SURVEY OF COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO. 141 



not been needed, &c. Even the Arkansas, as late as 1862 and 1863, 

 was diy, from Pawnee to the Cimarron crossing, bnt such a thing has 

 not been known since. Seven or eight years ago it was not uncommon 

 for the Pecos to dry up, but now such a thing woukl be looked upon as 

 a strange event. And, in building Denver, a mistake was made in rely- 

 ing upon the dry bottom of Cherry Creek, which shortly afterwards 

 sent down a rush of water to warn them of her slumbering powers. Kor 

 does this wholly exhaust the testimony on this point, for, in addition 

 thereto, is the uniform assertion of those who have resided in the Terri- 

 tory for ten or twelve years or more, that for six or seven years past 

 there has been a gradual increase of rain. It is a common expression of 

 the Mexicans and Indians that the Americans^bring rain with them. 



All this, it seems to me, must lead to the conclusion that since the 

 Territory has begun to be settled, towns and cities built up, farms culti- 

 vated, mines opened, and roads made and traveled, there has been a 

 gradual increase of moisture. Be the cause what it may, uidess it is 

 assumed that there is a cycle of years through which there is an increase, 

 and that there will be a corresponding decrease, the fact must be ad- 

 mitted upon this accumulated testimony. I therefore give it as my firm 

 conviction that this increase is of a permanent nature, and not periodi- 

 cal, and that it has commenced within eight years past, and that it is in 

 some way connected with the settlement of the country; and that, as the 

 I)opulation increases, the amount of moisture will increase. 



It may be objected that the population bears so small a j)roportion to 

 the extent of the country, that it is unreasonable to suppose it could 

 have any influence on the climatic conditions. I admit the force of the 

 objection, but at the same time the facts stand out too boldly and clearly 

 to be passed over, and the coincidence is so striking, that, until the pecu- 

 liar conditions surrounding the matter have been carefully studied, the 

 objection ought not to be pressed. That there are peculiar conditions 

 connected with the section of country under consideration, cannot be 

 denied. Hence to know the effect the introduction of an active popu- 

 lation will have upon the hygrometric conditions of this country, these 

 peculiarities must be carefully studied. I believe that the great problem 

 of settling the plains, if ever solved, must be done by commencing with 

 the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountain range and gradually moving- 

 eastward. This is the plan which nature herself has pointed out. The 

 perpetual snows of the great central axis are the sources of the various 

 streams which rush down upon the margin of these plains, but chiefly 

 sink in their effort to cross it. Let the population gather around the 

 points where these burst from the mountains, and as it increases push- 

 ing out on the i)lains eastward, and I believe the supply of water will 

 accompany it. 



If this theory is correct it is worthy the attention not only of the 

 scientist but of the citizens and authorities of the Territory, and also of 

 the national government. A railroad line running along this eastern 

 slope north and south would doubtless give an impetus to the settle- 

 ment of this part of the Territory exceeding all that the lines crossing it 

 at limited points (though necessary) can possibly do. It would set the 

 great power in motion which, moving onward, would ultimately bring 

 into use that vast body of land which by common consent has been con- 

 signed to perpetual inutility. 



Such a theory may, and doubtless will by some, be considered chi- 

 merical, but before it is condemned some effort to confirm or refute the 

 testimony giv^en ought to be made. And I volunleer the suggestion 

 that it would be well for the government to make a small appropriation 



