The Galveston Commercial, And Weekly Prices Current. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 22, 1855 Page: 1 of 4
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.'II s
AND WEEKLY PRICED CURRENT.
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY MORNING
-AT THE GALVESTON CIVILIAN OFFICE-
VOL. II.
BY STUART, DURNETT & BROWN.
GALVESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, NOV. 22, 1855.
Clje (Salbeatait Commercial.
And Weekly Prices Current.
"Tub Galveston Commercial " ia published every
Thursday morning, from the Steam Power Press of the
" Galveston Civilian," in Berlocher's brick building,
on the Strand, at 83 per annum.
Single copies, in wrappers, for mailing.
Three " " " «
Five 66 6i " **
Ten " " <• ^
Twenty-flve " '
Fifty " " "
One hundred " " "
Every additional fifty copies,
Subscribers residing out of the cities of Galveston and
Houston will be required to pay their subscription in
advance.
STUART, DUKNETT & BROWN.
.$0 10
0 20
0 30
0 50
0 75
1 25
2 25
.1 00
Our Rivers.
The Civilian, of Tuesday last, contains an article
on the clearing out of our rivers. The subject is
opportunely broached—just at the opening of the
Legislature. No subject of greater interest to the
people can occupy the attention of that body. A
few thousand dollars judiciously expended in re-
moving obstructions from our rivers would tell
wonderfully upon the prosperity of the country. If
the Trinity was cleared out as high up as Smith-
field, Swartwout and Patrick's Ferry, there would
be business enough between those points and Gal-
veston to keep steamboats running in the trade con-
stantly the year round. Now just think of what
would soon be the altered condition of the whole of
that scope of country skirting the Trinity, on both
sides, from its mouth to Patrick's Ferry, if constant
steamboat communication between that point nnd
Galveston were established. One of the least of the
benefits would be that planters conld get off their
crops and receive their supplies easily, promptly
and with despatch. In a few years the business,
dustry, now languishing and dull, would he ani-
mated by incredible activity and energy. Build as
many railroads as you will, still it is oí the last im-
portance to our people that our rivers should be
cleared out. Water transportation will forever be
the cheapest channels for our heavy trade, such as
sugar and cotton—the great staples of the South.-
What railroad could ever compete with the Missis-
sippi in the cheapness of its freights. We liave
known steamboats to carry flour from St. Louis to
New Orleans, a distance of 1200 miles, for 12% cents
per barrel. No overland transportation can ever
come down to as low figures as these. And every
dollar saved in tho price of froicht.s is u
to the grower and consumer, and to the general
prosperity of a country. _ , ,
The survey and estimates of Lieut. Whiting fix
tho cost of clearing out the Trinity, including the
removal of the bar at the mouth, at a fraction ov-cr
$50,000. This is a mere pittance, which would
never be felt by tho State, and would be of incalcu-
lable benefit to onr poople. Wo hope to see this
matter taken hold of in the right way, nnd in ear-
nest by the present Legislature. Something should,
and we hope will be done.—Liberty Gazette.
Cotton at Lavaca.—The Herald gives tl*e fol-
lowing account of the Cotton received in Lavaca lor
the month ending 81st October, 1855 :
Kirkland, Bauglin & Co 813 bales.
Fulton, Hensley&Co
Cleveland ¿ Mills
R. M. Forbes 1'8
C. H. Jordan 11®
Ker & Clarke <®
John Hudnall 11;J
E. Nash & Co 323
[From the Railroad Record.]
Southern Pacific Hull road.
This subject has for a long time occupied the at-
tention of the public mind, and many of our prom-
inent men have urged the expediency of large ap-
propriations of land and pubiio credits, to consum-
mate this most desirable project. But so far, gov-
ernment lias declined acting in tho premises, fur-
ther than to causo tho necessary surveys of the dif-
ferent routes. These surveys liavo been made by
impartial and experienced engineers, and the result
of their labor has been officially reported to Con-
gress, and the report of the Secretary of War now
affords all the noeegnary information for any one
de&roqe ¿j^y^niging iñ this great enterprise, where
to investTVP^Kpital, so that ho may realize tho
quickest and largest per centage on his investment.
