The Austins come to Texas
Chapter Section 2 The Austins come to Texas Main Ideas 1. Moses Austin made plans to establish acolony in Texas but died before he couldaccomplish them. 2. Stephen F. Austin continued his fathersplan and brought the first Anglo settlers toTexas. 3. Austins colony faced many challenges inthe first few years of its existence. Key Terms and People Moses Austin Stephen F. Austin Baron de Bastrop
Erasmo Segun cotton gins militia Moses Austin--received permission to settle American families in Texas Stephen AustinFather of Texas Baron de Bastropfriend to Moses Austin, interpreter and helper to Stephen F Austin Erasmo Segunstatesman and Tejano leader who supported Austin and the colonists. cotton gins devices that separate cotton fibers from seeds militia An army made up of citizens who serve when necessary Moses Austins Texas Dream
Though he was broke, Moses Austin was notdefeated. He had profited once by moving to aSpanish landMissouriand perhaps such amove could work again. Austin soon developed aplan to establish a colony of American families inTexas. By charging them fees, he could regain hiswealth. Hopeful again, Austin set out for Texas.On his way to Texas, Austin visited his sonStephen F. Austin in Arkansas Territory. Theyounger Austin had doubts about his fathersplans, but Moses remained determined. He setout for Texas with a slave named Richmond. Thetwo crossed into East Texas in November 1820 Reaching San Antonio in December, Austin metwith Spanish governor Antonio Mara Martnez.The governor, however, did not trust U.S.citizens. He ordered Austin out of the city.However, a chance encounter changed thesituation. In the city, Austin met the Baron deBastrop, a Dutch businessman. Although hecalled himself a baron, Bastrop had not beenborn noble. Born Philip Hendrik Nering Bgel, hehad fled the Netherlands in 1793 after beingaccused of theft. While on the run, he adoptedhis fake title and settled in San Antonio. There hebecame a successful businessman and arespected statesman Austin told Bastrop about his colonization plan, andBastrop decided to help him. Together, the two menmet with Martnez. They pointed out that Austinscolony would improve the Texas economy. Hispresence would also help protect the area fromattacks by American Indians or U.S. soldiers. Theyalso noted that Austin had become a Spanish citizenin Missouri and would be loyal to New Spain.Convinced, Martnez agreed to propose the plan tohis superiors. Satisfied, Austin returned to Missourito await news. In the spring of 1821, he learned thatSpanish officials had agreed to his plan. Austin hadtheir permission to settle 300 Catholic families fromLouisiana in Texas. Before he could act on his plans,however, Moses Austin became ill and died. The fateof his colony now lay in the hands of his son. Stephen F. Austin Takes Over
Stephen F. Austin was 27 years old when he learnedof his fathers death. Austin became determined tocarry out his fathers plan to bring U.S. settlers toTexas. He traveled to San Antonio de Bxar inAugust Erasmo Segun, a rancher and thealcalde of the town, led Austin to Governor Martnez.The Baron de Bastrop was on hand to translate.Martnez offered to support Austins efforts to fulfillhis fathers plans. But in the time since Moses Austinhad received his contract, Mexico had wonindependence from Spanish rule. Consequently,Austin needed a new contract from the Mexicangovernment. Martnez agreed to help him getapproval for that contract from officials in MexicoCity Austin spent the next few months exploring the landeast of San Antonio. He was seeking a good locationfor his colony. In the end, he picked the rich farmlandin the area of the Brazos and Colorado Rivervalleyssome 11 million acres on the Gulf CoastPlain. A colony there would have a mild climate,fertile soil, water, and plenty of timber for building.Wild game was also plentiful. In addition, the sitewas near the coast, where settlers and supplies couldarrive by ship. In his journal, Austin described hischosen location.The Prairie comes to the river and affords a most beautiful situation for aTown or settlement. The bluff is about 60 feet high The country back of thisplace and below for about 15 miles (as far as we went) is as good in everyrespect as man could wish for, Land all first rate, plenty of timber, fine water beautifully rolling.Stephen F. Austin, quoted in Stephen F. Austin: Empresario of Texas, by Gregg Cantrel With a location chosen, Austin returned to theUnited States to