East Texas Historical Journal Volume 31 Issue 2 Article 6 10-1993 The Indian Policy of Stephen F. Austin Valentine J. Belfiglio Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/ethj Part of the United States History Commons Tell us how this article helped you. Recommended Citation Belfiglio, alentineV J. (1993) "The Indian Policy of Stephen F. Austin," East Texas Historical Journal: Vol. 31 : Iss. 2 , Article 6. Available at: https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/ethj/vol31/iss2/6 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the History at SFA ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in East Texas Historical Journal by an authorized editor of SFA ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. EAST TEXAS HiSTORICAL ASSOCIATION 15 THE INDIAN POLICY OF STEPHEN F. AUSTIN by Valentine J, Belfiglio "The just and legal rights of the civilized Indians should be protected" (Stephen F. Austin, The Austin Papers. III, p. 123). Introduction Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836), U.S. politician and colonizer of Texas, led 300 American families to a site on the Brazos River in 1821. The group established a permanent settlement there. Austin was well qualified to direct this enterprise. A native of Virginia, he was educated and experi enced in business and public service. Austin attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. Then he managed his father's business mining, smelting, and manufacturing lead in Potosi, Missouri. He also served as adjutant of a militia battalion and as a member of the Missouri territorial legislature. [0 July 1820 the territorial governor of Arkansas t appointed him circuit judge of the first judicial district.