Affairs in Texas.
A late number of the San Antonio Ledger says:‘ We were informed a day or two since by Col. Maclin, chief quartermaster of this department, that the Southern Confederacy is now subsisting on the Texas frontier five thousand four hundred men — at least two thousand more than the United States ever had in its service at one time; and he further informed us that the protection of the frontier never was so effective as now — a fact which is corroborated by the tenor of the information we have obtained from pretty extensive inquiries of the frontier settlers during the last few months.
’ The Austin Gazette, of the 27th ultimo, says:
‘ Governor Clarke has now about 1100 Texas troops in garrison, and on scouting duty in the Indian territories between Texas and Kansas. He has succeeded, through commissioners, in procuring the friendship of the civilized tribes inhabiting that country, and has effected treaties with most of the nations on the reserve North of Texas, by which they bind themselves to fight for us in the present war. He is now about organizing several regiments on the line of Red River, as a corps of reserve, in the event disaster should overtake us in Missouri, and to be used as a nucleus for rallying a large force to repel invasion, if necessary. He is, we are informed, about establishing a full understanding and a line of communication, with the Government of Arkansas and Missouri) and with Gen. McCulloch's headquarters.
He is using all the means within his power to procure arms and ammunition for the State. He is doing most of this on his own responsibility, but there can be no doubt that he will be fully sustained by the Legislature.
’ The Galveston News, of the 30th ult has the following:
‘ The foundry at Lavaca, for making cannon, is nearly ready. All the necessary machinery is up and at work.
Lieutenant Colonel John R. Baylor has arrived at Fort Bliss near El Paso, and taken command of the Texas troops there.
The cotton crop on the Lavaca river is reported by the Indianola Courier to be so far advanced as to be safe from the worm.
A gentleman just from Corpus Christi informs the Columbia Democrat that the best of salt can be had near there, from the lagoons, at ten cents a bushel.
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