Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-30
Col. Sam Brannan's Sonora Colony

4'SN OftSUfto D6HtOCIQt.
For five long decades the Mexican
people had viewed with suspicion every
project for the colonization of the from
tier portions of their beautiful republic
that emanated from enterprisiugaAnglo
Americans. The bitter struggle that
followed the colonization of Texas by
Austin and others had rendered them
jealous and distrustful. No Mexican
statesman, during the last half century.
dared to propose such a scheme to his
cOuntrymen, nor was it until that liberal
and enlightened soldier, General Manuel
Gonzalez, assumed the reins of govern.
ment that any such project could be en-
tertained.
Col. Samuel Brennan, of San Francis
co, an erstwhile Mormon chieftain. and
later heavy real estate holder in the
Golden City, has obtained a grant of
land in the rich State of Sonora for the
establishment of an American colony.
The grant consists of eighty four square
leagues, or 373, ,296 acres Of land. The tract
is situated in the interior of the great
State, on the Yaqui river, in a region
now infested by some of the most blood
thirsty tribes of savages that roam
over Northern Mexico. But if the prox-
unity of the Hill Apachet and the gallant
COmanches and MescalerO Indians NAV
menace the peace and perhaps the sue
cess OF the future American settlement.
the fertility of the land and the salubrity
of the climate will OveTbalance any dis
advantages which might alright or dis
hearten timid cOlonist.
In this delightful region vast plains of
the most fertile soil under heaven are
beautified by the waters of numerous
little streams that empty into the Yaoui
river. The surface of the country is
strewn with the ruins of once prosper
GUS villages, hamlets and haciendas
that six or seven decades ago were de-
stroyed by the savages who poured into
the plain from the distant mountain
ranges. The sand and gravel deposits.
which constitute the bed of the muddy
and turbulent Yaqui river, are impreg-
mated with gold that for unnumbered
ages has washed down from the adjacent
foothills.
From its source to its mouth the banks
of this river have, since the Spanish con-
quest OF the country been noted for
their rich placer diggings, while under
the Spanish rule they were worked for
many years with great profit. The banks
of the Yaqui are low; by consequence
the irrigation of the wide plains through
which it runs is a matter of easy accom-
plishment. Wheat, rye, oats and In
dian corn will yield almost fabulous har-
vests in a soil and climate that are con-
genial 10 the production of semi-tropic
fruits and vegetation; for the apple
f1ourishes beside the tamarind, and the
banana yields its golden harvest in COM
pany with the cherry and the pear.
This fertile region now a deserted
waste, will quickly bloom under the
vigorous impulsion given by hundred
strong American arms, while the repeat
ing rifles and the six-shooting metallic
cartridge pistols of the sturdy colonists
will soon drive the murderous Hill
Apaches and the desperate Comanches
back to their fortresses amid the snow
covered mountains.
The granting of this colonization
privilege to an American marks new
era in the policy of Mexican statesmen.
1t proves that the jealousy and dislike
with which Americans have, for the last
five decades, been regarded by their
Southern neighbors have vanished, and
that sentiment of regard and good feel
ing now sways millions of hearts that.
but few years ago, pulsated with sin
cere hatred for the North American peo-
pie