•v^&
GENIUS OF UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION.
EDITED BY B. LUNDY PUBLISHED IN WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE — #1.00 PER ANN.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men ;ire created equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain
inalienable rights; that among these are Hie, liberty, and the pursuit ofhappiness." — Declaration of Independence V. a.
Supplement to Xumlier 7, Volume XII.
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA.
It' any thins;, that the generality of politicians
have yet done, were calculated to excite our utter
astonishment, the following Report, from the Com-
mittee for the District of Columbia, made to the
House of Representatives of the U. S. on the
19th inst. is fully sufficient for the purpose. We
were prepared for the exhibition of the grossest
inconsistency, the rankest sentimental tyranny,
and the most anti-republican doctrines, supported
by the most paradoxical logic : — all this we ex-
pected, from the unprincipled advocates of heredi-
tary slavery, on the floor of Congress. But we were
not prepared for such a Report as this, accompa-
nied, as it is, by the name of Philip Doddridge !
We copy it, now, without further comment : — but
we put. the following questions to the Chairman
of the Committee, (as a gentleman whom we
have long highly respected, and as a truly patrio-
tic statesman,) for his calm and deliberate con-
sideration. When these queries are properly di-
gested, we shall probably offer a few more ideas for
the consideration of our National Legislators.
1st. If Congress is not invested with a perfect
right to legislate for this District, where does the
legitimate authority rest, seeing the people are dis-
franchised, and have no other Legislature to which
they can look for protection : — or, if Congress do
possess this right, independently, should it not be
exercised, when the national honor and the indi-
vidual interests of the majority of those concerned
require it ?
2d. Is it not " unwise" in one independent le-
gislative body, to wait for the counsel or move at
the bidding of another, in matters purely munici-
pal, though of high import as respects its own
character and future welfare?
3d. Was it "unwise," or " unjust," in the Le-
gislature of Pennsylvania, to abolish the system
of slavery, — seeing that the slaveholding States
of Maryland and Virginia, lie contiguous to that
Commonwealth ?
4th. But to come nt rer to the point : — Was it
"umoise," " impolitic, ,' or "unjust," in the Con-
gress of the United States, to restrict the people oj
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, upon this very same sub-
ject, " composed," as these several districts were, "of
cessions of territory made to the United States by
the State of Virginia ?"
Enough for the present ; — but we shall read
thisCommittee a longer catechism, very soon. The
spirit of justice is abroad in the earth. The time
is past, when republi ;an legislators can play in-
to the hands of the greatest tyrants, without being
strictly interrogated on the score of consistency.
House of Representatives U. S. Dec. 19, 1831.
Mr. Doddridge, from the Committee for i he
District of Columbia, made the following report,
which was read and concurred in by the Bouse.
The Committee of the District of Columbia
have, according to order, had under their consi-
deration the memorials of sundry citizens of the
State of Pennsylvania, to them referred, praying
the passage of such a law or laws by ' !ong?ess,
as may be necessary for the abolition of slavery
and the slave trade within the said District, and beg
leave to report thereon, in part:
Considering that the District of Columbia is
composed of cessions of territory made to the
United States by the States of Virginia and Ma-
ryland, in both of which States Slavery exists,
and the territories of which surround the District,
your Committee are of opinion, that until the
wisdom of the State Governments shall have de-
vised some practicable means of eradicating or
diminishing the evil of Slavery, of which the me-
morialists complain, it would be unwise and im-
politic, if not unjust, to the adjoining States, for
Congress to interfere in a subject of such delicacy
and importance as is the relation between mas-
ter and slave.
If, under any circumstances, such an interfer-
ence on the part of Congress would be justified,
your Committee are satisfied that the nresent is
an inauspicious moment for its consideration.
Impressed with these views your committee offer
for the consideration of he House the following
resolution :
Resolved, That the Committee on the District
of Columbia be discharged from the further con-
sideration of so much of the prayer of the me-
morialists, citizens of the State of Pennsylvania,
to them referred, asking the passage of such law
or laws as may be necessary for the abolition of
slavery and the slave trade within the said Dis-
trict, as relates to the first of these objects, the
abolition of slavery within said District.
REFUGE FOR THE PERSECUTED.
