USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 4
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 4
USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 4
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 4
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 4
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 4
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THE AUSTINS.
The first American who availed himself of this new opportunity was Moses Austin. This man was born in Durham, Connecticut, about
1764. At the age of twenty he married Maria Brown in Philadelphia, and soon after- ward established a commercial house in Rich- mond, Virginia, in partnership with his broth- er. Steplien, who was at the head of a large importing business in Philadelphia. The two brothers a few years later purchased conjointly a lead mine in Virginia, and ran it for a time. Adventurous speculation brought them re- verses, and Moses-Austin, a man of persever- ance and enterprise, obtained in 1797 a grant from Baron de Carondelet, governor-general of Louisiana, conferring upon him a league of land in eastern Missouri, where he made the first settlement as the nucleus of Wash- ington county, that State, and where he won by his upright conduet the admiration of all the immigrants. But the very qualities which gained for him the affection of all who knew him occasioned another reverse of for- tune. He had beeome a large stockholder in the Bank of St. Louis, and when in 1818 that institution went to ruin Austin surrendered the whole of his property for the benefit of his creditors. Although now iu his fifty-fifth year, he conceived the bold idea of establish- ing an extensive eolony in Texas. In this he was not moved by the reekless spirit of adventure that had characterized former attempts of the kind. Ilis intention from the first was to proceed legally. Accordingly he made the long journey to San Antonio de Bejar, arriving in the first part of December, 1820, and made his application to the author- ities. At first he net only with rebuff and
disappointment. Although in 1799 he had become a naturalized subject of Mexico in upper Louisiana, he had failed to provide himself with a passport before starting on his journey, and when he presented himself be- fore the governor he was peremptorily ordered to leave the province immediately. In bitter-
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
ness of heart he left the governor's house to make preparations for his departure; but on crossing the plaza he met Baron de Bastrop, an alcalde and a native of Prussia, whose acquaintance he had made many years before. In his younger days Bastrop was a soldier of fortune under Frederick the Great. He after- ward entered the service of the king of Spain, who sent him on a special mission to Mexico. While Lonisiana was under the dominion of Spain he obtained a grant of thirty miles quare between the Mississippi and Red rivers, 400,000 acres of which he ceded to Aaron Burr, on which the latter intended to plant a colony as a nucleus for his meditated expedition against Mexico. When Lonisiana was re-ceded to France, Bastrop became a citizen of San Antonio de Bejar, where he was appointed alealde and afterward land commissioner, and in 1827 he represented Texas in the legislature of Coahuila and Texas. He died in 1828 or 1829.
On meeting Austin, as before stated, he in- terested himself in his undertaking, and by his influence had a second interview with Governor Martinez, who, after some delibera- tion, forwarded Austin's memorial to Arre- dondo, the commandant-general of the eastern internal provinces, with a strong recommend- ation in its favor from the local authorities of the province.
While his case was pending, he started on the long journey back to his Missouri home, in January, 1821, and suffered untold hard- ships. Ile was frequently obliged to cross swollen streams by either swimming or raft- ing, and to suffer a great deal from hunger. Indeed, the exposures of the journey broke down his health, and he died at his home June 10th following, in his fifty-seventh year.
On dying he left an arrangement with his son, Stephen Fuller Austin, then in New Or-
leans, to prosecute the enterprise he had be- gun in Texas. From 1821 to 1824 there were no less than four different forms of gov- ernment in Texas, and of course but little was done by way of settlement. Jannary 17. 1821, however, Anstin's memorial was granted, giving him permission to introduce 300 families into Texas. In energy and per- severance the son was equal to his father, and he arrived at San Antonio with seventeen companions, and received permission from the government to explore the country on the Colorado river and select an advantageons po- sition. Ife also examined the country along the Brazos river. Being convinced of the fertility of the land and healthfulness of the climate, he returned to Louisiana and pub- lished the particulars of the scheme. Each head of a family was to receive 640 acres, 320 acres in addition for the wife should there be one, 100 acres additional for each child, and eighty acres in addition for each slave. Each single man also would receive a grant of 640 acres. The conditions imposed upon the settlers were that they should be Catho- lics, or agree to become so, before entering the territory; that they should be provided with credentials of good character and habits; should take the oath to be obedient in all things to the government; to take up arms in defense against all enemies; to be faithful to the king; and to observe the political con- stitution of the Spanish monarchy. On the part of the colony itself, cach settler was to pay 12g cents per acre for his land to defray expenses, except that Austin took it upou himself to pay for all the surveying, scenring of titles, etc. The money was to be paid in instalments after receipt of title. A portion of the fund was also designed for purposes of government, defense against hostile Indians, and to furnish supplies to poor immigrants.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
THE AUSTIN COLONY.
