The Texas Sun. (Richmond, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 9, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 10, 1855 Page: 2 of 4
four pages ; page 24 x 18 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
/
y*
-Jk
THE TEXAS SUS.
EDITOS
SATURDAY, MAR
Circulation.— The Texas Sua com-
tr* i eight haadied,
with a fair prospect of its increasing lo serení
1855.
Afeita ftr the
Job A.
CoL Wm. T. Austin,
Brawn
I^hrcitUL
Griffin, Austin.
Hon. A. J. Bell, Bellville.
Thos. G. Masterson, Brazoria.
N. W. Faison, La Grange.
jes. T. Cole, BeHon-
D. P. Gnunpler, Brenham.
Jes. C. Herndon, Western Texas.
Wm. Marshall, Baltimore City, Md.
Henry Hiden, Orange C. H., Va.
W. B. Okeson, Springfield, Limestone
County, Texas.
Wm. Chilton, Tyler, Texas.
|y We call the attention of our readers
Is the advertisement of Messrs. Gibson &
Lass. They keep on hand a variety of ar-
ticles which are not usually found in a drag
store.
19* Mr. Jas. Chambers has established
a ferry on the Brazos, above Richmond, op-
posite his plantation. The attention of our
citizens living in Mr. Foster's neighborhood,
is called to his advertisement.
New Line of Stages.—Brashear & Goode
have determined to extend their lines of
stages from Richmond to San Antonio via
La Grange. Goode, one of the partners,
passed through Richmond this week with
two coaches and a large number of horses
to stock the line. They also intend to con-
nect wkh all the trains at Stafford's Point.
We cannot give the public any farther in-
formation upon this subject until we hear
the contractors.
Galveston, Feb. 16,1855.
ÍL H. Rawlings, Esq :
Dear Sir—It has afforded me much pleas-
ure to witness the spirit manifested through
the columns of your paper. I would-be glad
to see every paper manifesting the same
disposition to come to the aid of our great
public question, that of Internal Improve-
ments. There is no subject in which we
«sel a more deep and abiding interest in this
city, and none we are sure that is of so much
Importance to the public of Texas.
We much desire that you should send a
strong delegation from Fort Bond into the
HuntsvOle Convention. I trust we will be
able to show cause there, >why the State
should embark, and why the people should
employ «their strongest instrumentality to
?st relief. Can you not be there yourself!
ou wffl allow me personally to express the
desire of meeting j9a there.
I have been endeavoring to bring out the
subject of taxation, with a view to get our
Editors to take it up. Taxation in some
form, we all know is to be the sustaining ba-
as of our system, whatever it may be.—
Whether we tax the whole sustaining exac-
tions on transportation, or a part on the
Sneral property benefited; will make much
Ference to the agricultural interests. In
this city, we feel that it is our trae interest
to he taxed—that it is the true interest of
the holder of uncultivated lands to be taxed
and that the non-resident property holder is
also interested in being taxed; for whatever
we take off of the planter or farmer, ena-
bles him the more successfully to settle and
cultivate the country.
Very truly, yours, See.
Lorenzo Sherwood.
From the general tenor of the above let-
ter, we presume that Mr. Sherwood believes
us to be an advocate of the State system.
But we are not. The system as defined by
this gentlemen, would be a Pandora's box
to the State of Texas; and if carried out to
its full extent, would fasten upon its citizens
a debt which they would be unable to can-
eel in centuries. Amend the Constitution so
as to enable her to take all the stock in her
railroads, and it will roll back the waves of
immigration with a momentum not less Ni-
agara-like, than that with which they have
been sweeping into the State for the past
two years. One of the greatest inducements
to the people of other States to immigrate
to Texas, is that here the profits of an es-
tate are not absorbed by taxes. This in-
ducement would ccase as soon as Texas
adopted the system advocated by Mr. Sher-
wood.
Two things must be kept in mind when
considering a railroad system in this State,
lint, that the people of Texas are not able
at present, to build roads without aid from
the State; and second, that for the State to
undertake the entire management of these
roads and furnish all the means with which
they are to be built, would be to create a
source whence would issue the blackest
stream of corruption that ever flowed through
a body politic. We raise our Cassandra
voice against the introduction of this wood-
en-hone into our State citadel, because if
admitted, we WIbV* it will disgorge the
Grecian phalanx in the shape of greedy
peculators who will prove the destruction of
.our Ilium.
