Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-08-24
Western Texas.

Western Texas.
From what We have seen, we think there is
no region Of the world more lovely than West
ern Texas. Here every thing is presented to
charm the settler, and make him believe that he
has found the paradise of earth. The lands are
~unequalled the beauty of its scenery cannot
be surpassed; the streams are as clear as crys-
tai, and filled with the most delightful fish and
springs bubble up from the hill side that will
turn a mill and float a steamboat. But read
the eoloying letter, to the editor Of the Thibo-
deaux Minerva:
SAINT ANTONIO, July 20, 1850.
Mr.. Editor I'm pursuantto your request
forward u short and %suecinct account OF this
new but rapidly growing country.
The western portion OF Texas has never been
| placed in a proper light before the American
peop'e. The great tiGe ofemigration has been
| pouring for years into Eastern Texas. That
| portion Of this beautiful country has been the
| point to which the fondest hopes OF the emf
| grant have been tnrned, as the spot which, OF
| all others, would best reward his tolls. From
| that section, most of the descriptions of Texas
have been derived-whilst the West, with all
her great and unriva:led advantages has been
comparatively unknown. One of the first and
most striking features of Western Texas, is the
remarkable purity and salubrity of the climate.
| No climate can be found throughout the whole
| of the United States, where we can have so per-
| feet an assurance of exemption from ordinary
| diseases. The number of Mexicans in this
| place, far advanced in years, who yet retain
their bodily and mental faculties in a remarka-
BILE degree, would bear sufficient testimony to
this fact. Though there is timber enough gem
orally to answer the purpose Of the farmer and
cultiyator of the soil, we have not those m
mense forests, the cutting down and decaying
of which spread disease SO terribly through the
country for many years subsequent to new
settlement. The rolling character ofthe coun-
try after ascending a short distance from the
coast, prevents accumulation of stagnant water,
those repositories of bilious fevers. The
streams run with a bold and rapid current and
their banks are free from swamp and morass.
Though perhaps not of a character to sustain
that dense agricultural population which some
other portions of the Union will maintain, it
has other advantages what are not equalled by
any section of the United States.
The immense scope of country covered by
the ever verdant musquite grass Is not perhaps
equalled for grazing and pasture &c by any re-
gion of country on the globe. It may and
must become the CASTLE of America in the rear.
ing of sheep and the production Of wool. On
its vast prairies are reared the finest cattle to be
found within the limits of the United States
Perhaps in point Of water power no state
in the Union possesses equal water power fol
manufacturing purposes. The San Antonio
River, near this point, is perhaps the best adap.
ted to manufactures than any stream in the Tn.
ion not liable at this point to oyer1ows or fresh.
cts; with a current rapid and unfailing at all
seasons of the year it affords advantages to the
enterprising capitalist which could not be found
at any other point. Western Texas is rich in
mineral productions; has vast mines Of Goa
which will eventually be a source of vast profit
The resources Of the country are yet undevel
oped, and in truth almost unknown. If the
Indian hostilities On the frontier were ~efectual
ly repressed, Western Texas would rapidly az
sumo that high rank for popu!atiQn and wealtf
to which her vast resources gfs9 her so JUS
a claim. -
The condition of the Texan farmer is indeed
enviable, yet there is a home here for thousand.
such-if plenty, quiet and independence Cal
make them contented. He is lord of the beau
ty of the field and fowls Of the air. The cat
tie and horses Of the wide parties are his. Thu
turk .es, geese, swans, and the active deer arr
subject to his unerring rifle. A goodly portio'
of earth from the centre to The skies is the far
mer's right free from dispute and which he i
ever ready to defend against the world. Hi
lands come not from inheritance, the curse O
a profigate offspring but from his energy. H
is from his home on the hill overlooking tin
most beautiful vallies in the world, and clothe.
in eternal green. His feelings Of happiness
and independence are the life springs of a heal
thy moral and generous character Of Texan a
a State. Although she is a younger. sister o
the great Republic Of States yet there are NOR
newspapers printed here than in New Hamshire
and / viii venture to say that there is more in
telligence in Texas in proportion to the popuia
ton, than in any state in the confederacy.