Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-11-17

that 10 case he had reached Fsola's DIVISION, the
general result might have been different
Ii was now dark, and pushing our boat INTO
small cove we made for house ON tho lett, usu-
aIIy called Vinces farm. We found the occupant,
who was an old bachelor, with nothing to eat-a'
least so far as we could discover. lie had plenty
of whiskey, of which he had drank SO freely, thai
his insoIence was nsufferable. and we soon LETT
him. The fate Of this man is the fate OF many
hundreds in Texas. He gave himself up to beast
ly intoxication; and during the summer, was found
dead upon the plain, the city OF Houston,
with his empty bottle by his side. HIS body was
nearly covered with dirt; and few days after his
intefment, as stroed with friend among the
pines, we found his grave, with his bottle stand
ing upon the centre: an appropriate ana eoqueii'
epitaph.
As proposed to give the reader a knowledge
Of all the towns on the way to Houston. 1t would
not do pass unnoticed the CITY OF Buffalo, sIi-
rated upon Vinces farm, near where we touched
with our boat. There is disposition here. as III
all other countries convert things into ridicuie
and the sonorous title of Buffalo, has been sup
planted by the less elegant name Of Pokersviiie,
an epthet that originated from the proprietors su-
perior skill in the game of Poker, and winch mas
fixed upon him the cognomen OF Pokersmth But,
notwi,hs anding all this, Pokersvie IS gong a.
head, and is about as far advanced as most places
IN Texas By this | mean that it has been laid
out into blocks and squares-P!aces designated
for churches, museums, theatres, and bazars-and
its superior advantages over all other places, DIS
cussed and main tanned by its founders.
After four miles hard rowing, we came to the
residence of a very worthy Squire. whose KIND
Iady ia known along the bayou the good Sam
artan who has always some consolation tor the
unfortunate and afflicted We found the squire
in a more destitute situation than IS usual, ior u
seems he had been entirely eaten out by repeated
taxes latterlY upon his hospitality. In the open
air by the sede of large log, we prepared the
~
man sought place of rest for himself either be-
fore the fire, behind some log, or anywhere else
where it possible or convenient to sleep for
myself, took advantage of the offer OF n coal
burner, to take lodgings at his quarters. a
bout quarter of a mile distant where, huddied
with some five six black faces, in a small hut
formed of poles ard bark. passed the remainder
Of the night. During the evening learned from
the squire, who always speaks OF IT with peculiar
satisfaction, that the little army of Texas crossed
the BAYOU a short distance below his house, on the
lockout for the enemy, who, few days before,
marched down upon the opposite side. after having
laid Harrisburg in ruins. Whenever the subject
is introduced land have heard him speak OF 1t
twenty times since this evening" he never tails 10
mention that the floor of his house was converted
into n bridge for this patriotic purpose.
At early light we were on our way 10 f1aFris-
burgh four miles above, where we arrived at a
hour for breakfast. The town,-con-
sisting Of four or five log houses, two OF which
are used for stores, and another place Of pub +
lie accommoda tion,-stands on the left side OF the /
BAYOU as YOU ascend, upon an inclined PLAIN which
runs back a half mile from the river. Harrisburg
was entirely destroyed by the Mexicans, which.
IT one time, if may be permitted to Judge from
The appearance of the ruins, among which are the
remains of steam saw mill, contained between
me and two hundred inhabitants. This place Is
considered bv many, as tho head of navigation Of
Buffalo bayou, which, from its mouth to this point
las sufficient breadth and depth OF water to carry
steamboats, Of the largest size. The stream at
his point divides into two channels. The right
,and branch upon which Houston IS situated, Is
much the largest of the two. 1t is, however, dan
rerous for steamboat nav isatIon-the difficulties
consisting of obstruc tons in the bed OF the bayou,
verhanging trees, and especially in the narrow
less of the stream, rather than III the depth OF
vatcr. Although Harrisburg was once talked OF
5 the seat of government, and which has some
dvantages for a town, it now promises to improve
ut little for some time to come, owing to the dis
ate in which the title is involved. This difficult
uty has given rise to a town plat upon the OPP
osite side of the bayou.
As our oarsmen refused TO go farther, we had .
0 alternative but to take 1T afoot to Houston, |
velve miles distant by tho course OF the stream,
1t not moro than six by land We crossed the
fl hand branch which is called Brays bayou, and II
II into the fork of the streams The country on o
lr right and left, and in front, was an elevated Il
ain, thirty feet, If not more, above the level OF
e bavous While remark that the soil is thin (
I'd only valuable for the large pine, which grow ).
the greatest abundance for short distance on 1
ch side of tho streams, l must add, that the II
aire beyond is fit only for grass | mean this Ct
mark TO apply to the country on the left of But-
10 bayou, even the Brassos, and on the other as
le. twenty miles, the extent of my observation, a,
ID much further from information. There had b!
en lately great deal of rain, which, owing TO
retentive properties of the soil, and the even dl
SIS of the plain, still lay upon the surface; SO IN
at in going the remainder OF journey. we b
d TO " ade in mud and water more than ankle "
ep Emerging from the timber, Houston ap- sa
AIRED mile IN the distance across the prairie ne
an
Russia AND CIRCAssIA-News from CircassIa, qo
xu to the first of December. says the London WI
respondent of the Journal of Commerce. shows OF
4 the brave mountaineers are resolved TO con IN
er or die To the last proposition made to them, bu
Y replied, '.As to commerce YOU have gold,
eat, and manufactures.-We have steel. We up
our merchandise of you at the risk of our III
IS In selling it to us YOU expose yours II co
) kind of commerce displeases you, retire be- cd
Id the Don and we will not come there to seek dit
!. As 10 truce, no-thc wild boar does not ed
Ike peace with wolves. You numerous er
wolves; ungovernable as wild boars.
fight. Allah knows beforehand which OF We