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Technical Aid to Upper Peru: The Nordenflicht Expedition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2009

Rose Marie Buechler
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Extract

The official attitude of the Spanish Bourbons towards scientific improvements was not as obscurantist and immutable as was generally supposed in northern Europe. If the enlightened ideas infiltrating Spain and America were normally regarded with fear and suspicion, information concerning the latest discoveries in the field of the ‘useful sciences’ was eagerly received and pondered, and, where it did not lead to undesirable economic emancipation, it was sometimes even applied.

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Articles
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Journal of Latin American Studies , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , May 1973 , pp. 37 - 77
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

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References

1 Levene, R., Vida y Escritos de Victorián tic Villava (Buenos Aires, 1946), p. xcvi.Google Scholar

2 On the work of these societies, see Serrailh, J., L'Espagne éclairée de la seconde moitié du XVIIIe siécle (Paris, 1954),Google Scholar and Shafer, R. J., The Economic Societies in the Spanish World (1763–1821) (Syracuse, 1958).Google Scholar

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4 Ibid.. pp. 303–4.

5 See Alzola, A. Gálvez Cañero y, Apuntes Biográficos de D. Fausto de Elhuyar y de Zubice (Madrid, 1933), pp. 39–40,Google Scholar and Whitaker, A. P., ‘The Elhuyar Mining Mission and the Enlightenment’, Hispanic American Historical Review, 31 (1951), pp.558–83.Google Scholar

6 See Gálvez, Cañero y Alzola, op. cit., plate facing p. 60,Google Scholar Elhuyar to the President of the Sociedad Vascongada, 25 09. 1785.

7 See de Elhuyar, F., ‘Mémoire sur la méthode d'amalgamer proposéc et executée par de Born, M. ’ in Congress of Glashötte, Ist: es vortcilhafter die silberhaitigen Erzc und Schmclzhlöttenproduktc anzuquicken als sie zu schmelzen ? (Leipzig and Vienna,1787), p. 35.Google Scholar

8 Archivo General de India, (referred to hereafter as AGI), Indiferente General 1798, Elhuyar to Gálvez, 14 dec. 1787.

9 Ibid.. Nordenflicht to Elhuyar, 8 03 1787.

10 AGI, Indiferente General 1798,Google ScholarNordenflicht, to Elhuyar, , 8 03 1787. Nordcnflicht was at that time thirty years old.Google Scholar

11 Ibid.Elhuyar, to Valdés, , 15 08. 1787.Google Scholar

12 See Ibid. ‘ Razòn de lo que corresponde a los Mineralogistas de primera clase por sus respectivos sueldos …’: Nordenflicht was allotted a salary of 45,000, Weber of 30,000 and Helms of 22,000 reales de vellòn per annum. They were given 15,176 reales (Nordenflicht) and 10,000 reales (Weber and Helms) for equipment and instruments. See Ibid.. ‘ Razòn de las cantidades destinadas para equipamento…’

13 Ibid.. Elhuyar to Gálvez, 20 04 1787.

14 Ibid.. Elhuyar to Valdés, 15 08. 1787.

15 AGI, Indiferente General 1798, Onís, to Valdés, Dresden, 7 11. 1787.Google Scholar

16 See Ibid.. Bishop, of Jaen, to Valdés, Madrid, 16 05 1788. To their credit, the Spanish authorities thereafter consistently honoured their promise to accord the Germans full religious freedom. The books were returned.Google Scholar

17 Helms and Nordenflicht came directly from Glashötte near Chemnitz, where they had gone to inspect the machinery invented by Born.

18 See André, M., ‘Le Baron de Nordenflicht, Conseiller intime de S.M. le Roi de Pologne et les Mineurs Allemands au Pérou’, in Révue de l'Amérique Latine, 8 (1924), p. 295.Google Scholar

19 As the workers refused to board the ship in question, the entire expedition ended up travelling overland. See Archivo General de Ia Naciòn (Buenos Aires) (referred to hereafter as AGN), Licencias y Pasaportes, Libro 3 (B), 9–12−8−2, f. 106, ‘ Nota de los Mineralògicos, mineros y demás personas qe. hacen ci viaje hasta Lima …’, 25 Oct. 1788.

