $-400,000 an
nually, most of it being gold collected by the Indiana
from shallow washings.
o
The development of the mining wealth of Hondu
29
ras engaging the attention of foreign capitalists.
is

Several companies have been organized in the United

States, France, and elsewhere to work the mines in
the departments of Tegucigalpa, Santa Barbara, Yus-
caran, and Jutigalpa. 30
Guatemala has not been noted
for mines. How
ever, the district in the Alotepec mountains was rich
toward the latter part of the eighteenth century,
31
yielding large quantities of silver. The river sands
of the department of Chiquimula are auriferous, and

28
most abundant, and chiefly located on the Pac. group
Silver ores are the
of mountains,whereas the gold washings, if not the gold mines proper, are
most numerous on the Atlantic side. The mineral districts in the depart
ments of Tegucigalpa, Choluteca, and Gracias are very rich in silver in
various combinations. The upper or old mine of Coloal yielded 58 per ct. of
copper, and 78 to 84 ounces of silver to the ton; the ores of the new mines
of Coloal, a combination of chloride of silver, a little sulphuret of silver,
oxide of iron, and antimony, mixed with earthy matter, yielded 8,470 ounces
T ton of 2,000 Ibs. Gold mines abound in llond., but only a few have been
|>

worked. The chief supplies have been drawn from the washings of Olancho.
The rivers of Guayape and Jalan, as well as the .streams running into them,
are decidedly the richest in auriferous sands. The rincst gold is from the
Guayape, Jalan, and Mangunlil, and from the Sulaco, Caimito, and Pacaya,
in the dept of Yoro. The southern districts bordering on Xic. have rich
placers. Hond. has also mines of copper, iron, platina, cinnabar, zinc, and
roal. Very productive opal mines are worked to some extent in Gracias.
Amethysts are said to be found in Campuca. S juter s Cent. A in., 145-51,
178-89; I /., It. J!., 85-94; Montgomery s Narr.,
Hon<l. 1134; Bully s Cent.
Am., 1002; Hond. Gac. Ofr., Feb. 20, March 10, 1853; Walls Hond., 233-
531), passim.
-9
Foreigners are allowed to work and own mines, under the federal law of
-Tune 27, 1825. The ordenanzas of New Spain regarding mines were declared
to l)e in force June 17, 1825. Jtocha, Cud. Nic., i. 209; Guat., liecop. Ley,
i. 238.
30
and difficulty of travel make mining unprofitable
The absence of roads
as yet. Mcnsaje, Feb. 19, 1883; Pan. Star and Herald, March
Pnt<t. Soto,
23, 1883; Feb. 23, 1880; H. S. Dtiryx Cold Fields tdomj the Guoyape, etc., in
nicininiti Enquirer.
<

31
Combined with lead and copper, and also as a sulphide of silver. Mate
rials convenient for working them were at hand. The Central Am. Mining
o operating on the locality sold between 1858 and 1865 ore and bar silver
<

to the amount of 621,000 ounces, worth over 8700,000. U. 8. Gov. Doc., H.

K\ Doc,, Cong. 40, Sess. 2, pt 1, 212-14; Sqmer s Cent. Am., 526; U. S. Land
Off. Rep 1867, 116-17, 131-2, 188-90; Nic., Gacela, Apr. 28, 1866.
 MINERALS AND METALS. 657

32
the Indiana wash them for gold. Recently several
deposits have been reported to the government, of
33
lead, silver, gold, cinnabar, coal, kaoline, marble, etc.
Nicaragua possesses an immense wealth in minerals,
which has not been developed as yet, except on a
small scale, and generally, without any intelligence.
Gold and silver and several useful metals are found
34
in great abundance. There are also deposits of
gypsum, marble, alabaster, lime, saltpetre, etc. Sul
phur is sometimes found pure. The mining laws favor
the industry by either natives or foreigners. mint A
has existed in the republic for several years. 35
Early in the present century nuggets of 22 carats were found near Choi.
3:i

