The Semi-Weekly Journal. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 27, Ed. 1 Friday, May 10, 1850 Page: 2 of 4
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{Jfjt Journal.
GALVESTON, FRIDAY, MAY lO.
We are authorized to announce A. J.
HAMILTON. Esq., Acting Counsel for the State,
as candidate for the office of Attorney General.
We are authorized to announce the Hon.
JAMES B. SHAW, present Comptroller of the
State of Texas, as a candidate for that office at
the approaching election.
J. C. McGONIGAL is a candidate for the office
of District Attorney, for the 1st Judicial District.
JAMES WIILIE, Esq., is a candidate for the
office of District Attorney of the State, in this Dis-
trict.
The Btt.vzos Canal. — At the meeting
culled for Tuesday evening, there was a pret-
ty fair attendance of the citizens of Galveston,
and. better than all, a manifestation of confi-
dence and desire to carry out the enterprise
most gratifying to witness.
The meeting was organized by calling Col.
L. M. H. Butler to; the chair, and appointing
Ed. Hill, Esq., secretary. Tire charter was
read, and some brief remarks made by Messrs.
Richardson, Sydnor, Parsons, Yates and Wal-
bridge. It was then resolved that all those
wishing to take stock in the proposed canal
should put down their names and the amount;
to be ratified afterwards by the payment of the
installmentol five prct. required by the charter.
Fifteen thousand dollars was subscribed on
the spot, and on Wednesday three thousand
dollars additional was obtained; yesterday,
we ascertained that the list had reached $20,-
000. It is believed the citizens of Galveston
will raise their individual subscription to thirty
thousand dollars : and when the amounts that
will certainly he subscribed by the corporation
and city company, and probably by the coun-
ty, are added to the list of individual subscrip-
tions, the total will show that Galveston has
done her duty. We trust that the counties
on the Brazos will be proportionately liberal,
and, in fact, from all the information we have
on the subject, their is no doubt of their being
alive to the importance of the project.
The Trinity.—We learn by the steamer
Galveston, that the Trinity river is out ot its
banks, and still rising. The bottom lands are
completely overflowed, and every creek and
stream in the whole section of country border-
ing on the Trinity, is unusually high. Travel-
ing, except on the steamboats, is next to im-
possible, and some gentlemen who had in-
tended visiting the eastern towns of the State,
were forced to give up their trip. The crops
have been greatly injured, and, perhaps, in no
past season has the prospect been so bad.
The Brazos.—By the steamer Ogden, ar-
rived last evening, we learn that the Brazos
river was still high, and many were fearful of
an overflow.- In some places it was out of its
banks, hut as yet no serious damage had been
done.
In regard to the crops, on the upper Brazos
in particular, we have the most doleful ac-
counts. Continued wet weather, frost, &c.,
has caused sad loss this season in the most pro-
ductive sections of our State.
Wreck.—The schooner Maria, Capt. Mil-
ler, from New Orleans, went aground on the
bar at the mouth of the Brazos river on the
30th ult. and became a total wreck. She was
loaded with sugar machinery for Mr. Townes
of Brazoria, part of whicktebad been got off,
bu<| at last accounts the waflUF was several feet
above her deck. The disaster, we are inform-
ed, occurred in consequence of attempting to
cross the bar without a pilot.
We publish to-day a communication
on the advantages of the port of Velasco, from
a highly respectable source. It requires from
us no explanation—it is plain, and written in
the proper spirit, without reflecting on the fa-
cilities of other ports possessing the trade, ol
which it aims at bringing a portion to Velasco.
It a fiords us pleasure to give place to anything
tending to promote the welfare of any partic-
ular section, when there is no confliction with
the rights of others.
ECf3” The Houston Telegraph says:
“It must be a subject of bitter regret to the
friends of Gen. Houston, that he has been in
any manner connected with Benton, and it is
doubly unfortunate that Houston should have
left the Senate to visit his family in Texas at
this critical period, when he had reason to be-
lieve the great contest in Congress, relative to
southern rights, was to be decided. Nothing
but the severe, dangerous illness of his be-
loved family, can excuse him for this seeming
desertion of his party.”
The Telegraph was the first to start the
plausible excuse of family sickness for Gen’l
Houston, and we see it sticks to it with won-
derful tenacity, despite frequent denials and
contradictions.
fCf3 In Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi,
the state of the crops is unfavorable.
