Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-10-12
INTERESTING FROM TEXAS.


Agentleman who had arrived here few
days since from Hampstead county, has
communicated TO US the following interest.
ing particulars in relation to the present
situation OF affairs in the province of Texas
and OF the distressed condition OF the late
emigrants to that country.
Just before he left Hampstead county,
our informant conversed with two or three
respectable and intelligent gentlemen, who
had just returned from Mr.. Austin's settle
meRt at the mouth OF the Colorado, and
from an extensive exploring tour through
most OF the principal parts oil the province
OF Texas. From information derived from
them. hopes are still entertained that the
report Of the death OF Judge Austin is un-
founded, Notwithstanding The confident
manner in which il is announced in the ex-
tract from the Louis ianian." y They state
that some time before they left the settle
ment, reports of the death OF Mr.. Austin
bad reached there-one that be bad been
drowned, and another that he had been
shot-but both were contradicted, and be-
lieved 10 be unfounded, before they left
About the time of their leaving the settle
ment, letter (date not recollected) from
Mr.. Austin was received there by bis bro
Their, at which time be was in Mexico.--
He informed bis brother that the prospect
OF obtaining confirmation OF bis grant was
very doubttul-indeed it was mex, to Ger.
tainly that it would be rejected, or if con-
irned, it would be in such way, as IN all
probability TO be rejected by Mr, Austin,
One Of the conditions on which the grant
was 20 have been made, was, that he should
settle $40 families within certain limits,
in asstipulated time, and it is now re-
CURED that the settlers must all be Catho-
hc,!-a requisition not easily TO be CON-
piled with.
None but Catholics are permitted TO set
lie in the province. 1t is said the inhabi-
tants will be requested TO reside in villages
each of which 10 be under local con-
mandant, who will be appointed By the
imperial government, and each village to
support one or more priests, according TO
the number OF inhabitants. Every inha-
bitant is required TO take the oath OF aIle-
glance TO swear that be is Catholic, and
that he will support and defend that reli-
gion--none other beng tolerated. Slave
,ry is expressly prohibited throughout
the Mexican Empire. aad its dependen
cies.
The situation of the late emigrants to
that province, and indeed, Of many Of the
old inhabitants, ives truly 10 be commisse-
rated. Their crops had entirely failed, in
consequence ofan excessive drought which
bad prevailed throughout that province tor
several ronlhs. 1t is said that not one
drop Of rain bad fell in the settled parts Of
the province since the Gath of May last
Water, tor ordinary family purposes, was
extremely scarce; and in most places the
cattle were suffering from thirst as well as
hunger. The grass, in some places was
completely psrched up by the sun, and a
large proportion of the cattle that had
been driven into the province, had died of
hunger; those that remained, were 80 poor
as to be little or no use to their owners.
The COWS produced but a small quantity
Of milk, and even that was rendered UNI
wholesome and unfit for use on account Of
its being tainted with some vegetable pro-
duction Of the praicies on which the COWS
feed
Afflicted with disease, and suffering With
hunger and thirst, the, distresSes Of the in.
habitants, was truly teplorable- had
almost saidiacredible. In consequence of
the drought. deer and other game was We
ry poor and scarce. No bread SUITS could
be obtained, without packing it from 20 to
100 miles, wRele they were obliged 70 pay
Dc per bushel for il. But few could afford
to live en- corn at this price, and very
large proportion Of the iaha bita0ts IN con-
sequence Of their extreme poverty, were
compelled 10 subsist altogether on meat,
and that was so poor as 10 be considered
unwnoiesome. When cur accounts lett
there, the inhabitants 10 many places were
subsisting on the aesh of Mustangs, {wild
horses, and even that was scarce. Their
sulferings thus far through the season have
been distressing enough-what they will be
the ensuing wiater, may be easily con}ec-
tured. All the late emigrarts were anx.
ieus To- retuER. but many would be pre-
vented from doing so, in consequence Of
the loss OF their horses, which had died
OF hunger. The horses that remained were
too poor to perform journey back and
even-if they were, It would be almost i'm
possible 10 find subsistence tor them On the
foad.
The Mexican eouatry was in a very an
settled state, and the rich Spaniards were
leaving the country as fast as possible. with
their vafuables. Four es FIVE Spanish gen
tlemen recently arrived In the neighbor-
hood of Natchitoches, on their way to n.
Orleans. They were from Mexico, where,
in consequence of the troublesome times,
they had sold off their property, and pur-
chased about loco mules, which they were
carrying into Louisiana to dispose OF a
large proportion of the mules were laden
with packs, and it was supposed the gen,