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Chapter 8 Section 1. Moses Austin and Texas. Moses Austin’s Texas Dream. In June of 1798 he moved to present-day Missouri where Spanish officials allowed him to mine lead there. Austin became a Spanish citizen and built strong ties with Spanish officials.
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Chapter 8 Section 1 Moses Austin and Texas
Moses Austin’s Texas Dream • In June of 1798 he moved to present-day Missouri where Spanish officials allowed him to mine lead there. • Austin became a Spanish citizen and built strong ties with Spanish officials. • By 1803 he became a wealthy part owner of the Bank of St. Louis.
1819- U.S. experienced a financial panic. • Panic of 1819 led to a depression causing many banks to fail. This included Austin’s bank, and now he was ruined.
He remembered that he had profited once from moving to a Spanish land so he decided to try that again. • He could establish a colony of U.S. families in Texas and charge them a fee, hopefully regaining his wealth.
Moses Austin Goes to Texas • On his way to Texas he visited his son, Stephen F. Austin, in Arkansas Territory. • Stephen had doubts about his father’s plan, but gave him $50 and a horse. • Moses took a slave named Richmond as a traveling companion.
In late November 1820 the 2 men crossed into Texas. • On the way to San Antonio they admired the land and hoped its fertile soil would be good for farming. • On December 23, 1820 they arrive in San Antonio.
Because of recent filibuster activity the governor was suspicious of U.S. citizens. • Austin was ordered to leave the city, so he gathered his papers and left. • By chance he saw someone he had met several years earlier. • The man’s name was Baron de Bastrop, a Dutch businessman who had moved to San Antonio. Baron de Bastrop
Austin told Bastrop about his plan and the governor’s order to leave. • Bastrop decided to help and convinced Martinez to allow Austin to stay in town a few days. • Bastrop rewrote the colonization request. • His arguments were quite persuasive.
Baron de Bastrop’s Plan • He pointed out Austin had been a loyal Spanish citizen • Colonizing Texas would improve the economy. • It would protect from Indian attacks as well. • It would protect the area from U.S. invasions
The Plan was a Success! • Bastrop’s arguments were persuasive • Martinez promised to urge his superiors to approve the plan • Austin was confident his trip was a success • “The Governor was pleased to say that if I returned I might depend on his friendship.”
Going Back Home • With their plan being a success, the two men (Austin and Richmond) headed home • A fellow traveler took all their supplies • The two men had to walk the rest of the way • Flooded streams and cold weather slowed their progress • By the time they reached shelter the two men were very ill
Return to Missouri • Even after they returned to Missouri Austin’s health remained poor • Despite the illness he still made preparations for his new colony • Spring 1821- Receive news the plan had been approved!!!
Austin received the right to settle 300 Catholic families from Louisiana • However, Austin became extremely ill and asked his wife to write to his son Stephen.