1. Stephen F. Austin in Texas
Chapter 8 Section 2
Stephen F. Austin in Texas

2. The Story Continues…
Erasmo Seguin (mayor of San Antonio de Bexar) had traveled to Louisiana to meet with Moses Austin and he never showed
He wrote Stephen, Moses’s son, to see if he knew anything
Suddenly Stephen arrived wanting to help out his father
The two of them headed to Texas when a rider caught up with them telling them Moses had passed away.
Tomb of Moses Austin in Potosi, Missouri

3. Stephen F. Austin Goes to Texas
27 years old when he learned of his father’s death
Was determined to carry out his father’s plan to bring U.S. settlers to Texas

4. As he entered Texas in 1821 he promised himself, “I determined [decided] to fulfill rigidly all the duties and obligations of a Mexican citizen.”
He arrived in San Antonio de Bexar in August Erasmo Seguin the alcalde led Austin to governor Martinez who gave him a warm welcome.

5. Because Mexico had won its independence from Spain since Austin’s contract, a new one would have to be made with the government.
In just a few days Austin had a proposal worked out and Martinez helped him get the approval from the officials in Mexico city.

6. Time to Check It Out
After he received approval, Austin spent the next few months exploring the land east of San Antonio.
He picked the rich farmland in the area of the Brazos and Colorado River Valleys
11 million acres in the Gulf Coast Plain

7. Austin Readies His Colony
Austin hurries back to the U.S. to make final preparations
Once back in Louisiana he writes a report to Governor Martinez specifying the colony’s location, how much land a person could get based on different terms.

8. Different Amounts for Different People
Austin gave land to people based on different circumstances:
Head of household= 640 acres of land
Married man= additional 320 acres and 120 acres for each child
Slave holders= 80 acres per slave

9. Terms of Land- U.S. In the U.S. land cost $1.25 per acre
U.S. law stated a minimum of 80 acres
Pay the full price in cash up front
Not many people had $100 in cash after the Panic of 1819

10. Austin’s Terms of Settlement
Austin would accept goods as payment for land
Allowed settlers to pay their fees over time
After the Panic of 1819 many settlers did not have cash so these terms looked great to them compared to the terms of the U.S.

11. But… He had strict guidelines for his settlers
You Had To Be…
Hard working
Law abiding
A Mexican citizen
Willing to convert to Catholicism

12. Final Preparations
Austin goes to New Orleans to make final preparations for the colony’s finances
Forms a partnership with Joseph H. Hawkins who is a friend and a lawyer
Hawkins gave Austin financial support

13. The Lively
Austin uses some of the funding to buy and outfit a small ship called the Lively
Late the Lively sails from New Orleans with colonists, cargo of seeds, tools, and building materials

14. Slight Change of Plans
Austin was to meet the Lively at the mouth of the Colorado River
The crew had accidentally landed at the mouth of the Brazos River
Unable to find Austin the crew left the settlers and supplies to return to New Orleans
Many settlers eventually made their way back to the United States

15. The Lively takes a second attempt at reaching Texas but wrecks near the tip of Galveston Island
This loss of supplies was very hard on Austin’s colony
By March 150 people had settled along the Brazos and Colorado Rivers
Austin tried to help them adjust to the hardships of life in the Texas wilderness
Food and supplies were scarce because of the shipwreck

16. Austin returns to San Antonio to report on the colony’s status
He finds out he has to reaffirm his contract with the Mexican government
He decides to go to Mexico City to convince the government leaders to approve his colony
He leaves Josiah Bell in charge
Over a year will pass before he sees Texas again

17. Because the government was trying to organize they had little time for Texas affairs
Austin faced many delays so he studied Spanish and met with officials
January Mexican government passes the Imperial Colonization Law
- Secured Austin’s land grant and allowed him to continue bringing in settlers

18. But Agustin de Iturbide fell out of power and the new government canceled the colonization law
Austin continued pressing the issue with the officials
His patience paid off because the new government decided to uphold the contract under the terms of the cancelled law

19. Imperial Colonization Law
Couples= 4,428 acres for ranching, 177 acres for farming
Settlers are exempt form paying taxes for 6 years
Austin receives 100,000 acres once he completes his contract for settling 300 families
He also received the power to organize a militia
April Austin heads back to Texas