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

raft and will be removed for we have carefully
examined the pracicabilIty of this unde rtaking,
and are fully satisfied that 1t only requires but
small outlay OF capital to clear out every vesge of
this hitherto considered formidable impeachment TO
Its navigation. This once removed, and a few
shoals overcome, the Colorado, from its mouth to
the city OF Austin, will afford safe and profitable
navigation for steamers of moderate size, and
Austin will then become one of the largest inland
towns In the State, owing to her peculiar geogrdphi
cal situation at the foot OF the Colorado mountains,
and surrounded as she is three sides by immense
bodies OF most excellent land. On the waters of
the Colorado are situated some of the finest PLAN
tations IN Texas, yielding handsome returns for
the amount Of capital invested; but here, as In
other parts OF Texas, the rising generation de-
barred of the advantages OF education Although
the lower Colorado must be regarded as far more
healthy country than the lower Brazos, Yet we
would strongly urge the northern and European
emlerant not 10 settle below La Grange, on the
Colorado, or Nashville, on the BraZos.
| The next town We passed through was Bastrop-
an old settled town, which for many years had
been declining, until two years ago, when she
commenced improving, and is now gong ahead
and bids far to be ultimately place of some I'M
portance. There two mills In this neigh
borhood, which supply Western Texas with the
majority OF her pine lumber, as the town of Bastrop
is surrounded by an almost inexhaustiblc pine
forest.
The next point of note on the Colorado river is
the city of Austin, the metropolis sf Texas, fa-
miliarly known as the City of the Hills. The
town site Is magnificent beyond description. OF
the public buildings of Austin, we can say bat
hule IN favor, they being in general mean looking
log houses, the Capitol and Treasury Department
only excepted. The town is beautifully laid out,
with fine wide streets and avenues, and contains
several fac residences. There is also in the city
an academy, which is said to be conducted IN
rather superior style. The SoRs of Temperance,
who, am Informed, have increased very rapidly,
are erecting splendid temple The business
OF the town is good, many merchants from the
frontier settlcne ats procuring their supplies at
nd IN he NH III If tcer nf
Texec, we must award the need of praise which
they so richly deserve, for their courtesy and strict
attention to the business OF their respective de-
pariments. We visited the Offices of the Comp
iroller of Public Accounts, the Treasury Depart
ment, the Secretary of State and AdJutant Gene
rails office; and were well pleased with the order
and system. with which the business of these
respective departments were conducted-which
would have reflected credit on the public offices OF
a far older State than Texas We however, can
not say much with regard 10 The Auditors
Office, owing to the carelessness OF the previous
cumbent of this office; vouchers required the
settlement Of the accounts against the late republic
Of Texas can with difficulty be found, owing to the
want OF system on the part OF those who have
heretofore had charge of this department. We
also visited the General Land Office; and although
regretted to find the valuable archives of
this Office deposited In insecure a wooden
building, yet we must be free to acknowledge that
the order and system introduced by the late Com
missioner, Col. Ward, and now carried out by the
present Commissioner, General George w. Smyth,
reflects credit alike the past and present ncum-
bent OF this most aborious and responsible office
The scenery in and about Austin 10 magnificent.
Who can virit Mount Bonell Mount Barker,
without being perfectly enchantedl Italy may and
must have many delightful and magnificent views,
but we doubt much II they can surpass in subllmi-
" those presented from the summit OF these hills.
The distance from Houston to Washington is SIX
ty.hve miles, Washington 10 Independence eleven
miles, Independence 10 La Grange fifty four miles,
La Grange to Bastrop hry.fve miles, Bastrop to
Austin thirty-twO miles. This is the stage route,
which is run twice week by Messrs. Brown IL
Tarbox, IN four horse coaches; although, owing to
the stage communication being SO seldom, most of
the travel between Houston and Austin is by
horseback. The accommodations on the road are
good and We cannot leave Austin without award
ing TO the Barker House, kept by Mr. Glasscock,
the praise that is so justly his due. cheerful land
lady-clean beds-good cheer-are Injuries which
can be appreciated In new country by
JACK ROVER.
Curious Eulogiums Of Onion Creek BY a curious
hap-Hinerorians-Austin New Braunfeis-
San Antonso- Guadalupe Riry-Ssguin and 81.
Marks-Beauties en- possant-Tiut TO old Gen.
Burlison--Historyof ia Trial Of Law-A purchase
made for a Sheep Farm Want of Schoois-Suc-
cess Of Lett0s-Sueeessful II ial Of Free La
Der, &c. &c.
From Au1tin tsok the San Antonio road To
do justice to scenery on this road would require
the skill Of Scott or a Cooper; but being PLAIN
matter of fact business man, will not attempt to
describe 1t, fearing might make as great blum
der as Burlison did, when he wished to give glow
ing description of Onion creek. He exclaimed,
Well, gentlemen, you may talk Of your Guada-
lupe, San Antonio and Brazos countries, have
seen them all-they are not to be compared to
Onion creek There the lands are what you may
call lands the sle is as rich as the Bank of Eng
land, and if you want scenery, can show it to
you-there precept rises above precept In awful
depravity." Therefore, as do wish TO 60 beyond
my depth, will say that | trust that this region
will be visited ere long by a Gaylord Clark or a
Fanny Butler, who could and would do Justice to
its beauties. We do know that the soil will pro.
duce the substantially nay many of the Injuries Of
life, and that Is enough TO satisfy an old bachelor
of fifty. We stopped at Manchaics Springs to
lunch, IL miles from Austin, where the present
Secretary Of State Is building fine residence.
This spring Is Justly celebrated throughout Texas.
From thence, passing along the head branches Of
Plumb creek, we crossed the Rio Blanco, beau
tfu stream, which emptes into the San Marks.
Just above the road the mountains shut IN, and we
were forced 10 travel up the bed OF the stream for
a short distance; the country then opens again. the
lands are then beautifully rolling, and back from
the river there is a beautiful post-oak valley. To
view this valley from distance reminds us Of the
fine old apple orchards OF old Pennsylvania This
region OF country is most admirably adapted 10 the
raising Of immense flocks Of sheep; the pasturage
being excellent. the water pure, and climate de-
hghtful. This country is celebrated throughout the
annals Of Texan history for the pursuit OF tina, gall
liant Indian fighter Ned Burlison after the Mexican
traitor (er as some called HIM patroD Cordova.
This region, OF country will soon be brought into
notice, as the new road from the San Marks TO
Fredericksburg, on the Pudernales, will pass d.
rectly up this valley.
After crossing the Blanco, we entered the San
Marks valley. Here one of my companions, &c.
nesee farmer, was In perfect raptures. lie ex-
claimed " thi. is indeed land-why, SIR, with one
half the labor bestowed on the land at home, zee
nesee county, ! could produce full as large crops
as they DO there" We tsrried at the town of San
Marks, where we were visited by the bluff old
General Burlison, TO whom we had letters of IN
reduction, and who paid us all the attention in
bis power. In his company we visited the San
Marks Spring, or as we should say, the San
Marks Springs, for, within . distance Of