20 See AGI, Charcas 439, Sanz, to Croix, , 15 02. 1789.Google Scholar

21 See Helms's account of the journey in Helms, A. Z., Tagebuch einer Reise von Buenos Aires an dem grossen Plateflusse öber Potosl nach Lima, der Haupstadt des Königreiches Peru (Dresden, 1798), passim.Google Scholar

22 AGI, Charcas 439, Manrique, to Porlier, , 16 08. 1788.Google Scholar

23 Arzáns, B.de, Orsúa y Vela, Historia de Ia Villa Imperial de Potosl (3 vols., Providence, 1965), i, p. 108. The eighteenth-century chronicler's ‘History’ is invaluable to the student who wishes to catch the ‘flavour ’ of life in colonial Potosí.Google Scholar

24 See Pedro Vicente Cañete's account of hacienda life and country outings in Archivo Nacional de Bolivia (hereafter ANB), Audiencia de Charcas, Minas 41, No. 228, Caūete to Castro, 10 Sec. 1792.

25 The population figures for Potosí range from 25,000 to 100,000 inhabitants. The latter figure is Helms's. See Helms, , op. cit., p. 121.Google Scholar

26 Thaddeus Haenke to his parents, Potosí 28 May 1795, in Köhnel, J., Thaddeus Haenke. Leben and Wirken eines Forschers (Munich, 1960), p. 231.Google Scholar

27 One shudders to think of stone and brick houses in the freezing climate of Potosí.

28 Levene, , op. cit., p. xxxii.Google Scholar

29 AGN, Potosí 9, 1784–1788, 9−6−3–6, Gándara to Loreto, 16 July 1784.

30 See Levene, , op. cit., p. xxxiii.Google Scholar

31 See Mcrcurio Peruano, No. 214, 20 06. 1793, ‘Apét de Ia Sociedad a la Historia de Potosí’, pp. 50–6.

32 SeeBritish, Museum (hereafter BM), 725. k. 18/45,‘ Memorial que en 7 de noviembre de 1650 diò Alonso Merlo de la Fuente en razòn de la moneda falsa ’ and Arzáns, op. cit., ii, p. 124.Google Scholar

33 See AGI, Charcas 692, Guemes, to Crown, , 26 03 1776 and AGI, Charcas 68, Tagle to the Audiencia of Charcas, 30 April 1777.Google Scholar

34 AGI, Charcas 438, Manrique, to Gálvez, , 16 10. 1782.Google Scholar

35 Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid (hereafter BNM), No. 20,26940, ‘Memorial’, Mining Guild to Crown, no date (1702).

36 Domínguez, P. V. Cañete y, Gula … del gobierno e intcndcncia de la Prouincia de Potosí;(Potosi, 1952), p. 104.Google Scholar

37 AGI, Charcas 438, Manrique, to Gálvez, , 1610. 1782.Google Scholar

38 AGI, Charcas 425, Porlier, to Gálvez, , 15 12. 1779.Google Scholar

39 See BM, Add. MS 17,589, ‘Idea General de las Minas del Perú…’, anOnymous, 1791, and Mercurio Peruano, No. 3, 9 06. 1791, ‘ Desagravio de los Mineros ’, pp. 22–3 and No. 243, 2 05 1793, ‘ Apologia de los Bancos de Rescates ’, p. 290.

40 AGN, Hacienda 96, 1800, 9–34−2–5, Exp. 2503, Superintendent Sanz to the Intendants of Upper Peru, 14 Aug. 1785.

41 Arsáns, , op. cit., iii, p. 30.Google Scholar

42 See BM, 725k. 18/32, Mining, Guild to Crown, , presented on 22 Nov. 1636. See also BNM, No. 29,568, Informe de Antonio de Ulloa, 14 09. 1771.Google Scholar

43 AGN, Potosí 14, 1798–1799, 9−6−4−4, Deputies of the Guild to Sanz, 26 Nov. 1795.

44 Arsáns, , op. cit., iii, p. 153.Google Scholar

45 Real Academia de Historia, Madrid (hereafter RAH), Mata Linares 80, Sanz to Villava, 24 April 1795.

46 AGI, Charcas 435, Escobedo, to Manrique, , 1102. 1782.Google Scholar

47 AGI, Charcas 275, Consulta del Consejo, 1605 1732.Google Scholar

48 Printed in Munilla, O. Gil, El Rio de la Plata en Ia politica internacional. Génesis dclvirreinato (Sevilla, 1949), pp. 428–32.Google Scholar

