Matagorda Bulletin. (Matagorda, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 27, Ed. 1, Wednesday, February 14, 1838 Page: 1 of 4
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MAT iOltlt' A BULLETIN.
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J. XV. J. NII.KS t
'TFEiZfi LIBERTY DWELLS THERE IS MY COUNTRY."
JAMBS 8. JOXES Proprietors.
i
MATAGORDA; WEDNESDAY JttoitHfltfd FEBRUARY 14; 183SJ:
VOL. Ii
WO. 7.
e
THE 4
jflatagorda Bulletin $
Will be Published every Wednesday Morning.
ERMS. t
Five Dollars pef Aiiniim in Advance.
AGENTS FOB MATAGOKDA BULLETIN
United States:
I Velf
Bffn C. K. DullnrJ
Jic rrl F'att Rut) I
'JV. Orleant J. Brcul Clark
Texas
Riiftis Green
Wm. WaJsnorlh
rim stout.
Hm'.cn-.K. Bris! am Esq.
XTasJU'nf tea Bailey Gay &
Holey.
Brazoria EJmund Aiuirens
Ttiana - J. S. Menifee
Matte .J. C. Hotklni
Cs'amiia-- Aldrldfe k. I'avls.
&i Ftllif-
-X Whitehead
Win. rettui.
TERMS OP ADVKHTISIKG.
ft.i..t..j.nf fin Hn and under first Insertion. SI 00- rob
aenuenl inertlon SO cents. Marriacc and Oiiituaf Notices cf
more than three linn eaeli. Cards of rassenjer and Announce
rnents of Candidates for Offire cliar-ed at orol rates. When no
order is given to Hie contrary inwrted until forbid. Vo Suhscrlp
lion or Advcrlii-emcnl discontinued until all arrearages ore paid
except at the option of the proprietor.
I. A GRANGE.
mo.i; the mvi) towns presented to the public In Ihe terri
. torv 01 'I exns. tl e one now proposed from the many ad-
antaees it jwsfcsef induces the belief that it n ill Ttry soon rival
-the mor nonulous cit in Ihe country. It is situated on the east
bank of the Colorado river at the crossing of the La Bahra road."
The surrounding country affords an iiiexhamtiMe supply of the
best material for buildings and Improvement pine cedar and
other valuable limber can be procured within a convenient ai
tanee : and an abundance of tl e I et quality of rock is to I e found
In the vicinity thereof. In the immediate neighborhood of tl e
town there are many rivulets of clear runnlnr water. On trliici
there are arc several situations for mills and otler macl Inerj that
will not fall to attract the attention of artists and mechanic.
The river to this point Is susceptible of navigation by steam-
boats barges or keel boats from the ran r. ithout difficulty or ol
A paitirular description of the locality of this town the quality
ofthe soil and. pun-atmosphere the high and romantic scenery b)
which it i surrourded ill numerous springs &c 4c nonld
enlarge this publication bejond Ihe usual size of advertisements
Emigrants and people residing upon Ihe coast or in the loner
eouitry. may resort to this place for the enjoyment of health.
tviUt confidence and certainty ; therefore we invite the public to
-tisit tluj situation and examine for themselves.
This tcite is near He centre of Texas'; it Is about half way
from theSatiae to the Bio Grande J 20 miles from Matagorda 6l
miles from Washington. 50 ndlea from Gonzales 40 miles froui
Mini and about 80 miles below the Colorado mountains
j. ii. MOonE
MaujorcU Sot. 6 1837. 18tT And Associates.
Tlie Town of
J7.1.7JLTO.V
IB p'easanlly situated on (lie left bank of Buffalo Bayou directly
opsone the town of Hairishur; and at what lias heretofore.
bcrn termed the head or Kaiigalion. It la only live miles troru
he City of Uoittoa the present seat of Government and possesses
hadvantagrsfnrMipcriorlo an otler point on tbe Bayou as acorn
untrcsal location; the idanters and farmers of the upper country
-onaecount ofthe superiority ofthe roads preferring to cany their
tpo duce ta I Us place for tramjionatioii and of rourw taking fieir
Supplies fiom hence provided they could be furnished ultli them.
