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AEIZOIA AHD SONORA:
THE
GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, AND RESOURCES
OF THE
SILVER REGION OF NORTH AMERICA.
BY
SYLVESTER MOWRY,
OF ARIZONA,
GRADUATE OF THE U. S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT, LATE
LIEUTENANT THIRD ARTILLERY, U. S, A., CORRESPONDING
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE, LATE
U. S. BOUNDARY COMMISSIONER,
ETC., ETC., ETC.
STljirTi Htiition, 3£lebi»e"tr anti JSnUtQztj.
NEW YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
FRANKLIN SQUARE.
18 6 6.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, m the year one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-four, by
Harper & Brothers,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District
of New York.
TO THOSE LIVING,
AND TIIE
JHemora of tijosc IDcair,
KILLED BY THE APACHE INDIANS IN THE STRUGGLE TO REDEEM
AHIZONA FKOM BARBARISM, WHO HAVE BEEN FOR
YEARS MY FAST FRIENDS THROUGH
GOOD AND EVIL REPORT,
SEljese ^sqzs arc ^ffcctfonatela? Detifcateli.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION^*
Since the delivery of the following address, more
than four years ago, I have made several journeys in
Sonora and Arizona, and have resided about a year at
my place, the '' Mowry Silver Mines," in Arizona.
In reading over .the proof-sheets of this new edition,
I find nothing to alter or correct in essential fact. The
telegraph has just brought the intelligence of the Ter-
ritorial organization of Arizona by the U. S. Congress,
and the appointment of the governor, judges, and other
officials. It is somewhat gratifying to me to know
that gentlemen who, four years since, denied the neces-
sity of this measure, and opposed it by vote and influ-
ence most virulently on political grounds, have seen
the error of their ways. By reproducing my argu-
ments and authorities, and even my words verbatim et
literatim^ they have paid a tribute to truth the more
valuable that it comes from an unexpected source.
As I had then and have now an ambition for Arizona
far beyond private or personal views, I thank these
gentlemen heartily, and make them welcome to "all
the thunder" and all the political honors they have
stolen from me.
The limits of an evening address necessarily pre-
cluded details, and obliged me to confine myself t6
general and prominent characteristics. The Appendix
* Published in 18G3 by Roman and Company, San Francisco.
viii Preface to the Second Edition.
to this edition supplies this deficiency, and will, I trust,
be found sufficiently full to make the work valuable
for permanent use and future reference.
I claim for the following pages but one merit — ac-
curacy of statement and an entire absence of exaggera-
tion. ISTo pains have been spared in verifying, from
every valuable source, the facts presented, and I chal-
lenge the closest criticism on this point. The route
laid down for the railroad from El Paso to Guaymas
is only intended to indicate the general direction. It
is made to run through the Gaudalupe Pass, because
we know, from actual survey that this Pass is practi-
cable. I am informed, however, that a more southerly
pass through the Sierra Madre exists, which would
much shorten the distance from El Paso to Arizpe.
General C. P. Stone informed me three years since that
he was convinced of the existence of this pass.
The great opportunities now existing for permanent
and richly paying investments in Sonora and Arizona
can not be too highly estimated. Every facility is of-
fered by the government for the development of the
mines by foreign capitalists. The old prejudice against
Americans is fast disappearing under the influence of
contact and mutual interest. The owners of valuable
mines are ready and willing to associate themselves
with respectable Americans on liberal terms. The
character of the men at this moment engaging in min-
ing in Sonora and Arizona is a sure guarantee of hon-
est and efficient management — a certain assurance of
large returns.
In answer to many questions respecting the present
governor of Sonora — Senor Don Ygnacio Pesqueira —
I am glad to have the opportunity of saying that dur-
Preface to the 8eco7id Edition. ix
ing several years of intercourse with him, more or less
intimate, I have found him honorable, liberal, and es-
pecially desirous of forwarding, in every legitimate
manner, the wishes and views of Americans whose en-
terprise had led them to Sonora. He said recently, in
conversation with several gentlemen, "I care nothing
for the political views of Americans who come here in
good faith to assist us in developing the mineral wealth
of the state. They shall have from me all the assist-
ance that my own influence and the government can
afford." I am sure I am doing only an act of justice
in acknowledging manykindnesses from this gentle-
man, whom I am proud to call my friend.
Being neither " a prophet, nor the son of a prophet,"
I have carefully avoided political speculations in refer-
ence to Sonora. Thick-coming and unforeseen events
would be almost certain, to " write down an ass" the
man who is bold enough to predict nowadays. One
thing, however, is sure — Sonora has taken a step in an
advancing career which will not be impeded. Capital
and intelligence have again gained a footing in this
beautiful and wealthy state, and her course will be
rapid to prosperity and power.
The organization of Arizona, with the establishment
of courts, and the presence of a large military force,
will restore order, guarantee capital and labor, and
subdue or exterminate the hostile Apaches.
I beg to make my sincere acknowledgments to the
gentlemen who have favored me with notes, and espe-
cially to Don Juan A. Eobinson, of Sonora, and Mr. J.
A. Peck, of San Francisco, for valuable manuscript
notes of mining localities in Sonora, which I have not
visited.. S. M.
A 2
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
ADDRESS BEFORE THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL
SOCIETY, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 3, 1859.
Arizona : Origin of the Name. — Boundaries. — Outlet. — The Gadsden
Purchase. — Eariy Settlements. — Mormons. — Mines. — Soil and Pro-
ductions.— Indian Depredations. — The Valley of the Rio Grande.
— The Rivers Mimbres, Suanco, San Pedro, and Santa Cruz. — Tuc-
son.— Tuhac. — The Sonoita Valley. — Silver Region. — Desert Re-
gion.— Arizona Copper Mine. — Valleys of the Colorado and Gila. —
The Pimos. — The Apaches. — Other Indians. — Climate. — Cultiva-
tion.— Population. — New Mexico and Arizona. — Importance of the
Organization of Arizona. — Copper and Silver Ores. — The Heintzel-
man Mine. — Other Mines. — The Gold Region. — Sonora : Bound-
aries, Government, and Population. — Origin of the Name. — Char-
acter of the People. — Soil. — Mines. — The Real del Carmen. — Sier-
ra del Oregano. — Ancient Population. — Traditions. — Silver and
Gold. — Climate and Productions. — Rivers and Towns. — Guaymas
and its Commerce. — Hermosillo. — Future of Sonora. — Pacific Rail-
road Page 15
CHAPTER II.
condition op ARIZONA FROM 1859 TO 18G4.
Rapid Advance of Arizona.— Reverses.— Withdrawal of the Overland
Mail. — Ravages of the Apaches. — Mining Discoveries. — The Heint-
zelman and other Mines.— The Military Position.— Th<? Mowry Sil-
ver Mines.— Arrest of the Proprietor.— His Release.— The Mines
worked on Government Account. — The Apaches, and how to deal
with them. — General Carleton. — Arizona in 1864. — Progress of the
Mines.— The Mowry Mines.— Mr. Kiistel's Report.— The Bounda-
ries and Organization of the Territory 55
CHAPTER III.
THE MINES OF ARIZONA. REPORT OF F. BIERTU, METALLURGIST AND
mining ENGINEER, WRITTEN IN FEBRUARY, 1861.
The Mowry (formeriy called the Patagonia) Silver Mines.— The Lodes
and Ores. — Shafts and Tunnels. — Owners. — Management. — Eagle
xii Contents.
Mines. — Empire or Montezuma Mine. — Santa Rita Mining Com-
pany.— Mariposa Mining Company. — Sonora Exploring and Mining
Company. — Cahuabi Mining Company. — Arizona Copper Mining
Company. — Sopori Land and Mining Company. — Arizona Land
and Mining Company. — Colorado River Copper Mines. — Stevenson
Mining Company. — Harris Mine. — St. Augustin Mining Company.
— Coal Mines. — Auriferous Quartz Page 73
CHAPTER IV.
THE COLORADO RIVER MINES IN 1864.
Mining on the Colorado. — The River and its Navigation. — The differ-
ent Mining Districts on the Colorado. — Freight and Passage. —
Quality of the Ores. — Mode of Working. — Furnaces and Fuel... 85
CHAPTER V.
SONORA FROM 1859 TO 18G4.
Improvements since 1859. — The Southern Pacific Railroad. — The
Overland Mail. — Guaymas. — Labor in Sonora. — Great Mining Ha-
ciendas.— The Mining Districts, Alamos, San Xavier, Las Bronces,
Los Cedros. — Price of Labor. — The Jecker Contracjt for the Survey
of Sonora. — Captain Stone's Scientific Commission. — Its Failure. —
What it accomplished. — Extracts from Captain Stone's Letters. —
What the Contract granted. — Present Condition of Sonora 92
CHAPTER VI.
THE MINES OP LA CANANEA AND LA CIENEGUITA, SONORA.
La Cananea: Early Working of the Mines. — Don Ygnacio Perez. —
The Sierra of La Cananea. — Condition of the Mines in 1860. —
Their Situation. — The different Mines. — The Ores. — Chamunque.
— Access to the Mines. — Assays of Ores. — La Cieneguita: Situation
of the Mines. — Early Working. — Their Abandonment. — Titles. —
Location. — The Mines. — The Hacienda. — Fuel, Water, Building
Materials, Wages, Provisions, etc. — Resume. — Assays of the Ores
of La Cieneguita 103
CHAPTER VH.
THE SIERRA MADRE OP NEW MEXICO.
Mineral Wealth of Northern Mexico. — The Sierra Madre. — Mining
under the Spanish Dominion. — Ancient and Modern Mines. — Pres-
ent Modes of Mining. — The Miners. — Gambussinos. — Their Mode
of Working. — Causes of the Decay in Mining. — Habits of the Min-
Contents. xiii
ers. — Borascas and Bonanzas. — Expulsion of the Spaniards. — With-
drawal of Military Forces. — Ravages of the Indians, — Lack of Ma-
chinery.— Various Causes for the Abandonment of Mines. — Necessi-
ty for Foreign Capital and Energy. — Inducements for its Invest-
ment.— Political Relations of Sonora and Chihuahua. — The Apaches.
— Special Advantages of Chihuahua, Sonora, and Sinaloa. — Value
and Distribution of the Ores. — Means of acquiring the Right to
Mines. — Hints to Capitalists Page 125
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MINES OF JESUS MARIA AND SAN JOSE.
Condition of Mining in Mexico.— Wealth of the old Spanish Miners.
— The Faults of their Successors. — A European Superintendent of
the Jesus Maria Mines. — M. Augustus Remuley. — Abandonment of
the Mines. — Recent Movements. — Present Prospects. — The Mines
near Jesus Maria and Jose. — Nuestra Senora del Rayo. — Santa Mar-
garita.— San Jose del Rosario. — Candelaria. — San Rafael. — Haci-
enda Quintana. — General Notes 140
CHAPTER IX.
MINBRALOGICAL SKETCH OP ARIZONA.
Limits of Arizona. — Topography. — Geological Structure. — Character
of the Vegetation. — The Plains. — The Table-lands. — Rivers,,rount-
ains, and Wells. — Arable and grazing Land. — Part of the great
Mineral Region. — The Heintzelman Mine. — Character of the Ores.
— Their Order of Deposit. — Processes of Reduction. — Defects in the
Processes. — Wages and other Expenses. — Results, actual and pros-
pective.— The Plain of Arivaca. — Santa Rita Mines. — Cahuabi
Mines. — The San Pedro Mines. — Lead Mines. — The Mowry Silver
Mines. — Various Mines and Ores. — Plancha de la Plata. — General
Conclusions 158
CHAPTER X.
CORRESPONDENCE.
S. Mowry to J. R. Bartlett, Esq. — From J. R. Bartlett, Esq. — From
John C. Hays, Esq. — From Hon. Joseph Lane. — From John Nu-
gent, Esq. — From Hon. Miguel A. Otero. — From S. W. Ingo, Esq. —
From Major C. E. Bennett. — From Sam. F. Butterworth, Esq... 1 7G
xiv Contents.
CHAPTER XI.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MINES.
The Mines of the West : shall the Government seize them ? — The
Mining States: how shall they be Taxed? 200
^ CHAPTER XII.
THE SOUTHERN RAILROAD ROUTE TO THE PACIFIC. a
Jefferson Davis on the Route of the 32d Parallel : All Routes present
Obstacles; this the fewest. — Lieutenant Parke's Surveys. — Dis-
tances.— The Office Examination. — The Jornado. — Water and
Timber. — Distances and Elevations. — Mr. A. H. Campbell's Ptcport.
— Temperature. — Opinions of Marcy and Emory. — Table of Com-
parative Lengths and Costs. — General Considerations. — National
Importance of a Pacific Railroad.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE SILVER MINES OF ARIZONA.
The San Antonio Mine. — Aspect of the Region. — The Mo wry Mines.
— Scene at the Hacienda. — Pay-day. — Labor and Laborers. — His-
tory of the Mines. — Lieutenant Mowry. — Yield of the Mines. —
Country and Climate. -^Santa Rita Mines. — The Hacienda. — The
Salero Mines. — The Ores. — Grazing. — The Sopori Ranch. — The
Country and the Mines. — Prospects. — The Heintzclman Mine. —
The Country. — Past and Present of the Mines. — The Ores. — Mex-
ican Thieves. — The Arivaca Mines. — The Country. — Arizona
Mining Company. — Surrounding Mining Region. — The Cahuabia
District. — The Mines. — The Bahia Mines. — General Conclu-
sions 232
POSTSCRIPT.
WARD ON THE SILVER MINES OF NORTHERN MEXICO.
Projects for Mining.— The Mines of Arizpe. — Richness of Ores. —
The Balls of Silver. — Old Spanish Decree. — Criaderos de Plata. —
Speculations and Prospects 249
ARIZONA AND SONORA.
CHAPTER I.
ADDRESS BEFORE THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL
SOCIETY, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 3, 1S59.
Aeizona : Origin of the Name, — Boundaries. — Outlet. — The Gadsden
Purchase. — Early Settlements. — Mormons. — Mines. — Soil and Pro-
ductions.— Indian Depredations. — The Valley of the Rio Grande.
— The Rivers Mimbres, Suanco, San Pedro, and Santa Cruz. — Tuc-
son.— Tubac. — The Sonoita Valley. — Silver Region. — Desert Re-
gion.— Arizona Copper Mine. — Valleys of the Colorado and Gila. —
The Pimos. — The Apaches. — Other Indians. — Climate. — Cultiva-
tion.— Population. — New Mexico and Arizona. — Importance of the
Organization of Arizona. — Copper and Silver Ores. — The Heintzel-
man Mine. — Other Mines. — The Gold Region. — Sonora ^Bound-
aries, Government, and Population. — Origin of the Name. — Char-
acter'of the People. — Soil. — Mines. — The Real del Carmen. — Sier-
ra del Oregano. — Ancient .Population. — Traditions. — Silver and
Gold. — Climate and Productions. — Rivers and Towns. — Guaymas
and its Commerce. — Hermosillo. — Future of Sonora. — Pacific Rail-
road.
The name Aeizona is undoubtedly derived from the
Aztec. In the original it is Arizuma, and the change is
a corruption into the present word, which is accepted as
Spanish. We have no decided information as to its mean-
ing, but the impression among those who have been curi-
ous enough to investigate is, that it signifies " silver-bear-
ing." This impression gains strength from the fact that
the Arizona mountains are very rich in silver, and that a
tradition of a silver mine, called La Arizona, of incredible
16 Arizona and Sonora.
richness, still ^exists among the Mexican people near the
frontier of our newly-acquired Territory. The proposed
Territory of Arizona is bounded on the north by the par-
allel of latitude 33° 40'; on the east by Texas; on the
south by Texas and the Mexican States of Chihuahua and
Sonora ; and on the west by the Colorado River, which
separates it from California. This great region is about
seven hundred miles long, wdth an average width of about
one hundred and forty miles, and contains nearly 100,000
square miles. It is twice as large as New York; em-
braces within its borders three of the largest rivers on the
continent west of the Mississippi, viz., the Rio Grande,
the Gila, and the Colorado of the West.*
The Colorado is the only navigable stream, and by its
waters and those of the Gulf of California, Arizona is
placed in easy communication with San Francisco and the
Pacific coast. The natural outlet for the productions of
Arizona must be through a port on the Gulf of California,
and the acquisition of California necessitates the posses-
sion of Sonora. That portion of Arizona now occupied,
and to^which public attention is now attracted in so re-
markable a degree, has been better known heretofore as
the " Gadsden Purchase." It was acquired by purchase
from Mexico during the mission of General Gadsden, at a
cost often millions of dollars. In the original treaty, as ne-
gotiated by General Gadsden, a more southerly boundary
than the one adopted by the Senate of the United States
in confirming the treaty was conceded by Santa Anna.
The line at present is irregular in its course, and cuts
oflffrom our Territory the head of the Santa Cruz River
and valley, the Sonoita valley, the San Bernardino valley,
the whole course of the Colorado River from a point
twenty miles below the mouth of the Gila River, and,
worse than all, the control of the head of the Gulf of Cali-
* For boundaries as adopted, see Chapter 11.
Address before the Geographical Society^ 1859. 17
fornia, and the rich and extensive valley of Lake Guzman,
besides a large and extremely valuable silver region, well
known both to Mexicans and Americans — the Planchas
de la Plata. General Gadsden's line included nearly all
the territory south of the Gila River to the thirty-first
parallel of latitude — all the advantages above mentioned
— and gave us the mouth of the Colorado River.
The Gadsden Purchase is attached by act of Congress
to the Territory of Kew Mexico. At the time of its ac-
quisition there was scarcely any population, except a few
scattering Mexicans in the Mesilla valley, and at the old
town of Tucson, in the centre of the Territory. The
Apache Indian, superior in strength to the Mexican, had
gradually extirpated every trace of civilization, and roam-
ed uninterrupted and unmolested, sole possessor of what
was once a thriving and populous Spanish province.
In the possession of the writer of these notes is a map
drawn in 1757, over one hundred years ago, presented
by the Society of Jesuits to the King of Spain. The
original of this map is now in the archives of the Mexi-
can government. It was copied, with the notes relating
to the Territory and Sonora, Chihuahua and Sinaloa, by
Captain C. P. Stone, late of the United States Army.
The map bears the inscription, "(7<:«'^e levee- par la So-
ciete des Jesuites dediee au Hoi d'Espagne en 1757."
The copy of the map and the accompanying notes are
certified as accurate by the officer of the Mexican gov-
ernment in charge of the archives.
My information, therefore, upon the early history of
this comparatively unknown domain, is accurate and reli-
able. As early as 1687, a Jesuit missionary from the
province of Sonora, which, in its southern portion, bore
already the impress of Spanish civilization, descended the
valley of the Santa Cruz River to the Gila. Passing down
the Gila to its mouth, after exploring the country, he re-
18 Arizona and Sooiora.
traced his steps, penetrated the country north of the Gila
River for some distance, and ascended the Salinas or Salt
River, and other northern branches of the Gila. The ex-
plorations of this energetic priest did not stop here. Pro-
ceeding east, he explored the valley of the San Pedro and
its branches, thence along the Gila to the Mimbres, and
probably to the Rio Grande and the Mesilla valley. Fill-
ed with the enthusiasm of his sect, he procured authority
from the head of the order in Mexico, and established
missions and settlements at every available point.
The reports of the immense mineral wealth of the new
country, made by the Jesuits, induced a rapid settlement.
There are laid down on the map before me more than
forty towns and villages. Many of these were of consid-
erable size. There were a few north of the Gila, and
several on the lower Gila, near the Colorado. The Santa
Cruz and its tributary valleys teemed with an agricultur-
al and mining population. Thousands of enterprising
Spaniards cultivated the rich valley of the San Pedro,
and scattered settlements flourished at every suitable
stream and spring at the foot of the mountains toward
the Rio Grande. The notes before me say:
" All these settlements and missions were founded in
fertile valleys, and by streams and springs, which pro-
duced luxuriant crops of wheat, corn, and beans, and in
many parts grapes and other foreign fruits were culti-
vated."
In the western part of the territory were the missions
of St. Pierre, SI. Paul, St. Matthias, St. Simond, St. Francis-
co, Merci, the ranches of Eau Cheri, Eau de la Lune, and
others ; on the Santa Cruz the missions of San Xavier del
Bac, Santiago, San Cayetano, and San Philipe ; the towns
of Tucson, Tubac, Regis, San Agusta, and many others.
San Xavier del Bac is still in existence. It is a mission
church of great size and beauty, magnificently ornamented
Address before the Geographiccd Society^ 1859. 19
within ; forty thousand dollars in solid silver served to
adorn the altar. Upon the San Pedro River were the
missions of St. Mark, San Salvadore, San Pantaleon, Santa
Cruz, and the towns of Quiduria, itosario, Eugenia, Vic-
toria, and San Fernando — the latter at the mouth — with
many more. To the east some small settlements were
found on the Valle del Saux, on the Mimbres, at the cop-
per mines north of the Mimbres, and to the south the
immense grazing and stock-raising establishment of San
Bernardino, where since have been raised hundreds of
thousands of cattle and horses. The Indians in the vicin-
ity of the missions were reduced first to obedience by the
Jesuits, and then to slavery by the Spaniards.
The notes referred to above contain the names and lo-
calities of more than a hundred silver and gold mines,
which were worked with great success by the Spaniards.
The survey of the Jesuit priest abost 1687 was repeated
in 1710, with renewed discoveries, and consequent acces-
sion o^ population. From this time up to 1757 the con-
quest and settlement of the country was prosecuted with
vigor, both by the Jesuits' Society and the Spanish gov-
ernment.
The missions and settlements were repeatedly destroy-
ed by the Apaches, and the priests and settlers massacred
or driven off. As often were they re-established. The
Indians at length, thoroughly aroused by the cruelties of
the Spaniards, by whom they were deprived of their lib-
erty, forced to labor in the silver mines with inadequate
food, and barbarously treated, finally rose, joined with
tribes who had never been subdued, and gradually drove
out or massacred their oppressors. A superior civiliza-
tion disappeared before their devastating career, and to-
day there is scarcely a trace of it left, except scarcely vis-
ible ruins, evidences every where of extensive and hastily-
deserted mining operations, and the tradition of the coun-
20 Arizona mid Sonora.
try. The mission of San Xavier del Bac, and the old
towns of Tucson and Tubac, are the most prominent of
these remains.
From IVS? down to 1820, the Spaniards and Mexicans
continued to work many valuable mines near Barbacora,
and the notes in my possession speak of many silver
mines, most of which contained a percentage of gold.
"The San Pedro gold mine in 1748 was worked with ex-
traordinary success." Among the mines anciently work-
ed, as laid down in the authorities heretofore referred to,
were the Dolores, San Antonio, Casa Gordo, Cabrisa, San
Juan Bautista, Santa Anna (which was worked to the
depth of one hundred and twenty yards), Rosario, Cata
de Agua, Guadalouj^e, Connilla, Prieta, Santa Catarina,
Guzopa, Hurstano, Arpa, Descuhidara, Nascosare, Ar-
guage, Churinabibi, Huacal, Pinal, and a great number of
others, w^hich it would only be tedious to mention.
Every exploration within the past few years has con-
firmed the statements of the ancient records. The testi-
mony of living Mexicans and the tradition of the country
all tend to the same end. Colonel A. B. Grey, Colonel
Emory, Lieutenant Michler, Lieutenant Parke, the Hon.
John R. Bartlett, late of the United States Boundary
Commission, all agree in the statement that the Territory
has immense resources in silver and copper. Colonel
Emory says in his report :
"On account of the gold mania in California, I kept the
search for gold and other precious metals as much out of
view as possible, scarcely allowing it to be a matter of
conversation, much less of actual search. Yet enough
was ascertained to convince us that the whole region was
teeming with the precious metals. We ever}^ where saw
the remains of mining operations, conducted by the Span-
iards, and more recently by the Mexicans."
The report enumerates at considerable length the va-
Address before the Geographiccd Society, 1859. 21
rious localities examined by Colonel Emory's party and
others, of which there could be no doubt. The Hon.
John R. Bartlett says of the Salinas, one of the northern
branches of the Gila, that it alone will supply food for a
great state. \ It must be recollected in this connection
that the greatTnineral wealth of Arizona will call for, and
amply repay for, the redemption and expensive cultiva-
tion of all the available lands, and that irrigation pro-
duces immensely greater crops than the other method of
planting.^ Throughout the whole of Utah irrigation has
"Been resorted to with the greatest success. The soil in
Utah, in no place that the writer saw it, could in any way
be compared to that of the bottom lands of Arizona.
Captain Whipple, in his valuable report of exploration for
the Pacific Railroad, published by order of Congress,
crossed the upper part of the region alluded to, and which
is watered by the Rio Verde and Salinas. He fully sus-
tains me in my remarks on those rich valleys :
" We are in the pleasantest region w^e have seen since
we left the Choctaw country. Here are clear rivulets,
with fertile valleys and forest trees. The wide belt of
country that borders the Black Forest, and probably ex-
tends along the Rio Verde to the Salinas and Gila, bears
every indication of being able to support a lai'ge agricul-
tural and pastoral population. The valley of the Rio
Verde is magnificently wooded with firs and oaks, afford-
ing excellent timber. Ancient ruins are said by trappers
to be scattered over its whole length to the confluence
with the Salinas. We therefore seem to have skirted
the boundary of a country once populous, and worthy of
becoming so again. Besides the advantages already enu-
merated, the mountains in this vicinity bear indications
of mineral wealth." — Vol. iii., p. 93.
The notes above referred to, in the possession of the
writer, speak of great farming and grazing establishments
22 Arizona and Soiiora.
scattered over the whole face of the Territory, between
1610 and 1800, which produced abundant crops of cereals,
fruits, and grapes. These statements are confirmed by
the testimony of Major Emory and his report, where he
enumerates several of the most extensive; by Grey,Bart-
lett, Parke, and Colonel Bonneville. Many of the ranches,
deserted by the Mexicans on account of the Apache In;^
dians, 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 depreda-
tions of the Indians, or by the heavy rains of succeeding
years.
The country east of the Rio Grande is a great plain,
broken only by the Sacramento and Guadalupe Mount-
ains. Except in the towns on the river there is no popu-
lation. The Mescalero Apaches have until lately made
settlements unsafe. The establishment of Fort Stanton,
and the activity of the United States troops, have, howev-
er, reduced this once formidable tribe in number and spir-
it, so that an early settlement of the fine country in the
vicinity of the Sacramento Mountains may be expected.
I have not visited this portion of the Territory, but from
persons in whom I have perfect confidence I learn that
there is a large and valuable district, ofi^ering great induce-
ments to stock-raisers ; a number of bold, clear streams,
alive with trout and other fish ; a good proportion of
arable land, and an inexhaustible supply of oak, pine, hack-
berry, and other timber. In the Organ Mountains, oppo-
site the Mesilla valley, there are silver mines of great val-
ue. One of these, the old Stevenson Mine, now known
as the Fort Fillmore Mine, has been purchased by New
York capitalists, and preparations are making to develop
its undoubted wealth.
Address before the Geographical Society^ 1859. 23
The Rio Grande valley, including the well-known Me-
silla, contains a large extent of unoccupied arable land,
Avith plenty of water for irrigation. Until lately, the pro-
tection afforded by United States troops has enabled the
people to cultivate in safety, and during the last year
nearly one hundred thousand bushels of grain were raised
in the valley, besides a large number of cattle and horses.
It is worthy of remark, that the settlements here, although
mostly Mexican, have been made since the United States
acquired the Territory, and that the lands are held under
American title. The population is quiet, well behaved,
and thoroughly American in feeling. It is estimated, and
I believe correctly, that at least 50,000 people can be set-
tled on the Rio Grande within the Arizona boundaries,
and there are many attractions for the farmer and stock-
raiser. West of the Rio Grande the country is a succes-
sion of mesas or table-lands, ascending gently for nearly
ninety miles to the Sierra Madre, and thence Avestward
for five hundred miles, gradually descending until they
reach the Gulf of California. This extensive plateau
south of the Gila is broken by two well-defined ranges of
mountains, the Chir-aca-hui and Santa Rita, and by a num-
ber of isolated peaks, which assume something the form
of a sugar-loaf, and are called by the Mexicans Picachos
and PeloncAllos.
The sun never shone on a finer grazing country than
upon the three hundred miles west of the Rio Grande.
The traveler has before him throughout the entire dis-
tance a sea of grass, whose nutritious qualities have no
equal, and the stock-raiser in January sees his cattle in
better condition than our Eastern farmer his stall-fed ox.
Ninety miles west of the Rio Grande is the Mimbres Riv-
er and valley. Passing over the dividing ridge of the
Sierra Madre, with so gentle an ascent and descent as to
make it almost imperceptible, you descend into a wide
24 Arizona and Sonora.
and beautiful valley, which at no distant day will support
a large population. The banks of the river are covered
with a fine growth of cottonwood, and above the usual
crossing for emigrants wild grapes and berries are found
in great profusion. ^The Santa Rita del Cobre copper
I mine, of ancient fame, and a little to the northwest of the
jMimbres, has lately been reopened by a capitalist, who
ihas already begun to reap the reward of his enterprise.
One hundred and thirty thousand pounds of this copper
were sold a few months since to the Chihuahua mint for
thirty-five cents per pound. A quantity has been sent to
London and to New York to be experimented on.* It is
claimed that the superior malleability and ductility of this
copper -must make the demand for it very great. The
Mimbres River sinks before reaching the hne of Mexico.
Some statementSjWhichlhave never been able to authen-
ticate, make it flow in very rainy seasons into Lake Guz-
man. The Suanco, or Valle de Saux, is the next valley on
the line of the emigrant road. The waters of this stream
are very limited and intermittent. As it approaches the
Gila the valley becomes better, but it will never be avail-
able for extensive agriculture. The San Pedro River
and valley, two hundred and fifty miles west of the Rio
Grande, is par excellence the agricultural district south
of the Gila. The valley is wide, very rich soil, and is
considerably over one hundred miles in length. Owing
to the depredations of the Apaches, no settlements have
yet been made in this valley. There is, near the junction
of the San Pedro with the Gila, and at the mouth of tlie
Arivypa, a most beautiful and fertile region. A fine
growth of ash covers the valley. The Santa Rita Mount-
ains, which separate the San Pedro and Santa Cruz, con-
tain inexhaustible supplies of pine and oak, besides untold
millions of the precious metals. A military post of four
* See Appendix for later results.
Address before the Geographical /Society, 1S59. 25
companies at the mouth of the Arivypa would open this
entire country to settlement.
Still following the emigrant and mail road fifty miles,
brings us to the old Mexican town of Tucson and the val-
ley of the Santa Cruz. Like most of the streams, the
Santa Cruz is intermittent, sinking and rising at irregular
intervals. A portion of this valley is covered w'ith a
heavy growth of cottonwood. The mountains in the vi-
cinity contain pine and oak, and the extensive tracts of
grazing lands south to the Mexican line are covered
thickly with the mesquit — the best fuel in the world.
The town of Tucson now contains about a thousand inhab-'
itants. It once had three thousand.; but the Indians, av1k>
desolated the whole of the Territory, had driven away all
but about two hundred at the time of the Gadsden Pur-
chase. Nine miles from Tucson, as you go up the valley i
of the Santa Cruz, is the old mission church of San Xav- ■
ier, to which I have alluded elsewhere. It is still sur-
rounded by a Papago Indian village ; a few tame Apaches
and a few whites also live under the shadow of its tow-
ers. Incredible as the statement may seem, the church
of San Xavier, with its elaborate fa9ade, its dome and
spires, would to-day be an ornament to the architecture
of this great metropolis. No better evidence is needed
of the resources and former prosperity of Arizona than is
to be found in the now deserted missions of San Xavier
and Tumacacori.
The town of Tubac, fifty miles southeast of Tucson,
which now boasts a population of several hundred, was en-
tirely deserted up to 1855, when i^ was reoccupied in part
by the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company. They
claim the town, and have given permission to a number
of emigrants to occupy the old houses and build new
ones. Over what was once the towers of the barracks
of the Mexican troops now floats a banner bearing the
B
26 Arizo7ia and Sonora.
arms of peace, a hammer and pick, the insignia of the
company ; and in the rooms beneath, which once echoed
to the tread of the successful Apache fighter, are now sold
the calicoes and cotton goods of Lowell, and all manner
of Yankee notions. The great Heintzelman Mine, the
mines of Arivaca, Sopori, and Santa Rita, are within a
circle of twenty miles from Tubac. Three miles from
Tubac is the mission of Tumacacori. Its venerable walls
now shelter political exiles from Sonora and a few enter-
prising Germans, and its rich lands are cultivated by the
American squatter. Twelve miles farther up the Santa
Cruz is the ranch of Calabazas, claimed as the property
of the Gandara family, of Sonora. The extensive build-
ings are occupied by American families, and the black-
smith's forge is installed in a room once dedicated to
more delicate uses.
The Sonoita valley, which opens into the Santa Cruz
near Calabazas, is the only one in any degree protected
by the United States troops. It is about fifty miles long,
in no place exceeding a mile in width, and generally much
narrower. When I passed up it to Fort Buchanan, the
whole valley w^as golden with grain. In one field there
w^ere one hundred and fifty acres of corn. I counted
upon four stalks eighteen full-grown ears, and the aver-
age height of the stalks was fifteen feet. When it is
born'^ in mind that this land was but just turned, the corn
planted and neither hoed nor suckered, I am sure it will
be conceded that there is some agricultural land of value
in Arizona. On several of the farms two crops were
raised last year, wheat and corn, wheat and beans, and
other vegetables. The farmer during the past year found
a ready market for his produce, his purchasers being the
troops and the Overland Mail Company. This valley is
almost entirely taken up by an intelligent and adventur-
ous American population; and here is almost the only
Address before the Geographical /Society, ISbd. 27
place in Arizona where you find that greatest of all bless-
ings on the frontier — American women.
The Santa Crnz and San Pedro approach each other
near the Mexican line; and by way of Santa Cruz — a
Mexican town at the head of the valley in Sonora — you
can pass from one to the other with ease. The whole re-
gion between the Rio Grande and the Santa Cruz is
broken with conical-shaped hills and mountains, called by
the Mexicans peloncillos. At the foot of these hills are
found springs, which afforded water to the immense herds
of cattle and horses which once covered the country;
and at many of these springs are found the ruins of build-
ings occupied by the herders. The hills are covered to
the top with the gramma, and other nutritious grasses.
Twenty miles east of the Sonoita valley, and just north
of the town of Santa Cruz, is one of the richest silver re-
gions of Arizona. The Wachupe Mountain is believed to
be inexhaustible in silver. The San Antonio and Pata-
gonia* mines, lately opened, promise a rich yield to their
owners. One of these is of especial value, yielding, be-
sides a large percentage of silver, 53 per cent, of lead,
which is purchased readily by the surrounding mining
companies to be used in reducing their ores. The once
celebrated Compadre mines, lately rediscovered, are in
this vicinity. The present fortunate proprietors found
them after a long and painful search. The shafts were
found carefully concealed, partially filled with rubbish ;
and thirteen fiirnaces in tolerable preservation prove how
extensively the mines were once worked by the Spaniards.
Here, as in the whole of Arizona, the work of prospecting
and exploring has but just begun. The ores of this dis-
trict are principally argentiferous galena.
West of the Santa Cruz, and south of the valley of the
Gila to the Colorado River, the Territory is generally an
* The Patagonia is now known as the " Mowry Silver Mines."
28 Arizona and Sonora.
irreclaimable desert. Its mountains abound in the pre-
cious metals, and a sufficiency of water for mining opera-
tions can be usually obtained without exorbitant expense.
The celebrated Ajo copper mine, now known as the Ari-
zona copper mine, is in this district. Mr. Edward E. Dun-
bar, whose facile pen has lately presented to the public,
through the columns of the Daily Times^ some lifelike
sketches of this portion of Arizona, was formerly the di-
rector of this mine, and the first, I believe, to demonstrate
the fact that water could be obtained. I take much
pleasure in bearing testimony to the conscientious regard
for truth which characterizes Mr. Dunbar's statements ;
and although I am forced to differ with him in some of
his conclusions, his knowledge of the country, gained by
a long and painful experience, entitle his opinion to much
respect. The Arizona Mine will one day prove of im-
mense value ; like the rest of the mining companies, it
needs the outlet on the Gulf of California.
The valley of the Colorado is fertile, and will produce
all the tropical fruits as well as the cereals. The Indians,
favored by the annual overflow, raise abundant crops of
wheat, corn, pumpkins, melons, and beans. The remains
of extensive irrigating canals show that at some day
long past a large agricultural population lived here. The
extreme heat of the climate in the summer months will
prevent white labor from agricultural pursuits to any
great extent. Rice, sugar, and cotton are best adapted
to the soil of the Colorado bottom. There is in places
along the bank a fine growth of cotton wood, and the
whole valley abounds with the mesquit. This is the only
portion of the Territory where the heat is excessive.
The valley of the Gila River, whose waters, flowing
from east to west, divide the Territory nearly in the cen-
tre, four hundred miles long, can in most places be brought
under cultivation to a greater or less extent. Since the
Address before the Geographical /Society, 1859. 29'
discovery of gold, a number of farms have been opened,
and hundreds of acres of rich land put under cultivation.
The Gila empties into the Colorado one hundred and
twenty-five miles above the head of the Gulf of Califor-
nia. It is well to observe here that the difference in soil
in different latitudes has not been sufficiently appreciated.
The same soil which, under the chmate of Oregon, is bar-
ren and worthless,becomes, under the more genial sun of
Arizona, fruitful, and, when irrigated, produces the same
extraordinary crops as are found in California. The land
cultivated by the Pimos on the Gila seems inexhaustible.
Year after year they cultivate the same crops on the same
land, with nothing but water to enrich it, and there is no
sign of failure.
The valley known as La Florida, near the mountain of
the same name, in latitude 109°, is worthy of especial
mention, as having at its head the ruins of a once flour-
ishing town. A large population will again occupy it at
no distant day. But little is known of the country north
of the Gila ; it is very mountainous, but contains several
valleys of considerable size, nearly all of which bear the
impress of an ancient and superior civihzation. The prin-
cipal northern tributaries of the Gila are the Salado, the
Tuberoso, the San Carlos, and the San Francisco (some-
times called the Alamos). The Salado, according to my
informant, Marcial, an Apache chief, has six small branch-
es, four flowing from the east, two from the west. The
Salado is the largest of all these streams, and has its source
about latitude 34°, in the Sierra Blanca Mountains. On
all these streams the Apache Indian cultivates crops, prin-
cipally of corn. The band known as the Coyetero, Pinal,
or Sierra Blanca, cultivate most, although they have had
the least intercourse with the whites.
The Indians of Arizona are best classed as " friendly"
and " hostile.'* The friendly Indians are the Pimos, Mar-
30 Arizona and Sonora,
icopas, Papagos, and Yumas, with a few scattering, miser-
able tame Apaches. The Pimos and Maricopas occupy a
beautiful and fertile tract on the Gila, one hundred and
eighty miles from its junction with the Colorado. They
are a brave and hospitable race : they-live in villages, and
cultivate the arts of peace. Their regular fields, well-
made irrigating ditches, and beautiful crops of cotton,
wheat, corn, pumpkins, melons, and beans, have not only
gladdened the eye, but also given timely assistance to the
thousands of emigrants who have traversed Arizona on
their way to the Pacific. The costume of the Pimos is
extremely simple, only covering their loins, and a small
straw hat, except in the case of the chiefs, who wear a
sort of pantaloon of coarse cotton cloth. The Pimos and
Apaches wage hereditary and fierce war, in which the Pi-
mos are generally the victors. So high were their serv-
ices valued by the Mexican government as a barrier to the
incursions of the Gila Apaches, that whenever they visit-
ed the Mexican towns, the authorities treated them with
marked hospitality and kindness, making them presents
of value, to be paid for by the public treasury. Much as
we pride ourselves upon our superior government, no
measures* have been taken to continue our friendly rela-
tions with the Pimos ; and to our shame be it said, it is
only to the forbearance of these Indians that we owe the
safety of the life of a single American citizen in Central
or Western Arizona, or the carriage of the mails overland
to the Pacific. The Maricopas live near the Pimos, and
by contiguity and intermarriage have become similar in
their customs. The Papagos resemble, but are inferior to
the Pimos, do not cultivate so much, and live in scattered
villages in the central and western parts of the Territory.
The Apache — tribe of fatal memory for Sonora and all
* The United States government have since, under urgent pressure
of the writer, made some small appropriations for the Pimos Indians.
Address before the Geographical Society^ 1859. 31
Northern Mexico, are best classified under their modern
names : the Mescaleros, east of the Rio Grande ; the Mim-
bres, Mogollones, Chiracahuis, Coyeteros or Pinaleros, Si-
erra Blanca, and the Tontos. In the order I have men-
tioned them, west from the Rio Grande, all of these have
their homes north of the Gila, except the Chiracahuis.
Velasco says these tribes have no fixed residence, no
common society, no positive antecedents ; they are best
compared to the prairie wolf, sneaking, cowardly, revenge-
ful, quick to assassinate the weak, and to fly from or yield
to the strong. It is impossible for one who has not seen
Northern Mexico to imagine the desolation they have
made in a country ^where Nature has done so much. The
name Infelix Sonora — most unhappy — given by all the old
writers, is most painfully true : from the Gila, in latitude
32° 30', to Guaymas, in latitude 28°, their ravages are
every where visible. Horrible as is the statement, more
than one fourth of the Apaches of to-day are Mexican
captives or their descendants. Not only ranches, and vil-
lages, and towns, but whole districts, have been depopu-
lated, and the work is still going on. In small parties,
and by different mountain passes, they descend into Sono-
ra, surprise and attack a train of travelers or a town,
massacre the men, and carry off the women, with such
booty as they can hastily seize, to their haunts on the
Gila.
I have obtained from Marcial, a leading Apache chief,
and still a Mexican, much valuable information respecting
these Indians. He had been carried off while a child, and
had become, like his captors, savage. Velasco* says :
" Without hesitation, it must be admitted that under no
good treatment does the Apache yield his barbarism, his
perfidy, or his atrocity ; notwithstanding the many treat-
ies of peace made with the Pueblos, and the constant
* Noticias y Estadisticas del Estado de Sonora. Jose F. Velasco.
82 Arizona and So7iora.
campaigns against them, upon the first opportunity they
break faith, and become worse than before. Though it is
incontrovertible that the Apaches are the most ferocious
tribe on our border, yet the same may be said even of
those who, from the time of the conquest, belong among
us ; they call themselves pacific, yet have never, generally
speaking, had sympathy with the whites ; they have not
adopted our manners and customs, nor have we existing
between us that confidence which inspires a same race,
when they profess the same principles of social ties; in
fact, during the whole period of time that they have been
subordinates of our government, they have followed a
system of contradiction and opposition against it as far
as they were able. The unequivocal proof of this truth
have been the frequent assaults that they have made upon
us under the pretext of foolish stories with which they
were misled, and sometimes without any cause at all."
The whole number of Apache warriors does not exceed
two thousand. I have investigated this subject with
probably more care than any other person, and am satis-
fied the number is rather under than over the truth. Be-
ing cowardly, they are afraid of Americans, and do not
murder.* Their depredations in our territory are mostly
confined to stealing cattle, horses, and mules. Arizona
will have no peace, and her great wealth as a pastoral re-
gion must remain undeveloi3ed, until the War Depart-
ment sends a strong force, and reduces them by fear of
absolute submission. They must be fed by the govern-
ment, or exterminated. They know no alternative but
to steal or starve ; and Northern Mexico has been their
prey for too many years for them to learn the arts of
peace.
The Navajoes are included by Velasco among the
* Since this address was delivered, information has been received
of the murder of several Americans by the Apaches.
Address before the Geographical Society^ 1859. 33
Apaches. They live in New Mexico along the 34th par-
allel of north latitude. The Yumas, the remains of a once
powerful tribe, live on the Colorado, near the Gila ; they
are quiet ; sufficiently agricultural to subsist. A few
years will leave them only their name.
The climate of Arizona, except on the Lower Gila and
the Colorado, is delicious ; never extremely hot, with cool
summer nights, it offers great attractions to those who
desire more genial skies than those of the North. Snow
never lies in the winter — seldom falls ; frost is rare,
though the nights are often cold, seldom freezing. The
season for cultivating is long, fruits blooming in February
and March. Cotton, corn, wheat, barley, tobacco, melons,
grapes, peaches, and all the vegetables, yield profuse crops
throughout the Territory. The grape of the Kio Grande
valley has no superior, and wine of good quality is manu-
factured from it. The rainy season in Arizona is from
June to September inclusive.
Professor Henry has, I believe, "demonstrated" that no
rain falls in Arizona or Sonora. I have not seen his pa-
per, but understand it is a beautiful theory. It is much
to be regretted, for his sake, although not for the country,
that the facts are against it. Cultivation in Arizona is
by irrigation. It is believed, by those who are capable
of judging, that, with subsoil plowing, good crops can be
obtained without irrigation, and the results of one year
are quoted in support of the theory. It will take a series
of years to prove it satisfactorily to the farmer. The
yield throughout Arizona is two crops from the same
land each year.
The population of Arizona to-day [1858] exceeds ten
thousand souls, exclusive of Indians ; two thirds of it is
established on the Rio Grande, in the towns of Mesilla,
Las Cruces, La Mesa, Don Ana, Amoles, Santo Tomas,
Santa Barbara, Pichacho, and the surrounding ranches,
B2
34 Arizona and Sonora.
including the floating population of the Gila gold mines.
The American population of the Territory is not far from
two thousand. This is vastly increasing, and the ensuing
spring will see it vastly increased. The gold discoveries,
the Overland Mail, which runs throughout the entire
length of Arizona, the lai-ge amount of capital invested in
the silver mines, together with the increasing movement
westward of our people, will add largely to the already
vigorous and enterprising population of the new Terri-
tory. It must be added that there is no law or j^rotec-
tion from the government : every man redresses his
wrongs with the pistol or knife, or submits in silence.
The Gadsden Purchase was not originally an integral
part of Mexico : it was acquired years after the treaty of
Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and was only attached to the Ter-
ritory of New Mexico as a temporary expedient. It
must also be remembered that the Gadsden Purchase,
with that portion of New Mexico which it is proposed to
include within the limits of the Territory of Arizona, is
separated from New Mexico proper by natural bounda-
ries ; that it derives no benefit from the present connec-
tion ; and that any opposition to the desired legislation
arises from the Mexican population, which fears the influ-
ence of a large American emigration. Moreover, that
New Mexico contains upward of 200,000 square miles, and
that its organic act provides for its partition; showing
clearly th^t Congress anticipated at no remote day the
settlement of the country by an American population, and
its erection into several territories and states. The only
efl'ect of the present connection of Arizona with New
Mexico is to crush out the voice and sentiment of the
American people in the Territory ; and years of emigra-
tion under present auspices would not serve to counter-
balance or equal the influence of the 60,000 Mexican resi-
dents of New Mexico. New Mexico has never encour-
Address before the Geographical /Societi/, I S59. 35
aged American population. She is thoroughly Mexican!
in sentiment, and desires to remain so. |
As a matter of state policy, the organization of Arizona
is of the first importance. Situated between New Mexi-
co and Sonora, it is possible now to make it a thoroughly
American state, which will constantly exert its influence
in both directions to nationalize the other two. New
Mexico is at present thoroughly Mexican in its character '*
and vote. Sonora,jLf we acquire it at once, will be the
same. By separating Arizona from it, and encouraging
an American emigration, it will become the " leaven ^
w^hich shall leaven the whole lump." By allowing it to
remain attached to New Mexico, or by attaching it to
Sonora when acquired, the American influence will be
swallowed up in the great preponderance of the Mexican
vote. The Apache Indian is preparing Sonora for the
rule of a higher civilization than the Mexican. In the
past half century the Mexican element has disappeared
from what is now called Arizona, before the devastatingi
career of the Apache. It is every day retreating farther.;
south, leaving to us (when it is ripe for our possession),
the territory without the popxilation. I
The American population is mostly concentrated in the
centre of the Territory, in and near the Santa Cruz valley,
and on the lower Gila, at the*f old mines. The Overland
Mail Company, by the establishment of their stations at
intervals rarely exceeding twenty miles, have much facili-
tated intercourse and travel ; and the emigration of this
year will cluster around these stations, pouring a line of
villages across the continent — in the language of the Pres-
ident, " a chain of American citizens which will never be
broken." The establishment of the Overland Mail is not
only one of the great triumphs of the age, but it is an ele-
ment of civilization which none appreciates but the front-
iersman.
36 Arizona and /Sonora.
The ores of copper found in Arizona and Sonora are
usually the sulphurets, principally gray. The ores of sil-
ver are argentiferous galena, native silver, auriferous sul-
phuret of silver, black sulphuret of silver, sulphate of sil-
ver, sulphate of iron combined. The gangue is usually
quartz or feldspar. I have before me many notes de-
scriptive of various mineral localities, even to minuteness,
but the limits of this address will not permit especial
mention of them.
The development of the mineral wealth of Arizona has
but just commenced, yet enough has been done to give a
brilliant promise for the future. The Sonora Company,
under the direction of Charles D. Poston, Esq., and more
lately under that of Major Heihtzelman, of the army, have
expended a large capital in opening and prospecting their
rich possessions. The Heintzelman Mine — so called after
the president of the company — bids fair to become more
famous than any of the great mines of old Mexico. From
a late letter it is claimed that the ores thus far smelted
yield the astonishing average of $950 per ton. I saw this
mine in September of last year. About two hundred
tons of the ore had already been extracted, and the yield
from one small furnace was about one thousand ounces
per week. At a cost of $30,000 the company have
brought from San Francisib and erected amalgamating
works, from which they expect to obtain $3000 per day —
a million a year. This mine has the most extraordinary
reputation throughout Sonora. I found, in traveling
through the state, that almost every shopkeeper knew
the value of the ore. It was obtained from the miners,
who had stolen, and sold or exchanged it for goods. The
Sopori* Mine, which has only been worked in a small
way, promises also a rich yield. I have cut with a pen-
knife native silver from ore taken from the Sopori.
