Chapter 8 Section 4 The Empresarios Mexican Land Grant

Mexico’s New Colonization Laws Because Austin’s new colony had so much success Mexico passed a law to encourage more immigration National Colonization Law of U.S. immigrants were not allowed to establish colonies near the nation’s borders or along the coast

Coahuila y Texas Formed by combining the separate states of Texas and Coahuila This state had its own immigration policy State Colonization Law of Passed as a result of the influence of Tejano leaders -This law further opened Texas to settlement and immigration

Empresarios Many people followed Stephen F. Austin’s example and became empresarios For every 200 families they settled in the area they received 67,000 acres of land Head of household received 4,428 acres for $30 No taxes for 10 years Only requirements: Catholics and Mexican Citizens

The DeWitt and de Leon Colonies DeWitt and his partner James Kerr received a grant to settle 400 families Settlement was located in the Gulf Coast Plain and Post Oak Belt The fertile soil was great for the settlers, but the location was prone to Indian attacks

Martin de Leon was the only empresario to start a Texas colony mostly of Mexican settlers Colony was along the lower Guadalupe River Main Town: Victoria He did not specify the borders so clashes with other colonies occurred

Arthur G Wavell Scotsman Tried to establish a colony in Northeast Texas by the Red River Conflicts with the United States over the border caused problems The colony did not succeed

James Power and James Hewetson Irishmen Colony north of the Nueces River John McMullen and James McGloin founded another colony by the same river Known as the San Patricio de Hibernia, Spanish for “Saint Patrick of Ireland” Cholera epidemic spread through the settlement

Texas Empresarios Lorenzo de Zavala - Active in Mexican Politics receives contract to settle 500 families - Never established the colony but sold it to the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company

Austin’s Contributions to Texas Empresario System- caused population to boom Won the trust of Mexican officials In 10 years he brought more than 1500 families to Texas Known as the Father of Texas