Austin Establishes a Colony Chapter 8, Section 1 Main Idea: Stephen F. Austin faced challenges and opportunities while establishing his colony in Texas. 3-2 Part 1

Essential Question: Why was SFA successful as a colonizer? What actions were taken by the Mexican Govt. once it became independent from Spain?

Who was Moses Austin? First Anglo American to secure permission from the Spanish authorities to bring American settlers to TX. After his business failed in the depression of 1819, he traveled from his home in Connecticut to San Antonio to make money.

Who was Moses Austin? His request of Spanish authorities to bring 300 American families to TX was turned down at first. In 1821, Austin’s friend Baron de Bastrop influenced the Spanish governor to give Austin the permission he sought.

Who was Moses Austin? However, on June 10, 1821 Moses Austin died. He wanted his son to carry out his plan. Stephen F. Austin (SFA) went to San Antonio in August 1821 to carry out his father’s plan of settling TX.

SFA SFA decided that the region between the Colorado and Brazos rivers would make a good colony. Austin also requested land along the coast to land the settlers and supplies.

Humble was near the eastern border of SFA’s first colony.

SFA Austin promised: The land would cost 12.5 cents per acre. 640 acres Men 320 acres Woman 160 acres per child 80 acres per slave. The land would cost 12.5 cents per acre.

SFA Settlers had to: Become Spanish citizens Take an oath of allegiance to Spain (later Mexico) Become Catholic Be of good moral character Be willing to work hard Be loyal to the government

SFA SFA’s advertisements attracted many people. Most early colonists came from Southern U.S. They owned small farms and a few cows and horses.

Mexican Independence- 1821 SFA learned that Mexico had won independence from Spain the previous year. The new (Mexican) government didn’t recognize SFA’s right to colonize Texas.

Agustin de Iturbide, Mexican Emperor, 1822-1823 Mexican Independence He went to Mexico City to get approval for his settlement from the Mexican government. In 1823, the Mexican government was impressed by him being a lawyer, he’d worked for a newspaper (made him charming & good with words) his honesty & sincerity they passed a general colonization law, giving him the contract. Agustin de Iturbide, Mexican Emperor, 1822-1823

Problems in SFA’s Colony When Austin returned to the colony from Mexico City, he found that many colonists had left because of drought. Others were waiting for the land to be surveyed. Disagreement arose over ownership of some lands. Indians, Karankawas and Tonkawas raided settlements and stole livestock along the coast.

Problems in SFA’s Colony In order to solve these problems, SFA & Baron de Bastrop settled claims and recorded deeds to the land. Austin created a militia to protect the colony from Native Americans. The militia would later become the Texas Rangers, seen in the picture above.

“The Old 300” The 297 families that originally settled in Austin’s colony became known as the Old 300. Many chose lands along the Brazos, Colorado, and San Jacinto rivers, as well as smaller streams, creeks and bayous. Many had already been in TX before SFA arrived.

“The Old 300” Austin gave the colony a capital to serve as a government center. The capital was named San Felipe de Austin.