Texas Almanac, 1947-1948 Page: 98
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98 TEXAS ALMANAC -1947-1948
adherents of republican and monarchical
forms of government he found the National
Congress deadlocked over establishment of a
general colonization policy It was soon after
this act was passed, in January, 1823, that
he was able to come to a new agreement
which confirmed his grant.
Empresario System.
Under the new law the government con-
tracted with empresarios or agents for the
introduction of families Under the law the
empresario could obtain grants on contracts
for introducing no fewer than 200 families of
colonists. He was given wide authority over
his colonists in the matters of establishing
commercial centers, maintenance of militia
and administering justice It was this em-
presario system under which the colonization
of Texas made extraordinary strides during
the next decade
Austin's colony grew rapidly and San Felipe
de Austin (in present Austin Count.) was
laid out on the Brazos as the seat of govern-
ment in the colony
First 300 Families.
Austin's first grant was for 300 families.
This quota-known as "the First Three Hun-
dred," and having a place in Texas history
somewhat similar to that of the Jarnestown
and Plymouth settlers in United States his-
tory v.as soon filled and Austin was given
neC grants and the bounds of his colony ex-
tended More than 1000 land titles were
issued to Austin in the next decade and
population of his colony grew to upward of
5.000 Among these first families were man
who were later prominent in Texas history.
including Moses Austin's grandsons-Guy M,
vWilliam Joel and Moses Austin Bryan
Other Colonies.
Austin was the most successful of the em-
presaros. but there sw ere a number of others
that were fairly successful. Green De Witt,
also of Missouii obtained a grant and intro-
duced several hundred families west of the
Colorado. founding the town of Gonzales in
1825 Another empiesario was Hayden Ed-
wards who received a grant for the settling
of 800 families around Nacogdoches Other
American empresarios were Benjamin Milam,
Gen. James Wilkinson, Sterling Clack Rob-
ertson, Joseph Vehlin, Robert Leftwich,
David Burnet and the firms of McMullen and
McGloin and Power and Hewitson. Theie
were also several Mexican empresarios not-
ably Martin De Leon who settled a number
of families on the Guadalupe. founding
Guadalupe-Victoria. the present Victoria.
Lorenzo de Zavala was another Mexican
empresario who was to play an important
part in the later history of Texas
Although none of these enterprises was as
successful as that of the astute and indus-
rious Austin, there was rapid growth of
population and by 1836 Texas had probably
35 000 to 50 000 white inhabitants
VI.-THE TEXAS REVOLUTION.
The swift course of events between 1821
and 1836 which brought, first, a flood of
Anglo-American immigration pouring into
Texas with approval of Mexican authorities.
and then precipitated revolt which threw off
Mexican sovereignty, has raised an issue
among historians, and the good faith of the
American colonists in Texas has not always
been permitted to go without question
The Texas Revolution came, in the light
of usual historical development, rather nat-
urally and logically The Texas of that day
was a land of indefinite boundaries on the
border line between Latin and Anglo-Ameri-
can Mexico itself had only recently thrown
off its Spanish toke, and, in its new-foundindependence, entered a pei od of confusion
with few parallels. Mexican history of the
1821-36 period was a series of revolutions
which made consistent policy in any matter
impossible The matter of a colonial policy
in Texas was a political issue among the
warring factions at the Mexican seat of gov-
ernment
Furthermore, Texas was geographically
isolated from the center of Mexican commer-
cial and political control. Mexico City was
800 miles distant from Texas and a vast
wilderness lay between the latter and the
nearest Mexican cities of importance. On the
other hand, it was easy to direct Texas com-
merce toward the near-by and friendly
United States, either overland or through the
convenient port of New Orleans. A wise colo-
nial policy on the part of Mexico might have
overcome these difficulties; certainly it would
have long postponed the crisis that arose
after a brief interval of colonization.
Inconsistent Mexican Policy.
There is sufficient material in the record
to show that most of the early colonists came
to Texas in good faith and were willing to
become permanently citizens of the Republic
of Mexico Certainly Stephen F. Austin did
everything possible to maintain the status
under which he had contracted to bring set-
tleris to Texas Most of his colonists seem to
hae been with him in sentiment, at least in
the earlier stages of the growing controversy
when ise statesmanship at Mexico City
might hase changed permanently the course
of historical development in the region be-
tween the Sabine and Rio Grande
Howe oer, it must be said that there ere
those Americans ho came to Texas looking
backward Possibly there was no actual con-
spiracy to rest Texas from Mexico, but
their e were some who were not adverse to
adding oil to any flame of discontent The
Mexican National Go ernment unwisely did
much to fan the flame.
Fredonian Rebellion.
Unfortunately, several incidents arose to
heighten suspicions at Mexico City. As early
as the latter part of 1826, trouble developed
between American and Mexican settlers at
Nacogdoches Hayden Edwards had been
given a giant at Nacogdoches, where Gil v
Barbo and his followers had lived for several
decades A conflict arose and Mexican author-
ites at San Antonio decided in favor of the
Mexican settlers. Edwards organized the
Republic of Fredonia and declared Texas
independent of Mexico Though Edwards was
quickly driven out, his action was cause of
disquiet at Mexico City.
As a result of this and other developments,
the liberal colonization policy was reversed
In 1829 a decree was issued freeing slaes,
which brought protest from American set-
tlers in Texas who were largely cotton gro-
ers from the slave states of the South. This
difficulty was settled by revocation of the
proclamation, It was followed immediately.
hoxxexer, by even more definite measures to
stop American immigration into Texas.
Provisions of Law of 1830.
In April, 1830, the Mexican Congress en-
acted a law forbidding further settlement of
Americans in Texas excepting in two colo-
nies, providing for establishment of Mexican
con ict colonies in Texas, and levying duties
on all foreign imports and establishing cus-
toms houses, By this legislation it was hoped
to lessen the growth of American population,
accelerate that of Mexican population and
break up the growing commerce with the
United States, forcing commercial relations
with Mexico.
It was this act that brought the first storm
of protest and added to the several under-
1Uing causes of the Texas Resolution. Nei-
thei the National Constitution of 1824 nor the
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Texas Almanac, 1947-1948, book, 1947; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117136/m1/100/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.