Storms.—Thunder storms have been very
frequent of late all over the country : but that
sage individual, the oldest inhabitant, admits
that the one that occurred here on Tuesday
night last, was equal to the best of his expe-
rience. It was not “peal on peal, afar,” as
Byron has described the opening scenes of
Waterloo, but near and loud enough to have
awoke old Rip Van Winkle —lasting some
five or six hours, the rain pouring down at the
same time in torrents. The store of Mr. A.
Ball, on the Strand, was struck by lightning,
but no serious damage done. It is somewhat
surprizing that with so many thunder storms,
so few accidents occur.
We have been shown a private letter
from a gentleman in Austin, who states that
Austin is without doubt elected for the Seat of
Government on the first ballot..
Id* We were yesterday made acquainted
with a very excellent proposition, originating
with a gentleman who takes a deep interest
in the prosperity of Galveston and the success
of the Brazos canal.
It is permitted, as will be seen by the Char-
ter, for the City Company to take stock in the
canal to a certain amount, and issue bonds
therefor, hut as these bonds might not realize
their value in the market, it has been suggest-
ed that the Corporation purchase from the
City Company three blocks of ground adjoin-
ing the public square, at a valuation of about
$8,000, for whichjbonds shall be given payable
in eight years with 8 per cent, per annum in-
terest ; which bonds the City Company shall
invest in the canal, taking stock to that amount.
The blocks alluded to are numbered on the
map 260, 261 and 321, and are fronted on the
West by the Episcopal and Baptist churches,
on the North by the Catholic church, and on
the East by the County Court House. These,
with the one block at present appropriated for
a public square would form one complete square
of ten acres. Should Galveston come to be
a city of even fifteen or twenty thousand in-
habitants (we take the prospective minimum)
it will be seen that such a square would he most
desirable, and indeed, where anything of the
kind is at all required, a small patch of two
and a half acres, as now laid out, wori,! be hut
a poor apology for a promenade or a place of
recreation.
The purchase of these blocks by the Corpo-
ration was talked of a number of years ago,
and, as we are informed, the City Company
has reserved them with the prospect of conclu-
ding the sale. At this time, and under exist-
ing circumstances, the purchase can be made
on most favorable terms, and greatly to the
advantage to the city in many respects.
Some gentlemen who have seen and ap-
proved of this proposition are willing to guar-
tee that the square, if the purchase is conclud-
ed, shall be fenced in. laid out in walks, and
planted with trees at individual expose.
Houston, May 4th, 1850.
Editor Journal—We are inundated with
copious and constant rains. The prairies in
our vicinity are little less than one continuous
sheet of water. Of course, times are dull ;
streets scarce of wagons. But all this is
working for our welfare—it is forcing upon
the property-holders ol' the city, the convic-
tion that something must be done to improve
our roads, or we will inevitable lose the trade
which has made Houston what she is. There
is too much capital invested in real estate here
to admit of the prosperity of the city being
abandoned, without a strong and united effort
to sustain it. Such an effort, you will doubt-
less be pleased to learn, is now being made by
our most intelligent and enterprizing citizens.
Another public meeting in relation to the con-
templated Plank road to the Brazos, is to be
held at the Capitol next Monday evening-
You may depend upon it, our citizens are go-
ing to do something in relation to the enter-
prize, worthy of themselves and of the times
in which they live.
By the way, what is your citizens doing in
relation to your Canal ? We hope it is not
given up.
There has been added to the number of
houses for the accommodation of visitors to
Houston, a most excellent boarding house, un-
der the superintendence of M. A. & P. L.
Hadley. It is a most agreeable and pleasant
home for the weary sojourner.
The journal is read with much interest here,
and but for our financial depression, many
more would become its subscribers.
Yours, &c., Z. Y.
Jd3 The Houston Gazette says : “ The ed-
itor is unwell—quite sick.” Sorry for it. al-
though it’s a privilege that editors are not ex-
pected to take. They should not., in the pub-
lic eye, he affected with any of “ the ills that
flesh is heir to.”
A bridge has been constructed over
Bray’s Bayou, on the’ roaff to Jones’ Ferry,
below Richmond, at the expense of the city of
Houston.
Seat of Government.—The Telegraph
says that 750 votes were given for Austin at
El Passo del Norte. It is still very doubtful
whether Austin will be chosen on the first bah
lot.
