The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-05
d. G. HIBBEN.
COMMUNICATED
CONDITION or AFRAIRS IN SONORA,


the State of Sonora IN the republic of Mexico, has dn
ring the past year. in the face OF the most determined
opposition the part OF the existing State government,
nearly completed the survey and reconnaissance OF the
entire coast line of the State, with large portion of the
interior The portion completed includes the greater
part of the valuable lands of the rivers Gaqu Mayo, and
Fuerte buren islands, and all the lands adjacent to the
river Colorado and Pmecate or Adair's Bay.
The expenses of the survey paid by per centage
of the public lands OF the State ceed by the supreme
government to the house of j. b. JecSer Goa mode
of deayng the expenses of public surveys which II Is
believed viii be found much economical than that
adopted by the United States government The right of
the republic of Mexico to cede its public lands under
the constitution acknowledged by the present govern
ment of the State OF sonora ID unquestionable
would be the right of the United States government
make similar contract under similar circumstances. To
deny this position would be to question the validity of
every private title TO lands that has originated since
Mexican independence for since that time they have all
emanated from the supreme government
The commission organized in accordance with the pro
visions of said contract celebrated between the supreme
government of Mexico and the house of J. B. decker
Co. commenced its abors in the latter part of the
1857 shortly after the inhunan massacre of Crabb and
his i'll -flted party at time when public sentiment was
exceedingly hostile TO everything American. In spite of
this feeling and notwithstanding the receipt of we'll
authenticated information to the effect that Peschiera
fusng to obey positive orders received from the very gov
eminent he pretends to uphold, had threatened TO wei
come the commission with the fate SO treacherousy
awarl led TO Crabb, well armed parties under nstrnc
tions from the chief OF commission landed az different
T. L.. III
points the coast and wherever practicable penetrated
into the interior The system Of surveys used resembles
that adopted by the IT, s. General Land Office the work
being connected by range, township, and section lines
OF survey thus made cannot be expected to af
ford results equal TO those attained under the admirable
and extensive system adopted by the IT, s. Coast Sur
vey, Nevertheless, of the most accurate coast
veys that have been made by actual has
been thus effected by the commission for the survey Of
Sonora.
The headquarters of the commission were established
from the first at Guaymas where the company's brig
Manuel Payne, with two nine Founders and well armed
crew. rendered efficient service in preventing Threatened
violence. ssNa# 54H
The difficulties to be met and overcome not CON
fined to the often perous navigation of the gulf
of Cortez 1t American commission, aud, owing
to the libuser movements Of Walker and Others and
to the treatment which Sonoras had received in Calor
MA the people we're prepared to receive anything Ae
in unfrendly manner Moreover, all those ac-
cused of being concerned in inviting Crabb to the
try endeavored to disseminate the idea that it fl
buster movement and there is to believe melted
the Indians to hostility while another hostile element
was the fraudulency Of many of the land titles.
As far these open enemies concerned the com
mssion-never hoping to gain their friendship-cared
only to enforce their respect and in this have been
petey successful. In instance has any member OF
the commission, officially otherwise, received any but
the most courteous and respectful treatment at
times when open hostlities hourly expected. As
regards the feelings OF the large majority OF the people
such change has taken place that to be known as
member of Captain stones commission is passport to
friendly treatment in any part of the State.
Up to very late date there to fear from
Pescher and his officials the open violence which be has
repeatedly threatened, and ordered put in
ton, and which would doubtless have been attempted
but for the opportune arrival of the sloop-o-war St
Mays, and the determined steps promptly taken by
Captain Davis to enforce respect to the American flag and
Pescliera has lost all of the popularity
which he had gained Indian fighter and most of
his power in Sonora by his late ambitious attempt to
suljugate the neigbboring State of Sinaloa-the with
az Lift
less and open TO the ravages of the Apache Indians
The people throughout the countrydeceiyed overtax-
ed robbed aud oppressed in every way by this
depotsm and completely at the mercy of the hordes of
Apaches, who unchecked and almost unresisted range
the State from Guaymas to the Gadsden line--are
waiting with anxiety the action of the United States gov
eminent as their last and only hope. Those who have
obtained their information concerning the political
don OF Sonora from the official organ of Peschiera, and
place reliance in it, will very naturally dscret the above
statements the because it is unexpected and
hoped for The writer OF this article has, however
of knowing and proving the certainty of what he states
is it at all surprising when it is recoected that
the subject of acquisition Of Sonora by purchase has
been under discussion for two more and that its
ultimate AUGMENTATION in one way or another Is
garled everywhere certainty
Merchants whose business is at stand-ttI ndhold-
whose ranches depopuiated, sooowners robbed
of their stock and aboreis driven from mining and
other kinds OF employment acquainted, they are
with the practical workings of orr government and the
protection it affords to life property, and liberty Of
science tll unite in desiring American protection And
ID not for the military despotsm in the power of
which, notwithstanding its weakness, their lives and
property at stake this feeling would long since have
been more publicly avowed.
Almost daily Mexicans leaving sonora for Arizona
and California simply to place themselves under the
American flag and, strange it may SEEM before the
arrival OF the President message, the question open
ly asked me by "a Mexican gentleman, ssWhy does not
the United States government settle this matter at once
by taking the States Of Sonora and chihuahua FOR repri
sails, with the understanding that when affairs become
settled in Mexico they should treat with the successful
government for the purchase of said States ~ Why do
they wat 10 throw their influence in favor of party
who in this State are their enemies r.
Does it not seem that humanity, and / had almost
said moral necessity, demands the immediate eccupa
ton of that unfortunate country either ia this manner
In the way recommended by the Pesident9 Situated
Sonora ispoeally powerless the atect prey of
Indian aggression the part of the sayages cac IL w
iiory and for tho sime ppaaa with s- sayagps who
daily carry of thair stock, numbering IN cold blood she
men, women, and male children and carrying the female
children into captivity threatened with invasion by an
Increasing border population rapidly collecting In Arr
zona, whose war-cry viii be Grab aud Ctvorca' i'm
common humanity it would seem that our govern
ment is morally and politically bound 10 grant them
protection
hond they FIJI 70 do so at once there is little lonbt
tbat before s month"; have passed lne spectacle viii bs
presented 10 tho world Of weak deenceess people who
have asked protection OF government overrun and
il may be put to the sword by awlesa bands of adyen
tuers who will enter the State invited only bv its
weakness and its wealth. This result Is looked up "a as
matter of certainty by those who know the feenps of
the people in Arizona aud California in reference 70 the
fate OF cnbb, whose high moral worth ,nsta;n.a 80,
iticni and private reputation, and great personal non
u'ary sfli keep hts memory sacred Ia the hears ID