The weekly Arizona miner., 1868-12-26

Arizona--A Comparison.

tween the Territory as it appeared to us then, and as it is now. It is not our purpose to go back as far as the time of the Gadsden pur- chase; nor do we propose to dwell upon the first attempts that were made to settle that i semi-desert region. The portion of tine Tef i ritory which we shall endeavor to describe | will be, mainly, that lying north of the Gila | river, which is, by far, the best and most in- viting section of Arizona What we shall say about this country will be as truthful and correct as we can write it, notwithstanding the fact that we are deeply interested m its speedy settlement and development. Most generally, it is the poorer classes of Popula- tion shat migrate to and develop new coun- tries, and, although the first settlers in most new countries use every means to attract im- migration, we hold it to be wrong-aye, eriin- inal, to induce people to leave comfortable homes in the States, and journey across in- hospitable plains to countries incapable oi supporting or enriching them.
 We are aware that Arizona has q name for sterility and worthlessness abroad, and truth compels us to acknowledge that portion Of the Territory richly deserves that name. But we can and do assert, without fear of contra diction. that no new country of which we have any knowledge, has greater or more in- ducements to offer those wishing to settle in new countries than has Arizona Her area Is immense, and it would, indeed, be strange, if -..A.- ko- rnara trorq ff no found some rich and valuable spots, some treasure-troyes in the "immense desert. That there are, we shall presently show. In order to do so, we beg of the reader to start in with us at the mouth of the great Cobra do and accompany us on our winding way through the Territory.
 In '62 and 8, great excitement prevailed il California in relation to rich placer digging in Arizona, and we, in company with som forty or fifty others, took passage in th brig Hidalgo, for the mouth of the Colorado where we arrived some time in December 'ti The country about the mouth of the Grea Red did not seem to please our fellow pas sengers, although from what we now recollec about it, it was not by any means repulsiy' The coast is indented with many pretty bay the hills were covered with mezquit an other timber. All were impatient to reac Arizona City and Fort Yuma, distant abo, lln miles from the mouth of the river, All were highly pleased when, one fine mornin the steamer Cocopqh came alongside, took on board and steamed up river, with the tid which accompanied us as far as the Gridiro distance of 9 miles From this point Arizona City, the river is shoal, owing 10 [ great number of sand-bars that raise th' heads above it's waters, spreading them O. the low country. But light draft steame sach as those used by the Colorado SteI Navigation Company ascend it at ali seasc of the year, without much trouble. L sncaf travellers in new and stf11Es countd - sazed wistfully at everythtag tiAatea uieAin reach of our vision, and we c>a 211l - reader that the scenery cn " Colorado is far from being ugly q 1edb heavily tkpbered banks weps x.s sff9etit after havinG. for over sh1Et< deyt> ss$ our .eg>s in gazng at ts ssk kbospita .hors. ss!sls,psii 4 sS|s..s'.ls 'fhe 'oil the Coiosa<ie bee6sss . sSseedingiy ri the Yuma ano 6eoplk I1diaas raise g
 -osn, , ete The climate is va
 sesy bns)shy. Arizona City
 d We landed and found it t
 cty, but since then, it has grI
 .ee of good size and consider
 ce. It is situated upon the eas
 the Colorado, at the mouth of
 'irectly opposite Fort Yuma.
 ding, inquiries were made a
 in the interior, and the I
 rely satisfactory, all but fo'
 oys" returned to .Caliio
 m those with whom we
 les many a time on
 }, the Hsdalgo, with {
 ding, and followed UT
 % miles, crossed it
 Woolsey's Agua Cali
 aimed until W. P S
 on came along wi
 'und for Wickent
 arted np country.
 IrtheF, the Gila
 lich it flows mus
 is not nayigable,
 deal Of it's ",