We understand that the telegraph to
New Orleans announced the arrival of the
steamship Cambria from Liverpool, just as the
Galveston left. Her accounts of the Liverpool
cotton market were favorable, being l'-Sd. ad-
vance on the rates quoted by the America.
Santa Fe.—The St. Louis papers state
thatMaj. Neighbors had written from El Paso
to Col. Munroe, the military Governor of New
Mexico, informing l.im that he had plenary
powers to establish the jurisdiction of Texas
over Santa Fe, and asking Col. Munroe to aid
him in so doing. Thereupon Governor Mun-
roe published the following orders to his com-
mand :
PIE AD (QUARTERS, 9TH MILITARY Dep’t^ >
• Santa Fe, N. M., March 12,1850. ’ ^
Si?—Having been duly notified by Major
Robert S. Neighbors, of his arrival, as a com-
missioner of the State of Texas, for the pur-
pose of establishing the civil jurisdiction of the
State over the Territory, your command will
observe a rigid non-interference with the ex-
ercise of his functions, and equally avoid com-
ing into conflict with the judicial authorities
created by that State.
I am, very respectfully, your ob’dt serv’t,
JOHN MONROE, Brevet Col. U. S. A.,
Cum’g Ninth Department.
It is further stated that the Sub-Prefect of
Fronteras, had assigned his-jurisdiction on that
portion of the territory lying between Donana
and the Presidio de San Elezaris, one hundred
miles in length on the Rio Grande, to the Tex-
an Commissioner. These events had created
quite a sensation at Santa Fe,and public meet-
ings were being held throughout the territory;
the popular voice being opposed to the author-
ity of Texas.
Survey of the Fort Smith Route—Es-
tablishment of Military Posts.—The Fort
Smith Herald of the 20th ult. says:
It is rumored here, that the Government in-
tend sending out, early in June, an expedition
for the purpose of surveying the route from
Fort Smith to San Diego, on the Pacific, and
to select sites for the immediate establishment
of Military Posts.
California Mail Service. — The Post-
master General says that the mail expenses to
California may far exceed the income.
Ah Examination of tlie Advantages attending
the Port of Velasco.
This town is situated at the mouth of the
river Brazos, on high and dry land, immediate-
ly on the beautiful and salubrious coast of the
Gulf of Mexico. This river is decidedly the
finest within the limits of Texas ; its length—
the fertility and variety of the lands bordering
upon it-~the care with which it is navigated—
the abundance of timber supplied by its an-
nual freshets, and deposited on the coast for
fire-wood and other purposes, rendering fuel
for the supply of the town costless—taking its
course through the centre of the five oak sec-
tion of the State; having at its mouth six feet
depth of water—which mouth is in the centre
of the State, measuring from the mouth of the
Sabine to the Rio Grande. These facts attain-
ing to the river Brazos, gives it an unquestion-
able advantage over every other stream in the
State.
At this time, steamboats of one hundred and
fifty tons burthen are making regular and
successful trips to the distance of from three to
four hundred miles : which distance can with
very little cost, be extended to eight hundred
miles, when the settlements on the upper
Brazos affords products for transportation.—
The back country of the river Brazos is more
extensive, and much better settled by wealthy
planters, than any other portion of thestate.
All the merchandize, therefore, for these large
and increasing settlements, must (as we are
not yet a manufacturing people) pass through
this channel. ,The share-of health enjoyed in
the town of Velasco, is universally acknowl-
edged to be equal, if not greater, than in any
other location in this or any other State of the
Union. The sea bathing here afforded, can-
not be surpassed by any point on the Atlantic,
Pacific, or Gulf coast.
The above facts connected with the inter-
nal commerce and advantages of the town of
Velasco, are submitted without comment or
design to prejudice other locations.
Having presented4he above succinct state-
ment of facts in relation to the town of Velas-
co, I will now proceed (after the same man-
ner) to present a view of the exterior advan-
tages of the port of said town. It has already
been stated that there is a bar of sand at the
mouth of the river, admitting an outlet of only
six feet depth of water. Be it recollected,
however, that this bar is not quite one mile
without the mouth, and only one hundred and
fifty feet across; that two miles without the
bar, the largest ships ever known can float,
and swing around in from eight to ten fathom
water. The holding ground on the outside of
this bar, is notoriously as good as any in the
world. In this fact, all the pilots who have
had charge of the port concur, without one
dissenting opinion ;■ and in corroboration of the
correctness of their judgments on the subject,
Admiral Baudoin of the French navy, who
commanded the squadron sent out in the year
1838, to bombard the castle and city of Vera
Cruz, after performing that duty, on his re-
turn with his squadron under his command,
anchored off the mouth of the Brazos his
whole ftaet, for the purpose of provisioning
and watering his vessels—they remained out-
side about ten days, the admiral remaining on
shore during the time.