Tlie arg-st steaainoita or atl-cr ise vessels crowing the bars be-
low this pornt.ina) arrive here and discrarge Iheit cargoes will out
Tlia least ImpeJimeiit from tlie narrowness of tlie stream or from
.any other obstacle wl.atever. An abundance of timber such as
'pine cypres cedar.oa. &c c-ioimedlately surrounds the place
suitable for building and K is eonteinplatrd by the proprietors (pro
ridef hey meet ultli sufScleirt encouragement) shortly to erect a
aawind grist nit'l: a'faricl. sard will also be cstahlishen n hicli will
'furnwh jratemhi for buildrngclxapcr IUn can be afforded any
vrlere else in the country. The rail road from Ihe Brazos to the
dly of Houston will ie extended to this place or ratlier to the
tonof Harrbburgopposite;jind for tlie coirvenlenee of tlKHewho
wish to arairthemselvesAf the marketer both place a draw-oridge
-connecting the two lawns will be constructed so soon as the aaw
-mill t. .pat in operation. But laying all this hig tmlk aside let
(hose who wish lo enjoy health nccurrrolnte wealth and live com-
4brlablytconie and examine for themselves and if they are not
pleased with the place and firmly ooirrincod tlial this is a situation
combining all these advantaC.and more not mentioned. -then
tay name is not XU M E RT W ILSOV
Accnt fur the Prapnitort.
Pruprietors-Waltcr C. 1iite Tkomas Uavis Stephen Biibard-
VDO IX. tftflOO. ja M
Town of
PMjJECXO S.
TpniS Town is situated uwn Half Moon roint" formed by the
junction of tlie Bays of Matagorda aad Tresialacios the
tatter sf which foraw a harbxir -ofzuperior excellence affording
a sufficient depth of water can'tijttMTj to the thore for the largest
Vessels which can enter the Matagorda Day to lay in security along-
aide of a wharf and diseltarge and receive cargoes at pleasuie.
Tbe extraordinary arivantageref tils iwint for a commercial city
are to well known not only In Texas but in tlie cities of tbe United
States that at is deemed unnecessary to 'enumerate theta.
The plare has hitherto been kept -out of tlie market. In order
that tbe title might be perfected before being offered for sale and
(his object having sow been happily accomplished purchasers can
vibtain unquestionable titles and the lots will be sold at auction on
tbe first Monday of March 1838 and Ihe succeeding -days on a
liberal credit tl.c purchasers giving bond with approved security
and a mortgage till final payment. The point Is tituated about 30
miles N. N. E. of the Para Cavallu. and the same distance W. S. W.
of tl.e town of Matagorda : it Is fn the form of a 'square ; is nearly
urround -d by the water of Ibe Bays and b sufficiently extensive
for a populous city.
The proprietors with a thorough knowledge of the whole m
coast unhesitatingly state It as their firm conviction liat tlirs place
will become tkt great cmmtrcUi tnpenun cf Texas.
28th Deer. 1837. JOU.V DUNCAN
B. B. RDYALL.
Note The Editor of the Telegraph at HuusVon will please pab-
ish tbe foregoing until the end of the month of February next.
Republic of Texas) npHE Estate of George
county of Matagohda. - Alexanderdcceased
WHEREAS Robert H. Williams has petitioned tbe
court or Probate in and for tho county of Matagorda
Republic of TexaSj for letters of curatbrthip on the
Vacant Succession of beorge Alexander; deceased
Intestate. Notice is hereby giren to all persons
whom it may consent to sbew cause if any they
hare within Ten days from the publication hereof
why tlie prayer of the Petitioner should not be
granted.
SINCLAIR D. GERVAIS
.January 17 1838 S4tf Judge of Probate.
AN ACT
To incorporate the Town of Matagorda
Sec. 1 . Be il enacted by the Senate and House cf
Representatives ofthe Republic of Texas in Con
eress assembled That the citizens of the town oil
Matapord.ii be and they are hereby declared a Doay
politic and corporate by the nnmo and title of "The
Corporation ofthe town of Matagordi" and by that
name may sue and be sued implead and be im-
pleaded and may hold arid dispose of real and per
sonal csialc in said town.'