Some very good remarks will be found in the
following article ; and we hope that instead of
setting theirfaces against the victims of the most
causeless and fiery persecution ever yet known,
the citizens of our free States will compassionate
them, and act upon the principle here recommend-
ed. The "Pilgrims," from the bigotted and en-
slaved nations of Europe, found a refuge from
persecution in Northern America. The sons of
those worthy people will, surely, commisserate
others in similar circumstances.
From t/ir Commercial .•ldvirtiser.
Having read with considerable interest the edi-
torial remarks in the Spectator respecting the pre-
sent cruel expulsion "f the tree blacks from the
southern states, in reflecting on the circumstance
thai numbers of them have been landed on our
11-1
GENII S OF UNIVERSAL EMANCI PATION
Juslitia 11 II
I for, the fol-
■
i
• iiit lands. —
'1'ii.- num. 11 - 1 among
men! <>t
...ut their ini These
iw< vi r, provi .1 iin ind time
b many
pie, uoi
only without detri reatly to pro-
prosperity.
■u. inula. 'I'll. 5, \.'., ."iild nol
but at a
ind the « ith-
dj of our o\i n
ill il t.i their lia
! jhtly informed, thi curreni of this descrip-
. has l.utt ri . . much
i
l ire pro-
ded ran
, ii. our nuuuul
le w riter "t' this hired an indi-
i .1 illars p' r month, w ho wa
oulh, and probably a burden to his
bbor "t" min paid a
merly his hundred
And 1
know nol thai eithi r of us wei er si rv-
ed,orb I with our contract. Andyet,
ler of ns
men as a slave, be-
cause it woi motive to serve us
thi y are now
a ill probably
in a ; tall fai m.
I populatii
on in tins .Stair, there i
. it lli.' imp ral, and that
and to bt
TtVpi ,
If, il, of New-York
will kin
-
t.-il t.. i ■ t" their
:ted that i
■
any ihii
- , -. .11 tend pow-
impi
Hi. low me to dep ind situ-
if our mistaken brethren in thi South. I
:l '.' dlS-
■ i' i', by
• I
ri
p
■
and tli and more profit-
-
.
i;!i com-
.i own unrea-
■r do yet
-M.
i.i.oi.K vrnii vi. in. si Kii-rii'N OP ii.\ vs
Tins very interesting portion of the
Mexican Republic is beginning to attrai t
• hi i. n ofAmerican Philanthro
That it will, eventually, become one of
tin- most important agricultural and com-
mercial sections of North America, there
cannot bo a doubt. And that it will, ulti-
mately, present mi asylum for hundreds of
ads <>f our oppressed colored people ,
is equally probable.
Entertaining this belief, we offer no
cupying ;t considerable
in tli- work with statements of
any advantages there held out to
such as may choose to settle in that fine
. where the rigors of winter are un-
known, ami where man, without distinc-
tion of color or condition, is looked upon as
the being that Deity made him — free and
indept ndent.
The following is from the pen of a gen-
tleman of the name of Smith, who had
spenl about two years in Texas, and had
travelled much in various parts of that
section of country, previous to the year
1826. From tin- concurrent testimony of
sundry other respectable individuals, who
have had fair opportunities of judging, we
have no doubt of tie' general correctness
of thi ut.
! mdedsoutfe
by the Gulf of Mexico: east and north?
. the state of Louisiana and the ler-
ritory of Arkansas; and west and south-
west by the Mi xican provinces of New
i ' .ahuila and Santander. It is
situated between 27 and — deg. north
and 93 and 1(>7 -t Ion-
from ( rreenwich. Its extreme
length is about 1000 to 1200 miles, and I
breadth 350 miles. The sur-
f the country, especially for the dis-
nf 150 miles from the Gulf, is mo-
..• uneven, the hills rarely having
pretensions to the dignity of mountains.
ulting the best maps, it appears that
the uth of the river Nueces (the southei nmoaj
point of Texas) is in 27 deg. 15 min. north lata
tude; and the southwestern point of Arkansas
which may probably be considered the highejl
;i limit of the Territory, is in about 33 deg
. ihns including 5 deg. 55 min. or upwards
of 350 mill s, from south to north, of the. fini si cli-
mate on the habitable globe. — Ed. (J. U. Eman.
GENIUS OF UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION.