* See Appendix.
Address before the Geographical Society, 1859. 37
San Antonio and Patagonia have been already men-
tioned, as well as the Compadre Mines. Many others are
known to exist, and their owners are only waiting for the
protection of a Territorial government to commence work.
Others are deterred by want of capital. Several hundred
thousand dollars have already been invested in mines in
Arizona, and several companies are now forming. . It is
my profound belief that the most colossal fortunes this
country has ever known will be made from the mines
of Arizona and Sonora. The Santa Rita copper mine,
near the Mimbres, has already been mentioned, as has the
Arizona. On the Colorado, forty miles above the mouth
of the Gila, on navigable waters, a copper mine is being
efficiently worked. It promises to be inexhaustible, and,
from its advantageous position, must be immensely valua-
ble. The ore contains a percentage of gold. Silver has
also been found on the Colorado, also gold quartz. On
the Gila copper is abundant. In fact, the Territory of
Arizona seems inexhaustible in minerals. Iron, copper,
silver, and gold are found in hundreds of localities. A
plumbago mine was discovered during the past year.
Quicksilver is the only metal of which no mention has
yet been made. I do not know of any in the Territory,
though its existence is probable.
Of the great extent of the gold region of Arizona there
can be no doubt. The late discovery of placers, or sur-
face diggings, on the Gila, has long been anticipated.
Emory, in 1849, expressed his belief in its existence.
Many an emigrant, on his way to California, has found
"the color." Senator Gwin informs me that he heard
of gold on the Gila from emigrants at San Diego in 1849.
All the frontiersmen and trappers unite in saying that
coarse gold is found in the streams north of the Gila.
Marcial, the Apache chief before mentioned, told me the
same. That gold in quartz veins exists in many parts
38 Arizona and Sonora.
of the Territory, we know, not only from ancient record
and tradition, but from actual observation and experi-
ment. A vein has been opened, and, as soon as it is safe,
will be worked, in the Apache Pass, four hundred miles
east of the present placers. Almost every silver and cop-
per vein yet opened shows, by close analysis, a trace of
gold. ^ In the Sopori Mine it has gone as high as three
per cent. At the Santa Rita del Cobre, the Mexican
miners, after their day's labor is over in the mine, Avork
the placers in the vicinity, making sure but small wages.
Tradition tells us that many years since the ores of this
mine were so rich in gold as to pay transportation to the
city of Mexico on mule-back. A gold placer is believed
to exist near a Papago village south of Tucson. The evi-
dence of rich gold placers in northern Sonora is indisput-
able. Work in them has nearly or quite ceased on ac-
count of the Apaches, but the record of their past yield
is enormous.
The facts in reference to the present condition of the
Gila gold mines in Arizona are simply these : At a point
on the Gila Kivqr, about twenty miles from its junction
with the Colorado, and in a succession of sand hills, gold
was discovered in September, 1858. The emigrants who
were still on their way stopped, and, the news reaching
California, others came in. I visited the gold mines early
in November, and found about one hundred men and sev-
eral families. A town called Gila City had already been
laid out, and temporary houses of brush and adobe were
in the course of erection. I examined carefully for my-
self, and found that several men could afford to pay la-
borers three dollars per day and their board to work for
them. I saw more than twenty dollars washed out of
eight shovelfuls of dirt, and this in the rudest manner,
and by an unpracticed hand. I saw several men whom
I knew well would not have been there had they not been
Address before the Geographical Society^ 1859. 39
doing well, who told me they had made from $30 to $125
per day each. I purchased about $300 in gold dust out
of a lot of more than $2000. A portion of this dust is
here, if any one is curious enough to wish to see it. Sev-
eral hundred men have come into the mines since I left
Arizona. My letters gave me no reason to suppose the
mines have given out or shown any signs of failure.*
The country at this point is not inviting, and there are
always at any gold diggings men who do not and will
not work, and who, if they can not make a living by gam-
bling, or feeding on some one else, depreciate the coun-
try. Gold digging is the hardest of all work, and very
precarious in the richest mines. A man who is earning
a comfortable subsistence at home should hesitate long
about giving it up for gold hunting. The old discoveries
of gold on the Spanish trail from Utah to California in
1850, the later one in Kansas, at Pike's Peak, and in Ari-
zona, together with the well-known placers of Sonora,
establish conclusively the fact of the existence of gold,
throughout a great belt of the continent from north to
south. I am indebted to the Hon. George Bancroft for
a copy of a curious and rare letter, which is not out of
place to mention here. It is dated at Madrid in 1769,
and is addressed to the Duke de Choiseul, minister of
foreign affairs for France, by the French embassador to
the court of Spain. He says:
{Extract)
" Madrid, 6 Fevrier, 1769.
"M. Galves qui a passe dans les Californies, a aussi
mande qu'elles abrondent en mines d'or et d'argent, et que
ces provinces que I'Espagne ne connaissait, pour ainsi
* The promise of gold placers has been fully realized on the Colora-
do and north of the Gila, although the point of first discovery has been
worked out, or rather deserted for richer districts in 1863 and 1864.
40 Arizona and Sonora,
dire, que de nom, pourront, dans la suite, produire une
augmentation de revenue, fort considerable.
" (Signe), OssuN."
{Translatio7i.)
•'Madrid, Feb. 6th, 1769.
" M. Galves, who has traveled in the Californias, has
also stated that they abound in mines of gold and silver,
and that these provinces that Spain has known, so to
speak, only by name, will be able in the future to produce
a very considerable augmentation of revenue.
" (Signed), OssuN."
The conclusions to be drawn from the facts I haVe thus
hastily set forth are these: That while Arizona can not
be called an agricultural state, she has a sufficiency of ar-
able land to support a large population ; that as a grazing
and pastural region she has unsurpassed advantages ; but
her great wealth is found in her inexhaustible mineral
resources. There can be no doubt that if Arizona to-
day did not contain a single acre of arable land, her gold
and silver, her copper, and iron, and lead, would some
day make her one of the wealthiest of the states of the
Union.
Sonora, of which Western Arizona once formed a part,
is so closely connected in interest with Arizona that a
brief mention of her resources and condition is necessary
to my subject.
Sonora is bounded on the north by Arizona, on the east
by the Sierra Madre range of mountains, which separate
it from Chihuahua, on the south by the River Fuerte,
which separates it from Sinaloa, and on the west by tlie
Gulf of California and the Colorado River, which sepa-
rate it from Lower California. Its capital is now Hermo-
Address be/ore the Geographical Society^ 1859. 41
gillo, was formerly TJres,* and, more anciently, Arizpe.
This state is at present virtually independent. The gov-
ernment is vested in a governor, elected by the people,
and a Legislature, consisting of but one house. Some
years past the property owners looked forward to annex-
ation to the United States as an inevitable event. The /
civil war has put an end to these ideas, and peace having '
been established at home, Sonora looks to herself, with |
the incidental help given by foreign capital and emigra- 1
tion, for her regeneration and future greatness. That j
this reliance is well founded, the vast improvement in the I
past year is a sure indication. /
In the preliminary advertisement to JLas JVbticias £Js-
tadisticas de Sonora^ by Don Jose F. Velasco, a work
from which I have freely quoted, the author says :
" It is necessary to say, without equivocation, that if
there be any state among those which compose the Re-
public of Mexico of which it is difficult to present exact
statistics, that state is undoubtedly Sonora. Populated
by an indigenous people, disseminated over the whole
state, without laws or politics, and mingled with the na-
tion of which it forms a part, it is very difficult to ascer-
tain its numbers from its chiefs. It is for this reason
that I have been only able to give approximately the
number of inhabitants. I have only undertaken a work
that at least approximates toward the truth, limiting my-
self to certain notices which may give light to other
writers on the same subject."
The state of Sonora, thus called by its earliest people
of whom we have any knowledge, derives its name, ac-
cording to the best authorities, from So7iot^ an Opata In-
dian word, which means Senora^ or Madam. The Con-
quistadores were treated with great hospitality by the
Opata Indians while visiting their rancherias or villages.
* The capital is again fixed at Ures.
42 Arizona and iSonora.
As a mark of friendship, the Indians strove to imitate the
Spanish pronunciation JSenora, instead of using their own
word Senot, from which arose the corrupted word Sono-
ra. Sonora has been divided, by various writers, into
Upper and Lower Sonora — into Pimeria Alta and Pime-
ria Baja; and still farther into the subdivisions of Arizpe,
Cieneguilla, and Horcasitas in the north, with Hostimuri,
Alamos, and the Pueblas of the Mayo and Yaqui in the
south. The state formerly included Sinaloa, from which
it was separated in 1830. It is said to be a part of the
plan of the present governor, Pesqueira, to again unite
these states as the basis of a new confederacy.*
The people of Sonora are generally docile, and, making
allowance for the bad system of government and the
great misery in which they are found, are obedient to the
constituted authorities : in fact, this remarkable docility
amounts to weakness of character, and which ambitious
revolutionary chiefs have taken advantage of to forward
their own views. For many years there has been much
suffering from revolutions and Indian depredations, and
without hope, until now, for the better, it is not surpris-
ing that the Sonoranese lost his energy of character. He
gambled to divert himself and pass away time, and, Avith-
out hope for the future, he allowed things to take their
course — a perfect fatalist. Some become desperate, and
take unlawful measures to better their condition. It is
an unquestionable fact that the association Avith Ameri-
cans, regular labor and assured employment, dependent
upon good behavior, is fast regenerating the Sonoranese.
The miners and farm laborers show great ambition to
emulate the work of an American, and to prove that they
can do as much in the same time. It only requires a
skillful hand and a good government to make the shift-
* Not confivrned, A close alliance, however, exists between the
governments of the two states.
Address before the Geographical Society^ 1859. 43
less Sonoranese of tlie present day a useful member of
society. Comparatively few educated men are found in
Sonora — a common education consisting of reading and
writing, and I believe that in the whole i^opulation it does
not exceed ten per cent, more, particularly in the frontier
towns. A leading trait in their character is hospitality,
and " let the morrow take care of itself" is a common
expression in their mouths. He will share his last mouth-
ful, and considers it a matter of course for the stranger
to take his place at his board. The women are kind-
hearted, obedient to their husbands, who rule them gen-
erally with a rod of iron. " Strong-minded" women are
not known, and usually peace reigns in their homes.
Sonora, for the most part, is mountainous, watered by
several small rivers, abundant in mineral wealth ; in fact,
is considered to be one of the richest states of the Mex-
ican dominion. There is a sufficiency of agricultural
land to maintain a large population ; but the true rich-
ness of Sonora consists in its mines of silver and gold,
and the great facilities for raising stock. The mines at
present are but little worked, owing to the Apaches and
revolutions ; but, laboring under all these disadvantages,
she is still able to export annually several millions of dol-
lars in silver bars and gold dust, large quantities of stock
to California and the Territory of Arizona; also flour to
the adjoining state of Sinaloa.
The most famous mines and mining districts (minerals)
are those of Alamos, situated in the district of that name,
and property of the Almadas, Gomez y Urreas; mine of
Subiate, near Hermosillo, property of the Monteverdes ;
"mineral" of San Xavier, San Marcial, St. Teresa de Jesus,
property of Ynigo, Cubillas & Co. ; the famous mine or
mineral of Babacanora, at present worked by a French
company ; mine of Baramachi, the richest mine discover-
ed within the last two years, having yielded 1 1000 to the
44 Arizona and Sonora.
nine hundred weight of ore and very abundant in ore —
at present the yield is not so great; mine of Corral Viejo,
gold, silver, and lead; La Cananea, silver, copper, and
lead ; La Guachuca ; las Planchas de Plata *
On the opposite side of the mountain of Babacanora,
at the distance of about a league and a half, is found the
Real del Carmen, celebrated for its great mine of that
name, and which has been worked to a great extent. It
still yields a good profit to the " Gambiissino,''^ a sort of
mining filibuster, who works regardless of the future of the
mine. Ores are still found which yield from ten to twen-
! ty marcs to the carga. The ores are native silver, aurif-
erous silver, gangue, quartz. This mine was worked in
the first years of the Spanish conquest of Mexico by Her-
nan Cortez, in later years by a company of Spaniards,
who found a chart and description of the mines in the ar-
chives of Mexico. It is remembered by the oldest inhab-
itant of Sinoquipe that native silver, six inches wide, Avas
cut out of the vein and melted in the refining furnace
without more treatment than a lead bath. This company,
owing to the changes which took place in the Mexican
territory, stopped work, carrying ofi* with them several
trains of mules loaded with silver; the mine then partly
filled with water, and the gambussinos, who have been
and are the cause of the destruction of so many good
mines, commenced operations, cutting out the upper pil-
lars and supports, and in a short time the mine fell in,
leaving treasure to an enormous amount buried in the
ruins ; in later days shafts have been sunk on the same
lode, worked, and ores rich in silver have been encounter-
ed, paying from fifteen to twenty marcs to the nine cwt.
In the rubbish which was thrown out of the old mine, a
comfortable subsistence is gained by washing in bateas —
* See a subsequent chapter for a full description of several Sonora
mines.
Address before the Geographical iSociety^ 1859. 45
quantities of grain silver being found which, refined in
the furnace, yield from twenty-five to thirty per cent,
pure metal. This, and several other mines of Sonora,
have been abandoned, not from the ores having failed or
depreciated in value, but from the want of energy in the
Mexican race. The mines in the hands of the Spaniards
yielded enormous profits to the miner ; they were men
of indomitable enterprise, who employed capital, science,
and spared no expense to succeed in their adventures;
whereas the Mexican is poor, without energy, and too
lazy to trust or help himself. Formerly, Sonora the rich
was a proverb ; now, Sonora the poor is a stubborn fact
— but not from the want of the elements of richness.
These once developed, she will once more become Sonora
the rich, and may be great.
"In the Real of Babacanora," writes John Denton Hall,
Esq., to whom I make grateful acknowledgments for many
of the facts connected with Sonora, " a miner is enchant-
ed, and his hopes raised by seeing the beautiful formation
which the whole district presents, more particularly that
portion which comprises the ' Sierra del Oregano,' which,
viewed from the houses, presents a magnificent spectacle.
My poor pen can not do it justice, so I shall content my-
self in stating a few facts concerning it which came to
my knowledge : Veins of ore rich in silver are known to
exist, from the fact of ore being found in several parts of
the mountain. Many capitals have been invested and
lost in speculations utterly worthless; whereas a small
one, invested in making a good search and prospect of this
mountain, would not be lost. This statement I make aft-
er many years mining experience ; myself and many oth-
er miners who know the mountain will stake our credit
on many tons of precious metal being hid in its interior.
The formation clay state — the richest in Sonora — the fact
of rich ore having been found on its sides and ravines,
46 Arizona and Sonora.
and the number of rich mines in the vicinity, all lead me
to suppose such to be the case. The mines on mines of
El Oregano must wait until some adventurous miner will
expend a thousand or two to enrich himself with mil-
lions.
"Mention has been made of an ancient population.
On making particular inquiries respecting them, I find
that they are common in all j^arts of the Sonora River,
and even on the River Gila. The River Sonora, from its
length, quantity of water, and abundance of cultivable
land, is peculiarly adapted to maintain a large population.
Many of the ruins are of great extent, covering "whole ta-
ble-lands, proving that in former times Sonora was much
more thickly peopled than at present. Undoubtedly some
regularity was observed in laying out these towns. In
one I found what appeared to have been a fort ; by its
position it was well calculated for defense. Unfortunate-
ly, no docum-ents exist from which dates could be taken,
the archives, and all belonging to the mission, having been
destroyed at the time the Jesuits were expelled. It is a
known fact here, and I believe in many other countries,
that the order of Jesuits have done more toward civiliza-
tion among the Indians than any other religious order in
existence. It is undoubtedly the case in Sonora; the
ruins they have left behind them prove that they were
equal to the task they undertook; and among the old
people their kindness and wisdom are still remembered
and talked of. * * * * *
" The tradition is current here, and in all parts of the
Opata nation, that the great Montezuma was the chief of
their tribe, and a great warrior. After subjecting the
other tribes to his rule, he determined on building himself
a city to live in on the River Gila — in Casas Blancas. He
commenced operations: not liking the situation, or being
somewhat disturbed in his work by the Apaches — the
Address before the Geographical Society ^IQbQ. ^7
only tribe which had not submitted to his rule, joined to
the bad omens observed by the priests — he determined
to travel in search of a good location, favored by his gods.
At the time of commencing his new journey, an eagle
was observed to be hovering over the camp ; orders were
given to observe the bird's flight, and its resting-place
ascertained ; his commands were obeyed implicitly, and
the eagle was found in the Lake of Mexico, perched on
an opal, with a rattlesnake in its beak. Here Montezuma
founded the city of Mexico, which would have remained
in his possession up to the present date if Hernan Cortez
and his gallant adventurers had not disturbed his calcula-
tions in a most important manner. Such is the tradition,
and it is considered heresy among the Opatas not to be-
lieve it. Eagle, snake, and opal is the escutcheon of Mex-
ico. Snake alone would be more appropriate.
"Humboldt mentions in his travels having seen the
ruins of Casa Blanca, on the River Gila. Another tradi-
tion is current also of Montezuma having told the con-
querors of Mexico that it would be an easy matter for
them to subject to their rule the whole of the Indian
tribes, but the Apaches never. We shall see what Uncle
Sam can do with them in a short time."
The yield of the silver mines of Mexico, as compared
by Ward and Humboldt from the actual official returns
to the government, from the conquest to 1803, amounts
to the enormous sum of $2,027,855,000, or more than
TWO BILLIONS of dollars ! Again, Ward says : "I am
aware that many of the statements in this and the pre-
ceding 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 fu-
ture report ; and in after years, the public, familiarized
with facts which are only questioned because they are
48^ Arizona and Sonora.
new, will wonder at its present incredulity, and regret
the loss of advantages which may not always be within
its reach."
Gold dust has been found in abundance in the placers
of San Francisco la Cienga, Las Llanos, Ouisabaquita, St.
Perfecto ; and Soni is famous for its gold mines, also Co-
cuspera and Baba Seco ; in the district of the Pueblo of
Cucurpe gold is found in abundance; during the rainy
season in Baquachi, district of Arizpe, it is also found in
quantities which pay well. Li a word, Sonora, consider-
ed in a mineral point of view, equals, if not surpasses, the
richest country in the known world, and only requires
capital, peace, and a liberal government. The new Ter-
ritory of Arizona, which formerly belonged to this state,
is considered by the Sonoranese to be the richest portion
of their country.
The climate is good. The rainy season sets in in June,
and lasts till the beginning of September; from this month
until March occasional showers fall. The cold is never
severe, the weather being very similar to that in Califor-
nia in the same months. From March until the rain sets
in in June is considered the dry season. The heats are
never oppressive — less so than in CaHfornia. Two crops
are raised from off the same land in the year, and which
for abundance can not be Bur]3assed in any country —
wheat, maize, beans, peas, etc., being the general grain
that is cultivated. Sugar-cane is planted in great quanti-
ties in Hermosillo, San Miguel, Ures, Rayon, Oposura,
Saguaripa, Huepaca, and the Rio Yaqui. A coarse kind
of sugar is made called panocha, which yields to the cul-
tivator an excellent return for his labor, generally selling
at |25 the cargo of three hundred weight. In all parts
of the state most excellent tobacco is raised. Cotton is
sown by the Indians on the Rio Yaqui, and the grub (cot-
ton worm) is hardly known in the crops. The average
Address before the Geographical Society^ 1859. 49
price of wheat is eight dollars the cargo of three hundred
weight, beans and peas six dollars.
The state is divided into nine districts, each being gov-
erned by a prefect, who is appointed by the governor, and
is responsible for the good conduct of his district. The
port of Guaymas at present is the only port of entry.*
It is a small, but, in the business part, a well-built town,
containing about six thousand inhabitants. The harbor
of Guaymas is the best on the Pacific coast. Four miles
long, with an inner and outer bay, it will admit ships of
the heaviest tonnage, and the commerce of the world
could be transacted at this port. The entrance is pro-
tected by a long island, which makes it doubly secure.f
The principal rivers of Sonora are the Fuerte, the Ya-
qui, the Mayo, and the Sonora. The Yaqui enters the
Gulf of California eighteen miles below Guaymas. It has
a dangerous bar, but it is believed to be navigable for
light-draft steamers to Buena Vista,]; eighty miles from
* Libertad, in latitude 29° 53' N., has recently been opened.
t The following letter is from the head of the well-known mercan-
tile liouse of Juan A. Kobinson, of Guaymas, Sonora, San Francisco,
and other points. It is proper to say that the actual export is nearer
five millions than three, a large amount of bullion being exported
yearly without going through the custom-house. The trade of Mazat-
lan is nearer twelve millions than nine.
" Guaymas, October 12, 1858.
"Dear Sir, — In reply to your inquiries regarding the trade of this
port, I would observe, the merchandise principally consumed is from
England direct, and occasionally from the United States, including
goods from the European continent and the East Indies. The amount
of imports may be calculated at about three millions per annum of for-
eign goods, besides a considerable amount of the different manufactures
of this republic. Returns are made in gold and silver bullion. And,
lastly, wheat and hides [the exports of the former] may be calculated
at three millions per annum, and say half a million of the other arti-
cles, including copper. Our trade is evidently on the increase. Re-
garding Mazatlan, from personal observation I should judge that the
business done there is about three times more than that of this port,
their exports being in coined silver and gold, Brazil wood and hides,
principally. I remain, dear sir, in haste, your obedient servant,
"Juan A. Robinson.
"Hon. Sylvester Mowry, Delegate from Arizona."
X Doubtful.— S. M.
c
50 Arizona and Sonora.
its moutb. The Sonora River flows througli the Arizpe
valley, which is called the garden of Sonora. It is almost
wholly in the hands of the Apaches. The desolation of
the depopulated towns and ranches is melancholy beyond
description. The valleys of the Yaqui, Mayo, and Fu-
erte are the best sugardands in the world.
Ures is a small city of about seven thousand inhabit-
ants, and is situated about sixty leagues from Guaymas.
Hermosillo is the largest city, containing from fourteen
to fifteen thousand inhabitants. It is the centre of com-
merce. It is one hundred and ten miles noi'th -of Guay-
mas.* The next in size and importance is Real de Ala-
mos, situated on the frontiers of Sinaloa: it contains from
five to six thousand inhabitants; it is the centre of a large
mining district, as its name implies — Real meaning town
or city of mines. Oposura, Saguaripa, Rayon, St. Miguel,
and Arispe, the ancient capital of Sonora, are large towns,
with populations of from four to five thousand each. The
entire population of Sonora does not exceed one hundred
and thirty-five thousand, comprising Mexicans {jente de
razon)^ Opatas, Yaquis, Mayos, Taumales, and Papagos :
this population, instead of increasing, is decreasing — the
Apaches, revolutions, and emigrations to California and
Arizona producing this effect ; and in a few years, if some
change does not take place, Sonora will become depopu-
lated. Mr. Hall, the friend to whom I am indebted for
many of these notes, says :
" After so many years' residence among them, I natur-
ally feel an interest in their welfare, firmly believing that
the grain of gold in their character among so much dross
is worthy of seeking out, and will repay the finders. The
* A mint has been established at Hermosillo, which is in successful
operation, having all the modern mechanical appliances for coining
gold, silver, and copper. The right to coin is a monopoly in the hands
of capitalists. The present superintendent is Mr. Symonds, an English
subject, assisted by Mr. Bowring and Mr. Monteverde.
Address before the Geographical Society^ 1859. 51
United States could do it, and would to God it should be
so ; and I and many others will be found ready to co-
operate in any just and honest mode of bringing round a
mutual good understanding But one conclusion
can be drawn of the State of Sonora, and that is, in order
to redeem to the Sonoranese his character, life, and for- •
time, it is necessary to subject or utterly annihilate the
savage Apache, who has served as the destroying angel
to this fine country. It is the most sure and ready way
to gain the eternal gratitude and friendship of the peo-
ple, and annexation of one of the richest countries in
the known world, which will also serve as another con-
necting link of the great chain of commerce with the In-
dies."
Velasco says, in concluding his review of Sonora and
the Sonoranese :
"In truth this is a most sorrowful scene; it horrors
one to consider the state of prostration which we are
now in, by the continued bad feeling of party, which
keeps us savage in civil war, and all the while forgetting
our own interests. For parties to harass each other mu-
tually; for brother to slaughter brother to satisfy re-
venge, etc., in a moment, are formed enthusiastic masses ;
but the same does not happen when the common enemy
is to be punished, who are now with gigantic strides de-
stroying the country. Until the Sonoranese shall know
that as long as they do not bury in the fold of their coun-
try, and each one give a brotherly embrace in good faith,
we shall continue to be the plaything of passions the
most strong and savage."
Having had considerable practical experience on the
plains, four journeys overland across the continent in the
past four years,* I was desirous of stating a few facts,
showing the comparative merits of the diftereut routes
* Since doubled.
52 Arizona aiid Sonora.
for a Pacific railroad. The limits of this address will not
permit, and I therefore turn from the subject, with the
prediction that the route known as the Southern, along
the 3 2d parallel, is the only one that will be built in this
generation.* Every exploration has shown it to be not
only the most practicable, but probably the only practi-
cable route. The advocates of this route point to the
significant fact that the mail from San Antonio to San
Diego has never once failed in eighteen months of opera-
tion, winter or summer. The Great Overland Mail makes
its best time on the 32d parallel, and that portion of the
route denounced as the worst, from El Paso west, has
proved itself the best. Thirteen hundred miles by stage
in December or January in less than eight days. Is there
any other route on the continent where this can be ac-
complished ? Not on the Salt Lake route. It is wholly
impracticable. Not on the Albuquerque route, else Lieu-
tenant Beale would not go into winter quarters. On the
3 2d parallel no winter quarters are necessary. It is use-
less to attempt to evade this question of climate on so ex-
tended a route. In addition, the 32d parallel is by far
the most level, and has the most water at all seasons of
the year. (See Lieutenant Parke's Report.) The first
terminus of the Pacific railroad will be Guaymas, on the
Gulf of California. From El Paso to Guaymas the dis-
tance is only about four hundred miles — at most four
hundred and fifty. It will run across the Guzman valley
through the Guadalupe or some more southern pass to
Arizpe, thence to Ures, thence to Hermosillo, thence to
Guaymas. It can be built most, if not all the way, for
$10,000 per mile, and put in running condition. It would
pay to-day between Hermosillo and Guaymas in freight
alone. It will traverse a rich agricultural and mining
country, and can connect with San Francisco and all the
* See Speech of Jefferson Davis in a subsequent chapter.
Address before the Geographical Society^ 1859. 53
Pacific by steamers. A brancli from Arizona down the
valley of the San Iguacio would give Arizona the outlet
she so much desires for her productions. It connects
with the Texas road at El Paso, and, notwithstanding all
the predictions to the contrary, the Texas*i*oad will be.
built. Should it be deemed desirable to extend at once
to the Pacific, a steam ferry across the Gulf of California,
and short railroad across Lower California to a roadstead
on the Pacific, accomplishes the desired end. If these
views were elaborated, they could be supported by an
array of evidence not to be overthrown.
In a report made to the Viceroy of Spain during the
early settlement of the province of Arizona and Sonora^
is found the following words : " A scientific exploration
of Sonora, with reference to mineralogy, along with the
introduction of families, will lead to a discovery of gold
and silver so marvelous, that the result will be such as
has never yet been seen in the world." The Spanish race
have but just touched these treasures. It remains for
the American people to make good the prediction. With
the organization of Arizona and the acquisition of Sonora,
a new impetus will be given to the Pacific. The Mexican
population will recede before the energy of American ca-
reer. At Guaymas a city will go up which shall have no
parallel in the magic of her increase except San Francis-
co. The auri sacra fames is as strong to-day as in the
days of old. Allured by the story of the new El Dora-
do which is just opening, tens of thousands of emigrants
will hurry thither. Our empire on the Pacific is just
founded. Its growth in the future will equal that of the
past, if the United States seizes the golden opportunity
now oifering. The wealthiest and most delightful of
countries will be redeemed from the barbarism into which
it is so fast falling. An immense market will be opened
for northern productions; commerce will again be stim-
54 Arizona and Sonora.
iilated as it was by California ; and the predictions of
Humboldt, that the balance between gold and silver
would one day be restored, will be made good from the
treasures of Arizona and Sonora.
Condition of Arizona from 1859 to 1864. 55
CHAPTER II.
CONDITION OF ARIZONA FROM 1859 TO 1864.
Rapid Advance of Arizona. — Reverses. — Withdrawal of the Overland
Mail. — Ravages of the Apaches. — Mining Discoveries. — The Heint-
zelman and other Mines. — ^The Military Position. — The Mowry Sil-
ver Mines. — Arrest of the Proprietor.— His Release. — The Mines
worked on Government Account. — The Apaches, and how to deal
with them. — General Carleton. — Arizona in 1864. — Progress of the
Mines. — The Mowry Mines. — Mr. Kiistel's Report. — The Bounda-
ries and Organization of the Territory.
The history of Arizona since 1859 has two aspects —
one of great and steady improvement, the other of calam-
ity and decHne. The first was the natural result of the
development of the great natural resources of the Terri-
tory ; the second of fortuitous circumstances, and the
shameful abandonment and neglect of the country by the
administration at Washington. The uninterrupted suc-
cess of the Great Overland Mail brought in its train a
constantly increasing immigration. The valleys of the
Santa Cruz, Sonoita, San Pedro, and Mimbres were rap-
idly filling up with farmers, while on the Gila many thou-
sand dollars were expended in taking out acequias, and
redeeming the rich bottom lands at availaBTe points.
The Federal Government promised protection, and did, in
fact, establish new military posts to protect the infant
settlement. These posts, however, were poorly garrison-,
ed. The troops were mostly infantry — almost useless to
pursue or punish the Apaches. The small cavalry force
in the Territory, although most ably handled by Captain
R. S. Ewell, First Dragoons, United States Army (since
Major General Ewell of the Confederate Army), was en-
56 Arizo7ia and Sonoo^a.
tirely unable to make a campaign with decisive results
against the Indians. In sjjite of this serious drawback
new mines were opened, capital obtained in the East for
their development ; the farmers flourished and built per-
manent improvements, and each year showed a decided
advance upon the last.
The change came suddenly and without warning. The
Overland Mail was withdrawn, then the troops, and the
settlements in the valleys above-named succumbed almost
at once to the attacks of the Apaches. Many lives w^ere
lost ; property of all description was abandoned ; crops to
an enormous amount were left standing in the fields,
never to be gathered. Never was desolation so sudden,
so complete. In my late journey from Tucson to Guay-
mas, I passed over one hundred and fifty miles of beauti-
ful country, studded with ranches and farms, where at
every step were found comfortable houses, out-buildings,
fences, and tilled fields utterly abandoned and tenantless.
/ The mining interest suflered at the same time. Partly
through the cowardice of agents and superintendents,
partly through the fault of Eastern directors, the various
silver mines in Central Arizona were temporarily aban-
doned, and I was left with a handful of men who were
willing to share my fortune, and, if Fate so willed it, be
the last Americans in the Territory to fall by the lance
or arrow of the Apache. We not only survived, but we
built up a great work in the heart of the country ; thor-
oughly demonstrated the great value of the mines ; and,
what is more and better, proved conclusively that the
Apaches arc no obstacle to working in the Territory,
compared to the great result to be accomplished. It is
suificient proof of this that I did not lose two hours'
work in ten months on account of the Indians. Some
- valuable lives were lost, but it was by recklessly disre-
garding my repeated injunctions and directions.
Condition of Arizona from 1859 ^o 1864. 57
The Territory has been occupied by Confederate troops,
but in small force, except on the Rio Grande. After
their retreat before the forces of General Canby — not
General Carleton, as is falsely stated — Arizona was occu-
pied, and remained in the possession of the California Vol-
unteers.
The gold fields on the Gila River, alluded to as a new
discovery in my address, proved limited in extent ; and
although worked mostly by Mexicans for several years
with a large yield of gold, were deserted about a year
ago for the more attractive placers of the Colorado. It
is said that an enterprise is on foot, under the auspices of
well-known business men, to bring water from the Gila
on to this ground by steam power. The result can
scarcely fail to richly reward the authors of the enter-
prise [1863].
At various points along the Colorado, on both sides of
the river, gold has been found capriciously disseminated,
some spots yielding enormously, others nothing. Chim-
ney Peak, eighteen miles from Fort Yuma, was in No-
vember and December a favorite locality. La Paz, about
one hundred and eighty miles above Fort Yuma, was
previously a great attraction, and is since. At this point
quite a village had grown up when I visited it in j^o-
vember, 1862. The population was then about eight
hundred, and increasing. No distinct or well-defined
ledges had then been discovered, but the most beautiful
specimens of gold quartz, silver, copper, silver-lead, and
silver and copper I ever saw, had been found, all of which,
upon assay, gave astonishing results. I am informed
since that extensive ledges have been discovered and are
being prospected in this district. Copper has also been
found below La Paz, at different points on and near the
river. Salt has been found near the Colorado in such
large deposits as to guarantee a supply of this very nec-
C2
58 Arizona and Sonora.
essary aid to the reduction of the refractory silver ores.
Adventurous " prospectors" have penetrated the country
lying between the Gila and Colorado, beyond the Desert
belt, and, making a temporary peace with the Tonto
Apaches, have found on the head waters of the Salinas
and San Francisco Rivers and their small tributaries
good gold prospects, and an abundance of water for
sluicing. All these parties, from whom I have notes of
their explorations, confirm the reports made to me sever-
al years since by Weaver, the old " mountain man," and
by Apache and Pimo chiefs, of the existence of rich val-
leys, heavy timber, and fine pasture -lands north of the
Gila. The country north of La Paz, near the Colorado
on both sides, is at present attracting much attention,
and great discoveries are daily reported. The naviga-
tion of the Colorado by steamers to the vicinity of these
mines must make them very valuable at no distant day.
The mines in Central Arizona, in the Santa Cruz and
Santa Rita Mountains, and near the Sonora line, have been
fully prospected, and no doubt now exists in the minds
of the well-informed of their great value. The Heint-
zelman Mine, now owned, I believe, almost entirely by
the heirs of Colonel Samuel Colt, is not at present work-
ed, owing, I believe, to the death of Colonel Colt. There
is no doubt of the richness of this mine. It was fully
proved under the management of Mr. Ktistel. Magnifi-
cent machinery for the Freyburg barrel-process, with en-
gines of eighty horse power, were sent out from New
York three years since, the whole manufactured under
the personal supervision of Colonel Colt, whose mechan-
ical genius has rarely been surpassed. Jealousy on the
part of Western stockholders, and an insane fear that
Colt would "freeze" them all out, delayed the erection
of this machinery ; bad management at the mine, and
other causes, impeded progress until the troops were
Condition of Arizona from 1859 to 1864. 59
withdrawn from the country, and the last manager for
the company, Mr. C. D. Poston, turniug over his right to
Colt, left for the East. The present superintendent, Col-
onel F. T. Lally, has, he informs me, opened a new shaft,
in which he has struck very rich metal; but, as above
stated, work is now suspended. During the temporary
abandonment of this mine, the Mexican " gambussinos"
carried away immense quantities of rich metal ; and the
village of Saric — just over the Mexican line, where the
ore was reduced — flourished and grew rich upon the fol-
ly of the Eastern managers.
The Sopori and Arizona Land and Mining Companies,
who own a vast tract of mineral, grazing, and arable land
in the Santa Cruz valley and vicinity, have also suspend-
ed operations. Their stock is held in good hands, and
will be good property. They intend, I am informed, to
recommence operations at an early day. Some of the
heaviest Eastern capitalists are the principal owners of
these stocks.
The Santa Rita Company own some valuable mines
north of the town ofTubac. They suspended operations
at a time when success was just in their reach, partly, I
believe, from bad management, and partly from the with-
drawal of the troops. They will, I presume, reccanmence,
now that a large military force occupies the Territory.*
* The separation of Arizona from the Military Department of Cali-
fornia is a great mistake. Under any circumstances, if economy and
time are consulted, army supplies must be drawn from California.
The military posts called Fort M'Lane and Fort Breckenridge were
established by the War Department upon the recommendation of the
writer, while Western Arizona was placed under the control of Gener-
al Clarke, United States Army, then commanding the Pa,cific Depart-
ment. General Clarke did mo the honor to consult me on several oc-
casions, and at his request I selected a site for a new military post near
the mouth of the Salinas, a few miles from the Pimos villages. This
post must some day be established. The views of General Clarke
were similar to my own in reference to supplying Arizona from Cali-
fornia.
60 Arizona and Soiiora, •
Many mines — the San Pedro, San Antonio, Buenavista,
Empire, and others in Central Arizona — have been open-
ed, but want of capital and the condition of the country-
have retarded their development.
They will, before long, become permanent and valuable
investments. Near the Mexican line, south of Tucson,
the Cahuabi and Fresnal Mines are being successfully
worked by Senor Padrez and other Mexicans. The patio
process is adopted with good results. A large amount
of silver is taken out monthly. There is a rich field here
for California capital, which must inevitably find its way
there before many months. All the mines above men-
tioned, except the San Antonio, are of the so-called hard
ores — sulphurets of silver with copper combined.
If a sound judgment prevails at Washington (which may be ration-
ally doubted), Arizona will be again restored to the command of Gen-
eral Wright, in whom the troops, as well as the people, recognize a
true-hearted gentleman and intelligent soldier — qualities they have
failed to discover in the individual now exercising command over the
Territory.
It should be said that the reports of travelers by the Southern Over-
land Mail, that Arizona is a desert, should be taken cum grano sails.
Almost any man unaccustomed to such a journey, worn out with fa-
tigue and want of sleep, would imagine himself in Hell even if passing
through Paradise. It would be about as fair to judge California from
San Bernardino and San Diego counties, as to judge Arizona from
the country west of Tucson. The letters from the California Column,
published in several of the California newspapers, are mostly written
to inflate some balloon reputation that will get a woful collapse some
day, or to accomplish some private end (for example, the shameful at-
tack upon General Canby, a most able, patriotic soldier and gentle-
man). They are certainly not intended to enlighten the public.
There is no necessity to assert what is deliberately false about the
country in order to compliment the march of the California Volun-
teers to New Mexico. The march was as good a one as could have
been made under so inefficient a general. The men are entitled to
great credit, as much for their patient endurance of uncalled-for, un-
military, and arduous labors, as for their march.
Under a competent commander, the march could have been made
in better time, and with far greater ease to the men. Under one who
had any regard for the truth, the commander-in-chief and the public
would have had the facts in connection with it, and not a romance
which is worthy a place in a new edition of Munchausen. — S. M.,
1863.
Condition of Arizona from 1859 to 1864. 61
In the Santa Cruz Mountains, about eighty miles east
of Tucson, is an immense deposit of silver-lead ores, ar-
gentiferous galena, of extraordinary richness. The sul-
phurets of lead and silver, mingled with the carbonates,
give results previously unheard of by mineralogists.
The only portion of this district yet largely developed
♦is the "Mo wry Silver Mines," the property of the writer.
The main shaft of these mines has been sunk to the
t3epth of more than two hundred feet, with galleries and
auxiliary shafts a thousand feet more. Prospecting
shafts have been sunk at various places, and tunnels
opened along the lead, on the property of the writer
(twenty-six hundred feet in extent), in all of which pay-
ing ores have been " struck" at from ten to one hundred
feet from the surfacef. About 1200,000 has been expend-
ed in the purchase of these mines, erection of reduction
works, houses for laborers, and every thing necessary
for an extensive and permanent establishment, including
steani-engine and mill. Under exceedingly adverse cir-
cumstances, in a country abandoned except by my own
people, the mines were thoroughly opened, and a large
quantity of ore reduced. It was my intention to have
used only the reverberatory* process for the reduction
of my ores, but, on account of the long continuance of the
rainy season of 1861, 1 was forced to begin with the Or-
nos Castellaiios (the common upright German or Mexi-
can blast furnace), exceedingly simple in construction,
and requiring but little skill or science t^ work. Several
months' experience with these furnaces has convinced
me of the great waste in silver resulting from their use,
although the working proved remunerative beyond my
expectation. I am satisfied that the loss in silver is,
* Later experience has proved conclusively that an improved blast-
furnace is the best for reducing ores similar to those of the Mowry
Mines. Th£ reverberatory furnaces proved a failure. 1864.
62 Arizona and Sonora.
under the best circumstances, at least twenty -five per
cent., and generally more, owing to careless attendance
and the inability to regulate the heat or the blast. The
fault was in the construction of the furnaces, not in the
principle. There are twelve of these furnaces at the re-
duction works,, six of which are run alternate weeks.
The yield is of course lead and silver, wjiich is shipped
to Europe in bars weighing about seventy pounds each.
These bars sell in England at from $200 per ton uj)ward,
giving a clear profit over all expenses — mining, smelting,
freight, insurance, and commissions — of over $100 per
ton. A portion of these bars are refined at the mines in
the English cupel furnace (the Mexican vaso), to supply
silver for the payment of current expenses. The silver
is moulded into bars, from $2 up to $300, and is a ready
and convenient circulating medium in a country where
coin exists only in the memory of some individual who
has been in California. Twenty-five tons of the Mowry
ores were sent to Europe as specimens in 1862. The
result was an offer of £50 sterling ($250) per ton for the
ore as it ran, properly cleaned. The results to be ob-
tained from these ores treated by the improved furnace
are much greater than by the present method.
In June, 1862, the proprietor of the Mowry Silver
Mines was seized by a large armed force, under the or-
ders of General J. H. Carleton, while in the legitimate
pursuit of his business, and retained as a political prison-
er for nearly six^onths. This seizure was made upon a
false, ridiculous, and malicious charge. After nearly six
months' close imprisonment the writer was discharged,
" there being no evidenc^'' (in the opinion of the court
which tried his case), '-'•either oral or documentary^
against himf a charming commentary upon the consti-
tutional guarantee to every citizen of "life, property, and
the pursuit of happiness." The mines were i:)Iaced in the
Condition of Arizojia from 1859 to 1864. 63
liauds of a dishonest and imcompetent man as govern-
ment receiver, who did much damage, caused great loss,
and finally, on being obliged to give up his place, made
away with nearly all the goods, wood, coal, arms, and
stores at the mines. No improvements were made dur-
ing this person's administration, .and the property now
being held by the Federal Government, under pretense of
the Confiscation Act, none can be made by the owner
until his property is restored to his possession. This
will undoubtedly be done as soon as the authorities at
"Washington can be heard from, as the seizure was illegal,
and dictated by personal hostility on the part of General
Carleton.*
* The following is an extract from the Journal of the Senate of the
United States, June 13, 1864 :
"The President pro tempore presented a message from the Secre-
tary of War, covering a report of the Adjutant General, in reply to
the resolution of the Senate of May 20, 1864, relating to the seizure
of the silver mine of Sylvester Mowry, in Arizona, by order of Gener-
al Carleton, commander in New Mexico, and asking by what authori-
ty the mine is now worked, and what dispositiou is made of the pro-
ceeds.
"The Adjutant General relates the fact of the arrest of Mr, Mowry,
under order of General Carleton, on the 8th of June, 1862, on a charge
of treasonable complicities with the rebels, and in view of a circular is-
sued by Brigadier General Wright, commanding the Department of
the Pacific, declaring all property of enemies of the United States sub-
ject to confiscation. The property of Mowry was also seized, and a
board of investigation appointed by General Carleton reported it as
their opinion that he had given aid and comfort to. the enemy, and
that there was sufficient reason to restrain him of his liberty, and
bring him to trial before a military commission. Mowry was then
confined, July 2d, in Fort Yuma, California, awaiting trial ; but on
November 4, 1862, was unconditionally released, under orders from
our War Department, Judge Turner directing the commander of the
fort to investigate the cause, and retain or release the prisoner as
might appear right. There being no evidence before the board, he
was released accordingly. Since then Mowry has issued notice to the
United States District Attorney for New Mexico and to the United
States Marshal, alleging illegal seizure of his property, and, on the
12th of December, 1863, filed in the Fourth Judicial District of Cali-
fornia a complaint against General Carleton and the officers who acted
under his orders in the seizure. It is inferred, therefore, that the prop-
erty has passed from the military to the civil authority ; and as to by
what authority the mine is being worked, or what disposition is made
64 Arizona and JSonora.
The yield of the mines with the present furnaces, when
all are in operation, is about $4500 per week of silver,
refined at the mines. The refuse from the refining fur-
naces, litharge, is sold in Sonora, to be used as a flux at
such mines as the Bronces, Cruzecitas, Mina Prieta, and
others containing refractory ores. It is correctly esti-
mated that the sale of the litharge will pay all the ex-
penses of the mines. As soon as the property is restored
by the government to its rightful owner, a number of
improved blast furnaces will be erected, and the mines
will be made to pay at once $2000 per day. The supply
of ore is immense, easily mined and brought to the sur-
face, daily growing more abundant and richer. I have
been thus specific in the description of these mines to
give a clear idea to th%se who seek investment in mines
of the great value of the Santa Cruz district of Arizona.
A new mine, called the " Olive," has been discovered,
and opened to a considerable depth near the Mowry
Mines. It is of the same character, and probably the
same lead as that of the Mowry Mines. It is owned by
the discoverers, three of my workmen. A controlling
interest has been or w^ill be purchased by capitalists here,
and by Captain C. E. Mowry. La Esperanza, five and a
half miles from the Mowry Mines, almost on the Sonora
line, has been opened sufficiently to demonstrate the ex-
istence of an extensive lead. There are nine veins crop-
ping out on the surface, which can be tunneled a thou-
sand feet below the cropping. The ores are argentifer-
ous galena, very rich in silver and lead. It is in all re-
spects as valuable a mine as conld be desired. It is own-
ed by a company organized here, of "solid men," and
will be immediately worked on a large scale.
of the proceeds, there are no documents on file in the department af-
fording information. The report was ordered to lie upon the table
and be printed."
Condition of Arizona from 1859 to 1864. 05
The experience gained by the works of the Mowry
Mines will enable the Esperanza and other similar ores
to be treated at much less expense, and give large divi-
dends at an early day. It is some consolation to me
that my mistakes, costly as they have been, will be of in-
calculable benefit to those who are now investing their
capital in Arizona. Some one had to be the pioneer, and
it was perhaps appropriate that it should fall to my lot,
as I was the first to introduce Arizona as a candidate
for the honors of a new state. The advantage these
mines of lead and silver possess over the more refractory
ores containing copper and sulphurets is the great ease
of reduction. Fire is the only requisite. They contain
their own flux. No expensive machinery, quicksilver or
salt, or other foreign flux, is needed, and the lead will pay
all the expense of working, reducing, and shipping, giv-
ing the silver clear in the English or San Francisco mark-
et, if shipped in the form of lead and silver bars. If re-
fined at the mines, the litharge (greta in Mexican mining
phrase) will pay all expenses above stated. The demand
for litharge is increasing, and there will always be a good
market for it, on account of the working of new mines
in Arizona and Sonora. The Pattinson process of sepa-
rating lead and silver is cheap and economical of both
metals, but at present will not pay as well as the method
now in use.
In connection with this subject, it is proper to say that
the immense advantage Sonora and Arizona have over
California or Nevada for the development of mineral
I wealth is the low price of labor — fifty cents to one dollar
per day, paidTm great part in merchandise at large prof-
its. Transportation is also much less. Those interested
will do well to inquire particularly into these points, as
well as into the character of the mines. Both Arizona
and Sonora will bear the most searching scrutiny, and
66 Arizona and So7iora.
will reward the inquirer. It is as well to say here that
capital in large sums is needed for the successful prose-
cution of silver mining. This is a condition precedent
which must be fully accepted, but with less capital than
any where else greater results can be obtained in tlie
countries in question.
In Eastern Arizona, near the head waters of the Mim-
bres River, gold has been discovered in placers and
quartz. A town called Pino Alto has been built up, and
at one time over a thousand people worked in the vicini-
ty. With the withdrawal of the troops this district suf-
fered, but still many remained. The late establishment
of a strong military post at this point will assist greatly
in its development. The copper mines of ancient fame in
the Mirabres have fully sustained their old reputation.
Smelting works have been erected, new mines opened,
and the copper in pigs shipped in wagons to Lavaca,
Texas, thence to New York. The copper sold at higher
rates than the Lake Superior, and paid a handsome profit
to the owners, notwithstanding the great distance it was
transported. These mines, as they have been in the past,
will continue to be a source of large revenue to the pro-
prietors.
The mines in the Organ Mountains, near the Rio
Grande, are not in operation. The Stevenson, Harris,
and others are certainly good mines, and will be made
profitable. In other chapters I give some mining notes,
written by competent persons from actual observation.
The presence of two thousand troops in Arizona, whose
number is soon to be doubled, and the orders lately given,
will prove the death-warrant of the Apaches. It has
been already stated that their bravest and most danger-
ous band has been severely punished, with the loss of
their principal chief and many men. The subordinate
oflficers of the California Column are eager for the fray,
Condition of Arizona from 1859 to 1864. 67
and are the men worthy of all praise for endurance and
the qualities which make good Indian fighters. I antici-
pate for Arizona a steady and prosperous career.
The Apaches — these " devils," as they are well called
by the Mexicans — have grown more daring and ferocious
in the past few years. Emboldened by the shameful neg-
lect of the general government, they stopped and robbed
the mails, killed travelers, and at last attacked ranchos.
