Matagorda Bulletin. (Matagorda, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 17, Ed. 1, Wednesday, November 29, 1837 Page: 1 of 4
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II A I A ; Olt I) i BULLETIN.
"WHERE LIBERTY DWELLS THERE IS MY COUNTRY"
VOL. I.
MATAGORDA WEDNESDAY MORNING NOVEMBER 29 1837.
NO. 17.
WS -Ur - J
THE
llatagorda Bulletin
Will be Published evcrv Wednesday Morning.
TERMS.
Fire Dollars per Annum in Advance.
T. W. J. NU.KS Editor and Proprietor.
AGENTS FUR MATAGORDA BULLETIN.
United States.
Button C. K. Bullard
Asia 1'ori Plait Bull
.V. Or!mt J. Brent Clark
.Vclils Elite Green
Win. W'odinortlC
Flail Stout.
Texas.
Jlcuttc A. BrUham Esq.
H at km ft on Italic;. Cay 4:
Hoxey
Brazoria Edmund Andrews
Tcxa J- . Menifee
I'tlatcu i C !Ioklni.J
Columbia Aldndgc A. Havis
Son Filltpc
-S. Whitehead
Wm. rcttus.
TERMS OP ADVERTISING.
Adrticrr.ents oflO lines and under first insertion. $l00-sul"
lenuent insertions 50 cents Marriage and Obituar Aotices.o1
more ttnn three lino etch. Cards of Passengers and Announce-
ments of Candidates for Office ciiarpcd at usual rates. When no
order is given to the contrarj inserted until forbid. Vo Suhscrip
Uotor Advcrtcnentdicoi.tmned until all arrearages arc paid
except nt the option of the jirop-ietor.
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
JIatagorda Bulletin.
IN putting forth our sheet. are aware that the public will
'look for n preface explanatory at regards our location present
view s and future prepect". ncf0re we proceed to enumerate some
few of the raanv adiantigcs nnieli our location so eminently pos
sesses and which nc think cilUtorthc speedy ctablihment of a
press we would remark that without claiming for ourseh cs a
greater porti-in of disinterested feelini: than falls to the lot of man
kind In reneralwcbelice profit tuusl accrue to oursehes from
jiuWIslitng.andnot les to our patrons from reiding- that while It
is for our Interest to print many i ill through the information we
hope to communicate derive equil benefit.
Texas istill in her Infanci but mule in her cndlf.she has
crushed Jhe serpent. What then may r notanticipate from her
Herculean proes at maturity! Her territory is as extensive as
that of France - her climate the climate of Italy- her mineral
riches will be found to surpass those of all Eirope -and in her
natural fertilitj of soil s'ie can challenge the world for a compari-
son. Posseting such mightv resource for what may she not
hope n hen it is n nicmbered that these resources arc at the com-
maud of and to be developed bj . the nglo Saxon race?
The ground upon which we found our hopes of mews in this
publication Is t knowledge of certain facts and a conviction in
our own mind of thcinfvitable results to whtsli these must lead.
The Bay of Mitagorna being at the extreme of the great north-
west bend of the Gulf ol Mexico and affording a harbor for vessels
.mtin! h 9111 loihe south or westof itmut neecsstrlly be
come the great comnicrca! emporium of an Immense extent of
eountry diverging from tw point i an nans " n-i..j
degrees and extending towards Hie interior tothe outskirts or civil!
xation The articles which may be produced in this extensile le-
gion. If exported at all must be from this bay; and in a very few
ye-irs Caney and the Colorado alonc.will produce their hundreds
of thousands bales of cotton -La Dacca. Navidad the Guidtloupc.
