The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-02


RADIO. New Mexico, the Rio Grands and the Gulf Of
Mexico is about equal in extent to both the great
States of New York and Pennsylvania. II is elevated,
dry region OF fine equabe climate. remarkably healthy.
aad possessing many advantages Of local and geograph
cal nature, Nearly the whole territory is covered with
rich and uxuran growth Of musque grass of several
species, which is the most nutritious and substantial pas
turage in the world. All kinds OF domestic animals
horses, mules, cattle. sheep, &c. &c,hrive beyond all
comparison upon it, Such is the peculiar nature of The
climate and herbage that sheep goats Sc, bring forth
young twice thrice year, and OF course increase with
astonishing rapidity The mdness OF the seasons
in winter is such TO render shelter food, and OF
all these animals quite unnecessary. They live and
grow fat without any special attention throughout the
whole year Horses and cattle cost next TO nothing 10
rear hem--scarcey than il costs TO raise chick
ems. There is considerable variety OF sell and pro-
auctions in different localities, but there general SINH
arity The dry nature Of the country renders irrigation
very essentially and when practicable, il is to very
great degree the yield absolutely astounding Upon two
thirds OF this territory sugar and cotton grow in the Ut
most perfection Corn and potatoes abound in all
parts and wheat rye, Irish potatoes &c., flourish exceed
ngy well in the northern and sections Fruits Of
all kinds spring up spontaneously, may be readily cul
tured: figs. oranges, lemons, melons, grapes pears,
pums peaches &c, &c. appear to be natives and favor
ties Of the soil The wide region between the Nueces
and the Rio Grande and characterized by federal
as 'vast DESERT is known TO have BEEN less than half
century ago. filled with happy and fourshng ranches,
countless ocks and herds and to have been the seat OF
comfort and plenty The ruins OF thousands OF houses
and plantations scattered over it still attest It's former
fourishing condition. Between 1908 and 1910 the In
dams swept il with fire and the scalping knife, and
duced il to waste and ghasty wilderness Thus does
remain TO this day. but it will speedily be repeoped
and its former condition be restored and improved Since
the late with Mexico attention has been called to
this portion OF the country and its settlement is daily
progress sing Brownsville, then mere suburb of Mata
moras, containing few cabins and poverty stricken
Mexicans, is now fine. fourishing town Of nearly
four thousand inhabitants 1, has many large Stores
workshops, and fashionable buildings, and during
the last year has transacted business amounting 10
little short of five millions Of dollars. 1t is well
known that the mines of the frontier States of Mex
leo, and bordering The Rio Grande produce annu
ally about twenty millions of dollars in silver A very
considerable portion of this money does or soon will
find lis way 10 The markets of the world through Browns
vile other point in our territory. Here is vas,
ducons, which is deserving The careful consideration Of
every business in the Union 1t is we'll .auhen
Gated historical fact that in the mountainous region in
which the rivers Colorado San Saba, Guadalupe, &C.,
take their rise, rich silver and gold mines
abound, from which, about century ago, the Spanish
government derived large quantities OF the precious
metals These mining operations broken up by
the Indians bu, remains of large and prosperous cities
s stand in those distant quarters which bear evidence
of the truth we have stated {, is not Improbable that
the discoveries Of few years will show that This r, -
Texas may rival California in its mines and facilities fo
extracting the valuable deposies Point Isabel, nine
miles from the mouth OF the Rio Grande is place Of
small importance, and will soon attract the notice OF the
country. The Rio Grande river itself is navgable for
steamboats, nearly 10 Laredo, about thousand miles from
its entrance into the Gulf, and is destined to become
most valuable highway for The business OF our country
in that quarter. There are many welnformed men
who that this river must ultimately constitute an
essential link in the great chain OF Improvements TO the
Pacific ocean. number Of thriving towns are gradu-
ally arising along its shore, and will rapidly swell the
torrent OF business that mus, flow between the interior
and the ocean The lliberal and short GIFTED policy Of
Mexico has encouraged smuggling and all sorts of Illicit
trade along this border; but is thought the eyes Of
their legislators will be opened and these restrictions be
altogether withdrawn. Then will most extensive CONNER
cal relations grow up mutually beneficial TO both ma
TONS The chief articles OF traffic in Western Texas
will be sugar, cotton, wool, hides, horses mules, and
cattle besides the specie obtained from Mexico. This
will draw into that fertile region vast amount Of capital,
and will add unfold to its peculiar advantages Along
that frontier il may be difficult 10 retain slaves, for they
can easily escape into Mexico but the labor Of Mexican
peon and other wokmen be procured at very cheap
rates. and indeed upon terms that quite as favorable
as slave labor can be had, however well secured
About forty miles from Brownsville, in northeast di-
rection lies the famous Salt Lake, called the Sal del Rey
abou, four thousand and such is The saline
quality OF the water tina, there is clear, pure bed Of
salt about foo, deep. extending the whole surface,
and if any part be removed, in iwenty.four hours il is
completely replaced In earl times this Salt Lake yielded
large TO the Spanish government, and is be.
Ieved be capable OF supplying the whole Union with
excellent article OF salt Thi, property well
suit and will be year before the title is settled
This is one OF the most serious drawbacks immediate
improvement But it is believed that woyears at the fur
thes will suffice to bring all these questions to the ties, Of
legal adjudication. In the time, If the government,
faithfully perform its duty of aes,ing the Indian depre
da,ons this region Of country will ill up with unpre
eedented rapidy. Toe and cheap rates at which
plantations be opened and families subsised give it
for seieu,ent with which few II any sec