49 Levene, , op. cit., ‘ Apuntes para una Reforma de Espaāa ’, p. cxviii.Google Scholar

50 On these, see Lynch, J., Spanish Colonial Administration, 1782–1810. The Intendant System in the Viceroyalty of the Rio de Ia Plata (London, 1958), pp. 18–19.Google Scholar

51 ANB, Audiencia de Charcas, Minas 132, No. 1212, R.O., San Ildefonso, 1 Oct. 1776.

52 See ANB, Cedulario Real de Ia Audiencia de Charcas, No. 708, R.C., Madrid, 3 Dec. 1776.

53 See for instance BNM, No. 3040, ‘Carta dd Presidente Zépeda de Cosas de Potosí, 21 April 1594; BM, 725.k. 58ø32, Petition of the Mining Guild, presented 12 Nov. 1616;Arsáns, iii, pp.69 and 403, etc.

54 See AGN, Potosí 6, 1778−9, 9−6−3–4, ‘ Expediente sobre la construcciòn del Real Socavòn’

55 AGI, Charcas 577, Escobedo, to Gálvez, , 16 08. 1779.Google Scholar

56 AGI, Charcas 568, ‘Proyecto ’ presented by José de Herboso to the Mining Guild, 12 01.1747.Google Scholar

57 The history of the Banco de Rescates as well as that of the Real Banco de San Carlos have been examined at length in a study of ‘The Mining Society of Potosí, 1776–1809’ of which the material reproduced in this article forms a part.

58 See Real Cédula de incorporaciòn del banco de Potosí a la real hacienda y ordenanzas para su régimen y gobierno (Madrid, 1795).

59 It was hoped, for instance, that the discovery of a reliable correlation between the consumption of mercury and the production of silver, would facilitate the detection of fraud and stop the trade in untaxed silver.

60 BM, Add. MS 17,589, ‘ Idea General de las Minas dcl Perú’, anonymous, 1791.

61 Subordinate both to the Visitor-General of Peru and to the Viceroy of Buenos Aires, Escobedo was plagued by contradictory instructions.

62 See Real Cédula de incorporaciòn …, Tít. VI, Ord. I.

63 See AGI, Charcas 438, Report of Miguel Rubín de Celis, 27 11. 1783.Google Scholar

64 Caūete, op. cit., p. 80.

65 See AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 152, No. 126, ‘Discurso sobre Ia utilidad y medios de fomentar ci trabajo de minas…’, Escobedo, 10 02. 1779.Google Scholar

66 See AGI, Charcas 695, Sanz, to Arredondo, , 26 05 1794.Google Scholar

67 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6345, Escobedo to Vértiz, 16 09. 1781.Google Scholar

68 AGI, Charcas 437, Escobedo, to Gálvez, , 16 06. 1780.Google Scholar

69 AGI, Charcas 435, Escobedo, to Gálvez, , 16 10. 1779, and Escobedo to Manrique, II 02. 1782.Google Scholar

70 See AGI, Buenos Aires 434, Deputies of the Guild to Sanz, 25 04 1789.Google Scholar

71 See AGI, Buenos Aires 76, Loreto to Nordenflicht, 8 Oct. 1788.

72 See AGI, Charcas 700, Nordcnflicht to Valdés, 8 june 1790.

73 AGI, Buenos Aires 76, Loreto to Nordenflicht, 8 Oct. 1788.

74 AGI, Charcas 439, Sanz to Croix, 15 Feb. 1789.

75 See AGI, Buenos Aires 78, Croix to Sanz, 16 Oct. 1789, and Charcas 700, Croix to Vaidés, 30 Oct. 1789.

76 See AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 339, No. 5591,‘ Carta Primera de un mercader a un amigo suyo residente en Buenos Aires …’, 16 Dec. 1790.

