<p> Empresario Notes</p><p>Empresario- Business people who prompted migration into Texas</p><p>Moses Austin (1761-1821)</p><p> The first American to secure a Land Grant Contract from the Government of Spain to bring 300 Families from the U.S. to Texas.</p><p> He died before he could ever bring anyone to Texas.</p><p>Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836)</p><p> Took over his Father’s Land Grant when he died.</p><p> He signed a contract with the Mexican Government</p><p> He brought 297 Families to settle in his new “Austin Colony,” between the Colorado and the Brazos Rivers. </p><p> The families became known as the “Old Three hundred”, and S.F. Austin became known as the “Father of Texas.”</p><p>Green Dewitt (1787-1835) </p><p> Empresario who brought settlers from the U.S. to Texas into an area south of Austin’s Colony</p><p>Martin De Leon (1765-1833)</p><p> Empresario and Cattle Rancher that brought primarily Mexican Settlers into Texas along the lower Guadalupe River, south of Dewitt’s Colony. </p><p>Erasmo Seguin (1782-1857)</p><p> He made sure Moses Austin’s land grant was approved by the Spanish government.</p><p> He helped S.F. Austin get his Land Grant approved by the Mexican Government.</p><p> He helped write the Mexican Constitution of 1824.</p><p>Mexican Constitution of 1824</p><p> Gave limited power to the Central Government.</p><p> Mexico’s state Lawmakers (not the citizens) elected the President.</p><p> Roman Catholicism was the official (and only) Religion in Mexico. </p><p> United Texas and the Mexican province of Coahuila into one state, with Saltillo being the Capital</p><p>*Mexico used the Empresarios and Land grant system to quickly settle Texas; however there were restrictions. Colonization Law of 1825 and Restrictions:</p><p> People had to become Catholics</p><p> Must be good Mexican Citizens, then would pay no taxes for Ten Years.</p><p> Land was reduced to less than a penny an Acre</p><p> 1). No one could receive more than 48,708 acres of land;</p><p> 2). No colony could be established without the permission of the Mexican Government.</p><p> 3).Only those who intended to live in Texas could receive land contracts.</p>