settlement upon its banks。 〃To many persons merely travelling or
emigrating across the country； with but one object in view； and
that the reaching their destination on the Pacific； the country
would generally present a barren aspect。 But it will be
recollected that the most productive fields in California； before
American enterprise introduced the plough； and a different mode
of cultivation from that of the natives of the country； presented
somewhat similar appearance。 Many believed； at first； from the
cold and sterile look of the hills； and the parched appearance of
the fields and valleys； over which the starving coyote is often
seen prowling in search of something to subsist on； that
California could never become an agricultural district； but must
depend upon her other resources for greatness； and trust to
distant regions for the necessaries of life required for her
increased population。 It was natural enough； too； that this
impression should be created in those accustomed to a different
State of things； and particularly when it is considered that the
very season of blossom and bloom of our Atlantic States was the
winter of California； but these same fields and hills have a very
different appearance in January； February； and March； clothed as
they are in the brightest verdure and no one now will pretend to
say that California does not possess within herself great
agricultural as well as mineral wealth。 This； I believe； will
some day be the case with the country from the Rio Grande to the
Gulf of California； adjacent to the Gila。 Senate Ex。 Doc。 No。 55；
33rd Congress； 2nd Session。〃
* * * * * * * *
In speaking of the resources of this region for a railroad； in
the same report； Gray says：
〃The valley of Mesilla； extending from about twelve miles above
the true boundary of the treaty to the parallel of 32 degrees 22
minutes north latitude； lies wholly within the disputed district；
and is； for its extent； one of the most beautiful and fertile
along the whole course of the Rio Grande。 The town of Mesilla；
only a few years old； contains several thousand people； and is a
prosperous little place。 It was not settled until after the
cession of this territory to us by the treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo。 Portions of the valley are highly cultivated； and
produce the grains and fruits of our most thriving States。 In
connexion with the land on the east side of the river； the valley
of the Messilla is capable of sustaining a considerable
population。 It is situated centrally with regard to a large
district of country of lesser agricultural capacity。 The section
of the Rio Grande in the vicinity of El Paso and the valley of
Mesilla； is proverbial for the production of fine vegetables and
fruits。 Indeed； about El Paso； it is a complete garden with
flourishing vineyards； equalling in excellence those of the most
celebrated grape growing countries。
〃By a judicious disposition of military stations along this line；
only a few troops would be required to protect the great northern
frontier of Sonora and Chihuahua； and enable us to carry out the
llth article of our late treaty with Mexico more effectually； and
at the same time prevent any depredations which the Indians might
be disposed to commit on the road。 Soon after； the settlement of
the country would make the presence of the military unnecessary；
either for the safety of a railway of the security of the
frontier。 The strong holds of the Apaches； and their pathway to
Mexico； would be cut off。
〃A wagon road established from the Gulf of California would
enable supplies to be transported along this line at one…half of
the present cost。 The saving of one…third or more distance；
through a comparatively unsettled country； in transportation is
an important consideration in the construction of a railway； more
especially when men and materials； to a great extent； must be
brought from very remote points。 The navigation of the Gulf of
California is said to be very good。 The trade…winds from the
northwest； encountering the highlands of the peninsula of Lower
California； and forming a counter current under its lee； enable
sailing vessels to proceed advantageously along that coast。
Returning； by keeping on the eastern aide； or along the shore of
Sonora； they could avail themselves of the prevailing winds；
which regain their usual direction after sweeping across the wide
expanse of water。 The trade of the Gulf； with its pearl fisheries
and other resources； would be speedily developed。
* * * * * * * *
〃The advantages of such a thoroughfare are obvious。 Five years
would hardly elapse before inestimable benefits would be
realized； and； should war threaten our Pacific possessions； a few
days would suffice to send from the Mississippi valley an army
that would defy any force that the most formidable power could
array against us。 The fine cotton region of the Gila； the rich
copper； silver； and gold mines of New Mexico and Sonora would be
at once developed； bringing a vast district of country into
cultivation which now presents a fruitless waste； owing to Indian
