The Sierra citizen., 1854-03-11
The State Of Sonora

The State Of Sonora
The State of Sonora is very large, ex-
tending four hundred miles north and
south, and nearly as many east and west
1t is bounded ON the north by the Gila
river, and on the south by the river Yacki
or Hiaqui, and the northern limit Of 'Sina-
loa. On the west it is bounded by the
Gulf Of California, and the Pacific Ocean,
and on the east, by that portion Of the
Sierra Nevada range ofmOuntains which
| is there called the Sierra de los Mimbres.
This large tract ofcountry embraces almost
ievery variety Of climante on the face of the
earth. from the sultry heat Of the torrid
zone to the wintry cold Of the arctic CYCLE.
The face of the country is extrefaly
mountainous and broken, spreading t
here and there into oslarge and fertile IS,
and tracts Of rolling prairie. The valleys,
are all well watcred; but the prairies are
for the most part unfinished with streams,
the water to be found in them being ponds
and holes filed by the heavy rains, and
which all dry up during the-summer
months.
The soil, wherever water is found, is ex
tremely rich and productive, and in the
northern portions of the State admirably
suited to the culture of wheat, corn, and
other cereals The extensive valley reach
ing from Arispe nearly to Guaymas is rich
in the extreme, and well watercd by never
failing stream, which boasts Of dozen diff
ferent names, being invariably called in ev-
cry town near which it passes by the name
of that town. No better soil or climate
can be found in the world for the cultiva-
tion of the sugar cane, coffee, indigo and
other tropical productions. The cane is
already cultivated to considerable extent;
but the process OF planting and manufac-
turing employed by the Mexicans is extre-
mely rude and primitive; nevertheless the
cane planters find it profitable pursuit,
and care pursuaded that the manufacture
of sugar in that valley on the improved
and scientific principles, would prove the
most lucrative investment possible to any
one of capital and enterprise who should
embark in it..
The mineral resources of this State are
indeed very large, and there is every reason
to believe that the inhabitants themselves
are still ignorant of their extent, and the
existence of many mines of wonderful rich
ness. In fact, we are certain that many
which are well known to be very rich still
remain untouched, in consequence of the
inexpressible dread of the Apaches under
which the inhabitants labor. SO great and
universal is this fear, that although all ma
ture smiles on their most triaing efforts, and
encourages them by her stores of wealth, so
profusely extended, to come and help
themselves, yet, they neither venture to
cultivate their lands or work their rich
and exhaustless mines.
The Apache is lord of the hill and the
valley; he roams almost unmolested over
the whole expanse of this rich country,
and commits all sorts of depredations at
his pleasure. He takes into a captivity
worse than death the woman and children,
slays the men, drives off the herds, lays waste
the fields and plumbers the towns He
has completely succeeded in thralling the
Mexican mind with an unccountable ter
ror of his power. They believe him ubi-
quitous, and possessed of supernatural
powers of omnipresence. No man, what
ever his station or wherever his habitation,
considers himself safe for monet outside
of his door.
They rob and carry off rich trains at
the very gates of the largest towns; nay,
they ever enter the cities at night, andpur-
chase with the plunder Of the day all that
they need. such as tobacco, POWDER lead
and blankets, while the inhabitants are
fully aware of the nature OF their custom
ers, but dare not speak for fear. They
even go beyond this, for in Ures, the
seat OF government, and town containing
six thousand inhabitants, they boldly sur
rounded the prison OH dark night, when
several of their nation were prisoners
within. who had been captured in open
fight by General Carrasco, and gave the
signal. were answered, and the prisoners
requested their guards, composed Of
soldiers of the regular army to allow them
to go out and see their friends. Upon
this, the guards shrunk into corner, and
allowed them to do as they pleased; of
course they went away rejoicing-S. +.
Sun.