The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-21 00:00:00

THE UN,

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 21, XB5O.

EMIGRATION TO TEXAS.
[The period of emigration being now about to set in,
when so many of our fellow- countrymen arc about to
seek a new home on distant shores, has induced us to
make rather copious extracts from a very able work,;
entitled " A Journey through North-Eastern Texas,'
by E. Smith, M D., L.L 8., and B.A.]
THE NATURE OF THE SOIL.—The s,)il is universally
alluvial, and has received name; according to iti colour
rather than its composition; as black, mulattoe, grey,
ash, and red, and t f these the black, red, and grey soils
are the Le,t defined.

The prairies cf Hopkins county afford excellent pas-
turage, and the soil being stiffer than on the woodland,
wheat and small grain may to grown vith profit.
I❑ depth it varies from a few inches t) twenty feet,
but with the exception of certain patt3 of Cooke and
Dallas counties, whe;e the lime poir is abound, I have
not se,in it of a less depth than from twelve to twenty
ieche% In the valleys its depth has never been deter-
willed, except at certain points, where the rain has
formed deep ravines in the soil, at the bottom of which
the substratum may be seen. It is universally admitted
to be the finest soil in the country, equalling in fertility
the rich alluvial bottoms of the great Mississippi valley,
to portions of which soil it bears a striking tesemblani e
All the productions of the grey soil grog on the black
soil, but with far greater luxurianco.
WOOD.—The varieties of wood are the black oak,
White oak, red oak, post oak, aril black jack, which exist
universally, with pine, live oak, ash, elm, sycamore,
hickory, walnut, sweet gum, cottan wood, wild plum,
cherry, and hackberry, very commonly; and V-ie
beautiful boil d'Arc, the cedar, and the cypress
in isolated luct hies. The hois d'Arc is a
h, autifill yellow Yard wood, very eziduring, from which
are made excellent waggons, and aTt' cies of furniture.

flie French use the v(-idow as a dye, and bcaut f.al wa3i-
ing sticks are made from the twigs. The hickory is a
oeuvy darlO-coloured wood, very suitable for tool handles.,
and fuel for domestic purposes, and vast herds of pigs
feed upon its nuts. The red cedar splits readily, and is
very enduring when used as le:!cing, beirg even superior
to the black locust t! el of the Western States. Cypress
is used•most commonly in the marinfietare of water-
butts and troughs, and is the be,t fuel fir steam-en-
gines. The wood is not thickly planted, aid since the
;Ind is almost free from undergrowth, the clearing is
effected with much ease.

lioa.Ds.—The modern roads have been laid out by the
aid were cut by the compass, and consequently
are much more direct than the former ones. The
tract is usually very plain, so that we never I,,st our
way. The condition of such roads depends mainly upon
the nature of the soil and the reasons. in dry weather
a good open bard road is found almost everywhere, but
in rainy seasons the black deep limy soil is far less
agreeable than the grey sandy soil. The horsemen
traverse the country with ease at the rate of 45 miles
per day.
We found bridges of a very simple construction over
(very creek of any magnitude, but their number ought
to be much increased, so that the traveller might never
need to tread up the muddy bottom of the smallest rill.
RIVERS.—The following are the available points of

navigation:-
1. Shrieveport situate in 32 deg. 30 min. c f latitude,
to which point the produce from Northern Louisiana and
a large portion of North-East Texas is nt present carrie
2. Jefferson.—This is situated in Texas, on Cypress
Creek, and in 32 deg. 46 min. of
.10.. It is approached
from Shreeveport by the Red ILI er, and the 12 mile
Bayou, and a long chain of lakes, and ,enters farther to
the west than Shreeveport, and consequently is a more
convenient port to the settlers in the interior. Steam_
boats have plied these lakes during the past four years,
but no regular line has been established until the present