I:i some mines the ore treated with quicksilver yielded one ounce of gold to
the 100 lt>s.,
or $320 to the ton of 2,000 lt>s.
Blazfjtiez, Opinion, in Doc. Orig.
Chiapas, 5.
33
Gold placers in the dept. of Izabal were being worked on a large scale.
Several silver mines promise large yields when they become exploited. The
Indians of Zunil repeatedly offer for sale in Quezaltenango quicksilver obtained
from a mine which they keep strictly secret. In the departments of Quiche,
Alta, Vera Paz, and Huehuetenango are salt springs and deposits; in Chimal-
tenango peat and lignite; between Guastoya and Izabal, marble; and in sev
eral places on the Atlantic slope, coal. The government had a mineralogical
survey of the country made. Guat., Mem. Sec. Hac., 1882, 28; 1883, 34, 72-4;
Id., Mem. Sec. Fomento, 1884, 42; Wagner, Costa ^., 56; Pan. Star and
Herald, Jan. 17, 1883.
34
Among them must be mentioned zinc, iron, copper, lead, tin, antimony.
The mines of lead, iron, and copper are believed to be inexhaustible. They
are situated in a fertile, cool, healthy, and picturesque region, affording
every other facility for working them. The whole northern frontier abounds
in silver, a little of it being obtained by primitive processes. Quicksilver
mines, though not rich, are common. The gold veins of Nic. come from
Hond., running along the cordillera to the San Juan River, where they become
somewhat ramified before crossing it, and reappear in Costa R. The chief
one crosses the Machuca River. The gold is almost pure when washed from
river-beds, and more or less mixed with silver when dug out of the earth.
In the districts of Juigalpa and Libertad hundreds of mines have been en
tered. The Jicaro mines near Trinidad, and those of Santa Rosa, Achuapa,
San Francisco, etc., have been famous. The Potosi and Corpus in colonial
times yielded large quantities of gold. The whole upper region of the Coco
River is rich. It may be asserted that the mines of Nic. are excellent, but
the miners are generally incompetent. They use the crowbar, avoiding gun
powder as too expensive. Men are easily procured, who work steadily though
slowly and by primitive methods, earning $8 to $10 per month, and their
rations. The mills are mostly poor. Sixteen carat gold is worth at the mine
$12 an ounce, but the average price paid by factors was $8 or $9. Consider
able quantities of gold are taken by the Indians from river sands and bed,
and washed in pans. Levy, Nic., 160-6, 482-6; Squier s Cent. Am., 364, 392-
400; Id., Nic., 653-6; Nic., Mem. Min. Fomento, 1871; Id., Mem. Min. Bel,
1875; U. S. Gov. Doc., H. Ex. Doc., 212-13, vol. x., Cong. 31, Sess. 1; Belly,
Nic., i. 340-6; Nic., Gaceta, Nov. 11, 1865; May 26, 1866, suppl.; Sept. 7,
1867; Jan. 11, July 18, Aug. 8, 1868.
Ab
Nic., Gaceta, March 1, 1873; Rocha, Cod. Nic., i. 163-72; Nic., Correo
1st., Aug. 29, 1850.
HIST. CENT. AM., VOL. III. 42
658 INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.

In Salvador there can be no mines of precious

metals out of that portion of the state which is geo
logically dependent on the mountain system of Hon
duras. The silver mines of Tabanco, Encuentros,
Sociedad, Loma Larga, Divisaderos, Capetilla, Santa
Rosalia, etc., in the department of San Miguel, on
the north-eastern part, and bordering on Honduras,
have had a wide celebrity. Some of them were ex
tensively worked, and with great profit. The group
called Minas de Tabanco, holdingO the ore in combi-
*

nation with galena and sulphuret of zinc, are easily

worked. 36
Salvador has rich mines of iron near Santa Ana,
and of brown coal throughout the valley of the Lempa,
and in the valleys of some of its tributaries, over a
37
region
O of 100 miles long
O by 20 miles broad. */

Costa Rica has been less favored than the other

states in mining wealth. Rich gold mines are sup
38
posed to exist near the border of Panama. In the
Aguiate Mountains and at cuesta del Jocote gold
mines were worked by foreigners
O with a moderate
i/

profit. It is stated that the country also possesses

mines of silver, copper, nickel, zinc, iron, le d, and
:w
coal. The republic keeps a well-organized mint, the
improvements having been first introduced by Chief
Mora; since then none of his successors has neglected
that establishment.

