第 3 节
作者:大刀阔斧      更新:2021-02-20 16:03      字数:9314
  statements are confirmed by the testimony of Major Emory and his
  report; where he enumerates several of the most extensiveby
  Gray; Bartlett; Parke; and Col。 Bonneville。 Many of the Ranches;
  deserted by the Mexicans on account of the Apache Indians; have
  upon them large; well…built adobe houses which must have cost the
  builders thousands of dollars。 Many of these have been occupied
  under squatter titles by emigrants within the last few years。 Of
  others; only the ruins remain; having been destroyed by the
  depredations of the Indians; or by the heavy rains of the
  succeeding years。
  The greater portion of these lands on the Santa Cruz and San
  Pedro are covered by Mexican titles…゛nd many of these again by
  squatter claims。 It is absolutely necessary that Congress should
  by some wise and speedy legislation settle; upon some definite
  basis; the land titles of Arizona。 Until this is done; disorder
  and anarchy will reign supreme over the country。 The present
  condition of California is in a great degree to be attributed to
  the want of any title to the most valuable real property in the
  State; and the millions which have been spent in fruitless
  litigation should teach a lesson of great practical value。 Let
  those Spanish grants and Mexican titles which have been occupied
  in good faith be affirmed in the most expeditious and economical
  manner to the claimants; and they will immediately pass into
  American hands; and become productive。 The remainder of the
  country should then be thrown open to settlers。 No better code of
  mining law exists than the Spanish; adopted in the Senate bill
  introduced by the late General Rusk; and passed at the last
  session of Congress。 A judicious and liberal donation law; giving
  to the actual settler a homestead; and to the enterprising miner
  and 〃prospector〃 a fair security for the fruit of his labors;
  will at once make of Arizona a popular; thriving and wealthy
  State; affording new markets for the productions of our Atlantic
  States; and yielding annually millions in silver and copper。
  In addition to the produce of Arizona; the immediate vicinity of
  the agricultural region of Sonora affords an abundant market for
  all necessary supplies; including sugar; which is manufactured by
  the Mexicans in great quantities from the cane。 Guyamas; which
  one day will be ours; is one of the largest ports for the export
  of flour on the Pacific coast north of Chili。 She also exports
  several millions in silver annually; which finds its way direct
  to the English market。 Under an intelligent system; the Sonora
  mines would yield a hundred millions a year; and the supply is
  inexhaustible。 If any reader doubts this statement; refer him to
  the statistics of Humboldt; Ward; and Wilson; most unquestioned
  and valuable authorities。 Both Humboldt and Ward note the fact
  that the silver deposites grow richer as they are traced farther
  North。 There can be no doubt that the most extensive and valuable
  mines; both of pure silver and silver mixed with copper and lead;
  are within the limits of Arizona。
  The yield of the silver mines of Mexico; as computed by Ward and
  Humboldt from the actual official returns to the Government; from
  the conquest to 1803; amounts to the enormous sum of
  2;027;955;000; or more than two BILLIONS Of dollars。 Again; Ward
  says: 〃I am aware that many of the statements in this and the
  preceding books respecting the mineral riches of the North of New
  Spain; (Sonora; including the 'Gadsden Purchase;' Chihuahua; and
  Durango;) will be thought exaggerated。 THEY ARE NOT SO; they will
  be confirmed by every future report; and in after years; the
  public; FAMILIARIZED WITH facts which are only questioned because
  they are new; will wonder at its present incredulity; and regret
  the loss of advantages which may not always be within its
  reach。〃
  Of the present mining operations in the Territory of Arizona; the
  most considerable; in point of labor performed and results; is
  〃The Arizona Copper Mining Co。〃 This company is incorporated by
  the California Legislature; with a capital of one million of
  dollars。 The President is Major Robert Allen; U。 S。 A。 The mines
  are old; and very celebrated in Mexico under the name of El…Ajo。
  This company; at an expense of 100;000; have supplied their
  mines with an abundance of water; extracted several hundred tons
  of ore; and erected buildings; smelting furnaces; and other
  appliances to facilitate their operations。 They employ about one
  hundred men; mostly Mexican miners。 Their supplies of breadstuffs
  and beef are obtained by contract from Sonora。 These mines are
