1. Age of Empresarios

2. First Anglo American to secure permission from Spain to bring American settlers into Texas.
First offer to bring 300 families to Texas was turned down.
Runs into his old friend the Baron de Bastrop
Real name was Philip Hendrik Nering Bogel
Dutch
Offered to help Austin
Moses was granted permission to settle 300 families after convincing Governor Antonio Martinez that it was not a United States plot to seize Texas for themselves.
June 10, 1821 – Moses Austin dies of pneumonia.
His son, Stephen F. Austin takes over his father’s work.
Moses Austin

3. Austin decided on the region between the Colorado and the Brazos Rivers.
Fertile soil
Abundant water
Natural resources
Mild climate
No other settlements
Why would Austin extend his colony to the coastline?
Austin’s Colony

5. Advertising Primarily southern newspapers at first
Each man would receive 640 acres, plus:
320 for his wife
160 acres per child
80 acres per slave
Skilled workers could receive additional land
Austin had the land surveyed
Why?
Settlers paid Austin 12.5 cents per acre.
Advertising

6. “No drunkard, no gambler, no profane swearer, no idler” would be allowed in the colony.
Had to become Spanish (later Mexican) citizens.
Had to become Catholic.
Be of good moral character.
Why?
Requirements

7. Washington-on-the-Brazos
Established by Andrew Robinson
First settler to move to Texas
Set up a ferry across the Brazos
Would later open a hotel and saloon
Washington-on-the-Brazos

9. March 1822, Austin traveled to San Antonio to report on the progress of the colony.
Discovered that Mexico had won its independence
The new Mexican Government did not recognize the contract Austin had signed with Spain.
Governor Martinez suggested that Austin travel to Mexico City to seek the new government’s approval for his colony.
Mexican Independence

10. Mexican government reluctant to approve Austin’s contract.
1823, M.G. passed a colonization law allowing for Austin to keep his colony.
Allowed other Americans to receive land grants
Each settler would receive more land than the original contract with Spain
Farmers and ranchers could receive up to 4,605 acres
Austin received 100,000 acres for himself
However, shortly after a new government took power and suspended the colonization law
Only Austin was allowed to go ahead with his colony
Austin in Mexico

11. Early Troubles Settlers left colony due to drought Land disputes
Karankawas and Tonkawas raided the coastal settlements
Early Troubles

12. Term given to the original 300 families that settled Austin’s colony.
First colonists could select the best land.
Old 300

13. July 1824, San Felipe de Austin
First Capital – July 1824