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted: that all that tract
of land known as the old and new town of Mata.
gorda shall be the limits and boundaries of stid
town.
Sec. 3. Beit further enacted; Tlial an election
shall bo held in said (own on the first Monday in
January of every year for a nhyor a constable and
eight aldermen; the election shall be conducted by
the mayor and two alderman and tlie persons so
elected shall continue in office for one year or un
til their successors are qualified. The Mayor io
elected shall hs commissioned by Ihe chief justice
of the county of Matagorda; andshall have all the
powers of an ordinary justice of tho peace in all
matters and cases arising under the criminal laws
of the country and shall be authorized and empow
ered to enforce and carry into effect such bye-laws
and oidinances as the Corporation of said town shall
fmm time to time ordain; for the better regulation of
the polite (hereon
Sec 4. Be it further enacted That no person
shall be eligible lo any of said offices or to vote who
is not a citizen and a freeholder or householder in
said town.
Sec: 5. Be it further enacted Thai the mayor
shall be president of the board of aldermen that a
majority of the members of said board shall consti
tute a quorum for the transaction of busincs3nnd that
said board may enact such bye-laws for the govern
ment of said tottnj not inconsistent with the law of
the land as may be deemed piopcr and inflict such
fines not exceeding one hundred dollars as may be
considered necessary:
Sec. 0. Be it further enacted That the board of
alderman shall have entire control over the streets
of said town may order new s'trects to be laid out
and old ones discontinued at thcir'discretinn: pro
vided however that no new street be opened nor
old one discontinued except by unanimous consent
ofthe board; and the board in surh acts shall be go
verned by the law of the land relative to roads and
highways.
Sec 7. Be it further enacted That all free males
between tho ages of eighteen and forty-five years
and all male slaves over sixteen and under sixty
years of age shall be liable to work on the streets;
that such persons shall not be compelled to work
more than ten days in any one year and they shall
be exempt from other road duty. The board shall
impose such fines on defaulters as they may think
necessary in which they shall be governed generally
by the laws of the land.
Sec. 8. Be it further enacted That the board of
aldermen shall have power to levy a tax on all per
sons and property both real and personal in said
town: provided however that the tax on real pro
perty shall not in any one year exceed twelve per
cent ad valorem on such property and no taxshall
be levied on real estate unless by consent of two-
thirds ofthe aldermen present and it shall be levied
at the beginning of each year and be assessed and
collected by an officer to be appointed by the board
in the same manner as the state tax is collected: and
the board shall also have the power to levy a tax on
of alderman of Said town shall become vacant by
death resignation or removal from the town the
board shall have power to appoint a successor; and
should the office of mayor become vacant from cither
of the above mentioned causes ttr otherwise the
chief justice ofthe county of Matagorda be and ho
is bcrcfty authorized to issue forthwith a writ for a
new election to be held on a day mentioned in said
writ and if the election required to be held on the
first Monday of January of every year shall not be
held on that day it may be holdcn at any time by
giving five days notice and all elections formayorand
aldermen shall Commence at ten o'clock A. M. and
close at two P. M.
t Sec 13. Be it further enacted That the consta-
ble shall give bond and security as other constables
shall be Commissioned id the same menncr' shall
have the same power and be entitled to the same
fees as other constables.
Sec. 14. Be it further enacted That the board of
aldermen shall make such compensation to the may
or and allow him such fees as they may deem proper.
Sec. 15. Be it further enacted That all laws here
toforc passed relative to the town of Matagorda
shall be and the same arc hereby repealed; so far as
relates to the town of Matagorda: and this act shall
go into effect from and after its passage: protide'd1
However that the nnyor and aldermen elected un-
der the old charter which is hereby repealed be and
continue in office and exercise all the powers grant-
ed by this until the qualification of their successors
who may be elected at the first regular election un-
der this act.
JOSEPH ROWE
Speaker ofthe House of Representatives.
S. II. EVERITT
President pro tern ofthe Senate
Approved November 1G.1837-
SAM. HOUSTON.
.. CONGRESSIONAL.
Second Congress First Session.
REPUBLIC OF TKXA8 snnite Batate of An.
