Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-05-21
Itom lie .N.fcLeS .ltauh

- $3.50 FROM Me .HdfcheS, ~HQy 4. |
a&xAs.-Fhe writer of the following account of
Fexas, was not many weeks since in Natchez, and
sent us the following communication requesting that
We would give IL a place in The Narchez
To the editor of 1.-The Natchez"s
Dear Sir: a number of my acuuaint anc es being do
sirous of learning something ofthe soil, climate pop
uation, navigation, commerce, agriculture munich
pal regulations, literature, religion state of society,"
&c. &c. In that part of Texas now settNne by Amer
lean ctizens,-having spent the last three wears of
my life there, profess to know sometime of il
That part of the Province which am best acona;nt
ed with, Is settling under the immediate direction of
Coils Austin, Dewitt and Woodbury., as agents for
Ep,prisanos for the Mexican government. and lie,
Immediately the Gulf of Mexico: II j. situated in
North lat. 20 deg. 30 to 81 min; in long ~ dec.
west of Washington, and is bounded on tho ,y.s,
by the RIO Guadaoupe, on the east by the western
boundary of America or Sabine river the south bv
the Gulf of Mexico, and on the north by beautiful
undulating country, lying north of 81 lat The first
of those Grants Agencies, to-wit Aus,in.s was
conceded to Col. Austin, sen decd in 1920. bv tho
royalty of Old Spain, during the tire that Mex
leo was burthened by the tyranny of the most cruel
and oppressive monarch that have any account of
IL modern history
After Mexic2 became republican government
Col Austin, Jr obtained from the President and
Congress OF the republic the privilege of settling on
his grant three hundred American families: which
grant he complied with, and has had his first con-
tract ratified, in o28.
In 1924, the Congress of Mexico divided the re-
pune into ~ federal states, and gave to each state
separately, to dispose of as they thought most mo-
lite, for their own promotion The second grant of
AUSTIN as well as the two last grants beonginp tn
the aforesaid grantee, was Obtained from the S,ato
Legislature OF Texas, BY special Act Of Congress
giving them the power to do, subject to the follow
ing resi- rictions-Hach man of family in v,rtue of
his settlement Is entitled to $500 acres of land: and
each young man without family is entitled to only
1900 acres, at the rate of four dollars for eyery hun
dred acres surveying included The soil is inferior
10 none on the continent, and more analogous to the
iere and so much boas ed of lands in the Attakapas
OF Louisiana, than any have ever SEEM and is well
adapted to the culture of Cotton and Surar The
climate is perhaps of the best and most healthy
without The tropics; 1t Is no by actual obser.
vatlon OF Fahrenhets thermometer, in Texas than
IN Kentucky. in the heat of Summer; we seldom have
frost enough TO Kill vegetation through the winter
The population of Austin's Settlement is about
$4,000, agreeable to the last Census taken in ,s2e-
. one third OF whom slaves And apeeable IN a
regular bill of mortality on record il rs So heoh
that the inhabitants do not die / to 100 annualy.
and reasonable allowance will give us DURING The
present year from 2 to 900 more settlers az rho
emigration is immense We have emptyinp- into
the Gulf of Mexico in the space of 200 miles
no less than four navigabe rivers, the largest of
which are the Brassos Colorado, Gaudaloune and
Trinity. besides several of less distinction and son,e
that are not laid down on any map now ex,ant Onr
ports OF entry aud harbours afford us every facility
for exporting the products of our country as well a
importing such of the American manufactures as
our necessities require-besides safe guaranty tn
US from foreign invasion by sea. The vessels enGnp
ed IN our trade are of small draught of from to
soo tons burthen, mostly sloops and schooners We
nave no steamboats, yet, as the commerce of our
country will not justify it; transport alton is done
up and down the rivers by keel boats entirely
! The commerce is well protected by the laws of
the government. We exempt from all export
as well as import duties, for the term of twelve
years. which term will expire in 1884; we are also
exempt from any taxation during the term of
! years.
The agricultural pursuits of the country are yerv
and h1x,,
husoandmen grow cotton, corn, sugar, &C., as well
as raise horses, mules cattle, sheep, &c in great
abundance. without any sort of expense-fne orch
ards of Southern fruits as well as abundant vegeta
BILE e gardens
| The municipal regulations are much to be admired
having vested in body polite the power of making
internal regulations and laws for laying off roads
erecting bridges and establishing public ferries SUI
Perintending public schools, suppressing gambling
drunkenness vagrancy and profane swearing The
Constitution extends the freedom Of elections fur
ther than that of any other republic; promises per-
sonal liberty, personal security and the right of pri-
Vate property;-has divided the government into
three separate and distinct department. to wit Ex
eculve, Legislative and Judicial; and SAYS no one
to the other.
We elect our President and Governor for the term
OF years; our members to Congress and State Lee
gsature annuaily' our Judges and all other inferior
officers annually,
ehave great many public schools for the pur-
pose OF educating the poor and iterate natives,-
besides we have in the town of Austin, the metrop
oils OF the country, College under the patronage
OF the government, Which is at this time in a very
iiourishing condition, and has for its President
graduate of Yale College.
The Religion of the country is Roman Catholic
apostolic: The Protestans of the country exercise
the same liberty of conscience they do in America
they have no Catholic priest among them, they pay
no respect or tribute to them. Since touching on
that subject so sacred to freemen must inform you
OF the policy of that infant republic in protecting
WretCHe6 dpDrndpd mo FIR rpliU io
1t was through the Catholic clergy they became free.
In the revolt against Spain, the clergy said to the
Republicans, if you will protect our religion we will
make you freeDren otherwise we had rather be sub
lect TO the tyranny and oppression or Ferdinand.
Inc Republicans at once agreed to their proposition,
and they their freedom to that class of men
who are such curse to the name of democracy. In
grating their Constitution, they have been very