would afford material accommodations to most persons who reside at, or visit the city, it would, as most innovations do, destroy the business of at least one class of people who now charge a half a dollar ahead for conveying passengers ashore, and then ride part the distance in a small boat, and the remainder on board of the shoulders of the lusty ferryman; or as otherwise called a Gilly-Casflierch.

The exports from Galveston consist entirely in cotton, and for want of this, most vessels return in ballast. This article, however, will increase rapidly every year, as well, perhaps, as some others, for exportation; while large quantities of American and foreign manufactured goods will be wanted for the Texan trade. Even now, from twelve to fifteen small sails are often seen in Galveston as well as Matagorda Bay, and from the former, there are four or five Steam Boats that ply regularly to Houston, generally with full freights, and great numbers of passengers.

Emigrants can embark at any of the Atlantic cities; and a voyage by sea will be near as speedy, and much cheaper than by way of the Mississippi. A passage to any of the Texan ports foom New Orleans or Mobile, will cost $35; a sum nearly or quite equal to two thirds of the current price from New York by sea. The Steamers, however, that ply from New Orleans, are noble vessels, and visit Matagorda, Velasco, and Galveston; and a cabin passage from Pittsburgh, or any point above the falls of the Ohio, will range from 40 to $50 to New Orleans.

Galveston City, is located on Galveston Island in the Gulf of Mexico; the Island being an average of four miles in breadth, and thirty long, presenting a most desolate appearance, with scarcely a shrub, and but three solitary

trees to relieve the prospect. The soil is light and sandy, but produces melons, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes, in great quantities, and much of the grounds are now laid out in ten acre lots, expressly for gardening and supplying those who can afford it, with little manors whereon to rear the lofty mansion and surround their dwelling with such decorations as fancy and luxury may dictate.

The beach on the west is gradually winning from the waters leaving behind distinct traces of its progress and he who is fond of gazing on a waste of water may be gratified to his hearts content, and then enjoy the luxury of sea bathing, while surge after surge of the briny element is playing on the beach, and lifting him ashore, with other deposites, which add strength and size to the Island.

I love to tread the sandy shore,
And hear the mighty ocean roar,

When round by some tremendous storm,
Its billows roll in the grandest form.

But never shall I forget the awful sublimity of the scene I witnessed when tossed on the mountain waves for fifteen days in the Gulf of Mexico, most of which time no observation could be taken to ascertain our whereabouts; and the vessel laboring so much that few if any on board ever dreamed of treading the sandy shore again. We all however did; and now when I call to mind the tedious suspence and evident distress that prevaded the minds of all on board, and connected with the thoughtless levity that was displayed when apparent danger was over, I am lost in wonder at the selfishness that seems alike to contemn reflection anticipation, but which when danger is plainly seen, can so soon reduce man to the most pusillanimous of God's creatures.

A small fort garrisoned by less than 50 men occupies the extreme north east point of Galveston Island, and a

rendezvous for mariners, with some buildings for a Navy yard is located on the west end of Galveston City. No ship building, however, is yet done here, but forests of live oak are almost in sight of the place; and I do consider it one of the very best naval depots for any power who wishes to command the trade of the gulf of Mexico.

As late as the spring of 1838, the naval armament of Texas consisted of one old brig, which, when I saw her moored in Galveston Bay, most forcibly reminded me of a North river Lumber craft; but her navy has since in creased to the number of four new vessels, and may, in a very few years, become formidable, especially when acting in concert with a foreign power, a circumstance very likely to happen.

The old Brig Fulton is now used for a store ship, and is yet, I believe, under the command of Capt. Taylor, familiarly called Boots Taylor, a gentleman, who for a time, was at the head of naval affairs in Texas; but he has been supplanted by Leut. Moore of the United States Navy, a personege, no doubt, better qualified, although Capt. Taylor fought among the Mallies and wears a head and hair much resembling a lion's. He is certainly a gentleman of any thing but a prepossessing appearance, and contrasts strangely with naval officers in most countries; and in this respect does not materially differ from all the Subaltern officers which I saw on the station.

The remains of the fortifications are yet seen on the Island, which was many years ago occupied by Lafitte, the pirate of the gulf; this station being one of his strong holds and the Island of Barratare his head quarters, from whence many a valuable cargo was shipped to New Orleans and elsewhere, by this remarkable man, who af ter eluding for years the American and British cruisers,

had the address at last to conciliate Uncle Sam and mortify John Bull by declaring "no terms with tyrants," when nearly in John's power. For his depredations upon our commence, he received a full amnesty and oblivion from our government, on condition of his joining our army then at New Orleans under Gen. Jackson; and Lafitte and his crew, several hundred in number, being the best gunmen of the age, they doubtless contributed largely to obtain a victory that entwined the laurel around the brow of the old Hero. Galveston can boast of some very excellent and worthy citizens as well as some notoriously conspicuous men; among the last of which is Colonel Bowie, the brother, and as some say, the identical individual who invented those savage weapons of destruction, called Bowie-knives; and Capt. Allen, now Mayor of the City, and formerly in the Greek service with Lord Byron, and more recently in command of a craft which captured an American vessel in the Mexican trade. He is almost fit to personate Sir John Falstaff; at any rate, he laughs and grows fat, and take him all and all,

He is so various that he seems to be
Not one, but all mankind's epitome:
Quick in opinions-often in the wrong;

Is every thing by starts, but nothing long:

He's Mayor, Statesman, fiddler, and buffoon,

Then all for the ladies-dancing, gaming, drinking,

Besides a thousand freaks that die in thinking.

But the most conspicuous of them all, is the celebrated Gen. Baker of Tuscaloosa memory, who is now a leading member of the Texan Congress. I will not undertake to determine that public men are always to be taken as a fair sample of those from among whom they have been elevated to office, but as some publications, of a novel character to me, were circulated to promote this gentlemans's election, as well as others, I conclude they may in