1821 Moses Austin Paved the Way for Anglo American Colonization

Chapter 7 Section 1

-1821 Moses Austin paved the way for Anglo American colonization

He was the first Anglo-American to secure the permission from Spain to bring Americans to Texas

-Moses Austin

Born in Missouri 1798, that area still belonged to Spain, as a result he was familiar with the Spanish law
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
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

He had lived in Louisiana and had met Austin there years before
Very important man in san Antonio
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
But before he could carry out his plans he became ill with pneumonia
On June 10, 1821 Moses Austin died
The long, difficult journey to San Antonio and his work in preparing for colonization had exhausted him
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.

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.
He had made it to Natchitoches, Louisiana when he learned of his father’s death

-Stephen F. Austin

Born in Virginia
Attended Transylvania University in Kentucky
Served in the Missouri territorial legislature
Had been a circuit judge in Arkansas
Only 27 when his father died
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
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
It had fertile soil
abundant water
natural resources
a mild climate
no other settlements

-After returning SFA wrote a full report of his journey to Governor Martinez

Outlined boundary that he wanted for his colonies
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 beganadvertising 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 profaneswearer, no idler” would be allowed in the colony
The land policy was very generous
Every man received 640 acres for himself
320 for wife
160 for each child
80 for each slave
Settlers paid 12.5 cents per acre
People with value, doctors, merchants, etc.received additional land
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

Had to become citizens of their new country
Take an oath of allegiance to the Spanish
Had to become catholic
And had to be of good moral character
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
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

First trip was from New Orleans to Texas
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

While he was there he learned that Mexico had won its independence from Spain in August of the previous year
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
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
Learned much about customs and institutions
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
Native Americans did not like the settlers intruding on their territory
Austin tried to negotiate to try to establish peace
When they continued to raid Austin commanded a militias
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
Named San Felipe de Austin
Had a population of about 200