USA > Texas > A new history of Texas; being a narration of the adventures of the author in Texas, and a description of the soil, climate, productions, minerals, tons [!], bays, harbours, rivers, institutions, and manners and customs of the inhabitants of that country; together with the principal incidents of fifteen years revolution in Mexico; and embracing a condensed statement of interesting events in Texas, from the first European settlement in 1692, down to the present time: and a history of the Mexican war > Part 9
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This town is in latitude 31 deg. 40 min., longitude west from the City of Washington 17 deg. 17 min., and as well as San Augustine hereafter to be described, is in the heart of a region called the red lands, very much re- sembling the red lands in Virginia. In fact whoever has travelled from Lynchburg by way of Amherst court house, New Glasco, and Nelson court house to Charlottes- ville, has seen the red lands of Texas, differing only from those in Virginia by their level surface, while this red re- gion east of the blue ridge, possesses picturesque moun- tain scenery full of romance, and partaking largely of that sublime natural grandeur so familiar to the sight of the sons of the good old Dominion.
San Augustine .- This town is 50 miles east south-east from Nacogdoches, and among other subjects of interest can boast a house of worship, being the only one in the whole republic which is at the time I write exclusively devoted to that purpose by any protestant congregation. The in- habitants are comparatively a moral and religious people,
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and the little town bears evident marks of a gradually im- proving business. The climate here is mild and salubrious, and the whole extent of the red lands is a desirable region, freed as it is from the monotony peculiar to a very low level country, and occasionally relieved by pine ridges intersecting the country in regular succession. The pro- ducts are chiefly corn and cotton, both of which flourish . as well as most culenary vegetables.
Goliad .- This town, on account of its historical remin- iscences is worthy of particular remark, being a military post from the time it was founded in 1716, until 1836, when the troops under Colonel Fannin were murdered ; since which time, the population has much decreased, and the place altogether abandoned as a depot for munitions of war or a rendezvous for soldiers. Goliad was never at any time a place of much business, although situated in a fertile country and immediately on the west bank of the San Antonia river; the traffic centering at the town of San Antonia, or as now called, De Bexar, 80 miles above, and the river although a deep and beautiful stream of 60 "yards wide has not as yet, been much of a channel of commerce, or been navigated with any thing larger than an Indian or Spanish canoe.
Teranna .- This is a village on the east bank of the Navidad river, the site of which is handsome, and the sur- rounding country exceedingly rich; but at present contain- ing a very sparse population, many farms having been aban- doned during the war of 1835-6, and in such cases the pro- perty was confiscated, and will not again be possessed by the former occupants in the absence of positive proof that they were in actual service in the Texan army. This operation, though in strict conformity with the practice of
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all nations, is yet often very oppressive; and was peculiarly so in Texas, falling, as it did, upon those who honestly opposed the war, many of whom had been born in the country, and were outgeneraled, if not outnumbered by what they considered the usurpation of strangers.
Jasper .- This town in memory of one of the heroes of 76, is located in a large prairie near Sandy creek ; con- tains about 20 houses, the number not increasing rapidly now, and will not probably at any time, being in a poor surrounding country.
Jefferson, in memory of the sage of Monticello, is a small village on the east bank of Crow creek which inter- sects with an unproductive country. The town at pres- ent contains about 20 houses.
Montgomery, in memory of the hero of the heights of Quebec, is located 60 miles north east from the city of Hous- ton, within five miles of the San Jacinto river. The town is not a place of much promise, and the surrounding coun- try broken and sterile, affording however, a good supply of water ; an advantage not possessed by the region wa- tered by the lower San Jacinto.
Hamilton, in memory of the hero and popular financier of the United States, is founded, but not yet built. The site is on Buffalo Bayou, opposite Harrisburg.
San Leon, is located on a high bluff, opposite red fish bar in Galveston Bay. This place may in time assume considerable importance.
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MINERALS.
Iron ore is abundant, particularly in Northern Texas, ·and bituminous coal in great quantities is known to be imbedded in the romantic hills that border the upper Col- orado, and most probably will be found at some future period in the plains below. Copper and lead is said to have been discovered in several places ; but after making dilli- gent search and enquiry, I could not ascertain their locali- ty ; and concluded that though very likely these metals may be rich and abundant in Texas as well as elsewhere, they have only as yet been found there in prospective.
