Chapter 8 Section 1 Moses Austin and Texas

Moses Austin’s Texas Dream In June of 1798 he moved to present-day Missouri where Spanish officials allowed him to mine lead there. Austin became a Spanish citizen and built strong ties with Spanish officials. By 1803 he became a wealthy part owner of the Bank of St. Louis.

1819- U.S. experienced a financial panic. Panic of 1819 led to a depression causing many banks to fail. This included Austin’s bank, and now he was ruined.

He remembered that he had profited once from moving to a Spanish land so he decided to try that again. He could establish a colony of U.S. families in Texas and charge them a fee, hopefully regaining his wealth.

Moses Austin Goes to Texas On his way to Texas he visited his son, Stephen F. Austin, in Arkansas Territory. Stephen had doubts about his father’s plan, but gave him $50 and a horse. Moses took a slave named Richmond as a traveling companion.

In late November 1820 the 2 men crossed into Texas. On the way to San Antonio they admired the land and hoped its fertile soil would be good for farming. On December 23, 1820 they arrive in San Antonio.

By chance he saw someone he had met several years earlier. Because of recent filibuster activity the governor was suspicious of U.S. citizens. Austin was ordered to leave the city, so he gathered his papers and left. By chance he saw someone he had met several years earlier. The man’s name was Baron de Bastrop, a Dutch businessman who had moved to San Antonio. Baron de Bastrop

Austin told Bastrop about his plan and the governor’s order to leave. Bastrop decided to help and convinced Martinez to allow Austin to stay in town a few days. Bastrop rewrote the colonization request. His arguments were quite persuasive.

Baron de Bastrop’s Plan He pointed out Austin had been a loyal Spanish citizen Colonizing Texas would improve the economy. It would protect from Indian attacks as well. It would protect the area from U.S. invasions

The Plan was a Success! Bastrop’s arguments were persuasive Martinez promised to urge his superiors to approve the plan Austin was confident his trip was a success “The Governor was pleased to say that if I returned I might depend on his friendship.”

Going Back Home With their plan being a success, the two men (Austin and Richmond) headed home A fellow traveler took all their supplies The two men had to walk the rest of the way Flooded streams and cold weather slowed their progress By the time they reached shelter the two men were very ill

Return to Missouri Even after they returned to Missouri Austin’s health remained poor Despite the illness he still made preparations for his new colony Spring 1821- Receive news the plan had been approved!!!

Austin received the right to settle 300 Catholic families from Louisiana However, Austin became extremely ill and asked his wife to write to his son Stephen.