:!6
was 47 to 2,537 oz. of silver to the ton. Dunlop
It is said their yield
that they yielded at one time $1,000,000 annually, though worked
lias it

rudely and without machinery, and the chief one of them once produced
$200,000 annually. Trav.inCent.Am.,217. A French company undertook
to work the labanco and Encuentros, invested a large capital, and sustained
losses. The Loma Larga and Divisadero, though represented as richer,
probably fared not much better. Dunn ft Gnat., 225-6; Bully s Cent. Am., 92-
3; Sijuiers Cent. Am., 291-4; Salv., Dlarlo OJic., Dec. 1, 2, 1875; Jan. 23,
1870; Jan. 28, 1879; Id., Oaceta OJic., Oct. 24, 1875; Jan. 30, Aug. 15, Nov.
11, 1877.
37
Sqtiier s Coal-mines of Riv. Lempa, 3-13.
38
It is believed that the Tisingal, which gave the country its name, lies
near the Colombian frontier on the Atlantic. Molina, Bosq. Costa /?., 33.
39
Syuicr s Cent. Am., 457; Lond. Geoij. Soc., Jour., vi. 128; Thompson s
1,
ittf,., 214-15; Dunlops Cent. Am., 42; Costa K., Gaceta, July 15, 1854; /</.,

Inf. Sec. JJac., 1872; Laferriere, De Paris a Guatem., 36; Wheelriyht s /nth.
Pun., 7.
 YIELD OF PRECIOUS METALS. 659

The yield of gold and silver of the five states of

Central America for the years 1 804-1 8G8 is estimated
at 13,800,000 of the former, and $7,400,000 of the
40
latter, making a total of $21,200,000. The yearly
supply since has been roughly calculated at $300,000
41
in gold, and $200,000 in silver.
The Isthmus is reputed to have a great mineral
wealth. The mines of Darien have been renowned
from the earliest times after the conquest. Vasco
Nunez de Balboa speaks enthusiastially of them. 42
They were not worked till the second half of the seven
teenth century. The richest of them were those of
Santa Cruz de Cana, whereof the Espiritu Santo was
the chief. 43 In 1708 the king s fifths were equivalent
to $216,500. The mines had attained a high state of
prosperity, when an end was put thereto by the In
44
dian revolt in 1726 and 1727. Since then, though

40
Information for the years preceding 1800 may be gleaned from Junrrox,
Giint., 16-79,passim; Id., Stat. and Com. Hist. Guat., 21-105, passim; Montanus,
Die Nicuwe Weereld, 275-7; Arevalo, Compead., 175; Russell s Hist. Am., 19],
391-2; Churchill s Coll, viii. 764-5; Dunns Gnat., 222-5; tiqnier s Trav., i. 39-
40; IiL, Gnat., 586-7. To the end of the Spanish rule most of the precious
metals from Honcl. were smuggled out through Belize and Mosquito, proba
bly one third only reaching the mint at Guat. The coinage in 1817-18, was
8983,225; 1820-4, $1,319,106. Thompsons Gnat., 217, 520. The superintend,
of the old Guat. mint calculated the coinage in gold and silver for the 15
years anterior to 1810 at $2,193,832, and for the 15 years posterior at $3,810,-
382, adding that much of the production had been exported in its native state
or manufactured. He estimated the actual products of the mines in those 30
years at ten times the amount coined; his estimate could probably bear some
deduction. De Bow s Review, Jan. 1855, 77-8.
41
The Guat. mint has coined in the years 1879-83 $974,957, all in silver
pieces from one dollar down to 3J cents. Guat. Mem., Sec,. Hac., 1880-4, in
tables 6, 11, 14, 20, 18, respectively. The coinage of the Costa Rican mint
from 1829 to 1880, both inclusive, was as follows: gold, $2,351,808; silver,
$568,648; copper, $1,682; total, $2,922,138. Costa R., Mem. Min. Hoc., 1883,
table 11.
4a
Hay oro en mucha cantidad; estan descubiertos veinte rios, y treinta
que tieneu oro salen de una sierra que esta fasta dos leguas tie esta villa.
( Eno 20, 1513, in Navarrete, Col. Viayes, iii. 363.
<trta,