We are independent, but at the same
^¡pw conservative in regard to all measures
and principles of State policy; and if the
friends of the State system will show that
we are in error upon this subject, we will
candidly confess it and adopt their views.—
But at present, we are of the opinion that
the Sun holds Horace's " golden mean" in
its course upon the ocean of internal im-
provements ; and that when others apply the
compass of ability on the part of individu-
als to build roads, and the rudder of securi-
ty on the part of the State against pecula-
tors, they will be found steering in the same
direction with ourself. The inability and
inactivity of the people are the Scylla on
one side of the Ship of State, and the whole-
sale peculation of political favorites which
would resalt from the State's assuming the
entire construction of her roads, is the Cha
fjbdis on the other. Then, let the present
nUraad charters expire by limitation; let
the Constitution be so amended that the State
can take two-fifths—and two fifth , only, of
every railroad hereafter to be constructed
witbin heT borders; also let there be a clause
¡Nested in this amendment to the Constitu-
tion, that no part of the State's two-fifths
shall be drawn from the treasury, until the
remaining three-fifths shall have been taken
born fide by responsible parties. This will
bav.the.door of the treasury against swind-
ling companies ss well as against individu-
als, and at the same time afford the neces-
sary aid to our citizens.
We admire the seal and enthusiasm of
Mr. Sherwood, and would be glad to meet
him in convention at Huntsville, if our edi-
torial dnties would admit of so long an ab-
uce from Our columns, how-
ever, are open to die communication of Mr.
Sherwood or anyother gentleman who wishes
to discus this system.
The editor of the Hourtmt Telegraph
with a bad grace, we ssast confess, acknow-
ledges the Sun to be a newspaper " of the
first magnitude;" but, at the tame time,
however, attempts to ridicule ourself, be->
cause we have been to College, received a
letter from Senator Douglas, and exposed
the ignonsee of In—tor, the Hanger
In this week's Sun íaay be found an article
from the New Orleans Delta, denouncing the
Pierce a&ihire. This is all both, and is at-
tributable to the Delta's position on the
Cuban question. For what the Delta cen-
sures Pierce, and bursts forth in anathemas
against his administration, the wise and con-
servative men of the democratic party honor
him.
In what has Pierce failed? What trust
has he betrayed, or what acknowledged
principle of democracy has he failed to carry
out? Did not the whig party bow its
head in silence when he delivered his in-
augural in 1853, so wise and anti-sectional
were his views upon the foreign and
domestic relations of the country 1 In what
particular has he deviated from the course
marked out on that occasion 1 In nothing.
He rebuked the filibusteros in that in-
augural, and expressed his determination
to stand by the constitution and preserve
inviolate the treaty obligations of the
Union. He has done so, and nine-tenths
of the American people approve his position
and action relative to Cuba. The Delta
Junta does not of course. But what of that?
Will Gen. Pierce change the policy of his
administration because a one-idea paper,
such as the New Orleans Delta, chooses to
rant and fume and rage? The Delta has
entirely mistaken its man, in saying that
Gen. Pierce lacked nerve. The General
can afford to laugh to scorn the puny attacks
of the Delta, after resisting so successfully
the machinations and combinations of the
New York politicians. When he dismissed
Bronsoo from the N. T. custom-house he was
charged by Branson and Bronson's friends in
Congress, with being partial to free-so3ers-
They accused the President of treachery—
of sacrificing his political friends in the
House and yet when the scratch came, all
these very consistent hards of N. Y. except
two, voted Nay on the Nebraska bill. But
Pierce acted with firmness. He knew that
they were the traitors instead of himself, and
the subsequent action of these time-serving
politicians provea the wisdom of his course.
In our opinion, the Delta and its Junta
occupy just the position which they wish to
assign the President. Since the failure of
Lopez and bis followers, the JUUbutteros
have acted very cautiously, and taken
care not to infringe the laws of the United
States. They pretend to blame the Pre-
sident for not doing what they lack the
nerve to do themselves! Which would be
the more culpable: a violation of the laws of
nations by the President of our Republic, in
permitting our citizens to fit out an expedi-
tion to wrest Cuba from Spain, or for the
leaders of this expedition to disregard the
constitution and the sancity of the treaty
obligations, and to rush down upon the
island^ regardless of consequences 1 Henry
Clay said on one occasion,-I had rather te
right than to be President." It is a noble
sentiment, worthy of the genius and pa-
triotism of its author. But how different is
the language spoken by these expeditionists;
they .had rather be wrong with Cuba, than
right without her.
