MOSES AUSTIN GOES TO TEXAS When did Moses Austin leave for Texas? Read the following information about Stephen F. Austin’s settling Texas. With two different colors, Why? notate: 1. reasons why people would want to move to Texas, and 2. what qualities they have to possess to be accepted.

How did the Adams-Onis Treaty influence Austin’s STEPHEN F. AUSTIN – “The Father of Texas” decision to move to Texas? Stephen F. Austin was 27 years old when he learned of his father’s death. Austin became determined to carry out his father’s plan of bringing US settlers to Texas. Austin arrived in San Antonio de Bexar in Why was his initial proposal rejected? 1821 to introduce himself to his father’s business partners and make it known that he wished to continue his father’s dream. He was warmly welcomed by the mayor of San Antonio, Erasmo How did Baron de Bastrop help him? Seguin, who led Austin to Governor Martinez. When Austin met with the Governor he was told that Mexico had won its independence from Spain and as a result he would now need a new contract from the What did Moses have to promise the Governor in Mexican to set up the colony. Governor Martinez order to get his grant? said that he would help Austin get approval from Spanish officials in Mexico City by meeting with them once the colony report was finalized.

After the meeting, Austin decided to go and explore Pretend you are applying to live in an exclusive the lands of Texas to see where the best place was to neighborhood. If you had to highlight your locate his new colony. Austin chose an 11 million qualifications for why you should be allowed to live acre territory in the Gulf Coastal Plains region, there over others, how would you persuade the between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers. This land selection committee to choose your application? was just what he was looking for. It had rich

farmland, a mild climate, and numerous water Think about any special skills, personality resources. There was fertile soil, water, and plenty characteristics, talents, hobbies you possess that make of timber for building. Wild game was also plentiful. you an ideal resident. (Do you like to work on cars? You could be the neighborhood mechanic. Do you Because the site was near the coast, settlers could like to play the piano? You could teach lessons to arrive by ship. other kids in the neighborhood.) Austin created his land grant terms and sent the report to Governor Martinez to use in negotiation What makes you the What could be a problem with the Mexican Government in Mexico City. ideal resident? in getting approved?

Austin’s Land Grant Terms: strong ties with many government officials. In 1823, Head of Household: Given 640 acres of under the rule of Augustin de Iturbide, the Mexican land government passed the Imperial Colonization Law. If married: Given 320 extra acres Settlers in Austin’s colony would have to abide by Each child: 160 extra acres per these terms as well as Austin’s. Under this law, child Austin’s land grant was secure and he could Each slave: 80 extra acres per continue bringing in US settlers. Austin would be slave the Empresario of the colony – the person  Settlers with valuable services, such as responsible for setting up and maintaining the bringing a cotton gin would get additional acres settlement. It would be Austin’s job to serve as  Settlers would pay Austin 12.5 cents per judge of the colony; he would set up a colonial acre militia (citizen army) and help maintain order.

These terms looked great to people from the United Terms of the Imperial Colonization Law: States, and as a result applications came pouring in - Couples would get 4,428 acres for ranching for Austin to review. In the US, settlers were paying and 177 for farming $1.25 per acre. Settling in Texas would be much - Settlers did not have to pay taxes for six cheaper for them. Also, the US required people to years - Settlers had to be Catholic, upstanding buy a minimum of 80 acres and they had to pay the people, and they had to pledge loyalty to full price in cash. Austin did not require this. He Mexico agreed to allow settlers to pay off their fees over time. He also allowed them to pay in goods instead By 1824 Austin had fulfilled nearly his entire contract. of cash. Therefore, if a settler could not pay for their 297 families and single men had purchased land with land in cash, they could give Austin items such as Austin. These settlers became known as the Old 300. flour, cattle, or wheat instead. Austin was also Most of them were from the southern US and looking for only certain types of people to settle in Louisiana. Most of them were farmers, and many his colony. The settlers had to be hardworking, law- were slaveholders. Most of the settlers were fairly abiding citizens. Settlers would also be required to well educated. The capital of Austin’s colony become Mexican citizens and convert to Catholicism. became known as San Felipe de Austin.