San Antonio and Medina their twenty thousand each -and when
It is considered that In this broad field large quantities of other art!
elei tuust DCJ!roducedjindthat the product of the vast mineral re-
gion cannot mlurally flow through anyotl er channel that the
si'ver and copper from the mines of San Saba must pass through
Vatazorda.and that tuc imports must or necessity he eo-extensn e
with the exports -and when we consider the proditlous population
which this rcsion is capable of sustaining in a condition of afflu-
ence and comfort unsurp.ii.ed unequalled elsewhere- wo look at
the future with a hope a scirgratulating confidence or success
both or pecuniary reward and or fil ing our station with profit to
patron' which cheers us to the attempt.
iranyon doubt the feasilihty of drawias the trade from the
Guadalojpe and San Antonio rivers to the Bay of Matagorda we
ask him to remember that a Rail Koad tna and Kill incntaolj be
cnntructed from the bay to Bexar; and to remember also that the
bay affords two fcet of watermore than anj harbor between this
undTampieo and tint a ship ma be constructed to carry a cargo
of thousand talet of alien from lie iay to Europe and If
he be a man possessing faculties capable of appreciating the results
which these causes must produce his doubts will must cease.
We hope to contribute our mite to the devclopement of the re-
sources of Texas by disseminating useful information a know-
ledge of the geography and topograph) as well as of the laws and
institutions of tl e country. We shall make it our buines to
seek out and poMMi every thing which may be useful to emigrants
and those wishing to emigrate. Incur politicks we take the I road
ground of the food of the anmtrjf for our guide will advocate
every measure which to our mind will h-ive a tendency to advance
this interest and as rc-o'ntely oppose every measure which we may
-think contrary to this interest; all local petty panyism we utterly
eschew and hold oursehes alooffroin their degrading influences.
mtmi 1000 viirt ie ! one to receive that patronage we are de-
tenulned.ir honest industry alone be wanting to merit and doubt
not we shall be supported in our endeavours by all who have the
true prosperity or Texas at heart
Vegetable Healing Renovator
For the Cure of Cholera and Cholera Morbus.
THE Vegetable Healing Renovator for the care or cholera
morbus dysentery diarrhaa &c is now offered to the
pnblick with the utmost confidence that it will effect a cure of these
complaints lnvanablj . when git en In t he fin-l stages of the disease
and according to the directions. Many hundred cases of cures In
tbeeourse-of mr own practice within a few years fully warrant
the above assertion; and the testimony of several distinguished citi-
tens selected from hnndredj who have testified in favour of these
Tiluable medicine will doubtless be con incmg proof that they will
have the desired effect. If kept in readiness and given on tl e first
attack. Z. PORTER.
Pricce 1. Prepared by Dr. Z. Porter. For sale at this Office.
DUTIES ON HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE &c.
Af there hat been heretofore some doubt -among persons intend-
ing to emigrate to Texas about the Duties on Household Furniture
fc we have thought It advisable for their information to publish
.the following from the 6th -section of the Tariff or 1836. which
clause we are Inrormcd by the Collector or the Fort or Matagorda
is still in force.
"All goods wares and merchandise imported by tea or land hy
any emigrant or emigrants such as Implement of husbandry
bonaehnLl furniture and utensils nrovisions and stores and every
.description or machinery intended (at the use of said emigrant or
.emigrants and not for sale: and all public property of any kind
whatsoever expressly and knowingly Imported or introduced for
.the use or the government of Texas (except sutler's stores or be-
-a ... . .. ....uilfl ... ImAnrlitirltf IntrA.
tjongmg to tne samej or wncwier ctito-. .. MwW...6...
. itnrt tul ImnortHt tar the use of the army and nt. vy thereof: and
.allhaeon.pork. bread stuffs and lumber for building shall be and
itae same are hereby declared free or an outy uunng me w u
Jlftmuriteu:J)icticsMpayaJf All tonn of S100 and
.under cash. All sumsotcr S 1(M aprt not exceeding $500. three
.no.tk.rM.llr. And all rami above A5U0. three and six months
credit; la he divided into two equal atnottou. and secured by bond.
with two good securities satisfactory to the iouec.or.
Journeyman Printer Wanted
k LSO A LAD from H to 16 years of age as an
" apprentice to the printing bttfiaefls--one who
can come well recommended will receive noerai
ncourageenl enquire at this office.
Matagorda August 2 1837. 1-tf
mi JftlluMiS
CLOTH .Hair and Tooth Brushes.!
