The New York Herald Newspaper, October 30, 1849, Page 6

| seen ——s The Pacific Railway Convention. OUR WESTERN CORRESPONDENCE. Sr. Louis, October 16, 1849. Yesterday, at noon, several hundred delegates to the Pacific Railway Convention, who had ar- rived in our city, assembled at the rotunda of the Court House. The States represented were New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, lowa, Wisconsin and Missouri. Delegates from other States, it was expected, would arrive during the day. A temporary organi- zation was effected, by calling Judge A. T. Ellis, ef Vincennes, Indiana, to the chair; and appointing T_ A. Stewart, Esq., of Illinois, and a Mr. Cham- bers, of Missouri, temporary secretaries. ‘After the introduction and withdrawal of a reso- Jution relative to the manner of voting when di- visions should be culled, the several State dele- gations present were called on to elect one of their Rumber to a Committee ot Nomination, to nomi- nate officers for a permanent organization of the convention. The filowing gentlemen were de- ated :— ay bad T. H Williams; enmivento, George Darsie; Ohio, J. W. Van Klek; Kentucky, Henry 3 Easton; Indiana, J. T. Moffatt; Michigan, John Biddle Mlinois, Robert Smith; lewa, John A. Graham ; Wibs- eonsin, Chas. Brack: iissouri, Wm. Shields, ‘On motion of ton 'J, B. Bow.ry, of Missouri, it was resolved, that delegations arriving during the day should be represented on this committee, by appoint- members from their own bodies. t 2 o'clock, P.M., the convention adjourned until nine this merning. Ocronen 16—9 A.M. The Convention met pursuant toadjournment. Prayer the Rev. Mr. Jeter. ‘I'he minutes were then read. e committee appointed to designate officers for re- gular organization, reported, through their chairman: — President—S. A. Douglas, of Illinois. Vice Presidents —W. L. Totten, Pennsylvania; Samuel Forrer, Ohio; Samuel Emerson, Indiana; {1. J. Easton, Kentucky; J. Williams, lowa; © Bracken, Wisconsin; H. 8. Geger, Missouri; J. Biddle, Viichigan; A. K. William York; W. B. Scates. lilinois, Secretaries—A. ders, Missouri; W. H Wallace, low tucky; W.G Minor, Missouri; A. T. Stewart, Report accepted Price Steward, Esq., delegate from Tennersee, was reported as havi wen added to the committee of nominations yesterday. Twenty-seven other delegates frem lowa were reported as having ar rived. Hon. Strruen A Dovetas was conducted to the chair. and delivered an eloquent address on the important ob- jects of the convention, and dwelt upon the necessity of unanimity, and of sacrificing sectional predilections; of union en important measures. and disregarding minor considerations, which might mar the success of the objects of the convention. The address was brief, but was received with great approbation, Price Stewart. Esq, was,on motion, elected one of the Vice Prestdents of the convention, A resolution, expressing the obligations of Con; ptly in relation to the railroad and teley d to lie on the table, s resolved that s committee on re- goof three from each State, be ap- pointed by the chair. The resolution ng on Congress to act promptly in relation to the Pacitic railroad, which had been laid on the table, baving been called up tor reconsideration, Mr. Benron rore, and after a few briet remarks, intro- duced and read a letter from Mr, Fremont, reiterating his cenyiction that the route between the Arkansas and Del Norte, wax the most eligible for a railroad.— Secarcely ap inequality of profile is preseated im the Mountain passes, and the route thence tothe Great Barin, and thence to Humboldt river, iy entirely uoex- eeptionable. From couversation with Mr. Fremont, Gen. Smith bad resojved to send out an exploring ex- ition, with the view Co reporting on the route dur- ing the ensuing session of Congress. Mr Benton, there- fore, urged that the question where the road should cross the mountains, should not be agitated in this convention, Mr Lenton also repudinted aa opin- jon promulgated by Vr Lougborough, in the Mestern Journal, that the South Pass was, in the opinion of Mr. Fremont, the only practicable route across the Sierra Madre, and appealed to the letter just read to Dear bim out in the position. The rest of his remarks ‘were of a desultory nature on the great importance of the preposed thoroughfare. At 12 o'clock, # recess was taken til 3. ARGUS, Sr. Louis, Oet. 17, 1819. The remarks of Mr. Benton, which I alluded to in My communication of yesterday, repudiating the acquiescence of Mr. Fremont in the suggestion ef Mr. Loughborough, that no feasible route for a rail- road across the Sierra Madre could be found within our territory south of the South Pass, called up a reply from Mr. L. In directing attention to that portien of Mr. L.’s pamphlet which contains the assertion referred to, Mr. Benton acted with a dis ingenuousness which I regret to say has been ra- ther characteristic of his course recently. He for- got to give the authority on whieh Mr. Loughbo- rough based the assertion. The passage of the ar- cle reads us tollows: Col. Fremont, who has certainly had better means of ascertaining the facts than perbaps any one else, con- urs in the opinion that a railway cannot be taken through the Keeky Moun'ains at any other poiat than the Scuth lace vllowing renteves, in a letter of Mr Ara Whitney to the author of this article, poorer this beyond eavil:—In justice to Col Fremont. | should way that | bi jous with him, end his opinion of route corresponds with yours” In reading a portion of this passage, Mr. Beaton entirely Jett out the reference to Mr. Whitney, and charged Mr. Loughborough with what he chose to denounce us a misrepresentation of Mr. Fre- mont's views. Mr. L. in reply, pointed out this omission, and promised to furnish the letter of Mr. Whitney to the convention The facts are, that, wutil recently, Mr. Fremont did believe the South Pass the only feasible route, and no doubt so expressed himself to Mr. Whit ney. About a year ago, tormed the pushing his explorat t sult of his disast of the Del Norte nown. Mr. Frement still thinks a passage practicable; but this further, ex- e. A mule trace across these mountwins has long been known, but, trom all I can gather from mountaineers, and kuow of the country myself, | think a railway route rather problematical 2 _ In the afternoon, yesterday, an animated discus sion arove on « resolution offered by Judge Birch, recommending the neighberbood of the fortieth parallel of latitude as the route for the contemplated road. This resolution was a signal of strife to the Benton and anti-Bentoa divisions of the democratic rty, being yong opposed to the scheme of Mr. ‘nion, who would have the eastern terminus of the road at St. Louis. Judge Birch was replied to, with moch warmth, by Gov Austin A. King, who stood directly beside Mr. Benton, and frequently received trom him the cue to his declamation. Gov King’s speech was boisterou: id incoherent a whole, and marked by ignorance alike ot topo- graphy and the pure vernacular The latter could 5 te have been excused, even in a Governor ; ut the former was both ridiculous and humilia- ting. What!" said he, * select the fortieth pa- rallel_ of latitude—tor north of the northern boundary of our own glorious State?” Exhaust- ed, however, his Excellency at length withdrew, and was followed by (ieneral Clarke, of Missouri, who endeavored to cast oil on the troubled waters Gen. ©. 