Colorado Gazette and Advertiser. (Matagorda, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 18, Ed. 1, Saturday, November 16, 1839 Page: 2 of 4
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Colorado Gazette and .f dterliscr.
SATURDAY XOVEMBEK 10. 1839.
A gentleman in town received a lottcr by the
last mail from a former resident in Matagorda now
in London where lie has funned a company for
the purpose of forwarding emigrants to Texas in
which it is stated that there were about 600 per-
sons ready to depart from thence to this port; this
information corresponds with a rumor we heard
ill New York a month since and with a notice in
the London papers of the -1th and Clh of July last
that 2 vessels were up from thence for Texas via
New Orleans. Wc presume they have sailed ere
now so as to arrive previous to tho 1st of January.
To us it appears advisable that congress should
extend the hcadright law for the next year as our
country isat this time but becoming known in Eng
land France and Germany from whence we must
eventually receive a large addition to our popula
tion if the bounty system is persevered in for ;i
sl.ort time. The countries above named send al
most all the valuable settlers who are now hasten
ing into the United States from the other siJo of
the water: they aro sober iuuiistrious and well
skilled in whatever business they profess and will
doubtlessly prove as serviceable to us as they are
to our neighbors.
It is through such means that we finally expect
to sec our currency on a par with that of the Uni-
ted States. Men may speculate until doomsday
upon the probability of Texas money being equiva-
lent to specie within a given period but until our
exports exceed our imports all experimenting and
theorizing will end in smoke; extraneous causes
may give it a fictitious value for a time but the
operations of commerce will soon reduce it to its
true standard. Although our national debt is a trifle
when compared with that of any other civilized na-
tion who have an incubus of that sort hanging over
them; although our lands arc more fertile and
better situated our climate more congenial for
health and agricultural purposes our population
more enterprising and shrewd (take them as a
people) and our laws more favorable to the tiller
of the soil than those of any other country undor
the sun; ycl these causes only tend to encourage
emigration and so hasten the time when the ba
lance of trade shall be in our favor but until that
poriol arrives we need not hope for permanent
iclief. To us it snems extremely silly and child-
ish to allow ourselves to be tickled out of our
common sense by the reports of the day relative
to sudden and unexpected rises in the value of
our Treasury paper. Let us henceforward look
upon these things with the sober eyes of men and
bestir ourselves as a nation to make realities of
our hopes by our individual and collective indus
try and by holding out inducements for men of
energy and character to come to our assistance.
We would at any time sooner sec a farmer raise
ten additional bales of cotton than hear him talk
of a "million speculation."
" Wc have received advices from our New York
correspondent as late as the 19th ultimo. Our
want of room will only permit us to lay before our
readers a condensation of his interesting letter.
Tho steam ship Liverpool had gone to sea on
that day carrying much less specie than was an-
ticipated about $400000 which had not been
drawn from the banks immediately previous to her
departure but had fur the most part been in the
hands of shippers thus shewing the confidence the
mercantile community hac in the ability of the
banks of that city to withstand the shock and con-
tinue the redemption of their issues; indeed fur a
few days previous to the departure of the steamer
mercantile houses of eminence had recommenced
their deposilcs. Exchange of course has fallen.
Good bills on London aro in the market at from
Si to 9 per cent.
The impression was rife in New York that the
New Orleans banks would be able to sustain them-
selves as well as those of Boston which after a
full consultation had expressed their determination
to continue specie payments. Stocks appeared to
be working up a little as will be seen by tho slight
rise in the United States Bank stock (the ther-
mometer) the sales on that day closed at 75.
Rates of exchange for the day On Philadelphia
Baltimore and Washington 142 per cent discount
New Orleans 4 to 5. Nashville 18 to 201. Souih
Atlantic cities from Charleston to Mobile 10 to
13. Richmond 11. Rhode Island 0 to 7. Bos
ton i percent discount.
