Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-11-11
esq @ogU SagtD6m~
FRIDAY MORNING, NOV. II, l625.
SKETCH OF MEXICO-CoNrlsuEp.
SONOR3.

SONORA
This State is bounded the west bv the Gulf cfi
California; the south partly b. tic Pacific Ocean,
and partly by line running parelle with Tic 23d deg
OF y. lat which separates il from Guadalaxara; and
on the cast by Durango the north ito limits not
accurately ascertained, bnt believe that is bound
ed hy The river Colorado, which las lis Tie
same range Of mountains the Sierra Verde, in Which the
Arkansa river rises; the latter flowing in a south east
direction iuio the Mississippi thc former in a south
west course into lie Gulf Of California, into WHICH il
cmPtics III 32i deg. 40 IN. \. lat.
Sonora is divided into three Provinces: Snaloa or
Cinloa, Olii'Hiry, and Sonora proper. Ii varies i'll
breadth from % 10 go leagues. Ii supposed
tain $50 sqnarc leagues, and population of 400
souls, OF only SIX inhabitants IL a square league.
Sinalnr lie first part of this State that was set
tied. ihe number of nlaJiiat,ts was estimated hv
Pike at Go,00U, not more than 5-20hs of whom were
Spaniards; t;c remainder being CrcGlcs, Nlcstizoes
and Indians It's sGil is barren ani stcrilc-and tic
face OF hc country mountainous and destitute of TIM
Der: the air however, dry, and pure and healthy cx
ceP IN tie immediate ncighborhood Of thc coast where
the lands arc naTsy and rich, and the atmosphere very
humid has within its limits o:"s and % villages
The Chief towns Sinaoa, which has population Of
$500 inhabitants; CuIiacan, which, has 10 $780, III Ro
sara, The rich mines Of Copa!o, Which contains
$500; and Villa del Fuortc or Blonesclaros TO the
nortl, Of Sina!oa. 1900.
OF the province of Ostimury, little is known The
only places of Importance, Les Alamos which con-
tains 8.C"0 inhabitants and Ostnury, which gives IFS
name to The district; which small but popmlous town
surrounded by mines.
Our Information respecting Sonora is scarcely more
extensive than that which possess in relation to Os-
tmury. ls towns and villages alone appcar.t TO have
attracted the attention of travellers. Arisre the CAPT
tall is situated tIc source of tie river Yaqui in
~ lat. 81 deg Ion II deg. ". Tie number OF in
habants amounts coo. Sonora south of Atspe has a
population of 6,400. ArisPe according 10 Pixies
account famed for the quantity Of gold table utensils
which IFS inhabitants use, and for the kindness and hos
Pialiiy with which strangers received and enter
tancd He estimates tle number Of inhabitants, hoy
ever at only 3,400. This rapid decrease may perhaps
be asc.bcd 10 came causes which we ASSIGNED for
he reduction of the population of fury
and cruelty with which the war OF independence la,
been wagcd
The mines Of this province appear hitherto 10 have
been entirely neglected by travellers. Yet we should
imagine that great quantities of gold must be extracted
from them; for hat metal does not preserve its relative
ibis in the other States Of lie Republic
The largest piece of gold ever found in New Snai,,
was discovered IL t- province; it was, in conformity to
ancient usagcs and regulations approved and sanctioned
by the wisdom of their ancestors, Immediately transmit
ted to their beloved master lis Catholic Majesty Of
Spain and oil the Indies.
The value Of its internal trade with Durango, New
Mexico, the Southern States, and the opposite coast OF
the two CALIFORNIA;, which must be considerable las
never been ascortaincd, or even estimated IT is cclc
bratcd throughout the Republic or its cheese IFS horses
and its sheep. Like Sina0a has no timber and te
SOIL exception the vicinity the sea- is poor and unpro
ductiyc 1t abounds in deer, bears and rcmarkaal,
large Guiana lizards, which said frequently TO wcj,h
ten pounds; they harmless and aoGcnsivc and Pike
states that they Taught by the natives to catch mice
The northern part Of this State is called Pimeri,
from trJe of Pmas Indians that iubabit il
This tribe is governed by Missionary Monks, and pro
fesscs TIC faith and observes the ritual of te Roman a.
tboc church Between tie territory belonging 10 them
and the River ella distance Of few leagues IS ar
other whom De;cr tbe soldiers stationed a the
ncghbourlDg military posts have been able to reduce
nor the Monks TO convert. Within league Of tho
southern bank Of tie GiIa beautiful plain on which
have recently been discovered the RUN. of an cxtcn
siyc city Of the AzteCs Ancient Aiexcans In the
midst Of these ruins is cdioe called La Casa Crard
The city appears to have covered more than SQUARE
league; la Casa GTande is very regular structure
AIS feet in length from north to south, and 27s in
breadth from cast TO west 1t presents front 10 each
/ OF the Cardinal points wall interrupted by large
towers completely encrces IT, and in the vicinity Of the
city the vestiges Of an artificial canal cspsructed