138    UNITED STATES GAZETTEER.

that period, the population has been found, at every decennial census, to have increased prodi-
giously. It has now reached an aggregate of 1,002,625 of which nearly a fourth part
are slaves.

Climate. —Tennessee is favored with a very mild and generally salubrious climate. In the
eastern part, it is particularly so; and is not surpassed, in all the desirable attributes of a
genial temperature, by any other region of North America. It is, of course, varied, in some
measure, throughout the state. But, from its geographical position, it may be pronounced
healthy in every section, and almost entirely exempt from those destructive epidemics by
which some of the neighboring states are frequently afflicted.

Religion. — Methodists and Baptists constitute the larger portion of the religious denomina-
tions within this state. There are likewise large bodies of Presbyterians and Episcopalians,
together with several congregations of Lutherans, Romanists, Friends, &c.

I

i

\

l;

TEXAS was formerly one of the Mexican possessions, though a distant province; being,
as was generally admitted, one of the many conquests of Fernando Cortes, in the sixteenth
century. At the period of its subjugation, it was inhabited by savages of the worst descrip-
tion. Prior to the year 1690, a French colony    occupied a small district; but they were sub-
sequently driven out by the Spaniards, under    whose jurisdiction the country remained, with

few or no intervals of agitation, sunk in the obscurity and lethargy of despotism, until the
abdication of Charles VI. of Spain, in 1808. At this time, the people of Mexico began to
assert their claim to the privilege of self-government; and in 1810, an open rebellion against
the European authorities ensued. In 1813, a national Congress issued a declaration of inde-
pendence ; but a civil war raged for several years among various parties, upon the question as
to what form of government should be established. At one time, the imperial party pre-
vailed, and Mexico became an empire. This continued but for a brief period : a new system,
organized like that of the United States, was adopted, and Mexico became a federal republic,
Texas constituting an integral member. A series of revolutions succeeded, during which
Texas separated itself from the confederation, achieved its independence by the battle of San
Jacinto, in 1836, and erected itself into a distinct republic. A constitution was formed in the
same year, and the first elections under the same were held forthwith. In 1845, after a pro-
f    longed controversy, Texas was annexed to the    United States, and admitted into union there-

|    with, by a joint resolution of both houses of Congress, ratified by the Texan people.