Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-03-07
For the True Democrat. Letter from Austin, Texas.
AUSTIN. TEXAS, Feb. l7th, 1S6

AUSTIN, TEXAS, Feb. 17th, 1860.
 Gentlemen: After long silence, will give you brief outline of matters and things in this portion of Texas. The legislature which closed on last Monday, after session of about three months and a half, passed many salutary laws, provided for the pro lection of our frontier and ended their la bors to the general satisfaction of the peo- pie of the State.
 Wehad with us during the session several distinguished gentlemen from abroad, among whom were ex-Governor Porter of Pennsvlvania, and Gen. Duff Green, now of Washington city, both ofwhom are look ing into our rail road prospects with a view of investments. And Charles F. Baylor, laboring for his direct trade system. Also John B. Ogden, esq, of your State, who represents the Texan Cherokees as attorney in their behalff for indemnityfor lost property and lands, the latter of which the Chero- kees claim by grant from Mexico in 1922, and by confirmation of their title by the government of Texas, by the convention of consultation in the year 1885, and subse- quent treaty. They were forcibly expelled from the country and no indemnity has been offered or paid them. Also many other gentlemen from all portions of the United States looking at the country with view of settlement. Our portion of the State is fast filling up. Stock raising IS leading business and pays we'll The finest stock in the United States is being brought here
 We had a very severe winter, our fruit trees and shrubbery have suffered much; this was owing to an early norther at time when our trees and shrubbery were full of sap and growing luxuriantly from fall rains.
 The invasion of Mexico by our troops is creating much interest and we confidently hope that it will terminate so as to give the United States another belt of that country along the Rio Grande.
 Our frontier is still besieged with the wild tribes of Indians, which will not likely cease while Comanche lives.
 Our legislature re-organized the court of claims, through which all claims for land may be prosecuted. It has been the desire of our State to put an end to the applica- tion of such claims, hence the existence of the above court, with fnality to the pre- senation of such claims were to close with the month of September last, by its revival the door is again open for all claimants.
 Our State is pushing forward her railroad enterprises, the Houston road is complete to within eighty-seven miles of this, with continuous charter, and we hope to complete it to the city in the course of few years. By the time this is done the road from New Orleans to Houston will be completed which will put us in twenty-four hours travel of New Orleans Our legislature has also momorializcd Congress for stage line to intercept the Butterfield overland route on the Concho, two hundred miles from this city and on direct line to Fl Passo.
 Winter has passed off to the north, and our prairies are looking green, and affording sufficient grass for stock Farmers will begin to plant corn about the twenty-hfth of this month. The affairs of the State go smoothly on under the direction of her chief magistrate, Sam Houston. The state democratic convention meets at Gal weston on the 2nd of April. There is no general expression in favor of any person for President or Vice President. Guthrie and Brecknridge are perhaps the most prominent for the former.
 Col Forbes Britton has been dispatched to the President by Gov. Houston, with the news of the invasion and war with Mexico. The invasion is approved by the Governor, and assistance from the general government asked for.
 Very truly, etc. N.