These last are situated
directly upon the Gila, only twenty-five miles from its mouth.
The writer assures the public that there is no room for doubt as
to the authenticity of these statements, or the immense resources
of the new Territory in silver, copper, and probably gold. As
late as 1820, the Mina Cobre de la Plata, (silver copper mines,)
near Fort Webster, north of the Gila, were worked to great
advantage; and so rich was the ore that it paid for
transportation on muleback more than a thousand miles to the city
of Mexico.
Every exploration within the past few years has confirmed the
statements of the ancient records. The testimony of living
Mexicans, and the tradition of the country, all tend to the same
end. Col. A. B. Gray, Col. Emory, Lt. Michler, Lt. Parke, the
Hon. John R. Bartlett, late of the United States Boundary
Commission, all agree in the statement that the Territory has immense resources in silver and copper. Col. Emory says in his
report:
"On account of the Gold Mania in California I kept the search for
gold and other precious metals as much out of view as possible,
scarcely allowing it to be a matter of conversation, much less of
actual search. Yet, enough was ascertained to convince us that
the whole region was teeming with the precious metals. We
everywhere saw the remains of mining operations, conducted by the
Spaniards, and more recently by the Mexicans.
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