115
Kial Justitia Rual ( !q luni
Indeed tliere are no mountains in the pro-
vince, except those on the river Colorado,
or if others do exist, they are situated on
the Northwest and unexplored corner of
the province. These mountains rise at
the distance of about 150 miles in a direct
line from the ocean. From thence they
extend Northwestwardly on both sides o\
the river, SO to 100 miles, when they
again sink into level prairie. I do not
know the breadth of the mountains from
Northwest to Southwest, but I believe
they have little extent in this direction ;
for from an elevated peak on the east bank
of the river I have overlooked longitudinal-
ly the whole range ; clearly distinguish-
ing the prairie beyond them. This peak
however is near the southern extremity of
the mountains : and it is not improbable
that they have a moreconsiderablebreadth
in a higher latitude. The mountains of
the Colorado are not regular in their shape
or course, but consist of numerous isola-
ted peaks, having little connexion with
each other, but that of near neighborhood.
They are for the most part bare of trees :
and even those that are not entirely desti-
tute of covering, are clothed only with
dwarf cedars. The rocks and caverns of
the mountains are much frequented by
bears and other wild animals, as affording
a shelter from the elements, and a safe re-
treat from the pursuit of man. That
part of the province not mountainous, con-
sists of three descriptions of country, to
wit: prairie, and bottom, and postoak
lands. The eastern section of the pro-
vince, (indeed from the Sabine to the To-
yaca,35 miles,) is covered with hickory and
oak of different species ; and the land in
general is fertile and well watered. The
postoak region extends from the Toyaca
to the Trinity. This species of oak is al-
so found* bordering on the bottoms of the
Brazos, from the Labahia crossing of that
river, to the Ueco (Waco) village (130
miles.) West also of the Brazos, and
north of the St. Antonio road, and extend-
ing to the mountains of the Colorado, and
from thence southwardly along the bot-
toms of that river to the Atascozito cross-
ing, postoak is the prevailing, and almost
the only species of timber. The remain-
der of the lands in the province, excepting
the bottoms on the rivers and creek--,
which are from one to fifteen miles broad,
may be denominated prairie land. In de-
fining the limits of the different descrip-
tions of country, I have not of course aim-
ed at, exactness, intending only to give an
idea, in the general correct, of their posi-
tions. The prairies contain no timber ex
cept small groves, and scattering tree
They are clothed with a. rich covering of
Strong, coarse grass ; and in the northern,
and western parts of the province, with
mesquite bushes and prickly pears. The
timbered uplands are also covered with
grass noi less luxuriant in its growth than
that of the prairies : so that no country on
earth affords better pasturage for horses,
cattle, sheep and goats. The timbered
uplands are in general well adapted to the
growth of corn, cotton, &c. In some in-
stances, the hills are of a light sandy soil,
not less valuable on that account : as this
description of country is better calculated
than the richer soils for the successful cul-
tivation of the vine. The soil of some of
the prairies is of an indifferent quality :
whilst the great body of them consists of a
strong black loom, which is proved from
actual experience, to be highly productive.
The most indifferent soils of the province
cannot be termed barren. Lands of the
like quality in the Atlantic states, are not
suffered to lay waste : but through the in-
dustry, and agricultural skill of the inha-
bitants, are rendered highly productive.
On the Colorado and San Jacinto, and on
the Trinity and its waters, are immense
bodies of pine land similar in quality to
the postoak lands; and furnishing timber
of the best quality, amply sufficient for
all the wants of a numerous population.
The bottom, or intervale lands in this
country, vary in breadth from one to fif-
teen miles. They are heavily timbered
with oak, ash, pecean, black walnut, elm,
hackberry, eottonwood and sycamore,
The under growth consists of different
species of vines, of cane, and wild peach.
The soil of those lands is inferior in qi ali-
ty to none on earth. It is well adapted lo
tin' growth of corn, wheat, rye, oats,flax,
and all culinary vegetables. .None of
these productions, however, can he i
dered as the . taples of the province. I '<> : -
ton, sugar-cane, the vine, and the olive,
will he the prim ipal is of culture in
Te is. W e ha\ e ample experimental
proof that th ' ; a the piw im e i
;i •. \ ield a n ore abi ntianl crop of cotton,
and' that too of a finer, and longer staple,
than the m oriterej ■ outh-
es of North America and il may
confidently be predicted, thai five years
will not have elapsed, before Texas cot-
ton'' will be as well known in fo
■ eagerly sought for,
GENII S OF UNIVERSAL EMANCI PATION.
.1 us i 'i • i i; M. ii < 'iHuin.
that of Missis ippi at the present day.