The first immigrants of the Anstin colony arrived in December, 1821, settling ou the Brazos river at the Bahia crossing, mainly in what is now Anstin connty; but many ditli- enlties and hardships were encountered. Shipments of supplies from New Orleans failed to reach them, and they had to subsist too much on the products of the chase; and this was dangerous on account of the hostile Indians.
During the spring of 1822 Austin went to San Antonio to report progress, and there learned for the first time that under the change in political affairs he would have to obtain from the Mexican congress a confirm- ation of the grant conceded to his father by the Spanish government, and receive special instructions relative to the distribution of land and other details connected with the grant. This was a sore disapointment. He would have to travel 1,200 miles by land on roads infested by banditti and deserters, and he was ill prepared for such a journey. Neverthe- less, in ragged clothes and a blanket, he dis- gnised himself as a poor traveler going to Mexico to petition for compensation for serv- ices in the revolution, and unflinchingly started ont on the long and perilous journey.
While on his way to the city of Mexico, with but two persons in company, arriving at San Antonio, he (Austin) was told that it was dangerous to proceed without an escort, for a war party of Comanches was abroad, killing every unprotected person who came in their way; that some individuals had been murdered by them the day before; and that he, with so much baggage, being a valuable prize, could not possibly hope to escape. Finding, however, no opportunity of obtain- ing an escort, and the business of the colony
requiring his presence in the metropolis, he resolved at all hazards to proceed on his journey.
They traveled the first day unmolested, bnt on the morning of the second day, feeling somewhat indisposed, Mr. Anstin undertook to prepare some coffee. There were no ac- commodations on the road, and it was neces- sary to carry provisions on a pack-horse, and cook by the wayside. His companions warned him that if .Indians were near they would be attracted by the smoke. He flattered him- self, however, that by selecting a sheltered place and making little smoke, it would be impossible for them to discern it. Besides, his craving for the coffee was so great, he being afflicted with a bad headache, he in- sisted that he must have it at all risks. They were npon an open plain, and could see many miles around. At the moment no living creature was in view but themselves.
The men in company went to seek the horses, which had been hoppled the night be- fore and let loose to feed. The colonel re- tired to a little ravine to enjoy his coffee. It was boiled, and in the act of putting the re- freshing beverage to his anxious lips, he heard a sound like the trampling of many horses. Raising his head, with the coffee yet untasted, he beheld in the distance fifty mounted Com- anches, with their spears glittering in the morning sun, dashing toward him at full speed. As the column advanced it divided, according to the practice previously described, into two semi-circles, and in an instant he was surrounded. Quicker than thought he sprang to his loaded rifle, but as his hand grasped it he felt that resistance by one against a host was vain.
