New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-28
THE TRIBUNE.
Texas, naturai Resources-soil, Rivers,Ha
bore sugar Cuiture-Annexntion Troubies
collision with European Powers, &c. &c.
From OUT IeAaS Correspondents
HousroS, Texas. Feb. 4. le46.

IN moi know that I coud DO better, or cater more
syreeably to the taste OF your readers than BY CIV
ing briei outline OF tue Commercial and Agricui-
rursl prospects of Texas; far at least, as these
things depend upon her Soil and Harb0rs and
Rivers The Gulfcoast of Texas presents singular
and rather iorbiading aspec, to & stranger. From
the mouth OF the Sabine 10 the mouth OF the Rio del
Nore the beach exhibits irregular crescent.
carving gently unit, you pass the mouth OF the
Nucces when il suddenly drops down due South.
snd 1T the mouth of the Rio del Norte il has turned
alirb,lv East again. This entire coast is indented
nv lumber Of bold broken and rapid rivers.
Tbev traverse an immense region of country,
sud all, without an exception, discharge them.
eeIyes into the Gulf From their heads to their
mouths they intersect region every where
heavily interSnixed with sand. Hence the large
and irregular sand.bars that block up the mouths
of all the rivers. For the eternal streams of
sand which are rolled down by the waters are met
by the restless serf OF the Gulf, and amid the con-
lending waters this sand is universally deposited at
the mouths of the rivers. The Trinity which is the
largest river in Tcxas-and which, by the fabulous
writer's and mendCant orators OF tins country. has
been represented as uavigabe Tor 800 and even 800
mies-has bat scant three :eet water at the mouth.
beslUe luis Tue IcBEiu vi tuc IiNcI -
lime TO time beset 18th these shifting bars. The
Brassos the Colorado the Nueces and the Rio del
Noe present no greater advantages for nav CATION.
The best-indced, the only harbor on this entire
coast is a, Galveston, into Which you enter n
bar with only 70 feet water Even this depth OF
water is known TO be diminishing, and the entire
harbor is gradually filling up with the sand which
syearly emptying into ii from the Trinity and the
San Jacinto
Near Galveston resides gentleman by the name
Of Campbell, quondom Lieutenant under Iai,te
what time he made his home on Galveston Island
&c states that when he frs, knew this harbor, there
were Is feet of water on the bar ard that has been
GRADUALLY filing up ever since We know that now
here is scant 10 feet of water There is not now
and never has been. boat running upon any one
ui,he rivers OF Texas. The only inland navigation
lsedis between this place Houston and Galveston,
oyneans otthe Buffalo Bayou and rash indeed would
Be ,ha, boat, which would venture drawing more
han three feet OF water The entire coast OF Texas
presents the most uniform, and tame and barren APP
pssrance that human eye ever rested upon. There
isneither hill, nor bluff nor highland. nor woodland,
any where 10 be seen along the entire reach OF the
coast. By slow and mpercepuble degrees, the land
rises from the wafer, fiat level aud tmberess. The
uuline between the land and water is faint and in
distinct and long after the boat has struck the
sand you are waiting through sea-weed and
waller, 10 find dry place upon which to stand
After leaving the Gulf as much as lilly miles, you
have attained no greater elevation than thirty feet
above the level of the Sea and the urdula,ions OF
The sandy praries. together with the abundance o
Hasheis admonSh you, that the day has not
been far distant, when all this plain was slowly tora
eddy the gradual accumulation of the sand brought
down BY the rivers and thrown up by the Gulf
The tides along the coast are almost lmpercepu-
be- unless moved by South or South-eas; wind
which not only brings mp food Of water, but also
the sands oftbe Gulf which being deposited by the
breakers the shore. ana leftby the GIBBS, gradual
yforms the earth of which the entire plains OF Tex
tsbear evidence that they are composed. The val
ieys along the rivers aud streams alone rejoice in
the shades OF pleasant groves, and ailuvial soil.
