The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1837-10-07

tween Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico" n a
Surface.--This county is remarkably level at the
south, gently undulaiing at the north. The streams
and the northern Of the bay are lined wthto
the remainder Of the county comprising nearly Tour
ffihs Of its surface is open prairie.
Soil and Productions.-rhe soil within ten miles OF
the ID rather poor, consisting OF thin layer OF
black mould resting uLon bed OF sand and shells.
AT the middle and northern parts, the layer OF black
mould is in many places thee or four feet thick, and
the substratum consists OF sand and shells alternating
with deep beds of reddish loan. The western portion
81 the county contains Of the finest land IN east
er Texas Corn. cotton potatoes and OATS are raised
in abundance The land on San Jacinto Bay has pro-
duced twenty eight hundred pounds OF seed cotton to
the acre sixty bushels Of corn and -four hundred bush
els of potatoes not uncommon crops 1.-TWO crops OF
Irish potatoes are frequently rase, affording eight
hundred bushels acre in one year.
lSireams-The principal streams are the Blazcs, San
Jacino Buffalo Bayou, Cedar creek and Clear creek
The San Jacinto is navgabe about forty miles, ITS
water is remarkably clear and wholesome. Buffalo
Bayou is navigable about thirty miles. Cedar creek
is navigable about twenty miles. These streams re
semble long serpentine lakes rather than rivers their
currents are scarcely perceptbe, and they are gener-
ally very deep capable in many places OF floating large
schooners. where they are only twenty feet vide
Forest Trees.-Pine predominates in the bordering
forests Of the San Jacno, Buffalo Bayou and their nu-
merous branches. There also great quantities OF
Magnolia, Cypress, Cedar. Black oak. White oak.
Red oak, and species Of oak called Spanish oak, 80
closely resembling the Live oak, that is often misa-
ken for it. Tho immense quantities Of valuable tim
Der contained in the forests of this county will even
ltually render them rich sources of wealth.
| Mn.erak.--A kind OF asphaltum is found on the
shores Of Galveston Island also pumice stone: these
are generally found in small masses, having probably
been thrown up by the waves No other minerals are
found upon the surface throughout the whole extent Of
the county. In the northern part, ten twelve feet
below the surface found many extensive lodges of
s. rotten limestone and numerous beds of clay
Houston, the capital of the republic, and country
seat beautifully situated the left bank of the Buff
fao Bayon, about twenty miles from its junction with
the San Jaciuto This city is increasing with rap
idity nnequalled by that Of any city in Texas; it con-
tans twelve stores, several taverns. large and COM
modious capitol and about twelve hundred inhabitants
harrisburg Situated six miles from Houston, was
formerly place Of considerable importance; 1t was
burnt by order of Santa Anna April 18th 1886. Since
the battle of San Jacinto it has been slowly rising from
its ruins.
Galveston situated on the end Of Galveston Is
land. is important only on account Of its situation and
future prospects though styled city, itconains only
two three houses and The frames Of four five others
just commenced. The harbour it is the best in
Texas, and rvaling in extent that many of the COM
mercial cities Of the world the products of many mil
lions of acres Of the most fertile land the globe and
Of many rich mines OF gold, silver and iron will neces
say be waited this port, rendering Galveston City
the commercial Emporium of Texas.
Galveston Island is about thirtysx miles long, and
on an average two miles wde,t is destitute of trees
with the exception Of three large Live oaks the
centre Of the Island, which as land marks be
ing apparently planted about mile apart The soil
Of large portion Of this Island is very good consisting
Of rich black mould generally foot thick, resting
opun bed Of Sand and shells. There several small
ponds Of sweet wholesome water scattered along the
coast. This place is continually famed during sum-
mer by refreshing sea breezes which render the air
cool and healthy, this account it has become the
summer resort Of inya1s from different portions of
the low country of Texas. immense beds Of excellent
oysters are found the western shores. and large
[tne COD OF the Guilty Grandi-
QUOT, Mullet and two other species Of excellent fish,
styled perch: and sea trout caught it's Shores
Innumerabe ocks Of wild geese, teal, brants &C. make
the prairies this Island and those Of the neighboring
| coast their winter abode.
This Island was formerly the principal retreat Of the
celebrated pirate Latte The ruins of his fortress are
situated about miles from the eastern extremity,
on the western shore they consist of few embank-
ments of sand and shells and several shallow bitches
arranged in quadrangular form.