In late 1821, Austin was ready to set up his colony. TRANSPORTATION. Many immigrants came to Trusted settlers began arriving there to help Austin Texas in covered wagons pulled by horses, mules, or set it up, but there was little food and building oxen. Other immigrants rode on horseback, with supplies because it was very difficult to ship to the their belongings tied behind their saddles. Some area. The Texas wilderness also proved to be very even walked. For many the fastest way to reach difficult for the settlers to live in. Austin returned to Texas was by boat. Water travel was typically more San Antonio to report on the colony and Governor expensive than traveling overland, however. Some Martinez had more bad news: Austin would have to who went by water floated down the Mississippi go to Mexico City in person to finalize the colony River on long, low boats called flatboats. These plan. travelers usually went to New Orleans, where they So, despite the hardships already encountered in boarded ships headed to Texas. 1822, Austin headed to Mexico City to get the deal done. It took Austin much longer to get there than FOOD. For their meals, settlers depended on their he expected. Mexico City was more than 1,000 miles crops and livestock, as well as wild game. Most away and the road was rough, rugged, and settlers planted corm. Texas settlers grew dangerous. Once Austin arrived in Mexico City, the vegetables such as cabbage, peas, pumpkins, sweet government did not have time to meet with him. potatoes, and turnips. Wild berries, grapes, peaches, Instead of giving up, Austin decided to stay in and other fruits were sometimes available. The most Mexico City and wait. While there, he passed the time by learning to speak Spanish and by forming common meats were beef, pork and venison, or deer meat. Colonization of Texas: Choosing the Right People CLOTHING. Settlers used local materials to make For this colony, not just anyone may be given land. their clothes. Women and girls wore cotton dresses The Spanish, and later Mexican government, are looking for certain types of people to settle in Texas. and bonnets. Men wore cotton shirts in the fields Basically, they are looking for decent, law abiding and dark cotton suits for formal events. At dances family men who will respect the laws of Spain and and balls, some wealthier women wore elaborate later Mexico. They should know something about dresses from the United States and Europe. During farming or have a skill that will be useful in the new cold weather, men and women wore coats made of colony. Men who own machinery that will be useful bear-hide, blankets or buffalo skin. Mexican in the new colony. Settlers must also be Catholic or ponchos, cotton blankets with a slit for the head, at least silent about any other religious beliefs. were also common. There are several things to avoid. No people of low EDUCATION. Education in early Texas was mainly moral character should be accepted. People who limited to teaching in the home or small private want land, but are not willing to stay and farm it, schools. Wealthier settlers sent their children to must be turned down. Remember, you are bringing schools in the United States, where the education people to settle, you aren’t just giving land away. The Spanish/Mexican government is also very system was better established. sensitive to anyone who may have been linked to

the U.S. army or government. They are not fond of The Capital: SAN FELIPE de AUSTIN. Austin’s adventurers. As the Catholic faith is the main one in colony needed a capital. In 1824 Austin founded Mexico and Spanish Texas, they are sensitive to San Felipe de Austin, better known as San Felipe. those who do not respect this fact. Remember you The town was located in present-day Austin County are the one who, in the end, is responsible to the along the Brazos River. This site had several Spanish Government. If your people don’t abide by advantages. It was in the center of the colony and the rules, the authorities will blame you. Choose well! halfway between the coast and El Camino Real. This road had become known as the Old San Antonio Road. The town sat on a high bluff, which aided in AFTER reading the letters and completing the its defense. Below the bluff, the river protected a document analysis, complete the following on a source of water. In addition, a ferry was located at separate sheet of notebook paper: the site. San Felipe soon became the heart of Austin’s colony. The town’s population grew quickly Choose one of the four letters and write a response, as settlers moved to the capital. By the early 1830s either granting them land or denying them land. San Felipe was the largest business center in Texas, after San Antonio. Homes and stores lined  We regret to inform you that you have not Atascosito Road, the town’s main street. Soon even been selected to colonize Texas because…… a hotel was available for travelers. Austin’s colony (you need at least 3 reasons!) was a success.  Congratulations! You have been accepted

as one of the first 300 families to colonize

Texas. We accepted your application

because … (at least 3 reasons!)