Arizona weekly citizen., 1886-04-24
TIFF MORALES LAND CLAIM.
Facts versus FaIsehoods.
OAKLAND, Cal. April 16, lsS6, ED. CIrIzEs:-A prominent citizen sends me the following:

OAKLAND, Cal, April l6, lSo6,
 ED. CITIzEs:-A prominent citizen sends me the following:
 CFrom the Tucson Star. APril i5)
 AcKSrER SHOT.
 The Nogales Frontier touches the right spot when II says ex-Sufyeyor General John Wasson IS coming to the defense of his acts as surveyor general of this territory, and Is making poor fist of It. The attempted explanation, however, IS quite necessary, as inquiry into those acts has just been instituted. NIT. Wasson seems tO object to the &C., ton of the people of Nogales m mem- orialIZing Congress in order 10 try 10 save their homes. We don't blame him; for an investigation ot'the whole sub iect matter ID answer 10 the prayer Of thc m amorialists may result n placing the ex-suryeyor general n An uneuyla- ble light. It is now pretty well under stood that the Nogales de Elias land grant rests upon no better title than thGf issued by Q cavalry captain to friend, and ID order Co induce the people to be- lieve that this was valid title, MT. Was son draws an extremely long bow m the following: As early as l7OO the king of Spain sent missionaries, with troops to protect them, ID what Is now ATizo1G. To promote settlement and growth or food, military officers were authorized to make grants, and the power was exer- cised by various Spanish and Mexican officials down to the time Of ;he cessiOn of the country to the UnIted States" Bus Nogales If not land grant under Spain, nor did the unauthorized exer- else of the power to grant lands by Mex lcan officials render such titles valid.
 Ishall rejoice at the result of any in- vestigatiop, which will show the facts other than stated n my recommendation regarding the "Nogales" or any other land claim ID Arizona. If the lawful records of Sonora are lies. the sooner shown the better. If the laws of Sono- Ts authorizing the Treasurer General of that State, to sell the pubic lands and i,sae titles therefor, are invalid, II IS high time that fact be shown. In writ ing the few letters l have on this sub feet, l supposed there were some men trying so make homes and build up bus mess on these claims, who preferred to be guided by legal facts rather thsh hsphaZsrt any unsupported statements, If there are none Fuch, my letters are in vain; otherwise, some settlers may be benefited. and that wiil be sAtisigc- tion, not to say public good.
 The existing book record tt the cap itol of Sonora shows in the "NogGles" case:
 That January :, 1S43, a title was is- sued in due form to the Nogales de Elias land claim; that 1t Is for T square leagues ana two cRbGllerlas of land for stOck-raisiDg, embracing the vacant l4nds between La Casita tin Sonora). aud the boundaries of TumaeacorI and Las CalabaZas (now in ArizoDa;) that 1t was issued to Don Jose Elias, Francisco Gonzales and Balysnera Redondo, ci;i- gems of the Pueblo of Imuris. The pa- pers show that SIS, l2i cents and ten grains were pad into the treasury for it.
 Will those who think, or affect to thInk, 1 am trying to bolster up fraud please show that such record does not exist; or, If 1t exists, that it is fraudu- lent:
 The wholesale misrepresentation of the facts as stated oy me, needs no par ticularization. If pointed out and de- monstrated false, as has been done in various ways. the work of misleading the settlers would not cease, especially by those who imagine they worry me or gain popularity. In passing upon the titles. do no. seek popular favor. and have no such object now. I presume tha: the many inquiries that have been sent to me by settlers on these claims, were sent Tn good faith, and in that spirit they are answered publicly as well as privately. HayIng been compelled to use a crutch and cane for about a year, and therefore unable to do out door work, and having plenty of spare time, l rather enjoy rehe lTs!nC facts of value to those who place value on facts m business Gffairs. Very respectfully,
 JCH:; WAssoN.