Without deffercnee to Gov. Stevens, who advo-
cates the extreme Northern route, or Cols. Benton
and Fremont who ^ijjantly claim that tho great
"Central Route " is tjtjieonly route worthy of atten-
tion ; these scientific 'nifiiii proclaim to the world
that there is but one feasible route, and that is tho
extremo Southern or Texas route Nature has
placed insuperable and insurmountable obstacles in
all tho routes north of the parallel of 82 degrees.—
She has piled lip her mountains, " Mountains high."
On the summit of these are the eternal Glaciers,
and in the defiles and valleys a nine months' win-
ter.
From the new settlements on tho Eastern bounda-
ry of Kansas and Nebraska, and St. Paul in Minne-
sota, the whole_of this country is still in its primi-
tive wilderness state. The red man still roams
over its prairies and mountains in quest of game
and plunder, and as is the ocean to the seafarer, so
is this wilderness to tho emigrant, it is only trav-
ersed as a highway to countries beyond its limits.
The central portions are an unprofitable, irre-
claimable wilderness, without timber and for long
stages without water, with scarcely an oasis re-
lieve the monotony of its drearyv*:-' '* 18 the Kreat
a ■■■• ««ig Tvnich tho wayfarer
lias more to dread than the mariner who dares the
sea, not only on account of the inhospitable char-
acter of the country, but also from tho hostilities of
the natn^savages, besetting his path and seeking
destnrction. In thefaco of these facts, it would
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
2061
On Monday, November 5th, the receipts amounted
to 300 bales, the largest for one day this season.—
The Herald expects an increase of at least 1000
bales in the month's estimate ending November
30 th.
Gonzales.—The Inquirer says that cotton pick-
ing is going on finely in that county. Business is
active in town, and large quantities of goods selling
at fair profits. The College now numbers 140 stu-
dents.
Matagorda County.—Tho Chronicle says that
many of tho planters of that county have literally
closed the picking season ; there being no more cot'
ton in the field, while tho most tender plants are not
injured by frost.
The weather during the past week has been fine
clear and cool—all that could be desired for picking
out the remnant of the cotton crop; two or *hree
weeks will close tho harvest, although we liavu not
had a frost sufficient to blacken vegetation. The
Cotton crop of tbiscounty, when ginned, baled and
numbered, will not exceed half the usual amount
about four bales to the hand.
Houston County.—We regret to learn, as we do
by a letter from Crocket, that the cotton crop of
Houston county has fallen much short of an aver-
age, in consequence of the ravages of the worm
Corn is selling in that county at one dollar per
bushel. • , .. . .
Banks in the Citv of New York.—The capital
of the banks in tho city of New York is stated at
$48,S33,390. Only seven of the fifty-three banks
in that city are incorporated ; all the others are
banking associations formed under the general law
of the State.
strong, healthy, industrious army of emigrants of
over 100,000 souls, settled within her boilers 'last
season. The greatest sharo of theso seek the lino
of the railroad. Nearly all would locate along this
along this
lÍ0.1Ín™.!?]nJ?.b^twe!"V1®'"¿«'«Hois'oVsi^áníus*
line, if tho lands were in market. But all thérab"
his (
show a timidity bordering on insanity, in any one
to bo found advocating the superior claims of the
Northern route, the Mormon route, the great central
route, or the Albuquerquo route.
If the Secretary of War's report is considered by
any one, as partial to Southern interests, let him en-
quire of the president of the Illinois Central Rail
road the expense of that Company in clearing their
track of the superahnfíufiHry the most incredulous
as to tho fuiiucy of advocating any of theso routes.
Let us now examine tho claims of the Southern or
Texas Route. In the first place it is nearly a thou-
sand milessliorter than tho Northern routo, and in
tho second place it costs only about ono-lialf as
much as any ono of theothers. There are no moun-
tains to go over or under, no grade exceeding 66 feet
to the milo, and this only for a short distance. It
is loeated on the parallel of 32, through the State of
Texas for a distance of 800 miles. Taking a belt of
country of 200 miles in width, with this parallel for
a centre through the entire length of the State, I
venture to affirm, without fear of contradiction,
that it is unsurpassed in fertility of soil, salubrity
of climate and all tho great natural resources
which, when developed, go to make a highly civil-
ized and populous country. It abounds in minerals
of every description, iron ore of tlie^ purest quality
exists in great abundance. Extensivo quarries of
red and white i'roestono abound throughout the
country. On tho Trinity and somo other parts of
the State, are quarries of a pure white stone, soft
and easily wrought to any shape or form, but on
exposure to the atmosphere, it becomes a perfect
freestone, as solid as marble. The forests contain
an infinite variety of timber, suitable for building
and ornamental purposes. Live Oak, Cedar, line,
Oak, Ash, Walnut, Hickory, Pecan, Mulberry, Cy-
pross, Holly, and the beautiful flowering Magnolia.