1s a whig, aed es such, anda member of @ convention not called together for political pur- pores, implored the beiligerenta to cast aside their personal ond paity avimosities, and harmonize, if possible, in carrying out the legitimate business of convention. Judge Buch rose to explain; but the floor had been obtained by Judge Willams, of Towa, one of the most eccentric, and at the same time eloquent speaker, Lever listened to. He com- meneed in his ploce; but his remarks soon produced such an electrifying € ditory, that he d to the rostrom, from which he poured a of unsugpaseed eloquence for more than an hour. The newessity of union in the furtherance o the great enterprise, and the ridiculous attitude dis. yed by the pertizan speakers who had preceded um, were so happily portrayed, that when he de ascended from the stand amid the deafening plau- dite and ¢ ongratelstions of the assemblage, it was evident that harmony bod been restored, and tha petty party strife fully felt ite insigeificance. Mr throp, of Lowimieana, followed in a few remarks and concluded by moving that the apple of discord — the resolution of Judge Birch—should be laid on the table. This motion was carned almost unam mously. A menee number of letters having been re- ceived from distinguished gentlemen in various parte of the Un States, who had been invited to attend the convention, the President suggested that the convention uld decide upon the dispo- 10M to be made of them. After some discussion, they were ordered to be printed in one of our city papers! They would fill ten mammoth Heralds A cocument received from the Topographical Department at Washington, setting forth the va- fous railrowd routes two the Pae which have been suggested, was referred to the committee on resolutions. A resolution empowering the President of the Convention to apyoint a committee, consisting of one member fromeerch State, to draft a memorial to Congress, presenting the objects and designs of the convention, was ~ sed; when an adjournment until this morning followed MORNING SESSION—oCT. 17. Prayer by Kev. Dr Potts. A delegation from Virginia having presented its credenu Lieut Maury wae announced ‘es the Vice-President of the convention for that State. A similar an- nouncement was made with reference to Hon. Ko- bert Chambers, ot New Jersey. tions relating to contemplated routes were read and referred to the committee on resolutios A resolution having been introduced, with a re- quest that it be referred to the committee on reso- lutions, to the effect that Congress be memorialized ta port bezend the organized wed to the Peeifie, the work to ver Hi. States, and cont be completed within too years, the Hon. Smuth, of lodiene, rose and spoke for an heur in eppesition to the pesclatven. Hie u that it gress possess not the constitutional power authorise the construction of the whole of the toad, it never will be le. For himself, he doubted that power, as the constitution now is; but the construction of the road through territory over which Congress had jurisdiction, would not mend the matter. In a short space of time, California would be admitted as a State, and then a national road could not pass through her taxes 3 80 that we should havea road merely from frontier to frontier, which would be of no real benefit. He concluded by senerking that if the resolution should be referred, and come up asa feature of the resolutions of the committee, he should oppose it, and offer a resolution to memorialize Congress for the amendment of the constitution, so that the power of Congress might be extended to the con- struction of the whole of the road. At the conclusion of Mr. Smith’s remarks, Hon. Mr. Douglas, President of the convention, begged to be excused from the further occupancy of the charr, for reasons which I shall inform you of fully“ to-morrow. At his suggestion, Mr. Geyer, of Mo., one of the Vice-Presidents, was installed Presi- dent. Judge Douglas is now speaking, but as the mail is about to close, | must defer further particu- lars. Angus. Sr. Lours, Oct. 18, 1849. The circumstances which led to the resignation of Hon. Mr. Douglas, as President of the conven- tion, which I mentioned in my letter of yesterday, were about these:—On the mght previous, after the adjournment of the convention, a mass meeting of the delegates and citizens was held inthe rotun- do, without any particularly avowed object, further than to talk about railroads and railroad projects. This meeting Judge Douglas was called upon to address, he being present. He complied, and du- ring the course of his remarks animadverted, with some severity, upon sentiments expressed the day previous, by Senator Benton and others, in favor of a strictly ceatral railroad, one which would dis- regard the claims of the North and the South, and subserve, especially, the interests of the great cities of the ceatre. He was very pointed in his stric- tures upon St. Lou's, end hinted that the claims of Chicego ard the interests of the Whitney route were to be swallowed up by the grasping policy of Cincinnati apd St. Louis. He was replied to by Hon. J. B. Bowlin, with much warmth and some asperity ; and when the meeting broke up, it was very evident that nothing had been done towards healing the breach which has long, unhappily, ex- isted between the sister States of Illinois and Missouri. : Y ootenaay morning, the course of Judge Douglas was severely censured in a morning paper, the Re- publican—the cherge being, that, as President of the convention, he had violated propriety, by advo- cating sectional claims im a mass meeting. At the usual hour, he took the chair; but at the termina- tion of a speech by ex-Senator Smith, of Indiana, in which trequent allusions had been made to the feelings evinced the previous eveniag, the Presi- dent rose from his seat, and declared it vacated. He could no longer sit there, listeniag to sectional speeches, and not be permitted to reply. He felt that, to do justice to those who had senthim to the convention, he must relinquisk the honor which had been conferred upon him. His course at a mass meeting, while exercising the right of tree discussion, had been censured by the press, and his motives called in question. This, together with the events of the morning, had led te the de- cision he had announced. In retiring, he requested that Henry 5. Geyer, one of the Vice Presidents, should fill the chair. Mr. Geyer accordingly be- came President pro tem , until afternoon, when Mr. Darsie, of Pennsylvania, was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Douglas. This was not done through disre- spect to Mr, Geyer, but, as he is a Missourian, it was not desirable that, in the existing state of feel- ing, a Missounan should preside. The business of the evening of yesterday may be briefly summed up. The Committee on Reso- lutions reported, through their chairman, the fol- lowing :— 1. Resolved, That this convention is, in its spirit and objects, strictly national, having no party, no tectional, no local interests to serve or promote,but hav- ing at beart the interests of the whole country 2. Resolved, That it is the duty of t the United States to make immediate provision for the construction of great trunk railroad tothe Pacific ocean in California, with a branch road to Oregon, from such point ia the Mississippi valley, or on the frontier of the States, as may be found, from exami: tion and surveys, to be with respect to the existing and prospecti the country, and the population