536 CORPUS CHRISTI 
at Decrow’s Point. We breakfasted at a hotel, where 
we learned that the steamer Louisiana, from Indianola 
for New Orleans, would pass here to-morrow. 
Decrow’s Point forms the western termination of 
Matagorda Peninsula, a neck of land about sixty miles 
in length, and from one to two in width. Within this 
is Matagorda Bay, another shallow body of water, from 
six to ten miles wide. Paso Cavallo (Horse Pass) is 
the entrance to this bay from the Gulf of Mexico, and 
is always considered safe for vessels drawing from eight 
to nine feet of water. The principal and most accessi- 
ble port within Matagorda Bay is Indianola, where 
steamers drawing eight feet of water enter. Many 
rivers empty into the bay; the largest of which, the 
Colorado, rises in the Guadalupe Mountains, and has a 
course of about eight hundred miles before it reaches 
the Gulf. Among the other streams, are the La Vaca 
and Navidad rivers. Within this bay is La Vaca, which 
is reached by small vessels. A railway is now in the 
course of construction from Saluria to San Antonio, 
whieh will render this the most important port on the 
Gulf, it being accessible for large vessels, and affording » 
a safe harbor. An extensive commerce is now carried 
on between Indianola and New Orleans, with steamers 
of a large class; besides which, vessels run direct to 
New York and Boston. The number of passengers 
and the quantity of merchandise coming hither, are 
evidences of the thriving condition of this portion of 
the State. 
January 8th. The steamer Louisiana came to, this 
morning, off the Point, when I took passage in her for 
New Orleans. Major Emory, Dr. Webb, Mr. Radazi- 