77 Casa Nacional de Ia Moneda, Potosí (hereafter CNM), Gobierno, 1789, Nuevo Expediente… para Ia suspension dcl Socavòn de Ia Purísima…’, Decreto, Sanz, March 1789.

78 See AGI, Pianos Buenos Aires, No. 176, for Mothes's ‘Plan del Cerro de Potosí’.

79 CNM, Gobierno, 1789, Report of Mothes, 5 July 1790.

80 See Heims, , op. Cit., p.67.Google Scholar

81 CNM, Gobierno, 1789, Report of Antonio de Zabaleta, 27 July 1790.

82 In accordance with the ordinances set up by Escobedo, the shaft was financed by the exchequer out of the profits made by the bank.

83 See RAH, Mata Linares 10, Oflicials of the Bank to Sanz, 6 Dec. 1790.

84 CNM, Gobierno, 1789, ‘Nuevo Expediente…’, Report of Mothes, 5 July 1790.

85 Ibid.. Dihgencia of 9 07 1790.

86 Ibid.. Junta of the Guild, 27 07 1790.

87 See AGI, Charcas 439, Sanz, to Lerena, , 16 Septembr. 1791, and Charcas 700, Sanz, to Lerena, , 24 07 1791.Google Scholar

88 Helms, , op. cit., p. 65.Google Scholar

89 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Lerena, , 24 07 1791. The decree was issued on 10 Feb.1789.Google Scholar

90 See AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Lerena, , 24 07 1279. 3187 workers were employed as against 2106 engaged the previous yearGoogle Scholar

91 I cajòn =50 quittales.

92 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Lerena, , 24 07 1791.Google Scholar

93 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6344, ‘ Carta anònima en defensa de mineros Contra mineralogistas’, Guanuchiri, , 3 12. 1790.Google Scholar

94 Helms, , op. cit., p. 96.Google Scholar

95 Ibid. p. 74.

96 Ibid. p. 90.

97 Ibid. p. 89.

98 Helms, , op.cit., pp. 70–2.Google Scholar

99 According to Caūete, op. cit., p. 59, and Helms, , p. 71, paco ores, matt in aspect, generally yellowish, but also of various other colours and consistencies, were usually subjected to the process of amalgamation. The harder, generally black and metallic negrillos were more frequently smelted. Mulatos are described as ‘ something between pacos and negrillos ’Mercuno Peruano, ‘Suplemento a los Mercurios de Enero (1791), Diccionario dc algunas voces técnicas de mineralogía …’, p. 8. citation.Google Scholar

100 Helms, , op. cit., p. 71.Google Scholar

101 Ibid. p. 70.

102 The bcncficiador, subordinate to the azoguero, was employed to supervise the amalgamation process. See below, pp. 37–8.

103 Helms, , op. cit., p. 77.Google Scholar

104 Ibid. p. 78.

105 According to the chemists consulted, Helms's diagnosis was wrong. There still appears to be some doubt as to the exact nature and sequence of the Spanish amalgamation process. Mellor, J. W., A Comprehensiuc Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry (r6 vols., London, 1922–1937), iii, p. 304,Google Scholar gives the following tentative explanation of the reactions involved: ‘It is probable that cupric chloride is first formed: 2NaCI+CuSO4=Na2SO4+ CuCI2, and this reacts with the silver sulphidc, forming cuprous and silver chlorides: CuCI2 + Ag2S = 2AgCl + CuS; CuCL2 + CuS = 2CuCI + S; 2CuCI + Ag2S = 2AGCI + Cu2S. The complex sulphides arc likewise decomposed: 2Ag3SbS3+3CuCI2=6AgCI+3CuS+ Sb2S3, and similarly with the arsenic compound Ag3AsS3. Ferric chloride also reacts with the silver sulphide: 2FeCI3+Ag2S=S+2AgCI+2FeC12. The silver chloride dissolves in the brine, and it is then immediately reduced and dissolved by the mercury: AgCI + Hg = Ag+ HgCl.’ See also Bargallò, M., La inineria y la nsctalurgia en la América espaiiola durante la época colonial (Mexico, 1955), P. 194Google Scholar