depredations and the absence of means of communication and
protection。 Mexico has tried for a century past to insure safety
to her inhabitants in this region； but notwithstanding the
expense she has incurred in keeping up her garrisons； she has
failed to afford them protection。
〃The deserted appearance of the country from El Paso to the
Colorado is no criterion by which to judge of its value。 The
beautiful valley of San Xavier； or Santa Cruz； some two years ago
when I passed through it； was entirely deserted。 The once
thriving towns of Tumacacori and Tubac had not the sign of a
living soul about them except the recent moccasin track of the
Apaches。 The orchards and vineyards of the once highly cultivated
fields and gardens bore the marks of gradual decay and
destruction。 The ranchos of Calabazas； of San Bernardino； and
numerous other places on this frontier； presented the same
melancholy aspect； the result of the inability of Mexico to
protect this portion of territory from the inroads of the
savages。 There are now but a few settlements throughout this
district of country； but were it protected by a power that could
and would defend it； what is now a waste in the hands of the
savages might become a thriving country； with safety insured to
its inhabitants。〃 Senate Ex。 Doc。 No。 55； 33rd Congress； 2nd
Sess。
I quote the following language of Gray； from subsequent
explorations made by him； three years after his first expedition；
and contained in his report to the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company。 It was chiefly from the discoveries made by Gray； in
this adventurous expedition； through regions unknown for many
years past； between the Rio Grande and Gulf of California；
together with the Gadsden Treaty； that induced parties at great
expense to emigrate there； and commence working the vast mineral
deposites； such as the Arabac silver mines； the Ajo copper
mountain； and others； but which； through lack of proper
protection and means of communication； have been greatly retarded
in their development。
After crossing the dividing ridge of the continent west of the
Rio Grande； Gray thus alludes to the country：
〃There were large haciendas and fine cattle ranches in this
neighborhood； until a war of extermination was declared by the
Apaches against the Mexicans。 Remains of the old San Pedro ranch
are seen at this day； also the 〃Tres Alamos；〃 and the ruins of
the hacienda of Babacomeri； whose walls and towers are still
standing。 These were among the wealthiest of Sonora in horses；
cattle； sheep； etc。； but it has been many years since。 It is a
fine grazing region； with wild cattle and mustangs constantly
seen roaming over the plains。 The district from San Pedro to
Santa Cruz valley； nearly due west from our present crossing
（latitude 31 degrees 34 minutes）； will be to the Pacific slope
what the region of Fort Chadbourne； in Texas； will be to the
Atlantic。 The mountains and hills are covered with splendid
timber of the largest size； and for all purposes； and the valleys
are full of springs； and the finest grass。 To Tubac； a town in
the valley of Santa Cruz； it is 69 miles。 This is by following
the San Pedro about a league； passing over a few insignificant
spurs； and ascending the Rio Babacomeri； thence continuing
westward by a gradual rise over delightful plains to the divide
between that and the Sonoita or Clover creek； and along the
latter； until it loses itself in the porous earth； a mile from
the Santa Cruz river； and by the broad valley of that stream to
Tubac。〃
* * * * * * * *
Of the line of Gray's exploration from the Rio San Pedro； he
says：
〃It passes through the most desirable region； with the hills and
mountains for forty miles； containing inexhaustible quantities of
timber。 We noticed tall cedar and oaks of every description； one
kind more interesting than the others； being a white oak from
twenty to forty feet in the body。 Pine and spruce； with superior
white ash and walnut； were found； and the most gigantic
cotton…woods； particularly on the Sonoita。 * * * * 〃The mountains
in the neighborhood are filled with minerals； and the precious
metals are said to abound。 The famous Planchas de Plata and
Arizona silver mines； which the Count Raouset de Boulbon
attempted to take possession of； are in this section of country；
not many miles below the present limits； and at several of the
old ranchos and deserted mining villages which we visited； were
found the argentiferous galena ore and gold。 The Sierra Santa
Rita runs along to the east of the Santa Cruz valley； and forms a
part of this interesting region。 It is very high and bold； filled
with fertile valleys and flowing rivulets； and covered with a
dense growth of timber。 I saw much of this district； when here in
1851； on the survey of the boundry。〃
* * * * * * * *
The country bordering immediately the head of the Gulf of
California； through which Gray was probably the first to
penetrate； lies adjacent to the proposed Arizona Territory； but
not a part of the same； being a portion of the State of Sonora。┆He thus describes that section：
〃T