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SALT SPRINGS.
In addition to those already described, three are known of, one on the upper tributaries of the Netches River, from whose waters excellent salt has been made in small quanti- ties, by way of experiment ; one near the Cross Timbers, on the upper Brassos, and one on, or near, the Nuesses ; none of these have been worked to afford any supply, and when the high price of labor is considered, and the facility of introducing foreign salt as well as procuring the article from the lake, described in a foregoing part of this work, it is doubtful whether the business could be made profi- table.
. MEDICINAL SPRINGS.
Only two are known except those previously mentioned ; one of which is 30 miles north east from Washington, burst- ing in a bold fountain from the high lands that adorn the
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country, watered by the upper Brassos; but the little creek of Sobolo, 40 miles from the town of San Antonia, is hereafter to be the grand rendezvous, and its banks the prominade ground for invalids in body, and heart sick lovers-the veritable Saratoga of Texas. The waters of a fine mineral spring here possess similar properties ; and I was assured by a most lovely Mexican damsel, as she gracefully reclined upon the grass, and her large black eye spoke daggers as well as the notes of Hymen, that she was educated in Hartford, Connecticut, and had rusticated and luxriated at most of the fashionable watering places in the United States, none of which were so exhilerating to the spirits of an invalid as the Sobolo, however much Saratoga might resemble it in other respects. I was the more inclined to believe this from the sensations I there experienced ; but whether this was the effect of the medi- cinal properties of Sobolo or the witching smiles of this Mexican Hebe, or the joint effect of variety and change of air, as in other cases, I will not positively determine.
GOLD AND SILVER. :
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I could never discover any of these precious metals in Texas after leaving the old Spanish mine before alluded to, and should there be none such it may be well for the country, whose wealth can be drawn from the earth in a less dangerous, if not so tempting a shape ; for although the laws of trade, as now existing, require such commodities, yet all experience proves that it is not the people who fur- nish them in the greatest abundance who grow the richest, or live the happiest ; and in fact, the reverse of this has, I believe, without an exception every where been proved.
It is deemed unnecessary to enlarge upon this subject,
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Mining, like lotteries and other gambling, unsettles the the minds of men, and currency of every possible kind has had a trial in various parts of the world ; and how- ever much people at the present day may differ about a metallic, mixed or paper currency, I am inclined to be- lieve that a mixture in this, as in other things, may give it consistency, and that that kind is best that while being the actual representative of property facilitates the trans- mission of large sums to distant places, while it supplies a convenient and safe circulation at home.
The present currency of Texas consists almost entirely of Treasury notes, corporation and individual tickets, such as are vulgarly called shin plasters ; and differs materially from the currency of the country previous to the war, before which time, there was a sound circulating medium, which if not so abundant as bank paper in other countries was of a more durable kind, and amply sufficient for the actual wants of the then sparse and agricultural population.
The amount of Treasury notes issued by the govern- ment is $1,098,435, from which has been withdrawn from circulation about $190,000, leaving a balance out standing of upwards of $900,000. Funded debt of the government redeemable after 1842, $667,800 ; military scrip 248,000 ; these add to other demands against the government, makes a sum total of $4,229,800 up to the end of the 1st day of November, 1839.
The resources to meet this debt have been estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury as follows: Import duties for the present year, (1839) $954,000; for land dues, $504,000 ; direct taxes, $250.000 ; sales of lots in the city of Austin, 8500,000 ; sales of lots in Galveston, $250,000 ; sales of lots in Calhoun, $500,000 ; total $3,018,000.
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The first quarter of the current year produced a revenue from importations of about $300,000, which shows a large increase over any former period, and from the estimation of the Land Department. the public domain not touched by locations or grants, exceeds one hundred and sixty million of acres.
The military and naval expenses are entirely predicated upon a loan; an agent for which purpose is now in Europe, but whether he is successful or not, it is believed that af- ter making proper allowances for the over estimates of the heads of departments, the government will at an early day possess ample means for the redemption of the national debt; particularly if not again involved in expensive hos- tilities with Mexico .*
For the information of those who have been connected with the army in Texas, I preserved many public docu- ments; among which the following is deemed worth insert- ing in this chapter of the Emigrant.
