The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-15
Oar Texas CoxrssPsnasnos.
HOUgrON. Oct. q, 1852.

Oar Texas CoTrssPsaasnos.
H0vsroN, Oct. 2, 1852.
Thriving Condition Of HOUSTON Projected Railroad
Company-7hs Necessity for NcrtkUn Capital IN
Tsras to Protect Northern Trade AgGiwst the
EMroschmesfs of Nec Orteaws-7he Commercial
Interests of Nss York AND Bostom in Relations to
this Tospx, 8c.
arrived At this place On the 10Th Of September,
fifteen days from New York, and must confess
have never stopped at . Southern town that pre-
sents At once 90 many indications Of thrift and
general prosperity. The mercantile establishments
here are not only numerous, but far moro extensive
than had any idea Of. The heavy business is done
ON what is called Main street, running at right
angles with tho whsrves ON Buffalo Bayou, the
nams Of the stream at the head Of whose navigation
the town Ia situated. The mercantile houses Of
this town are in most thriving condition, and doing
largo business all over the country. There are,
perhaps, sixteen large hrms who advance large sums
to planters, and who cannot call in their capital
until the present crop goes forward There are also,
many engaged in the grocery and provision bust
ness, and several extensive commission merchants,
druggists, warshousemen, SC.
Since my arrival hero the business street has been
constantly thronged with teams from tho trading
country tributary to this point, and lying almost
altogether to the North and West. If this were
Northern town. with its convenienoes of trade, and
the amount it has always demo, it would contain
probably 1900 or %, 900 inhabitants As is, the
population does not exceed, probably, 900 5000
The vote Of the city, as compared with Galveston,
shows population Of at least 10 per cont over the
latter was agreeably surprised to find the citizens
of Houston actively engaged in organizing rail
road company, under what is called the Red river
and Galveston railway charter, authorizing the
structon of road from any OF the contiguous waters
Of GAveston bay to Red river, and Of branches
from the main stem to any or oil parts Of the State
trre and it is generally admitted that ano ther pos
sessiDg similar advantages can probably never be
obtained On the reconnaissance Of routes, all pub
lie domain within three miles thereof is reserved
o sorss ..eS pc. n ss s%
the State, with right to locate them on any
public domain, including the alternate sections
the route Of it's roads About $3.50 900 to $1,000 900
is now conditionaly pledged to the construction of
the first fifty miles from Houston to the Brazos,
running nearly due west from the former and re.
ceiyng at the terminus and on the route two thirds
Of the trade now coming to this point. This road
will be built, and is probably the only one in the
State, except that to the Red river, that will pay
for several years.
Several parties who live at point some six miles
below this in the bayou, at the former city of Har
risburg, have projected road running north from
that place to the Brazos, at right angles with the
Houston road, striking the river about forty five
miles below the terminus of the latter 1t will tend
70 bring up from the lower Brazos some of tho
trade that has hitherto gone to Galveston but it
does not interfere, to any extent with the trade Of
this place, the latter coming here from different
direction. Houston is authorized to tap the Harris
burg road and by that means, with her population,
capital, and competition. would readily drain it.
Some Of the projectors of the Harrisburg road here
are anxious to join the Houston enterprise the only
sensible plan, as the lower road runs in the wrong
direction, and could not pay for many years. Tho
projectors got up the scheme to sell town lots, and
building the road 1t is to be regretted that capital
should thus be decoyed into proftless investment,
when there are good chances for profit elsewhere.
Northern capital is needed in Texas TO protect
northern trade, now threatened to be diverted to
New Orleans by tho construction Of the Opelousas
road through this State. New York and Boston
are called to aid the coast country in checking the
eDcrOachments Of New Orleans. Let the latter
city build her road parallel with the coast the d.
reotion Of the Harrisburg road and all the ira ie
above it, and near its line towards the coast viii
be at once directed to that city. Texas will loan
"a coo per mile to some Of the companies now form
ing. Such is the sentiment Of the public, and the
Legislature viii be convened this winter expressly
for that purpose. IL the Opelousas road-Hhi n is
already chartered-gets the privilege to use the
public money, the trade of the North is certain to
be directed to New Orleans The Houston conpe
ny control the best and most popular charter in the
State-a charter to which the people of eastern
Texas contributed in private donations several hun
bred thousand acres of land If Northern capital
would take hold of the Houston enterprise, and aid
in tbs construction Of the two roads, one running
northeast TO the Red liver, and the other westward
to Austin ard San Antonio, the trade of the whole
State would be diverted to the coast, and become
completely tributary to the North. New Orleans
will have powerful lobby at the Legislature this
winter to carry out her schemes. | have seen
letter from one of her prominent citizens to that
effect But the people Of Texas would prefer to build
up q commercial emporium on their own coast, and
to trade With the North, than to pay the extra tri.
butte to New Orleans. in building up her capital
ard population. New York should look to this. In
ten years Mt the rate population now flows to this
State II will contain 800 900 inhabitants and her
trade will then reach at least $50, 900 900. The
Houston company have taken up, Professionally, all
the Subscriptions that can be obtsined on the route
to Austin, and will send gents through next week
az far as San Antonio. New York and Boston can
ard should aid her enterprise. She now sends them
about $4,000 bales Of cotton, and viii send near
so 900 this year. She has bought in those markets
many millions Of dollars worth of merchandise, and
will continue one of their best customers. What
response will be made to her application for capita
Ere long her agents will present themselves, and it
will remain for the merchants, capitalists manufac-
turers and property holders Of those Cities to de-
eide what steps they will take to increase aud pro-
tect their present trade. NEw YORK.
THz CAUSES General Scott assigns three causes
for bis defeat; the opposition Of the New YORK
HERALD, the counter Iomination Of Mr.. Webster,
and the lukeWarmness of Mr.. Fill more and his
friends. The General is right this time. The New
YoaK HERALD accomplished more against Gen,
SCOT. than all the presses In the country. The sa
gacity and ability with which that journal is con-