The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-08
SONORA AND CHIHUAHUA.

The recommendation in the message of the Pres-
dent that the United States should assume tenn
porary protectorate over Sonora and chihuahua is
founded not only in just right of reprisal for aggraya
ted aud longcontnued outrages upon American cit
izens but upon principles Of selfpreservaton, and
upon humanity for the people of these frontier
States The condition Of these States although sim
liar in point u misgoyerment and oppression, is
not the in degree. Sonora contains fifteen mil
lions of acres Of land and population of about
100 600 souls including Indians. OF this number
reliable authority estimates only five per cent as be-
ing able 10 read and write. The number of inhabi-
ians who cali themselves whde--"gente de rason"--
does not probably exceed 10000.
sonora Is. beyond all doubt the richest mineral
region ia tho known world, blessed with fine eli
mate. and Ia the valleys the richest soil. Sugar,
cotton wheat, corn, peas beans, all the fruits grow
Ia a luxuriousncss and profnsion unknown even 10
oui southern possessions. The people are naturally
doclie, and accustomed 10 labor caring only to be
ei alone 10 make the State rich aud prosperous by
lheir quiet toll With al these advantages, Sonora
q to-day in the most miserable condition The
whole State is tle prey Of the Apache Indians. All
cultivation, except IN the Immediate vicinity OF
the towns, Is abandoned. The high roads
daily stained with tho blood Of tho people.
The whole mining region Of the northern por-
ton Of the State Is abandoned and the CONNER
cia world is deprived Of The silver which il much
needs From researches which viii shortly be made
public through the Indian Department, il is
tanned that more than one.iourth of the ella Apaehes
are Mexican children who have been carried into
captivity aud have grown up savage. Annually, hun
dreds Of both sexes are captured. They never re-
turn except when famarized with the Indian life.
What is this 10 tie United Siatesg And when is our
authority TO ayenge the wrongs of assassns inflicted
upon foreign population The answer is plain
These have their hannts In the United States north OF
the ella river From the valleys of its northern
branches they descend into Sonora and chihuahua /;
plumber, murder, and take prisoners, and return with
their illgotcn booty to their homes, where they
main until want or inclination again sends them FORTH
Secure IN their retreat when they have crossed our
boundary line--which the Mexican dare not cross
they pursue their way eisurely back. We, in effect
give shelter To these predatory bands and become
paiio,ps cmin, in the despong of the fairest prov
ince upon which the ever shone. More than
lhis Arizona, which has been gradually growing in
importance since its acquisition is made the high
road of the despocrs and its development,
which promises to augment in so great a degree
the wealth of the world, is checked our peo-
pie, the sturdy pioneers Of civilization, rob
| bed our only mail communication overland 20 the
Pacific throughout the year liable TO be stopped /;
| and we have no redress. This willy savage, the
Apache after severe outrage upon our side Of the
line retreats into Mexico, whore we cannot follow
him, makes temporary peace with the ncares
Mexican authority, and remains until greater temp
.ation offers. The Mexican government affords
neither protection nor redress. Our readers will
observe that we have touched only phase OF this
question This alone would have justified us long
since in establishing military pests in Sonora and
chihuahua We are assured upon competent au-
thorty that protection by the United States from
the Apaches will be received by the people with a
| gratitude which no words can express.