The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 3, November, 1834Various
History
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 3, November, 1834
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
A VISIT TO TEXAS: Being the journal of a traveller through those parts
most interesting to American settlers. With descriptions of scenery,
habits, &c. &c. _New York:_ Goodrich & Wiley. 1834.
The proximity of Texas to the United States,--the facilities of
intercourse between the two countries--and the migratory habits of our
citizens,--are sufficient to invest with more than ordinary interest
every thing which relates to that part of Spanish America. The volume
before us, is an unpretending and agreeable narrative, and is
calculated we think to do good, by pointing out the mischiefs and
inconveniences of emigration to the Mexican republic, and especially by
calling the public attention to the many ingenious frauds which are
practised by land companies and speculators. The author was a purchaser
of twenty thousand acres from the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company
through their agents at New York, and full of golden dreams about this
new Eldorado of the south west, he embarked in person at New Orleans,
in order to take possession of his splendid principality. His
disappointment and vexation may be easily imagined at finding himself
on his arrival totally deceived on the subject of his title! It was not
worth the parchment on which it was written, and after all his
fruitless expense, anxiety and hardship, he did not enjoy even the
melancholy satisfaction on his return to New York of obtaining from the
trustees their sympathy, much less remuneration. Our traveller might
indeed have acquired "a quarter of a league of unappropriated land, on
condition of professing the Roman Catholic religion, becoming a citizen
of the Republic of Mexico, and residing on the soil for six years,
receiving his title from the government;"--but he was too conscientious
and honorable to submit to such requirements. The truth is, that whilst
there is much in the climate and soil of Texas to allure the settler,
there are also numerous objections which ought to discourage the rash
experiment of emigration. Our own country, particularly in its new
states and territories--holds out sufficient inducements to such as
find it either convenient or necessary to change their abodes; and
there are no superior advantages in a residence on the Brassos or
Colorado to compensate for the sacrifices of friends and
connexions,--free government and the rights of conscience. It seems to
us therefore to be little short of fatuity, especially in the present
unsettled state of the miscalled Republic of Mexico, for a citizen of
the United States to abandon for a settlement in that quarter his
native land, unless indeed, he be a violator of its laws and a refugee
from punishment.
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