Coming into possession of fire-arms, they grew monthly
bolder, until at length, in 1861, gaining a doubtful victory
over about sixty U. S. troops, commanded by a young,
inexperienced lieutenant, they declared and have since
maintained open war. The Federal Government has been
begged, entreated, prayed, to do something, but it has
never done it until now. I think I never saw so many
astonished and angry faces as I did when reading Presi-
dent Lincoln's last annual message to a crowd in Tucson
in January last.- When I finished that portion which re-
fers to the Indian atrocities in Dacotah and Minnesota —
" What !" said every one, " not one word about Arizona
or the Apaches ? Why, we have lost ten lives where they
have lost one — thousands of dollars where they have lost
hundreds."
The utter neglect by the government of this Territory
is a crime which has brought its own punishment, but we
have had it to bear. General Carleton, now commanding
in Arizona, has a large force at his disposal, and he prom-
ises to " clean out" the Apaches root and branch. He
can do it with the means at his disposal. If he does not,
no punishment is too severe for him. Few commanders
have so good an opportunity to become public benefac-
tors. He has begun badly, and wasted much valuable
time, but he can bravely redeem it.*
* I am sorry to say that General Carleton has gone from bad to worse.
The Apaches have not been subdued, but have committed their worst
outrages under Carleton's weak and cowardly policy. — S. M., 1864.
68 Arizona and So7iora.
My own success is ample proof that the Apaches are
not a serious obstacle to the working of mines in Arizona.
The danger to be apprehended is on the roads, and this
can be avoided by ordinary caution. In fact, almost every
disaster has been caused by recklessness or utter careless-
ness in taking precautions dictated by conrmon sense.
Governor Pesqueira, of Sonora, has offered a bounty of
llOO per scalp for Apaches, and a proportionate sum for
animals retaken from them. This should be imitated by
the authorities of Arizona. The Pimos and Papago In-
dians would be most valuable auxiliaries in the pursuit and
massacre of these "human wolves." They lately killed
about sixty Apaches and took several prisoners in a single
campaign. The children of the Apaches, when taken
young, make good servants, and are sold by the Pimos in
the Territory and in Sonora.
There is only one way to wage war against the Apaches.
A steady, persistent campaign must be made, following
them to their haunts — hunting them to the " fastnesses of
the mountains." They must be surrounded, starved into
coming in, surprised or inveigled — by white flags, or any
other method, human or divine — and then put to death.
If these ideas shock any weak-minded individual who
thinks himself a philanthropist, I can only say that I pity
without respecting his mistaken sympathy. A man might
as well have sympathy for a rattlesnake or a tiger.
The foregoing paragraphs, with the exception of a few
notes, which are dated, appeared in the second edition of
this work, published in 1863. I append some notices of
the condition of Arizona subsequent to the date of that
edition :
The eastern portion of Arizona, bordering on the Colo-
rado River and thence to the country north of the Pimos
villages on the Gila River, has within the past year re-
Condition of Arizona from 1859 to 1864. 69
ceived large accessions of population. Gold in quantity-
is found on the Salinas, the Yerde, and other tributaries
of the Gila ; and the silver and copper mines of the Colo-
rado region are developing with unparalleled richness.
In Southern Arizona work has been commenced anew
on the Heintzelman Mine, with results which promise to
falfill all that has been claimed for this noted mine. The
Santa Rita mines are also again in operation, with abun-
dant capital. The Mowry Silver Mines have produced
about their average amount of silver ; and, with the im-
proved furnaces soon to be erected, will largely increase
the yield.
The following is the Report, sent by telegraph, of Gui-
do Kiistel, Metallurgist and Mining Engineer, upon the
Mowry Silver Mines :
*♦ San Francisco, April 20, 1864.
" The lode, which is over fourteen feet wide, runs east
and west, between limestone and granite-like porphyry.
It consists of sulphurets and carbonates of lead in man-
ganese, often pure, containing iron, frequently in large
chambers. Its great advantage is the jDresence of iron,
manganese, lime, and lead, so that the necessary fluxes
are in the ore in abundance. The greatest depth worked
is 180 feet. There are four galleries.
" The present style of furnaces and system of purifica-
tion are more like waste than rational Avorking. Never-
theless, these furnaces paid all expenses, with 120 men
employed.
" The present expense of working six tons per day is
fifteen dollars per ton. There are many thousand tons
of rock out in front of the main shaft, half of which is fit
for melting after very simple concentration.
"Wood is abundant. Live oak costs one dollar and
seventy-five cents a cord.
" With furnaces four feet square and ten feet high, and
70 Arizona and Sonora.
with proper treatment, more silver at less expense could
be extracted. The best ore produces $350, the poorest
$50 per ton. But, even reckoning mining and reduction
at $20 jDcr ton, facts and calculations show that the nett
profits of one day's work of twenty tons will be $1280."
The Esperanza Mine has been sufficiently opened to de-
monstrate its great value, and the San Antonio is at work
in a moderate way, giving full promise of proving a mine
of the first class.
The mining interest of this section suffered a great loss
in the death of Mr. J. B. Mills and Mr. Edwin Stevens,
my two most valued assistants, killed by the Apaches.
The imbecile and cowardly policy of the commanding
general of the department* has caused the diminution of
our people, and a delay in again settling the valleys and
opening new mines.
Great credit is due to Francis Hinton, of Arizona City,
Henry Grinnell, Richard Halstead, and J. F. Yaeger, for
their persistent exploration of the Gila and Colorado re-
gions for the precious metals. They deserve to reap a
rich reward.
The Act establishing the Territory of Arizona was ap-
proved by the President on the 24th of February, 1863.
Section 1 describes the boundaries as follows : " All that
portion of the present Territory of New Mexico, situated
west of a line running due south from the point where
the southwest corner of the Territory of Colorado joins
the northern boundary of the Territory of New Mexico,
to the southern boundary-line of said Territory of New
* Brigadier General James H. Carleton, United States Volunteers.
It is understood that Arizona is taken from his command and restored
to the department of the Pacific, It has been a matter of great sur-
prise that such a man should so long have been retained. Under the
new commander it is hoped protection will be given, and this portion
of Arizona keep pace with the Colorado region.
Condition of Arizona from 1859 to 1864. 71
Mexico be, and the same is hereby erected into a tempo-
rary government by the name of the Territory of Arizo-
na." This section also provides that Congress may at
any time divide the Territory or change the boundaries.
The second section makes provision for the appointment
of Territorial officers, and extends to Arizona all the laws
and enactments of the Territory of New Mexico not in-
consistent with the provisions of this act, until they shall
be repealed or amended by future legislation. Section 3
enacts " that there shall neither be slavery nor involun-
tary servitude in the said Territory otherwise than in
the punishment of crimes, whereof the parties shall have
been duly convicted ; and all acts, either of Congress or
of the Territory of New Mexico, establishing, regulating,
or in any way recognizing the relation of master and
slave in said Territory, are hereby repealed."
The Territory thus organized contains a little more
than 120,000 square miles, commencing at a point where
the 109th degree of longitude intersects the 2'7th degree
of north latitude ; thence south on said degree of longi-
tude to the boundary-line between the United States and
old Mexico ; thence west on the said boundary-line to the
boundary-line of southeastern California; thence north on
said boundary-line to the 37th degree of north latitude;
thence east on said parallel of north latitude to the place
of beginning.
The white population of the Territory is roughly estl
mated at 20,000, but the number is rapidly increasing,
The number of Indians is estimated at from 45,000 to
58,000. About half of these may be set down as friend-
ly to the whites, the other half hostile.
The capital has been located, at least temporarily, at
Fort Whipple.
The following are the officers of the Territory: Govern-
or^ John N. Goodwin, of Maine ; Secretary^ Richard C.
72 Arizona and Sonora.
M'CoEMiCK, of New York ; Chief Justices^ William T.
Howell, of Michigan, and Joseph P. Allyn, of Connec-
ticut ; District Attoimey^ Almon Gage, of New York ;
Surveyor General^ Levi Bashfoed, of Wisconsin ; Mar-
shal^ Milton B. Duffield, of California ; Superintendent
of Indian Affairs^ Chaeles D. Poston, of Kentucky.
F, Biertu on the Mines of Arizona. 73
CHAPTER III.
THE MINES OF ARIZONA. REPORT OF F. BIERTU, METALLURGIST
AND MINING ENGINEER, WRITTEN IN FEBRUARY, 18G1.
The Mowry (formerly called the Patagonia) Silver Mines. — The Lodes
and Ores. — Shafts and Tunnels. — Owners. — Management. — Eagle
Mines. — Empire or Montezuma Mine. — Santa Rita Mining Com-
pany.— Mariposa Mining Company. — Sonora Exploring and Mining
Company. — Cahuabi Mining Company. — Arizona Copper Mining
Company. — Sopori Land and Mining Company. — Arizona Land
and Mining Company. — Colorado River Copper Mines. — Stevenson
Mining Company. — Harris Mine. — St. Augustin Mining Company.
— Coal Mines. — Auriferous Quartz.
PATAGONIA, NOW MOWEY SILVER MINES.
My visit to the Patagonia Mine, now called Mowry
Silver Mines, has lasted four days — the time necessary to
give it a full examination in all its parts, and to make a
careful assay of its ores. But why was it called the Pat-
agonia Mine ? Is it because it is situated in a desert in-
habited only by Indians ? Such were the questions I put
to myself while traveling, and which I thought might be
answered affirmatively. Great was my surprise, howev-
er, when, instead of finding, as I expected, barren mount-
ains as at Washoe and Mono, I gazed on beautiful land-
scapes and a country covered with trees of different kinds,
with fertile lands perfectly watered. True it is that the
nearest neighbors, the Apaches, are far from being even
equal to the Patagonians ; but this, it seemed to me,
could not be a reason for giving to such a beautiful spot,
which in spring must be covered with flowers, so sav-
age a name. Mr. Mowry was perfectly right to alter it.
This property, containing about five hundred acres of
D
V4 Arizona and Sonora.
land, is situated ten miles from parallel 32° 20' north lati-
tude, which forms the limit between Arizona and Mexi-
co, twenty miles from Fort Buchanan, fourteen from the
town of Santa Cruz, in Sonora, and at an elevation of
6160 feet from the level of the sea; and a good road,
280 miles in length, and which, with a little repair, might
be made excellent, places it in direct communication with
Guaymas. By this route, freight from San Francisco to
the mine does not go beyond five cents* per pound. The
mine is situated on the last hills forming the eastern slope
of the Sierra de Santa Cruz, and is bounded on the north-
east by extensive plains covered by the mesquit and oak
trees, which reach the line of Sonora, whose elevated
mountains rise in the horizon. Between these plains and
the mine is to be seen the Sierra Espuela, called also Wa-
chuka Mountains.
The road leading to the mine from Fort Buchanan
crosses a range of hills and mountains completely cover-
ed with oak, pine, sycamore, poplar, willow, and hazlenut.
The land and the hills around the mine are covered with
green oak, cedar, pine, and manzanitas. The whole coun-
try abounds with rabbits, quails, and wild turkeys. It is
not a rare occurrence to meet droves of deer and ante-
lopes numbering from twenty-five to thirty. The ama-
teur of more intense excitement may also indulge in bear
and Apache hunting.
About a mile from the mine, and near a little village
called Commission, of some fifteen houses, intended for
the peons and laborers of the mines, there is a creek, call-
ed Commission Creek, which is on the property itself,
whose waters never dry up, and which are more than
sufiicient to run one or several mills. The buildings for
residences, and those for stores and furnaces, are halfway
* Since reduced to less than four cents. Return freight from the
mines is about two cents.
F. Biertu on the Mines ofArizo7ia. 15
between the mine and the small village. Near by there
is a spring of excellent water, which also never dries up.
There are other springs lost in the hills, and which may
easily be tm-ned to some purposes.
The Lodes and Ores, — The principal lode of the Pata-
gonia Mine is composed principally of argentiferous ga-
lena, and runs south 85° E. Its thickness, which increases
as it dips in the earth — now eighty-three feet in depth — is
of about three feet.* Three small veins, excessively rich,
cross each other in the main vein, all running in different
directions. The size of these small veins varies from ten
to nineteen inches. Other veins, whose outcroppings are
visible on the top of the hill, and which run in a parallel
direction at a great distance, will, according to all prob-
abiHties, be met with as the w^orking of the mine proceeds.
No prospects have as yet been undertaken to ascertain
the nature of these veins. The galena of the principal
vein contains a small quantity of copper and arsenic, "it
seemed to me that I detected appearances of zinc, but I
had no means to ascertain the fact. An assay of the dif-
ferent ores has given results varying from |80 to $706 in
silver per ton, and up to sixty-two per cent, of lead.
Their reduction is of the utmost facility.
The Shafts and Tunnels. — Unfortunately,! all the oper-
ations perfected up to this day are, I might say, useless.
The labor expended on shafts and tunnels has been con-
ducted so carelessly — the different stratas of earth have
been subjected to so little investigation, that while, on
one hand, unnecessary expenses and labor have been in-
curred, on the other, a quantity of ore, sufficient probably
* Much increased in width and richness at the great depth of over
two hundred feet. The vein often spreads out into chambers of pure
ore of great size, no gangue appearing between the side walls. Two
peons have taken out ten tons of rich ore in one day's work.
t All this has since been corrected, and the mine worked under the
able direction of a skillful mining engineer, Mr. George Habermann.
76 Arizona and &onora.
to pay for the whole expenses of the establishment, has
been thrown aside as worthless. Ores which I have
picked up on the creek, being assayed, have given the
best results that I have obtained.
But the actual owners of the mines are not the ones
who ought to complain of the bad direction of the works,
for, according to my idea, it is principally this bad man-
agement which has enabled them to purchase the whole
mine at a comparatively low price. However, it will be
easy to remedy the evil, either by beginning new works
in a more suitable locality, or by modifying those already
existing. The quality of the mine is such as to cover, in
a short space of time, all the expenses which may be in-
curred in a rational manner.
The discovery of the Patagonia Mine dates only from
the fall of 1858, but it would appear that its existence was
suspected long ago, for the first parcels of ore gathered
by the Mexicans were taken, at the time of the late dis-
covery, from shafts which had been sunk many years ago,
and which had been abandoned.
The Oimiers. — The first owners were Colonel J. W.
Douglass, Captain K. S. Ewell, Lieutenants J. N. Moore,
Mr. Randal, Mr. Lord, and Mr. Doss — all belonging to
the United States Army excepting the last named indi-
vidual and Colonel Douglass. These parties started some
preliminary works — sunk shafts, extracted a certain quan-
tity of ore, and built up several furnaces for smelting.
But, being short of capital for a regular system of reduc-
tion on a large scale, two of the principal shareholders,
Messrs. Lord and Doss, who had charge of the whole
mine, sold their interest during the year 1858-9 to Mr.
E. Brevoort, who thereupon became superintendent of the
mine and principal owner.
The administration of Mr. Brevoort was not a happy
one. The mine, which, as I have before stated, had been
F. BiBrtu on the Mines of Arizona. 7 W
badly opened and badly worked, being turned into inex-
perienced hands, fared much worse. A certain quantity o£ ?7"5
ore was extracted, but, whether the proceeds tv^ere expend-
ed in useless operations, or for any other purposes, they
were not sufficient to cover the costs incurred. These
failures gave rise to disagreements between the owners,
which could not be settled except by the sale of their
whole interest, which Captain Ewell and his partners
made to Mr. Brevoort this last-named gentleman turning
the interest immediately over to Mr. H. T. Titus. But
these negotiations did not put a stop to the difficulties,
which were renewed on account of the payment of the
purchase-money. Consequently, the sale of the whole
was resolved upon, and the conveyance took place in the
spring of 1860, in favor of Lieutenant Mo wry, all the in-
terested parties joining in the deed. The price of the
mine, including the lands surrounding it, all the works
and establishment standing at the time, fixed at $25,000,
was paid in cash by the new owner, who some time after
sold one fifth to a wealthy capitalist in the East. Hence
four fifths of the Patagonia Mine are now held by Mr.
Mowry, who has given his name to it. In the hands of
the last-named gentleman, and under the direction of Mr.
Charles Mowry, his brother, the works will be started
with unusual activity. Already preparations have been
made to carry on works of a considerable extent, so that
next summer the mine will be in full operation.
The Management of the Mine. — ^The old furnaces hav-
ing been badly constructed, and being out of use, they
will be replaced by others containing all the later improve-
ments, either for smelting or refining. A steam-engine of
fifteen to twenty horse power will be put up for the trit-
uration of the ores, for the working of the pumps, and to
run a saw-mill. The waters of the creek will be gathered
in large reservoirs, twelve feet in depth, constructed by
V8 Arizona and iSo7iora.
means of thick embankments. Buildings will be put up
for the accommodation of the superintendent of the mine
and the reducing establishment, and for the engineer and
other employes. A laboratory for assays will also be an-
nexed to the works. The ores will be carried from the
mine to the reducing establishment by a railroad, for the
building of which Mr. R. Jones, Jr., has already taken
the preliminary steps. Finally, for the accommodation
of laborers, numbering from seventy to eighty, and of the
inhabitants on the frontiers of Sonora, a large store will
be opened for the sale of all sorts of j^rovisions and mer-
chandise. The expenses to be incurred this year to put
in operation the different projects in view will exceed the
sum of $60,000.
' Such is the history of the mine, which I intended to re-
late to you with details, because within a short space of
time it is called upon to rank among mines of the first
class. Even now, in the neighborhood, by the abundance
and richness of its ores, the facilities for extraction and
reduction, and the conveniences of the locality, it is con-
sidered one of the best in Arizona. Its importance would
be greatly increased if a project in which rich capitalists
of the East are actively engaged is put in execution, which
is to build a railroad between Guaymas and El Paso, in
Texas, which would connect with the Pacific Railroad.
This road, following the ridge of the Sierra de Santa Cruz,
Avould run at a distance of only ten miles from Mr. Mow-
ry's mine.
The mine which I have just described is not the only
one to be found in that part of Arizona. The Santa Cruz
Sierra, already renowned since the days of the Jesuits,
who had opened in that locality the Compadre and French
Mines, has lately given evidences of new richness. Be-
sides the two which I have just named, the Boundary,
Empire, Eagle, and St. Louis Mining Companies form a
part of the Sierra.
F. Biertu on the 3Imes of Arizona. 19
OTHER MINES.
The Eagle Mine. — This mine is situated to the east of
the Mowiy Mine, and its vein, composed of argentiferous
galena, exactly similar to the Mowry Mine, is, it is stated,
its continuation.
The San Pedro Mine. — This mine is situated on the
east side of the San Pedro River, about twenty-five miles
from the Overland Mail road, and half a mile from the
river.
Empire or Montezuma Mine. — I have mentioned above
this mine as forming a part of the Santa Cruz Sierra. It
is half way between the Mowry Mine and the town of
Santa Cruz. The ores are composed of lead and silver.
The first owners were Th. Gardner and Hopkins, who, it
seems, sold their interest out to New York companies.
Santa Rita Mining Company. — The Sierra de la San-
ta Rita, as that of the Santa Cruz, incloses rich deposits
of precious ores. The Cazada, Florida, and Salero Mines
are united in one company, under the above title. The
last one was known a long while ago, and was worked
by the Jesuits. In that one, also, the argentiferous gale-
na dominates. Shortly furnaces will be put up for smelt-
ing and reducing ; they will be erected on the very
mountains of Santa Rita, which are to the east of Tubac,
at the distance of about ten miles. The superintendent
of the mine is Mr. H. C. Grosvenor, and Mr. Pompelly is
the engineer. The capital is $1,000,000. These mines
were opened in 1856.
Mariposa Mining Company. — This company is work-
ing a copper mine, situated forty miles from Fort Breck-
enridge, at the junction of the San Pedro and Arrivaypa
Rivers, and from three to four miles south of the Gila.
The road known as the Leach Wagon Road, near by,
renders the transportation of the ores and provisions
80 Arizona and Sojiora,
quite easy. It is under the direction of Mr. A. B. Gray,
ex-surveyor of the United States, attached to the commis-
sion of the Mexican frontiers, and engineer-in-chief of the
Pacific Railroad. Mr. Hopkins is the engineer of the
mines ; the house of Soulter, of New York, is the princi-
pal owner.
Sonora Exploring and Mining Company. — This mine,
situated at about thirty miles from Tubac, in the Cerro
Colorado, is one of the principal mines, if not the richest
in the Territory. The company is working the vein
known as the Heintzelman Mine, rich in argentiferous
coppers, and also several other veins on the Rancho Ari-
vaco. The actual and imperfect system of reduction is
by means of amalgamating barrels. Steam-engines of
forty horse power, with a new process of amalgamation
and refining, will soon be introduced. One of the princi-
pal shareholders, Mr. Charles D. Poston, is the director,
and at the same time lessee of the mine for the term of
ten years. This company was incorporated in Cincinna-
ti, Ohio, with a capital of $2,000,000, divided into 20,000
shares. The sum already expended for the working of
this mine is estimated at $230,000 either in ready cash or
from the proceeds of the mine.
Cahuabi Mining Company. — The mine going by that
name is near meridian 112 and 32 north latitude, in a re-
gion inhabited by the Papagos Indians. The argentifer-
ous copper ores are treated according to the Mexican
amalgamatory process known as the patio. I have seen
specimens from this mine in the hands of Mr. Herman
Ehrenberg, president of the company, of extreme rich-
ness. The mine was opened since 1859.
Arizona Copper Mining Company. — The bad adminis-
tration and the difiiculties of transportation have been
the main causes why this mine, so rich, and which created
so much excitement in California two or three years ago,
F. Biertu on the Mines of Arizona. 81
has not given any good results. Its oxides and copper
sulphurets are excessively rich, the extraction exceeding-
ly easy, and the veins are numerous. Works at this
present moment are suspended. This mine is situated
120 miles southeast from Fort Yuma. It was opened in
1855, and the company was incorporated in San Fran-
cisco.
Sopori Land and Mining Company. — The mine of So-
pori, opened many years ago, had in Mexico an extensive
reputation. The ores extracted were exceedingly rich
in gold and silver, but the works were so badly carried
on that the vein is lost, and not even any exterior traces
of its position is left. A few arastras in bad condition
are all that is left of the operations there. The mine
forms a part of the Sopori Ranch o, of an area of 21,000
acres, situated west of the Mai Pais Sierra, and south of
the Canao Rancho, which are both considered as the best
ranches of Arizona. The Sopori Company is incorpo-
rated in Providence, R. I., with a capital of $1,000,000.
Governor Jackson is the president; Lieutenant Mowry,
one of the principal shareholders, is, at the same time,
one of the trustees.
Arizo7ia Land and Mining Company. — This mine is
situated north of the Rancho of Sopori. This company
owns a large tract of land, of thirty-two leagues square,
on which is situated the old silver mine of San Xavier,
which was worked during the time of the Jesuits, and
which appears exceedingly rich ; other veins, equally rich,
are to be found in the centre of the property, on the Si-
erra Tinaja. The company was incorporated in Provi-
dence, R. L, with a capital of $2,000,000. The Honora-
ble S. G. Arnold is the president. The treasurer is Mr.
Alfred Anthony, President of the Jackson Bank of Prov-
idence. Colonel Colt, Lieutenant Mowry, and other rich
capitalists of the East, are the actual owners. Mr. Mow-
D2
82 Arizona and jSonora.
ry is the holder of more than one half of the stock of the
company. N. Richmond Jones, Jr., is the engineer -in-
chief of this mine, as also of the Sopori Mine.
Colorado Miver Copper Mine. — About three years ago
a Mr. Halstead, well known on the Colorado districts as
an indefatigable prospector, discovered this mine on the
shores of the river, at about forty miles from Fort Yuma.
Having been examined and tested by experts from New
York, they found it to be very extensive and very rich.
Several tons sent to San Francisco last year were also ad-
mitted to be of uncommon richness. Consequently, la-
borers were engaged in Sonora, and preparations made to
work the mine on an extensive scale. Difficulties, how-
ever, eventually arose which prevented the completion of
the works. The mine is owned by Messrs. Wilcox, John-
son, and Hartshorn, owners of the steamer navigating the
Colorado, by Mr. Hooper, principal merchant at Fort
Yuma, and by Lieutenant Mowry.
Stevenson Mining Company. — This mine has been
worked during several years by Mr. Stevenson, according
to the Mexican process, and yielded him from |40,000 to
$50,000. Afterward Mr. Stevenson sold his mine to Ma-
jor Sprague, of the U. S. Army, who organized a company
in New York, to which belong General Clarke, Doctor
Mills, Mr. Russell, of the Pony Express and Missouri bonds
notoriety, and several other persons. The mine appears
to be very rich in silver and lead, but it has been wretch-
edly administered. The Stevenson Mine is situated on
the Rio Grande, not far from Mesilla.
Harris Mine. — The mine belonging to this company
was discovered several years ago. It was recently pur-
chased by Lieutenant Mowry of Judge Hoppin, Mr. CunifF,
and Mr. Bull. This mine is also on the Rio Grande, six
miles from the Stevenson Mine. The ore is composed of
lead and silver.
F. Biertu on the Mines of Arizona, 83
St. Aiigustin Mining Company. — This mine is also
situated on the Rio Grande, and the ores are like the
above.
Several other silver veins, supposed to be very rich,
have been discovered on the same river, but have not yet
been worked. All these mines of the Rio Grande are to
be found in the hills at the foot of the Organ Mountains.
Besides silver, copper, and lead mines, coal mines are also
to be found near the Rio Grande in the Organ Mountains,
in Arizona Territory. There are also mines of jilumbago
in the Sierra Rita, and some of iron in different localities.
Traces of quicksilver have been found in the Heintzel-
man Mine, belonging to the Sonora Company, but they
own particularly rich gold placers and veins of auriferous
quartz. The new district of Pino Alto, whose placer dig-
gings were discovered in May last, and which have yield-
ed fine results in gold of a fine quality, is also rich in
quartz veins.
One of the main ones is the one known by the name of
Jackson Quartz Vein, owned by G. A. Oury, of Tucson,
P. T. Herbert, and others. The vein was discovered in
July, 1860, by J. J. Jackson, on Bear Creek, about thirty
miles from the Overland Mail station, on the Mimbres Riv-
er, and twenty-five miles from the Gila River. The vein
is two feet in thickness, and promises to become exces-
sively rich. Specimens taken from a depth of ten feet,
and which were handed to me by Mr. Oury, have yielded
more than $600 of pure gold to the ton. The persons
who have visited the Pino Alto District speak of it as a
section of country exceedingly healthy, well wooded, but
quite barren in the summer months. A population of 800
to 1000 souls inhabit already the district and the town
bearing its name. An express, connecting with that of
Wells, Fargo &, Co., runs between that town and Mesilla.
Another mine of auriferous quartz, which is stated to
84 Arizona and JSo7iora.
be quite rich, was lately discovered ninety miles from
Fort Yuma, on the Colorado. The owners are Messrs.
Halstead and Yaeger, residents of Fort Yuma.
On the Mimbres River, ninety miles from the Rio
Grande, are to be found the renowned mines of Santa
Rita del Cobre, worked by Mexicans many years ago,
and well known for their richness. These mines and the
Hanover Copper Mines, situated in the same locality,
were profitably worked a long time ago. The copper,
worked into bars, is sent to New York by way of Port
Lavaca, in Texas. Two new towns, Mowry City and
Burchville, are also built on the Mimbres River.
Auriferous deposits of some importance are also to be
found on the shores of the Gila, not only at its source,
but all along its course. When we passed by Gila City
three weeks ago, nothing was spoken of but the discov-
ery of rich deposits of gold on the river. It was stated
that Mexicans were gathering from ten to fifteen dollars
per day. Besides, at the junction of the Gila and the
Colorado, about 300 Mexicans are constantly at work,
and obtain excellent pay. The greater part of this gold
is forwarded by Mr. Hooper, of Fort Yuma.
The particulars I have just given you, although already
quite lengthy, are far from containing all that might be
stated in regard to the mineral wealth of that Territory;
but I must stop here, as I only intend to give you state-
. ments entirely correct.
[To the foregoing I add, that the reports of the emi-
nent metallurgist, Guido Ktistel, who has lately visited
Southern Arizona on a scientific tour, show conclusively
that it is one of the richest silver regions in the known
world. His examination of different mines was thor-
ough, and his opinions are founded upon facts. No one
is more capable of giving sound opinions upon mines and
mining. — S. M.,J[864.]
The Colorado JRwer Mines in 1864. 85
CHAPTER IV.
THE COLORADO RIVER MINES IN 1864.
Mining on the Colorado. — The Eiver and its Navigation. — The differ-
ent Mining Districts on the Colorado. — Freight and Passage. —
Quality of the Ores. — ^Mode of Working. — Furnaces and Fuel.
The following extracts from the Alta California^ pub-
lished during the month of April, 1864, present a sum-
mary of the condition and prospects of the mining region
of the Colorado. It says :
In consequence of movements in San Francisco to se-
cure the full and cheap navigation of the Colorado Riv-
er, mining operations throughout that section are being
pushed with energy. Many tunnels and inclines are be-
ing run, and shafts sunk. Assays of different ores indi-
cate values per ton of $85, |170, $70, and $30. One mill
is already at work, crushing chiefly gold ores, and arrange-
ments are in progress for the erection of a first-class mill,
with the necessary machinery for working silver ores,
near the mouth of the river. Large piles of rich ore have
been taken out of the various tunnels and shafts, of which
there are nine mentioned in the report before us. Ex-
tensive discoveries of salt, free from impurities, have been
made. It is found in veins similar to the mineral veins,
underlying at an angle of 45 degrees, and varying in
width from eighteen inches 'to three feet. Discoveries
of coal are also reported. Several mining districts are
organized — the San Francisco, Williams's Fork, La Paz,
etc. The mines on the extreme lower river are chiefly
valuable for copper ; farther up, silver and gold predom-
86 Arizona and Sonora.
inate. The San Francisco Mining Press^ from the col-
umns of whicji'we condense the above, closes its article
thus:
"The river, which is now attracting a large share of
attention, is destined to become one of the most import-
ant rivers on the Pacific coast. Its topography and gen-
eral characteristics are certainly most remarkable. Tak-
ing its rise, as we have already said, in the Pike's Peak
mining region, it constitutes simply a mountain stream
until it reaches the vicinity of Black Canon, about eighty
miles above El Dorado Caiion. From this point to its
mouth, a distance of a little over 600 miles, this river is
navigable for river steamers of a small draught ; and for
500 miles of this distance the entire country is rich in
minerals — gold, silver, and copper — down to its very
banks, and to an unknown and unexplored distance into
the interior. All kinds of miners' supplies will soon be
delivered along this river, via the Gulf of California, for
a price not greater than that now charged for the deliv-
ery of goods at Nevada City or Placerville. Freight has
already been delivered at La Paz for three cents per
pound."
The Alta California then furnishes the following de-
tailed description of the mining districts upon the Colo-
rado, and the modes of working in use there :
The mining districts on the banks of the Lower Colo-
rado continue to preserve their attractions for a consid-
erable number of miners who have been in them for sev-
eral years. They have as yet produced little bullion, but
they promise to increase in importance, and to furnish no
small portion of the gold, silver, and copper crop of this
coast.
The Colorado River empties into the Gulf of Califor-
The Colorado River Mines in 1864. 87
nia ill latitude 31° 40/ and for ninety-five miles above
that point the river runs through a low plain. At Fort
Yuma, as we ascend the river, the mineral region com-
mences. The various districts are as follows :
I. Yuma or Pichaco District^ on the western side of
the river, near Eort Yuma. There may be 100 miners,
mostly Mexicans, engaged in dry washing for placer gold.
There are some rich lodes of silver and copper, and a few
veins of auriferous quartz.
II. Castle Dome District, on the eastern side of the
Colorado, between that stream and the Gila. There may
be 100 miners here engaged in silver mining. The ores
are rich, but they are from eighteen to thirty-five miles
from the river. Some furnaces are now building for
smelting the ores. The chief town is Castle Dome City,
which has four or five houses, and is thirty miles above
Fort Yuma, by the river.
III. Eureka District, on the eastern side of the Colora-
do, twenty-five miles, by land, above Fort Yuma, is twen-
ty-eight miles long on the river bank, and twelve miles
wide. There are 100 miners there, of whom a majority
are Mexicans. The mines are silver, lead, and copper,
and very near the river. The country or bed rock is
granite and slate ; the silver veins are in pink and white
quartz ; the lodes are from two to ten feet thick. The
chief town is Williamsport, which contains one stone
house and many tents, and is forty-five miles, by the riv-
er, above Fort Yuma.
IV. Weaver District, on the eastern side of the river,
ninety miles above Fort Yuma. The mines are copper,
silver, and gold. The principal town is Olive City, which
has twenty houses, and is 150 miles, by the river, above
Fort Yuma. The ledges which are now being Avorked
are situated at from six to fifteen miles of the steam-boat
landing at Olive City. - Among these are the Great Cen-
88 Arizona and Sonora.
tral, Colorado, Blue Ledge, American Pioneer, Weaver,
Henry Barnard, and others.
V. La Paz District^ on the eastern bank of the Colo-
rado, 100 miles above Fort Yuma. It contains 500 min-
ers, who are engaged in silver, copper, and lead veins, and
in gold placers. There are some Mexican smelting fur-
naces at La Paz, the chief town of the district, and ore is
regularly shipped to San Francisco. La Paz City has
150 houses, and is 155 miles, by the river, from Fort
Yuma.
VI. Chemahueva District^ on the western side of the
river, opposite La Paz.
VII. ill Dorado Canon District^ on the western side
of the river, 250 miles, by land, above Fort Yuma, con-
tains a population of about 300 miners, and has some rich
silver and copper lodes.
There are several other districts along the river, but
some of them are almost unknown save to a few pros-
pectors, who are wandering about in them. The Walk-
er Placer Mines, on the foot-hills of the San Francisco
Mountains, are 150 miles east of La Paz. The diggings
are good there, but the Indians are troublesome. Per-
sons bound for those mines, from California, usually go
through La Paz.
Freight for the Colorado mines, from San Francisco,
goes by sailing vessels, in a voyage of three or four weeks
ordinarily, to the mouth of the Colorado, at a cost of $20
per ton. There are four steam-boats on the Colorado
River; and they charge $25 per ton to Williamsport,
and 175 to La Paz, from the mouth. The stream is about
350 yards wide, and the channel averages five feet deep,
but it has a swift current, and a bed of quicksand, which
is constantly shifting. In the dry season, the steamers
have much difficulty above Williamsport in ascending
the rapid stream, in which no experience can enable a
The Colorado River Mines ifi 1864. 89
pilot to know where the channel will be to-morrow, how-
ever familiar he may be with it to-day. The steamers
take six days in low water in going from the mouth up
to La Paz. It is thought the price of freight will fall, in
consequence of competition and opposition. Flour at La
Paz is worth $9 per 100 pounds.
There is not a good silver mill in the whole Colorado
county, and not one mine is opened so that a large amount
of ore could be supplied at a short time, but the vein
stone is known to be good. The Apache Chief and the
Providencia Mines, in the La Paz District, and the Carmel,
in the Eureka District, among others, have shipped ores
to this city. The Arizona Company, in the Eureka Dis-
trict, has sent down sacks to hold 500 tons of their ore,
rich argentiferous galena, which is to be shipped. The
Margarita, River, Norma, Enterprise, Rockford, Gray Ea-
gle, Cache Knob, Cocomongo, and Rosario, of the same
district, have smelted rich ores in Mexican furnaces. The
ores of the two last-named mines yielded seventy ounces
of silver to the ton.
The silver ores of the Colorado Valley, or nearly all of
them, contain large quantities of either copper or lead,
both of them unfitted for amalgamation. No attempt has
yet been made to reduce the cupriferous ores ; those are
either neglected or shipped to Europe. The chief atten-
tion of the miners is turned, therefore, to the argentiferous
galena. That found in the Cache Knob and Arizona
Mines contains sixty per cent, of lead and sixty to 100
ounces of silver to the ton. This and similar ores are
reduced by smelting, which is managed by Mexicans in
the rudest manner.
The rock is crushed, not with stamps or arastras, but
between two flat stones, the upper one being worked by
hand. Some of the workmen stop when there are no
pieces of ore larger than a hazel-nut, and others will not
90 Arizona and JSonora.
have a piece larger than a pea ; very few insist on reduc-
ing the ore to a fine flour, as is done in good silver mills.
The finer the ore, the quicker the smelting, and the more
thorough the separation of the metal.
The furnace is built of stone and adobes, ten feet long,
four feet wide, and eight feet high. The inside is lined
with clay mixed with bone-dust, this being the best ma-
terial to be had there for resisting the action of the fire.
The bellows is worked by hand. It is made of canvas,
and has two horizontal chambers, each about as wide and
half as long as a barrel. These two chambers or bellows
are put on a level with a man's breast ; and the workman
pulls out the board end of one bellows, while he pushes in
the board end of the other. Each chamber has its own
pipe, but the two unite, and thus, by the alternate move-
ments of the arms, a constant stream of air is kept up.
The fuel used in smelting is charcoal, made of mes-
quit, which gives a fire of intense heat. Twenty-five or
thirty pounds of ore are put in at intervals of ten or fif-
teen minutes, and at the end of an hour and a half or
two hours they tap the furnace, let out the metal, clean
out the slag, and commence anew. The metal which has
run out, called 2^planclia^ weighs from 125 to 150 pounds,
and contains only about one half of one per cent, of silver
to ninety-five per cent, of lead, with a few other base sub-
stances.
After all the ore on hand is smelted, refining com-
mences. Two or three planchas are put into the furnace
and melted, and kept at a high heat. The lead turns to
litharge, which is raked ofi", and, as the molten metal de-
creases in quantity, more planchas are added, until the
lead has all been converted into litharge, and the silver
remains pure enough to be sent to the market. The lith-
arge is worth seven cents per pound, and brings nearly
as much as the silver.
The Colorado Biver Ilines in 1864. 91
There are numerous furnaces of this kind in the Colo-
rado region, nearly all of them worked by Mexicans.
It is plain that, if ore will pay for such working, there
must be silver in it. The Mexicans oifer to pulverize,
smelt, and refine for $40 per ton. Some Frenchmen at
Olive City have a better class furnace, and rumor says
they are doing well. The Americans are anxious to get
stamps and good furnaces. The Recorder of the Eureka
District, Mr. Spann, is no|j|^ in this city for the purpose
of getting fire-brick for furnaces, for the clay and bone-
dust will not last long in a heat hot enough to smelt sil-
ver.
The Colorado valley may not be equal to Paradise for
a home, but it is rich in silver, and silver mines are not
generally found in the most fertile valleys and the most
genial climes. There are probably no silver mines in the
world so near the level of the sea as those at Eureka.
92 Arizona and So7iora,
CHAPTER V.
SONORA FROM 1859 TO 1864.
Improvements since 1859. — The Southern Pacific Railroad. — The
Overland Mail — Guaymas. — Labor in Sonora. — Great Mining Ha-
ciendas.—The Mining Districts, ^amos, San Xavier, Las Bronces,
Los Cedros. — Price of Labor. — The Jecker Contract for the Survey
of Sonora. — Captain Stone's Scientific Commission. — Its Failure. —
What it accomplished. — Extracts from Captain Stone's Letters. —
What the Contract granted. — Present Condition of Sonora.
The prospects of Sonora have much improved since
1859. The constitutional power of the state has been
boldly asserted, and maintained with courage and ability
by Governor Pesqueira ; the disturbances caused by the
Yaqui Indians suppressed with a firm hand, revolutions
nipped in the bud, and profound peace maintained for a
long time past. A new port, La Libertad, on the Gulf
of California, above Guaymas, has been opened, giving an
immediate outlet to the valuable district of Altar and
northeastern Sonora, and to Arizona. A liberal grant
has been made by the Legislature of Sonora to an East-
ern company, ably represented by General Angel Trias,
for the right of way of a railroad from Guaymas to El
Paso, to connect with the Southern Pacific Railroad.
This road, which would now have been in an advanced
state had it not been for the civil war in the United
States, must some day be built. The extension of tlie
Opelousas Railroad from New Orleans, with the Mem-
phis branch to San Antonio, Texas, and El Paso, then to
Guaymas, will surely be built before any other road,
when wise counsel shall take the place of the madness
of the hour, and peace again shed her benignant smile
Sonora from 1 85 9 ^o 1 864. 93
over our unhappy country. European capital, witli the
valuable grants in aid of constructing the road, was se-
cured to a sufficient amount to insure its rapid comple-
tion. The calculations on which this foreign aid was
procured remain valid, and the development of Sonora
and Arizona will increase their value. The great valley
of the Mississippi will be placed in easy communication
with the Pacific — a communication most devoutly to be
wished. An immense item — never yet noted, I believe,
in the trade of such a road — will be the freight of un-
numbered tons of ores, not sufficiently rich to bear the
present costly transportation. As a friend, who is more
poetical than pious, remarked to me, " God never intend-
ed these ores, worth ten or twenty dollars a ton, to re-
main useless forever." I see no reason to change, in any
degree, ray opinion of the great superiority of the south-
ern route along the 32d parallel for the Overland Mail
and Pacific Railroad.
A temporary and partial success during the very mild
winter of 1862 and '63, of the Northern Overland Mail,
is no decided proof in its favor. " One swallow does not
make summer." The advantage of climate — and vastly
less cost — is indisputably with the southern route. I
have therefore reproduced, in a subsequent chapter, an
extract from the speech of Senator Davis, and my own
brief remarks. I stand by them, and am willing to risk
what little of reputation I may have on their accuracy.
A considerable amount of Eastern capital has been in-
vested in city lots in Guaymas, and landed property near
this magnificent port. The founderies of this city (San
Francisco) are turning out engines, mills, and costly ma-
chinery for the several mines owned in part here. The
steam-ship line established between San Francisco and
Guaymas is not only a permanent "institution, but the com-
munication will soon be greatly facilitated by the addi-
94 Arizona and Sonora.
tion of another steamer to the route. The last steamer
went full to her guards with freight and passengers, and
this is but the beginning. I am drawing no fancy pic-
ture. The reader can inquire for himself. I repeat, with
a sincere conviction of their truth, the words of Ward in
his able work on Mexico : " 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,
Arizona, Chihuahua, and Durango), will be thought ex-
aggerated. They are not so. They icill he confirmed hy
every future report; and in after years, the public, famil-
iarized with facts — ichich are questioned only because
they are new — loill loonder at its present incredulity^ and
regret the loss of advantages which may not alioays be
within its reach?''
I submit the descriptions contained in the following
chapters of various mines in Sonora to the attentive con-
sideration of the public. Detailed notices of La Cananea,
Cieneguita, and others, are given, not to show that they
are the only good mines, but as types of different classes
of mines which are found in the state.
The question of labor is one which commends itself to
the attention of the capitalist : cheap, and, under prop-
er management, efficient and permanent. My own ex-
perience has taught me that the lower class of Mexicans,
with the Opata and Yaqui Indians, are docile, faithful,
good servants, capable of strong attachment when firmly
and kindly treated. They have been " peons" (servants)
for generations. They will always remain so, as it is
their natural condition. The master, if he consults his
own interest, and is a proper person to carry on extensive"
works, is (in their own language) their "«mo y patro7i''*
— "guide, philosopher, and friend." They depend upon
him, and serve him willingly and well.
I can fairly assert that, although having large pecunia-
Sonorafrom 1859 to 1864. 95
ry interests in both Arizona and Sonora, I have not exag-
gerated the advantages or palliated the drawbacks to the
investment of capital and personal enterprise in these
states. They are part of the Pacific Empire, in which I
claim a citizenship of more than ten years. In these
pages I have had but one desire : to state things as they
are, and, in the spirit of an honorable ambition, to con-
nect my name, in a permanent and useful way, with her
magnificent progress to a place among the powers of the
world.
To appreciate what wonderful internal resources Sono-
ra has, one should visit the Hacienda de la Alameta, fif-
teen miles from Hermosillo, owned by Don Manuel Yiii-
go, or of La Labor, owned by the Astizarans. A few
weeks since, with a member of the Ynigo family, I went
over the Alameta. There are miles of wheat, corn, and
sugar-cane. An immense field is being cleared for cot-
ton. Some specimens of the cotton, of good, fine staple,
growing wild, were exhibited. A flour-mill of the best
description, with abundance of water poAver ; sugar mill
and works ; a manufactory of blankets, the wool for which,
and the dye-stuffs, are grown on the place; a wagon
manufactory is also carried on for the sole use of the ha-
cienda; tobacco also is produced, of excellent quahty;
oranges, lemons, pomegranates, and other tropical fruits,
of delicious flavor, are grown in abundance. These places
are simply principalities, where a man has all the prod-
ucts of the earth under tribute and at hand. The large
cotton mill near La Labor, at San Miguel, has been offer-
ed to San Francisco capitalists on liberal terms. The cot-
ton can be raised at its very door. Indigo, Brazil wood,
cochineal, and other dye-stuffs, grow spontaneously in the
Yaqui and Mayo valleys ; also coffee of the best quality.
The following are some of the principal mining dis-
tricts of the State of Sonora :
96 Arizona and Sonora.
Alamos is situated some 240 miles southeast from the
port of Guayraas. This district is particularly rich in
silver leads. The principal or most noted mines are ISTue-
stra Seiiora de V^lvanero, in the small Real of Promon-
torio, five miles north, which has been owned and work-
ed by the family of Almadas for the last century. The
present owner, Don Jose M. Almada, is now working a
deposit of black ores, which he found at a depth of 600
feet, with surprising results. His reduction works are
^ situated at Los Mercedes, about two miles to the east of
Alamos. The mines of Dios Padre, Santo Domingo, Lib-
ertad Cotera, and many others, are in the immediate vi-
, cinity of Fromontorio. The Real of Minas Nuevas, about
two miles east of Alamos, contains many rich mines;
among them San Jose Uvalama, Discobredora, Rosario
de Talpa, Sambono, and others. The Rosario de Talpa
and the Sambono are now successfully worked by Juan
A. Robinson, of Guaymas, and T. Robinson Bours, of
Stockton. The district of Alamos contributes very large-
ly to the export of silver from Sonora.
San Xavier is distant about 140 miles from the port
of Guaymas in a northeast direction, and about the same
distance southeast from the city of Hermosillo, approach-
able from both points by an excellent wagon road. This
is one of the oldest and richest mineral districts of Sono-
ra. There are many mines situated within a radius of
about three miles, viz.. Las Bronces, Las Cruzecitas, Las
Afucseiios, Las Cumbres, La Division, La Naguila, Las
Animos, La Sierra, and many others. The most import-
ant are Las Bronces, worked by Don Mateas Alsua, who
has erected extensive reduction works, having stamps,
barrel furnaces, etc. ; his ores are treated by the Freyburg
process, yielding about $1000 per day. Mr. Alsua is also
working the Naquila.
Las Bronces is situated about 200 yards lower down
So7iora from 1859 to 1864. 97
than Las Cruzecitas. The latter, which now belongs to
the Las Cruzecitas Mining Company of this city, has been
extensively developed ; ten tons can be raised daily, and,
when farther elaborated, will yield much greater quanti-
ties. The vein, which is particularly well defined, in-
creases in width and richness as it descends ; and now,
at a depth of 145 feet, the vein is nine feet wide. The
ore of the pilares is very rich, while that from the mine
averages over $150 per ton all through. The petanque
(the miner's name for rich suljihurets of silver) extract-
ed from the lower excavations assays over $3000 per
ton of 2000 pounds. The company will erect reduction
works at the mines, and think to be in operation about
the 1st of October next. The company is managed by
persons of wealth and high responsibility. About fifteen
miles fron San Xavier is San Antonio de la Huerta, at
which place is located La Mina Prieta Musidora and other
valuable mines. In the district of Saquaripa are many
valuable mines of both gold and silver; the famous Mula-
tas Mine has yielded millions of fine gold, and the Ciene-
guita Mines, worked by Mr. Robinson, of Guaymas, are
in that vicinity.
Los Cedros^ belonging to Don Jose Santos Terminel,
is situated in the district of Barroyaca, near the small
town of Tesopaco, forty -five leagues from Guaymas in
the direction of Alamos. This is a very rich mine, and
has been extensively worked. It is surrounded by rich
and arable lands. A permanent stream of water flows in
the vicinity of the mine.
The State of Sonora is particularly favored for mining
operations, having plenty of fuel, pasture, and water, labor
being abundant and cheap ; common laborers, " peons,"
to be had at from thirty- seven and one half cents per
day, and furnaco - tenders at from fifty to seventy -five
cents.
E
98 Arizona and Sonora.
I proceed to give a brief history of the Jecker contract
for the survey of the State of Sonora.
In the year 1857, Messrs. Juan Bautista Jecker & Co.,
Don Antonio Escandon, and Don Manuel Payno, of the
city of Mexico, on the one part, and J. B. G. Isham, of
San Francisco, California, on the other, entered into a
contract for the survey of the public lands of Sonora.
The contract was based upon a grant to the house of J.
B. Jecker & Co. by the general government of Mexico,
the terms of which were an absolute transfer of one third
of all the public lands (terrenos baldios), with the right
of purchasing any portion of the two thirds remaining to
the general government for cash, in preference to any
person offering the same sum. The condition of this
grant being an accurate survey, with maps, of the public
lands, with the most exact description possible of the cli-
mate, productions, and advantages for commerce and
agriculture. The time allowed for this survey was three
years.
By a series of deeds, this contract became vested in the
hands of Jecker & Co., J. B. G. Isham, S. W. Inge, J. Mora
Moss, Wm. M. Lent, and James E. Calhoun. A scientific
commission was organized under the command of Captain
(now General) Charles P. Stone. Perhaps never before
was so excellent an organization for a similar purpose,
consisting of so many accomplished men in each depart-
ment. Vessels were purchased for the survey of the coast.
The head-quarters of the commission were fixed at Guay-
mas, and the survey carried on for a long time with a vig-
or and accuracy which promised an early and successful
completion of the work, thus securing to the contract'
ors a property whose value can hardly be estimated in
ordinary figures.
