Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-30
From he Harrison flag
Texas- Bright and Dark side.

improvement is the order of the day-'sshe pros
gress of the age is term as familisrd in the
lonely cabin of the Vest, as in the Acaemy of
scienee-The spirituo enterprise has reached the
Lone Star, and the eye of the world is turned TO
the Empire State of the Southwest TO note the
progress Of internal Improvements now springing
UP under her foster care. / propose in few brief
articles, to set forth some of the advantages of
settlement in Texas, and speak Of that portion of
the State along the line Of the Texas Western R
e, extending from the eastern boundary in Harri-
son County 10 FL Passo on the Rio Grsnde
1t will be remembered that the Texas Western
Railroad Co. lately sent out scientific commission
to explore this country along the parallel of 90 deg
north Ia titudethe object of this exploration was
to note the topography and nature of the country,
with reference TO the construction of a railway
particularly the crossing of the streams accurately
fixing The latitude OF the same, taking views and
sketches for the purpose Of mapping and illustrating
the character of the country, and to give correct
knowledge of the agricultural and mineral resour-
ces Of the State along the line of this road. Col
A. B Gray was at the bead OF this commission; his
scientific character and experience as an engineer
are sure guarantee for the faithful performance Of
the duties entrusted him, and his report will be
read with interest and delight.
1t is not my intention to anticipate thatreport-
would not forestaIl the desire if could could
not if would. OF the result of those numerous
astronomical aud barometer observations extend.
ing from Red River in Louisiana to Western Texas,
I say. nothing that is entrusted to better hands,
and will appear in due time. tze fl
Bot the climate of Texas, the fertility of the soil
the prevailing winds, the character of the people
the beauty OF spring and the fruits of summer,
may be allowed to spesk-and 1t may not be amiss
notice the timber, the stone, the water. the value
Of farms, and the price OF improved lands, the
beauty Of the prairies, the countless herds OF cattle
that roam DER these green pastures aud Towering
meadows, the courtesy and hospitality OF the peo-
pie: some scenes Of camp life aud few incidents
of travel will come in for showing in their proper
place.
These different topics will be treated, not 10 or
der here set down, but may with many Others
best suit the convenience of the writer and at the
same time instruct and amuse the reader-These
will form the bright side of the picture, and that
there may be no illusion, and that the landscape
may exhibit the form of the country With all its d.
versiied scenery, few dark shadows will be
thrown into the painting which will serve to brgh.
ten the interest Of the beholder and to throw into
| bold relief the prominent parts OF the picture
These will consist of domestic siavery-the north,
ers of winter the diseases of the country, the
swalups and low lands, the scarcity of water, the
quick sands and bogy places, the snakes, serpents
lizards tarantulas. spiders, scorpions and eentpe
des-and few lighter shades will be blended in th,
.6nFhing-tbese will be in the shape of mosquitoes
g4dAies, ants yel,owsJacbets, icks, and red bugs
| 1t may not be improper to remark that the wri
| ter spent some seven months in northern Texas il
| 1854 and 1855. -
| Although the country was then suffering unde
the dreful effects Of one Of the most severe drouth
that ever seourged this happy land, he then looked
upon it the pearl OF the Union, possessing all tn
elements Of wealth, health, and social comfort
Born and reared in one Of the middle states, sti
be is not unaequainted with frontier Hfe the prima
tive forests OF Ohio have fallen by bis puny arm
and the stately edihce of the northern cities sti
stand as testimony OF the work of his hands. HI
has also spent years Of toll aud travel in the viii
and unreclaimed regions of our country, extendin
from the frontier settlements of Kansas and Ne
braska on the EIst, TO the Pacific Ocean on tn
| West. He has Travelled the desert plains of NeV
Mexico, Utah and Oregon, aud crossed the snow
SUBMITS OF the Western mountains. He has be
held rude nature it springs into existence at tn
fiat of the Almighty Architect OF the Universe, sti
preserving its primeval type, its original sublimt
and wildness He has washed the golden sands G
California, and Toasted on grapes and pears in th
valley of the Rio Grsnde. He has famished 70
TODD and water il the great American desert, an
he has mades rich repast from the reeking entra
Of the slaughtered Buffalo He has been entertaine
With kindness in the abode hut of the halfcivilize
Mexican and he has enjoyed the yoluptuous hosp
tally of the Southern planter,
Marshall, july I'd, 1856. Z,