season.
3. Sulphur fork of Red River.
This large branch empties itself into the Red River
above the raft.
4. Upper Red River.
The Red River is perfectly navigable to Fort
Washite, nearly 1,000 miles above Shreeveport, and
produce may be shipped at any point upon it. The
present head of navigation is Pinehill, opposite
Towson ande exported Clarkeiville,rom the more
because the
t Eo
quantityrt
of
produce
westerly parts does not at present support navigation
higher up than Pinehill. The claeges for freight from
Pinehill are extravagantly high when compared with
d
other routes, and to avoid it, some settlers have, during
the present season, built rafts on which they have floated
their produce, whilst others prefer ti haul it t Shreeve-
port at a cost of l dollars per 8001bs., repaying them-
,elves by Lack carriage. At the preset .t time all pre--
duce conveyed down Upper Red River must be re-ship-
ped at Shreerepop e which alone greatly increases the
charge for freight; but so soon as the Red River is im-
improvei around the raft, vessels will pass up Upper
Red River direct from New Orleans, and the rates will
he properly adjusted to the distance. I learnt from the
State Engineer of Louisiana that tee Legislature c f a at
State have ordered certain improvements to be made in
the Red River, which have a most impel tint bearing upon
the development of N.E. Texas, and should be well ceu-
sidered by our colony. This engineer is now engaged in
enlarging the channel cf the Bayou Pierre, by which, and
the Rigoleadt-!ton-Dieu, the distance from New
Orleans is much lessened. This will be effeeted imme-
diately; and in the autumn he intends to remove such a
portion of the fills at Alexandria as shall permit vessels
to Tess above them at low water. It seems more than
probable that Red River will continue to be the outlet
for the produce of Eastern Texas, since it encloses a
large portion of the most fertile land, and by it the
produce may pass to one of the beat markets in the
world without tianshipment.
RAILROADS.-The Great Pacific Railroad now ab-
sorbs public attention. From the- Hun. Judge Mills,
and many other gentlemen, we learn that the Texan
Legislature intend at their next session to make a pro-
position to Congress so advantageous to the undertaking
that they are convinced that this railroad will traverse
the northern portion of Texas.
Many other reasons are offered why this railroad
should pass through Texas. It is the shortest route.
It would never be impeded by snow; whilst the opposi-
tion route would be impassable during several months
of the year.
We cannot be surprised at the great exertions: made,
and the intense anxiety felt by the Texans in this under-
taking, when we consider the following matters.
Firstly. They have probably the finest aericulteral
and manufacturing country in the world, only requiring
railroads to attract settlers with capital and enterprise,
in order to develop it; and whenever this is effected, its
size and natural advantages will secure to Texas the
preponderating influence in the States.
secondly. All parties, whether in Texas or the
sister slat's, agree that the country offers unparalleled
facilities for the construction of railroads. No railroad
would probably cost more than 1,0001. per mile.
The proposed line for the Great Pacific Railway runs
from east to west, across the ridges of a level elevated
line of land, whence the head waters of many rivers
arise, and would therefore avoid the main trunks. The
railroad to Galvest)n would run from north to south, on
a gentle declivity betwixt the great undulations cf tee
land, and would cross one or two large rivers only.
Thirdly. The wheat is ripe on the first of May, and
the cattle are fit for the New Orleans market in March,
so that cattle,l wheat, and flour could reach the New
