It is desired that you bring the subject presented in Governor Frémont’s
communication to the attention of the Mexican Government on some occasion
which you shalll deem suitable, and in such manner as your well-known
discretion will suggest, not as a formal proposition, but as an expression
of opinion and practical suggestion from a man whose history, position, and
character eminently qualify him to justly estimate the grave difficulties
that surround the problem of the border Indians.
Governor Frémont to
Mr. Kirkwood.
New
York, August 20,
1881.
Sir: In continuation of my letter of this
morning, especially directed to the disturbances from the neighborhood
of Tombstone, Ariz., I desire further to ask your attention to the
subject of the Indians of that Territory.
I desire to ask you particularly to notice how singularly adapted to
Indian warfare are the Territories of New Mexico and Arizona, specially
the latter. This is seamed in its entire length and breadth with
mountain ridges from several to nine and ten thousand feet;
brush-covered, or wooded, sometimes masses of broken rock. This may be
held to characterize the face of Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and
Chihuahua all of which are infested by Indians.
The central part of this great area bears on all the old maps the name of
Apacheria, indicating the numbers and
affiliations of this tribe. They have been always at war with whites,
generally with success. These Indians are especially good afoot, and
fine horsemen; good shots and well armed, and knowing the country they
have many advantages as the condition of New Mexico shows.
One of their great strongholds is the chain of the Sierra Madre Mountains
of Sonora and Chihuahua. To reduce them to such order as would insure
the safety of settlers would require a disproportionately large force
from both governments.
My object in bringing these facts to your attention is to suggest that,
as both republics are interested in settling this Indian question, and
protecting the mutual interests which are growing up between them, some
arrangement might be made by the two governments to use the peninsula of
Lower California as a place into which to gather the whole of the Apache
tribes.
Formerly, Catholic missionaries, who crossed the gulf to it, found the
gulf-shore well populated with Indians who raised grains and fruits of
many kinds, and it is abundantly able to support the additional
population suggested. The peninsula is about 700 miles long, and only
about 150 miles in breadth at its northern end on our boundary line. A
few alternating posts on either side of the line would effectually bar
all egress by the Indians.
Within these confines the Indians could be required and taught to work,
and be in time self-supporting, as other citizens. The few inhabitants
already on the peninsula could be easily protected.
I understand that a grant was made some years ago, by the Mexican
Government, for purposes of colonization of the greater part if not all
the unoccupied part of the peninsula, and that the grant is in the hands
of an American company. Under some arrangement by the two governments
this grant might be utilized for the purpose indicated. The making of
such a grant by the Government of Mexico shows a disposition to have it
occupied.
I make this suggestion because to me it presents some mode to end the
loss of valuable lives, and the continual indefinite expense which is
being encountered by the government.
I am, &c.,
J. C. FRÉMONT,
Governor of Arizona
Territory.
