Chapter 7 Section 1 Notes: Austin Establishes a Colony

1. Chapter 7 Section 1 Notes: Austin Establishes a Colony

2. Moses Austin Paves the Way • 1. 1821: Moses Austin began the Anglo American colonization of Texas. • 2. He knew Spanish laws. • 3. He lost his lead business in the depression of 1819. • 4. 1820: He travelled to Texas to get a contract to bring 300 American families to Texas. Needed permission from Antonio Martinez, Governor of Texas. • 5. Martinez first said no, then he approved Austin’s plan because Baron de Bastrop vouched for Austin. • 6. While dying of pneumonia, he requested his son Stephen carry out his plans.

3. Stephen F. Austin Continues His Father’s work • Stephen F. Austin left New Orleans where he was studying law to come to Texas to help his father. • At 27, SFA had been to college, served as a judge and a legislator. He had strength of character to carry out his father’s work. • 3. Governor Martinez allowed him to take over the colonization when his father died.

4. Austin Sets Colony Boundaries. • 1. He chose the region between the Colorado and the Brazos rivers which had fertile soil, abundant water, natural resources, a mild climate and other settlements. • 2. Austin also requested a port for landing for settlers and supplies.

5. Advertising for Colonists • Austin advertised for settlers in newspapers read in the southern states. • Ads gave the rules: • “No drunkard, no gambler, no profane swearer, no idler” Every man would receive: 640 acres for himself 320 acres for his wife 160 acres for each child 80 acres for each slave Persons with useful skills other than farming and ranching received more.

6. Settlers paid Austin 12.5 cents an acre and Austin surveyed (measured off the land) and provided documents giving ownership or title to the land. The 12.5 cents per acres covered these costs.

7. Other requirements for settlers: • Good moral character • Become Roman Catholic • Become Mexican Citizens • Be willing to work hard!

8. Good Land and Low Prices Attract Settlers • Austin brought his first settlers to Texas on the ship, the Lively • Andrew Robinson set up a ferry across the Brazos River. • Most settlers had little. • Jared Groce was wealthy and brought 50 wagons and 90 slaves. • 1822: The Lively wrecked losing colonists and supplies. • 1822: Austin learned of Mexico’s independence from Spain and had to travel to Mexico to get new government’s approval of his colonization contract.

9. Austin Impresses Mexican Leaders • Austin left for Mexico City travelling 1000 miles and had to stay more than a year. • The Mexican government had many problems. • Austin received a contract in 1823 under the new Mexican law. • Austin won the respect and trust of the Mexican government.

10. Problems in the Colony • While Austin was in Mexico, colonies suffered drought and Indian raids. • Settlers whose land had not been surveyed argued about who owned what. • The settlers formed a militia for protection from the Indians. This militia became the Texas Rangers.

11. The Old 300 • Austin completed his contract and settled 300 families by 1825. • These families are known as the Old 300. • Jane Long was among these settlers. • Many Texans trace their lineage to these settlers.

12. Austin Colony’s Capital • San Felipe de Austin was the capital located where the Brazos crossed the Old San Antonio Road. • Austin and about 200 settlers lived there in dog trot homes.

13. Section 2: The Colonies Grow • Emperor Augustin Iturbide was overthrown in 1823. • Those that formed the new government were called Federalists. • Federalists believed in sharing power between the states and federal government. (Like the United States.) • The opposition were called Centralists.

14. Centralistsbelieved power should be concentrated in the national or central government. • 1824: Federalist Constitution was written. • Mexico made Texas part of the state of Coahuila and named it Coahuila y Tejas. • The state’s capital was Saltillo. • Baron de Bastrop was the one representative from Texas.

15. Colonization Laws changed. • 1824: States could create their own colonization laws. • 48,708 acres of land: maximum per family • Only settlers intending to live permanently could receive land contracts.

16. Stephen F. Austin: Most Successful Empresario • He had 4 additional contracts under the Colonization Law of 1825. • Bastrop was the headquarters of his “Little Colony”. • Austin’s Success: • Good at dealing with the Mexicans • Colony had very good land and resources.

17. Green DeWitt • Granted the right to settle 400 families west of Austin’s colony. • Gonzales became the headquarters of his colony.

18. Martin de Leon • He was from Mexico. • He and his wife founded the town of Victoria. • They sided with the Texans during the war of independence, but they suffered prejudice after the war. • De Leon was a rancher.

19. Population increases • Generous land policies brought many to Texas. • Most were from the southern states. • Irish immigrants settled the towns of Refugio and San Patricio. • Tejanos lived in the Department of Bexar. • Slavery was found in Texas, but less than other southern states, because the laws about slavery were uncertain. • Some early African Americans were not slaves, but free.

20. Women as colonists • Much of what we know comes from the writings of Mary Austin Holley, Stephen F. Austin’s cousin. • Women worked hard and did many jobs usually reserved for men. • They could not vote, hold public office or serve on a jury.

21. Review Questions: • What is a drastic decline in economic activity called?

22. Answer: • A Depression

23. Question: • What is a person who comes to a new country to settle called?

24. Answer: • An Immigrant • I for Into • E for Exit, as in emigrant • The emigrant leaves his country to go to a new country

25. Question: • Who helped Moses Austin win approval with Governor Antonio Martinez?

26. Answer: • Baron de Bastrop

27. Question: • What do you need to show proof of ownership to land?

28. Answer: • A Title to the land

29. Question: • What is an army of citizens?

30. Answer: • A Militia

31. Question: • What are the original settlers of Stephen F. Austin’s first colony called?

32. Answer • The Old 300

33. Question: • The capital of Austin’s first colony was called:

34. Answer: • San Felipe de Austin

35. Question • What is a Law-Making Body called?

36. Answer: • A legislature

37. Question: • What is the central seat of government called?

38. Answer: • The Capital

39. Question: • What was the name of the ship Stephen F. Austin used to bring colonists to Texas?

40. Answer: • The Lively

41. Question: • Stephen F. Austin is known as ___________________.

42. Answer: • The Father of Texas.