In frequent conversations, the Admiral re-
marked, that although the harbor outside the
bar was an open roadstead, it was neverthe--
less as safe as any harbor known to him on the
Gulf of Mexico; that the holding on the out-
side was equal to any in the world, and that a
sea-worthy vessel, with proper ground tackle,
could not possibly lie injured.
It is almost unnecessary to state that the
combined shipping of the world, and navies of
all the nations of the earth, could find room in
this harbor, for the reason that there is not a
sand bar or spur, (rendering light boats
necessary for the safety of vessels entering
this port.) making out from the Brazos bar,
and projecting into the Gulf, between the
passes or outlets of Galveston or Matagorda
bays, a distance of about one hundred miles.
The harbor within the bar at Velasco, af-
fords a depth of about two and a half fathoms
water. No wharves for the accommodations
of sail vessels or steamers of sufficient light
draught of water to cross the bar are necessa-
ry: they can rest in good water, within three
feet of a high, dry, bluff'bank, secure from the
swell of the Guff or head waters of the river.
Connected with these matter of fact state-
ments in relation to the port of Velasco, I will
call attention to the notorious fact, that the in-
troduction and application of steam as a pro-
pelling power, has created a new era: indeed,
given a new impulse to the commercial rela-
tions of the whole world. This agent is at
present employed in the navigation of our
rivers, bays and inland seas, and to considera-
ble extent on our oceans. The daily nhprove-
ment in its apjilication and economy in it% use,
will, (it is fair to presume) render it the ex-
clusive propelling power for all the purposes
of navigation. Steamboat lighters are at this
time found to be cheaper than other vessels in
that branch of trade. The certainty at all
for the army, sent down in vessels too large
to pass the bar. This little steamer (rough
as the sea was) met the Galveston outside the
bar, and in three hours after her arrival along-
side, she had on board the officers and men of
the regiment, horses, baggage, camp equip-
age, &c., &c.
I will now make application of these facts to
the port of Velasco. It has already been
stated that the bar is within one mile of the
mouth of river—that outside of this bar the
holding grouncTis equal to any in the world—
that steam sea boats, or other vessels, (of
whatever size) can, with sufficient ground
tackle, lie in perfect security within two miles
ol the bar, or say three miles of the town.
Now, to complete the preparation or outfit,
for loading and unloading vessels in the outer
harbor of the largest class—steamboat light-
ers, or in other words floating wharves ; at all
times in place, and at all times ready to take
freight to or from the larger vessels lying in
our outer harbor—it will be found by fair cal-
culation that these steamboat lighters, or float-
ing wharves,’are more durable and cheaper
than any other wharves we can construct on
the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It has
been already stated, that at the mouth of the
river there was a most abundant supply of fuel,
rendering it almost costless. The loading and
unloading, by these lighters, is doubtless the
surest and most economical that can be adopt-
ed. It should also he recollected that these
boats will perlorm all the duties of Pilot boats,
as well as tow-boats, lor all vessels competent
to enter our inner harbor. With such boats
there can be no detention, by wind or tide, in
coming in or going out, at will.
The above stated facts renders the port of
Velasco (in my judgment) conclusively the
best shipping port, known to me, on the coast
of the Gulf of Mexico.
In the year eighteen forty-seven, I was in
the city ot New York some twelve or fifteen
days. During my stay there, I had frequent
conversations with gentlemen well informed on
the subject of steam sea boats, and lighters.—
A practical gentleman, with whom I had much
conversation, was kind enough to suggest the
plan of a steam lighter, adapted to the wants
of our harbor. He had also the kindness to
estimate the probable cost of such boat, of the
best construction. I will give his plan and
estimate in his own language. It is as follows:
A steam sea boat lighter, of from one hun-
dred to one hundred and fifty tons burden—
her length and beam, calculated by the most
approved scale in ship building—her construc-
tion as strong as wood and metal can make
her—well coppered, schooner rigged, with
double engine and extra power, drawing six
feet water with her engines and freight on
board. No cost for fine finish, as she ^exclu-
sively a tow and freight boat. The cost of
this boat, per ton, will exceed a little the Ordi-
nary cost of well constructed schooners of same
burden. The. necessary strength and size of
her timbers, with additional number, and
strength of her metalic fastenings, per ton, will
augment the cost about five per cent. The
engine will cost but very little^more than for
any other steamer of the same burden.