WAR DEPARTMENT, January 1st, 1839.
In conformity with a joint resolution of Congress, au- thorizing and requiring the discharge of all officers and soldiers now in service or on furlough, belonging to the 1st and 2d Regiments of permanent volunteers, an hon- orable discharge is hereby granted to the officers and sol- diers of those regiments, to take effect from this date, except the troops at Galveston and San Bernard, that be- long to those regiments, who will receive an honorable discharge so soon as they can be relieved by other troops.
In order to facilitate the adjustment of the claims of
* NOTE .- Since the above was written, a loan of five million has been negotiated in England, the Texan Government receiving $$0 in specie-for every $100 of Government bond.
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officers and soldiers, thus discharged, and those who may hereafter be discharged, in the like manner, the following rules will be observed by the department:
All officers and soldiers applying through an attorney for an adjustment of their claims must have the power of at- torney legally authenticated in the presence of a notary or chief justice. If the applicant resides in the United States, the power of attorney must be authenticated in the man- ner required by the laws of the state where he resides, and be certified by the Governor or Secretary of State, and have the seal of state affixed thereto.
In all cases where the officer or soldier has transferred his right to pay, and bounty lands for services rendered in the army, the department will require such transfer to to be executed by deed of sale, and authenticated in the manne: prescribed by the laws of the Republic, and should the transfer and sale be made within the United States, the same authentication will be required as stated in the first rule relative to non-residents.
When the heirs or legal representatives of deceased of- ficers or soldiers apply for pay or bounty land, it will be required that they shall produce satisfactory evidence to be certified and proven in the manner prescribed in the first and second rules, that they are the legal heirs or legal representatives. Should they reside without the limits of the Republic and claim by will or as administrators, they shall have such will probated and letters testamentary or letters of administration issued by the proper authorities within this Republic, and a copy of the bond taken by the court granting such letters, must accompany the proceed- ings with a certified copy of the Judge, showing that the act providing for the settlement of deceased soldeirs' estates passed the 18th of May, 1838, has been complied with.
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When the application is made in behalf of a citizen offi- cer or soldier, who died in the full exercise of his rights as a citizen, the certificate of the Judge or Clerk of the probate court shall be sufficient evidence for the action of the department.
In all cases the applicant must exhibit his furlough or discharge.
Signed, A. SIDNEY JOHNSON, Secretary of War.
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CHAPTER IX.
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TIMBER, PRAIRIES, ETC.
Timber, principally elm, ash, cedar and pine, is found skirting all the water courses in Texas, and often stretch- ing off into a distant forest on one side of the streams, but seldom on both. Oak on the uplands is common, and the quantity of live oak, so valuable for ship building, is sup- posed to be greater than in any other portion of America, of the same extent.
The rivers are stored with fish ; the bays with oysters. and the forests and prairies abound in wild game and fowls ; and so abundant are these, that the settlers may easily procure meats in abundance without more labor and expense than to load and shoot a gun. But in locali- ties hereafter to be mentioned, there is an evident scarci- ty of timber for useful purposes ; and in such districts planters will find it necessary, by ditching or hedging, to use late inventions suitible for horse power, or plant the native hawthorn, which is profusely scattered, as if designed by nature for this especial purpose.
It is in the vegetable kingdom here, as well as else- where, that the finest delineations of nature are portrayed , her choicest pencilling ; her most delicate tints, and brilliant hues, are attractively displayed in the variegated flowers of
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the prairies ; and the traveler will behold with pleasura- ble emotions, her beautiful finger work as exhibited in the large snow like blossoms of the magnolia in Texas.
This tree, unknown in Northern latitudes, abounds in all the southern portion of Texas, and the forest during the flowering season (from May to August) presents one of the most enchanting views in nature, the recollection of which, now that I have left those delightful haunts, fre- quently returns unbid and forms
A green spot In the waste of time On which the memory Loves to dwell.
