In the following notes it is proposed to give the outline of a journey through Texas and New Mexico. They have no claim to scientific accuracy, for most of my papers, as well as those of my companions, especially some containing an estimate of each day's journey, and the bearings of the course followed, were, together with a collection of shells and minerals which I had made, taken possession of, with the baggage of my party, by the Mexican authorities in New Mexico. All that can be recorded is the general characteristics and condition of the country traversed, as indicating the peculiarities of some districts which may deserve examination when the pending contest between Texas and Mexico shall terminate, and a more pacific disposition among the Indian tribes of the north towards strangers than prevails at present shall permit it to be made.

I left Galveston for Houston March 12, 1841, in a steamer drawing about three and a half feet of water. The wind had been blowing hard, and "had blown the water out of the bay," so that we were unable to cross Red Fish Bar, on the N. of Galveston Bay. We grounded in about three and a quarter feet of water, and remained unable to move for upwards of twenty-four hours. On the morning of the 14th we passed Harrisburgh, situated at the side of Buffalo Bayou. This bayou is a harrow channel running into the bay, very winding in its course, and barely affording room for steamers to cross each other. The banks are several feet high, and were thickly covered with large magnolia trees. In many places we brushed against tall and pliant trees bending over from the banks, and sometimes fairly bore them down under the bows and bottom of our vessel. The channel is not free from obstacles, though it is easily practicable to remove them ; and we passed the wrecks of two steamers, which had been sunk by striking snags, or trees which had fallen into and were hidden by the water.

The city of Houston is at the highest and extreme point of Buffalo Bayou, which can be reached by boats of even the smallest size. It is situated on the edge of a prairie, and, with the exception of part of the main street, is at some elevation above the water of the Bayou. The houses are chiefly frame-built. Its population was estimated by the Board of Health as late as December, 1842, at between 2000 and 2500 persons, and probably barely exceeds the former number. Since 1838 its character has improved, and ferocity and ruffianism are boldly checked. The town was commenced in 1837, and has increased with remarkable rapidity. It is represented to be an unhealthy place, and during the first two years of the settlement certainly was so, though perhaps in a great measure in consequence of temporary causes.

In 1839 the yellow fever for the first, and as yet the only time made its appearance. This occasioned the enforcement of many sanitary regulations and an improved system of drainage, which appear to have produced beneficial effects. In 1842 only forty-one persons died there, of whom nine were minors and nine were non-residents, many of the rest, were persons of irregular habits. While I remained there many persons were suffering from fever and ague, but there were two causes why illness prevailed: -- The wind blew from the E. and N.E., coming over the swamps of Louisiana ; and among the trees, about half a mile off, are marshes, the proper drainage of which is neglected because they occasionally dry up.

The growth of the timber on the banks of the bayou does not extend far. The soil of the prairie is productive, but the natural vegetation is coarse. The trees were in leaf, and, I was told, that the season was as far advanced as at Richmond in Virginia in the month of May.

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Adapted from Thomas Falconer
"Notes on a Journey through Texas and New Mexico, in the Years 1841 and 1842"