Among tho agricultural productions, most natu-
rally adapted to the soil and climate, and which
now form a chief aud important article of com-
merce, cotton Btands pre-eminent; this is the great
crop of Texas, and the source of much of its wealth
and power. Sugarcanegrowsluxuriuiitly through-
out the State, but its culture will not l>e extensive,
nor will the sugar of Texas ever compete with
Louisiana. Tobacco grows almost spontaneously
throughout the country. It is an importunt pro-
duction, equal in quality to that of Culm, and will
soon become an article of commerce and export. -
Breadstuff's of every description are produced easily
and abundantly in every county. Two crops of
Indian corn annually, is a common thing; one
planted in February and the other in
Fruits of every description are profusely plentiful
The fruits of the tropics and tho North, alike flour
ish in Texan soil. The fig is common, the peach
unrivalled, the nectarine, quince, and grape luxuri-
ant, and these side by side grow in the same sun
and soil with the plum, apple, and papaw. J.no
orange, lemon and lime, the pine apple, and olive
ripen together. Pecans, walnuts, and hickory nuts
are here abundant. Garden vegetables of every de-
scription, and melons are easily cultivated, and
yield a rich return to tho hand of industry. All
who have visited Texas concur in ascribing to it a
climate unsurpassed. Though varying with '°£a-
tion from tropical to temperate, it is remarkably
pleasant and salubrious. It is modified by so many
favorable circumstances, as to possess all the genial
influences of Louisiana, without its attendant evils.
A country possessing these desirable _ qualifications
and advantages, cannot remain long in an unculti-
i - v i_ •_ al. —* muu tavdi &
fíí I?8?.rved, ^flín B le by tho government, until
the Railroad Company locate their land.
The valley of the Rio Gratulo is situated about
equidistant from the Eastern boundary of Tovas
and San Diego, on the Pacific. It produces tho ne-
cessaries of life in great abundance. The grane
tho apricot, the peach and the pear grow to perfec-
tion, aud m great quantities. Wi tt -■> t ■
coJJcni qiiuiUj, uila corn ill great abundance are
raised above and bolow El Paso. The census of
1S50, givos for New Mexico a population of near
70,000, nearly all of whom reside in this valley,
and would receivo their imports through this road
whenever it is in operation to El Paso. The cli-
mate of New Mexico is temperate, constant and
healthy.
Col. A. B. Gray, United States Boundary Com-
missioner, as Cflicf Engineer for the Texas Western
and El Paso Railroad Company, surveyed tho route
fr m Fort Chadbourno in Texas, to San Diego on
the Pacific, running through El Paso, the Mesilla
Vílley, tho Gadsden treaty purchase, the Pimos
Villages on the Rio Gila, down this to its mouth,
crossing tho Colorado at or near the American Fort,
thence across the lower part of California to San
Diego. Col. Gray's Report is not yet published,
but will bo laid before the public in a few days. I
have read it in manuscript. It is more full, and
gives a more minute description of tho country,
than tho report made by the engineers in the employ
of the United States. It is accompanied with maps
"íMjirawings. and a profile of tho line, all of " 'itch
il i i, nlu®lr"lvu| <"" luuto ivi mo location oftho
Worlds Great Highway. It traverses n country
susceptible of cultivation nearly tho whole distance,
and is already settled at short intervals along the
whole line. It is blessed with a mild and healthy
climate, freo from the enervating influencoof tropi-
cal lioat, without danger of detention, or loss of life
lrom the^ drifting snows of a Northern winter.—
Along this line a man may work every day in the
year, and when the road is completed, we may safe-
ly depend upon the cars running tho year round.
'pi . ,Cotlo,, C*°P of I8ft4'a.