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I have seen this tree reared by the assiduous labours of scientific men, near Philadelphia, in all the perfection which could be obtained in such a climate, but that native loveliness and mature proportions which are pleasing to the eye, was always wanting, and doubly so, after traveling through leagues of burning prairies, and then beholding whole groves of natural growth rearing unobstructed trunks from 60 to 80 feet high, while the large leaves sug- gested the pleasantness, of coolness and shade, and wear- ing the richness of the deepest perrennial verdure.
The surrounding country of the Trinity, supplies the greatest abundance of the mognolia ; in some places entire forests, and ever and anon, on the rough side of a frowning prescipice is seen, this lovely tree smiling from its elevation, and not maptly suggesting the idea to the traveler of a snow white beauty greeting his approach. But here at long intervals, she is doomed to realize the line of the poet-"and is born to blush unseen."
Every country may boast of something majestic and sublime. The State of Virginia, for instance, is adorn-
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ed with perhaps the most romantic mountain scenery in the world, entering from the North East the very heart of the State, and fading away in the distance, till lost to view in the Cumberland and Iron Mountains in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Again the Potomac, the James, and the Roanoke, with many others, are noble streams, and are nature's highways to market, while their fertile valleys teem with the rewards of labor, and the numerous medicinal springs and caves, with the natural bridge, are objects not only to excite the minds of the curious, but to call forth some of the most refined feelings of our nature.
The Pennsylvanian may enjoy a local pride while he is scaling the Alleghany Mountains, on a road which if de- scribed fifty years ago, would have been received as fic- tion ; and while he is exulting in nature's gifts, and the ad- vancement of science, he should not suppose that all is yet accomplished, but should be stimulated to industry in discovering new sources of wealth, and with them addition- al means to contribute to the sum total of human happi- ness.
The Tennesseean may glory in his fertile valleys, and fancy when approaching Cumberland Gap that he is view- ing the boldest of natures works; and the Kentuckian, when leaving the the romantic banks of the Kentucky river and scanning the immense productions in several counties around Lexington, will not unreasonably suppose that he is in the garden spot of the world. Again he winds on through the mountain defiles. crosses Rockcastle, Powell's and Cumberland rivers, beholding on every side the lofty ridges, crowned with evergreens, while the frowning preci- pices and angry cascades fill up a picture not every where to be seen, when he exclaims aloud, there is no place on earth equal to Old Kentuck!
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HISTORY OF TLEAS
The mighty valley of the Mississippi, between which and Texas there are no natural barriers, presents the most fertile and extensive distinct district of country in the world ; and who can estimate the countless millions of human beings who are hereafter to draw forth the rich stores of vegetable and mineral productions, and through rivers of unknown extent elsewhere prosecute a gigantic commerce with every part of the world.
People very generally along our northern frontier glory in the grand chain of lakes which are mainly instrumental in spreading life and animation through forests which a few years ago were the hunting grounds of the Aborigines of the country, and the New Yorkers point with a peculiar de- grec of pride, both to their Atlantic and Lake shores -- to the classic scenery of the Hudson-the Catskill mount in. Glenn's falls-Gennessee falls, and to cap the whole. die stupendous cataract of Niagara, where an ocean or mir. ty sea of water pours over a precipice of 200 feet high, where nature's language thunders in the ears of the be- holder, while the eye is charmed with the magnitude of the scene, and the fantastic rain-bows which are dancing in the spray.
Beautiful lands where the clouds love to rest, Like the shroud of the dead on the Mountain's cold breast, And the Cataracts roar when the eagles reply, And the Lakes their sweet bosoin expand to the sky.
Standing on the bank of this mighty cataract some years ago and grasping the hand of a little son who could then but half distinctly articulate, the first exclamation of the child was, Papa, who made this? The question so art- less though so unexpected, made an indellible impression on my mind, and produced an answer which I hope will find a response in every bosom when beholding the works
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of the Almighty as exhibited at the falls of Niagara. There is in fact no state in the Union, but can boast of some thing peculiar to herself, and Texas can boast of her con- tiguity to 'the sea, the mildness of her climate, the fer- tility of her soil, and the grandeur of her mountains and prairies, the last of which are perhaps the most extensive and luxuriant in the world. Hours, aye, even many days, are sometimes requisite in crossing these natural medows of the South and West, presenting a mighty contrast be- tween them and the narrow valleys and pigmy defiles that meet the eye almost every where east of the Allegha- nies, and perhaps with all men, they will, as they certain- ly did with me, produce an expansion of ideas to which such comprehensive scenery is always in harmony.
