The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 69, July 1965 - April, 1966 Page: 2
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
was a province of Mexico; second, during its life as a republic;
and third, when it was a state in the Union.
His work in the army of Mexico would have caused him to deal
with the defense of the area making up Texas and learn some-
thing of the country, but because of other events he became ac-
quainted with it earlier and more intimately than he would have
in the pursuit of his military duties. Wavell's knowledge of Texas
and his immediate interest and enthusiasm in the colonization of
that region came through his meeting Stephen F. Austin, and
that meeting resulted from a rather complicated series of events.
While Wavell was still in Chile, the movement which even-
tually led to a tremendous surge of settlers into Texas was just
beginning. Moses Austin, who had been a Spanish citizen many
years before, had made up his mind to settle in Texas, and to aid
some three hundred families in doing the same. He had presented
a petition to that effect to Governor Antonio Martinez at Bexar.
With the assistance of Baron de Bastrop, Austin obtained the
approval of Governor Martinez, who forwarded the application
to the commandant general of the district, Joaquin de Arredondo,
and recommended its approval.2 Arredondo, "acting on the ad-
vice of the provincial deputation, a sort of federal council repre-
senting the provinces, .. granted the application on January 17,
1821."
Moses Austin learned in the early spring that his grant had
been confirmed, and hurried to settle his affairs so he could start
on the colony. His health, however, had been seriously damaged
by the exposure and exhaustion he suffered while engaged in
making his application in Texas, and he had further weakened
himself in his efforts to arrange things to return to 'Texas. He
contracted pneumonia and, despite the efforts of Dr. John M.
Bernhisel, died on June lo, 1821.4
Before Stephen F. Austin learned of his father's death he had
started for Texas to assist in the formation of the colony. On
August 12, Austin and his party arrived at San Antonio, where
"Eugene C. Barker, Life of Stephen F. Austin (Dallas, 1926), 26-27.
"Ibid., 27.
4lIbid., 31.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 69, July 1965 - April, 1966, periodical, 1966; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117144/m1/20/?rotate=90: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.