1822 Novr. 15. Tripoli. Securities agst. Misrule. Preliminary Explanations Ch.

Bashaws Inducements

In general, before the peculiar precious substance can be found in any very

considerable quantity, it becomes necessary to penetrate to a depth where

vegetation ends. Here and there however exceptions to this rule have been found:

gold in particular has, in large quantities, been obtained by extracting and

sifting the earth found at the bottom of shallow rivers.

As to silver, in the mixed masses in which it is contained, it has been found in

a great variety of proportions: in some instances, in a proportion so large that

every other metal mixed with it has in the course of the extraction been driven

away and sacrificed to it: in other instances, it has been as it were drowned in

the less precious metal: and the less precious metal has been sold at a price no

higher than what would have been asked for it, had no silver been combined with

it. In particular, this in many instances has been the case with lead in

England.

In the case of a mine in which silver is thus found in combination with a metal

inferior in separate value, unfortunate may be the condition of the proprietor,

who has expended a capital in the extraction of it. Sooner or later, enters the

agent of the sovereign and says - this mine is a sacred one: sacrilegious the

subject hands that have employed themselves in the working of it: there must be

no more such sacrilege. as