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Moses Austin was a native of Durham, in the State of Connecticut. He came of a highly respectable family, received a liberal education, and was regularly bred to the business of merchandise. He was a man of uncommon sagacity and of an enterprising character. He began life as a merchant, in the city of Philadelphia. He afterwards removed to the city of Richmond in Virginia, and subsequently purchased the lead mines, known as Chissel's mines, on New River in Wythe County in
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
that state. Here he engaged extensively in mining and in the manu- facture of lead. He introduced artisans from England, and established the first manufactory of shot and sheet lead that was established in the United States. A little village grew up around him on New River, which was called Austinville, at which place Stephen F. Austin was born on the 3rd day of November, 1793.
In the year 1797, the enterprising disposition of Moses Austin led him to explore that portion of Upper Louisiana now embraced within the limits of the state of Missouri, which has since become so celebrated for its mines of lead. He procured a concession from the Spanish Govern- ment of a league of land, including what was called the Mine-a-Burton. In pursuance of his determination, he removed his family and a number of laborers to the Mine-a-Burton in the year 1799. There were no families
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residing near the mines. In fact, there were no families nearer than St. Genevieve. The Osage Indians were hostile, and Austin experienced, in his new home, all the vicissitudes of a frontier life. It was amidst such scenes as are always presented by a new settlement in the wilderness, surrounded by savage enemies, that the mind of Stephen F. Austin re- ceived its earliest permanent impression. It was in the midst of a thriving community of hardy and enterprising men, where industry was subduing the wilderness, and where civilization was beginning to diffuse its refine- ments, that his character was formed. It will be seen that he was trained in a school admirably suited to qualify him for the difficult part which it afterwards became his duty to perform.
In the year 1804, being then in the eleventh year of his age, Stephen Austin was sent to Colchester Academy, in Connecticut, to pursue his academical studies. He remained in that institution, which was then in high repute, for one year. Thence he removed to an academy at New London, where he remained until 1808. He then returned to the West, and became a student of Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ken- tucky, where he devoted himself for two years to his studies, and was distinguished amongst his fellow-students for his intelligence and gen- tlemanly deportment. It was at Transylvania that he formed an inti- mate acquaintance with Joseph H. Hawkins, who afterwards resided in New Orleans, in the practice of law, and assisted Austin in his first enterprise of colonization.
In the year 1813, at the age of twenty, Stephen F. Austin was elected to the Territorial Legislature of Missouri from the county of Washing- ton, and was regularly re-elected until the year 1819, when he ceased to reside in the territory. While he was a member of the Territorial Legis- lature he became acquainted with Thomas H. Benton, who was a member of the same body. Mr. Benton always respected him as a man of char- acter and talents, and they maintained a friendly and political correspond- ence during Austin's life.
During these years, from 1800 to 1817, Moses Austin had conducted an extensive and profitable business in mining and in the manufacture of shot and sheet lead. He had made very valuable improvements on his property, and had acquired an ample fortune. Misfortune suddenly came upon him in the ruin of the bank of St. Louis, in which he was a large stockholder. He was now in his fifty-fifth year. Instead of bow- ing before the stroke he retained a firm mind and a resolute heart. He sent for his son Stephen, and told him that he had determined to surren- der the whole of his property to his creditors. He carried this deter- mination into effect, and then proposed to his son the idea of forming a colony in Texas.
The title of Spain to the territory of Texas was about this time estab- lished by the treaty of the 22d of February, 1819, between the govern- ment of Spain and that of the United States. In consequence of this treaty and the territorial rights secured to Spain by it, it became necessary for Moses Austin to apply to the government of Spain, or to the Spanish authority, for permission to colonize in Texas. He accordingly resolved to make the application in person. As a preparatory measure to the
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enterprise of colonization, Stephen Austin left Missouri in the month of April, 1819, and proceeded to a place known as Long Prairie, on Red River, in the territory of Arkansas. Here he commenced a small farm, intending to make that point the rendezvous of the settlers who were to be introduced into Texas, in the event that Moses Austin succeeded in his application for permission to plant a colony there. Stephen Austin remained in the territory of Arkansas during the greater part of the year 1819 and 1820. In the meantime he received the appointment of circuit judge in that territory.
