The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905 Page: 141
xiii, 358 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
De Witt's Colony.
be denied to all North Americans except those en route for Aus-
tin's and De Witt's colonies.'
Thus, in so far as actual admission into De Witt's colony was
concerned, the law of April 6, 1830, seems not to have been very
effective.2 There is no record of any person's ever having been
denied entrance into this section of the country through the opera-
tion of this law. But, by revealing the attitude that Mexico was
now assuming toward Anglo-American colonization of Texas, it
did serve even here to check immigration. In a report made to
the government in the latter part of 1834 by the ayuntamiento of
Gonzales for the purpose of obtaining a renewal of De Witt's con-
tract, it was claimed that the law of April 6 virtually put a stop to
all immigration to the colony, and that through its operation many
of those who came thither and were given certificates never received
titles to land.3
It was not long before the Mexican government saw a still better
way to keep people from the United States out of Texas. Accord-
ing to the colonization law of Coahuila and Texas the emnpresario
contracts were to be valid for only six years from the day on which
they were issued. Some of these contracts were now expiring, and
the greater part of the lands covered by them was still unoccu-
pied. Mexico's opportunity had now come. The vacant lands
was hers to dispose of, and without offense to the colonists already
in Texas she could grant them out again to whomsoever she would.
A new colonization law was therefore passed, April 28, 1832,
offering especial protection and aid to Mexicans who should occupy
vacant lands in Texas, and encouraging any empresario promising
to colonize with Mexicans, or with foreigners whose entrance was
not prohibited by the law of April 6, 1830.
De Witt's contract expired April 15, 1831. He at once peti-
tioned for an extension of time, which was promptly refused.
Moreover all the alcaldes of the department of Bejar and all the
military commandants on the coast and the frontier were put on
the watch to keep immigrants out of the colony.4 This array of
SOctober 6, 1830 (Appendix to Empresario Contracts, I 10).
A few persons on their way to Robertson's colony were stopped by
Mexicans officials at Nacogdoches, and had to make their way in, secretly
and illegally, by going round the place.
SOfficial correspondence of the ayutcamiento of Gonzales for 1835.
Office of Harwood and Walsh, Gonzales, Texas.
4 Ram6n Musquiz to Principal Commandant Antonio Elosua, May 26,
1831; Elosua to commandants of Nacogdoches, Anuhuac, Lavaca, Guada-
lupe, Goliad, and Tenoxtitlan, May 27, 1831. Bexar Archives.141
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905, periodical, 1905; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101033/m1/143/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.