The plunder commenced. Every article of the little encampment, with the saddle- bags, which he stood upon to protect if possi-
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
ble, was greedily seized. Austin's presence of mind, however, did not forsake liim. He calmly meditated for a moment what course to pursue. Assim ng great composure, he went np to the chief, and, addressing him in Spanish and the few Indian words he knew, declared himself to be an American, and de- manded whether their nation was at war with the Americans. "No," was the reply. " Do you like the Americans?" "Yes; they are our friends." " Where do yon get your spear- heads, your blankets," etc., naming all their foreign articles one by one. "Get them fromn our friends. the Americans." " Well, do you think if you were passing through their nation, as I am passing through yours, they wonld rob yon as you have robbed me?" The chief reflected a little and replied, " No; it would not be right." The chief then com- manded his inen to restore all the articles taken. Every article came back with the same dispatch with which it had disappeared, except the saddlebags. These, which con- tained all his money, were indispensable to the further prosecution of his journey. No one could tell anything of the saddlebags. Almost in despair of ever seeing thein again, he observed in a thicket, at a little distance, a squaw, one of the trumpeterz, kicking and belaboring her horse to make him move off, while the sagacious beast would not stir a step from the troop. The colonel instantly pursued the female robber, and found his saddlebags neatly concealed under the saddle- blanket and herself. The whole squadron then moved off, and were seen no more.
A little circonstance connected with the above affair is worth mentioning. A Spanish grammar, which the colonel carried suspended at the saddle-bow, that he might study it as he rode along. was missing. This book was afterward found among the Indians by some
traders, and as it had the owner's name on it a report spread abroad that the colonel had been killed by the Comanches. This report reached the ears of his anxious mother and sister in Missouri, and it was many months before they learned that he had survived the dreary pilgrimage.
Mr. Austin reached the capital in safety, April 29, 1822, but on account of constant changes in the government and the belief that a new law would at length have to be adopte l, it was not until the next Jannary that his claim was recognized. But even then, before he left the capital, another change in the government was made, and he had to wait about three months longer for new arrangements. Ou his return to Mon- terey he had to get further instructions from the commandant general and the provincial "depntation." He was informed that he had full powers for the administration of justice in his colony, he, in the military aspect, ranking as lientenant-colonel. He could make war on the Indian tribes in his vicinity who molested his colony, could in- troduce supplies by the harbor of Galveston, etc. He was to render an account of his acts to the governor of Texas, and be subject to him. Bastrop was empowered to survey the lands and give title. The name San Felipe de Anstin was given to the capital of the new colony.
When Austin arrived at the settlement he found it alnost abandoned, in consequence of his long detention in Mexico, but the news of his return and the success of his undertaking attracted settlers in such unmbers that by 1824 the stipulated 300 families had arrived, and they then began a prosperous career. Although, however, Austin was exact in his administration of justice and extravagantly benevolent to the needy, there were many in
33
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
the colony disposed to complain and make tronble. In the United States and Europe the impression began to prevail that Anstin's early colonists were in great part fugitives from justice: but he maintained, with every show of fact and reason, that his colony was as moral as any community in the States.
The limits of the county were undefined by the law, and the immigrants were allowed to settle at various distances from the center ac- cording to their own free will. lu respouse to Austin's petition, the government al- lowed him to introduce 500 more families to locate upon the unoccupied lands lying be- tween the tracts already occupied by his colonists.
Mr. Austin at one time sent a newcomer to Texas from San Felipe to the Colorado to take the censns of the families in that part of his colony. The duty being performned, the messenger returned, and the following con- versation occurred:
Austin .- " Well, Mr. - -, how do you like that part of the country?"
Newcomer .- " I like the country much; but I wouldn't live in such a community if you would give it all to me."
Austin .- " Why, didn't they treat you well ?"
Newcomer .- " Yes, indeed; never was bet- ter treated."
Austin .- "Tell me about it."
Newcomer .- " Well, general, to give you a sample of the people living up there. I went to a log cabin, where I found only a lady at home. I asked her who lived there. She said, ' Me and the old man.' I told her I had come to take the census. She told me to take it. I said to her, ' Have you any children?' She replied, ' Yes; lots on 'emn.' ' Please give their names, madam.' 'Well, thar's Isaiah, and Bill, and Tom, and Jake, and Ed, and John
and Bnd, and -- , oh, yes! I'd like to forgot Joe, he's gone so much.' These being duly noted, with ages, I asked, 'Have you no girls?' ' No, sir,' repliedl she, emphatically ; 'boys is trouble enough; but arter a while they kin take care of themselves; but gals is always trouble, and never kin take care of themselves.' General, those people are too rough to live with."