Sugar-cane grows luxuriantly in the
province: and the cane I" sweet
much higher than in Louisiana. Thisis
owing, pot only to the favorable influence
o( the -oil and climate, but to the fact, that
and Borae-
weeks, later than in the sugar re-
gion in that state. The fruits winch can
be successfully culth at< d inTexas, arc the
orange, pear, peach, nectarine, ;
quince, fig, plum, grape, and olive; and
irobahle thai the apple will com,- to
lion in tin' northern, and many
West India fruits nol m< ntioned above, in
the southern sectious of the province.
At the distance of 35, SO and 92 miles
west of the Sabine, are the creeks Ti
AndeUna, and Noches. They have a
Eouthern direction, and unite about 20 or
30 miles from the ocean, discharging
their waters after their junction, into the
Sabine bay. There is-much good land
on each of these creeks, but their bottoms
in genera] are subject to inundation. Wes1
of the Noches, and distant t^ miles, is the
Trinity. Tins river rises in the high lands
near Red river, and running Southeast, af-
ter a course of about -too miles, discharg-
ing its waters into Trinity or Gal 1
bay. — At low water, the Trinity is an in-
considerable stream, its waters transpa-
rent, its banks (70 to 100 yards apart,)
almost perpendicular, and remai'kably ele-
Notwii b the great eleva-
tion of its banks, m seasons of floods they
are full, and often overflown: at which
lime the Trinity is navigable, foi b
considerabl . 200 mil ■.- or more
oouth. Se\ enty miles west of
the Trinity is the river Brazo a
150 to. 200 yards wide from bank to bank.
This river is a miniature picture of Red
river in Louisiai ich does it resem-
ble that Btream in the appearance of its
water- nks. Like the
Trinity its rises in the highlands mar Red
river, though much farther to the west,
than the sources of that stream; and af-
ter a S 1 .<>()()
mile- elf into the < rulf of
Mi .. o about 18 miles w< st ol th
.1 of < ralveston island. This
has no bay at its mouth ; but a canal of a
plete an inland nai i-
a from its mo il i h eston bay.
1 • depth of water over the bar at the
mouth of the 1 <; to 10
feet ; it being at timet 1 by thp
floods of the river, and again l<
deposit of sand from the ocean. The tide
flows up the Brazos about 50 miles, and
thus far it is at all seasons navigable : and
when the river is BWOllen, it is navigable
for keel-boats and small steam-boats 7
. 6 10 miles from its mouth. The San
Jacinto and Buffalo Bayou rise in the
country between the lower Trinity and
Brazos, and after a short course, unite at
the distance of 4*2 miles from the head of
the bay oft lab eston, into which they are
discharged. The tide flows up the Buf-
falo Bayou 40 miles above the junction of
the creeks, affording a ,<rood navigation
for vessels of six bit draft, to a point but
25 miles from the Brazos and not more
than 40 miles distant from the town of St.
Felipe de Austin. Galveston Bay extends
from the island of that name about 40
miles noi ih, having an average width of
about 11 miles. — The harbor is off the
Northeast point of the island, and i
anchorage perfectly secure, ami sheltered
from all winds. Vessels of twelve feet
draft can enter the harbor from the ocean
at tin- lowest tides. Ten feet is the gene-
ral depth of water, over the bay of Galves-
ton ; but a bar called Red-fish Bar ex-
tends east and west across the bay, af-
fording at low tides but five feet water for
bound to the mouth of the Trinity
or the San Jacmto. The San Bernardo
enters the Gulf of Mexico about 14 miles
west of the. mouth of the Brazos. The
tide flows 30 miles up this river, and thus
far it is at all times easy of navigation:
but the S in Bernardo is more remarkable
for the breadth and fertility of its bottom
land, than for its length or magnitude.
These bottoms are not less than sixty
miles along the river, and have an
average breadth of about 15 miles. They
are of wonderful fertility : and adapted as
this section of country is to the cultivation
of cotton and sugar, it bids fair, at no dis-
tant day, to become^ne of the most
y agricultural districts in North
America. Sixty miles west of the Brazos,
the river Colorado crosses the St. Anto-
nio road It rises in the high lands to-
wards the sources of Red river. Like the
other - if the province, it has a
Southeast direction, passes through the
range of mountains before mentioned, and
a! length discharges its waters into the
bay of Matagorda. It is a bold rapid ri-
ver; its waters transparent and excellent.
1 lavigation of the Colorado to the
il ean, is obstructed by a raft ; and in addi-
tion U. bar at its mouth will pre-
( JENIUS OF UNIVERSAL -EMANCI PATION.
