The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-29
BRAzos SANTIAGO, Oct. 5, 1913.
The Rio Grande Border--H our,shing Ssttiemcnts--
Trade-Agytcutfuye &c


The Rio Grande Border F2our,shing Ssttienrcnts-
1rade-Agricntture, &c.
A short visit TO the Rio Grande enables me to
give you some account OF the condition and pros
poets of our new settlements. Like magic, a sown
of considerable pretensions, and destined very
soon to be OF commercial importance, has sprung
up directly opposite Matamoros. Streets are regu-
larly laid out, warehouses have been erected, for
waidpg and commission merchants, dry goods
venders grocers, and mechanics of all trades are
already in active employment. Hotels, Of high
sounding names, whose tables groan under the
best the market affords, and whose bars are sup
piled with the ''chocest liquors." are not wanting
The rver navigation, up to this point is practlca-
bic at all seasons Fort Brown within quarter
of mile, should protection ever be required. and
nothing apparently can prevent the rapid growth of
this town-varlously named, Freeport, Mansfield,
and Brownsville. The latter, think, will prevail,
in memory OF the hero who fell gloriously within
sight OF the new town. 1t is singular fact, that
as progress is the order of the day on our side OF
the river, an opposite tendency Is apparently on
the other. Trade in Matamoros is dull Ia pro-
portion TO Its briskness with Us. Indeed, this
proportion should be observed, for there is
precisely the relation OF cause and effect MexI-
cans are shrewd in money matters, and the inland
traders have little idea OF buying in their own
easy TO cross the river and avoid them. A river
like the Rio Grande Is feeble obstacle to the
trader mpelled blythe instinct of gain; and fear,
that so long as Mexico continues her oppressive
tariffs her people will evade them. The Inevi-
table consequence must be rapid decay OF every
Mexican town on, or IN the vicinity Of this river
from the Paso del Norte to the mouth | learn
that many Mexcans are coming to this side. Mexl-
cans, too, OF every class and occupation. Some
are men OF wealth, who brDg their money, their
focks and herds; and leaving, as they do. their
own country, 10 escape the evils OF a bad govern
ment, will make among us quiet and useful citl-
zens Though no admirer of their race, yet,
when find Mexican Intelligent enough to see
the evils OF bad, or more properly, no govern
Nent, and spirited enough to abandon, If ne can
not reioIm H. would welcome him among us
These people have learned much by our sojourn
among them. We were by no means welcome at
first. but finding, they did, that we were OF ac
tualy capnibals, and won by our moderation and
justice, they learned TO DO content with our rule,
and now seek To enjoy our political blessings, and
endeavor TO adopt our manners and customs. Our
presence among the Mexicans, the simple contact
and acquaintance OF our people with hers, was q
more fatal blow to the stability of Mexico thaa all
the harder ones she received from Scott and lay
Tor. Ii has been given them TO see.
That Immortal field, Palo Alto, is now within
mile OF fiourshlng plantation, where corn ana
recently from Florida, Major Taylor, has erecteda
commodious habtaton here and brought his
family and about twelve or fifteen negroes. IL
plantation, and yet very lew weeks showed a
crop which demonstrated most fully the great
ducemenis offered TO enterprlsng planters to
seule IN this Part Of p Texas Very ge labor Dor
but TO be pierced a few inches, and sufficient
richness and moisture is found Numerous
farmers are settling IN the immediate neighoor-
hood; These slanderers OF Texas, VINO never
found an inch of soil "worth having, are ADVISED
TO make journey hither, that their eyes may be
opened, and their preJudces removed. Byasur-
vey, it is ascerained that the present road from
Point Isabel 10 Fort Brown, now "a miles, NAV be
so changed as to be but twenty Here then, dur
Ing greater part of the year, will be a thorough
fare as smooth any OF your avenues, and th-
iacilit,es for merchants and others will be meal
cu,able.
some further remarks upon this portion of
Western Texas, with accounts OF other ,urishing
settlements the border, must be deferred TIL
another day.
A negro has taken hts sest In the French National
Assembly as repr.se tativs of Guadalupe. Two