Anstin .- " Well, Mr. --- , those are ex- actly the people we want for the pioneers on our frontier. They are hardy, honest and brave. They are not your kid-glove sort. As the settlement becomes denser, they will strike farther out upon the borders. I wish we hal more of them."
The following anecdote, in regard to men- bers of the colony, illustrates the universal tendency of retaliatory measures to increase in gravity far beyond reason. In February, 1841, a pig belonging to Mr. Bullock, an Austin landlord, found his way into the stable of M. de Saligny, the French charge, and ate some of the corn. For this offense a servant of the Frenchman slew the little animal, and in return for this the irate landlord horse- whipped the servant. Thereupon Saligny complained, and Bullock was arrested and bound over to the next term of court. After- ward the landlord ordered the envoy off his premises. These indignities to French honor were not to be passed unnoticed by, and the Texas government, failing to give satisfac- tion, the French minister abandoned his post. A conciliatory letter from President Houston subsequently healed the breach and brought the testy Frenchman back. Occasions as trifling as this have. in the history of man, been the initial point of a series of acts which terminated in war.
" The character of Leather stocking." says Mrs. Holley, "is not uncommon in Texas.
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Many persons employ an individual in the business of hunting in all its branches, and thus are constantly supplied with provisions of every description, even to eggs, which are furnished by the immense numbers of wild fowl. These hunters are very profitable to their employers, and inch cherished in the family, and often become spoiled by famili- arity and indulgence. A roughness of man- ners and a rudeness of speech are tolerated in them which would not be brooked in other servants. They are a sort of privileged char- acter. Indians and Mexicans are considered the best qualified for this important office. But it sometimes happens that a white man from the States, who has become somewhat decivilized (to coin a word), is substituted. The dress of these hunters is usually of deer- skin; hence the appropriate name . Leather- stocking.'"
THE EMPRESARIO SYSTEM.
After the Mexican provinces had declared themselves free and sovereign, and subject only to federation, a national colonization law was adopted August 18, 1824, one provision of which authorized the legislatures of the different States to form colonization laws for the occupancy of the public domains within their respective territories, on terms that were not at variance with the federal consti- tntion. Accordingly, the newly-formed State of Coahuila and Texas, having organized its government, the legislature, on March 24, 1825, decreed such a law, one provision of which required, in order to people the land by the colony system, a certain number of families to be introduced within a given tinto, at the expense of the immigrants themselves. The particulars of the system were as follows, in brief: The empresario first presented a
memorial to the State Government asking for permission to colonize certain waste lands which were designated, as well as the number of families he proposed to introduce. To afford ample choice to settlers, the tract designated and usually conceded by the gor- ernment was greatly in excess of the appro- priation to be finally made; but after the establishment of the settlement and the com- pletion of the allotments of the colonists, ar d the assignment of the "premium land " to the empresario, all the surplus land reverted to the State. The distribution of the allot- ments was under the control of a commis- sioner appointed by the State, but he had power to make an assigmnent without the approval of the contractor. If the contractor failed to introduce the stipulated number of familes within the term of six years, he lost his rights and privileges in pro- portion to the deficiency, and the contract was totally annulled if he had not succeeded in settling 100 families. The premium granted to a contractor was five square leagues of graz- ing land and five labores of tillage land for each hundred families; but he could not ac- quire a premium on more than 800 families. (A square leagne was a tract of 5,000 varas square, and contained 4,428 acres. A labor was 1,000 varas square, and contained 177 acres. Twenty-five labores were equal to one sitio, and five sitios composed one hacienda.)
Every family whose sole occupation was farming received 177 acres (one labor) of ag- ricultural land, and if it engaged in stock- raising also a grazing tract sufficient to com- plete a square league was added. Those families whose sole occupation was cattle -. raising received each a square league, less one labor (177 acres). An ummarried man received one-fourth of the above quantity. The State government alone could increase the
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
quantities in proportion to the size of a family and the industry and activity of the colonists. Eleven sqnare leagnes was the limit of land that could be owned by the same hands as prescribed by the national colonization law. For each square league, or sitio, as it was denominated, the colonist paid an emption smin of $30 to the State, $2.50 for each labor not irrigable, and $3.50 for each that was irri- gable; but these payments were not demanded until after the expiration of six years from the time of settlement, and then only in three installments at long intervals. Contractors and the military were exempt from this tax.
