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！
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。
28
… Page 29…
MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA。
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
29
… Page 30…
MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA。
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。〃
30
… Page 31…
MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA。
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