All the rivera OF Texas, except the Sabine and
Trinity rise IN the Guadaloupe Mountains; and du.
Ips the rainy season. when the waters descend
INN all the heavens, and thousand hills, they rise
% the enormous hight OF 40 and 80 feet, bursting
ont of their banks and de!uginC the valleys. And
fihey sometimes carry destruction Ia the crops and
fencing OF the planter. they leave behind grateful
deposit hch enriches the land and diminishes the
Danger OF subsequent overiiows. The valley OF the
Brassos which IL OF an average width OF about six
niles is considered the backbone OF Texas. In the
over valley Of The Brassos. and on the waters OF
Csney and Peach Creeks are 10 be found all the
sugar plantations, yet established IN Texas; and
he experiment. thus far has proved, that the prox-
unity 10 the Rocky Moun,sins, whose cold breath
sometimes sca,ters the boar frost TO a degree un-
ADuNH IN lie same S1a''S'
renders the crop uncertain than in Louisiana.
There sno greater mistake than The estimate which
ms obtained in the nted States as TO the quantity
Of sugar lands in Texas. Experiment will prove
hat the entire SUGAR lands in this country are far be
low the capacity OF Louisiana alone. You may think
mat write IN spirit of depreciation but II Is not
The fabulous accounts OF this country by her
orators aud writers and the clamorous creduiity OF
political aud private stock obbcrs in the United
States, have thrown false coloring over this land.
shieh will disappear before the light of truth.
The appointment of Gov. Runuels 10 the Custom
doase at Galveston has created no little surprise and
specuia,on--not that il is q bad appointment. but
oscanse he is known 10 DC an anti Houston man
Inc o,her appointments are more agreeable to the
dominant faction. though less worthy. Judge John
hemphi. who is appointed 10 the Federal Bench. is
peiulant gyum aud muddy headed man. He has
aeVer studied the law as science, as Is manifest
som his written opinions willis, on the Supreme
bench OF Texas he is crusty old bachelor. who
NE midst OF people prodigal of life and treasure
vas husbanded both with solicitude which has
aen subjected him 10 the sneers and Jokes of his
Sqpain,ance In these appointments | have no
oeobt that Polk has been guided by desire 10 di
tde his favors and the interest OF both fac
ions. How he Will succeed, remains TO be seem
tam persuaded, myself that sooner or later the COM
peie triumph of the Houston faction. which is more
asoae'sn. than the Democracy OF the l. States
WI drive the ants into the Whig ranks and there.
erect that party into very respectable II not dan
se.ous minority.
The passage OF the act Of Congress OF the 3ls,
Sscember ls45 extending the laws OF the United
SA'es over Texas together with these appointments.
rs thrown TINS Government into utter confusion.
az universal excitement, prevails upon the subject.
-" government contends that this law is IN viola
sa OF her Constitution-tha, this Republic does
T. merge into Safe until the organization of the
s Ss government, as provided for by the ConstIu
. ,A Upon this subject, the people and Govern
L. - nere are camorous and dogmatic President
H.. In view of these opinions and difficulties.
o,S s Instructed his collectors at Galveston and at
II es points, no 10 surrender the Custom. houses
onI ,es's' need be- until overwhelmed By force
Tea 70 continue 10 collect dates according to the
s,so OF Texas, no; ouly from foreign nations but
Ss, rom the United States until officially informed
WI. ae State Government has gene into operation
e,a aN VIII Polk and his Texas. Democratic Con.
ESQ s,.'s 90 now? Tho law mus, be, or ought 10 be
A. .Sa'eo and silence and sufferance will not rene
So NC evil Here ex.Gov Runnells is silent He
h. nus with his hands in his breechcs overwhelmed
ae novelty of his situation, and kao,c that the
and papers are all requested to be silent on
sss subject. in TIE hope that this outrage may be
pnand by Polk, and the Loco Foco Congress,