The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-30
Sketches or Texas.


U6Wo" SeteWe~s-lsTds EtHdges, 9c. 9rc.
The city of Houston, which takes its name from
General Sam Houston, the leader of the Texan
army, during the revOlution-her first President,
and one OF her present senators, is situated on
Buffalo Bayou, at the extreme head of steamboat
navigation, and is directly opposite White Oak
BayOu-was commenced in October, 1886, by
company, consisting of A. c. and ]. X. Allen, Robt
Wilson, A. Hodge, VIM. Christy, T. M. McKen-
ny, A. j. Yates, A. c. Horton, Mosely Baker, and
VIM H. Jack. In November, the State House, or
building known as the Old Capitol was commence
ed, and in the following May, Congress held Its
first session in that building. Never was city
commenced under more inauspicious circum-
stances-surrounded as she was on every side by
low, wet prairies, difficult of communication with
the interior, that nothing short of the lndomltabe
spirit and perseverance of j. X. Allen, could ever
have sLrmounted the many obstacles that present.
ed themselves to prevent the rising in prosperity
Of this new, city When he died, she received a
blow that she has not yet recovered.
But II Is not OF Houston as she was, but Houston
as she Is that we have now to speak.
In front OF the city there has been erected a fine
wharf, over five hundie ed feet long, aiiordng ample
accommodations for the larding of goods and
cotton presses, erected by individual enterprise.
The public buildings an episcopal, presbyterian,
baptist, catholic and methodist churches, fine
market house end Jail. Amongst the public houses,
'the Old Capitol" kept by Brewster and Keum,
may be considered the first. Regular stages arrive
and depart from this city twice a week, one line
to Austin and San Antonio another to Nacog-
doches and the Sabine. There are four Sunday
schools in this town. The masonic frcte nifty have
appropriate rooms elegantly fltteG up for the of
the Blue Lodge Chapter and Encampment. The
Sons OF Temperance have also division in this
Town. There were, also, formerly, two lodges of
N mi man
ment, they have long ceased to exist There Is
very large country business transacted in this
town, especially during what are termed ''dry
seasons" Several of the merchants have realized
competency from small CONNIE ncements; and not
wllhstandng the many mistortunes that have e.
sailed Houston during the last two years, in the
shape of yellow fever, cholera, and last, though
not least, uncommon wet seasons, there a
single merchant OF responsibility but will be able
10 meet their engagements in the North this season.
During the last two years, there have been few,
very lew, indeed failures that could be attributed
TO business Losses.
With all the advantages that Houston possesses,
was particularly struck with the carelessness and
apathy OF citizens on the subject of public roads
and public schOols-two subjects OF vital import
TO the welfare and prosperity of all new Coun-
tries. Within the last few months, however, since
the Galvestonians have reduced almost to GER
tainfy that the Brazos river can be made naylgabe,
they have CONNER ced attempting to Improve the
roads by throwing up a mud turnpike, work that
VIII, IT properly carried out, tend much TO the ad
vantage OF Houston. But no matter how great may
be the projected improvements of this place--no
matter how many advantages she may po. seas size
can never reap the full benefits of them while she
negects the establishment OF public schools; for, TO
her shame, be it spoken, she has not yet made
the hrst step towards the establishment of this
truly necessary adjunct ofcvzation and prosper
iy What avail will all her industry, skill, and
wealth be, unless the rising generation have the
advantages OF education Do, my dear Herald,
take compassion on these poor benghted people,
and induce few OF our Yankee friends 10 come
and settle amongst them, so, by their assistance,
there may be reared up those proudest monuments
OF arepubllcan government, public schools
Send a copy of your admirable State School Laws,
NC, TO the present Mayor, DR.. Moore, who is also
the editor and proprietor of the Telegraph newspa-
per: Who knows what sautary influence may be
derived, If the Doctors energies could be aroused
to pen an article on public schools.
We must not forget to mention that there
two fine bridges erected over Buffalo Bayou, and
one oyer White Oak Bayou. One of those over
Buffalo Bayou, erected by Elan Stockbrdge, ESD,
reflects great credit both the architect and the
city. Much OF the prairie land, in the immediate
vicinity OF Houston, that Is now lying idle, might
be made available by judicious drainage. The
soil; naturally rich, is rendered, in measure, I'M
productive, IN consequence OF the large quantity Of
water by which, for weeks at a time il is covered.
But, should the people of Houston, regardless of
themselves, neglect to improve her communication
with the interior by the aid Of railroads, there is
scarce the shadow OF doubt that she has already
attained the summit Of her prosperity-for should
Harrisburg obtain charter for railroad TO the
BraZos and Colorado, ere five years elapse Hous-
ton will almost TO exist; and through Boston
enterprise, Harrisburg will become tine point of
trade on Buffalo bayou. There is a company al
ready formed, awaiting but the action Of the legis
lature IN granting them charter, and Harrisburg
will spring into notorlCiy like Rochester and Mil
waukie; and, when too late, the Houstonians will
awake from their RIP Van Wrinkle sleep, and fird
herself petty village IN comparison with Harris
burg.
From Houston I proceeded 10 Washington
crossing the Brazos al Rock lsland-oyer a region
OF country that one day will, no dolbt, be valua-
Bile, so soon as the owners OF these lands become
acquainted with the many advantages these lands
possess
Washington is situated on the river Brazos, liz.
lie below the mouth of the NavIsota river, in very
rich region OF country-a region that may be Justly
considered as the cotton growing portion Of Texas
and, and although this place has sprung into inn
portance since they have commenced the naviga-
ton of the Brazos river, yet we saw nothing in thus
town make us fall In love with 1t, especially, as,
on investigating Its condition, we found that the
riyer Brazos, ordinary years, liz not susceptible
OF navigation more than six months out of the
twelve. However, should the railroad be COM
pleted between this point and Houston, or Harms
burg, II will become point Of tome importance as
depot, or rether Tributary, to either point where
the railroad may terminate. We intend, shortly,
vislting the upper Brazos country when we viii be
able 10 give you our views more fully respecting
Washington. For short period Washington was
the seatof government; she now again lays claim
for the same honor, which question is to be settled
in March next, By the people
From Washington we travelled over a beautiful
rolling country as far as 1ndependence-a neat lit
tie village, where is established the Baylor Uni
versity. From thence to Cummings Creek TIE
country is dehghtful-6ne rich land, interspersed
with lansmersbe rills Of pure water, but a great
scarcity OF timber. On rAis road we saw several
very handsome farms, IN a state of good cultIva-
ton. On Cummings Creek, and in ITS vicinity,
there is quite large settlement Of Germans, who
are improving their farms at rapid rete. II is
their custom to meet seml-monthy at the little vii
lsge Of Industry, where they have delightful vo-
cal and instrumental concert, which would, in
deed, be treat, were il not for the large quantity
Of tobacco consumed in their meershaums-the
smoke Of which mars the enjoyment Of their de-
lghtful music. But, IL a disagreeablc vice can
have redee.nipg good quality, they can boast Of
II, for ell the tobacco they is raised asd cured
on the spot The next town we parsed through is
Ruterville, where there Is Methodist college, es-