THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA(亚桑那的预定疆界)

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MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA.

MEMOIR OF THE

PROPOSED

TERRITORY OF

ARIZONA.

BY SYLVESTER MOWRY, U. S. A., DELEGATE

ELECT.

WASHINGTON: HENRY POLKINHORN,

PRINTER. 1857.

MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA.

"The NEW TERRITORY of ARIZONA, better known as the

GADSDEN PURCHASE, lies between the thirty-first and thirty-third

parallels of latitude, and is bounded on the north by the Gila River, which

separates it from the territory of New Mexico; on the east by the Rio

Bravo del Norte, (Rio Grande), which separates it from Texas; on the

south by Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexican provinces; and on the west by

the Colorado River of the West, which separates it from Upper and Lower

California. This great region is six hundred miles long by about fifty miles

wide, and embraces an area of about thirty thousand square miles. It was

acquired by purchase from Mexico, during the mission of General

Gadsden, at a cost of ten millions of dollars. In the original treaty, as

negotiated by General Gadsden, a more southern boundary than the one

adopted by the Senate of the United States in confirming the treaty, was

conceded by Santa Anna. The line at present is irregular in its course, and

cuts off from our Territory the head of the Santa Cruz river and valley, the

Sonoita valley, the San Bernardino valley, the whole course of the

Colorado river from a point twenty miles below the mouth of the Gila

river, and, worse than all, the control of the head of the Gulf of California,

and the rich and extensive valley of Lake Guzman, besides a large and

extremely valuable silver region, well known both to Mexicans and

Americans--the planchas de la Platte. General Gadsden's line included

nearly all the territory south of the Gila river to the thirty-first parallel of

latitude--all the advantages above mentioned--gave us the mouth of the

Colorado river, and probably a port near the head of the gulf at Adair's Bay.

We have no accurate survey of the west coast of the Gulf of California, but

I am strongly of opinion that the original line conceded by Mexico would

have thrown a portion of the gulf into American hands, by cutting off an

arm of it extending east and north from the main body of water. A port on

the gulf is of great and immediate necessity to our Pacific possessions. Of

this hereafter.

The proposed boundaries, of the Territory of Arizona, are the 34th

parallel of latitude, with New Mexico on the north, from the 103d

meridian west to the Colorado; Texas on the east; Texas, and the Mexican

MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA.

provinces of New Mexico and Sonora on the south; and California on the

west. The new Territory would thus contain within its borders the three

largest rivers on the Continent, west of the Mississippi*-the Rio Grande,

Gila, and Colorado of the west, and embrace 90,000 square miles.

The Gadsden purchase is attached by act of Congress to the Territory

of New Mexico. At the time of its acquisition there was scarcely any

population except a few scattering Mexicans in the Mesilla valley, and at

the old town of Tucson, in the centre of the territory. The Apache Indian,

superior in strength to the Mexican, had gradually extirpated every trace of

civilization, and roamed uninterrupted and unmolested, sole possessor of

what was once a thriving and populous Spanish province.

Except the report of Col. A. B. Gray, there is scarcely anything in print

with reference to the early history of Arizona, beyond the scanty but

valuable notes of Major Emory and Hon. John R. Bartlett, in their reports,

and in the appendix to Wilson's late book, "Mexico and its Religion." To

this last I beg to refer any reader who desires accurate information

respecting the Northern Mexican provinces, presented in a straightforward

common-sense style.

In the possession of the writer of these notes is a map drawn in 1757,

just one hundred years ago, presented by the Society of Jesuits to the King

of Spain. The original of this map is now in the archives of the Mexican

Government. It was copied, with the notes relating to the Territory, and to

Sonora, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa, by Capt. C. P. Stone, late of the United

States Army. The map bears the inscription, "Carte levee par la Societe des

Jesuites, dediee au Roi d'Espagne en 1757."

The copy of the map and the accompanying notes are certified as

accurate by the officer of the Mexican Government in charge of the

archives.

My information, therefore, upon the early history of this comparatively

unknown domain, is accurate and reliable. As early as 1687, a Jesuit

missionary from the province of Sonora, which, in its southern portion,

bore already the impress of Spanish civilization, descended the valley of

Santa Cruz river to the Gila. Passing down the Gila to its mouth, after

exploring the country, he retraced his steps, penetrated the country north

MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA.

of the Gila river for some distance, and ascended the Salinas or Salt river,

and other northern branches of the Gila. The explorations of this energetic

priest did not stop here. Proceeding east, he explored the valley of the San

Pedro and its branches, thence along the Gila to the Mimbres, and

probably to the Rio Grande and the Mesilla valley. Filled with the

enthusiasm of his sect, he procured authority from the head of the order in

Mexico, and established missions and settlements at every available point.

In a report to the government of the viceroy of Spain, made during the

early settlement of the province, I find the following language: "A

scientific exploration of Sonora, with reference to mineralogy, along with

the introduction of families, will lead to a discovery of gold and silver so

marvellous that the result will be such as has never yet been seen in the

world."

