Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-08-28


The Charleston Mercury repubIIsheS from the Star
the interesting letter from Colonel Bonnevilles com
mand of the 4h of June last descriptive OF the Gila
river ion of tie Gadsden purchase, and takes
sion to throw more light on that almost unknown re
gion in the following remarks:
"1he popular idea that this unknown territory,
acquired by purchase from Mexico, is a worthless
and barren DESERT proves unfounded many other
popular ideas have proved heretofore. Records and
maps, long hidden in The archives of the Mexican
Government, and in the Jesuit Colleges, show that
more than hundred years ago this territory was
settled by large and fouriShng mining population
and that at the base of the mountains and along the
streams the ranchero grazed his thousands of horses
and CATTLE while The farmer raised luxuriant crops Of
corn, wheat. grapes and fruit of every variety.
This civilization persisted before the devastating
career Of the Indian tribes of the country, the
Mexican civilization in Bon0ra is TO day pershing
before the attacks of the Apache Indians
The recent decision of the Postmaster General in
favor OF The Overland Mail Route to California, via
Ell Z $50 and Fort Yuma, Will have an important in
huence upon the settlement and development of All
zona. 1t is the only practicable route for mall and
wagon and stage route is but the forerunner of the
great Pacific railroad. 1t therefore becomes matter
of great national interest that the country through
which ii passes should be protected from Indian at
acks, and that legal rights should obtain they do
in Eastern States.
" The population OF this territory is upwards Of
six thousand, and rapidly increasing. The recent
reports OF Colonel Bonneville, U. 5. A upon the
country north of The ella river, which it is proposed
to include within the limits of Arizona will give
impetus 10 immigration. They furnish the guarantee
that The State contains the great eleme ent of
tonal wealth agricultural resources Our readers
must Dear mind that The whole valley and lis
branches, draining all immense country, cotton
lands Of The best description AMI that it is virg
soil.
Arizona will be known the Silver State, and
the prediction Of Humboldt, that the relative value
OF gold and silver would one day be restored, will
be fulfilled from the almost fabulous wealth of the
| Gadsden purchase"
The Duke of Wellington was once travelling on
an English railroad, when the train Was needessly
and vexatiously de'ay ed long time. When ne saw
the officials" he reproached Them for The detention
}.s Oh !" said they, when hey discovered he was one
of the passengers, We are extremely sorry-had
we known your Grace was IN the tram, we would
have sent you on Immediately; we would have pro
vided you special train" lhat," reloned, he
= would not have Ie>sened the gross injustice with
which you have treated the rest of the passengers,
who, as we'll as myself have paid their fare and who
have an equal right with me, to De carried through
without detention"
An editor making speech at recent jubilee, al
Keokuk Iowa, remarked that when ne landed IL
/ Keokuk, in 1897 it was nest OF pirates p and dl
rectly afterwards added, " keokuk has held her OWE
remarkably we'll for twenty years past" Very com
plimentary."