CHAP. XXV.

COLUMBIA.

245

that any great alteration has taken place in thefour years after that date, and we may safelyadmit the presumption, that the average of thosefour years has been the same as the average of thefour years that immediately preceded them.

The portion of silver produced in Columbia, asappears by the mint returns, is very inconsiderable,though sanguine adventurers have represented itas a most abundant substance. What is, however,afforded, is chiefly found impregnated with a largeproportion of gold. In the mine of Momarto,which yielded the most, the metal is said to haveconsisted of three parts silver, and one part gold.This metal was then ground to powder, and inthat mixed state conveyed to the mint and sold,where the two metals were separated and thencoined.

An account of the gold and silver coined atthe mint of Bogota from the year 1810 to 1825,and calculated to the end of 1829 '•—

Year.

Dollars in gold.

Dollars in silver.

Total.

1810

1,004,969

9,137

1,014,106

1811

1,017,753

9,037

1,026,790

1812

1813

943,573 >1,146,552 $

19,550

2,109,675

1814

1815

1,110,507?1,062,650 S

53,775

2,226,932

Carried forward 6,377,503