Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-07-17
FROM TEXAS.
Extract of a letter to the Editor of the
Southern Argus, dated

Southern Argus, dated
HOUSTON, Texas, June 90, 1888.
have just returned from the West, where
have rambled over large portion of that
country. Wherever met with inhabitants,
l found them prosperous and happy, and the
reports of difficulties and distress on our from
tier, are as false as the hearts of those are
black, who circulate them. Settlements are
now progressing with rapidly around the A.
Kansas. Copona, and Corpus Christ bays,
and along the Nueces River, and no more fears
are entertained of the Me4iUur5 OE E'''Si--'-'
than there is in this portion OF Texas, t0htch Is
none at all. That country possesses many adj
yantares IN point of sol and climate, over che
Eastern mart of Fexas, and indeed over any
rort;on Of -ene Globe which have ever seen.
vis;oed the Salt Lake, 65 miles from Mata-
moras, for the purpose Of making location Of
it. When we arrived, we found Mexican
garrison on the spot. But we had spent too
much money and time to be turned back for
trifes, and myself and three other Americans,
and Mexican guide, commenced making the
survey. And we succeeded yes. and brought
the field notes home in ourpocket,-and the
Salt Lake is ours. A troop Of Mexican Cav
airy discovered us and made chase Just as we
had completed our labors. We followed the
advice of Hudibras:-
"He who fights and runs away" &c.
There is perhaps, not dozen old settlers in
Texas who has not had views on that Salt
Lake: for it is the most valuable property in
Texas; and when it was fairly ascertained
that we had got it, you never heard such an
excitement as it produced. They could hard
ly believe their senses, when the field notes
were brought IN; and they found their own
plans Of operation had been preceded by 9TH
ers. All they had intended to 90 as quick
as they could dot with safety, and asked what
had induced me and my hair-brained compan-
ions to risque our lives in running lines round
Mexican fertilization! But we got the Salt
Lake, and after they had capered few days,
they all came to the conclusion that we were
deserving Of it, for our adventure. It is a
Lake about IS miles from the harbour at point
Isabella, and about % miles from the Rio
Grande River. It is about one mile in length
and froma quarter to half mile in width. It
is supplied with water from Salt Springs, and
of SO strong quality, that the salt cryFtalizea
In such abundance as to form strata from
IL to 6inches in thickness During the sum
mer season the water dries up almost entire
| y, and then it presents nothing but one con-
tnued bed Of pure salt. More than 2,OOO,O 900
Of people now derive their salt frnrn that
source, and the amount is e.-sEantly increas-
ing. It is snrros.-sI5d BY the richest body of
land J .sver and nature has marked il out
as theseatof great city.
On my returnto the Capital found myself
astranger at home. During my four months
absence, the city had doubled IN point Of pop
ulation and business. You win recollect It Is
but little more than year old, and we have a
populationo Of near 1000 souls. We have i've
steamboats, that ply regularly between this
place and Galveston, and a. they make their
trips in about ~ hours. down or up, We ava.
rage more than one steamboat a day. we
havei in addition to this generally, from SIX "a
aselt seil Of vessels, and our infant town. pre-.
ssnss az 9ne aPppalspaaaf q commpreial CITY
lee Is Just as plenty here assIr - :. rla1s
Orleans. and We have nOtonly the neces.aTies
but Che Injuries of life. Ia great abundance
We have three newspapers published il Is.
city (which have q vsly extensive circulation
Andtheil long lislsof new advertisements s..
type q The extensive business done q e,
cry. Galveston has alsonais rapid 81 is L
improvement. Six nonkh aeo there Hasro
house standing on the Island. Now shes
fum so . 20 elegant buildings aa oo1 81
woo Buildings q CD