Population and entire popula tion of Texas, including the Indians, does not ex ceed 12,000 souls; and a considerable portion of this number is included within the limits of Austin's co lony. The remaining part of the civilized popula tion is confined chiefly to the towns of Besar, Gonad, Nacogdoches, &c. In 1821, when the enterprising Austin commenced the settlement of the lands ac quired by him, Texas was with few exceptions an entire wilderness, from the Sabine to the San An tonio. Its white inhabitants were few in number, and consisted of Spaniards and their descendants, together with some emigrants from the United States. The whole country was filled with hostile Indians, who, having no fixed residence, roamed unrestrained over the plains, committing with per fect impunity all kinds of excesses. Nacogdoches had been destroyed and abandoned; it has since however recovered, and the town and surrounding country are now in a flourishing condition.
Austin's colony was founded in 1820, by Moses Austin, the. father of the present proprietor, under a grant obtained from the commandant-general of the eastern internal provinces. By the terms of this agreement, Mr. Austin was required to esta blish, within a specified time, 300 American fami lies in the newly acquired territory; but, although many families from the United States had previous ly fixed themselves in Texas, the actual settlement of the colony was not begun until the year 1823, when Col. S. F. Austin, in consequence of the de cease of his father, assumed the fulfilment of Mr. Austin's contract ; and, under the sanction of the political authorities of Mexico, commenced the lo cation of the emigrants. Such is, briefly, the his tory of this interesting community.
This colony, including the grant to Col. Austin, of 1827, embraces an area of 19,000 square miles; it is situated between the 28° and of north lati tude, and 18° and 21° of west longitude from Wash ington city, and is watered by the San Jacinto, Brazos, Colorado, La Baca, and some other streams of minor importance. San Felipe de Austin, the principal town, is built on the right bank of the Brazos, about 118 miles from its discharge into the Gulf of Mexico. The great road leading from New Orleans to Rio Grande, Monclova, Ike. passes through, and divides the town into two nearly equal parts. The town and surrounding settle ments, which are rapidly increasing in numbers, present a scene of active industry rarely met with in other parts of the province. Several good ele mentary schools have been established in the colony, and in those of San Felipe some of the higher branches of an English education are taught.
Brazoria, also a thriving town, is situated on the west bank of the Brazos, 24 miles above its mouth.
The town of Harrisburg, on the Buffalo bayou, a branch of the San Jacinto, promises to become a place of some consequence, and will no doubt figure in the future history of the province. Both Brazo ria and Harrisburg are accessible from the Gulf of Mexico, by vessels of considerable burthen.
The colony has now a population of about 4000, consisting almost exclusively of Americans ;—one steam saw-mill, and a considerable number of cot ton gins. Its produce is sugar, cotton, wheat, rye, Indian corn, 8cc., with an abundance of timber of various kinds. The produce of the last season consisted of 1000 bales of cotton, 150,000 bushels of corn, and 140 hogsheads of sugar. The cotton raised in the colony is mostly shipped to New Or leans for a market, and the surplus corn and other produce are sent to Matamores, Tampico, and Vera Cruz. The greater part of the inhabitants are agriculturalists. Grazing receives a clue share of attention, as it affords a handsome profit with very little labour, and no other expense than is attended by occasional herding. The local government of the colony is administered by officers elected by the settlers; these officers consist of an alcalde, who has civil and judicial jurisdiction, two regidores (al dermen), and one syndic, forming a municipal body, styled ayuntamiento, of which the alcalde is president. The alcalcle and one of the aldermen are elected annually, and cannot be re-elected until two years after their retirement from office.
De \Vitt's colony lies immediately west of, and adjoining, that of Colonel Austin, the La Baca be ing the line of separation between those two colo nies. It embraces an area of 3500 square miles, and is watered by the Guadalupe, which, with some of its numerous branches, serve to irrigate its soil. No settlements of importance have yet been made in this colony.
Ectar's )rant, so called. Much has been said in the public prints respecting a grant alleged to have been made by the Mexican government, corn prising an area of nearly 63,000 square miles (40,000,000 acres). Where this immense tract is, or where it can be located, it is difficult to conceive, unless all the previous grants, which are numerous, shall be abrogated: should such a grant have been made in addition to those already located, there will remain but a small portion of Texas for future purchasers. Although it is well known that the Mexican government pursues a liberal policy to wards actual settlers, in granting them lands on the most favourable terms, it can scarcely be credited, that a cession nearly co-extensive with the unap propriated parts of the province should have been sanctioned by that government, by which no title has recently been given, except to the class of pur chasers just mentioned. Land can be obtained by emigrants with great facility from the empresario, (founder of the colony,) and from the commission ers of the government, under the colonization law, which authorizes the grant to families, who are ac tual settlers, of one Mexican league, equal to 4446 acres. Unmarried men can obtain the fourth part of that quantity, the expenses of which will not amount to four cents the acre.