Arizona miner., 1868-03-14

ton of Arizona and, for Indians, live we'll We think it au easy matter for them to mus ter two thouss nd fighting men. They range over the caste n part of this Territory, and portion of New Mexico and the Mexican State of Sonora. Their principal villages in Arizona are about two hundred miles almost directly east of Prescott, south of the Mo golonc and Sierra Blanco ranges of noun tains Since the abandonment of the Navajo country, the Coyoteros, during the summer and fall months, cross the Navajo line, and hunt and fish in the innumerable valleys and streams on the northern or Little Colorado slope of the aforementioned ranges of noun tains The Tontos, who occupy the country between Prescott and the Coyotcro country also ascend the Mogollone mountains during the summer and fall months. Asit is mainly, this latter band that we have been fighting almost all the time since the whites first set tied in this part of the Territory, it is well known that their number has decreased con siderably, and it is doubtful if, to-day, they can muster over five hundred warriors. The bulk of the TontOs now reside southeast of the settlements on the Rio Verde. Formerly they ranged north of Camp Lincoln, but of late, they scarcely ever construct a village northwest of Fossil creek. We believe they range as far south as Salt river. The Finals the most daring band of Apaches-occupy the country south of that occupied by the Coyotcros and Tontos, along the Gila, Salt and San Pedro rivers. We have seen their numbers set down as low as three hundred warriors, but think that 1000 would come nearer tine truth. They arc now playing themselves of on the soldiers in 1onto Basin as good Indians but it is q well known and undisputed fact that parties Of them occa- sionally make raids upon settlements in this vicinity for the purpose of killing and steal ing. It is the same old game played by them for the past two or three hundred years, and we hope they will soon play it out or be played out at it.
 After the whipping of the Navajo tribe and their removal to the Bosque Redondo reser- vation in New Mexico, the Coyotero Apaches the near neigbors and bitter enemies of the Navajos-becamc afraid that, like the Maya jos, they too, might get whipped and starved into subjection, and a portion of them con cluded to make treaty with che command ing officer at Camp Goodwin, while the re- mainder of them, under Cochisse and Fran cisco, the Butcher, who was afterwards killed at Goodwin for his misdeeds, continued to murder burn and rob in the most approved Indian style Nearly loco Indians, mostly women and children, and worn-out he hea- thens, were fed out of the Government com. misariat, while the Chiefs and braves were killing and stealing. Shortly after this, the Finals tried to play the "peace" dodge at Camp Grant, on the San Pedro, but the com
 nander at that camp guessing their design played them out' at it, and did not allow himself to be fooled by the willy savages. The time will come when the Apache will make and live up to a treaty, but that time has not yet arrived. Their almost untamable spirit is not yet sufficiently cowed to make them submissive and honest enough for that purpose. A few sound drubbings, and the destruction of their crops of corn and wheat, would go great ways towards making them good, peaeeabIe and submissive Indians, but until that is done, the time spent in making treaties with them, and the presents and pro- visions given to them as brbes to keep the peace, are lost-wasted, and we hope the mil itary authorities will so look upon the mat ter.
 In another article we will say something more about the Indian question, hoping thereby, to enlighten the military command CTS, who, we are told, intend to hunt for Apaches the coming spring and summer. It
 is not our purpose to dictate to or lecture our officers upon the manner and mode of fight ! ing Indians; that is their business. and, of course, they are supposed to know more about it than we do. If not, they will soon | learn.
 MEETING OF Elsewhere in