Difliculties sprang up between the state government
and Captain Stone, which at first delayed, then entirely
Sonorafrom 1859 i?o 1864. 99
paralyzed the work, and, finally, the scientific commission
was expelled from Sonora by the government of the state.
It is no province of mine to enter into the merits of this
difiiculty. There are two radically difi*erent versions : On
the one hand. Captain Stone being charged with violating
the laws of the state, and fomenting revolution ; on the
other, it is claimed that the state government's action was
illegal and uncalled for. The commission proceeded to
Arizona and built a little village, where it remained idle
for months. Captain Stone appealed to the U. S. govern-
ment for protection, and demanded to be reinstated in his
rights In Sonora. The TJ. S. government did not sustain
him. !N'egotiations with eminent capitalists for more
funds in New York, all completed, were broken up by the
continued opposition of the government of Sonora, and
other causes, and the work has not been renewed.
The regular protests and legal steps were taken to se-
cure the rights of the owners of the contract, and a very
able opinion from Caleb Cushing as to the validity of the
contract, and its binding character on the Federal Govern-
ment of Mexico, was obtained. This opinion was answer-
ed at length by Mr. Monteverde, Secretary of State for
Sonora, in a paper which is claimed by his friends and the
opponents of the Jecker contract to be able and conclu-
sive.
About $250,000 was expended in the survey as far as
it had progressed, and a much smaller sum would have
completed the entire work. It should be added that this
contract in no way invalidates private titles to lands or
vested rights. It includes the " terrenes baldios" — that
is to say, " all the property of the Federal Government,
waste lands, the old presidios, the Jesuit and Franciscan
Missions, the lands of barbarous tribes of Indians, ene-
mies of the white race, who have never submitted to the
laws ; and, lastly, the lands occupied by private individ-
100 Arizona and Sonora.
uals to which they have no legal title, comformable to
Mexican laws."
From the letters appended, it will be seen how much
had been accomplished. I was in Sonora "in 1858, and
saw a considerable portion of the work, and since many
of the maps. They do great credit to Stone, Jasper and
Robert Whiting, engineers, and to the other gentlemen
of the sm'vey. It is hardly necessary to add that the own-
ers of the Jecker contract fully believe in its validity, and
in their ultimately receiving the benefits of it.* They are
men of capital and enterprise. They undertook and car-
ried on the work in good faith, and in a manner commen-
surate with its magnitude and the great return they were
to receive. The benefit to a state of such a survey can
not be overestimated, and it is doubtful if it would have
been undertaken, except under a liberal contract, for many
years.
Extracts from Correspondence of Captain Stone, Chief of Commission.
Guaymas, May 19, 1858.
The engineers on board have carried their work on Pinacati Bay
about thirty-six miles, which will bring in between seven and eight
hundred thousand acres more of public lands. They have also sur-
veyed George's Island.
For the past ten days I have had a party at work on a large rancho
about four miles from town, which extends six and seven leagues on
the coast. This survey enables us to stretch up the coast and take in
some public land in that direction.
June 11. Specimens of minerals and dye-woods are constantly
brought me, and I can now, on my own knowledge, declare Sonora
to be the richest in natural productions of the states of Mexico which
I have seen, and those nearly all.
July 11. I have ready two more detail maps, embracing about
400,000 acres, and there will be a third nearly ready containing
375,000 more.
* It is stated that Mr. Jecker has been recognized as a French citi-
zen, and will receive the protection of the Emperor Napoleon in assert-
ing his rights in Mexico.
So7iorafrom 1859 ^o 18G4. 101
July 31. You may be confident that, once settled, the lands of the
Yaqui Valley will exceed those of Texas in her best parts. Three
crops can be grown there each year, and the soil is inexhaustible. Had
I half a million, I would venture it, knowing what I do, on this enter-
prise. I send you detail maps Nos. 2, 4, and 5.
Aug. 15. I send you detail map No. 8. Before this letter reaches
you I shall have notes for mapping the whole of that portion of the
coast south of Guaymas, one hundred miles of coast near Tiburon,
and a large body of lands adjoining that coast. These surveys will
embrace many hundred square miles of the most valuable lands in the
state, and nearly all public lands.
I assure you that, with a little patience, this contract must turn out
many millions. If I am not crippled for the want of funds, I shall
have the entire coast for a depth of thirty to forty miles ; the entire
north line for an equal depth ; the entire southern line, and a part of
the eastern, accomplished before the end of winter ; but if funds fail, I
shall be forced to abandon the grandest and richest enterprise which
has been undertaken in this country by private individuals.*
The action taken by the governor diminishes our labors immensely,
for now I am not obliged to measure separately the private lands, but
work as best I can, and your rights under the contract are " conserved,
although the limits may remain pendent through the action of what-
ever civil or military authority or tribunal of justice."
I have just dispatched a new set of maps, furnished for the use of
the judge who, during these troublous times, is to hold his sittings in
Mazatlan, and on the approval, the titles to all surveyed will be issued
immediately.
You will thus soon find yourself the owner of some millions of acres
not taxable.
Survey of Sonora, Of55ce of Chief of Commission,!
Guaymas, Nov. 25, 185S. j
Col. S. W. Inge, Washington, D. C. :
At Mr. Moss's request, I have had constructed, and herewith inclose
to you, a map, showing the amount of work done. It shows all that
we can now send in, but not near all that we have partial notes of.
Slight reconnoissances will enable us to use a great number of notes
which we have on hand, but which require connecting explanations.
I beg you also to see immediately Doctor Thomas Antisell, the ge-
ologist appointed for the commission ; he is now in the Patent Office.
* The foregoing letter was written before Messrs. Inge and Moss ad-
vanced the money named in their contract with Mr. Calhoun.
102 Arizona mid Sonorci.
Please furnish him with thi-ee thousand dollars — two thousand on ac-
count of pay, and one thousand with which to purchase instruments,
etc. — and dispatch him hereby the Overland Mail. His services will
be ot immense value, both before and immediately after annexation.
The lands surveyed in the Yaqui, Mayo, and Fuerte River valleys
are rich beyond estimate, and immense bodies of them are public land.
Dr. Antisell will be invaluable in getting possession of mines, select-
ing those of value, and rejecting those not worth the trouble and ex-
pense. You have the foundation of one hundred great companies in
your contract — great land companies and great mining companies.
Do not lose one moment in communicating with me after you re-
ceive this, and please send me authority to draw on New York and on
San Francisco, for, if I must carry out the entire contract under the
estimate, I must have funds so as to not be obliged to contract the
operations.
You can not, so far away, conceive even the value you have. Do
not allow the matter to fall through by delay, which will be as bad as
abandonment.
I shall write you by every possible opportunity, and setid maps as
fast as they can be constructed. I have a beautiful chart of this port
and neighborhood, but can not get it copied in time to send now.
Captain Davis has commissioned Mr. Whiting (one of our engineers)
as his clerk, and made him bearer of dispatches to Fort Buchanan,
whence they will be forwarded by the commandant.
I remain, dear sir, yours very truly,
Charles P. Stone, Chief of Commission.
The development of the mining interest of Sonora by
American capital has largely increased during the years
1863 and 1864. Many new mines have been opened, and
the prospects of nearly all are good. Among the most
prominent mines opened lately are Las Cruzecitas, Cor-
ral Viejo, and El Refugio, the latter on the border of
Chihuahua. Trade vi^ith San Francisco has largely in-
creased, and is increasing.
Mines of La Cananea and Cieneguita^ iSonora. 103
CHAPTER VI.
THE MINES OF LA CANANEA AND LA CIENEGUITA, SONORA.*
La Cananea: Eai'ly Working of the Mines. — Don Ygnacio Perez. —
The Sierra of La Cananea. — Condition of the Mines in 1860. —
Their Situation. — The different Mines. — The Ores. — Chamunque.
— ^Access to the Mines. — Assays of Ores. — La Cieneguita: Situation
of the Mines. — Early Working. — Their Abandonment. — Titles. —
Location. — The Mines. — The Hacienda. — Fuel, Water, Building
Materials, Wages, Provisions, etc. — Resume. — Assays of the Ores
of La Cieneguita.
La Cananea. — When or by whom the mines of the
Cananea were first opened is lost with the missing min-
ing records of the State of Sonora. Long periods of rev-
olution, which checker the annals of that unhappy prov-
ince, have caused the dispersion and destruction of the
archives, and have even extinguished the faint and flick-
ering torch of tradition.
Seventy years ago or more they were worked on a
large scale, and with great energy, by the house of Guea,
of Chihuahua, but when that house went down in the
disturbances which marked the advent of the century,
the mining enterprise was abandoned, and remained in
abeyance till the epoch in which Don Ygnacio Perez re-
established their exploitation. On the death of the elder
Perez, his son, the second Don Ygnacio, continued the
w^orks but a short period, when, either from pecuniary
embarrassment or Indian troubles, he stopped all opera-
tions on the Cananea, devoting himself exclusively to the
care of his numerous and extensive haciendas.
Subsequently to the great rising of the Apaches de
* Reports of Robert L. D'Aumaile, Mining Engineer and Assayer
for the State of Sonora.
104 Arizona and Sonora.
Paz in 1831, Don Ygnacio Perez recommenced operations
in the district under the superintendence of his brother
Don Francisco, and ultimately under that of John P.
Brodie, who erected new reduction works, and continued
in charge till their final abandonment, owing to the fail-
ure of the proprietor, and renewed Indian difficulties in
1837. Don Ygnacio Perez retired to Mexico, where he
died about three years since in deep poverty, leaving his
affairs in inextricable confusion. His widow, a daughter
of General Urrea, remains in Mexico ; his son, Francisco,
resides in Ures. Two surviving brothers, Felipe and
Francisco, reside in Arizpe andTJres respectively. None
of these have any legitimate claim on the mines of La
Cananea.
The Sierra of La Cananea is situated about twelve
leagues southwest of the presidio of Santa Cruz ; about
eighteen southeast of that of San Pedro ; probably thirty-
five miles southerly from Fort Buchanan, and not far
from the American line. The mines (worked) are seven
in number, of which the principal are El Ronquillo, La
Chivatera, San Rafael, Santo Domingo, LaMina de Cobre
Pobre, and La Mina de Plomo de Arvallo. Li addition
to these are LaMariquilla (of white copper). El Taj o (the
ancient mine), and others ; in fact, the whole region is
strongly mineralized and of most prepossessing exterior.
The Hacienda de Beneficio of Perez & Arvallo is on El
Ritto, a permanent stream at the foot of the mountains,
about a mile or a mile and a half from the mines. The
greater portion of the road is excellent, and the remain-
der can be readily made so.
The Governor of Sonora* being strongly impressed
with the extent and value of the mineral deposits of the
* La Cananea is the property of Don Ygnacio Pesqueira, present
governor of Sonora. It is said a large capital is to be invested in this
mine by foreigners.
Mines of La Cananea and Cieneguita^ Sonora. 105
Cananea, at his request I undertook its exploration, and
in the middle of March of the present year, under escort
of Don Santiago Garcia, Prefect of Arizpe, visited the lo-
cality. We found the old hacienda a mass of ruins, over-
grown with rank vegetation, but the new one erected by
Mr. Brodie in such a state of disrepair that an expendi-
ture of half its cost would probably suffice to restore it
to its pristine condition. All 'the machinery had been
destroyed by the natives in order to steal the metal-
work, and most of the roofs had fallen.
The situation is pleasant — on the borders of a vast
plain, covered with wild horses, which stretches away to
the San Pedro ; and much arable, with any quantity of
grazing land, lies immediately around the site. Half a
mile or so up the valley brings us to the mine of El Ron-
quillo, called also, from its refractory ores, La Maletiosa,
with its ancient hacienda. This mine was the property
of Arvallo, and in dispute with Perez, who never worked
it, being driven off by the Apaches. Government could
not supply me a guide, and all the information I could
obtain on this and the other mines has been drawn from
various, scattered, and irregular sources, and should not
receive entire credence. I consulted all the existing
books of the enterprise in Arizpe, but they threw no light
on any thing except the most obvious of all, San Rafael.
El Ronquillo has a thickness of three and a half or four
feet of very rich ore, worked to a depth of eighty feet.
It has several mouths, is full of water to the brim — which
water conjes from copious springs in the lower workings,
and a ravine which passes across the vein — and, from its
situation upon the gentle slope of a hill, which gradually
merges into the plain beneath, can not be drained by a
tunnel, but recourse must be had to steam machinery.
No ore of this mine was found in the debris or the haci-
enda; but I ordered search made in all the slag- heaps,
E 2
106 Arizona and Sonora,
and the lead extracted, of which the assay is annexed,
shows that the ore was extremely rich.
Passing up the ravine, we crossed in the path more
than one outcrop of copper ore, into which a pick had
never been struck, but which, on assay, yielded a fair per-
centage of copper, and a quarter of a mile above reached
the mine of La Chivatera. La Chivatera is situated on a
steep declivity, admirably adapted to tunnel -drain age,
and is half full of water. It bears every external evi-
dence of being a powerful vein, but I am assured by Mr.
Brodie that it is really an irregular deposit, The ores
are various, of copper, silver, and lead, those of copper
prevailing. The teneros are full of good ore, and at their
feet flows a permanent stream, unfit for use from mineral
impregnation, but well placed to wash the rubbish. In
fact, the ore thrown away in the teneros, lying in the hac-
iendas, and metal wasted in the slags, would form a re-
spectable fortune for a man in Europe.
Three hundred yards higher up lies a great open cellar,
for I can compare it to nothing else, with a small pile of
refuse lying at one side : this is the mine, or Tajo of San
Rafael. Judging from the small amount of earth visible,
and the statements of the old administrador, it is nearly
a solid -mass of ore. You have ore on all sides in the
level, so that it is impossible to tell where the vein is.
This ore is ductile and most easily reducible — it flows
like water m the furnace* ' The supply is apparently in-
exhaustible.
Farther up the glen is the Mina de Plomo de Arvallo,
of the same character as San Rafael. The ores of these
mines appear to consist principally of oxide and sulphate
of lead, although vast masses of galena are found, and are
so soft that a single barretero can throw down many
tons a day, Avhile the cost of extraction is nothing. The
holes appear of trivial dimensions, and yet tliey have
Mines of La Caiianea and Cieneguita^ Sonora, 107
been worked from time immemorial, and the litharge, or
jugas, from San Rafael have supplied all Northern So-
nora with that necessary article, and they have ever form-
ed an article of export to Jesus Maria and other great
mining towns of Central Chihuahua.
Continuing our course and passing some false veins,
we reach the mine of Cobre Pobre. The ore of this
mine is boundless in extent, but of inferior quality, and I
paid it but little attention. Near this point is the great
vein of La Mariquilla, which I could not find for want
of data, and of course did not visit. I had been assured
that it was in the Sierra of la Mariquilla, four leagues to
the northward (and it seems there is some mine there),
and that the discoverer was dead and the site nearly
forgotten. This mine, from its great alleged dimensions
and the richness of the ores, had great interest for me,
especially as the cause of its abandonment was the fact
of its producing white copper. I had hoped that it might
be a counterpart of the "paktong" of China, or the white
copper of Hildburghausen, the prototype of German sil-
ver; but the accounts were so obscure, conflicting, and
contradictory that I could make nothing of it.
Felipe Perez, sent by his father when a boy to learn
book-keeping at the hacienda, recollects distinctly being
shown it once by his father, who remarked, incidentally,
that it was a magnificent vein, but useless, as it yielded
nothing but white copper. He places it in the Sierra of
the Mariquilla, but his organ of locality is so bad that he
loses himself in his own garden. Francisco Perez, who
received $1000 a month from his brother to respohlar
(literally to repopulate) the Real, asserts, on the contrary,
that there never was any mine of white copper, but that
this designation Avas applied to the grayish alloy of cop-
per, lead, and silver extracted from the " arenillas" of La
Chivatera. Brodie, in turn, confirms Felipe's statement,
108 Arizona and /So7iora.
professes to know the vein well, and says that he smelted
into one pig a number of small ingots left in the hacienda
by the elder Perez and dispatched it to Hermosillo, where
it was examined by Gandara, old Monteverde, and' the
other experienced miners, who pronounced it silver, but
professed themselves unable to purify it. A similar oc-
currence fell under my notice in Mulatos. Brodie de-
scribes it as having the qualities of copper when smelted,
cooling brittle, with a coarse grain, and the color and
other properties of impure silver.
El Tajo, the most ancient mine, is a huge rent in the
earth like the Panys Mine in Anglesey, but the ores
changed at the depth of thirty feet, suddenly, into py-
rites. It is probable, from analogy, that these pyrites are
argentiferous. Immense masses of a black rock were
abandoned by the ancient miners in the walls under the
supposition, probably, that they were black slate, it ap-
pearing to me that they resembled a semi-stratified sili-
cate of the dinoxide of copper. I carried away a frag-
ment, whose analysis verified my conjecture. Other
mines of argentiferous galena, varying from twelve to
3200 ounces per ton, are alleged to exist near the Ojo de
Agua de Arvallo ; but, having seen them, and entertain-
ing very little hopes of seeing the latter, I forbear dilat-
ing on their alleged extent and productiveness.
Of all these mines, the only one which needs steam
power for its drainage is El Konquillo, and the oaks
(former growth), though they have not recuperated per-
fectly since the days of the old metal-seekers, are yet so
abundant as to afford an ample supply of fuel for that
purpose and the uses of the reduction works. Besides
the oaks, there are vast and most accessible forests of
chamunqiie^ a species of pitch f)ine of great strength and
durability, excellently adapted for machinery and build-
ing materials.
Mines of La Cananea and Gienegidta^ Sonora. 109
To convey an idea of the strength of this chamunque,
I may mention that one of the legs of my portable cot,
made of the best quality of ash, having yielded to the
strain and broken, I replaced it by a piece of chamunque
from the ruins, of much less area, and, despite twenty-
three years of exposure to the inclemency of the weather,
the substitute answered perfectly, being stronger, in fact,
than when first hewn.
The mines are accessible by a good wagon-road via
Santa Cruz from Fort Buchanan, Tubac, la Piedra Para-
da, and Guaymas, and are surrounded by the great (de-
populated) haciendas of San Bernardino, El Ojo de Agua
de Arvallo, another Ojo de Agua, Cuitahasa, el Agua Es-
condida. Las Animas, and Bacanuche. Another road,
called a wagon -road, passes by Bacuachi, Arizpe, Ures,
and Hermosillo to Guaymas. Its position is romantic
and delightful ; pasture exists green in Bacanuche all the
year round, and of most nutritious quality. Cultivable
land of considerable extent is found in the same hacien-
da, which is the natural feeder of the Real. The mines
themselves are said by Felipe Perez to be on public land
— a narrow strip or sohrante between three ranchos. All
the necessaries of a great establishment — building mate-
rial and fluxes — abound in excess. Building stone, gran-
ite, fine marble, tepustete arenillas, jugos, and ayudas,
are plentiful, and during my search for the lost mines of
Las Lamas and Espiritu Santo on the road to Bacanuche,
I found a vast deposit of most refractory furnace sand-
stone, the first I have seen in Sonora.
The water is good and the locality healthful, and its
proximity to the American military stations of -Fort Bu-
chanan and Arrivaypa would render feasible a project of
united action against the Apaches, who operate at a dis-
advantage in the wide plain that stretches away to San
Guay cheque and the San Pedro.
110 Arizona and Sonora.
Assays were made in Arizpe from the 24th to the 29th
of March, 1860, of ores from the Cananea and metal from
the scoria of the smelting furnaces, the latter to determ-
ine the richness of the ores formerly reduced, and to dis-
pel a universal vulgar error extant in Arizona and Sono-
ra to the effect that the copper of La Cananea and Santa
Rita de Cobre contained from 0.80 to $1 00 of gold per
Spanish lb. The following were the results .
Assay No. 785. .500 grammes lead from slags of San Rafael.
Silver — .092 per cent. =3 marcos, 5 oz. 7 adarmes por tonelada
de 2000 lbs.
Gold — traces.
Assay No. 78G. .500 gms. lead from slags of El Ronquillo.
Silver — 1 per cent. =2 m. por quintal =40 m. por ton.
Gold — 1 oz. 3 ad. por ton.
Assay No. 787. 2000 gms. copper from slags from old hacienda.
Silver — .075 per cent, =24 oz. por ton.
Gold — traces. Not determined.
Assay No. 788. 2000 gms. copper from new hacienda.
Silver — .11 per cent.=41 oz. 12 ad. por ton.
Gold — too insignificant to determine.
Adulterants — lead, carbon, iron, sulphur.
Assay No. 789. Ores of Baranuclic.
Assay No. 791. .205 gms. pure galena (ayudas), Ronquillo.
Lead — 83 per cent.
Silver — 1 per cent. =32 oz. por ton.
Co/J— slight traces.
Assay No. 792. .100 gms. (false ore) metal de todo brosa, Ronquillo.
Silver — 1.25 per cent. =40 oz.
Gold — large quantity.
Assay No. 794. .100 gms. copper ore, La Chivatcra. %
Silver — .037 per cent. = 12 oz. por ton.
Assay No. 795. .100 gms. same ore.
Copper — 32.5 per cent.
Lead — 20 per cent, (by calculation).
Assay No. 796. .100 gms. copper ore from untouched outcrop.
Silver — none found.
Cojiper — 32 per cent.
Assay No. 797. .100 gms. yellow ore of La Plomosa.
Silver — .165 per cent. =52^ oz. por ton.
Gold — traces.
Zeaf/— estimated in 60 per cent. Very fusible and docile.
Assay No. 798. .100 gms. metal negro de San Rafael.
Silver — .20 per cent. =64 oz. por ton.
Gold — good ley.
L^ead — not determined, but muy reseco.
Assay No. 799. .100 gms. ore of La Escalera.
Minxes of La Cancmea and Cieneguita^ Sonora. Ill
Silver — .08 per cent. =25 oz. 10 ad. por ton.
Gold — good percentage.
Assay No. 800. .100 gms. dinoxide copper ore of Cumpas.
Copper — 80 per cent.
Silver — none.
Robert L. D'Aumaile,
Ensayador Qficial del Estado de Sonora.
Arizpe, 29 de Mayo de 1860,
La CiENEGUiTA. — Having concluded the explorations
which I was commissioned to make in relation to the
mines and Real of the Cieneguita, I hereby embody, as
succinctly as possible, a general resume of the results of
my labors.
The Real of the Cieneguita embraces in itself and its de-
pendencies the mines known as La Chipiona, La Colorada,
La Cagona, La Prieta, and the vein *of copper in Matara-
chi, La Descomulgada and Los Tajos, La Viruela and El
Realito, San Rafael, Ostimuris, Yerba Buena, and El Po-
trero. All these mines, with the exception of El Potrero,
which is at some leagues distance, are found within a ra-
dius of three miles from the central point, and the great
Veta Madre, or principal vein, appears to be that of La
Chipiona.
The origin of the Real is shrouded in the mists of an-
tiquity. Tradition even fails to indicate the period wlien,
or the person by whom the mines were originally worked ;
but the general belief, based upon ancient maps and land-
marks, identifies it with the long-lost Real of Tayapa, fa-
. mous in the early Spanish annals. The district surround-
ing it constituted the mining province of San Yldefonso
de Ostimuris ; but of the actual state of the mines at that
period the sole evidence remaining is tradition, and the
information which may be gleaned from an inspection of
the excavations made and the ruins left by the former
possessors. The testimony of the oldest and most relia-
ble inhabitants, resident near the spot from infancy, is
unanimous to the fact that in the early part of the pres-
112 Arizona and Sonora.
ent century the Real remained in the same condition, un-
der the same circmnstances of abandonment and decay,
and that the uniform tradition of the country assigned to
them, even then, a high and unknown antiquity.
Subsequently they were repopulated by Rafael Yalen-
zuela, who worked two of them with great success, and
were again abandoned on the general uprising of the
Opatas.
The only modern veins opened were those of San Jose
del Pinar, now exhausted, and Yerba Buena, whose mouths
are closed by the falling in of the pit framing.
The abundance of ores of the Chipiona, Colorada, etc.,
was generally known and recognized, as also their rich-
ness ; but, owing to their belonging to the class termed
in the technology of the country rebelde (^. e., refractory
or hard ores, sulphurets, etc.), the native miners have been
unable to extract the silver.
Titles. — The mines, except those of El Potrero, LaPri-
eta, and the copper vein in Matarachi, are on the rancho
of La Yglesia, a fine grazing estate of eighteen square
miles in extent, belonging to and in the occupancy of Don
Jose Yreneo Monge. The title is said to be perfect and
undisputed — a Spanish grant of Carlos III. It is wooded
and watered, and contains sufficient arable land.
The rancho of Matarachi, which bounds it on the west-
ward, is a beautiful pine forest, with some excellent culti-
vable land, contains nine square miles, well watered, and
is likewise a Spanish grant of the last century. It con-
tains the vein of La Prieta and the outcrop of copper.
The title to these deposits is a " denouncement," as dis-
coverer, of four pertenencias — twenty-four Mexican feet
in length, with an appropriate width, depending on the
inclination of the vein. The mines of Los Tajos, LaDes-
comulgada, and El Realito, each four pertenencias as res-
pohlador (i. e., repopulator). El Potrero and La Yiru-
Mines of La Gananea and Cieneguita^ Sonora, 113
ela, one each. La Chipiona and La Colorada, possession
given by the Prefect of Sahuaripa on the 13th of Septem-
ber— 1800 feet in length, with 600 on La Plomosa, and
1350 in width, including all the present workings in the
three mines. The sites called El Potrero, La Amargosa,
La Cieneguita, and Yerba Buena, denounced as " hacien-
das de beneficio" — positions for reduction works.
Location. — The Real of the Cieneguita is situated in a
pretty little dell, embosomed among lofty wooded mount-
ains, almost at the foot of the Sierra de San Ygnacio, and
partly embraced by the unbroken ranges of the great
Sierra Madre. Owing to the impossiblity of procuring
the requisite instruments, I was unable to determine tlie
latitude and longitude. It is distant, by the road, four-
teen leagues southeast of Sahuaripa, three leagues south-
east of Tarachi, and four leagues west of Mulatos, little
more than half that amount. The Real contains perhaps
twenty acres of cultivable ground, admirably adapted for
gardens, and is supplied by springs and a never-failing
brook of excellent water which traverses its centre.
The climate is mild, delightful, and probably whole-
some ; but in winter the snow is said to fall occasionally
two feet in depth, and ice to form in the creek as many
inches in thickness. The stalwart frames and robust
health of the octogenarian proprietor of La Yglesia and
his lady might be envied by many a tobacco-chewing
American of thirty-five. The road which leads to the Ci-
eneguita and Mulatos from Sahuaripa is mountainous in
the extreme — from Aribechi to the Real, a distance often
leagues, it is nearly all mountain, except the plain of Los
Cazadores in the rancho of Agua Blanca and the valley
of the Rio de Ostimuris, upon which the road runs from
San Francisco to Tarachi. A considerable portion of the
Real is covered by foundations of houses and ruins of
smelting- works, or immense piles of scoria and rubbish,
114 Arizona and Bonora.
proving incontestably to the practiced eye the vast extent
of the mining operations formerly carried on in the Real.*
The Mines. — Leaving the Real, the road runs up the
brook northwest, and about three hundred yards distant
from the hacienda is a working of trifling depth in the
bank of the stream, now filled with earth, called La
Cargona. All that is known of it is that the metal is
said to be plombiferous, the vein (metallic portion) one
foot in width, and the ore to pay sixteen ounces to the
hundred weight. Mr. Ortiz has never examined it, on
account of the influx of water from the rivulet adjoining.
Two miles distant, in the same direction, lies the hill
which contains the veins of La Chipioua, La Colorada, La
Plomosa, and another, fallen in, whose very name has per-
ished. The veins have been opened in many parts by the
Spaniards, who, according to their almost invariable cus-
tom, contented themselves with sinking shafts for the ex-
traction of the superior decomposed ores, abandoning the
mine on reaching the sulphurets, from ignorance of the
process for the extraction of the silver. In these sulphu-
rets, and below the old galleries, are situated the present
workings.
La Colorada^ on the north side of the spur, is a por-
tion of the Veta Madre (or main vein), and the workings
are firm and perfectly dry. The part explored by Mr.
Ortiz is about fifty feet in length and forty-five feet in
depth. This is exclusive of another twenty-feet shaft
eighty feet farther down the mountain, where the ores
are uncovered to the same width, and are said to be iden-
tical in quality, but which, from oversight, I neglected to
* The vast extent of the ancient works in tlie mines of Northern
Mexico and Arizona, taken Avitli the fact of the nndoubted richness and
abundance of ores at present, give a guarantee of permanency for these
mines which those of California and Nevada Territory can not yet claim.
This is a material point, well worthy the careful attention of capitalists
seeking mining investments. — S. M.
Mines of La Cananea and Gieneguita^ Sonora. 115
examine. The vein in the lower planes (levels) is about •
eighteen inches wide, in parts thirty, running north-north-
west and south-southeast, with an inclination to the south-
east of about 15° — an excellent course and dip in Mexican
mines. The ore from this, as Avell as all other accessible
mines, was blasted from the seams in my presence and
under my direction, and the assays are made of the gen-
eral average of the ores in the vein, without much care be-
ing taken in removing the adhering vein-stone. The as-
say of this portion is marked in the table of assays 690.
La Chipio7ia is also upon the Veta Madre, the vein hav-
ing the same direction and dip as in La Colorada. The
shafts are two in number, some thirty feet asunder, and
about the same number of feet in depth. They are now
partly full of water from the heavy rains and suspension
of labor, the miners being engaged at present in their
planting-grounds. The vein has a width, in the lowest
accessible part, of twenty to thirtj^-six inches, exclusive
of the vein walls, and is said to carry the same deptji and
quality of metal down.
The ores are of a class somewhat difterent from and
more difficult of reduction than those of the Colorada,
being "bronces apetancados" (bisulphurets of iron, with a
compound sulphuret of silver, iron, lead, and copper), and
are said to give in the German process 160 ounces per ton
of 2000 lbs., and contain alloy of gold. The ores of La
Colorada give, by the same process, 212 to 320 ounces
per ton, according to Mr. Ortiz. Assays marked 691-2-3.
Not half the superficial excavations of the ancient min-
ers upon this vein have been cleaned out, and the falling
in of their lahores can be traced all the way across the
crest of the hill — say 250 yards — up to the mouth of La
Colorada. Above the main vein is a cross vein of four to
six inches, cutting it nearly at right angles. Its ore is
said to yield 318 ounces of silver per ton. The assay will
116 Arizona and So7iora.
be found marked No. 693 ; but it is believed that this ore
was somehow confounded in the transportation with that
of the lower shaft of the main vein (No. 692).
Nine hundred feet distant, in a straight line, in a spur
of the same Cerro, is the adit of Xa Plomosa. The upper
workings, being badly planned, have recently fallen in from
the pressure of the rubbish in old drifts, and the mmers
have driven a level in the solid rock one hundred and fifty
feet farther down, which has advanced fifty feet, but has
not yet struck the ore. They are argentiferous galenas,
with a matrix of stratitic " calishe," said to yield eighteen
per cent, of lead, and ninety-six ounces of silver per ton.
I assayed one of the isolated masses taken at random from
the excavations of the drift, which gave a higher percent-
age. The assay is marked 694. Both this vein and La
Chipiona run across the valley and strike the opposite
mountain. The yawning mouths of the old mining
shafts are visible all the way across in many difierent
j)oints.
All these points are dry, except from the infiltration of
surface water from the workings and rain flowing into
the uncovered shafts, and even if worked to a great depth
are capable of being drained with comparative ea^ by
means of a tunnel, as the Chipiona debouches upon an ab-
rupt descent of many hundred feet. The walls are firm,
the vein regular, and presenting every indication of per-
manence. There is more ore stripped and in view in La
Colorada and La Chipiona than that lying in the patios.
A quarter of a mile southwest of the Yerba Buena are
the mines of Los Tajos. The hill-side is covered with
the buried workings of the ancients, and the superior
portion of the vein is in a very precarious condition.
Mr. Ortiz has driven a tunnel in below, to avoid the cost
and trouble of removing the rubbish. Having mislaid
my notes on the vein, I am unable to speak with precis-
Mines of La Cananea and Cieneguita^ Sonora. 117
ion, but it is something like half a yard in width, with a
very heterogeneous medley of ores.
It runs completely through the mountain, as very con-
siderable works are visible on the opposite side, but
whether "en metales" or not is not known. The ores
are contracted to be delivered, clean, in the patios at $4
per 300 lbs., and are said to yield sixty ounces of silver
per ton ; but they are loaded with titaniferous and zinc-
iferous minerals. Assay of such ores as were accessible
marked 695.
Zta Descomulgada is situated about a league west-
northwest of the Yerba Buena. Its matrix is a very
hard silicious rock, which crumbles with great rapidity
under the combined influence of air and moisture. The
recent rains had filtered through the old workings into
the drift made by Mr. Ortiz, and brought down a portion
of the ceiling, so that access was impossible, and I can
give no description of it. The vein is said to be wide,
and the superficial ores so easily worked that contracts
were made to deliver it, dressed, in the mine mouth, at
$1 per 300 lbs. It is said to give 130 ounces to the ton,
and to be of easy reduction.
La Yerba Buena is a modern mine — said to have been
very rich — whose mouths have fallen in, a few hundred
yards from the Yerba Buena, on the road to the Desco-
mulgada. Nothing more is known concerning it.
Los Ostimuris^ on the road to Yerba Buena, about half
way from the Cieneguita, has two open mouths, and is
full of water, the drifts running under the brook. Mr.
Monge says it was abandoned, with abundant ores, on
the outbreak of the Opatas, and, as the shafts were shal-
low, the vein wide, and the ores yielding four hundred
and fifty ounces per ton, he entered into a contract with
a skillful miner, and put up wims and machinery for
drainage. His partner died just as they were approach-
118 Arizojia and Sonora.
ing completion, the Apaches drove off the animals, and,
being entirely ignorant of mining, he abandoned the en-
terprise.
La FHeta^ on the rancho of Matarachi, about two
leagues east of the Cieneguita, has a width of from four
to six feet — the opening is merely a trial-pit, which the
rains had filled with earth and stones, so that it is impos-
sible to give any opinion concerning it. The ores of the
outcrop are a melange of different sulphurets, heavily
charged with copper. It is 2:>robable that a much short-
er, better, and less circuitous route than that which leads
past the Real of the Cieneguita can be cut through the
w^oods direct to Buena Yista. Assay of ore (which can
not be regarded as a fair sample) marked No. 696. They
are said to yield sixty ounces to the ton. The copper
vein, also a trial hole, is situated on the crest of the hill
directly above.
El Potrero^ eight leagues distant, I did not visit. It
is said to be an immense " clavo," of volcanic origin, and
unknown extent, at the intersection ^of two veins. The
ore is without alloy of s^vcr ; but, containing mucli oxide
of lead and spar, it forms an excellent flux for the ores
of La Prieta and Los Tajos. The cost of carriage i#the
only expense.
La Yiruela, east half a mile from the site of La Amar-
gosa, is a lofty hill, from which large quantities of gold
have been extracted ; but the whole hill (summit) has
fallen in, and all attempts to estabhsh w^orkings to reach
the ores beneath, without removing the superincumbent
debris, have resulted in failure.
La Amargosa, and the rivulet which runs beneath EI
Realito, are constantly washed for gold. The gambus-
sinos told me that they realized about six reals per diem.
Hacienda de Beneficio. — The existing hacienda con-
sists of two small patios and lavadcro of masonry (part
Mines of La- Gananea and Cienegidta^ Sonera. 119
of the ancient works), three tahonas or arrastras, two
vasos de fundicion, one melting furnace and one reverber-
atory, with the requisite sheds, three barrels mounted on
the German plan, a worthless battery of three stamps (a
la Mejicana), and the proprietor's residence. These are
situated in a group in the centre of the valley. There
are other buildings and inclosures not connected with
the hacienda.
The water of the creek is not sufficiently abundant for
machinery, and an examination was made of La Amar-
gosa, one fourth of a mile east, which, by a moderate ex-
penditure in ditch and tunnel, might be diverted from its
course and brought through the Real. This stream is
permanent, and furnishes a considerable volume of water,
with a natural fall of 100 feet, within a space of 100
yards, in its own valley. As my measuring instruments
were lost in crossing the Rio Grande, these estimates
must be considered in the light of guesses, though I am
convinced that they are close approximations to the truth.
The connection of these two streams has been advocated
by a German- engineer, but, in my opinion, on very unten-
able grounds ; as, in addition to the expense, all the ad-
vantages which this sudden fall presents for the erection
of a reaction water-wheel would, from the conformation
of the ground, be almost entirely lost.
In JLa Amargosa are the ruins of a dam, race, and res-
ervoir of masonry, two tahonas de agua, houses, etc., a
standing memorial of miscalculation and bad engineer-
ing. Around the base of the hill which contains the
Chipiona, and not over 400 yards distant, flows a stream
capable of giving motion to two large wheels, but which
is said to afford water in times of drought only four
months in the year. I consequently paid no more atten-
tion to it.
The next point examined was Yerha Buena^ from two
120 Arizona and Sonora.
to three and a half miles southeast from the Real, four to
four and a half from La Chipiona, and about one fourth
from Los Tajos. The river is the Arroyo de los Ostimu-
ros — water permanent ten months, and sufficient to turn
the wheels during the remainder of the year. An excel-
lent natural foundation for a dam, of solid rock, exists
here at a waterfall, the distance between the abutments
being only twenty-four feet, and no leakage of any kind
being possible. The natural abutments are about twen-
ty-five feet high.
Water sufficient for saw-mill, floui-ing-mill, and hacien-
da de beneficio of considerable extent. By my measure-
ment, rudely taken, a race and flume of 1250 feet would,
with a six-foot dam, give a fall of full sixty feet — ample
for all practical purposes. A natural tail-race, which
needs but little deepening, is found at this point.
Situation good and pleasant, with plenty of garden
land, building stone, arrastra stone, oaks, pines, some ash
and juniper. Here are the remains of a long line of
sheds, which -were once the smelting works of Los Tajos,
those of La Descomulgada and Yerba Buena being far-
ther down the creek. This location, though somewhat
distant from the principal mines, is favorable in #very
other respect. The road to the Cieneguita is rocky and
bad, but a good one of regular descent, in soft earth, is
said to exist on the outer side of the ravine.
Fael^ Water ^ Pasturage^ etc. — The subject of water has
been fully discussed under the head of Hacienda d.e Bene-
ficio. Wood is abundant to excess. The mountains and
valleys are covered with a plentiful, often heavy growth
of oaks (live oak, holm oak, and other species), white and
pitch pine, etc., while juniper and ash are found in the
water-courses in quantities sufficient for jDurposes of con-
struction.
Pasturage of excellent quality is found every where,
Mines of La Gmmnea and Cieneguita, Sonora. 121
as the forests are free fram underwood (from the fre-
quent bush fires), and animals are said to fatten all the
year round.
I may add that Mr. Ortiz undertakes to procure from
the proprietor of La Yglesia a free and gratuitous conces-
sion in perpetuity of the right to take, use, and enjoy all
the wood, pasturage, and water power which may be
needed for mining and reduction of metals, and all other
purposes incidentally connected therewith.
Jjime, Stone, Clay, and Building Materials. — Lime-
stone is found in various parts ; it has been sought for,
and is not known to be abundant. Stone of a very re-
fractory character, for furnaces, falls in the same category,
as it is not lofiown to exist nearer than Sahuaripa. Clays
abound, those of a talcose nature especially, but none .
known to be fireproof. Fire-clay is said to be met with
near Mulatos, and Don Jose Maria Lopez, who is certain-
ly competent to judge, assures me that there is a large
bed of superior quahty building stones, and timber is in-
exhaustible.
Labor, Wages, Provisions, Carriage, etc, — All the la-
borers employed in the mines unite the profession of
ranchero or farmer with that of miner ; but I am assured
by competent authority that any amount of skilled l|i>or,
if required, can be drawn, without the slightest difficulty,
•from Mulatos, Jesus Maria, La Trinidad, Tarachi, and
Valle.
The wages are, for tentateros,* barreteros, arrieros,
peons, etc. (miners and general mining laborers), four
reals per diem; azogueros, afinadores (not required in
the German process), $1.
* Tentateros, those who pack out the ore, In sacks made of hide, on
their backs. Barreteros, those who use the bar in the mines. Azogue-
ros, the amalgamators in the patio process. Afinadores, refiners by the
cupel or "vaso." — Four reals is fifty cents. — Faneya, 175 lbs. — Ley,
the amount of precious metal in ores.
122 Arizona and ISonora.
"Wood, at present (but can be ^supplied much cheaper),
one real the carga of eighty billets ; charcoal, two reals
the hundred weight. Salt, $8 to $10 the carga of 300
lbs. ; maize and wheat (selling price), |6 the fanega.
Wheat and Indian corn can be purchased in the Tierra
Fria at four reals the fanega (of Vizcaia), and contracts
can be made for its delivery at the Keal (in quantity) at
an advance of about 500 per cent, on cost price, say
|3 50 to $3 75 per fanega (of Sonora).
Freight from Guaymas, $80 to $90 per ton ; from Sa-
huaripa, $3 per carga (300 lbs.) ; cattle, $10 to $15; hides,
$1 each; mules and horses, dear; powder of the country,
$7 per arroba (of 25 lbs.) ; tallow, $7 per arroba.
Resume. — In recapitulation of what I have said before,
my opinion is that the mines, alluding particularly to the
Yeta Madra of La Chipiona, are of excellent quality, the
ores of good ley and abundant, and of facile extraction.
I have found, in conversation with old and experienced
mine-masters in different parts of the country, that the
richness of the silver of the "bronces," "prietos 6 que-
mazones," and "metales espejuelosas" — pyrites, blendes,
and mixed sulphurets of Cieneguita — has been generally
known to those conversant with mining affairs, b#t that
thoii known " rebeldia," the impossibility of extracting
the precious metals by the antiquated and inefficient pro-
cesses of the country, has rendered their reduction a hope*
less task. This difficulty is completely obviated by the
use of the German process of chlorinization with sal ma-
rina and subsequent amalgamation — a process for which
they are peculiarly adapted. It is to be observed that
two items of expense in most of the mining districts
of the republic — jugos and magistral ("fluxes") — are
not incurred here, the ores yielding a surplus of these es-
sentials for sale in less favored quarters. The mines are
in the solid rock, with firm walls, without slips or out-
Mines of La Cananea and Gieneguita^ Sonora. 123
throws, and all expense of timbering galleries and shafts
will be spared the mine-owners ; but the ores are hard,
and require blasts for their extraction.
I would recommend sinking two shafts of one hundred
varas in the workings of La Colorada and La Chipiona
(should the ores, which is probable, extend so far), to
thoroughly test the vein, running a drift from the pit bot-
toms to connect, and then working the vein from below
upward, before the expense of creating a very large hac-
ienda be incurred.
Labor, ^cept of skilled artisans, is abundant and cheap
in the immediate vicinity. Wood and water power for
every needful purpose abound, but the distance of the
most eligible site of the latter can not be less than four
miles from the Chipiona.
Pasture and tillage-ground is afforded to any required
extent by the ranchos of La Yglesia and Matarachi. In
fine, if the ores continue, as they give every promise of
doing, the amount of silver extracted will depend entire-
ly upon the extent of the operations, and the energy, skill,
and economy of the management.*
* Since the visit of Mr. D'Aumaile we have received samples of
ores of the "Descomulgada," which the proprietors have lately been
working : the vein is wide, the ores easily extracted, and the ley flat-
tering. The " Ostimuros" mine is at present full of water, but can be
cleared at a small expense ; the reports of its richness are very flatter-
ing. From what I have learned from Mr. D'Aumaile, the proprietors,
and others, the sites for forming "haciendas de beneficio" are numer-
ous, and the water power which can be brought into action will move
more machinery, applied judiciously, than will be needed for working
the mines. Timber for the erection of the works is abundant, as also
copper ore, which metal can be used with greater economy than im-
ported iron for castings that may be required. At a comparatively
small expense, excellent roads can be formed from each of the mines
to the hacienda, as well as to the adjoining towns. As stated at the
commencement of this, these mines can only be worked with success
upon a large scale, for many reasons — at least $200,000 is retjuired.
124 ' Arizona and Bonora.
Assays of Ores of the Cknegiiita, Sejyteniher and October^ 1859.
No. 690. La Colorada, 172 oz. silver per ton of 2000 lbs.
Goldy trace.
691. La Chipiona (upper shaft), 224 oz. silver per ton.
692. *' "■ (lower shaft), 318 " " "
693. " " (cross vein), 190 " " *'
694. La Plomosa (from new adit), 108 '« " "
696. LaPrieta 30 " '' "
721. " " (bell-metal ore), 21.54 per cent, copper.
697. La Chipiona (bronces), 160 oz. per ton.
Assays of ores brought by Sr. Ortiz — Nos. 835-842 :
Assay No. 835. Ore rejected in the "terreros" as worthless, Bronces
ochavados.
Silver — 3 per cent. =12 marcos=96 oz. per Spanish ton of
2000 lbs.
Gold — much stronger standard than in 836.
Assay No. 836. Average of ore now taken from La Colorada.
Silver — 5 per cent. =20 marcos (160 oz.) per ton.
Gold— as in 841.
Assay No. 837. Ore of superior quality (Petanques hechos), La Colo-
rada.
Silver — 65 per cent. =26 mar. (208 oz.) per ton.
^ Oold — heavy ley not determined.
Assay No. 838. Decomposed superficial ore. La Descomulga^.
Lead — 20.4 per cent. =408 lbs. per ton.
Silver — .3686 per cent. = 14 m. 6 oz. 1 J adarmes (118 1-11 oz.)
per ton.
Gold — .335 oz., or i oz. in each marco of silver.
Assay No. 839. Ore of El Potrero — qualitative analysis.
Silver — very small ley ; gold not sought ; lead, antimony, cop-
per.
. Assay No. 841. Assay for gold of plata de fuego. La Colorada.
GoW— 1.5025 oz. per quintal =3 mar. 7 oz. 3 och. (31| oz.)
per ton.
Assay No. 842. Assay for gold of plata do fuego. La Descomulgada.
Gold— 2 oz. 15 gr. per quintal=5 mar. 5 och. (40i oz.) per ton.
Robert L. D'Aumaile, Assayer.
The Sierra Madre of JSFew Mexico. • 125
CHAPTER YII.
THE SIERRA MADRE OF NEW MEXICO.*
Mineral "Wealth of Northern Mexico. — The Sierra Madre. — Mining
under the Spanish Dominion. — Ancient and Modern Mines. — Pres-
ent Modes of Mining. — The Miners. — Gambussinos. — Their Mode
of Working. — Causes of the Decay in Mining. — Habits of the Min-
ers.— Borascas and Bonanzas. — Expulsion of the Spaniards. — With-
drawal of Military Forces. — Ravages of the Indians. — Lack of Ma-
chinery.— Various Causes for the Abandonment of Mines. — Necessi-
ty for Foreign Capital and Energy. — Inducements for its Invest-
ment.— Political Relations of Sonora and Chihuahua.-^The Apaches.
— Special Advantages of Chihuahua, Sonora, and Sinaloa. — Value
and Distribution of the Ores. — Means of acquiring the Right to
Mines. — Hints to Capitalists.
The object of this present chapter is to give a short
description of the mineral resources of Northern Mexico,
its past and present state of mining, the cause of its de-
cay, and its future prospects. If it prove of service to
those Californians who take an interest in the rafines o^
that part of the world, the writer, for many years en-
gaged in mining pursuits there, will be amj^ly repaid for
his trouble.
Mexico is w^ell known as a rich mineral country, hav-
ing contributed a large share to the circulating medium
of the world's commerce, and, so far from its mineral
wealth being exhausted, it may be considered as almost
virgin yet. The matrix «f all this Avealth is to be found
in the Mexican Cordilleras and their branches, which run
more or less parallel with the Pacific coast.
* For this and the following chapter I am indebted to A. W. C.
Brawns, Esq., an English gentleman resident in Soiibra, a most intel-
ligent and reliable authority, to whom I return my thanks for these
notes. — S. M.
12G Arizona and So7iora.
That part of the Cordilleras which is of more imme-
diate interest, and which forms, as it were, the natm-al
boundary between the states of Chihuahua and Durango
on the west, and of Sonora and Sinaloa on the east, is call-
ed the Sierra Madre^ or " Mother Mountains," branches
of which diverge into the four mentioned states in all di-
rections, being, however, of more alpine a character only
in those s'tates which border on the Pacific Ocean. These
Mother Mountains and their principal branches are, in-
deed, most prolific in all the precious minerals; so much
so, that it may be safely asserted there is hardly a village
district or grazing estate in these mountain regions but
can show some vein of gold, silver, lead, or copper, while
many of the rivers and creeks of the glens and valleys
contain placer gold in more or less abundance. But it
must not be inferred from this that all these veins are be-
ing worked, or that the country has been fully explored,
for nothing would be farther from the truth ; probably not
one fourth of the existing metallic wealth is known, while
but a moiety of it has been or is being developed.
During the Spanish reign mining was far more extens-
ively prosecuted than since the independence of Mexico,
which is testified by numberless old abandonecf mines,
here called antiguas, or ancient, and by the diminished
annual production of gold, silver, and copper. Under the
Spanish government, which did its utmost to foster this
important branch of industry, the miners had many priv-
ileges and great advantages ; they had peace and securi-
ty ; mineral aviadores, or providers of goods and provis-
ions, which they obtained on Credit ; government com-
missaries, who furnished them with quicksilver at low
rates ; abundance of good labor at merely nominal wages ;
and any amount of cheap cattle, horses, and mules. This
enabled them to successfully work with a small capital
many mines, which under the present circumstances would
The Sierra Madre of New Mexico. 127
prove but losing investments to small capitalists. Al-
though the Spaniards prosecuted their mining operations
more extensively, and with greater industry, perseverance,
and success, it is not evident that they possessed a great-
er amount of mineralogical knowledge than the Mexicans
of the present day. Indeed, numerous ancient surface ex-
cavations of veins, without any shafts and drifts, still show
that many of the former dedicated themselves only to
that easy mode of surface working which most readily
furnished them payable ores, and abandoned the veins for
new ones as soon as the raising of the ores became more
difficult, or the latter diminished in their intrinsic value.