The reports of the immense mineral wealth of the new country, made

by the Jesuits, induced a rapid settlement. There are laid down on the map

before me more than forty towns and villages. Many of these were of

considerable size. There were a few north of the Gila, and several on the

lower Gila, near the Colorado. The Santa Cruz and its tributary valleys

teemed with an agricultural and mining population. Thousands of

enterprising Spaniards cultivated the rich valley of the San Pedro, and

scattered settlements flourished at every suitable stream and spring at the

foot of the mountains towards the Rio Grande. The notes before me say:

"All these settlements and missions were founded in fertile valleys, and by

streams and springs, which produced luxuriant crops of wheat, corn, and

beans, and in many parts grapes and other foreign fruits were cultivated."

In the western part of the Territory were the missions of St. Pierre, St.

Paul, St. Matthias, St. Simond, St. Francisco, Merci, the ranches of Eau

Cheri, Eau de la Lune, and others; on the Santa Cruz the missions of San

Xavier del Bac, Santiago, San Cayetano, and San Philipe, the towns of

Tueson, Tubac, Reges, San Augusta, and many others. San Xavier del Bac

is still in existence. It is a mission church of great size and beauty,

magnificently ornamented within; forty thousand dollars in solid silver

served to adorn the altar. Upon the San Pedro river were the missions of St.

Mark, San Salvadore, San Pantaleon, Santa Cruz, and the towns of

MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA.

Quiduria, Rosario, Eugenia, Victoria, and San Fernando--the latter at the

mouth--with many more. To the east some small settlements were found

on the Valle del Sauz, on the Mimbres, at the copper mines north of the

Mimbres, and to the south the immense grazing and stock-raising

establishment of San Bernardino, where since have been raised hundreds

of thousands of cattle and horses. The Indians in the vicinity of the

missions were reduced first to obedience by the Jesuits, and then to

slavery by the Spaniards.

The notes referred to above contain the names and localities of more

than a hundred silver and gold mines which were worked with great

success by the Spaniards. The survey of the Jesuit priest about 1687 was

repeated in 1710 with renewed discoveries, and consequent accession of

population. From this time up to 1757 the conquest and settlement of the

country was prosecuted with vigor, both by the Jesuits' Society and

Spanish government.

The missions and settlements were repeatedly destroyed by the

Apaches, and the priests and settlers massacred or driven off. As often

were they re-established. The Indians at length, thoroughly aroused by the

cruelties of the Spaniards, by whom they were deprived of their liberty,

forced to labor in the silver mines with inadequate food, and barbarously

treated, finally rose, joined with tribes who had never been subdued, and

gradually drove out or massacred their oppressors. A superior civilization

disappeared before their devastating career, and to day there is scarcely a

trace of it left, except scarcely visible ruins, evidence everywhere, of

extensive and hastily-deserted mining operations, and the tradition of the

country. The mission of San Xavier del Bac, and the old towns of Tueson

and Tubac, are the most prominent of these remains. The labors of the

Jesuits to civilize the Indians are still evident in the mission Indians, the

Papagos and Pimas, who live in villages, cultivate crops of corn and wheat,

and who, in the Christian and human elements of good faith and charity,

are, to say the least, in no way inferior to the Mexicans. After the massacre

of four of Crabbe's unfortunate party near Sonoita by the Mexicans, the

Papago Indians buried carefully the bodies to which Mexican inhumanity

had denied this last charitable office. It is a curious and suggestive fact

MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA.

that the latitude of places upon Gila, Santa Cruz, and San Pedro,

determined by the Jesuits about 1750, has lately been verified by the

observations of Park Michler, and Emory. The instruments used by the

Jesuits were constructed by them, the lenses being made from pebbles.

From 1757 down to 1820, the Spaniards and Mexicans continued to

work many valuable mines near Barbacora, and the notes in my possession

speak of many silver mines, most of which contained a percentage of gold.

"The San Pedro gold mine in 1748 was worked with extraordinary

success." Among the mines anciently worked, as laid down in the

authorities heretofore referred to, were the Dolores, San Antonio, Casa

Gordo, Cabrisa, San Juan Batista, Santa Anna, (which was worked to the

depth of one hundred and twenty yards,) Rosario, Cata de Agua,

Guadaloupe, Connilla, Prieta, Santa Catarina, Guzopa, Huratano, Arpa,

Descuhidara, Nacosare, Arguage, Churinababi, Huacal, Pinal, and a great

number of others which it would only be tedious to mention.

The most celebrated modern localities are Arivaca, (also anciently

famous as Aribac,) Sopori, the Arizona mountains, the Santa Rita range,

the Cerro Colorado, the entire vicinity of Tubac, the Del Ajo, or Arizona

copper mine, the Gadsonia copper mine, and the Gila river copper mines.

