Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-06-20
LETTER FROM TEXAS.
SEaU1N. GaudaIoupe Co.. Texas.l
May 24th, 1856. {

LIE EtG r IGOM CAASs
SEGU1N. Gaudaloupe Co.. Texas.l
May 24th, 1856.
DEAR FATHER Having written to you
from New Orleans, March goth, which
letter hope you received, and in which,
promised to give you full description
OF Texas, when reached there and
rs do not wish TO dcpreciate that cont
dence which you placed in me while un-
der your parental care. shall proceed
with my proposed letter 10 the best Of
my ability.
In the first place, shall give you
short sketch of my sail and observations
while on my way from New Orleans to
lndianoia. Texas. got on board the
steamship LOU lana, March 2Oth. which
is a regular New Dreams and Texas
Packet. After RAINING twelve miles be-
low the Crescent Guy. we had the mex
pressible pleasure Of viewing the ground
upon which the immortal jackson fought
the cUnYuering battle between the United
States and Great Britain, on the 9th of
January, 1915. This victorious, hallowed,
and time honored spot. has not relic
no-not anything to mark its notoriety or
New Oreans-noLbing say except one
or two live oak trees. After running
about 100 miles further down the Mlssis.
sippi, we struck the Gulf OF Mexico. It
was quite calm and clear, the moon and
stars shone bright. and the limpid water
seemed to sparkle. while over It hung the
Queen Of night. 1t was not long until
my native land was out OF sight.
After eating several meals on this fine
steamer, consisting of every eatable va
riety of the South, we reached the port
of Galveston in 80 hours after leaving
New Orleans. This is beautiful Hnd
we'll laid ou: city now claiming 5000 in
habitants. and is destined to be one of The
largest sea-Ports and denseIy populated
cities in the South. Our gallant ship an
chored here for near TWO days, during
which time, l enjoyed myself remarkably
we'll in that city and upon its beach. TO
me it was romantic and sublime Indeed
to be upon the sea shore of bright calm
morning, and watch The sun rise from the
mighty deep as it doth seem. and spread
its golden rays across the waves as they
roll upon the shell covered shore, is one
ing sights have ever witnessed, it fills
the soul with rapture and bliss, recalls the
mind to historical facts and events, which
has long slumbered and perhaps ever
would have lived in a dormant stale, had
not the grand scenes the power to revive
them. We left Galveston early Sunday
morning. and after being tossed and rock
ed about at Il terrible rate. and whole Of
US getting sea sick, We reached IndianOIa
the same evening. This port is situated
in the point Of a sand bar, which projects
from the great prairie. This town, though
small as yet. it is at the head OF naviga-
ton on Matagoda Bay, and will ever be
the great trading point for western Texas.
There is now Railroad recently put un-
der contract which is TO be constructed
forthwith, from this town to the city Of
San Antonio, distance about l4O miles
80 miles Of this road ia to be completed
against January next.
took stage at Indianola. struck bee
for San Antonio passing Port Lavacca.
Victoria. GOnsaIlis. Seguin. DC, enjoying
uninterrupted pleasure in admiring the
many curlosities which are 10 be seen iu
travelling over this or any other portion
of Texas. The towns which l have men
toned, are County Seats, aud are grow
ing rapidly, containing from 1000 to
$4,000 inhabitants. Tie face Of country
l shall endeavor 20 explain before l close.
reached San Antonio after delaying
considerable time ON the road, Nav the
10th. and as found it to be so consider.
able place. must give you birds eve
view of it on paper. You have doubtless
read many things in relation to this
old Spanish town and its Alamo; but from
an eye witness it would. perhaps, be 10
you more Interesting. This city now the
county seat OF Bexar county. in Western
Texas was commenced being built by the
Spaniards or Mexicans, at about as early
day as that of Philadelphia but while
Philadelphia hcs spread over such q vast
area. With such gigantic strides and can
now boast OF perhaps 500. 900 inhabitants
and has too heen blessed with uninyaded
quietude, San Antonio has ever beer
one constant scene of iniquitous deeds
prostitution and blood shed. It is here
the noted Alamo still stands. land is nov
occupied by U. 8. Troops. in and around
these memorable walls many a patriot,