Arizona miner., 1868-02-08

lost none of it's interest by age, and as it states facts and describes the new settlement on Salt river, in this county, which we know Co be a Joad fde settlement, we give it entire. The writer is an old citizen of Arizona and the Pacific coast. and his statements in regard to climate, soil, etc, can be relied upon. We are acquainted with nearly all the settlers on Salt river know them to be honest, hard working, reliable men, and, of course, hope they will be successful in their praiseworthy enterprise, and soon be reinforced by large numbers of " fair women and brave men, who will help them in the settling up, culti vation, and civilization of that rich region of Arizona Families and single men, of an agri- cultural turn of mind cannot, on the whole Pacific coast, find a better place to settle down and make for themselves homes. Here is the letter:
 PHGNix, A. T., Jan. list, 1868.
 EpIroR ARIZONA MINER: The above place, perhaps, is new to you, and to many of the readers of the MINER. notwithstanding it is settled principally by old Arizona pioneers, who do not intend 1t to remain stranger long, as it will certainly be one of the most important settlements in Arizona, and like ! the hird it derives it's name from, will rise ! like smoke from a tar-kiln.
 Phoenix is situated on the west bank of Salt river, about thirty five miles from its mouth, and about the same distance below 1 Fort Mcdowell; it is seventy miles from ! Wickenburg, and about eighteen from the ] Pimas; with good roads to all the above named places About two months since, Jack i Swilling and small party of men came here, ] looked at the country, liked it, and located the water right went back 70 Wickenburg, organized company, and returned here with men and means Co bring out ditch, or rather . canal. on which there are at present some eighteen or twenty men at work. The ditch will be large enough to irrigatc some ten or twelve miles which is only a small portion of the rich and fertile land in this valley, a great part of which looks as if recently cul- tivated. The cotton, tobacco castor bean, and other plants, are still found growing spon- taneously over the apparently ancient fields of Quica Sobe, whose ruins in the shape oi high mounds of slate rock and adObeS are left along the borders of old acequias or canals, the latter being built on the ground, and from thirty five 10 fifty feet in width The banks, in places, are still from five to eight feet high  and run out ten to twelve miles from the river, and, believe the whole length of the valley. The ruins are from one half Co three and four miles apart, and from fifteen Co twenty feet high The river here is quito large, (rather too much SD, at present, having taken risc,) and has lots of good fish, with plenty of ducks, geese. beaver and other game, along the stream; also, plenty of tim Der for building and other purposes. The climate is the mildest have ever eXpcricn ced. There has been DO frost yet sufficient to kill anything and every thing looks green The summer birds still remain. The noun tains in the vicinity are full of gold quartz and burro deer; and mp this same Salt river is where all the old Montezuma maps point as the head and source of all the gold that has been scattered so profuseIy over thi, country. So, if you wish good farm ol mine, to get rid of your fever, or to spend q happy and prosperous New Year, come uT Salt river Don't be afraid. The big Genera himself has gone up. SALINAS.