and com: whole Union, and that it should be dilig ted by the federal goverument, 3 fteaclved, That the various lines of railway now either complete or in process of construction from Sa- arleston, Richmond, Ualtimore, Philadel- York, and Boston, tending to, and conuest- Mississippi val only parts of the which the genei rnment is asked to pr and Paoitic railway, tions now being prepar- ed for it by uniting all interests, guarantee the perfect nationality of this work, 4 Resclved, That as an important mean sary and prelimipary to the constructio: rod, it is the first duty of the iediately upon its assembling toget vision for the establishment western confiin ‘ongress, to make pro- military posts from the of our western States to the Pacific ocean; that there poste should be established numer. cusly iu all proper places, not fer distant from each other and that civilised should be encouraged grants of the public tending ample prow teotion to the pettiers, transport stores, merchandise, Ko.. #0 that by those me: y be afforded to our ti mmediate reco! ‘Vast possessions, reaching to racticable roads, with facilities of travel, our citizens across our own nd productive settlements m by libe.el sales or the Atlantic to the Pacitic shores, 5, Resolved, That the Congress of the United States be memorialized to construct, or authorize the con- struction of, ® national line of telegraph along the route which may be determined on by national autho- rity for the great railway to the Pacific RB mittee of five be appeinted onvention to prepare and pub- of the Wnited States, urg- question being on the reception of this re- port, the Hon. R. W. Thompson, of Ind.ana, one of the committee, rose im opposition. He thought the-resolutions fell far short of the objects of the convention, and that if nethingturther be done in the matter than what was thus called for, the rail- road would never be built. He spoke ina vey forcible and eloquent manner for nearly two hours, and concluded by offering the following amead- meni Resolved, That inthe opinion of this convention, it is the duty of the general government to provide at an rarly period for the construction of central and na tional railroad, from the valley of the Mississippi river to the Paeific ovean. Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention, « railroad, with branches to St. Loui Chicago, would be such a coutral That a committee be appointed to comma. nicate to the convention to be held at Memphis, the foregotng resolutions, and to request th urreace of raid convention therein, This amendment, or rather substitution, was carried unanimously, amidst the a of the convention and spectators. It embodies, in efiect, the plan submitted by Mr. Loughborough, and which was sncered at so much by the honora- ble Senator of Missouri, in atiendance. Imme diately on its passa, it was moved by Judge Birch that the commitiee te the Memphis Conven- tion should consist of fifty, of which committee, Mr. Thompson. of Indiana, should be chairman. This was carried une nimously. The convention was afterwards addressed in ap- robution of the resolutions, as passed, by Captain Naylor and Mr. Roberts, of Philadelphia, the lat- ter of whom, «civil engineer, gave many practical remarks in jon to the feasibility of the great railroad contemplate: MORNING SESSION. Oct 18—Prayer by Rev. Mr. House. — Samuel Treat, of Missouri, introd resolu ton, that so much of the ori: : resolution committee, as related to the establish- ment of military posts, and the construction of the magnetic telegraph to the Pacific, be takeu up for reconsideration, and added to the amendment of Mr. Thompson, which passed yesterday. The resolution of Judge Treat passed unanimously, without discussion. ‘ Mr. Loughborough, of Mo., offered a resolution that when the convention adjourn, it adjourn to reaseemble at Philadelphia, on the first Monday in Api next, and that the Memphis Convention be requested to pass a similar resolution. Passed. he convention will probably adjourn y RGIS. Laks Srrerion Correr —The propellor Inde- pendence came down to the Sauton the 18th ul- time, with 181 tons of copper from the Cliff mine 34 tons from the North American mine, and six tons from the Copper Falls mine, all in solid mass es. The schooner Fur Trader came down on the 22d inetant from the Ontonagon, with 21 tons of ‘pret belonging to the Minnegota Mining Compa- ‘id messes. The sehooner Helen cleared Columbia both cargoes belonged to Mining Company.— ny. in sol With 75 tons .ot copper, and the bi With 81 tons of copper : the Pittsburgh wed Be Piishurgh Gaz. Oct. 2%. ‘The Legivlature of Rhode Island meets at Providence, to-day. There were 76 deaths in Baltimore city, for the weok ending the 22d inst Sketches of Texas. ‘The City of Houston—The Business of the Place— The Prospects ofthe City—Internal Improvements —Towns of Washington and Independence—The German Settlements— Texas Villages, &c. §c. The city of Houston, which takes its name from General Sam Houston, the leader of the Texan army, during the revolution—her first President, and one of her present senators, is situated on Buflalo Bayou, at the extreme head of steamboat navigation, and is directly opposite White Oak Bayou—was commenced in October, 1836, by a company, consisting of A. C. and J. K. Allen, Robt. Wilson, A. Hodge, Wm. Christy, T. M. McKen- ny, A. J. Yates, A. C. Horton, Mosely Baker, and Wm. H. Jack. In November, the State House, or building known as the Old Capitol, was commenc- ed, and in the following May, Congress held its first session in that building. Never was a city commenced under more inauspicious circum- stances—surrounded as she was on every side by low, wet prairies, difficult of communieation with the interior, that nothing short of the imdomitable spirit and perseverance of J. K. Allen, could ever have surmounted the many obstacles that present- ed themselves to prevent the nsing in prosperity of this new city. When he died, she received a blow thet she has not yet recovered. But it 1s not of Houston as she was, but Houston as she is. that we have now to speak. In front of the city there has been erected a fine wharf, over five hundied feet long, affording ample accommodations for the larding of goons and shipment of produce. This wharf is flank»d by two cotton Rare, erected by individual enterprise. ‘The public buildings ase an episcopal, presbyterian, baptist, catholic avd methodist churches, a fine market house end jail. Amongst the public houses, “the Old Capitol,”* kept by Biewster and Kellan may be considered the first. Regular stages arri and depart from this city twice a week, one line to Austin and San Antonio, another to Nacog- doches and the Sabine. There are four Sunday echools in this town. The masomie frete nity have appropriate rooms elegantly fittea up for the use of the Blue Lodge Chapter and Encampment, The Sons of Temperance have also a division in this town. There were, also, formerly, two lodges ot Odd Fellows in this city, but, through mismenage- meat, they have long ceased to exist. There is a very large country business transacted in this town, especially during what ore termed “dry reasons.” Several of the merchants have realized competency from stall commencements; and not- withstanding the many misfortunes that have e-- sailed Houston during the last two years, in the shape of yellow fever, cholera, and last, though notleast, uncommon wet seasons, there 1s nova single