A full estimate has been made of the above
described sea steamer, finished and in complete
order for service. Whole cost, as estimated,
twelve thousand five hundred dollars. These
matter of fact statements in relation to the
port and harbors of Velasco, are presented
with the hope that those interested in the com-
mercial prosperity of Texas, will examine for
themselves, and make a fair comparison of this
port with all others on the Gulf of Mexico.—
And with the further hope, that the Depart-
ment, at Washington, will instruct the officers
having charge of ilie coast survey, to give a
share of their attention to this too long neglect-
ed subject. B. T. ARCHER,
A Love Song.
She who sleeps upon my heart,
Was the first to win it;
She who sleeps upon my breast,
Ever reigns within it;
She who kisses of my lips,
Wakes my warmest blessing:
She who rests within my arms,
Peels their closest pressing.
Other days than these shall come,
Days that may be dreary ;
Other hours shall greet us yet,
Hours that may be weary ;
Still that heart shall be thy,home,
Still that breast thy pillow ;
Still those lips meet thine as oft,
As billow meeteth billow.
Sleep, then, on my happy heart,
Since thy love hath won it;
Dream, then, on my loyal breast—
None but thee hath done it;
And when age our bloom shall change,
With its wintry weather;
May we in the self-same grave
Sleep and dream together.
Profitableness of Poultry.—The New-
ark Advertiser says: Mr. Samuel Y. Clark,
of Westfield, in this county, gives some statis-
tics in relation to the profitableness of poultry
that may be useful to others. He found, upon
footing up his store book, from April last to De-
cember 1st, that from forty hens, in three dif-
ferent locations, yet contiguous, he had sold
2.940 eggs, besides using freely for cooking in
Route to California by Mazatlan.
We are indebted to a friend for the follow-
ing table of distances on the route to Califor-
nia via Mazatlan, furnished by a gentleman
who lately travelled it, which will, no doubt,
be found useful those going that way.
Embark at New Orleans for Galveston.—
From Galveston go to Houston in a steamer.
Purchase here, if you can, good Mexican hor-
ses or mules (grass-fed) ; mules are preferable.
Procure also, good Mexican gourds.
From San Antonio to Lucky’s Ranch, IS
From Lucky’s Ranch to Castroville, 13
From Castroville to Quehe (a creek), 20
From Quehe to Rio Seco, 15
From Rio Seco to Rio Frio, 15
From Rio Frio to Checon, 15
From Rio Checon to Rio Leona, 15
From Rio Leona to Rio Nueces, 15
Prom Rio Nueces to Rio Creek, 15
From Rio Creek to Military Post on the
Rio Grande,
--- ------- ------ -----—------j — , his famify, &c. Two-thirds of the time the
times of commanding them, without regard to hens were not fed, but unrestrained as to rov-
wind or tide—the ease with which they can
take any position at sea, gives them a decided
advantage over other vessels.
Of the truth of this fact, I had an opportu-
nity of judging for myself. In 1846, I passed
from New Orleans to Brassos St. Iago, on
hoard the steamer Galveston, commanded by
Capt. Wright. The Galveston had on board
the Missouri volunteer regiment, with the
horses of the officers attached to said regiment.
The night preceding our arrival off the bar of
Brassos St. Iago, we encountered a storm
more violent (as reported by Capt. Wright)
than any he had witnessed during twenty-one
years of sea service. The condition of the sea, i 0f pjs power, spent two or three nighti
some three or four miles outside the bar, after j with the frightened family in Rev. Mr. P-~ ’s
such a night of storm, can be more easily con- j house since the : developments ’ commenced
ceived than described; that "the waves were ; there, and saw clear through them. Once when
mountains high we ali knew. Within j
port of Brassos St. Iago, was a small steam qJj captain (who had his eyes all about.prayer
boat lighter, provided by Government for the j or no prayer) says he saw the girl throw it.
purpose of takgiu off the troops and supplies Should’iit wonder.”
ing, having the use of the baru and range of
the farm. He also sold many fowls. It has
been demonstrated, else where, we believe, that
two good cows and a brood of forty hens, well
fed and kept, may be made to furnish all the
necessary means of living for an ordinary la-
boring man’s family—as the frugal laboring
people in our country usually live.