106 Helms, , op. cit., p. 81.Google Scholar

107 Ibid.. pp. 92–4.

108 Ibid.. p. 95.

109 Where the Indian workers were concerned, Sanz was not exactly noted for excessive humanity.

110 RAH, , Mata Linares 10, Weber to Arredondo, 25 09 1792.Google Scholar

111 AGI, , Charcas 700, Sanz to Gardoquí, 24 10 1792.Google Scholar

112 See AGI, , Charcas 439, Sanz to Loreto, 16 02 1789.Google Scholar

113 See AGI, , Charcas 700, Nordenflicht to Valdés, 1 08 1790.Google Scholar

114 AGN, , Biblioteca Nacional 339, No. 5591, ‘Carta Primera’, 16 12 1790.Google Scholar

115 AGN, , Biblioteca Nacional 339, No. 5591, ‘Carta escrita por un mincro a un amigo suyo del mismo benefico…’, Choquelimpe, 10 07 1791.Google Scholar

116 See above, p. 15.

117 See AGN, , Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 5591, ‘Carta Primera…’, 16 12 1790.Google Scholar

118 AGI, , Charcas 439, Sanz to Loreto, 16 03 1789.Google Scholar

119 On the rivalry between Sanz and Loreto, see Lynch, , op. cit., pp. 95–107.Google Scholar

120 AGI, Buenos Aires 77, Loreto to Sanz, 34 04 1789.Google Scholar

121 AGI, Charcas 700, Arredondo to Valdés, 28 01 1790.Google Scholar

122 Ibid.. Nordenflicht to Valdés, 28 08 1790.

123 Arredondo, along with his successor Pedro Melo de Portugal, was accused by Victorián de Villava of uncommon solidarity with the Intendant of Potosí. See RAH, Mata Linares 40, Vista Fiscal, 17 06 1797.Google Scholar

124 See AGI, Buenos Aires 78, Arredondo to Valdés, 23 04 1790Google Scholar, and Ibid.. the same to the same, 29 July 1790. The increase was to be achieved through greater production resulting from more efficient amalgamation.

125 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz to Valdés, 30 07 1790, and Mcrcurio Peruano, No. 213, 17 01 1793, ‘ Historia del Descubrimiento dcl Cerro de Potosí, pp. 46–7.Google Scholar

126 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz to Valdés, 30 07 1790.Google Scholar

127 Sec AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362,Google Scholar No. 6344, ‘Carta anònima de mineros contra mineralogistas’, Guarochiri, 3 12 1791.

128 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz to Valdés, 30 07 1790.Google Scholar

129 AGI, Buenos Aires 78, Arredondo to Valdés, 20 05 1790.Google Scholar

130 Ibid.. Arredondo to Lerena, 30 09 1790.

131 AGI, Buenos Aires 121, R.O., Lerena to Arredondo, Aranjuez, 3 07 1791.Google Scholar

132 Valdés to Arredondo, 9 Feb. 5790, cited in AGI, Buenos Aires 78, Arredondo to Valdés. 23 June 1790 and Buenos Aires 109, the same to the same, 29 June 1790.

133 AGI, Buenos Aires 121, R.O. of 3 06 1791.Google Scholar

134 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6344, ‘Carta escrita por un minero…’, Choquelimpe, 10 07 1791.Google Scholar

135 Helms, , op. cit., p. 84.Google Scholar

136 See AGI, Lima 1360, Dictamen de la Junta, Lima, 8 12 1807.Google Scholar

137 See AGI, Lima 1353, Gil to Lerena, Lima, 26 07 1791.Google Scholar

138 See AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6344, ‘Carta escrita por un minero …’ Choquelimpe, 10 07 1791.Google Scholar

139 See Helms, , op. cit., p. 119.Google Scholar

140 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6344, ‘Carta escrita por un minero…’, Choquelimpe, 10 07 1791.Google Scholar

141 See AGI,Google Scholar Pianos, Secciòn Minas, No. 27, Diagram of the Barrel-machine, , and Born, , Uber das An quicken der gold- und silberhaltigen Erze, Rohsteine, Schwarzkupfer and Höttensteinc (Vienna, 1786), Tables XX and XXI, which show diagrams of the machine proper and of the individual barrels.Google Scholar

