The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 3, March, 1862Various
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 3, March, 1862
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Our camp is upon the creek last occupied by the Witchitas before
they left the mountains. The soil, in point of fertility,
surpasses anything we have before seen, and the vegetation in the
old corn-fields is so dense that it was with great difficulty I
could force my horse through it. It consisted of rank weeds
growing to the height of twelve feet. Soil of this character must
have produced an enormous yield of corn. The timber is
sufficiently abundant for all purposes of the agriculturist, and
of a superior quality.
We have now reached the eastern extremity of the Witchita chain
of mountains, and shall to-morrow strike our course for Fort
Asbuekl.
The more we have seen of the country about these mountains, the
more pleased we have been with it. Bounteous nature seems here to
have strewed her favors with a lavish hand, and to have held out
every inducement for civilized man to occupy it. The numerous
tributaries of Cache Creek, flowing from granite fountains, and
winding like net-work through the valleys, with the advantages of
good timber, soil and grass, the pure, elastic and delicious
climate, with a bracing atmosphere, all unite in presenting rare
inducements to the husbandman.--_Marcy's Red River Exploration_.
This section of country is in latitude 34°, longitude 99°; the latitude
the same as the central part of South Carolina and the southern part of
Arkansas.
We will now give statements from the _Texas Almanac_.
The south winds are the source of comfort and positive luxury to
the inhabitants of Texas during the hot weather of summer. The
nearer the sea-coast, the cooler and more brisk the current; but
the entire area of prairie, and a large portion of the timbered
country, feel it as a pleasant, healthful breeze, rendering our
highest temperature tolerable.--_Prof. Forshey, of the Texas
Military Institute_.
TRINITY RIVER AND ITS VALLEY.
So far as I have described the river, the climate is pleasant and
salubrious, and favorable for planting. The forests and
cane-brakes mitigate the cold of the northers in winter, and the
south breezes temper the heat of summer. Contrary to the usual
opinion, plantations, when once cleared of decaying timber, are
found to be remarkably healthy. In fact, there are no causes of
sickness. The river in summer is only a deep, sandy ravine, with a
clear and rapid stream of water running at its bottom, and in the
rear of the plantations, instead of swamps, are high rolling
cane-brakes.
The paradox, that there is more good land on the Trinity than on
the Mississippi, is one which will be readily sustained by those
who are acquainted with the subject.--_Texas Almanac, 1861_.
TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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