Kerr's Friendship with Austin-Arrival at Brazoria. 337

the war broke out in 1811-12, and early enrolled themselves in the volunteer service, and acquitted themselves throughout the struggle with much credit. Thomas, the younger brother, was one of the youngest volunteers in the field. He and William were employed in several trying emergencies, and did well. They proved then and in after life to be made of good material; Thomas having, as a citizen, and in various responsible public stations, ever sustained an unimpeachable reputation, went to the grave in peace and honor in January, 1849, in Lawrence county, Missouri. Richard Kerr, than whom a purer man never lived, not only acquired a good name as a soldier and officer in that war, but served his fellow-citizens of Missouri, and afterwards of Illinois, in the legislature many years, and the United States government in several capacities with fidelity, and ever enjoyed a rare degree of popular esteem; indeed, he was almost idolized by his friends, and had no enemies. He died on a visit to Texas, December, 1852. William, the only survivor, still resides in Missouri.

Having thus digressed a moment, we will return to James Kerr, the pioneer. During the war of 1812, notwithstanding he was very young, he filled various military stations, and was in several engagements, in which he displayed that cool intrepidity that afterwards sustained him for so many years in the wilds of Texas. In the summer of 1813 he was second in command at Boone's defeat on the Illinois river, in which they were routed, and hotly pursued for 24 hours. He was awarded great praise for his bearing on that occasion.

During the same season he and two other men were ambushed and attacked by 17 Indians, at the mouth of Salt River, in Missouri, in which his horse was three times wounded under him, and finally killed. The party, through his cool daring and a well-contrived ruse, after a chase of six miles, escaped.

Senate, over his father-in-law, Major Caldwell, one of the most popular men in the state. While serving in the legislature he took strong ground in favor of encouraging, by all legitimate means, the Santa Fe trade, then in its infancy, and warmly and prophetically contended that it would become a great source of wealth to Missouri.

He had at an early day contracted an intimate friendship with the lamented Gen. Stephen F. Austin, who had long resided in that portion of Missouri, and was then planting his infant colony in Texas. Austin knew the man, and sought by every means to induce him to relinquish his seat in the Senate, and remove to Texas, and after mature reflection he resolved to do so.

He arrived at Brazoria in March, 1825, with his family and servants, when there were but few families in the colony. During the following summer his young and amiable wife and two of his three children sickened and died, thus stamping his entrance into the wilderness with the greatest calamity known to the common lot of man.

There was then no American settlement west of the Colorado river; but Green De Witt, of Missouri, had just contracted for a colony on the Guadalupe and La Vaca rivers, and solicited Major Kerr to become surveyor-general of it; and until his (De Witt's) final removaĺ with his family, to take charge of the colony. This he consented to do, and in September, 1825, he settled near where Gonzales now stands, on the Guadalupe; built suitable cabins for present use, and commenced a survey of the colony. He had with him, besides his servants, five or six young men, among whom was that remarkable man afterwards so distinguished as a spy, and known as Deaf Smith. Very soon another family settled near him—that of Francis Berry, who died in January, 1853, near Lockhart, Texas.

The country was then occupied by After the war he was chosen sheriff of the numerous wandering tribes of InSt. Charles county, then extending to dians, who have since become so faBoons-lick, and now comprehending mous in Texan history. Parties of these some ten large counties. In this capa- savages frequently visited the little city he served four years, and then re- settlement and generally appeared pamoved to St. Genevieve county (in cifically disposed; but they still showed 1819-20), where he had married. He a lurking opposition to having the country had not been long there till he was elected to the House of Representatives, and at the next election to the State

surveyed, a process they little understood, yet to their minds it foreboded no good. Kerr subsisted his party almost

exclusively upon wild game and coffee, governor, Gonzales, to lay out and name

as it was impossible to procure other supplies. A gentleman of Missouri, looking at the country, and having an introductory letter to him, found him intently drawing maps, without any food on hand excepting a venison ham.

the capital of the colony, embracing in the tract four leagues or six miles square of land. In honor of the governor, he named the place Gonzales.

No

He afterwards became surveyor of De Leon's colony, and surveyed most of In June, 1826, he was called to San its lands. When De Witt removed his Felipe on business with Austin; and settlers from the "Old Station" to Gonwhile absent, a portion of his household zales, Kerr was left alone, and for some started to a dance on the Colorado, some time remained without a neighbor near60 miles, to celebrate the 4th of July. er than 50 miles; but by prudence maWhile encamped and asleep on the naged to retain the friendship of the Insecond night of July, they were attack- dians in the immediate vicinity. ed by a body of Indians, one of the men man, without having experienced somebadly wounded, their horses taken, and thing of the kind, can form an adequate the party routed. Returning next day idea of the dangers and trials, the to Kerr's house, they found it deserted, fluctuations of fear and hope, through one man dead and scalped in the yard, which persons thus situated have to the house robbed and partially burned, pass. It would require a volume to reand other evidences of savage barbarity late the thousand and one interesting around. Passing on to Berry's house, they incidents and "hair-breadth 'scapes" found it deserted, and on the door, connected with this period of Major written with charcoal, a memoranda, that they were retreating to the Colorado, whither the defeated and weary men and women again started, and reached three days afterwards in a suffering condition.

