the Pacific, has directed public attention to the organization of
Arizona as a separate Territory, and the desired legislation has
received the unanimous endorsement of the press of the whole country.
Petitions with thousands of signatures from leading citizens of the
majority of the states of the Union, will be presented to Congress
asking for the immediate organization of the new Territory as the best
means to at once open a highway to the Pacific; and so important has
this view of the question been deemed as to call from the President of
the United States a recommendation in his message to Congress. No
opposition has been made to the most just prayer of the people of
Arizona, and it is believed that none will be made, unless it comes
from New Mexico. It must be born in mind that the Gadsden Purchase was
not originally an integral part of New Mexico; that it was acquired
years after the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo, and was only attached to
the territory of New Mexico as a temporary expedient. It must also be
remembered that the Gadsden Purchase, with the portion of New Mexico
which it is proposed to include within the limits of the territory of
Arizona, is separated from New Mexico proper by natural boundaries;
that it derives no benefit from the present connection, and that any
opposition to the desired legislation arises from the Mexican
population, which fears the influence of a large American emigration.
Moreover, that New Mexico contains upwards of 200,000 square miles, and
that its organic act provides for its partition; showing clearly that
Congress anticipated, at no remote day, the settlement of the country
by an American population, and its erection into several territories
and states. The only effect of the present connection of Arizona with
New Mexico is to crush out the voice and sentiment of the American
people in the territory; and years of emigration, under present
auspices, would not serve to counterbalance or equal the influence of
the 60,000 Mexican residents of New Mexico. New Mexico has never
encouraged American population. She is thoroughly Mexican in sentiment,
and desires to remain so.
As a matter of State policy, the organization of Arizona is of the
first importance. Situated between New Mexico and Sonora, it is
possible now to make it a thoroughly American State, which will
constantly exert its influence in both directions, to nationalize the
other two. New Mexico is at present thoroughly Mexican in its character
and vote. Sonora, if we acquire it at once, will be the same. By
separating Arizona from it, and encouraging an American emigration, it
will become "the leaven which shall leaven the whole lump." By allowing
it to remain attached to New Mexico, or by attaching it to Sonora when
acquired, the American influence will be swallowed up in the great
preponderance of the Mexican vote. The Apache Indian is preparing
Sonora for the rule of a higher civilization than the Mexican. In the
past half century, the Mexican element has disappeared from what is now
called Arizona, before the devastating career of the Apache. It is
every day retreating further South, leaving to us, when it is ripe for
our possession, the territory without the population.
The incentives to emigration to Arizona, in addition to the charm which
the discovery of mineral wealth carries to every mind, are very great.
The writer, in an extended tour through the Southern States, found many
people, mostly young men of moderate means, ready and anxious to
emigrate. The movement is still stronger in Southwestern States, and
already many a train of wagons is on its way. It will have no end for
years, for so mild and healthy is the climate that emigration is
practicable at all seasons. Snow never lies on the soil, and frost is
almost unknown. The contracts already authorized by Congress involve
the expenditure of six millions of dollars in the next six years; the
troops in the Territory will cost as much more. Here is enough money in
hard sub-treasury coin, to draw a large population, independent of
other considerations. All ready in many places the enterprising
merchant exposes his stock of goods only two months from San Francisco,
but he does it with the prayer that the Apache may pass him by, and too
often he sees his hard-earned profits disappear before the Indian's
successful foray.
The establishment of a firm government in Arizona will extend the
protection of the United States over American citizens resident in the
adjoining Mexican provinces. This protection is most urgently demanded.
Englishmen in Sonora enjoy not only perfect immunity in the pursuit of
business, but also encouragement. Americans are robbed openly by
Mexican officials, insulted, thrown into prison, and sometimes put to
death. No redress is ever demanded or received. This state of things
has so long existed that the name of American has become a byword and a
reproach in northern Mexico, and the people of that frontier believe
that we have neither the power nor the inclination to protect our own
citizens. The influence of a Territorial government, with the tide of
American emigration which will surely follow it, must entirely change
the tone and temper of these Mexican States.
The population of Arizona to-day, exceeds that of Washington Territory,
and is far greater than was that of Minnesota, Kansas or Nebraska, at
the time of their organization. An election for a Delegate has been
held, at which several hundred votes were polled, and the writer
returned without opposition. The unsettled and dangerous condition of
the country prevented a convention being held, but letters have been
received from all parts of the Territory, expressing a hearty
concurrence in the election on the part of those unable to vote, and an
earnest desire for the Territorial organization.
A number of gentlemen at present in Washington, can testify from actual
observation, to the truth of the statements here made in reference to
Arizona--among them I am permitted to name General Anderson, late U. S.
