CHAP. XVII.

1492 to 1546 .

CHAPTER XVII.

On the acquisition of the precious metals from the discoveryof America in 1492, to the opening of the mines of Potosi in 1546.

The first discovery of America tended ratherto increase than to gratify the eager desire for theacquisition of the precious metals. Columbus observed among the first natives he met in Hispa-niola some ornaments of gold about their persons ;and with the excited feelings which prevailedamong his followers, and the erroneous idea hehad formed of his having arrived in Asia , the sup-posed country of gold and silver, it is not won-derful that the slight specimens of those metalswhich were visible should be considered as indi-cations of immense treasures, which by perseveringefforts must soon become the property of thedaring adventurers.

The aborigines of America were in that stateof rude life, which induced them to carry abouttheir persons the few ornaments they possessed;and as the gold was merely an ornament, theywere eager to exchange it for any other, which byits novelty had a greater effect on their imagina-tions. We find in the narrations of the first dis-