CODHTT of NaTAOOUBA. ' - drew Mitchell de-
eeaaed. The underBlgncd. bsrriisc been appointed
Cmratrlx of the abore mentioned estate Aatlce la
hereby siren o all persons having rtalme agalaat
aid estate to present an aeeoant X them within
the time prescribed by law from the elate hereof to
he nneUradaTned with a ctateaaent of the awn or
nni date and the title and monehem by which the
aaane are 'established sUso those persons indebted to
the said estate are reernested to make launedlate pay-
menjtothesaMCaratrlz. .
Vim lftam MAB.T M. MaTCHMA.
all taverns tippling houses and billiard tables in
said town.
Sec. 9. Be it further enacted That all the public
property in said town shall belong to said corpora
tion and tbe board of aldermen may dispose of it
in such manner as the best interest of said town
may require.
Sec. 10. Be it furtlier enacted That tho board of
aldermen shall have power to constitute and appoint
such officers with the regulation of their compensa
tion as may bp considered necessary and tbe officers
so appointed may be removed atthe pleasure of the
board and may be rcqUircd to give bond with secu-
rity to the mayor in such penalty as may be deemed
requisite and shall perform such duties as may be
enjoined upon them; and shall be liable for such
fines for neglect of duty as' may be imposed on them.
Sec 11. Beit further enacted) That all 6fTences
against the bye-laws be prosecuted before the mayor
in a summary manner and execution may issue re.
turnable forthwith and the constable shall execute
all writs directed tc him by the mayor.
Sec 12. Be it further enacted That if tho office j
SENATE.
Tuesday October 31 1S07
The senate met pursuant to adjournment. The
report of the committee on privileges and elections
declaring the senator from Red River (Mr. Ellis) lo
be constitutionally elected: Considerable debate
arose upon tlie report of the committee on privile1
ges and elections.' When Mr. Everitt moved the
whole matter be referred to a special committee;
upon wfiith some further argument arose; when the
motion of the senator to refer was taken. Mr. Hor-
ton called for the ayes and nays; which wcro
AYES Messrs. Everitt Burton Dunn and Whar-
ton 4
NAYS Alessrs. Augus'tin Horton Lester Rains
Robertson and Wilson 6.
Mr. Wilson then moved tho report of the commit
tee bti privileges and elections be adopted.' Mr.
Burton s'aid
Mr. President I am supposed by tho report of
yesterday' made by the committee on privileges and
elections (being one of that committee) to have
made up an opinion in favor of the honorable gen-
'.lcm'ans1 taking his seat; not so!
I am shewn conclusively that in point of jurisdic-
tion in law the gentleman represents a part of Ar
kansas. Gentlemen will quote the constitution and
argue that because it says that Red River county is
entitled to a senator therefore the honorable gentle
man is entitled lo' his scat.'
That clause giving to Red Rivera senator I con
ceive was made in conformity to that general princi-
ple of mutual obligation between the governing and
the governed. That is' that if tho county of Red
River claims the benefit of its" provisions they are
also to conform to its requisitions.'
Again if it be argued that the jurisdiction of Ar-
kansas is enforced. The fact is self evident that the
legislative acts ofthe member in question' is' a tonus
to the other counties of the republic'' and have no
bearing good bad or indifferent' on the civil rela
tions of the connty he represents and by declaring
the scat vacant do we give up any part of our claims
on the soil of Red River county? I answer' no! our
dcclartory act affixing our boundary line is conclu
sive on that subject nor will any Texiari think of any
other boundary than that prescribed in thai act.
But the question before us is in reference to the
exercised jurisdiction and not tho right of soil.
Tho territory in ques'tion is represented in" the legis-
lature of Arkansas pays taxes to her and her Inhabi-
tants are at any time liable to be ordered into mili-
tary service against this republic
These facts are incontrovertible and admits of no
dispute: and tbe facts are not the less forcible that
the circumstances arc enforced.
Again who are the judges of this election? are
ihey officers known to this republic? Could notanr
fraud be practised under such' an usage or custom?
What! will gchllcnicn Shield themselves under the
clause that prescribes that elections shall be held as
heretofore. Were riot those elections at all times
held in as formal a manner aa" the circumstances-
. '
would pcrmii? Here is not even the number of
votes given in the names of the votcrsror an offi-
cial signature: and the cxi use of foreign jurisdic-
tion which is urged is only a confirmation of my
opinion that the seat is by the exercise of that very
jurisdiction vacated.
