Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-09-16
Letter from Texas.
10. v.

\ LCSsCK 1IVm 1CAuos
| AUSTIN.
After breakfast, (Which, by-the-by, was
in keeping with the house,) in company
with my stage companions, sailed out to
take glance at the city, and see what was
to be seen.
The location is ex cellent, being on de-
scending plane, having the public buildings
on the highest eminence, overlooking the
entire city; and from the peculiar material
of these buildings, they first attract the
eye of the visitor. This material is what
is denominated Texian marble, which is
found in abundance in tho immediate Vi
ciuity. When first taken from the quarry,
it is soft-so much so that it is sawed into
blocks Of any required form and size, with
common cross-cut saw, the workman lay
ing it off with square and compass, and
creating it precisely as if he was working
upon wood. After exposure to the atmos-
phere, it becomes as hard as limestone,
thereby making it a most valuable article
for building purposes. All that saw, and
in fact all that which has yet been discov-
cred, is pure white, which gives structure
beautiful appearance.
The State house, which is only up to the
third story, will, when completed, be equal
if not superior to any similar building in
the Union, not only in point of beauty but
in size. was much charmed with the ap-
pearance of tho public buildings, one or two
of which are completed and exhibit much
taste and archi.ectral beauty. There are
but few private residences Of much elegance,
tho majority being of wood, as in most Of
our western towns. | was disappointe in
the number of business houses, not being
as great as l anticipated.
In all Texian towns, the traveller is some
what astonished at the absence Of brick
structures-so much SO, that was induced
to make inquiries respecting this almost
(now) universal building material. Ifound,
upon inquiry, an opinion prevailed that the
clay of the country could not be manufac-
tured into brick. But this, by those who
have given the subject some attention, is
believed to be an error, and the brickmaker
who will first establish yard and test the
matter successfully; will realize handsome
remuneration. At present, brick-layers arc
discouraged from looking towards Texas
for employment; but establish the fact that
the material can be made, and wide field
will soon be opened for this branch of our
mechanics. From the best information |
could gain, this matter will soon be tested.
All that is required will be sufficient guam
tity of energy and few dollars.
At present, the public mind is engrossed
by the contradictory reports from the sup
posed gold regions. Austin, being the point
from which the miner bows his adieu. or,
in other words, obtains his outfit and bids
farewell to civilized life, appears to bo the
place sought for to receive the most reliable
intelligence from those who have pioneered
heir way to the mountains Of wealth said
to lie lille further ON. Therefore, the city
at this timo is in some little excitement on
the subject. 1 was informed, con6dentially,
that citizen Of Austin had excavatsd
very deep hole, and would allow no one TO
look into it. It was, therefore, supposed
that gold was discovered. This was the
latest Intelligence, consequently ! was bound
to believe the hole contained gold.
was much amused at the departure of
the surveying company. The "grea'ers,"
as they are termed, or Mexicans, brought
up their little mules and commenced load
ing with their packs, which required no lit
tie dexterity and experience in their arrang-
ments. One poor little mule was required
to carry barrel Of -four and sundry other
parcels another, baskets Of champaign and
such refreshments as might be deemed, in
this nothern region, luxuries, but there on
ly nece cessaries; another carried trunks, car
pet bags, &c /; and thus they were packed,
to the end Of the chapter, aad when all were
brought into line ready for marching or
ders, they certainly presented a ludicrous
sight. was, no doubt, deemed . simple
ton, for exhibiting so much curiosity at the
departure of pack train.
In consequence of the Colorado not being
nayigable, the city depends upon land trans
poi tation entirely for its supplies, which
are wagoned from Houston or Mattagorda
Bay, and gives employment to large num-
ber of teams. But so soon a. this river is
improved, which, am told, will require
but little outlay, (the principal obstruo-
ton being at the mouth,) Austin, have no
doubt, viii become an important point for
commercial transactions, Situated amidst
beautiful and fertile country, susceptible
of producing abundant crops, a. well as be-
ing one of the finest stock raising countries
in the United States, it cannotfail to become
point for immense agricultural wealth to
concentrate,
At this time, the city is quite dull, as
the planters and farmers are engaged with
their crops and many Of tho public officers
absent bat it is easily to perceive that at
the proper business season It mus present .
very different aspect.
Here, as well as in Iowa, land spscula-
tiops srs rife. Within the last year wild