Orleans market two or three months earlier
than
the
produce of the Western Stites. From this fact alone
Texas could control the New Orleans trade.
Fourthly. Louisiana, and the Mississippi valley in
general, do not raise grain and stock, and they are at
present supplied with these articles from Ohio and the
Western States. Texas being much nearer to these
parts ought to supply them with these artistes, which
she can raise in quantity
andquality unsurpassed by
any other State. No less a quantity of flour than 40,000
barrels had been conveyed up the Red River during that
part f the season which had preceded our arrival there.
PRODUCTIONS.—Cotton. The best cotton propuced in
N. E. Texas grows in Cass, Harrison, and Bowie coun-
ties, and on the second bottoms of all the counties bor-
dering on Upper Red River. The cotton thus produced
ranks in the New Orleans market as "Red River"
cotton, and is a fine and long staple.
In N. E. Texas the average yield is somewhat under
one bale, or 500 lbs. per acre.
In computing the quantity of cotton to be raised by
each hand, it is Customary to include his other labour.
Thus, on the Red River and the Mississippi, esch hand
is expected to cultivate eight acres of cotton lands, and
ten or twelve ecres t.f corn, besiees raising all vege-
tables required fir the family. Mr. Thomas Geldon,
residing our miles from Shreeveport, once obtained
twenty-one bales to the hand.
INDIAN CORN.—The corn is of fine quality, and is
produced in every county.
The quantity per acre varies much with the nature of
the soil, but far more with the amount of attention paid
to its cultivation. The major part of the settlers emi-
grated to Texas without capital, and from countries
where it was necessary to labour hard to procure food;
when suddenly finding themselves surrounded by an
abundant supply c f game and delicious wild fruit, and
occupying land which will yield a good harvest almost
without culture, they acquired lazy habits, and are con-
tent with the food which nature alone provides. In
general, the yield varies from twenty-five to fifty bushels
per acre; but it is universally acknowledged that more
abundant crops would result from the employment of a
proper quantity of labour.
The supply is not by any means equal to the demand,
so that the price is far higher than in any other State
in the Union. In no instance did we find it selling far
less than 75 cents per bushel, and in Hopkins county
the settlers demanded 11 dells., and even 2 dolls, per
bushel.
The leaves are pulled in August and September and
used as fodder ; the which our horses pre-
ferred to any ether food. The settlers make them
into bundles weighing 2lbs. or 31bs. each, and keep them
in small stacks or in a loft. This is selling for the enor-
mous sum of two dollars per 1001bs., because the
sett'ers have been too indolent to gather it in sufficient
quantity.
WHEAT.—This grain is not extensively cultivated on
the sandy soils, since the crop is small, and the cotton
planter prefers to give his attention to the one product
exclusively. The wheat district is on the prairies of
Hopkins county, where the soil is close, but more parti-
cularly on the hack limy toil of the prairies in Lamar,
Fannie, Collins, Grayson, Cooke, and Dallas counties.
Many millers reported that the average weight is 621b5.,
but we we e on many occasions informed by men of un-
douLted lerac'ty, that 701b5. and 721bs. to the bushel is
not an uncommon weigh'. Judge Thomas sowed 19
quarts cf wheat, and obtained 25,1 bushels of 711 b. and
731 b. We were unable to promo fair samples cf wheat,
since the stock cf old wheat was exhausted and the new
had not been gathered.
They sow ore bushel per acre, and with most imperfect
cultivation it yields fleeen to thirty bushels. The una-
nimous opinion of the inhabitants of that part of Texas