Several other pcnatbrs here addressed the chair
for and against the motion of Mr. Wilson; when Mr;
Wharton called for the ayes and nays which were
. AYES Messrs. Augustin Horton' Lester; Rains;
Robcrtscfrt and Wilson 7.
NAYS -Messrs. EvcrittButtonDurfn and Whar--lon.
4.
So tho gentleman from Red River was declared to
be duly qualified for his seat in the senate. The bill
regulating justices courts was taken up and passed '
a final reading. On motion of Mr. Robertson the se-
nate adjourned until to-morrow morning 10 o'clock.'
Wednesday November 1 1637.
The Senate met pursuant to adjournment. Mr.'
Wharton from the committee on the judiciary to'
whom was referred the petition of sundry citizens of
the county of Brazoria praying an extra session of
the district court in that county reported an act for
lhat purpose.
Mr. Horton chairman of the committee on claims
and accounts to whom W23 referred the petition of
Samuel Williams reported the petition with all tho '
vouchers asking to be excused from a further action
and that all the documents be laid before the senate
Mr. Wharton here s'laicd that Captain II. L. Thomp-'
son had departed Ill's life early this morning and
through respect to that distinguished gentleman ha
would move that ibesenale adjourn until 3 o'clock'
P. M. Tho senatd'then adjourned until that hour;
3 d'ciocx p. m-.j
Tho senate Trie! pursuant to" adjournment." Mr;
Wharton here rose and ofTercd the following protest
to the vote taken yesterday on the election of sena-
tor from Red River for himself and in behalf of thosa
voting in the negative on yesterday.
The f undersigned scna tore from the counties of
Nacogdoches Jasper and Jefferson Brazoria Re-
figio Goliad and Sanpatricio in the excrciso of a
right guaranteed by the constitution of this republic'
do hereby most solemnly protest against the rots
which admits the honorable Richard Ellis as a sena-
tor from the counly of Red River. We solomnly.
protest: first on the grounds that the U. States of
the North exercise at this moment actual and exclu
sive jurisdiction civil and military over the county
which the honorable gentleman claims to represent;
It is then evident that the allegiance of that county
whether voluntary or compulsory is claimed by a fo-
reign government paid to a foreign government and
could be forced by a foreign government.
Indeed it is too evident to admit of argument that
in case' 6f war between the U. States of the North
and Texas the military force of tho county of Red
River could be and would be directed against tho
republic of Texas. Until then the anomaly or
in other words the impossibility of a "divided allcgi-
anccr is explained to us we solemnly protest against
the honorable gcntlcmans1 right to a scat in tbe se-
nate of this republic' Secondly wo solemnly pro-
test against said scat on the ground that the county
ol Red River has never been organized in accord-
ance with the requisitions of tho Taws of this repub-.
lie; that the election which resulted in the return of
the honorable gentlerflaii as senator was illegally
and improperly conducted' and lhat his certificate
is utterly informal. Indeed tho thrco names ap-"
pended to' tho honorable gentleman's certificate are
the names of individuals entirely unknown to tho
laws and constitution of this republic. Such indi-
viduals may or .may not bo in" existence for any Jiing'
wo know. But granting that they are in existence'
and granting further that they are citizens of this
republic ; yet they arc not the individuals author-
ised and appointed by law to hold elections and''
givo certificates of membership ; nor can wo recog-
niso any certificate which theym'ay issue until we
previously determine to set at defiance tho consti-
tution and laws of this republic. lUrBlj; we so
lemnly protest on the ground that wCare not fully
satisfied that the honorable senator is a citizen of'
this republic. Wo conceive it quite possible that
the running of the line from tho thirty-second dc'
grco of latitude on tho Sabine to the Red River'-
will show that a large portion ofthe county of Red
River and probably the honorable senators ow
residence; is in tho United States of the North.'
s"l
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Niles, J. W. J. Matagorda Bulletin. (Matagorda, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 27, Ed. 1, Wednesday, February 14, 1838, newspaper, February 14, 1838; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80341/m1/1/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.