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THE WAR IN TEXAS.
Catholic religion, within a given time.-When had done.t None of them, however, have suche
had obtained this grant, or privilege, lie re- ceeded in fulfilling their contracts, except De
turned to Missouri, and proceeded to make the Witt, and Powers and Hewitson. Some of the
necessary preparations for carrying his colonial others have introduced a part of their settlers;
enterprise into effect. Before completing his but the most have disposed of their "grants"
arrangements, however, Moses Austin suddenly to joint stock companies, organized for the
died,-and his son, Stephen F. Austin, took purpose, in New York and Nashville. These
the business in his hands, as the legal heir and companies are extensively engaged in specurepresentative
of his father. He soon repaired lating with said "stock," (and "scrip," which
to Texas, with a considerable number of set- they pass off as preparatory titles to land,)
tiers, the most of whom emigrated from the among the credulous, the ignorant, and the
states of Tennessee, Missouri, and Louisiana. unsuspecting, wherever they can find such
But prior to his obtaining legal possession, or willing to purchase. In no age or nation, pereffecting
the settlement of the families who haps, have unauthorized and illegal speculaaccompanied
him, the revolution occurred, tions in lands been carried to such extremes as
which annulled the authority of the govern- in Texas, within the period of a few years
ment, and resulted in the separation of afl the past.t The swindling operations in the Yazoo
Mexican Provinces from the Spanish Crown. land speculatiopns of Mississippi, were mere
The circumstances here referred to, rendered it child's play in comparison. The government
necessary for Aistin to apply to the new Govern- has thus been defrauded, and its liberal munifiment
for a confirmation of his father's grant. cence abused, by the overweening and reck.
This was obtained with little difficulty, in a less spirit of avaricious adventurers. As I have
modified form, and both the contractor and before said, the terms offered by the governsettlers
were liberally supplied with lands, ment to bona fide settlers, were of the most
gratis, on the condition of occupying them and liberal nature throughout. They were not
pledging themselves to be obedii-nt to the only authorized to select large quantities of
laws of the country: yet the settlement of the land, and hold the same, in fee simple, on concolony
was still restricted and confined to per. dition of settlement,-but they were also persons
of the Catholic persuasion. ,mitted to introduce all articles necessary for
During the brief reign of the Emperor Itur. their own accommodation, for the space often
bide,.and the succeeding administrations of the years, free of the customary duties ,paid by
Federal Government, Austin proceeded with citizens of the Republic.-This, indeed, openthe
settlement of his colony, under the same ed a wide door for smuggling goods into the
regulations as before, and procured an exten- country, to supply the Indian traders, as well
sion of privilege to introduce settlers in other as the native inhabitants. The colonists did
parts of Texas. Laws were enacted by the not fail to improve the opportunity; and many
Federal Government, regulating the terms and foreigners took lands, professedly with the
plans of colonization;-and when the Provinces view of settlement, and engaged extensively
of Coahuila and divers other by the Mexican authorities, as they neither
persons obtained grants, (the privilege of in- possessed the inclination nor the constitutroducing
settlers,) with the view of colonizing tional power to alienate any portion of the terthe
remaining vacant lands in Texas. The ritory of the Republic. Many of the newsmost
prominent "empresarios" (contractors) papers in the United States now teemed with
were Zavala and Filasola, of Mexico; De Witt,
of Missouri; Ross and Leftwitch, of Tennessee; There were sev ers who obtained grants"
Milam, of Kentucky; Burnet, of Ohio; Thorn; from the State. Grant Wavel and Beales, of England; were of the number: but theirs were located in Coabuila.
Cameron, of Scotland; Vehlein, of Germany; t Sundry "grants" were also made, by the general guCa~~m>erM..11of
e Seland. uT vernment of Mexico, to various persons in the Territory
M'Mullin, Powers, and Hewitson, of Ireland. of Santa Fe. These were, Dominguez; Wilson
All these entered into contracts with the go. Royuda