merchant of respectability but will be able to meet their engagements in the North this season. During the last two years, there have been few, very lew, indeed, failures that could be attributed to business looses. With all the advantages that Houston possesses, I was particularly struck with the carelessness and apathy of hercitizens on the subject of pablic roads and public schools—two subjects of vital import- ance to the welfare and prosperity of all new coun- tries. Within the lact few months, however, since the Galvestonians have reduced almost to a eer- tainty that the Brazos river can be made navigable, they have commenced attempting to improve the roads by throwing up a mud turnpike, a work that will, if properly carried out, tend much tothe ad- vantage of Heuston. But no matter how greatmay be the projected improvements of this place—no matter how many advantages she may pox secs, she can never reap the full benetits of them while she neglects the establishment of public schools; for, to hershame, be it spoken, she not yet made the first step towards the lishment of this truly necessary adjunct of civilization and prosper- ity. What avail will all her industry, skill, and wealth be, unless the rising generation have the advantages of education. Do, my, dear Herald, take compassion on these poor benighted people, and induce a few of our Yankee friends te come and settle amongst them, so, by their assistarce, there may be reared up those proudest moauments of a republican gevernment, “public schools.”— Send a copy of your admirable State Schoo! Laws, &e., to the present Mayor, Dr. Moore, who is also the editor and preprietor of the Telegraph newspa- per, Who knows what salutary acto may be derived, if the Doctor’s energies could be aroused to pen an article on public schools. We must not forget to mention that there are two fine brid, erected over Buffalo Bayou, and ver White Oak Bayou. One of those over Buflalo Bayou, erected by Elam Stockbridge, Esq., reflects great credit en both the architect and the city. Much of the prairie land, in the immediate vicinity of Houston, that is now lying idle, might be made available by judicious drainage. The soil, naturally neh, is rendered, in a measure, un- productive, in consequence of the large quantity of water by which, for weeks at a time, it is covered. But, should the people of Houston, regardless of themselves, neglect to improve her communication with the interior by the aid of railroads, there is scarce the shadow of a doubt that she alread. attained the summit of her prosperity— shoul Hari acharter for a railroad to the Brazos and Colorado, ere five years elapse Hous- ton wiil almost cease to exist; and, through Boston enterprise, Harrisburg will become the point of trade on Buflale bayou. There is a company al- ready formed, awaiting but the action of the legis lature in granting them a charter, and Harrisbur; will spring into notoriety like Rochester and Mit waukie; and, when foo late, the Houstomans will awake trom their Rip Van Winkle sleep, and fird — petty village in comparison with Harris- urg. From Honston I proceeded to Washington— crossing the Brazos at Rock [sland—over a region of country that one day will, no doabt, be valua- ble, so soon as the owners of these lands become acquainted with the many advantages these lands popes ington is situated on the river Brazos, a lit- tle below the mouth of the Navisota river, ina very rich region of country—a region that may be justly considered as the cotton growing portion of Texas —and, and although this place has sprung into im- portanee since they have commenced the naviga- tion of the Bri river, yet we saw nothing in this town to make us fall im love with it, especially, as, on investigating its condition, we found that the river Brazos, in ordinary years, is not susceptible of navigation more than six months out of the twelve. However, should the railroad be com- pleted between this point and Houston, or Harris- uurg, it will beceme a point of come importance as a depot, or rether tributary, to either point where the railroad may terminate. We intend, shortly, visiting the upper Brazos country, when we will able to give you our views more full Washington. For a short period Was! the seatof government; she now @. fort ine honor, which question in M next, by the people. From Washington we travelled over a bea rolling country as far as Independence—a neat lit- tle village, where is established the Baylor Uni- versity. From thence to Cumming’s Creek the country — rich land, interspersed with ummumerable rills of pure water, but a great scarcity of timber. On this road we saw several very handsome farms, in a state of good cultiva- tion. On Camming’s Creek, and in its vicinity, there is quite a large settlement of Germans, who are improving their farms at a rapid rete. is their eusiom to meet semi-monthly at the little vil- - of Industry, where they have a delightful vo- cal and instrumental concert, which would, in- deed, be a treat, were it not for the — quantity of tobacco their meershaums—the smoke of which mars the enjoyment of their de- lightful music, But, if a disagreeable vice can have a redee.ning good quality, they can boast of it, for all the tobacco they use is daed cured The next town we pacsed through is Rutterville, where there is Methodist college, es tablished under the supervision of Dr. Richardson. ‘There is a peculiar feature in the charter of this town—that is, ne spirituous liquors are allowed to be seld in it. From Rutterville we*proceeded until we struck the noble Colorado valley at La (range, a thriving town, destined one day to be a place of im ‘tance. s itis my intention to examine carefully the lands of the Colorado valley, I shall tarry in the neighborhood a few days; 80, dear Herald, { will bid you adieu for a short time. Jack eR. The Colorado ValleyMs Superior Advantages— City of Austin—Its Situation—Destined to Be- come a Great City—Bastrop—Advice to Settlers— Description of the Publio Ofices—Gentlemanly Officert—Beautiful Scenery—Comfortable Hotel at Austin. If we were asked what peculiar advantages the Colorado Valley possesses over any other portion of Texas, we would be at a loss to answer that question; for, although she does not possess peculiar advantages, yet her advantages are innumerable— afine cotton country, alike admirably calculated for the cultivation of corn and tobacco, while the lands situated on the lower part of the Colorado cannot be surpassed for the cultivation of sugar With all these advantages, the Colorado country will for many years command the attention of new eetilers; and, should the corps of United States en- gineers who are now engaged surveriag this river, make a favorable report to General Brooks of its capability for steamboat navigation, it will give an impetus to this portion of Texas that aothing cag cheok. There Ene doubt on our mind that the raft can and will be removed, for we have carefully exami the practicability of this undertaking, and are fully satisfied that it only requires but a small outlay of capiial to clear out every vestige of this hitherto considered formidable impediment to its navigation. This once removed, and a few shoals overcome, the Colorado, from its mouth to the city of Austin, will afford safe and profitable navigation for steamers of a moderate size, and Austin will then become one of the largest inland towns in the State, owing to her peculiar