The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-21 00:00:00

,

Z

TEXAS.
ST. JOSEPH'S ISLAND.
(From a Correspondent of the Tribune.)
St. Joseph's Island is one of the many places in Texas
which is now engaging the public attention, and as I have
had an opportunity of spending a few weeks upon it, I will
give you a short account of this celebrated spot:—
" It is situated on the coast of Texas, in latitude 28 deg.,
and about 140 miles south-west of Galveston. The sheet of
water between it and the main land is called Aransas Bay,
into which a river of the same name flows, and also the San
Antonio. The island is long and narrow, being about forty
miles in length, and varying from two to six in width.
With certain winds, and certain stages of the tide, it is
divided into two portions, one being about eighteen, and the
other twenty-four miles in length. This strip of land is
a mere sand-bar, which has been formed by deposition
from currents of water freighted with sicilious matter.
The oceanic currents run in this direction strongly, and
bring with them great quantities of drift-wood. These
trees and branches having affected a lodgment, become en-
tangled and intertwined together, and form a strong net-
work, which binds the whole together. The land is making
gradually out in the direction of the sea, because this drift-
wood is constantly lodging on the shore, and serves to catch
and hold the aqueous deposites. The soil is very poor, being
composed of fine sand with little or no proportion of calca-
reous matter or vegetable mould, and is unfit for vegetation
in its present state. There is not a tree, or even a bush upon
its surface. Owing to the decomposition of the materials
which have been brought by the currents, such as shells
and sea-weeds, and the effects which have been produced by
wild beasts and birds, the surface soil has sufficient strength
to produce some grasses. This surface soil is very thin,
and the grasses are high and coarse. some portions are
covered with the mu squit grass, which is quite
celebrated, its nutriment being nearly equal in quantity and
quality to that of some of our coarse grains. The mustangs,
or wild horse, feed upon this grass, and prefer it to any
ots,therefinowTs,haendislianndnoisplaveeerydloeess-etl
the
some
aptatr atroe
tshueb jheecitg
height
of thirty feet above the sea. There is a ridge of sand hills
along the coast, which are abrupt on the side of the water, but
slope off gradually in the other direction. As you approach
the coast, this ridge has the appearance of being A forest ; but
as you come nearer you discern naught but barren sand-hills,
and feel satisfied that distance lends enchantment to the
view ' as well in Texas as elsewhere. Plenty of water is
obtained in every part of the island by digging a few feet;
but it is as poor as it is abundant, being very brackish. The
enterprising inhabitants have not brought the croton to St.
Joseph's. We brought some out in the vessel, and it tasted
very fine. Why should it not? What the population of this
island will be at the next census, I am wholly unable to say.
It may be double or treble its present number, and not be very
great then, for at present there are but two families upon it.
The climate is healthy and delightful at this season. In
consequence of the little rain which falls, its speedy perco-
lation through the ground, and the intense heat which the
sand attains, there is a constant current of air from the sea,
which is very refreshing. The days are warm, and the nights
are cool. Thick clothing is worn mostly at present. The
beech excels even the far-famed Rockaway for its fine bath-
ing. This has been quite a fashionable resort this season for
people from the north, but I believe the fever is confined prin-
cipally to the military profession. They are not so selfish as to
wish to monopolise it themselves, so come on and try it your-
self. There is the greatest abundance of game, of all
sorts. It is very common, in going from six to ten miles
on any part of the island, to see from one hundred to two
hundred deer grazing. They are quite tame and easily ob-
tained. Wish I could send you a quarter of venison. Grey-
hounds would be invaluable here. There is the greatest
abundance of wild geese, ducks, plover, snipe, rail, and sand-
hill cranes, and they are such fine ones, that
'Those now shoot, who never shot before,
And those who always shoot, now shoot the more.'
"Our greatest annoyance is the rattle-snake, which abounds
in the greatest profusion. But these will eventually give
place to man. We have plenty of fine fish in Aransas Bay,
which, by-the-by, is a beautiful sheet of water, but its na-
vigation is interrupted by sand bars. Vessels of lighter
draught than seven feet can pass the bar, and go as far as
