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JNTERNATIONAL AMERICAN CONFERENCE. 111
sbow th&t the Jovernment as well as the people a growing faith in the mineral
resonrces of the couutry. Keeping pace witb this increa.·iug interest in mineral de–
velopment, a Honduras mining sy:ndicate was formed at Tegnnigalpa in June last for
the purpose of buying and selling mineral properties, explonng and working old
veins, and discovering new ones. ,
Although the mining industry aR operated undor tbe modem system of impro,•od
machinery is but in its iufancy in Honduras, yet recent evidences of the power it is
dcstined to wield in the development of this country are seen in mines tbat have been
raised into most valuable properties since its introduction. It is gratifying to add
that most, and perbaps all, of such improved machinery cornos from the Uuited
States, and the increal'!ing dem:md for tbe same will doubtless continuo to be sup–
plied by tbe manufacturera of our country.
No doubtwhat are thougbt to be the best of tbe old mines are already taken up,
but there are btill other good mines that may be denonnced uuder the miuing laws,
purchased rea.souably, ora controlling iuterest obtained in same by simply pla.cing
the necessary machinery upon the grounds. There are alRo many minesoflow -grade
ores which can not now be successfully worked, and command but little if any at–
tention, which will be gladly seized upon when transportation facilities become as
they shonld, and, tberefore, as they will be, and especially since exceedingly low–
grade ores, worth far less than these, can be successfully worked.
'\Vhether these mines are as valuable as those in the United States or not, it may,
nevertheless, be safely stated that they are cheaper in proportion to the real richness
oftbe ores. And for this reason, with the increasing facilities for transportation (now
so very needed ), the hope is not without its foundation tbat there is to be a
continua! and healthy growth of t he mining industrv in Honduras. Ofcourse, there
may bA expected the usual failures, re!!ulting from mistakes in the selection of
mines, and from or dishonesty or botb, in the home or foreign office.
There are yet old inhabitants, who worked tbese mines under the Spaniards, who
will testify to the rich quality and abundant quantity of the ores. Even one who
knows absolutely nothing about mines, mining, or miners, but can weigh properly
the credibility of testimony, mnst conclnde tbat tradition is wholly unreliable, and
that history, moreover, has been most unreasonably and unwarrantably falsifiAd, or
else these ruines are well worth the attention of the capitalista of the world. If the
testimony of living witnesses, if the traditions and the written history of the past
are worthy of belief, the Spaniards and the Spanish Government have derived im–
mense fortnnes and revenues from these same mines of Honduras, and this, too,
without the aid of tbe grea.t improvement in the mining machinery of moderu times.
But if these mines were so valuable formerly, why is it that they have not prodnced
more bnllion and declared more dividends of late years T It is becanile in the great
revolution of 1821, when this people threw off the yoke of Spain and drove its do–
minions from their borders, there also went with the Spaniards, who left country,
the most of the intelligence and capital that had been dir~:~cting was necessary
to direct these mining opera.tions. Since then the mines, until lately, have been
falling into obscurity.
There was no eft'ort on the part of the Government to advertise its mineral re–
sources. \Vh~ther from a fea.r that the wealth of their mines wonld attract the
cupidity of sorne other nation tbat would come and again reduce them to slavery, or
from a desire to preserve the mines e:xclusivelyfor Ronduran enterpris6, is unnecessary
to state. There was, however, as was very natural, a strong prejndice aga.inst for–
eigners. Laws were enacted preventing them from acqniring or holding property.
Under these circumatances it is not strange or irrecoucilable with tbe intrinsic value
of the mines that they hacl fallen almost, if not quite, into forgetfnlness by enter–
prismg capitalists abroad, especially as the rich mines of the United States, Mexico,
and other countries were more fairly and fre"ly open to the competition of the
world. Nor is this all. Not only was foreign enterprise excluded frl)m the country,
but the nativet~ themselves conld not properly work tbe mines on acconnt of the in–
ces ant wars and rumors of wars, even ba.d they otherwise all the necessary means.
It is easily understood tbat without peace, and uninterrupted peace, thtn·e can be
no such thing as large and successful mining operations. It was only during the
administration preceding that of the present ohief exec.utive that the prejudiciallaws
referred to were repealed. Bnt now they have given place to foreigners. Not only
have th" laws improved towards forei2ners, but also the minds hearts of the
people, t.o the extent that enterprising capitalista from abroad are now more than
welcome; tht~y are gladly received, both by Government and by the people. As
peace is prolongad the pro pects lJrighteu for the openiug up of good roads.
The climate is a.lways both healthy and comforta.ble in the mining regions. The
water snpply for_mining is , 1lowing six months of the year; IJnt in the
dry seasou there is a scarcity in sorne places. By an outla.y of the neeessary ex–
penses, sometimes considerable, for 1lumes, etc., water snfficieut for work the entire
year ma¡ be brought to most placea where it if needed. Wood isplentiful now, but