Excerpt from Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, Made Under the Direction of the Secretary of the Interior, Vol. 1

The general features of the Mexican Gulf Coast, in connexion with the United States and Mexican boundary line, present a marked contrast with those observed on the opposite Pacific coast. Thus, instead of the high cliffs, abrupt headlands, and general bold and rugged outline exhibited on the Californian coast, the Texan shore-line, throughout its whole extent, presents a uniform, low dead level. Generally, indeed, the main coast is shut in from the open sea by ranges of sand islands formed by the waves of silted sea sand and comminuted shells. Inside of this line of islands shallow bays spread themselves into the indented coast, and here the nume rous rivers flowing from the interior meet the tide-water. The tide range is moreover small, and thus the alternating differences of level do not favor the formation of navigable estuaries by which the main land may be approached. These features, collectively, give to this coast an inaccessible character, and serve to render its navigation both difficult and dangerous.

Its rivers are unapproachable, except by vessels of very light draught; while the inlets to its shallow bays, obstructed by variable sand-bars, present obstacles to navigation, sufficiently proved by the numerous wrecks that strew their beach. Proceeding inland from the line of sandy beach, a gentle siope spreads out in a uniform gradually rising plane, composed of dark rich loam, and covered with luxuriant pasturage. The scenery is rarely relieved of its blank outline by a clump of live oak trees surrounding a sunken morass. Farther on, at a variable distance of 10 to 20 miles, the surface of the ground shows gentle swells, still maintaining its fertile character, and displaying here and there groves of post oak and other timber. The river bottoms adjoining are occupied with a heavy timber growth, principally of elm, (ulmus crassifolia, ) festooned with Spanish moss. The undergrowth comprises a complete maze of shrubbery, matted and tangled together by vines and creepers, and supporting a rank annual growth.

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