, 1840-04-04
CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
February 9Th, 1910,

~ u0H'c state, ioi IIiS icpupliSs
requests were made to me by my friends, tc
write to them and give them as much light
as might be in my possession, in regard to
Texas-its resources, advantages, and so on.
The mail department of this government, is
in a very disorganized condition convey
ance of news and letters uncertain. In con-
sequence Of which, | have concluded to draw
up in a brief manner, such remarks as | think
may prove interesting to those in your sec
ton, who feel an interest in the welfare of
Texas, and to transmit them to you, with the
request that you will nave them published in
the Journal trusting at the same time, that
my friends will pardon me for failing to fulfil
my promises 10 them in another way.
To pretend d. to go into a detailed narration
of the various advantages and disadvantages
of Texas, over another country, would, IN
me, be presumption. This has often been
lone by more able persons. shall only en-.
deavor to make such observations as will pro-
baby be of service to such persons as intend
emigrating hither.
In regard to the climate Of Texas, | think it
perhaps, the most salubrious and healthful on
the American continent local diseases are
not often seen. Health seems to belong to
every one. The most disagreeable weather
in Texas, is a cold north wind accompanied
by rains, during the winter season, which
usually continues three days. The months
of December and January past, were as plea
SAINT as Indian Summers in Missouri, and
quite similar to them.
The land bordering on the rivers in this
country, is generally well timbercd, fertile
soil, and very productive. The Brazos river
and its tributaries, afford as fine farming land
as any on the Mississippi. Sugar cane, cot
ton, corn. grapes, fruits, &C., melons of all
kinds, grow in great abundance, and to per-
lection. The Colorado, Navidad, La Baca,
Guadaloupe, Coleto, San Marcas, Nueces, and
San Antonio rivers, are about the same rs the
Brazos-and are the principal streams in
western Texas. The Guadaloupe and La Ba-
ca, now offer more inducements TO emigrants
than any other water courses, the land being
cheap. and the settlements free from depre-
dations.
In eastern and middle Texas, will be found
the Sabine, Neches, Trinity, San Jacinto,
and some of the tributaries Of Red River
In regard to these rivers and the lands on
them, | can only speak from hearsay. 1t is
said, they will vie with those first named.
and | have no doubt but such is the fact.
This is certainly as fine a country for rails
ing cattle, horses, hogs. and sheep, as any on
earth. Cattle and hogs, and unused horses.
look as well here in the winter season, with
out ever being fed anything whatever, as
they do in Missouri in summer. There is
always a great quantity of peccans, acorns.
wild peaches, &C., in Texas. on which the
hogs subsist.
Sugar and cotton, are thought by men Of
judgment, to be better adapted to Texas.
than to Louisiana and Mississippi. Yet, as
you will readily see, by calling to mind the
scenes of devastation and waste, which fol-
lowed the invasion Of Te1as, by Santa Anna,
in 1885, the farmers have not yet been able
to make very extensive crops Of sugar and
cotton. Our farms and houses were entirely
destroyed on that occasion, and the people
have just now re-establi she'd them, and be-
come again prepared to march on the road to
wealth and greatness.
Owing to the immense amount of emigra-
ton which has flowed into the country since
the war, provisions Of every description have
uniformly borne a high price, and will con-
tinue to do SO for a year or two to come
there has been, however, quite a falling off
in prices during the last season.
notice in my travels in Texas, a great
number Of Missourians. Indeed, three fourths
Of the population on the La Baca, and Qua.
daloupe, and a considerable portion of that on
the Colorado, is composed of Missourians..-
Eastern Texas, is principally settled by peo-
ple from Tennessee and Mississjoni. am of|