第 8 节
作者:大刀阔斧      更新:2021-02-20 16:03      字数:9322
  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 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。〃
  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 not been molested by
  them; and we are going on in high glee。 This is undoubtedly the
  richest silver mining country in the world。 If the United States
  will make just and liberal laws for us; give us protection;
  remove those trifling and unprofitable custom houses on the
  frontier; at least for 5 or 6 years; procure us a transit through
  Sonora to Guaymas; and hasten along the rail…road to California;
  this will indeed be a prosperous country; and will astonish the
  world with its production of silver and copper。 But with such
  terrible obstacles as those mentioned above and the great length
  of transit to transport goods over the roads which we have to
  take at present; progress only is possible for such as find mines
  of the extraordinary and incredible richness of the Heintzelman
  vein。 If the present promises of few of these mines are realized;
  by working them on a scale commensurate with their extent and
  richness; I have no doubt but that they will equal in production
  the whole silver exports of Mexico。
  I think an appropriation ought to be made to sink artesian wells
  through the Papagos country; between San Xavier and the lower
  Gila。 This route cuts off about 100 miles from the best route via
  the Pinos villages。 It is laid down on my map; as a rail…road
  route; now at the office of the Sonora Exploring and Mining
  Company; at Cincinnati; Ohio。
  The country consists of a succession of plains and isolated
  mountain ridges; none of which need to be crossed。 In fact it is
  a dead level to Fort Yuma; and; in consequence; no grading is
  necessary。 There is scarcity of water; but the soil in general is
  excellent and grass abounds all along the line; while the
  mountains teem with minerals of the richest description。 The
  oxides and the sulphurets of copper are the most beautiful and
  richest in the world。 Silver undoubtedly exists of equal
  richness。
  All the foothills contain gold; but I hardly think it will be
  extracted by the whites; as the localities are devoid of water;
  and they are not probably rich enough to pay without sluicing on
  an extensive scale。〃
  I am; sir; very respectfully; your most obedient servant;
  Herman Ehrenberg。
  To Lieut。 S。 Mowry; U。 S。 A。;
  Delegate elect from Arizona;
  Washington; D。 C。
  The only comment the writer has to make upon these statements is;
  that two years' residence among and acquaintance with the people
  of Arizona; has convinced him of their absolute truth。 At the
  last session of Congress a petition was presented; praying for a
  separate Territorial organization。 The necessity for some
  legislation was admitted by both Senate and House; and bills
  creating a separate judicial district and land offices; passed
  both Houses; but owing to some minor differences and the lateness
  of the session; the bills failed to become a law。
  With an increased population and prolonged grievances; the people
  of Arizona are again about to present themselves as supplicants
  for that right inherent in the American heartthe right of self
  governmentand of protection under the law。 Their petition sets
  forth in brief; plain terms; their situation and necessities; and
  prays simply for a separation from New Mexico and a Territorial
  organization under the name of Arizona。 As a matter of necessity
  for the successful carriage of the mail across the country; this
  Territorial organization is imperative。 No contract for labor or
  supplies can be enforced in the present condition of the country。
  Courts of law must be established; with officers to enforce their
  mandates; or the contractors will be utterly unable to carry out
  their contract。
  The great necessity of a safe and speedy overland communication
  with the Pacific; has directed public attention to the
  organization of Arizona as a separa