The Lima trials of Juan del Corro's new silver process (viceroyalty of Peru, 1670s)

A Potosi refiner promised half again as much silver and half the quicksilver. The viceroy paid the reward and let Lima ring its bells — then withheld the report to the king until the trials could be repeated. They were, and the men who had applauded wrote back with total desengaño. So the same ores were carried to Lima and both processes were run side by side, equal in weight and measure, before the audiencia and both cabildos. The difference was very small or none, and he told the king so.