the proposed territory of arizona(亚桑 那的预定疆界)-第5节
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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
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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
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MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA。
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
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MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA。
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 throughout this district
of country； but were it protected by a power that could and would defend it；
what is now a waste in the hands of the savages might become a thriving
country； with safety insured to its inhabitants。〃 Senate Ex。 Doc。 No。 55；
33rd Congress； 2nd Sess。
I quote the following language of Gray； from subsequent explorations
made by him； three years after his first expedition； and contained in his
report to the Southern Pacific Railroad Company。 It was chiefly from the
discoveries made by Gray； in this adventurous expedition； through regions
unknown for many years past； between the Rio Grande and Gulf of
California； together with the Gadsden Treaty； that induced parties at great
expe