These last are situated directly upon the Gila, only twenty-five miles from

its mouth. The writer assures the public that there is no room for doubt as

to the authenticity of these statements, or the immense resources of the

new Territory in silver, copper, and probably gold. As late as 1820, the

Mina Cobre de la Plata, (silver copper mines,) near Fort Webster, north of

the Gila, were worked to great advantage; and so rich was the ore that it

paid for transportation on muleback more than a thousand miles to the city

of Mexico.

Every exploration within the past few years has confirmed the

statements of the ancient records. The testimony of living Mexicans, and

the tradition of the country, all tend to the same end. Col. A. B. Gray, Col.

Emory, Lt. Michler, Lt. Parke, the Hon. John R. Bartlett, late of the United

States Boundary Commission, all agree in the statement that the Territory

has immense resources in silver and copper. Col. Emory says in his report:

"On account of the Gold Mania in California I kept the search for gold

MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA.

and other precious metals as much out of view as possible, scarcely

allowing it to be a matter of conversation, much less of actual search. Yet,

enough was ascertained to convince us that the whole region was teeming

with the precious metals. We everywhere saw the remains of mining

operations, conducted by the Spaniards, and more recently by the

Mexicans."

The report enumerates at considerable length the various localities

examined by Col. Emory's party, and others, of which there could be no

doubt.

In view of these authorities, it is hoped that those who will not believe

upon any evidence, will be content in their own incredulity. The most

authentic reports of these immense mineral resources have been used as

authorities against their existence. The authors of these denials either have

never read what they pretend to quote, or think no one else has. The Hon.

T. Butler King, who was the first to reveal to an incredulous public the

wonders of the California gold mines, has had the singular good fortune to

be also among the first to publish correct and authentic information

relating to the silver treasures of Arizona. His report upon the resources of

the new Territory has all the charm to the reader that his California report

had, and its brilliant predictions will be as fully realized. To Gray and

Emory is the country most indebted for the earliest and most important

discoveries.

The agricultural resources of Arizona, are sufficient to sustain a large

mining population, and afford abundant supplies for the great immigration

which will follow the development of its mineral resources. The whole

valley of the Gila, more than four hundred miles in length, can be made

with proper exertion to yield plentiful crops. The Pimos Indians, who live

in villages on the Gila, one hundred and seventy miles from its mouth,

raise large crops of cotton, wheat, and corn, and have for years supplied

the thousands of emigrants who traverse the Territory en route to

California. These Indians manufacture their cotton into blankets of fine

texture and beautiful pattern, which command a high price. They also

grind their corn and wheat, and make bread. In fact, the Pimos realize in

their everyday life something of our ideas of Aztec civilization. A town

MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA.

will probably grow up just above the Pimos villages, as there is a rich back

country, and the streams afford a valuable water power for running mills.

The valley of the Santa Cruz traverses the territory from South to

North, sinking near the town of Tueson, and probably finding its way to

the Gila, as a subterranean stream. This valley, of the richest land, is about

one hundred miles long, in many places of great width, and has on each

side of it many rich valleys of limited extent, watered by streams from the

mountains, which flow into the Santa Cruz. The valleys and Ranches of

Arivaca, Sopori, Calabazas, and Tueson, are those at present most thickly

settled. These produce all the fruits known to a Southern clime--grapes,

wheat, corn, and cotton in great abundance. The San Pedro river and

valley is also one of great richness, and is reported by Lieut. Parke as

capable of sustaining a large population. The Valle de Sauz, still farther

East, more limited than the San Pedro or Santa Cruz, can be made

available for a considerable population. The Mimbres River also can, by a

small outlay, be made to irrigate a large surface and supply a moderate

settlement. The various springs laid down by Gray, Emory, Parke, and

Bartlett, will all afford water for small settlements, and their supply can be

much increased by a judicious outlay of money. The Rio Grande valley is

very rich, and in places of great width. The Mesilla valley already contains

a population of about five thousand souls, and there is ample room for

many more.

If, as proposed, the Northern boundary of the Arizona Territory should

enclose the Northern branches of the Gila, an agricultural region will be

opened to settlement sufficient in itself to sustain the population of an

immense agricultural State. Col. Bonneville, who is now at the head of a

large force exploring this region, writes to the Secretary of War that it is

the finest country he has ever seen, "valleys capable of sustaining a

population of twenty thousand each, teeming at every step with evidences

of an immense population long ago-and an ancient and superior

civilization." The Hon. John R. Bartlett says of the "Salinas," one of the

Northern branches of the Gila, that it alone will supply food for a great

State. It must be recollected, in this connection, that the great mineral

wealth of Arizona will call for and amply repay for the redemption and

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MEMOIROFTHEPROPOSEDTERRITORYOFARIZONA.1MEMOIROFTHEPROPOSEDTERRITORYOFARIZONA.BYSYLVESTERMOWRY,U.S.A.,DELEGATEELECT.WASHINGTON:HENRYPOLKINHORN,PRINTER.1857.MEMOIROFTHEPROPOSEDTERRITORYOFARIZONA.2"TheNEWTERRITORYofARIZONA,betterknownastheGADSDENPURCHASE,liesbetweenthethirty-firstandthirty-thirdparalle...

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