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Austin Establishes a Colony. Unit 3.2, Part 1 Notes (Chapter 7 Section 1). Moses Austin Paves the Way. Moses Austin was the first Anglo American to get permission from the Spanish to bring American settlers to Texas.
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Austin Establishes a Colony Unit 3.2, Part 1 Notes (Chapter 7 Section 1)
Moses Austin Paves the Way • Moses Austin was the first Anglo American to get permission from the Spanish to bring American settlers to Texas. • Austin’s business failed in the depression of 1819. In 1820 he left Missouri and went to San Antoniowith a moneymaking idea.
Moses Austin Paves the Way • Moses asked Governor Antonio Martinez for permission to bring 300 American families to Spanish Texas, but was turned down at first. • In 1821, Austin’s friend Baron de Bastrop influenced the Spanish governor to give Austin the permission he sought.
Stephen F. Austin Continues His Father’s Work • Moses left Texas to return to Missouri and prepare to bring his colonists to Texas, but during the trip he became sick. • On June 10, 1821 Moses Austin died of pneumonia at his home. His dying wish was for his son, Stephen, to carry on his plan for Texas. • Led by Erasmo Seguin, Stephen Austin went to San Antonio in August 1821 to get permission to carry on the work of his father’s colony.
Austin Sets Colony Boundaries • Austin decided that the region between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers would make a good colony. • He chose this land because it had fertile soil, abundant water, natural resources, a mild climate, and no other settlements. • Austin also requested land along the coast, so that he would have a port to land the settlers and supplies.
Advertising for Colonists • Austin promised 640 acres for each man, 320 acres for each woman, 160 acres for each child, and 80 acres for each slave. People with valuable jobs such as merchants and doctors received additional land. • The land would cost 12.5 cents per acre. Austin himself surveyed the land and prepared the land titles. He even extended credit to new settlers, allowing them time to pay.
Advertising for Colonists • Settlers had to become citizens of Spain (and later Mexico), and had to be of good moral character, obeying the laws of New Spain. • Settlers must officially become Catholic. Although most did, they did not practice Catholicism. • Austin only wanted people who were willing to work hard and whose presence would benefit the colony.
Good Land and Low Prices • Austin’s advertisement attracted many people. Most early colonists came from Southern United States. • The first settler to enter Austin’s land was Andrew Robinson, who set up a ferry across the Brazos River. • They owned small farms and a few cows and horses. The wealthiest was Jared Groce, a planter and lumberman from Alabama.
Path of Scots-Irish Immigration through Southern United States
Good Land and Low Prices • In March 1822, Austin learned that Mexico had won independence from Spain the previous year. • The new government did not recognize Austin’s right to colonize Texas.
Austin Impresses Mexican Leaders • After learning that Spain was no longer in control, he traveled to Mexico City to get approval for his settlement from the new Mexican government. • In 1823, the Mexican government was impressed by Austin’s honesty and sincerity and passed a colonization law, giving him the contract.
Austin Impresses Mexican Leaders • 1823 General Colonization Law: • Farming and ranching families could receive up to 4,605 acres in exchange for paying Stephen Austin a $30 empresario fee • Austin would receive 100,000 acres himself for his services as an empresario. On this land he built a dog-trot cabin. • Austin was granted permission to settle 300 families
A breezeway through the middle of the two rooms provided air to circulate in when a breeze blew. Dogs found it a convenient place to nap Dog-Trot Cabin – the typical style of house for the Texas colonists
Problems Develop in the Colony • When Austin returned to the colony, he found that many colonists had left because of drought. Others were waiting for the land to be surveyed. • Disagreement arose over ownership of some lands. • Karankawas raided settlements and stole livestock along the coast.
Problems Develop in the Colony • Austin and Baron de Bastrop resolved the land disagreements by settling claims and recording deeds to the land. • In 1824, Austin had to raise a militia to protect his colonists from Native American attacks. • This armed militia had to “range” (patrol) over larger territories to keep the colony safe. This famous group later became known as the Texas Rangers.
The Old 300 • The 297 families that originally settled in Austin’s colony became known as the Old Three Hundred. • Many chose lands along the Brazos, Colorado, and San Jacinto rivers, as well as smaller streams, creeks and bayous. • Many such as Jane Long had already been in Texas before Austin arrived.
The Colony Gets a Capital • Austin gave the colony a capital to serve as a government center. • The capital was named San Felipe de Austin by Texas Governor Luciano Garcia. • The name honored Garcia’s patron saint, Philip, and Stephen Austin.
Today’s Assignments • Highlight key people, events, topics, and vocabulary on Unit 3.2 Study Guide • Finish Unit 3.2, Part 2 GPERSIA Vocabulary