18M* Sta"SE/uí^yíS* "" %*«■'
Innumerable Grasshoppers.—On Monday last
an immense number of grasshoppers foil in ourcity
and upon the country around ; in many places tho
ground was completely covered with tnem. This,
no doubt, was caused by a slight norther, which
sprang up the evening previous, and impeded their
ground until Wednesday mornírigT'WaátSf^fk.Pf
inenced rising, and continuing their journey WmiH1'
ward. While wo write, myriads of these animals
aro seen flying over ; so great is their numbers that
that they actually, in a measure, obscure tho
light of tho sun. They will probably continue
flying over for several days ; and some of our citi-
zens apprehend danger to the crops tho coming year
from this short stay of theso hoppers among us,
caused by the depositing of their eggs, but our mot-
to, in regard to this, is, " sufficicnt^unto tho day
are tho evils thereof.'n-*San Antonio Texan,
Grasshoppers.—During the last few days, my-
riads of grasshoppers have appeared amongst us.
In places the ground is covcred with them and when
desturbed they fly up as thick as swarms of boos—
they came from a northern direction and during tho
hoat of the day they fill the air as high as the eye
can reach, and tho reflection of tho sun upon their
wings, causes them to look liUo flakes ol snow,
they seem to be going South.—State limes.
Emigration.—A number of families from lonnes-
see, passed through this place during the past week,
bound for the Western portion of our State. Thoy
wore thrifty, intelligent looking people, and from
tho large number of negroes they had with them,
will bo a deirablo acquisition to the vicinity in which
thoy may locato. Wo rejoico to soo tho sturdy, pa-
triotic sons of Tennessee and Kentucky filling up
Texas so rapidly. Thoy are just the sort of men to
occupy the rich lands of tho Lono Star State, and
develop its illimitable resources.—Dallas Herald.
■Received at
New Orleans,
Mobile,
Texas,
Florida,
Georgia,
fturth Carolina,
Virginia,
decrease.
114,281
84,089
29,5SS
18,847
In 1854. 1855.
1,340,925 1,282,644
53S.6S4 454,595
110,825 80,737
155,444 136,597
316,005 878.61U J o. ¿í,#íó
11,524 20,189 Inc. 14,615
m" ■ . . , 21,986 81,000 9,064
I he remainder of tho crop reported is made up of
small amounts from miscellaneous sources. The
crop of 1852'3 exceeded that of last year to a still
greater extent, viz: 415,513 bales. The following is
a statement of the crops of the various yoars since
1824.
Crops of Bales. Crops of Bales
1854-'55 2,847,339 1838-'89 1,360.532
1858- '54 2 930,027 1887-'38 1 801Í497
1852-'5S 8.262,882 1836-'87 1 422 980
1851-'52 8,015,029 1885-'86 1 860 725
1850-'51 2,355,257 1884-'85 1 254 828
1849-'50 2,096,706 1888-'34 1 2051894
lS48-'49 2,728,596 1832-'83 1,070 488
IS47-'4S 2,847,684
1846 '47 1,778,651
1845-'46 2,100.587
1844-'45 2,394,508
1843-'44 2,080,409
1842-'43 2,878,875
1841-'42 1,688,574
1840-'41 1,684,945
18 89-'40 2,177,885
1831-'32 987 477
1830-'31 1,088,846
1829-'80,
1828-'29
l827-'28
1820-'27
1825-'26
1824-'25
lS23-'24
976,845
857,744
720,598
957,281
720,027
569,249
509,158
vated state, and such is the case with Texas.
Our Rivers.—In a short timo, the Guadalupe
will be in tip-top condition to receivo the long ex-
pected, long wished for boon of steam navigation.
The work of pulling out snags and removing ob-
structions from Victoria landing to Romper s Blufl,
has been in progress for somo weeks; and is being
done in a most thorough manner by the gentlemen
engaged—Messrs. Montgomery and Hall. So far as
thoy have gone, not the least difficulty now remains
for a boat to come up to tho town landing oven 111
tho darkest night, without feeling her way.— vic-
toria Advocate.
Large Operation in Hogs.—The Louisville Jour-
nal, of the 25th ult., says:
We understand that one of our pork house firms
sold yesterday to an English packer 20,000 hogB at
10 from the hooks. An average of 200 pounds net
per hog, would make the aggregate amount involv -
ed in the transaction *240,000. This is, we believe,
the largest transaction that has over taken place in
this market.