  situated one hundred and thirty miles from the mouth of the Gila
  River; and about sixty miles south of it。 The ore varies in
  richness from thirty to sixty per cent; and the proceeds of some
  sales in London were quoted as being the highest prices ever paid
  for ore in that market。 A portion of this mine is owned by
  English capitalists; and it is without doubt one of the most
  valuable in the world。 The profits may be easily calculated; when
  it is known that the ore costs delivered in Swansea; England; not
  exceeding 125 per ton; and is worth from 200 to 375 per ton。
  Of course these profits will be greatly increased when the
  company is in a position to smelt its ores at the mine。 The
  Sonora Exploring and Mining Company was organized in 1856; with a
  capital of two million dollars (2;000;000)。 Its principal office
  is in Cincinnati; Ohio; and its seat of operations at Tubac; in
  the Santa Cruz valley。 This company is managed in its mining
  operations by Chas。 D。 Poston; Esq。; a gentleman of much
  experience on the Pacific coast; and of great energy of
  character。
  The Rancho of Arivaca; containing several valuable silver mines;
  and seventeen thousand acres of valuable land; has been purchased
  by this company。 It has also acquired the titles to a number of
  other valuable mines of galena ore; and copper containing silver
  and gold。 Hitherto; the exertions of the company have been
  directed principally to explorations and cleaning out the old
  mines; but they have at present above ground; ready for smelting;
  several thousand dollars worth of their ores。 Prof。 Booth; U。 S。
  Assayer; as well as other distinguished authorities; have; after
  thorough experiment; given to the company certificates of the
  great richness of the ores already shipped to the east。 The
  annual report of the Sonora Mining Co。 is full of interest to the
  general reader。 The Sopori mine is another very valuable
  property。 It is owned by Messrs。 Douglass; Aldrich; and another。
  Want of capital has prevented the extensive development of this
  mine。 It affords its proprietors a handsome profit; worked in the
  smallest and cheapest manner。 The vein is of great size; has been
  traced several rods in length; and pays about one dollar to the
  pound of ore。 The writer has examined specimens from the
  〃Sopori;〃 taken at random; and so rich is the ore that the native
  silver can be cut out of it with a penknife; as out of a Mexican
  dollar。 Undoubtedly the Sopori mine is destined to yield hundreds
  of millions。 It is a peculiarity of the ores in this district
  that they run near the surface; making mining of comparative
  small cost。 The Sopori mine is surrounded by a fine country; well
  watered and wooded。 The 〃Gadsonia Copper Mining Co。;〃 after
  taking out a few tons of exceedingly rich oreaveraging over
  eighty per cent。was obliged to suspend operations on account of
  the cost of transportation。 When the Territory shall be organized
  and capital protected by law; these mines will be worked to
  advantage。 〃The Gila River Copper Mines〃 are more favorably
  situated than any other yet opened; being directly on the Gila
  River; only twenty…five miles from its mouth。 The ores can be
  taken from the mine; immediately shipped upon flat boats or a
  light draft steamer; and transported down the Colorado River to
  the head of the Gulf of California; when they can be transhipped
  to England at small cost。 Upwards of twenty veins of copper ore
  have been opened; and the assays give results varying from 30 to
  70 per cent。 These mines are owned by Messrs。 Hooper; Hinton;
  Halstead; and another。 Several thousand dollars have been already
  expended in prospecting and opening veins; and it was anticipated
  by the proprietors that the first cargo would be shipped to
  Swansea; England; this year。
  Smelting works will eventually be built at the mines; or at
  Colorado City; opposite Fort Yuma; and the profits of this
  company must be very great。 The vicinity of the Colorado; and the
  abundance of wood and water; give the proprietors facilities for
  conducting their operations at small cost。
  Silver mining is also carried on in the vicinity of Mesilla
  Valley; and near the Rio Grande。 Many other mining operations are
  constantly being commenced; but the depredations of the Apache
  Indians have almost entirely snatched success from the
  hard…working miner; who; besides losing his all; is often
  massacred in some ferocious manner。
  孨o protection; either civil or military; is extended over the
  greater portion of Arizona。 This checks the development of all
  her resourcesnot only to her own injury; but that of California
  and the