These mighty plains in Texas are being settled with un- paralleled rapidity, and I believe that no where in the world, affords so many natural resources to facilitate the operations of the heardsman and cultivator whose meadows are prepared by nature for their use, and whose corton, sugar and rice fields need nothing but enclosure and til- lage, to yield a rich reward. With such obvious advan- tages, and an exemption from the heavy tax of buildings, which are always wanting in northern latitudes, to pro- tect from the inclemency of long dreary winters, the property of the grazier, the settlers in Texas rear their stock with expense of branding and salting, and then find ready markets and high prices, and many of them are satisfied, and fondly look forward to superior e.se, comfort and wealth.
Others again are discontented, partly from in inherent principle which prompts men to reject happiness and place a false value upon every thing present. and partly from the fact that every where within the circun of the sun's grand rounds, there are nauseous drags m'a ed
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with the sweets of life; and perhaps some in Texas, which a majority of emigrants (for the want of some use- ful channel of information) could not forsee at a distance, and they now sigh for their lost enjoyments, and would gladly exchange the wilds with all its bountiful soil and heards of game and distant prospect of wealth, for a resi- dence again among the tombs of their farthers.
But man is a strange being; that love of novelty and untiring enterprise which distinguish our people, will still impel them onward, and at no distant day, new communities will have grown to manhood west of the Rocky Moun- tains, and men and institutions similar to, if not improve- ments on our own, will have extended from Hudson's Bay to Cape Horn. Be it so; as an American, I feel a lively interest in the wide spread influence of free governments and the transformation of the wilderness into cultivated fields ; but as a friend I would admonish those who are surrounded by the comforts of life and the holy influence of kindred ties, to ponder well before taking a long fare- well, and exchanging such blessings for the precarious ad- vantages to be found in the wilderness, and the too fre- quently disappointed hopes produced by reading exaggerat- ed descriptions of countries where distance lends enchant-" ment to the view.
But to those who are not blessed with such comforts I have other advice. To the young and vigorous who must be the architects of their own fortune, I have other ad- vice; to those who are doomed by the customs of densely populated places to be mere hewers of wood and drawers of water, to the hitherto imprudent, to the unfortunate, to the discarded from society; I emphatically say to all such, Go, and go at once, to Texas! There you will find a wide and fertile field for vigorous enterprise. The eagles of Rome, in all her glory. soared not over so fine a country.
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The features of the country and climate of classic Greece is not more favorable to the development of intellect than Northern Texas. The Spartan mothers never nestled to their bosoms better materials for heroes than will be nursed in Texas; and I doubt not, but the faithful his- torian in future will record deeds of valour, copy elo- quent orations, transcribe edicts of government, and por- tray the general comfort and independence of the inhab- itants of Texas in a manner wholly unknown to any na- tion of antiquity. True there are privations to be borne, there will be dangers to encounter ; but let it never be forgotton, that some of our sweetest enjoyments are drawn from succesfully combatting with difficulties, and that death is the inevitable lot of man, upon earth. Should this be premature, a few years sooner or later, is not so important as the possession of an abiding confidence that in the full exercise of natural right we have omitted no duty nor shrunk from any responsibility in the path of free- dom while seeking independence and happiness where it may be found.
The measures of the government to Emigrants are lib- - eral ; the bounty of land alone, with ordinary industry, will furnish a competence, if not independance, in a few years, and emigrants will find themselves among a people of re- cent date, and not so completely organized into elans and parties, as to defy competition for the offices of the gov- ernment ; but free spirits and bold hearts will obtain , tickets in a lottery where many will draw prizes of wealth and honor, who, if remaining in the land of their birth, must necessarily have toiled at the oar of incessant labor through life. and ended their earthly pilgrimage by leaving an impoverished family, and stealing into an obscure and unhonored grave ; well, let such go; we want them not s one. But I say do not add insult to injury ; do not
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