In the autumn of the year 1820, Moses Austin left Missouri and proceeded to Little Rock, in Arkansas, where he was met by his son Stephen. It was then thought advisable to abandon the farming enter- prise at Long Prairie, and that Stephen should go to New Orleans and co-operate with his father, as they might subsequently arrange, and as circumstances might require. Moses Austin proceeded, by the way of Nacogdoches, to visit the Spanish authorities at San Antonio de Bexar. After a very fatiguing and hazardous journey through a wilderness country he reached Bexar in the month of November, and proceeded with as little delay as possible to lay his business before the governor of the province, Don Antonio Martinez. The authority of Governor Martinez was limited, and extended only to the customary local adminis- tration of the province. He was subject to the orders of the command- ant general of the Eastern internal provinces at Monterey, and this office was filled, at that time, by a man of ability and reputation, Don Joaquin de Arredondo. He was the same who, in the summer of 1813, destroyed the revolutionary force, composed partly of Americans, and commanded by Toledo, at the disastrous battle of Medina. Arredondo had given orders to Governor Martinez not to permit foreigners, and especially North Americans, to enter Texas. The governor and the commandant general were not personally on the most friendly terms, and Martinez was cautious not to expose himself to the charge of disobedience to his superior.
Moses Austin made his application in person to Governor Martinez, and was much surprised and disappointed to find that not only his proposals on the subject of colonization would not be considered, but that he was not received with that courtesy which is expected from a man in high standing to a petitioner. Martinez ordered him to leave the province, and even refused to look at papers which established the fact that Mr. Austin had formerly been a Spanish subject. To parry this blow Mr. Austin endeavored to engage the governor in a conversa- tion more general, using the French language, of which he had acquired a knowledge in Missouri, and with which the governor was also acquainted. His attempt was unsuccessful. The governor's manner was very ungracious, and he peremptorily repeated the order that Austin should leave the province without delay. Austin was not only disap- pointed, but incensed by the manner of his reception and dismissal. He retired from the government house, resolved to leave Bexar within the hour. As he crossed the plaza he accidentally met a gentleman with whom he had, many years before, spent a night at a country tavern in
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one of the Southern states. This gentleman was the Baron de Bastrop. When they had formerly met they had conversed freely, and had thus acquired some knowledge of each other, both being men of enterprise and much experience. Now, when they unexpectedly encountered in the plaza, their recognition of each other was instant. Indeed, it was said by those who knew him, that the Baron never forgot anyone, and he was himself of so distinguished a figure that it was not an easy matter for anyone to forget the Baron. The Baron de Bastrop was a native of Prussia, and had seen service in early youth under the banners of the great Frederick. He was now a Spanish subject and resided in San Antonio. He was a man of education and talents, and was very much respected by the inhabitants of Bexar. He was also initiated into all the mysteries of the government house, was on terms of personal friendship with Governor Martinez, and possessed much influence with all the authorities of the province.
Bastrop invited Austin to his house, where the latter, in a few words, explained to him the object of his visit to San Antonio, and informed him of his interview with the governor and of its consequences. The generous temper of the Baron at once inclined him to serve Austin if it were possible for him to do so, and he placed himself in the most earnest manner to make the effort. He repaired immediately to the governor's house, and informed his excellency that Austin was his friend, and a man of high character and integrity, whose intentions, in coming into the province, were open and undisguised. He represented further to his excellency that Austin's health was broken by recent exposure, that he was suffering from fever, and that he could not travel without danger to his life. He begged the governor, as a personal favor to himself, to revoke the order of Austin's immediate departure. The governor list- ened with respect to the Baron's representations, and granted his request in the most obliging manner. The Baron retired, very well satisfied with the result of his first interview with the governor in behalf of his friend Austin.
At the end of a week Bastrop had succeeded. by the aid of other influ- ential citizens whom he had enlisted in the cause, in removing the objec- tions of Governor Martinez to the project of Austin, and in procuring for him from the ayuntamiento of Bexar, a promise to recommend Austin's propositions for the settlement of 300 families within the limits of Texas, to the favorable consideration of the commandant general. Arredondo, and the provincial deputation of the eastern internal provinces; which latter was a body who held their sessions at Monterey, and shared, with the commandant general, the government of the eastern provinces of New Spain. After yielding his first opposition to Austin's propositions, Gov- ernor Martinez entered very heartily into all his plans. and evinced a sin- cere interest in their future success. It seems that he formed a very favorable judgment of Austin as a man of integrity and of honorable purposes. Austin determined to leave San Antonio without waiting to hear the result of his application to the authorities at Monterey, and to return to Missouri to arrange some pressing matters of business. Gov- ernor Martinez promised to give him the earliest possible information of
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the fate of his application, and took leave of him, saying, "if you live to return, you may count on my assistance in every way that duty and cir- cumstances will permit."