geographi- tuation at the foot of the Colorado mountains, rrounded as she is on three sides, by immense bodies of most excellent land. On the waters of the Colorado are situated some of the finest plan- tations in Texas, yielding handsome returns tor the amount of capital invested; but here, as in cher porte of Texas, the rising generation are de- barred of the advantages of education Although the lower Colorado must be regarded as a far more healthy country than the lower Brazos, yet we would strongly uege the northern and European emigrant not to settle below La Grange, on the Colorado, or Nashville, on the Brazos. ‘The next town we passed through was Bastrop— an old settled town, which for many years had been declining, until two years ago, when she commenced improving, and is now going ahead, and bids fair to be ulumately a place of some im- rtance. There are two saw mills in this neigh- orhood, which supply Western Texas with the majority of her pee lumber, as the town of Bastrop i. surrounded by an almost inexhaustible pine jorest. The next pene of note on the Colorado river is the city of Austin, the metropolis ef Texas, fa- miliarly known as the City of the Hulls. The town site is magnificent beyond description. Of the pubhe buildings of Austin, we can say bat little in favor, they being in general mean looking log houses, the Capitol and Treasury Department only excepted. The town is beautifully laid out, with fine wide streets and avenues, and contains several fine residences. There is also in the city an academy, which is id to be conducted m rather a superior styl. he Sows of Temperance, who, lam informed, have increased very rapidly, are erecting a splendid temple. The business of the town is good, many merchants from the frontier settiemeats procuring their supplies at this point. With regard to the public officers of Texec, we must award the meed of praisg which they so richly deserve, for their courtesy and strict attention to the busine:s ot their respective de- partments. We visited the offices of the Comp- troller of Public Accounts, the Treasury Depart- ment, the Secretary of State and Adjutant Gene- ral’s office; and were well pleased with the order and system with which the business of these respective departments were conducted—which would have reflected credit on the public offices of a far older State than Texas. 'e, however, can- net sey as much with regard to the Auditor’s office, owing to the carelessness of the previous in- cumbent of this office; as vouchers required on the settlement of the accounts against the late republic of Texas can with difficulty be found, owing to the want of system on the part of those who have heretofore had charge of this department. We also visited the General Land office; and although we regretted to find the valuable archives of this office deposited in so insecure a wooden building, yet we must be free to acknowledge that the order and system intreduced by the late Com- missioner, Col, Ward, and now carried out by the present Commissioner, General George W. Sinyth, reflects credit alike on the past and present incum- bent of this most laborious and respoesible office. ‘The scenery in and about Austin is mag: Who can vicit Mount Bonell or Mount withont being perfectly enchanted? Italy may and must have many delightful and magnificent views, but we doubt much it they can surpass in sublumi- ty thoee presented from the summit of these. hills. The distance from Houston to Washington is six- ty-five miles, Washington to Independence eleven miles, Independence to La Grange fifty-four miles, La Grange to Bastrop thirty-five miles, Bastrop to Austin thirty-two miles. This is the stage route, which is run twice a week by Messrs. Brown & Terbox, mn four-horse coaches; although, owing to the stage communication being so elton, most of the (ravel between Ilouston and Austin is by horseback. The accommodations on the road are good; and we cannot leave Austin without award- ing to the Barker House, kept by a Mr. Glasscock, the praise that is so justly his due. A cheerfal land- lady—clean beds—good cheer—are luxunes which can be eppreciated in a new country by Jack Rover. Curious Eulogiums of Onton Creek by a curious Chap—Itinerarians— Austin — New Braunfels— San Antonio— Guadalupe River—Seguinand St. Marks—Beauties en passant—Visit to old Gen. Burlison-—History of @ Trial of Law—A purchase made fir a Sheey Farm—Want of Schools—Suc- cess of Letters—Suceessful Trial of Free La- bor, &e. Sc. From Auctin IJ teok the San Antonio road. To do justice to scenery on this road would require the skill of a Scott or a Cooper; but being a plain matter of fact business man, | will not attempt to describe it, fearmg | might make as great a blun- der as Burlison did, when he wished to give a glow- ing description of Onion creek. He exclaimed, ** Well, gentlemen, you may talk of your Guada- lupe, San Antonio and Brazos countries, I have seen them all—they are not to be compared to Onion creek. There the lands are what you may call lands ; the sile is as rich as the Bank ef Eng- land, and if you want scenery, I can show it to you—there precept rises above precept in awful depravity.” Therefore,as | do not wish to go beyond my depth, I will say that I trust that this region will be visited ere long by a Gaylord Clark ora Fanny Butler, who could and would do justice to its beauties. We do know that the soil will pro- duce the substantials, nay many of the luxuries of life, and that 1s enough to satisfy an old bachelor of fifty. We stopped at Manchaics Springs to lunch, 12 miles from Austin, where the present 8 ry of State 1s building a fine residence. This spring is jastly celebrated throughout Texas. From thence, passing along the head branches of Plumb creek, we crossed the Rio Blanco, a beaw- tiful stream, which empties into the San Marks. Just above the road the mountains shut in, and we were forced to travel up the bed of the stream for a chort distance ; the country then opens again, the lands are then eye rolling, and back from the river there is a beautiful post-oak valley. To view this valley from a distance reminds us of the fine old apple orchards of old Pennsylvania This region of country is most admirably adapted to the raising of immense flocks of sheep; the pastu being excellent, the water pure, and climat lightful. This country 18 celebrated througho' annals of Texan ey, for the pursuit of that lant Indian fighter Ned Burlison after the Mex trattor (or as some called him patriot) Cordova, This region of country wil soon be brought into notice the new road from the San Marks to Fredericksburg, on the Pudernales, will pass di- wey up this —— After crossing the Blanco, we entered the San Marks valley. i the ere one of my companions, a Ge- nesee farmer, was in perfect raptures. He ex- claimed * this is indeed land—why, sir, with one half the labor bestowed on the land at home, (Ge- nesee county,) 1 could produce full as large crops as they do there.” We tarried at the town of San jarks, where we were visited by the bluff old General Burlison, to whom we had letters of treduction, and who paid us all the attention his power. In his company we visi the San Marks Spring, or as we should say, the San Marke Springe, for, within @ distance of a couple of hun yards, innumerable opnags eo bet = form i noble ao hese spl will amply repay the traveller to st chamine them. General Burleson’s house ated on the weet a hill; from