New-York tribune., 1870-09-17
DISCOVERIES IN NEW-MEXICo.
ASTONISHING AZTEC RUINS-ALTAR FIRES AND
SKELETONS-MINERAL WEALTH IN THE BUR-
RO COUNTRY AND THE RIO DOLOREs-IN-
DIANS BECOMING CIVILIZED.

ASTONISHING AZTEC RUINS-ALTAR FIRES AND
sKELETONs-MINERAL WEALTH IN THE BUR-
RO COUNTRY AND THE RIO DOLORES-IN-
DIANS BECOMING CIVILIZED.
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Aug. 90. - The
Colorado Canon, explored last year by Major Powell.
bids fair TO be rivaed by other caIons and noun
tains not heretofore known Gov. Army. the indefat-
gable special Indian Agent for this Territory, has lately
returned from point north OF the san Juan country,
reporting of most marvellous discoveries that
have yet been made amid the great Sierra Madre Noun
ans reports that during his reach the Utah
Indians at the west Of the San Juan River his party
found the Canon de Chely. This was explored for
more than 20 miles. They report canons whose
walls tower peTpendicularly to altitude OF
from 1000 TO 1000 feet the rock strata
being perfect if laid by the skilled hands OF
mason and entirely symmetrical. Among these
caOns found deserted ruins OF ancient Aztec cities
many of which bear the evidences of having been popu
lOus TO the extent OF many thousands OF inhabitants
one OF these caOns the rocky walls OF which not
than 1000 feet from the base and whose SUBMITS
either hand inclined 10 each other, forming part Of an
arch there found high up, hewn ont Of the rocks
the ruins OF Aztec towns of great extent tenantess
desoate each of these rocky eyres there remained
in a state Of good preservation house Of stone, about
20 feet square, containing bare and gloomy room
and single human skeleton In the center OF the room
were evidences that fire at time had been used
The only solution OF this enigma thus far veutured, s
that these solitary the altar places Of the
Aztec fires that from the people at remote
period constrained TO abandon their homes but left
faithful sentinel in each instance to keep alive the
flame that according to the Indian traditions OF these
regOns, to light the way OF Montezuma again to his
peope-~heir hoped for Messiah and their Eternal King
close examination of many OF the ruins proved
that the builder must have been skilled in the
manufacture and use OF edged tools, masonry, and
other mechanical arts. But who these people were,
whence they came or whittier they gone, is now,
probably, OF the mysteries 10 remain eternally
solved Some Of the ruins are reported TO be stone
buildings and eight stories In hight being reached
by ladders planted against the walls Roundhouses 20
feet in diameter built in the most substantial manner Of
cutstone and pastered inside also found in excel
lent preservation.
The mineral resources Of the interior Rocky Mountain
system yet TO have become only partly known.
The outer RIM were, Of the gold and slycrbearng
region has only been touched. Explorations in region
OF whose mineral wealth not the remotest idea has
been formed at this time going on, and WILL have
no doubt within very short time, asOnish the world
Among the sections most prominent at this time are the
newly discovered silver mines in the Burr0 Mountain,
the Arizona line and others the Rio Dolores into
both which regions the miners are Ocking in unprece-
dented numbers. Reports well founded inform us that
Of assays from taken from the former mnes
and made by the most expert aSsayers, eXb the mos
among the richest on the continent They are supposed
by welnfOrmed persons To be the East mines OF which
tradition has handed down re most marvellous tales,
and the mines themselves discover nnmistakabe evil
dences Of having been successfully worked ages ago
Upon the Rio Dolores already fewer than 800 rich
claims have been taken their names being as diverse
the tastes OF those taking them could devise This
mining region is situated in the Navajo and Utah Indian
country and consequently cannot be successfully eX
pored the mines worked with safety and facility
until these Indians pacied
The Navajo Indians are said to have, for the most
part excellent crops this year, while their hocks and
herds have commenced abundant increase. When
people returned TO their country, two
years ago, they in poverty and destitutioD. The
Government has dealt kindly, and TO a certain extent
munihcenty, with them, and they now becoming
measurably comfortable. They an immense reser
walton 100 miles square, which is too large in
many respects The tribe is large, and of course,
in order 10 keep them all upon the reserva-
lion, considerable military force Is required.
This is not furnished, and, consequently, many
of the tribe wander off from the prescribed limits, and
not unfrequeny commit depredations the people
along their trail However, taking everything into
sideIaOn, think these Indians behaving remark
ably well; proof that the humanitarian policy OF the
Administration, far as the NayajOe Indians
cerned, II working out It's legitimate and benetcent
frnits.
In March, 1869 Congress provided that on and after
that date, all the Territorial Legislatures should meet
hennally The Legislature OF this Territory last
Winter IFS first biennial session But ambitious
Of fellow citizens to sit in the high places Of
legislation in this Territory that members to- be
elected to the Legislature this Winter. the laws of Con
gress the contrary notwithstanding. The Attorney
General Of the United States think. should look to this