SFA Establishes a Colony Chapter 8
Unit 3 Notes SFA Establishes a Colony Chapter 8 Main Idea: Stephen
F. Austin faced challenges and opportunities while establishing his
colony in Texas. Who was Moses Austin? First Anglo American to
secure permission from the Spanish authorities to bring American
settlers to Texas. After his business failed in the depression of
1819, he traveled from his home in Connecticut to San Antonio to
make money. How did he pave the way for Anglos to colonize
Texas?
His request of Spanish authorities to bring 300 American families
to Texas was turned down at first. In 1821, Austins friend Baron de
Bastrop influenced the Spanish governor to give Austin the
permission he sought. What happened to Moses Austin?
On June 10, 1821 Moses Austin died.He wanted his son to carry out
his plan. Stephen F. Austin went to San Antonio in August 1821 to
carry out his fathers plan. Where did SFA decide to start a
colony?
Austin decided that the region between the Colorado and Brazos
rivers would make a good colony. Austin also requested land along
the coast to land the settlers and supplies. How did he advertise
for colonists?
Austin promised 640 acres for each man, 320 acres for each woman,
160 acres for each child, and 80 acres for each slave. The land
would cost 12.5 cents per acre. What were the requirements of SFAs
colonists?
Settlers had to: Become Spanish citizens Take an oath of allegiance
to Spain (later Mexico) Become Catholic Be of good moral character
Be willing to work hard Be loyal to the government What was the
result of SFAs requirements?
Austins advertisements attracted many people. Most early colonists
came from Southern U.S. They owned small farms and a few cows and
horses. What occurred in March 1822? How did this event affect
SFA?
Austin learned that Mexico had won independence from Spain the
previous year. The new government did not recognize Austins right
to colonize Texas. How did SFA impress Mexican leaders?
He traveled to Mexico City to get approval for his settlement from
the new Mexican government. In 1823, the Mexican government was
impressed by Austins honesty and sincerity and passed a general
colonization law, giving him the contract. Agustin de Iturbide,
Mexican Emperor, What problems developed in SFAs colony?
When Austin returned to the colony, he found that many colonists
had left because of drought. Others were waiting for the land to be
surveyed. Disagreement arose over ownership of some lands.
Karankawas and Tonkawas raided settlements and stole livestock
along the coast. How did SFA solve the problems?
Austin and Baron de Bastrop settled claims and recorded deeds to
the land. Austin created a militia to protect the colony from
Native Americans. The militia would later become the Texas Rangers,
seen in the picture above. Who were The Old 300? The 297 families
that originally settled in Austins colony became known as the Old
300. Many chose lands along the Brazos, Colorado, and San Jacinto
rivers, as well as smaller streams, creeks and bayous. Many had
already been in Texas before Austin arrived. What was the colonys
capital?
Austin gave the colony a capital to serve as a government center.
The capital was named San Felipe de Austin.