They were several times plundered by buccaneers. Harris in 1684 took

4i1

away 120 Ibs. of gold. Dampier speaks glowingly of them in that year; the
richest gold mines ever yet found in America. New Voy. round the World, i.
1 58-9. Another exped/ in 1702 carried off 50 Ibs.
4i
An extensive and able report by the governor, many years after, gives
much information on the whole Darien region, especially on its mineral wealth,
making particular mention of the Clique gold mine, and of a silver one in
the country of the Curias Indians, who allowed no whites to visit it. Ariz t,
Comentos de la rica y fcrtilisima Prov. clclD.tr/oi, Apr. 5, 1774, MS., 2, 12, 19-
660 INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.

the mines have been granted from time to time to

several parties, nothing has been done worth mention
45
ing. It is believed that the yield of these mines had
46
reached 18,000 to 20,000 pounds of gold yearly.
According to a report addressed to the Colombian
secretary of the treasury, and published in the Diario
Oficial at Bogotd, the whole production of gold and
silver in New Granada or Colombia, from 1537 to
1800 was $414,000,000, and from 1801 to 1882, it
was $216,000,000; total, $630,000,000, 47 of which
amount $74,000,000 is credited to the Isthmus of
Panama, four millions of them being the yield of the
present century. Cinnabar and manganese are re
ported to exist on the Isthmus, and coal in Chiriqul,
Bocas del Toro, and the bottom of Colon harbor. 48
i*

Manufactures are as yet in their infancy in Cen

tral America. 49 Since the separation from Spain,
every inducement has been offered to develop them,
and more especially after the change of governmental
21, 32-7; Id., in Anah* Imtruc. Pub. Colombia, May 1883, 3G9, 380, 687-9,
397-401.
45
Gixborms Isth.Darien, 173; Pan., Bolcthi Ofic., July 4, Aug. 1, 1867.
46
Restrepo, Minos de Oro y Plata de Colombia, in Analex Instruc. Pub. Co
lombia, Mar. 1884, 230-45. Many rivers are represented to contain abundance
of gold, namely, Marea and Balsas in Darien, Cocle, Belen, Indios, and their
tributaries. Their are mines in Las Tablas, etc. Gold has also been taken
from Indian graves. Seemann s JVarr., i. 242-3; Pan., Cron. Ofic., March 6,
1853; Id., Gacetadcl Et., Dec. 15, 1855; June 14, 1856; June 22, 1857; Sept.
23, Oct. 22, 1859; May 4, 1860; Id., Gac., Sept. 6, 1873; Feb. 20, 1876, to
May47 8, 1881, passim; U. S. Govt Doc., 54, 169-72, vol. ix., Cong. 40, Sess. 3.
Six hundred and four millions in gold and auriferous silver, and 26
millions in silver. Restrepo, Vicente, Industria Minera, in Pan. Star and
Herald, Jan. 2, 1884.
i8
Bo(jotd, Gaceta Ofic., Feb. 6, 1848; Pan., Gar. Estado, Aug. 4, 1855; Jan.
5, 1856; May 10, 1862; Id., Gac., Aug. 22, 1874; Feb. 27, 1875; Jan. 12, 1876;
Nov. 7, 1880; Id., Boktin Ofic., Dec. 7, 1867; Id., Star and Herald, Feb. 28,
1876; WJieelrinht s Isth. Pan., 8; Pan. Kept on Coal Bocas del Toro, in Costa R.
Bound, 3-19; Selfndge s Explor., 177-80; U. S. Gov. Doc., H. Ex. Doc., 41,
45-53, vol. vi. Cong. 36, Sess. 2; S. F. Bidlettn, July 26, 1873.
They were known, however, from the earliest times, and the needs of
49

the inhabitants in cotton and woollen goods, pottery, etc., were mostly sup
plied at home. The decline of cotton manufactures began in 1773, after the
destruction of old Guat. city, and was completed when permission was given
a little previous to 1799, for the importation of foreign manufactured goods.
Diario, Mex., March 29, 1806; JuanQs, Guat., i. 16-82, passim; Saravia,
Sosq. Polit. Est., 12; Gvat. t Avuntam., 12, 138-9.
 MANUFACTURES 661

