from eight thousand, and is rapidly increasing. The Mesilla Valley and
the Rio Grande are probably the most thickly populated, containing
about five thousand people. A majority of the Mesilla inhabitants are
Mexicans, but they will be controlled by the American residents, whose
number and influence is constantly on the increase. The Santa Cruz
Valley, in which are situated the towns of Tueson, Tubac, Tumacacari,
and the mining settlement of Sopori and others, is, next to Mesilla,
the most thickly settled. Tueson was formerly a town of three thousand
inhabitants; but the majority have been driven off by the Apache
Indians. It is fast becoming a thriving American town, and will before
long be a place of more importance than ever before. Real estate is
already held at high rates, and the erection of buildings shows that
American energy is about to change the face of the last half century.
Tubac had been completely deserted by the Mexicans. It has been
reoccupied by the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company, and now boasts a
population of several hundred. The Calabazas valley is also fast
filling up with an American population, and another year will see the
whole centre of the Territory dotted with settlements. Many of the fine
claims on the San Pedro River have already been located by emigrants
under the general pre-emption law, but until protection is afforded to
the settlers, but little progress will be made in agricultural
pursuits. The Apache Indian regards the soil as his own, and having
expelled the Spanish and Mexican invader, he feels little inclination
to submit to the American. A small settlement of Americans is growing
up at Colorado city, opposite Fort Yuma, at the junction of the Gila
and Colorado rivers. This point is destined to be one of great
commercial and pecuniary importance. Situated at the present head of
navigation, at the point where the overland mail route crosses the
Colorado, and where the Southern Pacific Railroad must bridge the
stream, it is a necessary stopping place for all travel across the
country. Here are transhipped all the ores coming from the Territory,
which find their way to market down the Colorado to the Gulf of
California, thence by steamer or sailing vessel to their destination.
Here all supplies of merchandise for the Territory are landed, and from
this point forwarded to their various owners. A thriving commerce has
already sprung up between Arizona and San Francisco. In almost any
daily paper in San Francisco may be seen vessels advertised for the
mouth of the Colorado. Two steamers find active employment in
transporting government stores from the head of the Gulf of California
to Fort Yuma, and goods to Colorado city for the merchants of Tueson,
Tubac, Calabazas, and for the mining companies. Should the exploration
of the Upper Colorado by Lieutenant Ives, United States Army, now in
progress, prove successful, Colorado city will become still more
important, as the surplus products of the rich valleys of New Mexico,
Utah, and California to the north, will all find a market down the
Colorado. Property in this new city is held at high rates, and by the
last San Francisco News Letter is quoted at an advance. The population
of Arizona Territory has much increased within a few months by
emigration from California. The massacre of Henry A. Crabbe and his
party by the Mexicans at Cavorca created a desire for revenge
throughout all California. Companies have been formed, and large
parties are settling in Arizona, near the Mexican line, with the
ulterior object of overrunning Sonora, and revenging the tragedy in
which was shed some of the best blood of the State. The appropriation
by the last Congress of two hundred thousand dollars for the
construction of a wagon road from El Paso to Fort Yuma, and the two
mail contracts, semi-monthly and semi-weekly, which involve an
expenditure of nine hundred thousand dollars per annum, will afford
employment to a host of people, and draw at once to the neighborhood of
the route an active and energetic population. The new wagon and mail
route traverses the Territory of Arizona throughout its entire length.
Along the mail route, at intervals, military posts will be established.
These and the necessary grazing stations will create points around
which settlements will at once grow up, and the country, now bare, will
show everywhere thriving villages. The Southern Pacific Railroad, which
will be built because it is necessary to the country, will find its way
easily through Arizona.
It is no exaggeration to say that the mining companies, in their own
interest, will be forced to subscribe enough to the stock of the
company to insure its success. The Arizona Copper Mining Company is now
paying $100 per ton for the transportation of its ores from the mines
to Colorado city. One year's freight money at this rate would build
many miles of the road. The silver mining companies will be only too
glad to get their ores to market at so cheap a rate, as their
proportion of the subscription to the railroad. Iron and coal are both
found in the Territory,--the former especially in great abundance.