This unexpected outbreak of the Indians, and the weakness of the colony, determined Kerr for the present to settle on the La Vaca, nearer the coast, and nearer succor, which he did in October, 1826, but continued the survey of De Witt's colony.

Soon afterwards, De Witt arrived with his family, and they built a little fort on the La Vaca, since known as the "Old Station." Here the germ of the colony remained and made corn in 1827. During the latter year, what was known as the Fredonian war, headed by Edwards, broke out at Nacogdoches, the avowed object of which was to establish an independent republic. The far-seeing Austin and his colonists, in their weak condition, looked upon the step as most suicidal, and bitterly opposed it. A commission of five discreet persons, headed by Major Kerr, were sent on to Nacogdoches to negotiate and remonstrate with the leaders there, and greatly to the satisfaction of their constituents, succeeded in their mission.

Though Kerr continued his connection with De Witt's colony for several years, he remained permanently on the La Vaca, then in the municipality of Matagorda. He was commissioned by the

Kerr's life. In 1829-30, however, a few families settled within fifteen miles, and ere long several others, till a nucleus was formed, around which a good population gradually gathered. Among those who first settled were the numerous family of the Sutherlands, Whites, and Menefees, from Alabama, embracing a high degree of respectability and intelligence, and who proved to be valuable auxiliaries.

In 1827 Major Kerr made a tour into Mexico, with the view of extending his knowledge of their laws and customs, and derived much benefit from it.

In 1832 a convention of delegates was called to frame a state constitution, to be sent on to the supreme government for approval, and Major Kerr was elected a member of that body; and again, in 1833, when a similar body was demanded for the same purpose, (the first having failed of success,) he was almost unanimously chosen as a delegate a second time. For bearing the constitution adopted by the latter body, Austin was imprisoned in the city of Mexico.

When the revolution broke out in 1835, Kerr was early on the frontier, and participated in the battle of Lipantitlan on the 4th of November. He was elected a member of the first consultation, but did not leave the army in time to take his seat; being, however, immediately chosen a member of the General Council of the Provisional Government, he at once entered upon the discharge

Kerr's Appointment in the Army, and Election to Congress. 339

of his duties, and did much that winter to aid the government and the troops in the field. While in the council, he was elected a member of the convention which declared Texas independent; but from the imminent danger of his family, on the approach of Santa Anna, he was compelled to postpone taking his seat; and before he could leave them in a safe position, the convention adjourned from necessity.

In the organization of the republic in March, 1836, he was appointed by President Burnet major in the army, and as a necessary precaution to enable him to devote his entire time to the public good, he sent his family to Missouri, where they remained some time. In the spring of 1837 he also visited his old home in that state, and received many flattering marks of respect from his former friends, and the people wherever he was known.

In 1838 he was elected to the Texan Congress, in which body he rendered invaluable service to the exposed frontier, in securing the passage of the first anti-dueling law, and the removal of the seat of government from Houston to Austin; a measure of cherished policy on the part of the western half of the republic. No man exerted more salutary influence in that body; nor was any one better qualified by long residence, patient investigation, and intimate acquaintance with the land laws and system of Mexico, to propose wise legislation in regard to the land titles of the country which he had adopted.

Soon after this, Major Kerr, long having devoted himself to the public interests, sought retirement, with the view of

settling up his long-neglected private affairs, and devoting himelf to the pursuits of agriculture and to the education of his children, (having married a second time in 1833.)

Still, much of his time was given to the public, rendered valuable as his information was in regard to the history of the country and the rights of property; and after our annexation to the mother country, he served as one of the United States marshals.

Like his distinguished relative, Philip Doddridge, Major Kerr possessed a remarkable memory that never failed him; a discriminating knowledge of men and things; a strong and well-balanced mind; and a nobleness of heart that ever made him a favorite with his friends-a hightoned and honorable gentleman, long to be remembered with grateful affection by those who knew him.

Though well advanced in life, and having for nearly fifty years lived through continued trials and hardships, incident to his residence in new and dangerous frontiers, he enjoyed good health and an unabated flow of good spirits, till the brief illness which closed his life.