N'evertheless, many of the best preserved mines, which
date from that time, will favorably compare with those
of modern development.
At the present time, when mining has reached its low-
est ebb in Northern Mexico, there are but few mines which
create special comment ; hence the erroneous opinion of
many travelers, who pay flying visits to that part of the
world, that the mines of Alamos, Cedros, San Xavier, San
Antonio de la Huerta, and Babicanora, in the State of
Sonora ; those of Rosario, in Sinaloa, and those of Guada-
lupe Calvo, Cerro Cahui, Batopilas, Vasaparas, and Pal-
marejo, in the State of Chihuahua, are the only ones of
merit. Without detracting from the value of these really
good mines, it may be safely asserted that there are many
hundreds of veins worked in a quiet, unostentatious, and
often shiftless manner, which lose nothing by comparison,
while a good many far excel them in the intrinsic value
of their ores. But, generally, the mines of this part of
Mexico are worked in a manner which, though it may
satisfy their unambitious owners, can never fairly develop
their inherent wealth, and which often causes their total
abandonment. There is but little capital invested in most
of these enterprises, little or no expeditious and labor-sav-
128 Arizona and Sonora.
ing machinery used, and but a small number of ojDeratives
employed; consequently, no equable and grand results
can be expected. As a general rule, metallic veins do not
contain in all their parts the same intrinsic value of ore :
in different stretches there will be poor, fair, good, and
exceedingly rich ores ; it follows, then, that in working a
vein only in a few isolated spots — as is necessarily the
case where the want of capital prevents the occupation
of many operatives, and the subsequent opening of many
shafts and drifts — the miner takes liis chance of luck ; he
is generally content if he manages to pay his way along
while the ores are poor ; to lay by a little for the day
when a " horse" or cut makes its appearance in the vein,
confident that sooner or later he may strike a rich stretch
of ore, and rise in a few weeks or months to be a man of
more or less fortune. These stretches of very rich ore
are at uncertain distances, and of more or less extent,
sometimes lasting for wrecks, months, and even years.
When a mine is worked on a large scale, the enterprise
is less exposed to extremes ; for from the many different
parts of the vein there is constantly ore of all classes
raised, and the poor, good, and rich ores furnish in the
aggregate a certain average, and insure an equable and
constantly profitable return. Most of the Mexican mines,
if worked on a large scale, would yield revenues that
would make a bank director's mouth water.
In speaking of mines, a word of miners is not amiss :
There is a numerous body of poor Mexican miners, the
*' gambussinos," who, though originally a very deserving
class of people, have done much harm to the mining inter-
est, and, although their ill-directed industry has contrib-
uted momentarily to augment the productiveness of min-
ing, and, indeed, has solely sustained many mining towns,
they have nevertheless proved themselves a bane *{o the
country. (Those petty miners who dedicate themselves
The Sierra Madre of New 3Iexico. 129
to the working of " placers" are not included in this de-
nunciation of gambussinos, albeit they bear the same ap-
pellation.)
In former times, before the devastating incursions of
the Apache Indians, the gambussinos occupied themselves
in prospecting and discovering mineral veins, which they
generally sold to persons of capital ; they also personally
raised and reduced ore in sufficient quantity for their in-
dependent subsistence; and as they were a numerous
body, the small portions of gold and silver annually pro-
duced by each individual formed quite a large aggregate.
But when the hostilities of the Apaches rendered it un-
safe for single individuals to traverse the country in all
directions, many of them betook themselves in bodies to
work in such mines as had been abandoned by their for-
mer owners. This would have been of great benefit if
they had formed an association under the direction of
one or more of their number, instead of which they only
congregated together for the sake of mutual protection,
while each individual did as he pleased. Working with-
out order and foresight, and without those salutary
checks on their operations which were interposed by the
mining inspectors in former times, they break out ore
only where most handy and rich ; and, to save time and
labor, they throw the poor ores and rubbish into those
shafts and drifts that are of no immediate interest to
them, and thus render them soon impassable. When the
ores turn poor in the unobstructed shafts, they, perhaps,
regret to have cut off the access to those in other parts
of the vein ; but as it is too troublesome and costly to
reopen them, they commence to diminish the size of the
ore-pillars, and frequently extract some of them altogeth-
er. The vein walls, losing their required support, begin
to crack, and Nature generally settles the business with a
great crash. Never mind, there are other abandoned
F2
1 30 Arizona and JSonora.
mines at hand, to which they betake themselves, to play
the same game over again, with generally the same re-
sults ; so that, when a mine has once been fairly squatted
upon by these would-be miners, it is sure to be more or
less spoiled, and requires often a large expenditure of la-
bor and capital to reopen.
A good deal of the decay of the mining interest is to
be attributed to the miners personally. Many persons
engaged in mining enterprises without the requisite
knowledge and capital to insure success, very often in-
volved themselves in debts, which as often they were
unable to pay ; their failure created distrust, and caused
all that credit, which formerly was given by the mer-
chants most liberally, gradually to disappear, much to
the detriment of the mining industry of the country.
Until experience had taught them better, the majority
of Mexican miners, servants as well as masters, were of
the most spendthrift, gambHng disposition. Almost all
the Spaniards who worked mines in Mexico were so suc-
cessful, and realized fortunes so easily and rapidly, that
most of their Mexican successors thought tneir fortunes
assured by merely being the owners of mines, altogether
forgetting that it was also indispensable to personally
look after their business, and to practice prudence and
economy. Their lavish, gambling mode of life, their neg-
ligence and laziness, no mine in the world was rich
enough to sustain ; consequently, when a horasca^ made
its appearance, as it will in every mine once in a while,
they not only found themselves without the means of in-
dulging farther in vice and extravagance, but not unfre-
quently without the requisite funds to enable them to
pierce through the poor ores and dead rock in order to
* Borasca is a temporary failure of the vein or of rich metal. It is
the antithesis of bonanza, which signifies a rich and extensive deposit
of metal in the vein.
The Sierra Madre of Neio Mexico. 131
strike the rich ores again. Credit, under such circum-
stances, they could not obtain, for who would trust a
gambling spendthrift ? consequently, they were obliged
to sell or abandon mines that had produced hundreds of
thousands, and even millions. Their successors no soon-
er struck a honawza than, either from inclination or se-
duced by others, they commenced to enjoy life in pretty
much the same manner, which, with but few exceptions,
ended in like results. " Like master, like man :" the
overseers and servants, finding the business left entirely
in their own hands, soon began to think that a few
pounds of ore — every day more or less — would make no
difference and never be missed ; and, being excellent
judges of ore, they always selected the very richest for
themselves — ore so rich that a few pounds of it often
enabled them to imitate their master's carousing and
gambling on a small scale. Is it to be wondered at that,
under such circumstances, the pursuit of mining should
have decayed gradually ?
However, gambussinos and miners are not alone to
blame ; for many are the causes of the decay of minirig
in Northern Mexico, and they all emanate more or less
directly from the overthrow of the Spanish domination.
The first suicidal act of the Mexican government was the
expulsion of the Spanish from the country, which gave a
fatal blow to the mining interest by abstracting from it
almost all the capital and well-directed industry which,
until then, had sustained it in splendor, and caused the
suspension and abandonment of many raining operations.
The establishment of the republican form of government
did not prove a panacea for all the evils the Mexicans
were suffering from, and led to continual revolutions ;
the government, always more or less in need of the mili-
tary forces to quell rebellions in the capital and the prin-
cipal cities of the interior of the republic, which are the
132 Arizona and JSonora.
hotbeds of revolutions, was compelled to greatly reduce,
and finally, from the empty state of the treasury, alto-
gether withdraw the troops from the northern frontier
states, where, until then, they had afforded protection
against the daily increasing hostilities of the Apaches.
In consequence, all the more immediately exposed mines,
hamlets, and ranches in the states of Chihuahua and So-
nera were gradually abandoned, as few of them employ-
ed a sufficient number of people to afford a self-sustaining
protection. Prior to this, however, many" mines had al-
ready been abandoned in Sonora, in consequence of the
uprising of the Opata and Yaqui Indians, w^ho were liv-
ing in the eastern and southern part of the state, which
caused a sanguinary struggle of some duration. Many
mines were also deserted in consequence of the rebellions
of the Papago and Seri Indians ; and although all these
half-civilized tribes were re-subjugated, many mines re-
mained in an abandoned state, or were squatted ujDon by
gambussinos.
A great many mines, although not sftuated so near to
th^ habitats of the savages as to render a residence inse-
cure to life, are in districts devoid of arable lands and
deficient in water power : the reduction of their ores by
the amalgamation process, the principal manipulations of
which were effected by horse or mule power, required a
constant supply of well-conditioned animals ; but when
it became impossible to securely keep these in th^ natu-
ral pastures of the country, and their maintenance in sta-
bles proved too costly on account of the difiiculties of
transit and the consequent high price of j^rovender, many
of these mines were gradually abandoned by their own-
ers, to whom the application of steam power was either
unknown, or, for want of capital, impossible.
Many mines, again, have been abandoned when the
first stretch of poor ore, or a cut in the vein, appeared.
The t^ieira Madre of New Mexico, 133
owing to the Avant of perseverance and means, or the ig-
norance and apathy of their owners ; while others were
left on account of the abundance of inherent water, for
the extraction of which the here known applications of
windlasses, wims, and drain -tunnels were either found
insufficient or inapplicable. Others, again, were deserted
on account of suffocation, and a great number because
the ores were too rebellious to yield to the simple modes
of reduction known to their ignorant owners. Not un-
frequently the owners, before abandoning their mines,
would break out the ore pillars, thereby rendering the
reopening of them by others more difficult and expen-
sive.
All these outward pressures have necessarily operated
most injuriously on the mining interest of the country,
which, in spite of the immense natural mineral wealth of
the country, has been decaying. To look for an improve-
ment of this state of things to the Mexicans alone seems
hopeless indeed. They possess their virtues, but a want
of enterprise, of mutual confidence and spirit of associa-
tion, of industry and perseverance, which characterizes
them, is not likely to lift them out of their present de-
spondency, and to effect the regeneration of their superb
country.
A foreign element is now required to revive mining in
that part of Mexico, and to restore it to its pristine splen-
dor and productiveness. Several enterprises, undertaken
of late by foreigners, invite imitation, and give cheering
hopes that mining will once more become the mainstay
of the country. "Such mines as the Sierra Madre pre-
sents "inust and loill he worJced as soon as they become
known abroad. It was but recently stated by Sir Rod-
erick Murchison, the eminent geologist (communicating
to the Royal Geographical Society the results of the trav-
els of Charles Savin, Esq., who, accompanied by an assay-
134 Arizo7ia and Sonora.
er and practical Cornisli miner, had lately visited the Sier-
ra Madre), "?Aa^, taith foreign capital and perseverance^
almost all the mines and veins of that part of Mexico
vwidd yield good results f^ and the dividends that several
foreign companies have been lately paying incontestably
show that, with proper management, mining investments
in that country are not only safe, but highly remunera-
tive. Since the discovery of the Washoe silver mines, a
great spirit of enterprise has been manifested by Califor-
nians to make investments of this class ; but as they can
not all be accommodated near home, it is most proper to
direct them to Northern Mexico, than which no country
can hold out greater inducements. The field for mining
enterprises here is immense ; for, not to mention the in-
finitude of undeveloped veins, the mines, with but few
exceptions, may be considered as virgin yet ; for works
to the depth of 100 yards or so are but surface works,
and offer for centuries yet to cqpie profitable employ-
ment to people that may be counted by millions. But it
must not be inferred that Northern Mexico is an imme-
diate field for poor miners, although the day is probably
not far distant when even such may find it to their ad-
vantage to transplant themselves to that country.
"To work a mine requires another mine," is an old
Spanish saying, which, like most proverbs, contains a
truth ; and although there are many mines in Northern
Mexico which, worked even on a moderate scale, may
and do pay well enough, yet, to insure equable and con-
stantly profitable returns, it can not be repeated too oft-
en, necessitates the investment of large capitals. The in-
ducements to raining enterprises in that country, it has
been said already, are very great, and can not fail to at-
tract foreign capital when they become more known,
and when the objection generally raised, " the unsettled
state of political affairs," is properly understood.
The Sierra Madre of New Mexico. 135
The frequent revolutions, changes of government, and
civil wars, wliich have characterized the Mexican republic
for the last forty years, have made themselves felt in the
frontier states of Chihuahua and Sonora disastrously only
in so far as they caused these states to be left without
sufficient military protection against the hostile Apaches,
otherwise they have not suffered from the "legerdemains"
of the ambitious political and military chiefs who so fre-
quently usurped the supreme power of the republic. In
fact, these two states are virtually almost independent
from Mexico, and their inhabitants trouble themselves
very little about what is going on in the centre of the re-
public.
The State of Chihuahua has also been singularly ex-
empt from state rebellions and intestine wars; and al-
though there have been "pronunciamentos" which caused
sudden changes in her government, still the people ak
ways had the good sense to steer clear of such revolu-
tions as would cause stagnation of trade and lead to
bloodshed. In the sanguinary war which has afflicted
Mexico during the last five years, and which has struck
at the root of all revolutions to render them difficult for
file future. Chihuahua has escaped almost entirely. Of
late years the Chihuahuenses have done much toward
the progress of their very fine state ; and if there be any
body of Mexicans who show themselves superior to fate,
and may, without much foreign help, rebuild their fallen
fortunes, they are surely in the State of Chihuahua, al-
though the general poverty of the people may render it
a very slow process. It has already been said that this
state, with the rest of Northern Mexico, has suffered
greatly from the devastations of the Apaches ; and al-
though the agricultural and bucolic interests suffered
most, and the great number of magnificent grazing es-
tates have been more or less ruined, the people have of
136 A7'izo7ia and Sonora.
late years persecuted the savages so perseveringly and
successfully that the latter have withdrawn, and confined
their marau:ding expeditions to Sonora, Arizona, and New
Mexico. It is now very rarely indeed that Apache dep-
redations are heard of in Chihuahua, and consequently
many deserted hamlets and estates have been and are
being reoccupied.
The State of Sonora has suffered more, having had sev-
eral intestine wars, occasional rebellions of the half-civil-
ized Indian tribes'that inhabit it, and being still overrun
by the Apaches. The greater part of the Sierra Madre
portion of Sonora has, however, by means of its natural,
inaccessible character, been exempt from the hostilities
of the Apaches, and has also escaped from the direct re-
sults of civil wars. As the Indians have always been
worsted in Sonora, and t||e people, Creoles as well as abo-
riginals, are heartily sick and tired of revolutions, it is to
be hoped, and indeed most probable, that in future the
energies of the people will be directed into more produc-
tive channels, and that the present reign of peace will be
durable, and conducive to the prosperity of this naturally
rich state.
The inducements to mining enterprises, which are a]P
plicable to all parts of Chihuahua, Sonora, and Sinaloa,
are, good mines, liberal mining laws, cheap labor, and a
fine, salubrious climate ; to which may be added the fa-
vorable disposition of the governors of these states, Avho
are anxious to attract foreign capitalists to their country,
and will concede to such as many privileges as can rea-
sonably be ^oked for. The good sense of the difierent
state governments, political parties, and even half- civil-
ized Indian tribes, in drawing a distinction between na-
tives and foreigners, and not troubling the latter while
they keep aloof from the political quarrels of the former,
is most praiseworthy, and affords a greater security than
The, Sierra Madre of JSfeio Mexico. 137
the best written laws alone could guarantee to foreign
residents. In all other respects the inducements differ
with the nature of the respective veins and their local-
ities. "While those mines and veins which are situated
in the lower branches of the Mother Mountains, and iso-
lated mountain ranges of Sonora, are in general nearer to
shipping ports, easier of access, and frequently admit of
wagon transportation, and while most of them are nearer
to the agricultural districts, and can obtain the necessaries
of life more readily and much cheaper, they are generally
entirely deficient in water power and suitable timber for
building purposes and machinery, and, with the excep-
tion of those of Alamos, more or less exposed to the dep-
redations and hostilities of the Apaches. Those mines
of Sonora and Chihuahua which are situated in the Sier-
ra Madre have the inestimable advantages of abundance
of water and frequent possible application of Avater pow-
er, any amount of pine and oak timber, pasture in abund-
ance the year round, and natural defenses that in them-
selves have proved a barrier against revolutionary bands,
and in most parts, also, against the incursions of the
Apaches; but they admit no transportation except on
fbule-back, and are more distant fron the salt mines and
' agi'icultural districts than those of the lowlands. Some
parts of the Mother Mountains of Chihuahua, however,
are close to an extensive agricultural district, where prod-
uce may be obtained for next to nothing. As regards
the agricultural and pastoral resources of the here men-
tioned states, they are quite sufficient for the demand
that can ever be made upon them, for they admit of great
extension, if such should become necessary in the course
of time.
The value of the auriferous ores of that section of Mex-
ico varies as much as in the quartz mines of California,
while the capricious dissemination of gold tlirough its
138 Arizona and 8onora.
gangue renders the working of quartz in the former
country as precarious as in the latter. But veins of sil-
ver ore are not capricious, and may be worked for centu-
ries with a sure prospect of a constant yield. In regard
to the richness and value of the argentiferous ores, they
differ, of course, in different veins. It has been asserted,
however, by most intelligent and practical foreign miners,
personally well acquainted with Washoe and Northern
Mexico, " tlia% as a general rule^ the mines and veins of
the latter greatly surj^ass those of the former, and, taking
every thing else into corisideration, the inducements are
much in favor of the Sierra Madre of Mexico P- There
is an indefinite quantity of mines, the ores of which pay
from $50 to $300 per ton ; and this asserted estimate is
not based on tlwse worthless tests, " assays of isolated
pieces of rock," but founded on the known proceeds
which the reduced ores of the mines have yielded for
years. In rich stretches of the vein, and when the latter
is in " bonanza," the ores of many mines have frequently
yielded thousands of dollars per ton.
There still remains to consider the acquisition of mines
and veins, on which a word of advice may not be amiss.
In a country like Northern Mexico, groaning under the
weight of its metallic wealth, and abounding in mines
more or less developed, there would appear to be no dif-
ficulty about their acquisition. But to secure a valuable
mine, and at the same time to make a good investment,
requires more than the mere possessioii of a long purse :
it requires experience in mining matters, and necessitates
an intimate acquaintance with the country and the char-
acter of the people.
As it is desirable that in the investments of foreiirn
capital there should be no error committed at the outset,
than which nothing would retard the progress of this
new mining field more, all persons new to the country
The Sierra Madre of Neio Mexico. 139
had better leave all abandoned mines alone, unless direct-
ed to them by persons long resident in the country,
whose character and veracity are undoubted, and v^ho,
after the investigation of all the facts, current accounts,
and traditions, have full confidence in some abandoned
mine or other. There are, undoubtedly, many abandoned
mines that are well worthy of attention and outlay of
capital; but strangers are not likely to know at once
which of the many deserted mines it will be prudfnt to
meddle with. Under the present state of things, the
safest investments for new-comers will be those mines
that have hona fide owners ; for, as long as a mine can
be advantageously worked, according to the custom of
the country^ it is hardly ever abandoned altogether.
But it must not be imagined that such mines can be ob-
tained for a mere trifle ; for their owners are fully alive to
the value of their possessions, and as they are already in
a more or less independent position, and always in ex-
pectation of a sudden fortune, they are not anxious to
sell, unless induced by a fair oiFer. There any many na-
tive miners of small means willing to cede part of their
mines ,on condition that a certain amount of capital be
invested to promote extensive and more profitable oper-
ations ; but, unless the owners of mines be foreigners, it
is not advisable to enter into such arrangements. Far
better to give a long price for the absolute ownership of
a mine at once.
If foreign capitalists desire to make investments in
Mexican mines, it is necessary that they are liberally in-
clined ; if so, there are undoubtedly proper persons to
be found who will help them to good abandoned mines,
and many owners will be found willing to sell their
mines. Moneyed Californians may soon find out that
there are mines in Northern Mexico which will well re-
pay the reposed trust, and content any reasonable man.
140 Arizo9ia and ISonora.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MNES OF JESUS MARIA AND SAN JOSE.»
Condition of Mining in Mexico. — Wealth of the old Spanish Miners.
— Tkj Faults, of their Successors. — A European Superintendent of
the tfesus Maria Mines. — M. Augustus Remuley. — Abandonment of
the Mines. — Recent Movements. — Present Prospects. — The Mines
near Jesus Maria and Jose. — Nuestra Sefiora del Rayo. — Santa Mar-
garita.— San Jose del Rosario. — Candelaria. — San Rafael. — Haci-
enda Quintana. — General Notes.
As you are personally acquainted with the mining dis-
trict of " Jesus Maria," you will be able to give much
valuable information on that head ; and, besides, I think
that the mining region of the " Sierra Madre" is suffi-
ciently famed to be known in the United States and in
Europe. Yet, what must strike persons not personally
acquainted with Mexico most, and requires explanation,
is the fact that there are so many good mines in an aban-
doned state, and that many of those that are known to
be of inherent richness and steadily worked, do so sel-
dom enrich their owners. You and I, and many hundred
others of foreign residents in this country^ know the rea-
son of this ; but persons abroad can hardly imagine that
in a country like this, famed for its mineral wealth, there
should be so little theoretical and practical knowledge
of mining — of labor-saving machinery — of practical appli-
cation of scientific inventions — that, in short, every thing
should be managed in pretty much the same style as a
century ago. Want of enterprise, or of capital in enter-
prising men ; want of mutual confidence and considera-
* Notes on the Mineral of Jesus Maria y Jose, etc., by A. W. C.
Brawns, Esq.
The Mines of Jesus Maria and iSa?i Jose, 141
tion ; want of security in many localities on one hand,
and an almost total want of industry and perseverance,
of prudence, forethought, and economy on the other, are
among the principal reasons of the decay into wlq^h this
most important pursuit has fallen of late.
The many millions of gold and silver yearly exported
from this republic attest the abundance and richness of
the Mexican mines ; yet this product, as you well know,
is as nothing to what they might produce under a differ-
ent state of things. Almost all the old Spaniards who
worked mines in this country after the -discovery of its
mineral wealth realized fortunes so rapidly and. easily
that their successors thought their fortunes assured by
merejjr being the owners of mines, altogether forgetting
that it was also indispensable to personally look after
their business, and to practice economy and prudence.
Their riotous mode of life, their laziness and negligence,
no mine in the Avorld was rich enough to sustain, and,
consequently, when a " borasca" made its appearance, as
it will in every mine once in a while, they not only found
themselves withoi^ the means of indulging in farther
luxury and extravagance, but also without the necessary
funds to pierce through the "poor ores" and dead rock
in order to strike the "rich ores" again. Credit under
such circumstances they could not obtain — for who
would trust a gambling spendthrift? — consequently, were
obliged to sell or abandon mines that had produced mil-
lions. Their successors, no sooner did they strike a "bo-
nanza" than, either by inclination or seduced by others,
they commenced to enjoy life in pretty much the same
manner, which, with very few exceptions, ended in like
results. " Like master, like man ;" the overseers and
servants, finding the business left entirely in their own
hands, soon began to think that a few pounds of ore ev-
ery day, more or less, made no difference to their masters.
142 Arizona and Honor a.
and would never be missed; and, being excellent judges
of ore, they always selected the very richest for them-
selves— ore so rich that a few pounds of it often enabled
them Jo imitate their master's gambling and carousing
on a small scale. Yet this working of mines, and living
in great profusion and pleasurable excitement, in the
hope of a speedy fortune, was too good to be monopo-
lized by Mexicans alone.
The fame of the rich mines had spread to Europe, and
induced men of capital to come out or to send represent-
atives. The example of one foreigner, whose name it
w^ould be cruel to mention, will exemplify the case of
many of his class who sunk fortunes in this manner. He
had been sent out by a joint stock company to inspect
the mines and veins of "Jesus Maria," and to invest a
considerable capital in some of them, with a view of real-
izing fifty per cent, per annum on it. Furnished with
plenty of introductory letters, he no sooner made his ap-
pearance at this mining town than its el'ite^ rejoiced to see
a new face, overwhelmed him with profuse hospitalities,
shortening the nights, and many of^e days too, with
the excitement of gambling and all sorts of debauchery.
Pleased and gratified by this warm reception in a strange
land, he deemed himself in honor bound to show his ap-
preciation by a return of similar hospitalities ; and thus
dinners, balls, picnics, shooting and fishing parties, with
bands of music hired for the nonce at a couple of hundred
dollars, and Champagne at fifty dollars a basket, not to
mention the other questionable inventions for killing time,
was the order of the day for six months in succession.
Being far removed from Europe, it took a long time to
correspond ; but at last answers arrived from home to
letters which he had dispatched after his arrival (and
which had been filled with glowing accounts of the wealth
of the "Jesus Maria mines" and their owners), express-
The Mines of Jesus Maria and ISan JosL 143
ing the hope of soon hearing the result of his investments.
Brought to his senses, and overcome with shame at hav-
ing squandered nearly half of the capital intrusted to his
care, he bethought himself of some profitable investment,
and of eschewing his riotous friends. Having purchased
a good but neglected mine, which required the construc-
tion of a drain-tunnel, and other expensive works, to be re-
opened, he went to work in earnest, and soon expended
the remaining capital in the prosecution of these works,
without, however, completing them. After he had duly
notified his constituents at home that, in order to com-
plete the commenced works and to work the mine, anoth-
er large sum would have to be remitted to him, he was
startled with the orders of the shareholders to abandon
an enterprise that, from the large outlays already made
without any tangible results and proofs, promised to be a
most unprofitable investment. Disgusted, he left for parts
unknown, a victim to the reckless life in a Mexican min-
ing town; and since that time foreign capitalists have
been shy of Jesus Maria mining investments. Yet, had
he strictly attended to his business, and invested the sub-
scribed capital entirely in the enterprise, there is no dou15t
that good results would have crowned the undertaking.
It is but just to give another example attesting the rich-
ness of a "Jesus Maria" mine — that of Mr. Augustin Re-
muley, a poor French gentleman, who, in order to better
his fortune, had been induced to accept the situation of
administrador of the mine of " Santa Juliana," with an
annual salary of $480, his board and lodging, and three
per cent, of the net profits of the mine. He realized in
one year $37,000 of his own, while the fortunate owners
of this celebrated mine shortly after became bankrupt,
with a deficit of nearly half a million of dollars, likewise
victims of extravagance and gambling.
Is it to be wondered at that, under such a regime, the
144 Arizona and Sonoixt.
pursuit of mining should gradually have fallen into decay
and general disrepute, and that this most important branch
of industry should have been languishing of late years for
want of capital, of credit, and of confidence in it, when
the apathy and demoralization of the people have had the
tendency to cause a general retrogression and gradual
impoverishment of the whole country ? For the last few
years the mines of "Jesus Maria," like many of those of
other localities, have either been wholly abandoned, or
been worked by gambussinos alone, which latter people
soon render a mine unworkable, and cause its total aban-
donment. A foreign element is now required to revive
mining in this country, and to restore it to its former pris-
tine splendor and productiveness. Several enterprises,
undertaken of late by foreigners, give cheering hopes, and
invite imitation, that mining will soon be restored, and
become again the mainstay of the country. Since the dis-
covery of the silver mines at Washoe, Nevada Territory,
United States, the American caj^italists have become bet-
ter acquainted with the profitableness of mining invest-
ments, and a very great spirit of mining enterprise is now
manifested by Californians to make investments in this
country. Purchases of mines have been efiected in this
and the neighboring state of Sinaloa at very high figures,
and other conditional purchases have been made by spec-
ulators, while each vessel of late arrived from San Fran-
cisco has brought its mining prospectors in great force,
so that the regeneration of this section of the country
seems to be near at hand.
I have been thus prolix on this head, because I think it
necessary to the object you have in view to show the real
causes of the many disastrous results of mining invest-
ments in this country, and to disabuse the public mind
abroad of the too often predisposed unfavorable opinion
of the Mexican mines. It was but recently stated by Sir
The Mines of Jesus Maria and San JosL 145
Roderick Murchison, the eminent president of the Royal
Geographical Society, communicating to the R. G. Society
the results of the travels of Mr. Charles Savin, F.R.G.S.
(who, accompanied by an assayer and practical Cornish
miner, had visited the Sierra Madre in Sinaloa and Chi-
huahua), " that, with British capital and perseverance, al-
most all the mines and veins of this part of the world
Avould yield good returns ;" and the dividends that sev-
eral foreign companies in this republic have of late been
paying incontestably show that, with proper management,
investments in the mines of this country are not only safe,
but also highly remunerative. And it should also be
borne in mind that the mines, with but few exceptions,
may be said to be virgin yet ; for works to the depth of a
Imndred yards or so are but surface works, and offer, for
centuries yet to come, profitable employment to people
that may be counted by millions.
I now proceed to give a detailed description of the dif-
ferent mines, and the ore-reducing establishment, owned
by Messrs. Gutierrez, Andreo, and Brawns, in the imme-
diate neighborhood of the mining town of Jesus Maria
and Jose, in the State of Chihuahua, Republic of Mexico.*
I. Niiestra Senora del Hayo. — ^This mine was discov-
ered shortly after the discovery of the mine of "Jesus
Maria," from which the mining town obtained its name,
in the year 1823, and is situated in the western range of
mountains of the Creek (arroyo) of Jesus Maria, at a dis-
tance of about half a mile from the town. The "Rayo"
was discovered at the same time as the celebrated " Santa
Juliana" Mine, from which it is about 500 varas distant.
Its first owners were Messrs. Thomas Suza and Thomas
Rivera, who -worked it successfully, with good results in
* These notes are introduced as the most extended and accurate in
reference to the Sierra Madre mines, the characteristic being the same
in Sonora and Chihuahua. — S. M.
G
146 Arizona and Sonora.
gold and silver, according to the accounts of trustworthy
persons still living at Jesus Maria, and abandoned it on
the discovery of the " bonanza" (extremely rich ores) in
the " Santa Juliana" Mine, of which they were part own-
ers. This happened in the year 1826. Afterward Messrs.
Siqueiros Brothers worked the mine, but abandoned it
later on account of suffocation, caused by their having
worked the shafts and drifts in a very narrow and dis-
orderly style. For about twenty-five years the " Rayo"
remained abandoned, being only occasionally worked by
" gambussinos." These are poor, petty miners, who work
without licQnse and without order; break out ore here
and there, wherever most handy and easy, and, to save
labor and time (they doing all the work personally), gen-
erally throw the offal ores and dead rock in the shafts and
drifts not occupied by them ; so that, when a mine once
is squatted upon by these petty miners, it is sure soon to
be rendered unfit for working, requiring a large expendi-
ture of labor and money to reopen it. In consequence,
they soon brought the mine into an unworkable state, and
were compelled to abandon it.
In the year 1850, Mr. J. C. Henriquez, knowing the
mine to have been left in good ores, " denounced" it with
a view to its restoration and possession, and at the pres-
ent moment (month of May, 1861) the entire mine is
cleaned and restored. In this undertaking over $5000
have been expended. Since, the mine has been purchased
by Mr. Ramon Andreu ; he is occupying twenty miners
per day, although there is room and occasion to occupy
from 140 to 150 operatives with ease and profit.
The extent of possession of the "Rayo" Mine is 700
varas; the lowest depth as yet reached about seventy
varas vertically, the vein having an inclination of from
15° to 20°, and running from east to west. The works
of the mine are as follows: above there is a drift-shaft
The Mines of Jesus Maria and San Jose. 147
(tajo) forty varas deep, twenty-five varas long, and five
varas wide in firm walls, whence two shafts have been
sunk, each fifteen varas deep, six varas long, and three
and a half varas wide, leaving a pillar fourteen by fifteen
varas between. From thence two other shafts of the
same dimensions have been sunk, one of which is at pres-
ent eleven, and the other ten varas deep. The intention
is from thence to run a large drift, in order to give more
room for operatives to be employed. The vein, in all its
parts, in the sides of the drifts and shafts, i3resents ores
of the same class as the accompanying samples. In or-
der to ventilate the mine, it has been necessary to lessen
the size of the pillars and to widen the walls, in the do-
ing of which a new vein of auriferous and argentiferous
quartz has been met with, of which the sample, marked
*' El Rayo," is a fair specimen. This vein is of a width
of two inches, and about half a vara from the other upper
vein, so that all the difierent veins can be worked togeth-
er in one and the same shaft. Sample IsTo. 1, marked
" Nstra. Sra. del Rayo," is from this upper vein, and like-
wise two inches thick ; N"o. 2 is from the middle vein,
and nine inches thick; No. 3 is from the lower vein,
which is from seven to ten inches in thickness. As al-
ready said, the uppermost one is divided by dead rock
half a vara thick from N"o. 1, and the dead rock between
No. 1 and 2 and between No. 2 and 3 is from four to five
inches thick. These four distinct veins are running par-
allel to each other. It is the general opinion of practical
miners that these difierent veins at a greater depth will
unite into one solid body or vein of from sixteen to eight-
een inches in thickness. The ley of the ores of No. 1, 2,
and 3, according to the last operations made in this last
month of May in the common Mexico mode of " benefi-
cio" (reduction), was twenty -four ounces of auriferous
silver per mule-load of 300 lbs. = 160 ounces per ton of
148 Arizona and Sonora.
2000 lbs. The intrinsic value of the silver of the Rayo
Mine, according to the statement of the government as-
sayer of the district Rayon, was lid. gr. 2 silver, 100 gr.
gold, realizing $11 per marc at Jesus Maria prices. The
ore, sample marked "El Rayo," discovered in widening
the walls, when first discovered at the end of last year,
contained more silver than gold, yielding at the rate of
11500 silver and $100 gold per carga of 300 lbs.; after-
ward it changed more into gold, like the sample marked
"El Rayo," of which fourteen pounds produced $800 in
gold, which is at the rate of more than $100,000 per ton
of 2000 lbs. Later it changed again into its former state,
as when first met with, in which it is at the present mo-
ment. All the indications are that the present is its nor-
mal state,* and that more or less rich pockets of gold will
be found at uncertain distances. The different ores of
the Rayo Mine are docile in their reduction, undergoing
the common Spanish amalgamation process. The Rayo
Mine offers many advantages: being near the top of a
mountain range, from 300 to 400 varas high above the
creek, there is no j^robability of its Avorking being inter-
fered with by water until the level of the creek has been
reached, which will necessarily take many years ; while
in case of suffocation, or for an easier mode of extracting
the ores, tunnels could with facility be run into the
mountain at a cost of from $5000 to $6000. The en-
trance of the mine being on an almost perpendicular side
of the mountain, slides could easily be erected — timber
being abundant, and at three miles' distance from it — ^so
that the ore and dead rock would be j^laced at the foot
of the mountain, alongside of the creek, whence it is hard-
ly half a mile to the hacienda " Quintana."
II. Santa Margarita. — This mine is situated at the
Rosario, about three miles distant from Jesus Maria, and
was formerly worked by Messrs. Gutierrez, Guereiia & Co.
The Mines of Jems Maria aoid San Jose. 149
The vein is steep, slanting from one half to one vara wide,
its gangue being lime-spath, with virgin gold of 960 m.
ley per ton. The accompanying sample ores are fair
average ore. The vein runs from east to west, 2° in-
clined north, and the extent of its possession is eight
hmidred varas. The mine is at present full of water, on
account of the works having been suspended during the
last two years, but can be drained with a " malacate"
(large windlass and buckets moved by horse power) in
about a week, as has been done on several previous occa-
sions, when the working of the mine had been temporari-
ly suspended. Once drained, and working only in day-
time, the water which collects during the night is ex-
tracted in the morning in the course of an hour or two.
There are three shafts, the deepest seventy-one varas
deep, a connection drift of fifteen varas between two of
them, and another drift fifty varas long ; besides these, an
interior drain drift has been commenced, which lacks but
from fifteen to twenty varas to reach the surface. This
drift is following the course of the vein. The mine
drained and in its present state, without commencing the
construction of any new shafts and drifts, there is room
to employ at once sixteen miners. The best class ore ex-
tracted during the week has always paid the current ex-
penses, and frequently more; thus the second class ore
and the " brosa" (common ore) may be said to constitute
the profit. The common ore (brosa) has always paid
half an ounce per load of 300 lbs. =$'72 per ton of 2000
lbs. ; the second class ore up to three marcs per arroba
of 25 lbs. = $25,960 per ton ; and the best ore up to eight
marcs per 25 lbs. arroba =171, 6 80 per ton of 2000 lbs.,
according to the prices obtained for this gold at Jesus
Maria, where it sells at from $12 to $14 per ounce, though
worth more.
The working of " Santa Margarita" has several times
150 Arizona and Sonora.
been suspended and recommenced ; it was last susj)ended
two years ago. The only cause of these suspensions has
been the thieving propensity of the mining population of
this country, and the great difficulty of obtaining trust-
worthy people to oversee the operatives and servants;
this cause, which is the most serious drawback to the
successful working of very rich veins in this country by
small capitalists, would, however, prove no hinderance to
a company of large means, that can afford to import men
as overseers from abroad, or that, by working on a large
scale, can afford to offer such salaries to their employes
as would induce young Mexicans of good and respectable
character and connections to accept such employ.
The improvements belonging to the " Santa Margarita"
Mine consist of one stone building of two rooms and ve-
randa, in order, and close to the entrance of the mine, and
a " malacate" (lai'ge horse windlass), which, together with
its roof and foundation wall, requires some repairs if its
use should be continued, though it would be better to sub-
stitute a force-pump and steam-engine for the extraction
of the ores and water, as the latter, at a greater depth,
will undoubtedly increase, tjie works of the mine being
already below the level of the water of the adjoining
brook. An outlay of from $4000 to |5000 would place
this mine in working condition, if the malacate use should
be continued ; with force-pump and engiife a much larger
capital would be required. At a distance of about half a
mile from this mine there is a creek that has sufficient
water to drive machinery by means of a turbine, if it
should be desirable to reduce the ores near to the mine,
instead of taking them on iflule-back (the only practicable
mode of transportation) to Jesus Maria, a distance of
three miles. Water, wood, timber, and grass are plentiful
and close to the mine ; the adjoining and surrounding
lands belong to the state, and are open to denouncement,
consequently can be easily and cheaply obtained.
The Mines of Jesus Maria and San Jose. 151
III. San Jose del Rosario. — This gold mine is adjoin-
ing the Santa Margarita Mine, and by many supposed to
be the same vein. The vein is almost .perpendicular, and
from half to one vara wide. There are several shafts and
drifts, the deepest about sixty varas deep, but these are
mostly filled up with rubbish, ofial ore, dead rock, and rain
water. It has two drain tunnels, and admits of the for-
mation of others, the construction of one of which would
not exceed the sum of ^6000 expenses. The best and sec-
ond class ore pays a similar ley as that of " Santa Marga-
rita," while the broza (common and inferior ley) pays from
three to four dollars per load of 300 lbs., and the " polvil-
los" (heavy residue of the ground and washed ore) pays
six ounces " zaroche," at $6 the ounce, to the twenty-five
pound arroba. (Zaroche is the Mexican name for gold of
low color, containing silver.) In the deepest shaft silver-
bearing ore has already been met with, an indication that
this ore, like most of the auriferous ores of this region,
will change into silver w^hen a greater depth has been
reached. The proceeds of this mine obtained by the first
owners were so great, that once one load of three hundred
pounds realized $10,000.
The mine, discovered in the beginning of this century,
was first worked by Messrs. Zuza and Lumbier ; and it is
but just to mention that the heaviest capital of the State
of Chihuahua, which is that of Mr. Jose Cordero, son-in-
law of the late Mr. Zuza, and which amounts to several
millions, owes its origin to this mine. Later, the mine
has been worked by Mr. Ferdinand Altario. The princi-
pal reasons of its having been abandoned were the dim-
inution of the ley ; the depth of the mine, which, although
not considerable, proved an impediment to men defi-
cient in all knowledge of useful and scientific contrivan-
ces, and far removed from all necessary resources; but
principally the discovery of the neighboring " Santa Mar-
152 Arizona and Soiiora.
garita" vein with its magnificent ores, and the discovery
of the " bonanza" (extremely rich ores) in the " Santa Ju-
liana" Mine in 1824 and 1825. Since that time the mine
has been occasionally worked by gambussinos, who, ac-
cording to their lazy and negligent way of working, soon
filled up the mine with dead rock, which they were too
indolent to carry out. The mine, it is asserted by all who
know it, is still in good ore, and can be drained and
cleaned with a malacate in the course of a month or two,
employing from ten to twelve men ; once free and clean,
it will admit of a good number of miners being advanta-
geously employed. The extent of possession of San Jose
del Rosario is 800 varas. There are no improvements
belonging to the mine ; otherwise it possesses the same
local advantages as the Santa Margarita Mine. No sam-
ples.
IV. Cayidelaria. — This mine is situated about one and
a half or two miles from the town of Jesus Maria ; the
vein is almost perpendicular, and from one to one and a
half feet wide. The deepest shaft is about ninety varas.
The vein has been steadily and gradually increasing, a sure
indication of its present character. The ore is very hard,
but docile in the amalgamation process. The lowest yield
has never been less than $48 in gold and silver per load
of 300 lbs.=:|320 per ton of 2000 lbs., though it is gener-
ally much more, some ore having assayed as high as $3243
per ton of 2000 lbs. The gold of this mine sells at Jesus
Maria at |10 the ounce. The samples of ore marked
" Candelaria, Jesus Maria," are good class ore ; the others,
N"os. 4 and 5, common ore (broza). In the bottom of the
mine there is a drift in ore twenty. varas long, where
twenty-five miners can easily work at one and the same
time, thus allowing seventy-five miners to be employed
during the twenty-four hours, without opening new shafts
and drifts.
The Mines of Jesus Maria and Ban Jose. 153
Candelaria was last worked by Mr. J. Quintana, who
suspended the working of it some years ago while erect-
ing machinery for the reduction of ores. In this he ex-
pended his capital, and when ready to recommence oper-
ations in the mine, he found that the gambussinos, having
undermined the foundation walls of the malacate in order
to get at the offal ore of the " terrero," had destroyed the
strength and safety «f it, and that it consequently was risk-
ing the lives of servants and animals to make use of it
without rebuilding it. Indeed, shortly after the whole
concern came down from the effects of a rain-storm. Be-
ing without the necessary resources to defray its recon-
struction, and unwilling to involve himself in debt, the
mining operations of Candelaria remained suspended, and
as Mr. Quintana very shortly after died, the mine was
abandoned, and has remained in that state for the last few
years, for the want of men of enterprise and capital. The
mine, being on the' top of a mountain range some four
hundred varas high above the creek, has but little inher-
ent water as yet, but is full of rain water ; it admits of
drain tunnels being made, which may cost from $6000 to
110,000, and requires the reconstruction of a foundation
wall for a malacate, which, together with the clearing of
the mine, would probably cost some $5000. The posses-
sion contains some eight hundred varas.
Y. Ban Rafael. — This mine is distant three quarters
of a mile from the town of Jesus Maria, and was worked
first after its discovery by Messrs. Andrew Reducich and
Joseph Lopez until the year 1839, when the working was
susp'ended in consequence of the death of the former.
Some years later the mine passed into the possession of
Messrs. R. Jaquez, I. Parada, and E. Yidal, who worked
it until 1861, when Mr. Ramon Andreu rented the mine
for two years; the latter stopped Avorking it on account
of some difficulties he had with the owners. The vein is
G2
154 Arizona and iSonora.
nearly perpendicular, running from south to north, with
an inclination of from 15° to 20° east, and is about one and
a half feet wide on the average. In the bottom of the
lowest shaft, which is about fifty-five to sixty varas deep,
two drifts have been commenced ; in one of them the vein
is scattered, but in the other compact, with very fair in-
dications of its changing into a large vein. Since Mr.
Andreu abandoned the working of t!fe mine, the gambus-
sinos have destroyed and filled up with rubbish the shafts
from the main entrance to a depth of from twenty to
twenty-five varas, where there is the first drift, Avhence
two other shafts of from thirty to thirty-five varas depth,
with their respective drifts, have not been touched by the
" gambussiuos," on account of having filled with rain
water shortly after the suspension of the work by Mr.
Andreu.
From the entrance of the mine to within five varas of
the lowest depth as yet reached, the vein has been more
or less scattered, not having any decided compactness ;
but in the last shaft, sunk from the bottom drift, the vein
has become compact. There are no samjDle ores extant,
and can not be obtained without first cleaning the mine;
but the gold is soft, and docile in the amalgamation pro-
cess ; the lowest ley has never been less than one marc per
load of 300 lbs. ; the " polvillos" paying from two to three
marcs silver per 25 lbs. arroba, consequently the lowest
ley has never been less than $110 per ton of 2000 lbs. at
the price of silver at Jesus Maria, and this silver, being
auriferous, there reahzed |16 per marc. The mine "San
Rafael" has always paid a profit; it can be drained of the
rain water in the Mexican fashion, with common hand-
pumps ; but if a malacate should be used the shafts would
require straightening, as the mine has been worked in the
"patio y patillo" fashion. The mine is on the top of the
western range of mountains, some four hundred varas
1 lie Mm es of Jesus Maria and San Jose. 155
high, and admits the construction of drain tunnels, which
would have to be somewhere about one hundred and fifty
varas in length, and such tunnel in all probability, nay,
certainly, would cross other veins running in the same di-
rection, and which, where worked, have given very good
results. The extent of possession of " San Kafael" is like-
wise eight hundred varas.
YI. Hacienda QuintoMa. — This establishment for the
reduction and amalgamation of ores is situated in the
centre of the mining town Jesus Maria, and consists of
three stamps and eight arrastras, all the machinery of
which is moved by an overshot wheel thirty-three feet in
diameter, and reduces three and a half tons of ore per
twenty-four hours. It contains all the required adjuncts,
is in good order and in daily use, and is fed by the creek
of Jesus Maria, which generally has water enough for
the use of machinery in the different establishments ten
months in the year, and in many years all the year round.
General Notes. — The mining town of Jesus Maria, sit-
uated in the Sierra Madre, at a distance of about 250 miles
from the ports of Agiabampo and Guaymas, on the Gulf
of California, and about 200 miles from the city of Chi-
huahua, has never been affected by the several revolu-
tions which have occurred in the states of Chihuahua and
Sonora, and which in the former state are of a rather in-
nocent nature; nor is this region exposed to the depre-
dations of the Camanche and Apache Indians, who infest
other parts of the two mentioned states ; it offers, there-
fore, by its favored situation in the heart of lofty mount-
ain ranges, security to mining enterprise. The neighbor-
hood of Jesus Maria is famous for the abundance and
richness of its metallic veins. Most of them, although
they have been more or less worked, may be said to be
virgin yet, hardly having been worked to a greater depth
than 100 varas at most. The only exception to this is the
156 Arizojia and Soiiora.
mine of Santa Juliana, which has been worked to a depth
of 400 varas, and been abandoned on account of its abund-
ance of water. Almost all the ores of this region, al-
though in most of them silver forms the principal ingre-
dient, are more or less auriferous, so that its silver com-
mands a higher market value than usual. The ores are
likewise docile in their reduction, and undergo the amal-
gamation process.
The town of Jesus Maria is some 5000 feet above the
sea, and enjoys a temperate, dehghtful, and healthy cli-
mate ; its population is estimated at 3000. Being not far
removed — fifty to a hundred miles — from the different
agricultural villages of the district of Concepcion, provi-
sions are much cheaper in this than in most other mining
towns, and owing to the abundance of mines formerly ex-
tensively worked, there is a numerous body of operatives
to facilitate the undertaking of extensive enterprises.
Timber and fuel are abundant, and at no great distance
from town — the former mostly pine and oak ; the creek of
Jesus Maria having sufiicient water for the use of ma-
chinery ten months in the year, and often the whole year
round, although all the available spots for the application
of water power in the immediate neighborhood are already
private property, and built up with haciendas. Some of
these, however, could be purchased at reasonable prices,
as, for instance, the haciendas "Guadalupe" and "Car-
men," both together having nine stamps and twenty ar-
rastras, formerly belonging to Messrs. Lopez and Valois.
. Common miners earn $1 per task, working overseers
from $10 to $12 per week, and all other servants four
reals — two shillings sterling per day — payable half in
goods, half in money. Salt is generally worth $12 per
fanega of 300 lbs. ; quicksilver from $45 to $50 per flask
of 75 lbs. ; maize, $1 75 to $2 25 the fanega of 220 lbs. ;
wheat, $3 the fanega; beeves, from $10 to $20 per head,
The Mines of Jesus Maria and San Jose. 157
averaging from 350 to 500 lbs. gross weight; grass fod-
der, 50 cts. per load of 225 lbs. Freight from Agiabam-
po to Jesus Maria, $12 to |14 per mule-load of 300 lbs.
There is an " oficina de quintar" (metal stamp and assay
office) established by government at Jesus Maria, where
gold and silver receives the stamp of currency. Although
for the last years no mine has been regularly worked, in
this stamp and assay office have been monthly stamped
above $11,500 for the last three years, the produce of the
work of " gambussinos ;" and when it is taken into con-
sideration that at least one third of the gold and silver
of the country never receives the stamp, an annual pro-
duction of $150,000 to $200,000 by petty miners alone
should go far to prove the richness of the neglected mines
of this district or town of Jesus Maria ; for if the worst
mining style, or no style at all,^can produce such a result,
what may not well-directed energy and capital effect in
this yet virgin field ?
158 Arizona and Sionora,
CHAPTER IX.