prepare. From Louisiana he senta report to Governor Martnez. It specified thecolonys proposed location, which include landalong the Gulf for a port. Austins plan detailedhow he initially intended to distribute land to hiscolonists, although these terms later changed.Each household would receive 640 acres of land.Those who provided valuable services or items,such as cotton ginsdevices that separatecotton fibers from seeds would receive extraland. Where possible, each land grant would lieon a river to provide water for farming andtransportation. Settlers would pay Austin a fee of cents per acre for his services Austins proposed terms were very attractiveto people in the United States, where landcost at least $1.25 an acre. In addition, U.S.law required settlers to buy at least 80 acresand to pay the full price in cash. Few peoplehad the $100 in cash needed to buy this muchland. Austin, however, would accept goods aspayment or allow settlers to pay the fees overtime. Austin advertised for settlers in NewOrleans, and applications poured in fromeager men and women. Austin was careful in selecting settlers
Austin was careful in selecting settlers. Hebelieved his colonys success depended uponhaving hardworking, law-abiding people. Allsettlers also had to become Mexican citizensand convert to Catholicism. With plans inplace, Austin went to New Orleans to arrangefor the colonys finances. While there, heformed a partnership with Joseph H.Hawkins, a friend and lawyer. Hawkinsprovided Austin with financial support and aship. His backing secured, Austin set out forhis colony. Early Settlement of Austins Colony
The first settlers to Austins colony arrived in Andrew Robinson and his family were perhaps thefirst to reach the colony. They camped west of theBrazos River. Soon afterward, Joseph Kuykendallestablished the first settlement on the ColoradoRiver. Other early settlers included Austins friendJosiah Bell and younger brother, James BrownAustin. By March 1822 some 150 people had settledalong the Brazos and Colorado Rivers. Austin tried tohelp the colonists adjust to the hardships of life inthe Texas wilderness. Food and supplies were scarcebecause of difficulties in transporting goods to thearea. Disheartened, some colonists left and madetheir way back to the United States. However, an even greater problem faced the colony
However, an even greater problem faced thecolony. Moses Austin had made his settlementcontract with the Spanish government, which nolonger ruled Mexico. Austin needed the supportof the new Mexican government in order to starthis colony. Austin headed to Mexico City toconvince government leaders to approve hiscolony. He left Josiah Bell in charge and set out inMarch More than a year would pass beforehe saw Texas again. The journey was more than1,000 miles through rugged and dangerous land.At one point some 50 Comanches capturedAustins group, but the party was releasedunharmed. At another point, Austin dressed as abeggar to fool robbers. Once in Mexico City, Austin found officials strugglingto organize a new government. As a result, they hadlittle time to deal with Texas matters. Austin,however, was determined to wait as long as it took.Between meetings with officials, he studied Spanishto become fluent. Austins patience eventually paidoff. In January 1823 the Mexican government passedthe Imperial Colonization Law. Under this law,Austins land grant was secure and he could continueto bring in settlers from the United States. Familiesof farmers in the colony would receive 177 acres, andranching families would receive 4,428 acres. Singlemen would receive one-third of these amounts. Toget the greatest possible amount of land, mostsettlers in Austins colony claimed to be both farmersand ranchers. In addition, settlers were exempt, orfree, from paying taxes for six years. Austin himselfwould receive about 100,000 acres once he hadsettled 300 families in the colony. As the colonys leader, Austin was charged withforming a local government and acting as judge.He was also empowered to form a militia, orarmy made up of citizens who serve whennecessary. Austins determination andwillingness to work with Mexican officials wonhim success. In the end, his colony was the onlyone ever to operate under the ImperialColonization Law. The ruler who had issued it,Agustn de Iturbide, gave up power, and the newgovernment had its own plans for colonization.However, they allowed Austin to maintain hiscolony under the old law. In April 1823 Austinheaded back to Texas.