Fiat Justitia Ruat Coekim.
117
vent the entrance of vessels of burthen.
These obstructions to the navigation of
the river, can and will be removed, when-
ever the population on its banks requires
an outlet for its produce. To the rivers
already named, may be added the Sabaca,
Guadaloupe, St. Marks, St. Antonio and
Nuesis, besides a thousand creeks tributa-
ry to these which intersect the country in
every direction. A LIMerh ers and creeks
in the province abounrWi«nsh. The cat
and the buffalo are the ^jos>< numerous
species. The coast also affords .an abun-
dant supply of red fish, sheepshead, trout,
mullet, oysters, crabs, &c. Wild fowl in
the season, cover all the baj^s which put
in from the ocean. In the interior of the
country they are not numerous : there be-
ing- neither Lakes nor Lagunes to which
they can resort for food.
Game is abundant in Texas. Black
bears are numerous in all the river and
creek bottoms. Vast numbers of them
are killed by the inhabitants for their oil,
which is superior to lard, and for their
flesh, which, cured as bacon, is not infe-
rior to the flesh of swine. Deer abound
in all parts of the province. In the early
settlement of this country by Americans,
venison was the principal food of the in-
habitants; and their clothing was made
most entirely of dressed deer skins. At
this time, however, they are possessed of
large herds of cattle and swine; spinning
wheels and looms have been introduced,
and a commercial intercourse with New-
Orleans has been opened ; so that the in-
habitants of Texas are no longer depend-
ant on the chase, for their supplies, either
of food or clothing. Buffalo (bison) roam
in large herds over the northern and mid-
dle sections of the province. They do not
appro^h within 80 miles of the seacoast :
for the belt of country between their range
and the ocean, cqflMkis a large popula-
tion of Americans^^nd it is well known
that this animal always retires # ©n the ap-
proach of civilized man. The Buffalo is
well known to naturalists, and to them I
refer for a correct description of it. 1 will
only observe, that it is more easily ap-
proached and killed than l he common red
deer. Its flesh is somewhat darker than
that of our domestic cattle: but in sweet-
ness and delicacy of flavor it surpasses
that, or the flesh of any other animals. —
1 ought, perhaps, to enumerate amongst
the beasts of the chase, the wild cattle
which roam in immense herds in tin- bot-
toms of the Brazos and Colorado, and in
the adjoining prairies. The Spaniards at
mi make a business of catching them.
Being prepared with a fleet horse, and
with a strong rope having a noose on one
end of it, they go into their range and
watch until the cattle come into the prai-
ries to feed, which is usually in the morn-
ing and evening. They then rush upon
them, and seldom fail in running from 300
to 800 yards to throw the rope over the
horns of the particular animal to which
they give chase. These cattle are of the
Spanish breed, and remarkably large. —
They are easily domesticated, after which
they become as useful and valuable as
those which have been raised on our own
farms. The Javelina (Peccari) is an ani-
mal peculiar so far as I know to Spanish
America. It attains to the size of a half
grown hog, which animal it greatly re-
sembles in shape and general appearance.
But it differs from the hog, and I believe
from all other animals, in this circum-
stance : it has on its back a cavity some-
what resembling a navel, which name has
indeed been applied to it. Out of this ca-
vity exudes a species of wax highly of-
fensive to the smell, which serves in some
measure as a defence to the animal. The
beasts of prey known in the province, are
the panther, leopard, leopard cat, and
wolf. The panther and wolf are well
known in the United States of North Ame-
rica and need not a particular description.
The leopard has a close resemblance in
shape to the domestic cat ; in size it sur-
passes the largest Newfoundland dog, and
is remarkably strong and active. The
ground color of its skin is a yellowish
white, beautifully spotted with black. —
The description given of the leopard is
equally applicable to the leopard cat, ex-
cept in this, the leopard cat does not excel
in size the red fox of the United States.
The province of Texas has been too
little explored, to enable us to speak with
certainty, on the subject of its mineralogy.
It is however known that there are silver
mines in the mountains of the Colorado.
They are not at present wrought ; and I
am not informed whether or not they pro-
mise to become valuable. Ores of cop-
per and iron have also been found in the
mountains; but the country being with-
out inhabitants, these mines have conse-
quently been neglected.
