text:  Nor have his labours been less important in collecting the most valuable statistical information regarding the Spanish provinces of those vast regions especially the condition of the Indian negro and mulatto race which exist within them and the amount of the precious metals annually raised from their mines; subjects of vast importance to Great Britain and especially its colonial and commercial interests but which have hitherto been in an unaccountable manner neglected even by those whose interests and fortunes were entirely wound up in the changes connected with these vital subjects