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Show 562 Ex. Doc. No. 41. tide. For six months in the year, the river is s~id to be ~avigable by steamboats for 350 miles; its bottoms are w1d e and n ch; and sugar, undoubted]~, m.ay be grown. In winter, it is fordable .at th~ crossing · but I tln n k 1 t has at I east as much water as the M 1 s sou n at the s;me season, and may be navigable by steamers to the mouth of the Gila at all seasons. In con clusion, much credit is due to the battalion for the cheerful and faithful manner in which they have accomplished the great labors of this march, and submitted to its exposures and privations. They would much have preferred to lighten anu abridge them, by leaving the wagons; but, without previous discipline, all was accomplished with unity and determination of spirit. To enable the mules to endure the extraorrl inary labor of drawing these wagons, without a road, and often without food or water, the duties of guards were gr eatly in cr eased, t'o herd them safe] y, as they did, over tracts sometimes a mile in extent, sometimes two miles from the Camp, or beyond a river; anu ten times did the battalion encamp without water. I am indebted to Lieutenants Smith and Stoneman, of the first dragoons, who performed the duties of assistant commissary of subsistence and ass i star1 t quart erm aster, for val ua b I e assistance, particularly in directing the pioneers. Mr. Willard P. Hal1, too,was ever ready to give me aid, particu] ar l y in th a most active and venturous duties. Thus, genera], whilst fortune was con<lucting you to battles and Tictories, I was fated to devote my best energ-ies to more bumble labors; and all have cause to regret that the real condition of affairs in this territory was so little understood. But it is passed! and I m.ust be con tent with having done my duty in the task which you ass1gned to me, if, as I trust, to your satisfaction. Respectful) y submit ted: P. ST. GEO. COOKE, Lieut. Col., commanding Mormon battalion. llrig. Gen. S. W. KEARNY, Commanding Army of the West, San Diego, Upper California . - I I .. APPENDIX. • Copy of a letter to tl~te Governor of Sonora. CAMP A-:t TuEsoN, SoNoRA, December 18, 1846. YouR ExcELLENcY: The undersigned, marching in command of a battalion of United States infantry, ftom New Mexico to California, has found it convenient for the passage of his wagon train, to cross the frontier of Sonora. Having passed within fifteen miles of Fronteras, I have found it necessary to take this presidio in my route t<1 the Gila. Be assured that I did not come as an enemy of the people whom you govern; they have received only kindness at my hands. Sonora refused to contribute to the support of the present war against my country, alleging the excellent reasons that all her resources were necessary to her defence from the incessant attacks of savages; that the central government gave h er no protection, and was therefore entitled to no support. To this might have been added that Mexico supports a war upon Sonora; for I have seen New ~fexicans within her boundary, trading for the spoil of her people, taken by murderous, cowardly Indians, who attack only to ~ay waste, rob, an<l fly to the mountains; and I have certain information that this is the practice of many ) ears. Thus one part of Mexico allies itself against another. The unity of Sonant with the St<l t es ef the north, now h er neighbors, is ne cessary effe ctu ally to subdue these P arthian Apaches. Meanwhile I make a wagon road from th e s tr eamc:: of the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, through the valuable plains and mountains, rich with min era 1 s, of Son ora. This, I trust, will prove useful to the citizens of either republi c, who, if not more closely, may unite in the pursuits of a highly benefi cial commerce. With sentiments of esteem and respect, I am your excellency'e: most obedient servant, P. ST. GEO. COOKE, Lieut. Col., commanding U. S . forces .. To His Excellen cy S r. Don MANUEL GANDARA, Governor of Sonora, Ures. Sa. , |