Every section of the country is abun-
dantly supplied by nature with salt. The
most important Salt-licks which have yet
been discovered, are those on the Noches,
118
GENU S OF UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION.
Pial J ustitia Rual I
in.' Navasota and I little Ri-
ver, both of which latter rivers are tribu-
tary to the Brazos.
The population of Texas consi-
three classes of inhabitants : Indians,
Spaniards, and Americans The princi-
pal tribes of Indians are the Cherokees,
Comanches, Pawnees, Lipans and Tan-
kaways. The t !herokees, to the number
of about 100 warriors, are located about
60 miles north igdoches. Like
the parent tnbo of thai name in the Uni-
ted States, they have made considerable
advances in civilization. The men are
devoted to agricultural pursuits, and the
en to domestic occupations. Tins
tribe differs little indeed in dress, and mode
of life, from the frontier inhabitants of the
United States The Comanches are the
most nuiii srous tribe in the province of
Texas. They subsist entirely on thi
duce of the chase: and their clothing,
tenls, &c. are made solely of the skins of
deer and buffalo. This tribe is divided
into numerous bands, of from 50 to 500
souls, who roam over that immense, tract
of country, which stretches from the Sn.
Saba to Santa Fe, and from Red River to
the Rio del Norte. But the strength of
the Comanches is by no means commen-
surate with the vast extent of their ter-
ritory, i leneral Pike, if I mistak
estimated the force of this tribe at 5000
warriors. His estimate, however, was
not founded on personal observation : and
from information derived from Spai
and Americans, men of intell
close observation, who have long resided
amongst them, I am indi believe,
that 2500 warriors is as great a fo
illected ban. Is of the Comancl
muster The Lipans and Tankaways
range in 'he country bel < Joman-
ches and the Spanish, '. set-
tlements They do nol pretend to culti-
vate the earth, deriving their sole support
from the chase. These tribes united, num-
ber 4 or ooo warriors. The Pawni
divided into three bands : the Tahuiases,
living on Red river, (of Louisiana
Wecos (Wacos, principal village
is siti
250 miles hi a direct line from its mouth :
and Tahuacanos (Tiwakanies) who are
located on the here] waters of the Nava-
sota, about :*o miles east of the I
(Weco) village. The three bands of
Pawnees number about 400 warrior- —
They raise at their village considi
rpiantities of corn, beans, pumpkin-. &c
The Spanish population in Texas is con-
fined . i lush e\y to the village of
>, and La 1 I
These are all incon iderable towns; the
• of them (St. Antonio,) not con-
taining a population of more than 2000
souls. The kihabitan corn,wheat,
but their chief attention is given to
the raising of horses, mules, cattle and
sheep. They ( jJ» on a considerable
trade with thei^med States by the way
> raking into that country
money, horses and mules, and receiving
in return their supplies of European and
American goods.
The North Americans resident in Tex-
as, are settled on the whole route from
Sabine to the < ruadaloupe. We have no
data on which to found an estimate of the
American population in any part of the
provin- (1 in the colony founded by
Col. Austin. The limits of tins colony
extend east and west from the San Ja< in-
to to the Labaca, and north and south
from the ocean to the St. Antonio Road,
including the extensive and fertile bottoms
ol the Brazos, St. Bernardo and Colorado.
A ( ensus of the inhabitants within these
limits was completed some months since,
which gave an te population of
more than 1800 inhabitants: and there
can be no doubt that at this time* the
number of inhabitants exceed 2000.
******
It is a received opinion with the inha-
bitants of the northern climates, thai i oun-
situate within or near the tropics
must i ly be unhealthy. Facts
however prove that the comparative
health of countries does not depend sc
much upon their relative latitudes
on otle 3. Mexico and l-lui
ed within the tropics: .and yet n.
n Europe re exempl fron
ical di.-ease^^fcn general il
tarked 'hat a^Wountries possessing
a high dry soil and a clear elastic atmos
tealthy. Tl riptior
I f inds are rolling
and dry, audits atmosphere remarkablj
pure and elastic. Tie re are no ponds
or swamps, which in the sou then
; Nortl \ i ■ a aie a fruitfu
o( pestilence. Another cause
• to the healthfulness of this
- the prevalence of the tradi
The wind rises in the morning
during the summer season, and continue:
to blow with little abatement throughou
* May, 1826.
GENIUS OF UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION.
