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August 7. 1843 Having explored the coast & part of Eastern Texas I started for the West. Leaving Galveston and being ferried over to Virginia point, it is only low prairie to Houston. A new road is now forming by Richmond on The Brazos river to the western country which is nearer than that by Houston. In the prairie to Houston large horse flies and mosquitos were in abundance which must be very troublesome to the stock. There are a few farms on Dickinsons, Clear, Sim's & Brays Creeks. “Austina” and “San Leon” are marked on the map as towns; they do not exist as yet. 8th - At Houston. When this place was the seat of government & Congress held here it was a gay and bustling place (struck through. Now the Capital has been turned into an Hotel, but Where a good piece of roast beef may be obtained for dinner. Some of the trade of