TIMBER POST ROUTES. 33 



Section 4. FUEL, TIMBER, AND MINERALS. 



The supply of timber and fuel throughout this section is very limited, the plateaux being 

 entirely destitute, and the water-courses are fringed with a sparse growth, which is scarcely 

 available for purposes of construction. The cotton-wood is found in the Rio Grande valley, on 

 the upper Mimbres, lower San Pedro, and Gila, and will answer for cross-ties, but must, how- 

 ever, be replaced in a few years, the wood being light, soft, and not durable. Mesquite is also 

 found in the river bottoms ; the trunks are generally short and gnarly, and but few will 

 answer for cross-ties, although about Tucson and in the Santa Cruz valley this tree attains a 

 more respectable growth. The wood is hard and close-grained, and makes most excellent fuel. 

 In the gorges, ravines, and canons of the surrounding mountains, a few scattering dwarfish 

 oaks, walnut, ash, wild cherry, and cedars are found. In the vicinity of the Copper Mines and 

 sources of the Mimbres, is the largest and most extensive growth of timber to be met with 

 along or near the route. Here are cedars, oaks, and the large-leafed pine. 



Taking it all in all, there is not a sufficiency of timber along the line to furnish all that is 

 required in the construction and the after working of the road. 



In Appendix C will be found a literal translation of a copy of an archive of the town of 

 Tucson, which will afford some interesting information concerning that section of country. It 

 was copied from the original, by permission of Ensign Jose Comaduran, M. A., who had tem- 

 porary command of that post, previous to the completion of the boundary line according to the 

 provisions of the treaty. 



It will be seen, from a perusal of this paper, that mention is made of many localities where 

 gold and silver have been found in abundance. The inhabitants of Tucson, at the present day, 

 confirm all these statements, and many rich specimens of gold scales and quartz specimens 

 were exhibited, and their localities described and pointed out. The difficulties of working the 

 placers and veins of these precious metals consist chiefly in the want of water, the want of 

 proper implements, and in the dangers to which "prospectors" and miners are subjected by 

 the roving bands of Apaches who dwell in the mountain fastnesses. There is little doubt but 

 that the entire section recently acquired by the Gadsden treaty is nearly as rich in minerals 

 and metals as California, and the construction of a rail or wagon road, and the establishment of 

 frequent military posts, will serve to develop speedily the immense resources of this nature, 

 which now lie hidden in the mountain gorges or beneath the surface of the wide-spread 

 plains. 



Section 5. POST ROUTE. 



In considering the adaptability of this country to the establishment of a post route, extending 

 from the Mississippi to the Pacific, the advantages presented by the line between the Rio Grande 

 and Pimas villages are indeed highly favorable. The most important element in this question is 

 speed, and to this the excellent natural roads of the plateau contribute largely. Taking the 

 Tucson route, we have from El Paso to the Pimas about four hundred miles, of which there 

 are about three hundred miles of hard and smooth road, resembling a macadamized, and almost 

 equal to a plank road. Stations can be readily maintained at intervals to admit of rapid 

 transit. From El Paso to Fulton, on Red river, the distance is about seven hundred and 

 eighty-seven miles ; and, allowing an average speed of fifty-six miles per diem, the trip can be 

 accomplished in fourteen days. From El Paso to the Pimas villages, four hundred and twelve 

 miles, can be accomplished in eight days. From the Pimas villages to Fort Yuma it is one 

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