Texas in 1850. By Melinda Rankin. Page: 155 of 196

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TEXAS IN 1850.

ful. As a residence, Galveston possesses attractions
equal to any other southern city, and when the contemplated
improvements are completed, it will combine
every advantage necessary for constituting it a city of
superior importance.
Houston, the city next in importance to Galveston,
is situated at the head of Buffalo Bayou. Buffalo Bayou
is navigable at all seasons of the year, a distance
from Galveston of about 90 miles, for vessels drawing
six feet of water. The commercial facilities, with the
advantage of inland trade, are rapidly advancing the
city of Houston in wealth and importance. Its situation
is handsome, salubrious; and well watered, and surrounded
by fertile and well-timbered land. It contains
already a population of 4,000 inhabitants, and the constant
accessions bid fair for Houston to become a populous
city. Every department of business is successfully
pursued, and an uncommon degree of enterprise
and public spirit is manifested by the citizens in advaning
the city in its general interests.
The society of Houston is refined and intelligent,
and the religious and educational advantages are such
as are calculated to exert their salutary and moralizing
influence. There are four elegant church edifices,
and a settled ministry of the different Protestant denominations.
All the advantages and privileges are enjoyed
in Houston which are found elsewhere.
Were some of the erroneous calculators of Texan
morals and refinement from abroad to visit Houston,
they might, and with very good reason, come to the