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Show -12- require a large capital, and the absolute proprietorship of the right of way of the aqueduct from the source of water to the point to be irrigated, and that would cover a very considerable space. The importance to California of having this basis established is very great; otherwise, all the immense mineral wealth of Arizona and Gila districts, now developing, must, instead of going out through some California port, seek the more distant port of Guaymas, in a foreign territory. It is also very important to the General Government, for it is over this desert Government stores are transported, and the overland mail has not been able to find a practicable winter route. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. H. Emory. O. M. WOZENCRAFT. Letter of R. C. Matthewson, Government surveyor in California. San Francisco, April 4, 1859. Dear Sir: In regard to the information you desire respecting that portion of the Colorado desert, * * * I have to state that I am familiar with a greater portion of it, having spent nearly two years in surveying the public lands there. The whole tract embraced within the specified boundaries may very properly be termed a desert, inasmuch as it is all, with rare exception of a very few spots, utterly destitute of any kind of vegetation, notwithstanding the soil in many portions of it is of the very best quality, |