For our part, we say to the Cubans, put
your own shoulders to the wheel before you
call upon Hercules to assist you. Put the
ball of Revolution in motion; sacrifice a
little blood upon the altar of Liberty; show
to the world that you intend "to do or die,"
and then you may count upon the assistance
of young America, the Hercules of the
nineteenth century. Fight for yourselves,
and then all the cabinets in the world can-
not keep the youth of America from your
standard. Manifest the enthusiasm of the
young Frenchman, who,listening to Mirabeau
in one of his surpassing vindications of hu-
man rights, and seeing bim fall from the
stand, dying, as a physician proclaimed,
from the want of blood rushed to the spot and
bending over the expiring man vared his arm
for the lancet, and cried again and again,
" There, take it from me; oh! take it from
me. Let me die, so that Mirabeau and the
liberties of my country may not perish:
March upon the Moro castle with Patrick
Henry's motto—Give me liberty, or give me
death, inscribed upon your banner, and
though you may have the flower of your band
cut down by the hail of the despot's artillery,
yet your very loss w31 be your gain—a thou-
sand Americans will join your standard in
the place of every Cuban thus cut down.
But until you act—fight for yourselves—you
will fail to receive the sympathies, much less
any material aid from the American people
Houston^—A friend of ours suggests the
propriety of our advising the editor of the
Telegraph, tb advocate the removal of Hous-
ton to some point on the Harrisburg Railroac
as he thinks if this is not done, it will soon
be no-whar, and the Telegraph newspaper
in this event, will be near the same place.
New Coaches.—Brashear & Goode have
put on the Richmond and La Grange line,some
of the handsomest coaches we have seen in
the State. Their teams have always been
good, and the addition of these new coaches
reminds us of the manner in which they " do
things up" in the older States. Four four-
horse coaches are now running into Rich-
mond.
i
We do not know the age of this Old
Fogy, but, to judge from his articles, he
must really be in his dotage. At first, he
made an attack upon the La Graifge Con-
vention; we exposed the wantonness and
selfishness of this tirade—then he seised
upon the Harrisburg Company as a book
upon which to hang an argument in favor
of our inability to build railroads; we
knocked this prop from under him with a
telegraphic despatch that " the iron was
bought;" he then adopts the ad eaptandum
(we would not use this term if you did not
sometimes call yourself Judge) mode of
warfare, of appealing to the prejudices of
vulgar minds. We are unmoved by any
such unprofessional tricks; and if any of
your readers fail to appreciate this resort,
we pity their benighted condition. The
man who is educated himself, does not de-
spise or ridicule the attainments of others;
and for an ignorant man to do it, he has to
place himself in the position of the fox
longing for sour grapes. Have you, Mr.
Editor, any diplomas ? Have you any let-
ters from Judge Douglas? We presume
not. They are baubles to a man of genius,
who is also a judge as well as an editor!—
Of course, they are! We have two diplo-
mas (and we are not ashamed of them, we
assure yon,) in our sanctum, and we will
bet you half a dozen bundles of newspaper
that you cannot translate them correctly—
the President of any College in Texas, of
your own selection, being the judge of the
correctness of your translation. We will
also bet you a keg of ink that you cannot
give the answer to the following problem:
A and B put in $100 apiece, making $200,
with which they, buy 100 acres of land;
after the purchase, A, discovering that one
part of the tract is better than the other,
proposes to take the better part at eighteen
bits per acre, and let B take the remainder
at fourteen bits per acre. How must the
tract be divided so that each may get his
$100 worth of land—in other words, how
many acres will each get ? We hope that
editorial labors will not compel his honor
to decline accepting these bets. In conclu-
sion, we would state that when men attempt
to criticise others, they must show some
nicety in the use of their language, partic-
ularly in the use of that* which they em-
ploy in their criticism. Mr. Editor, you
use the words " visable " and " Cimerian "
in the same line, in yonr last article. This
shows that you are entirely minus the fa-
culty of appropriation—that you are such
a genius that you will neither consult Web-
ster, nor avail yourself of the correct spell-
ing of your College friend, for we happen-
ed to use one of the above words in the
very article to which you have attempted
to reply, and wrote it correctly. May it
please your honor isn't bad spelling a good
offset to bad taste? As you seem inclined
to rouge yourself under the banner of the
Ranger, we will place ourself under the
protecting segis of the Christian Advocate—
this paper speaks thus of the Sun in its
last issue: "This is now one of the most
tasteful and spirited papers in Texas."—
Well, if it took the Sun less than two
months to become one of the most tasteful
and spirited papers in Texas, how many lu-
nar revolutions must be made before it en-
tirely eclipses the Houston Telegraph ?—
Having a little leisure time, we have some
notion of opening school in Richmond for
the benefit of Lancaster and yourself, but
you must promise to be apter scholars than
you have given any evidence of, as yet.—
Benevolence being a prominent feature in
our character, we will consent to give yon
both instruction, if you cannot engage the
services of teachers upon better terms,
nearer home.