and of the neighbovring States, proves that this elevated
prairie lend cannot be surpassed as a wheat district.
OATS grow well in every county, but we saw but few
crops, and those looked healthy, but not very fine.
GRASSES.—The Wire grace, almost exclusively, grows
upon the prairies of Hopkins county ; it is a narrow
leaf growing three or four feet in height, and the world
cannot show cattle in finer condition than those roaming
uncared for over these splendid prairies. Cows of
600 lbs. weight and steers of 1,000 lbs. are met with
everywhere. Steers of two years old universally
weigh 450 to 650 lbs. No difference of opinion exists
3csa.inoituttinlntamongtet,grr
43str
atnnedtduh burnfreni
during
stcg te:lhfe
er
thiss
summerof
bt
eh
ii
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ma nd a d
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best
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stock-raising
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t counties,h
e
t ue
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dtehre on
hl de
tasruiti p
rdrying
pr
naps
es ,n afterwhiewhh itchhee
sheep and cattle feed in the subsequent months. In the
winter, the cattle retire to the river bottoms and seek
the " hogwallow," plarres on the prairies where grass
eortinu- s grri en and nutritious during those months.
The Calumus grass alone, or mixed with tee wire,
and weer natural grasses, covers the prairies t f the
black soil, where vegetation grows with a luxuriance to
which northern countries offers no parallel. These
prairies extend for hundreds of miles, constituting a
Goshen for the st Her.
Vrees.--Several varieties are indigenous to the
country, and two came under our notice. The one runs
up the trunks and twines amongst the foliage, covering
the tops of trees 100 feet high with grapes of great size
and sweetness. We had no opportunity of tasting this
variety. The other grows on small bushes, two feet in
height, lying upon the ground, or supporting themselves
by entwining their tendrils around tee branches of
shrubs. Upon these little bushes we counted twenty er
twenty-five bunches. It is believed that no country sur-
passes Texas in the growth of the grape.
ToBACCO.—This production is not cultivated in N. E
Texas as an article of exportation: for home consump-
don it -ells at Is. per lb. The Texan tobacco produces
fine flavoured cigars and smoking tobacco; but the igno-
i auce of the farmers as to the mode of curing the lenf
erevents them from converting it into manufactured to-
bacco. This feet is well known in the States, and I
heard it mentioned by a planter of Tennessee, when
travelling down the Mississippi.
FLAX grows readily, but I did not see it growing.
Wooa.—Sheep are as yet scarce in the country. The
la-get flocks seen by us were on t e praries of Hopkins
and Lamar counties. They are ( f tee lone-'egged
Mexican bresd,emd in excellent condition. They are
shorn twice a 3 ear, the fleece weighing about 3f lbs, and
sells at Is. to Is. 6d. per lb. The prairies being elevated
and dry and the grass excellent, this part of Texas is
particularly adapted to sheep grazing. The rams are
small and ill-bred. '1 he sheep are said to yeah twice a
3ear, but since the rams run with the flock at all times,
it is nearer to the truth to say that there is scarcely a
fixed yeanieg season.
CATTLE.—In no state have we found finer cattle than
in Texas. In the legions bordering on the Red River,
and in the woodland in general, the breed is small; but
on the prairies the cattle are exceedingly large, and al-
ways in prime condit:or. The Durham breed has been
introduced, and I think the stock on the prairies of
Texas is quite equal to the common stock of this coun-
try. Their steers are much superior te ours. Cows
e-tially Lave a calf at two years old, and never pass a
year without an additional one.
HORSES.—The horses are of a superior quality, in
every state through which we have travelled; much more
so than the mass of horses in our country. Tho im-
proved breeds have been largely importel, and the horse
being well fed and lightly worked, the breed continues to
improve. Tbey are of good size and of light build, and
by t:aining become very fast walkers.
MULES are held in great esteem in all the southern
States, being more patient, steady, and enduring in
their labour than horses. Much care has been bestowed
upon the improvement of this stock, and a fine race,
15f hands high are commonly employed.
1-'ics are very numerous, and find their food almost
exclusively in the woods and river bottoms. Upon and
near to the prairies, where food is more plentiful, the
breed is bettor, bearing some resemblance to the Berk-
shire breed, which has been introduced amongst them.
They are small and short-legged, and very fet, affording
excellent pork and bacon to the settler, without his
having expended one penny upon them.
SALTED MEATS will be a profitable exportation
when the internal communication of the country is im-
proved, and the supply of cattle exceeds the daily
demand.
HONEY AND WAX are collected in immense quanti-
ties, and are largely exported. We found virgin honey
~n every table. At every step we found trees cut for
the purpose of finding honey.
GAME, of every variety, is in countless numbers over
the country. Deer, in herds, occupy every wood, and at
(lawn if day and at nigl,t may bo seen browsing on the
open prairie. Wild turkeys, weighing 301b5., frequently
crossed our path. Ducks and geese are said to be
innumerable. Partridges exist everywhere, and were
constantly running in front of our horses. The prairie
hen is very abundant, and is about the size of a common
fml, but much more delicious.
Dos grow luxuriantly.
PEACHES are grown by every settler for the purpose of
waking dried fruits, or fur feeding swine.
lrEng
Eli
The several varieties of the Mulberry grow univar-
lETgAaßrdLeEnsi.—r Ve
wg saw l
u
g‘ro i n exvuerriyant varietyly. known
to the
nd the settlers sa that the silkwor a
a
e elll. the climate cf Texas resembles that of Itm aly,thrives and
it is possible that the silkworm may be reared to great
edvanta-se.
We saw the Castor Oil Plant and the Sarsaparilla
Plant growing luxuriantly.
The usual return from an acre of corn is 20 dells.
One man and horse will cultivate thirty acres, besides
attending to other duties; inducing a return of 600 dolls.
per year for each band.
MAREETS.-At the present time the market at the
settler's door demands all the grain and fodder which Le
can raise, as also all the cows and calves and well-broke