119
Fiat Justitia Ruat Ccelum.
the day , and so strong' is this breeze that
travellers are often obliged to tie on their
hats when riding through the prairies. —
These circumstances would necessarily
induce a belief that the climate of Texas
must be healthy : and the experience of
the inhabitants abundantly proves the
soundness of that opinion. The first set-
tlers of this country suffered beyond com-
parison more severely than those of any
section of the United States. They were
destitute of wholesome food, and of the
thousand necessaries which in other coun-
tries minister to the health of the inhabit-
ants. If local causes of disease did ex-
ist in this country, they must under these
circumstances of the inhabitants, have
exerted their greatest influence and with
the greatest effect. Yet the inhabitants
of Texas have continued to enjoy the
greatest degree of good health. The
subjects of the few diseases which have
occurred have been almost without ex-
ception strangers."
Although the foregoing article is very
prolix, and may deter the casual reader
by its formidable length, yet we shall be
excused, we trust, by those who feel de-
sirous to acquaint themselves fully with
the position and natural advantages of
the country in question, for introducing
the following extract from a more recent
statement, made by a gentleman of intel-
ligence and respectability, who had resid-
ed there about four years. The article,
from which this extract is taken, was
dated October 2, 1S30.
" Texas embraces a very extensive ter-
ritory, and a single glance at the map
will be sufficient to show the great advan-
tages derivable -fjorn its local position in
respect to soil and commercial facilities.
It is bounded on two sides by the United
States of America, and extends, as it
were like a peninsula, into that nation.
The intercourse between the two repub-
lics by water, along the coast, is easy and
safe, and three or four clays' sail will take
you from the coast of Texas to the mouth
of the Mississippi, to Vera Cruz to the
South, or to the Havana. The land com-
munication between the two republics is
equally easy, being open the whole ex-
tent of the Louisiana and Arkansas front-
iers, and susceptible of good roads leading
into Opelousas, Attakapas, and the upper
settlements of Arkansas territory on the
Red river, and also to New Mexico, Chi-
huahua, New Leon, and the other Mexi-
can States lying to the west. The West
Indies lie in front, and an immense extent
of Mexican coast to the south — thus pre-
senting channels of commerce in every di-
rection. The climate of Texas is mild,
salubrious and healthy. It lies between
lat. 28 and 34 degrees North, and is great-
ly favored by pleasant and refreshing sea-
breezes during the summer months. The
country is intersected by four rivers, that
are navigable from one hundred to four
hundred miles, to wit : the Natches, the
Trinity, the Brazos, and the Colorado, be-
sides a great number of smaller streams
that afford good navigation a shorter dis-
tance, and the great abundance of its
creeks and living springs, taken in con-
nection with topographical characters,
presents more extensive facilities for canal-
ling than can be found on an equal sur-
face in any part of North America.
" Texas forms an immense inclined
plane, the apex of which is the highland
south of the Red River, where its princi-
pal rivers have their source. From this
summit the inclination is towards the
southeast and surprisingly uniform. The
surface is beautifully undulating to within
about on an average sixty miles of the
coast, where it becomes level, and some
parts of the northwestern section is hilly,
particularly at the heads of Colorado and
Guadaloupe rivers, though the general
feature of an inclined plane is observable
throughout ; for the hills do not form lead-
ing ridges so as to impede the flow of wa-
ter to the southeast, neither are the undu-
lations greater than are necessary to ren-
der the country dry, healthy and beauti-
ful. The hills gradually lessen till they
lose themselves in the level strip that bor-
ders on the coast, which is from forty to
eighty miles wide.
" The whole of this tract of country
(strange as it may appear in this latitude)
is, without exception, free from marsh or
lakes even down to the sea-beach.
" The soil on the rivulets and creeks is
of the first quality of alluvial and heavily
timbered ; between these, the country is
entirely prairie, though level and rich, and
of dark complexion. The timbered bot-
tom lands are from two to fifteen miles
wide, a small portion or strip of which is
subject to inundation in extreme high
freshets, but the floods are not frequent,
and owing to the comparative shortness
1 20
\lis OF i M\ I'.lvS \i. F.M INCI PATTON.
Fiat J us tit ia R ual < '• !um.
of the streams Boon subside. The undu-
lating country comprises by far the
est portion of Texas. It is timbered and
prairie land conveniently it
and abounding in good springs, and creeks
of pure water : and the Bame
as to ihe water applies to the healthy
country on the Colorado and < htudaloupe.
— The level region is evidently alluvial
and of recent formation, and the undulat-
gion presents numei
-••. ondary formation.
