Pagina 467 van 2651

In the silver mines of Peru, we are told by Frezier and Ulloa,

the proprietor frequently exacts no other acknowledgment from the

undertaker of the mine, but that he will grind the ore at his

mill, paying him the ordinary multure or price of grinding. Till

1736, indeed, the tax of the king of Spain amounted to one fifth

of the standard silver, which till then might be considered as

the real rent of the greater part of the silver mines of Peru,

the richest which have been known in the world. If there had been

no tax, this fifth would naturally have belonged to the landlord,

and many mines might have been wrought which could not then be

wrought, because they could not afford this tax. The tax of the

duke of Cornwall upon tin is supposed to amount to more than five

per cent. or one twentieth part of the value; and whatever may be

his proportion, it would naturally, too, belong to the proprietor

of the mine, if tin was duty free.