NOTES AND FRAGMENTS.

Mrs. Harris wishes to correct the following typographical errors in her “Reminiscences”: Quarterly, IV, p. 160, 1. 33, for “The young man camped at our house,” read “The young men,” etc; p. 161, 1. 9, for “General Houston to Gonzales with ten thousand,” read “with one thousand”; p. 167, 1. 23, for “The reports of the cannon were so distant,” read “were so distinct.”

Adele B. Looscan.  In the Quarterly, IV, p. 156, note 1, the date of Austin's speech at Brazoria is given through an inadvertence as September 12; it should be September 8.  Editor Quarterly.

L'ABEILLE AMERICAINE.

Philadelphia, 23 April, 1818.

Extracts from a letter dated Natchitoches, 16th of March, 1818.

Persons arriving from Galveztown bring the extraordinary news of the arrival there of a number of Frenchmen having with them a quantity of agricultural implements and munition of war. About three thousand more are expected there. They come partly from Philadelphia; all their property was marked Mobile. Generals L'Allemand and Rigaud are with them. They carefully avoid giving offence to the government. Their intentions are unknown, but it is believed that they wish to go beyond Big River, or perhaps to Tampico, to appropriate and occupy a country which may become the asylum of discontented Europeans, etc., etc.

New Orleans, 1st of April.

It is reported that the French exiles in the United States have formed for some time the plan of taking possession of the province of Texas, as well as neighboring countries known as internal provinces. A subscription has been raised among the richer persons to provide the first expenses. It is even said that they have acquainted the minister of Spain, at Washington, with their intention of colonizing the above province, in which they are willing to recognize the authority of old Spain, provided that they are allowed to live there quietly.

4th of June, 1818.

To the Editor: You are authorized to say that the French emigrants, who have formed an establishment on the Trinity river in the province of Texas, are assembled there to the number of about two hundred. That quiet reigns amongst them since the departure of all who were discontented with an enterprise demanding labor and perseverance; that the country they inhabit is admirably situated, that the land is very fertile; the neighboring Indians as well as the Spanish government are neither jealous nor troubled with respects to a colony which is purely agricultural, and wishes to present to the party which shall be victorious in the present struggle, a territory worth keeping and cultivated by men who have courageously quitted the sword for the plow. You may add, sir, that the independent Indian chiefs who inhabit the same country, have fraternized with the chief of the small French colony, and have made a point of proving their hospitality by providing their friends, the French, with the things most necessary for their subsistence.

L'ABEILLE AMERICAINE.

Philadelphia, 11 of June, 1818.

Extracts from letters from the French Colony of Trinity River in the Province of Texas.

We are established at the mouth of the Trinity River on the Orcoquinas bluff, which is twenty feet above the river even now when it is pretty high. On this plateau is a fine prairie, surrounded by woods with here and there a group of trees, communicating with what is known as Grand or Tolcositas Prairie, which is at least fifteen miles from the south to the north and which stretches toward the east as far as a bayou which communicates with Sabine Lake. The soil is of the best quality, easy to work. We have around us a wide stretch of land which promises the richest results to those who are willing to work. There is game in quantity. There are many wild cows, bulls and horses which can be easily caught. The waters are full of fish. Our colonists, who have returned from exploring on the east of the river, say that the country is still finer. It is traversed by fine streams which water splendid hills, on which, also, there are many animals, particularly wild goats. All of this country is fit for the production of sugar, cotton, indigo, etc.

We have already seen the chiefs of the Indian nations. We have smoked the calumet of peace, we have made reciprocal presents. They come each day to bring us provisions. We are abundantly provided with fresh meat, and we shall soon have enough both salt and smoked. Our colony is thus established in a vast and fertile country abounding in resources, situated at the mouth of a river that falls into a fine bay, where industries of all kinds should prosper more promptly than in any other country of the world. We have no intention of undertaking extravagant enterprises or of committing hostilities against anyone. We shall only use our weapons to repel aggressions, but we are thoroughly resolved to defend the country which we cultivate. Victims of circumstances, no power can deny to us the right to provide for our existence, and to assure it by our labor, our industry, our activity, and social order as well as natural law authorizes us to demand from an unoccupied country the products which we may need. We open an asylum to men in the same situation as ourselves. If success crowns our efforts, we shall have rendered an important service to our unfortunate fellow countrymen, as well as to others. If we do not succeed, we shall at least have had the courage to undertake it. We shall not have feared the fatigue and privations of the commencement. Our aim is praiseworthy, our intentions honorable and pure, and we may feel hope that in any case we shall obtain the approval and consent of the honest and faithful men who know us well.