In bidding adieu to the Houston Tele-
graph and the Ranger, we apologize to our
readers for noticing such worthless squibs;
and the only reason we had for replying to
the lastflashy claptrap article of the Tele-
graph, was to show that paper that the edi-
tor of the Sun was not a modern Keats, to
be killed off by soi-disant scribblers.—
Hereafter we will notice nothing that may
be written by either of these editors, as they
will not have the fairness to publish the ar-
ticles upon which they comment. The Sun
was made to eclipse "Lone Stars' and" Tel-
egraphs" in brilliancy, and such luminaries
had as well " acknowledge the corn."
Harrisburg Rail Road.
Galveston
Help Ua.
The cheering news from J. S. Sullivan
of the purchase of- the iron to complete the
Railroad from Stafford's Point to this city,
which will place passengers and mails from
Galveston westward one day in Advance,
as well ee five to the wagon trade, the
same advantage in punt of time, and the
greater one in addition, of being on the
west side of the Brazos, and a better road—
this cheering news as we have heretofore
intimated, has given a fresh impulse to bus-
iness and hope foe the future. This road
will indue .time reach the Colorado, and ex-
tend up the Brazos to the rolling country,
where hauling is always practicable, be-
cause of better drainage in the wet season
than we have in thg flat coast region. In-
deed the prospect for the future is highly
encouraging to the whole country; but we
must remember, that it depends for its reali-
sation, upon our present exertions. We
must do our duty now, or the sceptre will
pass from the hands of Judah; but our duty
performed, and the rail-road paying good
dividends, the future will be beyond
hazard and take care of itsfelf.
As our Northern friends furnished the
iron, we must lay it down, and our present
object is to make the appeal for support, to
both ends of the route, coast and interior.
Galveston is to be Me general depot of all
the trade, newly opened or brought into a
new channel by this great enterprize, and
she must come forward in a liberal spirit to
its aid.
Let her reflect a moment, how she is suf-
fering from stagnation of trade, and will
probably continue to suffer till June, and
possibly the whole year, if the Brazos and
Trinity should fail to rise. There are old
settlers here, who remember two consecutive
years of low water, and this is liable to hap-
pen at least often enough to destroy all re-
liance upon our rivers. We hope then, to
see a full subscription among our Galveston
merchants and property holders, for the com-
pletion of our—their railroad, for they will
be equally benefitted with us, by the com-
pletion of the Harrisburg road. Their in-
terest is a double one, as a commercial bus-
iness community and as individuals. The
extension of this work is* vital to the Gal-
vestonians, because upon it depends the di-
rection of the whole Western trade. It is
now hovering on the wing, and will soon
take flight permanently for Lavaca, if Gal-
veston does not look to her interest, and
give her hand to the Colorado and Gauda-
loupe. Every citizen of Texas—East, West
and North, prefers, other advantages being
equal, to build up one real commercial town
npon our coast. The people of the Gauda-
loupe and San Antonio, have no private, in-
terest, and no sectional prejudice for Lavaca
Bay, but they want the certainty of reach-
ing Galveston, and of reaching it with facil-
ity and economy., Lavaca town-makers,
and owners oi rival sites, no one of which
unites all necessary advantages (as is shown
by the great number of Tweedle-dums and
Tweedle-dees upon that Bay,) will of course
blow and fret, but let Galveston do her duty
to the Harrisburg enterprise, and they will
wilt like Jonah's gourd.
Galveston has yet done nothing for this
railroad. Let her subscribe $20,000, pay-
able in monthly instalments from April till
September, and we will guarantee the
country's taking the balance to complete the
work; and then next October will see us
rolling upon her wharves, double the pre-
sent crops of the surrounding counties—the
increased production being stimulated by
t e facility of outlet—and bringing back
her merchandize in proportion. Galveston,
wake up, and take no more Rip Van Winkle
naps; for day is breaking, and then either
you or Lavaca must be the owner in fee
simple, and untransferable of the pithy veget-
able above mentioned, viz; Joanh's gourd.
We look to the completion of Lacy's road to
the North and East, to do the rest for those
regions and Galveston. These routes give
trunks to the whole state, and the branches
will come in time to the road, as naturally
as to the trees.
Bbidges.—It gives us much pleasure to
state that the contractors are progressing ra-
pidly with the bridges over the East and
West Bernard. All who have crossed these
streams know the necessity of having them
bridged. We have experienced their ne-
cessity, personally. We arrived at the
West Bernard last July about dark; found
it swimming, and the only alternative left
us, was to camp out with the musquitoes, or
swim our horse and buggy across this rapid
stream. We chose the latter, but would
have felt much more comfortable to have
crossed high and dry on a good bridge.—
These bridges will cost one thousand dol-
lars.
