The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 47, July 1943 - April, 1944 Page: 352
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
Texas to the aggrandizement of the former place alone; it is therefore our
unanimous opinion, that the attention of those whose interests are identified
with the West should be directed to rendering navigable the Brazos and
Colorado rivers-the Brazos to Richmond-the Colorado to Columbus; which
places are at the head of navigation on those two streams.
Resolved, That to connect the interests of those portions of Western
Texas, and to facilitate the means of transportation, it seems to this Con-
vention that a Rail Road from some point high up on the Colorado to the
head of navigation on the Brazos, promises to become of more general
utility to the western part of the country. We would therefore suggest
the obtainment of a charter at the meeting of next Congress to carry into
effect that purpose.
Resolved further, That from facts which have been exhibited, we are of
opionion that the present Houston and Brazos Rail Road is intended to be
made an individual means of monopoly and speculation, and we therefore
caution our fellow citizens against the interested efforts of its projectors.53
The Morning Star retorted that it was not necessary for Rich-
mond to be uneasy, for the road would not go near it, and
solemnly warned "the people against any company whose design
it is to clear out the said [Brazos] river, as 'it is our opinion that
it is intended to be made an individual means of monopoly and
speculation,' and that would be awful!"" This undoubtedly in-
dicated that the route to the Brazos near the present town of
Hempstead was already selected. In November construction had
not yet begun. John W. Eldredge contended that the road might
be built despite "the depreciation of our money, and its scarcity,
the high price of labor," and suggested that planters hire out
their negroes to the road in return for payments of stock.55 On
December 20, 1839, the stockholders of the company met in
Houston and elected as directors Michel Branamour Menard,
Augustus Chapman Allen, James Love, Moseley Baker, William
Pettus, and Henry R. Allen. In addition, the directors chose
Peter J. Menard as treasurer, William Robinson Baker as sec-
retary, and James Love as president."6 Nothing further was
done for some time, and in February a correspondent who signed
himself Jerome complained of the inactivity of the company
and the apathy of the public.57
On March 13, 1840, the Morning Star suggested that the com-
pany build a turnpike to the Brazos, which "during the greater
portion of the year ... would answer nearly all the purposes
53Ibid., cols. 1-2.
54Morning Star, July 17, 1839, 2, cols. 1-2.
55Ibid., November 16, 2, col. 1.
56Ibid., December 23, 3, col. 1.
57Ibid., February 26, 1840, 2, col. 1.352
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 47, July 1943 - April, 1944, periodical, 1944; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth146054/m1/401/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.