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As a matter of State policy； the organization of Arizona is of the first
importance。 Situated between New Mexico and Sonora； it is possible now
to make it a thoroughly American State； which will constantly exert its
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MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA。
influence in both directions； to nationalize the other two。 New Mexico is at
present thoroughly Mexican in its character and vote。 Sonora； if we
acquire it at once； will be the same。 By separating Arizona from it； and
encouraging an American emigration； it will become 〃the leaven which
shall leaven the whole lump。〃 By allowing it to remain attached to New
Mexico； or by attaching it to Sonora when acquired； the American
influence will be swallowed up in the great preponderance of the Mexican
vote。 The Apache Indian is preparing Sonora for the rule of a higher
civilization than the Mexican。 In the past half century； the Mexican
element has disappeared from what is now called Arizona； before the
devastating career of the Apache。 It is every day retreating further South；
leaving to us； when it is ripe for our possession； the territory without the
population。
The incentives to emigration to Arizona； in addition to the charm
which the discovery of mineral wealth carries to every mind； are very
great。 The writer； in an extended tour through the Southern States； found
many people； mostly young men of moderate means； ready and anxious to
emigrate。 The movement is still stronger in Southwestern States； and
already many a train of wagons is on its way。 It will have no end for years；
for so mild and healthy is the climate that emigration is practicable at all
seasons。 Snow never lies on the soil； and frost is almost unknown。 The
contracts already authorized by Congress involve the expenditure of six
millions of dollars in the next six years； the troops in the Territory will
cost as much more。 Here is enough money in hard sub…treasury coin； to
draw a large population； independent of other considerations。 All ready in
many places the enterprising merchant exposes his stock of goods only
two months from San Francisco； but he does it with the prayer that the
Apache may pass him by； and too often he sees his hard…earned profits
disappear before the Indian's successful foray。
The establishment of a firm government in Arizona will extend the
protection of the United States over American citizens resident in the
adjoining Mexican provinces。 This protection is most urgently demanded。
Englishmen in Sonora enjoy not only perfect immunity in the pursuit of
business； but also encouragement。 Americans are robbed openly by
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MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA。
Mexican officials； insulted； thrown into prison； and sometimes put to
death。 No redress is ever demanded or received。 This state of things has so
long existed that the name of American has become a byword and a
reproach in northern Mexico； and the people of that frontier believe that
we have neither the power nor the inclination to protect our own citizens。
The influence of a Territorial government； with the tide of American
emigration which will surely follow it； must entirely change the tone and
temper of these Mexican States。
The population of Arizona to…day； exceeds that of Washington
Territory； and is far greater than was that of Minnesota； Kansas or
Nebraska； at the time of their organization。 An election for a Delegate has
been held； at which several hundred votes were polled； and the writer
returned without opposition。 The unsettled and dangerous condition of the
country prevented a convention being held； but letters have been received
from all parts of the Territory； expressing a hearty concurrence in the
election on the part of those unable to vote； and an earnest desire for the
Territorial organization。
A number of gentlemen at present in Washington； can testify from
actual observation； to the truth of the statements here made in reference to
Arizonaamong them I am permitted to name General Anderson； late U。 S。
Senator from Tennessee； who almost alone； with rare perseverance and
courage； explored； in 1850； the whole length of the Territory； Major
Heintzelman； U。 S。 A。； whose long station at Fort Yuma made him
acquainted with the resources of the country； and who has shown at once
his intelligence and foresight and his faith in the prospective wealth of the
silver region； by large investments of capital； Col。 A。 B。 Gray； late U。 S。
Surveyor of the Mexican Boundary line； I。 Smith McMicken； Esq。； whose
residence for many years on the Mexican frontier has entitled his opinion
to some weight； and A。 H。 Campbell； Esq。； Superintendent of Wagon
Roads； whose information is full and reliable。 To these names it may not
be improper to add that of the writer； who has for two years past； while
residing at the junction of the Gila and Colorado Rivers； made the new
Territory and its resources； an object of constant observation and study；
and whose experience on the Pacific coast； and in the frontier Territories；
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MEMOIR OF THE PROPOSED TERRITORY OF ARIZONA。
and on the route across the continent； during the past five years； has
enabled him to speak understandingly of the capabilities and necessities of
a new country； and of a frontier people。
In five years a great State may be built upon this remote frontier； and a
population gathered； such as will； when we make further acquisition of
territory； spread at once over it； diffusing national sentiment and extending
the area of American principles。
Aside from these considerations； justice and humanity； imperatively
demand that Congress shall bear and at once answer the prayer of the
people of Arizona for protection。 If these considerations fail； then they