his front door you look down into the San Marks valley ; fr is back doer you have a fine view of the valley and hills of the Rio Blanco, It is, altogether, a ro- mantic spet, and we advise all travellers to call on the old General as they pass by, for they will be sure to meet with a warm welcome. At the town of San Marks, about two miles from the head of the river, there is an excellent saw and grist mill with ample water power to drive any amount o| machinery that may be required ; there a. ject on foot, to establish next winter a cotton fac- tory. If the ies have the capital they must sueceed, and the town of San Marks may one day become the Lowell of Texas. We also visited a singular ca’ the vicinity of St. M and, as we intend 8; we shall my it another visit, defer a deseripti it until a fature time. The distance from Austin to the San Marks, is about thirty miles. Maving bidden adieu to our worthy hostess of the St. Marke, Mre_ Faylor, where we met the “ Wandering Jew,” Mr. De Cordova, the principal land agent of Texas, who has obtained ickname in consequence of the rapidity of his travelling, traneactt ueiness one day at one point, moenti joree at sundown, and the next day he is tty or sixty miles off, attending te his business there he were an old resident of the place, and not atraveller. With examined a beautiful tract of land, known as the Eznaurizar grant, of eleven leagues, of which he is the agent. We were particularly struck with the larity, how this beautiful tract of land had been neglected ; but as the history of thie tract of land is exactly similar to hundreds of others situ ated in different parte of the State of Texas, we will give itas we obtained it, as we place implicit confidence in the statements of Mr De Cordova. This land was held by a Mr. Garcia, a resident of New Orleans, who, for a pumber of years, re- fured to divide the tract, but wished to dispose of it in a body ; this he was unable to do, and by the advice of Mr, De Cordova, had ordered it to be divided in suitable sized lots for sale: this grant was what is called a Mexican grant, and being for eleven leagues, which class of tithes are uapopalar in this section of country, it was relocated by J J. Giddings, under American certificates; this caused the tile to be looked upon with suspicion, and as neither parties could set under such circumstaaces, and although a suit had been instituted in the Federal Court, yet a compromise was effeeted, and these beautiful lands are. now coming rapidiy into market, as the title, by this compromise, has been completely quieted. There is tand enough here in this body, to form a petty German Principality 5 extending nine miles on the Austin and San An- tonia road, while it has a front alse on the Guada- lupe river, of full that extent. A town nas been laid off on the Guadalupe river, directly opposite New Braunsfels, and the lots are to be sold at auce tion on the 28th of October next Itis called Neigh boursville, in honor of Major Neighbours, the cele- brated Indian agent, who lately returned from the Gila | There is, on this tract, a splendid mill seat, with full eight feet full, which will also be offered for sale on the 28th October next. Ee tract, the celebrated Gaudalupe and, as Mr. Cordova owas a large body of the lands, I determined to visit them in hia company, as I was anxious to purchase a tract of land for 'a sheep farm, for my friend, J— H—, which I did at the low rate of one dollar per acre. My reason for selecting this locality, was the de- lightful coolness and purity of the air, the excel- lence of the water, the richness of the valley land, which, although small, not being able to obtain more than 150 acres out a 640 acre tract, the fine herbage on the hills and its proximity to timber, leaves no doubt on my,mind that our friend J— H— may enjoy health and happiness in, his new home, with his pretty Dutch wife—tor, if I were called upon to select a locality for European emi- grants, out of all the postion of Texas I have seen, T would certainly say that this is the spot. We crossed the Gaudalupe river at a rapid ford, aad took up our quarters at Millet’s Hotel, at New Braunsfels. ‘This is a town of about 1.500 Gere man, and 500 American inhabitants, situated at the junction of the Gaudalupe and Comal rivers; on the opposite side of the Comal, 1s Comal Town, containing about 350 inhabitants; and unmediatel epposite, on the Gaudalupe, is Hortonville, wit about 200 inbabitants. There are in this neighbor- hood, two saw and two grist mills, which are kept | constantly employed. This town has a neatand comfortable »ppearance, and is destined to_im- prove, and thet too rapidly. On the road from New a sfels to San Antonio, the country, for eight miles, is literally lined with small farms; at one ume, we could count 26 farm houses in sight; few farms covering more than 30 to 60 acres. thing that particularly struck us, was the superior appearance of their cattle, the Germans paying par- ticular attention to their improvement. Five years ago, this interesting region of conn- try, now teeming with an industrious population, wos a_ barren waste—not the first trace of civilization was, at that time, to be found.— Here we have to nonce the same aspect as in other parts of Texas—a want of schools— which is to be sincerely regretted, as they are more imperatively required here, filled up as itis with a foxei¢m population, than in any other part of Texas. Without education, the rising generation cannot be brought to understand and appreciate the bless- ings of our gloricus republican institutions. They will be apt to misconstrue liberty into licentious- ness; for, restassured, there is no greater pariier of our grosser passions than education. Would that it were made the imperativi ty of each el through legislator before taking his seat, to tra’ out the country; ard if they be what legislators ought to be, men of inquiring minds, another sessioa would not pass over before liberal and ample_pro- vision would be made for public schools. Fours teea miles from New Braunstels is the Cibilli, (pronounced the sea-willow); thence to Saladi, (pronounced Sallow) is eight more; from thence to San Antonio is six more. The whole country be- tween New Braunstels and San Antonio is beauti- ful in the extreme, but lacks water aad tumber. As you enter the town of San Antonio, you, piss the Alamo—a building endeared to every Texan by the scenes enacted during the war with Mexico. For, where is there a Texan heart that dors not swell with pride, when he thinks of the valorous deeds performed by her gallant sons in 1836—deeds that will immortalize their names, and be as monu- ments of Texan bravery in after umes. We were particularly struck with the singulanty of the architecture of the honses in this place, so different from any thing to be found in any other portion of the country—the adobe houses covered with straw—the long, narrow, one-storied stone houses, with walls sufficiently thick to be mistaken for pricons instead of dwellings. While here, we visited the Catholic cathedrals, which we found nearly filled with devotees, nearly all of whom were Mexican females. The building is devoid of architectural design or taste; and its rough, bare walls have as little in them to interest the spectator, as the lack of devotion in the Padre to attract the nofthe spectator, The San Antomo River, which winds its way through the town, 1s a beautiful stream—but