Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-01-14
Galveston, Texas.

Dor Texas, is making towards meriting the name
which, all, by common consent have awarded
her. viz: ssthe Empire State of the South,
suggests that her energetic people
composed of the hardy yeomanry and cream OF
her sister States of the Union, should be turn
ing their attention to maratime port where the
products of their soil may find market, or
convenient point for their shipment to other ana
more favorable ports.
Business of private, but important nature,
having recently called us to visit Galveston, we
took occasion by the opportunity thus afforded
to view its locality, its advantages and Its
present prosperity tits situated on the East
ern extremity of the Island bearing its name,
in latitude 29os III North, and longitude 20
West from Greenwich. The city was first laid
out in he fall of the year 1887, by and associa-
ton of individuals called the City Company,
who had the exclusive control of its affairs for
the time being. The central or business part
of the town is beautifully laid off at right-an
giles in large blocks 240 feet square, with an
alleyso 20 feet wide dividing them longltudln-
ally. The streets or avenues running from East
to West, are all 10 feet wide, except Broadway,
which is $50 feet, and divides the city in two
equal parts North and South. The other streets
are so feet wide, except Bath Avenue, which Is
40 feet. divides the city from East to West.
The sidewalks are all from II to IL feet wide.
The CITY is laid out on the highest and most
sc1o howl II
Point. on which is situated the lighthouse, 70
the North East and Pelican Island on the North,
and the Gulf Of Mexico on the South The
harbor contains ample water for the largest class
Of vessels inside of the bars, and is amply Sc
cure except during the prevalence Of violent
.Northers," and even then by q little more pre-
caution, vessels may ride out the most tempes-
tuous weather in perfect safety. 1t is fact
greatly to be lamented that the bars at the en-
trance of the harbor of which there two, are
almost daily increasing, and, should not the
general government lend helping hand danger
is seriously apprchended that the channel lead
ing to the harbor and city, may be rendered SO
shallow as to exclude the larger class of vessels
from entering it. There are generally IN the
harbor from fifteen to twenty sail OF square
rugged vessels, many of which are owned by the
enterprising merchants of Galveston, besides
other small coasting vessels and number OF
fine river steamers which ply in the navigable
waters of Texas. Independent of these, Gal
weston has line of the steamers built expressly
for the New Orleans and Texas trade, composed
of the Louisiana, Perseverance, Mexico, and
Charles Morgan, (the last named not yet finish
ed. which leave New Orleans for Galveston and
Matagorda Bay every four days. These vessels
are all of the first class, of over 1900 tons bur-
then, and commanded by the most experienced
| captains and most gentlemanly officers, whose
care, attention and urbanity of manners has Sc
cured to them the kind regard, and esteem Of
those who have had occasion to traverse the
Gulf with them.
The city, from the fact of the nature of the
ground of which the island is composed, being
sandy, which does not admit of being converted
into merchantable bricks, is chiefly built Of
wood, brought there from the Sabine, Mobile
and Penscola and some little from the Trinity
The town-the business district-along the
Strand-on fremont street-above and below.
presents quite an animated and business-hke
aspect Fine, well arranged, large and com
modious stores, occupy the whole front, ano
it is here that the great bulk of the business o.
the city is transacted. Messrs. r. & D. B.
| f1a or
chants of Galveston and the Rothchilds O.
Texas. E. B. Nichols, J. A. Sauters, L. Frosch
J. C. Kuhn, boswell, Hill, & Co., agents Of the
Texas New Orleans line of Packets, S. Mas
and St. Cyr, are also highly enterprising mer
chants. The city contains seven Churches ar
excellent Market House, over which is the City
Hall, Custom House, three Cotton Presses, two
Iron and Brass Foundries, a Charity Hospital
a Nunnery and two principle Hotels, two News
papers, number Of beautiful and tasty private
residences No where have we seen more tast'
displayed in giving beauty and elegance t
property and residences than in Galveston
where perhaps less natural facilities are afforded
than in most any other city that we have evel
visited. Population, between five and six thou
sand. | .=.s
We had almost forgot to mention that among
the Galveston merchants, we recognised our ole
friend J. 7. r., the former Caldwell Of Houma
who occupies one Of the many neat grocery
establishments on the Strand, and appears t.
be doing profitable business with his partner
Mr.. Butler. We wish him all success in hi
new home; he has fine natural business capaci
ties and we doubt not that he will make thing
tell in the future. We will here mention tina
Messrs. B. & R. are agents for the sale of SOM
of the best lands in Texas, and we woult
recommend all such as expect to emigrate, t
give them call on their arrival in Texas.
Now for something as respects society ant
the morals Of the good people of the 'Islant
City Of the Gulf" One not posing persona
knowledge Of them, would naturally incline t.
the opinion, from the character that the Texans
have previously born, that they are o lawless SCI
Of desperadoes, gamblers, and cut threats, WIFI
4 would think no more Of taking the life Of fel
low being than shooting down the nimble dee
as he gracefully bounds along over one of thei