Note. The news of tho suspension in New
Orleans had not been received "v
Wc received by the last western mail tho first
two numbers of a new journal styled the " Austin
City Gazette" published at the scat of govern
rocnt; its general appearance is neat and well ar
ranged. Both numbers contain matter of much
interest to the citizens of this republic and wc
cheerfully recommend it as likely to deserve tho
patronage of our fellow townsmen.
Apropos of nowspapcrs. As a people wo arc
individually too poor to cultivate a taito for light
and flimsy reading it is necessary that wc should
devote tho greater portion of our timo allotted to
rending to the acquirement of useful information.
In the newspapers of tho republic generally too
much space is appropriated to a species of litera-
ture which has little bearing on our interests; in-
deed if it bears at all its tendency is injurious as
it leads one's mind from matters of fact and leaves
it to wander in the mazes of the imagination. For
tho most part a Texian Editor catora for agricultu-
rists who come hero to better their fortunes which
is to bo done not only by cultivating a territory
offering more advantages of soil climate and topo-
graphical character thau that which they havo
abandoned but by making use of the rapid ad-
vances made by practical philosophers of the pre-
sent day in applying science to the useful purposes
of life; loo littlo assistance is given them in their
endeavors to keep pace with the improvements and
changes hourly taking place through which our
people may bo made to profit by the experience
and experiments of othor nations.
Look at New England with a soil (in many
parts) too poor to produce the ordinary grass of
the country; with a climate too cold to permit the
unaided strength or rather weakness of its soil to
mature what nature so sparsely puts forth; so co-
vered with rocks that it is almost necessary to file
down sheep's nuscs before they are turned out to
graze so that they can it'ck the littlo herbage
growing here and there between the stones through
the force of industry aided by general information
upon scientific husbandry so universally diffused
among hor people she stands in tho front rank
before all tho other United Stales as an agricultu-
ral country. (Don't mistake us wc refer to the
improvement of natural advantages; wc don't give
men credit fur the works of their Creator.) The
richest portions of the western and south western
Slates do not produce more corn to tho aero than
do the most sterile districts in New England under
the management ofher systematic sons. Many a
time and oft have wc been astonished when riding
leisurely along her highways to sec a crop as luxu-
riant as wc commonly find on the richest soil in
our native South growing on a field whialfif left
to nature would barely produce a free ncgroflJErop
that is " a shirt tail full to the thousand ot corn
hlUs. If the rival il.craot favored sections ot
the United States with III her disadvantages what
may be expected of Toxas when aided by the
general diffusion of useful agricultural and scien-
tific information which in a country so lately set-
tled can at this time be only done through the
public journals. In a very few years au efficient
system of common school education must and will
be established throughout the country then jour-
nalist may find lime to be more diffuse in the range
of their publications our circumstances as a peo
ple forbid it at the prcseit d.iy.
It might be said light reading and nonsense suit
the taste of a large class of readers for whom an
Editor caters as well as lor men of sober second
thought. In answer webave to say that there are i
not backed by statistics to he relied on as regards
dates and circumstances and as it was entirely un-
expected in New York during the first week of last
month we had no confidence in it regarding it as
ahumbiigtopufT up the value of our own paper
for a short time.
If we were behind hind in this instance our
friends must lay the Mime to our determination
to publish nothing affecting their interests without
proof that it is entitled to their confidence.
The following is the latest news of the cotton
market in the United States:
New York Oct. lGth. 750 bales of Mobile sold
from 101 to 131 c. 300 ditto Upland at 111 to
13$ c. (tho last rate for new prime.) 100 New-
Orleans at 101 to lie.
Mobile Oct. 20th. 300 bales of the new crop
sold at from 121 to 13 c.
New Orleans Oct. 2Slh. Prices ranging from
Hi to 13 c.
At a general meeting of the " Chamber of Com
mcrcc" for the City of Matagorda held on the
12th IWember 183!) James W. Lass was called
to tho Chair and A. Waoswortii appointed Secre
tary pro tem. in the absence of W. II. Chester.