the town 18 far from being a place that might be, re- garded as a comtortable place of residence. The extremely filthy condition of its streets, the intoler- able jabbering of its ill-looking Mexican women, their repulsive appearance, joined to the intolerable glare so destructive to the eyes, occasioned by the shining of the sun on the limestone, together with the quantity of fine particles of lime which every gust of wind drives into the inmost recesses of every habitation, makes the stranger anxious to leave the town ere he has been in it many hours. However, this city is daily becoming more Ameri- canized. A new portion of the town is being built up by the Americans; and, should they succeed, there is no doubt but San Antonio may become an agreeable place. Property in this town is very high. Mexicans refusing to sell, unless at ex- traordinarily high prices. From Sin Antonio [ proceeded to Seguin, but having a letter of intro- duction t Enoch Jones, Bos determined to call at his residence, on the Cibello, about twenty miles from San Antonio. In December last he coi menced opening his farm, since which time he ha put up the necessal buildings, put under substun- tal fence four hundred and fifty acres, cultivated one hundred and seventy-five acres of corn, has five acres in potatoes, a large crop of pumpkins, end afinegarden. He has also cut and stacke over one Hundred tons of hay, and was busy sav- ing fodder, of which he will have an immense quantity—and strange to say, that all this work has been performed by tree labor; not the first stroke of labor having been performed by aslave. Who then, after this practical illustration, will dare to say that free labor cannot be successfully employed in ‘Texas, or the rich lands of Upper Texas be made preductive by white men. Mr. Jones is on the eve of starting for Mexico, where it is his inteation to obtain ‘floc k of 5,000 oF 6,000 sheep, which tends to locate on the Cibello, as he is the proprie- body of land in that neighborhood. indeed be benefitted if a few more such enterprising gentlemea would adopt it aa their heme ‘¢ proceeded to Seguin, on the Guada- lupe River—literally a city of springs. The lands in this neighborhood are really excellent. Judge E. Jones has erected a mull for erinding hy- draulic cement about fifteen miles above the town, a large bed of the necessary materi! yer found directly on the banks of the Guadalupe. This will be an important article in a country where timber 18 scarce, as it can be applied tothe ng re rz of making floors and roofs for ovt-buildings Segui a visit to Don Antonio N: Mexican by birth, a gentleman, a scholar, patriot. He did the state some service during the evolutionary War, was taken a prisoner, having ed in the Santa Fe expedit! where he underwent all the privation that Mexican cruelty could inflict; returned home, was elected a mem- ber of the convention. and tiwce a senator. The old gentleman has a ranche on the Kio Geronimo, and owns large herds of cattle In returning to Austin, we crossed the San Marks near the mouth of the Rio Blanco, which afforded us an opportue nity of examining farther the lands on that stream, nd we are satisfied that ere long this reuion of country will become the garden-cpot of Texas Jack Rover. Our Baffaio Correspondence. Burrato, October 17, 1949. The Revival of Trade— Improvements in the City— New St. Paul's Church—Politica—Theatricals, §e. I have been a constant reader ot your valuable and interesting journal for the last two years, and have noticed, with surprise and regret, that this flourishing and beautiful city, so appropriately etyled the Queen City of the Lakes, has not received that attention at your hands which your numerous readers here might justly claim, and the omission is rendered more apparent to me, from the fact that through your enterprise and perseverance the affairs and on dits of nearly every other city in the Union are daily set forth before your immense number of eager perusers. Our city 1s now recovered from the lethargic epirit into which it has been thrown by the very great prevalence of the fearful epidemic which has ewept with euch deadly effect, during the past eurmer, over our country. Our wharves once once more present an appearance of business pros yerity; and Main street, principal artery, and destined to become the rival of your magnificent Broadway, ie again made attractive by the pre- sence of lovely women, as they pass from shop to their search for the newest fall fashions. h the season has been a very dull one, in pomt of view, the Buffalonian progres- sive epirit has not been idle, and improvement, as formerly, has been the order of the day. The St. Paul's congregation have commenced the erection of a splendid edifice upon the site of their old One | church, under the superintendence of Mr, Upjohn, the distinguished architect of Trinity Caure! your city, 1a the buildiag of which he has gained to himself a lasting fame. ‘The cost of the whole is estimated at seventy thousand dollars, but will, undoubtedly, much exceed that sum. Buffilo is dy fameus for its fine churches; and whea St. 8 finished, it will surely deserve to be ty of churches.” Extensive improvements have been made by our new and efficient postmuster, Mr. J. RK. Harring- ron, in the Ke office, and it will now compare favorably with those of any of the eastern cities. This improvement must be very acceptible to our friend Hawks, who keeps his newspaper depot in the post office, and must have been seriously in- — convenienced in his former narrow quarters, by | the great rush every morning for the Herald. The two divisions of the democratic party held their ratification meeting in this city, week before last After a little sparrmg upon the Wilmot pro- viso, between the leading wireworkers, it was finally arranged that the rank and file should the “union” blind; and preparations for the fal campaign have commenced in earnest. Mr. Welch, the nominee for the State Treasuzer, was formerl the editor of the Republic, the free eoil organ i this city; and, judging from the ability he displaye in editing that sheet, is every way cepable of the high office for whicn he 1s nominated. The equinoctial storm hung on with unexampled pertinacity. Theatricals, after hngering outa disastrous and sickly season, are brushing up a little, and well filled boxes and crowded circles now gladden the hearts and purses of the managers. A short time since, Miss Julia Dean delighted the lovers of the legitimate, with her capital acting; and, more re- cently, the unrivalled Blangy, with her graceful and artistical style of dancing, drew thunders of applause. Silsbee, the yankee comedian, is to dis- pense fun and merriment, the coming week, to ** intelligent and diseriminating audiences.” Burrauonian. HE FARMERS’ LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY, AND OTHERS, VS. CHARLES H. CARROLI, AND OTHERS. No department of our law stands in so great need of improvement as the laws relating to exe- cutors and administrators, and the disposition of the property umong the heirs of persons deceased. Yet, we believe that among all the attempts at im- | provement made ia the administration of our laws since the Revolution, this important branch remains | untouched, and our Surrogate’s office and laws ree | lating to wills and devises are all conducted 0a the old English system, inveated by the ecclesiastics | in the middle ages) The great object of these