: 99 hb 
No one who has ever visited this country, and who is acquainted 
with the character and value of slave labor in the United States, 
would ever think of bringing his own slaves here with any view to » 
; pd much less would he purchase slaves for such a purpose. 
heir labor here, if they could be retained as slaves, among peons, 
hearly of their own color, would never repay the cost of transport- 
ation, much less the additional purchase money. --. 
I made many inquiries as to the character of the vast region of 
country embraced in the triangle, formed by the Colorado of the 
west, the Del Norte, and the Gila; and the information collected, 
will, at some fu‘ure time, be thrown into notes for the benefit of 
future explorers, but are not given in this work, as I profess to 
4 
write only of what I saw. . . 
_ From all that I learn, the country does not differ, materially, in 
its physical character from New Mexico, except, perhaps, being less 
denuded of soil. and vegetation. The sources of the Salinas, the 
San Francisco, Azul, San Carlos, and Prierte, tributaries of the 
Gila, take their rise in it. About their head waters, and occasion- 
ally along their eourses, are presented sections of land capable of a. 
irrigation. | , Schlager 
The whole extent, except on the margin of streams, is said to be 
_ destitute of forest trees. The Apaches, a very numerous race,and ~~ 
the Navajoes, are’ the chief occupants, but there are many minor 
| bands, who, unlike the Apaches anc avajoes, are not nomadic, 
t have fixed habitations. Amongst the most remarkable of these 
_ are the Soones, most of whom are said to be Albinos. The latter 
cultivate the soil. and live in peace with their more numerous and 
savage neighbors. ; : ris 
_ Departing from the ford of the Colorado in the direction of So- _- 
hora, there is a fearful desert to as ta, a small town, 
| 
cal Persons 2ound for Sonora from California, who do not mind a cir- 
cultous route, should ascend the Gila as far as the Pamoscuible e, 
in the channel, at the ford where we crossed, is four feet. ‘hhe 
; banks are low, not more than four feet high, and, judging from in- 
hough not frequently, overflowed. Its gen- 
point is much like that of the Arkansas, — 
nds... sy 
y of the plateau upon 
Which we encamped, and leads down the river, crossing three sand 
‘ onstantly shift.ng, 
and may even lead 
rnished. The ford is | 
-right or left sets a 
will 
him 
ae 