Thus the terms offered settlers were very liberal, except that they required them to be of the Catholic faith and gave preference to Mexicans. However, after the promulgation of the above laws an increased tide of immi- gration set in from the United States, and little or no regard was paid to the religions character of the law. In a few years nearly the whole of Texas was parceled ont to em- presarios, though none fulfilled their contracts except Anstin. Settlers, however, continned to corne in and improve the land, mainly from the United States, with the inevitable result, as almost any one might have seen, of turning eventually the province of Texas into a member of the American Union. The population increased from 3,500 in 1821 to about 20,000 in 1830.
EFFECT OF THE NEW IMMIGRATION ON THE GOVERNMENT.
By this time it began to become apparent that the old regime of government to which the Spaniards and Mexicans were accustomed, was obsolete, or " behind the times. " The new people in Texas were of broader gange than the "old fogies " could imagine, and
would not brook the everlasting series of revolutions and counter-revolutions in which the Mexicans delighted. Bat before we pro- ceed with the canses of the final revolution, let us glance at further details in reference to the condition of the people in Texas and Coahuila.
Prior to 1924 Texas had no political con- nection with Coahuila. The latter was a richer and more populous country, and temp. tations greater there to a corrupt ruler. Op- pression was exercised there on a much larger scale than in Texas. The commandant gen- eral ruled as it suited him, and while possess- ing even superior power to the viceroy, there was no check whatever npon his authority, except the presence of his legal adviser, the auditor de guerra, who generally did nothing more than approve and support his opinions. Great distance from the seat of the general government rendered local goverment more independent and irresponsible, and corrupt rulers an ahnost unlimited opportunity to ex- ploit the interests of the people. Every enormity was practiced that enmity or covet- onsness suggested. Under a less oppressive government the province of Coahuila, with its fertile soil, its genial climate and exhilar- ating atmosphere, would have been all that man could desire; but the incubus of com- mercial and agricultural monopoly pressed heavily on the land. The prince merchants smothered development. No factories or invention stimulated industry. Primitive and crude methods continued their old and monotonons way along with no hope of change. Wine and brandy were about the only ex- ports. But the inhabitants of Coahuila were alinost exclusively pastoral and agricultural. Here were to be found simplicity and insensi- bility to intrigne, untiring industry and pa- tienee under severe labor, the endurance of
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
privations without murmur, and a deep-rooted love of liberty. Both the social and political morals of this rural population were of a higher standard than those of the inhabitants of the manufacturing and mining districts of New Spain.
We need not follow here the political fortunes of Coahuila, which were unimpo. tant compared with those of Texas.
THE LABOR SYSTEM.
While the jealous fears of the State gov- ermment that its liberal policy had overshot the mark became more and more confirmed, certain legislative acts, which it was expected would be corrective of past mistakes and pre- ventive of foreshadowed trouble, irritated the settlers. The slave laws of 1827 and the prohibitory one of 1829 respecting foreign merchants, eansed great offense. By decree of September 15, 1827, the constituent con- gress manifested its intention to acquire the gradual emancipation of slaves already in- trodneed. Town councils were ordered to keep a list of all slaves in their respective municipalities, designating name, age, sex, ete. Slaves whose owners had no apparent heirs were to become free immediately on the decease of their masters; and on each change of ownership, even in the case of heirs im- mediately succeeding, one-tenth of the num- ber of slaves inherite I was to be mannmitted, the individuals being determined by lot. By another decree it was provided that any slave who wished to change his master could do so, provided the new owner indemnified the former one for the cost of the slave according to the bill of sale.
Although the colonists kept themselves aloof and were indifferent to Mexican legis- lation so long as their own immediate inter- ests were not attacked, their anger rose when
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