312
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1839
In 1824 he migrated to Texas and settled near what was later known as Old Brick Springs. In 1831, he was elected alcalde of San Augustine and received his title from Governor Saucedo in San Antonio. Roberts was one of a committee to select the location of the town of San Augustine, and was one of the incorporators of the University of San Augustine. For many years Roberts's home was a sort of tavern-a haven of hospitality to travelers along the road-and many of the noted men of Texas found shelter there. Houston boarded with Roberts during the first years of his residence in Texas. Stephen F. Austin, James Bowie, David Crockett and Travis are known to have stopped for days with Roberts. "Roberts held his alcalde court on the front gallery of his house, dispensing justice from this as a rostrum to the people thronged on the ground in front." He died in 1844. See George L. Crocket, Two Centuries in East Texas, 95, 121-122, 144. 5 Houston's youngest sister's name was Eliza. He evidently refers to her children, whom he had probably never seen.
MAY, 1839-DECEMBER, 1839
PROPRIETOR'S NOTICE CONCERNING THE CITY OF SABINE 1
City of Sabine, May 1, 1839. The City of Sabine,-- The question has often been asked "Why there is no city laid out at the mouth of the Sabine?"- This interrogatory is now answered. Public expectation and pub- lic anxiety will no longer be thwarted. The undersigned have laid out a place called the City of Sabine, on the west bank of the Pass leading from the bay into the Gulf of Mexico. The attention of the adventurous, the enterprising, and the capitalist, is invited to the most eligible point, than which for trade and commerce, a better cannot be found west of New Orleans. It is easy of access to vessels not exceeding 9-1/2 feet draft, possessing a good an- chorage along the banks upon which the city is to be built, of from 10 to 20 feet water; and the harbor is protected from the influence of any storm. Nature seems to have intended this point for a great commercial mart. The trade of the country which must here pay tribute, possesses as rich soil and dense popula- tion as any other portion of Texas. All the country east of the Trinity river, must ship their products through the Sabine Pass, and receive their goods, groceries and provisions by the same. The products of the rich and healthy land with its immense and almost boundless groves of timber that are upon the waters of the Sabine, Neches, and the Angelina, must all go to market through the outlet of the Pass. Steamboat navigation has been successfully tried upon the waters of the Sabine and Neches:
Powered by FlippingBook