On his return from San Antonio to Natchitoches, Austin was robbed and deserted by his companions, and was exposed to great suffering before he reached a hospitable roof on the Sabine, where he rested for a few days. His weak condition obliged him to rest again in Natchitoches. Here he recovered in some measure his strength, and after informing his son Stephen, by letters, of what had transpired, he pursued his journey to Missouri. Shortly after his return home, he had the pleasure of hear- ing officially from Governor Martinez that his propositions had been favorably received at Monterey, and that he was at liberty to commence his settlement in Texas immediately. About the same time he procured a settlement of his affairs with the Bank of St. Louis which was more satisfactory than he had anticipated, inasmuch as it left him the prospect of beginning his new settlement in Texas with means sufficient to pro- vide the stores and mechanical and agricultural implements necessary to such an enterprise.
Moses Austin was now ( in the spring of 1821 ) industriously engaged in making his preparations to return to Texas. He gave notice, by let- ters, to those whom he expected to accompany him that he would be in Natchitoches by the latter part of May, and that he did not wish to be delayed a single day in proceeding on his way to the Brazos and Colorado. But it was written in the book of God's Providence that the brave old man should be spared the trials and sufferings incident to the further prosecution of such an enterprise as he had conceived. He fell sick about the first of June, at the house of his daughter, Mrs. James Bryan, (later well known in Texas as Mrs. James F. Perry). He died in his daughter's arms, on the 10th day of June, 1821, in the 57th year of his age. The family of Moses Austin consisted at the time of his death of his wife, who survived him about three years; of his daughter, Mrs. Bryan, above named; of his son, Stephen, who was then in New Orleans ; and of a younger son, James Brown Austin, who was then at school in Kentucky, and who was afterwards well known in Texas. While on his death-bed, Moses Austin declared it to be his earnest desire that his son Stephen should endeavor to have himself recognized by the Span- ish authorities in Texas as his representative, and that he should carry forward the enterprise of colonization.
In anticipation of his father's return from San Antonio, and with the expectation of meeting him, Stephen had gone, about the first of February, from New Orleans to Natchitoches. Moses Austin had left that place a few days before for Missouri, and the father and son did not meet. Stephen Austin, however, saw several persons in Natchi- toches who had already engaged to go to Texas with his father, pro- vided his application succeeded ; and from these persons he learned, as also from his father's letters, the particulars of the trip to San Antonio, the contingencies upon which the further prosecution of the enterprise depended, and the plans that had been formed for the future. Stephen Austin returned from Natchitoches to New Orleans to await his father's
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movements. His time in New Orleans was spent principally in the library of his friend Hawkins, where he devoted himself, with the greatest assiduity, to the study of law. In the month of June he heard from a friend in Natchitoches of the arrival of the commissioner whom Gov- ernor Martinez had sent to meet Moses Austin, to inform him of the confirmation of his grant by the authorities at Monterey, and to conduct him into the province of Texas. Stephen Austin deemed it best that he should hasten to Natchitoches to meet the commissioner, fearing that his father might be unexpectedly delayed. Accordingly he left New Orleans again on the 18th of June for Natchitoches, by the way of Red River. On reaching Natchitoches he received intelligence of his father's death. This was a heavy blow to him, but he met it with the fortitude of mind which, though extremely sensitive, was of fine texture, and not easily subdued by discouragement. He was now in the twenty-eighth year of his age. He felt that the hopes of his family would center on himself. He resolved to accept the trust which his father, in his dying moments, had bequeathed to him, and to make for his dear and aged mother a new home under a milder sun, where, if she could not forget the pleasant years spent in the old hall at Mine-a-Burton, she might at least enjoy at the hands of an affectionate and dutiful son those comforts and observances with which it was once the pride of a tender husband to surround her.
The commissioner sent by Governor Martinez to meet Moses Austin at Natchitoches was Don Erasmo Seguin. He was accompanied by Don Juan Martin de Veramendi, who was afterwards lieutenant-governor of the State of Coahuila and Texas. Seguin and Veramendi were both gentlemen of character and experience. Stephen Austin waited on them, was kindly received by them, and had the gratification to hear them express the opinion that the Spanish authorities would interpose no objec- tion 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 fourteen followers left Natchitoches about the fifth of July ; and after considerable delays in getting fairly equipped for their journey they crossed the Sabine on the 16th and proceeded by way of Nacogdoches and along the old San Antonio road toward Bexar. The party reached the Guadalupe on the 10th of August. From this river three of the Mexi- cans 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 morn- ing 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 independ- ence.