142 See AGI, Buenos Aires 77, Sanz to Croix, it June 1789, and Mercurio Peruano, No. 94, 27 11 1791, ‘Carta de Don Juan Daniel Weber … en respuesta a las del Pseudo Serrano …’, p. 226.Google Scholar

143 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6344, ‘Carta escrita par un mincro …’, Choquelimpe, 10 07 1791.Google Scholar

144 See Mcrcurio Peruano, No. 94, 27 11 1791, ‘Carta de Don Juan Weber…’, p. 226.

145 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6344, ‘Carla eserita por un minero…’, Choquclimpe, 10 07 1791.Google Scholar

146 Ibid..

147 RAH, Mata Linares 69, Nordenflicht to Croix, 15 01 1790.Google Scholar

148 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6344, ‘Carta escrita par un minero…’, Choquelimpe, 10 07 1791.Google Scholar

149 On this laboratory, see below, pp. 37−8.

150 AGI, Charcas 439, Sanz, to Valdés, , 16 03 1789.Google Scholar

151 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Valdés, , 30 07 1790.Google Scholar

152 Ibid..

153 The machine constructed by Helms had also broken down.

154 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Valdés, , 30 07 1790.Google Scholar

155 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Valdés, , 30 07 1790.Google Scholar

156 See Mercurio Peruano, Nos. 216–17, 27 01 1793, ‘Copia del Expediente Jurídico sobrc los barriles amalgamatorios de Potosi’, pp. 66–81.

157 See above, p. 25.

158 75 quintals were processed in the beginning, this quantity was reduced to 621/2 quintals as one barrel broke down. Finally only four barrels, together holding the equivalent of one cajòn, were employed.

159 The grade given in beneficios 1–10 is much higher than that indicated for one cajòn by the ensayc menor, but the grade shown by the ensaye was not always reached in the subsequent twenty beneficios.

160 The slightly different figures given for the buitròn in AGI, Charcas 700, ‘Estado que demuestra la ventaja del nuevo beneficio…, Tomás Erquicia, 3 July 1790, do add up correctly. The figures given for the barrel machine coincide with those of the expediente jaridico.

161 With only two exceptions the ensaye menor indicated a silver content of either 6 marks 2 ounces or 3 marks 1 ounce, a strange uniformity considering the diversity of the ores processed.

162 See Mercurio Peruano, No. 216, 27 07 1793, ‘Copia del expediente jurídico’, Beneficio, No. 10, p. 71.

163 In the last ten beneficios the mercury consumption was given as exactly 1 pound 51/2 ounces, again a strange uniformity.

164 See AGN, Hacienda 76, 1795, 9–33, Exp. 2015, Arredondo to Lerena, 30 Sept. 1790. Arredondo contemplated increasing the quantities of mercury sent to Potosf immediately.Google Scholar

165 Helms, , op. cit., p. 72.Google Scholar

166 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 339, No. 5591, ‘Carta primera …’, 16 12 1790.Google Scholar

167 See AGI, Charcas 700, experiments undertaken on 1 July 1790 following the Conde's announcement that his machine was ready for testing (Conde to Sanz, 28 June 1790) and an Auto (30 June 1790) ordering public experiments.

168 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 339. No. 5591, ‘Carta primera …’, 16 Dec. 1790.

169 Helms, , op. cit., p. 83.Google Scholar

170 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Gardoqui, , 24 10 1792.Google Scholar

171 Sanz claimed that the miners had intentionally supplied poor and inadequately ground ore.

172 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Gardoqul, , 24 12 1792.Google Scholar

173 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Gardoqu, , 24 10 1792.Google Scholar

174 Ibid..

175 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 339, No. 5592, ‘Carta Segunda de un Mercader…’, 31 08 1791.Google Scholar

176 AGE, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Gardoqul, , 24 10 1792.Google Scholar

177 Ibid.

178 See CNM, Real Banco de San Carlos, 1793, Petition of Orueta and Jáuregui, no date (1792).Google Scholar

179 See Mercurio Peruano, No. 49, 19 06 1791, ‘Beneficio de Metales en Potosí, letter of Francisco Rufia, Cantumarca, 54 05 1791, p. 126.

