The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-25
Communications.
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
A Brief History of the Republic Of Texas,
BY HOBART BERRIAN.


BY HOBART BERRIAN.
The April number Of the Edinburgh Review con-
tans an elaborate and highly interesting cr,ique on
Mr. Kenedy's "Rse, Progress, and Prospects OF the
Republic of Texas" work that has attracted some
attention both in Europe and America. Mr.. Kennedy
accompanied 4he late Lord Durham to Canada in
1888. Shortly after his arrival in this country he vi
sited Texas and there remained for several months,
enjoying the ia vorable auspices for collecting
correct and, to some extent, information, the
political and social condition Of that people The
work. which receives SO lavish share of praise at the
hands Of the British reviewer is indited in spirit OF
mutual good temper. That John Bull prejudice
which characterizes almost every English production,
that feeling Of hostility to liberal institutions which
is rife suffered to attract the eye and pro-
woke the anger Of the American Texan reader
full justice is awarded the country, Government and
people, ample allowances are made for all the imper-
lection natural formed society; the religion,
laws customs, habits and national peculiarly of her
citizens neither rdicued denounced-a fair.
marks the whole publication freedom from all
party bias or clannsh prejudice.
Guided jointly by the work and critique, shall at
Republic Of Texas, embracing her geography, natural
productions, and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS with
remarks Of general character which may add to its
interest and usefulness.
The Republic Of Texas recently part Of the
dominions Of the Spanish Crown it subsequently
formed portion Of emanci pated Mexico. Il occupies
at present about 400 miles Of the northern and west
shores Of the Gulf of Mexico Its western limits
terminate at the base of the Cordllera The Sabine
river courses between Texas the north, and the
State of Louisiana; and the Rio Grande del Norte
forms the southwestern boundary. The extent Of
Texas proper is about i65 900 square miles, or lO4
$4,000 acres-incuding all the provinces east of the
Rio Bravo--it is upwards 30l 900 square miles, or
l92, 24O, 900 acres.
The surface Of the country il an inclined plane
sloping gradually toward the waters of the gulf the
general aspect of the countryis described part level
part rolling and part mountainous marked by striking
differences, of appearance climate and productions
The northern portion marked by the Arkansas, the
middle region by the Red river the course Of which
has been estimated at 1900 miles, and the southern by
the Rio Grande del Norte the full length Of which is
somewhere about 1900 miles The soil in the vicni
ty Of these rivers is alluva constantly refreshed and
ertilized by their periodical rise nd fall The har
bors Of Texas are for the most part very Indifferent
from the numerous bars which obstruc, the mouths Of
her rivers. The soil Of the country is IN alluvial
prairie rich under the action Of spontaneous and
exuberant crop Of natural vegetation the porous che
racter of the SOIL the gradual elevation ofthe land and
the rise Of the banks from the beds of the streams
preclude the formation Of swamps while the open ma
Of the country and the absence of any thick I'M
derwood from the forests prevent these noxous exha
la,ons, so fatal to human life The climate is delight
full, being not unlike that Of Italy "The heat Of
summer is tempered by breezes which blow almost
without intermssion; ]" the heat, however is great
enough raise almost every variety Of vegetable pro-
duce indigenous to tropical climate. 1.-THE sum
mers are temperate and the winters mild"
The Sea Island" Cotton, superior in quality to
that of the South United States is raised in the low
lands at an expense very reduced. The sugar cane,
indigo, Indian and tobacco are also abandantly
cultivated Most of the tropical fruits thrive in the
middle region"
The general description given by the reviewer is ex-
tremely gorgeous The whole of the vast fields
which spot the country" he remarks, are covered
with itch pr airie grass, or a soft elastic sward"
!" Amid these the most exquisite flowers ale profusely
scattered, ever changing with the changing season
but charming the eye with their rich and brilliant
colors." "In some parts the traveller passes over
miles of dazzling flowers; in others he is sur
rounded by groves of roses" The campaign country,
from his glowing description appears to be filled with
every variety of flowers; the geranum, the dahlia
the trumpet-h flower the hearsease the lily the jessa-
NINE the cobeia and the passion flower. The trunks
Of the fesooned with the wild vine and the
sober grey Of the Spanish moss over which are often
seen hanging, at a vast height, tho superb white
flower of the Magnolia. The fragrance Of these
flowers is said TO be borne TO the nostrs by the cool
gale which tcmpers the heat Of Texas and braces the
muscles of the stranger. 1.-THE solemn and soothing
silence is at intervals broken by the scream of the
Parroquet the song Of the Mocking Bird, or the
Thrush and the melodious complaints Of the Whip
poor-will." The deer and the antelope frequently
rush startled from the thick groves which skirt the
prairies, and coursing the plain invite pursuit
II is amid such lands these" remarks the writer
at the close Of his enchanting picture that the Tex
emigrant fixes his staff, and enters on the enjoy
mcnt Of fertile soil and lovely home, which the
rich of Europe might envy, but which wealth has no,
yet appropriated to its exclusive enjoyment" So much
for the geography and natural aspect of the country
II is well known to every reader, that Texas is bu,
very country. II first settled by white
emgrants in August, 1921. Stephen Austin headed
small body Of these enterprising from the Uni.
period. Three years afterwards, three hundred