Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-09-05
FROM THE COAST OF TEXAS.

From Neu Orleans Gazette, 1ugut 3.
We nave conversed with several gentle
men just returned from an excursion along
the coast of the province Of Texas, as far
as the bay of Matagorda.
The independents are in some force at
Galveston under the command of Major
Minor. Besides several parties securing
the country, there were about one hun
dred and twenty five men at Fort Bolivar,
which is in good state Of defence, having
some peices of very heavy cannon noun
led. The independents there were in cor
respondeHce with the people of St. Anto-
MO, and other towns in the PrOUinciQS
Internas The last accounts from the in
terror gave assurances that the cause Of
independence would be supported by the
whole Of the population.
Il Mexican armed cruiser was laying at
Gavelston. She is large schooner
mounting 9 guns, had lately been very
successful against the Spaniards, ami was
full of colonial produce.
Smuggling in those parts is carried on
with high hand "A negro trader, with
about two hundred slaves on Board, lately
landed her cargo at a small river this
side Of Galveston Dry goods and West
India produce are often introduced by
means of Of tie different bayous.
The Carrancrau Indians were appa-
rently in considerable force; near two
hundred fires were counted along the
coast Our informants, having landed OIL
an island III the bay Of Matagorda. dis
covered marks CT the cruelty of those
cannibals a post driven into the ground
appeared burnt all around, and on one
side theA hung part OF man's arm nail
ed to the wood. Not far off & wreck was
seen, which, being all of cedar, was pro-
baby Spanish.
The sea coast is the most favorable
that can well be imagined for smuggling.
Numbers are found now days above the
dull pursuits of civil life and nothing but
the strong arm of power and the most
energetic measures will, in similar cir
cumstances, ensure the observance of the
laws of nations and those of the United
States. If common report is not most
bare faced liar, smuggling appears liAely
to grow to as great a mead here as in
Spain itself We have been told, and that
repeatedly. bymen who have visited those
parts. that the country on the Red River,
the Opelousas, and the Attakapas, are full
of African negroes and India and Euro
pean goods smuggied in. The govern
msnt of the United States should know
the truth, and check the evil ere it at
tains greater enormitv. Were we permit
ted to advise, we should recommend the
occupation of Texas; the establishment
of three or four companies of mounted
riflemen on that frontier, and the pre-.
sence of four or five light cruisers, under
diligent officers, in the Gulf of Mexico.
From the arkansas Gazette. June so.
THE CHoCTAw BOUNDARY LINE.
Henry ID. Downs, Esq. United States
commissioner for running the bounda
ries ofthe late eession to the Choctaw In
dams, arrived at this place on Monday
last, from the state of Mississippi, with
his company of Surveyors, chain-cariers,
and others, amounting in all to Is or l9
persons; and after stopping a day or two
to recruit his men and horses, and procure
supplies, started for the point at which
his labors are to commence q.
We understand he will begin his labors
1t Poiht Remove, On tic Arkansas, oppo-