On motion of Mr. G.R. Jaqces the Constitution
was read and the meeting proceeded to ballot fiir
officers for the ensuing year the votes being
counted James W. Lass was declared duly elected
President Edward W. Sashes Vice President
James 1 . Uelksap Secretary and W W. Stewart
Treasurer. Tho Committee of Arbitration elected
for the year consisted of J. W. Morse Gideon- It.
Jacjues A. Wadsworth and G. W. Ward.
On motion of W. W. Stewart it was resolved
that the following shall be the rate of charges for
transacting business in the City of Matagorda by
all the members of said Chamber viz:
1. On all sales of foreign merchan
dize -
On all sales of Home produce
For guaranteeing silcs -
On purchase and shipment of
produce with funds in hand
For collecting & remitting funds
Purchase or sale of vessel
Procuring freights
Collecting freight bills -Transacting
vessel's business as
agent under 50 tons
50 tuns and otcr -On
all disbursements -
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT AUSTIN.
Scaled Proposals trill be received at this Office
vntil the lOlh day of December next for carry-
ing the Mail on the folloicing routes from the
it of Jan. 1310 to the 1st Jan. 1311 tU:
3.
I.
5.
G.
7.
8.
a.
7lpr.ct.
5
2i
22
5
2
10.
11.
12.
Cash advances un produce with
Bill of Lailiii''
$20
30
Sipr.ct.
21
For cash advances made on goods
in possession tur freights &c. 5
13. For storage on all goods con
signed cilher for sale or
forwarding 1st month - 5 c. foot
2nd mun'.h - 2!
14. Commissions fur receiving and
forwarding goods - - 5 pr.ct.
15. Commissission fur receiving and
shipping cutton - - 25c.bale
10. All consignments of goods wires
or merchandize when with-
drawn from the consignee
must pay full commission on
advances and responsibilities
and i pcrct. on invoice v.ilue
On motion of Mr. Craio it was resolved that all
few very few men in this country who come here !
to waste their time and that few aro those who the proceedings of this body be published in the
never pay subscriptions f they can avoid it. Wc; Colorado Gazette and also that the Secretary be
want no other proof of tie truth of our rcmaik than
that they prefer to turn their attention to useless
matters in a country to vbich most men come with
a determined intention of redoubling their exer-
tions. Our newspapers are also too much given to
hyperbole. It seems next to impossible for one to
write of an esteemed friend or of a favorite section
of country without deifying the ono and making a
paradise of the other; sach things have become too
common so common that the truth itself when fa
vorable is looked upon with a sinister eye. Let
us all strive to clip the wings of our fancy and
write and select likc thinking men who feel the
importance of devotpg their energies to the prac-
tical improvement of their patrons and in the end
both readors and writers will profit by it.
The new Journal allrUbd to tbovc. promises to
be of much service in its'rcaders if the two num
bers maybe taken ai a fair sample of its general
character. They contain among other things an
article on the subject of a national bank evidently
emanating from the pen of' some ono who has
thought deeply on tint subject so important to our
national welfare bo it decided as it may; also a
great deal of army news which must eroanite from
tho Seat of Government and indeed from tho War
V
instructed to have ono hundred copies of the
above rates of charges printed for the use of its
members.
On motion of W. W. Stewart resolved that a
committee be appointed by the president-to draft a
memorial to Congress for the purpose of having
this body incorporated according to the present
constitution aud also to draft a code of Bye-Laws
for the government of this body. Mr. J.W. Morse
W. W. Stewart and G. R. Jaques wcro ap-
pointed as said Committee.
On motion of J. W. Morse resolved that Mr.
Belxxaf's resignation as Secretary be accepted.
On motion of J. II. Worlasd resolved that an
election bo held forthwith for Secretary to fill
tho vacancy of Mr. Belknap resigned. Tnc votes
being counted Mr. S. B. Bbjgiiah was declared
elected for that office-
The Meeting tbcn.adjoumcd.
JAMES W. LANN
Jas. T. Belknap President.
Secretary.
For New Orleans!