Speaking of the “knockings, clairvoyances,
fortune-teliing,&c,” the N. Y. Tribune has the
following amusing paragraph:
“ By th e way: A friend from Stratford,
Conn., says the ‘spirit,’ who is cutting up such
capers there wears petticoats and has been in
the body about eighteen years. He adds that
an old sea captain, who has seen the devil too
often to be taken aback by any new manifes-
s
Cross the Rio Grande at this point. There
is a good ferry.
From Rio Grande to Rio San Fernando, 18
From Rio San Fernando to town of San
Fernando, 17
From town of San Fernando to Rancho, 15
From Rancho to San Jose, 20
From San Jose to Rio Alamo, 15
From Rio Alamo to Rio Sabinas, 12
From Sabinas to Water Hole, 15
From Water Hole to Hacienda of Los Her-
manas, 12
From Los Hermanas to Los Juntas, 12
From Los Juntas to town of Monclova, 15
From Monclova to Castagno, 8
From Castagno to Tanque Bajan, 18
From Tanque Bajan to Tanque San Felipe, 30
No water between these two places.
From Tanque San Felipe to Hacienda Be-
nadito, 20
No water between these places.
From Benadito to La Sanccda, . 12
From La Sanceda to Hacienda Sienegas, 50
No water nor grass between these places,
excepting after heavy rains, then it is found in
the ditches.
From Hacienda Sienegas to Hacienda La
Soledad, / * 12
There are two Roads leading from Sienegas
to La Soledad ; one a good wagon road, which
takes to the right, and the other to the left;
the latter a path across the mountains. It is
impassable lor teams of any description. The
first is twenty miles, the latter is twelve miles
to La Soledad. Good grass and water most
of the way.
From Hacienda of La Soledad to Hacien-
da San Lorenzo, 7
The Hacienda of San Lorenzo belongs to
and is occupied by Messrs. Pablo and Manuel
I vara. Good Paras wine and brandy can be
procured at this place. T lie gentleinuidy pro-
prietors speak English, and are very hospita-
ble. The handsome town of Paras lies three
miles to the left of this Hacienda.
From Hacienda San Lorenzo to Hacienda
of Don Jose de la Pena, 33
No water nor grass between these placas.
From Hacienda of Don Jose de la Pena to
the town of Alamo de Paras, 15
From Alamo de Paras to Paso de Calvo, 35
No water nor grass between these places.
From Paso de Calvo to the town of Quen-
came, 40,
The river Buenaval is eight miles from Paso
de Calvo. Good grazing is found three miles
beyond the river, on the right of the road, but
no water between the river and Quencame,
excepting after heavy rains, when it is found
ii jthe ditches. After leaving Quencame, there
is a creek called La Sans, on the left of the
road, five miles from Quencame. Good grass
all the way.
From Quencame to La Sans, 12
From La Sans to La Senses, 23
From La Sanses to San Antonio de Porhas, 23
Good grass and water all the fftoy.
From San Antonio de Pot has to Hacienda
de Chore. * * 27
From HaciendadeChoro tocityofDurangb,24
Water and grass all the way.
Here it would he absolutely advisable to dis-
pose of all the tired animals, as the road from
Durango to Mazatlan is the worst in MexTco,
and dangerous on account of the narrow paths
on the mountain sides, overlooking precipices.
Mules, accustomed to crossing these mountains
caabe procured at Durango,atabout, $15 each,
(that is to say freighted,) including the trouble
of packing and unpacking, which is performed
by the muleteers, or arrieros, accompanying
the mules. Provisions should he laid in at Du-
rango, such as coffee, sugar, salt, pepper and
bread.
From Durango to Brimas, 25
Good water and grass.
From Brimas to Toscosos, 25
Three miles from Toscosos there is a rancho
where fowls and fresh bread can be had.
