The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-10
IYrEREsrlvG LETTER FROM soNoRA

ter residence of more than eight years in the country
have become acquainted intimately with the people
and customs and have been able 10 discover the leading
features ia their character and country The people OF
Sonora generally docile, and making allowance for
the bad system of government and the great misery In
which they found obcdent to the constituted
thores in fact this remarkable docilty amounts to.
weakness of character aud which ambitious revouona-
ry chiefs have taken advantage of TO forward their
views. At the present date the whole country is devas
ated by the Apaches daily from all parts reports
brought in that the Indians have destroyed ranches,
killed the inhabitants, and depopuated whole towns.
This has been the for many years and after much
suffering their account without prospect In view
for the better IL Is not surprising that the Sonorese has
lost Ills energy OF character lie CANDLES to divert him
self aud pass away the time and without hope for the
future lie lets things take their coursea perfect fatal
list many become desperate and take unlawful means to
better their condition. 1t only requires skifn hand
and good to make the worthless Souorense OF
the present day useful member of society. Another
which the people goan under is that oil corrupted
Priesthood who instead of teaching by preccpt and ex
ample the right path keep them in ignorance Cypress
them TO the uttermos tho whole of their endeavors be-
ing turned to their own aggmnlizement Comparative
ly few educated men are found in Sonora--a common
education consisting of reading and writing and be-
leve that in the whole population it does not exceed
per cent.-more particularly in the frontier towns
leading trait in his character il hospitality and let the
morrow take of itself is common expression in
their mouths he will share his last mouthul, and con-
slider it matter of for the stranger to take his
place Mt his board. The women arc kind-hearted, ODE
dent TO their husbands who rule them generally with
rod of iron. Strong minded not kaoo and usually
peace reigns in their homes. OF their beauty shall
make no remark you have had opportunity in your
trip to Guaymas of judging for yourself.
Sonora for the most part Is mountainous, watercd by
several small rivers abundant in mineral wealth-in fact
is considered to be one the richest States of the Mex
can Dism'on. There Is suifconcy of agricultural
land to maintain large population; but the true rich
ness OF Sonora consists In its mines of silver and gold
and the great facilscs for raising stock the mines at
present but little worked owing to the Apchcs and
revolutions but laborng under all these dis advantages
she s still able to export annually several millions of dol
lars in silver bars and gold Dust large quantities of stock
to California and the Territory Of Arizona also flour to
the adjoining State of Snaoa
The most famous mines and mining districts Mine
raes) those of Aamos situated in the district OF that
name, and property Of the Amadas, Gomez Urreas
mine of snbiao, Hermosc Of the verdes;
Mineral of San Xavior-San Marcia st. Teresa de Je-
susproperty of Yhij, Cubias, & Co the famous mine
of and mineral of Babacanora at present worked by
French company mine of Banamachi, the richest mine
discovered within the last two years having yielded
81 900 to the cwt of Re, and very abundant in he at
present the yield is not great i accompany you
specimen of the Re- which gives 70 mares the 9,cwt.
mine of Corral Veja silver, and lead La Canenla
silver, copper and lead La Guachuca Las Panchas de
Plata, &c, &c. 10 mention them separately would be
tedious Gold dust has been found in abundance in the
pacers of San Francisco la Senga, los Lanos Palaba-
gua San Perfecto and Soho is famous for its gold mines
also Cocospe and ,ho Seco in the district of the Pueblo
of Cucnrpe gold is found in abundance during the rainy
in Bquarch district of Arispc it is also found in
quantities which pay we'll in word Sonora, considered
in mineral point of view equals, if not suipasses the
richest country in the known world and only requires
capital, peace, and liberal government The new Ter
ritory of the Arizona which formerly belonged 10 this
State considered by the Sonorense to be the richest
portion of their country, and deep but not loud
heard from the people against Santa Anna for having
sold it.
The climate is good Tho rainy sets in in June
and lasts till the beginning of September from this
month until March occasional showers fall Tho cold is
very severe the weather being very similar to that
of California in the months. From March until the
rain sets in In June is considered the dry The
heats never oppressive-less SO than in California.
Two crops raised from off tho land in the year.
md which, for abundance, cannot be surpassed in any
countywhcat maize, beans, peas, &c, being the gen
eral grain that is cultivated Sugacanc is planted in
great quantities in Hermosillo San Miguel, Urcs layon
Oposura Saguara, Huepaca, and the Rio Yafui,
kind Of sugar made called Panocha which yields
to the cultivator excellent return for his
ally selling at S25 the cargo OF cwt In all parts Of the
State most excellent tobacco Is raised Cotton is
by the Indians in the Rio Yaqui and the grub cotton
worm is hardly known in the crops The average price
of wheat is So, cargo of Gwt Beans, peas, Sc, &c.
The State is divided into nine districts, each being gov
crncd by Prcecto who is appointed by the governor
and is responsible for the good order Of his district The
port OF Gaymas you have seen for yourself AT present
it is the only port of entry Ures is the capital and scat
of government 1t is small city of about 900 nhab
itants and situated about GO leagues from Guaymas
Hermosillo Is the largest city, containing from IA 900 to
next in size and Importance is the Rial de Aamos stu
aed on the frontier of Smalos 1t contains from 5000 to
5000 inhabitants II is the centre of large mining dis
trict its name implies Rial, ncanng town city OF
mnes,) Oposura, Saguaria Rayon, San Miguel, and
Arispe the ancient capitals of Sonora large towns
with populations from 1900 to 5000 each The entire
population of Sonora docs not exceed I35 600 comprising
Mexcans, (Gente-dc- razou) Opatas Yaqus, Mayost
Teammates, and Papagos This population, instead Of in
cretsng is decreasing tho Apachcs, revolutions, and
emigration to California and Arizona, producing this
effect and in few years. if change docs not take
place. Sonora will become dcpopuated. She is now
covering from the effects of the last revolution which
lasted nearly two years, party being headed by D.
Manuel Gandara conlmander-n chief of the State; the
other by d. Ygnacio Pcsquiera vice governor After
various actions, in which both parties lost considerable
number of men, victory declared itself in favor OF Pesgu
era Gandara abandoning the country and escaping to
Mexico to plead his before the President CoonOrt
In the mean time Sonora remained in peace for ten
months, until Jesus Gandara brother to NJ GaDdan, the
commander n-chi'f raised party to reyoutionze the
State Having taken the governor somewhat by sur
prise, he gained victory over d. Antonio Camplaano
military commander of the port of Gu,ymas He was on
his march from Gmymas to join the governor in this
ton. Pesquiera lost more than 100 After this
victory Gundara marched upon Urcs the capital, where
the governor held small force. The governor having
recovered himself from his first defeat marched with
force of about 400 to encounter Gantra aud relieve
the capital the garrison of which had been reduced
the centre Of the city Gan,aa having already gained
the suburbs committing thousand excuses battle was
given in place called the ajadero, within sight OF Ures
where Gandara defeated After his defeat deser
tons became frequent in tiadaras camp that in less
than week his force reduced to one half about
700 men badly armed and worse supplied wthprovisions