Empresario- Business People Who Prompted Migration Into Texas

Empresario Notes

Empresario- Business people who prompted migration into Texas

Moses Austin (1761-1821)

 The first American to secure a Land Grant Contract from the Government of Spain to bring 300 Families from the U.S. to Texas.

 He died before he could ever bring anyone to Texas.

Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836)

 Took over his Father’s Land Grant when he died.

 He signed a contract with the Mexican Government

 He brought 297 Families to settle in his new “Austin Colony,” between the Colorado and the Brazos Rivers.

 The families became known as the “Old Three hundred”, and S.F. Austin became known as the “Father of Texas.”

Green Dewitt (1787-1835)

 Empresario who brought settlers from the U.S. to Texas into an area south of Austin’s Colony

Martin De Leon (1765-1833)

 Empresario and Cattle Rancher that brought primarily Mexican Settlers into Texas along the lower Guadalupe River, south of Dewitt’s Colony.

Erasmo Seguin (1782-1857)

 He made sure Moses Austin’s land grant was approved by the Spanish government.

 He helped S.F. Austin get his Land Grant approved by the Mexican Government.

 He helped write the Mexican Constitution of 1824.

Mexican Constitution of 1824

 Gave limited power to the Central Government.

 Mexico’s state Lawmakers (not the citizens) elected the President.

 Roman Catholicism was the official (and only) Religion in Mexico.

 United Texas and the Mexican province of Coahuila into one state, with Saltillo being the Capital

*Mexico used the Empresarios and Land grant system to quickly settle Texas; however there were restrictions. Colonization Law of 1825 and Restrictions:

 People had to become Catholics

 Must be good Mexican Citizens, then would pay no taxes for Ten Years.

 Land was reduced to less than a penny an Acre

 1). No one could receive more than 48,708 acres of land;

 2). No colony could be established without the permission of the Mexican Government.

 3).Only those who intended to live in Texas could receive land contracts.