 Stephen F. Austin returned to his colony in  He found many problems and the residents were very unhappy.  The resident’s first crop had failed because of a drought, so they had to hunt for food.  They were also facing constant indian attacks because the Native Americans did not like them there.

 To help bring order to the colony, he established a headquarters.  There he set up a system of government and created rules to guide the colony.  These rules were a mixture of Mexican and U.S. laws.  Austin also formed a militia, which led several attacks against the Karankawa and Tonkawa

 Although he used a militia for protection he tried to form friendships with the indians.  As Austin began to deal with the problems he brought the residents of his colony closer together. They began to act as one great family looking to Austin as a father figure.

 Austin’s colonies numbers increased.  By the fall of 1824, Austin had nearly fulfilled his contract.  297 families and single men had received land in his colony.  These first settlers became known as the Old Three Hundred.  What was promised to Stephen F. Austin if he colonized 300 families?

 There were 1,790 colonist living in Austin’s colony in 1825, about 440 were enslaved African Americans.  What impact did this have on the colony and how do you think it will effect the future?

 The settlers were educated.  Only 4 of the white colonist could not read.  The settlers were law abiding because of Austin’s strict laws.  John P. Coles built a sawmill that supplied lumber to the colony.

 Austin’s colony needed a capital.  Why are laws and government important to societies?  In 1824 Austin founded San Felipe de Austin better known as San Felipe.  The site of the capitol had many advantages.  It was in the center of the colony and halfway between the coast and El Camino Real.

 San Felipe became the heart of Austin’s colony.  The town’s population began to explode.  Austin moved here and built a log cabin.  The colony published a newspaper called “Telegraph and Texas Register”.  Why was this newspaper important?

 Williamson became a judge of the colony.  He wore a wooden peg to support the knee of a weak leg.  His nick name was “Three-Legged Willie” and would later help form the Texas Court System.  By 1827 the capital San Felipe had approximately 200 residents. This was just one town in Austin’s growing colony!

 By 1830 San Felipe was the largest business center in Texas, after San Antonio.  Homes and stores lined the capital’s main street. The town now had: ◦ A lumber mill ◦ Newspaper office ◦ Post Office ◦ Hotel

Stephen F.

 List 3 problems that Austin’s early colony might have faced?  List 3 solution’s to the problems.  Why do you think San Felipe was important?  Who were the Old Three Hundred?  Why was the location of San Felipe important.