Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1847-04-14
@tsslssippt DenloCrat.
West-Texas-Scenes beyond the Rio Grande.

West-TexaS-Scene beyond the Rio Grande.
We mark some extracts from the Jour-
nal Of Captain Hughes, top. eng'rs, who
led The advance of Gen. WooPs army. on
the march from San Antonio to Monclova,
thence TO Parras and SaltilIo. They will
be found to contain instructive information
of an interesting country. We are sorry
that we have only room for detached ex-
tracts from the narrative.
II seems 10 me to be clearly the policy
of the government to establish line OF
military pLsts on "Woll's road, from San
Antonio de Bexar to the ford on the RIO
Grande, near Presidio, for the purpose OF
extending protection TO The settlers and
traders against robbers and predatory In
dian tribes. To carry out this plan ettec-
tually, would require regiment OF mount
ed men, with lis headquarters at San An
tonic, post on the Quihe, another on the
Leona, and the third on The Rio Grande
at the ford. These posts, with the excep-
ton Of the one on the Rio Grande, might
be Withdrawn in few years, as there can
be no question that the protection which
thew would afford would be the means OF
rapidly settling The country with Popula-
ton that woud soon be able to defend It
self Besides this consideration, it must
be obvious. 10 even The most superficial OBJ
server, that hostilites with the Cumanches
and L,ipans-ihc AUST wartlke oI the ma
tive tribes-are neither remote nor con
tingent. | regard 1t as inevitable, anu
believe that we shall never establish cor
dial relations with them until they nave
been severely punished; an affair, by I'M
bve. not easy of accomplishment. A de
feat in a contest with the United States
would result in their precipitation upol
the northern provinces oil Mexico, "hlcI
thew would assuredIy desolate-a coDse
ouence which we may depIOre, but cannc
avert.
A reference to my memoir, and accom-
panying maps, in relation to the march
Gen. Wool's army, from San Antonio
Santa Rosa, will show how we'll Wester
Texas is watered; and may convey SON
idea OF the richness and beauty OF II
country embraced between the Rio Sa
Antonio and the Nueces, beyond whiC
latter river, until we approach the X
Grande, il would be no exaggeration
say Gall IS barrenr II is true there a
occasional narrow strips Of rich land; b
for the whole of that distance (64 mile
we crossed but one running stream.
All the streams between San Antor
ane the Nueces may be characterized
beautiful and noble streams of excele
clear water, and many of them would
ford an almost unlimited amount Of wa
power. | particularly refer TO the S
Antonio, the Medina, the Quihe, (perh'
below the settlement,I and the Leona
.he others are Objectionable on account
their periodical floods. | know of
country where wool can be grown at
low a rate, or where the necessaries OF
NAV be produced so cheaPly.
The soil is calcarous, with small IRE
lar fragments of hinty pebbles seattle
over il. the drift from the mountains de
sited by current flowing from souIn
north, the traces OF which we saw al
most every step, from the Guadalupe
70 San Antonio; and no doubt they
he found leading TO their mountain s.
ces. The country may be described
rolling prairie, pretty well wooded,
after leaving the Medina, eminentIy b
tifuI and picturesque, covered at most
CONS of the year with a luxurant gro
Of grass, and Astounding with game:
aImos, every rod we started up herd
deer and focks Of parlridges and wild
Lsvs. The reverse of the picture is,
:, abounds with venemous reptlles-sn
scorpions, cen,ipedes, and taran,ulas.
LATER are much dreaded and rega
win more horror than any of the
| They are provided with fangs nearl
| large as those of the rattIesnake'
| thew possess none of its magnanlmlt
l rather incidence of habits. The Pl
pal annoyance 10 travellers consists ], )
Vulnerable crowds OF ticks and reG'
who tester and prey upon them WA
sunclive avidlly.