Texas Almanac, 1859 Page: 157
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who was afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Coali ila and Texas.
Seguin and Veramendi were both gentlemen of character and experience. Ste-
phen Austin waited on them, was kindly received by them, and had the gratifi-
cation to hear them express the opinion that the Spanish authorities would in-
terpose no objection to the assumption by him of the character of successor to
his father in the enterprise of colonization. He immediately made his arrange-
ments to proceed with them to San Antonio. The party, consisting of Don
Erasmo Seguin and Don Juan Veramendi and their escort, and Austin and four-
teen followers, left Nachitoches about the 5th of July; and after considerable
delays in getting fairly equipped for their journey, they crossed the Sabine on
the 16th, and proceeded by the way of Nacogdoches and along the old San An-
tonio road towards Bexar. The party reached the Guadalupe on the 10th ,of
August. From this river three of the Mexicans who belonged to Don Erasmo
Seguin's escort, left them and pushed on to San Antonio, to inform his family of
his approach. On the morning of the 12th of August, while Seguin, Veramendi
and Austin were eating breakfast, these three men returned, accompanied by
several others, and announced the stirring news of the declaration of Mexican
independence.
"On his arrival in San Antonio, Stephen F. Austin was welcomed by Gover-
nor Martinez, as the proper representative of his deceased father; and he ac-
cordingly made arrangements for the immediate exploration of the country, and
the selection of a suitable section for his colony. Moses Austin had formed the
opinion that the country near the Gulf coast, and watered by the Brazos and
Colorado, was the best suited to his purpose. After a minute and careful exam-
ination, Stephen Austin came to the same conclusion, and determined to plant
his colony on those rivers. Austin now returned, as speedily as was possible, to
New Orleans, and began his operations for the introduction of families into the
Province of Texas. Governor Martinez had given him instructions as to the
quantityof land which should be promised to each settler. Austin had formerly
agreed with his early friend, Joseph Hawkins, that he would divide with him, in
an equitable manner, whatever lands he might subsequently acquire in Texas,
if Hawkins would assist him in setting his enterprise fairly on foot. Hawkins
was a generous and sanguine man, and now entered heartily into Austin's views
in regard to the settlement which the latter was about to form in Texas. Un-
fortunately, however,.Hawkins began, about this time, to feel the pressure of pe-
cuniary embarrassment, and was not able to render to Austin that efficient aid
which the latter so much needed. By their joint efforts, however, they fitted
out a small schooner, called "The Lively." She sailed from New Orleans about
the 20th of November, 1821, having on board eighteen men, with all necessary
provisions, arms, ammunition, and farming utensils. They had directions to
enter Matagorda bay, and to asceud the Colorado river, until they found a suita-
ble place, where they were directed to build cabins, to plant corn, and to erect
necessary defences against the attacks of hostile Indians. Austin left New Or-
leans the next day after the Lively ssiled; he proceeded. by land to the bay of
Matagorda, where he expected to meet those who passed over on the schooner.
As he passed through Nachitoches, he collected a party of ten men to accompany
him. He had already made publications in the newspapers, setting forth the
outlines of the enterprise on which he had entered. and inviting colonists to join
him. In these publications the terms on which colonists would be received, the
amount of land that would be granted to them, and all other necessary particu-
lars, were fully set forth. The fame of Austin's enterprise had thus gone forth
throughout the Southwestern States, and many persons were already approach-
ing the frontier of Texas with the intention to offer themselves as colonists. By
means of agents, Austin caused all such persons to be informed how they should
enter the Province of Texas, and conduct themselves until they could be formally
received as settlers, and put into possession of their lands. With this small com-
pany, Austin pushed on to meet the passengers of the Lively; but when he
reached the month of the Colorado river, no traces were to be seen of the
schooner or of any of those who sailed on her. Austin remained near the mouth
of the Colorado for about three months, occasionally searching the neighboring
shores of the bay and gulf for the long expected schooner, until he despaired of
seeing her, when he took his course up the Colorado. Reaching the La Bahia
crossing, he bad the happiness to meet his brother, James Brown Austin, who
had come to join him. Together they proceeded with about twenty men, to157
STEPfEN F. AUTIN.
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Texas Almanac, 1859, book, 1859~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123765/m1/158/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.