Anglo American Colonization Lesson 1 Mexican Texas

Moses Austin Moses Austin - present-day Missouri - part of Spanish Louisiana Has familiarity with Spanish laws and regulations. Becomes the first to gain permission from Spain to bring Anglo American settlers into Texas.

Moses Austin - Depression The United States has a depression and Moses Austin is in deep debt. Needs to regain his fortunes. Many Americans are hurt by depression and are attracted to cheap land The Spanish are interested in populating Texas but are having trouble attracting settlers.

Let’s Make a Deal Moses Austin travels 800 miles to San Antonio to meet with Governor Antonio Martinez. Proposes bring in 300 Anglo American families to Texas. Governor rejects the plan M. Austin meets with Baron de Bastrop and Bastrop is able to convince Martinez to say yes.

Stephen F. Austin Moses becomes ill on the way home. Martinez sents Erasmo Seguin to tell of the approval Moses writes to his son, Stephen F. Austin and pleads with him to “carry out the ‘Texas Venture’”

Stephen F. Austin Finds His Place Austin travels to San Antonio in August 1821 to meet with Martinez Then he starts exploring Texas for a good site. He chooses a coastal plain between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers Rich soil Access to water Warm climate

New Colony Original plan with Martinez is for 200,000 acres Austin asks for more 12.5 cents per acre / 1/10th of what an acre costs in USA ●640 acres for every free man ●320 acres for a wife ●160 acres for each child ●80 acres for every slave ●Special skills also get more acreage.

Conditions of Colonization Every colonist must meet certain conditions: Good conduct Catholic Must become citizens of Spain (later Mexico)

Spain to Mexico Mexico wins independence in August Early Martinez tells Austin Mexico does not honor Spain’s contract. Austin takes a 1000 mile journey to Mexico City to fix it. Stays 1 year, learns Spanish language and meets influential people New law passes that gives Austin his colony

1823 Colonization Law Every farmer and rancher gets 4,605 acres per family. Empresario system is established. Land agent who brings settlers to a new area. Empresarios receive 100,000 acres as their payment. Austin is the only empresario under this law.

Trouble in the Colony Austin returns after a year to find problems Drought Need for surveys Disputes and disagreements Baron De Bastrop helps restore the situation

Native American Troubles Native Americans believe the settlers are invading their land. Start raiding settlements, stealing horses and cattle Austin creates a force of militia or citizens acting as a military force to defend against the Native Americans. (Will later become the Texas Rangers.) The church eventually intervenes and negotiates a peace.