Bruakes.
for sale at
For Sale.
Y
It
JPlara
1 - .
NE Third League of Land it being the "Head-
riuht' of J. H. Smith acquired by residence and
ice in the Republic of Texas previous to the De-
aration of Independence. 1 his claim may be lo
cated so soon as the Land Office is opened.
05- The Subscribers having purchased according
to the requisition of the Law will sell upon the
most accommodating terms.
Apply to Lieutenant Vcitcli at Vclascoor to Dr.
J. VY. Copes at Galveston Island.
- TIIO. STOWE VEITCII
J. WILSON COPES.
Matagorda? Notcmbcr 1 1837. 14-4t
Furniture.
1OR SALE at the Store htelv occupied 1
- Mr. Mkrrymiv deceased an assortment of
very useful IIOUSE-KELl'LNU AlU'lULJiS. com-
prising the following iz:
Mihogany Bureaus
Cherry Tea or Dining Tables
Single and double Bedsteads
Do. do. Maltrasses
Do. do.
Do. do.
Mtiskcto Bire ready made
Cotton Sheets do. do.
Pillows
Rush scat Chairs
Windsor do.
Rocking do.
Children's do. all kinds
Wash Stands
Toilet T..bles
Do. Glasses
Tubs in nests 3 each
Spice Boxes in nests 5 each
Bellows Scc. &.c.
All of which arc offered at reasonable prices for
cash.
A. W. TUNNARD.
Matagorda August 2 1837. 1-tf
J. Brent Clark
TtWAS the pleasure of informing his friends that
" he has returned to New Orleans and will at
tend carefully to any COMMISSIONS or ORDERS
they may think proper to honour him with or any
INFORMATION required will be promptly at-
tended to.
August 2 1837. 1-tf
f)5Wantcd several Hands to make Shingles to
whom the most liberal wages Will be imcn. Applv
to Ctc M. at the Arcade.'
Matagorda August 2 1837. 1 tf
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
TREASURY OCTOBER 13 1837.
STreisurv Department
Houston Oct. 13 1837.
To the Hon. the Senate and House of Representa
tives of the Republic of Texas.
Gentlemen: In conformity with a Resolution
emanating from the House of Representatives re-
quiring me to furnish that body at their last session
with such plan or system of revenue and finance as
to me misht seem the most consistent and best cal
culated to relieve the public creditors and at the
same time sustain the integrity of the government
it will be seen in my communication on those sub
jects that among other things I recommended the
consolidation and funding of the public debt by the
creation of a stock fund commensurate therewith.
This seemed to be a plan not well understood; but
with some alteration difficulty and delay it passed
into a law under date of the 7th June last. Inas-
much as the government is unable at the present
time to pay off the national debt though ultimately
will possess resources ample for every purpose I
considered that it was our duty to commute with
our creditors on fair honest and equitable princi
ples by which means the principal would be quieted
until the government found itself able to pay it off
and the intercst.alone would have to bo provided for.
And inasmuch as I recommended a high interest I
left it discretionary with the government to redeem
the stock at her own comeniencc at any time after
the expiration of five years. She may not find it con-
venient to redeem it in ten twenty or even thirty
years; and the stock holders themselves would pre-
fer even fifty or an hundred years run provided it
was ultimately secured and the interest punctually
paid as stipulated in the act of commutation.
This I consider would at once relieve the go
vernment from her present embarrassment and be
an act of justice to the public creditors by placing
in their hands available means; as I can see no good
reason why this stock should not be at par and as
much sought after as the stocks of any other govern
ment or institutions. The interest however is a di-
sidcrarum which should be properly and certainly
provided for and punctually paid. If this principle
could be properly understood and judiciously car-
ried into effect its beneficial effects would soon be
felt bath by the government and creditor.