'• The pasturage of Texas is also sur-
prisingly abundant all over the whole
country, anil good both summer and win-
ter, and every species of domestic animals
incident to the comfort and convenience of
man, cultivated by North Americans, is
more easily reared in Texas than i Ise-
' where. There is al i proof thai
i possesses many beds of good iron
and lead ore, and it is said that copper, sil-
,<-r and gold have been found in the hilly
region of the < lolorado in small quantities,
but no experiments in mining have as yet
been made by the Colonists for two reasons;
one is, that the supposed mines of the pre-
cious metals are in the Indian territory,
and another, the principal reason, is the
want of capital.
• Nature seems to have formed T
for a great agricultural, manufacturing
and commercial country. It combii
an eminent degree all the elements neces-
.sary for those different branches of indus-
try It possesses about 70,000 square
miles of good sugar lands south of hit. 30,
and on the coast of the river Nuesis,
which is the present western boundary of
This river is about eighty miles
east of the Rio Grande or Bravo del Nor-
te. The northern and high parts of t lie
country are well adapted to the cultiva-
tion of wheat and small grain, and the
streams afford great facilities for water
works and irrigation. The whole country
produces cotton of the first quality
knowledged in N< • • ' ' is to be equal,
and in Liverpool, to be superior to Red ri-
ver and Louisiana cotton. The To
and Indigo of Texas are also oi superior
quality, the latter of which is a spontane-
ous growth of the country in the poorest
parts — and in addition to these, the cli-
mate and soil ar<' congenial to the culture
of the olive, the vine, and other fruits and
productions of a temperate southern lati-
tude
"The country on the Sabine, Natchez,
and Trinity rivers, abounds in good pine,
and some .cypress and cedar, though the
two latter are not abundant, and live and
the oth< r species of oak and .North Ame-
ican timber are sufficiently abundant in
every part of the country except the south-
bordering on the Nuesis,
which is thickly timbered. Texas pos-
sesses three large and important bays, to
wit: — Galveston, Matagorda and Arran-
saso. The Trinity and San Jacinto ri-
vers dis< ito the firsl : the Colorado,
I a ( laudaloupe, and San Antonio
rivers into the second, and the Nuesis into
the third. The two first of these bays
has never less than twelve feel water over
•ranee at the lowest tide,
and the last has from eight to nin
the Whole affording good anchorage and
safe harbors. The Brazos river, which is
the largest in the country (a singular phe-
nomena indeed) discharges itself directly
into the Gulf, fifty miles west of the en-
trance of Galveston, and from six to
twelve feet over the bar, as both tide and
channel vary. The Sabine and Natchez
rivers discharge into an oblong lake or
bay into which there is an entrance of
eight feet water. Less than thirty miles
canalling would connect all these bays
from the east to Arransaso to the west, and
one mile canalling would connect the Bra-
zos river with the western extremity of < lal
\ eston bay by means of a deep tide-water."
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN VIRGINIA!
We have barely room to insert the following
paragraph, from the Richmond Whig, relative to
certain proceedings in the Virginia Legislature,
on the llili inst Two petitions had Beenpre-
h nti d, by Mr. Roane, one from the Yearly Meet-
ing of Friends, the other from citizens of HanoVer
-recommending the Abolition of Slavery.
These proceedings are important. — Ed. G. L. E.
"Mr. G le moved to reject these petitions, up-
on which ;i discussion of much interest ensued —
Roane, Moore, Brodnax, < 'handler, Jones
and Boiling, opposing r In- i
i, and M< ssrs VV itohei , i I
\'. W . supporting it. 1
the Friends was referred by a great
Tins is an important stop. Tin
id gradual abolition, is under the eonsi-
n of the t reneral Assembly. ' !in
■ '■ subdued tin morbid si n sith which
disallowed even public allusion to the topic. Pub-
lic opinion can now act oul its wishes. Events
will <ii monstrate the groundlessness of apprehen-
sion from considers tion of abolition. —
The people of the Commonwealth will feel em-
boldened to express their wishes openly , and un-
lly, and the practicability of ridding our-
selves of an evil which all men confess to be the
sorest which ever nation groaned under, will now
be tested. We do not know that yesterday will
M-ity, as a day to be asso-
c eel « nil the 4th of July, by the benefits which
may flow to Virginia from the step then taken."
!
X-
* '
V
SM
■V
VI
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