From Toscosos to Rancho Chavarias, 30
From Chavarias to Camp on the Mountain, 25
You can see this day, about noon, the Pa-
cific, from the top of the mountains. There is
the river Baluarte, at the foot cf the mountain
upon which you must encamp tins evening.—
It is, however, better to encamp on the moun-
tain, as there is immediately on the road a
spring issuing from the rock. Grass is on both
sides of the mountains. On the banks of the
river below there is no grass.
From the Encampment to Vatel, 15
Water and grass all the way.
From Vatel to Presidio de Mazatlan, 52
Water and grass all the way. Oranges, ba-
nanas, corn, &c., in abundance. Yon pass
through the picturesque town Santa Lucia.
From Presidio de Mazatlan to Puerto of
Mazatlan, on the Pacific,
You can here sell your truck, and take steam-
er for San Francisco, and arrive in 8 or 9 days.
[Y O. Delta.
A Cap for the Owner.—The ridiculous
custom of interlarding articles with foreign
ivords is justly ridiculed by the Common School
Journal. For our part, when we hear a preah-
er talk much in his sermon abqut the original
Greek, or Hebrew, or see an editor drag in
French and Latin on every occasion, we at
once set the man down as laboring under the
double affliction of ignorance and vanity.—
With such persons, a medley or mixture is a
melange ; a fray is nothing short ot a melee,
and the select are not the chosen, but the elite.
Disputants do not differ entirely hut toto ccelo,
and they never began again, but de novo, or
as some goslings prefer to say, ab ovo. The
common items of news are interlarded with
such barbarisms. Thusthe President is never
going to Washington, but he is en route for
the city. No remark can now be made by the
way, or in passing, but it must he en passant.
A rising of the people is no longer a mob or a
rebellion, but an emeute. Some years ago an
editor discovered that nous verrons was a more
expressive phrase than we shall see ; and now
every village editor, after giving his views of
national affairs, gathers himself up in his arm
chair, and utters the doubtful prophecy," “noas
virronsJ
The Duty of Labor.—No man can rise
from The workman’s rank. Fall he may, and
often does from that estate, but to rise above
the order the great God has established to gov-
ern His world, is impossible. Every man should
be a workman, and fill up a workman’s rank.
He must fill that or a loafer’s. He who made
the world never made a spot on it for an idler.
He never made a man who was to five by his
brain alone, or such a one would have been all
brains. Body and soul, powers physical and
mental, are to be used, else they never would
have been given ; and whoever finds himself
in possession of a pair of hands,-a set of bones
and muscles, may rest assured that he has a
command to use them.
The Spirit that Animates the Hunga-
rians.—A Berlin letter, of the 4th ult., in the
St. Louis Republican, says :
A most outrageous piece of deception was
recently practiced by the Austrians in Tran-
sylvania. The Wanderer relates the incident
to show what may be expected from the Hun-
garian people upon the first event of impor-
tance. At Udvarhely, the seat of the military
commandant of the district in the country of
the Seeklers, one day an alarm was suddenly
spread. The garrison marched out in haste
ready to set forth. At this sight, only one
thought struck the inhabitants, “the Prussians
are beaten, the Austrians fly, the Turks ad-
vance triumphantly.” Effectively the Aus-
trian garrison abandoned the city, and march-
ed off at some distance from the highway.—
Immediately everybody is in the streets. The
men seize the spade and disinter their buried
arms in an instant, and immediately the ban-
ner of liberty floats before the wind and tre-
mendous Hallelujah! escape from the breasts
which have been silent so long. But, O de-
ception ! Before even the people had time to
recognize them, the Austrians had returned.
The stratagem had succeeded. Thecommand-
er caused all the-arms to be seized, which the
Seeklers would never have given up them-
selves for any menaces.
The Providence (R. I.) Journal states that
young Sanford, whose precocious mathemati-
cal powers excited so much attention a few
years .since, and who is now studying at Cam-
bridge, continues to realize his early promise.
It is stated that fie uses the Mecahique Celeste
as a text book. He is 14 years old, and ex-
pects in about a year and a half to complete
his course in Analytical Mechanics. He is in
advance of the' College Course, and has but
one fellow-pupil. The growth of his body does
not correspond to that of his intellect, and fears
are entertatoed that he is not gaining that ro-
bust healtl^^hich contributes so much to the
efficiency of a strong mind.