On his arrival in San Antonio, Stephen F. Austin was welcomed by Governor Martinez as the proper representative of his deceased father ; and he accordingly 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
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coast and watered by the Brazos and Colorado, was the best suited to his purpose. After a minute and careful examination, 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 quantity of land which should be promised to each settler. Austin had formerly agreed with his early friend, Joseph Hawkins, that he ยท 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 set- tlement which the latter was about to perform in Texas. Unfortunately, however, Hawkins began, about this time, to feel the pressure of pecuni- ary 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 uten- sils. They had directions to enter Matagorda Bay and to ascend the Colorado River until they found a suitable 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 Orleans the next day after "The Lively" sailed ; 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 Natchi- toches, 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 particulars, were fully set forth. The fame of Austin's enter- prise had thus gone forth throughout the Southwestern States, and many persons were already approaching the frontier of Texas with the inten- tion 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 mouth 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, occa- sionally 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 had the happiness to meet his brother, James Brown Austin, who had come to join him. Together they proceeded with about twenty men to San Antonio, which place they reached about the 15th of March, 1822. Another vessel was soon after fitted out by Hawkins with supplies and
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emigrants for the new colony ; but the navigation of the gulf coast was then little understood, and this second vessel was obliged to land her cargo on the beach, where it was plundered by the Carancawa Indians. These first attempts to introduce emigrants and supplies by the way of the gulf were comparatively fruitless.
It was on the 21st of February, 1821, that the independence of Mex- ico was declared by Iturbide and confirmed by the Mexican Cortes, and Governor Martinez was in doubt whether the new government would sanction his acts in relation to Austin's colony, and he therefore now advised Austin to proceed at once to Mexico and procure the recognition of his rights and privileges for a colony. He therefore set out with two or three companions, in March, 1822, on horseback, to perform the peril- ous journey of some 1,000 miles to the capital of Mexico, which place he reached, after a variety of adventures, about the last of April. He found the government distracted with factions, the result of which was that Iturbide was proclaimed emperor on the 18th of May.
For more than a year, during the turbulent period of Iturbide's reign, Austin was detained in the capital seeking a comfirmation of his father's contract. On account of the presence of other petitioners, the government chose to draw up a general law for colonization instead of confirming Austin's individual contract. The first congress was at work on such a law when Iturbide usurped the government as emperor, and the work had to be done all over again by his council. The law was finally drafted and received the approval of the emperor and his junta on January 4, 1823. Under the provisions of this law, Austin's contract was submitted to the government, and an imperial decree of February 18, 1823, confirmed the original contract with Moses Austin. His mis- sion accomplished, Stephen Austin was preparing to return when the imperial government was overthrown and all its acts annulled. With admirable persistence, Austin now presented his cause before the pro- visional government. The colonization law of January 4th was sus- pended, but on April 14, 1823, the supreme executive power confirmed and sustained the imperial concession to Austin of date of February 18th. There seemed satisfactory assurance that the congress, when it assembled would confirm this act of the provisional government, so Austin felt that at last his colony had legal sanction.
Austin may be said to have obtained a special charter for his first colony, all other empresario contracts having been undertaken under the general colonization laws of the republic and the state. Under this special contract, the local government was committed to him until government could be otherwise organized on constitutional lines. This provisional government of the colony was not superseded until February 1. 1828.
The original plan of Austin for the distribution of land to the set- tlers was based on the American system of sections of 640 acres. But the decree confirming his contract declared that he was not authorized to assign the quantity of land to be given to each settler. It fixed the quantity to be given to each head of family as one labor or one league, the former quantity to the colonist whose purpose was solely agriculture. and the latter to the colonist who intended to engage in stock-raising, but
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it was also provided that to the colonist who followed both occupations there might be granted "a league and a labor."*
The decree also provided that Austin, as contractor or empresario of the colony, should receive a premium of fifteen leagues and two labores for every 200 families introduced. Each colonist had to cultivate or use his land within two years under penalty of forfeit, but when this con- (lition was complied with his title to the land was clear and absolute.
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