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SELECTIONS from the CATALOGUE of the SPANISH COLLECTION of the TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE Part II

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SELECTIONS from the CATALOGUE of the SPANISH COLLECTION of the TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE Part II SELECTIONS FROM THE CATALOGUE OF THE SPANISH COLLECTION OF THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE Part II Correspondence, Empresario Contracts, Decrees, Appointments, Reports, Notices & Proceedings pertaining to De León’s Colony Compiled and written by Galen D. Greaser Texas General Land Office 2003 PREFACE How to Use the selections in this Catalogue Each entry in the topical list has been assigned a number, followed by the addresser and addressee and the description of the document or expediente. The place of origin, nature, and length of the document are noted in parentheses at the end of the description. The last line of each entry supplies the date of the record and its location. The location of the record is given by a number such as 43/2, p. 138, where 43 refers to the box, 2 is the folder number, and p. 138 is the page number, usually found in the upper-right corner of the record. The location of items included in the copybooks kept by the political chief of Nacogdoches is given by reference to the specific copybook (PCCVP, PCNSS, or CPCNA), followed by the page number. If a translation of a document has been located, this is also noted at the end of the entry. The abbreviation RTEC, for example, refers to a bound volume of translation in the Texas General Land Office called “Record of Translations of Empresario Contracts.” Signs and Abbreviations A. Autograph D. Document Df. Draft L. Letter S. Signed [ ] Information supplied from a source other than the document … Omissions [?] Doubtful Comm. Commissioner Gov. Governor GSC General Business Regarding the Spanish Collection Laws… Kimball, J. P., Laws and Decrees of the State of Coahuila and Texas… Papers… McLean, Malcolm, Papers Concerning Robertson’s Colony in Texas CPCNA Correspondence between the Political Chief of Nacogdoches and the Ayuntamiento PCCVP Political Chief [of Nacogdoches] Correspondence with Various People PCNSS Political Chief of Nacogdoches to Secretary of State Government RTEC Record of Translations of Empresario Contracts (bound volume of manuscript translations at the Texas General Land Office) G.D.G. ix TOPICAL LIST Transcribes a communication from Capt. Aniceto Arteaga, commandant of Lavaca, indicating that Martín de León was the only empresario he recognized for the town of 33. Letona [Gov. José María de] Guadulupe Victoria and that he had an order Decisions of the Permanent Deputation of the from the alcalde of Goliad, Rafael Manchola, to state Congress (7/23/1831 and 8/13/1831), prevent Power from surveying any land until he written by Aguirre, finding in favor of Power and appeared before the civil authorities. (Guadalupe Hewetson's contract and against the Victoria, A.L.S., 4 pp.) representations made by the ayuntamiento of 10/6/1831 43/5, p. 170 Goliad, Empresario Martín de León, and the political chief of Béxar. This decision approved by Governor Letona. Copy made by Santiago del Martín de León’s Colony (#48-49); see also Valle on 8/19/1831. (Leona Vicario, copy, 6 pp.) #443-450, #1104-1155 8/13/1831 43/2, p. 132 34. Letona [Gov. José María de] to [José 48. Establishing Martín de León’s Colony Antonio de la Garza,] Acting Political Chief of Founding of Martín de León’s colony, with copies Dept. of Béxar of the following documents: copy of Martín de Communicates the decision of the national Leon's petition to the Texas Provincial government in regard to Martín de León's and Deputation seeking permission to establish a Power and Hewetson's rights to colonize the colony (4/8/1824), the deputation's approval littoral leagues, orders the political chief to form (4/13/1824) and Governor Gonzales' ratification an expediente and forward it to the governor if (10/6/1825) (p. 241); letter from Political Chief the empresarios cannot agree on their Ramón Músquiz to Commissioner Fernando de boundaries, and instructs the Mexicans who León transcribing a communication from the claim land in the littoral leagues to petition the governor in response to claims on behalf of De governor for purposes of obtaining title to it. León’s colony (7/19/1831) (p. 249); copy of two This copy made by Santiago del Valle decisions of the Permanent Deputation of the 3/30/1832. (Leona Vicario, copy, 3 pp.) state Congress upholding Power and Hewetson's contract and denying the assertions of De León 3/10/1832 43/2, p. 136 and the ayuntamiento of Goliad (July and RTEC, p. 148. August 1831) (p. 253); letter from Acting Political Chief José Antonio de la Garza to Martín de León transcribing a