He died suddenly, of pneumonia, at his old residence on the La Vaca, on the 23d of December, 1850, aged sixty years and three months. He chose to be interred on his own premises; and in presence of a large concourse of friends his remains were deposited in the spot selected by himself. A handsome marble tomb, with an appropriate inscription, marks the spot. Long will he be remembered as one of the noble pioneers of Western Texas.

ART. IV.-CHINA IN ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE.

ORIGIN GEOGRAPHY RIVERS PUBLIC WORKS WALL-CANAL-APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY-POPULATION-NATURAL HISTORY-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, TEA, RICE, ETC.

MINERALS-GOVERNMENT AND LAWS-REVENUES--EXPENDITURES-CURRENCY-PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY-RELIGION-LITERATURE-THE OPIUM TRADE AND BRITISH WAR, ETC., ETC.

THE extension of our territory to the Every day is it more indispensable that Pacific, the inland and inter-sea com- we become acquainted with the means munication we are proposing to open for and the resources, the wealth and the the accommodation of our remote settle- power, of nations around us, with whom ments, and for the promotion of India we are to have close commercial and trade, are introducing, as we have fre- social intercourse. In this view we have quently pointed out, a new era in the presented, in our pages, within the last history of the American confederation. few months, elaborate papers upon

VOL. XIV.

3

"Mexico," upon "Cuba," the "Sand- belot, the name was derived from Tsin, wich Islands," "Australia," "South or Chin, a celebrated family in Chinese America," " and "Russia." We proceed history, who held possession of a large to other countries of equal interest. portion of the western part of China; to It has been a question long agitated which portion the name China being by the learned, whether the country first given by travelers from the west, at now known as CHINA is identical with length became extended to the whole that of the ancient Seres, whose territory empire. According to Kloproth, the is called by Ptolemy and others Serica. name China is derived from the Malays, M. Malte Brun is opposed to the iden- who call the country Tchina. tity, and considers the ancient Serica the same country as that of the most western regions of Thibet, or perhaps Cashmere, Little Thibet, and Little Bucharia. Most of the highest modern authorities, such as Gibbon,* Murray, Du Halde, Kloproth,† M. Abel-Remusat, De Guignes, and other distinguished orientalists, decide for the identity. Dr. Anthon rests the question upon the testimony of Ptolemy, whose descriptions, made from accounts which he heard in India, are found by modern geographers to be remarkably accurate, particularly regarding the river Hoang Ho, which he describes under the name of Baúricos, (Bautisus.) Vossius is positive on the subject. He says: "Whoever doubts the identity of the Seres of the ancients and the modern Chinese, may as well doubt whether the sun which now shines be the same with that which formerly gave light."

The Chinese have a variety of names for themselves and country. One of the most ancient is Tien Hia, meaning "beneath the sky," and denoting the world. Another name nearly as ancient is Sz Hai; that is, "all within the four seas." The most common name given by the inhabitants to the country is Chung Kwoh, or Middle Kingdom, from the idea that China is the centre of the earth, the Chinese having as good a right to call their country the centre of the earth as the Greeks theirs. Hence Mr. Williams entitles his late invaluable work on China "The Middle Kingdom." The Malays, Hindoos, Persians, Arabians, and other Asiatic nations, apply to China the names Chin, Sin, Sínas, Tzinistae, and other similar names. thought, by eminent commentators, that the prophet Isaiah speaks of China as "the land of Sinim," in chap. xlix. 12.

It is

The Tsin dynasty established the cusIt is a singular circumstance that the tom of calling the country by the name empire of China, second to none in popu- of the reigning dynasty. The present is lation, and only second perhaps to that the Tsing dynasty, and hence the empire of Russia in extent, has ever borne a is now called Ta Tsing Kwoh; that is, name abroad utterly unknown to its in- Great Pure Kingdom. The terms Hanhabitants. The ancient name Seres for jin Han-tsz'-that is, men or sons of Han the inhabitants, and Serica for the coun--are now in common use by the people try, were derived from onp, the word to denote themselves; the Han dynasty, used by the Greeks to denote silkworm, which was in power from 202 B.C. to 220 China being known to them only as the A.D., being regarded by the Chinese as land of silk; but the inhabitants them- the most glorious of all their dynasties. selves know nothing of those names. In The name Celestial Empire, Tien Chan, like manner the names China and Chi- is also used by the Chinese; but the nese are only known out of China. The origin of the name China has given rise to much discussion. "The people themselves have no such name for their country, nor is there much evidence that they ever did apply the term to the whole country." According to D'Her

Gibbon's Rome, chap. xl.

+"Il n'y a plus de doute," says Kloproth, "que les Seres des Anciens ne soient les Chinois."--Hist. de l'Asie, p. 58.

