CHAP. XXVI.

OF GOLD AND SILVER.

275

supplied to this inquiry the real quantity ofgold, which, on the average of the last years,they had refined. This was done under anassurance of secrecy as to each individual, butwith full permission to state the collective resultin any manner that might be deemed advisable.A small number of these houses refine more thanthirteen thousand ounces yearly, most of the re-mainder from six to eight thousand five hundred;and the produce of the whole eleven amounts toone hundred and eight thousand five hundredounces. There are twelve or thirteen others, ofwhich three may be calculated to refine aboutfour thousand five hundred ounces each, fourabout three thousand five hundred each, and theremaining four about two thousand five hundredeach. The whole may be brought under oneview, thus:—

Ounces.

Product of pure gold from eleven houses 108,500

three houses 13,500

four houses 14,000

four houses 10,000

146,000

From the time that has been spent in this branchof the inquiry, from the number of persons fromwhom communications have been received, andfrom the consideration which has been since paid

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