We hope every one who takes this week's
paper into his hands will read Mr. Jas. Sul-
livan's letter from New York. He has ac-
complished his mission, and the Harrisburg
company has acted in good faith towards
our citizens. Now " comes the tug of
war"—money war, at home. The Texas
subscribers to this work are earnestly re-
quested to make arrangements to pay up
their subscriptions. They now have no ex-
cuse. It rests with them to hasten the car's
arrival on the bank of the Brazos.
Our citizens can also now go on with build-
ing their ware-houses; they have the word
of their representative that the iron is pur-
chased. The " Houston Telegraph " in an
underhanded manner, insinuates that the
" Boston Company " has telegraphed this
news, in order to influence the LaGrau
Convention. The company did not send the
dispatch. Jas. Sullivan was its author; and
you were afraid to use his ñame in connec-
tion with what was published relative to
this despatch, for you knew full well that it
would be immediately nailed to the counter
as abase coin. Jas. S. Sullivan is not the
man to deceive an enemy, much lesa a friend,
He has passed through too many vicessi-
tudes in Richmond, with honor§nd integrity
untarnished, for spirit-rapping scribblers to
destroy our faith in bis written declarations.
Maeewd.—On the 8th inst, at 9 o'clock
P. M., at the residence of . Jesse C. Thomp-
son, Esq., by the Rev. Jas. D. McLeod,
M « Marie C. Thompson to the Rev. W.
G. Foote, all of Richmond.
We had the honor and pleasure of officia-
ting on this occasion as a waiter, and can
truly say that it has never been our good
fortune to spend a moce agreeable evening.
To say that the bride looked as lovely as
usual, is too tame an expression, for Mrs.
Foote—to borrow old Homer's imagery, last
Thursday evening, moved a Goddess and
looked a Queen. The bride-groom gave
unmistakable signs of his appreciation of
the prize he had drawn from life's lottery,
and his smiling, joyous countenance, which
doubtless expressed the soul's calm bliss,
seemed to say, I am
•' as rick in kaviar saeka jewel
As twenty seas, if afl their sand were pearl.
The water nectar, and the rocks pore gold."
La Grange Convention.
Dr. Duvall, our representative in this con-
vention, returned yesterday. We learn that
no expression of opinion was made by the
convention as to n route to the Gulf. The
survey of two routes, one by Houston and
the other by Richmond, was recommended.
We do not fear the result, being fully con-
vinced that the practical men who have this
matter in hand, cannot fad to perceive the
advantages of the Richmond route.
ty The editor of the Texas Ranger does
not cordially endorse the idea that the Rich-
mond Sun is the best paper in Texas, out of
Galveston and Austin. It is our opinion
that the Sun will at any rate do for Rich-
mond without making auy comparison. We
will say further that even some of the larg-
er towns in the State would make a profita-
ble exchange of their own for that paper.—
Columbia Democrat.
Thank you, neighbor. But hadn't you
better keep a sharp look out for the man up
the river, as he will certainly call you out
for making such insinuations.
^ The editor of the Bastrop Advertiser
has seen Maj. Scott He is like the thimble
rigger's little odd-fellow. "Here he is,
there he is, and now I'll bet five dollars you
can't tell where he is."—Democrat.
We will go your halves, neighbor, that
he's no where.
ÜT Putnam's Monthly is upon our table.
This work is published in New York by G.
P. Putnam & Co., for three dollars per an-
num, in advance. The March No. contains
about 120 pages, including some very inter-
in g article the one on Utah and that on the
Genius of Charles Dickens we intend to
read during the coming week.
Sketches of the Press.—Our readers
are promised a rich treat in these sketches
by W., who until very recently, was one of
tbe editors of the Galveston News. W.,
promises a continuation of them in the col-
umns of the Sun. Read the No. that ap-
pears in this week's paper.
Gen. Mirabeau Lamar, a citizen of
Richmond, returned home last week, look-
ing in fine health and spirits. We hope to
receive frequent contributions from the
graceful pen of this distinguished and high-
ly esteemed gentleman.
|y We are sorry to hear of the death of
Mr. Brown, of the firm of Brown & Griffin,
Austin.
A File of the Recobdeb Wanted—If
any of our subscribers have in their posses-
sion a file of the Richmond Recorder for
Vol. II, we would feel under obligation for
a loan of said file for one week, as ours has
been stolen by a contemptible puppy whose
name shall never disgrace our editorial col-
umns. If any one has preserved the num-
bers of Vol. II, he will please inform us of
it immediately.
BT The number of subscribers to the
Mercury, is now greater than it has ever
been, and is gradually increasing. Our ad-
vertising patronage is also larger than ever
before. There are some old fogies in this
town, of whom we entertain great hopes.—
We expect them to advertise soon. If they
do not, we shall surrender them to the ten-
der mercies of the Know Nothings. Come
gentlemen, save yourselves from this dire
infliction.—Texan Mercury.