50
regime of 187 1. In later times we find in Quezalte-
nango good factories for spinning and weaving tex
tiles. In Chiquimula they manufacture palm- leaf
hats, mats, and maguey-fibre baskets. In Vera Paz
the natives make excellent hammocks, bags, rope. etc.
But the fact stands officially acknowledged that Gua
temala has not made a sufficient advancement to enable
her to export any manufactures, or even to compete
in her own markets with the better and cheaper pro
51
ductions of other countries.
In Honduras manufactures are at a low ebb, owing
to the condition of affairs before and after her in
dependence, not less than to the composition of her
people.
There are in Salvador several factories at which
cotton and silk rebozos are made, which meet with easy
sale in all the Central American markets.
52
Ham
mocks, earthen-ware, straw hats, cigarettes, sweet
meats, etc., are manufactured. Rum is made, as in
Guatemala, from sugar-cane.
In Nicaragua mechanics are scarce.
Manufacturing
53
is
yet in the incipient state. However, the Indians
make excellent pottery and other articles for home
54
consumption.
50
Exempting from taxation, establishing schools of mechanic arts, intro
ducing skilful mechanics, granting subsidies, etc. Mont afar, Resurnen Hist.,
i. 321; Guat., Mem. Fomenlo, 1880-4; Batres, Sketch, 53, 00.
Sec.
61
Guat. has been creditably represented at several international exhibi
tions; she has also entered into conventions with several foreign powers to
secure patents for inventions. Costa R., Mem. Sec,. ReL, 1884, annex 8; Et
Guatemalteco, Sept, 24, Oct. 12, Nov. 1, 1884; Voz de Mej., Sept. 14, 1878;
Guat., Mem. Sec. Fomento, 1885, 36-8.
52
A
cotton rebozo may be had for ,$4 or $5, and a silk one for $12, the
finest selling at from $16 to $20. Laferr&re, De Paris a Quote m., 209-10.
63
Some machinery for refining sugar, ginning cotton, distilling liquors,
cleaning coffee, sawing lumber, and extracting fibres have been introduced.
Nic., Mem. Min. Fomento, 1871, 3.
Mats, baskets, palm-leaf and maguey hats, and cordage. The hammocks
54

of Masaya and Sultiaba are much esteemed. Cotton fabrics are coarse but
strong, and dyed with permanent
colors, and of original design. They also
make good rebozos, but the silk in some of them is imported. Hides enter
into the manufacture of several common articles. Rum
is made and sold by
the govt. The miller s art is in its infancy. Levy, Nic., 486-91 Squiers Cent.
;

Am., 373; Rocha, C6d. Nic., i. 188-90; Nic., Reg. OJic., 328-9; Sandoval, Rev.
Polit., 58.
662 INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.

In Costa Rica there is hardly any domestic manu

55
facturing. Efforts are made by the government to
56
develop the industry.
As regards Panama, it may be said that manufac
57
tures are almost unknown, save such as are imported.
55
Aside from some furniture, arms, etc., their hammocks, nets, cotton
goods, and pottery, are all made in a very primitive manner. There is no skill
whatever. Fernandez, Col. Doc., iii. 306-8; Costa R., Ccnso, 1804, p. xxv.
Beer and rum are also made, the latter said to be a good imitation of Ja
maica; distilling rum is a govt monopoly. Laferriere, DC. Paris a Guatem., 53;
Costa R., Col. Ley., v. 122-45; xi. 331-46.
56
Subsidies granted in 1885 for silk culture and manufacturing paper,
rebozos, cotton goods, and sacks. Costa R. t Gaceta, Aug. 2, 5, 12, 13, 1885;
Pan. Star and Herald, Sept. 9, 1885.
57
An official report for 1882 gave the following as about the extent of such
industry in that year: 1,600 rush hats and 1,600 of jipijapa, 200 M M
tiles, 7
jars, 525 M bricks. Pan., Mem. Sec. Fontento, 1882, annex L. It is said that
a factory for making carriages was opened in 1885. Pan. Star and Herald,
Jan. 5, 1886.