The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-18
re.embled that Of the San Jose church; but the de-

| The two towers were complete, ~ we'll az the
| grand dome, and only required little mortar to
restore them 10 their original perfection. The
| pricky pear had taken root at the base OF the
dOine aud in the crevces of the towers its massive
| leaves hung over like pendants. Grass and shrub
berry contended for their places along the whole
line of the roof and in the open seams cracks in
| the wallis giving them quite picturesque appear
ance. saw MIR. Thurber gather some very pref
~ flowers on the top Of the highest tower VI San
Jose.
with bats. The ceiling hung with them in masses
from end TO the other, resembling the masses
of bees when swarming. threw stone at them,
when they fell by dozens.
Adjoining the church, and in line with the
front, extends long range Of open archways or
ces similar " those spoken Of at San Jose These,
cuped by Mexicans. There seemed TO be many
larger buildings adjoining, in greater or less state
of perfection. Some filled with corn stalks,
| others were converted into cattle-pens, but such
was the filth and oder, that did not enter into
closer inspection, After taking hasty sketch OF
this building, party mounted their horses, and
we turned our steps towards San Antonio, which
we reached at sunset, after delightful days ram
BILE among the most interesting ecclesiastical rulns
to be found in the United States. -
/ have several times spoken of the Mexicans oc-
cupying the huts and ranches adjoining the church
es and elsewhere. These Mexicans, as they are
universally called here are real Indians, the de-
scendans of the civilized and christanized Indians
of the old nissions. Their skin Is a dark brown,
noticed had tinge of the copper hue. Their hair
is straight and black, and their physiognomy pure
Indian. Occasionally you may observe trace OF
white or Spanish blood, not only III color but III
physognomy. As you ascend among the better
classes there is a stronger infusion Of white blood
Off pure Spanish blood, have yet seen none, and
believe them to be rare, unless among recent cmi-
grants All speak Spanish, which language,
learn, is generally understood and spoken by the
Camancbes, Lipan, and other Indians which Ire
quent the settlements,
The Texans hold the Mexicans, ii. e. the de-
scendants of the Indians referred TOY great con-
tempt This treatment is not merited; Tor, in my
intercourse with them, have found them kind,
hospitable, and inoffensive. Even at the r0nchs,
wi here of teansters shot one, they treated
the surveyors attached to the commission, who fol-
lowed several days after the murder took place,
with much kindness and attention as II nothing
had happened. They did not even mention the oc-
currence, and party did not hear 0f II ul they
reached the next r0nche. l.l4
You would be surprised at the number Of these
Mexicans who occupy single house some twenty
or twenty five feet square, containing singie
room. But the enigma would be answered II you
should pass by these houses in pleasant evening,
after the occupants had retired; for you would then
see twenty or thirty men, women, and chlldi en-
stretched out upon the ground upon raw OK hide,
in front of the house, luxuriating much In the
pure air. with the broad vault OF the heavens lor
canopy, as an occupant OF the softest bed whicn
our most splendid mansions can furnish. All these
claim to be occupants, though the house could not
lodge them ALL In a rancho which visited ON our
march up from the coast, observed In one corner
a bin full Of corn in the husk, among which was a
he setting, while several others strutted arodnd
There three beds in this room, all Of which
" ere very clean and neat While we sat chAtting
with the sonora and her daughter, hen enter cd
| the rancho cackling, and very comPoeedly jumped
up on one of the beds. and nestled herself ocnlnd
| the pillow, preparatory to laying an egg iheIe
| were foor chairs, very rude table, and no.
thing about but the most primitive articles OF fur
niture. Yet on the wall hung gaudy -colored en-
| craving Of saint, over which was something re-
sembng canopy, and piece OF red cotton ior
curtain have not yet visited Mexican hut or
ranche, however rude, wherein did not md either
some gaudy print representing holy scene, or an
old and tallered oil painting with similar repre-
| sen tation. The people have great reverence tor
any thing of this kind.
| [ have not vet spoken of the ancient city of San
| Antonio which was founded about the year 100.
| TINS is old when compared with other places, eh-
cept the carly founded cities OF the Atlantic States
| 1 cannot conceive the object In penetrating tbe
| country one hundred and nifty mes in the midst u
| an Indian population. There never has been ull
| very recenuy any settlement near 1t, nor mas ~
any advantages beyond that OF other places nearer
the coast The San Antonio river Ii not more than
hfty feet and Is everywhere forded oy wag-
ons. The soil could have had no attractions, as IL
u inferior 10 the land hfty miles 10 the south In
| its position there is nothing commanding, as ~
stand. on a plain. What, therefore, could have
| induced the planting OF a town here cannot I'M
agine uncss the object was to penetrate the coun-
try as far as possible.
any have seen in the United states. The prin-
cipa part old Spanish buildings OF stone, one
story high, and this single story not less than NJ
teen eighteen feet from the ceiling To the moor.
The roofs fiat, covered with adobe, or plaster,
with grooves slightly inclined 10 conduct the water
off through wooden spouts which project about two
lcct into the street A house hfty feet long would
have least fifteen of these spous uting over the
sidewalks. This mode of building ~ universal
The houses generally present bare surftce 70 the
street. There IA large door, but windo as are ieN
and very small. You often sec a rage OF buildings
without single opening, resembling high wall.
There usually oourts inside whence the rooms
are lighted. THIS plan was doubtless necessary y
during the early settlement of the city, and IN
a up to TIA conquest by the Americans, 10 protect
1, from the Indians. Itwas the frontier town, and
the Indians have till within five years approached
TO the very walls or piquets. Hence the necessity
of the mode Of building referred TO- For the same
reason there fsrms or settlements IN ths
vicinity.
Intorsperscd with the stone houses, Of which
have spoken, are TO be seen an equal number o.
rude houses, rather huts built with logs or suc
from four six inches in diameter, with the bar
On, and standing upright. These sticks are an
slrted about cigbteen inches into The ground Lac
ntecstices generally, but not always, hled with
mud, and the roof is matched with grass. There
10 seldom any other opening except door. These
rude houses are In every part OF the city, IN thS
most public streets in the plaza and In the suburbs
There is not single twostory house in San An
tonis, save, perhaps, three or four built by tn
Americans within two ycars-all Others are of tn
r class named. There !. an old church, probably a
e old the town. There IL nothing partic ulsr !,
stnking about IL. II resembles the churches o
Mexico, and is inferior in syle to those oonnecte
: with the missions which nave described. Thi
church has four cracked bells in it's bsfrey, upoi
= which am incessant humping is kept up by MAJ
D who walks from one To the other, humping with
$ msllct half minute ON each. The public squar'
or plaza IL as large "a Washington park, in New
d York. The church stands IN the centre, diYidina
If IL in two parts, connected by narrow avenues
% Around tins plaza the long and low stone bousc
e and the log and adobe buts the streets are mar
! row, with paved sidewalks. Ibe carriage way n
e not paved, hence they filed with inc dust OF
powder, which, when the wind blows, ptnetrstc
e every thing. When tell you that there has bceI
y no rain for four months, you can form some ide'
OF The streets There several hot Il in San An
tonio which, like the better class Of buildings, con
r. sist Of single story. am glad 10 see that the,
e have not ADOPTED those names 80 universal in N
northern States for hotslstbus there il the Fers
e mcndi House, the Nsvano House, &c. Pubii
tuidings there are none, except the Alamo Thi
, was an eccesastical cdifice, and vas subsequently
used IA place OF defence. During the warOi Tex
an independence 1t ~ithstood siege, when a mum
4 Der OF Americans fell, among whom was the ceic
GRATED David Croc kett 4 went into the room where