The
explorations of this energetic priest did not stop here.
Proceeding east, he explored the valley of the San Pedro and its
branches, thence along the Gila to the Mimbres, and probably to
the Rio Grande and the Mesilla valley. Filled with the enthusiasm
of his sect, he procured authority from the head of the order in
Mexico, and established missions and settlements at every
available point. In a report to the government of the viceroy of
Spain, made during the early settlement of the province, I find
the following language: "A scientific exploration of Sonora, with
reference to mineralogy, along with the introduction of families,
will lead to a discovery of gold and silver so marvellous that the result will be such as has never yet been seen in the
world."
The reports of the immense mineral wealth of the new country,
made by the Jesuits, induced a rapid settlement. There are laid
down on the map before me more than forty towns and villages.
Many of these were of considerable size. There were a few north
of the Gila, and several on the lower Gila, near the Colorado.
The Santa Cruz and its tributary valleys teemed with an
agricultural and mining population. Thousands of enterprising
Spaniards cultivated the rich valley of the San Pedro, and
scattered settlements flourished at every suitable stream and
spring at the foot of the mountains towards the Rio Grande.
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