Texas has guaranteed the road to El Paso, by her generous legislation;
Arizona will build it, with her mineral wealth, to Fort Yuma, the
eastern boundary of California, and California will do the rest. The
first terminus of the Southern Pacific Railroad will doubt less be on
the Gulf of California, at the Island of Tiburon, or more probably
Guyamas. A steam ferry across the Gulf, a short railroad across the
peninsula of Lower California to a secure harbor on the Pacific, (where
a steamer will take passengers and freight in four days to San
Francisco,) is the most natural course of this route. In view of this
probability, all the available points for such a terminus on the Gulf
have been, or are in progress of being, secured by capitalists, either
by obtaining grants from the Mexican Government, or by purchase from
private individuals. Already Guyamas is owned in great part by English
and American capitalists. A port on the Gulf of California is necessary
to our Pacific possessions, and must be ours sooner or later. The
longer it is delayed, the worse for American progress on the Pacific.
Arizona needs it at once, as a depot for the export of her ores, and
for the import of goods for the supply of her population.
The Mormon war has closed for years the great emigrant road to
California and Oregon, over the South Pass and Salt Lake valley,
leaving open only the route along the 32d parallel of latitude, through
Arizona. This route is by far the most practicable at all seasons of
the year, and the closing of the South Pass route by the Mormon
difficulty is an additional and urgent argument in favor of the early
organization of this Territory. Fifty thousand souls will move towards
the Pacific early in the spring, if the route is opened to a secure
passage.
The present condition of Arizona Territory is deplorable in the
extreme. Throughout the whole country there is no redress for crimes or
civil injuries--no courts, no law, no magistrates. The Territory of New
Mexico, to which it is attached by an act of Congress, affords it
neither protection nor sustenance. The following extracts from letters
received by the writer tell the story of the necessity for early action
on the part of Congress, in urgent terms.
TUBAC, GADSDEN PURCHASE, August 15, 1857.
Affairs in the Territory have not improved. A party of Americans (our
countrymen) had made an "excursion" into Sonora, captured a train of
mules, and killed several Mexicans. Upon their return to the Territory
with their ill-gotten booty, the citizens formed a company and took the
property away from them, and returned it to the owners in Magdalena, [a
town of Sonora--Ed.] and delivered the robbers up to Major Steen,
commanding first dragoons, to be held in custody until Courts should be
organized. They have again been turned loose upon the community. In
justice to Major Fitzgerald I must say he was in favor of retaining
them in custody, and has generally maintained favoring law and order in
the Territory, but as he is only second in command he has no absolute
authority.
We have no remedy but to follow the example so wide spread in the
Union, and form a "Vigilance Committee"--contrary to all good morals,
law, order, and society. Can you do nothing to induce the government to
establish authority and law in this country, and avert this unhappy
alternative?
It is not desired by any good citizens, and tends to anarchy and
mobocracy, causing disloyalty in our own citizens and bringing the
reproach of foreigners upon our republican institutions. It is
impossible to progress in developing the resources of the country under
this state of affairs. The greatest objection the capitalists of San
Francisco have to aiding me in the development of silver mines, is the
insecurity of property, want of protection from government, and general
distrust of fair and honest legislation.
They have no confidence that the guarantees of the GADSDEN TREATY will
be respected by the United States, in regard to land titles under the
Mexican government.
The silver ore brought to San Francisco from our mines, has been tested
by a dozen different officers, in as many different ways, and no result
falls BELOW FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER TON OF ORE.
Senator Gwin goes on to Washington soon, and will corroborate my
statements. He has a piece of the silver, the first smelted in San
Francisco, showing $8,735 20--EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND
THIRTY-FIVE 20-100 DOLLARS PER TON OF ORE. Mr. Dunbar is getting the
petition to Congress signed--and moving in the affairs of the Territory
in connection with Mr. Ehrenberg and our friends--but the government
came near "crushing us out" by sending a Custom House Collector to
consume and destroy what little we had saved from the Apaches. Can
nothing be done to rid us of a Custom House? It is no protection. The
Territory (as yet) produces nothing but minerals--and we have to pay
duty upon every article of consumption. This is a very onerous tax upon
our first feeble efforts to develop the resources of this remote and
unprotected country.