communication from the 37. Letona [Gov. José María de] to [José governor advising of the lapse of DeWitt's Antonio de la Garza,] Acting Political Chief of contract and the activation of the contract Dept. of Béxar obtained by Manchola on behalf of De León (8/29/1832) (p. 257); copy of the 1827 Communicates the decision of the national instructions to commissioners (p. 261); Governor government in regard to Martín de León's and Viesca's approval of De León's request, through Power and Hewetson's rights to colonize the Rafael Antonio Manchola, to settle an additional littoral leagues, orders the political chief to form 150 families (4/30/1829) (p. 265); Martín de an expediente and forward it to the governor if León's request for a commissioner (12/1/1830) the empresarios cannot agree on their and Gov. Letona's appointment of Fernando de boundaries, and instructs the Mexicans who León to this position (4/20/1831) (p. 269); claim land in the littoral leagues to petition the appointment of José M. J. Carvajal as principal governor for the purpose of obtaining title to it. surveyor of De León’s colony and bond posted by This copy made by J. Miguel Falcón on him (9/17/1832) (p. 273); appointment of James 12/7/1833. See another copy in Box 43:2, p. Kerr as principal surveyor of De León’s colony 136. (Leona Vicario, copy, 4 pp.) and bond posted by him (4/7/1835) (p. 275); letter from Ramón Músquiz to Fernando de León 3/10/1832 43/4, p. 283 transcribing the governor's decision invalidating RTEC, p. 148. that part of De León’s colony that was in conflict with Green DeWitt's and authorizing Músquiz to resolve questions of this nature in the future 42. Barberena, José Manuel, Military (6/5/1831) (p. 277); letter from Músquiz to Commandant of Guadalupe Victoria, to Fernando de León communicating that Juan James Power Guajardo had been ordered to desist from acting as commissioner in Power and Hewetson’s 10 colony until such time as his appointment could (Expediente, copy, 24 pp.) be verified (12/6/1832) (p. 281); letter from 7/8/1827 124/4, p. 71 Músquiz to Fernando de León authorizing him to RTEC, pp. 55-69. distribute land and to establish the town of Guadalupe Victoria and transcribing a communication from the governor to the effect 444. Viesca, Gov. José María to Rafael A. that Power and Hewetson's contract was Manchola, Attorney for Martín de León recognized by the federal government and that Terms and conditions of Martín de León's second the claims of individuals to land in the area of empresario contract. (Leona Vicario, copy, 2 pp.) their contract were to be respected (8/1/1832) (p. 285). (Legajo, 50 pp.) 4/30/1829 124/4, p. 95 4/8/1824 97/1, p. 240 RTEC, p. 69. 445. Letona [Gov. José María] to [Ramón Músquiz,] Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar 370. Arizpe [Gov. José Ignacio de] to [José Antonio Saucedo,] Political Chief of Dept. of Transcribing his communication to José Antonio Texas Navarro, commissioner for DeWitt’s colony, indicating that since the grant given to Rafael Requesting the nomination of a suitable person Manchola [attorney for Martín de León] on April as commissioner for Martín de León’s colony. 30, 1829, conflicted with boundaries previously (Saltillo, L.S., 2 pp.) approved for DeWitt’s colony, said grant could 6/15/1827 123/7, p. 76 have no effect. Circulated by Músquiz to the RTEC, p. 292. alcaldes and commissioners on June 14, 1831. (Leona Vicario, L.S., 3 pp.) Martín de León’s Colony (#443-450); see also 5/2/1831 124/4, p. 97 #48-49; #1104-1155 RTEC, p. 70. 443. Martín de León’s Colony 446. Letona [Gov. José María] Expediente pertaining to the approval of Martín Resolutions of the Permanent Deputation, de León’s colony and its boundaries. The file approved by the governor, denying the petitions includes copies of the following documents: of the ayuntamiento of Goliad and of Martín de communication from the alcalde of Goliad to the León which asked the government to void Power governor relative to foreigners settling at and Hewetson's contract to settle the coast Guadalupe Victoria and lack of Mexican settlers leagues. (Leona Vicario, copy, 5 pp.) there (3/26/1825) [p. 71]; Political Chief José 8/18/1831 124/4, p. 101 Antonio Saucedo’s report to the governor on RTEC, p. 71-74 Martín de León’s colony (6/10/1825) [p. 72]; copy provided by Baron de Bastrop of Martín de 447. Mier y Terán, Manuel de, Commandant León's petition to the provincial deputation and General, to [Ramón Músquiz,] Political Chief list of settlers coming with him to settle the town of Dept. of Béxar of Guadalupe Victoria [pp. 74-78]; approval by the provincial deputation of De León's petition Asking the political chief to prevent James Power and the rules and regulations governing his from taking possession of the land he claimed settlement (4/13/1824) [pp.
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