moses austin, a rugged and travel-stained american, was walking slowly across the plaza in san antonio one day in december, 1820. his head hung on his breast, and his eyes were full of trouble and defeat. suddenly he heard his name pronounced; he turned to find himself face to face with the baron de bastrop, who grasped him warmly by the hand. his eyes brightened with pleasure at this unexpected meeting. “i thought myself a total stranger in san antonio,” he said.
de bastrop, whom he had met some years before in the united states, listened with great interest while austin told the story of his plans and their failure.
stephen fuller austin.
he was, he said, a citizen of missouri, where he had settled when that state was spanish territory. his object in coming to san antonio was to obtain permission to establish a colony somewhere in texas. but on presenting himself to governor martinez (mar-tee′ness), after his long and dangerous journey, he had been coldly received and ordered to quit the province. he was at that moment on his way to the place where he had left his horses and his negro servant, in order to prepare for departure. “my journey, as you see,” he concluded, “has been fruitless.”
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de bastrop,[16] a prussian in the service of mexico, chanced also to be one of the alcaldes of san antonio. “come with me again to the governor,” he said, leading the way to the official residence. here he used his influence to such purpose that in a few days austin was on his way to missouri with the assurance that his request would be granted by the general government.
but the homeward journey, made in the dead of winter, proved fatal to him. a sickness, brought on by cold and exposure, so weakened him that he died soon after reaching home. before his death, however, he learned that permission had been given him to settle three hundred families in texas. he left as a sacred legacy to his son stephen the duty of carrying out his cherished project.
stephen fuller austin, the great pioneer of texas colonists, was at that time twenty-eight years of age. he was slender and broad-browed, with features which showed at once the gentleness and the firmness of his character. he had inherited his father’s self-reliance and energy—the capital most needed in that almost trackless wilderness henceforth to be his home. he was well educated; his manners were courteous and dignified; he inspired with confidence and respect all who came in touch with him. such, in part, was the man one day to be known as the father of texas.
he was in new orleans, busied about his father’s affairs, when he heard of the arrival at natchitoches of don erasmo seguin, the commissioner sent from mexico to meet and confer with moses austin. he went to natchitoches without delay, and there learned of his father’s death and the solemn obligation laid upon himself.
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he accepted the charge without hesitation, and began at once to perfect his plans.
in july he accompanied seguin back to san antonio, traveling by the old san antonio road. martinez received him kindly, and gave him permission to explore the country and select a place for his colony. he chose the rich lands lying between the colorado and brazos rivers.
a contract was made which allowed 640 acres of land to each colonist; to his wife (if married), 320 acres; and 140 acres to each child; 80 acres were allowed to the master for each slave. the colonists, who must be from louisiana, were required to furnish certificates of good character, to profess the roman catholic religion, and to swear allegiance to spain. they were to be free from taxation for six years. austin was commissioned to take charge of the local government.
these writings signed, austin returned to louisiana to collect emigrants.