MINERALOGICAL SKETCH OF ARIZONA.*
Limits of Arizona. — Topography. — Geological Structure. — Character
of the Vegetation. — The Plains. — The Table-lands. — Rivers, Fount-
ains, and Wells. — Arable and grazing Land. — Part of the great
Mineral Region. — The Heintzelman Mine. — Character of the Ores.
—Their Order of Deposit. — Processes of Reduction. — Defects in the
Processes. — Wages and other Expenses. — Results, actual and pros-
pective.— The Plain of Arivaca. — Santa Rita Mines. — Cahuabi
Mines. — The San Pedro Mines. — Lead Mines. — The Mowry Silver
Mines. — Various Mines and Ores. — Plancha de la Plata. — General
Conclusions.
■X
Arizona proper, or the Gadsden Purchase, is that part
of our frontier which has the Rio Grande and the Colo-
rado Rivers for its eastern and western, and the Gila
River and Mexican boundary-line for its northern and
southern limits. It thus extends over both slopes of the
Sierra Madre, which here loses its continuous character,
giving rise to almost unconnected mountain groups. It
is also traversed from N.W. to S.E. by granitic sierras
seldom over seventy to ninety miles in length, and distant
from each other from twenty to forty miles. This con-
figuration gives rise to a most remarkable occurrence of
parallelism.
The intervals between these ranges are plains, having
a gradual descent from the sierras on either side. In the
western part of the Territory, where but little rain falls,
* Mineralogical Sketch of the Silver Mines of Arizona^ read before
the California Academy of Natural Sciences, August 5, 1861, by K.
PuMPELLY, Esq., Metallurgist and Mining Engin^r, Graduate of the;
Mining College at Freiberg, etc., etc. PublishccPki the Proceedings
of the Academv, vol. ii., 18G2.
Mineralogical Sketch of Arizona, 159
water-courses are very rare, and the surface of these tracts
is almost unbroken ; but in the central portion, near the
larger mountains, they present the appearance of exten-
sive valleys, and are cut up by river beds and frequent
tributary canons. These plains are all connected, and
form members of the immense quaternary deposits, ex-
tending from the Gulf of California eastward.
The quaternary formation is stratified, and composed
of both rounded and angular rocks, w^ith pebbles and
sand, the detritus of the neighboring mountains and the
underlying formations. A gradual and regular descent
of the surface of the whole quaternary area toward the
Gulf of California and the Colorado River is perceptible,
showing that there has been a gradual elevation extend-
ing over a large area, and probably during a long lapse
of time. That this upheaval is of very recent date is
proven by the presence of existing species of marine
shells scattered over the surface.
As I have already said, the majority of the mountain
ranges are granitic, but we find in many places, and es-
pecially those where the parallelism is disturbed, exten-
sive representations of other formations. Usually, out-
croppings of gneiss, micaceous, talcose, and clay slates are
observable, underlying the quaternary at the base of the
granitic ranges. In many places the plains consist entire-
ly of the detritus of these rocks, showing that they ex-
tend from mountain to mountain. Toward the Gulf of
California these slates are accompanied by metamorphic
limestone, and often appear forming independent ridges,
or inclined against the higher granite hills. They form
the gold region of Sonora, and are probably of the same
age as the similar- formations of California, of which, in-
deed, they seem to be the continuation. We find them
rising out of the desert, at intervals, from Sonora to the
Gila River and the Colorado, and again underlying the
160 Arizona and Sonora.
tertiary on the western skirt of the Colorado desert, and
at various points in Southern California.
Near the coast, and traversed by the boundary-line, is
a very interesting volcanic formation. The country is
studded over with volcanic cones, some containing cra-
ters ; immense streams of lava cross the desert, or cover,
as with a mantle, high granite hills.
The next formation of importance is that of the strati-
fied conglomerates. These occur in strata of very varia-
ble thickness and texture, but all are composed for the
most part of fragments of quartziferous porphyry, ce-
mented by a feldspathic mass, also quartziferous. This
formation is traversed by intrusive dikes of a porphyry
of a similar character to many of the fragments inclosed
in the conglomerates.
There is also a great variety of porphyries, both quartz-
iferous and free from quartz, and these are the rocks
which for the most part stand in the closest connection
with the veins of the country. Many of these porphyries
appear to be the result of metamorphic action in sedi-
mentary rocks, but others have every characteristic of an
eruptive origin.
Lastly, dikes of a trachytic porphyry and of a cellular
black rock, usually in connection with a reddish wacke
and a sandstone, are observable at various points through
the country.
Climatic influences have given the country a marked
and peculiar character of vegetation. Toward the coast
the plains are barren and arid deserts, and the traveler
may ride hundreds of miles without seeing other plants
than dry and thorny cacti and scattered bushes of grease-
wood. The granite mountains bordering these deserts
are even more barren. Not a tree, nor even a cactus,
can be seen on their sides. They tower high above the
plains, great masses of white, reflecting the rays of the
Mmeralogical Sketch of Arizona, 161
sun with dazzling brilliancy. The only water to be found
over an area of many thousand miles is at a few points in
the mountains, where the rains have collected in natural
tanks sufficient to last for a few months. During the
rainy season, which often nearly fails, shallow pools are
formed in slight depressions on the surface, but a few
days' sun is sufficient to exhaust these sources.
Farther from the coast the plains begin to show more
vegetation; gradually appear the palo verde, the mes-
quit, and a greater variety of cacti, and on the hills scat-
tered saguaras {Cereus giganteus) ; until, in the eastern
portion of the Papagoria, the country is more thickly cov-
ered with a low growth of mesquit and palo verde brush,
above which looms a perfect forest of the columnar sa-
guara.
East of the Baboquiveri range the character of the
country changes ; the plains are cut in the direction of
the longer axis by deep valleys, receiving tributary ca-
nons from the mountains on either side, and all that re-
mains to show their original character are the cut -up
mesas or table-lands, lying between the river and the si-
erras. These mesas retain, indeed, much of the desert
appearance, but they are clothed with bunch and gram-
ma grass, and scattered mesquit bushes. Many of the
valleys have an extensive growth of mesquit, and along
the river beds in the neighborhood of hidden or running
water grow large cottonwood trees, and in some places
fine ash timber. On the hill-sides, above the level of the
mesas, are scattered the live oak of the country, the trees
varying from twelve to twenty-five feet in height, giving
the country the appearance of an old orchard. As we
ascend the mountains, the oaks are mingled with the ce-
dar, until, at an elevation of about 6000 feet above the
level of the sea, the pine region commences.
Owing to the peculiar structure of the river beds.
1G2 Arizona cmd Soiiora.
wliich run through loose quaternary deposits, the water
felling during the rainy season soon sinks out of sight
and follows its course underground, ajtipearing only where
the underlying older formations rise, or where the valley
is crossed by a dike, in either case natural dams being
formed. These occurrences are sometimes of sufficient
extent to form running streams for several miles, although
usually either only a spring is formed, or more frequently
water is obtained by digging.
These valleys of Central Arizona, as well as the mesas
and hill-sides, are covered with an abundant growth of
different grasses, forming extensive tracts of grazing
country. There are not many localities suitable for cul-
tivation, these being confined to such places as have run-
ning water for a considerable distance, which can be con-
ducted in canals for irrigation.
Arizona forms a link in the great chain of mining re-
gions that stretches along the western side of the conti-
nent. Though but a small portion of the country, has
been explored, yet between the Rio Grande and the Col-
orado numerous districts of great mineral wealth have
been discovered, and on some of them more or less labor
expended. The Mexicans have, at various times since
the middle of the last century, commenced workings on
a great number of veins, but, owing to the continued in-
roads of the Apaches, but little was accomplished by
them.
After the conclusion of the Gadsden treaty, Messrs.
Poston and Ehrenberg, with a small party, entered the
country, and, after prospecting a large number of locali-
ties, found the Heintzelman vein. The results of an ex-
amination of this proved so satisfactory, that considerable
attention was drawn toward that part of New Mexico.
Joint- stock companies, with little ready capital and im-
mense expectations, were formed. Speculators bought in
Mineralogical Sketch of Arizona. 1G3
stock for ten per cent, of its* nominal value, and sold out
at from fifty per cent, to ninety per cent, to tradesmen
and widows, too poor to meet assessments when means
for working were absolutely necessary. Men Avere put
in charge who had never seen a mine, and usually with
no professional assistance. The results of enterprises con-
ducted in a similar manner are well known. Between
the absence of available funds on the one hand, and of
protection to life and property on the other, enterprise
was already beginning to stagnate, when the withdrawal
of the troops made the abandonment of the country ab-
solutely necessary.
The most important of the mines already known and
worked is the Heintzelman, or Cerro Colorado^ belonging
to the Sonora Mining Company. It is situated west of
Tubac, about twenty-four miles by road. The vein runs
north and south, has a nearly vertical dip, and is inclosed
in a brown porphyry, free from quartz, and containing ill-
defined crystals of feldspar. The thickness of the lode is
from twelve to twenty inches. A vertical main shaft has
been commenced, with the expectation of intersecting the
vein at a depth of 200 feet, but it is only completed to
about 120 feet. This shaft communicates by cross-cuts,
at 60 and 100 feet, with two galleries.
The ore is separated by hand into two classes, rendered
necessary by the difference in their chemical character
and in their richness in silver. The first class consists of
the more massive and richer ore, composed of Stromey-
erite, tetrahedrite, blende, and galena, with native silver ;
the gangue is quartz, with some barytes, and the carbon-
ates of magnesia and lime. The blende and galena are so
predominant in this class as to render the ore unfit for
amalgamation, while the percentage of silver in the Stro-
meyerite is too groat to allow of its being treated profita-
bly in the barrels. This class represents about ten per
164 Arizona and Soiiora.
ceDt. of the entire amount of ore, and the average of its
yield of silver, calculated on the entire amount smelted,
is nearly $1000 to the ton of 2000 pounds, while the
amount contained is about fifteen per cent. more.
The second class contains the same minerals as the first,
but they are more intimately associated with the gangue,
which in this class forms the bulk of the ore. The blende
and galena have a moderate percentage of silver (thirty
to fifty ounces), while the tetrahedrite {Fahlerz^ or gray
copper ore) varies from one to one and a half per cent.,
and the Stromeyerite is said to rise as high as twenty-six
per cent. Chlorobromide of silver and native copper
have occurred, and native silver in small flakes is fre-
quent. Two varieties of quartz are found, one in the
ordinary glassy form, often comby ; and an opaque white
variety, very brittle, and associated with the richer min-
erals. Crystallized specimens are very rare, and of the
copper silver glance none have been observed.
I have observed the following well-defined paragenetic
successions occurring in cavities :
a. 1, quartz ; 2, brown spar ; 3, scalenohedral calcite.
6. 1, brown spar; 2, barytes ; 3, scalenohedral calcite.
c. 1, quartz; 2, galena; 3, quartz.
d. 1, quartz; 2, blende; 3, calcite.
e. 1, quartz; 2, blende; 3, rhombohedral calcite; 4, native silver;
5, scalenohedral calcite.
f. 1, quartz ; 2, brown spar ; 3, barytes ; 4, native silver.
From this it will appear that the general succession in
age is, 1st, quartz; 2d, brown spar; 3d, blende, barytes ;
4th, calcite ; 5th, native silver ; 6th, scalenohedral calcite.
From this list the relative ages of blende and barytes do
not appear.
Galena, blende, and tetrahedrite are usually closely as-
sociated with each other in this ore, while the argentifer-
ous sulphuret of copper is entirely independent of them,
but is, at times, mixed with eriibescite. Native silver oc-
Mineralogical Sketch of Arizona. 165
curs in the common filigree form in cavities in the argen-
tiferous copper glance, and is often observable in minute
specks on the tarnished surface of blende and tetrahedrite.
The reduction Avorks are on the Arivaca ranch, eight
jniles distant from the mine, and connected with it by an
excellent road. The process used is the European barrel
amalgamation for argentiferous copper ores, and was in-
troduced by Mr. Ktistel, a German metallurgist, about
three years since. The extent of the works is very small,
permitting of the treatment of about one and a half tons
a day. Six dry stamps, a steam arrastra, one reverbera-
tory roasting furnace, four barrels, a retort, and one re-
fining furnace, together with a ten-horse power engine,
constitute the works.
The second class ore, after being coarse stamped, is re-
moved to the arrastra, which is capable of grinding one
ton per day to the necessary fineness. The resulting
slime, after drying, is pounded and sifted. Five hundred
pounds of the ore, after being mixed with from eight to
ten per cent, of salt, are subjected to the chloridizing
roasting for about four hours. About one half hour be-
fore withdrawing the charge, two per cent, of unburnt
limestone is added to reduce the bichloride of copper to
protochloride. In this manner, six roastings are made in
twenty-four hours. The barrels are charged with 1000
pounds of the roasted ore, 100 pounds metalHc copper in
metallic balls, and 144 pounds of water. After revolving
two hours, to effect the partial reduction of salts injurious
to the mercury by the copper, 500 pounds of quicksilver
are added.
After revolving twenty-four hours in all, including the
second watering to collect the disseminated globules of
quicksilver, the whole is withdrawn, and the amalgam
separated and retorted. The resulting silver is simply
melted in a small reverberatory refining furnace, with the
166 Arizona and Bonora,
addition of a little borax, and cast in bars of different
sizes, having a fineness of 0.990 to 0.998. In the absence
of coin, these are used as a circulating medium, and find
their way to Sonora, and ultimately to England.
The defects of this j^rocess, as applied at Arivaca, are
very great, and are attributable in part to the character
of the ores and absence of some facilities. The roasting
is performed too hurriedly, and the roving character of the
Mexicans renders it very difficult to make them good
workmen at the furnace, where so delicate a process, re-
quiring long jDractice, is to be well executed. The per-
centage of sulphur in the ore subjected to this operation
is so very low, that the decomposition of the salt must be
imperfect, causing inordinate loss of this material, which
is very expensive. Owing to the small amount of lime
added during the roasting there can not but be an unnec-
essarily large loss of quicksilver. The loss of silver is
said to be from twenty to thirty per cent., which destroys
the main advantage of the European barrel process over
the cheaper Mexican amalgamation ; but, by more care-
fully meeting the requirements of the method, this loss
could probably be reduced to at least ten per cent. These
works were erected for temporary use, and, consequently,
the amount of manual labor is more than double that
which is necessary.
The workmen at the furnace receive one dollar per
day of twelve hours ; Mexican laborers twelve to fifteen
dollars per month, and to each man a ration of sixteen
pounds of flour per week. American laborers are paid
from thirty to seventy dollars per month and boarded.
The cost of salt which is brought from near the coast, is
four cents per pound ; of copper, twenty-five cents per
pound ; and wood, from four to six dollars per cord, de-
livered at the furnace. The price of quicksilver is one
dollar per pound.
Mineralogical Sketch of Arizona. 167
The first-class ore was formerly smelted at the mine in
Castilian furnaces, with the addition of an ore of sulphide
and carbonate of lead, litharge, and iron ore. The loss
of silver Avas from fifteen to twenty per cent., and the
cost of extracting that metal about sixty dollars per ton
of ore. The yield, as before stated, was nearly $1000 to
the ton.
From the results obtained in 1859 on 160 tons of amal-
gamated ore, it appears that about $24,000 worth of sil-
ver was produced. The loss of quicksilver equaled one
pound (=:one dollar) for every forty dollars of silver ex-
tracted. The consumption of copper was 1480 pounds ;
of salt, 32,000 pounds; and of wood, 300 cords. The pro-
duction of silver at the Heintzelman Mine is estimated at
over $100,000 (not including large amounts of ore stolen
and worked in Sonora) ; but, had it been well and regu-
larly worked, and provided with reduction works of suffi-
cient capacity, it might have produced over $1,000,000
in the same time.
This is the first experiment made in the United States
in applying the barrel process to the treatment of argen-
tiferous copper ores, and it is not surprising that, in sub-
mitting to it ores of the peculiar character which these
possess, and especially when "we consider the absence of
necessary facilities, w^e should find in it important defects,
many of which are remediable.
No exj^eriments have been made in working this ore
by the patio or Spanish-American amalgamation process,
so that it is not known to what extent the rejection of
the present method would prove advantageous ; but the
results obtained at Arivaca show conclusively that, by
remedying the defects within the limits of possibility, and
by proper substitution of mechanical for manual labor,
the European method can be used with profit in Arizona
for ores of this class, and containing about $150 to the
168 Arizona and jSonora.
ton. The same may be said of the ores of many other
mines which are free from lead, and in which tetrahedrite
or copper glance is the principal silver bearer.
Near Arivaca there are said to be twenty-five openings
on veins worked formerly for gold and silver. The val-
ley of this ranch is a large plain. The soil rests on clay
slate, which is also, in part, covered by a slight deposit
of the usual quaternary. The hills bounding the valley
on the north and south are of quartziferous porphyry.
This is a fine-grained rock, with pink crystals of ortho-
clase and quartz crystallized in double pyramids. The
northern line of contact between the clay slate and por-
phyry is marked by a bold vein of quartz running east
and Avest. In this are several openings, made previous to
the Apache war. The ore which I observed was galena,
and its altered products disseminated in quartz. It is
said to contain gold. Several quartz veins traversing the
porphyry have been worked for gold, as have also the
beds of the arroyos in the neighborhood. Arivaca has
too little wood for extensive operations. When the
Heintzelman Mine is again worked, the reduction should
be eflected at Tubac, where the erection of large Avorks
would be an incentive to the opening of many of the
mines in that neighborhood.
Santa Mita. — The mines of the Santa Rita arc situated
in and around a beautiful valley, about ten miles east of
Tubac, and among the foot-hills of the Santa Rita Mount-
ains. The valley and the hills to the north are of a met-
amorphic quartziferous porphyry, while the hills to the
east consist of a feldspathic rock. It is in these two for-
mations that the veins occur. The hills to the south
are formed in part by the porphyry conglomerates al-
ready mentioned, and in part by a remarkable feldspathic
porphyry. This last rock hag^ a compact light gray
Mineralogical SJcetch of Arizona. 169
ground, bearing numerous crystals of a white triclinic
feldspar and small prisms of hornblende, but entirely free
from quartz. It is apparently older than the conglomer-
ates. In it no veins have been discovered.
The veins in the feldspathic rock are very numerous,
and have, with few exceptions, a nearly east and west
course. Their dip is nearly vertical, and they vary from
ten to twenty-five inches in thickness. The gangue is
almost entirely quartz, and the ore generally argentifer-
ous gray copper and galena. When this last mineral is
unaccompanied by the tetrahedrite, its yield is rarely over
0.1 per cent, of silver, but when occurring in proximity
to that mineral it contains often from 0.5 to 0.75 per
cent.
The gray copper ores vary from light steel-gray to
tarnished black, and contain from one to over two per
cent, of silver. This mineral, when associated with gale-
na in decomposing, is replaced by a porous vitreous sub-
stance of yellowish-green color, and consisting principally
of antimoniate of lead, containing from one to two per
cent, of silver. The " crystal vein" is of a massive ore of
galena, with about twenty per cent, of zinc blende and
copper pyrites. The gangue is quartz, but no tetrahe-
drite was observed. This galena is very poor in silver,
containing from 0.1 to 0.2 per cent. only. Thus to the
presence of tetrahedrite is apparently due the silver of
these ores. In this vicinity are several veins ofgossan, or
oxide of iron, the cappings of deposits of ore, and them-
selves containing a moderate percentage, about 0.1 per
cent., of silver.
The wall rock of these veins is a crystalline granular
rock, and has a slightly bluish tint on its fresh fracture,
while its weathered surface is discolored by oxyd of iron
proceeding from the alteration of the little hornblende
contained in the rock. It also has a little mica and dis-
H
1 70 Arizona and Sonora.
seminated particles of magnetic iron. It thus approaches
in composition to a dioritic rock.
The veins which occur in the metamorphic porphyry-
have, so far as opened upon, shown a different character
from the above. The porphyry itself has a compact gray
ground, impregnated with carbonate of lime, and bearing
numerous crystals of opaque, white, triclinic feldspar,
grains of quartz and dark gray mica in six-sided plates.
It contains also specks of magnetic iron.
Veins in this rock are of quartz, often comby, contain-
ing a black tetrahedrite, with from four to eight per cent,
of silver, and are in places impregnated with galena in
small cubes, which contain 0.5 per cent, of silver. The
gangue is discolored by the blue and green carbonates of
copper and black manganese, with films of the sulphuret
of silver and of native silver. Experiments made on va-
rious quantities of these ores in the patio, with the use of
salt and mercury, without roasting or magistral, have
given an average yield of fifty ptr cent, of silver, and
comparison with correct assays shows that from eighty
to eighty-five per cent, of the silver contained can be ex-
tracted by the simple action of salt and mercury. This
fact would seem to show that the silver of this tetrahe-
drite is contained as mechanically mixed sulphuret. Some
of the veins in this porphyry have been thrown out of
position by a large dike of granite.
These mines have been but little worked, although
three attempts have been made — twice by the Mexicans
and recently by the Santa Rita Company, but in each
case the Apaches have forced an abandonment. The
ores reduced by the last company were divided by hand
separation into two classes. The first, containing tetra-
hedrite in quartz and brown spar, had an average yield
of 176 ounces of silver to the ton. The second class, a
quartzy lead ore with little tetrahedrite, averaged eighty-
one ounces to the ton.
Mineralogical Sketch of Arizona, 171
Cahudbi Mines. — "Westward of the Baboquiveri range,
on the outskirts of the desert, in a country clothed with
only bushy mesquit and cacti, and almost destitute of
water, there exists a region which, from the character of
its veins, appears to contain greater mineral wealth than
any other part of Arizona yet explored. It is situated in
the centre of a large plain, forming part of the Papagoria,
and about eighty miles by trail northwest of Tubac.
The veins which I observed occur in a quartziferous
porphyry and in an amygdaloid rock. This latter has a
brown compact base, containing numerous acicular crys-
tals of triclinic feldspar, and calcareous spar in impreg-
nations and small threads. Cavities, some filled with
quartz and others with Delessite, are frequent. In this
formation is the Cahuabi vein. It is from twelve to fif-
teen inches thick, and consists of quartz and heavy spar,
containing argentiferous copper glance, galena and black
tetrahedrite. The ore of this vein is said to average from
$150 to $200 per ton.
The Tajo vein, about three miles from the Cahuabi, oc-
curs in the same rock, and is about two feet in thickness.
The gangue is barytes and quartz. The ore consists of
copper glance, galena, and tetrahedrite, with some blende.
With the copper glance is associated copper pyrites.
This vein contains also considerable metallic gold. The
ore is said to vary from $150 to llVO per ton.
Four miles west of the Tajo is a vein which traverses
a quartziferous porphyry of the same character as that
which bears the gold quartz veins of Arivaca. The
gangue is quartz, and contains black tetrahedrite and
some vitreous copper.
A great number of veins of quartz and barytes occur
in these two formations, the latter seeming to prefer the
amygdaloid rock. One vein of barytes, containing a
" bonanza" of sulphuret of silver, was found and worked
172 Arizona and Soiiora.
by the Mexicans, and several specimens of heavy spar as-
sociated with silver glance from various localities were
shown me.
The San Pedro Mines. — These are about thirty-five
miles east of Fort Buchanan, and were opened by a St.
Louis Company. The ores that I have seen from- this lo-
cality are tetrahedrite and massive copper glance, con-
taining copper pyrites, with quartz and barytes for
gangue from the San Pedro vein, and galena, with iron
pyrites, from the St. Paul Mine. These veins were be-
ing oj)ened and promising well when the company aban-
doned them on the account of the assassination of the
employes by the peons. The San Pedro River near these
mines is said to be capable of furnishing sufficient water
power for extensive reduction works.
From a study of the fissure silver veins of Central Ari-
zona it would appear, firstly, that they have in common
quartz, galena, and tetrahedrite ; secondly, that there is a
close connection between barytes and copper glance, more
or less argentiferous, in their occurrence in a vein ; and,
tliirdly, that the proportion of silver in the galena is large-
ly increased when this mineral is associated wdth tetrahe-
drite. A large number of assays made on the gray cop-
per ores of different mines showed a range of from one to
eight and a half per cent, of silver. In many, if not all
the richer varieties examined, a large percentage was un-
doubtedly contained as mechanically mixed sulphuret of
silver.
In the Santa Cruz Mountains,- south of Fort Buchanan,
is a series of lead mines, several of which were excavated
by Mexicans several years since. They appear to follow
the line of contact between an argillaceous limestone, in
which corals have been found, and a j^robably metamor-
phic porphyry. In places the deposits are of considerable
Min eralogical Sketch of Arizona, 173
extent, often many yards in thickness, but, apparently,
very irregularly developed. Near the surface the galena
is often entirely changed into carbonate of lead associated
with porous quartz.
At the Patagonia Mine* the ore consists of galena suf-
ficiently altered, at the present depth of working, to ren-
der its reduction extremely simple. The average yield
of silver from this ore has been, thus far, about $80 per
ton.
There is another class of contact veins bearing both
lead and copper ores. To this class belongs the deposit
near San Xavier, on the Santa Cruz. The ore is galena,
with copper pyrites and tile ore, associated with oxyd of
iron and quartz, the whole interstratified with metamor-
phic limestone. The galena examined contained 0.20 per
cent., the copper pyrites 0.25 per cent., and the tile ore
0.10 per cent, silver.
Near Caborca, in Northwestern Sonora, are deposits of
a somewhat similar character. The strata of metamor-
phic limestone are almost vertical, and near their contact
with granite become highly impregnated with lime gar-
nets. Along the line of contact between the two forma-
tions, the presence of copper ores is indicated by frequent
occurrence of green and blue carbonates and impure red
oxyd. These indications often lead to the discovery of
limited deposits containing a few hundred tons of copper.
One of these, worked in 1861, yielded from 250 to 300
tons of twenty-five per cent. ore. There was no vein ;
the ore, Avhich was accompanied by calcareous spar, being
gradually replaced at the bottom of the deposit by the
limestone of the formation. The ore is copper glance, tile
ore, or impure red oxyd, and some copper pyrites. Ac-
companying these deposits, and also where no copper ore
is visible, the line of contact is occupied by masses of
* Now the Mowry Silver Mines.
174 Arizona a7id jSonora.
magnetic iron. Where the same limestone comes in con-
tact with diorite, the former contains large crystals of
magnetic iron and spinel.
Planchas de la Plata. — In Sonora, just south of the
line, and near the meridian of Tubac, are the Planchas de
la Plata Mines, still celebrated throughout the republic.
According to the best Mexican and Jesuit authorities,
large masses of native silver were discovered there in
1769. Pieces of great size were obtained (one is said to
have weighed 3600 pounds), and the workings were being
prosecuted with vigor and success, when the Spanish gov-
ernment declared the deposit to be a criadero^ and, as
such, to belong to the crown. The place was therefore
abandoned, and every attempt made at regular working
since the Revolution has been frustrated by the Apaches.
The most singular feature connected with the discovery
is that no vein, from which these masses could have come,
was found. The deposit seems to have been a regular
placer. The silver occurred in pieces of every size down
to small grains. Several rich veins were opened in the
neighboring mountains, but were also abandoned from
absence of protection. The only specimens that I have
seen from this locality were apparently a partially decom-
posed quartziferous porphyry, from the w^all rock of the
Mina Colorada, and were impregnated with grains of sil-
ver glance.
General Conckisions.— Before the working of mines in
Arizona can become regular and profitable, many changes
will be necessary. The Apaches must either be exterm-
inated or reduced to complete submission, and this can
only be accomplished by a long series of campaigns. A
port is also necessary, without w^hich all supplies and ma-
chinery have to be transported over deserts from the Gulf
Mineralogical Sketch of Arizona. ITS
of Mexico or the Colorado River. Guaymas, 350 miles,
and Port Lobos, 150 miles from Tubac, are the natm-al
entrances to the country, and, so long as thesa remain in
the hands of a treacherous and capricious government, no
enterprise can flourish either in Arizona or Sonora. Far-
ther, the present unnatural boundary-line will always be
a source of trouble, afibrding a shelter to the robbers and
assassins of both countries.
The substitution of white for peon labor would proba-
bly be a failure, owing to the debilitating influence which
the climate exerts on Northerners. The Mexican labor
is good when properly superintended ; but, to render it
advantageous, the recognition of the traditionary custom
of peonage is necessary. A thorough code of mining
laws is also much to be desired; for, however well the
plan of permitting miners to make their own regulations
may be thought to work in gold districts, it will never
place silver mining on a solid basis, but can not, on the
contrary, act otherwise than prejudicially to the interests
of both miners and the state.
There is but little doubt that, after a few years of prop-
er development, Arizona might become an important
source of silver, although its veins do not possess the
great thickness of many of the mines of Mexico, although
the average richness of the ore is greater and more con-
centrated. Still, it can not be expected to produce the
brilliant results obtained in Central Mexico.
^
176 Arizona a7id Sonora.
CHAPTER X.
CORRESPONDENCE.*
S. Mowry to J. H. Bartlett, Esq. — ^From J. E. Bartlett, Esq. — From
John C. Hays, Esq. — From Hon. Joseph Lane. — From John Nu-
gent, Esq. — From Hon. Miguel A. Otero. — From S. W. Inge, Esq.
—From Major C. E. Bennett. — ^From Sam. F. Butterworth, Esq.
8. Mowry to J. M. Bartlett^ Esq.
Washington, September 20, 1857.
My dear Sir, — The general impression which has in
some way become diffused that the new Territory of Ari-
zona is a worthless and barren country is so wide from
the truth, and is calculated to retard in so great a degree
the early development of this valuable region, that any
reliable information respecting its mineral and agricultu-
ral resou\*ces will be read by the public with great in-
terest.
The recent large emigration into the new Territory,
the fabulous stories which each California mail brings us
of discoveries in silver and copper, the establishment of
the Overland Mail route to California throughout its en-
tire length, the petition of its inhabitants for government
protection, and the probability of its erection into a sep-
* The following letters from eminent persons, some of them of na-
tional reputation, are only a portion of those in my possession, extend-
ing over a period of seven years. They are given as additional and
unanswerable testimony to the truth of the statements contained in the
preceding pages. The concluding letter, from Sam. F. Butterworth,
Esq. , President of the Quicksilver Mining Company, and late Super-
intendent of the United States Assay Office at New York, was received
after this edition was prepared for the press. The high character of
the writer, and his intimate acquaintance with the subject, gives espe-
cial weight to his opinion. — S. M.
Correspondence. Ill
arate Territory by the next Congress, all operate to make
Arizona a prominent subject of public inquiry. Few per-
sons know better than yourself its resources, both agri-
cultural and mineral. Perhaps no one can furnish such
accurate and decided information, especially of that vast
agricultural region north of the Gila, which once sustain-
ed a mighty population.
Your official connection with the Gadsden Purchase as
United States Commissioner invests any statement from
you in this connection with emphatic authority. I am
sure you will at once interest the public, and greatly
serve the people of Arizona, by allowing your views, al-
ready known to your friends, to be published.
Very respectfully, your friend and servant,
Sylvester Mowrt.
Hon. John E. Bartlett, late United States Commissioner.
Mom J. JR. Bartlett^ Esq,
Providence, October 31, 1857.
Dear Sir, — ^I have received your letter of the 20th
ultimo, asking of me certain information relative to the
mineral wealth and agricultural resources of the new
Territory of Arizona, which is now attracting public at-
tention, with a desire that I will furnish such facts as
came under my notice relative to this region while acting
as United States Commissioner in the survey of the Mex-
ican boundary.
"The general impression," which, you observe, "has
become diffiised, that this Territory is a worthless and
barren country," is not correct. A large portion of Cali-
fornia may be called barren — indeed, the gold-bearing re-
gion is in a great measure so — but no one would call it
a " worthless" country. Its hills, its elevated lands, and
many of its plains, being destitute of water-courses and
H2
178 Arizona and Sonora.
springs, are of little value for agricultural purposes, while
for grazing they are valuable. There are, besides, large
districts in California, strictly deserts, which are barren
and worthless. Again, the valleys along the rivers and
water-courses, as well as those lying between ranges of
mountain, and deriving sustenance therefrom, are exceed-
ingly rich, and surpass in fertility any agricultural dis-
tricts of the Atlantic States. The same rule will ^pply to
the region in question, which is included in the so-called
Territory of Arizona.
In replying to your queries, I will extend my observa-
tions to the territory embraced in the "Gadsden Pur-
chase," so called, as well as to the district which bounds
that territory on the north, particularly the valley of the
Gila, and of its principal confluent, the River Salinas, as
you make mention of this.
The vast region in question, like Cahfornia, presents
three distinct features in its surface, without speaking of
the mountainous district; first, dry plains; second, ele-
vated plateaus or table-lands ; and, third, agricultural val-
leys or bottom lands.
Of the districts embraced in the first division, one
lies south of the Gila, between the head waters of the
Gulf of California and the valley of the Santa Cruz ; the
other west of the Rio Grande, at intervals between that
and the San Pedro valley. The table-lands lie in the lat-
ter district, as well as between the San Pedro and Santa
Cruz Rivers. The valleys where there are arable lands
are the Rio Grande, the Mimbres, and in the Burro
Mountains, El Saux, San Pedro, Calabazas, Santa Cruz,
and the Gila. The Rio Grande, San Pedro, and Santa
Cruz are the larger ; the others, though small, could be
rendered highly productive, and would be brought into
use in settling the Territory. In speaking of arable lands,
it is necessary to remark that artificial irrigation is neces-
Correspondence. X79
sary for all agriculture throughout New Mexico, much
of Texas, and the whole of Northern Mexico. The yield
in this case is vastly greater than is produced in countries
where the sole dependence is upon the rains.
The dry plains are generally level, with a hard surface,
and are admirably adapted for the purposes of a wagon
road or railway. Experience has shown, too, that, with
artesian wells, water may be obtained. By mere digging
I found it in many places where certain indications well
known to experienced eyjes may always detect its exist-
ence. Whether these arid spots can ever be rendered
available for agricultural purposes I will not pretend to
say. My opinion is that they can not.
The table-lands are covered with a short and luxuri-
ant grass, upon which immense herds of cattle have been
and may still be raised. Formerly herds of forty thou-
sand existed in Chihuahua, which then included the east-
ern portion of Arizona. On the haciendas where there
were no ponds or streams the cattle obtained their water
from the " pozos," or simple wells, and the " norias," or
draw-wells, where the water was drawn up by a wheel
worked by mules. These peculiar wells are found
throughout Chihuahua, Durango, and other states, and
furnish a sufficient supply of water for haciendas with
large droves of cattle. I met with many of these wells
far from any streams.
In the northern parts of Chihuahua, or Arizona, the
cattle herds have long since disappeared, owing to the
incursions of the Apaches and Camanches ; and I may
make the same remark with regard to that portion of the
Territory of Arizona which formerly belonged to Sonora.
The great herds have disappeared, and the haciendas are
every Avhere in ruin.
In the grazing district I ought also to include many
of the mountain valleys and ravines, as weU as the lesser
1 80 Arizo7ia and Sonora,
hills, where gramma grass {crondosium) is found in abund-
ance, and which is greedily eaten by horses, mules, sheep,
and horned cattle. This grass is very nutritious, and
even when dry and parched by the intense heat of sum-
mer is eagerly sought after by animals.
The great plateau west of the Rio Grande, where
grass exists, and which may embrace two thirds or more
of the elevated region, consists of an undulating prairie,
with here and there a conical-shaped hill. 'Eo considera-
ble or continuous range of mountains is met with until a
spur of the Sierra Burro is reached, which is about twelve
miles west of Ojo de Vaca. Cooke's Spring, Ojo de
Vaca, and Pachetehli are depressions in the plain where
springs bearing these names are found, and which ./are
well known to those who have traversed this region. In
the Burro Mountains is a fine spring called by us *'Ojo
de Inez," with several pools of water in the valley adja-
cent. Besides these, our surveying parties discovered
other springs and pools of water near the hills, as well as
in depressions on the plain, which, if opened, would fur-
nish a good supply. Then we have also the large body
of water west of the El Paso, known as Lake Guzman,
and the River Mimbres.
The Mimbres rises in the Rocky Mountains, and, after
coursing through the plateau, discharges itself, when full,
into Lake Guzman. It seldom reaches that lake, howev-
er, its waters being absorbed or lost in the plain. Its
sources have never been traced, but, as far as known, it
must flow about one hundred and thirty miles when full.
I foujid it dry thirty miles south of an encampment at the
Copper Mines (Fort Webster) in July. The Mimbres is
but a small stream, and hardly deserves the name of a
river ; hence its cultivable valley is narrow, nowhere ex-
ceeding a mile after entering the open plain.
I followed the stream two miles below where we first
Correspondence. 181
struck it and where we encamped. Here there was a
thick growth of large cottonwoods ; and, although the
,bottom was much contracted in Avidth, it was thickly-
wooded and forest-like. Taking a small armed party with
me then for protection, I followed the river up for about
five miles where it entered the hills, and a little beyond
the Rocky Mountains. I noticed all along the valley great
quantities of wild roses, hops, and the Missouri currant,
in some places growing so rank and entangled that we
were unable to work our way through. The remains of
old Indian encampments and wigwams, with fragments
of pottery scattered around, showed that it was a place
of resort for the Indians. ♦
In the mountains, where the Mimbres receives constant
Recessions of water from lesser rivulets and springs, there
are wider valleys. It runs about eight miles east of the
Copper Mines ; and here, on account of the excellent graz-
ing, the abundance of wood and vrater, w^e grazed our an-
imals. There is no cultivated ground at the Copper
Mines beyond a couple of acres ; and, although there are
excellent garrison buildings here, the place was abandon-
ed soon after the boundary commission left it, 1851, and
Fort Webster established on the Mimbres, which afibrd-
ed superior advantages. In all this region there is an
abundance of pine and other timber trees. Game, too,
abounds, consisting of grizzly, brown, and black bears,
deer, rabbits, turkeys, partridges, quails, etc., while in the
waters of the Mimbres we took excellent fish.
Santa Rita del Cobre, or the Copper Mines, was for
about forty years an active mining town. The workings
commenced in 1804, and, proving very profitable, a popu-
lation of six hundred souls gathered around them. The
hills near by furnish grazing for the animals, but for agri-
cultural productions the population depended upon the
richly cultivated districts in the valleys of the San Miguel
1 82 Arizona and Sonora,
and Casas Grandes, to the southward. A considerable
trade was also carried on with the frontier towns in So-
nora. The return trains took back copper or ore, much
of which, owing to its superior quality, was sent to the
city of Mexico, where it was used for coinage. I was told
in Chihuahua that the gold found in this ore paid the
cost of transportation.
I have little doubt that the region about the Copper
Mines abounds in mineral wealth. Gold was found four
miles from our camp, and some of our men, after leaving
the commission, sunk a shaft there. They found gold, but,
being ignorant of the means of washing it, and not know-
ing the indications of its existence elsewhere, their project
was abandoned. Several fine'specimens of lead and silver
ore, procured near by, were also shown me ; but the Apa-
che chiefs told me they knew where both gold and silver
were to be found in abundance some twenty miles distant
in the mountains. They had specimens of gold, and oifer-
ed to conduct me to the spot where they obtained it ; but
I did not think it safe to trust myself with these treacher-
ous people, although I was on the most friendly terms
with them, and excused myself from accompanying them
by saying that my object w^as not to get gold, as they be-
lieved, but to survey the boundary. The Mexicans have
many traditions of the existence of silver ore in these
mountains ; and I have no doubt a careful exploration by
a skillful geologist would be the means of making known
a very rich mining region. General Conde, when with
me at the Copper Mines, assured me that he had knowl-
edge of valuable silver ore in the adjacent mountains.
On leaving this encampment in August, 1851, we jour-
neyed south, stopping at the springs of Pachetehti and
Ojo de Vaca. The whole plateau was then covered with
verdure, owning to copious rains. At the latter spring I
presume there is always water, as I found it there at my
Correspondence. 183
several visits in May, June, and August. There are here
a few acres where grass is always found. It is a water-
ing-place for all passing trains, and has long been resorted
to by the Indians.
From this point we pursued a course nearly west, en-
tering the broad district which had never been penetrated
before by any white man in modern times (as far as I
know), and where we had doubts whether water could be
found. At twelve miles distance we entered a caiion or
defile of the Burro Mountains, which we followed up for
six miles, to Ojo de Inez. This defile was thickly wooded
with scrub oaks, and led to a grassy meadow, three hund-
red yards wide, in which were many fine springs and pools
of water. We traced a small spring running through this
valley for several miles, and I have reason to think that
it extends to the Gila. Here would be a good point for
a station on a wagon road, as I suggested in my " Per-
sonal Narrative," vol. i., p. 363. There is plenty of mead-
ow-land, water, and wood ; and, though in a secluded spot,
is accessible for loaded wagons.
The next valley with water is that known as " El Cie-
nega del Saux," i. e.. Willow Marsh, though now called
the Valley de Saux. This lies east of the Chiracahui range
of mountains, and a corresponding range about twenty
miles distant. This space is without trees. The marsh
is a basin where the waters are collected from the adjacent
slopes. We encamped on its margin, where there were
many pools of water, but of the extent of ground thus
covered I was unable, from the flatness of the ground, to
form any opinion. There can be no doubt that much of
this valley can be brought under cultivation, and that it
must become the site of one of the principal stations on
the great wagon road now constructing. The old Spanish
maps exhibit a stream called the " Suanco," emptying into
the Gila, which appears to run through this valley. Many
184 Arizo7ia and So7iora.
villages and ranches are marked upon the map along this
river, whence it may be inferred that there is an agricul-
tural valley here. In crossing the Saux valley I noticed
an arroyo or dry bed of a stream, which, during and after
the rainy season, may be filled with water.
In the Chiracahui Mountains we found water in abund-
ance. So copious indeed was the supply (although but
the basin of a spring), that after all our animals, about
one hundred and fifty in number, had drank of it, we
could perceive no diminution. The mountain pass was
well wooded, with plenty of grass. The exact position
of our encampment here was latitude 32° 08' 43", longi-
tude 109° 24' 33".
Between these mountains and the San Pedro is an un-
dulating plain, intersected by a mountain range near the
river, with brackish water in some parts. Portions of
this bear a short grass, but there is no wood except in
the mountain defile through which we passed, and but a
scanty supply there.
The San Pedro valley is next reached, and lying some
ten or twelve feet below the bottom land, unmarked by
trees, the river is not observed until at its very margin.
It was here about thirty feet wide and two and a half
deep. Its depth varies with the rainy and dry seasons.
Its valley is from a quarter of a mile to a mile in width,
and in some places I was told it was still wider. This
valley formerly sustained a considerable population, scat-
tered about in haciendas and ranches, and engaged in
rearing cattle. I noticed the ruins of haciendas which
for years had been abandoned, and also saw herds of wild
cattle roaming through the mesquit chapparal of the val-
ley. A few days after we met with a large party of
Mexicans, under Don Ilarian Garcia, engaged in hunting
wild cattle, in order to obtain a supply of beef for the
army, for which beef he had the contract. From him I
Correspondence. 185
learned that the valley was much broader farther south,
and that thousands of cattle grazed there.
I am not aware that much of this valley has been un-
der cultivation by artificial irrigation, as we did not meet
with the usual traces of irrigating canals, which, when
once dug, never disappear entirely. Yet such irrigation
may have been employed in parts of the valley that I did
not examine.
A pretty little stream, which I learned from the Mexi-
can hunters referred to, called the Babacanora, entered
the San Pedro about twenty-five miles above where we
first encamped. We also encamped at this stream, near
a ruined hacienda, where there were remains of an or-
chard of fruit-trees. The valley of the Babacanora is
wide, and was covered with luxuriant grass; indeed, it
was a much more attractive and apparently richer spot
than the valley of the San Pedro. Its broad flats or bot-
toms resembled those of the Mohawk River, and it was
in these^ear the confluent with the latter stream, that
the Mexicans were hunting the wild cattle.
Leaving the valley of the San Pedro we came upon a
rolling country or prairie, here and there covered with a
short grass, upon which we encountered small herds of
mustangs. This grass was eagerly eaten by our animals.
On these plains we found many depressions with pools
of water. One of these depressions led to a small run-
ning stream, coursing through a level bottom, which we
traced for about fifteen miles. This was studded for a
portion of the distance with large oaks and sycamores,
and resembled a highly cultivated English park ; yet soli-
tude reigned around, and there was no evidence that it
had ever been inhabited by white men. Farther on, near
where the stream forced its way through the mountains
known as the Sierra Santa Rita, we found the ruins of a
hacienda, with a tract of rich bottom land near. On this
186 Arizona and Sonora,
bottom there were cottonwood trees of immense size.
The stream, which is here about twenty feet wide, emp-
ties into the Santa Cruz near the hacienda of Calabaza.
The whole district lying between the valley of the San
Pedro and the Santa Cruz may strictly be called a graz-
ing country. It is well watered by the streams mention-
ed and by the many small pools. As we approached the
lofty Sierra de Santa Rita we crossed several arroyos
lined with trees, showing that after the rainy season there
is a great abundance of water here.
We now approach the Santa Cruz River and its valley,
unquestionably the finest agricultural district in the whole
of the Gadsden Purchase, after leaving the bottom lands
of the Rio Grande. It is also the best wooded of any
portion of the Territory, and in other respects presents
many advantages for settlers ; indeed, this valley, with
its adjacent districts, where there are several rich and
highly cultivated haciendas and missions, must become
the granary for the future State of Arizona. ^
The Santa Cruz River rises in a broad valley, or rather
plain, north of the town of the same name. We struck
it at the base of a mountain range, where an open coun-
try, studded with oaks, lay before us. Passing these was
an open plain covered with luxuriant grass, without a
tree or shrub ; crossing Avhich, after being contracted
between low ranges of hills, we reached Santa Cruz.
This is an old town and presidio, and falls about ten
miles south of our line. Flowing south nine miles to San
Lorenzo, a deserted rancho, it soon after takes a norther-
ly course, winding its way through a beautiful valley,
until it is lost in the desert plain or sands, some ten or
fifteen miles north of Tucson. Its entire length in a di-
rect line, without reckoning its sinuosities, is about a
hundred miles. Its width varies from 20 to 100 feet, and
during very dry seasons portions of it disappear.
Correspondence. 187
This valley was traversed by the earliest Spanish ex-
plorers in 1535, seduced by the flattering accounts of Ca-
be9a de Vaca. Marco de Niza and Coronado led their
adventurers through it in search of the famed cities of
Cibola, north of the Gila; and before the year 1600, its
richness having been made known, it was soon after oc-
cupied as missionary ground. Remains of several of
these missions still exist. The mission church of San
Xavier del Bac, erected during the last century, is the
finest edifice of the kind in Sonora. Tumacacori, a few
miles south of Tubac, was the most extensive mission in
this part of the country.- The extensive buildings, irri-
gating canals, and broad cultivated domain here at once
attest its advantages.
The towns and settlements in the Santa Cruz valley
are Santa Cruz and San Lorenzo (south of our line), Cal-
abazas, Tumacacori, Tubac, Sopori, the mission of San
Xavier, and Tucson. Santa Cruz, Tubac, and Tucson
were presidios. With the exception of Santa Cruz and
Tucson, this entire valley was abandoned to the savage
Apaches at the time of my first visit in 1851, and the
population of these was greatly diminished ; indeed, but
for the military the Indians would have had entire pos-
session of it. At Calabazas a small stream enters, upon
which are fine bottom lands. At Sopori is another ex-
tensive hacienda, with a broad domain and fine bottom
lands. Between Tubac and San Xavier is the finest tim-
bered district in the country; it extends from the river
to the base of the mountains, and is apparently several
miles in width. The timber is wholly mesquit, of a larger
size than I noticed any where in the Territory, except
in the valley of the Colorado. This timber must be of
incalculable value both for railroad and mining purposes.
For building purposes it is too hard and crooked. Be-
sides, the Cottonwood is found on the margin of all
188 Arizona and Sonora.
streams ; it is of rapid growth, and well adapted for
building.
Tucson, the most northern presidio in Mexico, once
contained three thousand inhabitants. In 1851 it had
dwindled down to less than five- hundred, and I under-
stand now contains between one and two thousand. The
valley here is wide and rich. The large and picturesque
haciendas, and the wide-spread system of irrigation which
every where marks the plain, sufficiently attest its suscep-
tibility for cultivation. Between Tucson and the Gila is
an arid desert ninety miles across, about midway on
which is a well-known picaclio^ at the base of which wa-
ter is often found in pools, and where, by sinking wells,
it might be had at all times.
"With regard to the lands bordering on the River Gila,
but a portion are susceptible of cultivation by the usual
means adopted in that region, irrigation. Its valley is
wooded generally with cottonwood trees, while border-
ing on this are " openings" of mesquit. The best portion
of the Gila valley is occupied by the two tribes of Indians
known as the Pimos and the Coco Maricopas. This is
a tract lying 180 miles from its mouth, between the point
where the road from Tucson strikes the Gila and the
mouth of the Salinas. The arable lands occupied and
cultivated by the Indians referred to extend from sixteen
to twenty miles along the river, and are from three to
four miles in width. Irrigating canals or "acequias"
conduct the water of the Gila over all this cultivated dis-
trict. The Indians raise wheat, corn, millet, beans, pump-
kins, and melons in great abundance. Their wheat and
corn they grind into flour, from which they make a pala-
table bread. They also raise a superior quality of cot-
ton, from which they spin and weave their own gar-
ments ; an art not acquired from the Spaniards, but
which was found among them more than three hundred
Corresjyondeoice. 189
years ago, when the Spaniards first penetrated this coun-
try.
