Stephen F. Austin in Texas
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Transcript Stephen F. Austin in Texas
Stephen F.
Austin in Texas
Moses Austin Dies
The
mayor of San Antonio had waited
months to hear back from Moses Austin.
After growing inpatient, mayor Erasmo
Seguin wrote Moses’ son Stephen F. Austin
to see if he had any information on the
colonization plan.
Stephen F. Goes to Texas
Stephen
F. Austin was 27 years old when
he learned of his father’s death.
Austin became determined to carry on his
father’s plan to bring U.S. settlers into
Texas.
As he entered Texas in 1821, Austin made
a promise to himself.
“I decided to fulfill rigidly all the duties and
obligations of a Mexican citizen”
Austin
arrived in San Antonio in August of
1821.
Erasmo Seguin - a rancher and the mayor
of San Antonio led Austin to the governor
of San Antonio.
When Austin and Seguin arrived into San
Antonio they were greeted warmly and
offered to support Austin’s efforts.
Mexico is Independent
Mexico
had won independence from
Spain since the time Moses’ contract for
colonization had been approved.
Austin needed a new contract from the
Mexican government.
He wrote a new contract and it was sent
to Mexico City for approval.
Austin Explores
Austin
had to wait for his new contract to
be approved by Mexico City.
During this time he began to explore.
He explored the land East of San Antonio.
He picked the rich farmland in the area of
the Brazos and Colorado River valley as
the location for his colony.
Austin’s Colony
He
would have 11 million acres in the Gulf
Coast Plain to establish colonization.
The colony would have a mild climate,
fertile soil, water, and plenty of timber for
building.
Wild game was also plentiful.
In addition, the site was near the coast,
where settlers and supplies could arrive by
ship.
Austin Readies His Colonies
Stephen
F. Austin hurried back to the
United States to make the final
preparations.
Heads of households would receive 640
acres each.
A married man could claim another 320
acres plus an additional 160 acres per
child.
Slave holders could 80 acres per slave.
Austin’s Colony
Settlers who provided valuable services or
who brought items such as cotton gins –
devices that separate cotton fibers from
seeds – might receive extra land.
Where possible, these land grants would
border on a river that would provide water for
farming and transportation.
Settlers would pay Austin 12.5 cents per acre
and this price would include land survey and
land titles – legal documents proving
ownership.
Attracting U.S. Citizens
This
was very attractive to U.S. citizens
because land was selling for $1.25 an
acre in the U.S.
U.S. law also required people to buy a
minimum of 80 acres.
After the panic of 1819 people did not
have enough cash to pay $100.00 in cash
for land.
Austin
allowed payment plans or trading
goods for land.
Applications from U.S. citizens poured in!
Austin developed strict guidelines for
selecting settlers.
Homework
Imagine
that you are writing a front page
article for a newspaper in the U.S. In the
article you are trying to persuade U.S.
residents to move to Texas. Describe the
pros and cons of Austin’s new colony.
Needs to be 2 paragraphs, 8 sentences
total. Draw and color a picture of the
landscape in the Gulf