The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume III

PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 91 A loan cannot be negociated in Texas during the present price and scarcity of Gold. Some money may be borrowed for her, under the expectation of effecting it by & bye. Our good friends in Paris talk of returning home soon. My wife, son, and family unite m good wishes for your health and hap- piness with my dear Judge

Your friend & Obt. Servt. (Signed) Jon Ikin.

The Honble.

Judge Woodward

Texian Consulate New York.

No. 1430 [1839 Aug., W. H. SANDUSKY, HOUSTON, TEXAS], TO [H. J. JEWETT, HOUSTON, TEXAS] 48 Mr Editor I have just returned from the city oi Austin, and being aware of the various reports as to its advantages, I feel it my duty to give to the Public a true statement of its location. Austin is situated on the east bank of the Colorado, 40 miles from Bastrop-and about three miles from the Colorado mountains and on a beautiful rich prairie about 40 feet above the level of the River extending back one half mile to the "Bluff," and gradually ris- ing to 60, or 70 feet, where is placed the Public Square (15 acres), with an avenue rising up from the river-of 120 feet wide. through a narrow valley which appears as if made by nature expressly for this noble purpose. The Lots are layd, streets & alleys wide, and the sev- eral public squares, and lots for the Government Buildings, selected with good taste, by the Agent Judge Waller, who is now engaged in putting up the necessary buildings for Congress &c.- Two beautiful streams of limestone water flow through the upper and lower parts of the town, taking their source in the hills from Springs which can by little expense be conducted to any part of the city. Stone for build- ing purposes of various 49 can be had in and near the city. Timber for building is rather scarce fo the immediate vicinity (except on the op- posite side of the river), but within·six or eight miles there is an abun- dance. The river averages from 60 to 70 yards wide of a deep but rapid current, and can be made navigable by removing a few shoals, for Steam Boats of 1]ledium size, to the falls five miles above the town. The Colorado moµntains about 3 miles Nr. West, from Col- lege Hill (in the rear of the town,) are covered with Scrubby live Oak, Cedar, and cliffs of rocks, which present a delightful appearance-- * * * Large fields of corn are growing in the vicinity, sufficient for the consumption of emigration this season, The country is settling very fast, and families with their negroes are d,aily seen on their way to the "City of Austin," and the_surrounding country-

"Copy (extract) . "Sandusky evidently omitted a word here; probably "kinds".

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