Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-02-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
Description OF Texas.

The State OF texas IS now divldeo
into thirtyfve counties, viz:-Galves-
ton, Harris, Brazoria, Matagorda, Vic
toria, Gourales, San Patrucia, Refu-
gio, Goliad, Jackson, Bexar, Bastrop
Travis, Fayette, Colorado, Austin
Fort Bend, Washington, Milan, Rob
ertson, Montgomery, (the giant coun-
ty,) Liberty, Jefferson, Jasper, Hous-
ton. Sabine, Nacogdoches, Rusk, San
Augustine, Shelby, (more familiarly
known as &ate Of Tansoha, Harrison,
Bowie, Red River, Tanning and La
mar.
Ofthese, Montgomery is the most
populous of the interior counties, and
Galveston the most populous of those
situated on the coast. Galveston is
the largest city of Texas, though Hous-
ton, perhaps, contains about the same
number of inhabitants. The next city
of Importance is San Augustine, ir
which are located the Washington Col
lege, with about one hundred and for
ty students, and seminary, with from
sixty to seventy five. 1t has a popula-
ton of about fifteen hundred.
Austin, the Seat of Government, in
Travis county, at the foot of the San Sa-
ba Mountains, and fguratively called
the CITY of the Seven Hills is beau
tifully situated ON the Colorado, is one
of the most picturesque and romantic
portions of Texas. 1t has popula-
llon of twelve or fifteen hundred, and
is rapidly increasing. The new con-
stitution provides that the seat of Gov
ernment shall continue at Austin until
1850, when, should the State be divi-
ded in the meantime, the probability is
that it will be removed farther east.
San Antonio de Bexar, near the ex-
IRENE western frontier Of Texas, on the
San Antonio River, is the Oldest and
best built town in Texas. 1t was set
tied about two hundred years ago, I'M
der the auspices Of an ASSOCIATION of
Spanish Monks, and at one time con-
tanned about fifteen thousand inhabi-
tants. But it<has several times been
nearly depopulated within the last CEN
fury by the attacks from the Camanche
Indians, itnever having been adequate
ly defended by its inhabitants, or the
Spanish and Mexican Governments,
nor until its partial occupation by Tex
an or American citizens. The town
is built entirely ofstone, and now con-
tains population of about fifteen hum
dred, principally Mexican.
The Alama, a dismantled 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 its walls a church in a
partial state of preservation. There
is also in the city large Catholic Ca.
thedral, used by the Mexicans as a
place of worship. This, like all the
churches in the vicinity, of which there
are five, are built in an ancient STYLE
ofarchitecture, and give to the stranger
the impression that he is wandering
1smid the Castilian edi6ces of old Spain
There are two large public square.
in the city Of San Antonio, one calee
the Military Square, intended for mill
tary occupation, and the other the Civ
il Square, containing the public bull
dings of the municipal authorities.
About FIVE miles above the civ mr.
the sources of the San Antonio River
These consist Of four fountains O
springs, the largest covering nearly Al
acre, and the others smaller in size
The waters of these fountains is $
transparent that ten cent piece ma
be seen at the depth of forty feet. Tn
outlets TO these fountains unite sho,
distance below, and alta point abou
three miles above the city, dam {