'MltiE substantial fast sailing bebr. " llermosa"
J. S. Chattim master will sail for the above
acparimcm w me puonsuer oi in paper nimsoi . p Tucsjav. 20th inst. For Freinht or Pas-
V L.-lnnaimnrinr srmmmiulihnll annltf ffi tho
nnnfhnr rnliimn will Iia fnllnit alralrli nf nnri o ' . .
""""" .- - ..... .. ... w WHW.V.. w. V...
New York correspondent's last letter in which we
havo roado a concise sUtemeat of its important
heads. J''--
The last mail brought the first 'definito informa-
tion relative to the suspension of specie payments.
Wc had previously seen a statement to that effect
emanating from the Galveston papers but as it was
Cinlain on board or to
14th Nov. 1839. G. W. WARD Agent.
THE A I Schr. " Augustus Lord" is now ready
to receive freight and will sail with all pos-
sible dispatch. For Freight or Passage having
excellent accommodations apply to the Captain
on board or to
Nov. 14 1839. G. W. WARD Agent.
route :so. i.
From Houston to tialveston via Harrisburg
Lynchburg Spilman's Island and New Washing-
ton 60 miles weekly. Leave Ilousiuii on Friday
10 o'clock a.m. and arrive at Galveston on Satur-
day 12 o'clock in. Leave Galveston on Wednes-
day 1(1 o'clock a.m. and arrive at Huuslon on
Thursda) 12 o'clock m.
2. From Houston to Cincinnati via Spring
Creek Mount Vernon and Hiiulsville 102 miles
weekly. Leave Houston on Frid ly 7 a.m. and ar-
rive at Cincinnati on Sunday 8 p. m. Leave Cin-
cinnati un .Monday 7 a. in. and arrive at Houston
on Wednesday 8 p. m.
3. From Cincinnati to Nacogdoches via Nc-
ches Mustang Prairie Mount Sterling 05 miles
weekly. Leave Cincinnati on .Monday a.m. and
arrive at Nacogdoches on ThuisJjy 10 a. in.; leave
iNacogdochcs on 1 hursday 2 p. in. and arrive at
Cincinnati on Sunday 8 p. in.
4. From Nacogdoches to Gaines' Ferry via
San Augustine and Milam 70 miles weekly.
Leave Nacogdoches on Friday 8 a. m. and arrivo
at Gaines' Ferry on Saturday 8 p. in.
5. From Nacogdoches to Epperson's Ferry
130 miles weekly Leave Nacogdoches on Fri-
day 8 a. in. and arrive at Eppersuu's Ferry S p.m.
Leave Epperson's Ferry on Tuesday 7 a. m and
arrive at Xacogduchcs on Thursday 7 a.m.
0. Fioin Epperson's Furry to Jonesbiirough
ia Mjrtlc Springs Dc Call) and Clarksville
110 miles weekly. Leave Epperson's Ferry on
Monday 10 a. m. and arrive at Juucsborough on
Thursday 10 a. m. Leave Joncsborongli on Fri-
day 7 a. m. and arrive at Epperson's Ferry on Suu-
day 5 p. in.
7. From Joncsboroii"h to the Seat of Justice
Fannin county via Johnson's Raleigh and Old
tannin Courthouse 102 miles weekly. Leave
Juiiusboroiigh on Thursday 10 a. m. and arrive at
Scat of Justice Fannin county on Sunday 10
a.m. Leave Seat ofJuslice Fannin county on
Monday 7 a.m. and arrive at Joncsb-jrotigh uu
ii cducsday -1 p.m.
8. From beat ol Justice tannin county to
Coffee's Station via Warren 50 miles weekly.
Luate Seat ol" Ji.slicc Sunday 10 a. m. and arrivo
at CblU'e'd Station on Tuesday 10 a.m. Leavo
Cutlce s Station on Friday 7 a. m. and arrive at
Seat of Justice uu Sunday 10 a.m.
9. From Clarksville Red Riicr county to
Sulphur Folk weekly.
10. From San Augustine to Post Caddo via
Shelby ville Sheltun's and Eljsian Fields 100
miles weekly.
11. Fruu'i Post Caddo to Coffee's Station
Fannin county weekly.
