The Nevada Democrat., 1859-03-16
NEVADA CALIFORNIA WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 49, 1859
snN0RA.
A writer in nm Eastern journal gives the fol

SONORA.
A writer in nm Eastern journal gives the fol
lowing interesting description Of Sonora:
The State of Sonora extends from lat. 26 to
80 N, in the Gulf OF California, and is bounded
on the southeast by the State of Sinal0a on
the northeast by the State of Chihuahua; on
the north by the rivers Gila aud Colorado at
their junction, and on the Vest by the Gulf OF
California. Its only port at present is Quay
mas, which is one of the safest in the Pacific,
being completely land locked, The entrance
of the port is formed by the island of Pajoros
and main land, q mile in width, and free from
all danger. Entrance north and south, sound
ings seven to five fathoms. On the eastern
most part of the island there Is another narrow
channel for small vessels drawing six feet
The rise and fall OF the tide Is from four to six
feet, and irregular, owing to the winds that
prevail in the Gulf. The anchorage Is good
holding ground, being soft blue mud. From
November to April strong northeriy and north
west winds prevail, producing short heavy
sea in the Gulf. The wind blows constantly
| from fonr to fourteen, and sometimes twenty
days lnlllng at times toward morning. After
q Northwestern a lulI of three or four days sue
ceeds with light airs from the east, south aud
southeast. In June, July and August calm;
ensue, together with squalls and rain, chiefly
rainy season commences, although the fall of
rain in Sonora is very scant, and sometimes
the year passes without any rain to speak of
From the month of September up to November
the equinoctial gales prevail, and some years
they are felt very severely.
Guaymas is surrounded by hills, which from
all appearances have undergone volcanic &C.
tion at some former period. During the north
westers the winds form in eddies, whirlinp
about large quantities of dust, thereby render.
ing the town very unpleasant
The country throughout is dry, and in the
vicinity Of the coast is almost wholly destitute
Of water, producing shrubs and trees Of stunted
growth, chiefly OF the mimossa class, afiordni
the gum arabic. Different species OF cactus
from the most diminutive to the largest size
abound. AS you advance into the interior The
aspect changes, aud shrubs and trees Of supe
rior growth, luxuriant foliage aud lively yer
dure, present themselves. Along the margin
of the different rivers and rivulets the soil Ii
rich and fertile, producing abundant crops O
wheat, maize, beans, peas, lentils and legumes
An abundance of cattle is reared, besides hor
ses, mules, asses, sheep and goats. Two OF
three successive showers Of rain, with the inter.
vening space Of ten or fifteen days, are sufi
cient to furnish the fodder, which the fields and
woods spontaneously yield every year.
Mines of gold, silver, copper, iron, antimony
and lead, are abundant and / have no doubt
that other metals will be discovered when the
geological investigations are made by some sci
entifc person. This country, although inhab
tied by civilized men for more than two hun
dred years, is still in state of nature, and con
seqneDty unexplored. This state OF affairs il
owing to various causes, but principally to thu
want of active and enterprising inhabitants
who are SO necessary in q new country.
The immense area Of the State of Sonora !
thinly peopled, on account of the frequent in
cursions of the Apache Indians, who overru
the country, burning dwellings stealing horses
mules, and cattle, and numbering all who op
pose them. By these inroads Sonora at th
present day is reduced to mere skeleton o
what it formerly was. Farms where thousand
of cattle were raised are now entirely aban
doned fields which formerly produced abun
dant crops now lie in fallow; while mines with
out number are deserted, not only on account
of the Indians, but owing to the scarcity ant
dearness of quicksilver. In fact, Sonora to bt
elevated from the abject condition in which sh'
now lies PROSTATE, requires q rapid influx Of in
dustrious, energetic, and enterpriaing men. The
richest mines are in the very haunts Of the
Apaches Gold placers and gold mines; all are
abandoned for want Of bold and active people
to defend and work them.
The exports are gold, silver, and -four. Cop
per was once an article Of export, but Of late
years little or none has been sent out OF the
country.