Senator from Tennessee, who almost alone, with rare perseverance and
courage, explored, in 1850, the whole length of the Territory, Major
Heintzelman, U. S. A., whose long station at Fort Yuma made him
acquainted with the resources of the country, and who has shown at once
his intelligence and foresight and his faith in the prospective wealth
of the silver region, by large investments of capital, Col. A. B. Gray,
late U. S. Surveyor of the Mexican Boundary line, I. Smith McMicken,
Esq., whose residence for many years on the Mexican frontier has
entitled his opinion to some weight, and A. H. Campbell, Esq.,
Superintendent of Wagon Roads, whose information is full and reliable.
To these names it may not be improper to add that of the writer, who
has for two years past, while residing at the junction of the Gila and
Colorado Rivers, made the new Territory and its resources, an object of
constant observation and study, and whose experience on the Pacific
coast, and in the frontier Territories, and on the route across the
continent, during the past five years, has enabled him to speak
understandingly of the capabilities and necessities of a new country,
and of a frontier people.
In five years a great State may be built upon this remote frontier, and
a population gathered, such as will, when we make further acquisition
of territory, spread at once over it, diffusing national sentiment and
extending the area of American principles.
Aside from these considerations, justice and humanity, imperatively
demand that Congress shall bear and at once answer the prayer of the
people of Arizona for protection. If these considerations fail, then
they offer INTEREST; for the organization of the Territory is the
guarantee of a supply of silver, which will create as great a
revolution in the commercial world as has the gold of California.
Arizona will be known as the silver State, and the prediction of
Humboldt, that the balance between gold and silver, destroyed by the
California discoveries, would one day be restored, will be made good,
from the resources of the Gadsden purchase.
TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
The undersigned, your humble petitioners, citizens of the United
States, and residents of the Territory known as the Gadsden Purchase,
respectfully represent:
That since the annexation of their Territory to the United States, they
have been totally unprotected from Indian depredations and civil crimes.
That the protection of the Mexican Government has been with drawn, and
that it has not been replaced by any visible protection from the United
States.
That the annexation of the Purchase to New Mexico, carried with it no
protection for life or property.
That the present force of United States troops, four companies of
dragoons, reduced by desertion and death to about one half, is entirely
inadequate to protect us against the depredations of the Apaches.
That many of your petitioners have expended their time and means in
opening and prospecting rich mines of Copper and Silver, and have been
driven from them by the Indians--losing their all, and also many
valuable lives.
That the Territory is immensely rich in minerals, especially Silver and
Copper; and, as your petitioners most firmly believe, the development
of these mines will make a change in the currency of the world, only
equalled by that caused by the gold mines of California.
That a great part of the Territory, between the Rio Grande and Tueson,
is susceptible of cultivation and will support a large agricultural
population.
That this portion of the Territory is in the hands of the Apaches, and
useless, unless redeemed from their grasp and protected to the farmer.
That the highways of the Territory are stained with the blood of
citizens of the United States, shed by Indians and by public marauders,
who commit their crimes in open day, knowing there is no law to
restrain and no magistrate to arrest them.
That this Territory, under a separate organization, would attract a
large population and become immediately developed: and, that its
isolation--its large Indian population--its proximity to a
semi-civilized Mexican province, and its peculiar and wonderful
resources, demand protection from the Government more emphatically than
any other territory yet recognised.
That our soil has been stained with the blood of American citizens,
shed by Mexican hands, in an armed invasion of our Territory near
Sonoita, and that there is no civil magistrate or officer here to even
protest against such an outrage.
That throughout their whole Territory, from the Rio Grande to the Rio
Colorado, six hundred miles, there is no Court of Record, and no
redress except that inefficiently administered in a Justice's Court,
for civil injuries or crimes.
That the population of the Territory is much greater than was that of
Kansas or Nebraska or Washington Territory, at the time of their
organization, and that it is steadily increasing, and will, under the
influence of the Road and Mail Bills of the last Congress, be greatly
augmented.
That there are no post routes or mail facilities throughout the
Territory, and that finally, we are cut off from all the comforts of
civilization--and that we claim, as a right, that protection which the
United States should everywhere extend to her humblest citizen.
Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that the Gadsden Purchase may be
separated from New Mexico and erected into a separate Territory under
the name of Arizona, with such boundaries as may seem proper to your
honorable bodies, and that such other legislation may be made as shall
be best calculated to place us on the same footing as our more
fortunate brethren of Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Oregon and
Washington, that we may be enabled to build up a prosperous and
thriving State, and to nourish on this extreme frontier a healthy
national sentiment. And we, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
[Signed by more than five hundred resident voters.]