And the Mercury ought to have a large
number of subscribers. It is a good sized
sheet, well edited, and published in one of
the prettiest towns in Texas. We have
never seen a lovlier country than that in the
neighborhood of Seguin. The 6oil is rich
and productive, the planters independent,
intelligent and refined, and the healthful-
ness of the climate not surpassed by that of
any other section of the State. Seguin is a
perfect paradise of a place.
New Yobk, 21st Feb. 1855.
Editor Sun :
Dear Sir—Sevastopol is not taken, but
the iron is purchased. To the people of
Fort Bend, I flatter myself the latter is an
event of much more interest than the for-
mer would be if attained.
Yes, the contract in all its details, is con-
cluded for the iron to complete the road to
Richmond, and arrangements will be made
forthwith to ship it out.
So soon as this is done, my foreign mis-
sion will have ended, and I shall return to
the land of sunshine. But before doing so,
I have a word or two to say to the good
people of our county and vicinity. It is
this. I was sent on here to represent you
and your interests to the Directory of our
Road. This I feel that I have done, to say
the least, with zeal, to get the iron, it be-
came uecjsáary for them at Boston to know
what could be depended on from you. I
have spoken for you—I have spoken in
strong and emphatic terms because I believe
I know the people I represented—and
said as I believe to be true, that every man
would do his duty. All I ask in return is
that by your actions you will prove that I
have not over estimated you. Be only true,
to your own interests, and you will sustain
me, with the people of Boston in all the
flattering things I have said of you. The
Iron is now purchased, and by meeting your
subscriptions you will have the first Rail-
road in Texas, and you will also have stock
that will very soon become better than an
an average of Railroad stocks in the Uni-
ted States. You will have the cheapest
Road ever built, and one that will pay from
the first year it runs.
The condition of the company is most
wholesome, as is indicated by their having
purchased iron when a large majority of
companies find themselves unable to do so
in the present most disastrous times.
The matter is now in your own hands—
meet your promises, do your part and you
will soon hear the shrill whistle of the loco-
motive on the east bank of the Brazos river.
I have said you will do so, and I believe
you will not prove me false. Your's
- J. S. Sullivan.
Cg* The iron to complete the Harrisburg
Railroad to Richmond has been purchased,
and is being shipped, so that it will not be
long before there will be regular steam com-
munication between Galveston and Rich-
mond.—Advocate.
General Scott.—The House of Bepre
sentatives, on Monday, passed by a majority
of sixty-one votes, the Joint Resolution of
the Senate, authorizing the President to
confer the title of Lieut. General upon Ma-
jor General Winfield Scott for diatmguisb-
| ed military services.
> I II I "
fir The Tkmus Sun. I
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
of iv
Newspaper Prena In Tana.
no 4.
The first three numbers of this series of
sketches were published in the Galveston
News, as editorial matter, and the continu-
ance of the series in the Sun may need
some explanation. At the time these sketch-
es were commenced, the author of them was
connected, with the editorial department of
the News; but, soon after the publication of
the third number, circumstances, of a most
unpleasant character, transpired, which re-
sulted in the author severing his connection
with that journal. It is neither necessary
nor proper that those circumstances should be
related here; but it may become both proper
and accessary that they should be made pub-
lic ; and, in that event, they shall—with the
long concatenation of causes, which had both
a remote and immediate tendency to pro-
duce them—be faithfully and fearlessly giv-
en to the world. As these few remarks are
deemed all that is necessary, by way of ex-
plaining why these sketches are continued
in the Sun, instead of the News, we will now
turn our attention to the subject matter of
the article which we sat down to write.
The third number of our series closed
with a brief account of the Texas Emigrant,
a newspaper published some years ago, in
the town of Washington ; and, as there were
three other journals subsequently issued at
that place—prior to the incorporation of
Texas into the Federal Union—we will
speak in reference to them, before alluding
to those published at other points, during
the existence of our late Republic.
The next paper at Washington, after the
discontinuance of the Emigrant, was a some-
what diminutive sheet yclept " The Taran-
tula." It was so called because its editor,
as he announced in the first number, sup-
posed that, whenever and wherever he might
be aggravated to bring his caustic and scath-
ing quill to bear upon any obstreperous, or
unworthy, " man or set of men," death to the
offending party, or parties, would necessa-
rily be as inevitable and speedy, as that
which was, in those days, fabulously repre-
sented to follow the sting, or bite of a pois-
onous animal, of the spider species, known
in this country by that name.
This paper was edited and published
about the year 1841, by a Mr. Buffington,
who has since been, and we believe, is now
a worthy and mnch respected citizen of the
flourishing town of Anderson, Grimes coun-
ty. The Tarantula was of very brief exis-
tence.
