按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
her resourcesnot only to her own injury； but that of California
and the Atlantic Statesby withholding a market for their
productions； and the bullion which she is fully able to supply to
an extent corresponding to the labor employed in obtaining it。
A。 B。 Gray； Esq。； late U。 S。 Surveyor under the treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo； for running the Mexican Boundary； and
subsequently Exploring Engineer and Surveyor of the Southern
Pacific Railroad； has probably seen more of the proposed
Territory of Arizona than any other person； his statements in
reference to that region； embodied in a report to the Hon。； the
Secretary of the Interior； from actual field reconnoissances six
years ago； will be read with much interest； particularly as since
then； repeated developments in that country have proved the
correctness of his judgment； his opinions are； therefore； of much
importance； as expressed in his able report。 It will be
recollected that this was then Mexican Territory。 Colonel Gray
says：
〃The public； I think have been misled by misrepresentations made
in regard to the resources of the region of country lying along
the Gila and upon the line proposed for a railroad at or near the
parallel of 32 degrees north latitude。 That portion of country
east of the Rio Grande I can say but little of from personal
observation； having been over but apart of the ground near the
eastern division in Texas； and that in the vicinity of El Paso。
At both these points； however； a fine country exists。 Upon the
Gila river grows cotton of the most superior kind。 Its nature is
not unlike that of the celebrated Sea Island cotton； possessing
an equally fine texture； and； if anything； more of a silky fibre。
The samples I procured at the Indian villages； from the rudely
cultivated fields of the Pimas and Maricopas； have been spoken of
as an extraordinary quality。 Wheat； corn； and tobacco； together
with beans； melons； etc。； grow likewise upon the banks and in the
valleys bordering the Gila and its tributaries。 The sugar cane；
too； I believe； will be found to thrive in this section of the
country west of the Rio San Pedro。 A sort of candied preserve and
molasses； expressed from the fruit of the cereus giganteus and
agave Americana was found by our party in 1851； as we passed
through the Pinal Llano camps and among the Gila tribes； to be
most acceptable。 The candied preserve was a most excellent
substitute for sugar。 It is true that there are extensive wastes
to be encountered west of the Rio Grande； yet they are not
deserts of sand； but plains covered at certain seasons of the
year with luxuriant grass； exhibiting green spots and springs not
very remote from each other at all times。 There is sufficient
water in the Gila and its branches for all the purposes of
irrigation when it is wanted； the streams being high during the
season most needed。 The Rio Salado； a tributary of the Gila； is a
bold and far more beautiful river than the Gila itself； and； from
the old ruins now seen there； must have had formerly a large
settlement upon its banks。 〃To many persons merely travelling or
emigrating across the country； with but one object in view； and
that the reaching their destination on the Pacific； the country
would generally present a barren aspect。 But it will be
recollected that the most productive fields in California； before
American enterprise introduced the plough； and a different mode
of cultivation from that of the natives of the country； presented
somewhat similar appearance。 Many believed； at first； from the
cold and sterile look of the hills； and the parched appearance of
the fields and valleys； over which the starving coyote is often
seen prowling in search of something to subsist on； that
California could never become an agricultural district； but must
depend upon her other resources for greatness； and trust to
distant regions for the necessaries of life required for her
increased population。 It was natural enough； too； that this
impression should be created in those accustomed to a different
State of things； and particularly when it is considered that the
very season of blossom and bloom of our Atlantic States was the
winter of California； but these same fields and hills have a very
different appearance in January； February； and March； clothed as
they are in the brightest verdure and no one now will pretend to
say that California does not possess within herself great
agricultural as well as mineral wealth。 This； I believe； will
some day be the case with the country from the Rio Grande to the
Gulf of California； adjacent to the Gila。 Senate Ex。 Doc。 No。 55；
33rd Congress； 2nd Session。〃
* * * * * * * *
In speaking of the resources of this region for a railroad； in
the same report； Gray says：
〃The valley of Mesilla； extending from about twelve miles above
the true boundary of the treaty to the parallel of 32 degrees 22
minutes north latitude； lies wholly within the disputed district；
and is； for its extent； one of the most beautiful and fertile
along the whole course of the Rio Grande。 The town of Mesilla；
only a few years old； contains several thousand people； and is a
prosperous little place。 It was not settled until after the
cession of this territory to us by the treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo。 Portions of the valley are highly cultivated； and
produce the grains and fruits of our most thriving States。 In
connexion with the land on the east side of the river； the valley
of the Messilla is capable of sustaining a considerable
population。 It is situated centrally with regard to a large
district of country of lesser agricultural capacity。 The section
of the Rio Grande in the vicinity of El Paso and the valley of
Mesilla； is proverbial for the production of fine vegetables and
fruits。 Indeed； about El Paso； it is a complete garden with
flourishing vineyards； equalling in excellence those of the most
celebrated grape growing countries。
〃By a judicious disposition of military stations along this line；
only a few troops would be required to protect the great northern
frontier of Sonora and Chihuahua； and enable us to carry out the
llth article of our late treaty with Mexico more effectually； and
at the same time prevent any depredations which the Indians might
be disposed to commit on the road。 Soon after； the settlement of
the country would make the presence of the military unnecessary；
either for the safety of a railway of the security of the
frontier。 The strong holds of the Apaches； and their pathway to
Mexico； would be cut off。
〃A wagon road established from the Gulf of California would
enable supplies to be transported along this line at one…half of
the present cost。 The saving of one…third or more distance；
through a comparatively unsettled country； in transportation is
an important consideration in the construction of a railway； more
especially when men and materials； to a great extent； must be
brought from very remote points。 The navigation of the Gulf of
California is said to be very good。 The trade…winds from the
northwest； encountering the highlands of the peninsula of Lower
California； and forming a counter current under its lee； enable
sailing vessels to proceed advantageously along that coast。
Returning； by keeping on the eastern aide； or along the shore of
Sonora； they could avail themselves of the prevailing winds；
which regain their usual direction after sweeping across the wide
expanse of water。 The trade of the Gulf； with its pearl fisheries
and other resources； would be speedily developed。
* * * * * * * *
〃The advantages of such a thoroughfare are obvious。 Five years
would hardly elapse before inestimable benefits would be
realized； and； should war threaten our Pacific possessions； a few
days would suffice to send from the Mississippi valley an army
that would defy any force that the most formidable power could
array against us。 The fine cotton region of the Gila； the rich
copper； silver； and gold mines of New Mexico and Sonora would be
at once developed； bringing a vast district of country into
cultivation which now presents a fruitless waste； owing to Indian
depredations and the absence of means of communication and
protection。 Mexico has tried for a century past to insure safety
to her inhabitants in this region； but notwithstanding the
expense she has incurred in keeping up her garrisons； she has
failed to afford them protection。
〃The deserted appearance of the country from El Paso to the
Colorado is no criterion by which to judge of its value。 The
beautiful valley of San Xavier； or Santa Cruz； some two years ago
when I passed through it； was entirely deserted。 The once
thriving towns of Tumacacori and Tubac had not the sign of a
living soul about them except the recent moccasin track of the
Apaches。 The orchards and vineyards of the once highly cultivated
fields and gardens bore the marks of gradual decay and
destruction。 The ranchos of Calabazas； of San Bernardino； and
numerous other places on this frontier； presented the same
melancholy aspect； the result of the inability of Mexico to
protect this portion of territory from the inroads of the
savages。 There are now but a few settlements th