Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-11
From the Providence Ionrnal May 81. I

| COTTON AND CEREALS FROM THE RIVER GILA
Some samples of cotton, wheat, corn, and seeds Of
vegetables, from the River ella, which are cultva-
ted by the Indians on that river, have been left
with US by Mr.. J. r. Bartlett. The cotton seems
to be of very superior quality. He has also left
us some blankets and sashes, the manufacture of
these tribes. The cotton seed will be sent to the
South for cultivation. He has also given us sam
PIE of cotton, with the seed from Parras, in Cen
trail Mexico, about $50 miles west of the Rio
Grande, where it is cultivated to considerable ex-
tent, and manufactured into heavy sheetine. There
are three small cotton mills near the town of Sati-
10, doing very good business in making these
goods from the cotton raised in the country. The
superintendent of one of thesemis is from Prov-
dence. The operatives are all Mexicans and are
found to acquire the art of tending the looms and
other machinery with great facility.
The power for these three cotton and five grist
mills is little rvulet which issues from spring
near by; and So precious is water in this region
that when the mills are not in operation at night
the water is retained in a reservoir above the mill
dam. After performing its work in the mills named
it is led off in bitches to rrgate the lands near by
which by this alone are rendered fit for cul-
tivation.
The Pimo and the Cocomarcopa Indians of the
Rivr Gila alluded to, occupy the only portion of
the valley susceptible of cultivation. They raise
their own cotton, wheat, corn, melons, beans, and
other vegetables. Their cotton, which is Of a SUI
perior quality, they spin and weave into heavy
description of blankets of various Sizes which con-
sttute the sole article of wearing apparel for both
sexes. They also make a very pretty kind of belt
or sash of different colors which is used as an or
nament for the head as we'll as grit for the body
These Indians occupy portion of the rich
valley which was occupied in ancient times by one
Of those semcirilized races, which has left many
remains in the country referred to. One of the
most remarkable of these edfces, and in the best
state of preservation, is about twenty miles from
the Pimo villages. In the intermediate space are
traces showing that the whole district was occu-
pied. From the evidences collected by Mr.. Bartlett,
he believes these Indians the descendants of the
same people, who in former times cultivated the
whole valley far as it is susceptible of cultiva-
ton, but who have merely abandoned their custom
of erecting large buildings. All the other arts re-
main with them their pottery, however, seems to
be inferior to that found among the ruins of the
ancient edifces. They still cultivate the soil as
successfully the Mexicans do and though
neither boast of much industry, the Indians
may be said to be the most thrifty. They dig
large and long canals for irrigation, by which
means alone they enabled to render the soil
productive. The few cattle that are necessary for
agricultural purposes they raise. The heat is so
intense, and the atmosphere dry, that but little
clothing is required.
Adjoining the flmoS, Is tribe called the Coco
maricopas, who have adopted these same modes of
life, though their language is totally different
This tribe is nearly allied to the Yunas of the
Colorado, speaking language nearly the same but
between which tribes, the most deadly hostility
exists The Cocomaricopas formerly dwelt on the
the Yunas getting the advantage of
them, they fled for safety to the country of the
Pimos, where they have since remained an ar
rangement of equal advantage to the Pimos whose
limited numbers and peaceful mode of lfe required
a more warike tribe near, which was willing to
share their fortunes with them.
We have also a specimen of the wooden blank
cts made by the Navijo Indians, large and pow
erful tribe north of the Gila against whom we
have sent two large militrry expeditions, and in
the midst of whose country is Fort Defiance. These
Indians the greatest robbers of stock in New
Mexico and it is only since the late expedition of
Colonel Sumner against them, that we succeeded |
in bringing them to terms.
None.of the aborigines of the Mississippi valley |
ever possessed the art Of spinding and weaving
and it seems pity that some effort should not be |
made by phlanthropists to instruct such tribes as
those we have mentioned in other arts of civilized
life, and thereby preserve them from the inevitable
fate which otherwise awaits them.
THE Use OF GEOLOGICAL. KNowLEDGE. In
several counties of Ohio where it was supposed
coal existed to the extent of few rods or hundred
yards at most the geologist informed them that
hey might consider their supply inexhaustible. |
The rise in real estate, different counties was va
-ously estimated at from $780, 900 to $500 900.
when it was known that manufacturing means
we're possessed in such unexpected abundance.