The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-02-16

The Gadsden Purchase.

The San Francisco HeaaId has an inter
esting letter from the Colorado Of the West,
dated Port Yuma, Nov. %, in which the
writer gives the following description of the
new territory known as the Gadsdcn Pur-
chase. The Herald says the writer is an
intelligent gentleman who has resided for
some time in Sonora, and who has travelled
extensively over the territory. Our readers
will remember that it has been described as
barren and worthless for agricultural or any
other purposes. They will be agreeably sur
priscd to find that, according to the annexed
account, it abounds in we'll watterel valleys, is
eminently adapted for stock breeding, offers
great facilities for Il lively trade with Mexico,
abounds i'll gold, silver, and copper mines, is
easily accessible, has a temperate and healthy
climate, and Il soil Of extreme fertility. But
we will let the writer of the letter describe
the new, and, as it appears, very valuable
acquisition. He says:
The new territory, recently purchased by
the United States, in the north of Sonora.
seems already to attract considerable atten-
ton, 1t may judge from Il number of set
:lcrs who have made I'uron their perma-
n"nt place Of residence, and the xplorng
parties who are now crossing the country in
various directions, in search of gold, silver.
and copper mines, all OF which, undoubtedly
abound. The new boundry line has not
been run yet, and am therefore unable to
say with any degree Of certainty what towns
will be included; it seems, however, oener-
ally understood, that besides the town of
Iuron, Tubac, Tumacacori, Santa Cruz, and
Calabas, form part of the American acqui-
siton. Although but very narrow strip
OF land, yet the country :,bounds III fertile,
well watercd valcys--is c,ninently adapted
for stock breeding great facilities for
n lively trade with Mexico, and has speedy
prosperity to hope, even without the mighty
agency OF the Pacific Raisoad, and the hid
den treasures Of its mountains.
From California, us we'll us from Sonora,
all the valleys OF the country are perfectly
accessible, by conveyances of every kind,
good wagon roads leading into and out of it.
lle climate Is temperate aud healthy, avoid
ing alike the extreme heat of Lower Sonora
and the rigor of the North, and the fertility
OF the soil is extreme. The country posses
ses every element of prosperity, and our
Government would, Instead of thinly popu-
lated, and now apparently worth css terri
tory, find pupalous and tlourisl,ing one, if it
were not tor the curses ofIhe Northern States
OF Mexico, the paches-who, since l848,
have committed upon the small villages of
Iuxon depredalions to the amount of 81 :
600. Iuxon is the most northern and larg-
est village Of tile new territory, and counts
a population Of 500 souls. 1t is an old
Spanish presidio, erected rs a safeguard
against the Apaches, but now almost entire
~ useless, and i'll state Of decay. A num-
Der of so-callcd soldiers, however, are still
kept there, under command uf a captain,
whose principal business is to ruin as much
us possible the inhabitants. Understanding
that the country was about to pass into
American possession, he had taken hold with
his officers OF certain mission lands, properly
belonging to the Mexican Government but
cultivated since time immemorial bv citizens
OF the town. These men are rudely thrust
from wla; the possession Of years has l...l
them to consider their own. Mr.. CAPTAIN
gets grant from Mexico, dated a few wears
back, and with his minions will appear be-
fore future American Land Commission
claiming tract Of land, no more his, in
, Fact, according to the recent treaty, than a
, silver snutf-box of which Maricopa Indian
robbed me the other day. The limits Of All
ordinary letter would never permit me to ex.
plain to you the yillainous inpositions un.
der which the poor but industrious people
OF this territory are suffering; it would
not express their feelings simply to say that
they are glad at the prospect of a change
OF government; they are in ecstaces abou,
it. Turon is distant from IIermosillo about
800 miles, and 400 miles from Guaymas-
good road, as l said, leading to all parts O
the Sonora Department.-N. O. Picayune
., "A NEW CHANNEL IN SAVANNAH Riv
lER-Iha Savannah In.,.,.l &c NN~Ll.a.