Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-28
From the San Francisco Times.
The Southern Railroad Route,

From the San Francisco Times
The Southern Railroad Route.
Colonel Grays Survey-Ent1s Feasibility Of tho
Linz Ezansined-Minsyal and Agricultural Re-
sources of Sonora Confirmed Rich Gold, SilUer,
and Copper Speein,snS--a Ns,o Por on the GuJf
| of California.
On the arrival Of portion of the southern
railroad route surveying party, by the Fremont
from San Diego, we gave few brief notes OF
the journey so successfully accomplished by
Colonel Gray. In consequence of the non ar
| rival of Colonel Gray, expected on the South
erner, and the illness of Mr.. j. II. Brady, fur
Their information on this interesting subject has
been delayed. From a conversation with Mr..
Brady, who, we are happy to state, is nearly re-
covered from his indisposition, we derive many
| highly important facts concerning the route
explored by the party of which he was one of
the engineers, and description OF portions Of
the country over which they travelled.
Colonel Gray's party examined the country
| west of Ell Paso, and in the region crossed by
the parallel Of thirty-two degrees north latitude
| to Adair bay, near the head of the Gulf of Cali
fornia. Through the entire length of this line,
deviating but few miles to the north or south,
the route for railroad is found eminently
practicable, presenting not single difficulty at
all formidable, and passing through region
i
most part possessing great mineral and agri-
cultural resources, requiring only civilized oc-
cupation and facilities of intercourse to become
one of the most productive countries on our
continent. This result of an exploration I'M
dertaken by the incorporated Pacific Railroad
| Company, of which Hon. II. j. Walker is
president, will be hailed with qualification by
| all who desire to witness the early accomplish
ment of the grandest enterprise of this age. 1t
lis well known that the speedy construction of
railroad from the Mississippi river to Ell Paso,
on the Rio Grande is already assured by the
liberal grants of land and other privileges OBJ
tanned by the company. The continuation of
this route to the Pacific, and almost by direct
line, is rendered no less certain by the success.
full surveys of Colonel Gray and Leutenants
Park and Stonemal.
1t is known by the readers of this paper that
for the past four years we have steadily main
tanned that a route for a Pacific railroad through
the northern portion of Sonora and Chihuahua,
was entirely practicable, and would develop
rich agricultural and mineral country, not
second in value to California. The knowledge
obtained by penonal observation has been con-
tirmed by the reports Of many others who have
travelled through this section; and while regard
ing as no less important the exploration of
other routes, farther north, we have ever deem
ed the fact Of there existing at least one line
| for Pacific railroad so direct and thoroughly
feasible to be entitled to first consideration in
connexion with the great national measure of
securing for the United States as soon as posi-
BILE, the immense trade of the Indies, including
China and japan.
Leaving Ell Paso, where was found the best
point for crossing the Rio Grande, Col. Gray's
Ill - Al n Z,
route, to the north of Guadalupe pass, thence
in direction nearly west to "Tubac," in 80
45< north latitude, and continued, with very
on the Gulf of California. For most of the dis
lance the party was divided into three bodies,
each prosecuting separate examinations From
Boosana," little sonth of 800, at the head of
the river Altar sixty miles from "Tubac," one
party proceeded west touching the gulf at
"Pinacate" On Adair Bay. At this point the
harbor is REGARDED but moderately coed, rather
of the character Of roadstead. High sand
hills surround the bay, and the neighboring
country presens but few advantageous features.
Another party leaving Altar, struck north
west, passing trough the mining town Of $50
MIA" where they found number of Mexicans
engaged in getting out gold with arastras, and
employing large squads of Indians These
mines were reptrted to have yielded we'll before
the gold discoveries in California. Col. GRAY
obtained here anumber of valuable specimens.
Placers of gold were frequently encountered.
At the ranch ofSonoita fine specimens of gold
were obtained, and at the Plancha de la Plata,
south Of Tubac very rich specimens of silver.
The stretch from Fort Yuma to Tiniga Alta
is sixty miles without water, and to "Sonoitan
fifty miles. From the junction Of the ella and
Colorado to Altr, the distance is about one
hundred and eighty miles. From Tucson to
Tubac, forty-fve niles in a line little east of
north, the countr produces fine wheat crops
In this section, btween Tubac and the ranch
Of Calavazas," Colonel Gray's party was sur
rounded by l40 1ldians, who had followed him
down Sonoita Creek, emptying into the Santa
Cruz river. The cay after, troop Of Mexican
cavalry from the grrison at Tucson number.
ing so soldiers am rs friendly Apaches at |
tackled the Indians, dispensing them with great
slaughter and LEAVING l6 dead bodies upon the |
scene Of the encouner. The Santa Rita noun. |
tains, near Tubac, exhibit indications of having
been q rich mining ocality, and several speci- |
mems Of gold bearing rock were obtained.
Fifty miles from Tibac is found one of the |
richest gold deposits in Sonora. Tobacco |
hourishes well at 1Ibac, and was observed |
lOh thc oeaAs VI inc prtctuluG year. Il
Its cultivation is prohibited further in the inte-
rior. Sugar and cottn are also raised in this
district and the lant is well provided with |
trees Of the cottonwoot and walnut. Through |
the entire distance from Tubac to Altar, one |
hundred and thirty mics, ranches, haciendas
and pueblos, are foun, but these are mostly
depopulated as far as Boosana, sixty miles |
from Tubac Wheat 6.lds, pomegranate, and
fig groves, are observd in abundance along |
the whole route from Boosana to Altar, al |
though in this quarter IS throughout the entire
frontier Of Sonora, the inhabitants are at the
mercy Of the Indians, and have to submit to
any exactions they mayimpose, glad to escape
from their barbarous masters with life. The !
largest settlement between Altar and Tubac is |
the old Mission, Tubaami, twenty-five miles
from Boosina.
From Altar to Lobos, on the Gulf Of Cali
fornia, in latitude ol5<, M determined by
Mr.. Spence, who examined this point on the
coast, the distance is forty-fve miles. The
river Altar here empties in the gull, and along
its entire length presents succession OF
ra ppba and al .lxn1