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.

 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.

 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 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.