Staunton Spectator

Seguin, Texas, Jan. 16, 1852.

Messrs. Editors:—I landed at Indianola, a flourishing town on the Gulf, or rather on one of its bays. From that place I travelled up the Guadalupe Valley, through the flourishing villages of Victoria and Gonzales, to this place. From the Gulf, for twenty-five miles above Seguin, to the right and left throughout Western Texas, the land, generally, is of the first quality. The River bottoms, heavily timbered, with walnut, elm, oak, hackberry, &c. The timbered portion of the upland, mesquite, live and post-oak; used for firewood, fencing, &c. No good timber for building purposes West of the Colorado river. Lumber scarce and very high. This I consider the greatest objection, and the only serious one, to Western Texas. The want of water in the prairies can be obviated by digging, the creek and rivers affording water for stock. These are clear, pure and rapid, with a great variety of fish.

The towns and villages are improving most rapidly, as much so as lumber and workmen will allow. The houses and furniture would be considered common in Virginia; but when you recollect that only a few years ago Texas was threatened with a foreign foe, you will no longer wonder.—Another thing, emigrants to Texas came to make money, not build fine houses, and yet I do not see that they more anxiously desire the root of all evil, than our friends left far behind us. Indeed less, so far as efforts will justify this opinion. Less labor is done here, but still greater proceeds.

Seguin has grown up as if by magic. Most beautifully and delightfully situated on the second rise from the Guadalupe river, interspersed throughout the village and around it with the live-oak, a tree universally green and affording a cooling and pleasant shade from the rays of the Summer sun. Good pure spring water in various parts of the town. The schools will compare with the best in older States. There is here a male and female Academy, each building 60 by 35 feet, of stone, and literally and emphatically belong to the citizens of the county; sustained and supported by them, as one of their first duties and highest privileges.—Six teachers in the two schools, well qualified and handsomely remunerated. This speaks volumes for Seguin, and the same language is spoken in many parts of the State. Indeed, the State itself manifests a deep interest on the subject of education. She is making progress in every respect.

The tide of emigration from other States to Texas is very large and they are generally, persons of means and enterprise; consisting of farmers, planters, professional men, mechanics, &c., &c. There is an opening here for men of means and enterprise, almost in every kind of business. For young physicians, lawyers and clerks, I think there is not.—Mechanics of every trade, can make money if industrious. I do not know of a brick maker or mason within forty miles of this place. One is very much needed. There is not a single good manufacturing mill in the County; and a better opening for a manufactory of cotton and wool, does not perhaps exist in the Union. The raw material abundant and consumption daily increasing.

The productions of Texas are corn, cotton, and sugar-cane in many parts of the State. But little attention has been bestowed upon gardening. All the vegetables succeed well and I doubt not, with care, we could have them fresh, nine months in the year. A few attempts have been made with wheat and with good success. Cattle are large and well formed—run in the prairies the year through, without being fed. We are now eating fresh beef that has never had a grain of corn or salt. They are subject to but few diseases. I do not suppose there is a country in the world better adapted to stock, generally, than Texas, and where their owners realize as much from them. Whether the business can be overdone, I am not prepared to say. Texans think not. All the graziers are willing to see others engage in it and will tell you without a dissenting voice that the capital invested in stock, allowing 25 per cent. for losses, must yield, at least, 30 per cent. per annum.

There is an impression abroad that there are no good titles to land in Texas. This is a mistake. I have consulted with the ablest lawyers, on this subject, and they all concur that the titles to a vast region of fine lands are indisputable and that the general principles of all the titles will be settled by the courts, in two years. There are imperfect titles, and almost every man in the country can tell you what lands are in dispute, so that no man will purchase a disputed title, if he takes the pains to inform himself.

Western Texas, generally, is considered healthy and I would as soon risk my health in this place as anywhere in the Union. The older physicians say, diseases here are few, yield kindly to remedies, and are easily managed.

The climate is delightful. I have never witnessed such a winter as this—three fourths of the time sitting with our doors open, without fire.—There are nine Stores in Seguin and not a fire place or stove in one of them. We are subject to what are called here Northers, every few weeks which last but two or three days. They are unpleasant and sometimes very cold; but they seem a wise dispensation of Providence to purify the atmosphere. The Summers of course are longer here than in Virginia, and the heat of the sun may seem more intense; but it is said that the air, which is continual, is cooler, so that in the house, or in the shade of one of our live-oaks, it is always pleasant. The nights are delightful and refreshing.

Texas, now, and for a new State, can boast of her society. She is no longer a refuge for the desperado or profligate, but the habitation of a great deal of refinement and moral worth. Her citizens are high-minded and chivalrous, intelligent and of correct deportment; and no people ever lived together more harmoniously. When I left Virginia I was advised to buy a revolver, and by all means take good care of my money. My baggage was locked up until I struck the shores of Texas—there it was thrown in an open porch. There are but few locks here and the key of those rarely turned. In warm weather the doors stand open night and day.—There may be crime, theft and vice in our midst, but we rarely hear of it. No fact is more palpable to my own mind now, than that the character of the society in Texas, is a subject of profound ignorance in the other States.

Before I close I will add for the benefit of emigrants to Western Texas, that they should land at either Indianola or Port Lavaca, only ten miles apart, and take the stage for Seguin. Here they are about half way between the Colorado river on the East and the San Antonio on the West, and in the midst of good lands. From this place they can diverge in every direction in the stage, or procure horses. It is difficult to restrain one's self as a Texan, from the superlative, when writing a description of Texas; but I think I have done so, and others, to whom I have read this article, say, I have under, rather than over rated.