Cane.—Dr. L. C. Thomas presented us with a
stalk, last week,having twonty-ninejointe.as larg
as a man's arm and as .íuicy as a water-meion. It
was crown on Dr. T.'s ranch, two miles from Corpus
Christi. We predict that the eountrv west of the
Nueces, will, at no far-distant day, be ono of the
finest sugar countries in the world.—Corpus Utrut
Valley.
The crop of last yoar is only estimated to have
brought 8% cents per pound while that of the pre-
vious year is estimated at 9W. The loss, in money,
is estimated at five and a half millions óf dollars-
comparing last year with the year previous.
Cost and Profit or Railroads.—Tho Philadel-
pma Ledger takes offense at tho remark of the Ex-
press that New York railroads had succeeded bettor
than thoso of Pennsylvania. Tho Ledger says •
" Our Pennsylvania Railroad is oonfessod to bo
the most productive in tho Union, and the price of
its shares, in its unfinished condition, is only 10@
12 per cent, below par. Now compare it with New
i ork s great road, the Erio, which has already swal-
lowed over thirty millions of dollars, and the shares
of which aro selling at a discount of 52@53 percent.
Qr, with that other great boast of Now "York, tho
Hudson River Railroad, which has used up in oapi-
begging at 15@16 per share for 50 paid. Tnon tnere
is her Long island Railroad, which cost some two
and a half millions of dollars, has never earned a
dollar for its owners, so far as we remember, and its
shares aro now a drug in the markot at less than
one-fourth of tho amount of their cost. Then there
again is her Harlom, which cost over six millions,
pays no dividends, and is selling a $10@11 per
sharo, tho par being $50
Tho Philadelphia and Trontou, the Philadelphia
and Norristown, the Harrisburg and Lancaster, the
Beaver Meadow, tho Little Schuylkill, aro all in ac-
tive business, paying from 8@12 per cent, dividends,
and selling in tho market at from 10(&20 por cent,
above par.
The Dry Goods Trade—Tho quietude previous-
ly noted in this department of irado, still contiuuos,
and the season may now bo said to be fairly over.
There is somo little inquiry for goods adapted to
the wants of clothiors, but no general activity is
apparent. The domestic goods market is depressed
—particularly cotton fabrics—and tho downward
tendency in tho prices of the raw matorial warrants
the belief that a general decline of homo manufac-
tures will take place boforo tho commencement of
the spring season. Indeed, many descriptions are
already lower, and in tho present unsettled condi-
tion of the market, it would probably bo difficult to
sell to any considerable extent, oven at a consider-
able concession, excopt in cases whore a positivo
•carcity exists N. N.Shipping List.
Heavy Ukceiftb of Breadstuff .—-Tho arrivals
of breadstuffs by tho North River and Canal boats
were yesterday unusually largo, embracing 35,000
barrels of flour; 120,000 bushels wheat; 68,000 bush-
els corn; 27,000 bushels Tye; 15,000 bushels oats,
and 3,000 bushels barley. The receipts of flour por
Erie railroad amounted to about 800 barrels, mak-
ing tho total of flour from tho interior, in one day,
43,000 barrels. Tho 120,000 bushels wheat are
equal to 30,000 barrels flour, making a grand total,
in ono day, of 73,000 barrels, independent of that
hrnncrht. in vessels from the Southom ports. jV. 1.
brought in vessols from the Southorn ports.-
Courier, 80 th.
Sugar Crops.—From all that wo can learn we
aro satisfied that what wo said about tho largo crop
of sugar two or three weeks ago will prove rather
uuder than ovor the mark. There will be a third
more made on many plantations than heretofore.—
Wo are fur from rejoicing in the poor prospects of
the Louisiana sugar planters, but since they must
have o poor crop this year we congratulate our plan-
ters on tho bright prospecta they have before them.
Colurid/ia Democrat.
A Boston despatch says tho French Consul at
that port has published a card reminding merchant#
of tho risks they run in purchasing Russian built
ships, unless the Fronch regulations on the subject
are complied with.
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The Galveston Commercial, And Weekly Prices Current. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 22, 1855, newspaper, November 22, 1855; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth181342/m1/1/: accessed June 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.