Very truly yours,
C. D. Poston.
To Lieut. Mowry, U. S. A., Washington, D. C.
"We are living without the protection of law or the ameliorations of
society. New Mexico affords us no protection. We have not even received
an order for election. Every one goes armed to the teeth, and a
difficulty is sure to prove fatal. In this state of affairs it is
impossible to hold a convention."
Tueson, Oct. 1, 1857.
We are pleased to hear that the prospect for Arizona is so bright. If
you should succeed in getting a separate organization for Arizona, you
will lay the people under many obligations to you. You have no doubt
received many petitions for Congress, and also your certificate of
election as delegate for this purchase. You received the entire vote;
there was no difference of opinion among the voters.
Your ob't serv't,
J. A. Douglas.
Lt. Mowry, U. S. A.
Tucson, Oct. 25, 1857.
I send you the last petition from the Territory. The work is now in
your hands, and we say, God speed it.
G. H. Oury.
Tueson, Arizona Territory, Oct. 17, 1857.
Every thing begins to look up in the Territory notwithstanding the
difficulties we labor under. The Indians the other day came within
eight hundred yards of Fort Buchanan and remained some time, and when
they left carried off with them all the horses and mules in the valley
for six or eight miles below. Try your hand in this matter of our
Territory, and see if some change cannot be wrought to some benefit--we
need it greatly.
Very truly yours,
G. H. Oury.
Tueson, Oct. 2, 1857.
We have heard from Mesilla and they fully concur with us in all we have
done, showing that you are the person chosen to act for them and to
represent their interest in this matter. The people here are very much
elated at the turn things are taking, and every one seems to be highly
pleased with the course you have pursued. An election was held on the
first Monday in September, at which you received all the votes given,
and a certificate of your election, signed by the judges and clerks,
has been forwarded to you. The country is being settled very fast, and
there is somewhat of a stir to obtain cultivated lands. The lands
already under cultivation are now fifty per cent. higher than a short
time back. The great misfortune we labor under is want of protection.
Thousands and thousands of acres of land, as rich and fertile as any on
the face of the globe, lie idle and useless because they are not
protected from the Apaches. We want only one thing besides the
Territorial organization, and that is PROTECTION.
Very truly yours,
S. Warner.
Oct. 8, 1857.
The guerilla warfare on the Sonora frontier continues with increased
aggravation. We look for the happiest result from the exploration of
this interesting region of the Colorado, about to be explored by Lieut.
Ives, U. S. A. The ores from the Heintzelman mine took the premium at
the mechanics' fair in San Francisco, just closed, where the ores from
California and the western coast were on exhibition. So, Arizona leads
California, the great mineral State.
All we need is good government and honest, liberal legislation to make
Arizona equal in production of precious metals, if not exceed,
California.
Yours truly,
C. D. Poston.
Lt. Mowry, U. S. A.
Fort Yuma, June 2, 1857.
News has just come in from the Arizona which represent an awful state
of affairs. During the time Mr. Belknap was below at Sonora it was
unsafe for him to go out unless accompanied by his friend, Don
Gaudaloupe Orosco, and even then it was very dangerous. No news from
Sonora nor even an arrival for the last twenty days. God knows what is
going on; though of one thing we are certain--no American, never mind
whatsoever he may be, can go into Sonora, with or without a passport.
Very sincerely yours,
P. R. Brady.
Aug. 5, 1850.
The condition of the purchase has been extremely bad since the
unfortunate and injudicious expedition of Crabbe into Sonora, and at
the present time is but little better than a field of guerilla warfare,
robbery and plunder.
The exasperated state of feeling between the Mexicans and Americans
prevents intercourse and commerce, upon which the Territory is
dependent. Americans are afraid to venture into Sonora for supplies,
and Mexicans afraid to venture over the line. Americans who had nothing
to do with the fillibustering invasion have been treated badly in
Sonora and driven out of the country, and Mexicans coming into the
purchase with supplies and animals have been robbed and plundered by
the returned fillibusters.
The Americans in the Territory are by no means harmonious on these
subjects--some in favor of filibustering and others opposed to it; some
in favor of murdering and robbing Mexicans wherever found, and others
opposed to it.
