Mexico’s New Colonization Laws
• Mexico liked the success of Austin’s colony.
• They passed a law to encourage more immigration.
• The National Colonization Law of 1824 allowed each Mexican state to establish their own policy and restrictions.
• Unlike Stephen F. Austin new colonist were not free to establish colonies near borders or along the coast.

Mexico Forms a New State
• In 1824 the Mexican government formed the state of Coahuila
(Cuawila) y Texas by combining the separate states of Texas and Coahuila.

Coahuila and Texas

Coahuila y Texas
• The new state had its own immigration policy.
• The new states capital was Saltillo.
• The first Texas citizen to serve in the new states lawmaking body was Baron de Bastrop.
• The new Mexican state was eager to grow.
• They hoped U.S. citizens moving to the new state would up the economy and help protect against
Native American attacks.

Coahuila/Texas Law
• The new state passed the State
Colonization Law of 1825.
• This law opened Texas up to more settlement and immigration.

Empresarios
• Many leaders wanted to follow in the footsteps of Stephen F. Austin.
• Business people who promoted settlement in
Texas were known as empresarios.
• Under the new State Colonization Law empresarios received:
• 67,000 acres for every 200 families
• Head of household could receive 4,428 acres for $30
• No taxes for 10 years

Rules for New Texans
• They must become Catholic.
• Also, must become Mexican citizens and be of good character.
• A huge wave of U.S. immigration began in
Texas.

Austin’s Contributions to Texas
• The Mexican government granted over 40 empresario contracts in Texas.
• By 1834 an estimated 21,000 settlers lived in the region. This number rose from only a few thousand in 1821.
• Stephen F. Austin was the most important empresario.
• In just 10 years, he helped bring more than 1,500 families to
Texas.
• Austin was more than just an empresario, he was a father figure and caretaker.
• He was and is the “Father of Texas”.