steers. The fat cattle:in all parts of N. E. Texas are
purchased by dealers and driven to Shreeveport, whence
they are shipped to New Orleans.
When grain shall be grown in quantity too large for
home consumption, it will meet with a ready market
on Red River and the adjoining lakes. Corn may be
used for other purposes than that of food, as in the dis-
tillation of raw spirit, so extensively carried on in Illi-
nois and Ohio.

WATER.—Three very distinguishable kinds of water
are met with in N. E. Texas.
Ist. The tasteless water derived from the sandy strata.
It is common on all the sandy soil; is very excellent, and
very abundant in springs and creeks on the woodlands,
and in springs and wells on the prairies.
2d. The limestone water, which is found everywhere
on the black soil. When the quantity of impregnated
lime is very small, the water was not disagreeable to us;
but, on other occasions, it had a flavour not agreeable to
the unitiated. This taste is precisely like that of the
eater in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan,
and all the Western States. Those who are accustomed
to its use become very fond of it, and cannot be induced
to drink the sandstone water, which is too insipid for
their taste. The medical men and other settlers agree
in the opinion that it is very healthful, and in no else
promotes the attacks of disease. This water is abundant
in springs and creeks, and from wells dug in the soft
limestone of the northern counties. The settlers in
Red River county prefer to cut cisterns in this soft
limestone.
These varieties of w ater are so deliciously soft that
we never use soap in washing ourselves.
Sulphur springs are met with in various parts of the
country; a valuable one is situated on Colonel Reiley's
land, on the spot where the town was proposed to be
located.
Salt springs.—There are several salt prairies in North-
Eastern Texas,. One is situated in Van Zampt county,
and is callei Jordan's Saline. The prairie is Of good
size, and an abundance of strong brine is procured from
wells dug twenty feet in depth. The works are small,
producing 500 bushels of salt per month, which meet;
with a ready sale. There is also a Saline on the Sabine
which is said to be equally well supplied with salt.
MINERALS.—CoaI.—This mineral is undoubtedly
found in the western part of the State, where the
Spaniards and Mexicans formerly worked numerous
mines; but in N. E. Texas none has been sought for, so
far as we have
Limestone is very universally distributed over Texas
and the Western States.
LABOUR.—
In Titus county, labour costi $l5 per month.
„ Hopkins ~ „ $8 to 12 „ and is plentiful.
„ Lamar „ $8 to 10 „ ditto.
„ White Oak Settlement $l2 to 15 „ and is scarce.
A colony should import every kind of labour. Even
farm labourers would be useful, since the American
labourer is not accustomed to, and will not bear, tie
vigilant eye of an English employer to be always upon
him. Shepherds, who well understand their business,
smiths, wheelwrights, carpenters, bricklayers, tanners,
shoemakers, tailors, engineers, and practical chemists,
may be taken there with advantage.
MANUFACTURES.—Perhaps no country offers so many
advantages to manufacturers as does Texas. There the
great staple articles, cotton, wool, silk; and flax, grow
in perfection; whilst the mechanic would be surrounded
with the necessaries and comforts of life at a very small
cost. Those who are acquainted with Texas believe
that it will place itself in the first rank as a manufac-
turing as well as producing country. At present the
length and breadth of the country is open to the manu-
facturer, and be would be welcomed with open arms by
every settler.
SECURITY.--lst. As it respects men.
The most perfect security to lit, and property reigns
throughout N. E. Teams far more perfect than can
be found in the Eastern States, or in Europe,'
or indeed in any well-peopled country. W e
travelled alone by, day and night, and never
receivedincivility or injury; and the only attempt to
impose upon us was by ;one of our own countrymen.
The inhabitants behaved very 1"roily to us, and on se-
veral occasions would not he pt r-r our board and
lodging. They are ex. 4). -41 y. deitrbus to receive
new settlers, knowing that tn, -esources of their country
will thus become developed, and their own property in-
creased in value; and the] ef ore they are not likely to
offer injury to those whom they desire to receive
amongst them. They are too rich to render theft
worthy of their attention. Unprotected loaded wag-
gons, which have broken down on the high road, have
been known to remain unmolested for many days. They
boast of their, admitted honesty in paying their debts,
and in a legal regard for the rights and property of
ethers.
The law of Tel as forbids gambling, under a heavy
penalty, to be stud for by presentment of the grand jury,
a body which has far more power in the United State i
than in our country.
The Indians are not met with in Texas, except in the
mountainous district of the north-west, and on the
prairies to the west of :the cross timbers. The Chero-
kees, Choctaws, and Chicasaws occupy the Indian terri-