Shell Island, some ten miles. The channel is very winding
and intricate, and well adapted for wrecking of small craft.'
NEWS FROM TEXAS.
The Alabama arrived at New Orleans on the 16th, with
advices from Aransas Bay to the 12th inst.
Among other documents, we have received the following
letter from our correspondent, who is now safely in camp :--
"St. Joseph's Island, Texas, Oct. 10, 1845.
" The present position of our country with respect to our
southern neighbour is peculiar, and as we are yet young in
diplomacy, it is presumed that many new questions of prac-
tice and policy must arise, on the settlement of which will
depend, not only our own future conduct, but whose deci-
sion may have no small effect in modifying those interna-
tional rules which civilised nations have acknowledged to be
their governing laws. Hence every eye must be directed
hither with unusual interest, for Americans feel that the
time is now at hand for their country to assert her influence
among the nations, and whether or not a hostile gun shall be
fired, they look with patriotic pride upon the spectacle of
firmness and vigour she now presents.
" But you do not ask for political letters from Texas ; you
would rather hear of the dreadful marches,' of war's
alarms,' and all the pomp and circumstance of which the
country beyond the IS ueces is soon to be the theatre. Of
course, everything communicated with reference to the
movements of an army is mere speculation, entitled to con-
fidence no further than as the views of an actual looker-on.
He who claims greater authority for his revelations is an
impostor; as the nature of his orders is first published to the
world in the act of a good general. That these orders will
be judicious, we have a guarantee in the elevated character of
our Administration, which many thinking men believe is the
very definition of what is demanded by the present crisis.
"It is known that this camp is a sort of half-way house for
the troops in transitu. Arrivals and departures have been the
exciting incidents for weeks, but in a short time this place
must be shorn of its honours as a scene of interest, and will
very soon be degraded to the ignoble rank of a mere depot
of stores and supplies. Henceforth look to the disputed
territory' for the true seat of war.
"The United States ship Lexington arrived on the 4th, with
detachments of the Ist and 2d Artillery. Yesterday the
steam-ship Alabama appeared off this island ; she brought
from New Orleans five companies of the sth, two of the Bth,
and one of the 7th Infantry. All the troops now here, it is
understood, move to Corpus Christi in a day or two, and
then—Here endeth epistle No. 1."
(From N. 0. Picayune, Oct. 16.)
The troops stationed at Corpus Christi and St. Joseph's
Island were all well. No movement has yet been made
upon the Nueces. The Flying Artillery, under Major Ring-
gold, were at St. Joseph's Island, but about to proceed to join
the main body of the forces. At Corpus Christi business was
extremely brisk.
We have seen letters dated the 10th inst., which state that
the Indians lately made an attack upon a settlement on Mis-
sion river, and killed and drove off all the cattle. The inha-
bitants were so fortunate as to escape. The attack is sup-
posed to have been instigated by a desire to avenge.the late
cowardly attempt upon the life of Castro, who lately guided
Col. Cook, the Texan Secretary of War, to Corpus Christi,
and of whom our correspondent spoke so favourably.
A bloodless duel came off recently on the beach of St.
Joseph's Island, or rather a hoax in the guise of a duel,
there having been an understanding between the friends off
the principals that no harm should be done. One of the prin-
cipals is said to have gone off under the full impression that.
he has killed his adversary.
The United States store-ship Lexington and the mall
schooner On-kah-y- e sailed from Aransas on the 7th
inst. The schooner Piedmont, of Waldborongh, Me., had
arrived at Aransas from New York, with United States
troops and stores. The steam-boat White Wing has been
sold to the United States Government. For the want of
warehouses, the schooners Cornelia and T. F. Hunt have been
converted into temporary store-ships. The steam-schooner
Augusta, and the steam-boat Monmouth, are still em-
ployed by the Government as lighters. The Monmouth and
the schooner Wm. Bryan were shortly to' leave for this port
for repairs. The schooners Josephine, Henry Plantagenet,
and the Emma, arrived at Aransas on the sth, Bth, and 10th
respectively, from this port. The schooners Two Friends
and Roselle sailed for this port on the 10th, the schooner
President, of New York, on the 11th, and the schooner
Fame on the Bth inst. The schooners H. L. Kinney ask
Orange Branch were shortly to sail for Galveston.

