Chapter 7 Section 1
-1821 Moses Austin paved the way for Anglo American colonization
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He was the first Anglo-American to secure the permission from Spain to bring Americans to Texas
-Moses Austin
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Born in Missouri 1798, that area still belonged to Spain, as a result he was familiar with the Spanish law
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At first he prospered as a business man

In 1819 business changed, a depression swept the U.S.

Depression -a time in which businesses suffer and people lose jobs

Austin’s business was ruined, he was looking for a way to regain his fortune
-In the fall of 1820 Moses Austin and an enslaved African
American named Richmond set out on an 800 mile journey to meet with Governor Martinez.

Austin hoped to get a contract from Spanish authorities allowing him to bring 300 American families to Texas
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At first Austin was turned down

-As Austin left Governor Martinez office he met an old friend, a man know to the Spanish as baron de Bastrop
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He had lived in Louisiana and had met Austin there years before
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Very important man in san Antonio
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Promised to use his influence on Governor Martinez
-Bastrop helped Austin convince the governor that Austin’s plan was not an excuse for the U.S. to grab land

After returning to Missouri, Austin received word that the
Spanish had approved his request
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But before he could carry out his plans he became ill with pneumonia
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On June 10, 1821 Moses Austin died
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The long, difficult journey to San Antonio and his work in preparing for colonization had exhausted him
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His last request was for his son Stephen to carry out the plans for settling Texas.

-Stephen F. Austin was living in New Orleans studying law and working for a newspaper at the time of his father’s illness.
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When he learned that the colonization contract had been approved, he left for San Antonio to help his father explore the country and set up the colony.
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He had made it to Natchitoches, Louisiana when he learned of his father’s death
-Stephen F. Austin
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Born in Virginia
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Attended Transylvania University in Kentucky
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Served in the Missouri territorial legislature
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Had been a circuit judge in Arkansas
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Only 27 when his father died
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Still possessed the character that allowed him to carry on through difficulties
-Stephen F. Austin was determined to carry out his father’s colonization plans

-In 1821 Stephen F. Austin went to see Governor Martinez

Was escorted by Erasmo Sequin, a leading citizen of San
Antonio
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When Austin arrived in August of 1821 Governor Martinez warmly greeted him and discussed Austin’s’ plans for settlement
-SFA spent most of September exploring Texas

He decided that the region between the Colorado and
Brazos rivers was a good place for a colony
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It had fertile soil
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abundant water
 natural resources
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a mild climate
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no other settlements
-After returning SFA wrote a full report of his journey to
Governor Martinez

Outlined boundary that he wanted for his colonies
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Although he expected to establish most of the settlements in the Colorado and Brazos valleys, he made a request for addition land along the coast

In order to be successful Austin knew he would need to a port for landing groups of settlers and supplies.

-Austin began advertising for settlers to come to his colony.

Because of the similarities of climate, economy and culture the advertisements appealed mainly in newspapers in the southern states
 One advertisement said “No drunkard, no gambler, no profane swearer, no idler” would be allowed in the colony
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The land policy was very generous
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Every man received 640 acres for himself
 320 for wife
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160 for each child
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80 for each slave
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Settlers paid 12.5 cents per acre
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People with value, doctors, merchants, etc. received additional land
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Took the responsibility to have the land surveyed to determine grant sizes and boundaries

Surveyed -measured

Used the money to pay for surveys, ads, titles, records, new grants and travel

-Settlers who came to Austin’s new colony had to meet requirements
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Had to become citizens of their new country
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Take an oath of allegiance to the Spanish
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Had to become catholic
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And had to be of good moral character
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Wanted settlers who were willing to work hard and who would be loyal to the government
-Austin had no trouble finding colonists

The prospect of obtaining good farmland at a low price attracted many people

The first settler to enter the land claimed by Austin was
Andrew Robinson

He set up a ferry across the Brazos River, site later became known as Washington-on-the-Brazos
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He later opened a hotel and saloon
-Most of the early colonists owned small farms and a few cows or horses.

Some settlers brought slaves to Texas

-In late 1821 Austin outfitted the ship, Lively to take people and supplies to the new colony
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First trip was from New Orleans to Texas
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Spring of 1822 Lively was loaded with additional settlers and supplies wrecked on Galveston island

The loss of the colonists and the badly need supplies was a huge disappointment to Austin
-March 1822 Austin went to San Antonio to report to governor
Martinez on the progress of the colony
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While he was there he learned that Mexico had won its independence from Spain in August of the previous year
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He also found out that his new government did not recognize his rights to colonize Texas

Governor Martinez suggested that Austin go to Mexico
City to seek the new government’s approval for his colonization contract
-Austin appointed his friend Josiah Bell as land agent in his absence, and then he set out on a 1,000 mile journey to Mexico
City.

He did not know he was going to be gone for more than a year

-In Mexico City Austin found much confusion

The new government had many problems and could give limited attention to Texas

Other Americans were in Mexico City also seeking contracts

This made the government reluctant to approve
Austin’s contract
-In 1823 the Mexican congress passed a general colonization law and Austin was given a contract under its terms

The amount of land each settler received was increased

Families who raised livestock and farmed could receive
4,605 acres

Empressarios would earn about 100,000 acres of land o Empressarios -land agents who job it was to bring in new settlers to an area

Would be able to settler 300 families
-Shortly after the law was passed a new government took power over Mexico and suspended the colonization law of 1823.

As a result only Austin could go ahead with his settlement

Others would have to wait

-During his long stay in Mexico Austin accomplished a great deal
 Gained approval from Mexico’s government
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Learned much about customs and institutions
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Learned Spanish

Met many important Mexican leaders

Austin impressed the leaders with his honesty and sincerity
 They became convinced he wanted to be a loyal
Mexican citizen and had no desire to cause trouble for the Mexican government
-Many problems faced Austin when he returned to the colony

Many of the colonist had left because of as serious drought

Some left because they were waiting for their land to be surveyed

Disagreements arose over ownership of certain lands
-For the next several months Austin and Baron de Bastrop, who had been appointed land commissioner settled claims and recorded deeds to land

-During Austin’s trip to Mexico City, the Tonkawas and
Karankawas raided the settlement

Stole horses and cattle
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Native Americans did not like the settlers intruding on their territory

Austin tried to negotiate to try to establish peace
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When they continued to raid Austin commanded a militias
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Militia -a temporary army unit

By 1824 relations with the Native Americans and the settlers quieted
-By Spring of 1825 Austin had almost completed the terms of his contract

Had issued titles to nearly 300 families
 These settlers became known as the “Old Three Hundred”

Most of them came from Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas,
Tennessee and Missouri (United States)

Being among the very first people to settle in the new area, they early colonists had an opportunity to select the best available land

Many chose plots along the Brazos, Colorado, and San
Jacinto rivers

Several of the members of the “Old Three Hundred” had been in Texas long before Austin arrived

-Austin decided that the west bank of the Brazos River where the old San Antonio Road crosses would be a good location for the colony’s new capital

July 1824 the town was officially organized
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Named San Felipe de Austin
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Had a population of about 200