Although the Congress passed the law to fund the
debt it will be seen that it was virtually repealed
' 'by asubsequent act authorizing vtho government to
issue promissory notes to the amount of half a mil-
lion for the payment of the civil list which notes
slfculd be received as cash for all public dues. This
paMr would be received for duties as well as all
oilier public due? and would more than absorb
the revenue which was specially appropriated for
the payment of the interest on the funded debt and
as such I considered the law to fund virtually repeal-
ed. It will bo seen from the communication referred
to that I estimated the public debt to be probably
three million dollars; and the amount necessary to
meet the interest three hundred thousand dollars;
and in order that the necessary amount be raised I
proposed aiarkT and direct tat.
The estimates were made from suppositions
which however I considered were at least within
bounds. Judging from the best data I could procure
and from fny own observation calculating from the
probable imports of past years I estimated the
amount of imports subject to duties not to exceed
one million dollars. I am well satisfied that the im-
ports if they do not ccr. fallshortof that amount the
present year will not far exceed it; and estima
ting the average daties at say 20 per cent. would
only produce the sum of 200000. This was the
only bill which was made payable in a description
of money suitable to meet the interest and was es
pecially appropriated for that purpose; and on the
proceeds of this bill alone I would have ventured to
fui.d and if found insufficient I could have so repre
sented to the congress and asked further relief.
The subsequent act however entirely defeated eve-
ry prospeti for the time being and as such I de
clined to carry out the provisions of the law as I con-
sidered it virtually repealed until the congress would
again be lh session and revive the system.
The promissory note bill I have ever considered
as a hasty and unfortunate measure and if carried
into execution will prove extremely injurious to the
Government in various wajs. In the first place it
seems to make an invidious distinction between cre-
ditors which the government should certainly avoid.
Secondly it places the government under obliga-
tions with which she certainly will not be able to
comply aud.finilly will destroy the funding system;
on winch I found every hope for the prosperity and
successful management of tho financial department
on which cery tiling else must depend. One xxn-
fortunate moc on the part of the Government will
require many expedients to cure the evil until final-
ly they will accumulate until they become incurable
and may probably end in confusion with a total loss
of confidence and credit. The first great object of
the Government so far as the financial department
is concerned should be to call out of circulation all
her depreciated paper which now hovers over and
parallyscs her energies like a floating incubus so
that nothing substantially systemitic can bo cfTectcd
in that department until that great object can be ef
fected. No system of revenue can be proposed
that would appear equitable without coming in con
tact with that paper. As it is a matter which must
be evident to every one that the government is not
now in asituation to pay off her public creditors nor
would it be her interest to do so under existing cir
cumstances even if she possessed ample moans as
all might be needed to make defensive or offensive
war as she might think proper to determine until
her independence is acknowledged and peace res
tored with the common enemy
The promissory note bill before alluded to is cal
culated ;n its consequences and effects to still in-
voke the government to a greater extent; as at the
end of the year which is the time set for their re
demption the principal and interest will amount to
550000 and the property set apart for that purpose
is the one fourth ol the proceeds of the sale of Gal-
veston Island 500000 acres of land scrip and the
improved forfeited lands. The vcryslrongprcsump-
tion is that the proceeds from Galveston Island will
not be Tery considerable and from the sale of land
scrip estimating from the past but little relief may
be expected from that quarter as the government
cannot boast of any benefit which it has derived from
the sale of that article heretofore as I have ever con
sidered issues of land scrip even worse than a total
loss to Government and past experience has proven
that I hare not been much mistaken. The improved
forfeited lands seem to be much relied on to raise in
one year so large an amount of money and much
has been said relative to the forfeited and confisca
ted lands of Texas. The Congress however as
yet have taken no active or efficient steps to ascer
tain or identify that species of property; and as such
its probable worth seems to exist more in specula
tive fancy than in ftct. Whenever the Congress
docs take up this investigation it is presumed that
'hey will find Uono of grave importance and oriojreport from this department would have teen in &
wjiiwtjWmiBMuin. wi mujuviivus V'"'u-'.lU0n
The present revenue bills will absorb but a small
portion of these notes during the present year
leaving at least two-thirds of the amount to bo re-
deemed at the end of the year and the interest be-
ing high the holders would have no temptation to
fund.