Sir Roderick Murchison, lecturing lately
before the Royal Society, showed that gold
was usually found upon the earth’s surface,
and in patches: and thus, while gold washers
realized fortunes', gold miners were as often
ruined. This fact, he said, was known thou-
sands of years ago. For example : Job says
(xxvii. 1.) “ surely there is a vein for the sil-
ver,” and (xxviii. 6.) “ the earth hath dust of
gold.”
=DT1= The following are Mrs. Partington’s
latest remarks:
“ So there’s been another rupture of Mount
Vociferous !” said Mrs.-Partington, as she put
down the paper,and put up her specs—“the
paper tells all ahouttlie burning lather running
down the mountain, hut it don’t tell us how it
got afire. I wonder i f it was set fire to. There
are many people full wicked enough to do it,
or perhaps it was caused by children playing
with friction matches. I wish they had sent
tor our Boston firemen ; they would soon have
put a stop to the raging ailment; and 1 dare
say Mr. Barnacle and all on ’em would have
gone, for they are what 1 call real civil engi-
neers.”
The bark L. & A. Hobart, which was
cleared at Boston-on the 23d ult., for Malta
and Smyrna, takes the Rev. E. Bliss, wife
and two children, the Rev. J. Van Lennep and j but this is the first time we ever saw that, great
wife, and Rev. J. W. Parsons and wife, inis- j political pr incipal avowed in a locofoco news-
sioners to the East. ' i paper.— Vicksburg Whig.
A little girl meeting a countryman with a
load of slaughtered swine, dropped a courtesy.
The rustic laughed, without returning the
civility.
“ What,” said he, “do you courtesy to dead
hogs?”
“No, sir.” replied the little miss, “I courte-
sied to the live one.”
The National Intelligencer understands the
Postmaster General yesterday concluded an
arrangement with the railroads, by which the
mails between New York and Boston will he
expedited, and which must facilitate corres-
pondence between the latter place and the
Southern cities full twenty-four hours.
.Fatal Curiosity.—As the train was leav-
ing Jersey City on Monday morning, the 22d
ult., for Philadelphia, it ran over a cow. One
of the passengers put his head out of the car
to see, the cause of the difficulty, when his head
struck one of the telegraph posts, and he was
instantly killed.-
James McCabe, of Brooklyn, fell from the
cross-trees of tfie schooner Splendid, lying at
Atlantic Dock, on the 21th ins.. He struck
with his head on the deck, and was immedi-
ately killed. He was an assistant of the steve-
dore, a sober, respectable man, and leaves a
wife and five children.
Prolific.—A lady in Claremont, N. H.,
who has previously given birth to three pairs
of twins, wfs delivered of three fine babes at
one birth.
Cheap Postage.—Mr. Bates, the agent of
Cheap Postage Association, is still at work at
Washington, in furtherance of the passage of
a bill to reduce the rate on letters when pre-
paid to two cents. He says that the associa-
tion has sent out more than thirty thousand
circulars relative to the matter, the postage on
which, paid by them, was nearly a thousand
dollars.
It is stated that the Congressional commit-
mittce have agreed to report in favor of a uni-
form rate of five cents lor all distances on let-
ters not exceeding half an ounce in weight.
The spleen, that mystery of the human
frame, is now said by Sir James Murray, to be
a focus of heat to the stomach and ingesta.
Soft soap, in some shape, pleases all, and,
generally speaking, the more lye you put into
it the better.
Percussion caps are now made for the army
at Washington, at an expense of eighty cents
a thousand ; such is the effect of labor saving
machinery in their manufacture.
Prof. Webster continues in good health and
spirits, and daily receives his meals from Par-
ker’s, a privilege granted to all prisoners who
can pay for it. His spiritual adviser. Rev. Dr.
Putnam, a Unitarian from Roxbury, visits him
occasionally in his cell, and his wife and daugh-
ters twice a week regularly.
A Tennesseean is a nobleman, everywhere;
but a “ Tennessee Democrat ” is the son of
Jackson and brother ol Polk !”—Natchez Free
Trader.
It has often been stated that the “backwoods”
democrats voted lor Mr. Polk under the im-
pression that he was a son of Gen. Jackson,
\
Yd >
i a
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Tarver, B. E. The Semi-Weekly Journal. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 27, Ed. 1 Friday, May 10, 1850, newspaper, May 10, 1850; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth874597/m1/2/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting San Jacinto Museum of History.