True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-05-27

to avert the rnerited and never failing punish
ment N " Sun
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A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF TEXAS.
The State Of Texas is now divided into for
tv.five counties Ofthese Montgomery is the
most populous fthe interior counties and Gal.
weston 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 importancsis San Augustine, in which
are located the Washington College, with
about l40 students, and seminary, with sixty
or seventyfye. Il has population ofl5,0o
Austin, the seat Of Government in Travis
county, at the foot OF the San Saba mountains,
and figuratively called the city of the seven
hills is beautifully situated on the Colorado
and is one ofthe most picturesque and roman
tic spots in Texas. 1t has a population of
1900, and is rapidly increasing. The new
Constitution provides that the seat of Govern
ment shrll continue at Austin until 1850, Vhen
should the State be divided in the meantime,
the probability is that it will be removed far
ther east
San Antonio de Bexar, near the Western
frontier of Texas, on the San Antonio River,
is the oldest and best built towr in Texas. 1t
was settled about two hundred years ago, by
an association of Spanish Monks, and at one
time contained about Is, 90 inhabitants. But it
has several times been nearly depopulated
within the last century by the Cumanche In
dams, it nevcr having been adequately defend
ed by its inhabitants or the Spanish and Mex
can governments nor until its partial occupa
ton by Texan and American citizens. The
town is built entirely of stone. and now con-
tains population ofabout 1900,
The lamo, dlsmantled fortress, the mem
orable scene of the lamented fate ofe9ravis,
Bowie and Crockett, is situated on tae East
Bank ofthe San Antonio river opposite the
town. and contains within its walls Church in
a partial state representation There is also
within the city a Catholic Cathedral, used by
like all the churches in the vicinity, of which
there are five, is built in the ancient style of
architecture, and gives to the stranger the i'm
preston that he is wandering amid the an
Client Castiian edifces of old Spain.
There are two large public. squares in the
city Of San Antonio, one called the military
square, intended for military occupation, and,
the other the civil square, containing the pub
lie buildings ofthe municipal authorities
About five miles above the city are the
sources of the San Antonio river. These con-
sst OF -four fountains or springs, the largest
covering nearly an acre, and the others Of
smaller size. The water Of these springs is
so transparent that ten cent piece may be
seen at the depth of forty feet. The outlets of
these fountains unite short distance Delow,
and at a point about three miles above the city,
dam of solid masonry is thrown across the
stream, and aqueducts are from thence con-
Structed on either side Of the river, 10 convey
the water from the main reservoir 10 the hous
es andgardens Of the city, and the plantations
below. The aqueducts were constructed per-
haps century and half ago, by the Catho-
lie establishment; and under the regulations
then established, the proprietor of each hacicn-
do was, as is said permitted TO use the water
for irrigaling his whole plantation as ofen as
was required, and in quantities in proportion to
the extent Of his possessions.
There are three old Catholic establishments I
in the vicinity Of San Antonio, situated on the |
river below the city at intervals Of a few miles !
These, Conception, San Jose and San Juan,
are each Church surrounded by a wall, in
tended forpurposes OF defence Within these
walls are also erected numerous small build
ings for the shelter and protection of the neigh
boring farmers aud their families, for protec.
tion against the predatory excursions Of the
Indians
1t is curious fact that in a city IKE San
Antonio, with the Improvements described, |
its antique churches and other edi6ces should
have existed for centuries, comparatively IN.
known, near the extreme western frontier Of
this latesinlRnt republic Of the wilderness
The other principal towns Of Texas, are,
at the mouth of the Colorado, at
Bay; Washington, on the Brazos,
Corpus Christi, just sprung into existence;
Brazoria, on the Brazos
SC.
Cotton is principally raised, and to The best
advantage, on The BrazoS, Trinity and Red
Rivers; but It is probably cultivated 10 other
sections The sugar region is near the coast,
and lying south OF latitude 30 Wheat and
he fine grains are raised to most advantage in
The mountainous regions Of the upper Colora-
10, Brazos and Trinity rivers Oflhe wider
ness region above this point, towards Santa Fe,
but little r. generally known. The principal l
streams are. The Red River, navlgable within \
500 miles Of Texas, and lhe Colorado. The /
country has never been fully appreciated, and
is resources are beyond estimate.