TEMPLETON IN AMERICA.
Our old friend Templeton is creating quite a furore in
America. The New York Herald,. which devotes more
than a column to the account of his debit, speaks of hint
as the greatest tenor singer that has ever appeared. It
appears that the house was crowded to suffocation, and
that the audience were so enthusiastic, that Templeton
felt bound, at the conclusion of the performance, to return
them especial thanks, which he did in a neat speech, for
the magnificent reception they had given him. He re-
peated his entertainment on the following evening, and
the following is the critique of the New York Tribune:—
" On Friday evening, Templeton—the all-accomplished
Templeton—presented us with a romance which might haver
flowed from the pen of Scott. Never was the history of the
beautiful and illustrious Mary, Queen of Scots,' listened to
with sympathy more profound, and never was it our lot to .
hear the details of history more attractively handled. The
whole entertainment fell on our ears more like a brilliant
poem than a grave matter of historical interest. The songs
were sung as only Templeton could sing them. Did our
space permit we would instance many additional triumphs of
this truly great vocalist ; but it is impossible to pass in
silence the effect produced by the humorous and eccen-
tric Jolly Beggars'—the production, it is well known, of
King James, who is himself the hero of the ballad—which
was enthusiastically encored. Not inferior to this was the
inspiring and original strain, Put off, put ofZ' which also
met, as it merited, a warm encore. Scots wha has was in-
troduced with singular felicity, and, as usual, commanded
thunders of applause. Between the parts Templeton again
her;' and, at the conci;nhuse,.
?I
It
faarecie r
Mdaersyc,ribhiengstruWletkh
a deep
su.
l is lost,' which he delivered
charmed us with his magnificent I love. her,. how. I love
pathosbm su-
blime thehor
d last
of days
wet'
with an effect perfectly thrilling. The house was even more
densely crowded than usual."

LADY HESTER STANHOPE'S MEMOIRS.—A second
edition of this remarkable work has just appeared. " These
volumes (observes the Quarterly Review), consists of anec-
dotes related by Lady Stanhope, opinions expressed by her,
letters written by her, during the several residences of her
physician under her roof, and to him, in that confidential
capacity, all communicated by here The nature of such a
book is unavoidably such as to give it extraordinary at-
tractions. These volumes are such as no one who takes
them up can easily lay down. The character of the prin-
cipal personage is one of no ordinary interest. She was the
daughter of Dlr. Pitt's favourite sister, and lived with hint
for the last years of his eventful life. Before her he freely
unbent himself; and as she remembered much that bad
passed in his society, the principal charm of these volumes
is derived from their constant reference to the habits of that
great man. Nor can anything be well conceived more at-
tractive than his simple, amiable character, as it appears in
these pages. He is hardly ever mentioned that he does not
rise in our esteem."
DIRT FAlR.—This annual fair was held in Salford
on Monday last, and certainly retained its right to its appro-
priate cognomen, the heavy rains of the morning making the
streets as dirty as possible. As a fair both for the sale of
cattle and horses, and a pleasure fair for children of all ages,
this ancient feast and market is rapidly sinking in popular
estimation, and in a few mere years it will be numbered with
the things that were. The show of cattle and horses was by
no means good, and few sales were made. Of pigs, as usual,
there was a large and good show. hall
TArieocA,—We believe that a giesq,er qtity of
this very nutritious article of domestic use is at present sale-
able in Liverpool than at.any former time. If there should
be the apprehended scarcity in potatoes, there are few more
"cheadepertainia rate):
wthheorelesaormeeneoscnuelewnricash acansubsbtietuptrocethuanredtapaitnea,so
The quantity of excellent food obtainable from a pound
weight of the article is amply sufficient for the breakfast or
dinner of a tolerably-sized family. We anticipate the time
when it will be sold as freely in grocers shop as tea, sugar,
or oolOpuri