laws was to divert the property of deceased persons to the uses of the chureh or of the executors, and to defraud the orphan and widow. Who would think it possible that in this day a wealthy maa ia the State of New York muy die, leaving immense wealth, oran ample competence, to his wite and children, and yet, by the complexity of the Liws on this subject, his wite and children may be Kept out of their propeity for years t her, or totally de~ prived of it, and never obtain it, or be obliged to sacrifice the hult of it to. lawyers or solicitors in Chancery, in the distracting attempt to recover it? Yet such is the meloncholy fiet. The law gives such immunity to dishonest executors and ad nine ietrators, that they are regarded as having rights and powers paramcunt tothe real claimants; and the ofispring of wealthy parents may, by the injuse tice of the law, be thrown destitute upon the world, and kept ia ignorance of what is their right; or, i they happen to know it, be unable ever to recover it. “The subject is of deep importance, and requires the careful hand of a wise legislation to pat an end to evils of the mosterving myustice and ernelty We will now proceed to give a brief and coneise history of a case which has led us to make the above remarks. Jn 1828, Charles Carroll, of Bellevue, a native of the State of Maryland, departed this life, leaving behind him an immense estate, both real wnd personal. His real estate was extensive in several counties of the State of New York; he owned a great part of the land on which the city of Rochester in this State 1s built—he had paper mills im the District of Columbia—he owned extensive and valuable tracts of land in the State of Missouri—he also owned great part of bs Hill, and the houses built on it, in the eity of Wathington, besides leaving persona! »roperty to the emount of several hundred thousard dollara.— At bis death he left a widow and several children, for whom he provided handsomely in his will, leave ing them valuable legacies and large tracts of and. He left one of his sons, Charles H. Carroll, his sole executor; and from that time to this, his widow and children, and their children, have been kept out of the property; his widow died without having received her legacy, and the other heirs, his chul- dren, and their children, are now engaged in ex- pensive, and harassing, and interminable litigat etore the courts of chancery, to endeavor to ob! their just rights, and a small portion of their fathers property. All this we gather from the record and the legal documents betore us. Hiow could these children and their children krow what belonged to them t—how would they know what belonged to their father? How are children in such a sitnation te ob- tain redress? The answ by a billin chan- cery! To bring which, and to carry on a snit in chancery, lasting many years, (und sone- times even’ four or five han red years,) requires a fortune to begin with! Agein, how are they to ascertain the amount of their father’s property, and obtain the rents and profits of it? The answer again 1s, by a billin chancery. and a bill of discove- ry; toentreat the person who will discover ne- thing to them, and who will let them have aothing, to entreat him to condescend to discover, if he will, the amount of their own property, and to Jet them have a little modicum of th-irowa rights to live upon, if he will! . Now, it appears from the above case in chance- ry, of which we have placed the tite at the head of this article, that the only means the childrea of Charles Carroll, deceased, possessed of ever finding out where their father’s real estate was situated, was to hunt up the records in the various recorders’ offices of this and other States of the Union, in order to find out, in reading the deeds by which the executor made away with their prop- erty and sold it to strangers, what estates their parent possessed when he died, and how they were described, and where they were situated. In this manner the family discovered in the deeds recorded between the exveutor and the Farmers’ Loan and Trost Company, some of their own property, and where 1t was situated, in the | | Interesting Law Case. very deed by which the executor conveyed their property to other Ta the yea the executor, C H |, according to the printed dc , obtained a large loan of movey trom the Farmers’ Loan and Trast Com- pany, and conveyed away to them as payment therefor a large emount of real estate im several cour ties of this State, belonging to the heirs of the deceased. Lo this manner, by selling the estates in difierent parts of this State and other States, he obtained, 1 appears, from oae loan office or come pany, the smount of 93,000 dollars, trom another £0,000 cellars, all by the transter of the property of the heirs under the power of the will. ‘Thus, then, the heirs found out where some of their property was gove, and who had it. The company «fterwarde filed a bill against the executor pg back their money loaned to the executor, and the heirs thea file their bill, also, to assert ‘their muht te the property. Such was the case which come up for decision in the Supreme Court, end which was argued at the Mouroe General Term in October, 1548, betore Maynard and Welles, Justices, | The decision of the justices, as it appears to ue afier » most careful examination, turns entirely upon the question—not whether the executor had a right to sell, aod the company the power to buy, but whether the charter of the company authorize them to make the loan whch they nad made to the executor. rn The heirs, in their petition to Chancery, insisted that the sale to, and the purchase by the compaay, as made between the executor and company, was legal, nuil, and vod. The justices have decwded that the deeds made by the executor to the com- pany, disposing of the property of the heirs, are pull aid void The Compeny advanced a joan on one occasien, of $93,000 to the ex r, on the security of these estates belong id * tificates wh: arope to be sold. executor pay 7 per cent for the money, according to their vinal amount, but their value Was 12) per cent less than their nominal va- lue On this statement of facts, the Sapreme Court has pronounced the sale of the estates by the executor null and void, on account of ite be ing #n usurious transection. It has also de- cided, that the parties in Europe who purchased the certificates of the Company, have no claims upon the security given by the executor. On another ground also, the sale is pronounced ine velia and null, because the Company's ri under its charter to make such a loan, or in- deed any loon, had expired, and it was, therefore, ghtogether an illegal transaction on the part of the empen Thus it will be seen that though the heirs put im therr bill and petition in this ease, yet the decision and the course of proceedings, #0 do not touch at allopon their ease. Yetitisa very important dreiion, end bears very materially, in its effect, npon the heirs. The adventege acerning to the heirs of the de- censed, by this decision, are, that now one fort, at least, of their property is set free froma powerfal company, whieh had possession of it. ‘There isan immense mass of evidence in the bietory of this curious case, which we have cares folly exemined, but being technical and legal, and pot interesting to the gsncral reader, and compli- rather than elneidating the subject, we ab- » giving it. We have given the gist and stance of the case.