IIn 1821, Moses Austin Paves the way for Anglo American colonization of Texas. HHe was the first Anglo American to secure permission from Spain to bring settlers into Texas. IIn 1819, a depression, a time in which businesses suffer and people lose their jobs, swept the USA that year. IIn the fall of 1820, Austin and an enslaved African American name Richmond set out on an 800 mile journey to Texas to meet with Governor Antonio Martinez. TThe journey hope to get a contract from Spanish to bring 300 hundred families to Texas; Austin was turned down.
Referred to as the “Father of Texas,” born in Virginia on , founded the first Anglo American colony in the state of Texas. Studying law at the age of 27 in Natchitoches, Louisiana, when he learned of his father’s passing. Determined to carry out his father’s plan for colonization; he goes to San Antonio to see Governor Martinez.
Austin spends most of September of 1821, exploring Texas and he decides that the region between the Colorado and the brazos Rivers was a good place for a colony; the land was abdudnant and had fertile soil. He writes a report and outlines the boundaries that he wanted for his colony and sends it to Martinez. He also request for additional land by the coast so that the settlers had a port to arrive his settlers on.
Austin begins advertising for settlers to come to his colony. The land policy proposed by Austin was very generous; every man would receive 640 acres for himself, 320 for his wife, and 160 acres for each child. Austin himself took the responsibility for having the land SURVEYED- or measured, to determine grant sizes and boundaries. Legal rights then could be 12.5 cents per acre.
Settlers coming to Texas were required to become citizens of their new country and to take an oath of allegiance to the Spanish- and later Mexican-government. They also had to become Catholic and be of good moral character. Austin wanted settlers who were willing to work hard and who would be loyal to the government.
In 1821, Austin outfitted a ship, the Lively, to take people and supplies to the new colony- there were about 100 colonists on this ship. In the spring of 1822, the Lively, loaded with additional settlers and supplies, wrecked on the western shore of Galveston Island. The loss of the colonists and the badly needed seed and supplies was grave and disappointment to Austin. In March 1822, he arrives in San Antonio and learns that Mexico won its independence in August of the previous year from Spain; this meant that the new government didn’t recognize Austin’s right to colonize Texas.
Who was Antonio Martinez? Who was referred to as the Father of Texas and why? What major setbacks did Austin encounter in 1822? Can you think of any more important questions regarding the information we have discussed so far?
Who was Antonio Martinez? Texas Governor in Who was referred to as the Father of Texas and why? Stephen F. Austin- he was the first Anglo American to form a colony in the state of Texas. What major setback did Austin encounter in 1822? Colonists and supplies were lost in the shipwreck of the Lively; Mexican government did not recognize Austin’s right to colonize Texas. Can you think of an important question regarding the information we have discussed so far?
Friend and lawyer- Josiah Bell becomes Austin financial adviser and helps him gain the approval for colonization in Texas. Austin decides to leave his colony and head to Mexico City to convince government leaders to approve his colony. He left Josiah Bell in charge. He set out in March of 1822.
Him and his crew were attacked and captured by Comanche Indians and finally released. Once there he found they found the Mexican government having issues establishing themselves. There was little time to discuss Texas settlement. In the meantime Austin studied Spanish and had meetings with officials. Mexican leaders were convinced that Austin wanted to be a loyal citizen. January 1823 Mexican government passes the Imperial Colonization Law- Austin's land grant was secure and he could continue to bring in settlers from the USA. Again Austin was face another problem; shortly after the law was passed a new leader came in charge in Mexico, so this again meant current colonization terms were void. Austin in Mexico
However, the new government decided to uphold the colonization terms for Austin. They gave him 100,000 acres of land once he completed his contract by settling 300 families. He was given permission to also form his own government and MILITIA- or any army made up of citizens who serve when necessary and protect the colonists from Indians.
The Colony needed a capital. In 1824 Austin founded- San Felipe de Austin better known as San Felipe. The town was located in present day Austin.