12. Frum Houstuu to S'libbleficld's Trinity
Kivcr 110 miles weekly. Wave Houston on
Friday 7 a. in. and arrive at Slubbletield's on Sun-
day 12 in. Leave Slubbletield's oh .Monday 12
m and arrive at Houston on Wednesday 8 p. in.
13. From Liberty to Lyon's P. O. Louisiana
tia Pine Island Palillus Richland JeU'ersuii and
Beaumunl 9!) miles weekly. Laavo Liberty on
Sunday 7 a.m. and arrive at Lyons uu Tuesday 8
p.m. Leave Lyuus on Wednesday a.m. and ar
rive at Liberty on Friday 8 p. in.
11. trum Jclictsun to Hamilton bauinc Kivcr
tia Jasper Zivalla San Augustine and Shelby-
ville 150 miles once every two weeks. Leave
Jasper on Tuesday 7 a.m. and arrive at Hamilton
oil Muudav 7 a.m. Leate Hamilton on Monday 7
in. and arntc at Jefferson on Saturday 8 p.m.
15. From Jasper to Salem 35 miles once
every two weeks. Leave Jasper on Thursday 7
a. in. and arrive at Salem uu Friday 12 m. Leavo
Salem uu Tuesday 7 a.m. and arrive at Jasper ou
Wednesday 12 in.
10. Frum Huuslon to Egypt via Hodge's and
Richmond weekly 72 miles. Leave Huuslon
Friday 7 a.m. and arrive at Egypt ou Saturday 8
p.m. Leave Egy pt on Tuesday 7 a.m. and arrive
at Huuslon uu Wednesday 3 p.m.
17. From Eg)pt to liuhad via Texana and
Victoria weekly 100 miles. Lcaxc Egypt on
Sunday 7 a.m. and arrive at Goliad on Tuesday 8
p.m. Leave Uuh id on Wednesday 7 a.m. and ar-
rive at Eg) pi on Fuday 8 p.m.
IS. From MatagurUa to Columbus via Preston
Peach Creek and Eiiypl 95 miles weekly. -Leave
Matagorda on Friday 7 aan. and arrive at
Columbus ou Sunday S p.m. Leave Columbus
.Monday 7 a.m. and arrive at -Matagorda on Sun-
day S a. in.
19. From Columbus to Austin via Li Grange
Colorado City Plum Grove Bastrop and Horns-
bv's 101 miles weekly. Leave Columbus on
Monday 8 a.m. and arrive st Austin on Wednesday
S p. in. Leave Austin ol luursday 10 a.m. and
arrive at OuUnnbus on c!indau-S jliti
20. From Vclosco to ban i'eiippe via Crosby's
Brazoria Mariun Orazunbo and Big Creek 107
miles weekly. Leavo Velasco on Thursday al 7
a.m. and arrive at San Felippo on Saturday 8 p.m.
Lcvc San ieltppo on suuuiy a.in. and arrive at
Velasco on Tuesday 3 p.ii:.
21. From San Felippe to La Grange via;Cen-
tre Hill Cedar Creek Washington Independence
Gay Hill Milchcll'SWlcora'a and Monlvillc
105 miles weekly. - )
22. From Independence to Franklin via Fort
Oldham Tenoxtillan and Nashville 83 miles
wroklv. Leave Independence on Tuesday 7 ajn.
and arrivo at Franklin Thursday 8 p.m. Leavo
Franklin Saturday 7 a.m. aud arrive at Indepen
dence on Monday 8 p.m.
23. From Ncclics to tenoxtillan via Crocket.
Mustang Prairie Navasoto and Dunn's 1 18 miles
every two weeks. Leave Ncciics on Wednesday
7 ajn. and arrive at Tenoxtillan Saturday 8 p.m.;
Leave Tenoxtillan baturday following and arrivo
at Ncchcs Tuesday 8 pan.
.
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Colorado Gazette and Advertiser. (Matagorda, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 18, Ed. 1, Saturday, November 16, 1839, newspaper, November 16, 1839; Matagorda, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80354/m1/2/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.