It results that we are in a state of anarchy, and there is no
government, no protection to life, property, or business; no law and no
self-respect or morality among the people. We are living in a perfect
state of nature, without the restraining influence of civil or military
law, or the amelioration of society.
There have not been many conflicts and murders, because every man goes
armed to the teeth, and a difficulty is always fatal on one side or the
other. In the midst of all this, the Government has blessed us with a
custom house at Calabazos to collect duties upon the necessaries of
life which, by chance and "running the gauntlet," we may get from
Sonora.
God send that we had been left alone with the Apaches. We should have
been a thousand times better off in every respect.
In this state of affairs it is scarcely to be expected that the people
will meet together in a convention; there was no arrangement for that
purpose up to the time of my leaving, and none could be made.
We have never had any orders of election from Santa Fe, nor heard of
any convention.
Yours truly,
C. D. Poston.
Major Fitzgerald, U. S. A., whose long experience on the Pacific coast
makes his opinion very valuable, in a letter dated Fort Buchanan,
Arizona, Sept. 17th, 1854, says:
"The citizens of this country are very desirous of a territorial
organization, with its courts, &c. Murders are committed and stock is
stolen by white men with impunity. There is no court nearer than the
Rio Grande (300 miles) to take cognizance of crime. Some few of the
emigrants of this year have remained in the Santa Cruz valley. More
would have done so, no doubt, if they had not started from the States
originally with stock for the California market.
The country around us is now beautiful. It has been raining almost
daily since the 1st of July, and the vegetation is most luxuriant. Many
of the Mexican citizens come over the line for purposes of trade,
bringing flour, fruit, and leather. If there was no custom house at
Calabazas, these articles could be had very cheaply.
We have very excellent gardens, and plenty of vegetables. There is said
to be a good deal of cultivable land on the upper Gila, and if a
territory is created, it should embrace this. This would also include a
large part of the Colorado valley above the junction of the Gila. That
you may succeed in your wishes with regard to Arizona, is the sincere
desire of
Your friend and obliged serv't,
E. H. Fitzgerald."
Lt. Mowry, U. S. A.
A subsequent letter from Major Fitzgerald dated Oct. 1st, says Tueson
contains rising five hundred inhabitants, the remainder of the Santa
Cruz altogether enough to make considerable over a thousand,
independent of the population towards and upon the Gila and Colorado,
of which he remarks,
"You know more than I." "There is not a doubt but that upon the
location of the mail route, there will be a considerable emigration to
this country, and if a portion of Sonora be organized, large numbers
will come both from the East and West. The country is an excellent one
for stock of all kinds, of which there were great numbers where the
Apaches were gathered under the wing of the Catholic church. The
valleys of Santa Cruz, San Pedro, and Upper Gila, and also that of
Messilla, contain large bodies of productive lands, and all the cereals
grow luxuriantly therein. THAT THERE IS MUCH SILVER IN THE TERRITORY
THERE IS NO DOUBT, but it requires capital to develop it. As yet but
little progress has been made in mining. Evidences of old works are
seen on many of the water courses, but operations have not yet been
recommenced, except at Arizona, Sopori, and Ariaola, principally
because the country is very partially settled, and it is not safe to be
at any distance from the mass of the population, and the troops. Copper
ore is found in many localities, but little gold is yet discovered. If
the road from El Paso to Fort Yuma be located by Parke's route, as many
suppose, A FINE COUNTRY WILL BE OPENED on the Gila and Lower San Pedro,
which will produce ample supplies. The Territory presents no
difficulties of importance to the successful establishment of the road.
Frequent stations and PROPER PROTECTION ARE ONLY REQUISITE TO ENSURE
SUCCESS AS COMPLETELY AS THE MOST SANGUINE ANTICIPATE. Should Sonora,
or even a portion of it be organized, this will be one of the most
pleasant localities of our country. A delightful climate, plenty of
fine fruit, facility of supply by a port on the Pacific, semi-weekly
mails from the east and west,--are only some of the attractions which
it would possess.