180 Ibid..

181 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Gardoqu, , 24 10 1792.Google Scholar

182 Ibid..

183 The results of these experiments were published in the Mercurio Peruano one month later (No. 49, 19 June 1791). Twelve rather than six days appear to have been involved.

184 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Gardoqul, , 24 10 1792, and RAH, Mata Linares so, Weber to Arredondo, 25 09 1792.Google Scholar

185 It should be remembered that Nordenflicht had promised an increase of 200 percent in the amount of silver produced.

186 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Gardoqul, , 24 10 1792.Google Scholar

187 See Mercurio Peruano, No. 63, 11 08 1791, Nuevos Beneficios de Metales en las Méquinas de Potosí, pp. 272–5, and RAH, Mata Linares io, Weber to Arredondo, 25 09 1792. and RAH, Mata Linares io, Weber, to Arredondo, , 25 09 1792.Google Scholar

188 Mcrcurio Peruano, No. 23, 20 03 1791, Rufia to the Archbishop of Lima, 15 02 1791, p. 219.

189 Ibid.. ‘Adiciones de la Sociedad’, p. 220.

190 The editors refer to it thus in their first number of a Jan. 1791.

191 Mercurio Peruano, No. 23, 20 03 1791, ‘Adiciones de la Sociedad’, p. 220.

192 Ibid..

193 Mcrcurio Peruano, No. 63, 11 08 1791, ‘Nuevos Beneficios en las Méquinas de Potosi’, p. 267.

194 Helms, , op. cit., p. 83.Google Scholar

195 AGI, , Charcas 700, Arredondo, to Gardoqul, , 6 12 1792.Google Scholar

196 Ibid..

197 Mcrcurio Peruano, No. 23, 20 03 5791, ‘ Adiciones de Ia Sociedad’, p. 220.

198 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz, to Valdés, , 30 07 1790.Google Scholar

199 Helms, , op. cit., p. 97.Google Scholar

200 Barba, A. Alonso, Arte dc los Metaics (Madrid, 1640), f. 38v.Google Scholar

201 Helms, , op. Cit., p. 91.Google Scholar

202 Ibid.. and RAH, Mata Linares so, Weber to Arredondo, 25 09 1792.Google Scholar

203 Helms, , op. Cit., p. 96.Google Scholar

204 Helms, , op. Cit., pp. 84–5.Google Scholar

205 Ibid.. p. 86.

206 Ibid..

207 See Mcrcurio Pcruano, No. 96, 4 12 1791, ‘Carta de Don Juan Daniel Weber (contcont.)’, p. 243.

208 AGI, Charcas 700, Sanz to Valdés, 30 J July 1790.

209 Mercurio Peruano, No. 96, 4 dec. 2791, Carta de Don Juan Daniel Weber (cont.), p. 243.

210 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 339, No. 5592, “ “ Carta segunda…’, 31 Aug. 1791.

211 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6344, ‘Carta anònima de mineros contra mineralogistas …, Guanuchiri, 3 12 1791.Google Scholar

212 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 339, No. 5591, ‘Carta primera…’, 16 12 1790.Google Scholar

213 Ibid..

214 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6343, ‘Diario lievado en Ia Villa de Potosí de Los ensayes hechos por el Baròn de Nordenflicht…’, Tarapaya,4 02 1790.Google Scholar

215 Ibid.. No. 6344, ‘Carta escrita por un minero…’, Choquelimpe, 10 07 1791.

216 Ibid.. ‘Carta anónima de mineros contra mineralogistas…, Guarochiri, 3 12 1791.

217 Ibid.

218 Ibid.

219 See Diario de Linia, Nos. 311 (7 08 1791), 315 (1, 08 1791), 358 (14 08 1791) and especially Nos. 322 (18 08 1791) and 334 (30 08 1791) containing various letters and the ‘ Reflexioncs del Buen Serrano sobre el Contenido del Mercurio No. 63'.

