Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-17
BROWNSVILLE AND MATAMORAs.
Tho Mo Grande valley.

A letter TO the Boston Post, from Mat
amoras, says;
Previous 10 the Mexican war there
was but an Indifferent farm house or
two on the Texas side Of the Rio
Grande, opposite Matamoras. The cree
ton OF fort on the site OF the earth
works hrst thrown up by Taylor, and
left in charge OF Major Brown, who lost
his life in their defense, and for whom
the fort is named, soon attracted q con.
siderable population 10 that place, and
Brownsville now contains four or five
thousand people. II is the chief port
OF entry on the American side Of the
lower Rio Grande, the custom-house be-
ing located there. Considerable business
is transacted in the city, which contains
several school houses, churches, mer.
camille houses and other evidences Of
progress, which has, however, been
gradual. The residences and streets
as well as the population of Browns.
vile have quite an American
appearance, in marked contrast with its
more popnlous neighbor on this side of
the river, which still retains q decided
Mexican air about il. Fort Brown is
situated on the bank Of the Rio Grande,
adjoining Brownsville, and Immediately
opposite this city, which is within range
OF its guns. It's one Of the most beau
tiful military posts in Texas. The garri-
son buildings are new, substantial
and handsome, while the spacious
grounds are well laid out and orna-
mented with walks, grass-plots and
shade-trees, aud affords pleasant place
Of recreation for the inhabitants OF the
cities on both sides of the river. This
city claims a population of about twenty
thousand. The streets are laid out at
right angles, and the principal ones are
paved, and all are lighted at night by
lamps. The supply of water is generally
obtained from cisterns, there being no
public water.works. 1t is always garri-
soned by regiment or two of regular
troops, and is surrounded by fortiiica.
tions and moat, which were built in
the time of the Macmillan Empire.
Several of the public and private build
ings are quite substantial, although the
city as whole is not well or handsome
ly built. The main plaza is the chief
place OF attraction to strangers. Its
shade trees and paved walks present an
inviting appearance, and on Sunday
evenings the fashion and beauty Of the
city can be seen here promenading, or
seated beneath the orange trees, whose
blossoms perfume the evening air, while
the military band discourses enliyening
music.
Matamoras is the principal port of
Mexico on the Rio Grande, and is,
therefore, place of considerable com
mercial enterprise and Importance, car
rying on lucrative trade with. all
Northern Mexico, and several of the
cities of the United States and Europe. |
The Rio Grande Valley is rich in agri- |
cultural resources, and, with the influx
of emigration which must soon seek the |
cheap and fertile lands Of this region,
it will become one Of the most produc- |
tive valleys on this continent The |
climate is not surpassed by any in North |
America, being genial and healthy,
while the seasons permit of the |
growth of two crops in a year, with |
but little labor and care, in comparison |
with the more rigorous climates of the |
North. The population on the Mexican
side does not increase as fast, and is,
perhaps, not as thrifty as that on the
Texas border, and consequently the com
forts and conveniences of life are less
known or sought after among the mixed
Spanish and Indian population, IS is the
case on the Texas side of the line, where
the progressive spirit of the age is more
although still far behind even
the most recently settled States of the
West in general prosperity and enter
nrise."