If the funding system could have been properly un
derstood and carried into effect at the last session
without conflict I had intended to give further views
on the subject of finance for the purposes of aiding
the government to pay the current and contingent
expenses of the different dcp-irtmcnts but the pro
missory note bill suspended all other considerations
on that suirjoct. It will be seen from my cstamatcs
made at the last session that after the amount ne-
cessary to meet the interest of the funded debt
there would have remained from seventy-five to
eighty thousand dolhrs which was to be appropria-
ted to the piymcnt of the civil list. These estimates
were however contingent and the bills not passed
as recommended as the congress considered it pro-
per that government paper shouhlbe received fur
public dues which would neither answer for the pav-
ment of interest or the support of Government
The deplorable situation of the banking institutions
of the United States is evidently sufficient to ad-
monish us of the necessity of guarding against tha
introduction of their depreciated paper currency
and using it as a circulating medium. For it is evi-
dent beyond doubt that but few if any of the banks
will ever be able to redeem their paper. It is a mat-
ter which cannot be disputed that there is not with
in the limits of tho United States a sufficient quantity
of the precious metals to redeem probably the one
twentieth part of the bank paper which has been
thrown into circulation. Hence in self-defence
we should exclude it from gaining a circulation here.
This should be done by the Government introducing
a circulating medium of her own based on perma
nent security and on principles which might prove
beneficial both to the government and citizen as it
would he used for all governmental purposes.
I would therefore recommend to the considera
tion of Congress in lieu of the promissory note bill
that theyjnss a law authorizing tho issue of one
million of dollars in Treasury Notes to bear an in-
terest of five per cent per anum redeemable in five
years and the public faith pledged for their final re-
demption. These notcsshould be denominated from
five to five hundred dollars and drawn payable to
the treasurer and by him endorsed to the bearer.
The notcsshould be filled in No. date &c.by the
chief clerk of the Treasury Department and signed
by the Secretary of the Treasury and the endorse-
ment written by the chief clerk of the Treasurer
and by the Treasurer signed so that four different
hand writings would appear on each note so that
frauds could not be easily practised
Tiic notes as soon as filled out should be depo-
sited in the treasury and paid out on proper orders.
All the revenues of the Republic should bo made
piyaftle in gold silver or treasury notes; and bj
keeping up duties and taxation on a moderate scale
there would always be a demand equal to the quan-
tity which might be out which would always keep
them up to their par value. These notes would float
in and out of the Treasury as the exigencies of the
Governtmcnt might require and answer all the pur-
poses of a sound circulating medium; and if proper
and judicious management should be used in tho
Treasury Department 6ut few proftaily if any
wonld be out to redeem at the time of maturity.
If however a greater amount should 6c out than the
Government found themselves a&le to redeem when
they fell duo the holders would no dou&t be willing
to fund them for the advantage of the difference in
the interest. If the Congress should deem it expe
dient to adopt this plan I would suggest the propri-
ety of so altering the funding (ill as to make the in
terest payaJle in gold silver or treasury notes: this
would at once relieve the Government from herpre-
sent pecuniary emoarrassment and at the same time
bo doing an act of justice to the puMic creditors.
If that course should be adopted all the means which
was appropriated for the redemption of the promis
sory notes could be applied together with the addi
tional quantity of unsold land scrip to the fitting out
of an efficient navy and fu'.-nishing the necessary
supplies. The amount of J.and scrip now presumed
to bo in the hands of tho last appointed agent will
amount to profraoly twe.'lve or thirteen hundred thou-
sand acres which wijl more fully and particularly
appear in my regulav report which will be banded in
as soon as circuristances will possiftly permit. It
was not presum e& that tho Congress would take up
any tusiness o' .her than that for which it was specially
Called untibjjo regular term; otherwise the regular
greater ei u oi lorwoiuucsa. .
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Niles, J. W. J. Matagorda Bulletin. (Matagorda, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 17, Ed. 1, Wednesday, November 29, 1837, newspaper, November 29, 1837; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80331/m1/1/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.