Stephen F.
Austin in Texas
Moses Austin Dies
 The
mayor of San Antonio had waited
months to hear back from Moses Austin.
 After growing inpatient, mayor Erasmo
Seguin wrote Moses’ son Stephen F. Austin
to see if he had any information on the
colonization plan.
Stephen F. Goes to Texas
 Stephen
F. Austin was 27 years old when
he learned of his father’s death.
 Austin became determined to carry on his
father’s plan to bring U.S. settlers into
Texas.
 As he entered Texas in 1821, Austin made
a promise to himself.

“I decided to fulfill rigidly all the duties and
obligations of a Mexican citizen”
 Austin
arrived in San Antonio in August of
1821.
 Erasmo Seguin - a rancher and the mayor
of San Antonio led Austin to the governor
of San Antonio.
 When Austin and Seguin arrived into San
Antonio they were greeted warmly and
offered to support Austin’s efforts.
Mexico is Independent
 Mexico
had won independence from
Spain since the time Moses’ contract for
colonization had been approved.
 Austin needed a new contract from the
Mexican government.
 He wrote a new contract and it was sent
to Mexico City for approval.
Austin Explores
 Austin
had to wait for his new contract to
be approved by Mexico City.
 During this time he began to explore.
 He explored the land East of San Antonio.
 He picked the rich farmland in the area of
the Brazos and Colorado River valley as
the location for his colony.
Austin’s Colony
 He
would have 11 million acres in the Gulf
Coast Plain to establish colonization.
 The colony would have a mild climate,
fertile soil, water, and plenty of timber for
building.
 Wild game was also plentiful.
 In addition, the site was near the coast,
where settlers and supplies could arrive by
ship.
Austin Readies His Colonies
 Stephen
F. Austin hurried back to the
United States to make the final
preparations.
 Heads of households would receive 640
acres each.
 A married man could claim another 320
acres plus an additional 160 acres per
child.
 Slave holders could 80 acres per slave.
Austin’s Colony



Settlers who provided valuable services or
who brought items such as cotton gins –
devices that separate cotton fibers from
seeds – might receive extra land.
Where possible, these land grants would
border on a river that would provide water for
farming and transportation.
Settlers would pay Austin 12.5 cents per acre
and this price would include land survey and
land titles – legal documents proving
ownership.
Attracting U.S. Citizens
 This
was very attractive to U.S. citizens
because land was selling for $1.25 an
acre in the U.S.
 U.S. law also required people to buy a
minimum of 80 acres.
 After the panic of 1819 people did not
have enough cash to pay $100.00 in cash
for land.
 Austin
allowed payment plans or trading
goods for land.
 Applications from U.S. citizens poured in!
 Austin developed strict guidelines for
selecting settlers.
Homework
 Imagine
that you are writing a front page
article for a newspaper in the U.S. In the
article you are trying to persuade U.S.
residents to move to Texas. Describe the
pros and cons of Austin’s new colony.
 Needs to be 2 paragraphs, 8 sentences
total. Draw and color a picture of the
landscape in the Gulf