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Show 274 JOUHNAL OF A VOYA<.a: well timbered. Met a sergeant from Nacogdoches. ln the afternoon made 20 miles and cross d the river Natchez, Tunning N. W. & S. E. 20 yar~s wi~e; belly dec?, to horses at that titne, but sometimes Impassable. I wo miles on this side encamped on a hill in a little prairie- 111ulcs and loads arrived at twelve o'clock. The sandy soil and pine timber began again this afternoon, but good land ncar the river. Distance 40 miles. 2"J.~tb June, Wednesday.-The horses came up thi" 1110rning; lost six over night. We marched early .and in_ 15 miles came to the river Angeline, about the width ol the Natchez, running N. & S. Good land on its borden) -two miles further was a settlcn1cnt of Barr and Davenport's, where were three of our lost horses-one IT\ilc further found two n1orc of our horses where we .. halted for dinner. Marched at four o'clock, and at half past eight arrived at Nacogdoches-were politely received by the adjutant and inspector, and captain Herrara, Davenport, &c. This part of the country is well watered, but sandy; hilly soil-pine, scrub oak, &c. Distance 37 miles. 2.5tb June, Thunday.-S7ent in reading a gazette from the United States, &c. A large party at the adjutant and inspector's to dinner. 1st toast, " The ~r~sident of the United States." 2nd. '~ The King of Spam.' sd. " Governors Herrara and Cordero." 26tb June, Friday.-Made preparations to march the next day. Saw an old acquaintance, also Lorrimier's s~n· in-law from the district of cape Jerardeau. Dined WJth the commandant, and spent the evening at Davenport's. ~7tb June, Saturday.-Marched after dinner and came only 12 miles. Was escorted by lieutenant G~odiana and a military party. Mr. Davenport's brother-m· ]aw who was taking in some money also accompanied us. THROUGII TilE INTERIOR PROVINCES, &c. ~75 Don Francis Viana, adjutant and inspector of the Internal provinces, who command d at Nacogdoches, is an old and veteran officer, ·and was one of those who came to America at the same time with col0nel Cordero ; but possessing a mind of frankness, he unfortunately spoke his opinions too freely in some instances, which fmuing their way to court, prevented his prmnotion. But he is highly respected by his superiors, and looked up to as a model of military conduct by his inferiors. Ile unfortunately docs not possess flexibility sufficient to be useful in the present state of the Spanish kingdoms. lie is the officer who caused major Sparks and Mr. Freeman to return from their expedition on the Red river. 28tbJune, Sunday. Marched early and at nine o'clock crossed the little river called , fro1n whence we pushed on in order to arrive at the house of , a Frenchman, miles distant from the Sabine. We stopped at a house on the road, where the lieutenant in .. formed me an American by the name of Johnson lived, but was surprized to find he had crossed the line with his family, and a } rench family in his place. \ Vhen we b 'gan conversing with them they were much alarmed thinking we had come to examine them, and expressed great attachment to the Spanish government, but was smnewhat astonished to find I was an Atnerican officer, and on my companions stepping out, expressed thcmselve~ in strong terms of hatred to the Spanish nation. I excused th citl for their weakness, and gave them a caution. Fiue land, well watered and timbered, hickory, oak, S\tgar-tree, &c. Distance 40 miles. 29th June, A1onday.-Our baggage and horses came up about ten o' cluck, whc..:n we dispatched them on .... l\larchcd oursd ves at two o'clock, and arrived at the river , :1binf' hv fl··':-'. ] fcrc wt' saw the c;lllt0nmcnt Qf the Sp~- |
