Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-04-15
A short description of Texas.

The State of Texas Is now divided into
forty-fvo counties. OF these, Montgome-
ny is the most popuous of the interior
counties, and Galveston the most populous
of those situated on the coast Galveston
is the most important city of Texas, though
Houston contains about the same number
OF inhabitants. The next city of impor-
, lance is San Augustine, in which are loca-
ted The Washington College, with about
40 students, and Il seminary with sixty or
seVenty-fve. 1t has population of 1900.
Austin, the seat OF government, in Ira
Wis county, at the foot of the San Saba
mountains, and fguratively called The sci
ty of the seven hills" is beautifully siua-
ted on the Colorado, in one of the most
picturesque and romantic spots in Texas.
II has population of 1900, and is rapid,
ly increasing. The new constitution pro-
Vides that the seat of government shall
continue at Austin until 1850, when,
should the State be divided in the mean
time, the probability is that it will be re-
moved farther east.
San Antonio de Bexar, near the western
frontier of Texas, on the San Antonio
river, is The oldest and best built town in
Texas. 1t was settled about two hundred
years ago, under the auspices of an asso.
citation of Spanish monks, and at one time
contained about 1000 inhabitants. But
it has been several times nearly depopuIa-
ted within the last century by the Cuman.
che Indians, it never having been ade-
quately defended by its inhabitants, or the
Spanish and Mexican governments; nor
until its partial occupation by Texan ana
American citizens. The town is built en-
tirely of stone, and now contains popu-
lation of about 1900.
The Alamo, dismantIed fortress, the
memorable scene of the lamented fate Of
Travis, Bowie, and Crockett, is situated
on the east bank Of the San Antonio river
opposite the town, and contains within il:
walls church in partial state OF preser
walton. There is also in the city large
Catholic Cathedral, used by The Mexican
as place of worship. This, like all tht
churches in the vicinity, of which there
are five, is built in ancient style of archi
lecture, and gives to the stranger the i'm
preston that he is wandering amid the an
cienl Castlian edifices of Old Spain.
There are two large public squares il
the city of San Antonio, one called tn
military square, intended for military oc
cupation, and the other the civil square
containing the public buildings of the mu
nicipaI authorities.
About five miles above the city are th
sources Of the San Antonio river. Thes
consist of =" four fountains" or springs, tn
largest covering nearly an acre, and thu
others of smaller size. The water q
these fountains is so transparent that a te
cent piece may be seen at the depth of fol
ty feet The outlets 10 these fountain
unite a short distance below, and at poin
about three miles above the city, a dam c
solid masonry is thrown across the stream
and acqueducts are from thence construct
ed, on either side of the river, to conve
the waller from the main reservoir to tn
houses and gardens of the city, and lh
plantations below. The acqueducts wer
constructed perhaps a century and hal
ago. oy The Catholic establishment; an
uiluer Inc regulations then established, Oh
proprietor oil each hacienda was, as
salu' permilled to use the water for irr
gazing MS whole plantation as often a
was required, and in quantities in propol
ton 10 the extent of his possessions
Three are three old Catholic estahI;sl
ments in the vicinity of San Antonio :
tuate on the river below the city al inio,
walls of few miles. These, Conception
San Jose, and San Juan, are each churc
surrounded by wall, intended for purpc
ses of defence Within these walls al
also erected numerous small buildings Fl
the shelter and protection of The neighbo
Ing farmers and their families, during Ii
predatory excursions of the Indians.