Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-01-18
COMMUNICATED.
For the "SuEbury American.
ARIZONA

Arizona, known as the "Gadsdcn pur.
chase" IS i territory Of some 10000 square
miles. 1t was purchased, by the United
States, from the Republic of Mexico for
SID, ,000, 900 and taken possession ot by Uni
ted States troops, in October, 1854. 1t is
bounded on the north by Nevada and Utah :;
south by the Mexican States Of chihuahua
aud Sonora, of which it was formerly part :;
east by New Mexico, aud wcsl 10y the Colo
IadD liver of the west
1t is diversified by mountain ranges, many
Of the elevations of which rise to u height
Of 10 600 feet above the level Of The sea. In
the eastern part Of the territory Are ridges
of the Rocky Mountains. \ characteristic
OF nearly all, is their entire destltution OF
timber or vegetation OF any kind. Some oi
the lower peaks are covered with peculiar
species of oak, which produces acurns that
are both palataUle md nutritious, and are
nscd in great quantities blythe Wild Apaches.
the climate is temperate the atmosphere,
containing but little oxygen. Is rendered ex
lrcmely transparent. In this respect it diff
icrs materially from that Ut the Atlantic
coast. Objects which there can be seen,
| with clcarness, at distance OF five miles,
can be seen with equal distinctucss in this
country, twenty-five miles.
is necessary Tor the cultivation Ut the lands,
and liver systems are scarce, but little Of
! the country yields sufficient produce for
! the consumption of its scanty population.
/ The valley OF the Santa Cruz contains much
/ alluyial soil: il is however confined to tracts
/ along the river banks. This stream sinks
/ ut point l5U miles from its month. 1t is
a singular fact, that the course OF the river,
/ after it sinks, can be traced, by trees and
/ vegetation as far us the ella liycr where ii
emptes. This popularity OF water sinking
is not confined 10 the Santa Cruz, but may
I be called one of the ecccntricitics oE Arizona
streams. Another and a more disagrccable
feature, is their alkaline properties, tasting
! like that of our Eastern streams, were they
/ filtered through tub of ashes.
Ii is supposed that the mineral resources
are inexhaustible. Gold abounds in the
north, silver in the SOUTH iron and copper
in all parts. The facilities for working
mines are either not procurable in this ter
ritory, or indifferent capital has been en-
ploycd, for it is certain no great fortune:
have, ne yet, accrued from them.
As early as 1857 this country was explored
by the Jesuits from Spain They returned t.
Sonora, then Spanish colony and reported
that the territory north abounded IN pre-
cious metals. A rapid emigration tool
place. Missions, at various points, in !h
fertile valleys, were established. numbc
OF the church ediiices are still standing
they are monuments that pay lasting III
butte to the indomitable eneTgyOf the Jesuits
Among the number | would mention tina
of San Xavier del Vac, in which are com
bined not only great size and strength, bu
much architectural beauty. II is splendid
ornamented within, and although bull
nearly two hundred years ago, with sue
material as was then at hand, it is still in
iine state of preservation. Here are foun,
the images of the Saviour, Virgin Mary
Apostles and Saints. Statuary fills ever
niche of this immense structure, and muc
of it, though only cast in clay, would pu
to shame that of some more modern sculp
tors. The same bells that two centuries age
pealed forth the vesper call to ,housans
worshippers. now chimes % sweet as con-
TO the rude untsught Village Indian