New-York tribune., 1866-12-06
The CLAIMS or COLORADO TO BECOME A
STATE

In the heat Of the struggle 10 reconstruct the
Southern States aud replace them in their proper
relations as member, OF the Union, IL must not be
forgotten that the great Territories Of the mineral
regions lying beyond the Transmssissippi plains,
ard occupying the eastern slope OF the Rocky Noun
tans are knocking at tho door Of the Union, asking
TO be erected into States. These mountains and
yalleys rich in mineral wealth have been settled by
hardy and industrious men who must, in the future
exercise an important influence in the nation. They
have proved themselves loyal and true, both when
assaed by armed rebellion and by political corrup-
tion, and are therefore entitled TO the underlined
consideration Of Congress.
Of these territories Colorado is the most central
and populous 1t lies between the 37h and the 4lst
parallels of latitude possesses climate correspond
ing 10 that Of Southern Pennsylvania and Maryland,
aud contains an area Of LOO square miles. It's
position being central, the great highways between
the ocean boundaries Of the continent must pass
through its mountain gaps, and connect il most in
timately with the great commercial emporiums Of
both the East and the West. The first settlers and
explorers Of this territory devoted their whole atten-
ton 10 mining and thus came 20 be generally believed
that the country was worthless for agricultural pur
poses The necessities Of growing settlement, how
ever soon forced the necessity Of experiments the
value Of the soil these have resulted most sasiac
toriy, and the fact is now fully demonstrated that
crops be produced successfully IN Colorado. In
the report of the SurveyorGeneral have the esti
mate that there not less than 1000 600 Of
arabic lands in the valleys and in the river bottoms
that can be proftably cultivated in cereals and yege
tables. The yield Of grain has thus far averaged
about 30 bushels to the acre. The cultivation Of fruit
has not yet been attempted, but in all kinds Of gar
den vegetables the yield is large and of fair quality
For purposes Of grazing, the mountain slopes aud
Plains Of Colorado, having a climate and pasturage
not unlike those Of West Virginia, are fully equal to
any portion Of our country.
The great mineral resources Of the territory, which
first attracted the pioneer, are acknowledged to be
practically ne1haustble Gold and silver were first
discovered in 1852 and have since been found in all
parts of the territory from the southern to the north
err boundary. The crude working Of the mines has
fully demonstrated their wealth, and warrants the
belief that if.worked skilfuy, they would prove to
be among the most profitable mineral deposits in the
world. Placer mines have already yielded over
Sc 000 900; the quartz loads have scarcely been fairly
prospected. few quartz mills were erected before
the war; but the Rebellion and the Indian troubles
which followed so seriously nterfered with mining
operations that but little has yet been accomplished.
From this depression the mining interests are now
rapidly recovering. The shipments of precious metals
have, therefore, been small during the past year, yet
these have mostly increased that the shipments for
September exceed three times those for June. Pre-
yious to the middle of the Summer only seven mills
were worked, while in October eighteen were in
successful operation. Immense sums OF money
have been lost in reckless speculation and
unskilled efforts but wherever reasonable care was
taken in the employment of experienced
miners, judcious investment resulted proftably to
both capitalists and operators. The silver mines have
also attracted the attention prospector and as far
as worked prove TO be rich and extensive Next in inn
portance to precious metals are the coal deposits,
which crop out along the whole eastern slope of the
mountains from the southern border northward for
distance of 300 mica aud are of superior quality f
bituminous Iron, copper and lead also abound in
connection with the precious metals. Salt is iound in
both tho North and Sonih Parks At the South Park