But the arable lands of the Gila at this point are not
limited to the district occupied by the Pimos and Coco
Maricopas; they extend far up that stream until it en-
ters the mountains. I traced it up beyond the cele-
brated " Casas Grandes," and found the bottom land in-
tersected in all directions by old irrigating canals of
greater or less size; ruins of ancient edifices, vast mounds
and tumuli, with long lines of earth -works; while the
whole district was strewn with the fragments of pottery,
and " metates," or stone corn-grinders, all of which went
to show that a large and industrious population, familiar
with agriculture and the arts of the semi - civilized In-
dians, formerly dwelt here.
You refer particularly to a district north of and imme-
diately contiguous to the Gila Avhich was examined by
me. This tract is, ji:)<^r excellence^ the finest agricultural
district in our lately-acquired territories lying in the same
latitude, between Eastern Texas and the Pacific, for the
great extent and richness of the soil, the abundance and
excellence of the water, the cottonwood timber for build-
ing purposes, the fine quarries of stone in the adjacent
hills, and for the facility with Avhich it may be approach-
ed from every quarter.
The district in question lies at the junction, and in a
measure forms the delta of the Salinas and Gila Rivers.
It lies but a little above the bed of the river, and might
be, in consequence, easily irrigated. The arable bottom
land is from two to four miles in width, and is overgrown
with mesquit, while on the river's margin grow large
cottonwoods. The river we found to be from eighty to
120 feet wide, from two to four feet deep, and both rapid
and clear. In these respects it differs from the Gila, which
is sluggish and muddy for the 200 miles I followed its
190 Arizona and Sonora.
banks. About forty miles from the mouth of the river
we came to extensive remains of an ancient race. Here
the table-land approached to within a mile of the river,
and along its margin was an ancient canal from twenty
to twenty -five feet wide and about four deep, which
seemed to extend a long distance toward the mountains.
From this were lateral canals or ditches, intersecting the
bottom in all directions for irrigating it. The table-land
was covered with mounds and the ruins of ancient edi-
fices, while fragments of pottery, stone axes, and corn-
grinders were scattered over it for miles, showing that
it once sustained a large population. I learned from Mr.
Leroux, the famous guide who accompanied me on this
occasion, that much more extensive ruins were to be
seen farther up the river, and particularly in the valley
of the Rio Verde, which were built of stone. I speak of
these to show the extent of the agricultural population
that was formerly supported here, as well as to furnish
an argument to sustain me in the opinion that this is one
of the most desirable positions for a permanent agricul-
tural settlement, Avith a military post, of any between the
Rio Grande and the Colorado.
The Gila is not a navigable stream, but after its rise
flat-bottomed boats loaded with merchandise might easi-
ly pass up as far as the Salinas, and perhaps to the Pimo
villages.
The next point of interest is the valley of the Colorado
of the West.
The Colorado is the largest stream between the Mis-
sissippi and the Pacific. It has many large tributaries,
most of them, like itself, bordered with wide alluvial bot-
toms, and all well wooded ; the angle, forming the delta
of the Colorado and Gila Rivers, is entirely covered with
a forest, and is often overflowed. The former stream
where it receives the Gila is about 500 yards wide, and
Correspondence. 191
after passing a rocky canon is much diminished ; yet it
varies much, according to the floods, both in depth and
width. When our surveying party crossed the Colorado
in January, 1852, they found the water (then at its lowest
point) to be four feet deep at the shallowest place where
it was forded. Six months later I found it thirteen feet
higher at Fort Yuma, with an actual velocity of five and
a quarter miles an hour, as ascertained by experiment.
The bottom lands of the Colorado at Fort Yuma, and
at the Algodones, a few miles below, are exceedingly rich,
are well wooded, and bear the marks of a former culti-
vation, irrigating canals being seen in all directions, even
in the densest part of the forest. Nowhere have I seen
bottom lands which could more easily be irrigated, owing
to the little elevation of the banks above the stream.
Having now spoken of the agricultural districts of Ari-
zona, and specified the arable and the grazing lands, I will
speak of its mineral resources. In doing this I must nec-
essarily be brief, for the reason that its mineral wealth, be-
ing below the surface, was not apparent to me or my party.
From the Mexicans of intelligence living in Sonora I
learned that the Saukita Mountains, lying east of the Santa
Cruz valley, abounded in silver. Some of these mines
had formerly been worked. West of this valley, in the
arid region, which has but few inhabitants, are both silver
and copper mines. The copper mine " Del Ajo," and the
"Santa Teresa and Sopori" silver mines, are among the
most celebrated.
Many others, scarcely opened, including gold, silver,
and copper, are known to exist, but which have been
abandoned or were never worked for the Avant of means
and of protection against the Indians. The want of these
has led to the abandonment of valuable mines throughout
the States of Chihuahua and Sonora ; indeed, I was told
by old residents in these states that " hundreds" of mines
192 Arizona and Sonora,
had thus been abandoned, a portion only having been
worked to any extent.
On the old Spanish maps of the district in question
there are many towns laid down in places near mountains
where there are neither grazing or arable lands, and which
could only have been supported by mining. In reaching
those portions of the states mentioned where the popula-
tion is sufficiently numerous to protect themselves, we
find silver mines of great richness ; but even these are but
imperfectly worked, for the want of means and proper
machinery. Several of these mines I entered myself, and
saw a great variety of specimens of ore from others. Of
gold, copper, cinnabar, and lead, I also saw many fine
specimens taken from the mountains in the vicinity, all of
which tended to convince me that these mountains do
really abound in these metals. A careful geological sur-
vey is necessary in order to make known the mineral re-
sources of this country. Should this be done, I do not
hesitate to express my belief that such will be the results
that a large population will at once occupy it. The terri-
tory, as a whole, is not an agricultural one ; nevertheless,
there is quite sufficient arable or agricultural land to sus-
tain any mining population which may ever be fixed here.
It should be mentioned, too, that the finest grain region
in Chihuahua is the valley of the Casas Grande, or San
Miguel River, which is just south of our boundary, and
that Sonora, on the opposite of the Sierra Madre, is a fine
grain country.
With the hope that these crude remarks, hastily drawn
up, may aid you in making known the agricultural and
mineral advantages of the Territory which you have been
recently elected to represent in the Congress of the Unit-
ed States, I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant,
John R. Baetlett.
Lieut. S. Mowry, Delegate to Congress >
from the Territory of Arizona. S
Correspondence. 193
From John C.IIays^ Esq.
Washington, D. C, February 16, 1858.
My dear Sir, — In answer to your note asking my
opinion of the resources of Arizona (Gadsden Purchase),
I take pleasure in saying in writing what I have already
said in conversation — that I have traveled through the
Territory from the Rio Grande to Fort Yuma, and that
I consider it one of the finest grazing countries I have
ever seen. The beautiful valleys of the streams which
run into the Gila are fertile, and will sustain a very large
population. I consider Arizona, especially in view of its
great mineral wealth, a most desirable country for emi-
grants in search of a new home, and confidently look
forward to its becoming, at an early day, a populous and
wealthy state. Very truly your friend,
John C. Hays.
To Sylvester Mowry, Delegate from Arizona,
From Hon. Joseph Lane.
Washington, March 21, 1858.
Dear Sir, — In regard to the resources of Arizona,
agricultural and otherwise, I have to say that I traveled
over that country in the months of November and De-
cember, 1848, by the Rio Mimbres ; the old, deserted
ranches of San Bernardino and San Pedro to the settle-
ments of Santa Cruz, Tucson, to the Pimo villages ; found
the cUmate mild, grazing good, and many rich, beautiful,
fertile valleys, capable of producing corn, wheat, rye, oats,
and vegetables sufficient to subsist a large population.
In short, I may say that I regard Arizona as an impor-
tant portion of our country — rich in gold, silver, copper,
and other valuable minerals, and decidedly the best graz-
ing country on this continent, capable of subsisting mil-
I
194 Arizona and Sonora.
lions of cattle without the aid of man. Over the route
that I traveled there are no serious obstacles to a good
wagon road ; the country is rolling, but not mountain-
ous, over which you could travel without much difficulty
in a buggy at all seasons of the year. Many streams of
pure water are found, though in places good water is
scarce.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Joseph Lane.
Lieut. Sylvester Mowry, Washington, D. C.
From John Nugent^ Esq.
Washington, January 29, 1859.
Sib, — I cheerfully give, in compliance with your re-
quest, my views (in brief) regarding the population, soil,
climate, capabilities, and advantages of Arizona.
Of its present population I know nothing. My inform-
ation on the other points is derived from travel of some
two and a half months through the Territory from east
to west.
I have no hesitation in saying that it has very remark-
able advantages of climate, and more than ordinary capa-
bilities of soil. Some portions of it are an irreclaimable
and utterly valueless desert; but the greater part consists
of fine pasture-land abounding in the rich gramma and
other nutritious grasses, and no inconsiderable portion
has the very finest soil, of teeming productiveness, and of
limitless agricultural availability. It is not a thickly
wooded country, but on most of the streams there is
large timber and of different varieties. Many of the val-
I'eys are Qf exceeding beauty and fertility, and west of
the San Pedro there is some of the finest cotton-growing
country in the world. The Piraos and Maricopas, even
Correqoondence. 195
with their rude culture, ah-eady raise cotton of excellent
quality.
Of its mineral wealth, except in copper, I know but lit-
tle. That it contains some of the richest and most ex-
tensive copper mines on the continent I have myself
proved by personal observation.
On the whole, I doubt if there be any portion of the
domain of the United States east of the Colorado River
that presents greater inducements for settlement to emi-
grants from the old states than does the Territory of
Arizona. From what I have seen of it, I am not aware
of any material cause why it should not become in time
a thriving and prosperous commonwealth.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
John Nugent.
Hon. Sylyester Mowry,
From Son. Miguel A. Otero.
House of Representatives, Jan. 29, 1859.
Dear Sir, — In compliance with your request on yes-
terday to furnish you in writing what, in my of^ion, was
two years ago the population of that portion south of the
Territory of New Mexico bordering upon the Rio Grande,
and now within the limits of the proposed Territory of
Arizona, and also what I believe may now be the popu-
lation embraced within that region of country, excluding
the western part of that Territory, I take pleasure in stat-
ing to you that the number of people residing in what is
generally known as the Mesilla Valley, on both sides of
the Rio Grande, could not have been less than YOOO
people at that time, when I canvassed that portion of
New Mexico for Congress two years ago. I had a good
opportunity of judging of the amount of population in
it at that time.. The vote cast there was about 1000;
196 Arizona and Sonora.
but I am free to say that that is no criterion by which to
estimate or judge of the amount of population living
there, because there were no more than one half of the
voters who were able to vote in consequence of the rainy
weather at that time. Many, too, were challenged on
the ground that they were foreigners, and did not vote.
If the weather had permitted it, and a full vote have*
been cast, it could not have been less than 1500 or 1*700
votes.
I learn farther that since that time much immigration
has gone into the country, and I have no doubt that
there are now at least 2000 votes in the Mesilla Valley,
and about 8000 inhabitants.
As to the iDopulation on the western portion of the
proposed Territory, I had no opportunity to learn. It is
my belief, however, that the population west of the Me-
silla Valley can not be less than 2000 inhabitants, making,
therefore, the whole population of the Territory about
10,000 or 11,000 inhabitants. It may be even greater
than this, when we take into consideration not only the
unsettled condition of the Mexican states bordering on
that Territory, the establishment of the Overland Mail
through it, both of which considerations must naturally
conduce to the increase of population, but also the dis-
coveries of gold diggings in the Gila River. These facts,
doubtless, have contributed much to the settlement of
the country.
Such, sir, is briefly my judgment with regard to the
population of the Territory of Arizona. You know that
I have no reason to overestimate the number of inhabit-
ants there ; and what I state is no more than an impar-
tial statement of fact, which you are at liberty to make
such use of as you may best think.
Truly yours, etc. Miguel A. Otero.
Sylvester Mowry, Esq.
Correspondence. 19?
J^om S. W. Inge^ Esq.
San Francisco, Cal., February 22d, 1863.
My dear Sir, — I have received your letter stating
your intention to republish simultaneously here and New
York your lecture upon Arizona and Sonora, and asking
*me to give you ray impressions of Sonora formed during
a recent visit to that state. The republication of your
lecture in view of the general attention now being direct-
ed to the countries bordering upon the Gulf of California
will be opportune, and I regret my inability to add any
thing of value to the information it will embody.
My exploration of Sonora was limited to the territory
lying between Guaymas and the rich mineral district of
San Xavier. The section of Sonora included between the
lines of 2*7° and 30° north latitude presents a remarkable
combination of advantages. The climate is ^^very where
salubrious, from the Gulf to the Sierra Madrfc, and so mild
and genial that the fruits of the tropics ripen In the month
of January in the foot-hills of the mountains 120 miles
from the Gulf.
The surface is generally level, diversified h2re and there
by isolated mountains, conical or table-topped, which give
grandeur to the landscape without occupying much of the
arable area. The soil is of great depth and richness, re-
sembling in many localities the lands of the Caney and
Brazos in Texas, but happily exempt from the malaria of
the latter. The sugar-cane and other valuable staples of
the tropics, and of the states bordering on the Gulf of
Mexico, may be successfully cultivated. As in Alabama,
the cereals will mature into a golden harvest separated
only by a hedge or a highway from the snowy fleece of
the cotton-plant. The mineral wealth of this state is tra-
ditional, and ray examination of the district of San Xavier
has confirmed the truth of tradition. In this respect
1 98 Arizona and Sonora.
Sonora is entitled to precedence of all the states of
Mexico.
Having these natural elements of wealth and greatness,
with a sea-port unsurpassed in convenience and security,
I anticipate for Sonora the same rapid and wonderful de-
velopment that has been realized in California.
Yery respectfully yours, S. W. Inge.
Hon. Sylvester Mowry, San Francisco.
From Major C. E. Bennett, TI. S. A.
San Francisco, Feb. 20th, 18G3.
Dear Sik, — In compliance with your request, I take
pleasure in stating that I resided in Arizona several
months. During the past year 1 traveled from California
to the Rio Grande and back, via Tucson.
Some portions of Arizona are valueless tracts of land,
but the greater part of the country lying between Tucson
and the Rio Grande is the Jinest pasture-la?id in America.
With water, which I have no doubt can be obtained in
ample quantities by Artesian boring, there are large por-
tions that would become valuable agricultural districts.
The valleys of the Rio Grande, Gila, San Pedro, Santa
Cruz, and Mimbres Rivers will sustain a large population ;
and I am informed that the valleys north of the Gila River
are rich, and heavily timbered. I constantly heard of
great mineral wealth, but from my connection with the
array had no personal experience in the mines. The road
to the Rio Grande from Tucson is the finest natural road
in the world.*
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. E. Bennett, Major 1st Cav. C. V., U. S. A.
Hon. Sylvester Mowry.
* General P. St. George Cooke, U. S. A., said the same thing to me,
in Washington, some years ago. — S. M.
Corre^ondence. 199
From Sam. F. Butterworth^ Esq.
New York City, May 25, 1864.
Sir, — Since reading your work upon Arizona and So-
nora, I have made an extended journey into those regions
to examine certain mines, accompanied by three accom-
plished metallurgists and mining engineers. I take great
pleasure in saying that I find your work accurate and re-
liable, and in reference to the mineral and agricultural re-
sources of those portions of Arizona and Sonora visited
by me, that your statements are confirmed not only by
my own observations, but also by the written opinions
of the eminent scientific gentlemen who accompanied me.
I have the honor to be your friend and servant,
Sam. F. Butteeworth.
Hon. Sylvester Mowry, of Arizona, etc., etc.
200 Arizo?ia and So7iora.
CHAPTER XI.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MINES.
The Mines of the West: shall the Government seize them? — The
Mining States : how shall they be Taxed ?
The following letters, originally published in the New
York World of April 25, and the Herald of May 4, 1864,
were received with so much favor, that I gladly acceded
to numerous requests to publish them in pamphlet form,
and have reproduced them in this volume. My own ex-
perience and knowledge of the subject convince me that
they contain the essence and the truth, and are exhaust-
ive of the subject; but I should be more than ungrateful
if I failed to acknowledge the w^arm terms of commenda-
tion which I have received from friends known, and oth-
ers heretofore unknown, including many names distin-
guished for sense, patriotism, ability, and high station.
To have in the least degree made clear the rights of
the miner and the duty of the legislator w^ould be gratify-
ing, and I am glad to know that these letters have done
some good. Senator Conness, in a very able letter to the
Secretary of the Treasury, has taken ground in favor of a
tax at the mint, or public assay offices, on all bullion, ei-
ther silver or gold, assayed, coupled with a law prohibit-
ing the exportation of unstamped bullion. The objection
made to this is, that it is a tax upon the gross proceeds
of the mines. It is only just to Senator Conness to say
that he made this suggestion, knowing that some tax
would be laid by Congress, and he thinks this the least
onerous. His views, that any taxation that discriminates
against the miners is unjust, are fully in accord with my
own.
The Government and the Mines, 201
It is much to be regretted that senators and repre-
sentatives refuse obstinately to understand this question.
To those who persist in saying that these letters contain
a threat of secession., I can only repeat, it is no more a
threat than it would be to say to a blind man on a pier,
"If you walk twenty steps you will fall into the sea."
Those Avho can not, or will not, distinguish between a
threat and friendly advice, will get no sympathy when
they come to grief
THE MINES OF THE WEST : SHALL THE GOVERNMENT
SEIZE THEM?
To the Editor of the World:
A resolution has been introduced in the House of Rep-
sentatives authorizing the President of the United States
to take possession of the mines of Colorado and Arizona.
Various other propositions have been made, all looking
to the best mode of devising a revenue from the mineral
lands for the support of the general government. It is
deemed, in view of these facts, eminently proper to sub-
mit to Congress and the country some facts and argu-
ments upon these great questions, so important to the
people of the frontier, so vital to the country, and so lam-
entably misunderstood by the public men of the old
states.
Why does not the resolution include the State of Cali-
fornia and the Territories of Nevada, Idaho, and New
Mexico? In all these the precious metals are mined to a
great extent on public lands. If the President is to take
possession, in the name of the United States, of a mine in
Arizona or Colorado, it follows by inevitable logic that
he must do so throughout all the public lands.
But what is a mine? It is not simply a portion of
public lands where there is an outcrop of gold, or silver,
or copper-bearing rock. A mine is a developed property,
12
202 Arizona and Sonora.
where capital and labor have produced a certain result,
and which only has value according to the amount of la-
bor and capital employed in demonstrating its extent
and capacity of production. This necessitates the erec-
tion of extensive buildings, the purchase of costly machin-
ery, sinking shafts, running tunnels and galleries, the ex-
penditure of more or less money, often resulting in irre-
trievable loss, sometimes in great gain. Is it proposed,
in " taking possession of the mines," to take possession
also of the machinery, the houses, the mills, and the fur-
naces erected by individuals or companies at vast ex-
pense ?
For example, the Gould and Curry, Ophir, and Mexican
mines in Nevada are undoubtedly on public lands. The
proprietors of these mines have expended several millions
of dollars in permanent improvements, in the shape of
steam-engines, mills, furnaces, and roads. In opening
and bringing to the surface their ores they have expend-
ed nearly as much more. To-day they are deriving a
large income from the mines, upon which they pay the
usual income tax.
In Arizona, at the Mowry Silver Mines — individual
l^roperty — more than $300,000 in gold has been expend-
ed in improvements, $50,000 of which went to defend the
place against Indians when the government withdrew
wholly its protection from Arizona. At the Heintzelman
Mine probably a similar sum has been expended. At the
San Antonio Mine a large amount. On Colorado River,
in Arizona, at the newly-discovered silver and copper
mines, a very large sum. In the Territory of Colorado,
where the exclusive interest is in mining, as in Nevada,
and every branch of industry dependent on it, millions
have been expended in like improvements. Is it pro-
posed, in taking possession of the mines, to take posses-
sion also of their improvements ? They are all that make
The Government and the Mines. 203
the mines valuable. Without them you can not get a
dollar of the metals so indispensable to the country now.
Does any sane man suppose it could be accomplished if
attempted ; or, if successful, expect any other result than
the total annihilation of the only hope of redemption for
our redundant and increasing currency, viz., the produc-
tion of the precious metals ?
If the argument is good that the President, in the name
of the United States, may take possession of the "mines"
{i, e., the property of the miners — furnaces, mills, engines,
and houses), why not take possession of all the farms oc-
cupied by our frontier farmers on unsurveyed lands, who
produce grain and beef for the miners' supply, with the
houses and grist-mills, and horses and cattle which they
feed on the public domain ? If the miners are trespass-
ers, so are the farmers — more so, in fact, for the farmers
only exist because the miners find the money to pay for
their produce.
The logical sequence of this is indisputable, and the
passage of such a law as contemplated, if it could be en-
forced, would at once put an end to our extending civili-
zation ; and the great American desert, which has been
made, in spite of governmental negligence and loorse. to
" blossom as the rose," would return to its pristine worth-
lessness.
Leaving out of the question the State of California,
where the miners' code, established in each mining dis-
trict, is most wisely adopted by the Legislature and the
courts as a part of the public law, precisely as usage has
established the lex mercatoria; and where all the gold,
and silver, and copper has been produced by individual
enterprise or associated capital — look at Colorado and
Nevada. Two great and growing states have grown up
in a period wonderfully brief by the discovery and devel-
opment of the mines. Hostile tribes have been subdued.
204 Arizojia and Sonora.
cities built, civilization extended, the Pacific drawn to.
ward the Atlantic in a friendly and eternal grasp, every
branch of industry stimulated, an immense sura in actual
and transferable wealth added to the commerce of the
world — how ? By the action of the government ? Stim»
nlated by the government? Assisted by the govern>
ment? Aoy in spite of the government — without help,
without interference, except for the worse — by individ-
ual enterprise, and the marvelous, indomitable energy of
the people. Something by associated capital; vastly more
by the strong arms and never-faihng hearts of the men of
all parts of the world.
Suppose these people had waited for the government
to survey these lands, and point out and lease these mines,
would Nevada or Colorado be known to-day ? And do
sensible men propose 7ioio to take the proceeds of all this
labor and intelligence, and say to the miners, " You are
trespassers on the public domain ?" Does any sane man
suppose there is power enough in this government, or
any other under the sun, to do it ?
The incidental revenue derived already by the country
from the mines in operation is vastly more than could be
obtained from any sale of the public mineral lands that
could be devised, and the vast addition to the material
wealth of the world, and the exhibit of our material re-
sources, every day increasing, show conclusively the wis-
dom of non-interference with a policy so emincHtly bene-
ficial.
An inventor of some useful machine is invested by the
government with an exclusive right to his invention for
fourteen years — often this time is extended. He is pro-
tected by laws in his rights, and any one infringing upon
them is punished. In what does the inventor differ from
the miner? The miner goes into the desert or the Avil-
derncss. At the risk of life and health, he discovers and
The Government and the Mines. 205
develops a mine. He adds, as does the inventor, to the
material wealth of the world ; or more often he dies
alone, neglected, forgotten, his bones are gnawed by the
wolves, his fate unknown to his nearest friends, and his
memory a blank. The inventor is rewarded and protect-
ed, and his fame is at least dear to his kin. Is it pro-
posed to take from the rarely successful miner the prop-
erty he has created, brand him as a trespasser and a crim-
inal, and, in the name of the government, which has nev-
er helped him and his peculiar business, say to him, "Your
labor, your brains, your courage, your property, belongs
to the United States ; go look for more, and then we will
take that also ?"
There is a case pertinent and on hand of the power of
the government to seize a mine.
In July, 1863^ the President of the United States di-
rected the United States Marshal for the Northern Dis-
trict of California to take possession of the New Almaden
Quicksilver Mine. General Wright, commanding the De-
partment of the Pacific, was ordered to furnish troops to
enforce the seizure. The marshal and the troops pro-
ceeded on their errand, and found the mine fortified
against attack. Did they seize the mine? By no means.
The excitement throughout the state was intense. The
present governor, F. F. Low, leading bankers, merchants,
and capitalists, telegraphed to Washington, " For God's
sake, withdraw the order to seize the New Almaden, or
there will be a revolution in the state." Did the min-
ers telegraph to Washington ? No. They armed them-
selves, and informed the superintendent of the Almaden
mines by telegraph that they were coming to his assist-
tance by hundreds and thousands, and the President of
the United States, with a rare discretion, not only recall-
ed the order, but disavowed it, or his organ disavowed
it for him, saying it had been obtained by fraud, and
206 Arizona and Sonora.
and the possessors remained in quiet possession of their
mine.
No stronger case in support of my argument can be ad-
duced. The New Almaden mines were possessed by for-
eigners. They had often charged what the miners thought
exorbitant prices for quicksilver. So far from there being
any sympathy for them, there was rather an antipathy
against them, and yet the state rallied as one man against
their being forcibly dispossessed of their raining property
by order of the President of the United States, in full
view of the fact that the Supreme Court had decided that
they had no title. Can not Congress draw wisdom from
this fact ?
The United States once tried the plan of working mines,
and all the world knows how it succeeded. Let the issue
of the government scheme for working the Galena lead
mines be a warning against another attempt. The dan-
ger and loss then was small. To-day both would be fatal.
How is the government to distinguish between mines
on public lands and those upon the old French and Mex-
ican grants ? No title is recognized in these old grants
until it is affirmed by the United States, and a j^atent is-
sued. Chief Justice Field, of the Supreme Court of Cali-
fornia, in his decision of the Mariposa (Fremont) case, full
of learning — and so sound in its law that it commands the
assent of every good lawyer and the concurrence of all
miners— declares that the minerals belong to the owner
of the grant. If to-day the government seizes a mine
upon lands which prove a year hence to be upon a Mex-
ican grant, reclamation will surely follow. The trespasser
then becomes the government. Is it worth Avhile taking
such a risk ?
In 1859, I asked the Hon. Jacob Thompson, then Sec-
retary of the Interior, the question, *' If a man locates one
hundred and sixty acres of land, and finds a mine on it,
The 'Government and the Mines, 207
and works it successfully, and afterward Congress should
pass a law segregating the mineral lands, can his quarter
section be taken from him under such law, even if the
land taken up was unsurveyed ?" Mr. Thompson replied,
"Undoubtedly not. The taking away from the miner the
land would be giving an ex post facto action of the law,
and the government would have lost its right to reclaim
by its own laches." The Hon. John Cochrane, then M.
C, now Attorney General for the State of New York, was
present, and was appealed to by the Secretary for his
opinion. Mr. Cochrane said, " The Secretary's opinion
was undoubtedly good law." I asked Mr. Thompson for
his opinion as expressed in writing. He declined to give
it on the ground of inexpediency, and because it was only
a supposititious case. I presume Mr. Cochrane will re-
member, if he tries, this conversation.
A power like this proposed, if it could be made avail-
able, would give to the President an amount of patronage
fearful to contemplate. Every mine now in operation
Avould be placed in the hands of some favorite or political
aspirant. The proceeds of the mine would go into the
capacious pockets of the innumerable tribe of leeches who
daily deplete the public treasury, and the government
would derive no revenue at all from its apparent proprie-
torship. A case clearly in point, which I ask pardon for
introducing, as it is my property of which I am about to
speak.
Nearly two years ago, the Mowry Silver Mines in Ari-
zona were seized by a brigadier general, whose name shall
not disgrace this letter, and a marshal of the United States,
in the name of the United States. The mines were then
producing about $700 per day ; in a few weeks they would
have been producing $1500 per day, and by the close of
the year 1861 double that sum.
By a nice little arrangement between the brigadier gen-
208 Arizona and JSonora'.
eral and the marshal aforesaid, the mines were leased to
a third party in the name of the government for |100 per
month. Net result to the government : $100 per month,
paid by the mine, and charged by the marshal for travel-
ing expenses. Kesult to the brigadier general and mar-
shal : several thousand dollars per month. The worst of
the matter is to come. "No improvements have been made
at the mines to increase their product ; and instead of their
producing, as they can and ought, |5000 per day, they
produce no more than they did two years ago ; and this
will always be the case if the government attempts to
work the mines on its own account.
Any such legislation as this proposed at once puts an
end to " prospecting," and the farther development of the
vast undiscovered mineral wealth of the country. Men
are not going to work, to have the j^rofits of their labor
taken from them by hostile legislation. Does the govern-
ment intend to "prospect" on its own account? Where
is the authority to build mills and furnaces, and houses to
work the mines ? And if the authority is found, where
is the government to get the money to do it ?
The truth of the matter lies in a nutshell. No power
on earth can enforce any legislation which proposes to
take possession of the mines, and the sooner this is under-
stood the better. The people of California, Colorado, Ne-
vada, Idaho, and Arizona will rise eji masse against, it.
Therefore, let Congress be warned in time. The hold of
the .Union on the Pacific empire is purely one of feeling
and sentiment. Touch our mining tenure with a rougli
hand, and you turn the warmest feeling of the strongest
Union man, the most earnest Democrat, and the most de-
voted Republican, into hate and undying enmity. "We
have, through much suffering, out of your waste of worth-
less public domain, made thriving commonwealths. Ev-
ery part of the country is benefited by our labor, and, hi
The Government and the Mines, 209
our own way, we daily add to this store — more to the
country than to ourselves. For our part, in Arizona, neg-
lected and oppressed by the government for years, nine
out of ten of us massacred by the Indians — what we have
made our own, gained by passing through the "very
shadow of death," is worth more than money can purchase.
Now that our property is safe and productive, and of great
value, we do not propose to surrender it, nor to be called
trespassers, nor to have it taken from us by legislation,
nor any thing but an overwhelming force. I believe I
speak the sentiments of every man who owns or works a
foot of mining ground any where in the limits of the Unit-
ed States ; and upon this point I beg the doubting to con-
verse with any miner they know. Let any public man
question my distinguished friend, Mr. Justice Field, of the
Supreme Court, as to his opinion of such legislation as is
proposed upon the people of California.
The only rational way to treat this subject is to devise
an equitable mode of taxation, at the same time giving to
actual possessors of mines on public lands undisputed ten-
ure. The old Spanish mining ordinances — the collective
wisdom of three centuries — gave to the mining interest
every protection that could be devised ; free importation
of machinery, quicksilver, all the aids to developing the
mines, gave undisputed and rigidly protected tenure to
the discoverer and purchaser of mines, enforced their la-
borers, and demanded, in return for government aid, a
fixed royalty, or tax, payable at the stamp (assay) offices
in each district established for that purpose.
In the infancy (magnificent thought it is) of our miner-
al development no better precedent can be followed than
the wisdom of the Spanish law. Give the miners titles to
their mines, and impose a fair tax. It will be paid readi-
ly and honestly. If it is made onerous it will impede the
opening of new mines, and thus " kill the goose with the
golden QQ^^P
210 Arizona and Sonora,
While it is a great mistake to suppose all miners suc-
cessful or all mines rich, it is an indubitable fact that min-
ing is henceforth to be one of the great legitimate branch-
es of industry in the country, inferior to none, constantly
growing, and the only hope of salvation to the country
from bankruptcy — the sole hope of paying even the inter-
est on our public debt, as pledged, in gold. Let Congress
touch this matter delicately. Any legislation which pro-
poses to take away from actual bona fide possessors their
mines can have but one of two results — a forcible stoppage
of the production of the precious metals by a seizure of
the mines by an army larger than that now in the field,
or a rising of the people of the frontier that no army can
put down. Is it wise to try the experiment ?
Your obedient servant,
Sylvester Mowey.
New York, April 24th.
THE MINING STATES : HOW SHALL THEY BE TAXED ?
To the Editor of the New York Herald:
In your issue of Tuesday last, you say, " Mr. Sylvester
Mowry has published a long letter, stating that the min-
ing states would rebel, secede, and smash and nullify ev-
ery thing, if Congress attempted to take possession of
what belongs to the government in those regions."
The Herald has never treated any thing I have writ-
ten in reference to Arizona or the Pacific slope unfairly,
and I am sure it does not intend to misrepresent my let-
ter to the World. But it appears to me quite clear that,
in your remarks quoted above, you beg the question at
issue : Do the mines that have been occupied and work-
ed for years, without prohibition, and with the implied
assent of the government, and upon which costly im-
The Government and the Mines. 211
provements have been made, belong to the government ?
The question is not, Shall the government seize its own ?
but. Shall it take the property of the miners ?
There can be no doubt of the right and power of the
government to segregate the unoccupied mineral lands,
to appoint agents and scientific experts to examine and
select them, and to fix a price per acre or per foot. It is
purely a question of expediency ; it would be, beyond
question, a most foolish thing to do. Any man of sense,
who examines the subject, can see this at a glance, if he
looks at what has been done without government inter-
ference by individual enterprise, and counts up the vast
addition to the productive power and wealth of the coun-
try derived from the mines now in operation. It is
equally clear that the government has neither the right
nor the power to seize the mines now held and Avorked
by actual possessors, and, I think, until some one shows
the contrary, that my letter to the World shows this con-
clusively. At least every man, whether practical miner
or capitalist, who owns mining shares, agrees with me ;
and neither in numbers nor means are we to be despised,
if it is to be made a question offeree.
When did the government ever get more than the
price fixed by law for unsurveyed public lands, which had
been settled on, improved, and made worth thousands of
dollars per acre, instead of the entering price %\ 25,
Avhen they were surveyed and sold ?
The sales of Leavenworth City, and other valuable
points in Kansas, are a good illustration. In the very
teeth of a large force of the regular army, these lands
were bid off by a combination of settlers at the govern-
ment price, %\ 25 per acre. Any man who attempted to
bid over this price was then and there killed. That was
only " a tempest in a teapot ;" but it is worth while re-
membering. The House of Representatives has done
212 Arizona and Sonora.
wisely in laying on the table the very extraordinary
proposition of one of its members, authorizing the Pres-
ident to take possession of the mines of Colorado and
Arizona. I congratulate the Hon. Mr. Washburne upon
his very sensible remarks, " that the President could only
do it by use of military power, and that might produce
civil war ;" and I am glad to find so eminent a Republic-
an, and therefore government authority, so entirely in ac-
cord with the views of the miners.
There have been three propositions of decisive legisla-
tion upon the subject of the mines introduced in Con-
gress— two in the House, and one in the Senate. They
can only be characterized in their order of introduction,
bad, worse, worst. Neither of the distinguished sena-
tors from California or Oregon, or the members of Con-
gress from California or the mining territories, except
the unfortunate member from Colorado, have attempted
to touch this subject. Why? Because they knew its
difficulties, and, knowing them, are content to " let well
enough alone." It is a great pity that members or sena-
tors from the old states should not imitate their wise ex-
ample. The product of their brains, and their knowledge
of the subject, thus far made public, afford a new reading
of an old line, "Fools rush in where wise men fear to
tread."
The Herald^ in the editorial of Sunday, May 1st, ad-
mits that mining is not always the successful business it
is generally represented to be, and that its profits are not
so great as generally imagined. Does it not follow from
this admission that an onerous taxation would be not
only unjust, but also unwise?
There are numerous mines in operation to-day which
produce large sums monthly, every dollar of which goes
to the further development of the mines, to the purchase
and erection of exjDensive machinery, and, in addition.
The Government and the Mines. 213
large assessments arc called for from the stockholders.
This is absolutely necessary for the success of the mines.
Generally stockholders are poor, interest is fabulously
high — from three to ten per cent, per month in mining
districts on mining stocks not paying dividends. If a
tax is laid on the gross proceeds of the mines, is it not at
once apparent that you impede, if not absolutely stop,
the further development of non-paying mines ? One of
the most famous of the Nevada mines, the Mexican, own-
ed in whole or in part by Duncan, Sherman & Co., had
its net income stopped for months, in a single day, by a
" slide." Had the owners been poor men, and the gross
proceeds been onerously taxed, the mine would have
stopped altogether, and so much have been taken from
the actual wealth of the country. This illustration ap-
plies with tenfold force to the mines owned and worked
by poor men, struggling along, paying enormous interest
— working like beavers, and living like beggars — on what,
after all, may, and too often does, prove a delusive hope.
It is proposed to tax such men and such property. It
amounts simply to taxing a man for what he has not got ;
and, worse than that, to put to death all " prospecting,"
and to stop at once every mine that did not yield an
enormous profit. The argument that the products of the
mines should pay an extra tax, because the mines are on
public lands, applies with equal force to the grain, the
beef, and every product of the settler on public lands.
In fact, if it is right to discriminate, the discrimination
should be against the farmer or the grazier, as his work
is light, and his capital nothing compared w^ith that of
the miner, while his profits are more certain. Such a
policy is certainly unjust. It is, beyond question, un-
wise.
Hardly was my letter to the World telegraphed to
California, with the news that Congress proposed a tax
214 Arizo7ia and Sonora.
of five per cent, on the gross yield of the mines, before
the wires sent back a loud remonstrance from all parts
of the state. The telegram to the Associated Press says,
" Considerable excitement prevailed over the state in
consequence of the proposition to tax mining produce
five per cent. The policy is thought to be wrong, and
the tax excessive."
A dispatch to Duncan, Sherman & Co., from their San
Francisco correspondents (Alsop & Co.), which has been
kindly placed at my disposal, says :
" San Francisco, April 30, 1864.
" Do all in your power to prevent the passage of the
law taxing the gross proceeds of mines. It will be ruin-
ous to California."
Again, the general dispatch of May 2d, says :
" Best mining stocks have depreciated five per cent.,
owing to the proposition to tax mines. Great feeling is
manifested on the subject. Nothing has been heard from
the interior yet."
Do you propose to fan this flame of discontent into
a fire you can not quench ? Is it prudent or politic to
interfere with a system which has worked so well for
nearly half a generation ? Is the senator from Michigan
wise enough to devise a scheme which will reduce to a
system in Washington all the mining laws of all the min-
ing districts in California and the mining territories?
Does he, or any other public man, understand the subject
so well that he can, at one stroke of his pen, " wipe out"
a system which has worked so well, and which forms an
integral part of the jurisprudence of California, Nevada,
Colorado, and Oregon, and under which vested rights of
years' standing have been established ?
For many years the manufacturers of cotton goods and
The Government and the Mines. 215
of iron were protected by a high tariff. To-day the cod
fisheries are protected and rewarded Avith bounties. Is
it now proposed, in the very death-agony of the republic,
to strike a fatal blow, by unjust and suicidal taxation, at
the very greatest hope of the country, viz., the protection
of the precious metals ?
The wisest thing that the present Congress can do —
the only thing it can do of service to the government and
justice to the miner — is to irap6se a fair tax on the net
proceeds of the mines. A system of mining laws can not
be made in a day, if it is expected to be useful or to be
enforced. The man who devises a code of mining laws
which shall do equal justice to the rightful claims of the
government and to the just claims of the miner — which
provides a fair revenue and yet secures the title to the
actual possessor of the mines, will approve himself a
statesman indeed, and will deserve well of his country.
His fame will rest upon a secure foundation, and " will
endure, not for twenty, years but for twenty centuries."
Nothing in my letter to the Worlds nor in this, can
fairly be construed as a threat. It is no more a threat
than it would be to say to a blind man on a pier, totally
ignorant of his position, " If you walk twenty steps for-
ward you will fall into the sea." I have made a simple
statement of facts, supported by what we (the miners,
not the speculators nor "bubble" blowers) conceive to
be sound argument, founded on right, equity, and justice.
If these facts can be denied, or these arguments contro-
verted, let some one undertake it. The importance of
the subject can hardly be overestimated. Mr. Caleb
Cushing, in a letter addressed to me a short time since,
says:
" Porter, in his ' Progress of the Nation,' shows how
the augmented demand for British coal and iron, by rea-
son of the introduction of steam as a motive power, and
216 Arizona and Sojiora.
that of railroads, saved Great Britain from bankruptcy
during the generation next following the close of her pro-
tracted struggle with Napoleon and France. I look to
our mineral resources, not of iron and coal only, but of
gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, zinc, as the most prob-
able means of our salvation in the years next after the
conclusion of the present unhappy civil war."
There can not be a thinking man in this country who
does not believe that this opinion is sound. All that we
(the miners) desire is, that common sense shall prevail,
as much for the benefit of the government as for our own
interests. Your obedient servant,
Sylvester Mowry.
New York, May 2, 1864.
Tke Southern Railroad Boute to the Pacijlc. 217
CHAPTER XII.
THE SOUTHERN RAILROAD ROUTE TO THE PACIFIC/
Jefferson Davis on the Route of the 32d Parallel : All Routes present
Obstacles; this the fewest. — Lieutenant Parke's Surveys. — Dis-
tances.— The Office Examination. — The Jornado. — Water and
Timber, — Distances and Elevations. — Mr. A. H. Campbell's Report.
— Temperature. — Opinions of Marcy and Emory. — Table of Com-
parative Lengths and Costs. — General Considerations.^National
Importance of a Pacific Railroad.
I WILL now proceed to the consideration of the only
remaining line, the route of the thirty-secoyid parallel. I
hope I am not expected to make it quite smooth, or
find water at convenient distances, cultivable land, and
timber continuously along the route. I know of no such
route across our Territories. I wish I did. If there
were a route where it was thus made easy to build a rail-
* The following summary of the advantages of the Southern Route
along the 32d parallel (which traverses Arizona) is from the conclu-
sive speech of the Hon. Jefferson Davis in the Senate of the United
States, delivered in January, 1859. This extract formed the appen-
dix to the first edition of this work. It is reproduced here, as no later
investigations invalidate the statements then made. The political
events which have taken place since the delivery of this speech in no
wise alter the physical facts here so clearly set forth. No one could
deal more fully and intelligibly with the great subject of a railroad
communication across the continent than has Mr. Davis ; and I have
no comment to make upon his complete vindication of the ^Sotlthern
Route, except to say that the officers of the army who made these ex-
plorations are men who understand their duty, and have no object to
subserve except to gain an honorable reputation by the fidelity and
.thoroughness of their reports. I am able, from personal observation,
to bear testimony to the signal ability with which these duties have
been discharged. It is understood that Lieutenant J. C. Ives, Topo-
graphical Engineer, who assisted Captain "Whipple in his survey of
the 35th parallel route, called the Albuquerque, and who has since
been over both this and the 32d parallel, gives the most decided pref-
erence to the Southern Route. — S. M.
K
218 Arizona and Sonora.
road, we might feel a more happy security for the future.
It would bring in its train not only the construction of
such a work, but that continuous population which is
needful to bind the two parts of the country together.
Knowing no such line, I believe it is a Herculean task to
construct the road, attempt it where you will. Go on
what parallel of latitude you may, all you can do is to
take the least of most serious obstacles. I reached the
conclusion that the difficulties were least on the thirty-
second parallel ; not that they were light. This conclu-
sion was based upon the information possessed at that
time. Subsequent explorations have materially improved
the location upon the route, as I shall proceed to show,
first describing the section from the Rio Grande to the
Pimos villages. The office examination says :
" After ascending from the bottom lands of the Rio Grande, in trav-
ersing the region examined by Lieutenant Parke between these two
rivers, from Dona Ana to the Pimos villages, one appears to be trav-
eling on a great plain, interrupted irregularly and confusedly by bare,
rugged, abrupt, isolated mountain masses, or short ranges, seemingly,
though not in reality, without system. Winding around these isolated
or lost mountains, or using a few passes through them, a railroad may
be constructed with easy grades. Except through the mountain pass-
es, the surface is so smooth as to require but little preparation to re-
ceive the superstructure of a railroad ; and even in the two most diffi-
cult of the passes (where, in one case, deep cutting or a tunnel at the
summit, near the surface, in rock, with heavy side-cuttings and high
embankments for short distances, and in the other a short cut of sixty
feet — probably through rock— are proposed by Lieutenant Parke to
attain grades of forty-six feet and ninety feet per mile, or less by in-
creasing distance) the natural slope of the ground may be used for a
railroad for temporary purposes, and until the road itself can reduce
the cost of materials and supplies to the lowest rates."
The re-survey by Lieutenant Parke shows that these
two most difficult passes may be avoided. In relation to
the supply of water upon this part of tlie route, the report
of the secretary says ;
The Southern Railroad Route to the Pacific. 219
"The great difficulty experienced in crossing this district is in the
long distances over which no water is found at certain seasons. The
survey by Lieutenant Parke was made during the dryest season of the
year, and, irrespective of the springs found at intermediate points, the
whole distance between the two rivers Rio Grande and Gila may be
divided into five spaces, varying from eighty to fifty-three miles in
length, at the termination of which large permanent supplies of water
are found at the most unfavorable seiison of the year."
These spaces and points are :
From the Eio Grande to the Rio Mimbres 71 miles.
From the Rio Mimbres to the stream of the Valle del Saux...72 "
From the Valle del Saux to the San Pedro 80 "
From the San Pedro to Tucson.. 53 "
From Tucson to the Gila 79- *'
Intermediate between these streams arc permanent
springs, and the new survey has improved the location
in this respect. In his last report Lieutenant Parke
states :
"The supply of water upon the plateau is limited. Along and near
the proposed line it is found at the following localities, and from these
the working-parties can be supplied : at Neide's Spring, at the south-
west corner of the basaltic hills, east of Cooke's Springs ; Rio Mim-
bres ; Agua Fria ; Ojo de la Vaca ; Ojo de Inez ; Valle del Saux ; in
the Puerto del Dado ; Croton Springs ; at the Playa de los Pim'os ;
Castro Spring, near the railroad pass under Mount Graham ; Pheas-
ant Creek ; Antelope and Dove Springs, at the base of the Calitro
Mountains ; and at Bear Springs, at the head of the Aravaypa. The
distance in direct lines from one of these localities to another are as
follows :
From the Rio Grande to Neide's Spring 40 miles.
From Neide's Spring to Cooke's Spring 12 "
From Cooke's Spring to the Rio Mimbres 21 "
From Rio Mimbres to Agua Fria 15 "
From Agua Fria to Ojo de la Vaca G "
From Ojo de la Vaca to Ojo de Inez 12 "
From Ojo de Inez to Valle del Saux ..40 "
From Valle del Saux to Puerto del Dado 23 "
From Puerto del Dado to Castro Spring 30 *'
From Puerto del Dado to Croton Springs 30 "
220 Arizona and /So7iora.
From Castro Spring to Croton Springs 18 miles.
From Croton Springs to Pheasant Creek 12 "
From Plieasant Creek to Antelope Spring 3 "
From Antelope Spring to Dove Spring 2^ "
From Dove Spring to Bear Spring.; ; IG "
"On the San Pedro route, water ^ abundant and convenient at
Chameleon Spring and Prospect Creek, and in the entire valley of the
Rio San Pedro. Besides thescf permanent supplies, water is found,
after the rains, on the jjlayas and in depressions in the drains."
It has been argued, and I think successfully, that if the
road were built, it might be worked from one supply of
water to another ; but that has never satisfied my mind
in relation to the difficulty which presents itself in build-
ing the road. Without tanks or wells, I do not see how
the road is to be built, how Avorking parties are to be
sustained, with the distances which are found upon every
route which has been surveyed. The facilities for mak-
ing such artificial reservoirs upon this part of the 32d
parallel route are thus favorably described by Lieutenant
Parke :
"For the working parties in the construction of the road, during
'tlie dry season, water can be obtained from the several above-mention-
ed permanent sources of supply; but this will involve, of necessity,
much haulage, the maximum distance being twenty-three miles. But
I am clearly of the opinion that water can be obtained at other points
along and near the line of construction by sinking common wells.
These plai/a formations are particularly favorable. Being basin-
shaped, they receive and retain the drainage from the suri'ounding
country, giving us natural reservoirs,* which require only to be tapped
to give a constant and plentiful supply."
I will now proceed to describe the section west of the
Pimos villages. The office examination states :
"We have now reached the Gila, Seven miles above the Pimos vil-
lages, the elevation above the sea being 1365 feet. From this point to
its junction with the Colorado, the valley of the river is highly favora-
* New discoveries of springs have been made since Parke's report,
and will continue to be as the country is opened. — S. M.
The Southern Railroad Route to the Pacific, 221
blc to the construction of a railroad. There will be no necessity for
embankments against freshets, but trifling occasional cutting and fill-
ing; and, in those instances where the hills close in upon the river,
there is ample space for the road without heavy cutting. The eleva-
tion at the mouth of the river being 108 feet, and the distance between
the two points 223 miles, we have a general slope of five and six tenths
feet per mile, which, from the favorable character of the ground, may
be assumed as the grade of the road.
"Water and fuel for working parties are sufficient, though no grass.
Logs may be driven down the Gila from the Moyogan Mountains at
its source, from the Pinal Lleno, and down the San Francisco and Sa-
linas Rivers, from the pine forests on the former, and the mountains at
the source of the latter.
"But it maybe found more economical to receive all the supplies of
lumber needed for the western portion of the road either from the San
Bernardino Mountains and Pass, or from the harbor of San Pedro or
Diego, or, should it be found desirable to establish one, from the depot
near the mouth of the Gila."
Senators will perceive that I am here explaining the
basis on which I formed the opinion which governs my
vote in this case. I have no controversy with any "body.
I do not expect to satisfy gentlemen that their routes are
not as good as they wish them; but I am dealing with
the facts as they are contained in the reports, to justify
me in the opinion which I have officially expressed, and
on which I am now acting in my proposition to grant a
given sum to make a railroad. I have not encountered
all this lal^^ in a mere spirit of controversy.
"The most favorable point for crossing the Colorado is at the junc-
tion of the Gila, where the river is narrowest, 650 feet wide, and has
bluffs on both banks.
"The direction that the road should take across the desert interven-
ing between it and the foot of the Coast Range depends, in part, upon
the position of the pass by which it crosses this mountain chain.
There are two passes known and explored : Warner's, the more south-
erly of the two, will require five miles of excavation in granite and
mica slate for the full width of the road, the grades varying from 130
to 190 feet per mile.
"The distances* from the mouth of the Gila, over the desert, to the
222 Arizona and Sonora,
entrance of this pass, is eighty miles ; thence to San Diego is 150 miles.
The San Gorgonio or San Bernardino Pass, on the contrary, is reraai'k-
ably favorable. It is an open valley, from two to five miles wide, the
surface smooth and unbroken, affording in its form and inclination ev-
ery facility and no obstruction to the building of a railroad."