Sonora is quiet. Many of the wealthy men there are in favor of
annexation, it is said, but they have to keep silent on the subject for
fear of noisy patriots, who would proclaim them traitors at once, if
they made a parade of their inclinations. The San Antonio and San Deigo
mail passes through Tueson once a fortnight, and seems to have met with
no important obstacle yet. A drove of mules accompanies it, which are
harnessed in turn. When regular stations are established its speed will
be much increased. My last letter was not written with a view of the
use being made of it you mentioned, yet if it answers a good purpose, I
have no objection. It was but a careless note, but its contents were
truths, nevertheless." (This note demonstrated the facility of supply
for the Territory from the Pacific.)
"Most truly your friend,
(Signed,) E. H. Fitzgerald."
Tubac, Gadsden's Purchase, 22d Oct., 1857.
"We have of late been seriously annoyed by the Apaches. Nearly all the
animals belonging to the citizens residing around Fort Buchanan have
been driven off by the Apaches. They are very impudent, and commit
their depredations in broad day-light, talk to the people while they
are driving off the animals, and always escape without being molested.
The other day they came within 800 yards of the Fort and looked down
upon it.
In order to bring them to terms the Government ought to enlist 1000
Pinos and Papagos to accompany the military. Indians are the only
persons who can successfully traverse these mountains and hunt up their
hiding places. If this is not done, they will surely break up our
settlements here. Forts ought to be established in the very heart of
the Apache country, in the places fit, and used by them for
cultivation. If this is done we will soon bring them to terms.
Until now, our mining establishments have not been molested by them,
and we are going on in high glee. This is undoubtedly the richest
silver mining country in the world. If the United States will make just
and liberal laws for us; give us protection; remove those trifling and
unprofitable custom houses on the frontier, at least for 5 or 6 years;
procure us a transit through Sonora to Guaymas, and hasten along the
rail-road to California, this will indeed be a prosperous country, and
will astonish the world with its production of silver and copper. But
with such terrible obstacles as those mentioned above and the great
length of transit to transport goods over the roads which we have to
take at present, progress only is possible for such as find mines of
the extraordinary and incredible richness of the Heintzelman vein. If
the present promises of few of these mines are realized, by working
them on a scale commensurate with their extent and richness, I have no
doubt but that they will equal in production the whole silver exports
of Mexico.
I think an appropriation ought to be made to sink artesian wells
through the Papagos country, between San Xavier and the lower Gila.
This route cuts off about 100 miles from the best route via the Pinos
villages. It is laid down on my map, as a rail-road route, now at the
office of the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company, at Cincinnati, Ohio.
The country consists of a succession of plains and isolated mountain
ridges, none of which need to be crossed. In fact it is a dead level to
Fort Yuma, and, in consequence, no grading is necessary. There is
scarcity of water, but the soil in general is excellent and grass
abounds all along the line, while the mountains teem with minerals of
the richest description. The oxides and the sulphurets of copper are
the most beautiful and richest in the world. Silver undoubtedly exists
of equal richness.
All the foothills contain gold, but I hardly think it will be extracted
by the whites, as the localities are devoid of water, and they are not
probably rich enough to pay without sluicing on an extensive scale."
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Herman Ehrenberg.
To Lieut. S. Mowry, U. S. A.,
Delegate elect from Arizona,
Washington, D. C.
The only comment the writer has to make upon these statements is, that
two years' residence among and acquaintance with the people of Arizona,
has convinced him of their absolute truth. At the last session of
Congress a petition was presented, praying for a separate Territorial
organization. The necessity for some legislation was admitted by both
Senate and House; and bills creating a separate judicial district and
land offices, passed both Houses, but owing to some minor differences
and the lateness of the session, the bills failed to become a law.
With an increased population and prolonged grievances, the people of
Arizona are again about to present themselves as supplicants for that
right inherent in the American heart--the right of self-government--and
of protection under the law. Their petition sets forth in brief, plain
terms, their situation and necessities, and prays simply for a
separation from New Mexico and a Territorial organization under the
name of Arizona. As a matter of necessity for the successful carriage
of the mail across the country, this Territorial organization is
imperative. No contract for labor or supplies can be enforced in the
present condition of the country. Courts of law must be established,
with officers to enforce their mandates, or the contractors will be
utterly unable to carry out their contract.