Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1 Page: 109 of 432
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CHAP. II.]
BAYS AND) STIEAMS.
from twelve to thirteen leagues in breadth. This
is one of nine points mentioned by Humboldt, as
offering a greater or less probability of opening a
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans. It has an estimated course of 1,800 miles,
with but few tributaries. Of these, the principal is
the river Puerco, which is about 500 miles in
length, and runs nearly parallel to thle Rio Grande,
at an average distance of eigllty miles. At its
junction with the Rio Grande, froom which it is
separated by disgregated mountain ridges, the stream
of the Puerco is about 100 yards in width.
Like the Mississippi, the Oronoco, and other great
rivers of the American continent, the Rio Grande
has its periodical risings. Its waters begin to swell
in April, they are at their height early in May, and
they subside towards the end of June. The banks
are extremely steep, and the ix aters muddy.
At its embouchure in the Gulf of Mexico, which
it enters over a shallow, shifting bar, with an average
of from three to five feet water, the width of
the Rio Grande is about 300 yards. From above
the bar to Loredo, a town two hundred miles fiom
the coast, it has a smooth, deep current; above
Loredo it is broken by rapids. The following
remarks respecting this river and its immediate
locality are taken from a MS. Report, drawn up by
Mr. Egerton (an Englishman), surveyor to the
Texas and Rio Grande Land Company, for the use
of the Directors.
" There are many fine situations on the Rio
Grande for the location of commercial towns, whilst
fine farms may cover its banks. For stock-raising,
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Kennedy, William. Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1, book, January 1, 1841; London. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2389/m1/109/: accessed May 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.