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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
expense to emigrate there； and commence working the vast mineral
deposites； such as the Arabac silver mines； the Ajo copper mountain； and
others； but which； through lack of proper protection and means of
communication； have been greatly retarded in their development。
After crossing the dividing ridge of the continent west of the Rio
Grande； Gray thus alludes to the country：
〃There were large haciendas and fine cattle ranches in this
neighborhood； until a war of extermination was declared by the Apaches
against the Mexicans。 Remains of the old San Pedro ranch are seen at this
day； also the 〃Tres Alamos；〃 and the ruins of the hacienda of Babacomeri；
whose walls and towers are still standing。 These were among the
wealthiest of Sonora in horses； cattle； sheep； etc。； but it has been many
years since。 It is a fine grazing region； with wild cattle and mustangs
constantly seen roaming over the plains。 The district from San Pedro to
Santa Cruz valley； nearly due west from our present crossing （latitude 31
degrees 34 minutes）； will be to the Pacific slope what the region of Fort
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MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA。
Chadbourne； in Texas； will be to the Atlantic。 The mountains and hills are
covered with splendid timber of the largest size； and for all purposes； and
the valleys are full of springs； and the finest grass。 To Tubac； a town in the
valley of Santa Cruz； it is 69 miles。 This is by following the San Pedro
about a league； passing over a few insignificant spurs； and ascending the
Rio Babacomeri； thence continuing westward by a gradual rise over
delightful plains to the divide between that and the Sonoita or Clover
creek； and along the latter； until it loses itself in the porous earth； a mile
from the Santa Cruz river； and by the broad valley of that stream to
Tubac。〃
Of the line of Gray's exploration from the Rio San Pedro； he says：
〃It passes through the most desirable region； with the hills and
mountains for forty miles； containing inexhaustible quantities of timber。
We noticed tall cedar and oaks of every description； one kind more
interesting than the others； being a white oak from twenty to forty feet in
the body。 Pine and spruce； with superior white ash and walnut； were found；
and the most gigantic cotton…woods； particularly on the Sonoita。 * * * *
〃The mountains in the neighborhood are filled with minerals； and the
precious metals are said to abound。 The famous Planchas de Plata and
Arizona silver mines； which the Count Raouset de Boulbon attempted to
take possession of； are in this section of country； not many miles below the
present limits； and at several of the old ranchos and deserted mining
villages which we visited； were found the argentiferous galena ore and
gold。 The Sierra Santa Rita runs along to the east of the Santa Cruz valley；
and forms a part of this interesting region。 It is very high and bold； filled
with fertile valleys and flowing rivulets； and covered with a dense growth
of timber。 I saw much of this district； when here in 1851； on the survey of
the boundry。〃
The country bordering immediately the head of the Gulf of California；
through which Gray was probably the first to penetrate； lies adjacent to the
proposed Arizona Territory； but not a part of the same； being a portion of
the State of Sonora。 He thus describes that section：
〃The Indians represent rich Placers