The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 31, July 1927 - April, 1928 Page: 201
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Framing the Constitution of the Republic of Texas 201
money, and it is easy to see how two parties in these respec-
tive states of mind did not find it difficult to strike a bargain.
A law of the state legislature passed March 26, 1834, opened
public lands to any purchaser by providing for auctions at which
one might purchase land in tracts of 177 acres at not less than ten
dollars per tract. Possibilities of speculation were limited, how-
ever, by the provision that no person could purchase more than
eleven leagues. A little later this act was supplemented by an
amendment which provided that lands once put up at auction and
not sold might be purchased later at the minimum price without the
formality of an auction A1 April 19, of the same year another
act authorized the Governor to sell as much as four hundred sitios
for purposes of defense. Then a year later, March 14, 1835, a
law was passed authorizing the Governor to sell four hundred
leagues of land without regard to the limitations placed in the act
of March 26 of the year preceding. Finally, April 7, 1835, the
Governor was authorized to dispose of land where such was neces-
sary to secure the public tranquillity.32 This list of the land legis-
lation of Coahuila and Texas is not complete, but it is sufficient to
indicate the reckless fashion in which the public domain of Texas
was being disposed of. During this period Coahuila was in the
midst of a civil war caused by the dispute between the towns of
Monclova and Saltillo over the location of the seat of govern-
ment."3 To add to this confusion the Federal Congress intervened
and declared the state law of March 14, 1835, void as being con-
trary to the federal colonization law of April 6, 1830.34 Meanwhile
President Santa Anna sent an army into the state, and the state's
need for "defense" was increased by the necessity of repelling
this force.
Just how much land was granted under these various acts is a
matter that has not been altogether determined. But John T.
Mason, the agent of an outside "millionaire" company secured a
large grant-in his own right and not that of the company, it
appears. Samuel M. Williams and John Durst profited under
the act of March 14, 1835, which they had introduced in the legis-
"lbid.
"Ibid.
"Barkcr, E. C., The Life of Stephen F. Austin, 466 ff.
"Barker, E. C., "Land Speculation," etc., op. cit.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 31, July 1927 - April, 1928, periodical, 1928; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101088/m1/219/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.