Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/601

Rh very industrious people, of a darkish brown colour. Their dress is similar to that of the Indians of Mexico, which is a white cotton jacket, loose, but closed up all round: short pantaloons of the same, with shoes open on one side and projecting round the ankle. They seldom go barefooted; every man has a blanket, and every woman a long scarf: they are good carpenters, masons, shoemakers, and house-painters; and manufacture blankets, shawls, coarse cotton, saddles, packsaddles, bridles, &c. with considerable quantities of soap. The Opatas are most useful citizens, and have, on many occasions, proved their loyalty to the Mexican Government, by assisting the Whites in repelling the attacks of the Apaches, and other nations. This tribe alone has the privilege of bearing fire-arms; and at this day they are formed into militia companies in several towns, particularly in Oposura, where some of them are incorporated with the Whites, and form companies of two hundred men, well armed and trained. They are very brave, good warriors, and a terror to the others; their chief is a fine stout man, named Salvador: he holds the rank of general, and receives from the Supreme Government in Mexico fifty dollars per month. He is generally respected by the inhabitants, and implicitly obeyed by the tribe.

Babiacora is situated on a Table-land, about one mile from the river Sonora, elevated one hundred and fifty feet above the valley, over which it commands an extensive and pleasing view. The vale of Sonora extends from this town about twelve leagues north, and is considered one of the most fertile and productive districts in the State. It contains the towns of Conche and Sonora, besides a number of Haciendas and farms, and a considerable population.

In the neighbourhood of Babiacora there are many silver mines, most of which contain a greater or less proportion of gold. The principal are Dolores and San Antonio, to the south-west of the town, Cerro Gordo to the south-east, and Cobriza on the Cerro de San Felipe, in the valley above.

The mine named Cerro Gordo, is situated about four leagues south-east of Babiacora, on a very high hill, and appears to have been one of considerable interest, from the great quantity of refuse minerals thrown out on its sides. The quantity of