220 AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6344, Carta anònima de mineros contra mineralogistas…’, Guanuchiri, 3 12 1791.Google Scholar

221 Helms, , op. cit., p. 252.Google Scholar

222 Reproduced in André, op. cit., p. 294.

223 In Mexico the Germans were more successful. As it gives the Spaniards their full due, Sonneschmid's, F. T.Bcschreibung der Spanischen Amalgamation (Gotha, 1810) is a masterpiece of tact and diplomacy. It was acknowledged to be accurate and useful by the Mexican miners.Google Scholar

224 Helms, , op. cit., p. 57.Google Scholar

225 Ibid..

226 Ibid.. pp. 117–18.

227 Ibid.. p. 17.

228 AGI, Lima 2356, Olier, to Crown, , Buenos Aires, 26 10 1792.Google Scholar

229 See André, , op. cit., p. 301.Google Scholar

230 See AGI, Charcas 439, Sanz to Croix, 15 02 1789.Google Scholar

231 See AGN, Biblioteca Nacional 362, No. 6343, ‘Diario llevado en la Villa de Potosí. Tarapaya, 4 02 1790.Google Scholar

232 AGI, Lima 2360, Avilés to the Ministro de Real Hacienda, 8 03 1805.Google Scholar

233 Witness the lack of realism displayed in Nordenflicht's ‘ Tratado: Del arreglo y reforma que conviene introducir en la Minerífa del Reyno del Perú…’ published in Rcuista de la Biblioteca Nacional, xiv (1940), pp. 319–429.

234 Nordenflicht was to dwell on this point long after Stanislav Poniatovsky had abdicated and the Poland he knew had ceased to exist.

235 See André, , op. Cit., p. 306.Google Scholar

236 AGI, Indiferente General 1798, Elhuyar to Gàlvez, 20 04 1787.Google Scholar

237 See ‘ Des Herrn Johann Daniel Webers Gutachten öber die in Niederungarn eingeleitete Anquickung der Silbererze’ in Congress, of Glashötte, , op. cit., p. 127.Google Scholar

238 See RAH, Mata Linares 10,Google ScholarWeber, to Arredondo, , 25 09 1792,Google Scholar and Mercurio Peruano, Nos. 94, 27 11 1791, pp. 217–29, and 95, 1 12 1791, pp. 235–9, ‘Carta de Don Juan Daniel Weber …. en respuesta a las del Pseudo Serrano…’

239 Because he criticized Pedro Vicente Caūete's cherished Còdigo Carolino de las Minas de Potosí…, comparing them unfavourably with the mining code of New Spain (RAH, Mata Linares 10, Weber, to Arredondo, , 25 09 1792),Google Scholar Weber aroused the enmity of the assessor, who did his best to procure the dismissal of the German from his functions in Potosf. (See AGI, Buenos Aires 441, Cañete, to Soler, , 26 06 1803)Google Scholar This was not apparently achieved until 1811, when the revolutionary government contested Weber's rights to draw his salary. (See CNM, Junta Gubernativa, 1811, Intendant to the Junta Gubcrnativa, 27 02 1811.) The adit was discontinued.Google Scholar

240 AGI, Indiferente General 1798, Elhuyar, to Gélvcz, , 25 06 1787.Google Scholar

241 These mines were situated in the Asiento de Aullagas in the Partido of Chayanta.

242 CNM, Gobierno, 1792–1804, ‘Expediente de la Obra del Socavòn de San Bartolomé…’ Proyecto, Weber, 11 12 1792.Google Scholar

243 Ordenanzas del Perù (Lima, 1752), Ord. 18, Tit. 3, Libro III.

244 CNM, Gobierno, 1792–0804, Proyecto, Weber, 11 12 1792.Google Scholar

245 Ibid..

246 Ibid..

247 Ibid..

248 Ibid. ‘Testimonio del Expediente sobre los reconocimientos de los desagues de las vetas…’Petition, José Antonio de Amaral to the Alcalde Ordinario, no date (1804).

249 CNM, Real Banco San Carlos, 1806, Weber to Sanz, no date (1806).Google Scholar

250 CNM, Real Banco San Carlos, 1811, Petition of Francisco Lleras Manjòn, no date (04, 1811).Google Scholar

251 See Ibid..

252 Their term of Contract ended in 1797.

253 AGIIndiferente General 2799, Medical Certificate, 11 1792.Google Scholar

254 Ibid.. Decree of Gil, 21 11 1792.

255 Ibid.. Helms to Gil, 4 11 1792.

256 Helms, , op. cit., p. 253.Google Scholar