Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-09-21
LITTLE ROCK, "a. T. AUGUST 10.
INTERESTING FROM TEXAS.

days since from Hampstead county, has
communicated to us the following into
resting particulars in relation to the pre-.
sent 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 oonversed with two or
three respectable and intelligent gentle
men, who had. Just returned from Mr..
Austin's settlement at the mouth OF the
Colorado, and from an extensive explor-
ing tour through most of the principal
parts of the province OF Texas. From
information derived from them, hopes
are still entertained tina, the report OF the
death of Judge dustin is untounded,
Notwithstanding the confident manner in
which it is announced in the extract from
the {" Louisianian," which iollows.) -
They state, that some time before they
left the settlement, reports OF the death
of Mr.. Austin had reached there--one,
that he had been drowned, and another
that he had been shot-but both were
contradicted, and believed to be unicund-
ed, before they left. About the time OF
their leaving the settlement, letter (da,e
not recollected) from MIR. Austin was re-
ceived there by his brother, at which
time he was in Mexico. He informed
his brother that The prospect OF obtaining
a confirmation of bis grant was very
doub,ful--indeed, it was next to GER
tanty that it would be rejected; or it
confirmed, it would be in such a way, as,
in all probability, TO be rejected by MIR.
Austin. One of the conditions on which
the grant was to have been made, was
that he should settle 300 families within
certain limits, in stipulated time, and it
is now required that the settlers mast all
be CatAeics!-a requisition not easily
complied with.
None but Catholics are permitted to
settle in the province. II is said the in
habltan.s will be required to reside in
villages, each OF which to be under To-
cal commandant, who will be appointed
by the Imperial Government, and each
village to support one OF more priests,
according to the number OF Inhabitants.
Every inhabilant is required to take the
oath of allegiance, to swear that he is
Catholic, and that he will support and
defend that religion--none other being
tolerated. Slavery is expressly prohi-
bited throughout the Mexican Empire,
and its dependcn cies. e
The situation of the late emisrants to
that province, and indeed, Of many of the
old inhabitants, was truly to be commits
serated. Their crops had entirely failed,
in consequence of an excessive drought
which had prevailed throughout the pro-
vince for several nj onths. 1t is said that
not one drop of rain had fe Il in the settled
parts of the province since the Oath Of
May last. Water, for ordinary family
purposes was extremely scarce; and in
most places the cattle were suffering
from thirst as we'll as hunger. The grass
in some places was completely parched
up by the sun, and large proportion OF
the cattle that had been driven into the
province, had died of hunger; those that
remained, were SO poor as to be OF little
or no use to their owners. The cows
produced but a small quantity Of milk,
and even that was rendered unwboIesome
and unfit for use, on account OF lis being
tainted with, some vegetable production.
Of the prairies, OIL which the cows
feed. "a.
Afflicted with disease, and suffering
with hunger and thirst, the distresses of
the. inhabitants, and particularly the late
emigrants, was truly deplorable-we had
almost said Incredible. In consequence
OF the drought, deer and other game was
very poor and scarce. No bread-s,uffs
could be obtained, without packing it
from 70 TO 100 miles, where they were
obliged to pay s. per bushel for ii. But
few could afford to live on corn at this
price, and very large proportion OF the
inhabitants, in consequence OF their ex-
IRENE poverty, were compelled to SUBJ
slst altogether on meat, and that was SO
poor as to be considered unwholesome.
When our accounts left there, the in
habi,ants in many places were subsisting
OH the flesh Of Mustangs, (wiid horses,)
and even that was scarce. Their suffer-
ings thus far through the season have
been distressing enough-what they will
be the ensuing winter, may be easily con-
PICTURED. All the late emigrants were
anxious to return, but many would be
preventedirom doing so, in consequence
OF the loss OF their horses, which had
died of hunger. The horses that re-
manned were too poor to perform ajour-
ney back, and even if they were, it would