"Sinenses hodiemos antiquorum Seres esse qui dubitat, is quoque dubitet licet idemne nunc atque olim sol luxerit."

◊ Williams's China, vol. i., p. 2. As we shall

term Celestials they have never ventured to adopt, that being, as Mr. Williams says, of entirely foreign origin.

EXTENT OF THE EMPIRE.-The most northern point of the empire is on the Russian frontier, in lat. 56°, 30' N., the boundary line running along the range

quote this work often, and rely upon it for a large amount of the information contained in this paper, we take occasion to say of it, that it is the latest and most complete work that has appeared on China. Mr. Williams resided many years in China, and is entitled to the highest credit for the valuable information he furnishes. His work is entitled "The Middle Kingdom." Wiley, New-York, 1851. Bibliothéque Orientale, tome 10, p. 8.

Principal Divisions of the Empire-—Rivers, Lakes, &c. 341

of the Yablonoi mountains; Cape Pa- drained by the great navigable rivers, tience, including the isle of Sagalien, is the Kiang or Blue River, and the Hoangthe most eastern point of the empire, in ho or Yellow River. From east to west lat. 48° 10' N. and long. 144 50' E. this vast plain country has an average The western bend of the Belur-tag width of 200 miles. South of the parallel mountains, in lat. 70° E., is the western of 30° is the hilly country. The hills do boundary. Cashgar is the largest town not attain a great elevation, and their of importance on the western frontier. sides are cultivated. Their tops are The southern boundary is extremely ir- covered with pines which have been regular. The most southern point of the planted. The region is well watered, Empire, including the Isle of Hainan, is and the greater portion of the surface is in lat. 18° 10' N. It has Siberia on the in a high state of cultivation. In the north; Independent Tartary on the west; mountainous portion of China only the India and the Birman Empire on the valleys, for the most part, are cultivated. south; and the Pacific on the east. The general figure of the Empire is a rectangle; the longest line in which that can be drawn, from south-west to north-east, is 3,350 miles long. The length from east to west is about 77 degrees of long., and the width about 40. The area of this vast region, as estimated by McCulloch, after a most careful examination of the best authorities, is fixed at 5,300,000 square miles; which, says Mr. Williams, is much nearer the truth than the usual sum of 3,010,400 square miles. The circuit of the whole empire is 12,550 miles, or about half the circumference of the globe. The entire line of seacoast is 3.350 miles. The area of the Chinese Empire comprises about onethird of that of the whole continent, and about one-tenth of the habitable globe. The Chinese Empire is nearly a third larger than the entire territory of the United States.

The Chinese themselves, who have an immense number of books on the geography of the empire, divide it into three principal divisions:

1. The Eighteen Provinces, or China Proper.

2. Manchuria, or all the north-eastern part of the empire, extending west to about the meridian of Peking.

3. Colonial Possessions, including Mongolia, Koko-nor, Thibet, and all other parts not mentioned above.

China Proper has an area of about 2,000,000 of square miles; or it is about the size of our states east of the Rocky Mountains.

About half of the whole surface of China Proper is very mountainous. The north-eastern portion is called the Great Plain, extending from the great wall north of Peking, 700 miles, to the 30th parallel of N. latitude. This vast plain is the richest portion of China, and is

RIVERS, LAKES, COASTS.-The Hoangho and the Yang-tse-kiang are among the largest rivers on the globe. The rivers of China, says Williams, are her glory, and no country can compare with her for natural facilities of inland navigation. The next two largest rivers are the Aneour and the Tarim. The Yang-tsekiang is the largest river of China. It is about 3,000 miles long. The Yellow River is about 2,200 miles long. The Yang-tse-kiang is navigable nearly 2,000 miles for boats, and for ships of the largest size, some 300 or 400 miles. The river is very deep. It is found to be over 120 feet deep 300 miles from the sea. Its banks are not inundated to any great extent by freshets. The tides are perceptible 400 miles. The tributaries are very numerous and advantageously distributed; so that the river drains a basin of 750,000 square miles.

The Yellow River drains a basin nearly as large; but it is a rapid, turbid, furious stream, only navigable by steamers, which the Chinese have not. The cities on its banks are constantly in danger of being submerged. The disas trous overflowings of the river are a perpetual source of expenditure to the government, and of peril and calamity to the people.

Without a further description of individual rivers in China, it is sufficient to say, that numerous large rivers flow through the country, each some hundreds of miles in length, draining vast regions of country, unsurpassed in fertility. Their banks are lined with populous cities and towns.

The lakes of China are comparatively few and small, the largest, the Tungting Hu, being only 220 miles in circumference.

The coasts of China are lined throughout with multitudes of islands and rocky