The next paper at Washington, was start-
ed in the latter part of 1842. It was called
the Nvtional Vindicator, and was edited
and published by the late Judge Johnson,
of Brenham.
This journal was under the immediate
patronage of His Excellency, President
Houston, who, because of his having remov-
ed the Government from its legitimate seat
at Austin, had incurred the displeasure of
almost the entire population of Northern
and Western Texas, and drawn upon him-
self many spirited and acrimonious rebukes
and denunciations, not only from most of
the journals in the Republic, but frota
a majority of the talented and patriotic mem-
>era of our Congress. The Vindicator was
started for the purpose of defending the
Administration against the assaults of its
enemies', and vindicating the "good name"
and " righteous acts," of its munificent pa-
tron, who was then being most " sorely be-
set," on every side, both publicly and pri-
vately.
Judge Johnson was an accomplished schol-
ar, and a ready and vigorous writer j but
his articles were more characterized by bold-
ness of assault, keenness of retort, and mark-
ed bitterness of expression, than by any
cogency of reasoning, or tact in controversy.
There should however, much allowance be
made for the apparent vindietiveness tM
attached to many of the leading editorial
articles in the Vindicator; particularly,
when we consider with what indecency and
recklessness it was frequently assailed by
other journals.
In all the private and social relations of
life, we have seen few mén whose characters
were marked by more real excellencies, than
was that of Jndge Johnson ; and we hazard
nothing in saying, that the death of no man
in Texas could have caused a darker and
more abiding shadow of gloom to overhang
the circle of his acquaintance, than did that
of this esteemed citizen of Washington
county. The Vindicator was, we believe,
discontinued in the early part of 1844.
Jndge Johnson died in 1846. w.
Richmond, March 6th, 1855,
*SS
Times on Bantam.
Tbe London Times thus introduces a no-
tice of Barnum's book:
" Is there one among us, gentle or simpfef
rich or poor, young or old, that has not
heard ef the man who joined the head of a
monkey to the tail of a fish, advertised "a
mermaid," and showed it to the YankecsT
who discovered and bought up a d«
negreas of V
teeth, deepened lier wrinkles, shaved her
head, and palmed her of apon the citizens
of the republic as the nurse of their patriot.
Father Washington, aged one hundred and
sixty-one years?—who encountered a dwarf
at Bridgeport, Charles Stratton by ns
--
m
five years old and two feet high, and bar-
rowed him from his parents, (worthy folks
to loan their offspring!) taught him to chat-
ter and lie almost in a breath, and when
thoroughly trained, presented hint to the
American people as Gen. Tom Thumb, the
extraordinary dwarf, eleven years of age,
inst arrived from England, brought him to
London and aet him before the Queen at
Buckingham Palace, persuaded Albert Smith
his particular friend, to write a piece called
Hop 'o my Thumb, with a view to the ex-
hibition of his short protege at theatres, and
otherwise bruited his new article to each
good purpose that the British public in town
and country was whipped into considerable
particular excitement f—who made a trip to
the midland countries in company with the
author of Hop 'o my Thumb, his particular
friend, under whose auspices was purchased
the happy family of two hundred beasta to
be added to that famous American Museum
of five hundred thousand objects, so honor-
obly purloined with tbe spirited co-operation
of Noah, Beach, Ropes & Co., from the un-
lucky incorporated company ?—who erected
Humbug Palace, (Iranistan,) in which he
dwells, legitimate lord and master; dis-
coursed like Oily Gammon, in honeyed
words of temperance; made sermons like
the priests of Molock, in the grove, and cap-
ped his exploits by putting salt upon the
quivering tail of the veritable Swedish
Nightingale, whom he lured to the States,
proclaimed as * saint,' as ' singer,' quite as
charitable as vocal, more modest and dis-
creet even than melodious, until perceiving
that he had at last met with his match, in
another sort of general than General Tom
Thumb, a general to out-general that gene-
ral's prime minister, he • broke with ' the
' Nightingale,' and retired to ' Iranistan,'
(' Humbug Palace;" there to restfor a time
on his bays, and suck ice water through a
quill instead of sherry cobbler and mint
julep ? Is there one among us* who has not
heard speak of the man who did all these
and many other things of more or loss ac-
count—the prosperous and pushing, tbe in-
genious, spirited, unabashed, and go-ahead
Yankee, Phineas Taylor Barnum ? If there
be such a one, let him declare himself, that
his indifference may receive a just rebuke,
and his ignorance be enlightened. * Not to
know' Barnum,• argues oneself unknowin'.
We all must know, and all admire him."