This plain, eighty miles in width, has been treated as a
desert Joniac^o, although there are springs and wells upon
it; and the water of the Colorado, sometimes overflowing
or rising in the middle of the plain, forms what is called
New River. The plain is certainly deficient in w^ater ; but
it is evidently a delta formation, and not a desert in the
sense of being unproductive because of its constituent ele-
ments. It is all of alluvial formation, clearly once belong-
ing to the Colorado, and habitually overflowed by it ; but
the deposit on the banks of the stream having enough
moisture and tenacity to catch the sand driven upon it by
prevailing winds, at last became a natural levee or barrier
sufiicient to restrain the floods, and long drought render-
ed the alluvial plain west of the river entirely sterile.
Thus, I am informed, it is now along the Rio Grande.
When the cultivation of a field is abandoned, left for but
a few years without irrigation, sterility ensues ; but it can
be restored to fertility by again supplying it with moisture.
The supply of timber upon this whole route is deficient.
The points where it may be obtained are thus stated in
the ofiice e^camination : ^
"Let us assume the most unfavorable case for supplies of ties and
lumber over that portion of the route between the eastern limit of the
Llano Estacado and the summit of the San Gorgonio Pass, 1052 miles
— that is, that they must be brought from either end of the road, say 300
miles from the eastern limit of the Llano Estacado, and from the port
of San Pedro on the Pacific, 100 miles from the summit of the San
Gorgonio Pass, making the points of supply 1400 miles apart: the
greatest distance to which they must be transported from each end is,
therefore, 700 miles by the road, the point of junction of supplies from
the east and west being about 110 miles west of the Rio Grande. Lum-
ber can undoubtedly be procured in the Eed River district for ^30 per
The Southern Bailroad Route to the Pacific. 223
1000 feet. The additional cost for transportation to the Llano, 300
miles by the railroad, at three cents per ton per mile (double the usual
cost on eastern railroads), is $13i, and its cost there $43| per 1000
feet; the cost per 1000 feet for 450 miles additional transportation is
$20, and hence the cost per 1000 feet at this extreme point will be $63|.
The mean cost over these 400 or 450 miles from the eastern limit of the
Llano Estacado will be $52|^ per 1000 feet. From Fulton to the Llano
it is unnecessary to estimate its cost.
"Lsmber may be delivered at San Pedro or San Diego from Oregon
for $30 per 1000 feet. Abundance of it can be got out from the San
Bernardino and other mountains near the line of the road at that cost,
and it may be assumed, therefore, to be supplied at San Pedro or San
Diego at that price, and at a mean cost over the road (the road sup-
plying itself, as it must do, sections of 40 or 50 miles being built at a
time) of $4G per 1000 feet.
"The worst case having been discussed, it remains to be said that
good ties and lumber can be obtained from the Guadalupe and Hueco
Mountains, from the head waters of the Rio Mimbres, from the Pinal
Lleno, Salinas River, and head waters of the San Francisco, and from
the San Bernardino Mountains* of the Sierra Nevada or Coast Range,
which sources of supply may be found to materially obviate the neces-
sity of transporting lumber from the two ends of the road. "
In fine, it may be said that the route of the 32d parallel
from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean is the
shortest of those explored, its length being from 100 to
400 miles less than the shortest of the other routes ; it is
likewise the shortest route to San Francisco, being 100
miles shorter than any other. The vast uncultivable belt
through which all the routes must pass is crossed by the
route of the 3 2d parallel where the width is least, its
length through this region being 200 miles shorter than
any other line. The mountain region on this route has
the least elevation, and the table-lands preponderate to a
greater degree than on the other routes.
It is the most economical route ; the estimated cost to
* And from the Santa Cruz and Santa Rita Mountains in Arizona,
near the line of the road, a section of Arizona never examined by Lieu-
tenant Parke.— S. M.
224 Arizona and Sonora.
the Pacific being from eighteen to twenty million dol-
lars less than that of any other, and to San Francisco
$10,000,000 less; the cheapness of the construction being
due to the great extent of plains and table-lands, where
the road-bed preparation required is slight.
The mountain passes are open, and their natural slopes
admit of temporary use without costly preparation. The
winters are so mild that no difficulties, impediments, or
dangers from snow and ice are to be apprehended, and
this admits of the use of steep grades, and greatly facili-
tates construction.
On all the routes unusual means must be resorted to
for supplies of water at the distances common on rail-
roads. The intervals between the large permanent sup-
lilies on the route of the 32d parallel are not too great for
the working of a railroad, but additional supphes, at short-
er distances, may be collected by tanks or wells. •
In the uncultivable belt that separates the Mississippi
valley from the Pacific slope, occasional areas of arable
soil are to be found. The route of the 32d parallel is
neither less favorably situated in this respect, nor in min-
eral wealth, than those in other latitudes, nor is the sup-
ply of building materials and timber materially less on
this route than on the others, excepting an interior por-
tion of the route near the 49th parallel.
In confirmation of the opinion expressed in the secre-
tary's report upon the comparative advantages of the 35 th
and 32d parallel routes, I wish to refer to the testimony
of a civil engineer who has traveled oven both, and looked
at them with a view to the construction of a railroad —
Mr. Albert H. Campbell. He was first connected with
Captain "Whipple's party for exploring the route near the
35th parallel ; subsequently with that of Lieutenant Parke
when re-examining the route near the 32d parallel. I in-
tend to read from a letter which I find addressed by him
The Southern Railroad Boute to the Pacific. 225
to the Hon. Guy M. Bryan, of Texas, in relation to the
Pacific raih'oad, published in 1858. On the first page he
sets forth his total indifierence as to which of the two
routes may be selected, and the absence of any pecuniary
motive to influence him in one way or the other. He says :
"I have no pecuniary or landed interest in the El Paso route, and
consequently have no motive for my preference, except an honest con-
viction, derived from personal observation, that it is emphatically the
most practicable, cheapest, and shortest route between the Mississippi
River and the Pacific Ocean ; and the country through which it pass-
es, as a whole, will compare favorably with any other route in agri-
cultural and pastoral resources, and in mineral wealth, and that it is
the only route that can be successfully worked during the entire year."
"It is practicable to construct a railroad along the Albuquerque
route, as reported by Captain Whipple ; but I maintain, and am will-
ing to leave it to the decision of the ablest impartial railroad engineer
in the country, that it can not be done without an immense outlay of
treasure in preparing a road-bed, and exceeding by at least twenty-five
per cent, the cost of constructing a road of equal length over the 32d
parallel."
Of the climate he says :
*'In regard to the climate of winter on the Albuquerque route, I am
satisfied that it will be found too cold to work a railroad successfully
for at least three, if not four months of the year. The recorded expe-
rience of six winters at Fort Defiance, only twenty miles in latitude
north of Campbell's Pass, and about the same elevation — as I observed
when I went to that post in November, 1853, through Campbell's Pass,
though the Army Meteorological Eegister, page 641, put it down (or
rather up) to * 7200 (?) feet' above the level of the sea — must be taken
as conclusive of the fact of its being at times extremely cold.
♦'At Albuquerque, according to the meteorological report of the
medical department of the United States Army, the maximum and
minimum temperatures respectively were, for the winter months of
1849 and 1850— in December, 53°, 5° ; January, 49° 12° below zero ;
February, 57°, 17°. For 1850 and 1851— in December, 52°, 5° below
zero ; January, 57°, 8° ; February, 59°, 7°. For 1852 and 1853— in
December, 65°, 21°; January, 65°, ]9°; February, 66°, 13°. For
1853 and 1854— in December, 66°, 20° ; January, 63°, 5° ; February,
67°, 15° ; and in December, 1854, 58°, 19°.
K2
226 " Arizona and jSonora.
" At Fort Defiance, about twenty miles north of Campbell's Pass in
latitude, and from 300 to 500 feet higher, the maximum and minimum
temperatures respectively were, for the month of December, 1851, 62°,
4° ; 18 inches snow. For 1852 and 1853— in December, 50°, 2° ;
January, 55°, 7° ; February, 56°, 6°. For 1853 and 1854— in De-
cember, 57°, 6° ; January, 49°, 20° below zero ; February, 54°, 2°.
For 1854 and 1855— December, 65°, 10° ; January, 59°, 17° below
zero; February, 61°, 13°. For 1855 and 1856— December, 56°, 25°
below zero ; January, 54°, 8° below zero ; February, 51°, 3° below zero.
A great error has been committed in supposing that
because the 35th parallel route is in a southern latitude,
it must be in a warm country. Temperature dej^ends as
much upon elevation as upon latitude; and fertility re-
sults, not from the constituent elements of the soil alone,
but from the meteorological conditions of the atmosphere
also. Here is an elevation of 7000 feet above the sea, and
a country of extreme aridity. The air from the ocean
deposits the moisture it possessed in passing over the
mountain ranges before it reaches this plain. Over it
broods a forbidding sterility, and across it the winter
winds sweep with a degree of cold scarcely less intense
than that found in any portion of our country. At the
close of this table the writer says :
"The table above will give a fair idea of the climate of the country.
The winter of 1855 and 1856 was more severe than any one known for
many years. The wintiy weather commenced on the 1st of November,
1855, and has continued up to the present time (March 14, 1856). The
Eio Grande, at Albuquerque, was frozen over, and with ice sufficiently
strong to bear a horse and carreta. Those Indians who live habitually
to the north of Fort Defiance were obliged to abandon that portion of
the country and move south, with their flocks and herds, in quest of
grazing, on account of the depth of snow, wliich, in the mountains, at
whose base the fort is situated, was over two feet in depth in March,
1856." — Correspondence of J. Leatherman, Assistant Surgeon United
States Army ; Smithsonian Report, 1855, page 287.
Speaking of the immense exposure encountered on this
elevated plain in winter, Mr. Campbell says :
" The imagination can readily picture the terrible calamity which
would inevitably befall a train-load of passengers en route for the Pa-
The Southern Railroad Route to the Pacific. 227
cific if an accident of a similar kind should stop their progress midway
upon one of those desolate artemisia districts between the Ojo de Gallo
and the Little Colorado, and between the valley of the Big Sandy Fork
and the sink of the Mohave, where no human habitation can ever exist
between the permanent water stations."
He treats of the supply of water in the same manner
as the authors of the official reports. He notices the fact
that Captain Marcy, having traveled over the 35th, and
then over the 32d parallel route, testified in favor of the
latter as an emigrant route. Citing the opinion of Major
Emory as to the route on the 32d parallel, he says :
"In an allusion to the subject of the railroad (on page 51, first vol-
ume of Mexican Boundary Reports), he [Major Emory] emphatically
declares, of the advantages gained by the last, or Gadsden treaty, that
it ' has secured what the surveys made under the orders of the War
Department demonstrate to be the most feasible, if not the only prac-
ticable route for a railway to the Pacific' "
The comparison instituted in the office, when the field-
work of the various explorations was reported, was to ful-
fill the requirements of Congress, to find the most practi-
cal and economical route for a railroad from the Missis-
sippi River to the Pacific Ocean. I am not engaged now
in the investigation of that exact question, the problem
being merely that of crossing the Territories ; but as the
practicability of effecting a connection between the Mis-
sissippi and Pacific may control in any action of Con-
gress, a table has been prepared which presents in a con-
densed form the distances and the comparative cost of
each route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.
Whether this estimated cost be too high or too low, it is
not for that purpose needful to inquire. The object was
to approach as nearly as possible to accuracy of compari-
son, not to give an absolute statement of the cost. This
is all that has ever been claimed for the office estimates of
the cost ; and this is the reason why the estimates of chiefs
of parties have been modified, so as to bring them to the
same comparative scale. I submit the table to the Senate :
228
Arizona and jSonora.
Table showi7ig the LengtJis^ comparative Costs, etc., of the
several Routes explored for a Railroad from the Mis-
sissippi to the Pacific.
1
5a
§
O o
%
1
f%
EoUTiSS.
ll
03
■f
es of Roi
nerally u
Soil bein
reas.
li
II
•1
<
a
3
I
d
0. of Mil
Land ge
arable 1
small A:
03 ^
Q
Ul
U
Y*
>^
<
Miles.
Feet
%
Feet
Route near forty-seventh and
forty-ninth parallels, from
St. Paul to Seattle
1955
18,654
135,871,000
535
1490
6,044
Route near forty-seventh and
forty-ninth parallels, from
St. Paul to Vancouver
1800
17,645
125,781,000
374
1490
6,044
Route near forty -first and for-
ty-second parallels, from
-
Rock Island, via South Pass
to Benicia
2299
29,120*
122 770 000
899
1400
8,373
Route near thirty-eighth and
±.mu^ 1 « u^uuv
thirty -ninth parallels, from
St. Louis, via Coo-chee-to-
pa and Tah-ee-chay-pah
Passes to San Francisco . . .
2325
49,985t
Imp'cticable.
865
1460
10,032
Route near thirty-eighth and
thirty-ninth parallels, from
St. Louis, via Coo-chee-to-
pa and Madeleine Passes to
Benicia
2535
56,514i
Imp'cticable.
915
1620
10,032
Route near thirty-fifth paral-
lel, from Memphis to San
Francisco
2366
48,521t
113,009,000
916
1450
7,550
Route near thirty-second par-
allel, from ISIemphia to San
Pedro
2000
48,862t
99,000,000
690
1400
7,550
Route near thirty-second par-
allel, from Gaines's Land-
ing to San Francisco by
Coast route
2174
38,200§
94,000,000
984
1190
5,717
Route near thirty-second par-
allel, from Gaines's Land-
ing to San Pedro
1748
30,181§
72,000,000
558
1190
5,717
Route near thirty-second par-
allel, from Gaines's Land-
ing to San Diego
1G83
33,454§
72,000,000
524
1159
5,717
* The ascents and descents between Rock Island and Council Bluffs are not known,
and therefore not included in this sum.
t The ascents and descents between St. Louis and Westport are not known, and
therefore not included in this sum.
X The ascents and descents between Memphis and Fort Smith are not known, and
therefore not included in this sura.
§ The ascents and descents between Gaines's Landing and Fulton are not known,
and therefore not included in this sum.
The Southern Railroad Route to the Pacific. 229
In volume seven of the Railroad Reports, a table will
be found with which this very generally corresponds, the
difference being that some of the surveys having com-
nmnced at anterior points — one, for instance, at Council
Bluffs, and another at Fort Smith — the estimates of the
reports are made from those points. Here they have
been extended to the Mississippi River. The table in
volume seven is also here modified by the supposition
that the reported practicability of the Coeur d'Alene Pass
is correct, and thus the total sum estimated for the route
near to the 49th parallel has been reduced. No additions
have been made for those difficulties which, in addressing
the Senate, I have stated had come to my knowledge
since the preparation of my report, because information
not derived from instrumental survey is not accepted as
the basis of estimate.
I have only to add that, looking to the grant of land
and of money with which Texas has endowed her railroad
company, and to the interest which w^ould be brought
to bear for the extension of the Texas road to the Rio
Grande by a company formed to build a road from the
Rio Grande to the Colorado, I beheve the sum of money
and the grant of land contained in my substitute, although
the smallest proposed by any one, will secure the con-
struction of the road across that intermediate territory,
will insure the extension of the road of Texas to the Rio
Grande ; and that, having reached the Colorado, Califor-
nia will charter a company to extend it to San Diego, to
San Pedro, or to San Francisco. Most probably a com-
pany, if incorporated to build a railroad from Fort Yuma
to San Francisco, would first connect with the ocean at
San Pedro, and thus command a more prompt return for
their investment in the road than if they awaited its final
completion to Sa# Francisco.
I have endeavored, during the progress of this debate,
230 Arizona and Sonora.
to ascertain how much of the land in the valley of the
Santa Clara and the Salinas might inure to the benefit of
a company undertaking to build a road. It is all known
to be of the highest fertility, and blessed with a climate
not inferior to any within the limits of the United States.
If it is possible for the company to obtain near to that
line even one half of the amount of land proposed to be
granted, I rely upon the accuracy of Lieutenant Parke's
estimates to establish the fact that the road might be
built there for the land grant alone. Whenever Califor-
nia shall charter a company to build this road within her
own limits, and that company shall ask Congress for a
grant to construct it, I can not doubt that the interest of
the United States will warrant Congress in making such
a grant. Thus is reached the conclusion that the Texas
road will be drawn on to make a junction with the road
built in the Territory, and that the latter, when built to
the Colorado, will certainly be extended to the Pacific.
The eastern terminus of the Texas road will be available
to all the roads which ramify throughout the United
States, and be connected, in a very short time, with every
important point from St. Paul to Galveston.
If the facts which have been thus imperfectly grouped
and presented to the Senate sustain the conclusion that
this result is to be attained by so small a sum of money,
it may reasonably be claimed that all who desire the con-
struction of a road across the Territory, with complete
connections throughout the states, are bound to sustain
the proposition which I have submitted.
My position is, that the completion of this great work
is necessary to the due execution of the functions of the
general government ; that it will not be achieved by pri-
vate capital alone, therefore that we should strike oflT ev-
ery shackle which impedes its executi#n — should aban-
don the right to collect duty on the iron employed ; give
The Southern Bailroad Boute to the Pacific. 231
the whole limit of the United States from which to select
a route ; extend every aid we can constitutionally afford,
and to insure the construction of the road somewhere, be
it where it may, so that it is on the soil of the United
States. If, by haggling over petty sectional controver-
sies— if, by sticking in the dark, and destroying the ener-
gy of the Constitution, politicians shall defeat the efforts
which have been made from session to session — shall
prostrate the last hope for this road across the continent,
and, thus unprepared, should we become involved in a
war with the great maritime powers of Europe, they may,
when it is too late to avert the disasters which have been
so often foretold, have cause to pray for the mountains
to fall upon and cover them from public indignation — to
them may attach the blame, on us all may press the
shame and the sorrow of having lost to the country a
territory worth innumerable treasure, of having forfeited
that the value of which can not be measured by money —
the prestige of stability, progress, and invincibility, and
the right to inscribe on our national shield. Equal to
THE Pkotection of a Continent-wide Republic.
232 Arizona and Bonora.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE SILVER MINES OF ARIZONA.*
The San Antonio Mine.— Aspect of the Region.— The Mowry Mines.
Scene at the Hacienda. — Pay-day. — Labor and Laborers. — His-
tory of the Mines. — Lieutenant Mowry. — Yield of the Mines. —
Country and Climate.— Santa Rita Mines.— The Hacienda.— The
Salero Mines.— The Ores.— Grazing.— The Sopori Ranch.— The
Country and the Mines.— Prospects.— The Heintzelman Mine. —
The Country.— Past and Present of the Mines.— The Ores.— Mex-
ican Thieves. — The Arivaca Mines. — The Country. — Arizona
Mining Company,— Surrounding Mining Region.— The Cahuabia
District. — The Mines.— The Bahia Mines.— General Conclusion.
The San Antonio Mine. — A pleasant drive of two
hours through the beautiful valley of the Santa Cruz
brought us to the hacienda of the San Antonio Mining
Companyy-now under the charge of Mr.Yerbes, an intel-
ligent American, who received us with great kindness
and hospitality. The buildings of the hacienda do not
admit of very sumptuous accommodation, but here, at
least, we found, for the first time since leaving Tucson, a
living nucleus of American civilization : houses with fire-
places, and fires in them ; rude attempts at beds and ta-
* Mr. J. Ross Browne, the famous traveler, has just returned from
an extended trip in Arizona, of which he is to furnish an account
through the pages of Harper's Magazine. Learning that he was to
give an account of the silver mining region, I requested the publish-
ers to insert such portions of this as bore directly upon this topic, as a
supplementary chapter of my work. They kindly consented to don
this, in advance of its appearance in the Magazine. I may add that
I have not seen the account of Mr. Browne, and have no means of
knowing how far his views coincide with my own. But it can not
fail to be of interest to the readers of my work to compare with my
own the views and impressions of a man who looks at the country
from a stand-point so wholly different. — S. M., San Francisco, August,
1864.
J. Hoss Browne on Arizona Mines. 233
bles ; and a people who furnished us with wood free of
charge, and offered us from their scanty stores of pro-
visions whatever we needed. A mill, wdth smelting fur-
naces and a small engine, had just been erected for re-
ducing the ores, and w^ould be put in operation as soon
as the necessary facilities for working the mine could be
obtained.
The San Antonio Mine is situated about six miles
from the reduction works, in a spur of the Santa Cruz
Mountains. The ore is rich in argentiferous galena and
lead, easily managed, and Will doubtless yield profitable
results. It is questionable if the silver lodes in this vi-
cinity will produce so large a proportion of rich ores to
the ton as those of the Santa Rita and Cerro Colorado
Mountains ; but it has been well demonstrated that they
are deep, boldly defined, and reliable, and wull, if proper-
ly worked, amply recompense the labor and capital in-
vested in them. The magnificent grazing lands of the
valleys into which the spurs of the mountains run ; the
abundant supply of fine oak timber on the foot-hills ; the
facilities for procuring provisions from Sonora, and easy
access, by good roads, to the ports of the Gulf, afford
them peculiar advantages, which would be greatly en-
hanced if we possessed the small strip of territory ex-
tending as far south as Libertad. l^o traveler passing
through this region can fail to be struck with the sagac-
ity of the Mexican commissioners in i^nning the bound-
ary-line.
The Mowry Silver Mines. — Approaching these
mines we found indications of life and industry. Cords
of wood lay piled up on the wayside ; the sound of the
axe reverberated from hill to hill ; the smoke of many
charcoal pits filled the air ; and teamsters, with heavily-
loaded wagons, were working their way over the rugged
trails and by-paths. Gradually the road became better
234 Arizona and Sonora.
defined, artd the clearings more extensive, till we came
to the brow of a hill overlooking the hacienda.
A more picturesque or cheering view I had rarely seen.
Down in the valley of several hundred acres, almost
embosomed in trees, stand the reduction works, store-
houses, and peon quarters. Smoke rose in curling clouds
from the main chimney, which stands like an obelisk in
the centre of the mill, and sulphurous vapors whirled up
from the long row of smelting furnaces in the rear. The
busy hum of the steam-engine and fly-wheels fell with a
lively effect on the ear ; the broad, smooth plaza in front
of the works was dotted with wagons and teams dis-
charging their freight of wood and ore ; and under the
shade of the surrounding trees, amid the picturesque lit-
tle huts of the peons, groups of women and children,
clothed in the loose variegated costume of the country,
gave a pleasing domestic interest to the scene. It w^as
the last of the month, and consequently pay-day — a very
welcome and important day all over the^world, but es-
pecially in this isolated region, where pay-days are scarce.
Such an event within fifteen miles of Santa Cruz rises to
the dignity of a grand public institution. The citizens
of Santa Cruz, who are not proverbial for energy, seem
to be inspired with new life on occasions of this kind,
and never fail to visit the mines in large numbers for the
purpose of participating in the general rejoicing. For
two or three days the whole hacienda presents a lively
and characteristic scene. Work is out of the question,
so far as the peons are concerned. Under the shade of
every tree sits a group of thriftless vagabonds, conspicu-
ous for their dirty skins and many-colored serapas, shuf-
fling the inevitable pack of cards or casting their fortune
of greasy "hobes" upon the capricious hazards of monte.
The earnings of the month are soon disposed of. The
women and children are left dependent upon new ad-
J. Moss Browne, on Arizona Miiies. 235
vances from the store-houses ; the workmen are stupefied
with mescal and many nights of debauch ; and when all
is over, the fandango at an end, and the monte tables
packed up, every miner bankrupt, and no more goods or
money to be had, the posse of sharpers from the border
lines of Sonora take their leave.
Under the existing system of labor in Southern Arizo-
na, the silver mines can never be developed to their full
capacity, or profitably worked. The Santa Rita, Cerro
Colorado, and Cahuabia Mines have been tried in this
way, and the result has been invariably unfortunate.
Many valuable lives have been sacrificed, and vast
amounts of property lost by the treachery, dishonesty,
and incapacity of this class of workmen. It may be just-
ly contended that this is the cheapest, and, in fact, the
only labor hitherto to be obtained. Indeed, $15 a month,
payable mostly in goods at high prices, can not be con-
sidered an extravagant rate of wages for men who have
had more or less experience in the working of mines.
But that must be determined by the result. There will
be no difiiculty in procuring reliable white labor as soon
as there is any security for life and property. The cli-
mate of Arizona is far more genial than that of Nevada,
where white labor is abundant. Men can be found to'
work wherever they receive an adequate compensation
for their services. I do not believe it would be practi-
cable wholly or at once to dispense with Mexican labor.
It can always, to some extent, be made available for the
lower grades of mining operations. Under the prepon-
derance of a higher and more intelligent class of labor, it
may become both convenient and profitable.
The Mowry Mine (formerly known as the Patagonia
Mine) was probably known to the Mexicans, and worked
by them many years ago. The Americans first discov-
ered it in 1858. In 1860 it became the property of Syl-
236 . Arizona and jSoiiora.
vester Mowry, Esq. It is situated within ten miles of
the boundary-line between Sonora and Arizona, is 6160
feet above the level of the sea, and is distant 280 miles
from Guyamas, on the Gulf of California.
It is not my purpose, in these casual sketches, to write
a report on the condition and prospects of each silver
or gold mine in the Territory of Arizona, even if I pos-
sessed the requisite knowledge of mining operations. I
can only say, therefore, in reference to the Mowry Mine,
that the lode appears to be large, bold, and well defined,
and the ore of fair average richness. It is composed of
argentiferous galena, impregnated with arsenic, and is
easily reduced by smelting. Three distinct veins are
perceptible, which cross each other in the principal lode.
The ore which was in process of reduction at the time
of my visit yielded, as I was informed, about $40 to the
ton. It was not the richest, nor could it be considered
a fair average. Mr. Ktistel, the distinguished metallur-
gist, author of the " Processes of Silver and Gold Extrac-
tion," etc., visited the mine about a month prior to my
arrival, and made a thorough examination of its ores and
resources. From a report* made by him, it would ap-
pear that some of the ores average |350 to the ton. If
the mines were j)roperly worked, he estimates that a gen-
eral average of |50 to |70 to the ton might be obtained,
and he mentions among the advantages in fluxing the
presence of iron ore, manganese, and lime. The result
of one day's working he found to be as follows : Prod-
uce of twenty tons in silver, |1200 ; in lead, $480 ; total,
$1680 : expenses of reduction, mining, etc., $400 ; profit,
$1280. This result is highly encouraging ; but the prob-
ability is, a more perfect and extensive system of opera-
tions would greatly enhance the nett proceeds of the
mine.
* See ante, p. 69.
J, JRoss Browne on Arizona Mines. 237
At the time of our visit this property was in the hands
of the deputy marshal of New Mexico, who held it on
behalf of the United States. Mr. Mowry, it appears, had
been arrested and imprisoned by order of General J. H.
Carleton, and the mine seized under the Confiscation Act.
Of the merits of the difficulty I have no knowledge. It
appears, however, that Mr. Mowry was discharged by the
court which tried his case. His property, I believe, has
since been l-estored to him by order of the government.
This gentleman's career in Arizona has been singular-
ly adventurous and varied. In 1855 he Avas an officer of
the Federal army at Fort Yuma. An expedition which
he made into the wilds of Arizona inspired him with a
high opinion of its great mineral resources and a most
enthusiastic estimate of its future destiny. He resigned
his position in the army, and spent several years in ex-
ploring the country, and attempting to procure a recog-
nition of its claims by government. At one period he
was elected a delegate to Congress, and visited Wash-
ington for the purpose of procuring a territorial organ-
ization, but his object was defeated by sectional dissen-
sions in that body. Mr. Mowry is well known through-
out the United States. His name is inseparably connect-
ed with that of Arizona. It is a part of himself. He
once declared, in a moment of passion, when his term of
residence was questioned, that " he was hor7% there !"
Certainly no man has done more for the new territory
than he, and no man loves it better. The climate of the
Patagonia is unsurpassed — I might almost say unequaled.
How such a paradise ever came to be christened after
the chilly, fog-smitten land Avhere " giants grow and
storms do blow," I am unable to conjecture. No won-
der Mr. Mowry prefers his own name, which, if not so
euphonious, is at least less suggestive of howling winds
and fishy natives.
238 Arizonci and Bonora.
After passing through the canon of the San Lazaro,
we entered a valley which opens out into a magnificent
grazing range, extending nearly twenty miles to the foot-
hills of the Pinitos Mountains. Groves of cottonwood
of gigantic size fringe the stream at intervals of every
few miles. The grass is wonderfully luxuriant, covering
the valley and hill-sides, as far as the eye can reach, with
a rich gold-colored carpeting. The slopes of the hills
and mountains are beautifully adorned wath' groves of
oak, ash, hackberry, and various kinds of shrubbery,
through the foliage of which the bright yellow grass glis-
tens like a patch-work of gold ; and far in the distance
this glowing continuation of colors is outlined by the
purple peaks of innumerable sierras, shivered by some
tremendous convulsion of the earth into the wildest and
most fantastic forms. Such sunrises and sunsets — such
marvelous richness of coloring — such magic lights and
shades I have never seen equaled in Europe — not even in
Italy or the islands of the Grecian Archipelago.
Santa Rita Mines. — A small party of us resolved to
visit the mines of the Santa Rita District. For this ex-
pedition we provide^ourselves with a pack-mule for our
provisions, and caMDd our own blankets on horseback.
Crossing the Santl|iuruz^t tl^rfoot of the milpas, oj^po-
site the town of THbigtfr'fr 11^0 wed an arroyo for about
four miles, when wc *dS^he right bank and enter-
ed a dry, elevated pi: ,^ v^^'in this country a mesa, or
table, stretching almost as far as we could see north and
south, and bounded on the east by the mountains of San-
ta Rita, and on the west by the Santa Cruz valley and
the mountains of Atacosa. It was a matter of surprise
to most of us how luxuriant the gras^vas on this mesa,
and what an inexhaustible support JBlffords for innu-
merable herds of cattle. No water^iowever, is to be
found nearer than the Santa Cruz River and the canons
of the Santa Rita Mountains.
J. Hoss Broicne on Arizona Mines. 239
We found the beautiful hacienda of the Santa Rita
Company now solitary and desolate. The houses have
gone to ruin, and only a few adobe walls, furnaces, and
the frame-work of the mill remain to mark the spot for-
merly so full of life and enterprise. It was sad to stand
among these ruins and think how hard a fate had been
the reward of nearly all the enterprising men who had
built up this little community. A few years ago these
houses, now empty and crumbling down in dusty frag-
ments, were replete with busy life ; the reduction works
were in full blast, and every heart thrilled with the
brightest anticipations of the future.
Mr. Poston, who had done more, perhaps, than any
other man to develop the resources of this vast mineral
region, had some depressing reflections as he gazed upon
this scene of ruin.* He had sufiered too much, however,
in Arizona, and seen too many reverses of fortune to
waste much time in retrospection. The future was still
bright and promising. It would not be long before
these tenements would be again inhabited, and the
sounds of life and industry again enliven the place.
With the necessary protection now promised, the com-
pany is prepared to re-establish the works. An experi-
enced manager, Mr. Wrightman, who has had long expe-
rience in this region, is now on the way out, and proba-
bly not more than a few months will elapse before the
mines and hacienda Avill be occupied by a large working
force.
At the distance of a few hundred yards from the ha-
cienda is a silver lead, situated strangely enough in the
valley, close by the bed of the creek, upon which some
explorations have been made. An assay of the ore,
made in 1861, yielded $400 to the ton. Water is fur-
* I am glad to learn that my friend Poston has recently been elect-
ed delegate to Congress fr.om Arizona. — J. R. B.
240 Arizona and Sonora.
nished by the mine itself, which is not considered a dis-
advantage in this country, where that element is the
great desideratum.
The Saleeo Mine. — A mile beyond we reached the
foot of the Salero Mountain, near which, in a pleasant
little valley, stand the ruins of the peon houses, once oc-
cupied by the operators on the Salero Mine. The sur-
rounding hills are clothed with a rich growth of grass,
and there is an abundance of oak timber scattered over
these hills and the adjacent mountains to supply the req-
uisite fuel for the reduction works for many years. Wa-
ter is found in an adjacent canon a few hundred yards
from the quarters, but not in sufficient quantities for
stock. There would be no difficulty, however, in in-
creasing the quantity by digging.
The Salero, which is the principal mine in this region,
is situated in the side of a conical mountain of the same
name, rising immediately from this little valley, and pre-
senting some very striking mineral phenomena. The
shaft is seen about a third pf the way up its face, and is
approached by a wagon-road, which cuts and leaves ex-
posed a number of veins running into the mountain in
nearly the same direction, and all bearing more or less
indications of silver.
During the afternoon and on the following day we vis-
ited at least fifteen or twenty distinct mines, all partial-
ly opened and well tested, forming what might be termed
a perfect network of silver - bearing ledges. Among
these were the Salero, Bustillo, Crystal, Encarnacion,
Cazador, and Fuller, each one of which has yielded, un-
der a very imperfect system of working, at the rate of
from four to fourteen hundred dollars to the ton. This,
of course, was from selected ores. The average would
probably not fall short of two hundred dollars, though
sufficient work has not yet been done upon which to
J.B.OSS JBrowne on Arizona 3Iines. 241
base a reliable calculation. The assays and experiments
of such men as Ktistel, Pompelly, Booth, Garnett, Main-
zer, Blake, Dr. Jackson, of Boston, and others, demon-
strate, at least, that there is a great abundance of rich
ores in the Santa Rita District.
As a grazing country for cattle and sheep, the valleys
and foot-hills of the Santa Rita can not be surpassed.
Grass of every variety known in Arizona covers the
ground all the year, and there is practically no winter
for live-stock. The climate is so mild, even in the
months of January and February, that it is a positive
luxury to sleep in the open air. Wood can be obtained
in limited quantities in the neighborhood ; and when that
is exhausted, the valley of the Santa Cruz, only twelve
miles distant, furnishes an inexhaustible supply. The
mines abound in ores easy of reduction by smelting, and
they are so situated that access to all of them by good
roads can be had at a small expense. The transit to
Tucson and Guaymas is over the best natural roads in
the world, but will require military protection for some
time to come.
The Sopoei Ranch, although at present uninhabited,
possesses advantages as a raining and grazing region
which have long since given it a reputation in Sonora.
Embracing over twenty square leagues of mountain and
valley, it comprises within its boundaries some of the
best silver and copper leads and cattle -ranges in the
country. During the greater part of the year it is well
watered ; but there are times when water is scarce, ex-
cept in the vicinity of the head-quarters, where the sup-
ply is never-failing. By means of acequias, a considera-
ble extent of bottom-land, of a very productive quality,
has already been cultivated. The usual cereal crops
thrive well here, and esculents are especially fine. Wood
of many valuable varieties, such as oak, ash, walnut, cot-
L
242 Arizona and Sonora.
tonwood, willow, and mesquit, grows in the ravines and
along the margin of the creek. Lying twelve miles south
of Tubac, bordering on the mission lands of San Xavier
del Bac to the north, and distant but forty-five miles
from Tucson, on the highway to the Cerro Colorado,-
Arivaca, and Sonora, it possesses great advantages of
location, and a climate unrivaled for its salubrity.
I spent the afternoon rambling over the hills, making
sketches of the scenery, which, at this season of the year,
is Itahan in its atmospheric coloring. Indeed, that land
which possesses the " fatal gift of beauty" is fairly out-
rivaled by the Sopori.
The principal mine, which I also visited, is about two
miles from the head-quarters. As yet the lode has been
but little explored. A shaft has been sunk, from which
some very rich ore has been taken, portions of it in small
particles of pure silver.
I do not believe, however, from my own casual obser-
vation, that the mother vein has yet been struck. The
average of ores taken out, and upon which experiments
have been made, demonstrates a yield of $150 to the ton,
and this by the rudest process of smelting. Selected
specimens have yielded $700 to the ton. Still, the vein
does not appear to me sufficiently defined at the point
now reached to warrant the belief that large results can
be expected without farther exploration. Mr. Bartlett,
I believe, has taken a great interest in the development
of this region, and has organized a company at Provi-
dence, Rhode Island, for the working of the mines on an
extensive scale.
The whole country bears" strong indications of rich
mineral deposits. The Mexicans, for many years past,
have worked some gold placers in the ravines of the
neighboring mountains ; and we saw the remains of aras-
tras where they had formerly ground and smelted silver
J. Ross Browne on Arizona Mines. 243
ores. All this district of country needs development.
With capital, energy, and patience, it must eventually be-
come one of the most valuable mining districts in the
Territory.
The Heintzelman Mine. — An early start enabled us
to reach, by noon, the Heintzelman Mine, or, as it is more
commonly called, the " Cerro Colorado." This celebra-
ted mine belongs to a company of New York capitalists,
known as the "Arizona Mining Company." The dis-
tance by the road from Tubac is as follows : To Revan-
ton, 8 miles ; Sopori, 5 ; Cerro Colorado, 11 : total, 24
miles. A much shorter road could be made across the
foot-hills of the Atacosa range of mountains, but the work
would be attended by considerable expense. From So-
pori, the road now used is the public highway to Altar,
Saric, and other points in Sonora, and will probably form
a branch of the projected route to Port Libertad, on the
Gulf of California. It runs through a broad open valley,
abounding in groves of walnut, oak, ash, and mesquit,
fringing the bed of a creek which is usually dry at this
season. Numerous arroyas, extending down from the
gulches of the neighbdl'ing mountains, in which the sands
are drifted by the floods of former years, show that the
country is not always so destitute of water as it is at
present. The valley extends nearly all the way up from
the Sopori to the foot-hills of the Cerro Colorado. It is
covered with a luxuriant growth of grass, and is one of
the finest grazing regions for cattle and sheep I have
seen in the Territory. Sufficient water for stock can be
had any where along the bed of the creek by digging a
few feet. On the north side there is a rise of several
hundred feet to the level of a mesa, which extends as far
as the eye can reach toward San Xavier del Bac. This
plateau is dry and rocky, but produces fine gramma grass,
and furnishes an inexhaustible range for sheep. To the
244' Arizo7ia and Sonora.
southward lie the rolling hills that join the Atacosa
Mountains. These are also covered with grass, and dot-
ted with palo-verde, mesquit, and cactus. Deer is abun-
dant in this region, having been but little disturbed dur-
ing the past few years. We killed two as we traveled
along the road, and saw many more. Wild turkeys, rab-
bits, quails, and other game also abound in great num-
bers, so that we had no difficulty in keeping the camp
well supplied.
I was surprised, on our arrival at the mine, to see
the amount of work which had been done at this place.
The head-quarters lie on a rise of ground about a mile
distant from the foot of the Cerro Colorado, and present,
at the first view, the appearance of a Mexican village
built around the nucleus of a fort.
Scarcely three years ago the hacienda of the Cerro
Colorado presented probably the most striking scene of
life and energy in the territory. About a hundred and
twenty peons were in the employ of the company ; the
works were in active operation ; vast piles of ore were
cast up daily from the bowels of the earth ; wagons were
receiving and discharging freights ; the puff and whistle
of the steam-engine resounded over the hills ; herds of
cattle, horses, mules, and other stock ranged over the
valleys. At the time of our visit it was silent and deso-
late— a picture of utter abandonment. The adobe houses
were fast falling into ruin ; the engines were no longer
at work ; the rich piles of ore lying in front of the shafts
had been sacked and robbed by marauding Mexicans ;
nothing was to be seen but wreck and ruin, and the few
solitary graves on a neighboring hill, which tell the story
of violence and sacrifice by w^hich the pathway to civil-
ization has been marked in Arizona.
We took up our quarters within the walled fortifica-
tions which mark the entrance to the mine. The works
J. R088 Browne on Arizona Mines. ■ 245
are well protected by a tower in one corner of the
square, commanding the plaza and various buildings and
store-houses, as also the shafts of the mine, which open
along the ledge for a distance of several hundred yards.
We found the steam-engine still standing within, the in-
closure, but rusty and partially imbedded in the ground.
Remains of asastras and " whins," with various massive
beams scattered about, showed to some extent the large
amount of labor expended upon these works.
The entrance to the mine is close by the tower. The
shaft has been sunk to a depth of a hundred and forty
feet, and has been for some time partially filled with wa-
ter. Poston and myself descended by the ladders as far
as we could. About sixty feet of water stopped us from
going any farther. I was surprised at the completeness
and durability of the work — the more so, knowing with
what difficulty every part of it had been accomplished.
Of the quality of the ores in this mine I am not pre-
pared to express any opinion of my own. The best
practical evidence I saw of their value was that the
Mexicans had been plundering the different shafts which
were accessible just prior to our arrival; and, judging
from their rude system of reduction, I scarcely think
they would waste time in stealing ore of little value and
transporting it across the border line through an Apache
country. It is well known that the town of Saric, in
Sonora, has been built upon the proceeds of ore stolen
from the Heintzelman Mine. I saw scattered about the
premises piles of ore which had just been broken up,
ready for packing away ; and the fresh tracks of mule-
trains and wagon-wheels, on the well-beaten road to Sa-
ric, showed how profitable this sort of enterprise must
be to the Sonoranians.
The Aeivaca Mines. — Seven miles from the Cerro
Colorado we reached the Arivaca ranch, long celebrated
246 Arizona and Sonora.
for its rich mines and fine pastures. This ranch, called
by the Mexicans Xa Aribac^ comprises within its bounda-
ries 1 7,000 acres of agricultural land, 25 silver mines, for-
merly worked by the Mexicans, and numerous gold, cop-
per, and lead mines, as yet undeveloped. It contains a
large amount of rich meadow-land, bordering on a never-
failing stream ; is well wooded with oak, walnut, ash, Cot-
tonwood, and mesquit, and is capable of sustaining a pop-
ulation of five or six thousand souls. The range for cat-
tle and sheep is almost without limit, extending over a
belt of grazing country as far south as the Arizuma
Mountains, west to the great peak of the Baboquivori,
and north and east into the heart of the neighboring
mountains. This goes far beyond the boundaries of the
ranch ; but in Arizona, as in California, the possession of
water is tantamount to the possession of the whole sur-
rounding ct)untry. The title is held by the Arizona
Mining Company, and is derived from Thomas and Igna-
cio Ortez, who perfected it as early as 1802. It was sur-
veyed by Lieutenant A. B. Gray, of the Boundary Com-
mission, in 1859. Up to the abandonment of the Terri-
tory in 1861, it was in a progressive state of improve-
ment under the auspices of the company's agent. The
reduction works of the Heintzelman Mine were situated
on this ranch for the convenience of wood, water, and
pasturage, and were projected on a costly and extensive
scale. Little now remains of them save the ruins of the
mill and furnaces, the adobe store-houses and offices, and
a dilapidated corral.
"We camped in the old mill, and spent a couple of days
very pleasantly in visiting the mines and exploring the
gulches of the neighboring mountains. Game was abun-
dant. Some of our escort who were good shots brought
in several fat deer, and we lived in sumptuous style dur-
ing our stay.
J. Ross Browne on Arizona Mines. 247
A couple of miles below the head-quarters is situated
another^ mining establishment belonging to the same
company, and designed for the use of certain mines in
the same vicinity, one of which we visited, and found to
present very favorable indications of lead and silver ore.
Several buildings, in a fair state of preservation, com-
prise what is left of the hacienda ; also a double corral
for horses and cattle.
The Caiiuabia District. — Crossing the desert of the
Papagoria, we made an exploration of the Cahuabia Dis-
trict. The principal mines in this district are owned by
the Cahuabia Mining Company. From the Report of
Mr. Mainzer, a very able practical engineer, it would ap-
pear that the silver lodes are among the richest in Ari-
zona; but I can readily believe this to be the case from
my own observation. I have seen nothing in Washoe
or elsewhere that presents more favorable indications.
Mr. Jaeger, our Fort Yuma friend "Don Diego," of
whose history I gave a brief sketch in my first paper,
owns the " Pecacho," a very rich lead, upon which con-
siderable work has been done. A few Mexicans were
engaged in getting out the ores at the time of our ar-
rival. This mine was leased to a Mexican during the
past two years, who, by the rudest system of working,
managed to get about forty thousand dollars out of it,
over and above expenses.
We visited the Bahia, a silver lode of extraordinary
richness belonging to the Cahuabia Mining Company.
From some Mexicans who were helping themselves to
the ore, we learned that it yielded an average of $300 to
$350 to the ton, and occasionally they struck it in nearly
a pure state. There are also very fine copper mines in
the vicinity. Mr. Hill d'Amit, who was a member of
our party on the trip to Sonora, is largely interested in
one of these, and considers it one of the best copper leads
248 Arizona and Sonora.
in the country — quite equal to the celebrated Maricopa
lead on the Gila. Difficulty of transportation is the
great drawback to copper mining in this part of Arizo-
na. I am satisfied, from my own observation, and from
the concurrent testimony of others, that the Cahuabia is
a mineral region of more than ordinary richness. It
abounds in almost all the precious metals, but is as yet
scarcely known beyond Tucson. No finer field for ex-
ploration and enterprise exists south of the Gila.
My impressions of Arizona may be summed up in a
few words. I believe it to be a territory wonderfully
rich in minerals, but subject to greater drawbacks than
any other of our territorial possessions. It will be many
years before its mineral resources can be fairly devel-
oped. Emigration must be encouraged by increased mil-
itary protection ; capital must be expended without the
hope of immediate and extraordinary returns ; civil law
must be established on a firm basis, and facilities of
communication be fostered by legislation of Congress.
Ward on the (Silver Mines of N'orthern Mexico, 249
POSTSCRIPT.*
WAED ON THE SILVER MINES OF NORTHERN MEXICO.
Projects for Mining. — The Mines of Arizpe. — Richness of Ores. —
The Balls of Silver. — Old Spanish Decree. — Criaderos de Plata. —
Speculations and Prospects.
Some Americans have endeavored to establish a- com-
pany for Batopilas, but have not, I believe, as yet suc-
ceeded in raising a sufficient capital. A Mexican com-
pany for working some of the mines of Sonora was like-
wise proposed in the capital very lately, but failed, I be-
lieve, in consequence of a want of confidence in the per-
sons who wished to promote its formation.
A similar enterprise will shortly be attempted in En-
gland by an English gentleman (Colonel Bourne) who
has been long a resident in Mexico, in conjunction with
Mr. Escalante, the representative of the State of Sonora
in the Senate. They have taken up contracts for the
mines of Arizpe (about 36° north latitude), in a situation
possessing great local advantages — a fertile country, the
vicinity of two large rivers, and a communication by wa-
ter w^ith the Pacific. The mines themselves were for-
merly celebrated for their riches, and the capital re-
quired to bring them again into activity is very small.
The specimens which I have seen of the ores extract-
ed from them almost induce one to adopt the theory
that the proportion of silver contained in thfe ores in-
* While on my way from San Francisco to visit my mines in Ari-
zona, my attention was drawn to the following passages in "Ward's
Mexico,'^ published some years ago, which throw some light upon the
early history of mining in Sonora and Arizona. — S. M., GuaymaSj
Mexico, August 7, 1864.
250 AHzona and Sonora.
creases as you advance toward the north — a theory very
generally believed at present in Mexico, and certainly
confirmed by the superiority of the northern ores to
those of the richest districts in the south. The idea
probably originated in the discovery of the famous bolas
de plata (balls of silver) of Arizona, in the beginning
of the last century, which was, and probably still is, be-
lieved in Europe to be one of those fables with which
mining countries always abound.
But the attention of the present government of Mexi-
co having been drawn to the subject, a search was made
in the vice-regal archives, by order of the President, for
the correspondence which was known to have taken
place respecting it in the year 1736.
This correspondence I have seen ; and I have in my
possession a certified copy of a decree of Philip the
Fifth, dated Aranjuez, May 28th, 1741, the object of
which was to terminate a prosecution instituted by the
royal fiscal against the discoverers of Arizona for hav-
ing defrauded the treasury of the duties payable upon
the masses of pure silver found there.
The decree states the weight of the balls, sheets, and
other pieces of silver discovered {polas^ planchas^ y otras
piezas de plata) to have amounted to 165 arrobas, 8 lbs.
— in all, 4033 lbs. ; and mentions particularly one mass of
pure silver weighing 108 arrobas (2700 lbs.), and anoth-
er of eleven arrobas, upon which duties had been ac-
tually paid by a Don Domingo Asmendi, and which, as
a great natural curiosity {como cosa esjjecial)^ the king
states ought to have been sent to Madrid.
The decree ends by declaring the District of Arizona
to be royal property, as a " criadero de platcC^ (a place
where, by some natural process, silver was created) — an
idea to which the flexibility ©f the metal, when first ex-
tracted, seemed, in those times, to give some color of
Ward on the Silver 3Iines of Northern Mexico. 251
probability — and by directing it to be worked upon the
royal account. This put a stop to the enterprises of in-
dividuals ; the district was deserted ; an attempt to send
a colony there failed ; and, in a few years, the very name
of Arizona was forgotten.
I am far from supposing that the whole of the facts
recorded in this decree can be taken as correct, although
the authenticity of the decree is unquestionable. But
what one can not adopt without confirmation ought not
to be rejected without inquiry; and I see enough, at
least, in these records of Arizona to warrant the suppo-
sition (confirmed as it is by the facts and appearances
mentioned in the preceding pages) that the hitherto un-
explored regions in the north of Mexico contain min-
eral treasures which, as discoveries proceed, are likely to
make the future produce of the country infinitely exceed
the amount that has been hitherto drawn from the com-
paratively poorer districts of the south.
In how far these discoveries must be influenced by the
progress of population, and in what degree the discover-
ies themselves may be expected to influence that prog-
ress, remains as a subject of inquiry for the fourth and
last section of this book, in w^hich I shall endeavor to
point out the connection between the mines and the ag-
riculture and commerce of Mexico, as the best mode of
illustrating the effect likely to be produced by their pros-
perity upon a country the general interests of which they
so effectually promote. — Vol. i., pages 458-461.
THE END.
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