lower down," declared Engineer Hunt, "it will pass through an extensive Prairie Country, which in summer is almost destitute of water." Red River was navigable as far up as Fort Johnson, and the government of the United States was reported, at this time, to be erecting a fort nearly opposite Fort Johnson. "If," reported Hunt, "there could be a small force established at the crossing on the Trinity; another at the Toweash Village on the Brazos, the Road would soon be opened by the citizens of Fannin and Red River Counties, and by emigrants from the United States."

The survey of the coast and harbors of the Republic, provided for under a law approved January 26, 1839, had begun; and by October 1, 1841, the bar and pass of Sabine had been surveyed, the surveying of the bar and anchorage at Galveston was nearly complete, and the coast had been surveyed as far west as Paso Cavallo, with the depth of the water upon the bars recorded and "sailing directions for entering the Harbors" prepared.[97]