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in opening and prospecting rich mines of Copper and Silver； and
have been driven from them by the Indianslosing 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 isolationits large Indian populationits 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 civilizationand 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。＇
End