The Glory of England Departed.—
A London letter writer thinks that the time
has come for English harps to hang upon
tbe willows. John Bull is beginning to
waste away; his stomach has scarcely tone
enough for roast beef, and there is every
indication of a " deep decline," if not a gal-
loping consumption. We suppose the au-
thor of the following is prepared to furnish
the Czar or any other disinterested person
the proof necessary to establish the above
diagnostics:
England possesses no great men. In fact
there is not a man for the occasion in Par-
liament or in England. Many will smile at
the suggestion that the greatness of England
has passed, and that the time of her de-
cadence has come. But whenever has a
State seen its own decay till the hour for
remedy had gone? And in all history,
what has always so clearly indicated that
the vigor and life of a State has passed but
its bigoted attachment to forms and rales
and etiquette, 60 that these become fetters
upon its activity and independence ? Ab-
solute France has this day more real liberty
than constitutional England.
It is generally supposed that the Pres-
ident will so construe the Lieutenant-Gene-
ral bill as to make a new office, leaving va-
cant the office of Major-General, now held
by Gen. Scott. If the President takes this
course, the next Major-General by brevet
will be promoted to Gen. Scott's present
office. The office of Lieutenant-General
thus created, may be rendered permanent
by construction, though Congress had not
that purpose in view in passing the bill—
the object being to compliment Gen. Scott.
—Journal.
Gen. Scott.—By the bill conferring the
title of Lieut. General on Gen. Scott, which is
now a law, he will receive additional emol-
ument and back pay to the amount of fifty
thousand dollars.— Wilmington Commercial.
The steamer Dr. Smith passed here on
Sunday morning, going up the river. She
left Galveston nearly two weeks since, but
in coming through the Canal she ran aground
and did not get off untill Saturday last.—
Planter.
I5T A statement is going the rounds of
the papers that Morgan of Masonic Notori-
ety is found again, and that his name "
Mastapha.—Democrat.
Massachusetts Know Nothings.—A
2uarterly session of the Know Nothing State
!ouneil is in Session here. There is a large
attendance, and signs of rebellion are ex-
hibited. The order appeals to be split on
free-soilism in this State. — Wilmington
Commercial.
tyrhc late snow storm has deranged
the transmission of the mails all over tbe
country, particularly in the North and West.
On the Illinois Central Rail Road, last week,
a train was still frozen up near Decatur, and
the wretched passengers suffered not only
for lack of fuel, but for want of food, and
shocking to relate, were compelled by the
necessities of their condition to eat dogs to
keep from starving.
In various other quarters much suffering
has been experienced. The northen news-
papers are filled with accounts of the extent
of suffering caused by the storm, especially
to railroad passengers and stage drivers.
Bribery and Corruption in the Penn-
sylvania Legislature.—The Harrisburg
lapers say that a resolution was adopted in
)oth branches of the Legislature on Tues-
day week, to appoint a joint committee with
power to send for persons and papers, to in-
Iuire whether any corrupt or improper in-
uences have been used, or attempted to be
used, to affect the election for United States
Senator. Shis resolution was based upon
vague rumors that had been in circulation
there for a day or two, of candidates having
attempted to secure a nomination by means
of bribery. The introduction of the resolu-
tion caused an intense excitement.
Awful Steamboat Explosion.
On the 27th inst-, the steamer Pear, ply-
ing between Maryqyille and Sacramento,
was blown to pieces by an explosion of her
boiler. This happened a few hundred yards
below the confluenca of the American and
Sacramento rivers, and as the vessel was
nearing the levee at Sacramento City.—
There were 122 persons on board at the
time, icduding the crew. Of these nearly
60 are known either to have been killed by
the explosion, or drowned by being thrown
into the water. The circumstances are
briefly as follows: At eight o'clock on the
morning of the 37th, tv.~o steamers—the
Pearl, belonging to the combined compa-
nies, and the Enterprise, belonging to the
Citizen's Line—left Marysville for Sacra-
mento. As usual, there was a trial of speed
between the rival vessels. The Pearl which
was perhaps the fastest steamboat on the
Marysville route, went first. She had pass-
ed the confluence of the American and Sac-
ramento rivers, and was nearing the wharf
at Sacramento when ber boilers exploded.
At this time, most of the passengers had
gathered on the forepart of the vessel, right
over the boilers. When the explosion took
place, all these were either suddenly killed
or forced into the water. Most of those on
the after part of the vessel were saved.—
The whole bow of the boat was shattered
into innumerable pieces. ~ •
The Texas Sun.—This is now one of
the most tasteful and spirited papers in Tex-
as. We heartly hope the gallant editor may
have abundant success.—Christian Adw¡.
cate.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View two places within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Rawlings, R. H. The Texas Sun. (Richmond, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 9, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 10, 1855, newspaper, March 10, 1855; Richmond, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth180766/m1/2/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.