A Pictorial History of Texas, From the Earliest Visits of European Adventurers, to A.D. 1879. Page: 62 of 859

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HIISTORY OF TEXAS.

called it the river of canoes, because he had to procure
canoes from the Indians to cross the swollen stream. It
empties into Galveston bay, and has a depth of three feet
at its mouth. Steamboats have ascended it 900 miles to
Dallas.
San Jacinto (Hyacinth) river forms a junction with
Buffalo Bayou at Lynchburg, and empties into Galveston
bay. Buffalo Bayou is navigable to Houston, ninety
miles from Galveston. In 1876, Red Fish and other bars
were deepened, and boats draw'ring from six to ei4ght feet,
now ascend the bayou to Clinton, six miles below HIouston.
The outer bar at Galveston has a depth of water varying
from ten to thirteen feet, which is beinlg increased by
a system of jetties made by gabions.
The Brazos has from five to eight feet at its mouth.
Boats have ascended 600 miles to the fills, near Marlin.
In 1854 a canal was cut from near the mouth of the river
into Galveston bay. If tradition is to be credited, the.
Spaniards gave the name of Colorado to this river; but
the names were interchanged. The Indians called it
Tockonhono. In crossing this stream La Salle lost one
of his men, supposed to have been seized by an alligator,
and he gave it the name of Maion.
The San Bernard has a shallow entrance, but it is navigable
for twenty or thirty miles.
Old Caney Creek has been navigated some seventy
miles. In 1864 a channel was opened from near its
mouth into Matagorda bay.
A bar at the mouth of the Colorado, and a raft in the
channel, interfere with its navigation. In 1847, a steamboat
built above the raft ascended the river 600 miles, to
the falls above Austin. The Indian name was Pashohono.
Tradition says a party of Spanish adventures, after nearly
perishing for water, came suddenly upon this stream and