of by the Indians as "dogs," and are generally
hung or shot whenever they are fallen in with. Centuries cannot repair
this serious evil, and the Texans have made bitter and implacable foes
of those who would have been their friends. No distinction is made
between an American and a Texan, and the Texans have raised up a foe to
the United States, which may hereafter prove not a little troublesome.

In another point, Texas has been seriously injured by this total want of
probity and principle. Had Western Texas been settled by people of
common honesty, it would, from its topographical situation, have soon
become a very important country, as all the mercantile transactions with
the north central provinces of Mexico would have been secured to it.

From the Presidio del Rio Grande there is an excellent road to San
Antonio de Bejar; to the south of San Antonio lies Chihuahua; so that
the nearest and most accessible route overland, from the United States
to the centre of Mexico, is through San Antonio. And this overland route
can be shortened by discharging vessels at Linville, or La Bacca, and
from thence taking the goods to San Antonio, a distance of about one
hundred and forty miles. The western boundary line of Texas, at the time
of the declaration of its independence, was understood to be the river
Nueces; and if so, nothing could have prevented San Antonio from
becoming an inland depot of much commercial importance.

Numerous parties of Mexican traders have long been accustomed to come to
San Antonio from the Rio Grande. They were generally very honest in
their payments, and showed a very friendly spirit. Had this trade been
protected, as it should have been, by putting down the bands of robbers,
who rendered the roads unsafe by their depredations and atrocities, it
would have become of more value than any trade to Santa Fe. Recognized
or unrecognized, Texas could have carried on the trade; merchants would
have settled in the West, to participate in it; emigrants would have
collected in the district, where the soil is rich and the climate
healthy. It is true, the trade would have been illicit; but such is ever
the inevitable consequence of a high and ill-regulated tariff. It would,
nevertheless, have been very profitable, and would have conciliated the
population of Rio Grande towards the Texans, and in all probability have
forced upon the Mexican government the establishment of friendly
relations between the two countri