Year: 1859

WIZARDS, WASHINGTON, Jan 81 1859.
70 TIE ErIroR OF THE NATIONAL N1ElIlcEScER,-


respectfully submit to the consd ration of Congress
the following letters in reference to the Territory Of ri
zona. Perhaps no stronger authorities could be found
throughout the whole country than these gentlemen who
have given their testimony upon the disputed point
Of the value OF the new Territory Gen. Lane Oregon
ana Col JACK Hays Of Texas are all experienced in from
tier lfe They saw Arizona in its condition while
II was deserted Mexican province. To day is in popu
la'on and wealth, thousand times better of, needing
only the protection Of Territorial government to make
1t the most thriving OF our new Territories.


SYLVESTER MOwRY


iHorsE OF REPRESENTATIVE jan 90 1859


DEAR SR-In compliance with your reluest on yeser-
day to furnish you IN writing what, in my opinion,
TWO years the population of portion south of tho
Territory Of New Mexico bordering upon the Rio Grande
ana now within the limits OF the proposed Teritory OF
Arizona, and also what believe may be the popn
ton embI aced within that region of country excluding the
western part OF that Territory, take pleasure stating
10 you that the number Of people residing what is gene
rally know as the Mesia valley, both sides Of the Rio
Grande could not have been less than seven thousand at
he time when canv ased that portion of New Mexico for
Congress two years ago. l hal good opportunity OF
Judging Of the amount of population in i. at that time
The vote cast there about thousand but am free
TO say that this s no criterion by which estimate or
judge of the amount of population living there because
there no more than half of the voters who were
able to vote IN consequence OF the rainy weather that
time. Many too, were challenged the ground that
they foreigners, and did vote If the weather
had permitted II. and full vote could have been cast IL
could not have been less than fifteen or seventeen hundred
votes. Iharn further that since that time much mmigra
Ton has gone into the country and have doubt but
there now at least two thousand voters in the Mesa
valley, and about eight thousand inhassAmts


As to the population the portion of the pro
posed Territory bad opportunity to learn Il s nv
belief however, that the population west Of the Mesilla
valley cannot be less than two thousand nhabitants-
making therefore, the whole population Of the Territory
about ten or eleven thousand inhabitants II may be even
greater than this when take into consideration not ony
the unsettled condition of the Mexican States bordering on
mat Territory the establishment of the overland mail
'nrough t-both OF which considerations must naturally
cobduce 10 the Increase Of populaon-but aso the dis
coveries of gold dggngs the ella river These facts
doubess have contributed much TO the settlement Of the
country. " ''
such cir, Is briefly my judgment with regard 70 the
Popuaton Oh the Territory Of Arizona You know that
can nave no reason 70 estimate the number of in
haotan's there; and what state is no moro than an
impartial statement of fact, which you are a. liberty TO
make such use Of as you may best think.


- MIG'L s. OrERo.
5, MowRy, Esq, Delegate from Arizona


WASHINGTON, March 81, 1868.
DEAR SRIn regard to the resources of Arizona agri
cultural aud other wise have to say that travelled
over that portion or country the months of Noyem
Der and December, 1S4S by the Rio Mmbres the old de-
serted ranches Of San Bernardna San Pedro TO the
settlements at Santa Cruz, Tucson the Pimo villages
found the climate mild, grazing good, and many rich
beautiful fertile valleys, capable Of producing corn wheat
rye oats, and vegetables sufficient subss large popu
aiion ln Short pay say that regard Arizona as an
important portion of our country, rich in god silver COP
per and other valuable minerals, and decidedly tho heat
gazing country on this continent capable of subsistipp
millions of cattle without the aid of man.


Over the route that travelled there are no serious
obstacles to good wagon road the country s rolling but
not mountainous, over which you could travel without
much difficulty in buggy at all seasons Of the year
Many streams OF pure water are found though places
good water is scarce JOSEPH LANE
Lieut.. SYLVESTER MowRy, Washington.