“Ladies should remember that in a new country they cannot get things made at any moment . . . Those who must have a feather-bed had better bring it . . . though the air swarms with live geese, a feather-bed could not be got for love or money. Mattresses . . . are made of the moss, which hangs on almost every tree. They cost nothing but the case and the trouble of preparing the moss.” —Mary Austin Holley, Texas: Observations, Historical, Geographical and Descriptive, 1833 What is Mary Austin Holley trying to explain to new immigrants about moving to Texas? Responses:

Question

A. People in Texas often lacked nice things that were taken for granted in the United States. People in Texas often lacked nice things that were taken for granted in the United States.
B. Women were discouraged from immigrating to Texas. Women were discouraged from immigrating to Texas.
C. Texas manufacturers had the resources to produce the same type of luxury items that were available in the United States. Texas manufacturers had the resources to produce the same type of luxury items that were available in the United States.
D. Most everyday items that people used in the United States were also used regularly in Texas.

Answer 1

A. People in Texas often lacked nice things that were taken for granted in the United States.

Mary Austin Holley is conveying that new immigrants to Texas should be aware that they may not have access to certain comforts and luxuries, such as feather-beds, which they might expect to find readily available in the United States. This highlights the challenges and constraints of living in a new and developing region like Texas.